Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Unseen Smile ❯ Blade's Edge ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: Like what I always say, I do not own the characters from Sayuiki I just wish I did.

 

Warning: Not for the faint-hearted, closed-minded and those who do not go for illicit male/male relationships.

 

Blade's Edge

 

A month had passed since the incident of Hakkai's almost dying state in Kougaiji's arms and the man with violet eyes and red-hair had given up hope in finding his lost Hakkai.

 

“Hakkai, where ever he is, is taking care of himself,” Jien said one Saturday night. “If he needs us, he knows where to find us. So as far as we are concerned, we should get back to out lives. And yes, you are right. Whoever Hakkai is or whatever he's doing, he's still our friend.”

 

Kou had kept his mouth shut during that short speech. Thankful that Jien had finally understood everything. And thankful that he had finally allowed those words to penetrate through his thick skull as Jien had quite often put it. It was true, he had finally allowed himself to let go of Hakkai.

 

“I cooked some white chicken with Chinese seasoning,” Jien called out from the kitchen. “Would you want fried rice with that or garlic rice?”

 

Kougaiji peaked through the divider of the living room and the kitchen. “Garlic rice sounds fine,” he answered and took a whiff at the aroma filling the kitchen. “You cook as great as Hakkai,” he commented.

 

Jien couldn't help but feel irritated about the sudden comparison. When he noticed the feeling, he quickly brushed it aside. Why was he getting angry at something as senseless as that? Hakkai was his friend and even he agreed that Hakkai was a wonderful cook. Wasn't being compared to him an honor?

 

“Could you fix the table, Kou?”

 

“Sure,” he answered lightly. “Oh, and I took your bed out to dry.”

 

Jien's head shot up from the intent gaze at the sizzling frying pan. He slowly put the fire on low and faced Kou. The latter was oblivious to his stare and continued to place the bowls and plates in their respective places.

 

“What did you just say?”

 

“I took your bed out to dry because it got wet last night during the rain. You forgot to close the window, right? Then you stayed at the office to wait the rain out, right?”

 

Jien face flushed. Where was he going to sleep tonight? The couch would be the best option for now but last time he checked, all of Kougaiji's files were stacked neatly on the floor.

 

“So where will I sleep, on the floor?”

 

“Well, my bed is big enough for three people so we wouldn't have any problems about the sleeping arrangements,” Kou explained but still intent on the table setting.

 

Jien almost dropped the pan. “Are you serious about this?” He choked out.

 

“Which side do you want, the one next to the lamp or the one next to the table?”

 

---

 

Gojyo watched as Hakkai tediously scouted the surrounding area, apparently making sure that the region was safe. A month has passed without any threats to their lives. Hakkai had put it as the calm before the storm. He couldn't agree more. Even Lirin, told them to be extra careful from now on. Though there was little activity from GCSE and the council, it did not mean that there were no plans in killing them.

 

“So they put all our assignments on hold?” Gojyo said as he lit a cigarette. Hakkai nodded and sat down next to him when he had finished his task.

 

“Only the foreign ones,” Hakkai answered. “Lirin said it wasn't a good idea that we travel, especially with the current situation we are in. Otherwise, the assignments still continue to pour in.”

 

“Found anything on Ni Jieni and the Council?”

 

“None,” he said with a shake of his head. “You?”

 

“Well, I found out that they currently stopped their operations in South America,” Gojyo said with a thoughtful puff of smoke. “Seems to me like they're concentrating their efforts on us.”

 

Hakkai sighed and buried his face in his hands as a sign of exasperation. He just couldn't understand why the big deal about his death. He stole a quick glance at Gojyo but immediately returned his attention to the lines in his hands.

 

“I won't die, Hakkai,” Gojyo said slowly. “I know that's what's been bothering you for the past weeks.”

 

“Well, having countless of similar promises broken makes me doubtful whether I should believe you're promise or not,” he said with a bitter smile.

