Kae-chan: Hey, I finally update one of my stories --;; I'm so busy with school and shit that I've had writers block for months. I WILL continue all the stories that I have up, eventually, when summer comes around I will definitely try to update at least monthly. So…anyways…here's the next installment, it's a little different than the other chapters and takes place after Hakkai's bought of fever, indicated in the last chapter.
VEILS CH 2
Golden bangs shadowed the features of Sanzo, his droopy amethyst eyes hidden beneath the lush fringe, seeming to serve as a barrier between him and the world. Nevertheless, his reflexes were lightning as he snatched the wheel from a somewhat startled green-eyed youkai and steered Hakuryu from the line of trees that bordered the mountain path.
"Dammit, Hakkai!" Pulling to an abrupt stop the monk turned, an intense anger building not only in his eyes but also behind the words that were spat out. "What the hell is wrong with you! If you're not fit to be driving, just say it, I would much rather lack sleep than a skull." Not removing his hand from the steering wheel Sanzo leaned over the chocolate haired youkai, whose head was hung in an apologetic gesture, and opened the drivers' side door.
"Anou, Sanzo-san, gomen...I think I'll take a walk, it must be my head... I just need to clear it." Swinging his legs out from the side door, he hit the ground harder than anticipated and stumbled lightly, acquiring a look of mild concern from the Buddhist and even more intense scrutiny from a certain pair of wine red spheres.
"Hakkai," smoke drifted from the parted lips of Sha Gojyo, the demi-youkai moving swiftly to jump out of Hakuryu only to be halted by a delicately sculpted hand. Tilting his head to the side slightly a brilliant smile lit the converted youkai's cappuccino kissed features, not quite reaching those sparkling jade eyes as he assured Gojyo, in excess, that he was in no need of accompaniment. Frowning openly the lanky individual fell back into his seat, a fine edge of annoyance riding his thoughts as he contemplated that familiar turn of those lips.
-
Hardening jade eyes glared fiercely into glazed over scarlet oculates, elegant fingers brushing over the rapidly swelling flesh of his grim set lips. Pushing off the wall he had fallen against, a lean figure rose stiffly, turning briefly to survey numerous bottles of liquor that littered the table which had been occupied by himself and his companion.
"I think you've had enough to drink, Gojyo, you're acting rash," Hakkai fixed the wobbling half-breed with a steely gaze, his softly spoken words carrying a not-so-hidden threat of violent intervention.
Straightening his hunched and shaking form the demi-youkai appeared to sober up, as he stood to his full height, straight-backed. Pinning the startled Hakkai with an amazingly clear and intense stare, he moved forward, closing the distance between them in a matter of a few steps.
-
Chocolate hair lay plastered against his skull, rivulets of water dripping from stray strands and making tracks across the expanse of his facial plane. Shaking violently the youth wrapped lissome arms about himself, clutching the fabric of his sopping shirt as if clinging to shards of sanity. Bowing his head in shame, jade green orbs gazed listlessly into the curtains of rain, letting nature produce for him the liquid that so rarely let its presence be known within his being.
Delicious pain arced up his torso, product of the steel hard nails currently sheathed within his limbs. Smirking darkly, the youkai withdrew his 'claws', studying their edge before inserting them where they had once been and pulling their forms effortlessly across his yielding flesh. Leaning back against a tree trunk he felt the warmth of blood spread across his belly and lay there, thick like a blanket, thanks to his shirt.
Savoring the feel of heavy liquid pounding atop his eyelid, the other saved by the canopy his monocle created; he tilted his head back and reluctantly opened vacant eyes. Raising wine stained hands before the windows to his ever dwindling soul, Hakkai noted the way rain seemed to wash the blood away, red rivers sliding down his arms with the world around him melting in a similar way. A scarlet haze washed over his vision, vertigo taking hold of the lithe frame, even as strong arms wrapped protectively across his chest and the faint scent of burning tobacco wafted under his nose.
"Goddam you, Hakkai, shit!" Blood spilled over lanky muscled arms, leaking from the overflowing threads of his roommates' sweater. Holding Hakkai's limp form against his own, Gojyo shambled to the door of the inn, taking the stair steps two at a time in a mad dash to their room. Slamming the door behind them he moved quickly to the shower, immediately turning the tap to warm and removing the dazed youkais' shirt, gasping at the shreds of skin that hung from ragged wounds.
"It's only been four weeks since that last time it's rained and you got so ill, if you want to fucking die stop fighting so hard to live!" Lowering his half-naked companion into the building pool of warm water, Gojyo rose to dig up the first aid kit, ignoring the shouts and banging against the room door. Returning the tub side Gojyo blinked in disbelief at the green light hovering around slowly healing wounds, glaring heatedly into apologetic jade, his eyes focused on the weakly smiling lips.
"Hakkai…"
-
"What have I told you, Hakkai?" Calloused finger pads moved delicately over the bridge of his friends nose and across the reddening ridge of his cheek. Staring deeply into the others eyes, swirls of grief and a long held yearning surfaced atop the scarlet pools. "Don't hide behind that goddamned smile. I hate that…it hurts…" His voice broke, turning husky with repressed emotions as he trailed off softly; scarlet orbs broke their hold over earthy green ones and dipping to the side to fall upon the shattered monocle. Tightening his jaw and swallowing back a lump he regretted striking his closest and probably only true friend, the knuckles and back of his hand itching suddenly where they had made contact with Hakkai's face.
