Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction / Saiyuki Fan Fiction / Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ En Masse ❯ Chapter 2

***Everybody rejoice; I've actually figured out a plot for this story! Yay! So hang tight, this is another introductory-type chapter, but we're getting somewhere now. I've even managed to get away from Gojyo and Yohji for some of this one!***

 

 

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Snapping out of her shock, Manx coughed slightly and attempted to formulate her thoughts.

 

 

“Ah…yes well, Weiss, this is the Ikkou. They will be here for an undetermined amount of time, so get used to having them about.” Checking her watch, the secretary's eyes widened. “Now, I'm going to have to leave you boys to it. I will call if I need to contact either team.”

 

 

She cast a final glance around the room and left, curious to witness how the men would interact but having other business to attend to. The last thing that Manx heard on her way out was Yohji starting to speak, but the words were coming from too far away to be understood by her.

 

 

“So, Ikkou guys, I've obviously met Gojyo here, as Ken so politely pointed out, but who the Hell are the rest of you?”

 

 

“Hang on a sec, Yohji, I just wanna know; that hot Manx chick isn't hiding any surprises under that little red skirt, is she?” Gojyo only wanted to know for innocent purposes, naturally. The look of confusion on Yohji's face caused him to clarify what he'd…somehow managed to discover.

 

 

“Ha ha, y'see, our hottie `female' contact kinda has a bit too much equipment, if you get what I mean. I'm just curious whether it's a Kritiker policy to hire hermaphrodites or something!”

 

 

The explanation brought forth a new round of laughter from Yohji and Ken, both now imagining Manx as a man. Shaking his head, still giggling, Yohji tried to talk clearly. “I can't say totally because damn, that woman is frigid, but she's probably all chick. At least, I hope she is; I've been trying to get her out of those clothes for ages now.”

 

 

Sanzo, standing in the corner of the room, snorted in disgust. `I can see that this fool is a clone of that idiot half-breed. Can't go five fucking seconds without hitting on a pair of tits…'

 

 

Used to hearing Sanzo's insults, Gojyo didn't react to the noise from the corner. Yohji, however, immediately turned his head to the side to look at Aya; surprise flashed through his eyes when he realised that it wasn't his teammate who'd made the sound. He recovered quickly though, remembering that there actually were others in the kitchen.

 

 

“Alright, I guess we should stop holding our own little chat and introduce everyone. I'm Kudoh Yohji, as you've probably guessed, otherwise known as the sex bomb, the sexiest thing since sex, or Balinese. That's my codename.” He swept his arm around the room, introducing the other Weiss members as he went. “That shining example of manners is Hidaka Ken, Siberian to some. The chibi is Tsukiyono Omi, codenamed Bombay and also our illustrious leader-kid. Mr Detached over there is Fujimiya Aya, and the lucky bastard gets the best code ever, Abyssinian. And together, we're Weiss!” Yohji punctuated the final words with a short burst of jazz hands, sending Omi into muffled giggles.

 

 

Gojyo immediately centred on Aya, remembering how Yohji had said the night before that he was a complete pain with gorgeous eyes. He could definitely agree with the blonde that this guy would be amazingly gorgeous if he smiled; but as it was, Gojyo would hit that without a second thought, even if Aya did look like he could kill someone with a glare. `Yep, he's definitely just like Sanzo, from what I see and what I've heard. The two are probably gonna get along like a goddamned house on fire!'

 

 

“So you lot have codenames? We don't have anything like that; our regular names are all we ever go by. Guess Chinese Kritiker does shit a little differently. Anyway, I'm Sha Gojyo the, ah, what was it you said? `Naked and very willing redhead'? Yep, sounds about right. This guy here's my best friend Cho Hakkai, and the monkey's Son Goku. His mind is pretty much stuck to thinking about food, so ignore him.”

 

 

Goku let out an indignant yell at his introduction. “Oi, you stupid cockroach kappa, I can too get my mind off food!” Leaning forward as if to leap at Gojyo, he was halted by a familiar silver glint.