 

Gojyo flicked the half-finished cigarette away and turned to face the brunette. He cupped Hakkai's face in his hands and stared deep into his eyes. Hakkai could only look at him in surprise. The action was far fetched from the normal roguish image of the red-head.

 

“I don't break promises Hakkai,” he said slowly. “And when I told you before that I will never leave you, that we'll be partners for life, that I put my whole life in your hands, it's all true.”

 

“Partners?” Hakkai said with a soft smile. Gojyo nodded and kissed the waiting lips.

 

“Partners.”

 

Meanwhile…

 

Ni Jieni had found a way to get to Cho Hakkai and return the favor of the council on his part. The key was in the newly established partner, Sha Gojyo.

 

“You underestimate my abilities,” Zakuro said with a snort. “I'm one of the finest assassins in the business and you expect me to only do this?”

 

“I expect you to deliver this and then finish them off.”

 

“Why not just kill them both?” He asked as he flipped over the pages of information regarding Gojyo and Hakkai. Ni took a sip from his coffee and looked at Zakuro.

 

“These two happen to be the best of the best and now that they're working side by side, they're unstoppable. I'm sure some one such as you who have outstanding abilities have noticed this already.”

 

Zakuro cocked an eyebrow at the mocking statement but decided that the money was all he needed anyway. He shrugged and leaned back on the chair.

 

“Well, if that's what you want me to do, then I'll go through your plans. As long as you pay me the agreed amount, we wouldn't have any problems.”

 

“Do the first part of the plan and I'll transfer the money to you account. Finish the whole set up I'll transfer the rest,” Ni said. “And if you try to con me out of this, the Council will be the one to handle you.”

 

“I told you before, don't underestimate me.”

 

---

 

Gojyo had asked Lirin to give them at least this Friday night off. He had insisted that they needed a break from the assignments and that Hakkai was getting too tensed up over the threats from GSCE and Ni Jieni. After much persuasion, Lirin and the rest of the big honchos had agreed to the night off. They did remind him not to be too hopeful that these nights off would come frequently.

 

“Ah, Gojyo,” came Hakkai's hesitant response as he walked out of the bathroom. Gojyo had previously selected clothes that he should wear to the club they were going to. He was receptive to the part where Gojyo would pick out his clothes but when he noticed what Gojyo had actually picked, he suddenly wasn't too keen about the idea.

 

“You look fine,” Gojyo reassured him and looked him over. He noticed that the white shirt brought out Hakkai's tan complexion and the dark green jacket complimented his eyes. And instead of the usual square pants, Gojyo picked out a comfortable khaki pants and tan suede shoes. “See, you'll fit in perfectly. No one would think that you're one of those Goth kids or something.”

 

“This is too casual for me,” Hakkai said slowly and looked down at his apparel.

 

“And it would be easier for you to forget about our problems while we're having fun,” Gojyo insisted. “If you keep donning that attire, you'll always think that you're in the battlefield.”

 

“Uh, is that why you're wearing a white shirt over your faded black pants?”

 

“Well, actually,” he started sheepishly. “I forgot to do laundry so I had to settle whatever's in my closet.”

 

Hakkai smiled and reached for Gojyo's hand. Gojyo smiled back when he felt the hand squeeze tight around his own. It made him feel wanted, secure and loved.

 

“Gojyo, aren't we too early to go clubbing?” Hakkai asked as he looked at his watch. “It's only eight o'clock.”

 

“I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable with your clothes,” he answered. “We'll leave around nine so we'd get there when it's still roomy.”

 

“Should I change?”

 

“No, leave it on. Besides, it isn't too hot,” Gojyo said and opened a window to let the cool night air in. Hakkai walked next to Gojyo, relishing the feeling of cold air against his skin. He removed the jacket not wanting to sweat and be uncomfortable later.

 

“Have you… you know…done it with Kougaiji?” Gojyo asked slowly, not looking at him as played with the unlit cigarette in between his lips. “You were a couple for a couple of months, right?”

 

Hakkai looked straight on. This conversation was bound to happen sooner or later, and he had hoped it would be later.

