Here's the third chapter!
Thanks to my reviewers and thanks to Zan! (you gave me precious advice) ;-) Thanks to my Liloo chan who corrected my mistakes in chapter two! Love you!
Vocabulary:
Ohayô (gozaimasu) : good morning
Daijoubu ka: are you all right?
Wakatta/wakarimashita: I've understood, ok
Gomen: sorry
Yokatta: I'm relieved (well it's not exactly that, but it's the idea)
Bôzu: monk
Arigatô – thank you
Harahetta : I'm hungry
Saru : monkey
Bakazaru : stupid monkey
Oyasumi (nasai) : good night
K'so (or kuso) : shit
K'so kappa : well... I think you can guess lol
If you have problems with other words, just ask me! ;-)
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Thoughts : /italics/
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Chapter 3: After the battle
Sanzo finally awoke. He slowly opened his eyes. The light in the room was bright, almost painful. Hearing a noise, he turned his head towards the left.
Hakkai was sitting on a chair, looking at him.
Hakkai - Ohayo Sanzo!
Sanzo - Hakkai? What happened?
Hakkai frowned slightly and faked to be surprised with a completely innocent look.
Hakkai – What happened? You don't remember? You fell asleep in the middle of the battle and as usual, you let us make the dirty work.
Sanzo looked quizzicaly at Hakkai, slightly surprised and irritated.
/Now I'm sure of it, this damned kappa has a bad influence on him.../
Sanzo (slightly glaring at him) - Hakkai, I'm warning you...
A smile appeared on Hakkai's face but quickly faded. He seemed worried.
Hakkai – Gomen. This time, things could have gone wrong...
Sanzo rubbed his face with one hand, trying to remember.
Sanzo – What happened ?
Hakkai told him quickly how he had been stabbed, how Goku using the technique of the ki had managed to join them and had helped them to eliminate the monsters whereas Gojyo and him were in a difficult situation.
Sanzo stayed silent. He finally remembered the attack of youkais, how he had been unable to contain them and how everything had gone black in an instant... He could also remember what had occurred right before that... Sanzo looked with hesitation around him. Hakkai stopped talking and observed him.
Hakkai (smiling) - If you're looking for Goku, I sent him with Gojyo to buy groceries. I think he needed to go out for some fresh air. - / in fact, he was too anxious for you.../
Sanzo (looking away) – I wasn't...
Hakkai (smiling and cutting him short) - rest Sanzo, if you don't want to be a weight for us!
A vein appeared on Sanzo's forehead.
Sanzo - Hakkai I warn you...
Hakkai (cutting him short again, looking down with a serious glance) - yes I know, I shouldn't say that... in fact yesterday, we all were burdens to Goku...
Sanzo looked at him.
Hakkai - if he had not intervened, I don't know what would have happened. (laughing uneasily) I guess we need training... We're becoming lazy.
Sanzo stayed silent once again. Hakkai was right. They needed to become stronger.
Hakkai stood up.
Hakkai – You must rest... (frowning) and please don't get up, the doctor strictly prohibited it. I'll say to Gojyo and Goku that you are awake... Do you have something to tell them ?
Sanzô seemed a little bit embarrassed. Hakkai blinked, astonished. He had expected him to answer immediately by a negative response, maybe also curse the 'two idiots', but he didn't expected that. The man was generally difficult to read and it was rare to see him expressing his emotions, even if it was really dim.
Hakkai- Sanzo, daijoubu ka?
Pulling himself together, Sanzo turned his back to Hakkai and looked at the wall.
Sanzo - tell them - /tell him/- ... that... I'm okay...
Hakkai opened wide his eyes and smiled slightly.
Hakkai - wakatta... oh... by the way...
Sanzo (looking at Hakkai) - what?
Hakkai (smiling, embarrassed) – I think you should prepare a sermon...
Sanzo (blinking) – What do you mean?
Hakkai (still smiling) - /He's going to be mad/ Well you see… yesterday after the battle, we found another Buddhist temple. And... we were in a very bad shape, particularly you, and they took good care of us... Then...
Sanzo (tense) - /don't tell me they…/...Then what?
Hakkai rubbed his head, smiling with embarrassment and heading discreetly for the door.
Hakkai - we promised them that you would make a sermon to thank them as soon as you would feel better!
Sanzo (a vein pulsing in his temple)- /I can't believe it…/ You...!
Hakkai (closing the door behind him) - I'll see you later!