 

 

“Stop. Now. Before I excavate your flesh.” Sanzo stood in his corner, brandishing a gun directly at Goku. A slight squeak escaped Omi at the sight of a weapon being used so casually, and Yohji stiffened, hand poised at his wrist to act if he had to. He relaxed his posture only when the gun disappeared back into the standing man's sleeve, questioning Gojyo with a raised eyebrow.

 

 

“Ah, heh heh, you should probably get used to him doing shit like that. Genjyo Sanzo, the Boss-Man I told you about. He's an asshole but he's a crack shot; Cherry-chan over there could put a bullet through a forehead with his eyes closed. And he's trigger happy. Watch out for his fan, too.”

 

 

Three of Weiss still looked slightly worried about the display they'd just witnessed. Aya was staring at Sanzo with grudging respect, appraising the man standing before him. `Hmmm…maybe not everyone in this team is an idiot; their leader certainly seems like a formidable man.'

 

 

Hakkai, in his infinite politeness, noticed the tension in the room and spoke to reassure the newly-introduced men. “I wouldn't worry about Sanzo, Weiss; Gojyo tends to act as if he has some sort of deathwish. You'll be fine, I promise.”

 

 

Standing from the table, Omi walked over to Hakkai and took up a quiet conversation which Yohji held little to no interest in. Ken was bouncing a small hackey-sack, and Goku seemed to be watching him with interest, eyes following the rhythmic rise and fall of the small beanbag. Yohji also stood from the table, stretching out his arms and groaning loudly.

 

 

“Well, it's been fun and all, but I need some decent coffee. I'll be back later, I guess. Anyone wanna come?” Although the question was open enough, Yohji really only wanted one person to answer. He had some questions to ask, and he figured he'd be best off getting the answers from Gojyo. That Hakkai guy seemed…off, there was something completely unsettling about his expressions, Goku wouldn't have been much help, and the dude in the dress was, quite frankly, pants-shittingly terrifying with that gun.

 

 

Taking the not-so-subtle hint, Gojyo took a step towards his newest friend. “I'm game, hotel coffee is fucking terrible. See you guys later and try not to kill anyone, alright, monkey and baldy?”

 

 

Heading up the stairs, the pair ignored the various snarls, objections and affronts that were sent their way, happy to have some more time away from their respective teams.

 

 

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“Thanks, gorgeous.” Yohji smiled at the waitress who brought over their drinks, causing her to blush brightly. Things only got worse for the poor girl when Gojyo did the same, and both men feared for her health from the sensory overload of their combined presence. Nearly falling flat on her face in a dead faint, the girl scurried off and Yohji burst out laughing.

 

 

“I usually have to wear tighter clothes than these to get a reaction like that! Damn, but are we a good team or what? Actually, speaking of team, I have a couple'a questions I wanna ask about you guys, if you're cool with that.” Yohji noticed that Gojyo didn't look at all surprised by the news, as if he was expecting that the coffee run was really a chance to drill for more information. Which it was.

 

 

“Yeah, go right ahead! I might come up with one or two questions of my own, so shoot.” Leaning back in his chair, Gojyo linked his hands behind his head and wondered exactly what he was going to be asked. `I don't know if he's picked up on the whole Youkai thing…I've heard that Japan doesn't really have any…'

 

 

A smile spread over the Japanese man's face as he tilted his head to the side and phrased his first question. “Okay, one thing that's been bothering me: Your pissy blonde guy, what's with the dress? It's not really the most…fear-inspiring outfit.”

 

 

Fighting a severe round of mirth, Gojyo imagined what would have happened if Yohji had asked that question when Sanzo was in hearing range. The logical conclusion seemed to be the tall man being reduced to a limbless, bullet-ridden torso. He was also thinking that he was beginning to understand why he'd been dragged away from the others by the blonde. “Well, you'd be dead by now if he heard you call his robes a dress, so that makes the truth pretty hilarious: Sanzo's a Buddhist priest. One of the highest priests, actually!”

 

 

Yohji blinked twice in silence. “You're fucking with me. He's really just a tranny, right? I mean, he pulled a goddamn gun on the kid! I thought that Buddhists were supposed to be all about the peace and the love?” There was no way in Hell that the frocked-up psycho, who seemed to be Aya's personality twin, could be a Buddhist, let alone a priest.

