Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Unseen Smile ❯ Lost and Found ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimer: I do not own characters from Saiyuki. If I did, there won't be any repressed feelings between the characters. (^_^)

 

Warning: Yaoi, Lemon, Graphic Violence

 

Lost and Found

 

Kougaiji looked up from his computer and found Hakkai's angelic face watching him from the couch, a book in his hand. He smiled sweetly and returned to his reading.

 

“What do you want for dinner?” He asked as he went back to his work. “I didn't have time for the groceries and I'm sure you're too tired to cook anyway.”

 

“How about some Japanese?”

 

“Japanese sounds great,” he said, not even bothering to look at him. He frowned, his fine features creasing. He placed the book on the coffee table and started for the red-head. “Didn't we have Japanese the other day, or was that Thai food?”

 

“That was Chinese, Kou,” he answered while walking towards him. “You have been working too much, I think you should let off for— and why aren't you paying attention to me?” He ended the question with a slight shove. Kougaiji laughed a bit and swung his chair around to face him.

 

“You have my undivided attention, what do you want?” He said with a smile.

 

Hakkai dug deep in his pocket and fished out his small surprise for Kougaiji.

 

“Concert tickets?” He asked with a blink. “You bought concert tickets?”

 

His face fell. “You don't want to go,” he stated flatly. His brows furrowed and his lips were forming again into a frown. Kougaiji was quick to assure.

 

“That's not true. Of course I want to go, it has been a while since we went out.”

 

“This will take your mind off of things,” he replied and placed her arms around his neck and kissed the tip of his nose. “Come on, let's go for some dinner.”

 

---

 

It was suppose to be the night-off, a concert that was going to take his mind off his work but a few minutes during the show's intermission, a blast from the stage caused the concertgoers to become scared and alarmed. During the frenzy and chaos, he had lost Hakkai in the running and pushing. He waited for him, hoping to see Hakkai emerge from the frightened crowd with his angelic smile. Hours had passed but he didn't find him. He went home expecting and hoping that he would be there waiting for him. The night had turned into day but still no sign of Hakkai. He filed reports but the police wasn't able to identify if he was a part of the very few casualties. It has now 2 years since he disappeared and things are looking more and more hopeless for Kou.

 

Since today…

 

“Excuse me,” Kougaiji asked a man standing in front of him. The man, dressed in black trench coat and jeans, turned slowly to face him.

 

“You dropped this back there,” he said and handed him a leather glove.

 

He looked at him and smiled. “Thanks.”

 

He smiled back before noticing the way he smiled. It was so familiar. Where did he see that smile before? The eyeglasses threw off his eyes, hiding them from him but Kou could not resist but notice his smile. He stared at him, trying to picture him in a loose shirt and faded jeans.

 

“Is there anything wrong? Do you need something else?”

 

“Hakkai…” he whispered and reached out for him.

 

The man took a step back but he continued to reach for him. He swatted his hand away and turned around to leave. He took after him, following him close, not wanting to lose sight. However, he noticed that for every step he took he seemed to a foot away.

 

“HAKKAI!” He called after him, but the man did not look back. The man took a turn towards an alley and he could only follow. When he took the turn, he was already waiting for him at the end of the alley. A shadow covering his beautiful face.

 

“I am not the person you are looking for,” he called out in a strong and clear voice. “I am not Hakkai.”

 

“I know that smile,” he whispered. “Only one person can smile like that.”

 

He turned around to leave, his coat billowing like a cape as he took long steady strides.

 

“Hakkai, don't you remember me?” Kou called out.

 

The figure continued and vanished into the shadows of the alley.

 

---

 

Hakkai took off his trench coat to reveal the slim body under the heavy leather and flung the material on a nearby chair. He heaved a sigh as he ran his fingers through his short, silky black hair, untangling the strands with his lean fingers. He was about to sit down to start his work on the computer when he noticed a slight movement at the corner of his eye. With lightning-speed, she drew her sword and pointed it at the intruder, carefully aiming for the neck.

 

“You haven't changed Hakkai. Your speed and accuracy still fascinates me,” the man said and moved the sword away with his finger. “And you still go for the swiftest way of death.”

 

“And you're still the bastard I met in Japan, Gojyo.”

 

The stranger took a few steps to reveal him self in the faint light. He too, was clothed in black, though wearing a shorter jacket and a black sweater. What was noticeable was the silver dagger hooked around his waist and the silver Desert Eagle tucked in his pants.

