All Things Come to an End - Chapter 1 - January 2006
All Things Come to an End - Chapter 1
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't got any money, so don't sue me. Characters property of the mangaka, which if I could remember her name, I'd put it here. *laughs*
Yaone looked up at the crystal imprisoning Lord Kougaiji with tears in her eyes. It seemed she'd not get to keep her promise after all.
"I'm sorry, my lord, I couldn't save you," she said out loud to the imprisoned youkai lord and put her head in her hands, sobbing. She felt as if her heart was going to shatter into a million pieces right at that moment. Poor Lirin had been used in Ni Jianyi's experiments, paying with first her sanity, then her life. Dokugakuji had been killed by Gojyo, while trying to protect Kougaiji; something that she'd felt Gojyo intensely regretted, yet he'd done it anyway.
That was something she didn't really understand. Her whole life had been turned completely upside down in a few short hours. The one thing she didn't regret was the deaths of the monster Gyumaoh, as well as that witch Gyokumen and her henchmen. They deserved everything they got, she felt fiercely.
Hakkai burst into the room and stopped short. He hadn't expected anyone to still be there. His eyes opened wide as he noticed her crying over Kougaiji, and his heart wrenched a little.
"Miss Yaone," he panted. "What are you doing here? You have to leave now - the building is coming down around us, now that Gyumaoh is dead." He hoped she had enough sense to come with him, both for her sake, and for his. Despite her being on the opposing side in this mess, he held strong feelings for her. Feelings that only now he was able to admit to himself. He would never have done, had Kougaiji still been around. He didn't believe in poaching from other men, especially as he knew Yaone had feelings for the young demon lord. It hurt him that she was upset like this and he wanted anything in the world to make her happy, even if it cost him.
She looked up in shock as the emerald-eyed man appeared. "Hakkai?" she asked in confusion. "Wha...? What's going on? What have you done to Lord Kougaiji?"
She flew at him and pounded on his chest with her fists, still sobbing. He stood there for a few moments, letting her take her grief out on him, before scooping her up bodily and carrying her out of the room. She kicked and screamed at him to let her go, but he just continued running as masonry fell around them. Finally outside, he let her go and she collapsed to the ground, sobbing hysterically.
"You don't understand," she cried. "He was just trying to free his mother. He didn't hate you; he admired you. Why?" she asked, tears streaming from her eyes.
Sanzo stood looking at her impassively. "He knew what would happen in the end. If you're against us, sooner or later you lose. That's reality. Get used to it," he said calmly, puffing on a cigarette. He turned to go, hoping she wouldn't continue to make a scene.
"Let's get out of here before anything else happens. I don't think I could take the excitement," he said sarcastically and started walking towards the battered green jeep. "You coming?" he asked the rest of them, who all stood around Yaone in uncertainty, unsure of whether they should leave her there or bring her with them.
"Bring her along if you want to, makes no difference to me," he finished when none of them moved, then climbed into the jeep, feigning indifference. It was no skin off his nose either way, he thought cynically, and she may even be of use to them. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit that the girl could be good for Hakkai, and possibly the rest of them as well, and as such, he was willing to tolerate her.
Hakkai started, and then held out his hand to Yaone, a slight blush on his face. "Miss Yaone?" he asked quietly. "Would you like to come with us?" He hoped she'd say yes, although he recognised that she didn't really have any other choice in the matter if she wanted to live.
Gojyo grinned cheekily, flipped his scarlet-hued hair out of his eyes, and nodded. "It'd be good for Hakkai if you did, Yaone. He needs a pretty girl, especially in his bed," he teased and grinned wider when she blushed. "Of course," he said, looking at her critically, "I may just have to steal you from him. You're wasted on a guy like Hakkai." He laughed at the outraged expression on Hakkai's face.
She looked bemusedly at Hakkai for a long moment, then at Sanzo, and the others, and sighed. It seemed yet again, she had no other choice. At least it could have been worse, she reflected morosely. She could have died or been imprisoned like Lord Kougaiji. At least Hakkai was here, and he was a good man. It wouldn't hurt to get to know him a little better, she thought to herself.
She'd have to avoid that Gojyo though; she couldn't tell if he was actually serious at trying to steal her from Hakkai. As if she belonged to anyone, anyway! She also felt awkward, knowing he'd killed his brother, however regretfully. She'd admired Dokugakuji as an honourable man, and rare these days and it hurt that he was dead, and apparently unmourned.
