A Brand New Life

Disclaimer: I don’t own Saiyuki or any of the guys. That honor belongs to Kazuya Minekura. The original characters are my own creations.

Four Weeks Until the Wedding


Yuuko was bored. She was sitting at the kitchen in Hakkai’s house, well, their house really. Hakkai had asked her if she’d minded moving in with him and making this her new home after the wedding. Frowning at Hakkai, Yuuko wondered how he could think something like that. This house that her grandfather and Priest Sanzo bought for Hakkai had become her home. From choosing the curtains in the windows, to picking out the sheets that went on Hakkai’s or Goku’s bed, Yuuko chose everything with love.

She loved the openness of the ground floor, how one room flowed into the other. From the tiny entryway, where Yuuko started to imagine how it would look, with Hakkai’s large shoes next to her little sandals and next to her sandals, a pair of baby sandals, belonging to their first child; to the kitchen, where Hakkai was teaching her to cook to the huge living room with it’s enormous fireplace where they could sit together and watch the flames and just talk. She loved this house.

Hakkai had started mentioning how much he would like a family. Sometimes, before she fell asleep at her Grandfather’s house, Yuuko would see a picture in her mind. Hakkai, in the night, holding a tiny baby, it’s tiny fists waving in the air, crying as Hakkai brought the baby to their bed, so he could feed at her breast. Hakkai would sit next to them as their son fed. Or sometimes, Yuuko would imagine it was their daughter feeding at her breast.

Smiling, she thought about how their babies would look like Gojyo, with bright red hair and soft red eyes. This past Sunday, Yuuko told Hakkai she hoped their children wouldn’t be as perverted as Gojyo was. She had been in the kitchen, folding clothes, and Hakkai was in the living room, relaxing after dinner, reading the newspaper. She loved trying to out tease Hakkai. Unfortunately, she usually wasn’t very successful.

Putting aside the evening paper, Hakkai walked into the kitchen, his eyes worried and his face grim. “Oh, Yuuko! I never thought of that.” Hakkai had pretended to be concerned, his brow furrowed as he thought. “Will you still love our children if they turn out like Gojyo?”

“I was just kidding, Hakkai!” After seeing the horrified look on Hakkai’s face, Yuuko stopped folding the laundry. Hakkai’s clothes were crumpled in her hands and stared at him. “Is…is that really something that all children, who are born from one parent who’s a youkai and one who’s human, like Gojyo, share? Are they really going to be thinking about getting the opposite sex into bed, all of the time?”

He turned his body away from her and Yuuko’s worry grew when he didn’t answer her right away. She would love any children that she and Hakkai had but the thought of her son, around 15 years old, flirting with any female that crossed his path. Hakkai’s shoulders began to shake and Yuuko narrowed her eyes at his back. Why that little… He was teasing her again!

Tossing his shirt at him, Yuuko huffed her displeasure at Hakkai. Picking his shirt off of his head, he folded it and placed it on the table.

“Gotcha.” His voice was soft and he was leaning down to whisper in her ear.

“Did not.” Grabbing another shirt, Yuuko nudged Hakkai with her shoulder, trying to knock him off balance. “I knew you were teasing me the entire time. I was just playing along.”

A brush across her neck, from those sensual hands, made her body begin to react to his touch. As light as butterfly wings, Hakkai let his hands roam over Yuuko’s neck, brushing away strands of hair that had come undone from her braid during the day. Yuuko shivered but still kept on folding his shirts, her hands shaking from the way his touch was making her feel. How could he wring such responses from her from just a simple touch and please, god, goddess or whoever, never let him stop.

“Liar.” The word was a caress across the back of her neck. Full lips trailed lazily across her neck and then, his tongue darted out to lick her skin.

