Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Fire And Earth ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

UPDATED: Character Listing for those who are getting confused at the bottom of this story.

CHAPTER TWO

Gojyo has his arms akimbo, glaring balefully at his young friend who was staring at his oldest brother with twinkling eyes. Of all his brothers, Sanzo was the least likely to receive any form of hero worship because of his nasty temperament. So it was very surprising to see Goku practically sucking up to his brother. No, perhaps sucking up was not a good term. The boy was wooing Sanzo. He could swear that apple that Goku had given the Herald was shined with polish. It was practically sparkling on top of the table.

"Hey, Goku!" Gojyo snarled impatiently beneath the helm he was wearing, moving his practice blade from one hand to the other. "Keep your eyes on me, will you?"

"I'm trying!" Goku exclaimed, having difficulty doing so with the moving blade AND the man he admired interfering with his field of vision and attention.

Then, the Herald-trainee grinned, when he saw Gojyo's eyes shift. As he suspected, Gojyo lunged at him. Swiftly, Goku brought his blade in a sweeping downward motion, parrying his friend's sword.

"That's pretty good!" commented Gojyo, very pleased.

He let his fist fly out and Goku caught it easily in his left palm. Gojyo removed his helm and laughed. Even Sanzo who was watching them from the bench he was standing on nodded in approval, causing the boy to blush.

"You're a good teacher, Gojyo," said Goku, shaking the sweat from his ruffled hair like a wet dog.

"You have Master Jiroushin to thank for that," Gojyo said humbly.

Kougaiji clucked his tongue. "Good teacher my ass! Those moves won't work in a border war!"

Gojyo raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so? Maybe you'd like to teach me!"

"Maybe I will!" Kougaiji replied, going towards him.

At these words, the other trainees stepped back fearfully. From experience, they knew it did not bode well for any of them to interfere in the fight between those two hotheads.

Goku placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. :Watch yourself, Gojyo. You know what a cheat Kougaiji is.:

:Don't worry,: Gojyo reassured him. Winking, he added, :Besides, I need the exercise.:

His eyes widened when he saw Kougaiji raise his sword. With a shout, he shoved Goku out of the way as the practice blade descended. Gojyo met it with his own sword and there was a loud clack. Furious, Goku got up from the floor with sword in hand.

"Stay out of this!" yelled Gojyo, waving him back.

Goku stopped, trying to hold his temper.

"That was out of line, Kougaiji!" Gojyo snarled at his adversary.

"Am I?" asked Kougaiji innocently, pushing Gojyo away.

The nasty Herald-trainee charged at him, sword flying. Gojyo laughed as he easily parried those thrusts and blows.

"Is that the best you can do?" the redhead declared mockingly. "You're losing your touch, Kougaiji!"

With a growl, Kougaiji lunged at him and their blades caught.

"I think it's time I put an end to this," said Gojyo breathlessly.

Flicking his wrist, Gojyo spun his blade around and pried Kougaiji's sword out of his hand. The practice blade fell heavily to the floor.

"That finishes it!" Gojyo commented in finality, sheathing his blade and going towards Goku.

But Kougaiji was enraged by that humiliating defeat. Snatching a sword from the trainee nearest him, he rushed at the redhead.

:GOJYO! LOOK OUT!: Sanzo Mindcalled in panic.

Gojyo whirled, lifting his hand to block it. However, the blade fell hard on his right arm and he cried out in pain as he felt his bones break. Grabbing the practice blade with his left hand, Gojyo clenched his right hand in a fist, gritting his teeth as sharp pain went shooting up his arm, and struck out. His fist connected with Kougaiji's cheek, which sent the trainee flying. Kougaiji fell to the floor with a thud. Gojyo straddled the fallen trainee and began punching him repeatedly. Sanzo ran to the two fighters and pulled Gojyo up.

"Let me go!" Gojyo roared, struggling in his brother's arms as Kougaiji sat up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Gojyo!" Sanzo yelled. "Calm down!"

The Herald felt Gojyo's struggles lessen and he slowly put him down. But once freed, his younger brother rushed at Kougaiji again. Kougaiji also ran towards him. Quickly, the trainees held Kougaiji back. Reaching out, Sanzo seized Gojyo's right hand. The tug brought pain in his brother's arm, and Gojyo screamed. Sanzo released him at once, his face turning ash white.

"Gojyo?" Goku asked worriedly, going to his best friend's side.

