Chapter Eleven: Eighth Member
A/N: I'm in a bit of a humorous mood so there should be something funny in here. Beware. There could be gory stuff. How many of you think this should be rated PG-13? I'm not so good at rating stuff. Especially when I stink at it.
To Ruby: Can't do a Lirin/Haku romance in here. I've tried but it's very hard because she enjoys having fun by annoying others. Besides, take notice that Haku does stay a distance from her. Due to a lot of reasons (e.g.: She's always near Sanzo to make him mad and when Sanzo is mad, stay back.). Sorry. But just to make it up to you, I've written a little short story about a Goku/Lirin one. But I'm no romance writer so don't expect much. It's called Little Friendship.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS TOO LONG!!!!! YOU MIGHT WANT TO DISCONNECT RIGHT AWAY IF YOU WANT TO READ THE WHOLE THING IN ONE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd suggest some eye drops... (Don't say I didn't warn ya.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki. Who doesn't own it will get a- Hey! *something comes and pushes me down* Ouch! Get of me Hakuruyu! *Hakuruyu continues to try and subdue me until I use a collapsible cauldron to hit him on the head* Don't worry. He's still alive. At least. *evil smile*
By: Yamamoto Kou
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Gyumao went to his chamber in the South. That's where he kept Yoane. Lirin was kept in the North while Dokukakuji was in the East. He kept his own son in his own castle. He didn't use memories to distort their minds. If he wants them to be loyal, they have to be aware of what he was doing to them. Lirin escaped due to lack of attention on the chains and the bars. But the same mistake will not happen again.
Gyumao's footsteps echoed through the hallway. His breathing was loud. He headed towards the place where he kept her.
Yoane managed to lift her head up a little bit. She was chained to the wall. She was already bloodied and bruised with some broken bones and ribs. She wished she could just die but she will not do that. To live for Kougaiji. The only words that kept her heart pumping all this while. Without it she would've died long ago. She was sure that he did something bad to him. To make her days worst was the fact that she couldn't help him. But she must keep some hope.
She saw Gyumao's shadow as he came up to her. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the harsh words and the biting sensation of pain to add to her wounds. But it didn't come. Instead, there was the sound of the chains being unlocked. She opened her eyes to see Gyumao's hideous face.
Gyumao: Come with me. Now. I'm going to have to use you for bait. *dragged her up*
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It was another day. Hakkai was finally starting to lose his grip on the little suspicion that Haku was Goku.
Hakkai: [I'm just imagining things. Just because he has the same golden eyes and a limiter doesn't mean he's Goku. If he was, he would've been asking for food by now. Goku's not the quiet, thinking type either. He's a different person. He doesn't even use Nyoibo. He's too tall, voice does sound a bit like him but it could happen. Goku must be in Heaven eating to his hearts content.] *finally managed to convince himself to drop all suspicions*
Sanzo: [What are they hiding damn it! I could just aim my gun and force them to spill it out, but it could be something childish. Those things aren't important anyway. Hmm. Now that I think about it, it must be something childish. Not worth my attention.] *dropped suspicions as well*
Haku: *busy thinking* [What's Gyumao planning now? I know eyes like those. They're eyes that show that he's planning something. Scheming. And it's not good. Especially the hint of desperateness that showed when I told him to try. Should I tell the others?] *continues to contemplate the situation*
Gojyo: *teasing his brother*
Doku: *talking back to his brother*
Nataku: No, I don't have any buns. Leave me alone already!
Lirin: I know you have one! Onegai!
Nataku: *weary and feels like either fall over and sleep or snap* Tasukete.
Haku: *decided* I suggest we'd better get stronger.
Hakkai: Why are suddenly bringing up this topic Haku-san?
Haku: When I last saw Gyumao, I saw that he was planning something. We'd better prepare for what ever it is.
Hakkai: Sou. We should all get ready. He could come at anytime. ^ ^
Haku: [That's what worries me.]
Suddenly, angry yells can be heard.
Sanzo: I SAID GET OFF ME!!!!!
Lirin: Baldie Sanzo!!!!
Nataku: A little help here? *trying to pull Lirin off*
Gojyo: *turned his attention and insults towards the monk* Hey look! High and Mighty Sanzo-sama is giving his girlfriend a piggyback!
Doku: *laughs* Good one. I would've thought he's enjoying it if it wasn't for the fact that he's not.
