Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Living on Empty ❯ lost rabbit ( Chapter 11 )

 

 

 

Living on Empty 11

 

 

 

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Chapter 11

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Kougaiji walks into the palace and looks around as he opens the door to his room. While he removes his clothes, he heads to the bathroom and runs water in the large tub.

 

Easing down in the warm water as it soothes his muscles; he lets his mind wander to the monk. Sanzo really surprised him this morning with the way he responded to his advances. The monk only slapped him once before he gave in and made love to him. Kou was braced for a lot more but the names and blows never came. Instead, the only sounds he made were moans of pleasure.

 

Kou smiles thinking, maybe Sanzo is warming up to him after all. Little does he know the monk is free and looking for a way back to his companions.

 

The prince is thinking of ways to lead the rest of them on a wild goose chase in finding the monk. He did tell them he would help with the search. However, he plans on spending a small amount of time with them and then going back to the monk. Kou smiles thinking of the monk as he strokes himself, he feels what he is doing is right. He has no concept that Sanzo is unhappy and heart weary. Kou does not realize you can break a man's sprit if you deny him his heart's desire for too long. In addition, if you cage him like an animal he will revert to one.

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Gojyo goes into the inn and finds Hakkai and Goku talking with the owner and his son. “Hey you two we need to get going! We have a lead on Sanzo! So let's blow this popsicle stand!”

 

Goku turns around with a big smile on his face, Hakkai tells the owner and his son good bye as he, and Goku head for the door. The young youkai turns and wave at them both. He is happy they have some type of lead on Sanzo's whereabouts.

 

“Where is he?” Goku can't keep the elation out of his voice, he is so happy. “Did Dokugaku, tell you where he is?”

 

Hakkai looks up as he motions for Hakuryu to come down. He looks around and asks, “Where is Dokugakuji, I thought he would be with you.” He goes around the side and jumps into the jeep.

 

Gojyo gets in next to him and Goku jumps in the back. They take off down the road as Gojyo tells them. “Doku said the stinking prince has been going out when he thinks everyone is asleep. He saw him heading east from the palace and tonight he is going to follow him. He wants us to be there so we can follow and see exactly where he goes.”

 

Hakkai frowns, “Didn't Kougaiji say, he would help us look for Sanzo if we didn't find him yesterday. Maybe he went looking on his own last night. He may be waiting with news of Sanzo, Gojyo.”

 

“You just don't want to believe that bastard would do something like this do you? I guess when we do find Sanzo and he tells us where he's been, then you will believe that bastard had him.” He leans back in his seat, lights a cigarette and turns looking at the scenery.

 

Goku looks from one to the other wondering what is up with the two of them. He sits back in his seat and folds his arms.

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Sanzo looks around in the brush and sits under a tree. He has been traveling for four hours following the sun but now he wonders if he is going in the right direction. It is starting to get late and he knows he cannot travel in the dark, so he has to start looking for some place to camp for the night.

 

He finds an old decrepit shack in the middle of the woods and walks slowly towards it. It looks as if no one has lived in it for years. The monk goes inside and looks at the rundown furnishings and the thick coat of dusk and dirt. He puts his hand over his face as he looks around and notices a fireplace filled with garbage. He walks over to see if he can at least start a fire to ward off the chill of the night air.

 

Sanzo removes his robes and takes it outside where he places it on some bushes. He knows if he lays it down, anywhere inside it will get filthy. He goes back in and leaves the door open as he hauls out some of the garbage, making several trips. He cleans out the fireplace and starts a fire with his lighter.

 

As the fire blazes, he throws in the broken furniture and watches it as it goes up in flames. He lights a cigarette and stares into the flames wondering how he can unite with the others.

 

He finds a broom, which he uses to move some of the junk out and to clean a spot on the floor. Behind the small cottage is a lake enabling him to at least have water to drink. If he was good at it, he could have caught some fish but that is something he has not done in a long time.

