--Chapter 14:Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus--
The days had slid unnoticed into weeks, but neither priest was counting anymore. They had settled in quite nicely to the goings-on of the hospital, choosing to stay there rather than at Kougaiji's for the sake of the trek. Things had been quietly moving forward, as both Hakkai and Sanzo continued their search for answers to Goku's condition. No word had been sent to Vatican City about their findings, as neither man particularly cared about that part of the mission anymore.
Even as Hakkai pointed that out to Sanzo one day. "You know…perhaps it's not a wise decision to not send word back to Vatican City. Won't it seem odd?"
Sanzo lowered his paper, giving Hakkai an incredulous look. "No. Homura did say that I didn't have to report back until I found something substantial and of use to him. I haven't, wouldn't you say?" The faintest hint of a smirk curled on his lips, lost soon behind the paper once again.
If Sanzo wasn't worried, then Hakkai shouldn't have been, right? He wasn't so sure, but he wasn't about to question Sanzo's decision in the matter. He trusted Sanzo and knew that the man was probably right. He did say that Homura had made it clear he wasn't to be bothered with what he would consider meaningless details. It would be terribly rude of them to take up their superior's time, wouldn't it? Hakkai then put the question out of his mind, deciding that it was what was best.
At least, until everything was turned upside down.
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"Gojyo! You took the last peach, you cockroach! Give it back! Sanzo bought those for me!" Goku whined, swiping Sanzo's paper to roll up and smack the redhead soundly with. The blond looked pleasantly annoyed with Goku, before stealing it back and giving Gojyo another hit for making the boy steal it in the first place. When Gojyo went to complain, Goku grabbed the peach from his hand and ran away cackling.
Hakkai sipped his tea with a thinly veiled roll of his eyes, listening to Yaone laugh as she watched the antics of his three companions. "I suppose it doesn't get very boring around here." She bounced her baby girl on her knee, cooing softly to the child and holding back another laugh when Goku nearly plowed into Aria when she entered the room. "Both Goku and Gojyo seem in much better spirits lately…I wonder if that has something to do with Priest Sanzo and yourself?" Her words were sly, accompanied with a knowing smile.
The other man nearly choked on his tea. Hakkai felt his cheeks flush slightly, clearing his throat. "Perhaps. There haven't been any more… incidents concerning Goku's Stigmata, either." He artfully directed the conversation elsewhere, but he knew the damage was done. Yaone was a smart woman, even if she was too polite to voice anything. "So far I haven't been able to find any medical explanation as to why this is happening to Goku, so I'm beginning to think that it definitely is a matter of faith."
Yaone nodded sagely, taking her eyes off of Lirin, who was now aiding in the chase to catch Goku. Sanzo had hid his face behind his paper, even as Goku continued calling out to him for help. "It's so strange, though. Doesn't the Stigmata usually appear in someone of devout faith? Mostly priests and nuns and such?" she asked curiously. She hadn't really been exposed to the occurrence before, but she decided it was a fair question. The baby in her arms gurgled happily, making her smile all over again.
"That's the strange thing about it. I have a feeling that there's something obvious we're missing," Hakkai answered, adjusting his glasses and starting when Gojyo flopped down next to him, clearly winded. "Yes?" He laughed, unable to stop himself when he noticed the goofy grin on his companion's face.
"Damn monkey's too fast for me. I think I almost popped a lung. Kiss it, make it better?" Gojyo teased, laughing hard when Hakkai's face flushed prettily. He flashed Yaone a charming smile, leaning over and chastely kissing Hakkai on the cheek. He respected Hakkai's want for privacy as well as Goku did Sanzo's, but he couldn't help occasionally 'slipping' up to shake things up. "So what're you guys talking about? Anything interesting?"
Neither of them answered at first. They both turned their gazes to where Goku had collapsed near Sanzo on the raggedy couch in the corner of the playroom. His brunet head was laying in the blond priest's lap and munching happily on the hard-won peach. He smiled around it when Sanzo threaded his fingers in his hair. The sight was terribly endearing, even making Aria smile when she handed Sanzo the tea he had requested earlier. "Nothing in particular," Hakkai said finally with a smile, glad that they had made the decision to stay a while longer. If only for moments like these.
Gojyo raised an eyebrow, finally shrugging his shoulders and leaning close to Hakkai before letting out a yawn. The baby shrieked in delight at the noise, which of course prompted the redhead to continue to make funny faces and noises at her. "She's so adorable. Hard to believe she came from Priest Stuffy Pants." The remark earned him a giggle from Yaone, and a mock-stern look from Hakkai that spoke volumes. Gojyo offered a sheepish grin in return.
Sanzo paid the others no mind, nodding to Aria when she brought him his tea, but he didn't say anything. He was merely content to sit with his hand tangled possessively in Goku's soft hair. He'd gotten used to touching and being touched, though the boy was careful not to let it go further than slight touches and moments like this when they were with the others. When they were alone, however, it was a vastly different story. A shudder traveled up his spine at the memory, but he quickly quashed it when a look to Goku's face threatened to send another one in its wake. "Stop that," he barked, thumping the boy lightly on the head. He may have been starting to open up the petulant brat, but that didn't mean that he would around the others.