 

“What are you doing in the vicinity Gojyo? New target perhaps.”

“I'm here for the upcoming conference,” he stated. “If it makes you feel any better, I'm here for the Consul of Austria, not a very important person. Unlike your next assignment.”

 

“Next assignment?”

 

Gojyo handed her a brown folder which he hesitantly took. “Everything you need to know is in there. Down payment's already been deposited to your private account.”

 

“Seems that my decision's no longer respected around here,” he answered with a slight edge to his voice.

 

“Same grounds apply to failure,” he reminded him. “But knowing you, there isn't any room for failure.”

 

Hakkai did not reply instead turned his back on him. Gojyo stepped closer and took a lock of hair in his hands, smiling at the silky smooth feel it made on his fingertips.

 

“Don't touch me,” he said and stepped away from him.

 

“You always smelled of fresh flowers,” Gojyo said, a hint of desire was evident in his voice.

 

“Touch me again and you die by me hands,” he said coldly and looked him in the eye. Gojyo stepped back when he saw his eyes. It had taken a darker hue and was blank and unforgiving. It was the eyes of the true killer they have always feared.

 

Gojyo did not say anything in response but left through the window, leaving a draft as he left it open. Hakkai took a deep breath and sighed. His skin no longer felt cold and he could feel the blood returning to his cheeks. He took the folder and laid it on the desk. Tomorrow will be the time he'll face his worst nightmare…again.

 

---

 

“He's back,” Kougaiji insisted to Jien as they talked over coffee. “I saw him.”

 

“How can you say he's back when you don't even have any proof that she's actually alive. The guy could only be someone who looks like him.”

 

“Think outside the box, man. Things aren't what they seem.”

 

“Yeah, and you aren't what you seem to be the first time we met. You're a straight, intelligent person and now you believe in reincarnation?”

 

“He's not dead because he never died in the first place.”

 

“How can you say something like that when even the police told us no one of the name Cho Hakkai was in their records?”

 

“I just know. I have this gut feeling.”

 

“But is that enough? Can you're gut feeling explain why the state doesn't have any records of his existence? Can you're gut explain why how he survived the stampede? Can you're—”

 

“Okay! So my gut feeling isn't that reliable,” Kougaiji snapped.

 

Jien fell silent and looked thoughtfully at his bestfriend. He was about to say something but the look on Kougaiji's face made him swallow the words. He, instead, took a sip of his cappuccino and looked down at the cup.

 

“I'll find her,” he said out loud. “Believe me Jien, I will.”

 

That night…

 

Hakkai stepped into the nightclub and felt all eyes turn towards him. Who wouldn't? He looked more of a model than a hired-killer in the suit he was wearing. The tight black sleeveless top showed off his well built but lean arms and shoulders. He used his favorite square pants that allowed him to run, sprint and jump without giving up on the fashion side.

 

He sat by the bar and scanned the crowd, waiting for his informant. He noticed a teenage girl with blonde hair and piercing golden eyes walking towards him. Lirin, his informant, slid into the empty bar stool next to him. She motioned to the bartender and ordered vodka on the rocks.

 

“See that group by the VIP lounge?” She said slowly as she waited for her drink.

 

Hakkai turned to look at where she directed him. A man dressed in an expensive looking business suit was surrounded by scantily-clad women was motioning exaggeratedly to another man dressed down in black. Bodyguard, most probably, he thought.

 

“Target is highly protected. The guard that you see is just a decoy. Other bodyguards are roaming the club, possibly dressed as civilians. And don't forget that there are two cameras locked on his position. It follows him wherever he goes.”

 

Hakkai nodded and his informant left with the drink in her hand. But before leaving, she gave him a look he knew all to well.

 

There was no room for failure. It was now or never.

 

---

 

Kougaiji listened quietly to the song that was playing on computer. It was one of their favorite songs. They'd lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, following each other's breath, counting the pulse emanating on each other's wrists as they held hands. It was those nights that Kougaijis wished would last, and now, would return. He'd give anything to have him by his side. He stared at the blank screen and decided to turn the computer off. It was no use. His mind was not functioning because all he could think about was how he could get her back.

 

“But what if he doesn't want to come back?” He asked out loud, waiting for some form of answer, maybe through his subconscious mind.

 

He shook his head. He did not want to think about that anymore. He should only be focusing on how to get him back. It has been two years but every moment together was still like yesterday. The scent of his hair on his pillow was still present every time he went to sleep. He would wake up in the middle of the night hoping that Hakkai would come in and lie down beside him.