Instead of answering, Gojyo tore off his helm. Pointing angrily at Kougaiji, he shouted, "I'm not forgetting this, you son of a bitch!"

"Serves you right!" Kougaiji answered back haughtily. "I only wish it wasn't your arm that's broken!"

Gojyo made to attack him again, but Sanzo called out sharply, "Herald-trainee Gojyo, I order you to desist!" He saw his brother turn, his face hard and livid with rage. Sanzo Feel him seething inside. But he remained firm, holding his fiery gaze with his own stern glare.

In frustration, Gojyo hurled his helm at the far corner. The helm hit the wall with a crash. He then stormed out of the Work Room, clutching his broken arm. Sanzo wanted so much to follow him, but he knew, given the state of mind his brother was in, that he shouldn't. Instead, he turned to Kougaiji.

"Herald-trainee Kougaiji," he began in anger, "your conduct is most unbecoming! Not only did you disrupt training sessions, you deliberately caused injury upon a fellow trainee! I order you to return to your quarters until I can decide what disciplinary action to give you!"

Humbly, Kougaiji bowed his head. "Yes, sir. And I apologize for my brash act."

"Save your apologies for Herald-trainee Gojyo!" Sanzo replied gruffly.

Kougaiji nodded and left the Work Room. Sanzo sighed. That's one problem dealt with. Here comes the bigger problem.

~~~~~

Master Jiroushin breathed in deeply. Before him, Gojyo sat on a stool, holding out his broken arm to him, as he placed a splint, wrapping it tightly in strips of cloth. He knew the young woman was in pain, judging from the sweat trickling down his forehead. However, Gojyo's face revealed none of the pain he was in, despite the fact that both of his arm bones were broken.

He only became my student when he was eighteen, mused the old Guardsman in amazement, but this young man is better than all my previous wards combined.

When he was done, Gojyo flexed his arm at the elbow, clenching and unclenching his hand slowly.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't put too much pressure on that!" Master Jiroushin chided him in alarm. "Remember, I just set it!"

"You know I will!" exclaimed Gojyo, smiling at him. Hesitantly, he asked, "Er…Master Jiroushin…if I take this to the Healer for further treatment…do you think I could do a little archery with this arm?"

The armsmaster frowned at him. "Havens, boy! You just had your arm broken and you're still thinking about weapons work?"

Gojyo looked at him innocently. "It was just a thought. Besides, you know it's not my habit to baby an injury."

"Maybe so," Master Jiroushin began, "but I think you only want to get even with Kougaiji."

"Hah! You've got that right!" his ward answered truthfully.

"You must learn to control your temper," Master Jiroushin advised. "It will cause you so much trouble!"

"Master, I did not provoke this fight," explained Gojyo, standing up from the stool. "He did. Kougaiji almost hurt Goku as well. I admit that I am a troublemaker, but this time, I didn't start it."

"I know, boy, but you must learn that there are times when you have to back out from a fight."

"Master Jiroushin is right, Gojyo," Sanzo interrupted as he stepped inside the armsmaster's cottage. "How's your arm?"

Gojyo grimaced. "It would've been a lot better if you hadn't pulled it."

"It was my mistake and I apologize for that," his brother said sincerely. "But I had to stop you. You were just not yourself out there."

Seeing the uncommon look of concern in his violet eyes, Gojyo bowed his head in humility. "Forgive me, Sanzo. I'm afraid I got carried away. I didn't want you to see that side of me."

"Believe me, Kappa!" Sanzo declared with a wide grin. "I'm used to seeing that side of you at home."

Gojyo smiled, a red flush forming on his face. "Thanks, big brother! If it wasn't for your warning…"

Sanzo held his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I may be your trainer, but I'm still your brother."

"Well, what's going to happen now?" he asked curiously. "Do you want me to go back to the Work Room?"

"No, I dismissed the other trainees," he replied with a shrug. "As for Kougaiji, I ordered him confined to quarters until I can decide what to do with him. Why not go over to Bardic Collegium? Maybe snatch a little tale or two."

"Are you kidding?" Gojyo exclaimed in disbelief at that suggestion. "The new apprentices are a bunch of tattletales. It's enough that they gossip all the time, but to sing gossip? It's more than my stomach and my poor ears could take. If you don't mind, I'd rather go off with Rosebud. Maybe I can have a little peace and quiet."

"Sure!" Sanzo said with a wave of his hand. He suddenly remembered, "Oh, and steer clear of the forest! We've received reports of a strange creature roaming around in there, but so far, the Heralds have been unable to capture it."