 

 

“Sorry, Yohj- is it cool if I call you Yohj? I'm gonna do it anyway- he really is a priest. He may or may not also be a cross-dresser, but he's one hundred percent genuine priest. Did you see that kick-ass paper thingy on his shoulders? I've seen it tear apart four targets at once, it's damned hardcore and something that only Sanzos can use. Besides, we're all used to him pulling his gun on us; he's never managed to hit me or the monkey, so I reckon he's just overcompensating for `other stuff'. He drinks, smokes and kills, but he's one of the highest Buddhists you'll ever meet.”

 

 

Green eyes still showing disbelief, Yohji slouched back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He let out a snicker or two and decided not to press that particular line anymore. “Okay, I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt there, because I can never resist a pretty face. So next question…did the kid really call you a kappa? You must have one Hell of a reputation to get a nickname like that.”

 

 

Gojyo weighed up his options to answer that question, wondering if his new friend was going to run a mile or not. `I can tell him the truth…or I can lie and say it really is just a nickname…Ah, fuck it, no use hiding it for too long.'

 

 

“Ha ha, well about that…I kinda really am a kappa. Well, half-kappa. The old man slept with a human and nine months later I appeared, complete with these damned eyes and hair.” He made sure to keep his tone level, trying not to seem anxious about how Yohji would react. His posture, though relaxed on the surface, was made up of tense muscles and a pounding heart. `Why the fuck does this one guy's opinion matter to me so much?'

 

 

The look of disbelief was back on the younger man's face, and Gojyo watched fingers go directly to a pocket; he could've done with a cigarette at that moment as well. Patting down his jacket, he realised with dismay that he'd left his pack at the hotel. He decided that his body would have to settle for just caffeine, and took a sip from his drink, eyes flicking off to the side as Yohji's lack of response continued to unnerve him.

 

 

Yohji drew off his cigarette, hiding his thoughts behind a mask of scepticism as his mind raced, going through the stories he'd heard about China and its…mixed population. `Kappa…water demon…Youkai…I knew that there was some of these guys in China and India, but I don't think I've ever actually met a goddamned demon…he's not lying to me either…but why does he look so human…aren't Youkai supposed to have pointy ears, big claws, shit like that?'

 

 

It was that last thought he put into words, his curiosity overruling any anxiety he had about being with…having slept with something that wasn't human. “Uh, so, correct me if I'm wrong, but…why don't you have evil claws, pointy teeth, crazy ears, y'know, that kinda stuff?”

 

 

Gojyo was so struck by the slight innocence that Yohji's face seemed to radiate when he was truly confused that the words didn't immediately sink in. When they did, he voiced the first thing that came to mind, rather than answering the question. “So…you believe me? I mean…really?” His voice wavered slightly, much to Gojyo's dismay. He wasn't looking so cool and collected to his human friend anymore.

 

 

“Well, yeah, I do. I know when people are lying to me; it's a skill I picked up when I was a detective.” Now it was Gojyo's turn to look incredulous, trying to imagine the blonde as a film noir-style private investigator and eventually finding that the pieces did actually fit. “Yeah, before I was in Weiss, I was a detective. Well, not just any old detective, I really was the best detective. We made a great team, me and…Um…yeah.” He didn't want to mention Asuka. It caused too much pain and sorrow, grief and regret…

 

 

He was grateful when Gojyo immediately turned the conversation back to his heritage, knowing that the man witnessed his slip and wondering what, exactly, he made of it.

 

 

“Anyway, yeah, Youkai usually do have those things, as well as these massive birthmarks that can go all over their body, even on their…” He stopped and cleared his throat, not sure if Hakkai would be okay with a man who was essentially a stranger knowing the finer points about his unrestrained body. “I don't have `em because I'm a half-breed, like I said before. Back in China, it's not really the done thing to have mixed kids. My mother was my dad's human mistress, so I'm guessing that they weren't really planning on popping one out, and she died having me…But, uh, the `Children of Taboo', as they call us, all have this red colour for our hair and eyes. A quirk of nature, I guess, or some sort of tool to allow the rest of the world to know that we're…freaks.” Gojyo hadn't planned on the notes of bitterness and sadness that crept into his voice, and he had to turn his head away from the emerald gaze of the man sitting across from him.

