Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Tainted Love ❯ Chapter Fifteen ( Chapter 15 )

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

They drove swiftly through the still winter night in silence. Sanzo, who was chugging away on his fifth cigarette, glanced at the young man beside him. There was grim determination on Hakkai's face, which was sporting a variety of bruises and one eye was puffy. Sitting behind him, Goku was staring out into the woods, looking none the least bit resentful for the beating he had given the older man.

No one spoke when they lost sight of Gojyo. No one wanted to admit that with the loss of that fiery beacon in the sky, so too did the hope inside their hearts begin to fade.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sanzo saw a silent tear trickle down Hakkai's cheek. Was it too late for regrets? The monk truly hoped it wasn't.

Training his amethyst gaze upwards to the heavens, Sanzo did something that he never thought he would do in his lifetime – he prayed to the goddess he served.

I've never asked you for anything before…Kanzeon Bosatsu-sama, Sanzo added that honorific to get on the fickle goddess' good side. He always called her 'O-baba'. But right now, we could really use a miracle.

Suddenly, Hakkai slammed on the brakes. Sanzo would've gone through the windshield if Goku hadn't tumbled onto his lap headfirst. Despite the gravity of their situation, Goku still managed a truly wicked grin as he straightened up.

His cheeks pink, the boy gleefully exclaimed to the monk's trepidation, "You're still not wearing pants!"

Infuriated, Sanzo drove the giggling saru to the back with hard whacks of his harisen. "You perverted chimpy!" Turning to Hakkai, he demanded, "Now what's the hold up?"

Goku, who had quickly recovered from the monk's pounding, stood up and burst into laughter. "Kougaiji! I just love your new fashion accessory!"

Sure enough, the youkai prince has a baby rabbit standing on his shoulders, its chin and front paws laid on top of his head.

However, this was a distraction that Hakkai did not need.

Leaping to his feet, he yelled, "We don't have time for your bullshit, Kougaiji! Get the hell out of our way!"

An angry Dokugakuji then emerged from the side of the road where he had secured their hiryu and seized Hakkai by the front of his shirt. "What did you do to my brother, damn you! Give me a damned good reason why he's resigned to die!"

Everyone was stunned speechless for a moment by that outburst. It was Hakkai who spoke up honestly. "I broke his heart." Seeing the youkai raise his fist, he cried, "Go ahead! Hit me! Better yet, beat me to death! I deserve it for the way I've hurt him!"

Kougaiji stepped in, seizing Dokugakuji's arm. "Release him," he ordered. "We can't afford to waste time…not while there's still hope."

"You know where Gojyo is?" Sanzo asked, daring to hope.

"Yes," the youkai prince confirmed, his handsome features grim. "But he is slowly being consumed by the Dark Flame. Yaone and I took some measures to slow the process down, but we don't know how long it will last." He slowly added, "He's dying in agony."

Goku was crestfallen at that revelation. "Can you take us to him, Kougaiji? Please!"

Kougaiji gestured to the two hiryu. "That's why we came here. This time, we're taking the route back."

The boy's face brightened at that suggestion. "Thanks a lot, Kougaiji!"

Sanzo, however, remained suspicious. "And what do you want in return for your help? The Maten Kyoumon? You know I can't give it to you."

Surprisingly, the youkai prince shook his head. "I don't need anything from you…for now. Let's just say I know the pain of someone who lost a loved one. But unlike your friend, I continue to hope. This is why, even if he is an enemy and his loss will put us at an advantage, I want to give him something to hope for." He gave Dokugakuji a side-glance. "I know that Gojyo had gone through. A life that has endured so much suffering should not end with despair."

Hakkai broke down at his words. Pressing his hands to his face, he whispered, "Kougaiji-sama, arigato gozaimasu! You're right in that Gojyo has suffered terrible hardships. It hurts me most that I have contributed to his latest pain that has led to this. I should've trusted his heart. I had done him a grievous wrong for which I cannot bear to be forgiven." He turned to tear-filled eyes to Dokugakuji. "Still, despite being unworthy, I dare to say, I am so sorry, Dokugakuji-san."

"It's all right, Dokugaku," Goku put in. "You can forgive him. I already gave him the thrashing that he deserved."

"Let's go," said Kougaiji, who headed towards their hiryu. "If we are to save him, we must leave now. You can tell us everything that's happened on the way."

