Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Living on Empty ❯ I want him back! ( Chapter 10 )

 

 

 

Living on Empty 10

 

 

 

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Chapter 10

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Gojyo stands outside the inn waiting on his brother, pacing and smoking on his fourth cigarette.

 

Hakkai comes out, shading his eyes against the sun, “You're still waiting, Gojyo? Did he give you a specific time for coming out here?”

 

“Nah, I'm just hoping he doesn't make us wait, all damn day. This is the second day already and we still don't know if he's okay or not. Doku thinks the prince has something to do with it or he would have never told me to wait here.”

 

He flicks his cigarette into the street as he looks up at the clouds wondering if he is on his way. If only his brother were here, at least it would lift his spirits. He sighs and looks at Hakkai, “Where is the monkey? Don't tell me he's still eating?”

 

“No, he's talking to the owner's small son. You know he has a soft spot for children.” Hakkai smiles at him because they both know, a child and Sanzo, is his weak spot.

 

“Yeah he does, but when Doku gets here, I want to talk to him along, okay?” He looks Hakkai in the face, with a solemn one on his own.

 

“I see…well, as long as you don't go off on your own, I guess it will be okay. You will let us in on what is said, won't you.” Hakkai gives him one of his customary smiles.

 

The hanyou grins, “Yeah, I want to talk to him alone because I don't want the monkey to know about this thing with me and the monk. You understand…right. It may be too much for him to accept and I think Sanzo should be the one to tell him. I told you and that's enough for me.” He combs his fingers through his hair as he looks at his best friend with a crooked smile.

 

Hakkai pats his shoulder and tells him he will keep Goku busy while he talks to his brother and goes back inside the inn.

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At the stronghold, the prince is just waking up.

 

Kougaiji turns; looking at Sanzo's sleeping face. He smiles as he slides his thumb over his bottom lip. The monk puts his hand up and gently slaps it away but he does not open his eyes. Kou turns on his stomach, leans on one elbow, and gazes down in his face, marveling at the beauty he has in his bed. He wants this man more than he has ever wanted anything in his life.

 

Watching Sanzo as he sleeps, Kou is wishing the monk could love him the way he wants to be loved. He has always believed love is not a necessary component in his life, but the monk has changed all that. What he feels for him is nothing short of obsession; however, he cannot see this. He knows he has to release him eventually, but right now, he does not want to be without him. Sanzo is the only light he is able to see at the end of the tunnel of his lonely, loveless, life.

 

He hears a knock at the door, gets up, and walks over to open it. It has to be the guards with his breakfast. As he goes to the door, he can tell he is feeling much better. He isn't walking as stiff as he was last night. He looks down at his naked chest and pulls the bandages off as he opens the door.

 

The food is put on the table as before and they bow before leaving out. Kou walks over to the table, pours a cup of tea, and takes it over to the bed. He sits down on the side and calls Sanzo's name softly.

 

“Wake up sleepy head; I have tea for you. Wake up Sanzo, or I'm going to ravish you.” He watches as he opens one eye and then the other.

 

“Stop with the threats and give me the damn, tea.” The monk growls at him.

 

Kou hands him the cup, as Sanzo sits up in bed. He accepts it and takes a sip. He looks at Kou over the rim, “what the hell are you grinning about…you look creepy.” He watches the prince guardedly as he sips on the strong brew.

 

“Nothing, breakfast is here if you want to eat. I was told you didn't eat much yesterday. If you didn't smoke so much you would probably be able to eat more.” He gets up, walks over to the lounger, and throws Sanzo his pants.

 

“Who are you supposed to be, my mother! I'll smoke as much as I want ass-hole.” The monk slides the pants over his hips, walks over to the table, and takes a seat. Yawning he looks down at the fruit, eggs and fish. Picking up a strawberry, he pops it in his mouth and looks at the prince, giving him a smirk.

 

“You look as if you are lost in thought, is there something on your mind?” He unconsciously licks his fingers, tasting the strawberry juice, as it runs unchecked between them.

 

Kougaiji looks at his tongue as it moves over his fingers and then down at his plate. He puts some of the eggs in his mouth and says nothing. Right now, all he is thinking about is having the monk, any way he can. He knows he will fight him but he couldn't care less. Looking down, pushing the rest of the food around on his plate, he picks up some of the eggs and puts it in his mouth.

