Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Living on Empty ❯ showdown with Kougaiji ( Chapter 8 )

 

 

 

Living on Empty 8

Gojyo

 

 

 

 

Hakkai is driving along the rough terrain as Gojyo plays with his lighter. Goku is in the back, taking a nap since he has the back seat to himself.

 

Hakkai glances at his best friend and asks, “Since Goku is sleeping and we have this small amount of time. I want to ask you something.”

 

Gojyo looks over at him with a frown on his face, “I already know what you're going to ask and I don't want to talk about it.” He looks to the side watching the boulders and trees as they wiz past.

 

“Humm, I guess that answers my initial question. Now I understand why you are so upset about him being gone. Do you have some reason to think, Kougaiji wants Sanzo badly enough that he would abduct him? While we were fighting the ikkou, I didn't see him anywhere. I hope we're not on a wild goose chase and we could be looking somewhere else.”

 

The hanyou turns and looks at him, “Where else could we be looking? Trust me on this. I didn't mention it before but Doku came to see me a couple of days ago and the prince was outside waiting on him. When we finished talking and came out of the inn, Sanzo was holding his gun on Kou. He said he thought he was making advances on him. Although he didn't really know if he was but he had him pinned against the wall outside and was pressed up against him. You know Sanzo is an innocent when it comes to stuff like that. All he knew was he didn't like the prince touching him.”

 

“Well I can see how you would feel that way but that still doesn't mean he would kidnap him for something like that, Gojyo. That seems a little out of the ordinary for someone like him. I'm incline to agree with Goku on this. However, the both of us could be wrong, I imagine.”

 

Gojyo folds his arms across his chest and says nothing. He knows how the prince has been watching the monk lately and no one can make him believe, Kougaiji has nothing to do with Sanzo's abduction. He sees the way he looks at him as if the monk was his to do as he pleases. No one is going to stop him from searching that place from top to bottom, and if his brother has anything to do with it, he is going to pay also.

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Sanzo stands by the window smoking a cigarette. This is the first one he has had since leaving the cell. He looks out but all he can see are mountains and rocky terrain. This place couldn't be that far from the palace. However, he is up pretty high in a tower of some kind because the drop down is steep. He looks down and knows that he will not be escaping that way.

 

Kougaiji walks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder. Sanzo sighs and turns facing him, “What is it now, do you have my clothes?”

 

Kougaiji waves his hand in front, as he gives him a small bow. “Your clothes are on the lounger.” He looks at Sanzo with a lifting of the corner of his lip as he tells him, “Although I prefer what you're wearing now, I know you will feel better in your own clothes.”

 

Sanzo ignores him, walks over to the lounger, and picks up his jeans. He turns his back and slides the jeans over his slim hips. He pulls his shirt over his head and smoothes it over his muscular chest. It molds to him on contact, making the prince look at him while licking his bottom lip.

 

“Are you happy now? Since I gave you what you want why don't you return the favor.” He looks at the monk with his hands behind his back and a wicked smile on his pouting lips.

 

Sanzo walks over to him and slides his hand down his chest. He looks in the prince's eyes and without changing expression; he grabs his manhood in a tight grip. He leans over and whispers in his ear, “I am not, your fucking boyfriend. Stay the hell away from me or I'll rip it off.” He squeezes him for good measure and pushes him away.

 

Kougaiji falls to his knees gasping and tries to fight the tears that come to his eyes. He says in an inaudible voice, “You will pay for this, you bastard.” He has his head down, panting like a dog.

 

Sanzo walks back over to the window wondering how he is going to get away from the prince and his guards without his gun and no room to use the Manten scriptures.

 

He completely ignores the ikkou as he stares out the window wondering where Gojyo is and what he is doing. He knows the others are looking for him but the thing is, they don't know where he is. Hell, he doesn't know where he is. All he knows is he is away from the people he cares about the most. However, he will never admit that to any of them but he does care. He looks over his shoulder at the prince as he makes his way to the door.

 

He watches as he limps and holds onto the door, takes a deep breath and says without turning his head, “I will return later tonight. I have…some things that I have to attend too. My servants will bring you your supper.” With that said, he opens the door, walks out and locks it behind him.

 

Sanzo walks to the middle of the floor and gets in the lotus position to start on his meditation. If he can do nothing else, the least he can do is meditate and clear his mind because he has only himself to depend on for his escape.

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Goku and Hakkai are sitting under a tree watching as Gojyo with a cigarette hanging from his lips, throw rocks to skip over the river. He has been rather quiet on the trip to find the prince's fortress and have been giving noncommittal answers. He looks out to the water knowing he should rest but he has vowed not to rest until the monk is back where he belongs.

