A loud groan awoke the prince from his blissful slumber. He opened his eyes, fully intending to curse whomever or whatever dared wake him at this ungodly hour, only to find that the sound had come from his lover's throat. Sanzo had rolled off of the bed the two now shared and landed with a not so muffled thump on the floor. Kougaiji couldn't help but laugh at the sight. This, of course, earned him a swift whap to the back of the head, causing him to laugh even harder.

"Hey, what was that for?" He fakes pouting as the blond grumbled and crawled back into the bed. He jerked the covers up over his body and closed his eyes.

"For laughing at me."

"Aw, but it was funny." Kougaiji drawled, having picked up some of the accent from Sanzo's half-breed companion, Sha Gojyo. Exactly one year ago today, the demon prince had suffered a terrible fate. He was raped, beaten and left for dead by pack of his own kind. Sanzo, who at the time was his secret lover and public enemy, had rescued him. In having their healer, Hakkai, heal him, Sanzo had to come clean about the private relationship he held with the fire youkai. It was difficult to adjust to at first, for the priest's three demon companions, but eventually they learned to accept him. Kougaiji soon began to travel with them, visiting his old friends as often as he could.

They, of course, continued after the scriptures, so whenever the time arose for the two to fight, Kougaiji treated each fight as he would have if they were fighting on home ground. Things were not always so…bright for the newly found couple. They argued quite a bit, much like Sanzo did with Gojyo. And on quite a few occasions, Kougaiji had left the Sanzo party to return home to his friends. Both were too damn stubborn to swallow their pride and apologize, so at times it was week before they would make up. This time, however, proved to be different. It was the anniversary of their one year of being together. The demon prince was determined to make this day one of the best Sanzo has ever had.

"Come on, get up sleepy head." Kougaiji prompted as he nudged the priest in the shoulder. He wanted Sanzo to be awake so he could spend time with him today. He had a special treat planned for him, and seeing as it was almost nightfall already—the priest took a nap—he needed to get Sanzo up and at 'em.

Sanzo just rolled over. "Nnn…" Was his only response. Kougaiji rolled his eyes before finally pouncing on his lover. Sanzo gave a startled yelp as droopy, violet eyes snapped open in surprise. He chuckled once he noticed Kougaiji's playful gaze.

"What has gotten into you today, Kou?" He asked as he pushed him off and back onto the bed so he could sit up. He grabbed for a cigarette and lit one before turning his full attention to the youkai tugging on his hand to get out of bed. "Someone put something in your coffee or what?" He chuckled but threw back the covers and got up anyway.

Kougaiji pouted before he shook his head. "No. It's our one year anniversary, and I want to take you out somewhere special. But if we don't get going, it's gonna be too dark to see it."

Sanzo furrowed his brow before nodding and getting dressed as quickly as he could manage. The monk never moved very fast in the morning unless it was a life or death situation. And in his mind, if he wasn't getting shot at, he could take his time. Once he was finished, he felt his demon lover pulling him out of the hotel room and outside. Curiosity sparked him as he followed obediently.

Finally, after about an hour of walking, the demon prince came to a stop in a small clearing before a group of blackened, dying trees. He looked to his violet eyed lover before he smiled and pushed some of the shrubbery back to reveal the small natural hot spring, moonlight from above creating a sort of spotlight for just the two of them.

"Happy anniversary, Sanzo."