Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki or the characters

Chapter 3: The outburst

Hakkai had said nothing over the course of the week regarding his decision. He remained respectful and never even mentioned it. As for Gojyo . . . He kept insisting like a child eager for a toy on Christmas. Sanzo returned to work the following day, healthy but extremely irritable.

He still contemplated whether he wanted to go see his father and Gojyo wasn't helping by pressuring him. At every given moment, Hakkai heard the cherry head mentioning it or talk about it. He decided to let the red head dig his own grave on this one.

"You know he's going to kick your ass," Hakkai couldn't help but mention. They were in the break room at work, pouring themselves coffee.

"Yeah . . . But if I don't nag on him, he'll take his sweet ass time. That's how he always is . . . " Gojyo smiled widely, taking his coffee cup from the brunette. Hakkai shook his head and prayed Gojyo would not be coming home with a bloody lip that evening.

He did, courtesy of Sanzo.

Eventually, the blond blew a gasket and finally agreed to a trip to his fathers. In a small way, Hakkai was happy. He would be meeting the man Sanzo called father and Sanzo would in addition get to see the man after such a long time.

They planned their trip within the week and were finally getting ready to leave. Preparations were made to leave the city by train and take a ferry to their rental car. Hakkai didn't realize that the man lived so far away, but then again, Hakkai did hear Sanzo use the word "mountains." He never pictured Sanzo as a country-raised person. The man being raised in the woods made just about as much sense as Gojyo staying sober on Super Bowl Sunday.

They were all thankful though when the weather chose to hold off and stay sunny.

The train ride though could have gone better, at least to Gojyo and Hakkai.

It was one of those nice trains where they served lunch and had comfortable seats that faced one another. Gojyo kept bothering Sanzo about his father until the blond looked like he could have backhanded him out of the window. Hakkai only managed to pacify Sanzo by gently patting the man's hand once in a while and giving him an apologetic smile. As for the blond, the one hand that wasn't tapping his knee was curled around Hakkai's back, gripping the material of his jacket for stability where Gojyo couldn't see.

Then it got worse. One female attendant couldn't help but keep eyeing Gojyo every time she walked by. Hakkai wasn't worried, but by the way Sanzo was fuming from the earlier conversations . . . Gojyo's shenanigans with women in his flirtatious nature were not really welcome at the moment. The blond looked to be on his last thread of sanity.

"Sanzo . . . Why don't you sit by the window for now? The scenery might calm you down," the brunette whispered into the fair-haired's ear. The golden haired stiffly nodded and stood to switch places with Hakkai.

"He is just so fucking excited to be on this trip and all he can think about sticking a bitch," Hakkai heard the blond growl. Gojyo was talking to the attendant until she walked away. Hakkai nudged Gojyo in the shin with his foot until the red head looked at him.

"Gojyo, tone it down a bit. You're making Sanzo . . . Tense," He motioned to their blond lover with his head. Gojyo looked over to the flaxen and raised an eyebrow. Sure enough the blond held his scowl firmly and was picking at a loose stitch on his pants irritably.

"What's your fucking problem? Shouldn't you be happy? I swear man, you turn any situation into a fucking drag fest!" Gojyo scowled back at him. Sanzo looked at him with a glare and Hakkai automatically knew it would not end with sex this time.

"You're being a fucking idiot! I should have just gone by myself!" Sanzo hissed at him. Gojyo though wasn't backing down.

"Now . . . Everyone just calm down," Hakkai tried to soothe.

"What the fuck is your problem? Whenever we get out to do something, you freak out! Can't you ever just fucking relax?" The red head started to yell. Hakkai cast nervous eyes over the occupants of the train's car. People were starting to stare, and some were whispering to their friends. The female attendant from earlier was serving coffee to someone and looked over at them with a worried glance.

"I didn't even want to come on this fucking trip! Nevertheless, you just had to push and push! Why the fuck do I even enable you? I should have punched you harder!" Sanzo started to yell back. Both of his lovers began to growl at one another.

"You should have just said no then! I could have come on this trip by myself!"

"You couldn't wipe your ass by yourself!"

"Fuck you! Miserable fuck!"