Dropping the shirt she had tried to fold for the last few minutes, Yuuko turned to face Hakkai. That look, that look of passion blazing in his green eyes made the breath catch in her throat. How ever did she get to be so lucky that this wonderful man had fallen in love with her? At the first touch of his lips against hers, Yuuko let her hands drift down to grasp his hands and while walking backwards, Yuuko led Hakkai to the stairs. Picking Yuuko up, Hakkai took her up the stairs and into their bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. The laundry laid forgotten on the kitchen table for the rest of the night.


Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Yuuko once again thought about how bored she was. Today was Wednesday and Hakkai was at work at Gojyo’s bar. The bar was closed Sunday and Monday, so at least, she and Hakkai had those two days all to themselves. Like most bars, it was only open in the afternoon, so Hakkai worked late, from 2:30 pm until midnight. Yesterday, she had come over for breakfast and stayed with Hakkai until he left for work. Then, she cleaned up a bit, washing dishes, straightening up and did some general cleaning. Hakuryu was her only companion during these long, boring hours.

Going over to her Grandfather’s house, Yuuko wasn’t too surprised to see that she wasn’t needed there at all. Goku had hired a very sweet lady who came in four days a week to cook and clean for Daisuke. Since Hakkai was all healed, Yuuko thought she would be needed at her old home, but that wasn’t the case. Noriko, the woman Goku had hired, had everything under control. She was in her late 40’s, about 10 years younger than Daisuke. Widowed several years ago, Noriko had lived with her daughter, her daughter’s husband and their children. Although, Noriko loved all of her extended family, she had felt a little like a burden to them. It was a wonderful day when she stepped into the little store that Daisuke owned and Goku had talked to her and hired her, on the spot.

Yuuko adored Noriko and the two women would spend the afternoon, talking for hours over a pot of tea. Noriko wouldn’t let Yuuko pitch in and help at her old home. The older woman would tell Yuuko that she had enough to do, taking care of Hakkai and his home. Yuuko tried to tell her that Hakkai was healed and didn’t need constant care anymore, so she could help Noriko with the housework, but Noriko would just wave Yuuko off with a wave of a wrinkled, tiny hand and continue with what she was doing.

Hakuryu came with her wherever she went. The white dragon loved to chase mice for some odd reason so Yuuko would let him out in the backyard at her old home and let him chase mice at his heart’s content. After chasing mice for a few hours, Hakuryu would kyuuu at the back door, asking to be let back in. He never caught or ate any mice because he was too spoiled from Hakkai’s cooking. During their journey, Goku would pass any vegetables under the table for the little dragon to eat. That way, Sanzo thought Goku was eating his vegetables and Hakuryu would get a bellyful of healthy food.

Hugging Noriko good-bye, Yuuko walked to her Grandfather’s store. Standing outside, looking in through the big window, she saw Goku and Myhiko talking and laughing with customers. Daisuke was standing behind the cash register, a huge smile on his face. Yuuko’s heart dropped. It was true. No one needed her. Well, Hakkai needed her, she thought with a little sad smile on her face. No one from her old home needed her. Grandfather had Goku and Myhiko at the store and now he had Noriko at home. Yuuko’s life was really moving on and while she was happy to be getting married to Hakkai, she would miss her old life.

“Yuuko! There you are!” Saira came up to Yuuko, a little out of breath. “I was at your house and you weren’t there, so I went to your Grandfather’s house and I’d just missed you! Noriko told me to check here, to see if anyone knew where you were.”

“Saira, what’s wrong?”

Saira had been working as a waitress at the bar with Gojyo ever since he’d opened the bar. The entire town had accepted their relationship and people were guessing and making bets on when the tall redhead would propose to the tiny blonde woman. What no one else but Hakkai, Goku, Myhiko, Yuuko and Saira’s parents knew, was that the couple had quietly gotten married a week ago.

Gojyo was worried that if they invited people to a wedding between him, a half-youkai and Saira, a human, no one would come. And Gojyo would do anything to prevent Saira’s feelings from being hurt. What Gojyo didn’t realize is how the people of this little town genuinely liked and respected him. He ran a clean bar, served good food and was a big hit with the men and the women. Although, the women soon learned to back off from one blazing look from Saira.