Goku simply stared in confusion. "Are you a good cook, Miss?" he asked excitedly. It never hurt to have too many good cooks on the journey, and he was getting a bit tired of Hakkai's cooking, no matter how good he was. Yaone simply stared at the golden-eyed teen. What kind of question was that?
Yaone picked herself up from the ground, dusted herself off, and was about to wipe her tears with her sleeve when Hakkai handed her a handkerchief. She looked at him in surprise as she took it, thanked him, then wiped her eyes and cleaned herself up. When she'd finished, she began to walk to the jeep and chuckled at the looks on their faces.
"Well? Are you coming or not?" she asked with a slight grin. She was feeling better already, and blushed when Hakkai came rushing over and helped her into the jeep. Goku and Gojyo rounded out the group as they tumbled into the back beside her, doing their best not to squish her into the side.
"Behave yourself, you little runt," Gojyo grunted at Goku after getting an arm in his ribs. "There's a lady present."
Goku laughed. "Two ladies you mean," he smirked then yelled as Gojyo bopped him one on the head in outrage. Completely forgetting Yaone, who was staring at them open-mouthed, they went at it, yelling insults and trading blows like the old friends they were. If she didn't know better, she'd have said they were bitter enemies.
Yaone smiled sadly. She wished it could have ended differently, but it seemed she would be in good hands after all. Her eyes opened widely as Sanzo stood up, heedless of the fact that Hakkai was driving down a rutted roadway, pointing his gun at the pair who were still bickering and yelling at them to shut the hell up and remember there was a guest. That shut them up. For a time, anyway. Then they started on at each other again, albeit in a quieter tone, so as to not intimidate the poor girl any further.
They continued on their way back to the East, to Sanzo's temple. It took them a good month to get back, driving almost non-stop. The journey was pretty much uneventful, or as uneventful as a trip with four guys could be. Yaone became used to them and they to her, after an unfortunate incident with Gojyo and an outraged husband, where she helped defuse the situation, getting him off the hook with his reputation intact. During the trip, Hakkai and Yaone had become closer. Much to Gojyo's amusement, they hadn't consummated their relationship yet, but he reckoned it was only a matter of time.
Yaone had also become used to Gojyo, after a long talk at the fireside one evening, when things became tense between them. A lot of things had been cleared up that night, although they still felt a bit awkward around each other at times. She wondered if she'd ever feel completely at ease with the young man. At least she now knew he felt his brother's death keenly, all the more so as it had been at his hand.
Once they arrived at the temple, and dropped off Goku and Sanzo, with many promises to meet up for drinks at some point, they continued on to the house Hakkai and Gojyo shared. Yaone fretted the entire way, worrying Hakkai. She had a tendency to suffer in silence, he'd noticed with a wry smile. A lot like himself, in fact. He didn't know what to say or do to make her feel less worried, however, so he held his peace. Gojyo had become moody as well, which made it all the more necessary for him to be calm and levelheaded.
Gojyo had been giving both Hakkai and Yaone (who was now in the front seat usually occupied by Sanzo, or himself when Sanzo wasn't around) strange looks, the closer to town they got. Hakkai noticed, but just ignored it, figuring he'd talk when he was good and ready. Yaone merely looked back at him quizzically when she intercepted a few of his looks. When this happened, Gojyo merely shrugged and looked away again. To be honest, he couldn't make up his mind what to do about them, he thought to himself glumly. Or himself, for that matter.
He knew it was only a matter of time before Yaone and Hakkai admitted their feelings to themselves, and to each other. When that happened, he would be nothing but superfluous baggage. A third wheel. He hated that sort of thing, because it led to depression, resentment and all that nasty stuff he preferred to avoid wherever possible. He opened yet another pack of cigarettes, smoking one after another in morose silence, deep in thought and enjoying the toxic haze. Belatedly, he realised this was his last pack of cigarettes. Damn, he thought. How could he have let himself get so low? He needed his nicotine, dammit.
He leaned forward and tapped Hakkai on the shoulder. "Yo, I need to stop off at the corner shop. I'm out of cigs," he remarked casually. "Can you drop me off there on your way home?" he asked.
Hakkai turned his head slightly to give him a long measuring look before replying. "I'm sure I can do that," he said just as casually. "I'll see you at home then? It's your home just as much as it is mine, you know," he added shrewdly, having an uncanny knack at reading Gojyo's mood. Gojyo started. Damn the man and his empathy, he cursed mentally. It appeared he wasn't going to be able to get out of admitting his feelings, yet again, to his best friend.
