[Generic Disclaimer: Saiyuki and all the affiliated characters are copyright to Kazuya Minekura. No profit has or will be made off of this fiction.]

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~For the Smile of Tomorrow~

Summary: Goku is trying to sort out his feelings for Sanzo, and Sanzo is doing his best to protect his saru's smile.

Warnings: Rating is R to be safe, nothing this chapter, but stuff happens in later chapters that might be seen as “inappropriate”

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Chapter 6: Questions

Goku squeezed his eyes against the sunlight threatening to invade them. It was far too early for him to be awake. He began to roll over in order to bury his head into his pillow for a few more hours of sleep when he realized that he couldn’t move. He cracked one eye open, then opened both at what he saw. Sanzo was lying on top of him, with his arms wrapped around his middle. Arms that had tightened at Goku’s attempts to move. His breathing was deep and regular, signaling sleep.

Last night’s events came to mind and he smiled to himself. Funny, I never thought he’d be that affectionate. Goku thought as he relaxed and decided to lay awake enjoying this feeling rather than go back to sleep. He put one hand behind his head and began to absentmindedly trace patterns on Sanzo’s back with the other.

He found his hand wandering lower on the other man and was startled when his fingers met warm flesh. Sanzo’s shirt had ridden up slightly during the night, exposing a small portion of skin. Goku let his fingers ghost across the skin for a few moments before pulling the shirt up further and putting his hand flush against Sanzo. He began to move his hand and smiled at the sensations it produced.

Sanzo’s skin felt like…. I can’t put it into words. But it’s nice. He was overwhelmed with the desire to let his hand wander all over Sanzo’s body. His hand brushed against the top of Sanzo’s jeans and Goku’s breath quickened ever so slightly. He let his fingers barely go under the waistband, lightly tracing the skin underneath.

Goku was beset by desire for Sanzo. He wanted to do something. He just didn’t know what. He realized that he was totally clueless in terms of sex. What would happen if Sanzo returned his feelings like he hoped. Would they lie next to each other all night? As much as Goku was enjoying it, he knew there had to be more. His body told him there had to be more.

He had walked in on Gojyo and Hakkai in the middle of something the other morning. His eyes light up as an idea crossed his mind. He would ask Gojyo! That ero kappa knew everything there was to know about sex. That way, he would be prepared next time.

Sanzo shivered and moaned slightly as he awoke. Goku realized belatedly that his hand was still moving and was about to remove it when a still sleepy Sanzo murmured, “Mmm, feels good…”

Sanzo couldn’t remember the last time he had slept so deeply or so well. He hadn’t woken up once during the night. Normally, he was so on edge that he didn’t get much sleep and woke immediately at the slightest threatening sound. He hadn’t understood how much that had taxed him until he gave his body a good night’s rest. He was overcome with exhaustion and wanted nothing more than to spend the day in bed.

He was aware of a warmness surrounding him, but was too tired to figure out what it was. Through half opened eyes he could discern light in the room. “What time is it?” he mumbled, noting with interest that his voice was being muffled by someone’s shirt.

“Early.” Goku answered, “Go back to sleep.”

“Mmm k.” Sanzo felt his mind slipping back into unconsciousness, but he managed to mutter a sleepy “Oyasumi.”

Goku smiled fondly. Sanzo had to be half dead to be so considerate. “Ohayo.” He corrected, but Sanzo was already sleeping.

===

Konzen!

Sanzo looked up from his papers in time to see a ball of energy jump into his lap. Golden eyes smiled up at him happily as he was crowned with daisies. He felt a smile tugging at his lips as he affectionately patted the young child on the head.

Konzen!

Now those eyes were staring at him impatiently. The boy ran back to Sanzo and started pulling on his arm, dragging him down the hall and talking about a new book that he was going to borrow from Ten-chan. Sanzo allowed himself to be pulled forward. For some reason he didn’t feel like wrenching his hand free from the other’s grasp.

Konzen!

Those same eyes were filled with childish anger as they glared at him. Sanzo couldn’t help but chuckle at the site. The youth seemed to take offense at first, but quickly smiled when he realized that he had somehow pleased his keeper. 

Konzen!!!

Tears streamed from those normally radiant eyes and Sanzo jerked his gaze away from the sight only to be greeted with the reason for those tears. He was dying and he couldn’t stop it, but he wanted to see the other smile again. One last time before he was gone for good. He asked the other to wait for him, he would return if the other would only wait. The young boy smiled weakly at the thought and that smile was the last thing Sanzo saw before everything faded to black.