"Thanks for the warning!" Gojyo said gratefully. "See you later, Sanzo, Master Jiroushin!"

Saying this, Gojyo ran out of the cottage. They heard him make a happy whoop, followed by the sounds of horse's hooves galloping away. Sanzo couldn't resist looking out the window. Seeing him, Gojyo waved back.

"What do you think of your baby brother, Sanzo?" asked Master Jiroushin, cocking an inquisitive eyebrow up at him.

"You know, Master?" Sanzo answered, turning to the older man. "He's really very special. It's only now I understand why Jien loves him deeply. If only Gojyo would be more…well…disciplined, he'd make a fine Herald."

The armsmaster thought for a moment. Softly, he commented, "Have you asked him if he wants to be a Herald?"

"No, I…." Sanzo stopped at once, noting the undertone in the former Guardsman's voice. "Wait a minute! It can't be! Are you trying to tell me Gojyo doesn't want to be a Herald?"

Master Jiroushin nodded his head slowly.

"But that's impossible!" cried the Herald in disbelief. "Most of the people I know would give their arms and legs to become Heralds! Gojyo even has Gifts!"
"You can count Gojyo among the few, Sanzo," Master Jiroushin replied. "Yes, he possesses the skills and the Gifts to be a Herald, but the desire is just not there. For Gojyo, a Herald's life is just a means of quickly reaching Death's door."

"It will be if you're not careful. There are risks, you know that. You were a Guardsman. At least we're in the same predicament. But I know Gojyo's not a coward. He's one person who's willing to put his life on the line in a fight. Gojyo? Afraid of death? I find it very difficult to believe!"

"I think Gojyo only believes in fighting his own battles, not anyone else's," the armsmaster put in. "He doesn't have that sense of duty and honor that are part of a Herald's life. Do you know that many times Gojyo debated with me on why you and Jien should be ordered somewhere dangerous? In his exact words, 'Why not let the Queen and her counsel fight the battles? I don't want my brothers to return home in a box or not at all! Rulers make disputes! Why let Heralds fight for them?' "

Sanzo stared at Master Jiroushin, troubled thoughts running through his head. Gods, I never knew Gojyo cared so much about us. Is that the reason why he's behaving the way he does?

As if reading his mind, Master Jiroushin added, "Gojyo figures there are enough Heralds in your family. When his Gifts began manifesting and your father made him join the Herald-trainees, your little brother swore that he wouldn't be Chosen."

"So that's why Gojyo is so antagonistic towards Heralds!" Gojyo said in realization. "He wants to appear unworthy to be Chosen!"

The former Guardsman nodded at that assessment. "So far, he's succeeding. Not only don't the Heralds like him, the Companions won't even go near him."

Feeling Goujun's presence in his mind, Sanzo asked, :Is this true, Goujun? Why didn't you tell me earlier?:

:I'm sorry, Chosen,: the Companion apologized with deep regret. :I didn't want to offend you. Gojyo is your brother. It all started after he torched the tail of one of our Companions. Now, none of them want anything to do with him, so they Chose someone else.:

Sanzo was crestfallen. :No Companion wants him? Gods! And I've heard all the Companions, except for the young ones, have Chosen. There's no one else to Choose him."

:Well…: Goujun began hesitantly. :Not all the Companions have Chosen. There is still one who hasn't Chosen.:

:Who is it?: he asked, feeling a glimmer of hope.

:Companion Kenren…: Goujun replied. :But he wouldn't choose your brother even if you flogged his hide. He said he's willing to wait for someone better.:

Master Jiroushin cleared his throat noisily. Breaking out of his trance, Sanzo turned to the armsmaster and grinned sheepishly.

"I'm sorry, Master," Sanzo said in embarrassment. "I was having a little conference with Goujun."

"If it's about Gojyo," the armsmaster began, "I want to know."

Sanzo then told him what his Companion had revealed to him. As he spoke the former Guardsman merely nodded his head, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It seems Gojyo's plan has gone rather well," the armsmaster remarked. "There's only one Companion left and he thinks he's unworthy."

"What are we going to do?" asked Sanzo.

"For now, nothing," Master Jiroushin stated. "It's important that Gojyo be the one to have a change of heart regarding Heralds. Maybe we could lean on him a bit. Why not give him some Herald duties? I know Gojyo. He's a stickler for honor and has a very lofty idea of it. That's the reason why he's getting into fights all the time. He especially feels it his duty to protect the weak and downtrodden. His ideals are that high. If he could be shown that a Herald upholds these same ideals, maybe, and mind you I say maybe, we can make him change his mind."