Sanzo raised his eyes. He clenched his teetk.
/What a bunch of complete morons… I'll kill them, all of them. I swear they'll have a painful death./
He closed his eyes, thinking about what Hakkai had just told him.
He was right. Since a few weeks, they'd had difficulties to beat their ennemies... except Goku...
Goku...
He opened his eyes. He remembered what had occurred the day before, just before the attack. He mentally relived the scene. He and Goku... He shivered. He could remember the sweet taste of his lips on his own, the soft skin of his face and his delicate scent.
"what's wrong with me?..."
He stared at the ceiling above him. Now that he thought about it, the monkey hadn't rejected him. However, he didn't know what to think about it... so how could he know what a bakazaru could thought?... He turned his head, looking at the light which passed through the white curtains of the window. His blond hair was scattered on the pillow.
He had acted on impulse. Goku wanted answers to his questions and he hadn't been able to formulate some with words.
He frowned slightly.
/him and his questions/
Flash back:
Goku - what do I represent for you?
Sanzo could not how answer such a question. Perhaps because it was too direct... and implied a direct answer. Something that he was not able to give now. Because he needed time. Because he was kinda afraid. Afraid of losing somebody who was important to him... He extended his hand towards the light.
"What must I do now?"
How react now in front of the saru? What could he tell him? Because he was certainly going to question him sooner or later... Sanzo tried to gather his wits to find a solution but his thoughts were confused.
His eyes were closing again, softly, unable to fight against the tiredness still present and Sanzo sank into sleep.
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Gojyo and Goku opened the door and entered in the central room of the wing that the monks had let them for the night. They were loaded down with provisions.
Gojyo - Finally! Cigarettes and alcohol!
Goku - Hakkai! We found everything! I think we have stocks for at least two weeks!
Gojyo (raising his eyebrows) – You're kidding, right? At the rate you wolf down food? At best for two days, monkey!
Goku – What?
Gojyo – Wanna bet?
Goku was about to answer when Hakkai intervened.
Hakkai - Maa maa... don't make too much noise if you don't want to irritate Sanzo.
Goku (calming down instantaneously and slightly opening his eyes) – He woke up?
Hakkai (smiling) - Yes and he's fine. I think it's better to let him rest. He'll feel better in no time.
Goku (letting out a discrete sigh and murmuring) - Yokatta...
Hakkai (smiling) – don't worry
Gojyo – Yeah, let this monk sleep (muttering) it will save us some bullets
Hakkai chuckled but Goku remained silent
Hakkai looked at him. He knew he was missing a thing. First Sanzo, and then Goku.
Gojyo - Oï saru, do you want to train after lunch?
Goku - Don't call me... (surprised) what?
Gojyo – I guess a little bit of training wouldn't be bad...
Goku (looking closely at Gojyo) - ok... ok of course!
Gojyo (smiling again) - But for the moment let's eat, and don't forget to save some food for the others saru!
Goku - mhh? What?... (realizing what Gojyo had just said) you can speak erokappa!
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A few moments later, after lunch, Gojyo and Goku moved towards the door to go outside to train. Goku stopped in front of the door of Sanzo's room. He seemed to be in deep reflection..
Hakkai - Goku?
Goku (lowering his head and clenching his fists) - Hakkai... can you show me... your technique... to cure...
Hakkai - Of course... Goku?
Goku - Hai?
Hakkai – Don't worry too much about him, he is strong you know...
Goku - I know but...
/this dream... I can't help me but think that it could happen... It seemed so real to me./
Hakkai (smiling) - Wakarimashita... oh and by the way...
Goku raised his head to look at him.
Hakkai (innocent look) – Please try to spare Gojyo, he might be necessary for us to continue our trip.
Goku (smiling) – Ok, I'll try!
Gojyo (a large vein appearing on his forehead) - Oï Hakkai, I thought you were on my side! And saru, don't think you'll get away so easily, I warn you, you're going to suffer!
Goku (heading towards the door, defying him) – As if you were able to touch me! You are so slow that it's not going to happen soon erokappa!
Gojyo (many veins appearing) – You little...
Gojyo and Goku left, still quarelling.
Hakkai (sweatdropping) - /They'll never stop... but I guess it's okay.../
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It was late. Gojyo and Goku had returned since a few hours from their training. Gojyo was rather exhausted. They had eaten their dinner, once more without Sanzo. Hakkai had prepared him something to eat, but apparently Sanzo hadn't awaken since the other time, his meal remaining intact. The 3 played cards in the common part of the wing for a while and then decided to go to bed.