 

Sanzo looks at him over the rim of his cup and sips on his tea. Whatever the prince is thinking can't be good because he is too composed. When he is silent, it probably means he is thinking uncalled-for thoughts.

 

Kou looks in his face with a smirk on his own, “If you allow me to have one more night with you, I might let you go. I just may allow you to go back to your party.”

 

Sanzo looks at him in shock. “You must be out of your fucking mind!” He stands quickly, pushing his chair back. “I told you before; I'm not your got-damn boyfriend! Why don't you fuck with Dokugakuji, he follows you around like a dog in heat. I'm sure he will feel it's an honor! Stay the hell away from me, you bastard!”

 

Kou stands and glares at Sanzo his hands are in fists at his sides. He shouts, “Why are you this way! Why do you hate me so much!” He walks over to Sanzo and stands very close to him breathing heavily. “Don't you realize how I feel? I never wanted to hurt you; all I want is to love you! Why can't you see that?!” He lowers his voice and whispers, “Please…see that.”

 

He reaches out and puts his hand on the monk's arm as he looks in his blazing eyes, hoping against hope he can get through to the object of his desire.

 

Sanzo slaps his hand away, “I will never see anything you want me to see, as long as you have me locked up in this fucking hellhole, the only thing I'll see is a monster! What makes you think this is okay with me! You must be out of your rabid ass mind, to think something like this is fine with me! What you did to me is kidnap and rape! How in the hell do you expect me to see anything, your fucking way!” His eyes are dark with anger as he glares back at the prince.

 

Kou grabs him by the arms and pushes him down in his seat. He holds his arms as he narrows his eyes, “I never said you were my damn boyfriend, I never wanted you to be. I want you as a lover and as long as you are here with me that's what you will be. I have been treating you with kid gloves, but no more. You will submit to me or I will exact some pain, I promise you.”

 

Sanzo head butts him and leaps up, looking around for something to use as a weapon. He grabs a chair as Kou tries to get up. He smashes the chair over his back and the prince collapses again on the floor. The monk grabs another chair and hits him again. This time he is knocked unconscious.

 

Sanzo goes through his pockets until he finds the key. He steps over Kou and goes to the door unlocking it. Sticking his head out he looks into the face of one of the guards. He closes the door back hastily and leans against it gasping for breath. Maybe the prince is right; maybe he does need to quit smoking.

 

He wonders how he is going to get out of the room with the guards standing outside the door and the prince awakening at any moment. He looks again at the window but he knows the drop is to steep and he may break his neck in the process.

 

Now what? He has the prince knocked out and no means of escape. However, he did see only two ikkou and that might work to his benefit. He goes to the lounger and puts on the rest of his clothes.

 

He opens the door again and tells the youkai to bring a bottle of wine. They ask for the prince and Sanzo smiles at them and drop his eyes. They look at each other and smirk, one tells him right away and take off. Sanzo watches the direction in which he goes and ask the other one if there are any more towels. He nods and goes in the same direction. Sanzo watches for a few seconds and is about to leave out when he is yanked back into the room!

 

Kou slams him into the wall and slaps him across the face! He slides down the wall in a heap with his head ringing. He puts his hand up to his face and glares up at the prince. “You bastard!”

 

“Right…I'm the bastard! You hit me with my own chairs and you don't expect any retaliation! You're the bastard! You have been striking me, the whole time you have been here and I have only taken it because I understand how you feel. However, I will…”

 

At that time, there is a knock on the door and he glares at the monk while reaching over, opening it. The guard hands him the wine and some towels. He nods as he accepts them and closes the door back. He looks down at them and over at the monk. “Did you want theses things or did you want to distract my guards?” He puts his hand out and Sanzo turns his head.

 

“I don't need your help; I can get up on my own.” He gets off the floor and combs his fingers through his golden hair.

 

Kougaiji looks at him with a smirk, “I want the key you stole from me.”

 

Sanzo reaches in his pocket, pulls it out, and throws it at him and walks away. Kou catches it and looks at the monk's back as he goes over to the lounger. The monk lays back, puts his arm over his eyes, and says nothing.

 

Kou locks the door, goes over, and stands looking down at him. He knows he should leave now, since the others may be wondering where he is but he is not ready…just yet. He looks down at him as he licks his bottom lip. What is wrong with him! Why this man and no other?