===

Sanzo shot up in shock, arms planted on either side of Goku’s head. He stared down at Goku, eyes momentarily unfocused. The dream faded with consciousness, but an overwhelming sense of sadness remained. Sanzo tried to recall the events of the nightmare he must have had, but the details eluded him. All he could recall were golden eyes filled with tears and one final, brave smile.

His eyes slowly focused and he locked gazes with the boy underneath him. Goku was searching his features worriedly, trying to discern what had upset Sanzo so badly. “Sanzo?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Sanzo showed no indication that he had heard Goku, instead he raised one hand and slowly outlined the frown on Goku’s face. Goku felt his pulse quicken as Sanzo’s thumb tarried on his bottom lip, tugging his mouth open slightly.

“Kami, I must have been born under a lucky star.” Gojyo grinned widely. He had enjoyed catching the two of them in an embarrassing situation last night, but never thought he’d be able to again. If he had known that he’d get to see them in bed, he would have suggested checking up on the other two up himself.

“Sumisen,” Hakkai said while trying to hid his own grin. “Usually you would have been downstairs hours ago, so I thought that maybe….” Hakkai let the sentence hang. In truth he didn’t know what he thought, but it certainly wasn’t what was in front of him.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room, and Gojyo was more than happy to fill it. “Sleep well?”

Hakkai slapped him on the stomach then turned back to the pair, “We ordered breakfast, so come and eat whenever you’re ready.” He turned and pushed Gojyo out the door. Once it was closed Sanzo and Goku could hear the hanyou’s laughter as it faded down the hall.

Sanzo rolled off Goku and stared daggers at the ceiling. “I’m going to kill Gojyo one of these days.” He turned his head towards Goku who looked back with a slight blush on his features. Sanzo felt his own face beginning to heat up, so he quickly turned away. “We’d better go eat before it gets cold.” He said while getting out of the bed.

He stopped when he felt a hand on his arm. He turned and met Goku’s serious gaze. “Daijobou?”

“Aa.” He answered placing a hand over Goku’s reassuringly. “It was just a nightmare.” He smiled and flicked the end of Goku’s nose before rising fully and getting his shoes.

Goku rubbed his nose in disbelief and went to his own bag to get dressed for the day. He turned and saw that Sanzo was occupied with his boots, so he undressed and dressed as quickly as possible. It’s not like he’s never seen me change before…

He turned back around and saw Sanzo sitting at the table and politely gazing out the window. He smiled and ran over to the man, grabbing his hand and exclaiming. “I’m starving, Sanzo, let’s go!”

The monk smiled and allowed himself to be pulled from his chair and down the hall.

===

Sanzo sat down at the table and began to eat, pointedly ignoring the ero kappa leering at him from the other side of the table. Gojyo, however, refused to be ignored. “So… nice to see that you and Goku have kissed and made up.”

Sanzo looked up from his meal and shot Gojyo a warning look while deliberately pulling out his gun and placing it on the table. Figuring Goku would be less likely to kill him, Gojyo turned his attentions to the genki youth. “You’re in a good mood. Any special reason?”

Goku stopped mid-chew and, fighting a blush, retaliated, “Bite me.”

“You wish, you damned monkey.” Gojyo slung back.

“Like anyone would want your nasty mouth on them!” Goku shouted, standing up.

“I’ll have you know there are plenty of people who do and have!” Gojyo stood and gave Goku a shove.

Both men suddenly paused and glanced at Hakkai, “No offense.” They said simultaneously.

The brunette smiled, “None taken.”

Momentum lost, Gojyo sat back down and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He felt for one, and cursed when he realized it was empty. “Dammit. I’m outta cigarettes.” He said while standing.

“I’ll go with you.” Goku immediately volunteered, shoving the rest of his breakfast into his mouth as quickly as he could. He could feel his companions’ incredulous looks but chose to ignore them. He jumped up and followed Gojyo to the door.

“Don’t be too long, we need to get on our way in order to reach the next town.” Hakkai called after them.

“Yes dear.” Gojyo shot back before they disappeared.

Sanzo stood and said, “I need cigarettes too.” He picked up his gun and put it back into his jeans.

“You’re getting your own cigarettes?” Hakkai asked disbelievingly.

Sanzo shot him a withering glare and muttered, “Che, it’s not like I don’t do it myself when ya’ll aren’t around to do it for me.” [1]

===

Gojyo cast a look at Goku before returning his gaze to the road ahead. The saru was very interested in the ground at the moment, and didn’t seem too keen on talking even though it was obvious he wanted to. Unwilling to wait any longer, Gojyo figured he better bring it up, “So, what’s on your mind?”

