Which book that you've read would make a great movie, and why? Who would you pick to play the main characters?
A science fiction novel called "Grasp the Stars." I'd like to see Angela Bassett as Rachel Ajmani, Jackie Chan as Wu Jackson, Johnny Depp as Tigre DeFlora, and Hiroki Suzuki (Junes) as Bailey Rye.
Was there ever a fictional character who you admired so much that you strived to be like him or her?
Toru Honda from Fruits Basket!
She never gives up, and she meets every situation with love and humility. I strive to have that kind of compassion and unconditional acceptance of others.
Which phrase would you choose to replace the ubiquitous "Have a nice day" phrase?
"Courage!"
最遊記歌劇伝
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.animate.co.jp/saiyuki/&ei=lRyOSamBFpzgM_XP2ZQL&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%25E6%259C%2580%25E9%2581%258A%25E8%25A8%2598%25E6%25AD%258C%25E5%258A%2587%25E4%25BC%259D%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
Well! The great big ugly link above is to the english "translation" of the Animate page with details on the Saiyuki musical. There's even a link for placing a mail order, which I haven't clicked on yet to see how hard it would be.
But!!! There's a video clip with some footage from the musical!!!! Hiro-kun is nearly unrecognizable as the tough, cool Sanzo. He talks in such a deep voice, too! Very, very different than any other roles I've seen him in. He's such an awesome performer!! Actually, everyone in the cast looks great! I've got to start saving my pennies....
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www.animate.co.jp/saiyuki/&ei=lRyOSamBFpzgM_XP2ZQL&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=4&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%25E6%259C%2580%25E9%2581%258A%25E8%25A8%2598%25E6%25AD%258C%25E5%258A%2587%25E4%25BC%259D%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
Well! The great big ugly link above is to the english "translation" of the Animate page with details on the Saiyuki musical. There's even a link for placing a mail order, which I haven't clicked on yet to see how hard it would be.
But!!! There's a video clip with some footage from the musical!!!! Hiro-kun is nearly unrecognizable as the tough, cool Sanzo. He talks in such a deep voice, too! Very, very different than any other roles I've seen him in. He's such an awesome performer!! Actually, everyone in the cast looks great! I've got to start saving my pennies....
Green Paradise
Title: Green Paradise
Author: Durffy
Crossover: Koko wa Greenwood/Saiyuki
Rating: PG, for Sanzo's mouth. No real yaoi, though the usual pairings are there if you squint. Fairly work safe, except whoever catches you reading this will think you're nuts.
Warnings: Possible spoilers for both series. Taking a mildly interesting idea to ridiculous extremes. Unbetaed.
Disclaimer: I am not the owner of these wonderful series, and I intend no copyright infringement. No profit is being made, I'm just having a bit of fun.
Comments: This idea came to me because Suzuki Hiroki, who played the beguiling Shun in the Koko wa Greenwood drama, was also cast as Sanzo in the Saiyuki musical. Also, according to the manga, Hasukawa's nickname in middle school was Son Goku.
Apology: It seemed like a good idea at the time….
Pain streaked through Sanzo's head, and he slowly opened his eyes. He was lying flat on his back in a field of short, green grass. A group of strange youths surrounded him, all looking terribly worried. "Shun, I'm sorry," one of them babbled, "I'm sorry. I was tossing the ball to Tochizawa, and my throw went wild, and it hit you, and I'm so sorry."
Warily, Sanzo studied the ring of young faces, but detected no demonic energy or hostile intentions. He slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his head. A sizable bump was forming. The kid had a good arm. A little work on his control, and he'd be even more dangerous.
"Don't move, Shun," another fellow said anxiously. "You might have a concussion."
Irritated by the pointless concern, Sanzo scowled. "Pipe down. I know what a damned concussion feels like, and this isn't it."
There was a small explosion of gasps from the boys, and a flurry of exchanged glances.
Growing even more annoyed, Sanzo looked around for Goku, Hakkai, or Gojyo. One of them needed to intervene soon, or he was going to kill these overly solicitous punks.
Someone whispered, "Where's Hasukawa?" Another whispered back: "He went to get the doctor, since he runs the fastest."
Sanzo started to get up, deciding he'd had enough of being stared at and whispered over, then noticed what he wore.
Instead of his usual priestly robes, his clothing consisted of a pink t-shirt and short pants. He had never worn anything pink his entire life. The pants were a decently neutral shade of sand, but they only hit him mid-calf. He casually smoothed his hands over the pockets. No gun. No sutra. The bad joke was over.
"Where the fuck," Sanzo said with incredible calm, "are my fucking clothes?"
"Um," one of them answered in a quavering voice. "You're wearing them, Shun."
Sanzo turned a bleak gaze to him. "My name," he said, "is not Shun."
Someone in the group giggled nervously.
Sanzo leapt to his feet and turned to face the gang, bracing himself for a fight.
They were all in their teens, from the look of them. All quite clean, adequately fed; and well, if somewhat colorfully, dressed. The field of grass seemed to be some sort of gaming area, and it was surrounded by a gravel track and seating for observers. A tall, concrete building stood in the near distance; too plain to be a palace, too windowed to be a fortress.
A light breeze blew a lock of Sanzo's hair across his face. It was strawberry-blond and far too long. Suspecting some sort of trick, he brushed it back, and realized that it was indeed his hair. But it was not his hair. He stared at his hand. It was not his hand.
His anger evaporated in a sudden chill. Sanzo had no idea of where he was or of how he had arrived. He held himself motionless, his long-honed survival instincts making him slow down, focus, and wait for more clues.
