Beyond the Woods and Mountains

Chapter 9

A few weeks had passed and Hakkai made sure he was no where near Gojyo’s hut alone. Many nights he had the urge to seek out Gojyo, knowing he would not be turned away, but he still held himself back. If he did to much with Gojyo his feelings for him would sore to new heights and he could not handle any more heartache. It was hard enough to see Gojyo flirting with the young clan girls, making them blush and giggle happily. Hakkai knew he had many young girls going in and out of his hut. He did not want to be one of those ‘girls’; just going to Gojyo for a quickie with the chief and then leaving. He could not lower himself that much…even if he wanted to. He let his guard down that night and it would not happen again if he could help it.

The winter came fast up in the mountains and the clan had already gotten their first snowfall. The Sedalon clan members obviously were not use to such harsh, quick winters. Most of them had already started sneezing and huddling together in small groups to keep warm. Hakkai was one of the lucky ones because Sanzo made sure to kill cave bear so the both of them could be warm for the winter. Hopefully, due to the hard hike up the mountains and through the snow, Homura would not be marching his army any time soon. But Hakkai worried that the longer Homura stays idle the more powerful he could become. If he was indeed as far away as rumors have said, then feeding an army in winter would be a difficult task. He would have more time to rally up the army and fill their heads with visions of glory. What were they to do?”

“Hakkai! Hey Hakkai!” He saw Goku come trotting up to him wearing his wolf fur coat and fox tail hood. “I just made a snowman behind the hut! Wanna come see it?! I made it look just like Sanzo!” Hakkai chuckled softly.

“Not right now, Goku. I have issues I’m thinking over. Why don’t you go out and collect more firewood for us? I’m sure it will be a cold one tonight.”

“Aww! But I collected firewood last time!”

“Sanzo is skinning deer and I’m working on military concerns. Your job is not a strenuous one.”

“But Hakkai! It’s cold out! And it’s still snowing!”

“It has slowed down now. It’s just light flakes.” He looked up into the sky then back at Goku. “More snow appears to be coming, though. Probably by late tonight. If I were you, I would hurry.” He gave his friendly smile as Goku turned away and whined softly.


Goku headed in to the woods from the mouth of the village entrance where he knew was a prime spot for wood hunting. He continued to mutter and mumble under his breath as he gathered various twigs and small branches. He stuck them into the large woven backpack used for carrying said wood. This was one of the many jobs and chores he hated but he started to think that this was actually at the top of that list. It always ended up hurting his back and he would get at least three splinters on each hand.

“OW!” He whined and looked at the large splinter that showed through his skin. “Grrr…” He hissed and carefully pulled it out. “Man! I hate this job!” He flopped down onto a nearby rock. “And I hate the cold!”

“Young man…?” Came a strange voice from behind him. Goku turned around and saw a man sitting up against a tree with only a hole filled cloak. He was shivering and looked withered. “Are you lost?”

“Huh? Uh, no. I’m just collecting firewood for my hut.”

“Hut? So there is a village near here?” Goku was not sure what he should say. These times were dangerous and Hakkai told him not to speak to strangers if he came across any. But this man did not look like he could be a possible threat.

“Yeah…it’s where I live. Who are you?”

“I’m a wonderer. Well, I’m a wondering fur trader, but this band of warriors ambushed me and they took all I had. That’s why I only have this ragged old cloak…they took all my good furs.”

“That’s horrible...so you’re all alone? You don’t travel with anyone?” The man shook his head.

“I tend to work alone…I am a wonderer after all.” He coughed into his fist and wrapped his cloak around himself as tight as he could. “I fear this cold air and snow will kill me. I have no strength to hunt for new furs or food nor do I have any weapons to do it with. I did not think the winter would come so quickly this year. Please, young man, will you take me to your hut so I may rest and gather my strength? I promise I will not be any trouble for you.”

Goku was not sure what to do now. He would feel horrible if he were to leave a half dying man to freeze to death in the snow. But if he were to bring a stranger back to the village, Gojyo would be angry as well as the others and through him out anyway. Goku looked at the man’s dirty face and was fascinated by his strange eyes. One was amber-ish like his own and the other looked to be a shade blue, probably due to some type of damage to his eye.

“Um…I don’t know if I can. My clan would not be very happy if I brought home a stranger.”

“Oh, I understand young man. These are dangerous times now, what with this clan war going on.”

“You know about the clan wars?”

“Yes…I hear rumors as I travel through clan villages about a man building up an army somewhere far away. It’s only natural your clan be wary of strangers. I would be too. Don’t fret, young man. I will not bother you or your clan. These are dangerous times…”

Goku knew the man was not a threat and turning him away would eat at his conscience. He tapped his chin as he thought about where he could possibly hide the man. The old huts at the end of the village would do nicely. Clan members wander in and out of those all the times but if someone is in there they usually go to another. All they would see is a sick man, most likely think him a clan member and pay him no mind. That would work.

