Rhyming Games

Sorry for the wait, folks! See the Author's Notes at the end for more apologies and gratitiude!

Rhyming Games


Chapter 8: Witty Priests and Meager Feasts

One awkward week later, Hakkai set out to visit his favorite simian student Goku, and Goku’s keeper, the ever lovable Priest Sanzo. He brought his usual supply of elementary-level teaching aids (including a hefty bunch of bananas) and his patience, for educating Goku was always a particularly challenging task. He often made the trip alone, since Gojyo and the priest had a tendency to butt heads – quite spectacularly – and the redhead’s presence only ever served as an added distraction from Goku’s progress. And usually it was Gojyo’s choice to stay home, for the same reasons. So Hakkai had been looking forward to this excuse to leave Gojyo’s company.

Seven whole days and nights, and the tension between them had lessened only in appearance. Their exchanges had turned civil once more, and they had more or less resumed their familiar routine, although Gojyo seemed to be lingering more at home. (He said it was because it was “freakin’ winter” out there, but Hakkai thought maybe he’d made his roommate self-conscious about his habits.) Hakkai even began preparing Gojyo meals again. But both men could feel the definite change in atmosphere. There was a distance between them that hadn’t quite been there before. They were on edge around each other, each wondering if the other was about to snap and say something nasty, and wondering whether they’d retaliate when it happened.

So Hakkai was more than a bit surprised when Gojyo volunteered to tag along.

It was a very long walk to Kinzan temple, and the gulf between the two friends did not make the trip go any faster. It wasn’t the first time Hakkai had wished for an alternate, quicker mode of transportation – perhaps some kind of automobile – but never had he wished for it with more feeling. Gojyo stayed quiet for the most part, and smoked. There was no friendly conversation to while away the time, for it was clear to both that as uncomfortable as the silence was, breaking it would be worse.

Yet… the redhead cut a rather dashing figure against the fresh snow, Hakkai couldn’t help but notice. Long black coat and deep red hair that shone in the pale December sun, striding with confidence on famously long legs. Breathing out clouds of silver smoke and steam with a perfectly nonchalant expression. Beside him, Hakkai felt almost humbled, which was silly, he knew, but true nonetheless. He couldn’t help but feel mousy and bookish and uninteresting by comparison. They certainly did make an odd pair.

But then Hakkai thought about his youkai form, and a tinge of satisfaction, even smugness, crept into his default smile. There was certainly nothing mousy and bookish about the youkai he had seen wild and half naked in the bathroom mirror, covered in black vines and stroking his large, rock-hard penis, and grinning…

It was shameful to think about, but the petty, puerile fascination he’d had with his friend’s equipment, and the resulting mystery of how his own would compare, had been resolved. That much at least had been accomplished, and it meant that there was absolutely no reason for Hakkai to feel like less of a man next to Gojyo. That still left the matter of learning control over his youkai form – for he still did not like the thought of being weak – and he would get to that in time. But he would be careful about it, and he would certainly not risk involving his roommate again. If Gojyo were ever to see Hakkai like he’d been a week ago, Hakkai knew he’d never live it down. And that was only one cuff. He didn’t know what would happen if he removed the others. Yes, the next experimentation would take place far away from people and red-haired kappas. Gojyo was already suspicious enough.

Hakkai remembered how Gojyo had come into the bedroom that night after he’d thought Hakkai was asleep. He’d walked over and knelt beside the bed for a long time. Hakkai had had a hard time keeping still and appearing natural. Eventually, he’d given up trying to figure out what Gojyo was doing or thinking and true sleep had claimed him before he ever heard Gojyo leave. That was one event he’d been replaying in his mind a lot lately, because of all of Gojyo’s recent odd behavior, that one made the least sense to him.

Gojyo was not oblivious to the uncomfortable silence between them on their walk to the blond bastard’s temple. He knew he’d surprised his roommate by inviting himself along after all the unpleasantness recently, but once every few minutes he would glance over to see Hakkai walking next to him, and he would know he’d made the right call. If he’d figured out nothing else in the last week, he’d figured out that he and Hakkai were a good pair, and best as a pair. Heaven knew what this was leading up to. Maybe nothing in the near future. But perhaps, a voice whispered in the back of Gojyo’s mind, if he just kept Hakkai near him, or kept himself near Hakkai…

Bah! He didn’t know what he wanted in the long run. He’d never bothered to think about it before. Never felt the need to. As much as he didn’t want to, this seemed like a fucking fantastic time to start.