 

They have been traveling for hours now and sitting in the jeep is a strain on his nerves. He sighs as he thinks he never thought he would miss Sanzo hitting him with his fan or firing a couple of rounds at his head. The monk is short tempered, selfish and just plain mean at times but he would welcome all of that just to see his face and hear his voice, even if it's just to call him a bunch of dirty names.

 

He turns back to the others and yells, “How long is this break going to last? I'm ready to get back on the road. We should hit another village before night fall and I don't want to waste anymore time.”

 

Hakkai smiles at him as he gets up, “I'm ready, and how about you Goku, you ready to leave?” He stands as Hakuryu lands on his shoulder, cooing in his ear.

 

“I'm ready so let's go.” He looks over at the hanyou as Hakkai nods to Hakuryu who turns into a jeep.

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Kougaiji arrives at the palace in time for supper. He leaves his dragon in care of his servants, walks down the long labyrinth of his home, and comes out at the large dinning area.

 

The others look up as he enters, in surprise and relief. Dokugakuji stands and his face is full of relief as he looks at his lord and master. He walks over to him and puts his hand on his back guiding him to his seat at the head of the table as he asks about his health.

 

“You had us worried Kou, where have you been?” He pulls the chair out for him as he takes his seat. He looks up in Doku's face and tells him he will explain later.

 

“Have you been behaving, Lirin? He picks up his glass after the servant pours him wine and takes a sip. He looks around at his three close companions and can tell they have all been a little anxious where he is concern.

 

“Big brother I want to go out today and see baldy and his group to get the scriptures. I fee as if today is the day I finally get them for us. Can we go out after we finish eating?” She shoves a meat bun in her mouth, as she twirls some noodles around her chopsticks.

 

Yaone looks over at the girl, shakes her head, and then looks at the prince. “Lord Kougaiji, she has been like this all morning but if you rather not go out so soon after your return, I can go with her. I will keep an eye on her for you.”

 

Kou looks at her as he picks up his fork, “You are mistaken Yaone, I have not been out of the palace. I've been with my mother and I must have fallen asleep. When I knew, what was going on I was sprawled on my back. I like to spend time with her every once in awhile, to pay my respects. I find her presence soothing when I have a lot on my mind, so I will go out with Lirin and you are welcome to come along.”

 

Dokugakuji looks at Kou as he is about to put some rice in his mouth. He wonders why the prince is lying about his whereabouts earlier. He went and checked on the dragons and the red-haired prince's dragon was missing. He knows the prince left the palace and has been gone all day and night. He says nothing because he says he will explain, although what he does is none of their business.

 

“As you wish my lord, I will be happy to accompany you and lady Lirin.” She puts her head down and smiles to herself that he would invite her long with them. She looks over at Doku and sees that he is staring at the prince with a strange look on his face. He is watching the prince so hard; she wonders what is ailing him.

 

“Then it is settled, we leave after supper and see if we can't get those scriptures from the monk and his party.” The prince looks over at Doku, “make arrangements for us to take out the two young dragons. It's about time we give them a workout and see if they are up to the task of conveying us on our missions.”

 

“I'll take care of that now, Kou. I'm finished here anyway. I'll see you at the cave.” He gets up, leaves the room, and closes the door softly behind him.

 

Kou watches his back as he leaves out and wonders if he believes him when he says he hasn't left the palace and then dismisses his thoughts. How could he know? No one ever goes into his mother's chambers and they do know he likes going in there alone. Well it's of no consequence because he is the prince and what he says goes.

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The trio arrives at an inn miles from the palace and Hakkai leads them to a small table in a corner. They sit and Gojyo looks over at Goku and exclaims, “You know what, I haven't heard the monkey say he is hungry one time today! That has got to be a record for him; with that bottomless pit he calls a stomach.” He reaches over and ruffles the young ikkou's hair.

 

Goku slaps his hand away, “I am hungry, but it doesn't seem right to be thinking about myself when Sanzo is not here. With him gone, all I can think about is where is he. I feel guilty being able to eat and maybe he can't.” He puts his hands under his chin and sighs as he looks around at the other patrons.

 

Gojyo looks at him and groans, “That's all I need, is to visualize him not being fed. If he is where I think he is then, he is having a meal. That bastard wouldn't dare make him starve. When I see him, he better not have, lost a pound! Hell he's already skin and bones as it is. Fucking ass-hole, I can just kill him!” He slams his fist onto the table, causing the candle to topple over.