 

 

He also hadn't planned on the leg that pressed against his own, sending heat through his body to pool somewhere in his lower stomach area. Yohji leant forward, resting his arms over the table and losing the devil-may-care look he usually wore. “I…I can't say that I know what that's like…but I'm the bastard child of an American man and a Japanese woman, abandoned by him and looked down upon by her family for not being `pure'. But one thing that years of being different taught me was…that just because something's taboo, it's not necessarily bad…I mean, look at you. If some sort of forbidden union created something this gorgeous, it can't be totally wrong, right?” The smirk was back on Yohji's face, his words an attempt to lighten to mood once again.

 

 

The redhead suddenly wondered when he'd decided to spill his life story to Yohji, a story that Hakkai hadn't heard until they'd lived together for a month. There was something about the man's face when he dropped his mask that was just…inviting. His attention flowed back to the connection at their calves, memories of the previous night slamming through to overtake the sudden sadness in his mind. A soft smile crossed Gojyo's face, both from the other man's casual acceptance of his non-humanity and his words about taboo.

 

 

Yohji saw the change in Gojyo, from discomfort to relief, and decided to keep up with his questioning. “Okay, so I won't keep the Spanish Inquisition going that much longer, but there're just a couple more things I wanna know. I promise that I'll try not to get so heavy again, okay?”

 

 

Gojyo took another sip from his drink, made a face at its tepid liquid, and nodded for Yohji to ask away.

 

 

“Alright, so, the other guys in your team: are they human?”

 

 

“Well, they do a pretty good job of hiding it, but Hakkai's actually a vine demon or something like that. And Goku…well, Goku's definitely not human, but he's a damn sight crazier than any other Youkai I've ever seen.” Before Yohji could ask, Gojyo filled in the blanks. “Did y'see that band thing around the monkey's head? It keeps him in human form; a power limiter. When it comes off, the teeth and claws appear. It's pretty awesome…until he starts tearing the living fuck outta everything around him. Hakkai has little ear cuff things that do the same. They're totally badass, but incredibly dangerous.”

 

 

Sitting back again, Yohji tried to process the information he'd just been given. `The new guys…they aren't human…even that really quiet, polite dude…wow, just…wow. Hang on…'

 

 

“So, uh, what about Priest Transvestite? Does he have a crazy alter-ego too?” Gojyo couldn't help but snicker, both at the new nickname and the Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde insinuations. He almost wanted Yohji to call Sanzo that to his face; he thought that the bitchy priest might just head-splode from anger.

 

 

“Nope, Baldy is…well, I dunno if you'd really call him human, `cause I'm fairly certain that he doesn't have emotions, but his parents, at least, were totally human. Anyway, enough about me and my infinitely attractive band of brothers; what about your team of pretty boys? Isn't that Omi kid like…twelve, and he's your LEADER?” Gojyo could not imagine, no matter how hard he tried, that innocent, blue-eyed child actually killing someone.

 

 

Yohji, on the other hand, was used to people doubting Omi. The chibi was just too damned cute for his own good. “Actually, he's been in Weiss longer than any of us. He was raised by Persia- our boss- and is really seventeen. I know that he doesn't look it, but he does everything that the rest of us do.” Making eye contact to ensure that the significance was being transmitted, Yohji reiterated his last point with a meaningful “Everything.”

 

 

Whistling in disbelief, Gojyo found himself wondering how someone so young and…angelic-looking became an assassin. He was nearly caught off guard by the question sent his way.

 

 

“That Goku kid can't be that much older than Omi, anyway. I thought you'd understand how he can…do what we do?” Gojyo almost laughed at Yohji's lack of knowledge about Goku, but decided that it probably wasn't the best thing he could do. So instead, he answered with the truth.

 

 

“Oh, don't be fooled; the monkey looks like an eighteen-year-old and acts like a small, slightly retarded child, but he hasn't been a teenager for a long time. Like, a several-hundred-years-type long time. Goku's five hundred and eighteen years old.”

 

 

Yohji promptly fell off his chair and onto the polished wood café floor.

