Wherever You Will Go – Part Four

(Gojyo's POV)

"Do you understand, Gojyo, that you could have been killed?"

Yeah. I knew that. I don't know why I was willin' to sacrifice myself for two punk kids, but I was. There are a lotta things that I have trouble understandin'…

..Like why this was even an issue.

"I just had some personal business to take care of, alright? And I know I coulda been killed. Didn't slow me down."

His expression hardened.

Suddenly, I was fuckin' frightened.

He wasn't gonna take his limiters off, was he?

I guess it really wouldn't matter. I'm already up shit creek without a paddle.

It took me a few seconds to digest everything he said.

/What sort of delusion twisted your mind into believing that we would be better off without you?/

I didn't want to answer that question. Mainly 'cause I didn't have a damn clue.

"Listen Hakkai,"

I don't wanna fight anymore.

"I'm here now, aren't I?"

Only 'cause you guys found me. I don't know where the hell I'd be if you hadn't. Who knows if I'd even be alive.

"You should take your own advice n' get some rest."

As soon as the words left my lips, I began the short trek over to my bed.

It'd be a damn miracle if I managed to get any sleep tonight.

(Hakkai's POV)

His words didn't do anything to calm me. If anything, they only made me even angrier. Personal business? I was thankful for the fact that my hands were in my pockets, because I could have very well punched him right then and there. He vanishes without a word and chalks it up to personal business?

/Why why why why why./

I don't want to fight. I'm so tired I could sleep for years, and I have hardly any fight left. I hate this and yet I've started it.

"I'm here now aren't I?"

Yes, but you were here days ago and then you weren't. You were here and then you were gone so quickly. Just like that.

"You should take your own advice n' get some rest."

I can feel the words building almost painfully in my chest, so much pressure my head spins. I can't speak, can only watch him cross to his bed, but then the words are pouring out before I can stop them.

"You may be here now, but what's to say you won't be gone again when I wake up?"

(Gojyo's POV)

I'm turnin' down my fuckin' bed when he says that to me.

I ain't gonna leave in the morning.

But…I guess, I see why he'd be afraid of the possibility.

Considerin' I did just leave without sayin' anything.

My fists gripped the sheets tightly as I mulled over my reply. Would he believe me if I said I'd still be here in the morning? Somethin' tells me no. He wouldn't go so far as to practically baby sit me, would he?

"I'm sayin' that."

I finally crawled into bed, pullin' the sheets up to my waist and turning to face away from him. It hurt me to even look at him. I felt like nothing I said would help 'em to believe that I would stay.

My business is done.

I got no more excuses to leave.

Not that me havin' business outside of the journey was a good excuse. This was spontaneous business. I didn't even see the shit comin' until the Kami-sama reared his pretty little head.

"Hakkai," The words came out soft. "Just sleep."

-End of Part Four-