 

“Around three months,” he answered slowly. “I tried to make myself believe that I could have a normal life above the whole hired-gun scenario. I met him when I was on assignment in Japan. His best friend, Jien, had treated him to a week-long stay in Tokyo and we met accidentally during dinner. I took his seat not knowing that Lirin had mistakenly typed in the wrong seat number.” Hakkai laughed at the memory of Kougaiji trying to pull the chair from beneath him. Gojyo continued to play with the cigarette, eyes hooded from showing any emotions.

 

Hakkai sighed. “But I was just fooling myself. I never had a normal life with Kougaiji because I always had out of town assignments and I always went home late. We fought from time to time because I couldn't tell him about my real work. I was afraid that he might turn on me or that they might get to him.”

 

Gojyo still remained silent, listening carefully to every word coming from Hakkai. The cigarette was starting to grow limp on his lips.

 

“Why the sudden interest in me and Kougaiji?” Hakkai asked with an amused smile.

 

Gojyo snorted and lit the cigarette. “Nothing, just wanted to know that's all.”

 

“Jealous?”

 

“Why should I be jealous?” Gojyo snapped expecting a surprised expression on Hakkai's face. However, the amused smile had spread through his face making his eyes sparkle. He flicked the cigarette away with irritation.

 

“Okay, okay,” Hakkai said and waved the comment away. “So you're not jealous.”

 

Gojyo slammed his hands beside Hakkai's head making the former frown. Staring intently into those eyes, Gojyo suddenly caught those lips into a frenzied kiss, his hands falling down to Hakkai's shoulders.

 

“I am not jealous,” Gojyo breathed out heavily against the bruised lips. “I'm just…concerned.”

 

Hakkai smiled and rested his forehead against Gojyo's. “I know, I was just teasing you.”

 

“What if I teased you?” Gojyo asked with a mischievous smile.

 

“You can tease me all you want after we've had our night out. It isn't everyday we get this chance,” Hakkai said as he moved out from underneath Gojyo. “How `bout we get going?”

 

---

 

Jien had managed to get away with it during the first week. He had fallen asleep on the couch while staying up late doing some illustration drafts for his advertising project. But this night, he had run out of ideas. He had just recently passed his idea to the board of directors and Kou was aware of that. The couch was now messier than before and Kougaiji had ruled out the option of him sleeping there.

 

“Well, you shouldn't have thrown my mattress away,” Jien stated.

 

“You should be thankful I had the initiative to check you bed. It was all moldy and stinky,” Kougaiji insisted. “You can sleep on something like that. It would be disgusting.”

 

“Then you should've brought a new one when you threw it away.”

 

“Why would I buy new one when the one we still have is fine?”

 

Jien blushed furiously at the subtle proposition coming from Kou.

 

“The bed is big enough for the both of us. We even have enough room to move around,” Kou continued. That comment made Jien blush even more.

 

“What is wrong with you, Jien?” Kou asked when the other made no move. Jien felt like his feet were cemented to the floor.

 

“I don't know,” Jien said slowly, face still beet red. “Can I go out for air?”

 

Without waiting for Kougaiji's answer, Jien hurriedly left the room. He finally managed to find solace in the bathroom. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, there was a knock on the door.

 

“Jien, what's wrong?” Came Kougaiji's concerned query from behind the door. “Did I say something wrong? Are you mad at me? I know I've been such a bastard lately about Hakkai and you've been there always, and, look I'm sorry Jien. I'm sorry if I over looked you before.”

 

“I just thought that you know, we were best friends,” Jien answered. “All those times you kept on comparing me to Hakkai and how I did things the way he did, I just assumed that you'll never get over Hakkai.”

 

“Jien, let's get some sleep,” Kougaiji pleaded. “We can start settling everything about us bit by bit, piece by piece. Let's not rush into things.”

 

After much pleading and coaxing, Jien finally slipped under the covers next to Kou. Though his body was still tense for some unknown reason, he fell asleep.

 

Kou watched his back, how his sides slightly moved as he inhaled and exhaled.

