Musing featuring the Sanzo Ikkou
originally posted on livejournal under my user name feait
The road has a habit of taking it out of a man. The desolate roads. The ghost towns. The merciless weather. The quiet. Hakkai hadnât realized these things until he began traveling with his friends.
Before them, Hakuryuu was  his companion. Hakkai was fine with this because he believed he didnât fit in with others.
For some reason, Hakkai did fit with Sanzo, Goku, and Gojyo. It felt right.
He didnât understand why, but he thanked the Merciful Goddess nonetheless when he realized this.
âHakkai!â Sanzo said in a raised voice.
âSorry,â Hakkai replied sheepishly. âI was lost in thought.â
Gojyo purred, âAbout that cute little waitress from that cafĂŠ? Wasnât sure she was â Ow!â He rubbed his head.
Sanzo slipped his fan back into his sleeve. âIdiot!â
Hakkai chuckled. âActually, I was.â
âOhâ was all Gojyo could say.
Sanzo shifted in his seat.
âI believed she undercharged us for the meal. I was thinking of turning around and rectifying this.â
Gojyo smacked his forehead and laughed.
Sanzo lit a cigarette. Â âIf you run this car around, Iâll shoot you, Hakkai.â
âGoing back?â Goku said in a sleepy voice. âWeâre going back to the cafĂŠ? Iâd love to get another â Ow, Sanzo! That hurt.â
A genuine smile grew on Hakkaiâs face.
Sanzo caught it and turned his face away, using the excuse to exhale smoke.
Yet Hakkai knew that something warmer than a smirk graced Sanzoâs lips for a moment.
Gojyo slapped his hand on Hakkaiâs shoulder. âYou had me worried there for a moment, Hakkai.âÂ
âWhy? Were you afraid I was competition for her ⌠attention?â
âIâll take your silence as a âyesâ.â
Hakkai began to laugh. Sanzo covered his laugh with a cough.
âGojyo, you really think that Hakkai could get a girl and you canât?â Goku asked wide-eyed.
âThere will never be a day Hakkai can get a woman that I canât,â proclaimed Gojyo.
âCare to make a wager?â Hakkai asked wryly.
âMy moneyâs on Hakkai,â Sanzo announced.
âW-What?!?!?â Â stammered Gojyo.
âOh, man,â Goku piped in, âHakkai is better with the ladies than Gojyo. Sanzo wouldnât â Hey! Â Whyâd you hit me, Gojyo?â
âNo one is better with the ladies than me.â
As the two back seat riders began exchanging punches and pulling each otherâs hair, Hakkai shook his head and wondered again why this felt right.