Hakkai: Lirin, if you get off Sanzo, I'll make you some pork buns when we get back.
Lirin: Okay!!!!! *jumps off*
Nataku: *gives a sigh relief and wipes his brow*
Gojyo: Do you guys bribe her to get off her brother?
Doku: Not really.
Haku: *too deep in his thoughts to notice so he just keeps walking*
Lirin: I'm bored. I want to draw something!
Gojyo: What do I look like to you. The paper man?
Haku: [Paper? Sou ka! Gyumao has both the Holy Sutra and the Evil Sutra! He's going to do something with it. Even with its dharma powers, Gyumao's too strong for it too repel. He will probably need them for something. But what? He's definitely not going to create a new world.]
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'It' was in the North now. It did the routines that it does about every night. It wasn't strong enough to overcome Goku at the moment. Goku. How it loathes that name. The word 'hate' was just a speck compared to the burning desire that lies within. It will have to feed upon these small and useless life forms until it finds something that can help it. Besides, it was freezing there.
Little did it know that Komyo was following it. He silently levitated after him.
It was passing a dark countryside. It stumbled across a very old shack hidden within the trees and half buried by snow. It was good enough to spend the day until night comes. It was almost sunrise. It travelled through a crack in the wall and tried to find a suitable place to rest. It found a drawer that would do nicely. It opened the drawer. And something rolled into view.
Komyo gasped in horror at what he saw.
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They all stopped for a rest. They all sat cross-legged on the floor.
Gojyo: How far are is it anyway?
Doku: Shouldn't be long. We've been travelling so long we have to be close.
Lirin: I'm hot. Baldie Sanzo! Can I borrow something?
Sanzo: What is it?
Lirin: I want to borrow your harisen!!!!!
Sanzo: *uses harisen to hit Lirin on the head* Baka!
Gojyo: That should cool her off.
Before any of them knew it, the ground gave way under them. They all landed on the sandy floor. Lirin and Gojyo landed head first into the soft sand.
Gojyo/Lirin: *pulled their heads out and spit sand out* Yuck!
Sanzo, Hakkai, Doku, Nataku and Haku bestowed the underground cavern they were in. At least it sort of looks like one. They were in a very wide place. They were also a long way down. Climbing back up would take a very long time and some of them may fall of due to exhaustion mid way. The wall around them is made of stone. Torches lined the walls but only some of them were dimly lit while the rest had burned out. Around them were seven big tunnels. Very big tunnels. There were some dimly lit torches to guide the way. They all looked the same.
Nataku: So, where shall we go?
Hakkai: Well, we could take one tunnel each. But it's dangerous to split up under these circumstances.
Gojyo: Are you talking about the ones that involve Gyumao still having a lot of time on his hands?
Doku: Besides, for all we know, this could be a trap.
Sanzo: We either climb, all go together into one tunnel, or split up. I'm going for the last option. *starts heading for a random tunnel*
Hakkai: Sanzo! *gives up because he knows it's no use* We might as well take our own tunnels. *heads for another one*
Doku, Lirin, Nataku and Gojyo went into different tunnels, leaving Haku to face the remaining one.
Haku: *before going in, he senses something and turns to looks around* He's here.
As if on cue, the tunnels that the others went into were closed shut and tight. The sound of the solid stone panels crashing to the ground were muffled due to the sand so the others couldn't hear it. Soon, the sand flew up and out of the opening above and Haku had to shield his eyes when this happened. As the sand quickly rises to the surface, a stone floor was revealed. Then there was a large stone panel sealing the opening above as soon as the sand is gone. It made quite a grinding sound as it slid over to seal the place. The torches suddenly flared up, giving the chamber enough light to see every single detail of the place. Worn out and faded drawings and patterns can now be seen. The floor it self has a big one. It's probably Gyumao's patented symbol.
Haku faced the remaining opened tunnel. Then a strong gust of wind that threatened to blow him into the wall came but Haku didn't budge. Then a voice from above broke out through out the chamber.
Gyumao: I've been expecting you. Haku is your name isn't it?
A balcony was sliding out from high above with Gyumao sitting on some throne of his.
Gyumao: I want to see you strive and struggle before me before you die. I still want to observe that power of yours. It's not all you can do is it?
Another gust of wind blew in from that tunnel.
Haku: *faces Gyumao* Whatever it is, bring it on!