 

“I should've always known that you were there for me,” Kou whispered softly. “How could I have been so insensitive? Even Hakkai knew about it way before any of us did. I just wish I took notice in it long ago…”

 

And with that final sentiment, aired out into the night breeze, Kougaiji fell asleep, with a hand lightly draped around Jien's arm.

 

---

 

Dancing so intimately with another man turned a few heads on the dance floor, and Hakkai knew that. The beats were slow, sensual and intoxicating. Having their bodies so close together made him feel light-headed or was it the glasses of tequila and vodka? He laughed it off obviously throwing caution to the wind.

 

Hakkai swung an arm around Gojyo's neck, closing the distance between them. He moved to the beat, hips swinging from side to side, his head thrown back. The beat was thrumming like a bolt through his body. The alcohol had evidently gone to his head.

 

“Having fun?” Gojyo said over the music, leaning closer to Hakkai. He had kept count of the glasses Hakkai was consuming, taking note that after every glass, he seemed more and more flushed. Had he known that Hakkai's alcohol tolerance was low, he would've been more mindful of the drinks he was ordering.

 

“Yeah,” Hakkai answered and looked at Gojyo. `I'm so glad you decided to take me out tonight.”

 

Though Hakkai was a bit drunk, Gojyo knew that the words were sincere. It had been a long time since they had fun. Something they rarely did before and perhaps never really dreamed of happening.

 

“How about we sit down for a while so you can catch your breath?”

 

“And then you'll get me one of those short glasses of vodka?” Hakkai said with a laugh. Gojyo shook his head and led him to a deserted table.

 

“I think you've had enough for the night,” Gojyo said once they were seated. Hakkai laughed again. No, this time the brunette actually giggled like a prissy school girl. Gojyo was now sure that most of excitement coming from Hakkai was alcohol induced.

 

“But I'm thirsty from all the dancing we just did,” Hakkai whined. Gojyo stared at him, trying to, no forcing to understand why in the world is Hakkai whining. Gojyo signaled for a waiter and requested a drink that Hakkai did not catch. When Gojyo turned his attention back at Hakkai, he saw him playing with a bottle cap and tissue.

 

“You don't drink do you, Hakkai?” Gojyo asked, watching him stare off, noticing that his eyes were glazed and unfocused. “Is this the first time you've had vodka?”

 

“No, because I don't know how vodka is made,” Hakkai said as he continued to fiddle with the cap. Gojyo made a face of confusion.

 

What is this guy talking about?

 

“But wine is made from grapes, right? So I only drink wine because the alcohol content is lower when it comes in different colors. Vodka and tequila are stronger than cosmopolitans and Bloody Marys. Did you know Bloody Marys have tomatoes and ginger in them? So I don't drink those too because they stain.”

 

Is this how Hakkai gets when he's drunk? Gods, he talks so much for someone who's usually quiet and thoughtful. Gojyo thought as Hakkai continued to talk about senseless jumbled facts, piecing them together to form semi-coherent sentences. The waiter finally came with the drink after Hakkai had recounted the story of the cask of amontillado.

 

“Here,” Gojyo said and handed him the small cup of coffee. “Drink it so you'd think more clearly.”

 

Hakkai inhaled the sweet aroma and wrinkled his nose. “This is coffee.”

 

“Yeah, and you need it,” Gojyo said and pushed the cup towards Hakkai. “Drink it before you start throwing up all over the place.”

 

Hakkai pouted and that made Gojyo cringe more. He reminded him of a giggly school girl only without the bouncy pony tails and short skirts. Without backing down his glare, he finally watch Hakkai take the cup to his lips and drink the bittersweet concoction. After a few minutes, the glaze on Hakkai's eyes was gone and the flushed color from his lips were fading.

 

“Finish it up so we can go home,” Gojyo said and pushed the cup nearer. Hakkai nodded and drank it down. After a few minutes, he was sober. The effects of the vodka, tequila or whatever else he had was fading from his blood stream. Gojyo stood up and held out a hand to Hakkai.