A door flew open on the building, and Goku ran out. The monkey was dressed in the same outlandish style of clothing as the other boys, but Sanzo recognized him by his build, by the raw energy of his moves, by everything about him. He was running towards them fast, his face grim, and the very air seemed to burn before him.
Relief threatened to well up in Sanzo, and he had to fight it back. It wasn't as if he actually needed the help against these little shits. It wasn't as if he was glad to see Goku in the middle of all the insanity.
"Oh, good," said the first kid, "here comes Hasukawa."
Sanzo's nape prickled. That was Goku. He could feel it; could feel it with every drop of his blood.
In the next instant, he noticed that Goku was not wearing the coronet that limited his power. "Oh, fuck."
And then, it was too late. Goku had arrived and seized his shoulders. But instead of tearing him apart, as the unleashed Seitan Taisei would have done, he merely said: "Shun, are you all right?"
Sanzo's mouth went dry. He should have been much taller than Goku, but they were about the same height.
But this kid was Goku. Same unruly hair, same big brown eyes, same stupid expression. He even smelled the same.
Someone had tampered with Goku's memory, it seemed. And someone had transplanted Sanzo's mind into another body. When the responsible party was found, someone was destined for a serious ass-kicking.
One of the kids said: "Hasukawa-senpai, he doesn't remember his name. And he's talking--kind of weird."
Goku's brow puckered as his worry obviously doubled. "Aniki's on his way. We need to get you to the infirmary."
Sanzo tried to keep his tone neutral. "I'm fine. I don't need a doctor."
Stepping to his side, Goku slid a warm and supporting arm around Sanzo's shoulders. "Can you walk? Let's go."
"Of course, I can walk, moron." Sanzo tried to twitch away, but Goku's grip was firm. "And I said I don't need a doctor."
"Who are you calling a moron, moron?" Goku said. He began to march Sanzo toward the building. "Just think of this as payback for all those times you dragged me to the infirmary."
The door to the building opened again, and a young man in a white lab coat rushed out, carrying a black satchel. Clearly, this was the doctor.
Sanzo tamped back his annoyance, and resigned himself to submitting to circumstances for the time being.
He allowed them to take him to the infirmary, where the doctor confirmed that he didn't seem to have a concussion, and that temporary disorientation and amnesia were common after a blow to the head. He was given some tablets of painkiller, which he pretended to swallow. And an ice bag, which he pressed to his head for a few seconds, before tactfully setting aside.
"Take Shun back to the dorm," said the doctor with a reassuring smile. "Once he has supper and a good night's sleep, I'm sure he'll be fine."
Goku groused as he led Sanzo through a park filled with trees and fountains. "I still think we should take you to the hospital."
Sanzo was scanning the passers-by and the surroundings for any hint of demonic energy, or even general malice, but everyone and everything seemed as disgustingly innocent and happy as they appeared. "Say that again," he said, "and I'll kill you."
"Sure you will," Goku scoffed. "You don't even remember your own name."
"Yes, I do."
"You don't remember anything."
"I believe," said Sanzo, "that I remember more than you."
Goku lapsed into a sullen silence, though he continued to walk with his hand resting on Sanzo's shoulder.
The trees gave way to a paved street. Amidst the unremarkable buildings stood a large, wooden house. In spite of its odd paint job, Sanzo found the timbered structure itself pleasing. As they approached the front door, he asked casually: "And here--?"
"--is Greenwood."
Once inside, Sanzo glanced around and deduced that Greenwood was the dormitory that the doctor had mentioned. The interior was old and shabby, but clean. An appetizing aroma drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of warm wood and young men.
"This way," Goku told him, and brought him into a cafeteria filled with long tables. Sanzo carefully followed his lead as they got their trays of food and found a place to sit.
For a moment, Sanzo considered refusing to eat. But the rice and shrimp tempura didn't smell as if they were drugged or poisoned, and he was damned hungry.
Someone piled into the bench across from him and said: "Hey, we've been looking for you guys."
Sanzo jerked his attention up from his plate and found himself staring at Gojyo.
A much younger version of Gojyo. His hair and eyes were a normal color, though, instead of the wine-red shade of a demon half-breed. His hair was much shorter, as well, and his face was unscarred.
But he was Gojyo. Same slouching grace, same manic glint in his eyes, same horseshit attitude. And he swiped one of Goku's shrimp.
"Hey!" yelled Goku. "Knock it off!"
"Aw, you've still got plenty," Gojyo said. "Don't be so stingy."
Calmly, Hakkai sat down beside Gojyo. "Now, now."
Sanzo hid his hands under the table and clenched them into fists to stop the shaking.
Hakkai was also younger, and he had two good eyes. And, aside from the superficial differences in appearance, he was still Hakkai. Same controlled manner of moving, same patient façade, and the same molten core of rage and self-loathing.
"Hey, Shun," Gojyo said cheerfully, "I hear you got hit in the head this afternoon."
Sanzo grunted and forced himself to eat. He needed to get the four of them alone, somehow, and try to get them to remember. The whole thing had to be some sort of hallucination, and they were all trapped in it together.
"Shun?" Gojyo spoke in a more tentative tone. "Are you all right?"
Goku fidgeted. "He doesn't remember his name, Mitsuru-senpai."
"Really?"
Sanzo looked up from his plate to see Gojyo and Hakkai exchange one of their meaningful looks.
Sanzo lifted his teacup to his mouth. "Shove it, you two. We'll talk about this later."
Gojyo stared at him quizzically. Hakkai raised his brows and murmured: "Well, well. This should be interesting."
