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

Notes: This fic is a 'what-if' continuation of Sariyuki's fic "When Tomorrow Comes." Both fics take place after the journey ends.

Warnings: Lime

No More Tomorrow

He felt the other exploding violently within him, heard the scream that was a heated blend of raw passion and sheer frustration, the exact moment when he, too, found his release. An honest cry escaped him to join the one that was currently shattering the stillness that blanketed the monastery only moments ago. It was nothing new, though. As a matter of fact, it would be strange not to hear such indecency in the middle of the night.

As the last of their sated whimpers as with their shuddering bliss trailed off like the threads of night before dawn breaks through, the other fell limply upon him like a rag doll, sticky warmth matching his through every single pore. He closed his eyes tight, reveling in the feel of the body against him, so familiar yet for that night, strangely foreign. The scent of their lovemaking was oddly stronger than before too, as with the art itself.

He knew why, of course. The reason was as clear as the orange paper planes that his master often set against the spread of endless blue sky. He could not escape it now, the pain that he had tried to secrete with passion. Pain that was a close replica of that night many, many years ago, a pain that he did not want to feel again for as long as he lived. But clearly Fate lived up to its cruel illustration when it relived back the pain for him.

However the difference this time round was the absence of salvation.

The rapid but definite thumps of life pounding softly against his bare back was in perfect rhythm with his own, each beat a unison ricochet, reminding him of time itself. Time that waited for no one, moving on with the strictest of schedule but even in its orderly sprint had witnessed the birth of many things significant. Time had seen two tortured souls finding solace in each other, seen them moving on from the safe zone, seen them standing alone against the stream.

But they had been standing against the stream far too long then. The reason they managed to stay on their feet was the other. When one lost his balance, the other would steady him. There were precarious moments, of course, but they were stronger. But however strong a tree is, continuous and merciless assault upon its trunk will see it fall eventually.

And fell one of them did.

A breathy sigh caressed his shoulder lightly and he felt the other easing out of him, leaving him hollow. But unlike prior nights, he knew he would never be filled again, knew he would never be complete again. The other shifted slightly then, one hand clutching at his shoulder, a silent request for him to turn and lay on his back. He did not want to but he found himself obliging, albeit taking a leisurely pace to the request. When he finally did so, he was facing a smiling visage whose eyes spoke of a determination so strong, yet mellowed with a fair bit of gratitude.

It was those eyes that he wanted to avoid, eyes that would haunt him forever even when the owner was no longer around.

"Thank you," he whispered softly. "Thank you, Sanzo."

He stared at the face before him, saw the taunts that broke the man. He had said he would kill the man if he dared to leave him. But in truth, it was as close to begging that someone as him could muster. Would it hurt him to beg again? He would rather be poisoned and slashed a thousand times over than to feel the pain that was stabbing at his heart for the second time round.

"Hakkai…"

A soft kiss impeded him. "Don't…" the brunette's plea brushed against his lips. "My mind's made up. Let me go, Sanzo…"

He wanted more than anything in the world to not give in to the plea. He was not a romantic fool but he knew that letting the brunette go would mean giving up the air that was keeping him alive these few years. But he was helpless, unable to keep the other from staying one more day – after one more day had accounted to almost two months now.

"Do whatever you like then."

He had granted his permission. There would no longer be a tomorrow or one more day.

- - owari - -

p/s: Dear shinoa Yuuki... yep, that's the end (re: A Morning's Conversation). The scene that follows after that is ep 20 of Gunlock. Hee, thanks for your continuous support! Love ya muchly ::muackz::