 

“Wishful thinking,” Kougaiji breathed out. “It's just wishful thinking.”

 

The moment he saw him in that store, there was no mistaking it was Hakkai. The eyes, the hair, the way he smiled when he thanked him, it was Hakkai all right. He just could not understand why he denied his identity.

 

---

 

He walked down the corridor like death itself, certain of every move as his hair gracefully followed his every step. The sword was carefully tucked against his back, making it easy for him to pull it out in case things got too rowdy. His target was leaving and every second counted. As the car was about to leave the parking lot, he made a run for it. He brought out the sword and sprinted across the parking lot straight for the car. The headlights flashed and he dropped, one hand on the ground for leverage and the other holding the sword that gleamed in the night, his stance predatory and deadly.

 

The car backed up and with screeching tires sped towards him. He stood up, made an arc with his sword and ran straight on. On the last drawn second, he made a jump and landed neatly on the hood. His sword pierced its way through the windshield and killed the driver instantly, and before the guard could fire their guns, he was already dead by his sword. He stood up and wiped his sword with a rag before climbing down. He walked casually towards the back seat and opened the door. There he found the target crouching behind the driver's seat in attempt to hide from him.

 

“Please, spare me,” the man pleaded, his hands trembling in fear and eyes wide with unspoken fear.

 

“Mr. Richardson, your drug trafficking days are over,” he said and without batting an eye, swung his sword in a sweep and stepped back as the body toppled out of the car. He turned around and started walking away from the car as he cleaned his sword. As soon as the sword was spotless, he gracefully returned it back to its casing.

 

“You can tell them to transfer the rest of the money to my off-shore accounts,” he called out to the informant who was lurking in the shadows. When he was certain that the informant was gone, he turned towards a parked car and kicked the door with his heel. A groan of pain was heard from the other side of the door.

 

“Gojyo, you bastard,” he hissed. “Why the hell are you spying one me?”

 

Gojyo revealed himself from behind the car, a smug smile playing on his lips. He took a step towards him, closing the distance. When he noticed the piqued look on his face, he leaned against the car to ease the rising tension.

 

“I was not spying on you. I was merely observing your technique,” he stated coolly and met his glare. “I'm a big fan of yours.”

 

“Like hell you are,” he grated out and started to leave.

 

Gojyo grabbed Hakkai's arm and pulled him to press his body against the smaller man. Hakkai could feel the heat rising to his face as he felt his body pressing against Gojyo's, the warmth underneath the shirt was undeniable against the thin fabric of his shirt. He wanted to pull away but something in the back of his head wanted to be held.

 

“I thought you said that if I touch you again, I die by your hands?” Gojyo asked as he buried his face in the crook of hid neck, inhaling his scent and allowing his lips to trail down the bare neck.

 

“Gojyo,” he pleaded softly and tried to push him away. “Don't do this. This is wrong.”

 

“What's wrong?” he asked softly as he pulled him even closer. “And what shouldn't I do?” He asked as his hands trailed down his back.

 

Hakkai whimpered as Gojyo's lips continued to play around his neck, leaving soft kisses on his shoulder and collarbone. She could not deny the heat rising in him. Afraid that Gojyo would notice the undeniable arousal in him, he pushed Gojyo away causing him to fall back on the car.

 

“That's enough.”

 

Gojyo looked at him found that he was staring back. Without saying another word, he disappeared into the night. Gojyo dusted himself, smiled and followed suit.

 

---

 

Hakkai ran his hands through his hair as he stepped in his room. He was about to remove his shirt when he felt a hand stop him.

 

“Let me finish what I was doing earlier,” Gojyo's voice came from behind. He whirled around and pushed him away.

 

“I said that's enough,” he snapped and stepped back. “I want you out of my room or I'll kill you.”

 

Gojyo smiled and took a step forward, pushing his luck and closing the distance once again. He placed his hands on his shoulder and pulled him close.

 

“Go ahead, kill me,” he said softly as his hands went down the softness of his arms. When he didn't do anything, his hands slowly made it's way to the hem of his shirt. He pulled the clothing off his head and placed soft butterfly kisses on his neck.

 

“Gojyo, don't do this,” Hakkai whispered and placed his hands against the red-head's chest, pushing him away. But the taller man would not be denied. With a sudden release of strength, Gogyo's hands clamped down on Hakkai's wrist.