"It would be difficult, Master Jiroushin," Sanzo commented. "He is not popular with the Heralds. Surely, they won't give him anything to do. What we need is an Empath, someone who could talk to him, someone who doesn't know the mischief he's been doing."

"And where, pray tell, can we find an Empath like that?" asked Master Jiroushin. "Every Herald knows about him."'

Then, Sanzo paused. A wide grin formed on his face and he clapped his hand in glee. "Why didn't I think of him before? Cho Hakkai! Hakkai can do it!"

"Hakkai? Our virtuous Hakkai?" queried the armsmaster. "I thought he's out in the battlefront."

"He was, for four years now," the Herald told his former mentor. "Hakkai spent most of that time doing clandestine activities behind enemy lines. He's been ordered to return to Haven when the Heraldic Circle leaned about the price on his head that was being offered by that mage Hyakugan Maoh. Fortunately for Kai, he's so good with disguises, no one knows what he looks like."

"When will Hakkai arrive?" Master Jiroushin, feeling hopeful.

"Two weeks from now in time for the Queen's birthday," Sanzo replied. "If I know Kai, he'll probably contact me first. I have faith Hakkai can reach Gojyo."

"Let us hope so," the armsmaster said. "Hakkai is known to beat impossible odds. Maybe he can succeed with your impossible brother."

Sanzo was about leave when he paused at the doorway. His eyes roamed around Master Jiroushin's humble cottage.

"How can you live here, Master?" he asked in seeming innocence. "You know I can get your old room back at the palace."

"Why should I?" declared Master Jiroushin stubbornly. "It's quiet here! I'd rather stay here than have those rude ragamuffins running outside my door all day and all night calling me an old geezer. Makes me want to skewer people."

"I see what you mean." Sanzo then smiled mischievously. "You know? Since Hakkai is coming home, how about letting me use your little hideaway? That straw bed of yours is nice to tumble him into."

"Give the poor boy a break!" the former Guardsman scolded him. "You know very well he's not a rake like you!"

"But it would be really nice," said Sanzo dreamily. "I'm sick and tired of barmaids. A virgin like Kai would be a great boost to my ego."

Master Jiroushin grabbed his broom and whacked Sanzo's behind soundly with it. "Get out of here!"

Laughing, Sanzo skipped and whistled out of the cottage.

"And if I catch you doing mischief to the boy," Master Jiroushin yelled after him, "you're due for a spanking!"

"Easier said than done, Master," Sanzo said, giggling.

The former Guardsman looked at the Herald with fondness. "You've changed a lot, Sanzo. You've been smiling and laughing more often these days."

"I have Hakkai to thank for that. Plus, there's one trainee in Gojyo's group. I don't know why, but it feels awfully good to be with that boy Goku." Waving, Sanzo said, "I'll see you later, Master Jiroushin."

The armsmaster smiled as well, realizing that Sanzo, who was once adverse to any form of serious relationship, may be attracted to Son Goku. He knew the boy, and if there's anyone who was capable of completely melting the ice that had formed around the Herald's heart, it's definitely Goku.

Of course, there was also Cho Hakkai, who was virtually unaware of the trouble that was awaiting him in Haven.

Master Jiroushin clucked his tongue. "I don't know how I put up with these crazy siblings! Poor Hakkai! Boy, is he in for it!"

* * * * * * * * * *

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Had to update this for everyone who is getting confused and is not too familiar with the Heralds of Valdemar books. Yes, Jika, I checked this thoroughly and, except for some typos and one error, I did not make any mistakes with Goku, Gojyo and Goujun.

For everyone's convenience, here is the lead character list of "Fire And Earth". The Heralds in the story are always paired with a Companion (which I said are in the form of white horses with sapphire eyes). I've put the characters in column – Heralds on the left, Companions on the right. Also, when a Herald speaks to his Companion it's always mind-to-mind called Mindspeech, which is formatted in italics and enclosed by colons. I hope this is more convenient for everyone.

Herald-Trainee Gojyo = Companion Kenren
Herald Hakkai = Companion Hakuryu
Herald Sanzo = Companion Goujun
Herald-Trainee Goku = Companion Nataku
Herald Kougaiji = Companion Lirin
Herald Jien = Companion Yaone
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