But Goku couldn't sleep. It was the first time since it had happened that he could really quietly think about it. Sanzo stabbed ... Sanzo kissing him... Well, even if he hadn't had time to think about the reasons behind his action, he couldn't say that he hadn't think about the kiss. It was quite the opposite. He had relived it again and again. The delicate touch of Sanzo's lips, his arms around him, his hand on his face and all these emotions overwhelming him.
At the memory, he blushed a little and touched his mouth with the tips of his fingers. He hadn't expected it.
"Why ? What do I represent for you, Sanzo?"
He didn't know how to react now and anticipated the moment when he would be face to face with Sanzo.
Goku got up, his thoughts on Sanzo, and he left the room. Arrived in the common part of the wing, he glanced at the door of Sanzo's room. Pensive, he sat down on the sofa and laid down, still looking at the door.
He suddenly felt reassured. If they were attacked... he could protect him...
And little by little, he sank into a refreshing sleep.
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Hakkai had seen Goku leave the room and was ready to follow him when he was stopped by a hand around his wrist.
Gojyo – Don't...
Hakkai - But Gojyo... I think he has a problem
Gojyo – Yes, I know... he's preoccupied by something. This afternoon when we were training he seemed to be miles away, (muttering) despite that he beat me easily... I'm pretty certain that that has something to do with our adored and venerated corrupted monk.
Hakkai – so you noticed too... (pensive) I think that he is really afraid that something could happen to him... I think that that has something to do with his dreams...
Gojyo – Do you believe that these dreams could have a significance?
Hakkai - Who knows... I have a nasty feeling...
Gojyo (smiling and putting an arm around Hakkai's neck) - you know, you may be a lucky man but as a fortune teller, I'm sure you're not worth a penny...
Hakkai (smiling) - At least I am lucky, me...
Gojyo (vein pulsating) – Hey! What do you mean by that? /decidedly, I think that this depraved monk has a really bad influence on him.../
Hakkai (innocently smiling) – Nothing. Oyasumi nasai Gojô!
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Sanzo awoke and turned his head. It was dark. He sat down and put his hands over his face.
/I must have slept all day.../
He glanced at the table and noticed the meal on the table.
/Certainly Hakkai/
A few moments later, he had eaten and taken a shower in the bathroom attached to the room. Once dressed of his jeans and his black top (conscientiously washed apparently), he automatically sought his lighter and his cigarettes. But when he tried to light one of them, the lighter did not work, irritating the monk. He really needed a cigarette. Badly. One solution remained. Take the lighter of this idiot of kappa.
Everyone should be sleeping at this hour. He certainly wouldn't see an irritated Gojyo... or Goku... He opened the door of his room. The place was dark. There was a big room with several doors.
"Where can they be?"
Suddenly he heard a noise and saw a movement a few meters in front of him. He freezed. Gokû was lying on a sofa. He observed him during a few seconds, motionless, holding his breath, wondering whether he was awake or not.
No. He was sleeping. After all it was predictable. This bakazaru could sleep through a raging storm without any problem.
Relaxing, he slowly approached the sofa and knelt, so as to be face to face with Goku.
Goku seemed to be dreaming. His eyes were moving fast under his eyelids. Sanzo looked closely at him.
/Flash back/
Goku - what I represent for you?
Sanzo's face softened. He thought about all the times when Goku had wanted to obtain answers from him. And he had always avoided to provide him direct answers... always showing only seldom signs of affection. It was difficult for him to show them and that had already played tricks on him... like this time with Homura. But yesterday, he had not thought about the consequences and he had shown him what he wasn't able to express in words. Something, perhaps the determination in Goku's eyes, or perhaps his own weakness had pushed him for the first time to show what he felt, this feeling, even if he was afraid.
Yeah, he was afraid. The word kept invading his thoughts. Sanzo was admitting it, little by little. In fact, he felt trapped. Since the tragic death of his Master, his father, he had promised to himself that he would never get attached to anyone else.
Getting closer to Goku meant risk to see the tragedy repeat itself. But after all wasn't it already too late? He knew he had been lying to himself, desesperately trying to believe that this feeling wasn't there, that he didn't hear this tedious voice in his head.
