Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki or any of the characters from said series.

Warning: Yaoi in later chapters.

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Ch 1: Fixation

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Sapphire and jade shone as pure colors in the water as it babbled across smooth stones on its way to Lake Moira.

… "The ancient lake was only newly exposed to earth's sky 163 years ago. A great battle between demons of fearful power unearthed it and the mystic stream which flows to fill it." She brushed her light blue hair out of her face, "and anyway, it's an old story but legend has it…" she glanced nervously at the annoyed looking priest, "um… maybe you'd just like to order? Ah-heh." She smiled despite of her slight fear and attempted a lighthearted laugh.

"Sake," blonde hair fell into his eyes as he bent over a map.

"Ah, okay," her voice was shaky but she kept her smile. The girl looked at Goku and the boy readily ordered nearly the whole menu. Hakkai was next and selected a small dish, Gojyo decided on sake just as the priest had.

Twenty minutes later the monkey was scarffing down mass amounts of food and the four adventurers were seated around a square table in the corner of the tiny restaurant.

"Sooooo… we're stuck?" his words came through a mouthful of meat bun.

"No stupid monkey, don't you listen?" for once Gojyo didn't look particularly annoyed but animosity was in his voice none the less.

"We're just going to have to take some time to figure out how to get through the mountains," said Hakkai. "I suppose we will be staying here about two days or so?" he looked at Sanzo.

The priest glanced up from the map he was still starring at, "most likely," his eyes shifted back to the paper.

"What about going around the mountains?" Goku actually said something semi-smart for once.

"Well that would be difficult," the blue haired waitress was refilling their drinks, "um, the mountain range runs about 300 miles and we're right in the middle. You would have to go very far out of your way to do such a thing." She was trying her best despite the group's unwillingness to be friendly.

Silence…

"And there are multiple complications with going 'over' the mountains as would be preferable," Hakkai finished explaining to the saru.

They had already been there a while; all were ill at ease and ready to move on. Even though it had only been the two days, Gojyo had found himself a following of lovely ladies and every restaurant had been adequately drained of supplies thanks to Goku's insatiable appetite.

It was getting late, "I'm turning in," Sanzo stood to leave… but stopped, "you're coming too." He grabbed Goku's shirt and pulled the youth from the table.

"Wah? Sanzo!" Goku protested.

"I want to sleep and I'm not giving you a key, it's now or never, your choice." Sanzo said it was Goku's decision but he kept a hold on the boy's shirt collar despite his words.

With flecks of grief in golden eyes the saru reluctantly allowed himself to be led away.

The redhead chuckled softly and sipped at his sake. Gojyo was in an extremely relaxed mood compared to his normal spasticity setting of ninety. He sighed and fingered a small folded piece of paper in his inside vest pocket looking thoughtfully out the window.

A palm was gently set on Gojyo's forehead, "Huh? Hakkai what are you doing?"

The brunette took his hand away, "I thought that you must be sick. I have not heard a decent peep from you all evening."

Gojyo smiled wryly and clasped the paper tightly between his fingers. "Yeah, guess I'm just out of it tonight." His gaze strayed to the window again.

"…um…" the blue-haired waitress stood next to their table, "… um if you are looking for a way through the mountain," she nervously thrust a card out, "he may be able to help..." she dropped the paper on the table when neither man moved to take it from her. A few nervous glances later she walked away leaving them in peace once more.

"No comment about her dress, no sultry speech. Are you sure you are okay?" Hakkai looked in earnest at his friend after pocketing the card.

"Hm?" Gojyo hadn't been paying attention.

A small worried smile touched the corners of the brunette's lips. "I think I will be going to bed as well," Hakkai stood. "Will you be coming?"

Gojyo glanced up, "hnnnn… later, yeah…" Taking another sip of his sake the redhead lit a cigarette and breathed deeply.

Hakkai sighed and rested a hand on the kappa's shoulder squeezing once he released it and walked away from the table.

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Hours later Gojyo still held his glass. He was slumped over the table with his hand cupped around the paper he had been grasping earlier. It was still folded, the corners curled up with obvious ware.

He had found it that way… Yesterday evening he had returned to his room and lay down a crumpling noise reaching his ears. He reached behind his head and pulled out a folded square of shabby paper… Opening it the words reached heart as his eyes read each line again… and again…

"sir…" blue hair framed tired eyes, "if you are not going to order anything else, won't you please come back tomorrow?"

Gojyo grunted and stood, placing the paper back in his vest with care he left the table and exited the restaurant.

It was extremely early in the morning and the air had gone to crisp and cold within the past hour.

"Gojyo-saaannnn!" giggling could be heard as two of the lady followers he had managed to pickup walked tipsily towards him.

The redhead barely bothered to take notice as they approached him.

"Gojyo… darling," a fair haired girl now hung from his left arm, "how are you tonight?" She smelled like cheap beer and sex.

The second woman moved in front of Gojyo and splayed a hand against his chest, "May, don't take the lovely all for yourself,"

Not particularly excited by their arrival the kappa moved into his own mind, '… maybe the lake…'

"hmmmm…it's cold outside, why don't you come in and we can warm you up baby," the light haired woman ran a hand up his arm while at the same time giving her partner a smart smack on the bottom.

"Oh!" the second woman yelped with a start, "you devil you!"

'… not wasting time in getting to the point tonight…' Gojyo mused over the situation then retreated back to the confines of his head.

They were both drunk beyond the point of true comprehension and when the light haired woman let go of Gojyo she nearly fell over.

"You are soooo sexy!" grabbing the second woman she kissed her hard.

Gojyo normally would have been all for it but tonight they seemed a rather bit more whorish than usual.

"Hmh," the redhead walked away leaving the ladies to their own devices, which seemed to be working out fine because they barely noticed his departure.

"Oh! Hah! You dirty dirty girl…" the voices faded behind him…

Gojyo wound his way through the small city and to the lake taking his time kicking rocks along the road.

The water reflected the night sky, a velvety purple flecked with iridescent pure lights. The redhead tromped lightly down to the water, mud squelching under his boots until he reached the dock. Old wooden beams creaked under Gojyo's heels and he took up a seated position with his feet in the water.

Reaching inside his vest pocket the kappa pulled out his true infatuation… a small crumpled piece of paper… opening it his lips silently read over the gracefully written words…

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A/N: … What do you think? I know my chapters are short but please forgive me TT.