Author: babyg @ babygxpress
Firstly, GOMEN NASAI for the *late* update! (that's an understatement) Hope you're happy with this chapter, review and tell me, ne?
Chapter 20: Lost & Found
"Itadakimasu!!" *chomp chomp* *gulp*
"Hoi, Gojou, kaishite (give it back!)!!"
"Finders keepers!"
Patrons in the inn stared at the middle table curiously. Natsumi looked around and blushed.
"Guys... calm down a little...." she whispered.
"But he took my piece of meat!" Goku whined, pointing frantically at Gojou, who responded by chewing slowly and licking his lips in front of Goku.
Natsumi sweat dropped. "Okay okay, Goku, I'll get you another plate okay? "
"Yay!"
Gojou swallowed and looked around the table. His gaze rested on a blonde-haired man who was reading a newspaper opposite him. A plate of green veggies lay untouched in front of him. Gojou grimaced.
"Konzen, you're not a monk anymore. Why are you still eating those forsaken greens?"
"None of your business."
"Oh, I know I know *waves hand nonchalantly*, its embarrassing to eat in front of us after all your preaching last time. Don't worry, we won't laugh much... " *click* The cold tip of a gun pressed in the middle of his forehead. Gojou sweat dropped.
"Eh....ahehe... I was.. just kidding."
The gun whipped back. Konzen, satisfied, went back to reading his newspaper.
Goku, who was eating happily, suddenly commented. "Neh, Gojou, Hakkai, why are you all back in your normal clothes then the ones Destiny gave? Only Konzen is in his original robes."
"That's 'cos Konzen's Sanzo's outfit was melted away....." Gojou trailed off as the gun was aimed at him again.
Hakkai laughed. "It would be a little eye-catching if we were to wear those outfits down here, ne?"
"Yeah, unlike some people who likes to show off.... " Gojou mumbled. This time several shots fired, two missing him narrowly. "Gomen!!"
"By the way, where's Ai and Homura, Natsumi?" Hakkai turned to the girl beside him.
"Ah... they said they wanted to stay and protect Destiny... but they'll be watching us from above. Dakara, shinpai suru nai yo!" Natsumi gave a big smile.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Hakkai revered in it. We've been like this for 3 days now. Everything's calm, like the calm before a storm; Akuma hasn't tried anything yet. I wonder if Destiny's regained full consciousness already?
Suddenly, Natsumi pushed her chair and got up. "I need some fresh air. I'll be back." She walked towards the door, closing it softly as she exited.
Gojou had resumed eating and didn't notice anything. Both he and Goku were fighting over the scraps again.
Suddenly Konzen said, "Gojou. Go with Natsumi."
Gojou stopped chewing long enough to say, " If I go, this baka zaru will eat everything!"
A fan appeared out of nowhere and clobbered them both.
"Fine, fine. You still have all those 'torture instruments' with you, huh?" Gojou rubbed his head painfully as he walked out.
"Why did I get clobbered too?" Goku whined holding his head.
"You're too noisy! And you've eaten too much! And don't say anything more! Go to bed!" A furious Konzen yelled at Goku who had opened his mouth to protest. Goku pouted and went upstairs reluctantly.
Hakkai smiled again. "You actually didn't intend to clobber Goku, did you? I guessed you aimed wrongly."
"What did you say?" Konzen held the fan menacingly.
"A-ah... Nan demo nai....." *sweatdrop*
Gojou lit his lighter as he searched for Natsumi. The forest was dark.
"Where the hell can she be?" He wondered as he stumbled over some twigs in his path. "Damn those twigs!" He cursed walking backwards, as he pulled faces. Suddenly he stumbled over something much bigger and fell down, face first into.... soft mud.
"Gojou? What are you doing here?" A surprised voice came from above him. He pulled himself up with difficulty.
"I should ask you that question."
"*giggling* I didn't know Gojou-san had his nightly facial routine which includes a mud-mask!"
"Oh shut up."
They sat by the riverbank, Natsumi looking at the waters, and Gojou beside her, his face now clean. Natsumi picked up a small stone, stared at it for a moment, then flung it into the waters. Gojou looked at her, eyebrow raised.
"You know, its funny. I thought I heard Kougaiji a while ago when I was still in the mirror; what happened to him? He would come and see me, I know he would."
Gojou stiffened. What am I going to tell her? That her beloved is controlled by a devil?
Before he could say anything, Natsumi grabbed his hands desperately. She stared into his eyes.
