Title: Honour, Duty or Love?

Author: JadeHeart

Located/Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first

Fandom: Saiyuki

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, they belong to the creators, nor am I making any profits

"Hey, big brother!"

The shrill cry made Kougaiji turn to see Lirin running at full tilt towards him. He put a hand out which she grabbed immediately, almost swinging from it with joy. As he looked down upon her small cat-like face, eyes sparkling brightly, broad smile showing gleaming canines, he felt his heart soften as it always did around his little sister.

"How have you been, Lirin?" he asked as he walked with her by his side, still grasping his hand.

"Bored!" was the brief answer.

"Why? What have you been doing?"

"Oh, nothing really," Lirin answered absently, almost snuggling into his side. For her, her big brother was her entire world. When everything else failed she knew that his love would never fade. That was her one and only constant. "There's been no-one to play with so I've been just soooo bored!"

"Well, Dokugakuji had to accompany me, but what about Yaone?" He suddenly felt a brief flash of concern. Had Ukoku got his hands on her again somehow? If he had, that bastard would wish he was dead and he didn't give a shit if he was his stepmother's pet scientist!

"Oh, she went off to see if she could keep an eye on Sanzo and the others," Lirin said, letting go of his hand and skipping ahead.

Kougaiji stopped in his tracks. "Oh? Really?"

"Yeah," Lirin looked over her shoulder at him before turning fully and bouncing up and down for a moment. "She said that way she would be able to tell you where they were when you got back and that would save time." Lirin gazed upwards, gnawing on one long sharp nail. "Come to think of it, she has been gone a long time. I thought she would have been back sooner. She did say she wouldn't be gone long."

She suddenly ran back to her brother's side, looking up at him earnestly. "Do you think something's happened to her?"

Kougaiji kept his features schooled into a calm expression even though he was experiencing the first touches of anxiety. He reached out and ruffled his sister's hair. "Don't worry. I'm sure she's fine. Yaone's a very capable fighter." He began to walk again. "Come on. I'm famished so let's have lunch together."

"Yippee!!" Lirin squealed, breaking away in a run, her worry forgotten in the face of her brother's reassurances and the thought of food.

If only I could be so easily distracted, Kougaiji thought, following, still pondering what Lirin had told him. Where was Yaone? Why hadn't she returned yet?

"Well, this is an awkward situation, don't you think?" Hakkai calmly said, trying not to crowd his companion.

"Yes, you could say that. Very awkward." Yaone replied just as calmly.

Hakkai turned his head and gave a small smile. "I guess that means that we will have to make the most of the situation. Although I'm sure that we will both be suitably chastised by our respective leaders for our foolishness."

Yaone acknowledged him with a small smile of her own. "I'm sure you are right."

"Although," Hakkai continued, turning his face away and looking out at the rain cascading past the hollow's mouth where they huddled. "I'm certain that your Lord Kougaiji won't express his dissatisfaction with your misbehaviour by trying to shoot you!"

Yaone gave a small low laugh. "No, you are quite right. I will no doubt just be severely scolded."

"Ah, what I wouldn't give for a good scolding! You know," Hakkai turned back to her. "Traveling with Sanzo can be very hazardous to one's health in more ways than one."

"He does seem rather..." Yaone tried to search for a polite word. "Volatile." she settled for.

"Oh, that he most certainly is." Hakkai agreed readily. "But I guess that's just what makes it all the more interesting."

Yaone studied her partner as he turned his gaze forward once more. "Why do you travel with them?" she asked quickly before her tongue froze with indecision. It was a question she had often wondered of this man but had never had the courage, much less the opportunity to actually ask.

"Hmm?" Hakkai looked at her absently. "Why? Well," He scratched at his cheek a little self consciously, smiling. "That is probably the burning question, isn't it?" He looked steadily at her. "Can I ask the same of you?"

"Me?" Yaone was startled. "What do you mean?"

"Why do you fight for Kougaiji?" Hakkai asked.

"Because he is my lord." she replied quickly, feeling her face flush a little.

"Is that enough?" Hakkai asked softly.

Yaone dropped her eyes. It was unfortunate they were in such cramped quarters so she was unable to move further away. "Yes. I believe it is." she finally replied, her voice low but firm.

There was silence for a moment then Hakkai said, "Ah. I guess that is enough then."

The silence returned.

Yaone peered up from beneath lowered lashes to see Hakkai gazing out at the weather once more, a faint frown on his brow. "So what about you?" she bravely asked again.

He turned his head, his dark eyes capturing hers and she felt as though she were pinned in place, unable to move, so intense was his gaze. He blinked and their power faded, so she found she could breathe once more.

"I could be trite and say it was simply something to do, and that I had nothing better to do with my time." Hakkai's short laugh held a touch of bitterness that surprised her. "That actually would be the truth when it all comes down to it. But," He returned his gaze back to the rain. "That doesn't answer why I am still with them, does it?"

There was silence again, broken only by the steady stream of falling water.

