When Words Aren't Spoken

"You're amazing Goku!"

Those words, that voice pulled him out of his slumber. Trying to get his eyes to open, the sight shouldn't have surprised him, if he were completely awake.

She was leaning over Goku, kissing him.

Nozomi stood, smiling at his sleeping face. Nodding at the dragons, she turned to go to her own bed, gain the few hours of sleep she could get. She jumped as she stepped away.

Sanzo tightened his hold on her wrist, "Where are you going?"

"He's out of danger now. The fever's broke and a good part of the poison's out of his system." She turned to him, not getting any reaction, "Those two will keep an eye on him for me. If one leaves, don't worry. If both do, start yelling."

The hold started loosening, his hand sliding down over hers. His head rolling forward made her kneel again, smiling at the discovery. Standing to leave, she paused briefly at the door shaking her head and smiling softly.

----

The smell of breakfast waking him didn't surprise him; Hakkai often woke them that way when they camped out. The fact he woke up in a wooden chair covered in two blankets, with a messy bed empty in front of him confused him.

"Goku! What are you doing up?" Hakkai's surprise carried to him.

"So the monkey's still alive," Gojyo's jab was expected.

He stood slowly stretching out the stiffness and smirked at Goku's reply. "It'd take more than that to kill me, ero kappa."

"Any more and it would have," her voice added over the cooking sounds. "Then again, that much in anyone else would've been instantly fatal... at least to anyone with human blood."

"Really?" Hakkai asked, realizing her motives.

"Uh-huh, full or otherwise. Hell, probably would have done me in." Sanzo caught her barely turning back to the stove as he stopped in the end of the hallway, standing behind the others.

Nozomi just kept cooking seemingly oblivious. But he knew better. Watching her cook, he was surprised to find she was wearing a pale lavender robe over that nightie. Gojyo and Hakkai both seemed to know this woman, this situation a little too well: Hakkai had forgone his green tunic and the horny bastard was still in his sleep clothes. The sight of the monkey amazed him. Goku sat there in his usual jeans, just his white shirt half buttoned, looking down, kinda sleepy. With his right sleeve handing empty.

A slight smile graced his lips as he remembered last night. "Come on Genjyo, have a seat. There's plenty for everyone." Nozomi pulled him back to the present.

Apparently Hakkai was the only one who caught it.

Goku seemed to perk up some at it, "Sanzo, you're awake! How are you?"

He only grunted as he rounded the table, absently brushing his hand across Goku's back.

Gojyo was trying to start a fight, "Everyone? Yeah right Nozomi. This is just a crumb to the chimp."

"I've already had three helpings you pervy water wimp! Unlike you, Nozomi knows how to take care of hurt people." Goku rose, pounding the table, his empty sleeve flapping over his plate.

Suddenly wishing he had his fan, Sanzo glared as Nozomi step forward, deliberately skipping Goku and Gojyo as she placed food on their plates. Goku immediately sat, "I'm sorry Nozomi," the instant apology surprised everyone.

Except her, "It's alright Goku," she replied, filling his plate.

Gojyo sighed, running his hand through his hair, "Don't tell me you're still doing this shit."

Nozomi turned back to the stove, "It's my damn house and I'll see that you get what you deserve."

The chair scooting back and Hakkai's tiny sigh would have been obvious enough if she couldn't sense his aura. His presence behind her just exuded over-confidence and sexuality. "Can I apologize in my own special way? I can give you what you really deserve." He drawled out in his deepest rumble.

Nozomi calmly turned, "Well, since you're offering to wash dishes, I guess you can eat."

Stumbling backwards, Gojyo could only sputter as she walked back to the table, somewhat surprised all three were holding back their laughter. "I've told you before and I'll say it again kappa. You're moves don't work on me."

Gojyo just shook it off, returning to the table with a look of challenge in his eye. "Aren't you having some Nozomi?" Hakkai asked as they dug in.

She smiled, "No, I ate during his second helping. I'm fine, you eat."

"I sure will! You're cooking's excellent!" Goku practically cheered, shoveling it down one-handed.

That, of course, caught their attention. "So what happened? Have to take the monkey's arm off?" Gojyo asked, trying again.

She only smiled at the comment; it really did look like he'd lost it. "No, but he wouldn't stop using his arm, his hand, so I ended up binding his whole arm to his body."

"But you did heal him right? The bite's been taken care of?" Hakkai questioned, confused.

"There's still a trace of the poison in him, so I could only close up the deeper injuries. The fang punctures and most from his shoulder guard are healed know, but the other teeth, the scratches are still there. Obviously, the bones are still broken too. Another day or two to work the rest of the poison out, and he'll probably be back to normal."

"Oh great," Sanzo grumbled, actually gaining a pause in Goku's attack.

"Until then he's gonna be a little slow, sleepy, and a bit weak too. So, no fighting for you young man," she finished, turning a mock-serious look to him.

Goku, of course, took it in all seriousness. Bowing his head, he replied, "Yes ma'am."