"I agree with you," Sanzo answered, as he went after the youkai prince.

~~~~~

On the way, Sanzo and Goku took turns in telling Kougaiji and Dokugakuji what happened. Hakkai also narrated his version of the sad tale – how Jinnei had used his negative emotions to control him and hurt the half-breed.

When they finished telling their story, Dokugakuji was stricken with guilt as well.

"You're not the only one to blame, Hakkai," Dokugakuji began with deepest regret. "None of this would've happened if I hadn't deserted him. I never realized that he would search for me. Because of what I've done…gods…how could you let them hurt him?"

Kougaiji looked at the two young men flying on the hiryu beside him. "You can make up for it by saving his life, especially you, Hakkai. You're the only who can heal his broken heart and save his soul." Seeing the ice dome below, he announced, "We're here!"

As they landed, Yaone and Lirin immediately met them.

"Oniichan!" Lirin cried, as her brother got down from the hiryu. "The ice dome is starting to break!"

"I told you it was a temporary measure," Kougaiji sighed as he surveyed the structure of ice. Sure enough, there were visible cracks on the surface from which Dark Flame seeped through.

Hakkai stepped forward, firm and determined. "Kougaiji-sama, tell what I must do."

The youkai prince looked Hakkai straight into his unflinching green eyes. "Do you love Gojyo?"

"More than my life," was that unwavering reply.

"Then you must share the agony he is experiencing now. You must take some of the Dark Flame into you. I know you can accomplish this because you are a healer. To do this, you must shed this human form and assume the shape of a youkai. As a youkai, you are assured of some resilience against the Dark Flame. For your added protection, I will also conjure up a thick shield around you. Gojyo lies at the very heart of the inferno, so the shield will help prevent the Dark Flame from incinerating you instantly."

"What about us?" asked Goku, feeling left out. "Can't we go with him?"

Kougaiji shook his head. "This is something that Hakkai must do alone. However…" He turned to the monk. "Your assistance may be needed out here."

Sanzo nodded in understanding. It was risky, but they might have to use the Maten Kyoumon to disperse the Dark Flame. He also dared not tell Goku, but if things went out of control, the Sutra would be the tool to end the poor half-breed's life.

"Let's do it, Kougaiji-sama," said Hakkai, taking off his limiters and letting them fall to the ground.

Hakkai's metamorphosis began with a powerful red aura being emitted by his body. As his ears grew pointed and his fingernails lengthened into sharp claws, skin markings in the form of red vines snaked up his body and neck, and crossing diagonally over his face. Hakkai's grin revealed sharp fangs, seeing, with his enhanced vision, Kougaiji raise layers of shields around him.

The transformation completed and his body thickly shielded, Hakkai did not hesitate. Blasting a small entrance through the dome wall, he simply said, "I'm going," and went inside the maelstrom. Kougaiji immediately sealed the opening before the black flames can escape.

When Hakkai was gone, Goku tugged on Sanzo's sleeve, his golden eyes mirroring his worry. "Sanzo…they're going to be fine, right?"

"As Kougaiji said, there's only one thing we can do," the monk answered, glancing at the youkai prince. "We mustn't give up hope."

~~~~~

Inside the ice dome, Hakkai was immediately bombarded by the inferno of the Dark Flame. As the fire batted against him, he could feel the shield buckling against the strain. The heat was intense, despite the shield, and his clothes were instantly burned away. Still, he continued on, determined to reach his lover.

Soon enough, Hakkai arrived at the heart of the maelstrom, and he felt his heart stop at the pitiful sight that greeted him.

Lying in deep slumber on top of a slab of rock like an enchanted prince was Gojyo. His fiery wings had fallen limp on either side of the slab; his flaming tresses fanned out on the smooth surface. Gojyo was deathly pale and barely breathing. What horrified Hakkai were those black flames that were spilling out of the gash in his belly, spreading out and slowly eating away at his flesh.

Hakkai did not hesitate. Running to the half-breed, he laid his hand over the wound and sealed it with his healing gift. But with its means of escape now closed, the Dark Flame ripped through Gojyo's insides, causing him to scream and writhe in agony.

"GOJYO!" Hakkai wrapped his arms around his lover, ignoring the terrible heat emanating from his body.

Remember what Kougaiji had advised him, he cradled Gojyo gently, lifting him up so that they were face to face. Hakkai pressed his mouth to Gojyo's and began sucking in the Dark Flame. He wanted to cry out in pain, but the searing heat burned his throat and his vocal cords. After several attempts with no beneficial effects, Hakkai pulled away.

Tears of helplessness poured from his eyes. "What am I going to do?" he cried in despair. "What must I do to save you?"

Then, the idea struck him like a bolt of lightning, as he finally realized the true meaning behind Kougaiji's words.