After a brief silence, Gojyo resumed teasing Goku, taunting him about unfinished homework. Listening as he ate, Sanzo continued to gather information.
Someone wanted them to believe they were all schoolboys, and they had created this mind-trap to carry out their plot. It seemed more than a plan to take the Maten Scripture; otherwise, the mastermind would have taken what he wanted and killed them all while they were helpless.
After the meal, Goku escorted him back to their assigned quarters. It was a small, but pleasantly appointed room, filled with personal artifacts and creature comforts. For the first time, Sanzo caught sight of his current body.
His hair was too long, strawberry blond, and impossibly shiny; and his eyes were no longer blue. His face was young, but still held its original contours. His body was at the gangly stage, without muscle development, but it felt healthy and flexible.
When everyone entered the room, Sanzo closed the door and joined them at a small table in the middle of the floor.
"Okay, Shun," said Gojyo, "spill it."
As an opening, it was good enough. "My name isn't Shun."
Goku made an unhappy noise.
Smiling a little, Hakkai folded his hands in front of him. "Indeed? Then what is your name?"
"I am Genjyo Sanzo."
Gojyo burst into squeaking laughter and laid his head on the table.
"Senpai!!" Goku yelled indignantly. "It's not funny!"
"Ah," Hakkai murmured. He also seemed to be suppressing laughter, though it was difficult to tell. "The legendary priest from the 'Journey to the West' tales?"
Sanzo frowned in thought. Legendary? Tales?
"No!" Goku grabbed his arm. "You're Kisaragi Shun! And I'm your roommate, Hasukawa Kazuya! Don't you remember?"
"You," Sanzo said, "are the one who doesn’t remember, Seitan Taisei Son Goku."
Gojyo howled with laughter and pounded his fist on the table. "Oh, that's too good. That's perfect!"
Goku crunched his eyebrows together in obvious anger and confusion. "Who told you about that? That was my nickname in middle school, and I hated it!"
"M-m-monkey!" Gojyo stammered, gasping for air between belly laughs. "Suka-chan's a monkey!"
"Don't call me a monkey!"
"Then how 'bout monkey-chan?"
Sanzo pointed at him. "And you are Sha Gojyo."
The laughter stopped. "Eh?"
"Shun," Goku said uncertainly. "He's Ikeda Mitsuru. He's not a kappa." He paused, and a slight smile softened his knotted brow. "Even though he looks like one."
Gojyo's eyes widened dangerously. "Ehhhh?! What did you just say, monkey?"
"Kappa!"
"Monkey!"
Hakkai smiled very pleasantly. It was an unpleasant sight. "I see," he said in a horribly calm manner. "That makes me the disgusting pig-demon, Cho Hakkai."
Sanzo had no idea what he was talking about. "You weren't a pig-demon, and you weren't disgusting." He had been counting on Hakkai, he realized. He needed his help to get the others to wake up to reality. "Damn it, don't you remember anything?"
Hakkai gazed deeply into his eyes, as if measuring Sanzo's soul for a new set of robes. "Perhaps you could tell me a bit more about myself? It seems as if the old fairy story isn't accurate as handed down to us."
Sanzo drew a breath to speak, then thought about what to say. Hakkai carried terrible wounds in his psyche. Best to start with something fairly pleasant, or Hakkai wouldn't want to come back to reality. "You were roommates with Gojyo."
"I still am."
"You have a small, white dragon named Hakkuryu."
"How…cute."
"It turns into a jeep."
Hakkai raised one eyebrow. "Indeed?"
Frustrated, Sanzo turned to Gojyo. "And you--you're nothing but a hellion. A drinking, smoking, fighting, womanizing--"
Gojyo interrupted with a whoop of laughter. "Sounds like fun!"
"--demon half-breed."
Gojyo was laughing so hard, that he clearly had trouble speaking. "H-h-hey, don't I have any bad qualities?"
Determined to break through the hilarity, Sanzo answered quietly. "You have scars on your face, from the time your mother tried to murder you."
"Scars?" Gojyo stopped laughing and stared at him in surprise. "Hey, my face doesn't scar. I'll show you." He gestured to Goku. "Grab the letter opener off your desk, and I'll give a demonstra--"
"No!" Hakkai and Goku said in unison.
Trying to decide his next course of action, Sanzo folded his arms and closed his eyes. There had to be some way to snap them out of their dreaming.
Goku spoke hesitantly: "Shun? Does your head hurt?"
Sanzo looked at him. "Is this place really that much of a paradise? Isn't there anything I can say to wake you up to reality?"
Goku gazed back at him, scowling in worry.
"You are," Sanzo said, "the only unique entity. Born from the earth itself. More than a demon, less than a god. Caged below a mountain for five hundred years until I heard your voice, I freed you, and I brought you out into the sun. Don't you remember?"
A keen expression of understanding formed on Goku's face. "Ah!" He pounded his fist into his hand. "Cherrywood!"
"Ah!" echoed Gojyo. "That would explain it."
"No," said Sanzo through gritted teeth. "It doesn't explain anything. What the hell are you talking about?"
"We have," Hakkai said calmly, "experienced something like this before. Our Hasukawa was transported, body and soul, into another universe. Greenwood was called Cherrywood, and we were all girls."
"Yeah." Gojyo grinned. "Suka-chan from Cherrywood was so cute!"
"I'd say," Hakkai continued, "that what occurred in this instance was an exchange of souls."