Giggling, she ruffled his hair, "I'm only joking. There shouldn't be any while you're here anyway." She paused, seeing his half-eaten plate, "Now eat up so you can steal theirs."

All four started eating.

----

He couldn't help smiling - to himself at least - as he stepped out the back door, heading to the hot spring Hakkai had 'conveniently' mentioned while they ate. Turning back, a half chuckle escaped at seeing that red hair in the kitchen window; knowing Nozomi had sat at the table to supervise, Goku and Hakkai were still there too.

He tried to use the walk, the calm, the fact the only demons he could sense were in the house to relax, clear his mind. But all he could do was grumble about being sidetracked again and the fact he still had no fucking clue about her, why she knows Hakkai and Gojyo.

But it wasn't until he'd slipped into the water, felt the aches and stiffness all over again that he admitted it.

"How'd she do it?" he didn't realize he whispered it.

This 'Dragon Child' had gotten his damn baka to immediately apologize, behave properly.

"But she used food."

She couldn't have drugged him, bewitched him; he was still Goku, just slower. There's no way she'd know how...

It's not that... Goku's never...

"But Zomi, I really wanna." Speak of the demon.

He caught her laughter, their footsteps crunching in the gravel, "Not today Goku. You're still recovering and the minerals in the spring will only get you sick all over again. Do you wanna repeat last night?"

"But Zomi..." he could tell he was shaking his head by the whine.

That golden laughter returned, "Maybe tonight... or tomorrow," she paused, the grumbles meaning she was tousling his hair. "You'll get to before you leave, don't worry. Now get your ass back to the house."

The familiar sound of dragging feet made him smirk... and wonder all over again.

"Oh... right," Nozomi's voice snapped him back to reality. She was standing at the end of the path, opposite him with a smirk of her own. "Sorry Genjyo, forgot Hakkai told you about the spring. After a night in that chair you need it more than me. I'll just go back inside."

He couldn't help watching as she turned and left.

----

It was all so strange. Even though Nozomi still confused the hells out of him, he'd never felt so... so used to a place. He'd lingered in the hot spring until he could barely move. He'd spent the rest of the morning with the newspaper, Goku at his side, all the usual questions and begging coming full force

And lunch had been short. With the kappa gone to the village for his usual reasons, there wasn't a fight... and Goku only had one serving. Hakkai's curiosity and Goku's bluntness had Nozomi laughing again before she explained. "He was making up for yesterday at breakfast. But you've got to remember, Goku's still recovering, his system, his body's still not back to normal. It's just taking longer for it all to digest. That's why."

Then, to even Nozomi's surprise, Goku decided to take a nap. Leaving Hakkai and Nozomi the dishes, Sanzo looked in briefly - just to make sure the dumb ape wasn't sleeping on it - before heading to his own room. It pissed him off when he wasn't in control...

... but he wasn't gonna admit it either.

----

Two whole hours to himself. No big surprise he'd nodded off.

Of course, all Goku's damn laughing woke him up.

Groggily sitting up, he rubbed his eyes as he turned to the window. The sight confused him; so he went down to see if it was real. Finding Hakkai standing in the front door, Sanzo recognized the laughter and cheery voice, "Is this enough of them Nozomi?"

"Yeah, put them in this basket Goku," she replied as he approached, joining Hakkai.

Nozomi was sitting about twenty feet from the door, surrounded by various baskets with a lap full of flowers she was weaving. Goku was practically darting around the field, picking flowers.

"What the fuck...?!?" Sanzo could only mutter, "This was nothing but grass yesterday."

Hakkai turned to him with one of his real smiles. "I know, even Nozomi was surprised. She just grabbed some baskets and started out there when Goku woke up and offered to help. He's been picking and she's been taking them apart, what she needs of the plants."

"Goku what are you doing?" Nozomi's words made them turn back.

"Just hold still," Goku answered. His bound hand was peeking out of his untucked shirt, a fistful of flowers almost crushed in his hand. Sanzo jumped as Goku knelt behind her, out of sight. All he did was glare at them both as they laughed.

"All done. How 'bout you Goku?" she asked, trying to turn to him.

"There!" he cheered before gingerly slipping her braid over her left shoulder. All down the length he'd tucked a flower in each crossing.

She smiled, "Thank you. Now come here, I finished yours too." She could only giggle as he came around and knelt before bowing to her. "I like this crown better," she stretched over the baskets to place a crown of daisies and violets on his head. "It's as bright and cheerful as you."

Catching the death glare over Goku's shoulder, Nozomi smiled, "This is more than enough Goku. Let's get it all inside."

"Okay!" he practically beamed, grabbing two deep ones in his good hand before Nozomi even stood up, stacking some together as she turned to the house.

"Last room on the right Goku. I still have to clean it all up," she explained before he turned to the house, rushing by Hakkai and Sanzo with a simple, "Excuse me."

They both turned to find her smiling as she slipped the long-handed baskets on her left arm. She started humming again before coming to the house.

