"What youkai?" Realization dawned. "What the fuck! That's absolutely crazy!" He tried to leap up to his feet, only to land flat on his face.

"You're not going anywhere. Not in at least thirty minutes, and everything should be done by then." Zenon seemed annoyingly calm, as did the rest of the Western Army around them, as if they were standing witness to a funeral of sorts. The soldier pulled Kenren back up. "Now sit still unless you want Goujun and the others to see you crawling to get back on your ass."

Kenren scowled.

"That's a good general."

Chapter 11: Savage Indignation

The snowman's head blew up, leaving the decapitated body slouching against the fence. A second shot caused the midsection and legs to follow the same fate. Quick and efficient, not a drop of energy wasted.

"Whewwww." Gojyo whistled as he clapped Tenpou on the shoulder. "For a second try, that's pretty damn good. You a sharpshooter?"

"It's a pastime." replied Tenpou, watching as Goku scrambled to erect another snowman for him to obliterate. He looked at his hands, the glowing green seeping quietly back into his skin. "Thank you, Gojyo."

For the past hour, the two of them had been teaching Tenpou how to use Hakkai's powers, toppling many a poor snowblob.

"Now close your eyes." instructed the half-breed, taking off his own bandanna and tying it around Tenpou's head. "The monkey's gonna make a whole lot now. I'm not going to tell you how many." At this point, Gojyo lifted six fingers for Goku to see. The boy gave an enthusiastic nod, then went back to work. "When he's finished, I'm gonna take off the blindfold and as fast as you can, blow any snowman you see to hell, okay?"

Tenpou nodded. The sound of packing snow caused him to tilt his head. Yes...a little to the left...perhaps a bit behind...

"No cheating!" Gojyo shouted before clapping his hands over the other's ears.

"Is this really necessary?"

"Yeah. So don't complain." Not that Tenpou could actually hear him by now. So he stood there, shifting uncomfortably. No sight. No hearing. Totally, utterly...vulnerable. He hated it. Nervously, he bit his lip, oblivious to the fact that Gojyo was intently watching him.

The redhead's eyes shifted to Goku. "Oi...saru. Take your time...you know...while your at it...make one over there."

"Here?" Goku inquired, pointing to a spot.

Gojyo shook his head. "Nah. Waaaaaaaaaay over there. And make it...like...eight feet high so it'll be more intimidating."

"Why don't you help some? That'll take forever!" the boy whined.

I know. Hungrily licking his lips, he turned back to Tenpou; called out to his "younger" teammate. "Can't. I'm busy." And so Goku stomped away, heaving armfuls of snow. Now, Gojyo thought, to business.

"Tenpou."

No answer.

"Tenpouuuuu."

Nothing.

"Your hair's on fire."

Nothing.

Well, can't say I never told him. Who cares if he didn't hear? It was just as useful as talking to a wall. "I know you ain't Hakkai. And that's fine. As long as he gets back all right, you know?"

Nothing.

"You should just know that...you know...I've got nothin against ya, okay?"

Nothing.

"But you should also really know that I'm a horny bastard who doesn't give a damn sometimes."

Nothing.

"Anyway, that's just a disclaimer." Gojyo leaned in closer until their lips just barely, barely grazed each other. Tenpou's breath hitched, his mouth opening in a slight gasp. "Cause I'm gonna kiss ya now." And he did, taking advantage of the other's surprise to slip his tongue in.

"Mh." Hands instantly went up to clutch at Gojyo's vest as Tenpou pulled him in to deepen the kiss until it was almost vicious. Haven't had this...in a very...long time. He lost himself in it, the darkness of the blindfold serving only to further the illusion that this was...

Gojyo pulled away, gasping for air and pressed his forehead against Tenpou's. His hands slid down to the other's waist and squeezed gently. "But I'm not..."

"Doesn't matter." Tenpou said before taking his lips again. Quickly this time. "I'm a horny bastard too. Who just doesn't give a damn sometimes. Besides..." He added between kisses. "I have no doubt...that he's...doing the exact same...thing...to Hakkai. This is only fair."

The half-breed could only laugh, breaking the kiss to tilt Tenpou's chin up, exposing the nice soft flesh of his neck; the cold air and wet butterfly kisses sending shivers up the smaller man's spine. "Baka. You're jealous of yourself." he said, exploring a bit farther up, then finding that spot behind the ear that made the other bite down a moan before losing all aggression and melting into him.

Like that, hm?

"Gods...you must be..." Tenpou almost choked on his own words. "...good at it."