 

“I'm sorry I got carried away,” Hakkai mumbled as he took his hand. Though he didn't really understand what the sober brunette had just said, he knew he was apologetic. Gojyo just felt like he was.

 

“We'll talk about it once we get home okay?” Gojyo said against his cheek. “Don't feel bad Hakkai, every body needs to loosen up once in a while.”

 

Hakkai nodded, though he still was very much miserable. Was it the alcohol leaving his system or was it something else? Gojyo tipped his head to see those emerald eyes that he loved.

 

“Don't worry, Hakkai,” Gojyo said and placed a soft quick kiss on his lips. Hakkai seemed to brighten up but flushed all the same when they noticed that couples, strangers and waiters from nearby tables were staring at them.

 

“I need to go to the men's room,” Hakkai said. “Wait for me outside?”

 

“Okay,” Gojyo said and started for the exit. He looked back at Hakkai and smiled when he caught his eye. Hakkai smiled back and waved before disappearing into a corner.

 

When he appeared by the exit sign, he was hoping…no, expecting, that Gojyo would be there waiting for him. He looked around for him. It made him feel annoyed at the stupid game Gojyo was playing on him. He peered into the darkness and buried his hands deep into his pockets.

 

“Gojyo?” Came the first tentative call for his partner. Hakkai looked around, hoping to find Gojyo hiding in some car like before. He walked down the parking area and found none but empty cars.

 

“Gojyo?” Came the second alarmed and frantic call in a note higher than before. Hakkai, though a bit dazed from the alcohol, walked in hurried steady steps around the perimeter near the exit. He may have been going around in circles but that was all he could do to find the missing red-head. He ran his hands through his hair and noticed that they were cold from anxiety and panic as he touched his face.

 

He stood there in the middle of the parking lot, looking around frantically, wishing that Gojyo would just stop this whole game and come out running to tease him. Gods, he wanted that so as to stop the fearful beating in his chest. He was scared, damn it. And this was the first he was scared like hell.

 

“GOJYO!” He shouted at the top of his lungs when long minutes have passed and still there was no sign of him. He clenched his fists, angry at himself and at whoever did this to Gojyo.

 

As he stumbled back to the exit door, hoping that someone could've seen them, a small metallic object that shone in the cool fluorescent lamp overhead. He moved closer and once he picked it up he knew that it belonged to Gojyo. The silver lighter was one of Gojyo's treasured possessions, having kept it for years. Attached to it was a small note, tied around the lighter's case with a piece of string, no, with a piece of long, red hair. Hakkai gritted his teeth at the sickening mockery, hand closed over the note and angrily threw it to the ground. Tag, you're it.

 

He looked around; the green eyes that shone in the light were no longer hazy, unfocused and uncertain. When he looked up, his eyes were of a darker shade, clouded by anger, revenge and pain. They were cold and unrelenting. The eyes that once frightened Gojyo had displaced the beautiful emerald gems.

 

Without saying another word, Hakkai, one of the most feared assassins, slipped into the darkness.

 

---

 

Gojyo watched the slender figure with violet hair walk up and down before him. His hands and ankles were bound together by strong pliant wires that would easily cut through his skin if he moved too much.

 

“You are so easy to catch,” the man said and stopped to squat in front of him. “Standing there, unguarded.”

 

The words were certain, even proud and that made him angrier. Gojyo had never been looked down on.

 

“And do you know what I'll do to your beautiful partner?”

 

Gojyo stared angrily at back at him, meeting cool yellow-green eyes. Snake eyes. The laugher that answered his stare felt like ice on his body.

 

“I'll fuck him like crazy, Sha Gojyo,” he said with a smile. “And then I'll gouge out those pretty eyes of his and feed it to the fishes. I'll fuck that pretty boyfriend of yours like a whore and then every time he screams, he'll scream for your name.”

 

Gojyo let out a muffled curse from beneath the gag. That only solicited another laugh from the other man.

 

“He'll beg for you to save him from me,” he continued and brushed off a crimson lock from his face.