Gojyo and Saira were married on a Sunday afternoon in Hakkai’s house. It took Saira awhile to convince Gojyo that she didn’t care about a big wedding, it was the rest of their life together that she cared about. They were living in the apartment above the bar and people were fine with that. Saira’s mother and father already loved Gojyo and welcomed him into the family with loving arms. After meeting her parents for the first time, Gojyo wept on Saira’s shoulders as she held him in her arms. He had finally found what he was looking for his entire life…unconditional love.

“You’ve got to come with me.” Saira gasped out. Hakuryu flew in tight circles above the women’s heads, his voice squeaking with concern. Even though Gojyo burned him many times with a carelessly tossed cigarette and spilled unknown quantities of beer and greasy food on his seats, Hakuryu did like Gojyo. Saira, was another story altogether. Hakuryu adored her, though not as much as he adored Yuuko. He liked Myhiko, too, but she wasn’t around as much, so Hakuryu wasn’t as attached to her as he was to the other two women.

“Is Hakkai alright? Is he hurt or something like that?” Yuuko began to panic. Please, god, goddess or whoever, let him be fine.

Waving her hands in front of her face, Saira shook her head while she tried to catch her breath. “It’s nothing like that. You’ve just got to see it to believe it. It’s been going on for a few weeks now and when you see it, you’ll be ticked.” Saira closed her eyes and took several deep breaths.

He was cheating on her. A pain in her chest almost took her breath away. Clenching her chest with trembling fingers, Yuuko tried to breath but couldn’t. The edges of her world were going dark and she reached blindly for Saira.

“Take me to him.” Yuuko choked out.

Opening her eyes, Saira got a good look at Yuuko. Her best friend looked like she was about to pass out. What ever could Yuuko be thinking that Hakkai was doing? Maybe Saira shouldn’t have used the word ticked but when Yuuko got sight of all those women drooling over her fiancée, she was surely going to be upset. And those hussy’s weren’t just drooling over him. They were touching his legs, back, hair and any other body part they could get their hands on! Hakkai was always the gentleman, gently removing any stray hands from his body as politely as possible.

“Yuuko, I don’t know what you’re thinking but, Hakkai…”

“I’ll deal with him when I see him.” Teeth clenched, mouth tight, Yuuko snapped her fingers at Hakuryu and he landed on her shoulder, little flames shooting from his mouth. The dragon had understood every word that the two women spoke and he jumped to the same conclusion that Yuuko did. Razor sharp talons dug into Yuuko’s shoulder as she walked, no, almost ran to Gojyo’s bar. Trying to keep up with her, Saira picked up the hem of her kimono and followed the angry woman and the even angrier dragon.

Stopping at the door to Gojyo’s bar, Yuuko steeled herself for what she may find. Images of Hakkai in another woman’s arms, kissing said woman, flew through Yuuko’s mind and her jaw hurt with how hard she was clenching it. The doorknob was slick under Yuuko’s fingers. Her hands were sweating and she wiped them off on her yellow yukata. From behind the door, she could hear voices and music. Turning the knob, Yuuko pushed the door open and stepped across the threshold.

Gojyo was behind the bar, as usual. It was one of his favorite places to be. That’s where the local’s usually sat and he could get all caught up on the local news and gossip, while he poured beers or made fancy drinks. Saira, being the only waitress, would come behind the bar to get the drinks for the customers that chose to sit at one of the round wooden tables. Usually, Gojyo waylaid Saira for a kiss or a hug and Saira made a big production of getting away from Gojyo. He still loved the chase more than anything. By the time the bar would close, Gojyo would be hard and aching for Saira and after Hakkai went home, Gojyo would grab Saira, take her upstairs and make love to her for half the night.