He smiled at the thought. Goku seemed to become agitated in his sleep, as if the dream was changing into a nightmare. He murmured. Sanzo leaned slightly to hear.
Goku - Konzen...
Sanzo raised his head slightly, looking at Goku's face. He put with hesitation and gently a hand on the Goku's head, his thumb caressing softly his forehead.
After a few moments Goku seemed to calm down.
/Konzen.../
He remembered this name. This damned goddess and even Homura had called him like that
/I wonder what they meant... and who was this guy anyway?
He had never really thought about it. After all, it wasn't so important.
But the fact that the saru was dreaming of that... Unconsciously he was a little jealous of this Konzen that Goku called in his sleep. Sanzo was still caressing Goku's face when after a short hesitation he stopped his gesture without removing his hand. For the second time in less than two days his lips slowly came to capture Goku's in a kiss, short but soft. Then he raised a little his head, staring at the face at a few centimetres from his. Perhaps he had doubts. But somehow... the sight of this saru managed to reassure him. The future was uncertain, but he started to believe in it and maybe that one day, his fears could leave him...
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In Heaven,
Kanzeon Bosatsu at Nataku's sides was watching the scene. She leaned on the chair where was sitting the silent and motionless Nataku.
Kanzeon - well it was about time!
Jiroushin - what do you mean?
Kanzeon (raising her voice) - my dear Konzen starts to believe in it (her tone softened) It was just a question of time, anyway.
Jiroushin (feeling lost) - what do you mean?
Kanzeon (pensive) - since this boy arrived in Heaven... it was obvious...
/Only him could do that.../
Kanzeon - I just hope that my dear nephew will finally open his eyes! If he doesn't, I'll be obliged to intervene!
Jiroushin (starting to panic) - but we cannot intervene, it's against the rules!
Kanzeon (smiling slyly) - if I have to, I'll do it!
Jiroushin (sweatdropping) – Kanzeon Bosatsu sama...
They continued to argue.
Neither of them noticed what happened.
For the first time in hundreds of years, eyelids had flickered and something had briefly glinted in two golden eyes.
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On Earth,
At the same time, Sanzo stood up and sneezed. He went to take a blanket in his room, put on his white dress of monk and then came again at Goku' side to cover him with the blanket, his hand touching briefly but gently his face in the process. He wasn't sleepy and had given up the idea to take Gojyo's lighter... for the moment...
He sat on a chair at the table, at less than one meter of the sofa and started to observe Goku.
/I still don't know what I'm supposed to do... Koumyou.../
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Hakkai awoke and looked at the hour. It was still too early to get up, or at least to awake the others. But he knew that Sanzo would certainly like to leave immediately.
Even convalescent, he didn't allow respite, neither for him, nor for the others...
Hakkai got up, glancing quickly at Gojyo who was slightly whirring. Hakkai smiled.
He went out of the room without making any noise, entering the common part of the wing. What he saw made him open wide his eyes. Sanzo was sitting on a chair, his head on his crossed arms on the table turned in direction of the sofa where Goku was sleeping soundly, wrapped in a blanket he didn't remember to have seen him take.
/ Which means that.../
He glanced at Sanzo and smiled.
/yare yare... if I had expected that/
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Sanzo felt a hand on his shoulder, shaking him. He opened slowly and with difficulty his eyes, dazzled by the morning light, grumpy and with a slightly irritated voice
Sanzo - Nan da?
Hakkai (smiling) - ohayo Sanzo. Glad to see that you are in a good mood!
Sanzo - tch'
He straightened up on his chair. Then he glanced around him, remembering how he had arrived there, before turning his head towards the sofa where Goku was still sleeping. Hakkai glanced discreetly at him. Sanzo seemed to notice it because his eyes quickly came back on Hakkai. This last acted as if he hadn't noticed.
Sanzo – We're leaving. Now.
Hakkai - hai, I'm going to wake up Gojyo. Can you wake up Goku?
Sanzo - mhpff'
Hakkai (smiling) – arigatou!
Then he left. Sanzo looked again at Goku.
/if things were immutable, the world would be a tedious place/
He stood up and approached the sofa. He extended his arm to gently clutch the shoulder of the young man.
/I guess certain things can change/
He shook Goku slightly, this one murmured something incomprehensible before half-getting up, straightening his back, eyes closed.
Goku - Harahetta!
/and other things will never change.. and it's all right./
The harisen landed on Goku's head. This one opened wide his eyes, surprised more than anything else, not completely awake. He looked up to see an apparently grumpy Sanzo.
