Beyond the Woods and Mountains

Chapter 11


Hakkai took his time heading to Gojyo’s hut for obvious reasons. They had spent very little time alone together, seeing each other only when clan issues arise. Hakkai had made sure to keep a strong distance from Gojyo and it appeared to be working until now. What did Gojyo want to see just HIM for? He flushed softly as he remembered their last time together and hoped it would not be a repeat tonight. He paused in his walking to think about this situation. WOULD he be able to say ‘no’ to Gojyo if the opportunity came up? Many nights he had intimate dreams about Gojyo and they were always the same. Gojyo would walk up to him, scoop Hakkai up in his arms and carry him back to his hut to make love.

“Maybe those dreams will stop after our meeting tonight…” he looked up at the falling snowflakes. “There are more important matters right now, Hakkai. Get a hold of yourself.” He wrapped his cloak tightly around himself and continued on his way to Gojyo’s hut.


Gojyo sat on his fur bed in front of the fire, his white wolf fur cloak hung loosely over his shoulders. He replayed the events of tonight and felt so disgusted by his actions. He had Sanzo right under him, ripe for the plucking and he would have never said anything to save face. But he could not do that. No matter how arousing or tempting it was. Even though the pressing matter of the clan wars were the top priority, he could not stop his thoughts from swaying back to Sanzo.

This is one of the reasons he needed to speak to Hakkai. Hakkai would be an easier distraction for him and maybe he could actually TALK about the major issue with the war. Hakkai had not spoken to him since their last night together, not counting the council meetings. But for some reason he felt the need to see and speak to him. Hakkai was always good at listening and always had an answer. For a bit he wondered if he should tell Hakkai what happened between him and Sanzo. Gojyo shook his head quickly. No way, he could never say anything about that or he would have to face an angry brother. Hakkai came off as very understanding but when it comes to a matter like that, Gojyo was not entirely sure how he would react. He had really made a mess of things.

“Gojyo? It’s me, Hakkai. May I come in?”

“Yeah…please.” Hakkai pushed the flap open and lowered his hood.

“Brr! It’s chilly out there!” He said with a soft smile.

“Yeah…well, come sit by the fire and warm up.” Hakkai took off his cloak and slung it over the arm of a chair before taking a spot on the opposite side Gojyo. “Come sit next to me where the fur is. The ground’s to cold over there.” Hakkai folded his hands in his laps and smiled.

“I’m fine over here.” Gojyo looked at him then looked down at his pipe.

“You’re uncomfortable being around me alone, aren’t you?” Hakkai lifted his eyes.

“What makes you say that?”

“The fact that you hardly ever see me…that you avoid me unless it’s necessary…and you won’t sit next to me…”

“That’s not important right now, Gojyo. What is it you wanted to see me about at this hour of the evening?”

“See? You’re already completely ignoring the subject!” Hakkai raised an eyebrow.

“Gojyo, we have nothing to talk about as far as I am concerned.”

“The hell we don’t!”

“What in the world are you getting angry for? As I recall, you broke off our marriage.” He narrowed his eyes.

“But I didn’t think you’d completely ignore me afterwards!”

“You can’t have your pipe and smoke it too! And may I bring up the fact that you STILL slept with me even AFTER the annulment?!”

“As if you stopped me! Don’t push that on me to make me out to be some kind of animal!”

“That was just a test!” Hakkai lied, knowing that Gojyo was right but he would not give him the satisfaction. “I let you do that because I wanted to see the type of person you REALLY were! You would still have me when you wanted but you didn’t want the baron of marriage with it! You’re not a kid anymore, Gojyo! You’re a CHIEF! A chief of a large, powerful clan! This is no joke and it’s not a game! Grow up you-!”

“THEN MARRY ME AGAIN!” Gojyo suddenly shouted, stopping Hakkai in his ranting. Hakkai looked at him with complete surprise and blinked.

“W-what?”

“Marry me again.” Gojyo stared at him with a serious look and he had to admit it made him feel uncomfortable.

Marriage? Again? He was the one who broke it off! Now he wanted to get back together?! Gojyo broke his heart when he heard about their separation. He spent a few nights crying himself to sleep, feeling betrayed and unwanted. The fact that he wanted to TRY and work through their problems was not what Gojyo had in mind. Gojyo did not want to settle down but Hakkai was prepared to. Sure, he did not want it at the time but for the sake of the clan and his duty he would have accepted it.