Sanzo considered it. It explained why no one had attempted to kill him, or why anyone would go through the trouble of setting up such an elaborate hallucination to steal the scripture. "Suppose that's true," he said. "Then where is your friend, Shun, now?"
"In your body, I presume." Hakkai tilted his head, looking thoughtful. "I hope your companions won't cause him harm, once they realize what's happening."
Sanzo grunted. "They might." He stood up and looked down at the serious young man in front of him. "What's your name?"
"Tezuka Shinobu."
Sanzo glanced at each of them in turn. "Tezuka, Ikeka, Hasukawa, let's go. I have a mission to finish."
"Go?" Hasukawa stared up at him in bewilderment. "Go where?"
"Back to that field." Sanzo headed for the door. "If we can re-create the conditions that brought me here, then--"
Without warning, the door burst open. Since he was leaning to reach for the knob, the door slammed directly into his forehead.
The red-hot pain was followed by an inner flash of white light, and Sanzo felt himself floating away. In the far distance, a young man said: "Hey, Shun! I came to apologize again for hitting you with--Oh, no!!"
***
Sanzo rolled into a crouch and pressed both hands to his forehead. "Shit! Piss! Fuck! Damn!"
Goku shouted in his ear: "Sanzo! You're back!"
"Shut up!" Sanzo shouted back, and squeezed his eyes shut against the throbbing pain. "My head fucking hurts!"
Hakkai laughed indulgently. "Sanzo certainly expresses himself plainly, does he not?"
"Aw, man," Gojyo drawled, "we've got that stinkin' priest back? I liked Shun better."
Reluctantly, Sanzo opened his eyes. They were all gathered in the shade of an abandoned farmhouse. Nothing else to see for miles around except sand and scrub grass; just more desolation wrought by the minus wave.
Sanzo glanced up at Hakkai. "So he was here, huh? The kid."
Hakkai nodded. "He was terribly afraid, but he seemed to know right away what had happened."
Sanzo grunted, not wanting to admit that he had been a little slow on the up-take. He fished his Marlboros out of his pocket and lit one up. The first deep drag seemed to ease the pain behind his eyes. Shit, I needed that.
"Hey, Sanzo," Goku said hesitantly. "Shun said he came from a place called Greenwood. What was it really like?" Then clearly realizing how wistful he sounded, he toughened his tone. "I mean, he made it sound like some kind of paradise."
Sanzo savored another lungful of nicotine before answering. "I suppose it was."
"He said--" Goku was obviously still trying to sound skeptical--"that I was just like one of his friends."
"You are." Sanzo frowned at Goku thoughtfully, thinking of Hasukawa's loyal and affectionate nature. If Goku had never suffered, had never been stripped of his freedom or memories, he might have turned out just like his double at Greenwood. "He was a stupid monkey, too."
Goku gazed earnestly into Sanzo's eyes. "Do you think…we'll ever get a chance to go there? All four of us?"
We don't fucking belong in paradise. But Sanzo couldn't bring himself to say it, because he almost wanted to visit there again; if only to introduce that entirely too willowy version of himself to a weight room. "Who knows?"
"Oh." Goku seemed downcast.
Sanzo reached out and laid his hand on top of Goku's head. "Hey," he said. "There no point in thinking about going to paradise, is there?"
Hakkai donned one of his gentlest smiles. "That's right, Goku. Aren't we going somewhere else?"
"Yeah," Gojyo chimed in, leaning a casual elbow on Hakkai's shoulder. "In pretty much the opposite direction of paradise."
Goku glanced at Hakkai and Gojyo, then suddenly grinned at Sanzo. "Yeah." A ferocious, yet mischievous light burned in his brown eyes. "Hell, yeah! We're going to the west!"
- Current Mood:
anxious
::sighs:: Well, it's official. I'm broke.
Why?
Because in a mad rush of passion for Suzuki Hiroki, I bought the 'Fuma no Kojiro' musical DVD and both 'Here is Greenwood' DVDs.
My bank account went "meep?" and died.
Do I care? Not yet. I might be living in a box under a bridge this winter, but I'll have those DVDs!!
My biggest worry is that I won't be able to afford the 'Saiyuki' musical DVD when it comes out. Hopefully, I'll have a few months to recover....
Why?
Because in a mad rush of passion for Suzuki Hiroki, I bought the 'Fuma no Kojiro' musical DVD and both 'Here is Greenwood' DVDs.
My bank account went "meep?" and died.
Do I care? Not yet. I might be living in a box under a bridge this winter, but I'll have those DVDs!!
My biggest worry is that I won't be able to afford the 'Saiyuki' musical DVD when it comes out. Hopefully, I'll have a few months to recover....
Figured I'd just slip in a quick recommendation for one of my all-time, best beloved stories.
Koko wa Greenwood was written/illustrated by the genius mangaka, Nasu Yukie. And, now, it has its own live-action series! If you're looking around for something a little different, you might want to give this a try.
Unsubbed episodes are appearing on places like veoh, and if you're familiar with the manga and anime, you can understand a large part of what's happening. If you're not familiar with the series, DoReMii fansubs has it listed as an upcoming project, so the wait shouldn't be too long. ^_^
Most of the old fansites from back in the day are gone, but here are a couple of old favorites if you're a little curious.
http://imogirl.50megs.com/
Good background information for fanfic writers, and some awesomely witty commentaries.
http://www.jeddy.org/mist/
Also lots of fun, though I'm not sure all the links still work.
Just thinking about the old days makes me feel nostalgic--when I'd run home from work, fire up the computer, and forget about everything else while searching for new translations, fic, fanart, and fangirl squee on the mailing lists.
::sigh:: Such happy times....