Gyumao: Before I start, you might want to know that your friends are going the right way. I have placed one of my unfaithful subordinates somewhere in there. The problem is will they make it there alive? Even if they do, they still have to get out. I doubt it. And so, the fighting will begin now! *drops a hanky like what the Romans do (At least that's what I think they do.)*
Haku: *faces the open tunnel*
Another strong gust of wind once more blows but this time, four eyes can be seen bulging out.
Haku: Come and get me! *takes a stance*
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Sanzo walked along the dimly lit corridor. He's not taking any chances. His gun is out and he's got enough refills in his spandex space to fill a truck or two. And I mean the really big ones that can be seen in America.
Behind him, you can see the dozens of booby traps that has been set off and not even close to giving him a scratch. But the creatures were another problem.
Sanzo: Ch. *shoots a few* This is so annoying.
Bat like creatures were attacking him. The only difference was they're too big and have dinosaur tails. That's why they have to have large wings and sharp claws to cling to the ceiling. But the tunnel was a bit too small so one of them can just block the entire place.
Sanzo: *crawling over the dead bodies to get to the other side*
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Hakkai is trying to be very careful. Although he has no problems with the bat like creatures, he's still having some trouble with the traps.
Hakkai: *took one step and arrows missed him by centimetres*
Hakkai took another step and fire flared up in front of him. Took one more step and had to turn around to blast the boulder that came rolling behind him. He then had to cross the trench that just opened. The trench was also filled with acid.
Hakkai: Yare, yare. *ki blast more bat like creatures into tiny burnt bits* This is going to take a while.
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Nataku had his own way of crossing. After a few close calls with the spikes and his first attack of the bat like creature, he felt very annoyed. Soon, he couldn't take it anymore and used the fire dragon thing to burn anything further down the passage. Some shriek signified the death of the now roasted bats. There were still the traps but he was satisfied anyway. He blew the smoke off his sword and continued to make his way through. As he manages to escape some traps, he noticed a lot of ash and soot on the floor.
Nataku: Hm? ?-? ? Oh. Ü
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Gojyo tapped on the stones with the end of his shakujo as he went along. The traps were set off and he could go safely. Not really.
Gojyo: Get away rat breath! *attacked the bat like creatures that blocked his way*
Gojyo had activated a pit filled with acid earlier on. Those that annoyed him too much was wrapped up by his shakujo before being thrown into the acid. That was just one of the ways Gojyo used.
Gojyo pushed one of them forward before using the end of his shakujo to activate the trap that turned out to be the one that involves two opposite walls crushing the thing that's in between. The walls soon went back to its original position, leaving a bloody squashed mat of fur and blood. Any gut in there is now officially organic paper. The crushed bones only serve to make it stiff enough for it to be mistaken for cardboard.
Gojyo: Serves you right. I'm starting to enjoy these traps. *pushes one of the coming bats into the wall that soon shot out spikes from one side* Ha. *keeps going while sending more bats to their dooms*
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Lirin was punching the bat like creatures, knocking them unconscious. She decided to use the bats as a bridge over the floor so she won't trigger any traps. She's usually not that smart, but she gets credit for adding to the list of those who show brains at random times.
Lirin: Take that! *punched a bat as it attacked her*
The bat like creature gets thrown onto the floor. Therefore, activating a trap. A piece of the ceiling that's attached to a pole came down and squashed the bat's head. It then returned to its place.
Lirin: Eww. I can see some pinkish stuff coming out of its ears, nose and mouth. It's face looks uglier too. I wonder what happened. Oh well. *prepare to fight the next batch of bats and used the first one that comes down to be put over the one that got its brain squished*
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Doku was busy slashing at the bat like creatures. More like busy cutting their heads off. As soon as this batch was done, he kicked the head over and watched the heads set off the booby traps. One fell into the acid pit. One set off a bear trap. One set of a boulder so Doku had to run and lucky enough for him, ran faster than the traps can activate. The boulder was covered in blood for all the things it rolled over. When the next batch of bats came, Doku pushed them aside without noticing that they are trying to sink their teeth into him. Unfortunately, (or fortunately in this case) the bats didn't take notice of the boulder on a rampage until it was too late.
Doku: *looked back* Ouch! That has got to hurt. Too bad. *keeps running for his life*
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Haku was fighting with a four eyed, blood thirsty, vicious, two headed, spike tailed, poison spitting, and steel clawed lion demon that has two eyes on both the sides of his head and the back of the head as well the four in front (confusing huh?). As they roared, Haku realised that they had three tonsils too. Talk about a freak of nature.
