Chapter 12

Stranger

"I said I was fine! Just tired as hell…"

The doctor packed up his supplies as Nai sat up against the headboard, "See to it that she gets plenty of nourishment and sleep. It's mostly extreme exhaustion but she should get over it with a couple nights of good sleep."

Hakkai smiled and showed the doctor the way out, "Thank you very much sir."

Gojyo sat on the edge of the bed, "You gave us a scare there girly. I've never seen Hakkai whip out driving skills like those." He chuckled.

Nai shrugged, "My bad."

Goku pouted, "You could have said something if you were tired. Right Sanzo?"

"The monkey is right. You knew something was wrong."

The woman glanced at Hakkai as he entered the room, "I'm the only one who can't keep up." She started, "Do you really think I wanted to look stupid?"

Hakkai folded his arms; "We would never see you as anything less than us because you were tired. It's more important to us that you stay healthy and alert so we don't loose you in a fight."

Nai glanced at Sanzo then turned her gaze down to the vividly patterned sheets on the bed. They're first day in India and they had to spend in nursing her.

"I'm sorry. I'll be fine."

The room fell silent until a stomach grumbling disturbed the peace. Goku grinned, "He he, I was so worried I forgot I was hungry."

Hakkai smiled, "How about we go out and see what the specialty is around here. I'm sure the food in this region is different from what we're used to."

Goku jumped up from his seat, "Let's go!"

Hakkai stopped before leaving the room, "Are you coming Gojyo?"

"Naw man, go ahead."

Nai lay all the way down in the bed and cuddled her pillow as Goku's voice disappeared. She lazily moved her gaze from Sanzo reading on of Hakkai's books, his glasses set on his delicate nose and Gojyo shuffling cards expertly in his strong hands. The shuffling from Gojyo and the occasional sigh from Sanzo lulled her into a light sleep. She squeezed her pillow tighter and buried her face in it.

Sanzo peeked over the book to ensure she was sleeping soundly before turning his attention back to the words.

The shuffling stopped and Gojyo stood, "Going for a smoke."

"Like I care."

"Whatever Sanzo." The half-breed reached out for the door handle but stopped, turning and instead approaching the bed.

Blonde brows wrinkled, "What the hell are you doing?"

Gojyo moved the covers up around her bare shoulders, "It's cold your holiness."

The woman moaned softly, comfortably, in her sleep and rolled onto her back. The redhead smirked and left the room.

Sanzo hid his anger behind his book until the kappa's footsteps went quiet. He snapped the book shut and slid the glasses form his face before pinching the bridge of his nose. He stood and approached the bed, looking down on the sleeping woman before sighing and moving thick, silky, strands of chocolate from her face. His fingers ghosted her cheek and hovered above her lips.

Sanzo jumped when hazel eyes locked onto violet and she entwined their fingers. The blonde stayed still until she rolled her eyes, "C'mon Sanzo, stop treating me like you don't trust me."

"Tch. Damn woman." He relaxed and held her hand back. Nai smiled at him and he glared "What?"

She shook her head and brought their hands up to her face. She kissed their entwined fingers and Sanzo felt sparks dance happily down his back and settle in the pit of his stomach.

Before he could react she let go of his hand and turned her back to him. Sanzo stared at the back of her head for a moment before scoffing and approaching the window. He opened the window wide and lit a Marlboro.

"This is spicy!" Goku shouted before shoving another forkful of food from his takeout box into his mouth.

Nai giggled from her spot on the bed which Hakkai would not let her leave; so they had takeout boxes, beer, and soda cans all over the floor in her room.

"It's delicious." Gojyo finished off his own food and set the box next to him.

Sanzo grunted, "Could use some mayonnaise."

"Ew Sanzo."

Hakkai gulped, "I can't imagine how that would make it more pleasant."

Nai was doubled over the bed, "Sanzo puts that shit on everything!"

Gojyo laughed with her, "That's gross man."

"Shut up."

Hakkai looked up in time to see the woman in the room yawn, "Alright, everyone to their rooms. Nai needs her sleep, doctors orders."

"Aw Kai." She whined, "I had a good nap and it's early."

"You need your rest."

"I need attention." She pouted.

Gojyo chuckled, "One game of cards man, just one."

The healer sighed and Sanzo stood abruptly, "Let them do what they want."

"Alright."

Nai frowned at the blond, "You wanna play with us Sanzo?"

"No."

The door slammed closed and the woman just sighed. A tinge of jealousy still hung in the air and she felt like nothing she did would sate him.

Gojyo chuckled, "Ignore him girly. We all know that stick up his ass is a permanent fixture." He sat on the end of the bed and started to shuffle the cards.

Goku yawned as he dropped an armful of takeout boxes in the trash, "He's just cranky."

Hakkai ushered the young man out of the room, "One game and go to bed."

Gojyo threw a balled up napkin at the man, "Yeah Kai." The item bounced harmlessly of the closed door and onto the floor.

Nai rubbed her eyes and yawned again as the half demon started dealing, "Hey now, don't you fall asleep on me."

She smiled, "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Feel free to fall asleep if you like." He gave a defeated sigh, "You scared the shit outa me earlier."

The woman tried to ignore the butterflies in her stomach the best she could. When Gojyo got serious like that it did something to her. But of course she still happy with the drunken flirt side of him too. She spread her cards in front of her face, "I'll be fine."

He smirked at her, "Right."

At about nine hands in Gojyo was contemplating his cards when he heard a deep yawn. He sat up and gathered the cards sticking them in his pocket. "Go to sleep girly."

Nai pouted, "No."

He put his hands on her shoulders and laid her down with no protest from her. But when her back hit the bed she shivered. Her hazel eyes looked up into Gojyo's face, "Gojyo…"

The man stayed hovered over her, "Yeah?"

"I um…" she shivered harshly again, "I think you should back off a bit."

Gojyo's tanned cheeks mimicked his hair when he realized what she was saying. His heart was pounding in his ears and he was embarrassed that his lustful feelings; feelings he tried to hide, were being felt by her. "I'm sorry girly."

Nai just bit her lip and nodded, "It's okay."

"You're nothing like them."

She knew he was referring to floozies he usually chased.

"I know Gojyo."

He nodded and stood straight. Nai pulled the blankets up over her shoulders as he opened the door, "Goodnight Nai."

"Goodnight Gojyo."

The man's lust lingered in the room long after he had gone, just as Sanzo's jealousy had a while before. She flipped over in the bed a few times trying to relax and make the knot in her stomach go away. She was losing touch with Sanzo and learning things about Gojyo. They were strangers to her now. She found herself staring at the ceiling trying to settle all her overwhelming emotions. Crap like this was the reason she couldn't sleep in the first place.

"Nai…"

The woman sat up and noticed Goku's silhouette in the dark, "What's wrong Goku?"

"The sounds and everything are different. I can't sleep."

Nai threw back the covers and let the boy in, immediately wrapping him in her arms like she did when he was younger and smaller. Of course now he was big enough to hold her back and his lanky legs tangled in hers.

Goku's feelings of safety helped her relax and she drifted off to sleep.