But don't think you have to be an old fan to get into the fandom. The live action series is beautiful, and can be enjoyed on its own merits. The director seem to love filming our boys on their daily walks to class, against parklike background of green trees and silver fountains. (And the boys are worth checking out! There's something for just about everyone. Do you like them intellectual and cool, with an aura of danger? How about the devious playboy/conartist? The gender-bending type with hair down to his butt? Or the athletic little firecracker with the unstoppable right hook?)
Sound like fun? Consider joining this comm, okay? ^_^
http://community.livejournal.com/greenwoodfans/
Oh, wow. Some horrible witch just flamed me for my Sahari's Shrine post! Told me to "seek help"! Suggested that the Yaoi Shrine "ruined" little girls' lives.
My gosh, people are really sick, aren't they? They'll attack *anyone* for the sake of "morality." But I can't help but see it as a cheap excuse to be vicious.
I wonder if this is the crazy lady who was involved in persecuting Sahari into taking down her shrine?
Wow. I wonder if this crazy flamer person will try to get me banned from LJ? He/She seems just nutty enough to be that vindictive.
I've now turned off the feature that allows anonymous posts, but I'm leaving the crazy comment there for others to read and comment upon. I will, of course, delete more comments that attack me. This is MY journal, dammit! And I refuse to allow myself to be attacked on it! I get enough crap in real life, I don't need fascist morality jammed down my throat here.
And I still say "THANK YOU, SAHARI!" And I'll add: "GOD BLESS YOU, SAHARI!"
All this makes me want to post more and more about how yaoi came to my rescue!
I'm a huge Saiyuki fan, but I hadn't seen everything available. So last weekend I watched Gunlock on YouTube. (Mild spoilers to follow) I can't say it was my favorite. Hazel wasn't appealing to me, and he seemed too weak to be *that* much of a challenge.
There were some good moments with our boys, however. I loved Goku's angst over the killing he had to do. And I loved the moment when he asked Sanzo what he'd do if Goku ever lost his sense of self.... Very cool.
Last night I watched the first and second Burial ova's. OMG!!!! I thought I was in love with Koumyou before this, but now I'm a slobbering outta-control lust monkey! Oh, my nearly forty, ponytail-wearing, sanzo babe!!! I loooooove you!!!
I didn't see the third OVA on YouTube, but it was getting late. I'll check around tonight to see if I can locate it, or find out when it's available.
There were some good moments with our boys, however. I loved Goku's angst over the killing he had to do. And I loved the moment when he asked Sanzo what he'd do if Goku ever lost his sense of self.... Very cool.
Last night I watched the first and second Burial ova's. OMG!!!! I thought I was in love with Koumyou before this, but now I'm a slobbering outta-control lust monkey! Oh, my nearly forty, ponytail-wearing, sanzo babe!!! I loooooove you!!!
I didn't see the third OVA on YouTube, but it was getting late. I'll check around tonight to see if I can locate it, or find out when it's available.
Title: Return of the Go Master
Rating: probably PG for imagined nudity and boy-boy kissage
Warning: maybe not work safe. Why chance it?
Disclaimer: I don't own this series, and I intend no copyright infringement
PART III
Hikaru was still smiling when he opened his eyes to another lucid dream. He was back in his old room at his parents' house, lying on his old bed. The goban sat in its usual spot in the center of the floor, and Sai was waiting beside it.
"Oh, wow." Filled with nostalgia, Hikaru sat up and looked around at his childhood books and toys. "I know I'm dreaming, because this place is now a sewing room."
Sai's eyes widened. "Eh? Then where do you sleep?"
Chuckling, Hikaru got up, crossed to the goban, and took his place. "I have my own apartment these days." He studied the layout of the stones, and immediately recognized it as the last time he had played Sai. A lump began to form in Hikaru's throat. "Oh…this game."
Sai lowered his gaze. "I want to finish it."
"I want to finish it, too." Hikaru's voice shook a little, and he had to swallow before he trusted himself to speak again. "It's still your move."
"Yes…." Sai tentatively reached for the cask of stones, brushed it with his fingertips, then picked it up. "How…useful…."
"You can touch things?" Hikaru gripped the edge of the goban in surprise. "And move them?"
Sai spoke quietly: "Only in your dreams."
"Oh." Hikaru settled back on his knees and took a steadying breath. "It's just that…before…when I found you asleep, and I--" He stopped himself just in time. Crap. He didn't want to remind Sai of the kiss. "--I could touch things. Like now." He ran his fingers along the polished top of the goban, then stirred the stones in the cask. Every sense was as clear as when he was awake. "I can feel things."
Sai turned his face away. "Hikaru. It's not real."
"Yes, it is!" In a combination of elation and exasperation, Hikaru reached over the board and clutched Sai's hand in both of his. "I can feel you! I can touch you! Your hand is warm!"
"I'm dead. You need to remember that. Sometimes, I have to remind myself of that, too." Sai paused and seemed to search for words. "It's…just your imagination."
"The hell it is!" Sai's hand was more than warm; it was also rough. Curiously, Hikaru traced the contours of Sai's palm. "Why so calloused?"
"Sword training. I used to practice several hours a day."
"You see!" Hikaru said triumphantly. "I didn't know that. So I couldn't have imagined it!" He pressed Sai's hand against his cheek. "I'm so happy you're back. I've missed you so much!"
"Don't, Hikaru." Sai kept his face turned away; his voice was very soft and filled with distress. "Please…."