Goku looked up quickly and spoke defensively. “What makes you think something is?” Gojyo looked at him knowingly and Goku raised his hands in defeat. “All right, all right.” Goku had hoped for the chance to casually bring it up, but he supposed that bluntness would work too. “How does sex work?”

After Gojyo had stopped laughing, he put an arm around Goku’s shoulders and began speaking in the same tone Hakkai often used when explaining things, “Now you see Goku, when two people love each other very much, or if they’re just lonely, or if they’re very drunk, or if only one’s drunk, or if they’re just in the mood, or…..”

“Gojyo.”

“Fine, fine. Jeez, you’re no fun.” Gojyo looked around and spotted the perfect place for their conversation. He grabbed Goku and pulled him into a bath shop.

Goku looked around at the different kind of soaps and perfumes then looked at Gojyo confusedly. “Gojyo, what are we doing here?”

“Getting supplies.” He answered as he pulled Goku over to the section he was looking for.

Goku eyed the different colored bottles in front of him. “For what?” He immediately regretted asking as he saw the grin on Gojyo’s face.

===

Sanzo walked into a shop at the edge of town. The building was somewhat rundown and looked as though it hadn’t seen any business in awhile. It was dark inside and he didn’t see a clerk anywhere. He began to peruse the items on the shelf. He picked up an item that looked as though it would work. It was small and indiscreet. He could hid it from the others very easily.

A man walked in from the back and stopped as he saw someone in his store. “Can I help you?”

“How much is this?” Sanzo asked holding up the object.

“Don’t get too many people shopping for those these days. What do you need it for?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern.” Sanzo stated coldly while handing his card over.

The clerk rang up the item, not pressing the issue as he was happy for the business. He handed the card and item to Sanzo who quickly thanked him then left the store. He looked around to make sure Goku and Gojyo hadn’t seen him come out. He stuck his card and purchase into his pocket and began the walk back to the inn.

Halfway there, he saw Gojyo and Goku walking out of a store. Goku looked thoroughly scandalized and Gojyo looked as though he were having the time of his life. As he drew nearer he began to overhear their conversation: “Now, I like this flavor best because-“

“Gojyo! Don’t talk so loud.” Goku said desperately looking around. He froze as he caught sight of Sanzo.

“Ah! Sanzo-sama, fancy meeting you here.” Gojyo drawled, casually tossing an arm on the other’s shoulder.

Sanzo immediately slapped it off snapping “Don’t touch me.”

Gojyo cast Goku a meaningful glance, then spoke uncaringly. “Who wants to touch you anyway? I’m going back to the inn to find someone who welcomes my company.” He flicked Sanzo off then stalked away in the direction of the inn.

Goku looked over at Sanzo but quickly had to look away as his newfound knowledge came to mind. “What were you buying?”

“Huh?” Goku seemed caught off guard by the question. “Oh,  you know... Gojyo needed… stuff...”

“Che.” Sanzo didn’t care about Gojyo’s shopping habits. He just had thought he’d seen Goku with something as well. He must have been mistaken.

“What are you doing out?” Goku asked, finally able to look at Sanzo without letting his thoughts run wild.

“Cigarettes.” Sanzo answered without missing a beat.

Goku looked for the normal carton or two they usually purchased for Sanzo. “Where are they?”

“Haven’t gotten them yet.” He answered matter-of-factly.

“So ka.” Goku responded.

Sanzo began walking again and Goku fell into step beside him. There was a comfortable silence between them, each involved with his own thoughts of his recent purchase. They stopped briefly at a vending stand and Sanzo got his usual carton. Sanzo quickly opened one pack and lit up.

“I bet those make you taste bad.” Goku commented absentmindedly, then immediately covered his mouth and looked at Sanzo in shock.

Sanzo froze mid stride and let the cigarette fall from his lips. The last thing he needed to be thinking about in the middle of a crowded street was Goku tasting him.

“Gomen… What I meant was… You see…” Goku was saved from having to speak anymore as he caught sight of Hakkai and Gojyo waiting in the jeep.

“I already checked us out and got your things.” Hakkai called, “I knew you wanted to leave as soon as possible.”

Sanzo and Goku climbed into the jeep and the Sanzo-ikkou continued on their way. Though no one said anything, all were happy when the sound of Goku and Gojyo’s fighting soon filled the air, drowning out the sound of the engine.

[~:.:~]

[~end of chapter~]