Hakkai felt his cheeks heat up as the entire car stared at them. He tried to apologize with his eyes as the female attendant walked over.

"Um . . . Excuse me? Is everything okay?" she asked, setting a hand on Gojyo's shoulder and looking at Hakkai.

"Beat it bitch! This is none of your fucking business so drag your slutty ass!" Sanzo looked directly at her and hissed. Hakkai sharply turned his head to stare in surprise at Sanzo. He had never seen the blond man insult a woman before, no matter how bad Gojyo had been a flirt. The red head was also surprised, and he turned to give Hakkai a worried look. Sanzo's purple eyes were intense as he stared the female down. She seemed at a loss for words as everyone on the train car was now looking at them and had heard what he said. He moved his eyes from the woman to the rest of the car.

"What the fuck are you shit heads staring at!" He shouted at them all. Immediately several people stopped staring out of pure fear. Some got up and proceeded to move further into the train car and away from them.

"Sanzo man . . . Chill out," Gojyo said to him. The female attendant had quickly left, and Hakkai watched her practically speed away to hide behind her curtain in the back. The brunette turned to look at Sanzo, who virtually now appeared purple in the face. His breathing was deep and labored as he tried to calm himself down, sweat sliding down his neck as he pulled at his collar.

"Gojyo, grab our bags, I think we should head to the other car and away from everyone. I don't believe Sanzo should be near others right now," Hakkai advised. The red head looked worriedly at Sanzo and nodded slowly.

"Yeah Kai . . . I think you're right," He whispered, getting up. Gathering their luggage, Hakkai led Sanzo to the other car by the arm while Gojyo carried their luggage. Hakkai didn't see it, but Gojyo flashed the other occupants of the car a nervous smile as he slid the door connecting the cars closed with his foot.

The rest of the train ride was tense, and all three of them stayed quiet. Sanzo wouldn't even look at them when it was time to get off and take the ferry. Sanzo took that opportunity to be alone by renting a room and promptly shutting the door on them, agreeing only to watch the luggage. Sharing worried glances; they chose to go outside and get some air. Hakkai and Gojyo stood near the railing of the ferry and looked over the water. Hakkai's chocolate-colored hair swayed with the breeze as his troubled eyes looked at the blue sky. Others moved around on the deck, and some had rented rooms for the trip to rest. No one paid attention to them, too busy taking pictures and admiring the upcoming mountains that they neared. Hakkai turned his head slightly when he saw Gojyo light a cigarette, holding up a hand against the wind as he opened his zippo lighter. For a few moments, he watched his red-headed lover smoke.

"Was this . . . A good idea?" Hakkai asked him suddenly, hugging his elbows. Gojyo took a drag of his cigarette as the wind wiped his long hair around. He shrugged once before flicking the butt into the water, only half finished. He approached Hakkai and wrapped his arms around his waist, setting his chin on the brunette's shoulder and looking over the water also.

"I'm starting to believe I did something very stupid . . . But at the same time, I wanted the bastard to get his ass home and solve whatever the hell is going on. I have some idea . . . But Sanzo needs to meet his old man and talk to him, ya know?" Gojyo said into his ear. Hakkai tilted his head slightly to look at Gojyo. The arms around him tightened, and he preened as a pair of lips touched his neck.

"He seems so afraid. I just wish there was something I could do to . . . To . . . Gojyo!" Hakkai gasped suddenly. Gojyo chuckled lowly as he moved his hands-down Hakkai's hips and one going to his ass. The brunette blushed profusely as teeth lightly traced the pulse in his neck. He let out the slightest of gasps as wet lips moved up the column of his neck. He struggled a bit in Gojyo's grip, but the taller man was stronger.

"You worry too much. Sanzo isn't stupid, and he knows we know that. If that makes any sense. Just . . . Relax Kai. It'll all work out," The red head smiled at him. Hakkai felt his cheeks turn a shade pink as he finally relaxed into his lover's strong hold.

"I guess I do. Even so, I can't help it," He whispered softly.