“Hakkai…will you marry me? Again?” He slid around the fire so he was sitting next to Hakkai. Hakkai looked into Gojyo’s eyes and saw the seriousness there…but he also smelled ale on his breath.

“I’m sorry, Gojyo…but I can’t.” Gojyo’s brows went up.

“Why not?” Hakkai had to look away from him.

“Because…because I couldn’t go through something like this again. Gojyo, you broke it off with ME. You didn’t want to be with ME. I was an inconvenience to you! You had to sleep next to me when you could have some loose woman next to you instead! And you were always drooling over Sanzo! You didn’t want me you wanted him! And I bet that you still crave him even now! What makes you think I want to live in a loveless marriage with a man who doesn’t want to commit!?”

“But I want to commit now!” Gojyo pleaded with him but Hakkai was not buying it.

“Seriously, Gojyo! You’re acting like a child!”

“I am not! I realized I made a mistake and I want to be with you again! I want to give commitment another try! I really do!” Hakkai looked at him and the two stared at each other for a few minutes before Hakkai broke the silence.

“I don’t believe you.” Gojyo’s features practically fell when Hakkai said those four words. “Something must have happened for you to suddenly have this change of heart! Tell me the truth, Gojyo. Why is it that you called me here? To talk about our relationship or what’s left of it?”

“Hakkai I-“

“Stop it. I don’t believe any of your words right now, Gojyo. And if you don’t tell me the truth, I’m afraid I’ll have to go on ignoring you as much as possible. Just tell me the truth, please. I rather hear that than lies.” He finished softly. Gojyo looked away and sat down next to him, resting his arms on his folded knees.

“Most of what I have said is true…about wanting to try ‘commitment’ again. I realized I made a big mistake by breaking it off with you. I’m not very liked right now among the clan members, especially your side. They all look up to you and respect you…they’ve been ignoring me completely. I get dirty looks from them when I pass. They won’t bow or kneel to me. Your elders look at me with distain as if I were some stranger…they don’t want to listen to me. I never knew how much you were liked by your clan members…and from what I can gather…my breaking the marriage with you caused him some heartache and sadness that caught the clan’s attention…but seriously, I want to try commitment again. I realize what I need to do and I am willing to give it a try” he looked at Hakkai “But I need you with me. Please Hakkai…take me back as your husband.” He leaned his head on Hakkai’s shoulder and placed his hand over his own.

“Gojyo…”

“This job is hard, Hakkai. I was thrown into this role before I was ready. This is my first time as a full chief…not just an heir. I’m so used to goofing off and running around free that I guess I was thinking I could still do that.
But I can’t. Please Hakkai…I need your support…I want to marry you again. I’ll even ask you properly. Please,” he squeezed his hand “Think about it.”

Hakkai knew a lot of what Gojyo was saying was the alcohol and exhaustion talking so he was not sure what to believe. Drinking tends to bring secrets out of people and they sometimes reveal who they really are. Gojyo just let a lot of his feelings spill now because he was not in a clear stage of mind. Hakkai closed his eyes and placed his hand on Gojyo’s head, gently stroking his hair. He heard Gojyo give a soft moan and felt him move closer.
Maybe all that Gojyo said was true; that he really was stressed from his position as chief. But could he really marry him again? Gojyo was becoming unpopular with the clan and that worried him, enough to the point where he would ask Hakkai to marry him again. He was not doing it because he loved Hakkai, but for the gratification of the clan. Gojyo even said he was willing to give the marriage another try…that he sees things differently now. But was he really telling the truth? Did he really know what he was saying? Hakkai felt his heart start to beat loudly in his chest as he considered taking Gojyo up on his offer to give the marriage another try.

“No Gojyo…I can’t.” Hakkai said in a whisper, feeling his heart drop to his stomach. “You broke my heart, Gojyo. I was starting to fall for you while we were married. I knew you lusted after Sanzo and I understand…but you still showed me attention no one has ever shown me before. You made me feel loved even when I knew you didn’t mean it. I see the way you look at Sanzo and I would wish you would look that way at me! I can’t sleep with you knowing you’re thinking about Sanzo!”

“Fuck him! I don’t want to hear another word about Sanzo! He’s not important anymore!”

“And why this sudden change in heart about Sanzo?! Did you finally realize that your charms were not going to work on someone like him? Now you want to come back to me, is that your true intention?!”

“NO!” He grabbed Hakkai by his shoulders. “Listen to me! I made a fucking mistake, alright?! I’m sorry I hurt you but let me try to undo it!”