Goku – but... what was that for? I didn't do anything!
Sanzo – precisely monkey! We leave in 10 minutes! Get up!
The monk quickly turned his back to him, moving towards his room, avoiding voluntarily to look directly at the golden eyes.
Then suddenly he felt a hand grabbing his sleeve. Goku had quickly gotten up.
Goku (worried) - Sanzo... daijoubu ka?
Goku could not see it, but Sanzo's face was indecisive.
He answered however after a few moments – it's okay...
Not finding anything to add he remained silent. Goku hesitated
Goku - I wondered... for yesterday...
Sanzo cut him short with a calm and neutral voice.
Sanzo - not now... later.
Goku smiled slightly at this answer. He could still hope...
Sanzo (with his usual irritated voice) – We leave so hurry up if you don't want to stay here.
Goku - Huh?... Oh yes... ok
Sanzo entered his room. Goku was ready to go to his room too when he noticed the blanket on the sofa. He blinked.
/I didn't take any blanket with me.../
At this moment, Hakkai entered the room, bringing with him their bags (and stocks of food)
Goku - Hakkai, is it you who gave me this blanket?
Hakkai (blinking then smiling slightly) - no... (adding, winking) nor Gojyo if you want my opinion
Goku - oh...
/so that means that... Sanzo.../
Goku blushed.
/but why? Why did he.../
Hakkai looked at him, an amused smile on his lips then his expression changed, slightly worried
Hakkai - Goku we should hurry, if we don't...
Goku - huh? What do you mean?
Hakkai - well... (smiling, embarrassed) if we don't we could have serious problems!
Goku (lost) - eh?
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A few hours later, they were in the jeep, fearing the consequences of the quiet anger of a really really exasperated Sanzo who was still clenching his teeth. Indeed, in spite of their haste and the early hour, they had not been able to escape from the monks and thus... as promised, Sanzo had had to make a long sermon... a too long sermon.. the monks clinging desesperately on him to make him stay longer.
They had finally escaped them, Sanzo remaining dangerously quiet for a long moment, trying to control his growing anger, when finally he broke the silence.
Sanzo (an enormous vein pulsing) – now listen to me you morons. The NEXT time that you make this kind of promise behind my back, I KILL you for good, GOT IT?
At these words, Gojyo who had tried since they had left to retain his laughter (a laughter that had started at the sight of Sanzo's horrified face when he had opened the door and seen several hundreds of monks awaiting for him behind it to do his sermon) bursted out laughing. Immediately, it was followed by several gunshots whistling very close to the kappa's ears
Gojyo - Oï but stop Sanzo! I have nothing to do with that!
Sanzi – 'tch' Are you making fun of me?
Gojyo – the sermon wasn't my idea! It's the saru's fault!
Goku (outraged) – WHAT? That was YOUR idea erokappa! You said it would be fun!
Gojyo and Goku continued to quarrel on whose fault it was until that Sanzo turned round to hit them several times on their heads, louder and louder each time.
Sanzo - URUSEE!
Hakkai (smiling) - Maa maa, you shouldn't...
Then suddenly, he violently applied the brakes, sending Goku forwards and sending Gojyo's head on Hakkai's seat.
Gojyo (rubbing his head) – Argh! That hurts! Why did you do that? Let us know when you want to do something like this!
Goku raised his head which had involuntarily fallen on Sanzo's shoulder, his face touching his neck and his hands now on Sanzo's waist. They stared at each other, realizing that instinctively, one of Sanzo's arm had slipped around Goku's waist while his other hand had grabbed the seat, preventing both of them from falling out of the car.
They stared intensely at each other for a few seconds before regaining their composure letting the other go, slightly blushing. Sanzo and Goku turned to Hakkai and Gojyo. These ones weren't paying attention at all to them and were looking mesmerized right in front of them.
Sanzo – what's happening?
Hakkai - I don't have the slightest idea.
Goku and Sanzo turned.
What Sanzo saw left him speechless.
TBC
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You want to know what they've seen? When Nataku is going to wake up? What Gokû's dreaming of? What Kanzeon's going to do? What will happen between Sanzô and Gokû? When Gokû's going to remember his past?
Next chapter: serious things finally begin with the apparition of Gôjun, the bet between Gojô and Hakkai.
Want to know what's going to happen?
Please review! ;-)
Corrections are more than welcomed!