 

Gojyo pushed Hakkai against the wall to trap the slender body against his. Gojyo looked hungrily at Hakkai before devouring the soft half-open mouth before him. Hakkai moaned against Gojyo's lips as he felt his tongue taste every corner of his mouth. Gojyo eased his grip on his wrists to remove his own shirt.

 

However, when Hakkai felt Gojyo's hands hurriedly tugging at his belt, he angrily pushed him away.

 

“I said no! “ He yelled angrily. Gojyo stumbled back but regained his balance, a confused look on his face.

 

“It's that Kougaiji boy isn't it?”

 

Hakkai did not say anything. Instead, he picked his shirt and dressed up. Gojyo stepped closer and grabbed him by the arm.

 

“Ever since you met that bastard again you've been avoiding me like a plague,” Gojyo said angrily, his grip on his arm tightening with every word. Hakkai twisted his arm so that he was holding Gojyo instead. He did not say anything but placed the edge of his sword against his neck. Gojyo gasped in surprise when he felt the cold steel press against his throat, the edge slowly embedding itself.

 

“Get out before I kill you,” he whispered coldly and stared intently into his eyes. He relaxed his grip and turned away, not wanting Gojyo to see that he wanted him so much.

 

“I'll be back, Hakkai,” Gojyo mumbled. “I'm not giving up on you that easily.”

 

When he turned around to say something, Gojyo had gone out of the window, leaving the window wide open. He let out a tattered sigh and sat on the edge of the bed. As sigh after sigh slipped out his bruised lips, the sword he trusted with his life glistened and flashed on the bed.

 

---

 

“A man was killed last night at Hey Joe's parking lot,” Jien stated as he watched Kougaiji pace back and forth. “The murder weapon was not a gun. Police are saying it's a sharp object, ranging from a long switch blade to a full-size sword. CSI seems to be limiting it to a sword but they still have to identify what sword was used.”

 

Kougaiji didn't say anything but continued to pace back and forth. Jien looked at him seriously.

 

“The police identified the men killed as drug operatives. The primary agent, Andus Richardson, operates in the country all the way to South America. He's in Peru's most wanted list. The police aren't sure if this is a part of drug war or a vigilante case.”

 

“And you're telling me this because?”

 

“There's a witness saying that he saw a man leave the club the same time the agent left.”

 

“That's a lousy eye-witness story,” he snapped. Jien looked unperturbed by his outburst.

 

“I'm just stating the facts of the crime.'

 

“The last one still falls under hear-say. And unless that witness can exactly say that he saw the crime being committed he can't be a reliable source. Why are you telling me this?”

 

“They all managed to track down every person on the list, all except one man,” Jien said ignoring his question. “Do you know why?”

 

Kougaiji looked at him expectantly waiting for an answer.

 

“The man's name didn't turn out any information whatsoever. No address, date of birth, nothing at all, Kougaiji. He used the name Hakuryu. Does it ring a bell?”

 

“The name does sound familiar but I can't remember where I saw it,” Kougaiji said slowly.

 

“I thought so,” Jien said and handed him a few documents. “Those were some of the articles Hakkai wrote for publication under the magazine we used to work for. Hakuryu was supposed to be his comic strip name but the comic never hit the stands because Hakkai supposedly died.”

 

“It can't be him,” Kougaiji whispered as he sat on a chair.

 

“Let's hope he's really dead, or we're in a big mess,” Jien muttered and looked at a picture of Hakkai and Kougaiji hanging on the wall. “I just really hope.”

 

---

 

Hakkai looked up as the evening news flashed on the TV. It was about Andus Richardson, the man he killed in the parking lot.

 

“You left a trail behind,” Gojyo said as he stood by the doorway. “And you shouldn't leave your doors unlocked. Someone might break in.”

 

“I appreciate you're concern Gojyo,” Hakkai said coldly. “But I think I can handle my own affairs.”

 

“Someone saw you last night leave the same time as your target did.”

 

“The trail's going to go cold, the same with the others. You know that as much as I do,” Hakkai said and picked up his coat. “I'm going out for a walk. Lock the door when you leave.”

 

`I don't want you to get hurt Hakkai, you know that.”

 

Hakkai stopped in his tracks when he heard the statement. It almost sounded as if he loved him. This man, so full of hatred and coldness, actually felt something besides pain.

 

“Be careful,” was the last thing he said before he left.

 

“Gojyo,” he whispered as if trying to understand him. He shook his head and locked the door behind him as he left the confines of the room.