When the ferry ride ended Sanzo seemed to be in a better mood. He seemed less angry and Gojyo and Hakkai seemed relieved. Gojyo stood outside Sanzo while Hakkai rented their car, and they were on the road again. Sanzo drove the hour to his father's house while the other two enjoyed the scenery. Hakkai couldn't remember the last time he had seen nothing but trees instead of buildings. It seemed to go on forever as he passed by rivers and pastures. He really felt like the city dweller when he merely leaned out the window of the car to see a cow better. He leaned back inside the car when Gojyo started laughing at him. Sanzo was still quiet in his grip on the steering wheel made his knuckles go white. Hakkai reached over and gently touched his hand and briefly the blond looked at him.

"Are you going to be all right?" He asked. Sanzo's eyes flicked back to the road as his nose twitched.

"Yeah," was all he said. Hakkai gave him another worried look before he sighed in defeat. Gojyo in the back seat shook his head and leaned back into the leather seat.

"Now you're just being a jackass all on your own. I did nothing this time," Gojyo whispered. Sanzo had heard him and grunted.

"Shut it, we're almost there," said. Hakkai turned his head briefly to Gojyo.

"Have you ever been to Sanzo's father's house?" He asked the red head. Gojyo shook his head.

"No, but he's visited Sanzo's apartment once when we became partners. I've never seen his place, but I hear he's got a lot of money in the bank so it must be nice," he shrugged.

"He retired and decided to involve himself in real estate. It keeps him busy and away from boredom," Sanzo mentioned briefly.

"He was a detective wasn't he? Why did he retire so young?" Hakkai asked.

"He had an accident on the job that crippled him. He couldn't do physical fieldwork anymore so he decided to take his pension and retire. It's better this way. He's not much of a desk jockey," Sanzo said. Hakkai was becoming worried at the tone of voice Sanzo was using regarding his father. When Sanzo had spoken about his father for the first time, he seemed almost in awe and in worship. At the moment, he spoke of the man with an ill temper and suppressed sort of hate. Something must have happened between the time Hakkai asked him to make up with the man and at present.

"Sanzo, you're not hiding your current hate for your father very well right now. He hasn't seen you in forever, and quite frankly, I'm starting to get tired of your attitude also. If you didn't want to come, we weren't going to force you. So do me a favor, I'm sick of treading on glass around you, either turn the car around or at least pretend to be happy to see your father. All right?" Hakkai said sternly giving Sanzo a glare. He didn't want to, but Sanzo was honestly starting to ride his last nerve.

Sanzo seemed surprised at the tone of voice Hakkai had taken with him. Even Gojyo in the back seat seemed surprised at the brunette's boldness.

"Am I understood?" Hakkai asked again. Sanzo's face seemed to relax as he sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"All right fine, and you're right. I've been acting like a jackass. Whatever's going on between me and him doesn't involve you meeting him for the first time. Just . . . Don't take anything he says too seriously. He has this way of getting under your skin and not in a good way," he said. He fidgeted a moment while he turned the car onto a dirt road leading up the mountain.

"And I'm sorry, for the train ride and wanting to be alone on the ferry," he mentioned hesitantly. Hakkai's body relaxed, and he nodded at the blond.

"It's okay Sanzo, but I really wish you to tell me what was wrong, so I could help fix it. Gojyo also was worried even if he doesn't act like it," the brunette nodded his head toward their red-headed lover. Sanzo briefly flicked his eyes to the redhead in the back seat through the rear-view mirror.

Gojyo smiled at him and winked.

"It's all good dude. I felt Hakkai up on the deck while you were alone with yourself," he smiled widely. Sanzo started glaring at him while Hakkai coughed in embarrassment.

"Gojyo!" The brunette scolded. Sanzo frowned as Gojyo's laughter reverberated around the back seat. Hakkai sighed as the car pulled up the driveway and toward a house. He blinked rapidly as Sanzo drove toward a rather impressive-looking Chateau. As they grew closer Hakkai grew more amazed at the beauty of the home. Wildlife and nature surrounded the wooden structure. A large deck occupied the front of the house as countless glass windows decorated the front leading all the way up to the second floor. The face of the house was brilliant, flowers neatly arranged in pots by the front door. It stretched into the woods a bit, hidden from view unless somebody went looking for it. Steps led from the driveway to the main house, and just as they pulled up and parked near the garage, a man stepped out.