Flinching inwardly, Hikaru released Sai's hand. He wondered why the hell he was so touchy-feely all of a sudden. Sai was bound to think he was gay or something. Oh, wait. He was gay. And he had just confessed to Touya. "Does it bother you?" Hikaru asked slowly. "That I'm in love with a guy?"
Sai spoke after a long pause. "No."
"You sure about that? You seem…bothered…by the 'guy-guy' thing."
Sai finally looked at Hikaru and smiled weakly. "Why should something like that trouble me? During my life, I had many lovers--both men and women."
"Oh." Hikaru tried to find more to say. "Wow."
"'Wow'?" Sai echoed, then his smile turned warm and real. "No, Hikaru, I am not 'bothered' by your love for Touya-kun. I'm only sad that I've missed so much of your life. And now, you're a grown man, and I feel…just a little shy with you."
Hikaru steeled himself and took a deep breath. "Was it 'cause I kissed you?"
Sai's cheeks turned a marvelous shade of fuchsia, but he raised his brows and spoke in a haughty tone. "Kissed me? Hikaru, what are you talking about? I don't recall any such thing ever happening." He selected a stone from his cask and placed it on the board with a decisive click. "You must have been dreaming."
Hikaru drew a breath to argue, then realized that the move had killed his middle and was threatening his lower left. "Oh, crap!"
Sai's gaze turned fierce. "And, now, it is your move."
Since Sai seemed unwilling to discuss touching, kissing, and loving, Hikaru readily focused his thoughts on the board.
***
Sai won, of course. It was a game Hikaru had reluctantly begun five years ago, so it was as if he played with a heavy handicap. "I want another game. I'll show you how strong I am, now."
Sai peered at him over his opened fan, and a predatory light burned in his eyes. "Yes, Hikaru. Don't hold back."
***
On their second game, Sai annihilated him.
It was as if Sai had spent the last five years playing and growing in strength as well. Hikaru had played skillfully, and he was not ashamed of his game, but it had been a long time since he had been defeated by eighteen moku.
"Ohhh, Hikaru," Sai said in wonder, "you're a very strong player now!"
"Yeah. Right. Let's play again."
***
On their third game, Sai pulverized him.
"Hikaru," Sai said tentatively, "would you like to put down four or five stones?"
"No. I would not. Please hurry up and choose for color."
***
On their fourth game, Sai decimated him.
Hikaru groaned and slapped his hand over his forehead. "I can't believe this! I'm a five-dan, and you're walking all over me!"
"Maybe you're too tired to play now," Sai suggested. "Or your tummy hurts from the operation?"
"No. I'm fine. Let's play again." But Sai's words had sparked his curiosity, and he pulled up his shirt to look at his stomach. It was bandaged, just as it would be in real life. He touched the gauze gently and was rewarded with a twinge of not-quite-pain. "Hm. That's weird. It only hurts a little."
"That's because this is a dream, Hikaru."
"Yeah, but if this is a dream, I shouldn't feel anything."
Sai pressed his folded fan to his chin and spoke thoughtfully: "But you're still alive, right? I, myself, have no physical sensations at all—but then, I am dead."
"No, you're not!" Hikaru, surprised by his own vehemence, paused and cleared his throat. "I mean, you're still alive in some ways. You still think, you still have your memories and emotions, you still have your Go."
"Thank you," Sai said unsteadily. "Thank you, Hikaru…."
"And, just wait 'til I'm out of the hospital. I have my own computer at my place, so you can play all the Internet Go you want."
"Ehhh?" Sai brightened. "Really?"
"Really." Hikaru grinned. Sai was so adorable when he was happy. "I'll get Touya to help, and he's pretty smart, so we won't have the same problems we did last time."
Sai nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! I'm sure Touya-kun will be a clever ally!" A new thought seemed to occur to him, and his expression clouded with worry. "Was it really a good idea to tell Touya-kun about me?"
"Sure. He didn't seem to have any problem believing me, and that's what freaked me out the most." Hikaru rubbed the back of his head and chuckled, wanting Sai to smile again. "And if he starts thinking it over and has doubts, all we need to do is have him play you. There's no way he can mistake my Go for yours--you're so much stronger than me. So don't worry about anything." He gave Sai a thumbs-up sign. "Okay?"
Beaming, Sai returned the gesture. "O-kaaaay!"
***
Akira dashed into the hospital lobby. He was breathless and stressed from a day in which nothing had gone quite according to plan. The Institute's administrators had been surly and uncooperative regarding his wish to assist Hikaru with rescheduling his matches. Then his game with Kurata had taken three times longer to play than expected, only to end in defeat. Then the post-game discussion dragged on for more than two hours. Then Weekly Go wanted an interview. And during all that time, Akira fretted about getting back to the hospital before visiting hours ended.
He loves me. Loves me!! Need to tell him how I feel.
Akira knew exactly what he wanted to say. It was a speech he'd recited in his heart every night, as he hopelessly dreamed of Hikaru accepting his love.
But the dream had come true, and now he would finally speak aloud the words that compared their quest for the Hand of God to their future life of love.
Akira darted onto an elevator and slammed his palm on the button for the second floor. The doors to the elevator glided closed, and it began a smooth ascent. "As we search together," he muttered, "for the ultimate goal--"
The elevator stopped. Akira launched himself through the doors before they were completely opened. As we search together…
Akira strode down the hallway and burst into Hikaru's hospital room.
Flowers and balloons covered nearly every available surface. Hikaru was sitting up in bed, studying a layout on his magnetic go board. He glanced up and grinned as Akira charged over the threshold. "Hey, Akira! Glad you made it! Everyone else took off about half an hour ago, so it's just you 'n' me."