"Gojou, please tell me where Kougaiji is. Is he in trouble? My sister and that mean Konzen won't tell me anything! But, I know you would. Please, tell me."
He blinked a few times. Her expression looked so pitying. "There are some thing... where its better that you don't know about, Natsumi. We'll take you to see Kougaiji soon enough. When the time comes."
"But IT NEVER comes! Something terrible happened to Kougaiji! I know, by the way everyone's acting. And this is so unfair... its so unfair. Everyone of you treats me like I'm a little girl. No one understands me!" She cried, standing up furiously.
Gojou was struck speechless.
Natsumi saw his hesitating face. She turned and ran into the woods crying out, " If you won't tell me anything, I'll search for him myself!" She disappeared.
Gojou scrambled up. "Mataku! That girl!" He ran after her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Akuma stood on his throne, his devil fork upright. In front of him, was a glass case which contained a very angry Kougaiji.
"Kusoo! How dare you put me here! Let me out, I say!"
Akuma grinned, taking a step at a time towards the case. "I haven't been able to fulfill your wish just yet, huh. But don't worry; she's coming. You'll see her very soon." He sniffed the air hungrily. "Oh, I can smell it now; the smell of a young goddess. Its been so long."
Kougaiji looked grossed out. Then his expression turned to desperation. "You're not talking about Natsumi, are you? You promised you wouldn't do anything to HER!"
"I never did say that, my dear boy. All that was contained in our agreement was, " He snapped his fingers and the scroll appeared unscrolling itself." All there is is that you would get your wish of seeing Natsumi, and I get full use of your body."
Kougaiji banged angrily at the glass. "I take it back! There's no way I'll let you hurt her!"
"You have no sense for a prince; once an agreement is made, you can't cower out." The crow flew around him irritatingly.
Akuma just laughed at an evil cackle. "I'll get you soon, Miramei." His hand balled into fists. He turned towards Kougaiji. "And now, its showtime. Your beloved is near; searching for you I presume. I'm sure she'll be very pleased to see you."
Kougaiji bit his lip. Now Natsumi's going to get in trouble because of me! Why didn't I have the sense to not give in to him!
"Don't you want to give him an amnesia spell first, Master? He'll be easier to control that way while you're in his body." The crow said.
"No, leaving him like this will be more entertaining. After all, who wouldn't want to see how a lover's reunion is? And I can control him; I can control anyone. I am the Great Lord of Hell after all."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Natsumi slowed down. She walked angrily on. " They are mean brats! They still want to separate me and Kougaiji! I don't care what they think anymore. No, I don't. I'll be with him even if the whole universe is destroyed!"
With this thought, she ran with a new burst of energy. She skidded to a stop in a clearing. At this rate, I won't be able to find him. I guess I'll just have to track back to the inn first, and later get some clues somehow from Hakkai.
After about and hour or two, Natsumi slowed down again. This time she looked around anxiously. "I'm sure I ran through here the last time...." She looked at her surroundings. "Masaka.... I made a whole roundabout?!"
She groaned and dropped to the floor. "I can't go on anymore. Kougaiji...." She sobbed softly. She must have been down there for another 40 minutes before she heard a slight rustle in the bushes. A twig cracked under the unknown weight. Natsumi's heart came to a standstill. Wild animals?
She got up unsteadily, never taking her eyes off where the sound came from. The leaves pushed back. A dark figure loomed in front of her. She got ready her gold rope and was about to swing it towards the figure, when the moon suddenly burst out of the clouds and shone down.
"Kougaiji!" she exclaimed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Konzen stared out of his bedroom window. He fingered the sword which Miramei had left for him.
"It's been 3 days, Miramei. You said you only needed a few days. Why aren't you here yet? And before you left..... you said realize something.... Realize what?!"
Suddenly a sharp voice rang in his head. "Konzen! Natsumi is in danger!" At the same time, a sharp pain burst through his heart. He fell to the ground, gasping.
Miramei? Is that you? What is wrong with Natsumi?
His door burst open and Hakkai rushed in, also holding a hand to his chest. "Konzen!" He shouted before he realized that Konzen was on the floor. "So, you felt it too? Something's happened to Natsumi."
Konzen nodded grimly as he got up. "But Gojou's with her, I don't think we need to worry-" Before he could finish his sentence, Gojou burst in panting.
"Did Natsumi returned yet?" He asked.