They all exited the vehicle as a man stepped down the stairs and started walking toward them. Hakkai's mouth struggled not to fall as a seemingly duplicate of Sanzo walked toward them. Sanzo was an exact copy of his father, save for the skin tone and hair color. He had the same face shape and sturdy jaw accompanied with the duplicate cheekbones. His hair was pulled into a short ponytail while his bangs hung full on either side of his firm face. His hair was a pale yellow much like the color of hay more so than Sanzo's sunshine blond. His skin was slightly paler but healthy and almost creamy, like the color of buttermilk. For man of forty-two, Koumyo Sanzo looked like he could pass as a normal but moderately taller, teenager. The only real signs of his aging were the partly indented lines just below his eyes.

He wore a white T-shirt with jeans and a green jacket, making him seem all the younger. Koumyo smiled, and Hakkai felt his cheeks warm at the handsomeness of this man. It was almost disturbing how young the man was and how much he looked like Sanzo. Had Hakkai never been told, he could've sworn this was Sanzo's brother. As soon as Sanzo came around the car, the man opened his arms to his son and smiled genuinely, handsomely.

"Genjyo! It's good to see you. I'm glad you decided to come after all!" He said softly, voice having a breathy edge to it. Sanzo seemed hesitant to raise his arms as his father wrapped him in a hug and squeezed him. Sanzo's face was slightly reserved as his father pulled back and clasped his arms in affection.

"Really Genjyo, I'm glad you're home," he said in honesty. Sanzo's face relaxed only slightly as he nodded his head.

"Yeah, me too," he said finally. Gojyo came around from behind Hakkai and let out a large smile at seeing the other man.

"Koumyo! Shit man it's been ages! How ya been?" He said loudly as he approached the male. Koumyo directed his eyes to the redhead, and Hakkai noticed they were the same shade of purple Sanzo had. But his eyes were slitted and all Hakkai could compare them to was that of cats. Gojyo approached him, and Koumyo lifted his hand to give Gojyo strong handshake.

"Gojyo, I'm glad to see you didn't get that haircut after all. Gojyo laughed and grinned as he looked toward Hakkai, who was standing next to his car door.

As soon as Gojyo pulled back, those violet eyes were directed at him. Hakkai felt his heart pound as the man nodded and tilted his head at him.

"Oh, and who might this be? Such a quiet lamb," he smiled. Hakkai swallowed a bit in nervousness, feeling suddenly cold. There was something about those eyes that disturbed him and the way Koumyo held himself while talking to him. Hakkai stood up a little straighter as Sanzo's father approached him.

"Koumyo! This is Hakkai, Cho Hakkai. He's . . . " Gojyo seemed to be looking for the right words. He looked toward Sanzo for help but the blond only rolled his eyes at him. Before Sanzo could open his mouth, Koumyo beat him to it.

"Ah, no need to explain. Genjyo told me over the phone. It's good to have you along Hakkai. I was looking forward to meeting a new face," Koumyo said smoothly. Hakkai could only nod, not being able to think about what to say.

"Oh, thank you. It's good to finally meet you. Sanzo speaks highly of you as a detective," the brunette said as he raised his hand. Koumyo raised his own hand and grasped Hakkai's. Instead of shaking it-like Hakkai thought he would; he cupped his hand and to his amazement, raised it to his lips. He stood stock still as Koumyo kissed his fingers and looked up from them to smile almost seductively at him.

"Why thank you. I look forward to getting to know you. Genjyo has told me great things about you. Besides Gojyo, I can't remember the last time he's become quite smitten with somebody," he said in a throaty whisper. Hakkai nodded his head slowly and looked toward the others. Gojyo looked a little surprised but on the verge of laughter while Sanzo looked suspicious and slightly angry. Releasing Hakkai's hand, Koumyo directed them toward the house.

"Now then enough introductions. Gather your bags and let's get you to your rooms. We have much to catch up on, and I'm interested to know how city life works."

TBC

R&R