He chuckled in spite of himself. Oh well, he thought, what else could he do but laugh? "I will...and Hakkai?" he said cheerfully and smiled when Hakkai looked at him questioningly. "Thanks, man."
He smiled as he jumped from the back of the moving jeep, as they came up on the shop he was after. Grinning at the look on Yaone's face as he did so, he waved as they turned the corner for home. He'd see them there shortly. After he got his cigarettes, some booze, and some chicks to keep himself company.
Hakkai smiled as they drove on to the house. Yaone didn't see what there was to smile about. "Hakkai, why are you so happy when Gojyo's been so moody all of a sudden? What was that that just happened anyway?" she asked him, confused.
He smiled even more. "Miss Yaone, Gojyo's never been one to admit his feelings to anyone, let alone himself, and he's been feeling left out. Goku and Sanzo have each other for company, and he has no-one." Here he stopped the jeep and looked at her searchingly. She blushed under his gaze and looked away.
He reached for her and turned her back to face him. "I hope I'm not presuming, but...I hope I have you? Nothing would make me happier, if you would." here he stopped, blushing furiously himself. He took a deep breath and tried to continue. He didn't have the way with words that Gojyo did, the cool demeanour of Sanzo, or the youthful enthusiasm of Goku. He hoped that being himself would be enough for Yaone.
"I've been feeling like we've gotten a lot closer the past month since we've been together constantly, even with the others around. I've always had feelings for you, Miss Yaone, even if I wasn't able to tell you before. You loved Kougaiji and as long as he made you happy, that was enough for me," he confessed to her solemnly, but with the blush still staining his cheeks.
"I hope you don't think I'm being too forward or anything like that," he said in a rush when she didn't reply. Her silence unnerved him. He dared to look at her to see her reaction to his words. Her reaction certainly surprised him.
She was smiling, but not in a simpering kind of way. More of a 'how nice, I like you too, but...' sort of way. He looked down, unsure of himself now.
Yaone continued smiling and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Hakkai," she said and his face fell. She giggled and he looked back at her in surprise. "Oh Hakkai, I didn't mean it like that," she teased him and he chuckled sheepishly.
"I hadn't finished yet. What I was going to say was that I was sorry to have given you the wrong idea. I'm not sad or angry. On the contrary, I'm flattered. I never thought..." here she didn't know what to say. She tried to continue. "I like you too, but I'd promised Lord Kougaiji to be with him to the end. And I was. I loved him, you see. And now I'm here with you and I'm honoured that you respect me enough to ask. Most others would just take, or at least that's been my experience up to now. I hope you don't take it the wrong way, but I'd like to just see where our relationship goes from here without any pressure."
Hakkai nodded slowly, his face made all the more beautiful by his smile and Yaone smiled back at him. Suddenly Yaone moved, and in a flash, she'd leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. It was just a fleeting kiss, and he put his hand up to his mouth in startled shock.
Gojyo chose that moment to walk up to them, his arms full of groceries. They hadn't been home for some time, so he thought he'd stock up, especially as there was a lady staying with them now. "Well done, Hakkai," he congratulated his stunned friend sarcastically, slapping him on the back. "Aren't you supposed to be the one who kisses the girl first?" he asked with a smirk. "If you don't hurry up, I'm going to get my kiss in before you do, and get the girl instead." Gods, but Hakkai was sure slow, Gojyo smirked to himself. Hadn't he taught that boy anything?
Hakkai glared up at him and leaned over to the startled and blushing Yaone, returning her kiss, more to forestall Gojyo saying or doing anything more for the moment. "There, are you happy?" he asked Gojyo, who merely smirked. Yaone nodded mutely, even though she knew he wasn't talking to her and they all chuckled.
"Let's get inside, before the whole neighbourhood knows our business," Gojyo advised, as one or two curious heads began to poke from behind curtains and doors. He followed his own advice once Hakkai had opened the door for him. The others followed him into the house, Yaone exclaiming at just how clean and tidy it was. The two men just glanced at each other and grinned.
"Oh Hakkai's a proper woman, he is," Gojyo teased. "He enjoys this sort of thing, so I just leave him to it. It beats me having to do it, or hire someone." He grinned at Hakkai's outraged expression and exclamation of "Heeeeeeeeeeeeey!"