 

The cold air breathed softly against his face as he looked around. The place was deserted given the lateness of the hour. There were a few people walking around, some prostitutes milling along the sidewalks, some gangsters smoking in the corners, but only he was the one who walked the opposite direction. He was different.

 

“I was always different,” he whispered as he made his way down the lonely street. He had always been alone, misunderstood for his ways and he couldn't blame them. He was, after all, trained by the secret service to follow his father's tracks after he died. They said it was one of his last wishes. And he despised him for that. He was robbed of a normal life. Remembering his past made him angry and caused him to lash out with the sword. Hakkai gracefully swung the sword in an arc, cutting a piece of timber in two. He was well-trained in using guns but was exceptionally adept with swords.

 

“Sword fighting is an art form,” a stranger's voice said from the background. He turned around instinctively to face where the voice came from but could not see him. “Mind if I test your skills?”

 

“The darkness defeats the purpose,” Hakkai said cautiously but kept the sword on guard.

 

“On the contrary, it allows your senses to become more attune.”

 

“But the style and the art form of the sword is wasted on the lack of visuals,” he managed to say. The stranger did not say anything further but made the first attack. In the darkness, Hakkai felt the change of air and managed to block the strike coming from his right. With swift movements, he managed a counter-attack but only lashed at cold air.

 

“Shit,” he hissed out in frustration as the darkness continued to envelope his attacker. He made a run for the clearing hoping that the attacker would follow.

 

“The light will not do you any good, what is a master compared to a student?” Came the snide remark. He gritted his teeth and held the katana tightly.

 

As soon as he came to the clearing he made a clean somersault to land on a defense position. His eyes gleamed like ice in the darkness.

 

“Are you ready for me?” The voice rang out in the empty clearing.

 

“Bring it on, bastard,” he hissed and changed position; bringing the sword in attack position.

 

---

 

Hakkai staggered aimlessly across the street. He was bruised and hurting from the lacerations. His clothes were spattered in the Chinese's blood. He managed to keep the sword from sight, hiding it behind his back. For the past hour, he managed to dodge the patrolling police but wondered for how long he can manage to escape them. He cannot afford to confront another attack. He walked down an alley, resting from time to time against the walls, hiding in the darkness.

 

The Chinese assassin was hired by Andus Richardson's company just in case things did not go as planned. For some strange reason, he overlooked the matter that the assassin must've been watching him while he killed Richardson. But why, if he was ordered to protect him, did he not stop Hakkai during that night? Why did he choose to attack after he had killed Richardson?

 

Beating the strongest brings about great recognition, hitokiri,[1] the Chinese whispered in his ear as he held him pinned against the ground. Before he could kill him with a downward thrust of his sword, Hakkai had managed to get out of his lock and kill him with a backhand stab to the heart. He heard him gurgle out some undistinguishable words before he died on his sword.

 

It was true. Several attempts to kill him were made, not because of duty or contract, but because of sheer will to become the most powerful and formidable assassin. Men and women alike were drawn to him because killing him would make them go up the price ladder. However, many failed to achieve this twisted dream. There was only one person who posed as a threat to him and that would be Gojyo.

 

Hitokiri. What does it mean to be called hitokiri?

 

“Hey, are you all right?” A deep voice came from behind him. The voice was achingly familiar. Hakkai turned cautiously to face the stranger. His hands ready on the katana. If he was going to die, he was going to die fighting. The stranger's face was blocked by the light coming from a street lamp, and it was too bright for him to distinguish his face.

 

He opened his mouth but no words came out. He wanted to reach out to touch the face, to distinguish it from friend or foe. However, before he could even feel the warmth of another human being. He had already passed out.

 

“Hakkai...”

 

---

 

Gojyo paced the room back and forth, unable to contain the growing apprehension over his absence. He was suppose to be back from his walk over an hour ago but still the room remained empty and deserted.

 

“Where the hell is he?” He muttered as he remained on the path he was trudging on the carpet. “He's supposed to be back by now.”

 

He was about to go on another round of pacing when he heard screams from outside. Going on his instincts, he went out to investigate, hoping in the back of his mind, it had nothing to do with Hakkai.

 

“Shit,” he cursed angrily. He was never like this before. He never cared if something happened to anyone. But ever since he met Hakkai, shit, he's been like a lovesick dog following his every move.