 

Gojyo wriggled to free his hands but only felt the wire cutting through his skin. Zakuro cocked an eyebrow at him and smirked.

 

“Not really, going to work eh, Gojyo? I've trained in every possible way to prepare for the two of you. You're one hard to crack couple. You see, when two of the best of the bests coming out and join forces then that's one big trouble for other lackeys like me. So someone gave me this wonderful idea of taking one of you out first and then the next,” he said with a hideous grin.

 

Little bastard's a psycho, Gojyo thought as he looked at the cool eyes and the twisted grin. He kills, not just for the money, but for pleasure.

 

“I don't really go for guys and the way they need to be fucked,” Zakuro began as he stood up to pace around Gojyo. “But when I saw how beautiful that Hakkai was, *phew* I just can't wait until I blow my load in him.”

 

This time, Gojyo let out a string of curses from underneath the gag. His eyes a fiery red, not hiding his emotions stared at his captor. Obviously, this amused the other man and continued to anger him more.

 

“Can you describe how tight he is? Or how his lips taste like? Or how he screams when he comes?” He asked rhetorically with a raised eyebrow, mockingly looking at Gojyo, waiting for him to answer.

 

Gojyo could only curse under the gag. He wanted to scream. He wanted to be free so that he could tear this man apart with his bare hands.

 

“Well, I'd just have to let you know after I'm done with him,” he said and seated himself on a chair facing Gojyo. “That is, if you're still alive.”

 

Gojyo continued to stare hard and angry at the disgusting piece of meat looking at him. He despised the way his lips would curl up into an evil smile every time he would mention Hakkai's name. He watched him bring out a mobile phone and check for messages and calls. As if on cue, he looked up at Gojyo again. A sly smile spreading wide on his lips, eyes unruffled by the stare that could bore holes in him.

 

“Oh, and before I forget,” he said, the smile reaching his eyes, “when I screw your boyfriend senseless, when he screams your name for help, when he cries and begs me to just kill him… you'll be there to witness everything.”

 

---

 

There was a knock at the door, and Jien, having been sleeping, lazily got out of bed. He hadn't noticed that Kou was practically sprawled all over the bed, sheets tangled around his body and everything. He checked the watch. It was a quarter to two. Who would be awake and pounding at their door at this kind of time?

 

Jien, probably because his mind was still half-asleep, had not bothered to look through the small peep hole on the door. With a yawn, he opened the door. Only when he noticed who was standing behind it did he try to shut it close. However, a foot jammed between the frame and door prevented him from doing so.

 

“Hakkai,” Jien hoarsely said, and felt his mouth grow dry. “What are you doing here?”

 

Hakkai entered the small apartment and looked around. “Wake up Kougaiji,” he directed Jien.

 

Jien nodded wordlessly and went inside the bedroom to wake the owner of the flat. When Kougaiji appeared, he was fully awake. But there was sadness in his eyes that Hakkai noted when he appeared before him.

 

“Hakkai,” Kougaiji whispered slowly, as if allowing the name to roll off his tongue.

 

“Kou,” Hakkai began, and watched him approach. What he didn't expect was the soft hand taking one of his. It gave a firm squeeze and a sign of assurance. Hakkai could feel a hollow ache in his heart.

 

“Before we get all emotional here,” Hakkai said and cleared his throat wanting to clear the sudden emotion-laden atmosphere. “I need help, fast and accurate help.”

 

“What happened?” Jien asked, a worried tone to his voice. “What's wrong?”

 

“Someone, a close friend of mine was taken,” Hakkai said hurriedly and closed the door behind him. “I need your help to do some research on him, on the person who took my friend away.”

 

“After this can we talk?” Kougaiji asked hopefully. “The three of us,” he added and motioned to Jien who was already preparing his laptop. Hakkai nodded. He looked at Jien,and then at Kougaiji with a raised eyebrow. He and Kou was still used to these wordless, gesture-filled conversations. Kou shrugged sheepishly but smiled when his eyes settled on Jien. He smiled knowingly at Hakkai as if sharing secrets about a high school crush.