Yaone merely smiled. She knew better than to believe Gojyo when he was like that. At least he was back to his normal, carefree self, and Hakkai was smiling too. That was all one could ask for. A relationship with Hakkai may or may not happen, but she'd let the future take care of itself.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, don't got any money, so don't sue me. Characters property of the mangaka, which if I could remember her name, I'd put it here. *laughs*
Yaone looked up at the crystal imprisoning Lord Kougaiji with tears in her eyes. It seemed she'd not get to keep her promise after all.
"I'm sorry, my lord, I couldn't save you," she said out loud to the imprisoned youkai lord and put her head in her hands, sobbing. She felt as if her heart was going to shatter into a million pieces right at that moment. Poor Lirin had been used in Ni Jianyi's experiments, paying with first her sanity, then her life. Dokugakuji had been killed by Gojyo, while trying to protect Kougaiji; something that she'd felt Gojyo intensely regretted, yet he'd done it anyway.
That was something she didn't really understand. Her whole life had been turned completely upside down in a few short hours. The one thing she didn't regret was the deaths of the monster Gyumaoh, as well as that witch Gyokumen and her henchmen. They deserved everything they got, she felt fiercely.
Hakkai burst into the room and stopped short. He hadn't expected anyone to still be there. His eyes opened wide as he noticed her crying over Kougaiji, and his heart wrenched a little.
"Miss Yaone," he panted. "What are you doing here? You have to leave now - the building is coming down around us, now that Gyumaoh is dead." He hoped she had enough sense to come with him, both for her sake, and for his. Despite her being on the opposing side in this mess, he held strong feelings for her. Feelings that only now he was able to admit to himself. He would never have done, had Kougaiji still been around. He didn't believe in poaching from other men, especially as he knew Yaone had feelings for the young demon lord. It hurt him that she was upset like this and he wanted anything in the world to make her happy, even if it cost him.
She looked up in shock as the emerald-eyed man appeared. "Hakkai?" she asked in confusion. "Wha...? What's going on? What have you done to Lord Kougaiji?"
She flew at him and pounded on his chest with her fists, still sobbing. He stood there for a few moments, letting her take her grief out on him, before scooping her up bodily and carrying her out of the room. She kicked and screamed at him to let her go, but he just continued running as masonry fell around them. Finally outside, he let her go and she collapsed to the ground, sobbing hysterically.
"You don't understand," she cried. "He was just trying to free his mother. He didn't hate you; he admired you. Why?" she asked, tears streaming from her eyes.
Sanzo stood looking at her impassively. "He knew what would happen in the end. If you're against us, sooner or later you lose. That's reality. Get used to it," he said calmly, puffing on a cigarette. He turned to go, hoping she wouldn't continue to make a scene.
"Let's get out of here before anything else happens. I don't think I could take the excitement," he said sarcastically and started walking towards the battered green jeep. "You coming?" he asked the rest of them, who all stood around Yaone in uncertainty, unsure of whether they should leave her there or bring her with them.
"Bring her along if you want to, makes no difference to me," he finished when none of them moved, then climbed into the jeep, feigning indifference. It was no skin off his nose either way, he thought cynically, and she may even be of use to them. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit that the girl could be good for Hakkai, and possibly the rest of them as well, and as such, he was willing to tolerate her.
Hakkai started, and then held out his hand to Yaone, a slight blush on his face. "Miss Yaone?" he asked quietly. "Would you like to come with us?" He hoped she'd say yes, although he recognised that she didn't really have any other choice in the matter if she wanted to live.
Gojyo grinned cheekily, flipped his scarlet-hued hair out of his eyes, and nodded. "It'd be good for Hakkai if you did, Yaone. He needs a pretty girl, especially in his bed," he teased and grinned wider when she blushed. "Of course," he said, looking at her critically, "I may just have to steal you from him. You're wasted on a guy like Hakkai." He laughed at the outraged expression on Hakkai's face.
She looked bemusedly at Hakkai for a long moment, then at Sanzo, and the others, and sighed. It seemed yet again, she had no other choice. At least it could have been worse, she reflected morosely. She could have died or been imprisoned like Lord Kougaiji. At least Hakkai was here, and he was a good man. It wouldn't hurt to get to know him a little better, she thought to herself.
She'd have to avoid that Gojyo though; she couldn't tell if he was actually serious at trying to steal her from Hakkai. As if she belonged to anyone, anyway! She also felt awkward, knowing he'd killed his brother, however regretfully. She'd admired Dokugakuji as an honourable man, and rare these days and it hurt that he was dead, and apparently unmourned.