It charged at Haku who nimbly dodged forward and gave it a strong punch in the stomach. It wheezed and winched with pain and it only served to make the beast more rabid. It too a bite at Haku who kicked it full in the face. Haku did the same to the other head that attempted the same thing.
Haku: For mighty beasts, they sure are stupid. This the best you can do Gyumao? *dodged the spiked tail and steel claws that came whizzing by only narrowly missing his flesh*
Gyumao: Grr. *clenched teeth and fists* This is only the beginning!
Haku: *pulled the lion's heads down by the mane*
Lion: *attempted to spit poison at the now very close target*
Haku: *jumped and sat onto the lion's but in the process made a very large cracking sound as he landed hard onto the neck*
Turns out that Haku twisted the lion's heads and broke the spine along with any other bone that attaches the head to the rest of the body. Since there's no way that the brain can connect to the body now, it died and disintegrated like any other demon.
Haku: *recovered from fall as the lion disintegrated under him and took another stance* Next!
Gyumao: Grr. *called the next one out*
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As the Sanzo-Ikkou, Nataku, Lirin and Doku moved on, the passage sloped up. To make things worst, it was slippery since it was somehow made of ice. The coldness adding to the annoyance. And traps are still intact so you never know. Something other than bat-like creatures could be waiting on the other side. One things for sure. Whatever it is up there, it sure could stand the cold since that's where all the cold air came from.
Take note that the final trap before the ice slope is a badly made but lasting rocket with a sharp end that's suppose to spear through the guy who isn't careful. Even if it didn't miss its target, it will keep flying until something strong enough gets in its way. Most of our bishounens managed to dodge it thankfully. Others, well...
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Please take this time to rest your eyes now. I don't want to be blamed for giving you guys' eye problems.
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Sanzo: ...... *tries again*
Sanzo had tried to climb the slope a few times. There were two results. One, he tried to jump higher see if he can get a better grip higher on but he always end up sliding off while making a squeaky sound. Two, he tried to climb it on all four but since this is an anime, his arms and legs will move rapidly as he slowly slides back to the floor.
Sanzo: K'so! *looks back to see the spikes that are suppose to fall on top of him* Hm.
After a few minutes and the sound something being ripped of a thick wooden board, Sanzo started climbing the slope with the help of a few spikes...
The sound of spikes being planted firmly into the ice and the sound of scrambling up can be heard.
Sanzo: [It's damn cold but it's better than sliding off this *beeping* slope continuously.] *somehow managed to dodge a spike that came crashing down*
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Hakkai is inspecting the ice slope. He's contemplating on how to get up there. He looked at some leftover bat wings. Nope. He's not THAT desperate. The walls that are on either sides of the slope are wider and the ceiling higher. There are some unconscious bat-like-creatures though (Some bat like creatures are unconscious and alive because sometimes, the force of Hakkai's Ki blast can knock the ones behind against the wall, thus leaving them unconscious). And maybe a rope or two...
Hakkai got an idea any went back down the tunnel.
There was the sound of something being ripped off a thick wooden board, something snapping and followed by the sound of something being dragged on the floor.
Hakkai can be seen coming back holding a board, a not so big spike and some rope in one hand, and a bat like creature being dragged along the floor in the other. He set these things down and started his work. He stuck the spike at one side of the board and tied a string to it. He soon woke the bat like creature up.
Hakkai: Ano...
Bat: *very scared now and tried to get away*
Hakkai: *held it by the scruff of the neck* Not so fast please...
After a little convincing on Hakkai's part, the other end of the string is tied to the bat like creature. Hakkai held on to the spike.
Hakkai: You can start now.
Bat: *since there was enough place, it stretched it's wing and flew so fast like it never flew before*
Hakkai: *holding on to the spike as he goes up the slope for fear of sliding down*
Several traps were activated as soon as they passed but since Hakkai was going so fast, the traps missed him.
Hakkai: ^ ^ *actually enjoying this*
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Nataku was overlooking the ice slope from below. He could use his fire technique to melt it but that would cost him the only way to go forward. He needed a plan. If only it wasn't sloping up...
He slashed the remaining bats that weren't in range for his fire blast so they should all be dead. And when he came here he decided to blast the activated traps to ashes since they pestered him so much. So there isn't much of anything he could use.