Looking a little bit like an avenging angel, Yuuko stood at the door, her hands on her hips, her eyes blazing across the crowded room trying to find Hakkai. No soft music here for Gojyo loved hard rock music and while he didn’t blare it, the music was louder than normal. Bursting through the front door and sliding to a stop next to Yuuko, Saira grabbed her friend by the hand and tried to pull her over to the door that led to the steps that led to her and Gojyo’s apartment.

“We need to talk. I think you are misunderstanding what I’m trying to tell you. Hakkai is fine, he’s not cheating on you, or anything else like that.”

A foot poised to take another step came down softly. Those words were finally penetrating Yuuko’s ears and she stopped in her tracks. “Then, why did you tell me I had to come here?”

Pointing to a table with three very beautiful women at it, Saira said one word. “Watch.”

Balancing a tray with several plates on it, Hakkai made his way out of the kitchen, past the bar and into the dining area. The volume got louder at the table with the three women at it. Giggles, whispers behind hands and outright laughter reached Yuuko’s ears. All other sounds seemed to fade away as she focused on that particular table. One woman actually took out a compact and checked out her hairstyle, fussing a bit here and there with some stray hairs. Another woman reapplied her lipstick, a bright red splash of carmine over her impossibly full lips. The last one sprayed breath freshener in her wide open mouth.

“Just wait, it gets worse.” Saira whispered in Yuuko’s ear. Yuuko could feel her jaw drop as she watched the women but she was helpless to stop it. She probably looked like a fish at that very moment, but she couldn’t comprehend what the hell was going on in here, much less close her gaping mouth. Her eyes widened as she watched her lover make his way to the table and set down the tray, balancing it between the table and one thigh. He had on one of those damn tight green shirts and a pair of jeans that hung low on his hips. When he raised his arm above his head to pass through the tables, a flash of his stomach came into view for the briefest of seconds. It was just enough to satisfy three lovesick females at table 8.

“Here you are, ladies. Now, let’s see if I can get all of this correct. You”, Hakkai placed a plate in front of the woman with the obscenely bright red lipstick, “had the chicken salad, with freshly made ranch dressing and a warm roll.” The woman puffed up her lips even more and slowly winked at Hakkai. He was oblivious to the wink, as all of his attention was getting the orders correct.

“My, my, my.” If she had purred any louder, she would have grown fur and licked the back of her hand, grooming herself like a cat. “Just as smart as you are handsome.”

“And the baked chicken with green beans and baked potato.” That dish went in front of the woman who had sprayed mouth freshener just seconds before Hakkai got to the table. Yuuko hoped he had put too much garlic in the dish and she would smell bad for at least a few days.

“Finally, a garden salad, with a homemade warm roll, freshly made ranch dressing…on the side, just as you requested.” Hakkai grinned at the three women, happy that he was finally getting the hang of all of this.

One long, wickedly sharp red fingernail snapped out from the table. Yuuko watched, fascinated as the nail trailed down the side of Hakkai’s jeans, sliding along the outside seam. The nail turned as it reached Hakkai’s hip and Hakkai shifted to get away from the woman.

Ah…” Nervous all of a sudden, Hakkai began to sweat. “Is there anything else I could get any of you ladies at this moment?”

“Come back when we’re ready for dessert.” A pale pink tongue licked slowly across a knife, lapping up the extra butter left over from buttering a roll. Smiling and backing away, Hakkai made a quick exit from the table. At first, Hakkai and Gojyo thought this kind of behavior from women like these was a little funny. Now, it was bordering on scary.

Yuuko stalked over to the bar and slapped her hands down on the polished wood, making not only Gojyo’s head to snap up, but also everyone else at the bar. Gojyo’s face broke out in a huge grin but as he got closer to Yuuko and saw the fury on her face, the grin faded fast.

“I want a job.” Almost white blue eyes stared into sunset red ones. “Are you hiring?” Gojyo was positive he had never heard Yuuko so upset or so angry in the few months he had known her. Sure, there was the first time she and Hakkai met and had butted heads, but this anger was different. This was the anger of a woman watching another woman touch her man.