Hakkai stared at him in horror before looking back at Konzen. Konzen had already gone for the door, shouting, "Baka!" at Gojou. Hakkai followed him. At the rear, Gojou was running after them, panting loudly, "Why did you call me baka!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Kougaiji. Its really you. I'm so glad! Oh I'm so glad!" Natsumi ran towards him and hugged him, tears falling down her cheeks. Kougaiji stood there, unmoving, a smile flitted across his features.
Natsumi, get away! He's not me!
Akuma/Kougaiji's eyes glinted evilly as he hugged her back. "I'm glad I found you." At this, Natsumi burst into a fresh flood of tears. "Don't ever leave me again, Kougaiji!"
Natsumi!! Listen to me, listen to your heart! He is not ME!
Kougaiji's eyes flickered a second. "Natsumi, listen to me! I-..."
Suddenly a something burst out of the trees cawing loudly and making a huge ruckus, drowning out his voice. Natsumi jumped in fright, looking around nervously.
Kougaiji's eyes regained the evil look. Don't interfere, boy! Or I'll destroy her!
You can't! I won't let you!
And who are you to tell me so? *cackles*
"Kougaiji? Kougaiji?"
Kougaiji started, looking down at her. "I'm sorry, I was a little occupied. What did you say?"
"Lets go back to the inn to find Konzen-tachi first. Its kind of creepy out here in the forest."
"You've got me here. What are you scared of?" He pulled her into his arms again, staring at her lovingly.
Natsumi sighed contentedly. That's right. I've got my Kougaiji again.
Akuma: Watch Kougaiji, if she makes love with me, the first baby of devil and angel descent will be born. The incessant power, will finally be released.
Kougaiji: No! Don't you dare!
Akuma: What have you got to lose? Its your body anyway.
Kougaiji: I don't want to hear anything! Don't touch her!
Akuma: Too late.
He kissed Natsumi, his hand on her shoulder straps. He started to pull them down gently.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They burst through the trees searching for Natsumi. Suddenly Konzen skidded to a stop. There he stood, staring agape at the scene before him.
Hakkai managed to stop in time, but Gojou bumped head first into Hakkai.
"What the hell did you stop for, Hakkai!" He complained. He caught sight of what they were seeing. "What...are they doing....!!!"
Natsumi was half undressed in the glade, her back towards them. Kougaiji was nuzzling her.
"KOUGAIJI! WHAT A PLACE TO BE DOING THIS! YOU'RE EVEN MORE KINKY THAN ME!" Gojou shouted excitedly, momentarily forgetting who Kougaiji actually was.
Natsumi and Kougaiji's eyes pop out, stunned. She quickly pulled up her straps, blushing deeply. Kougaiji ch'ed in annoyance.
Konzen knocked his hand against his forehead, as Hakkai sweat dropped profusely. Suddenly Gojou remembered.
"You are Ak-mmphhhhhpphhrerpph!" The rest of his exclamation was muffled by Hakkai`s hand.
"We're very sorry to have disturbed you, Natsumi-san. I see you have found Kougaiji. Mo ii desu ne..." He smiled brightly, trying to keep a struggling, furious Gojou in check.
"If there's nothing, let's go back. " Konzen announced.
"Can Kougaiji come with us too?" Natsumi asked hopefully as she skipped along the path.
Konzen walked ahead, seemingly didn't hear her question. She took that as a yes, and pulled Kougaiji along a few distance before skipping ahead. Kougaiji stepped back to fall in step with Konzen. He smiled a cunning smile.
"Konzen....you won't be able to hide Miramei forever...." his Akuma-voice whispered.
"I don't care what grudge you have, don't take it out on Natsumi. Cowards like you don't amount to much anyway."
"*cackles softly* Of course.... I actually wanted to make Natsumi the lucky bearer of the Son of Destruction.... but looking at you, I think my initial choice is better. Miramei." He smiled an infuriating smile as Konzen scowled at him. He waved as he quickened his pace to catch up with Natsumi up front.
Konzen thought grimly to himself. "This is bad. What Son of Destruction is he talking about? But, judging by what he was doing to Natsumi just now....." He suddenly started in horror at his realization. He means... making love?! He clenched his fists. Why do I care so much when I've already told myself I don't feel any love for her?
babyg: I know about the Son of Destruction thing, the name's really uncreative -_-;; I gotta go check my Jap dictionary for more appropriate names. If you've got any suggestions, feel free to e-mail me ^_^ I'm very open to suggestions. Do review, ne?