 

“I should've followed him,” he muttered as he ran through the shadows of the buildings, careful not to be seen. Had he followed him when he left the room, he might not be in this frenzied search for his whereabouts.

 

He first saw him during a diplomatic conference in Hague. She was one of the guests. Gojyo could still remember the dark emerald tux he wore that shown off his eyes. Everybody agreed that he was more beautiful than handsome with his fine angular and soft features. Ever since he walked in the room, he hadn't taken his eyes off him. Hakkai was on assignment for the Chilean ambassador, and he on assignment for the consul general of Slovenia. They had bumped against each other on their way to their assignments, and he very politely mumbled an `excuse me' before going on his way. He hasn't stopped thinking about the dark-haired green-eyed man ever since. So, when they met again in Japan, he made his move. Though he obviously got on his wrong side, Gojyo's been with his crowd ever since, working for the same operative. He wasn't sure if it was a great idea falling for a co-worker but he couldn't ignore the feelings anymore.

 

“Fucking weakness,” he muttered as he made through the small park. He never should've set his eyes on him. There were bright lights at the end of the clearing and several people watching. Better to take another side to investigate.

 

When he reached another side of the clearing, he saw several news reporters and a couple of police men investigating a crime scene. What caught his attention was the sword lying on the ground beside a covered body. His breath caught in his throat and the world seems to be spinning. It can't be Hakkai. Gods, he wouldn't know what he would do if the man behind the blanket was Hakkai. He moved closer to the body. He just had to make sure even if it risked his own safety. He moved into the crowd as he tried to gather information, praying to himself that it wasn't Hakkai underneath the white sheet.

 

“We're positive that it's a Chinese male,” the police officer told the reporter. “We've identified the victim as Tse-Bien, hit man of the South American drug syndicate. Reasons for his death are clearly made through sword fighting due to the slashes he received to the chest and to the head. However, the assailant responsible for his death is still to be arrested. We believe that it could be an inside affair.”

 

“Can you say if the assailant is alive or dead?”

 

“From the great deal of blood, the assailant could be severely wounded and may not be far from here. He may have already tried to patch himself up and have stayed in some shelter to do so. We are currently on a man-hunt for the suspect.”

 

Gojyo let out a sigh of relief. Now that he's certain that it isn't Hakkai, and that he could probably be still alive but he still has to find out where he was.

 

---

 

Kougaiji looked down on the sleeping figure. He was so badly beaten. His face was all bloody and bruised up from cuts and shallow lacerations. But there was no hiding that it was Hakkai.

 

“Hakkai,” he whispered lovingly as he brushed the hair the fell on his face as he slept. “You're safe now.”

 

Kougaiji turned to hear the front door opening. He was ready to fight off the police if he had to but it was only Jien, with his morning hair and the day's grocery. They've been sharing the apartment ever since Hakkai disappeared but this time, they might have to rethink the situation.

 

“I forgot the peanut butter but I have…” Jien's voice trailed off when he saw the form lying on the couch. He dropped the grocery on the kitchen counter and hurried over to where Kougaiji was sitting.

 

“He's going to be fine,” Kougaiji said softly. He heard Jien gasp.

 

“Are you out of your mind?”

 

“What are you talking about?” Kougaiji looked at him, surprised at his outburst.

 

“He's wanted for murder and you ask me what I'm talking about?”

 

“That's still yet to be proven,” he answered heatedly. “And besides, you're a friend! You should think about him first before anything else.”

 

“Uh, have you ever watched those murder movies where the suspect doesn't leave any witnesses alive?”

 

“He is not a murderer! And if you don't want to help him then that's fine, get out.”

 

Jien stopped in his tracks and looked at him and then at Hakkai.

 

“You better know what you're doing Kougaiji,” Jien said slowly and sat beside him. Kougaiji nodded and watched him sleep again. Jien sighed and looked at the battered figure before them. He didn't have the heart to throw him out. What Kougaiji said was true, he still was his friend and he should take care of him the way she took care of them.

 

“Now what do we do?” Jien asked after a few minutes of silence.

 

“I don't know.”

 

“WHAT?!”

 

“Hush,” Kougaiji answered with a finger on his lips. Jien turned beet red with frustration. “I'll think of something along the way.”

 

Before Jien could answer back, Hakkai's eyes fluttered open.

 

To Be Continued

 

[1] hitokiri - I got this from Rurouni Kenshin which isn't mine either. (^_^) Hmm…what does hitokiri mean? Hehe…I'll have to do some research then. Ü