“Please…let go of me.”

“I don’t want to.” Gojyo drew him into a tight hug before pushing him down onto the ground. “I want to make it up to you…” Gojyo’s hairs were tickling his face and their noses were just about touching. Hakkai lay perfectly still under Gojyo, his heart racing in his chest. “I need you now, Hakkai. Just…just stay with me tonight. That’s all I ask right now…take time to think everything over but please, spend the night with me.” He leaned down and pressed his lips gently to Hakkai’s. “If you lean up and kiss me on your own then I’ll take that as a yes to spending the night.” Gojyo just stared at him, his eyes soft but serious.

Hakkai said he was not going to have a repeat of their last time together. He had given in too easily and quickly, letting his lust take over. But it would appear that his lust was taking over his body again, ignoring his mind. He felt something poking at his inner thigh and knew it was Gojyo’s erection, slowly getting harder. The feel of it made his body shiver with excitement and grow warm. Hakkai could not help himself so he leaned his head up and kissed Gojyo.

‘Gojyo you fool,’ he said to himself. ‘I curse you for awaking this lust in me! Damn you!’ he wrapped his arms around Gojyo’s cloaked back, admiring the soft white wolf fur.

“You’re trembling…are you cold?”

“N-no…just-“ Gojyo smiled.

“Excited?” Hakkai blushed and looked away angrily.

“No!”

“Well THIS says differently.” He said and reached his hand down to rub at Hakkai’s growing erection.

Hakkai moaned softly and lifted his hips into Gojyo’s hand. He felt the hand being removed and replaced two pushing down his pants. Gojyo left the pants around Hakkai’s ankles, not bothering with taking off the boots to get the fabric completely off. He was content with lying between Hakkai’s long, now locked legs. He looked up to make sure Hakkai was still enjoying himself before engulfing his erection. Hakkai’s back arched and he let out a soft cry, squeezing Gojyo’s head between his thighs.

Hakkai knew that it felt all the more wonderful now because he was deprived for so long. His many restless nights of wishing and longing for Gojyo’s touch were finally being granted. He could not resist Gojyo’s advances even against his better judgment. Was he that weak or was he just desperate? As much as he hated to admit it, he was pretty sure it was both. But Gojyo’s talented mouth and swirling tongue were making it too hard to concentrate on his values. He whined a bit when he felt that warm cavern leaving him cold and bare. Gojyo slid back up to loom above Hakkai, his thick red hair forming a curtain around head. Right now, the red hair was blocking out everything from the real world; now he was only in Gojyo’s world.

Gojyo ran his hands through Hakkai's hair and Hakkai looked up at him. He leaned down and kissed him gently. Hakkai let himself be kissed and gave a small moan, bringing his hand up to stroke the back Gojyo’s head. Gojyo deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into Hakkai's mouth and pulling him closer. Hakkai slipped his arms under the cloak and admired the firm, hard muscles he felt there. Gojyo’s body was more magnificent in person than in his dreams. Gojyo trailed the kisses from Hakkai's mouth down along his jaw and to his neck, sucking and kissing. He bit down gently, leaving a small mark. He began to un-tie Hakkai's shirt, kissing every exposed area on his chest. Gojyo freed himself from his pants, pulling them down enough to expose his erection. The hut was too cold for any full nakedness. He took Hakkai's precum from earlier and used it as lube and shoved all three of his fingers in at once.

“GOJYO!” he cried out in surprise and pure pleasure. That was unexpected for him to happen! After all these months of nothing his body easily and willing accepted the rough penetration.

"When I finish prepping you, you're going to ride me. Hard." He said firmly, biting at his shoulder.

“R-ride you?”

“Yes. You know,” he flipped them so Hakkai was sitting on his erection. He gasped softly.

“M-my pants are making this hard!”

“You’ll be fine.” Gojyo smiled at him and shifted himself so he was pushing the head into Hakkai’s opening. Hakkai threw his back and moaned as he was slowly and carefully filled to the hilt. He let out a heavy breath as it was settled and rest his hands on Gojyo’s chest. “You feel wonderful.” Hakkai was flushed and panted quickly.

“D-do I?”

“Of course.” He thrust his hips up sharply which almost made Hakkai topple forward. He voiced his pleasure as Gojyo kept hitting that special spot inside of him that made him forget everything. All he felt was the torrent of pleasure that racked his body as Gojyo pierced him. He hit all the right spot dead on each time, forcing Hakkai to make his own movements speed up. “Do you like it?”