"Gojyo, I-I-" The pleasant tenor faltered, words catching in his throat as the strong, sinewy fingers that had been resting on his shoulder began to deftly stroke the curve of his jaw and cheek. Burning fiercely Hakkai felt the blood creep across his face and down his neck, setting every nerve ablaze as the blush spread over his chest and down that forbidden path. Mouthing wordlessly for only a moment the jade-eyed youkai bade his body to stay under control even as Gojyo's intense oculates drew him, unwillingly, closer.
"Don't give me your lame excuses, I've put up with them for three years too long," frowning slightly into the nearly bewildered gaze of green he silently applauded his body for doing something useful without his consent, for once. Kneading at the junction of neck and shoulder his fingers sought to relieve the knot that was probably always present in his daydream lovers' framework.
Hakkai fought to tame the flush, lifting his chin up slightly the moss-eyed youth attempted to glare menacingly at his companion. To his dismay Gojyo remained standing just as close as before, absorbing the glare as he brought the other hand up to gently stroke the side of his torso. Biting the inside of his lip in an effort to appear calm and collected, Hakkai strengthened his resolve, muscles tensing as Gojyo's invading fingers perused the youkais delicate surface features.
Grimacing, Gojyo winced at the hardening chords, losing motivation at the undeniable rejection. "Don't I ground you? You said it once, were you lying?" Crimson strands fell in front of his face, shading the wine oculars and giving Hakkai the distinct impression of a lost child, even the normally gruff tone softened by anxiety. Panic tore at Hakkai's heart, his pulse quickening at the enticing image before him and at the fear he had for his lowered inhibitions. Refusing to concede to the rising sadist within, Hakkai slipped the mask firmly into place, even as Gojyo's pleading eyes caught his own a moment later, the forlorn expression intensifying at the removal of all emotion from Hakkai's near-cherubic features.
Clenching his jaw, Gojyo straightened his back, fighting the rising awareness of his inebriation with mild difficulty. "It hurts, Hakkai, to be around you," licking chapped lips swiftly he pushed on, enunciating forcefully in order to not stumble over his thickening tongue. "It hurts to watch you slip that bogus smile on your face everyday when I see you writhe in your sleep every time it rains." His tone was caustic, gaining strength and volume as he continued, " Always just watching, never daring to move any fucking closer because this goddamned blood might stain you!" running calloused fingers through his hair he grabbed a fistful of the cherry locks, hand trembling. "Oh, and may the exalted high lord Sanzo-sama himself forbid that I mar that beautiful smile you're always parading around. The facades up, dammit, why are you hiding from me?"
Studying the man before him, Hakkai noted the drained posture his body was holding and the desperate frustration beginning to build behind all the raw emotion present in his pleading scarlet oculars. Gojyo was bearing his soul, he knew, all the more reason to protect him from the sadist.
"You're drunk." His tone was harsh, the words scathing. "You're drunk, Gojyo, that's all…"
"I'm in love." Tears glittered across the surface of his eyes, turning scarlet to ruby as every insecurity and grievance crystallized in those orbs. "Fuck!" Turning swiftly from the moss-eyed youkai, he dug compulsively into his pocket for cigarettes as he paced the floor. "Do you understand this? I'm. In. Love. I'm in love with my best friend, who happens to be a dude, which makes me a queer!" Stopping suddenly to throw his head back, he cast a side glance at Hakkai, grinning sardonically, "Ironic, huh? 'I don't entertain a mans request' my ass. Heh, it would've remained my philosophy if you had just decided to lay dieing on some other dirt road…"
Silence blanketed the room as rouge eyes dropped back to the floor, his form still turned to the side of Hakkai's. Gojyo, having found his cigarettes, gave an overexcited jerk of the hand that sent them flying from his fingers, sliding far enough in time to catch the heel of Hakkai's retreating footsteps. "Where are you going?" A mild confusion laced his accusatory tone.
"For a walk. I'll talk to you once the alcohol has been spent out of your system, you're not in your right mind." Crisp and brief, the reply set Gojyo's nerves on fire, fed only by the alcohol coursing through his veins. Snarling lowly the demi-youkai was hit full force with the level of his intoxication, stumbling after Hakkai, he cursed as he fell into the wall and slid to the floor.
"What's wrong, you don't like faggots?" The words exploded without though, his voice raw with emotions that threatened to damage his vocal chords. "Is this too real for the goddamned life you started over? You're such a hypocrite! It's only acceptable when it's not you, isn't that right!" Punching the wall in his frustration, he caught the level glare being cast upon him by jade orbs. "You're a coward! Run, you fucking asshole!"
Softening his gaze, Hakkai stared into the glazed eyes of his comrade, watching the rapid rise and fall of the others chest with mild concern. "If you run off at the mouth you might regret what you say. I'll always absolve you, Gojyo, but for your sake…do shut up."
"Taukai!" A crumpled box of cigarettes found itself whizzing by the ear of Hakkai as the youkai stepped into the street, sighing deeply withhands buried deep into his pockets. His hunger was rising at an alarming rate, damn Gojyo for awakening it, especially on such an eerily vacant night.
-tbc-
Kae-chan: Sooo…did you like this at all? I'll probably redo the thing later, it's just kind of a rough draft of the uh relationship that's supposed to be there between Hakkai and Gojyo...I suck at setting up these things --;;