"You know," Hakkai said softly. "I envy you. You have such faith in Kougaiji, and yourself. It is like you are all…family."

Yaone was surprised by the sudden turn in the conversation. It flustered her, yet also made her heart fill with pleasure. "You really think so?" she said a little breathlessly.

"Yes, I do." Hakkai turned back to her, smiling warmly. "All of you; Kougaiji, Dokugakuji, yourself, even little Lirin, it seems like you are all from one family. Your feelings for each other are so evident that complete strangers could tell that, right from the start. I know I did." His smile deepened. "That's nice."

"Aren't you the same?" Yaone asked.

"Me?" Hakkai seemed taken aback.

Yaone nodded. "Yes. You and the others. You all seem very close as well."

Hakkai chuckled. "That is more from sufferance, I assure you!"

She shook her head, long braids flapping against his back. "I don't think so," she said firmly. "I've seen you all fight together. You watch out for each other, no matter what is happening, or who or what you are up against. If there is no-one else in this world you trust, you trust each other."

"Trust?" Hakkai's expression was quizzical. "You really think that?"

Yaone didn't know if he was deliberately trying to not understand or truly didn't realize it himself. Could this man who was so intelligent in other ways be so obtuse in this?

"Yes, I do." she stated. "You treat Goku like a little brother, just like Kougaiji treats Lirin. Gojyo is like your best friend," She smiled at him. "Which really doesn't surprise me since that is what Dokugakuji is to Lord Kougaiji, even if neither of them would admit it!"

"And what about Sanzo?" he queried, amusement in his voice.

She smiled back at him. "You treat him like a crotchety old grandfather!"

Hakkai couldn't stop the involuntary laughter that escaped him. "Oh, that I will have to remember to tell him!" he said, wiping away a few tears of suppressed mirth. "Though, on second thoughts, perhaps I won't. I don't think he would see the humour in it, although I'm sure Gojyo would!"

Yaone felt pleased with herself in being able to truly make the normally so controlled Hakkai laugh so uninhibitedly. Too often his smiles seemed false, his humour put on. He was an enigmatic man with hidden depths that tweaked her curiosity, tempting her to try and find out more, to plumb those dark pits. Yet instinctively she drew away a little as the feelings of danger would ring warning bells each time she tried to move closer to those secrets. There was far, far more to Cho Hakkai than met the eye.

"You love him, don't you?"

"Eh?" She was startled, caught completely off guard by his sudden question, her eyes wide as she looked up at him.

He smiled back reassuringly. "Kougaiji. You love him."

"Uh, I…." She stuttered to a halt, not knowing what to say. "Well, of course I love him. I owe him my very life. I would die for him if required." she finally said.

"But you don't love him just out of duty, do you?" Hakkai's quiet voice reached her through the noise of the storm. "What else makes you love him?" He looked over at her, a small warm smile on his face. "I really would like to know."

"Uhm, I guess," Yaone struggled to find the words, wondering why she was even trying to do so and why she was discussing something so private with this person, her mortal enemy. "It's a lot of little things."

"Like what exactly?"

She thought about it hard. "Well, he's very noble, and I don't mean just because he's a demon prince. His nobility is not due to rank or birth. It is a nobility of the heart. He doesn't abuse his subordinates or let them be punished for no reason, and he won't ask anything of his subjects that he himself is not prepared to do. He sees in everyone a greater potential than they themselves see. That is probably the most amazing thing about him. He has so much faith in you, you just can't fail him. And yet," Her voice dropped low so Hakkai had to strain to hear it, warmth infusing her words. "He doesn't seem able to see just how much he has done for all of us. He still always believes he has failed somehow, failed the people relying on him. He just can't seem to see what a good person he is."

Yaone raised her face now and met Hakkai's gaze unflinchingly. "He is the most self-sacrificing, selfless man I know. That is why I love him."

Hakkai held her gaze but she refused to drop it, so this time it was he who finally turned away, a small sad smile on his lips. "Well, all I can say is that he is a very lucky man to have someone like you believe in him like that."

"Don't you believe in Sanzo?"

Hakkai grinned at her. "Oh, I believe in Sanzo but I wouldn't go so far as to call him noble or self-sacrificing or selfless! And I most certainly wouldn't say I love him!" He tipped his head to one side, chuckling. "It doesn't quite sound the same if I said that as it does falling from the lips of a beautiful lady such as your self."

Yaone felt her face grow warm. "You think I'm beautiful?" She couldn't resist asking in a small voice.

A warm hand enveloped hers. "My lady, you are a vision of enchantment, a beauty not only in features and body but of mind and soul." Hakkai raised her hand to his lips and brushed a light kiss across the back. She felt that small touch of warmth travel up her hand and straight to her heart. "I wish I could be so lucky as to one day have one such as you say such things about me as you have so graciously expressed about your Lord."

He released her hand and she drew it into her lap. She knew her face was flushed, her breathing shallow as she cradled her hand, still feeling Hakkai's warmth on it.