“Damn straight I’m hiring.” The grin was back in place. “Why don’t you go talk to my cook? I think he’s in the back.” Gesturing with his thumb and pointing behind him, Gojyo winked at Yuuko. “I know someone who will be glad you’re gonna work here and I don’t mean Saira.”

Nodding at Gojyo, Yuuko went to the end of the bar, rounded it and came to the double swinging doors of the kitchen. She could hear Hakkai humming to himself and Hakuryu k’yuu’d in her ear. All during the time they watched how the women interacted with Hakkai, the little dragon puffed fire and smoke near Yuuko’s ear. A single wing had wrapped itself around her shoulder, giving her a little comfort.

Hakkai hummed to himself while he flipped the fried chicken in the huge skillet. Granted, being the only cook and filling in as a waiter from time to time was tiring, but Hakkai loved working with his best friend and his wife. The only thing that was wrong with the job was being gone from Yuuko for so many hours during the day.

It wasn’t the cooking part that was the hard part of this job, it was the waiting tables part. Saira brought in the orders and took out what she could but the bar was just too busy for just one waitress. Bringing up the subject to Gojyo one day, Hakkai was surprised that Gojyo just shrugged his shoulders and told him not to worry, it would all work out. Muttering to himself all the way home about that strange comment from Gojyo, Hakkai wasn’t paying attention and missed his house. Yuuko wasn’t there that night and there was no porch light on to welcome him home. He couldn’t wait to be married and then he would never have to come home to a cold, empty house ever again.

Well, it wasn’t really empty. Goku still slept in one of the bedrooms, but he was starting to ask certain questions of Hakkai. Like, how did he know he loved Yuuko? And how did Hakkai know that Yuuko loved him back? And how did a man know if this was the right woman for him and not just his…other head talking? Smiling at Goku, Hakkai thought back to the time where Sanzo came to Hakkai and told him it was time to tell Goku all about the facts of life.

“But, why me, Sanzo? You’re much closer to him and Goku sees you as a father figure.” Hakkai looked up from the map he was reading.

“Tch. You’re the only one I trust to have that talk with Goku. I’m a monk for fuck’s sake. I know shit about sex and I’m sure as hell not leaving the talk up to Gojyo. Who knows what that pervert will tell Goku. Face it, Hakkai.” Sanzo took a drag on his cigarette and looked over his reading glasses at the brunette. “You were a teacher and you’ve taught Goku a lot of things in the past. And he respects you and likes you and you’ll tell him the facts, answer any question he has, no matter how fucking stupid it is.”

“I’m not sure why you see such an urgency about this matter. Goku is 18, a very innocent, childlike 18, to be sure.” Hakkai knew Sanzo wasn’t telling him the whole story and he was going to make the monk squirm until he spilled everything that was on his mind. “I’m sorry, Sanzo, but I don’t think this is the proper time to be having this talk with Goku. “ Hakkai snapped the map back up in front of his face, hiding the wide smile that broke out across his face.

Silence reigned in the room for several minutes. Hakkai sat, his face hidden behind the map while Sanzo fumed across the little table in their room.

“Fine! He woke up this morning and asked me why “it” was sticking up! There, you happy now?” The lighter clicked and Hakkai heard Sanzo draw deeply on the fresh cigarette.

“What did you tell him?” Hakkai spoke from behind the map.

“I told him to stop asking me such stupid questions and to shut up and brush his teeth!” Sanzo exhaled loudly. “What was I supposed to tell him?”

“How about the truth?” Oh, this was fun!

“Don’t be stupid. I’m not a teacher. Can you see me having that talk with Goku? His head would be sore from all the times I’d have to hit him with my fan.” Sanzo slowly drawled out that last statement. Maybe just a little guilt trip was all Hakkai needed to push him in the right direction.