 

He stands outside and looks to the trees to see if some are fruit trees when he notices something out of the corner of his eye. He turns and looks up. He can see the silhouette of a dragon so he hides behind a tree. “Shit that must be the prince going back to the stronghold. Well he is in for a surprise when he finds I am no longer there.” He laughs as he ducks down, watching as Kou fades from view.

 

He is about to go back inside when he sees another dragon going in the same direction as the first. He frowns as he remembers the prince telling him he is the only one that knows of the stronghold's existence. Either he lied or someone is following him back to his prison.

 

He frowns and wonders if he should abandon this place and move on. The prince may come looking for him and being on the dragon, he can cover more ground far faster than he can on foot. He walks over to the fireplace and throws some water on it. He has decided to leave and continue on his way. Waiting here for daylight will just make him a sitting duck.

 

He makes sure the fire is out and heads out back among the trees and brush. He knows if he keeps going, he will eventually come to a village. Right now, all he can do is hide and pray he doesn't come across any ikkou along the way.

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Earlier at the castle before Sanzo spots Kou on the dragon…

 

Kou is talking with Yaone when Doku comes in the dinning area. He walks over to the table and removes a roll from the basket. He looks over at the two of them and Kougaiji looks over at him. “Where have you been Doku? Yaone has been telling me someone has taken some of her smoke bombs. Were you perhaps hunting down the culprit?”

 

Doku smiles over at him, “As a matter of fact, I did ask some of the people here but no one seems to know anything about the theft. I thought I would let it go for now. However, I am wondering how it was breached though.” He looks directly at the prince, “How about you, do you have any idea how someone could have gotten in without a key?”

 

Kou puts his hand under his chin, “Well, there are three keys about and I don't always have mine with me, so it could have been anyone.” He looks at Yaone, “Is that the only thing that is missing? Nothing lethal is missing, I assume.”

 

Yaone looks from one to the other, “No, Lord Kougaiji, as far as I can tell, the smoke bombs were the only things missing.”

 

Kou looks at her and then at Doku, “Well, why don't we look past this for now and Yaone, just be more careful in the future. I'm going to turn in early tonight, so I will speak to both of you tomorrow.” He turns and walks down the long hall to his room leaving the two alone.

 

Doku turns to Yaone, “When did Kou get back?”

 

Yaone looks at him with a small frown on her face, “I didn't realize he had left the palace.”

 

“Yes, he left last night and when I went to his room this morning he didn't answer. I assumed he hadn't returned yet.”

 

“Well he has been here for quite awhile. We had supper together and when you came in, he was telling me how you said you haven't found the monk. I know you think he has something to do with Priest Sanzo's abduction but I can't see him being a part of that.”

 

Dokugakuji sighs and rubs his neck, “You have to admit the prince has been acting strange lately. He's being very secretive of late, and leaving in the middle of the night and coming back the next day. When has he ever done something like that?”

 

Yaone turns her head and thinks about what Doku has said. The prince has been spending a lot of his time alone lately but to think it is because of the monk is preposterous. She has been with the prince for decades and he has never shown any interest in men. Now Doku wants her to believe that he has kidnapped Sanzo. Gojyo makes it seem as though he has some type of personal motive on his part. Could the prince like men and she has never notice before?

 

She turns to Doku, “Do you really believe he has Sanzo someplace and is keeping him for reasons only he knows?”

 

“I'm afraid so, Yaone. When he goes out tonight, I plan to follow him and see where he goes. If he is holding the monk, I will set him free. What he is doing is unfair to him and no one should be locked up at the whims of someone else. I wasn't going to mention this but…my brother and Sanzo…my brother and Sanzo, well the two of them, you know.”

 

Yaone blushes and puts her head down and says, “I, uh, I think I understand. That is why Gojyo went after Lord Kougaiji the way he did.” She looks up at Doku, “But how did he know the prince had taken him? That part I don't understand.”

 

“Lately Kou has been watching the monk closely. He had me too speak with my brother about the way he was guarding Sanzo because he thought he seen a shift in their relationship. I myself never noticed anything but he did and he was right. Therefore, I guess that got him angry enough to do what he did. I'm just happy he didn't try and kill Gojyo, accidentally on purpose.”