Nataku crossed his legs and started to think. He wanted to get up, finish up whatever it is up there and get out of here because it was freezing. Then 'ting'. A thought warmed him up. If not only temporarily.
Nataku got his sword and aimed it at the slope. He summoned all the concentration he had and focused. Soon his fire dragon blasted up the slope. When he was done, he ended up with an ice staircase in the middle.
Nataku didn't think it would work so well. He climbed the stairs with a smile on his face. He sure wished he could warm himself up though.
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Gojyo was stumped. How on Earth was he going to get up there? Gojyo wasn't really resourceful and he wasn't that smart either. He paced around and looked at his shakujo. He put it back since there were no more things to slash. Gojyo then sat down.
Unfortunately, he sat on the stone that activates the rocket. It zoomed out of its place and headed straight for Gojyo.
He dodged but then tried to hold it back since it gave him a sudden stroke of inspiration. The rocket was sure strong. Gojyo had to practically plant his feet into the ground to keep himself from being dragged.
Gojyo tried hard to point the rocket in the right direction while trying not to be dragged himself. It was a big rocket and it still threatened to bring him off his feet and into the ceiling, the wall, or even the floor. When he was satisfied, he let the rocket go and climbed onto the rocket to keep his feet from hitting anything on the ground.
Gojyo had managed to use the rocket to fly up and had no worries about the traps. The only thing he has to worry about now is if he can cling to the rocket long enough.
Gojyo: *we can see him hang on to the rocket like it was the mother of all cigarettes*
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Lirin stood and looked at the ice slope. And she used to think that the rocket was pretty. Her eyes went all sparkly and stuff.
Lirin: Waa!!!! Sogoiwa!!!! *puts her hands to gather* It's so shiny!!!!!! Maybe there's something even better up there!!!!
Lirin then did something that the others could never do. Something that was unbelievable. Weird even. Not really.
Lirin: Ha ha!!!! *some dust trails her as she goes and the traps keep missing her for some reason*
Lirin just ran up the slope. Without any idea of the danger that could befall her or the fact that there was no way that anyone could just run up an ice slope without sliding, landing headfirst on the head and cracking it. This just proves that stupid people are not entirely stupid or useless. Either Lirin is too stupid to know that risks exists while doing that or she was very good at ignoring the obvious fact most of the time. This goes to show that ignorance is bliss.
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Doku was thinking. He thought. And thought. And thought some more. Doku then plucked out one of the dimly lit torches and puts it near the slope to see if it's completely ice. It was.
Doku impatiently paces across the floor. He was too big for the rocket, the bats are dead, and even if the rocket could carry him, he just missed the chance as it crashed into a wall.
Doku looked at the acid trench. He looked at his torch which of coarse lighted by a very weak fire. The acid doesn't seem to be affected by the acid. He thought to himself.
Doku: [Why not give it a go anyway. I've got nothing to lose.]
Doku grabbed a piece of stone that came off when the rocket rammed itself into the wall nearby and used his sword to somehow make a hole in it. It could also be sealed with a thinner piece of the stone that was cut from it. (Please don't go into details. It's not really possible but this is for the plot's sake and mine! I'm running low on ideas. Bad.) As soon as that's done, he fills it with some acid and throws it at the slope. When it was in the air, the acid started to leak out. Doku threw his torch at it. The idea was to make the ice jagged enough to climb on.
But it was too high and instead of sending it's impact towards the ice, it went for the ceiling. Some stones fell and crashed into the ice. It caused a chain reaction and the ceiling in front of him started to crash into the ice. Soon, there were enough rocks to allow a person to climb. Doku took the opportunity and ran since the tunnel behind him was falling apart.
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Haku just slammed the eighth demon into the wall. As it disintegrated, Haku yelled up at Gyumao.
Haku: Got anymore? I'm talking about one that can actually last for ten minutes.
Gyumao is getting angry by the second.
Gyumao: [He's finishing them off like they're just a couple of pathetic squirming bugs. To make it worst, he's doing it bare handed. But I've still got my last resort. But I can't use it now.] Gyumao signalled for another to get in.
Haku immediately tackled it.
Three minutes later...
Haku: Next!
Gyumao: Grr.
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Everyone had reached the top. It was freezing. Let me brief you with the first thing that happened to them when they reached the top.