That last comment did it. The thought of Sanzo getting frustrated with Goku and taking it out on him, was not sitting well with Hakkai. Slamming down the map, Hakkai glared at Sanzo for several seconds before leaving the room and looking for the younger man. Finding Goku playing with Hakuryu in his room, Hakkai sent Hakuryu out to look for Gojyo, with instructions to keep the redhead busy. For the next two hours, Goku asked every question under the sun, from why did he sometimes wake up with a wet bed to why did Hakuryu turn from a dragon into a jeep. Hakkai answered every question he could, with patience and care.

A loud voice shook Hakkai from his memories. Turning down the flame, he turned in time to see Yuuko come flying through the kitchen door. Long, rainbow colored hair was coming loose from her braid and her face was flushed. Hakuryu was on her shoulder, red eyes flashing as if he was a demon coming to hunt him down.

“Yuuko? What are you…” Hakuryu cried out as Yuuko ran across the room to Hakkai, flying off her shoulder and landing on a chair in the corner.

Hands gripped the front of his shirt, dragging his head down to hers. A hot, wet tongue thrust between his teeth and rubbed against his tongue. Surprised, Hakkai didn’t respond for a few seconds and then his hands were all over Yuuko, crushing her body against his. A ragged moan tore from his throat as Yuuko’s hands moved from his shirt to grasp his hips, rubbing and tugging at his jeans.

“I thought we agreed that you wouldn’t wear these tight shirts to work.” Soft lips moved against his as Yuuko nipped and licked at the corners of Hakkai’s mouth. He answered back with licks and nips of his own.

“It was the jeans we agreed that I wouldn’t wear to work.” Kissing his way down her neck, his tongue left wet trails all along her sensitive skin. Long, strong fingers molded and shaped her breasts, thumbs making nipples taut and heavy. Pressing her chest into his hands, Yuuko moaned and her hands became restless, running all over his body.

The sound of heavy boots could be heard approaching the kitchen, but the lovers were too caught up in themselves to give the sound a second thought. Gojyo knocked hard on the kitchen door.

“Ya know, we still have people out here, waiting for their food!” Poking his head in, red hair spilling over the side of the door, Gojyo chuckled at the couple, still entwined in a passionate embrace. “Hakkai, could you please refrain from molesting the new waitress?”

Laughing at the confused look on Hakkai’s face, Gojyo explained. “Well, you see, it’s like this.”

“I saw them, Hakkai!” Yuuko pointed in the direction of the dining room.” I saw those women, with their make-up plastered on their faces, their long red fingernails! I saw them touch you!” Her light blue eyes pinned Gojyo. “Go get me Saira so she can show me how to do this.”

Gojyo winked and left the kitchen, quickly returning with Saira. The two women left the kitchen and went out in the dining room, so Saira could show Yuuko the ropes.

Hakkai still looked stunned and Gojyo watched his best friend’s face. Realization was slowly dawning and Hakkai looked at Gojyo, a half smile breaking across his face.

“She’s kinda feisty, ain’t she? I thought she was going to explode when she saw that woman with the red lips touch you. And Hakuryu! He bared his teeth and hissed at her!”

“I’m a lucky man, Gojyo. A very lucky man.”

“Nah, we’re both lucky men.” Both of them stood there, thinking of their pasts. One, who had found unconditional love and someone to come home to and the other, who was lucky enough in life to find love again.

Clapping his hands together, pulling both of them out of their thoughts, Hakkai went back to the stove. “I’d better get back to work before the new waitress comes in to yell at me again.” Not turning from the stove, Hakkai spoke to Gojyo. “Do you think, under the circumstances, we might close early tonight?” A slight blush crossed Hakkai’s face.

Gojyo chuckled. “It’s only 6!” A naughty thought of Saira, naked, writhing on the bed, while Gojyo kissed his way down her body, her soft, creamy skin under his hot mouth. Gojyo swallowed hard, trying to keep his body under control. “How about we close at 8?”