 

“So that's why you will follow the prince tonight and try and rescue Sanzo. It's only fair for you to right this wrong and I'm sure Lord Kougaiji will agree when he has time to think about what he has done.”

 

“I'm hoping so, but if he gets angry than so be it. I'm going back out for now, but later I plan on going to the dragon cove. If he leaves before I am back, please come and inform me, okay?”

 

She nods and goes down the hall to her room. Doku watches her because he knows she has been in love with the prince since he rescued her from Ne-Jenyi. She has always had a hero worship of the prince and he knows that telling her he has Sanzo in captivity is hard for her, he feels pity but it cannot be helped.

 

He turns and goes outside to where his brother and the others are waiting. He goes into the woods, comes to a clearing, and sees the jeep. Gojyo gets out and walks over to him.

 

“Is the prince in the palace?” He pulls the cigarette out of his mouth as he blows smoke skywards.

 

“Yes he is and he turned in a little while ago. That means he plans on going out in a while. He turns in early and then leaves. Go to the other side of this hill and you will be able to see him when he leaves. I will be right behind him. Do you think you will be able to keep up?”

 

“Hump, try and lose us, but hey, if you want to lend us one of your dragons that's okay too.” He smiles at his brother because right now he is in a good mood knowing he may see the monk in a matter of hours.

 

“You wouldn't know how to guide it so I don't think that would be such a good idea, not to mention the shit I will have to hear from, Kou.”

 

“I understand but remember, don't leave without us. We'll be here waiting on you and thanks for believing me.” He turns and goes back to the others prepared to wait until the prince decides to leave.

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Kougaiji walks over to his door and looks out before leaving. He pulls the door close locking it behind him. He hurries down to the dragon cove and heads out for his stronghold.

 

Dokugakuji waits as the prince leaves and pulls one of the dragons out himself. He goes to the clearing, tells his brother to follow him, and takes off. Hakkai follows behind him trying to keep him in sight.

 

“Do you think we can get Sanzo tonight, Gojyo? Man, if they have hurt him, I am mad enough to kill something. Can't we go any faster Hakkai?”

 

“Well Goku it's really hard to see in the dark so if we don't want to hit something this is as fast as we can go right now.”

 

Gojyo looks over his shoulder, “Listen brat, if we get hurt in the process what good are we gonna to do the monk. As long as we can see Dokugakuji, we are on the right path. He is going against the prince for us so lets just keep him in sight, okay. If he gets to Sanzo first, he does plan on freeing him.”

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Kougaiji lands by the rubble and his heart does a rapid beat. He can't believe his eyes! He gets off the dragon and wanders through the debris looking around for any sign of Sanzo. He looks around him in different directions. Maybe this isn't the place; maybe he should have gone a little further. He backs up, puts his hands to his mouth, looks around, and sees an arm from under rocks. He walks over bends down and sees it has long nails. He backs up and falls to his knees, throws his head back. “Aiilllllllll, nooooooooo!” This cannot be happening, no it can't. The monk has started to come around. How can something like this happen! Why now, why now?!!

 

He bends down in the rubble gritting his teeth and as he gasps for air, he notices boots next to him. He looks up in Dokugakuji's face. “What are you doing here?” He gets to his feet and brushes the dirt off his pants.

 

Doku looks around and then over at the prince, “What is this place and what happen here?”

 

“Answer my question, why are you here? Did you follow me, Dokugakuji?”

 

He stands back and nods his head. “Did Sanzo do this? It looks like his work.”

 

Kou looks at him and he thinks, that's right! The monk did this himself. He's not in this rubble. He somehow managed to escape and then chanted over the building. The monk is alive somewhere and he's on foot. He can't get that far on foot. He has to be around here somewhere. He's probably in the woods now, trying to make his way back to that damn hanyou!

 

“Kou! Are you even listening to me! Where is Sanzo, where is the monk?” He grabs the prince's arm and he shakes him off.

 

“I don't know where he is! Leave me alone, I have to go!”