Before he’d decided to come along on this trip, Gojyo had worried a bit about what his reaction might be to seeing the great high and mighty, psychopath priest Genjo Sanzo. He hadn’t been to visit Kinzan since he’d acknowledged his freaky interest in the guy. And now he was pretty sure he’d gotten over it. But Gojyo’s body and thoughts were distressingly unpredictable, it seemed, and so was the blonde, so he’d be on his guard at least.

He risked another glance at Hakkai. Bundled up and clutching baby books and bananas, glasses perched in place… the guy looked like a complete nerd. This thought made him smile, and he hid it behind the hand that reached up to deliver the cigarette to his mouth.

It was late afternoon when they arrived, and the sun was almost gone. It looked like they’d be spending the night. The monks escorted them through the temple, sniffing disapprovingly and looking like they’d rather be doing anything else, until they reached Sanzo’s private study.

“We are sure Priest Sanzo will be glad to see you,” one priest said. “He will surely be grateful to have someone else look after that boy for a while.”

“The child has been exceptionally annoying lately,” the second monk agreed.

Gojyo longed desperately to flip off the haughty monks, but they were already turning to leave, and Gojyo realized he could hear Goku chattering away a mile a minute on the other side of the door. It made him smile.

Hakkai knocked politely.

“Whoever you are, I suggest you think long and hard before you waste my time!” came the unmistakable voice from within.

Hakkai entered with his pleasant smile, and Gojyo followed. They found the priest seated at his desk with Goku (in ripped jeans and a sweater) perched on top of his paperwork. Sanzo had a cigarette in one hand and his face hidden in the other, as if trying to pretend the world wasn’t happening around him. He merely cracked an eye when Hakkai greeted him cheerfully.

“Just take him, already,” the priest snapped. “He won’t go outside, but he won’t shut up either, so just take him, do whatever you want with him, and keep him far away from me for a few hours. I don’t know how I’m expected to get any work done with ASS PRINTS on my DOCUMENTS!”

But Goku had already hopped down off the desk and turned a 1000-watt smile on Hakkai. “Hi Hakkai! Didja’ bring those bananas for me? When can I eat ‘em? I don’t have to share ‘em with Gojyo, do I?”

“Like I want any, you stupid chimp!”

“These are for our lesson today, Goku. I thought it had been awhile since our last tutoring session, and I figured you could use the practice.”

“So I can eat ‘em?”

“Not for a while.”

“Awww… but I’m so hungry…”

“You ate an hour ago, you bottomless pit,” came the tense growl from behind a curtain of blond hair and smoke.

“Come on, Goku, let’s leave Sanzo to his work, alright?”

Goku pouted. “But I wasn’t done telling Sanzo my story yet. I don’t wanna do math. And why is Gojyo here, anyway?”

“That you’ll have to ask Gojyo,” Hakkai replied archly.

“Because the gods clearly have something against me, that’s why,” Sanzo sneered. “My day just keeps getting better and better. Will you clowns take it somewhere else before I kill you all?”

But the gods must have taken pity on Gojyo that day. As soon as they’d entered the office, Gojyo had been relieved to find that Sanzo’s presence wasn’t effecting him at all. He’d stood back a moment and given himself a full moment to take in the thin frame, the pale skin, the silky golden hair and the graceful dance of the cigarette… yeah the guy was good looking, but anyone with eyes could see that. He was great eye candy, and Gojyo decided he’d have no problem with “just looking” anymore. But instead of feeling any real attraction for him, Gojyo just found himself noticing how tired the man looked. He probably had a headache from the monkey’s endless whining. He looked like he needed a break.

And Gojyo, of course, was just the man to make sure he didn’t get one. Priest-baiting was always so fun. He’d almost forgotten.

“Geez, what bug crawled up your ass, droopy-eyes?” Gojyo drawled. “We come all this way just to entertain your pet for you, and you can’t even show a little gratitude?” Gojyo sat on Sanzo’s desk himself and leaned into the blonde’s personal space. Sanzo’s hand fell away from his face as he turned ice cold eyes on the suicidal kappa.

“You see this cigarette?” the monk asked in a soft and deadly voice, thrusting his Marlboro at the redhead’s casual smirk.

“I see it. It stinks. What’s yer point?”

“This is my last stick. The only one left in this whole fucking temple. I suggest you get out of my face before I finish it.”

“Gojyo, leave the man alone. Goku and I are going to find someplace to set up. You should let Sanzo do his work.”

Gojyo looked up at Hakkai and gave himself another moment to take in the calm smile, the beautiful, unsmiling eyes behind the glasses, the slim figure of a handsome young man bundled up for winter and currently scolding him like the misbehaving child he was. The figure of his best friend. He didn’t quite know what to make of the warm, comfortable feeling that settled in his chest whenever he looked at Hakkai nowadays. All he could do was hope it didn’t show.

