Remember my Love

Remember my Love
Chapter 7


The rumors started as just an unbelievable whisper. A red headed half breed had been spotted at several slave markets. At first none of them had wanted to get their hopes up. Because the sightings were so random it was hard to believe anyway.

Then the whispers became stronger and stronger. There were even hints of a name. The one name they never thought would be spoken for a living person.

They became more alive. The monkey was excited to think his friend and sparring partner would one day be found. The demon was thrilled that his best friend would be part of their little family once more. And the priest was relieved that he had not truly lost one more person who was so close to his emotions. They all rejoiced with the thought of being reunited with the one person who was so sorely missed.

Hakkai nearly drove his darling dragon to a point beyond exhaustion in his haste to get to the rumored location. Only to find the rumor had been empty here. No one knew what they were talking about.

"We have to be more cautious about this Hakkai. We can't just chase down every little rumor."

"And risk not finding him? I don't think so Sanzo."

"Think for a minute. There are bound to be dozens of red headed slaves."

"But…"

"Hakkai not all red heads are half breeds. And ours has specific markings that we have to concentrate on."

"Like the scars on his cheek?" asked Goku.

"Yes."

"And those stupid antennae?" the boy asked again.

"Yes exactly Goku." The blond ruffled his hair. "As long as we concentrate on those points it'll save us the craziness."

Hakkai sighed. "I suppose your right. But I don't like taking chances."

"Neither do I Hakkai."

It took months until they found the right trail.

Sanzo gazed at the tufts of red hair that poked out from under the covers. The awful rumors and even worse facts had made him sick. But not nearly as sick as then.

After they had given up the search at the castle ruins. Sanzo found he was no longer able to eat or sleep properly. He would go for days with out either. Goku fussed over him the most. Hakkai made little worried notes but somehow they seemed to have malice behind the concerned words. And Sanzo couldn't bring himself to really blame the man. He felt the whole thing was his fault.

Just like when he had been unable to save his master. The only other person he had opened his heart to.

He would eat some rice now and then. But meal time was nothing like it use to be. As much as he claimed to hate it when they squabbled and bickered inside he would be laughing. It was proof that they still remained themselves and not the mindless beasts who succumbed to the minus wave. It didn't make it any less bothersome or lessen the headache the noise caused but they were still the same goofballs who had started this god forsaken journey.

But Sanzo just could not eat or sleep. Sleeping, even just closing his eyes brought out that sight. Gojyo just popped out of existence as if he never existed.

Sanzo shook his head trying to clear that memory. It had not taken all that long for him to become bed ridden. His guilt and self loathing drained all the life from him. It was not as if he wanted to die…he just did not want to be alive anymore. Part of his soul was gone. What was the point of hanging around?

He cringed inwardly now. Still not up to top health he was content to sit in this room and watch the covers rise and fall.

Why was Hakkai showing so much adverse behavior now? Sure they had been friends the longest. But this animosity was near boarding jealousy. Gojyo had informed him at the beginning of their relationship that there had never really been anything between himself and Hakkai. Maybe just some minor flirtations and teasing but none of it had been taken seriously. And Hakkai had confirmed that. So why did it seem that the jealousy monster had reared it ugly head. Or was it deeper. Not the green eyed beast but plain old malice that Gojyo had been the one to be 'killed'.

In the kitchen Hakkai felt the need to make more bread…lots of bread. He knew Sanzo was not to blame for what had happened. But yet somewhere deep down…he shook his head to clear those thoughts. Sanzo had done what needed to be done at the time. But why was he so mad at the priest. He smashed his fist into the pliant dough over and over.

He had deeply mourned Gojyo's loss also. He smashed the dough again.

Gojyo was his friend first. Gojyo had defended him from the initial search for the killer Cho Gonou, had even lied and gotten the stuffing beaten out of him by the same priest. Gojyo was his best friend. His team mate. The single reason he existed in the here and now.

So why the hell was he so mad at Sanzo? Sanzo had saved his life several times over. He looked up to the man. Admired him even, but there was a nagging feeling that if Sanzo had not been ordered on that fiasco of a recovery mission none of this would have happened. He would still be friends with Gojyo. And things would not be as messed up as they are now.

Crimson eyes peeked out from underneath the cover to find the blonde priest asleep at the window. He often found him like that. Making his way quietly to stand beside him Gojyo reached out and touched the golden hair. "I'm a lucky guy to have so many people care about me." He murmured to himself.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Sorry did I wake you up?"

"No I wasn't really asleep. Did you need something?"

"Nah." He drew his hand back. "Sanzo how come y'all thought I was dead before you found me?"

"Well… it's hard to explain."

"Please." He pleaded.

"I'll try." He laced his fingers together under his chin. "I'll just cut to the point of your supposed death since the whole story would take far too long."

"Fair enough." Gojyo eased himself down onto a chair to wait patiently for the story.

As Sanzo explained things the red head bobbed up and down thinking that so far it sounded right from what little he could remember. Little pieces filtered in making a few blank spots full.

"I tried to call back the scriptures but it was too late. It wrapped tightly around the area you were, then everything just kind of….disappeared. Including you."

"Thanks that helped somewhat. So how come I'm still alive?"

"Beats the fuck out of me."