It was the very first time Hikaru had called him by his given name, instead of 'Touya.'
Shocked, Akira felt his tongue paste itself to the roof of his mouth. But Hikaru was clearly so pleased to see him that he forced himself to reply: "Hello…Hikaru." He felt his face turn warm, from the familiarity of using a given name. "Sorry I'm late."
Hikaru flapped his hand. "No sweat, no sweat. We've got plenty of time to talk. Waya told me that your game with Kurata ran long. Half a moku, huh? That sucks."
"It was disappointing, yes." Feeling that it was awkward to continue standing, Akira settled himself into the nearest bedside chair, deposited his briefcase beside the chair, and loosened his tie just a little. "But I'll do better next time."
"You look tired. Wish I could offer you a drink."
"I'll be fine, now that I'm here with you." Akira hadn't really meant to say all that out loud. Even if it was exactly true, it sounded cheesy. He quickly added: "How are you feeling?"
"Great!" Hikaru actually looked 'great', too. "I want to go home. Usually, I guess, appendectomy patients get to check out after an overnight stay. But my doctor says they may need to keep me a little longer to run some tests. He's worried 'cause they almost lost me on the table. But maybe--just maybe--they'll set me free tomorrow afternoon."
Akira recalled how Hikaru had appeared that morning. Only his goofy grin and shock of bleached hair had identified him; his face had been an unhealthy shade of pale, and his features had been stamped with exhaustion and the after-effects of pain. "I'm glad the hospital's being careful," Akira said. "I don't want to lose you."
"Yeah, well, it still ticks me off that--" Hikaru stopped abruptly. His cheeks turned pink, and his eyes began to shine. "Eh? What did you say?"
"I said: 'I don't want to lose you.'"
"I heard what you said."
"But you--" Akira's gaze fell upon the layout of stones on Hikaru's magnetic go board, and he forgot what he'd planned to say. The playing style was unmistakable. "That game…."
"Yeah," Hikaru said glumly. "I don't need to tell you who's winning, do I? Sai's beating the socks off me."
Akira visually devoured the board. Hikaru seemed to be putting up a valiant fight, but Sai was clearly the stronger player. Then, belatedly, he realized the full import of the game. Akira gasped and yanked his attention to Hikaru. "He's here? In this room? Sai?"
"Yeah." Hikaru calmly jerked his thumb toward the empty space on the left side of the bed. "Standing right here."
Good breeding won out over surprise or disbelief. Akira started from his chair and made a deep and courteous bow. "An honor."
"Sai says the honor is all his." Hikaru paused, then gave a snort of laughter. "Okay, okay, I'll ask him. Sheesh!"
Nervously wondering how to politely request a game with Sai, Akira resumed his seat. "Ask me what?"
Grinning broadly, Hikaru started clearing the magnetic board. "Sai is hoping you're not too tired to play a game with him." He darted a mischievous glance at Akira. "He reeeeeally, reeeeeally, reeeeeally wants to play you! He's been asking all day about--" He broke off and laughingly threw an arm over his head, as if fending off blows. "Hey, watch it with the fan, already!"
Excitement bloomed in Akira's mind. "Of course I'm not too tired!" he said eagerly. "I'd consider it a privilege to play Master Sai."
"Cool. Pull your chair closer." Hikaru shifted the board to within Akira's reach. "Sai offers to play white; and, trust me on this, you'd better take him up on it."
Akira swallowed the urge to protest. "Very well."
Hikaru watched the empty air to his left for a few moments, then turned to Akira. "Onegai-shimasu."
His heart seemed to rise into his throat, but Akira echoed: "Onegai-shimasu."
***
After a prolonged and desperate battle, Akira had to bow in defeat. "I've lost."
Hikaru studied the board, his face rapt. "Wow, you guys. That was a seriously awesome game."
Akira felt the perspiration running in rivulets down his sides. He vividly recalled his internet game with Sai, and realized that he was still inadequate to the challenge. "I never had a chance. Master Sai overwhelmed me from the beginning." He pointed at the uppermost part of the board. "I tried connecting here, because it was the only defense I could manage."
"Mmm." Hikaru glanced to the left and nodded. "Yeah." He turned to Akira. "Sai says you've grown a lot stronger, and he enjoyed the game, and he hopes you'll play him again soon."
In spite of his personal apprehension, some part of Akira's soul began to sing in celebration. "I'd be glad to." He forced his voice to remain steady. "I've learned a great deal from this match. Thank you very much."
"He says that he should be the one thanking you." Hikaru grimaced comically. "I'm totally not a challenge for Sai. I always feel like a little french-fry dropped into a pot of boiling oil."
It was such an apt description, that Akira chuckled before he could stop himself. "Master Sai is an incredible player."
"Yeah." Eyes shining, Hikaru smiled at the air to his left. "I'm so happy now! The only thing that would make it perfect would be if you guys could see and talk to each other." He turned to Akira. "You're missing a treat. 'Cause Sai is as beautiful as his go."
Trying to phrase it politely, Akira murmured: "I'd be less than honest if I said I wasn't curious about Master Sai's appearance."
"Well," Hikaru said, "he used to teach go to a Heian emperor, so he's dressed like a courtier. White robes and stuff, with one of those tall hats. And his hair is super long; it goes all the way to the floor."
Remembering his history lessons, Akira tilted his head. "Ah, then Master Sai is still only a young boy, since he hasn't yet had his head shaved?"
"Uh…" Hikaru appeared to listen for a few moments, and a sad expression settled over his face. "Didn't work though, did it?"