 

“The laptop's ready,” Jien called out from the kitchen. “I couldn't get it to the couch because Kou still refuses to clean up his mess.”

 

Hakkai laughed, the apprehension ebbing away a bit. Kou again shrugged.

 

“He reminds me a lot about you,” Kou said slowly. “And I know it's unfair for Jien and for you to be compared to each other. But I can't help it. Maybe, after we talk to each other, this will be settled. Right?”

 

“After all everything is finished, we'll talk about everything. Cards out, hands down on the table discussion about everything, okay?”

 

Kou nodded and helped him up to walk to the kitchen counter where Jien was waiting for them. Hakkai looked at the glowing monitor.

 

It was going to be a long night.

 

---

 

Hakkai looked up at a wall clock as he entered a familiar building. Seven o' clock, it read. Jien and Kougaiji were trailing behind him. The discussion, Hakkai had promised Kougaiji, would have to be postponed. Kou and Jien understood about the urgency of finding his friend. Though they still don't understand how Hakkai could handle such a thing on their own, they knew better than to prod the already distressed brunette. When the steel-door opened, Lirin was coincidentally passing by. When he saw Hakkai accompanied by two strangers, an eyebrow shot up in query. Hakkai bent his head and sighed, hoping that Lirin would not argue.

 

“I was just about to look for you,” Lirin began but was more interested in the two companions. “The information you emailed us came from top-secret archives, the operatives want to know how you managed to get a hold of these?”

 

“Well, it was fairly easy once you break down the firewall of that certain sector,” Jien explained from the back. “You see, some companies use different kinds of firewalls so as to confuse hackers.”

 

Lirin looked amused and impressed by the ability of these newcomers. Hakkai looked at her with an apologetic smile. Lirin motioned for two trainees to assist Jien and Kougaiji to their sleeping quarters. And then she faced Hakkai, a disapproving look on her face.

 

“Sorry if they went with me,” Hakkai began. “But I just couldn't leave them alone with such a threat hanging over their heads. I hope you can accommodate them, Lirin.”

 

“Well, we still have to talk this over with the operatives,” Lirin said seriously. “You know the rules about outsiders in this building.”

 

“I know,” Hakkai said and sighed. “But this whole thing has gotten me out of focused. I only have until tonight to find Gojyo and do everything else before that.”

 

“You're not out of focus,” Lirin said slowly. “You're too focused is the problem with you. All your energy is draining out into finding Gojyo that you seem to take everything else as second priority.”

 

Hakkai sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Lirin was right. He was pushing himself to the limit. He needed to relax, focus and balance everything out.

 

“We're here to help you, Hakkai,” Lirin said and patted his shoulder with a compassionate smile. “And not just because you're one of our best but because we've actually grown fond of you. Though we are happier now to have seen such a beautiful smile graze your lips.”

 

“Thank you, Lirin,” Hakkai said and nodded at the blonde girl. “I appreciate all your efforts. I hope they pay off well in the end.”

 

“I know,” she said but her face turned serious at the words she finally uttered. “I don't want to put pressure on you Hakkai, but all efforts would be lost if you failed out there.”

 

“I know,” Hakkai said with a grim expression. “It's now or never.”

 

“Let me show your quarters then,” Lirin said after a few thought-filled silence between them.

 

After taking a few hours of sleep, an hour of preparation and a few minutes of prayer, Hakkai was now ready to look for this lone warehouse out of town. Lirin had reminded him that if he failed, they cannot do anything to help them given the distance of the warehouse from the base.

 

“Be careful, Hakkai,” Lirin told him before he left the building. “This person you're dealing with, he's extremely dangerous, mentally uncapable to make sane decisions.”

 

Hakkai was going to be careful and if he was going to fail, he was going to make sure that Gojyo would live.

 

---

 

When Gojyo woke up, the blood that had seeped through his clothes had dried leaving wounds that would easily break if he moved around again. He was free from the gag and the wires have been changed into duct tape, less painful but equally resistant to fissures. Zakuro was idly sitting on a chair and smoking.