“No, it’s okay! I know a place where you can stay and not worry about being discovered! We have old abandon huts at the end of the village. Members wander through there when it suddenly rains, or they got kicked out of their own huts or the like. If you just wear your cloak, act sick, and keep your back turned no one will pay attention to you! I’ll bring you some food and water to make you feel better! You’ll be back up to speed in no time!”

“Ah, young man, you are truly kind to this ill stricken wonderer! But how will I sneak in?”

“Just follow a few steps behind me and keep your head low. They’ll think you’re just walking around but I’ll bring you to the hut.” Goku went over to him and helped him up. “I’ve collected enough wood for now. Just follow me, okay?” He swung the heavy basket over his shoulder and led the wonderer to the village.

As Goku had said, the man walked a few feet behind him with his head bowed low and his cloak wrapped tightly around him. No one seemed to pay him any mind as he followed Goku into a shabby old hut. Goku dropped the basket to the floor and cracked his back with a heavy sigh.

“That felt good! So, this is where you can stay until you feel better, or at least until the snow lets up some.

"Thank you, young man! You've been most helpful." The man smiled at Goku who smiled back.

"It's not a problem! Just make sure to stay tight, okay?"

"Of course! I will most likely leave tomorrow sometime."

"That's fine. I'll be back soon with some food and drink, okay? Bye!" Goku hurried out of the tent, missing the smirk on the man's face.

Back in the hut...

"Goku has been gone a long time." Said Hakkai, throwing their last twig into the slowly dying fire.

"He probably got side tracked building a snowman or something. You know how easily distracted he is."

"That's true...but the snow is starting to fall a bit more heavily now and our fire is almost dead."

"Hm." Replied Sanzo and they sat in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again. "You've been hanging around outside Gojyo's tent recently, haven't you?" Hakkai looked at him in surprise.

"Um no! I haven't been doing that!'

"I see you doing it often anymore. I find it funny that you can only read military papers outside his hut. Also, you're always watching him. And I know you slept with him some nights ago."

"I can't hide anything from you, can I?" he gave a weak smile. "I just...gave in that night. I was kind of ashamed of it myself but-“

“Whatever.” Sanzo said flatly “Have you done it again?”

“No. I don’t think I can bring myself to do it again. I just can’t help but think that when we lay together, he’s always thinking about you rather than me.” Sanzo sneered in disgust and tipped his pipe over to drop some ashes.

“That thought makes me sick. Don’t ever say anything like that again! Who knows what that bastard thinks of as he does…whatever he does.” Sanzo shivered.

“But how can he not, Sanzo? Every man and woman think you’re a god of some kind due to your exotic and unusual looks.” He scoffed.

“I’m from a tribe where the sun shines like crazy and there’s hardly any shade. Believe me, I don’t want to look like this. I sometimes wish something would happen to my face and I would loose all these drooling idiots. But I’m just to good in battle and in hunting for something like that to happen.” He said proudly in his own way. Hakkai did not look like he was listening to him and just staring at the fire. Sanzo sighed and tipped his pipe. “It’s for the best, Hakkai.”

“I know. I have a life that is my own now…but…but something just doesn’t feel right. I think I really do care for him, Sanzo. I find myself thinking about him all the time anymore! I see how he looks at you and I just wish he would look that way at me!”

“I wish he would look at you rather than me, believe me! It’s just…it’s for the best. I-“ He stopped as Goku came in, dropping the basket to the floor.

“There! The deed is done!”

“Wonderful Goku!” Hakkai got up to help Goku with the wood and Sanzo put on his heavy fur cloak and left the hut.

Gojyo was getting out of hand with all this lust for him. The man aggravated him to absolutely no end. Just being in the same area as the man was enough to make his blood boil. He was going to have to have a little talk with Chief Gojyo. Sanzo was angry that Hakkai had slept with him and Gojyo did not refuse him nor did he say no. He did not know all the details but he was certain Gojyo seduced Hakkai due to the emotional state he was in. And THAT was what made him hit the treetops. Gojyo would most likely be in his hut at this time of night so he barged in without a warning.

Gojyo was enjoying some hot ale when Sanzo’s sudden entrance nearly made him drop the mug. He glared at the man standing in the room and received a glare back. Sanzo’s glare held more distain and anger. He was obviously pissed about something and Gojyo had had a very long day. He was a bit tipsy but he had enough wit and sense about him.

“What the hell, Sanzo?! You can’t just barge in here!”

“Yeah, I can! Look asshole, I’ve got a bone to pick with you! This has to do with my brother! What gives you the right to fuck him when you’ve told me before that you weren’t interested enough in him!? You can’t have your meat and eat it too!”