 

He has never wanted another man before in his life. He is the prince! In addition, he knows he needs a woman, to leave an heir. If he is with a man that can never happen. However, Sanzo is worth ending his line but then there is always Lirin. Lirin can continue their unholy linage because as far as he is concern, it can stop with the two of them.

 

“Why are you staring at me?” Sanzo sits up and slides back on the lounger. His eyes are blazing darkly as he looks up at Kou.

 

The prince shakes away his thoughts as he tries to clear his head. “There is no reason, monk. I have to leave in a while and you are on my mind right now. I'm sorry you can't accept what I feel for you and that makes it harder for me to do this.”

 

Sanzo looks up at him in puzzlement, and Kou hits him on the chin. He drops back in shock as his eyes slowly close. Kou reaches down, picks him up in his arms, and takes him over to the bed. He lays him down and kneels over him. Looking down at Sanzo with longing in his eyes, he kisses his parted lips.

 

Kou slides his hand to the top of Sanzo's pants and unbuckles the button at his waist. He puts his hand inside his pants and strokes him before he pulls them over his hips, rendering him nude from the waist down. He slides his hand under his leather shirt and pulls it over his head. He drops his head, kissing Sanzo on the chest and curling his tongue around his exposed nipple.

 

The monk moans under his breath as he brings his hands up. He tries to reach out but Kou pulls away. He waits until he settles down and then moves over him once again. He laves his tongue up his chest and kisses him. The prince laces his fingers through Sanzo's and squeezes. The monk groans and turns his head away from him. Kou reaches up, licks the side of his neck, trying for a response and not receiving one, he sits back up. He looks down at the monk's naked body and gets up removing his own clothes.

 

He gets back in bed, pulls him in his arms, and nips him on the side of the neck. Sanzo gasps, opens his eyes slowly and looks up into the prince's smiling face. He groans as he tells him, “You are pathetic. You know this is the only way you can have me and yet…you seem satisfied.”

 

He kisses Sanzo on the lips as he whispers. “I'll take you any way I can have you. This may be pathetic to you, but if this is the only way I can have you, then I'll be pathetic.”

 

He bends, taking Sanzo lips in nothing short of an all out assault.

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Back at the castle, Dokugakuji is trying to find some answers to the prince's actions.

 

Doku knocks on Yaone's door and waits for her to answer. She calls for him to come in and opening the door he smiles at her. “I am here to ask you a question Yaone, if you don't mind.

 

She looks at him as she puts her brush down with a frown on her pretty face. “What is it, Dokugaku? Is something wrong?”

 

“No…ah, yes, I want to ask if you have noticed anything missing from your arsenal, something like, your smoke bombs or something that will cause a big smoky explosion.”

 

“Now that you mention it, I did. I haven't counted them yet, I forgot last night but why don't we go and I can do that now.” She gets up and goes to the door and Doku follows behind her.

 

They go to her lab and she unlocks the door ushering him in before her. He looks back at her, “Do you always keep this door locked?”

 

“Yes I do. I do not want just anyone wandering in and helping themselves to what is in here. Some of these are still in the experimental stage. If the wrong person gets their hands on them who knows what can happen.” She walks over to the shelf that holds the small smoke bombs and counts them. She finds she is missing six.

 

Turning to Dokugakuji she frowns, “Some of them are missing. I should have twenty four but there are only eighteen.”

 

“Are you sure you haven't misplaced them somewhere else?”

 

“I try and keep my things in order, Dokugaku. It seems someone has come in and helped themselves to some of my smoke bombs.”

 

“Are you the only one with a key to this room?” He looks at her with a strange look on his face.

 

“Ah, well the prince has a key and so do Lady Gyokumen Koushu. Now, that can mean, Ne-Jenyi has her key but I do not know for sure. However, I do not see why any of them would want to steal any of the bombs. They only make a thick cloud of smoke and it cannot kill. The ones that are poisonous are all accounted for.”

 

Doku puts his hand over his mouth as he thinks about what Gojyo told him of the fight. He did say there was a lot of smoke and that's when the monk vanished. Maybe Kou did steal the bombs after all. He is the only one that has access to her lab to do something like this and he made sure he didn't use the poisonous ones. Then last night he takes off and so far, he has not returned. He knows where the monk is being held and if he comes back today, he will follow him when he leaves again.