 

Hakkai reaches over catching it before it falls and straightens it, putting it back upright. Gojyo pulls out his cigarettes, lights one off the candle, and blows smoke in the air. He looks around the room, notices some of the people looking over at them, and scowls. They turn away and mind their own business because he does not look in a good mood.

 

The server sets their food on the table and backs away. She bows and heads back into the kitchen. Hakkai smiles as he looks over at his best friend, “Gojyo, you have everyone wary of us now. I think after we eat we should get back on the road, don't you agree?”

 

“Whatever, the sooner we get to the palace the sooner we can rescue the monk.” He looks over at Goku and tells him not to dawdle because they only have three or four more hours of daylight.

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Kougaiji is riding with Lirin when they spot the jeep carrying the ikkou towards their direction. Doku shades his eyes and calls to Kou. “It looks as if there are only three of them in the jeep Kou! Can you make them out? I'm going lower, hold on Yaone; I don't want you to slide off.”

 

Lirin looks down from behind her brother and says the same thing. Kou looks down with a smirk on his face and makes no comment. He follows Doku as he lands a few feet in front of the jeep. Both dragons are blocking their paths as Hakkai comes to a stop.

 

Gojyo jumps out of the jeep as the others follow suit. He starts to walk towards them when Hakkai calls out to him. “Wait a moment Gojyo; they are all here for a reason. Wait and see what they have to say first. Remember to control yourself.” He smiles as Lirin runs to them and shouts for Sanzo.

 

“Where's baldy Sanzo?” She jumps around Hakkai and Gojyo as she takes a swing at Goku. He steps back and twirls around ducking her swing.

 

Gojyo sneers over at the prince, “We were just on our way to ask you that question.” He walks over to the prince and points his finger in his chest, “What the hell did you do with Sanzo!”

 

Doku jumps in front of Kou and pushes his brother back. “What do you think you are doing little brother? Don't touch him!” Gojyo growl at him, pushes him back, and takes a swing at the prince. Kou throws his arms up blocking and swings back. They both push Doku to the side as they engage in battle.

 

Yaone looks on in surprise at Gojyo as he attacks the prince but neither man is using a weapon…yet. Hakkai looks over at the fight and even Lirin and Goku stop and look at the two men as they punch each other out.

 

The beautiful female ikkou eases over to Hakkai and touches his arm, “What's wrong with Gojyo and where is Priest Sanzo?” She keeps her eyes on the two men as they fight, afraid to look away.

 

Hakkai turns to her and tells her, “Sanzo is missing and Gojyo is convinced that Kougaiji has taken him to the palace. He's very upset as are Goku and I.”

 

He looks over, as Dokugakuji tries to ease over and break the two men apart because now they are rolling around on the rocky ground both covered in blood. Kou has a busted lip and the hanyou has a bruise under his eye. Gojyo jumps up and puts his hand up and shakujou appears. The prince gets off the ground and backs up as he swings it in his direction and sweeps his feet from under him causing him to land back on the ground.

 

“Sanzo is not at the palace, Hakkai. I would know if he were. We have not seen Sanzo in several days. You must tell Gojyo so they can stop this before he kills the prince.”

 

Hakkai walks over to the two men as Gojyo yells he is going to kill the prince if he doesn't release Sanzo. He has the chain wrapped around his neck and the dull edge pressed against Kou's throat as he gasps for air. Both men are equal in strength with maybe the hanyou being stronger, since he is working on pure adrenalin. He is angry and frighten at the same time. Knowing Sanzo is lost to him because of this man, is making his anger win out.

 

Doku looks at his brother after he hears this and tells him that they do not have the monk. Hakkai throws a ball of chi in the air to get their attention and they all look up, as they stop whatever it is, they are doing. It explodes over their heads as they scatter to get out of the way of the falling sparks.

 

Gojyo turns, “What the fuck, Hakkai! You almost hit me with that! Are you crazy?” He jumps off the prince and his chain slides back down in the handle as he wipes his face with the back of his hand.

 

The prince sits on the ground and has his hand to his throat, massaging it as he glares at Gojyo. Damn hanyou! He will never see Sanzo if he can help it. He is crazy and he doesn't deserve to be with the monk, but how did he figure out he is the one that took him. He was hoping they wouldn't run into them today. He only came out to pacify Lirin. He knows she would have come alone if he hadn't come home when he did.

 

Hakkai looks at the hanyou, “Gojyo, Yaone says they do not have Sanzo. She says she hasn't seen him in days.”

 

Kougaiji sneers at him as he adds his two cents, “You are accusing us of taking the monk? How dare you! What the hell do we want with him? All we want is the scriptures. That's why we're here today.”

