Disclaimer: Saiyuki and its characters belong solely to Minekura Kazuya.

Warnings: Contains some spoilers (story is set after ep 19 and before ep 20 of Gunlock). Probable OOC-ness, grammatical errors and some inaccuracies (having rely on summaries and screencaps alone ::sniffs::).

A Morning's Conversation

He could not sleep. It was undeniably due to the disturbing conversation he had overheard earlier. Despite trying to seek solace in a particular line that hinted assurance, somehow deep in his heart, he feared the inevitable.

Sanzo might walk out on them.

He sat up then and got off the bed, quiet in his effort so as not to disturb Hakuryuu. Gently he pushed open the window, allowing a waft of cool breeze to greet him. The scene from the night before replayed in his mind, and he frowned at the recollection. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the worry that gnawed at his heart.

He turned round, and gazed at the sleeping forms of his comrades. He wondered if they, too, were faking sleep as he had. Perhaps not, he mused wryly, noting their wayward positions. His lips curved into a small smile, slightly envious that they still managed to get a decent night's rest.

Looking over his shoulder, he noted that the darkness outside was ebbing. Dawn was approaching.

The horizon was fading, as the first rays of the sun peeked from behind the thick clouds. The air was chill, sending shivers down his back, and he hugged himself in an effort to conserve considerable warmth. He took a deep breath, appreciating the refreshing scent of a brand new day.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well, Hakkai-han?"

The brunette was aware of the other's presence, even before the greeting was given. Looking over his shoulder, he directed a cheerful smile to the man dressed in a pale purple night gown with a gold pendant around his neck.

"Good morning… Hazel-san."

The silver haired man raised an eyebrow, amused. "It's rather impolite to leave a question unanswered, is it not?" he drawled, approaching the brunette as he said so.

Hakkai's smile did not falter, though his eyes narrowed slightly with disdain. He could not help it; this man from the West acted as if nothing had happened. Last night's event unfolded before his eyes again.

"Yes, I managed to get some sleep," he blatantly lied, wondering if Hazel knew otherwise.

The other man's lips curled into a slow smile, almost mocking. "Is that so? I'm glad to hear that. But perhaps you shouldn't be up so early; you still look somewhat dreadful."

"I'm an early-riser," Hakkai answered shortly and turned his attention back to the mounting sun.

Hazel let out a small chuckle, to which Hakkai promptly ignored. Silence ensued thereafter as both men watched the beautiful spectacle before them.

"Ah, it's too bad," Hazel ruptured the silence then, once morning blossomed fully. "One should be watching sunrise with that special someone. Isn't that so?"

The said brunette could not help but smile wistfully, as a mental image began to take form in his mind. "Aa… that's right," he agreed quietly.

"The sun reminds me of Sanzo-han; beautiful, majestic and independent. And his stubbornness is very much like the sun's scorching rays, and so it makes it hard for people to approach him. Don't you agree with me?"

Hakkai frowned. The silver haired man was baiting him. But why?

And suddenly Hazel was before him, their faces only inches apart. There was that infuriating smirk that the bishop often wore and a challenging glint in those blue eyes.

"You're very close to him, aren't you?" Hazel whispered. Seeing Hakkai's eyes widened slightly, he chuckled. "Aa, I was right." He pulled back then and crossed his arms, a haughty look upon his face. "I sense that you feel something for Sanzo-han; something that is deep." He chuckled again, and one hand rose to finger the pendant. "I guess it's not surprising that you are more affected than the other two."

Hakkai's frown deepened at the revelation. Dread ran cold in his blood. "I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about," he maintained coolly.

"Don't play dumb with me, Hakkai-han. I know that you and the rest overheard my conversation with Sanzo-han last night. It saddens me that Sanzo-han refused to come along with me. Instead he chose to stick with the likes of you, despite not saying it out outwardly. I wonder why?"

But before the brunette could answer, the bishop continued. "Ah, could it be that his decision has something to do with you?" He looked thoughtful then. "Perhaps I can get him to my side after all."

Hakkai stared at the bishop. "What do you mean?"

Hazel's smile widened, though there was something unmistakably bitter glazed upon it. "I think a little demonstration will be enough to convince Sanzo-han." He raised his pendant slightly. "Yes, I think it will work out nicely."

The bishop was talking in riddles but Hakkai was well aware of the ominous nature of that so-called 'demonstration'. "Just what do you have in mind, Hazel-san?" he demanded anxiously.

"You'll just have to wait and see," the other man said easily. "Well, I better get going now. But don't worry, Gato and I will be seeing the four of you soon enough."

With a slight bow, Hazel moved forward, brushing past the brunette deliberately with a triumphant smirk. "Good day," he whispered, his tone mocking.

"Why are you doing this? Why the need to have Sanzo on your side?" Hakkai questioned in a low voice as he clenched his fists in frustration.

Hazel stopped in his tracks. Out of the corners of his eyes, Hakkai noted that other man's face was half hidden by his hair, rendering a somewhat solemn effect.

"Haven't you heard the conversation last night? I said my master was killed by demons. Sanzo-han and me, we share a similar experience. But unfortunately for him, he has not seen the truth. You're all demons, a threat to humanity, despite your limiters. A wolf is always a wolf, tamed or otherwise, and should be confined to the darkness. To have a wolf longing for the sun, that's even worse!"

Hakkai gasped and turned swiftly to face the silver haired man. "What?"

A bitter chuckle. "I think you know what I mean. And all the more I must make sure he stays out of your grasp. He doesn't deserve to be in the company of demons who would one day turn on him. He needs to be with his own kind, with one who understands the pain of losing that important figure. He needs to be with me!"

Hazel looked up then, an almost crazy glint in his eyes. "He needs to be with me!" he repeated again, firmly. "Not with you…or the other two for that matter. He will see just how treacherous trusting a demon can be!"

With that, he walked off, leaving the brunette gaping in disbelief. For a few minutes thereafter, he stood rooted, pondering on what the silver haired man had said.

He will see just how treacherous trusting a demon can be! Yes, Hazel made a valid point indeed. As long as he had youkai blood running through his veins, he risked losing his sanity at any moment. And if that happened, he would turn on the nearest human around.

Sanzo… Hakkai looked up then, shielding his eyes as he tried to gaze at the sun, recalling the bishop's earlier words. The sun reminds me of Sanzo-han; beautiful, majestic and independent. And his stubbornness is very much like the sun's scorching rays, and so it makes it hard for people to approach him.

Sanzo…

Muffled noises were heard then, coming from the direction of the room the three of them shared. Hakkai snapped out of his reverie. Turning away from the sun, he then walked back to the inn. It was time to play his role and get back into his usual routine. No use putting on a worried front, because the morning's conversation would best be kept a secret.

- owari -