Hakkai climbed onto the rock and straddled Gojyo's hips. Taking the half-breed's blazing hot member in his hand, he began stroking it, his palm breaking out into blisters, until it was as firm and hard as tempered steel. No other preparations were necessary.

With a smile, Hakkai took a deep breath, sank down upon the length, and impaled himself fully.

~~~~~

Gojyo's mind hovered between sleep and consciousness when he felt that oppressive, familiar weight upon his groin. Despite knowing that his tormentors were dead, that sensation drove him back to that nightmarish time five years ago.

"No! Please don't!" he begged as he started to struggle against the heavy body above that was forcing out a response from him. To his dismay, he could feel his member hardening as his length was squeezed again and again by a hot, tight channel.

Despite himself, he felt himself climax. Knowing that this would lead to that brutal penetration, Gojyo was seized by panic.

"NOOOOOO!" the half-breed roared, automatically lashing out with the Dark Flame.

A scream of terrible agony roused Gojyo in an instant from his slumber. His crimson eyes widened in horror at the sight of Hakkai totally enveloped by black fire.

"HAKKAI!" he cried out, reaching out for his lover.

"Don't, Gojyo!" Hakkai warned, as he shoved the younger man back. "The Dark Flame still wants to enter your body and consume you! Save yourself…while I can still hold it inside me!" Sure enough, he had enclosed himself and the destructive flames within a red barrier.

"Why, Hakkai?" Gojyo demanded. "Why are you doing this?"

Despite the searing pain, Hakkai granted him that gentle smile. "Because I've hurt you, because I've broken your heart. I promised you my love, no matter what. But…I betrayed you. All those things I said and did to you… How could I live, knowing how much I've made you suffer, and yet you still loved me and forgave me? Let me pay you back for my crimes with my life."

"No, I won't let you die!"

Pain overwhelmed him, and Hakkai slowly felt his vision fading. "I love you, Gojyo!"

"HAKKAI, NO!"

Before everything turned to black, Hakkai thought he saw Gojyo's crimson eyes suddenly turn into the deep blue of the ocean.

What a wonderful way to die, he mused, letting that soothing blue color suffuse his mind. To drown myself literally in the limpid pools of the man I love.

~~~~~

A loud crackling sound coming from the ice dome jolted Sanzo, Goku, Kougaiji and the others. As they looked on in horror, the ice structure was breaking up, black flames pouring out through the cracks. From within, they could hear a blood-curdling scream.

"SANZO!" Kougaiji cried, as he immediately began the chant to summon an evil creature from the alternate dimension.

As Sanzo pressed his palms together in prayer, Goku was stunned, realizing what the monk and the youkai prince were about to do.

"Sanzo, please!" the boy begged him in earnest. "Don't use the Maten Kyoumon! Not yet! They might still be alive in there!"

Even Lirin was crying. "Oniichan, don't do it!"

In desperation, Goku and Lirin wrapped their arms around Kougaiji's and Sanzo's waists.

At a loss, Kougaiji turned to Dokugakuji and Yaone. But they too had pleading looks in their eyes. Dokugakuji, in particular, was weeping, unable to bear the thought that his brother was going to perish. The youkai prince looked at the monk. Sanzo had embraced Goku, the tears streaming down his face.

Suddenly, there was a powerful blast that sent them flying backwards. As they slowly picked themselves up from the ground, they saw that the black fire was being defeated by a blue pillar of gushing water that was coiling around it, squeezing it into nothingness like a python. The ice dome was slowly melting, turning into water and cold steam, feeding into the powerful spout.

A collective gasp rose among them as the water and the steam slowly cleared away to reveal a most breathtaking sight.

Gojyo had transformed into a beautiful graceful being with long blue hair and fan-shaped fins for ears. Dragonfly wings fluttered behind him, keeping him aloft as he held Hakkai in his arms. He was kissing the older man, that loving caress healing the terrible burns on his body. As they slowly descended, Gojyo turned to his stunned friends and smiled at them, a twinkle in his ocean blue eyes.

Sanzo, Goku, Kougaiji and the others quickly ran towards them. The minute Gojyo and Hakkai gracefully landed into their friends' welcoming arms, the half-breed reverted back into his original form and fell into exhausted sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks to everyone who wrote in. For a while there, I thought no one was reading this anymore. There will be two more chapters, and after that… Well, it would depend on how you would react to the epilogue. Kiba-chan knows already what to expect from that last chapter and she's been begging me to… Well, you'll see. In the meantime, I have a serious family problem to attend to, so it might take some time before I could post again. I'll try to get back as soon as I'm able.

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