An Evening Conversation - by: Aeyka

A/N: A random bit of 58 goodness. I really don't know where this came from. Just go along with it.

Disclaimer: Saiyuki belongs to Kazuya Minekura-sensei

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It was dusk. The Sanzo Ikkou was still venturing west, but since the next town was about a two day's drive ahead of them they had no choice but to camp out for the night, much to the displease of the worn out, cranky travelers. They'd really been looking forward to spending the evening in a nice, comfortable inn, too.

Well, all except one.

With a slight creak of his chair, Hakkai leaned back into a somewhat manageable sitting position. His face turned upward and caught a glimpse of the night sky. Bright, crystalized stars dotted the inky blue-black depths of the heavens; the moon a giant, pale orb, contrasting greatly with the dark sky. A small smile tugged at the corners of Hakkai's mouth. He loved sleeping underneath the stars and being surrounded by nature. His comrades on the other hand...

He chuckled softly, so not to disturb the others. A quick glance to his left and he saw Sanzo sleeping soundly. A shift of the eyes and he noticed Goku, snoring away happily. An exasperated sigh directly behind him told him that he wasn't the only one awake. "Can't sleep, Gojyo?"

"Hn. I dunno why. It's getting late, but I feel so...I dunno...restless," the hanyou said, stretching his arms up over his head, shifting slightly to get into a much more comfortable position. He never did like sleeping in the jeep. Too small.

"That's okay," Hakkai replied, cheerfully. "You can sit up with me. We can talk or something."

"Talk...yeah, I guess..." In a slow, careful motion, Gojyo leaned forward, so that his chest was up against the back of Hakkai's seat. He slithered his arms about the brunette's waist, grinning at the small gasp of surprise that escaped Hakkai's lips. "Or we could do something else," Gojyo whispered, resting his head into the crook of Hakkai's neck. Closing his eyes, the redhead planted a tiny kiss at the base of the brunette's neck, delighting in the low groan that came from deep in Hakkai's throat.

Using every ounce of willpower, Hakkai finally managed to speak. "No, Gojyo," he choked out. "We can't do anything drastic or reckless or," - a quick glance at the two sleeping forms- "we'll be found out."

Gojyo snorted. "Aw, Hakkai..." But he continued to embrace the brunette and, moments later, Hakkai finally accepted the redhead's contact, maybe because he realised that Gojyo wasn't going to give up. He sighed. "You are so stubborn, do you know that?"

A grin broke out on Gojyo's features. "Yep, but you love me anyway, right?" He then let go of the youkai's waist as Hakkai shifted position, so that his entire body was towards him. All that seperated them was the carseat.

Hakkai reached out and, with long pale fingers, twirled a bit of Gojyo's hair. "Yes, I do, Gojyo," he complied. "No matter how stubborn you are, it cannot change how I feel about you."

"Glad to hear that." Gojyo leaned forward ever so slightly, his hands moving upward to cradle Hakkai's face. The pad of his thumb ran across Hakkai's lips and he tilted the brunette's chin. Hakkai felt his entire body relax and his mouth parted slowly, anticipating what was about to happen.

Lowering his face, Gojyo very tentatively brought their lips together, at first like a breath, soft and undemanding, but he pulled back before deepening the sensation.

There is concern in Hakkai's eyes, but only for a moment as a slight ripple of excitement courses through him. He knew that Sanzo could wake up any moment, for he was a very light sleeper(Goku, however, is quite the opposite. The boy could sleep through a hurricane) and catch them in the act. He knew this and yet, he didn't care anymore. He was fed up with hiding his feelings for Gojyo. This was a giant risk and he loved it. He caught Gojyo's eyes in a gaze and he nodded, and Gojyo understood. The redhead then took Hakkai's lips fully, all the while running his nails up the brunette's back. When he pulled back this time, Hakkai is positively beaming, practically begging with his eyes, for more, so Gojyo returned, sliding his tongue over Hakkai's lips and past his teeth to meet his tongue in a rythmic dance. They tasted one another slowly, unhurried and all too casual-familiar, as if they had done this for years.

Had they? A slight flash of memory and Hakkai saw it perfectly, as clear as day: cherry trees filling the air with their hauntingly sweet scent, the two of them underneath the aforementioned blossoms sharing a jug of sake, only they didn't LOOK quite like themselves. Gojyo, dressed in tight black leather from head to toe, had short raven-black hair and equally dark, glittering eyes(reminding one of Dokugakuji) and he himself was dressed in what looked like a stark white lab coat, complete with glasses and tannish pants. His hair was a bit on the long side and was a deep rich brown. There they were, together, all those years ago. How could that be? He didn't remember ever looking like that, but there it was, stuck in his head, so bright and vivid like a photograph...a photograph of the past...

A shudder pulled him out of the daze. Gojyo's lips had moved from his mouth to his jawline and neck. He let out a moan as Gojyo let his mouth then slide up to his ear, catching the lobe with his teeth.

Smiling to himself, Gojyo leaned back, raising his hand to touch Hakkai's cheek. Forest green eyes looked up at him. "Why did you stop?" he asked, voice low and thick. His face was flushed and his chest was rising and falling gently. His lips were swollen and dark. "Why did you stop?" he repeated.

Gojyo laughed gently. "Well, it seems that thanks to your making noise, a certain monk is awake and is now looking at us very strange-like."

Hakkai turned his head and, to his horror, Gojyo was right. Sanzo was awake, his eyes wide and a look of disgust was plainly visible on his face. A heavy blush spread across Hakkai's cheeks. "H-How long were you awake, Sanzo?" He couldn't bear to meet the monk's gaze.

"Tch. Long enough to conclude that you two are a bunch of fruitcakes," he replied dryly.

"Aw, screw you, Sanzo," Gojyo remarked, making an obscene gesture. "Go back to sleep."

"Hmph. Disgusting bunch of pansies." With that, Sanzo turned on his side and went back to sleep.

Gojyo noticed Hakkai's worried expression and wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulder. "Hey, don't be that way," he said. "It's nothing to get caught up in. Forget that idiot priest. He's just mad because he feels the same way for Goku, but doesn't have the balls to say it." He tossed Hakkai a wink and kissed him on the forehead.

"You're right, Gojyo," Hakkai agreed, settling back into his seat. "Let's forget Sanzo and get some sleep."

"Sure. Goodnight, Hakkai. I love you."

Hakkai turned, his green eyes meeting Gojyo's crimson ones. "I love you, too."

Then, the two young men lasped into a deep, sound sleep, content, peaceful smiles on their faces.

End