Chibisensei: Yes, minna-san, this is Kougaji's chappy. Next up will be a challenge character (who will remain a surprise). After that, I'll probably try my hand at writing a villain (if I don't receive anymore request/challenge characters by then). I hope you enjoy! Remember, I like reviews & requests/challenges are welcome!

Warning: Er, I never actually read all of the original 8 volumes of the manga so I went off the anime since it revealed close to nothing on the subject

Drabble summary: How does Kougaji avoid being scarred for life?

Kougaji: On the Topics of Parents & Leadership

I grit my teeth as I walk stiffly through the hall. I had no idea anything could be so…so... I clench my fist. That was one experience I NEVER want to have again. I walk a bit faster than normal. It wasn't THAT bad. My pace picks up. Who am I kidding? I'd rather join up with the Sanzo Party then…ugh, even that's painful to think about! Still, it can't be as bad as… I growl lowly. Damn it!

I walk to where Mother is being held captive. I look at her. Even frozen in time, her presence is a comfort to me. I can never speak a word of what happened to anyone, but, with Mother, I never have to. I never had to. She never forced me to speak my feelings as a child, but was there if I wanted to. In truth, I was afraid to. My father was an overbearing man whose very presence demanded obedience. As his only son, he was very strict with me. A word of praise from him was more precious than gold to me, but, like gold, it was rare. He was in no way unkind to my mother, but he wasn't loving towards her either. That was not the type of man my father was. My father was the type who always got what he wanted, whatever that may be. In the case of sex, he took a mistress. I lost much respect for Father when I discovered he was not faithful to Mother. When that whore [Gyokumen] became pregnant by Father a light in Mother's eyes faded slightly. Having a mistress was one thing, but fathering a child with her was a different story entirely. I overheard Mother speak of it only once.

"No child deserves to be born to a mother who will care nothing for them," she said to a chambermaid. "And that woman will not care." Our castle was attacked not long after those words were spoken. Father was killed and Mother and I were sealed away. How SHE managed to escape is beyond me. When the seal on me was broken, I found myself with a young half-sister; a half-sister that, like what Mother predicted, was born to a mother who cared nothing about her. She didn't deserve it. I look upon my Mother's frozen face. I will never be able to forgive Father for his infidelity to Mother, however I can't bring myself to imagine what life would have been like without Lirin. She was the only good thing to come from HER. I do not deny my hatred for the woman who wishes to take Mother's place beside Father, but, for now, I have no choice but to bury it under a thin veil of obedience. I do not care whether the revival succeeds or not because our people [demons] follow me now. They may know his name, but they don't know him. They know me.

The ability to lead was a trait I inherited from Father. However, our methods could not be any more different. Father was charismatic, but ruled with an iron fist. He was as feared by our people [demons] as he was revered by them. I see no need for fear in my methods. As their Prince, I do what is in their best interest, not in mine. It was what Father did wrong. He did what he wanted without any consideration of the consequences. He was strong, yes, but he still fell. I will not. I want to be the leader my Father was, but I don't want to be like him. If he is revived, I have no plans to return to the submissive son I once was. So long as I have the respect of the people closest to me, I do not need his approval. I shake my head with a crack of a smirk. The only amusing thing about this whole thing is Gyokumen's assumption that Father would marry her. I doubt he would even appreciate the measures she took to revive him. I doubt he would appreciate anything that has been done for him. That was the man Father was. I look at Mother's face again. Mother appreciated everything that was done for her. So long as I get her back, I couldn't care less what happens to Father and his whore. Mother will be proud of my strength and skill in battle. She will be proud of my choice in allies. She will be proud of my sister. She will be proud of me. And that's-

"My, you seem to be thinking quite hard about something," says a voice, interrupting my thoughts. "A memory of what you witnessed earlier, perhaps?" I grit my teeth. Damn it, I had almost forgotten it too. I turn irritably to the bunny wielding man.

"What do you want, Nii?" I growl.

Nii shrugs carelessly. "Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you're not scarred."

"I highly doubt that," I growl again.

Nii shrugs again. "I must say in our defense that it wasn't unnatural." I feel my eye twitch as the memories I've been trying to distract myself from came back in a rush. I had been irritated with the mad scientist standing in front of me for interfering, once again, in my affairs. I had stormed down to his lab only to be told that he was using the facilities. He was using them alright…with Gyokumen. By the time I burst in, raw claw marks ran across the scientist's back and there was a whore-sized bite mark on his left shoulder. Smeared blood was on Gyokumen's hands as well as the floor; and that doll, that damn bunny, was positioned on the sink so that it could watch every moment! Clenching my fist, I storm past Nii.

"And where might you be going?" asks Nii.

"That's none of your concern!" I snap. I didn't bother to pay attention to whatever reply he came up with. I soon see Dokugakuji,

"Hey Kou," he starts. "You okay?"

I walk past him.

"Kou?" he questions, following me.

"Get Yaone," I command, not breaking my stride. "We're going after the Sanzo Party!"

END