 

“But Kou, wait! Where are you going? I'll go with you, wait Kou!”

 

Kougaiji runs to his dragon as he shouts, “It's none of your business, Dokugakuji. Leave me alone, I don't need your help!”

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Hakkai pulls up to the edge of the once large stronghold and they all get out of the jeep. The three of them look around at the mess and Gojyo turns to his brother. “What the hell is this?! Where is Sanzo?!”

 

Doku looks around and tells him, “I think he was kept here and he somehow escaped and did this. He has to be on foot now. I think Kou has gone after him but I don't know which direction the monk went when he left.”

 

Goku looks at the ground. “I wish we had some light to see better.” He turns east, “I think he went in this direction because he always follows the sun. The sun sets in the east right?” He looks up at the others and Hakkai smiles down at him. “Your instincts have always been correct so I think we should travel east too.” He heads for the jeep and looks at Gojyo over his shoulder. “Are you coming? There is nothing we can do here and it does look like Sanzo's work.”

 

“Are you going to continue to follow the prince?” Gojyo stares hard at his brother.

 

“I think I should. If he finds the monk, he may try to hold him again. If we do find him, I promise I will get him back to you.” He puts his hand on his shoulder and takes off for his dragon.

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Sanzo ducks under some brush as he spots the dragon over head. He peeps over the bushes as it circles the small cottage he has left. He makes his way through the wooded area looking over his shoulder to make sure he is not being followed. The last thing he needs is to go through all that trouble only to end up as he was before.

 

He looks up at the moon lit sky as it bathes the woods in an eerie glow. He walks parallel to the river trying to get to the mouth because he thinks they may have been here before. At the end of this river, there should be a small village and maybe he can blend in there until he gets in contact with the others.

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Hakkai is moving through the brush with Hakuryu on his shoulder. They are calling out to Sanzo as they move along. So far thy have not gotten an answer. They come to a clearing and stop. Gojyo looks at the others and they all notice the piles of garbage outside the door. Goku goes to the door, opens it, and looks inside. He calls the others, “Hey guys look at this. I think Sanzo must have stopped here. There are cigarette butts and he lit a fire in here with the old furniture, see!” He goes inside pointing at the fireplace.

 

Hakkai and Gojyo follow him inside and can see that it's been recently cleaned. Gojyo walks over to the fireplace and bends down picking up one of the butts on the floor. He smiles as he turns to the others. This is his alright, we're on the right track.” He grabs Goku in a bear hug and tells him, “Way to go, you little monkey. Let's get out of here, he can't be too far.”

 

They all head back out and lose sight of the dragon. Gojyo looks to the others and smile. “It won't be long before we catch up to him. He must have gotten spooked and high-tailed it out of here. He may have seen Kou on his dragon and knew it was a matter of time before he came looking for him.”

 

The others agree and they take off through the woods looking for the monk.

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Kougaiji flies over the wooded area unable to see that well through the trees. He is looking for the white robe he knows will stand out in the darkness. He looks over his shoulder and sees Doku behind him. He gets angry with him because he took it on himself to follow him. He found out somehow he has the monk, well to bad. Doku and no one else are going to keep him away from Sanzo. When he finds him he will make sure, he never gets away again if he has to chain him up every night. He will make sure he never leaves him alone. That's what he will do; he will stay by his side forever if he has too.

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Sanzo leaves the shelter of the trees and wanders into the village. He walks the streets looking for an inn. He spots one at the end of the long street and goes inside. The manger comes out from the back and looks at the tired monk but he has his robes over his arm so he doesn't know he is a monk. Sanzo asks for a room and something to eat and drink and the manger leads him to a room and tells him he will have something sent up right away.

 

Sanzo walks over and collapses on top of the large double bed. As he closes his eyes, he thinks about the prince searching for him. He knows he may show up at the inn but if he does, he will kill him before he allows him to take him away.