 

 

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Meanwhile, in the kitchen behind the Koneko storefront, the other pair of redhead and blonde were having a glower competition. They were both carefully avoiding eye contact, but the terrifying looks directed at the walls of the room seemed to be desperately trying to outdo each other. The two were alone in the room, Hakkai and Omi having taken their conversation elsewhere, and Sanzo snapping at a fidgeting Goku to “Leave us the fuck in peace, dimwit!” Aya had seen Ken leave at the same time, saying something about teaching the energetic child to play football.

 

 

Although silence was nothing unusual for either man, Aya felt an urge to break the quiet, to clarify a detail about the unknown man. His deep voice rumbled around the hushed room. “You are a Sanzo priest?”

 

 

Aya spoke without turning to look at Sanzo, and the blonde replied without changing his posture or expression. “What of it?”

 

 

The second voice was fraught with the promise of death, a tone that Aya recognised and respected as one he often used on others. He felt no intimidation, though; merely the feeling that he and this holy man were very similar, in both personality and motivation. He had the aura of a man hell bent on revenge, just as Aya lived and killed for the single aim of a chance at Takatori.

 

 

“Hn. You keep a tight reign over your team.”

 

 

“Ch.”

 

 

The sound of the redhead's voice had startled Sanzo out of his introspection, but he wasn't angry at the interruption like he should have been. The discrepancy unnerved him somewhat, and so he compensated by making his voice frostier than the situation called for.

 

 

Sanzo wasn't entirely surprised when the man sitting at the other end of the dining table didn't lose his voice to fear. From what he'd gathered, this Weiss member was one he could co-exist with quite easily. The tall blonde was vacuous; the small one was naïve and entirely over-energetic; the brunette was unrefined; but the fourth man…he was silent, guarded, unemotional and certainly deadly. Everything that Sanzo considered himself to be.

 

 

If he hadn't been looking from the corner of his eye, the priest would have missed Aya rising and moving to the corner of the room, as his movements were silent and designed to attract as little attention as possible. A dull `thwack' sound passed through the room, and Sanzo glanced down to see a newspaper settling against the table before him.

 

 

Gaze flicking back up, he saw the redhead sit down with a different newspaper, coincidently the one Sanzo had already read that day. Both men pulled out their reading glasses and the room descended into silence once more, with only the sound of rustling paper occasionally puncturing the blissful silence.

 

 

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“I'm sorry, I know that you aren't the leader of your team, but it seemed to me that I should talk to you about some details of this arrangement.” Omi and Hakkai had moved into the living room, not wanting to disturb volatile teammates with conversation, however quiet their words remained.

 

 

The older man had to quirk his lips slightly in a genuine smile at the boy's words. He was resigned to being the perpetually `forgotten' member of their team; the attention of other people was generally drawn to the terrifying and dangerous priest, the stunning and flirtatious kappa, or the distracting monkey. Hakkai, with his politely quiet air, did not draw attention; but he preferred it this way. He could understand, though, why Omi would rather speak to him than the real team leader.

 

 

“Certainly, I don't mind. Sanzo can be somewhat…overwhelming, and he doesn't tend to be forthcoming with conversation. I'll do my best to put your mind at ease about whatever I have to.” His lips had melted back into his usual smile, but the cold edge was not in Hakkai's eyes; a rare occurrence. Although Omi didn't realise it, his presence was drawing authentic emotion from Hakkai, with the way he could be a true child and a mature adult almost simultaneously.

 

 

“Thankyou, Hakkai-san. I just thought that I'd make it clear that you, any of you, are welcome here anytime, not just to get missions or medical treatment. Even if it's stopping by for proper meals, or for a bed that isn't hotel-issue, we open our house to you. Well…I do. I'm sure that Ken won't have a problem, and I can't see Yohji complaining about having a certain member of your team around. And Aya…Aya seems very similar to your leader, so don't mind him. I'm sure you know what to expect there.”

 

 

Omi spoke the truth, perfectly willing to help out the organisation that had raised him in any way he could. From his point of view, the Ikkou team would perfectly complement Weiss. Hakkai decided to stay quiet about the fact that needing medical treatment would be unnecessary; he didn't feel it would productive to mention his Youkai powers.