“Yeah, I gotcha’.” He turned back to give Sanzo his cheekiest grin. “I know a man’s got his needs. Clearly blondie’s got his robes on a little too tight. I’d be cranky, too, if I couldn’t get laid every now and then. Man, I can’t even imagine what color your balls must be by now—”

Fun as priest-baiting might be, it did come with its occupational hazards, as Gojyo was reminded when he found his solar plexus becoming intimately acquainted with the muzzle of Sanzo’s favorite toy. And he felt betrayed when he realized Hakkai had already left with Goku. Some best friend!

“You must have one hell of a death wish, moron. Get off my desk…” Sanzo raised his gun to aim at the top of Gojyo’s head… “and I’ll let you keep your antennae.”

“They’re not antennae, asswipe.” But Gojyo slid off the desk anyway and stood next to it. His red eyes darted back and forth between Sanzo’s gun and his half-smoked cigarette.

With the redhead gone from his personal bubble, Sanzo relaxed his aim and massaged one temple, clearly trying to soothe away his headache. “I don’t have the time or the energy for your idiocy right now. Go help Hakkai teach the monkey. By the look of this cigarette, I’d say you’ve got about two minutes before I take my death threats to the next level.” The purple eyes briefly took on a steely glint that backed up his words expertly.

Gojyo considered it. But Hakkai already ditched me. He’s probably glad to be rid of me for a while, Gojyo reasoned.

“Don’t feel like it. I’m still not convinced Goku’s even capable of learning,” Gojyo replied, striking a casual pose.

“Then why are you here?” Sanzo asked pointedly.

Um… good question.

To be with Hakkai—

No! Wrong answer!

“Just felt like taggin’ along. It’s been awhile since I bothered you and the chimp. Getting’ sick of the same boring faces around town.”

“Yeah. Because walking almost four hours through the snow just to bother us is so very believable. Thoughtful of you, really. I’m touched. I meant why are you still in my office. You now have one minute.”

“I don’t know. Hakkai’s been weird lately. He’s been keeping secrets from me.”

“That’s hardly new. You didn’t even know his name before we showed up.” Sanzo breathed a cloud of smoke Gojyo’s way. “Forty-five seconds.”

“Weird in other ways. He’s been all pissy lately for no reason.” Sanzo didn’t miss the way Gojyo’s eyes turned towards the door through which Hakkai had left, or the almost sickening note of longing in the gaze. “I mean, he’s still polite and smiles at me, but it’s almost never for real. This past week’s been a little better, but man, you should’a seen the looks he gave me. He kept doing all this passive aggressive shit, and then if I did the tiniest little thing that bugged him, he’d—”

“Gojyo… I am not your fucking marriage counselor,” Sanzo bit out. “Go cry to somebody else about your problems. You come crying to me again and I’ll gladly shoot you an extra tear duct. Now…” Sanzo took a long, somewhat dramatic final drag on his cigarette and stubbed out the remains. Then he fixed an utterly lethal glare upon the other man. “I believe you’re out of time.”

That night, Hakkai and Gojyo were given a pair of small, rather ascetic rooms, side by side. The beds weren’t very comfortable, as Gojyo was reminded as soon as he lay down. At least the rooms were warm. Their dinner had been the most pathetic little piles of veggies and rice Gojyo had ever seen. Goku had complained loudly until Sanzo had pointed out that the bananas were already gone, so he should just be grateful and shut up.

Gojyo wished he’d brought some beer. At least he had his Hi-lites. He lit up in the quiet of his room, smirking at the thought of the uptight priest going without. The poor monkey…

He also wished that he could check on Hakkai, but that would seem doubly awkward in this place, and Hakkai’s politeness had seemed a little forced at dinner, so he just laid back and let his mind wander until he’d finished his smoke.

Marriage counselor. What a laugh.

But the stupid warm comfortable feeling managed to find him anyway.


To Be Continued...
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Author's notes: It's been a while since I updated. Sorry to leave you all hanging. I gave you a relatively long chapter this time to make up for it. Plus, I italicized! Yay! (Sorry it's not more exciting!) And I realize this chapter was rather Gojyo-centric, but hang in there, Hakkai-lovers. The next chapter will swing back to him and his point of view. And as always, to my reviewers: you are all wonderful and inspiring, and I love it when you catch my mistakes so I can correct them. This story is beta-ed only by me, so all screw ups are mine to cherish and love and someday beat into submission.

Finals for me are finally over! I get a short Spring Break, and then it's back to work. Hopefully, I'll get at least one more chapter up before the week is out. Stay tuned!