Goku bounded down the stairs with his usual boundless energy

Um…yeah. This is awkward. I haven't updated in four months because…um…well, I don't know. That's the problem. I'm such a failure :sob: I'm so sorry!! Please forgive me! :bows: I've changed my plans quite a lot over these four months…so, I'll try to outline them. I'm not going to be writing a Fire Emblem fanfic. Sorry! Also, I think that I'm going to make this an actual story instead of a oneshot. I'm just not sure where to end it!

I'm going to post a Rurouni Kenshin fanfic soon, pairing Sano x Kenshin. Oh, and don't read it if you like Kaoru. Mwahaha…

Next on my list is updating my profile, so look there for more news. I am in school currently, so expect sporadic updates, but I don't think I can promise anything solid.

On to more positive news (I think)! I really like this fic so far. Yay! Do you?! You want to review…This chapter turned out nice, though there's not really any development in it…and it's short…but don't let that stop you!! Read it! I'm just gonna shut up now…

Sanzo: …

Me: What?

Sanzo: You know what I'll do if you don't say the disclaimer.

Me: You…O.o I DON'T OWN ANYTHING I SWEAR!

Sanzo: I was just going to hit you with the fan…

Sure, Sanzo. Whatever you say.

--

Goku bounded down the stairs with his usual boundless energy, Sanzo following with his usual stately pace. Hakkai met them at the bottom of the stairs, his typical smile already in place.

"We were afraid you two would miss dinner," Hakkai said cheerfully. "It's getting cold."

"'We' meaning you," muttered Sanzo, settling himself into on of the chairs surrounding a table groaning under the weight of food.

Goku didn't even bother with the chair. He aimed his chopsticks at a steamed bun – and was intercepted by Gojyo. The two sets of eyes met, and the war was begun.

Later, the four were sitting at the now empty table, plates scattered and stomachs full. Sanzo and Gojyo were both enjoying an evening smoke, Hakkai sipping at his tea and Goku looking bored.

"Hakkai," Goku said suddenly.

Hakkai paused, glancing over at the brown haired boy. "Yes?"

"Well…" He shifted slightly under the scrutiny. "I was wondering…"

"Yes?" Hakkai encouraged.

"Um…what does it mean…when two people kiss?"

While Sanzo tried his best to hide the fact that he was choking, Gojyo raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Why? You catch two people making out or something?"

"Gojyo!" Hakkai scolded. "Goku is asking an honest question." He turned the curious, golden eyed boy. "Two people kiss as a sign of affection. It means that they love each other."

Goku considered this with deep thought. "Oh."

"'Oh?' That's all you have to say?" spluttered Gojyo. "A kiss is an important thing you know! It shows a girl you love her. And then she falls into your arms and

you – "

"Eh heh heh," interjected Hakkai. "I think that's enough for Goku's ears, Gojyo. Why would you want to know about a kiss, Goku?"

Goku sent a quick look at Sanzo, and the monk replied with his best death glare, which has been known to actually cause some people to keel over and die. Looking down at his now cleared plate, he fiddled for a moment, eyes darting around as though resting them for too long in any one place would cause them to burn away.

I swear I will kill that monkey if he says or even hints at what happened, thought Sanzo.

Goku bit his lip. Sanzo'd probably kill me if I mentioned the kiss. But…does that mean…he…loves me? He shook his head furiously, thoroughly confused. That doesn't seem right. It is Sanzo, after all. But before we get to that…well…do I love Sanzo? Fingers rose to touch his lips, the touch of just a little while ago etched upon his senses. I'm not sure…the kiss was nice though…it made me feel like, like my blood was on fire. Is that a bad thing? He made a little frustrated noise. I don't understand! Does Sanzo love me? And do I love Sanzo?

He glanced up to rather belatedly remember that Hakkai had asked him a question about ten minutes ago. Blinking twice, he looked around at the faces staring at him – Hakkai, patiently waiting with his smile in place, Gojyo obviously curious and accompanied by a raised eyebrow, and Sanzo…Sanzo was giving him the carefully blank look that clearly stated that he didn't care and never would, under which Goku knew another face was hidden.

"W-well…" Goku faltered. Lying wasn't a new thing, but he still wasn't very good at it. Scratch that. It wasn't that he wasn't very good – he totally sucked at lying. "Um…"

"It's all right, Goku," Hakkai said gently. "If you don't want to tell us, you don't have to." Goku nodded, relieved.

Gojyo grabbed the monkey in a rough headlock. "Aw, did the saru have his first kiss? How romantic! Who was it with? I wanna know all the juicy details!"

"Ow! Let go of me, you stupid cockroach! Let go, I said!"

"Stupid cockroach, huh?" Gojyo tightened his hold as Goku let out a yelp. "Let me show you what this stupid cockroach can do – "

Everyone looked over as a chair scraped across the floor, screeching loud. Sanzo stood up and announced, with a slight more tinge of aloofness than usual, "I'm going to sleep." And so saying he stomped off to the stairs.

Each of the trio watched his progress up the stairs until he disappeared from view.

"What's shoved up his – "

"Gojyo," Hakkai intermeddled actual word! Look it up! firmly. "I think Sanzo has the right idea. It is getting late. We all need our sleep."

"Fine, fine," grumbled Gojyo, reluctantly releasing Goku. "But I wanna hear all about it tomorrow, monkey!"

"Like I'd tell you anything!"

"Oh, so you don't deny it? So you did have you first kiss!"

"I – what? I didn't say that! And even if I had – w-which I haven't – I wouldn't tell s-someone like you!"

"Stuttering, eh? A sure sign of guilt!"

"I-it is not!"

"Bedtime, both of you," murmured Hakkai, herding the unruly two up the stairs. "We'll talk more tomorrow."