 

 

“Ah, I believe I speak for my entire group when I say that we'll be entirely in your debt very soon. But please, simply call me Hakkai. Everyone else does. Is there something that we can do for you to help repay your generosity?”

 

 

Thinking for a moment, Omi considered Hakkai's offer. He didn't want to appear impolite, but…”If it's not too much to ask, on rare occasions one or some of you might happen to be around when we need a minute or two of assistance in our shop. Nothing too difficult, I promise; but if you wouldn't mind, we'd be very appreciative if your team could help out.”

 

 

Hakkai laughed to himself, imagining Sanzo and Goku working in a store. `The poor customers would be terrified and the amount of damaged stock would skyrocket…but it is the least we can do.'

 

 

“Yes, I think that we can manage that. If you ever need something else, feel free to ask and I will do my best to help you.”

 

 

Omi suddenly remembered a vitally important detail that he had to mention; it would be very dangerous to let this unsuspecting Ikkou into the flower shop without first explaining the very real danger posed to the rather good-looking men. “Ah…one small thing…we tend to have a certain group of schoolgirls who flock the store before and after their classes, and they can get rather…clingy around attractive males. They'll definitely react to your team, and I just don't wish for you to walk into the battlefield blind. They are loud and imposing, but essentially harmless; it's just good to be on your guard around them.”

 

 

Hakkai broke into a larger smile than any Omi had seen him make, and his voice was good-humoured as he assured the younger man that he understood. However, the slightly malicious glint that Omi caught flashing though his uncovered eye made the Weiss member believe that three of the Chinese team would be coming into the store, without any form of warning, sometime very soon.

 

 

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When the blonde in the robes had snapped at Goku, sending him from the room with a dejected look on his face, Ken had felt his heart melt for the poor kid. He hated people like Sanzo, who could somehow be angry around energy-filled little tackers like the brunette. Ken always had a problem with Omi; if those eyes were turned towards him, saying `no' wasn't an option.

 

 

So he'd decided, what with the liveliness that Goku showed, to ask if the kid wanted to kick a football around. When the gold eyes had been turned up towards him in confusion, Ken had made it his aim to teach Goku how to kick ass at the sport. Years of training other children had taught him when there was potential to be found; and the smallest Ikkou member was practically radiating it. So he'd led the way to the park down the street, stopping to grab a football and a couple of training cones.

 

 

Ken didn't bother explaining the actual game, instead starting out with simple kick-to-kick. When Goku had taken to that like a fish to water, he'd continually upped the difficulty, Goku mastering each skill in no time. The taller man was amazed; natural talent like this was very rare.

 

 

There was little conversation that passed between the two beyond instructions and encouragement, the sport providing enough of a bonding tool between them. Soon enough, they managed to pick up some extra people, and a relaxed, impromptu game was set up in the middle of the park. Ken found himself in constant awe of Goku's skills, unable to believe that the kid hadn't known what football was just a couple of hours ago, yet playing like he'd been trained for years.

 

 

Well into the afternoon, their game continued, the park filling with good-natured shouts as the game grew in size. Goku was hyperactive and happy, not even thinking about food or anything else as he concentrated on the new game he'd just been taught. The competition was similar to a fight, but without the anger and the danger; he knew that he'd have to ask Ken to play again sometime.

 

 

“Yo, monkey, have you picked up some new skills since I left? Didn't know that you could get shit like that through your thick skull in such a short amount of time!” The familiar voice floated across the makeshift pitch and Goku looked over to see Gojyo and Yohji standing off to the side, smoking like chimneys and both smiling cheekily.

 

 

Ken also heard the yell, starting to run over to the pair and gesturing for Goku to follow. The four men stood together momentarily before turning to walk back to the Koneko. “Hang on, Ken, don'tcha want your football?” Goku started to turn back before Ken's voice stopped him.

 

 

“Nah, it's all good, they can keep it. I've got plenty back home; I can live without one.” Goku shrugged and turned again, while Yohji made a comment about Ken and playing with balls. Snorting with laughter, Ken replied that Yohji seemed to be the expert on that sort of thing, and the group walked back to the Koneko, bickering and joking between themselves.

 

 

-----------------------------TBC-------------------------------