“Hey, back up, string bean! Hakkai sure as hell didn’t say “no” nor did he fight off my advaces. Look, I do sleep around with men and women, a lot. That’s no secret. HOWEVER, I do stop myself if the other says ‘no’ or anything of the like! If I sensed Hakkai was uncomfortable or upset, I would not have gone as far as I did! He wanted it and he allowed it! And you shouldn’t open your big mouth about this subject! You’re obviously a virgin both ways so you have no idea what the feelings of want and need are like!”

“Regardless if Hakkai wanted it or not, you should have been the bigger person and said ‘no’! But you’ll fuck anything that walks and why Hakkai would want to lay with you, I’ll never understand! And get the thoughts of you and I out of your thick skull! You’ll never have me in any shape or form! Even if we were the last two people in this world, I STILL would not be with you! So stop looking at me and stop whatever other crazy stuff you do thinking about me! It makes me physically ill to even LOOK at you!” Gojyo got up and walked over to Sanzo who did not waver. Sanzo crossed his arms and looked up at him with a look that could kill. Gojyo was feeling the effects of the ale and he was exhausted from the day’s work. Hearing Sanzo’s cruel words and insults aggravated him.

“You know something, you need to get laid. Badly.”

“Don’t tell me what I need, cockroach!” Gojyo suddenly gripped him by his arms and held tight. “LET GO OF ME!”

“Not until you apologize for being an ass!”

“Like hell I will!” He struggled in Gojyo’s grasp and was surprised to learn that Gojyo was stronger than he thought. The last time they had fought, his grip felt nothing like this.

“You know what I think? I think you’re crazy about ME!” Sanzo’s eyes widened in pure shock and disgust.

“WHAT?!”

“You like the challenge I give you! I may be attracted to your gorgeous looks but I don’t fawn all over you like others do! You know you’re irresistible and it pisses you off that someone CAN resist you!”

“ARE YOU FUCKING OUT OF YOUR MIND!? WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THIS SHIT?! WHAT GIVES YOU THE IDEA I LIKE ALL THIS ATTENTION!?” He struggled more but Gojyo’s grip held fast and the next thing he knew, Gojyo’s lips were kissing his. Sanzo gasped in pure shock and pulled his face away.” HOW DARE YO-“ Gojyo gripped his hair painfully and kissed him again, harder this time. One of Sanzo’s hands was free and he grabbed a hold of Gojyo’s long hair, trying to pull his head away. But Gojyo was holding strong and kept their lips locked tight.

Gojyo pushed Sanzo downward and the two feel heavily to the ground. Gojyo’s weight landed on Sanzo and the man nearly felt his spine snap. He kicked his legs and flared his arms, managing to pull away from Gojyo’s mouth. He was going to shout something but Gojyo’s rough fingers gripped his jaw tight and made him choke slightly. He gave him a hard kiss again and laid his weight all along Sanzo’s body. His dead weight was helping him to restrain Sanzo’s frantic movements. Sanzo clawed at his back, scrapping his nails in order to make the skin bleed. It worked enough that Gojyo had to pull away to hiss and Sanzo took that opportunity to bite deep into Gojyo’s shoulder. Gojyo hollered in pain and grabbed Sanzo’s hair again to pry his teeth out of his skin.

“BASTARD!” Sanzo spit at him and Gojyo’s other free hand gripped Sanzo’s neck and squeezed. Sanzo gasped and choked, bringing his hands up to try and pry Gojyo’s away. But he was not physically strong enough to do so.

“Remember something, Sanzo! I’m your CHIEF! You are no longer an heir to this clan! When you advised me to annul the marriage and Hakkai forfit all his rights, that also includes you! And you’re not as well liked or respected like Hakkai is with the clan members! They won’t stand up for you!” He pressed down on Sanzo’s throat and increased his pressure. Sanzo was gasping for air now, clawing at Gojyo’s wrist. “I’m sick and tired of listening to you bad mouth me and insult me! You the hell do you think you are! You have NO RIGHT to verbally attack me like you do! I am your CHIEF! I’M YOUR LEADER! YOU OBEY ME!”

“F-f-f-uck…you!” Sanzo managed to hiss out and Gojyo grit his teeth. He backhanded Sanzo across the cheek, making his already bloody teeth bit into the flesh of his own lip. Sanzo lay with his head to the side, completely stunned by the action. The rough hit dazed him a bit and he was still gasping for air.

“I’m sick of you thinking you’re all high and mighty and better than everyone else! You’re no better than the rest of us!” Gojyo untied his pants before removing Sanzo’s. Sanzo had just started to regain his senses when he felt his legs being spread apart and Gojyo settling between them. His eyes widened in pure shock and fear as he recognized the action, but he was still to stunned to try and do anything about it. “This will shut you up!” Sanzo closed his eyes and waited for what was to happen.