 

He gets up, goes into the bathroom, and washes his face. He wants to take a bath but he knows that will have to wait until after he eats. He runs his fingers through his hair and sweeps it off his face. He is feeling dirty and sticky and wants to take a bath badly. He looks around and walks over to the window. He looks down on the street and not seeing anyone, he feels relieved. He turns when he hears a knock at the door.

 

Opening the door, he lets the owner's daughter in. She bows and puts the food on the table as she steals peeks at the handsome man. He thanks her while standing at the door. She smiles up at him, “If you need anything else, please let me know and I will get it for you.” She is about to turn away when he stops her.

 

“I will like for you to tell the owner, I would appreciate him not letting anyone know I am here. I don't want to be disturbed because I had to travel a long way. Could you do that for me please.” He smiles down at her and she melts.

 

“Of course I will, anything for you sir. I'll make sure no one knows you are here, leave it to me.” She turns and pulls the door up behind her and he listens as she runs down the hall giggling.

 

The monk chuckles as he thinks about acting like Gojyo with that smile. `I guess when you smile at girls they will do what you want.' He walks over to the table, sits down, and eats his dinner. He finds he is very hungry and finishes most of it. He sits back and lights a cigarette, blowing smoke at the ceiling he thinks about where the others might be at this time.

 

He gets up, goes to the bathroom, and runs water in the tub he sits on the side smoking a cigarette. As the water fills up, he takes his clothes off and gets in the warm water. He lies back with a sigh and relaxes as the water swirls around his body, he closes his eyes as he thinks about Gojyo and wonders if he finds out about Kou will he want him back.

 

What happen was not his fault, but still, he may not want him anymore. The last time he had sex with him he didn't put up much of a fight and for that, he will always feel guilty. For some reason he was tired of fighting. Tired of being without the hanyou and tired of saying no. Although his feelings have not changed towards the prince, he did feel sorry for him in a way.

 

Loving someone who will never love you back has to be hard. Unrequited love is the most painful love of all. He moans and sinks deeper in the water. Maybe he should have never gone into a relationship with Gojyo. Being with him is the reason Kou kidnapped him in the first place. As long as he and the hanyou were only travel companions, there was not a problem. Maybe that is what they need to be again. There are no complications when you're no more than friends and if they go back to that maybe he won't have to worry about the prince again.

 

It seems sex with the hanyou was the catalyst for his abduction. If he had never given in to his desires for the hanyou, none of this would have happen. The prince didn't think too try something like this before. He didn't feel it was necessary as long as nothing was going on but as soon as it was, he acted on his own selfish feelings.

 

Sanzo gets out of the tub dries off with one of the towels and lies across the bed thinking, maybe he should end it between him and Gojyo before someone gets seriously hurt.

 

He puts his arm over his eyes and groans as he thinks about not being with Gojyo anymore. He turns over on his stomach and falls asleep dreaming about red eyes and silky red hair.

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Hakkai and the others pull up in front of the inn and they all hop out. They head for the inn and Goku looks up at them and says he is hungry. They register and the manager leads them to their rooms.

 

“I'll have my daughter bring you up something to eat. Make yourselves at home and the other one will be ready shortly.” He bows out and closes the door behind him.

 

Hakkai looks at Gojyo, “You can sleep with me tonight Goku and Gojyo when the other room is ready you take that one. However, we can all have dinner together.”

 

Gojyo sits at the table and looks around. “Do you think Sanzo made it out of those woods? Maybe we should go back tomorrow and look around again.”

 

“That's fine with me. When we wake up in the morning we will be fresh and we will have some light to see by.”

 

“Just make sure you get up early, I don't want the prince to catch him again. That bastard! When I see him, I want to kill him with my bare hands. Now Sanzo is out there alone and heaven knows what is going on in his mind. He is such an innocent and naïve about the way the world works. I would do anything to have him back.”

 

Hakkai walks over, puts his arm around his shoulder, and tells him they will find the monk. Goku looks over at the two men and comes to some conclusions of his own. As he watches Gojyo with his head down and Hakkai with his arm around him he knows Gojyo feels more for Sanzo then he is letting on. In fact, if he didn't know better he would say he loves the monk, but that couldn't be true, could it?

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