 

Goku looks at them, “We were ambushed the other day and during the fighting someone threw a smoke bomb and then snatched Sanzo. We've looked everywhere for him. We were on our way to the palace when we saw you just now. Are you sure you haven't seen him?” He looks in Kougaiji's face and then at Dokugakuji.

 

Doku gives him a surprised look. “What makes you think we have anything to do with something like that? How long has he been missing?”

 

Hakkai looks up as Hakuryu flies into a tree and perches on one of the branches. “He's been gone for a day and a half. We have been looking all over for him and no one has seen or heard anything about him.”

 

Gojyo glares at Kou, “I know you have him and if you don't give him back I'm going to beat you too a bloody pulp! You can fool the others with that `how dare you shit' but I'm not buying it!” He walks towards him and Doku gets in front of the prince once again.

 

“Gojyo! Stop this instant, you're mistaken! Kou does not have Sanzo! If he were at the palace why would we be here now! We would already have the scriptures! Don't you realize that, think man!” He has his hands up and in front of him.

 

The hanyou stops and looks in his brother's face. Could he be telling him the truth? Could someone else have the monk? He puts his head down and looks at the ground, thinking. He has to be with the prince because if he is not then he has no idea where he could be.

 

Hakkai walks over to him, puts his hand on his shoulder, and beckons for Hakuryu to come out of the tree and transform.

 

Kou watches as he is crushed by the realization that he may never find out where his lover is. He wants to laugh, but he keeps his composure and a straight face. The monk belongs to him now and there is nothing anyone can do about it. He looks down at his clothes, brushes the dust off, and grabs his arm. He notices a cut on it and one across his chest.

 

“I don't have time for this. If they are missing the monk then there is no need for us to be here. None of them has the scriptures. Dealing with them is a waste of time. Let's return to the palace.” He turns and heads for the dragon. He jumps on his back and calls for his sister.

 

Goku runs over to the prince, “Kougaiji, aren't you going to give us a hand? We were kind of hoping you would help us.” He looks at the prince with gold eyes gone wide since he is the one that believes they will help when needed.

 

Kou looks down at the ikkou and replies, “You should have thought about that before you allowed that crazy hanyou too attack me. Now I don't have any interest in helping you to find the monk. Maybe Doku and Lirin can help but I'm in need of Yaone's services.” He puts his hand over his chest as he looks down at the blood and over at Gojyo. He cannot believe he let the hanyou get the best of him. If he were not Doku's bother, he would have used his powers on him.

 

“Yaone come with me, I'm leaving Doku and Lirin to help with the search. I need you with me, now.” He looks at her as she says good-bye to the others. He looks back down at Goku and says, “Good luck. If you don't find him by tomorrow, maybe I will help with the search.” Yaone climbs on to the dragon and they take off for the palace.

 

Gojyo growls as he watches them leave. He turns to the tree, slams his fist on it, and kicks it with force. He knows the prince has Sanzo because he can feel it in his bones. Who else would want him when all they had to do is take the scriptures and leave him, dead or alive.

 

Dokugakuji walks over to his brother and slits his eyes. “I understand how you feel Goj…”

 

The hanyou whirls around and confronts his older brother, “How in the hell do you know how I feel! Have you ever lost someone to a psychopath like your precious, prince! I know he has something to do with Sanzo kidnapping! I just know it Doku! I just know it.”

 

Lirin walks over to Gojyo, “Why would my big brother want to kidnapped baldy! The only thing we want is the Manten Scriptures! Baldy is nothing without them! You take that back!” She runs into him hitting and kicking like a snarling cat.

 

“Lirin, stop! Get a hold of yourself!” Doku grabs her by the waist as she thrashes about trying to make contact with the hanyou.

 

“No! He's lying on big brother; he would never do something like that!” He holds the young ikkou to his chest as he tries to calm her down. He looks over at his brother as he wipes his lip with the back of his hand.

 

Hakkai walks over to Gojyo and Goku follows behind him. They stand next to him and Goku glares at Lirin and Hakkai reaches up to touch his best friend's face. “Are you okay? It doesn't look as if there is any damage done to you, given the circumstances. You need to think about some other alternative to Sanzo's kidnapping. It seems as if the prince is not the one holding him and he did say he would help in the search. Doku and Lirin are here to help us, Gojyo.”

 

Gojyo leans against the tree and slides down in a sitting position. He reaches in his pocket, pulls out his cigarettes, and lights one. He inhales deeply and throws his head back as he releases a long stream of smoke skyward. “So, what now?”

 

Doku and the others look over at him. He seems resign to the fact that the prince is not in possession of Sanzo.

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