“YES!” Hakkai cried out passionately.

“You want more?”

“Gods yes!” Gojyo gripped his wrists and forced him back onto the ground. Hakkai’s ankles were still tangled in his pants and Gojyo was trapped between them. Gojyo held his wrists tight on either side of his head as he continued his rapid thrusts. Hakkai felt himself coming to a peak, unable to withstand the amount of pleasure he had been denied for so long. The rough way Gojyo was handling him, the strong hands on his wrists, his legs locked together tight; he was once again only in Gojyo’s world, a prisoner to his lust.

“Come for me, Hakkai.” He heard Gojyo whisper with a particular hard thrust to accompany it. Hakkai lost it there and let out a wail of delight as he exploded between their bodies. Gojyo followed soon after, pushing himself as far as he could go into Hakkai’s body.

Both men lay on the ground, panting heavily from their recent activity. Hakkai was in afterglow, shivering here and there every time an after wave of pleasure slithered through him. Gojyo was the first to sit it up, fixing his pants. He did the same to Hakkai’s, tying them tight.

“So…will you marry me again?” Hakkai looked at him, still panting and eyelids heavy with exhaustion.

“W-what?”

“Marriage. Will you marry me again? I want to be your husband, Hakkai. We can have many more days and nights just like this one.” Hakkai looked away from him.

‘What have I done?’ He asked himself.

“I will treat you so much better this time around! I promise. I’ll be a good husband. I’ll take care of you and provide for you! I’ll be there for you if you need me!”

“I’m sorry, Gojyo, but I can’t.” Those few words tore at him. “I can’t marry you again.”

“Why not?!”

“You did it once…you’re likely to do it again.” Hakkai said, sitting up from the ground. “I can’t take more heartbreak, Gojyo. I won’t do it.”

“But I need you!”

“You need the popularity of my side of the clan! You need my elders’ support! You don’t want me for ME!”

“No, you’re wrong! I want you for you! I mean it!”

“I’m sorry Gojyo, but I just can’t believe you.” But gods know, he wanted to believe every word Gojyo said. He wanted to throw himself into Gojyo’s arms and give him his heart. He wanted to be his and his alone. “I’m sorry, Gojyo. I have to go.”

“No wait! Hakkai!” Hakkai had run out of the hut before Gojyo could catch him. “Fuck!” he cursed and slammed his fist into the cold, hard ground. “HAKKAI!” He shouted to the ceiling, knowing that the cry fell on deaf ears.


Hakkai ran through the village, trying not to stumble and fall into the deep snow. He had to keep his head low to hide his tears from any of the clan members. It would be shameful and embarrassing for a member to see their officials in any state of weakness. He ran all the way to the end of the village, leaving the area. He stood behind a bolder that was a few feet away from the village mouth where he could freely cry.
He had to decline Gojyo’s request. He had to. Gojyo would do it again; he could not trust him. Maybe by some chance Gojyo was right, but how would he really know unless he married him again. But could he risk another heartbreak and insult? No. No he could not and he would not. As much as it pained him…as much as he wanted to give in, he had to keep strong. Gojyo did not want him for HIM. He needed to save face and that was all. Those thoughts angered him but he was more frustrated with himself for giving into Gojyo’s lust. But he WANTED to give in…he wanted Gojyo’s touch. For that one moment he forgot everything that was bothering him. His mind was free. Now what was he to do? Would Gojyo ever speak to him again? This thought pondered in his head until something suddenly covered his head and he was encased in darkness.

By morning, Goku had awoken and noticed that only Sanzo was asleep in the bed. Hakkai’s bed was empty and his cloak was gone. ‘He must have gone out early’ Goku figured. He got up and accidently knocked into the pot, making it clang loudly to the ground. The noise dared to wake up Sanzo, who rolled over to glare sleepily at Goku.

“You fucking noisy monkey! Be more careful! Clumsy animal!”

“Wahh! I’m sorry! It was an accident! By the way, did you see if Hakkai left this morning?”

“No, why?”

“I don’t know…its just, he usually wakes me up or I hear him. His sword is still here too but his cloak is gone.”

“Stupid creature, he probably couldn’t sleep so he went for a walk or something!”

“In this heavy snow?”

“Fuck the snow. Any idiot can walk in it!”

“Geez, what’s you’re problem this morning?”

“You, obviously!” Sanzo got up then, throwing the furs off him. “Now that you’re up, I might as well get up too! I need to see if I can persuade the party to go hunting.”