"It's been quite a while Nozomi, but..." Hakkai started, somewhat confused, "that couldn't be..."

"Oh, but it is," she chuckled at his shock before turning to Sanzo. "Everything out there was used last night. Both the antidote and the fever medicine."

Even he couldn't hide the shock. "But how..."

"Check out where it starts," Nozomi turned as their eyes followed the plants.

Hakkai jumped as he saw it. "The window to Goku's room."

Those violet eyes turned to her as she stepped between them, "Why?"

Still walking through the living room, she turned with a smile, "I guess Mom just wants to thank me for taking care of him."

Sanzo just watched her disappear down the hall before turning back outside. All he got was a smile, "Remember Sanzo, dragons are embodiments of the elements." Hakkai said, heading in to help.

----

He found himself staring at the partly open door even after the light went out. The creaks and rustles stopped just as his hand touched the door. It slowly moved to about halfway and he watched as the hall light slowly flowed in. the bed was opposite the door; the head to the left wall and shoved in the corner. The dresser was in the middle of the right wall, a table just to that side of the door. He was sitting down in the rocker between the bed and the door as she softly chuckled. "So what'd you wanna know?"

"How do you know them?"

Rolling over, she smiled as she pushed the blanket away. "It probably wasn't long after you'd met. Hakkai was looking for someone who could teach him healing." Nozomi huffed as she looked in Sanzo's eyes, "I'm still surprised they came this far. I taught, he learned, the kappa flirted. It didn't work, but he kept trying. Tried sneaking in here. He got even worse when he found us having sex."

Before Sanzo could even-"Zomi?" Goku mumbled, stumbling in half asleep, "Zomi it's hurting again," his left hand was slowly rising to his shoulder.

Soft pats made him turn back, only to find she'd thrown the blanket off, but was still lying down as she said, "Come here and let me look Goku."

Sanzo just sat and watched as he sat beside her. Nozomi smiled softly at Goku as she reached for his shoulder. Not quite touching him, the golden glow softly illuminating them as she smiled again, "That's your problem Goku. The little bit of poison that's left is settling in the breaks and cracks in your bones. Hold still while I get it out."

The light made his diadem glitter as he wobbled slightly. Letting her hands slide down his arm, Nozomi gently tugged as she scooted over, "You can stay here tonight Goku. Lie down now." She giggled as he did, on his side, facing her and cuddling. Nozomi only covered them up, holding him close. Goku snuggled in closer as she started stroking his hair. "Go to sleep Goku," she whispered before kissing his nose.

After a few minutes, Nozomi turned back to Sanzo, Goku now safely tucked under her chin. Those droopy eyes almost glaring at her only made her smile softly. "The first time was completely accidental," she picked right up, "I'd found Hakkai grieving her and tried to console him. One thing led to another and we ended up on the living room floor."

Sanzo shifted, leaning on his knees as she turned her head, "The other two times I'd wake up at some time at night and he'd be there," Nozomi pointed to the end of the bed, "Just watching. I'd say something and he'd crawl in bed, start kissing me. It was the second time that Gojyo caught us."

Turning back her gaze went right past him. "That ass was sneaking in here so often I could sense him even in my sleep. I got to the point I'd shoot him in my sleep." Her eyes suddenly snapped back to him, "Damn pervert even watched."

Smiling as Goku wiggled, Nozomi sighed into his hair. "Three times in two months... the kappa would've wanted it all the damn time..."

Why was it every time he'd get an answer, an explanation from her something else would come up?

Her soft chuckle pulled him from his thoughts. "Genjyo, peel off that shirt and climb in behind us. The idiot just came in."

He wanted to say no. He wanted to glare. He wanted to smirk. But he was up and pulling his shirt off before he realized it. Nozomi held the blanket as he crawled in behind her, lying on his back when the sound of footsteps came shuffling down the hall. The noise stopped about halfway, a couple minutes later the door creaked open a little more.

"Zomi..." Goku suddenly mumbling made Sanzo smirk, "Zomi... I want some more..." he practically whimpered.

Nozomi giggled a bit, stroking his cheek, "Go to sleep Goku. You're still recovering, you need to rest before we do anything else okay?"

She kissed his forehead as he grumbled, "But Zomi..."

Sanzo got up on his elbow, leaning over her to ruffle Goku's hair, "Sleep baka. You heard her."

" 'Kay Sanzo," the zaru answered as Nozomi rubbed his back.

He just stayed where he was, hand on her waist as Goku went right to sleep. Nozomi placed another kiss on his nose before slowly turning to Sanzo. There was no amusement there, no slyness in those blue-green eyes. Those warm calloused fingers sliding up his cheek were playing right into the prank. He was leaning in before her fingers even got across his cheek. The kiss was long, heated, and passionate; her head rising off the pillow.

Those eyes were no different as she pulled away, smiling softly before turning back to Goku as she closed her eyes.

Whatever that was had him spooned up behind her; his right arm under both their necks, his left hand still on her waist.