Goku simply stared in confusion. "Are you a good cook, Miss?" he asked excitedly. It never hurt to have too many good cooks on the journey, and he was getting a bit tired of Hakkai's cooking, no matter how good he was. Yaone simply stared at the golden-eyed teen. What kind of question was that?
Yaone picked herself up from the ground, dusted herself off, and was about to wipe her tears with her sleeve when Hakkai handed her a handkerchief. She looked at him in surprise as she took it, thanked him, then wiped her eyes and cleaned herself up. When she'd finished, she began to walk to the jeep and chuckled at the looks on their faces.
"Well? Are you coming or not?" she asked with a slight grin. She was feeling better already, and blushed when Hakkai came rushing over and helped her into the jeep. Goku and Gojyo rounded out the group as they tumbled into the back beside her, doing their best not to squish her into the side.
"Behave yourself, you little runt," Gojyo grunted at Goku after getting an arm in his ribs. "There's a lady present."
Goku laughed. "Two ladies you mean," he smirked then yelled as Gojyo bopped him one on the head in outrage. Completely forgetting Yaone, who was staring at them open-mouthed, they went at it, yelling insults and trading blows like the old friends they were. If she didn't know better, she'd have said they were bitter enemies.
Yaone smiled sadly. She wished it could have ended differently, but it seemed she would be in good hands after all. Her eyes opened widely as Sanzo stood up, heedless of the fact that Hakkai was driving down a rutted roadway, pointing his gun at the pair who were still bickering and yelling at them to shut the hell up and remember there was a guest. That shut them up. For a time, anyway. Then they started on at each other again, albeit in a quieter tone, so as to not intimidate the poor girl any further.
They continued on their way back to the East, to Sanzo's temple. It took them a good month to get back, driving almost non-stop. The journey was pretty much uneventful, or as uneventful as a trip with four guys could be. Yaone became used to them and they to her, after an unfortunate incident with Gojyo and an outraged husband, where she helped defuse the situation, getting him off the hook with his reputation intact. During the trip, Hakkai and Yaone had become closer. Much to Gojyo's amusement, they hadn't consummated their relationship yet, but he reckoned it was only a matter of time.
Yaone had also become used to Gojyo, after a long talk at the fireside one evening, when things became tense between them. A lot of things had been cleared up that night, although they still felt a bit awkward around each other at times. She wondered if she'd ever feel completely at ease with the young man. At least she now knew he felt his brother's death keenly, all the more so as it had been at his hand.
Once they arrived at the temple, and dropped off Goku and Sanzo, with many promises to meet up for drinks at some point, they continued on to the house Hakkai and Gojyo shared. Yaone fretted the entire way, worrying Hakkai. She had a tendency to suffer in silence, he'd noticed with a wry smile. A lot like himself, in fact. He didn't know what to say or do to make her feel less worried, however, so he held his peace. Gojyo had become moody as well, which made it all the more necessary for him to be calm and levelheaded.
Gojyo had been giving both Hakkai and Yaone (who was now in the front seat usually occupied by Sanzo, or himself when Sanzo wasn't around) strange looks, the closer to town they got. Hakkai noticed, but just ignored it, figuring he'd talk when he was good and ready. Yaone merely looked back at him quizzically when she intercepted a few of his looks. When this happened, Gojyo merely shrugged and looked away again. To be honest, he couldn't make up his mind what to do about them, he thought to himself glumly. Or himself, for that matter.
He knew it was only a matter of time before Yaone and Hakkai admitted their feelings to themselves, and to each other. When that happened, he would be nothing but superfluous baggage. A third wheel. He hated that sort of thing, because it led to depression, resentment and all that nasty stuff he preferred to avoid wherever possible. He opened yet another pack of cigarettes, smoking one after another in morose silence, deep in thought and enjoying the toxic haze. Belatedly, he realised this was his last pack of cigarettes. Damn, he thought. How could he have let himself get so low? He needed his nicotine, dammit.
He leaned forward and tapped Hakkai on the shoulder. "Yo, I need to stop off at the corner shop. I'm out of cigs," he remarked casually. "Can you drop me off there on your way home?" he asked.
Hakkai turned his head slightly to give him a long measuring look before replying. "I'm sure I can do that," he said just as casually. "I'll see you at home then? It's your home just as much as it is mine, you know," he added shrewdly, having an uncanny knack at reading Gojyo's mood. Gojyo started. Damn the man and his empathy, he cursed mentally. It appeared he wasn't going to be able to get out of admitting his feelings, yet again, to his best friend.