“Good luck. In this snow you’re lucky to catch anything that isn’t a small song bird.” Sanzo narrowed his eyes and him as he dressed and stormed out of the tent. “That man is going to make all his hair fall out and send himself to an early grave at this rate.” Goku shook his head and dressed in his winter clothes to go and get his share of breakfast.


It had been two full days and there was no sign of Hakkai. No one had seen him leave nor has anyone seen him around. Gojyo sent everyone out on a search throughout the village and the surrounding woods but they found nothing…until a clan member passed the bolder where Hakkai had rest. There was a letter placed on the top of the bolder, held down by a rock to keep it from blowing. The man took it and read it. He gasped and quickly took
it to the chief.

“MY CHIEF!!! CHIEF GOJYO!” Gojyo, Jien, and Kou were up on the dais, discussing some business when they saw the man come running. “My chief…I found this letter…outside the village! It is Homura! He has Hakkai!” Gojyo’s eyes widened and Jien snatched the letter from the man, reading it.

“He’s right, Gojyo. Hakkai’s been captured.”

“Oh no…” Gojyo covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. Kou placed a hand on his shoulder.

“We have to be on guard now. Homura is around here…he might have his army too.” He said and looked at Jien. “Is there any instructions or details of his whereabouts?”

“No.” Jien returned Kou’s gaze. They both then looked to Gojyo. “Gojyo…what should we do?”

“I…I don’t know…the scouts haven’t reported anything strange! Sanzo brought back animals yesterday so they are not camping somewhere to scare all the creatures away! The birds are still singing, so there’s no large
movement in the woods. Homura I’m sure just has Hakkai captive somewhere.”

“The army could not make it up this mountain in the snow, and the lookouts would have seen something by now.” Said Jien. “I think it’s Homura himself moving around.”

“Lets send out a search party for Hakkai.” Suggested Kou. “I’ll arrange it right now.” Gojyo nodded.

“Yes please do tha-“ All three of them paused as they saw a large number of the clan members gathering in front of the dais. They were clearly angry at Gojyo. There were shouts of how he is destroying the clan, he let Hakkai get captured, and so on. Gojyo just looked at the mob, not knowing what to say or do. Most of the members rallying was Hakkai’s side, not his own. They needed Hakkai’s side of the clan for numbers and battle. Gojyo stood up and left the dais, hurrying back to his hut where he would be free to think clearly. Jien and Kou just watched after him then looked at the mob.

“I’ll see what I can do.” Kou said, leaving the dais to try and control the crowd.


Sanzo was watching from behind one of the huts nearest to the dais. Hakkai was captured? How could Hakkai let himself get captured? The man was always so careful and aware of his surroundings. This was bad. The people were getting angry with Gojyo and it will only be a matter of time before the elders and the clans refuse to serve Gojyo. Seeing Gojyo hurry of like that made it an even bigger matter. He was sure Gojyo was threatened by all this, who would not be? If Gojyo were loosing his mind, then the whole clan would fall into ruins. The people would not listen to just Jien and Kou, being they are subordinates of Gojyo.

He would not let the clan fall into ruins. He depended too much on Hakkai to take care of things on a regular basis. Hakkai always kept things in order, the people in line, and their spirits high. Now that he was gone, things would start to fall apart. It pissed him off to the point where he wanted to take a spear to his head, but he could not let everything be destroyed. He had to get the people to support Gojyo again. They were angry over the annulment, which was primarily HIS fault. He hated to admit it, but half of this turmoil came from his bright ideas. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Wait, it WAS a good idea, it just got mislead a bit. Either way, it was up to him to save the clan, Gojyo’s reputation, begin a war, and hopefully find Hakkai.

But how to do it? Sanzo knew the one and only way that would work, even though it made his skin crawl and the bile rise up in his throat. It was the hardest thing he would EVER have to endure. He had to lower himself to this level. But it would only be until they found Hakkai. He just had to swallow his pride and do it. There was no other option. Sanzo readied himself mentally and ran to Gojyo’s hut, ignoring any formal entrance. He stood behind Gojyo, who was sitting at his table with his head in his hands. He looked up at Sanzo.
“
Sanzo? What is it?” Sanzo looked at him and tried to find the words to speak before he completely lost his breakfast.

“G-Gojyo…I WANT YOU TO MARRY ME!” Gojyo just stared at him and blinked in complete surprise and confusion.

“Huh?” was his only response.