Title: The Abstract Noun (Chapter 2)
Rating: T for language and tobacco/alcohol use
Pairing: GojyoxSanzo

A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I moved and didn't have internet for a while. And I've also noticed how disgustingly short my chapters are. I apologize for that too. Thank you for the reviews!

Dawn found Gojyo reasonably sated and sprawled across his bed. The boots still on his feet testified that he had collapsed as soon as he returned, and the rumpled and misarranged state of his clothes betrayed his nighttime "activity".
"Oh, you're awake! Good morning!"
Hakkai stepped out of the bathroom with a towel draped over one arm and a toothbrush in hand. He turned his back and began to rummage through the various complimentary bathing supplies offered by the inn.
"I wasn't expecting you up this early," he continued. "By the way, I put something on that bruise on your face."
Hakkai, maintaining his polite demeanor, did not go on to interrogate Gojyo about its origins. Gojyo brought up his hand and fingered the bandage on his cheek. He looked out the window and saw that it was still raining. There must be quite the lake outside the door by now. The rain brought back the flood of memories from the previous evening and along with it, the painful recollection of Sanzo's behavior. He plopped back onto the bed.

"That shit priest."
"Excuse me?"

Hakkai turned around, now with a newly acquired tube of toothpaste.
"Nothing, nothing."
Gojyo waved off the matter.
Just then, the door flew open, without even as much as a polite knock, to reveal Sanzo, fully clothed in his priestly robes with a sleep-robbed Goku trailing behind him. Goku yawned, revealing the white surface of his molars, and rubbed his eyes. He was still dressed in his pajamas.
"We're leaving."
With that statement, Sanzo turned in a flurry of blonde hair and white clothes. Hakkai blinked.

"Now? But Sanzo, it's still raining."
"Now."

The venom in Sanzo's growl was enough to make any man blanche. Hakkai smiled apologetically and proceeded to get ready. Gojyo groaned but clambered out of bed.
"Yes master. We shall do whatever the great Sanzo-sama wishes.
He began to stretch when he saw Sanzo's eyeswere trained upon him. It was the same glare as last night, and once again, he was struck dumb. That seemed to happen quite a bit lately.
It was Gojyo who looked away this time. He turned to gather his Shakujou, and when he turned back, Sanzo was already gone. He shrugged, more to convince himself that he didn't care than to convince anybody else. Hakkai followed him out the door.

It was still raining. Water trailed down each of the travelers' faces, following the sharp contours formed by noses and cheekbones. The tension was thick and oppressive, a blanket smothering the four. Even Goku knew to keep silent at the perception of the waves of animosity radiating from Sanzo's self. Hakkai wiped the rain from his eyes, squinting into the torrent over the steering wheel. Jeep sneezed, and Hakkai placed his hand apologetically on the dashboard.
"I'm sorry, Hakuryu. Just a little further."
Goku took this break in silence as a break in tension as well and immediately complained, "I'm hungry!" His voice grated against Gojyo's nerves, more so than usual. He was grinning inwardly, hoping Goku would have more luck in drawing out the wrath of the harisen than he had. A satisfying 'thwack' would certainly lighten the mood. However, Sanzo didn't even make a sign to show that he heard Goku but rather continued to sit stiffly, staring out the windshield. Gojyo sighed and put his arms behind his head. He never thought that he would miss that paper fan.

By evening, they had broken through the boundaries of the trees and woodland and had entered the next town. It was slightly larger than the last, and with the lightening rain, vendors had come out of hiding to hawk their wares to any passerby. Sanzo had donned his black traveling cloak to conceal his conspicuous garments and walked through the pathway of salespersons with the expertise of one used to avoiding unwanted attention. Goku wasn't quite so experienced.

"Ooh! Look! Look! Two meat buns for the price of one! Can we get some? Pleasepleaseplease? Sanzo!"
"No! Now shut up and walk."

Sanzo, by his tone, was clearly irritated, but he was always like that, and the fact that he even acknowledged Goku was a sure sign of his improving mood. The same couldn't be said for Gojyo.
"Sanzo!" Goku tried again, "You never buy me any! Miser monk! Meanie! Baldie!"
And so it went as Hakkai chucked at Goku's childish antics. Gojyo, however, was finding Goku increasingly more annoying with each word.

"He said no you stupid monkey! Now shut the hell up!"

Goku stopped, mid-insult.

"You're one to talk! And what the hell's wrong with you anyways! You're worse than Sanzo today, friggin' pervy kappa!"
"Well you're twice as noisy! Shut your ass up!"
"You shut up! I only asked for a stupid meat b—"

Something solid connected with both their heads in quick succession, and they both stopped to find the culprit. Sanzo stared back at them, paper fan in hand and a scowl plastered on his face.
"Quiet or death. You're attracting attention."

Gojyo would never admit it to himself or anybody else that his heart rejoiced all the way to the inn. He had Sanzo back.