He chuckled in spite of himself. Oh well, he thought, what else could he do but laugh? "I will...and Hakkai?" he said cheerfully and smiled when Hakkai looked at him questioningly. "Thanks, man."
He smiled as he jumped from the back of the moving jeep, as they came up on the shop he was after. Grinning at the look on Yaone's face as he did so, he waved as they turned the corner for home. He'd see them there shortly. After he got his cigarettes, some booze, and some chicks to keep himself company.
Hakkai smiled as they drove on to the house. Yaone didn't see what there was to smile about. "Hakkai, why are you so happy when Gojyo's been so moody all of a sudden? What was that that just happened anyway?" she asked him, confused.
He smiled even more. "Miss Yaone, Gojyo's never been one to admit his feelings to anyone, let alone himself, and he's been feeling left out. Goku and Sanzo have each other for company, and he has no-one." Here he stopped the jeep and looked at her searchingly. She blushed under his gaze and looked away.
He reached for her and turned her back to face him. "I hope I'm not presuming, but...I hope I have you? Nothing would make me happier, if you would." here he stopped, blushing furiously himself. He took a deep breath and tried to continue. He didn't have the way with words that Gojyo did, the cool demeanour of Sanzo, or the youthful enthusiasm of Goku. He hoped that being himself would be enough for Yaone.
"I've been feeling like we've gotten a lot closer the past month since we've been together constantly, even with the others around. I've always had feelings for you, Miss Yaone, even if I wasn't able to tell you before. You loved Kougaiji and as long as he made you happy, that was enough for me," he confessed to her solemnly, but with the blush still staining his cheeks.
"I hope you don't think I'm being too forward or anything like that," he said in a rush when she didn't reply. Her silence unnerved him. He dared to look at her to see her reaction to his words. Her reaction certainly surprised him.
She was smiling, but not in a simpering kind of way. More of a 'how nice, I like you too, but...' sort of way. He looked down, unsure of himself now.
Yaone continued smiling and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Hakkai," she said and his face fell. She giggled and he looked back at her in surprise. "Oh Hakkai, I didn't mean it like that," she teased him and he chuckled sheepishly.
"I hadn't finished yet. What I was going to say was that I was sorry to have given you the wrong idea. I'm not sad or angry. On the contrary, I'm flattered. I never thought..." here she didn't know what to say. She tried to continue. "I like you too, but I'd promised Lord Kougaiji to be with him to the end. And I was. I loved him, you see. And now I'm here with you and I'm honoured that you respect me enough to ask. Most others would just take, or at least that's been my experience up to now. I hope you don't take it the wrong way, but I'd like to just see where our relationship goes from here without any pressure."
Hakkai nodded slowly, his face made all the more beautiful by his smile and Yaone smiled back at him. Suddenly Yaone moved, and in a flash, she'd leaned forward and kissed him full on the lips. It was just a fleeting kiss, and he put his hand up to his mouth in startled shock.
Gojyo chose that moment to walk up to them, his arms full of groceries. They hadn't been home for some time, so he thought he'd stock up, especially as there was a lady staying with them now. "Well done, Hakkai," he congratulated his stunned friend sarcastically, slapping him on the back. "Aren't you supposed to be the one who kisses the girl first?" he asked with a smirk. "If you don't hurry up, I'm going to get my kiss in before you do, and get the girl instead." Gods, but Hakkai was sure slow, Gojyo smirked to himself. Hadn't he taught that boy anything?
Hakkai glared up at him and leaned over to the startled and blushing Yaone, returning her kiss, more to forestall Gojyo saying or doing anything more for the moment. "There, are you happy?" he asked Gojyo, who merely smirked. Yaone nodded mutely, even though she knew he wasn't talking to her and they all chuckled.
"Let's get inside, before the whole neighbourhood knows our business," Gojyo advised, as one or two curious heads began to poke from behind curtains and doors. He followed his own advice once Hakkai had opened the door for him. The others followed him into the house, Yaone exclaiming at just how clean and tidy it was. The two men just glanced at each other and grinned.
"Oh Hakkai's a proper woman, he is," Gojyo teased. "He enjoys this sort of thing, so I just leave him to it. It beats me having to do it, or hire someone." He grinned at Hakkai's outraged expression and exclamation of "Heeeeeeeeeeeeey!"
Yaone merely smiled. She knew better than to believe Gojyo when he was like that. At least he was back to his normal, carefree self, and Hakkai was smiling too. That was all one could ask for. A relationship with Hakkai may or may not happen, but she'd let the future take care of itself.