Title: Speed
Theme: 15. Apathy, 10. Speed
Warnings: Character death
Disclaimer: Saiyuki is not mine. If it were there would be more episodes.
Summary: It all boiled down to how fast you could talk.
Author's Notes: Written for the 30 Deathfics LJ Community and Sanzo X Kougaiji. Surprisingly, I am NOT pairing up Sanzo and Kougaiji in this fic. Really. I wanted them to have this camaraderie thing, not a romantic relationship.


SPEED

Sanzo and Kougaiji glared at one another across the expanse of rubble and dead youkai bodies. Almost simultaneously, they started chanting; Sanzo to use the Maten Sutra and Kougaiji to summon Engokuki.

Whoever came out of this fight alive would be the winner.

The monk's lips were bleeding and the muscles in his arms ached from shooting what seemed like hundreds of youkai for who knows how many hours. And now, the fight had been reduced to the two leaders facing off with one another.

Sanzo could see the wound on Kougaiji thigh; it must hurt the youkai prince to hold that crouching position but he barely wavered, his lips moving quickly, trying to finish before Sanzo did.

It all boiled down to how fast you could talk.

"Makai tenjou!"

"Engokuki!"

Who spoke first? Sanzo didn't know, didn't really care that much really, as he watched the two attacks meet head-on. The explosion of light as their magic collided was blinding and the blond had to throw up an arm to shield his eyes.

Then the castle was shuddering, the weakened supports obliterated by the clash of Heaven and Hell and as the giant stones and beams fell around them, Sanzo saw Kougaiji smirking at him. He had to smirk back.

He supposed they both won in this fight.

Houtou castle collapsed.