"Excuse me?"
"Huh? Oh. Sai says his grandpa wouldn't let him cut his hair. He thought that if Sai still looked like a little kid, then maybe he wouldn't become a target for jealousy at court. You know, politics and stuff." Hikaru's sadness seemed to deepen, and he gestured wearily. "Bad shit happened to Sai. It majorly sucked, but I don't really want to go into details right now."
Though Akira was eaten alive by curiosity, he said: "Perhaps…another day."
"Yeah." Hikaru's face brightened again. "But getting back to Sai--he looks about eighteen, and--" He paused. "Eh? Oh, almost nineteen. And he's got all this long, silky hair. And his face is really, really pretty. His eyelashes are like--whoa!--and his lips are the color of orchids, and his--" He broke off with a yelp of laughter and seemed to try dodging a ghostly fan again. "Hey, I'm only telling the truth! You don't have to--" Hikaru wilted a little. "Oh, crap! He left."
"What?" Akira bolted to his feet. "He left?"
"Not for good," Hikaru said hastily. "I can still feel him inside my consciousness. But he sometimes just sorta 'goes to his room.' Usually when he wants to give me privacy--like when I take a leak or whatever."
Akira sighed with exasperation. "Well, you were embarrassing him! All that talk about his eyes, and how beautiful he is, and--"
Hikaru's eyes sparkled. "Are you jealous?"
"That's not the point! What I'm saying is--"
"You're beautiful, too, you know. And I love you. A lot." A wash of pink spread across Hikaru's cheeks. "I…uh…sorta saved myself for you."
Several things happened to Akira all at once. He felt as if the temperature in the room shot up about thirty degrees. At the same time, he had the sensation that someone was trying to smash a brick through his chest. And over it all, his brain replayed his favorite nighttime fantasy: 'One Thousand and One Things to Do to an Innocent, Virginal, and Willing Shindou Hikaru.' Akira tried to speak, to say one of the lines from the declaration of love he had ready. But the noise that came out sounded a bit like: "Glirk."
"So? Do you love me or not?" Hikaru's blush spread up past his eyebrows, but he was smiling. "Time to 'fess up."
Akira couldn't help but return the smile. And, just as abruptly as it came, the heat and panic vanished. He felt no nervousness or sense of hesitation, only an absolute happiness. "Of course, I love you." Abandoning his well-rehearsed speech, he leaned forward and took Hikaru's hand. "I believe I have always loved you."
"Cool." Hikaru's voice turned husky and warm. "Then I guess you'd better kiss me, huh?"
Akira felt a slight touch of scandalized shock. Not because he didn't want to kiss Hikaru, but because they were in a relatively public place. A nurse, or a visitor from the Institute, could walk in at any moment.
He began searching for the words to explain why it might be better to wait, when Hikaru abruptly tightened his grip on Akira's hand and yanked him halfway onto the bed. Akira didn't even have time to draw a startled breath to protest.
Hikaru's lips found his.
Akira lost himself in the softness and sweetness of Hikaru's mouth. His world changed completely, and all those stupid love songs on the radio finally made sense. Akira slid his free hand into Hikaru's hair. It felt like heavy satin, stubbornly thick, with a tactile shine.
Hikaru moaned, and then slowly drew back from the kiss. "Okay," he said, panting. "I'm getting a little too turned on."
Akira also felt the tightening in his groin. He wanted, more than anything, to be alone with Hikaru, naked, in a big bed, with hours of time for tender passion. But that would have to wait. He cupped Hikaru's cheek and gave him a quick, chaste kiss; then reluctantly released him. "I understand." He slowly straightened. "But I want you. I hope you realize that."
His eyes bright with obvious desire, Hikaru nodded, still breathing hard. "And I want you, too. I want--I want--" He gestured helplessly. "I wanna kiss every square millimeter of your body, and drink sake out of your bellybutton, and--and--"
Akira burst into startled laughter. "You want to do what?"
"I'm serious," Hikaru continued breathlessly. "I'll do anything you want. Anything."
"Really?" Akira felt his body turn hot again. "Are you sure? Because the list is pretty long."
"I don't care! I'm tired of waiting for--"
There was a soft knock on the door, and then a nurse entered. She bowed, looking a bit uneasy. "Excuse me, but visiting hours are over for today."
Startled, Akira glanced at his watch and saw that he had over-stayed twenty minutes past the time limit. The game with Sai must have taken longer than he'd realized. "Thank you," he said to the nurse, and also bowed. "I'm sorry, I'm just leaving."
Hikaru made a noise like a disappointed little kid. "Aww, do you gotta go? You just got here!"
Akira smiled inwardly, knowing that under the exaggerated petulance, Hikaru was truly unhappy to see him leave. "I'll come back tomorrow," he promised, gathering up his briefcase. "I don't have anything on my schedule, so I'll be at your disposal all day."
Hikaru folded his arms and looked cross. "You damn-well better be!"
Akira walked toward the door. "Get some sleep."
"Yes, mother."
Succumbing to the urge for gentle revenge, Akira paused on the threshold and tossed a sultry look over his shoulder. "I'll stop on the way home and buy a bottle of good sake." He placed his hand over his navel and added: "For later…."
Halfway down the hallway, Akira could still hear Hikaru make choking sounds of stifled laughter.
Comments
I'm going to try to write the Shun in Saiyuki universe someday. I'll let you know when I do, okay? ^_^
I liked the story so much. It really fits *__*
Oh man, I wish you've written the part where poor Shun wakes…
Yay for rewatching!! Enjoy!