 

“Dokugaku, what is it? How did you know some of the bombs were missing?” She puts her hands on her hips and looks at him because she knows he is keeping something from her. It has to have something to do with Lord Kougaiji and the missing monk.

 

“Ah, nothing Yaone, I was just thinking…uh, maybe someone …may have gotten in here that's all. I have to go, I'll tell you about it later.” He heads out the door in a hurry and runs down the hall.

 

Yaone steps out into the hall knowing there is something he is not telling her about the prince. She wonders if she should go to Kou's room to find out but decides she will speak to him later over breakfast.

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Doku goes to the prince's room and knocks on the door. He does not get an answer, so he puts his ear to the door. He cannot hear any movement inside so he tries the handle. He finds it lock and leaves, walking down to the cove of dragons.

 

Doku walks in and notices, the dragon Kou was on, is still out. He takes one out himself and takes off. He knows it is going to be hard telling his brother the prince has Sanzo, but he has no other choice. Protecting the prince is his job but something like this, he cannot condone. Besides, he loves his brother and if he is in love with the monk and he makes him happy, then that's what he wants for him. Gojyo has had a hard life growing up without love and he deserves it more than anyone does, even if it is with Priest Genjyo Sanzo.

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Gojyo is sitting on the bench in front of the inn when his brother comes from a grove of trees. Gojyo stands, throws his cigarette away and looks in Dokugakuji's face trying to read it before he gets close.

 

Dokugaku looks at his younger brother with a slight frown on his face. “I'm happy to see you waited before you did something stupid. Where are the others, Hakkai and Goku?”

 

“They're inside, so cut to the chase. Does the prince have Sanzo or not?” He stares at his older brother wishing he would get on with it. All he really needs is for him to tell him where the prince is holding the monk and he can go find him. Gojyo has no doubt the prince is the one holding Sanzo against his will.

 

“We need to sit down and discuss this somewhere else. Is there someplace we can talk alone?” He looks around for a place and spots a tavern. “Let's go in there; I know you would like to have a drink anyway.” He turns and heads for the tavern and Gojyo follows behind him.

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Kou puts his clothes on and looks at Sanzo over his shoulder. The monk is lying on his back looking up at the top of the canopy. He wants nothing more then to crawl in a hole and die. He did it again! He submitted and this time he cannot blame it on drugs or wine. This time he is to blame. Sanzo cannot blame the prince because he didn't force him this time. This time it's his fault and his fault alone!

 

He turns his head as Kou reaches out and strokes his face. He puts his hand up because he doesn't deserve to have Kougaiji touch him with tenderness. He is worthless and he doesn't deserve to be with Gojyo, after what he has done, or better yet, what he allowed the prince to do to him. He sighs, rolls on his stomach, and puts his head in his pillow as tears threaten to fall from his eyes.

 

“I'm leaving now but I'll return tonight. You should not feel guilty because you allowed yourself to give in to me, Sanzo. I am not that hard to love. You will see in time that my love for you is your destiny and we are meant to be together. I'll tell the guards to bring in your bath and maybe you will feel better after you have bathe and taken a nap.” He leans over the monk and whispers, “I do love you, never fail to remember that.”

 

He gets up, walks over to the door opens it, takes one last look over his shoulder at the monk, and pulls it up behind him.

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Sanzo gets up off the bed, walks over to the bathroom, and washes his face. He knows what he has to do and he is going to do it. He comes out of the bathroom as the guard brings in the water for the tub. He has the robe wrapped around his waist as he watches him fill the tub with hot water. He smiles at him, “Could you bring me a knife to peel an apple with please?” As he walks over to the tub, he drops his robe and sits inside as if it is no big deal.

 

The guard looks at him with lust in his eyes and turns away but reluctantly. He goes out the door gets the knife and brings it back in, setting it down on the table. He steals another look at the monk and backs out.

 

When he hears the door close, he gets out of the tub and dries off. He puts his clothes on including his robes and takes the knife off the table. He walks over to the door, leans against it, and takes a deep breath. He knocks on the door calling the guard back in.

 

The blue haired guard opens the door and steps inside closing it behind him. Sanzo grabs him from behind and slits his throat. He lets his body ease to the floor and drags him behind the door. The monk walks over to the door, opens it slowly, and pokes his head out.

 

There is no one in the hall but there is a short sword by the door. He grabs it and runs down the hall. As he approaches a long stairway, he can hear voices. He stops and looks around spotting a large entryway and ducks in it.