 

“You're awake, you slept almost the whole day off,” he said and exhaled smoke towards his direction. Gojyo's eyes flickered with annoyance but made no effort to answer.

 

“Oh come on, don't tell me you aren't going to talk?” Zakuro whined mockingly. “I took of your gag so we could talk, you know, get to know each other.”

 

“Like hell, I would want to get to know some crazy ass-shit like you,” Gojyo cursed. “Let me go so we can just see how fucking useless you are against me!”

 

“I'm crazy but I'm not stupid,” he said with a smile that pissed Gojyo off even more. “I'm nothing like you, going off without anything to protect me and my companion, now that's stupid, maybe even reckless.”

 

“I'm not a conniving snake like you that hits people when they're defenseless.”

 

“But in our trade, Gojyo, assassins like me are bound to show up at times you least expect them to,” he said with a hint of reprimand in his voice. But the glint his eyes told Gojyo that he was just playing with him.

 

“If Hakkai died,” he said after a few minutes of silence. “It would be your fault, Gojyo.”

 

Gojyo's face hardened, his eyes growing wide with disbelief at the accusation.

 

“Because you failed to protect him,” he stated simply. “If you hadn't been so careless, you wouldn't have been caught. And if you hadn't been caught, there's no reason for Hakkai to save you. And if he doesn't have any reason to come here to save you then he won't die right? He won't get fucked up and die,” he finished.

 

Was it his fault? If Hakkai died, was it going to be his fault?

 

“That must be so painful for you Gojyo,” Zakuro continued. “Bearing the weight of your lover's death on your shoulder. Plus, you've just started your lives with each other and here you are, so cocky and everything, that you risk his life.”

 

“Shut up, you asshole,” Gojyo spat out angrily. “Don't mess with my head.”

 

“Or maybe, you don't really love him. You know, you just like using him,” he said, ignoring Gojyo's previous remark. “Besides, how can someone as cold hearted like you fall in love?”

 

Gojyo was still not paying him any attention, knowing better than to listen to any of his psychologizings.

 

“And for that matter, how sure are you that Cho Hakkai, really loves you?”

 

That comment dropped like a bomb for Gojyo. How much he tried to shut that one out, it came crawling, under his skin, into his ears and festering in his mind and left with a heavy and troubled heart.

 

“SHUT UP!” Gojyo shouted vehemently, as if his eyes could threw daggers. Even Zakuro was taken aback at the sudden outburst, afraid that the bindings might have loosened.

 

“You don't fucking know a thing about us!” Gojyo spat out angrily. “So if you think you're talking and twisting with my head ploy will work, it will not! Because unlike your stupid researches, I have known Hakkai more than those damned researches you find on the Internet. And I don't care if Hakkai doesn't come or a not because that's perfectly fine with me, I can tear you to pieces myself!”

 

“As if you can do that with your hands behind your back,” Zakuro said spitefully and laughed to insult him more. “Four more hours, Sha Gojyo and if by then Hakkai isn't around, I'll start sawing your limbs off.”

 

“Then start sawing why don't you?” He challenged and looked him straight in the eye. “You better make sure they really sawed off because I'm a fan of the movie the Living Dead.”

 

“It's amazing how you keep on making jokes at such a crucial time like this, Sha Gojyo,” he said amused. “You must really be desperate to make last minute comebacks like that.”

 

“And you must be seriously deluded if you think you can kill Hakkai,” he countered with a smirk. This time, Zakuro flinched at the challenge.

 

“Start praying Gojyo,” he hissed. “Because the moment you stop praying, you're nightmares will begin and you'll wish you were dead.”

 

“Go to hell,” he shot back and spat in front of the self-assured Zakuro. With such an insolence, Zakuro's foot lashed out and hit Gojyo squarely in the face.

 

Hell, as Gojyo had frequently stated, was about to begin.

 

To Be Continued…

 

Note: Please read another fic that I just did, it goes by the title Everybody Hurts. Thanks. Ü Hope you like this installment of the story so far.