Goku merely smiled at the man, nuzzling into Sanzo's leg before picking up the book that Hakkai had lent him.
Aria set down the tray she had been carrying on the table, beginning to chat amicably with Hakkai and Yaone as a soothing lull fell over the room. It wasn't even disturbed when Dokugakuji appeared in the doorway, handing a bouquet of flowers to a blushing Aria, who accepted them with a wide smile. He talked with Gojyo and Hakkai, telling stories and exchanging jokes with his loud, hearty laugh accompanying it.
The room was filled with chatter and laughter, so much that none of them noticed the door had opened and two new figures had entered. At least, until one of them spoke, "Well…it certainly has been a long time. It seems you two are quite enjoying yourselves."
Sanzo's blood ran cold at the sound of that familiar, arrogant voice as his entire body tensed. He almost didn't want to put down his paper to face the person he knew was going to be standing there. "Your Excellency…what a surprise," he replied, motioning for Goku to sit up as he met Homura's eyes with disdain. He frowned hard, deepening the expression when he saw Kougaiji step from behind the raven-haired man. Something wasn't right here. "I didn't expect you to make a journey out here."
"I hadn't heard from you in quite some time…I was beginning to get worried. After all, I had sent the two of you on such an important mission that demanded quick response, but perhaps I had put too much faith into you." Homura's voice was slick and cool, dripping with false sincerity. His eyes darted from figure to figure in the room, his smile widening when he noticed Yaone. "And this must be your charming wife, Father Kougaiji. I've heard so much about you and your…darling child." His grin turned sinister as he reached out a hand, indicating that she was to do the same.
Reluctantly, Yaone held out her hand and nearly winced when the man took it to plant a delicate kiss near her knuckles. "Thank you, Your Excellency." She cast a dark look to her husband, who refused to meet her eyes. "Aria…let's go. I think the baby may be hungry." She sidled past, clutching the child in her arms and not even bothering to wait for the other woman.
When she had left the room, Homura's eyes slid then to Goku as they sparkled with something that couldn't be placed. If Hakkai knew any better, he would say it was glee. "And…who might you be?," he practically purred, his eyes roving across Goku's bandaged wrists and where the ones hugging his shoulders could be seen underneath his shirt. His eyes flashed, his smile widening further still. He looked genuinely interested.
Sanzo growled low in this throat, definitely not liking the way that Homura was looking at Goku. "It doesn't matter who he is. Why did you come here?" It probably wasn't wise to question his superior in such a way, but he didn't care. Goku wasn't his to look at like that, even if he didn't dare voice that out loud. His eyes were steely, his body moving unconsciously in front of the boy he'd claimed as his own when he stood.
The action didn't go unnoticed, though Homura ignored his question in favor of turning to Hakkai and Gojyo. "Hmm. Another unfamiliar face. Tell me, Hakkai, who are your new friends? If you won't tell me, I'm sure Father Kougaiji would be happy to provide me with proper introductions."
Gojyo didn't have to be told who this man was; he could tell by his fancy clothes and his oily demeanor that he was probably from Vatican city, and more than likely the one who sent Sanzo and Hakkai here in the first place. He looked at Hakkai, but the other man's eyes were firmly trained on Homura.
When neither of them answered, Homura turned expectantly to Kougaiji, making the other redhead jump at the sudden attention. "Well?"
"That's Gojyo there, and that's…Goku. The one I told you about," Kougaiji answered in a tense, quiet voice, as though the words had to be torn out of him. He did not look up from the floor, still refusing to look any of them in the face.
"See? That wasn't so hard. Now…I've been waiting a very long time to meet you, Goku. Why don't you come with me so we can have a chat?" Homura asked, sickly sweet as he smiled winningly at the brunet. "Please, it's not like we haven't met before…"
Goku's eyes widened in surprise, narrowing into slits when the man's words sunk in. "Excuse me? I don't believe we've met before. I think you're looking for someone else." He wasn't entirely sure, but he knew he'd remember if he'd met someone like Homura before. Those eyes were unmistakable and that voice sent ripples of disgust up and down his spine. But wait…what about his dreams? Shaking his head to clear the thought, he stared back into Homura's eyes with clear challenge. "We can chat right here."
Sanzo felt a swell of pride at that, giving Homura an almost smug look when he glanced up. Goku wasn't someone so easily pushed around, even by the likes of him. However, Homura's amused chuckle wiped the look right off his face.
"Still feisty as ever, eh? Good, good. It's good to see that fire and spark is still there. Wouldn't want you to lose that, would we? I tell you what, Goku. You listen to what I have to say in a more private setting…and I'll tell you about why you can't remember your mother."
Goku's eyes widened to a near impossible diameter, echoed by the gasp that escaped his throat before he could stop it. How much about him did Homura know? He turned to Sanzo for answers, finding that the look in the blond's eye indicated that he had no idea what the man was talking about. A lump formed in his stomach at the possibility, and finally he managed a weak nod. "Okay." When Sanzo went to protest, he touched the man's hand and gave him a sunny smile. "It'll be all right, Sanzo," he assured him, touching his forehead and pointing to him.