 

As he waits, the voices fade so he runs for the steps. He makes it to the second floor and runs into another ikkou. The ikkou looks at Sanzo in surprise as he runs into him with the short sword. It slides in easily as Sanzo puts his other hand over his mouth, to stifle his screams.

 

The monk drags him over to the side and continues down the stairs. Reaching the bottom, he looks around for the entrance. There is two more ikkou standing at the large double doors. He backs up against one of the two pillars and waits to see if they are on duty or just slacking. Leaning closer, he can hear what they are saying.

 

One of them says the prince will be back tonight and they can go into the cellar and get some of the wine that is there. The other thinks maybe they should wait because they don't know when the prince is coming back.

 

“Are you crazy? He won't be coming back until later tonight. Remember, last night he came in about nine? Lord Kougaiji just left so we have a while before he comes back, besides it's boring with nothing to do.”

 

“We're supposed to make sure the monk doesn't escape.”

 

“How in the hell is he going to escape when he's locked in one of the rooms. He's not a bird you know.”

 

“Yeah I guess you're right about that. Let's go, by the time Lord Kougaiji gets here, we should be sober and ready for anything. I could use some wine right about now.” They head out for the cellar, leaving the entrance unguarded.

 

Sanzo waits until their voices fade before he looks around the column. He makes a run for the double doors and pulls on it with all his strength. It opens a crack and he manages to slip through. He tugs on the door pulling it close and runs to the east. The monk ducks down into the brush and sits next to a large tree. As he looks to the stronghold, he moves in a little closer. Putting his hands together and closing his eyes, he starts to chant.

 

The scriptures begin to fly around his shoulders and his body is enveloped in a strong burst of swirling wind. He concentrates on the stronghold as he says, noumakusamanda, bodainann, Sowaka! He says this chant three times and then yells, Makai! Tenjyo!

 

The stronghold erupts into a cloud of smoke and dust as it explodes and turns to a pile of rubble. Sanzo turns and without looking back makes his way through the thick brush and trees with only the short sword as protection. He has a rare smile on his face, as he makes his way through the brush; he knows he is going to meet up with the others soon.

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Doku picks up his drink and tells Gojyo, “Kou is not at the palace. He left last night and has not returned yet. When he left, he went east but I didn't follow him because I thought he would be right back. He had not come in when I left, but he may be there now. I also spoke with Yaone and she is missing six smoke bombs. That's what led me to believe he may in fact have Sanzo. Why, I don't know, he has always maintain he hates the monk and his arrogant attitude. Maybe he is torturing him, hell, I don't know, but all he has to do is take the scriptures and let him go.”

 

Gojyo sips his drink and stares at his brother. “I know you don't want to believe this big brother but, your prince wants to fuck, Sanzo.”

 

Dokugakuji coughs and slams his glass down on the wooden table. “What did you say?! Gojyo, Kou is not into men like that!” He looks around at the other customers and lowers his voice. “Just because you and the monk have decided to enter into something unnatural, doesn't mean Kou is into that too!” He is hissing as he talks to his brother.

 

Gojyo laughs, “Something unnatural, huh? I'll tell you what; think about when he had you to come to the inn, and when he was on the ground with Sanzo's gun trained on him. Why do you think he was doing that Doku? They weren't fighting or anything were they?”

 

“When you got to the palace yesterday he left and has not returned has he. If all he wanted was that damn scripture he could have had it by now. He wanted Sanzo and he wanted him alone without anybody's knowledge. The man wants him as sure as I'm sitting here.” He downs his drink and lights another cigarette.

 

Doku thinks about Kou snapping the glass in his hand. He did this when he told him Sanzo was the first one to make a move on his brother. This is something he will not let Gojyo know about him that Kou is jealous! He is jealous because Sanzo is with his brother and somehow he feels betrayed. Could the prince actually love the monk without him noticing? “I'm going back to the palace and see if Kou has returned, if he leaves again, I'll follow him and see where he goes.”

 

Gojyo smiles, “We will follow you back to the palace and if he leaves again, and he will, we'll all follow him. I am not having Sanzo stay with him one moment longer than he has too.”

 

Doku looks at his brother, sees the determined look on his face, and agrees. He tells the hanyou to meet him on the east side of the palace and they will all go together.

 

Gojyo thanks him and heads for the inn to get the others.

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TBC