"Well, it doesn't look like it will be letting up anytime soon," he suddenly said. "We may as well try to make ourselves as comfortable as possible until then."

"So it would seem." Yaone conceded that he was right. They were both still weary, recovering from their wounds and in dire need of rest.

Hakkai shifted by her side, his shoulder pressing against hers, as did his thigh. She couldn't suppress the shiver that unexpectedly shook her, a shiver of unexpected pleasure.

"Are you cold?" he asked solicitously.

She was unable to look at him let alone answer, and before she could do anything more she felt him shift again and his arm circled her shoulders, drawing her in against him closer. She dropped her head against his chest, hiding her flaming face.

"Stay close to me," Hakkai's soft voice rumbled in his chest under her ear. "You'll be a lot warmer. Try to get some sleep."

"What …about you?" she whispered. She felt more than heard his small laugh.

"I'm fine." A hand lightly brushed her hair then was gone. "I'll wake you if need be. Don't worry. Trust me."

Oh, I do, she thought as her eyes closed almost against her will, lulled by the warmth of the body next to her, the strong arm circling protectively about her, the soft breath touching her hair, and her head rocked slowly on the chest it rested upon as the heart beat steadily against her cheek.

"Yaone!"

The sharp cry roused her, bringing her awake instantly and sitting up, looking around.

"Yaone!" The cry came again.

"I think someone has come looking for you." A soft amused voice said near her.

She turned her head to see Hakkai leaning still in the same position as the night before. He obviously hadn't moved at all and she wondered guiltily if it was because she had been sleeping by his side and he hadn't wanted to disturb her. Her eyes fixed on his, mouth opening to ask him if that was the case, if he had slept all right, if he was still in pain, to thank him. So many things she wanted to say to him but as she tried to form the words her name was called again.

"Yaone!"

Immediately her head spun around, eyes searching the surrounding forest.

"You had better go," The quiet voice made her turn once more to see Hakkai standing and moving out into the open, before extending a hand to assist her up also. "Your Lord summons you." he added with a smile.

Hakkai gave her hand a light squeeze and then released it, turning, just as Kougaiji strode out from the trees, heading towards them.

Kougaiji felt relief when he espied his missing vassal, a flash of happiness in seeing her safe and well, standing there watching him approach. A frown touched his brow as he noted Hakkai's presence beside her and his hands clenched for a moment yet his pace didn't falter.

He stopped a short distance from them, just looking upon them both silently.

"Are you all right?" he asked a little brusquely.

"Yes," Yaone hurried to assure him. "I'm fine now."

"Come," he instructed quietly.

"Yes, my lord!" Yaone answered quickly, hurrying to his side.

She turned and faced Hakkai, who still remained where he had been, making no move to approach them. "Thank you for looking after me last night," she said with a low bow. "You have my gratitude."

"It was my pleasure, and I am just as indebted for your assistance." Hakkai responded with a smile, also bowing.

Kougaiji watched this interplay silently although the frown was retuning to his face as he picked up hidden undercurrents behind the simple words and actions. He abruptly turned and began to walk away.

"It's time we left," he said sharply. "Lirin's waiting for you."

"Yes!" Yaone hurried after him.

He shot a look over his shoulder towards Hakkai. "Until next time," he said evenly.

"Of course," Hakkai replied calmly. "We look forward to it."

"Humph!"

Hakkai watched as Kougaiji pulled Yaone close to his side and leap away, disappearing in a blink of an eye. He let out a small sigh, squinting at the early dawn light. He supposed he had better start trying to make his own way back as well.

He turned and suddenly heard the sound of a familiar engine, then followed shortly after with the appearance of a beloved khaki-green vehicle.

"Hakuryu!" he called out joyfully.

"'Bout time you decided to turn up," Gojyo said from where he slouched behind the wheel. "We've been up all night looking for your sorry arse."

"My apologies," Hakkai said with a smile, walking over to the stationary vehicle. He patted the bonnet affectionately and the engine purred louder.

Gojyo clambered over into the back seat. "Move over, monkey!" he snapped, using a boot to push Goku further across. "How can a pint-sized squirt like you take up so much frigging space?!"

"Shut up, you cockroach!" was the sharp comeback. "Hurry up, Hakkai! We haven't even had breakfast yet! I'm so hungry I'm gonna die!"

"Yeah, right," Sanzo growled, lighting a cigarette. "That'll be the day."

"I will! I swear it!"

"Shut up,"

"Sanzo!!!"

"I said, shut up!!" Whap!, went the paper fan over Goku's head.

Hakkai smiled as he shifted into gear and they headed off.

"Had a good night?" Gojyo asked, leaning over the back of the seat, ignoring the tirade of abuse that Sanzo was raining down on the hapless Goku.

"Yes, quite," Hakkai said calmly. "It was very restful."

"I see," Gojyo replied, leaning back.

He didn't tell his friend that he could smell the faint scent of perfume on his clothes, and it certainly wasn't a fragrance that Hakkai used.