Author: Mosh
Fandom: Saiyuki
Title: The Thought That Counts
Characters: Sanzo-Ikkou
Rating: PG
Summary: It's Hakkai's birthday, but what will the other boys give him?
Disclaimer: These boys belong to Minekura Kazuya. No money being made, no copyright or trademark infringement intended.
A/N: This was written for Cho Hakkai, on the occasion of his birthday. In which the boys present him with gifts. With thanks and love to Akuni for checking over it for me! 670 words.

Note: You may not archive, re-post, or alter any of my stories without my permission. Please contact me first. Thanks!

“Happy birthday, Hakkai!” exclaimed Goku, holding out a brightly wrapped present with both hands. He beamed as Hakkai opened it, revealing a box of Pocky.

“… thank you, Goku,” said Hakkai, frowning slightly. “But it looks like it’s been tampered with - there’s only half a box here.”

“Er…” Goku looked down at the floor, a little sheepish. He reached up and rubbed the corner of his mouth awkwardly.

Gojyo clapped his hand on Hakkai’s back and chuckled. “Stupid monkey couldn’t even wait to get back from the shop and already ate most of them.”

“Don’t call me stupid!” complained Goku. “Or a monkey!”

Ignoring him, Gojyo handed Hakkai a much more conspicuous-looking package. A brown paper bag, thin and not sealed. Hakkai carefully opened it and peered inside. “What…?”

“Busty Babes 9: Wet T-Shirt Edition.” Gojyo’s voice swelled with pride. “That’s a rare movie, too - I was lucky to pick up a copy. Actually, you’re pretty lucky I’m willing to part with it. My original one’s almost worn out.”

“You got me… smut?” Hakkai asked. Then, realising how ungrateful that sounded, he smiled brightly. “Thank you very much, Gojyo.”

Gojyo grinned, pleased. “Any time, man.”

“Hey, Sanzo, did you get Hakkai anything?” Goku said. All eyes glanced across their rented bungalow sitting room, to where Sanzo was reclining beside the window, newspaper in hand and reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

The monk said nothing, gave up no hints that he had even heard Goku’s question at all.

An awkward, heavy atmosphere descended, and Hakkai cleared his throat. “Ha ha, I really didn’t expect anything. But thank you - both - for these.” He bowed his head in Gojyo and Goku’s direction, then went to the table and set the Pocky and video down, very much warmed by the sweet gesture.

“Well, I’m heading out for a while.” Gojyo stretched briefly, then turned and made his way to the door. “Meeting a hot lady I ran into in town earlier. Don’t wait up,” he called on his way out.

“Eh, I’m going for a bath,” Goku piped up after a moment in a bored tone, dragging himself through to the small shared bathroom.

“Please don’t fall asleep and nearly drown again,” Hakkai called after him.

Once the bathroom door had closed, Hakkai went to the adjoining kitchenette and filled the kettle, setting it on the stove. He had bought himself some high-quality green tea in town earlier, as a little treat to himself. He pulled the box down from the cupboard above the stove and took out a bag of leaves. Then he began to prepare the pot, whistling to himself contentedly.

He didn’t hear Sanzo enter the kitchenette, not until the monk cleared his throat softly. Hakkai turned to see Sanzo leaning against the door frame. He still wore his glasses - Hakkai always thought they made him look rather studious.

“Everything all right, Sanzo?” he asked, after a long bout of silence.

Sanzo opened his mouth, closed it again. Then, he reached into his robe pocket and drew out a small, square object. He tossed it across the narrow room; Hakkai caught it one-handed.

It was a tobacco tin, the lid scratched and the label faded. He could only just make out the words ‘Golden Virginia’ in flaked white print. It was a brand Sanzo sometimes smoked, whenever his supply of Marlboros ran out. “What’s this?”

“Open it,” Sanzo said, staring at him.

Hakkai removed the lid and tilted his head to one side in confusion. Inside were a number of small brown lumps - they looked to Hakkai like dirty conkers.

“… erm…”

“They’re onion bulbs,” Sanzo explained, turning away. “For that vegetable garden you want some day.”

Hakkai stared after the monk as Sanzo retreated to the sitting room and took up his place beside the window again.

He let his gaze drop to the tin and the small bulbs within it. Closing his eyes, he smiled and whispered, “Thank you very much, Sanzo.”

~Fin~

Post note: The onion bulb concept comes from "Saiyuubito, 'Saiyuki' Series Perfect Guide", during a Question and Answers thing with the Ikkou, in which Hakkai mentions how he’d like to retire and have a vegetable garden (and watch the other three working on it with him, fwee!).