Sanzo understood the small action, even if he didn't have to like it. He watched the two of them leave the room, waiting until the door had closed behind them before rounding on Kougaiji. "What the hell were you thinking, inviting him here? Are you fucking insane?"
Kougaiji said nothing in reply, infuriating the blond further. But, just as he went to say something more, a red blur caught his vision and soon Gojyo had the other redhead pinned against the wall.
"You fucking sold Goku out? To him? I knew you were a goddamn bastard before this, Kougaiji, but man, you really outdid yourself this time," Gojyo snarled into Kougaiji's face, slamming him hard into the wall. Gojyo didn't know if he'd be able to stop himself, the burning in his veins overtaking the burning in his lungs from the exertion. "How much did he pay you, huh? Some fucking priest you are, you self-righteous-"
"Enough, Gojyo! Let him go!" Dokugakuji interjected, though he'd stayed fairly silent through the whole ordeal. "I'm not going to let you manhandle him like that."
"Fuck you, Jien! This prick offered up Goku like a sacrificial lamb! I can only guess who that cocksucker in there is, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let him get away with this!" Gojyo's hold didn't release any, until Kougaiji's fingers curled around his wrists and the pinned redhead shoved back.
"He didn't pay me anything! You don't know anything!" Kougaiji snarled back in defense, roughly shoving Gojyo to the floor before trying to head to the door. However, he was stopped by Hakkai, who looked at him with cold emerald eyes filled with threat.
The brunet leaned against the door, folding his arms across his chest and regarding Kougaiji with a look that closely resembled a cobra preparing to strike. "Then by all means, Father, enlighten us. I am very curious to find out why you felt the need to call Archbishop Homura Taisho all the way here." He smiled, the look far from genial.
An ominous click sounded from behind him, and Kougaiji turned to find himself face to face with Sanzo and a handgun shoved in his face. "You'd better start talking. Now."
Kougaiji swallowed, but didn't look afraid like Sanzo had hoped. Dokugakuji and Gojyo gaped, but Hakkai didn't look fazed. "Fine. I called him because you two assholes didn't. I was told to be on the lookout for Goku, all right? All these years, and finally the pressure became too much. Sanzo, you know as well as I do that Catholic priests can't get married. Well, my marriage to Yaone was his bargaining chip to get me to do what he wanted. He threatened my wife and my unborn child if I didn't find him. Coupled with the fact that I've been paying for his silence for years, I couldn't take it anymore. You two weren't doing anything, sitting here and too busy screwing Gojyo and Goku to worry about anyone else! I had to do what I had to do to protect my family!"
Perhaps Sanzo would have felt a stab of pity, but he was too busy seeing red. How dare he? "Sob stories won't work, dickhead. So let me guess…you fucked Yaone and got her pregnant, and to keep from getting excommunicated you married her and Homura promised he wouldn't tell anyone. Who's the bad priest here, Kougaiji?" He was a hypocrite, knowing that sleeping with Goku was just as bad as what the redheaded man had done. But, the very idea of the brunet being trapped in the other room with Homura was enough to make him conveniently forget all that.
"I quite agree, Kougaiji. I never claimed not to be a hypocrite, but you willingly offered Goku up to pay for your mistakes. That makes you no better than us." Hakkai spoke gentler than Sanzo, but that didn't make him any less angry. He'd been trying desperately to continue his search, finding nothing to help the boy in any way. He didn't need someone lecturing him on his 'evil' deeds. "And it wasn't like Sanzo and myself claimed to be saintly as it was."
Kougaiji said nothing at first, staring defiantly into Sanzo's eyes. At least, until his shoulders slumped and he looked defeated. "I don't care what you think of me, any of you. I did what I had to do to protect my baby. He was going to take her from me, just like he said he would do with the first one. At least she wasn't born of out wedlock. Would you really have been able to let that happen, if you were me?" A bit of his spark returned, looking all four men in the room in the face. When none of them replied, he nodded as if affirming something in his head. "You see?"
Sanzo had to admit, he would have done the same thing if it had been Goku on the line. He had barely begun to admit it to himself, much less to anyone else. "Fine. But that just means you're going to help me figure out a way to fix this, you got it? That's the least you could do for screwing this up." He lowered his gun, still frowning hard at Kougaiji. "Goku is more understanding than I am, and for that you'd better be thankful."
The redheaded priest nodded, looking decidedly relieved that he was no longer being held at gunpoint. "I understand, Sanzo. Yaone would never forgive me if I just left things as they were."
Gojyo didn't say anything, moving closer to Hakkai and frowning hard. He was still angry, furious that someone would betray another human being like that. But, thinking better on it, he would probably have done the same thing had it been Goku or Hakkai in such a position. Sanzo he wasn't so sure about. Not that Kougaiji needed to know that anyway. He let the man think that he was still ready to pummel him into oblivion. "So what now?" he asked finally, unable to take the tense silence that had risen.
Hakkai removed his glasses, cleaning them with his sleeve as he glanced towards the door. "It seems, that now we wait. Whatever happens now, it's in Goku's hands."
(Translation: Pray for us sinners)