Sanzo- Threw the spikes away, turns around and shoots the damn slope for giving him so much trouble.
Hakkai- Once he got out of the slide, he untied the rope of the bat. He than accidentally (but really on purpose) elbowed the bat onto the slope and into a trap which involves spike dropping from a certain ceiling. Hakkai must either be getting annoyed with the place and needed something to let of the stress or he's getting meaner. (Hakkai: Oh clumsy me. I'm so sorry about that. ^ ^)
Nataku- Once he gets up, he immediately makes a fireball to warm himself up. It was so cold that his white hair turned into a solid icicle and the fire melted it to Nataku's pleasure. (Nataku: =-= Ah.)
Gojyo- Was yelling all the way and he stopped when the rocket finally reached the top and fly into the ceiling. Gojyo's entire body followed, and came back down to the ground with a sore arse.
Lirin- She ran up and when she reached the top, she still kept running. The law of anime had allowed her to run up thin air and smash her head into the ceiling to help her become aware of her surroundings. Soon she was aware of the fact that she was sitting on Gojyo and by doing that, making his sore arse worst.
Doku- Finally made it up and threw his body onto the flat ground and saved himself from being crushed under the last of the ceiling but unfortunately, couldn't stop himself from landing onto Nataku's fireball. (Doku: Ouch!!!! *tries to put out the fire on his pants*; Nataku: -_-;)
They were now in a circular chamber. A thick sheet of ice coated the floor, the walls and the ceiling. The floor was covered with snow so it made things worst. Their breaths came in mists. In the middle of the chamber was Yoane laid on a large piece of ice. She was blue from the cold. The small clouds of mist indicate that can be seen in front of her face means she's still alive though she was badly injured.
Hakkai: Yoane-san! *comes up to her and heals her wounds and used his sash as a blanket to keep her warm* She's got some broken bones. Only Haku can heal those.
Nataku: Where is he anyway? *looks around him to see the seventh tunnel sealed with a stone panel*
The thin ice on its surface could only mean one thing. The tunnel was sealed up shortly after everyone went in.
As it finally dawned them, the tunnels sealed themselves. The large piece of ice in the middle of the room started to part to reveal a large opening. More frosty mist came out of it. Everyone was freezing. Something came out. As soon as the thing has completely get itself out of the place where it was kept, the ice block shut itself tight.
It was an ice titan. The spell to create it was made forbidden by Heaven. The ice titan is more like a golem made of ice instead of clay but no one had ever been successful at stopping it. It issues large amount of cold air. The only weak spot it has is the core inside it, which is made out of ice. The difference is that the ice that makes its body is made out of very strong ice. It would take over one hundred and sixty years to melt if you keep it in molten lava. To break it would be almost impossible since it's harder than steel. But the core is none other than ordinary ice. If that thing breaks or melts, the ice titan will go with it.
Nataku: This guy is easy! *uses fire dragon but to no avail* Huh? *shoots into its mouth but its so cold that fire turned into ice*
Ice Titan: *shot out an ice beam*
Sanzo: *rolled to one side as the titan emits another ice beam*
Jagged pieces of ice scattered over the ground where it passed.
Hakkai: *trying to find a safe place to hide Yoane but there was none so he had to use his barrier but before he did, he fired a ki blast*
Ice Titan: *didn't even get a scratch and sends its ice beam at him*
Hakkai: *tried to hold up his barrier but realised that he doesn't have much energy left*
Everyone else realised how much energy they used. Even if they run they would be using up valuable energy. Not that there's anywhere to run to. If they stayed in there any longer, it won't need the ice titan to freeze them to death.
Lirin: Lirin Kick! *kicked the thing but all it did was grab her by the leg and threw her into the wall where she feinted due to the force*
Hakkai: Lirin! *get over to Lirin while bringing Yoane along* [This is getting critical. We have to do something.]
Doku/Nataku: *hacked at the ice titan but got kicked forcefully into the wall*
Doku: * his back bone snapped and also he got some internal damage with blood starting to trail from his mouth*
Nataku: *he may be a god but he cracked his good arm when he slammed it into the wall first and he feinted from exhaustion and the pain*
Gojyo: No one defeats my brother except me. *swung his shakujo's chains around the titans neck and tried to bring it down*
Ice Titan: *caught hold of the chain before swinging it around and making sure Gojyo keeps hitting the walls*
Gojyo: *fell down to the ground unconscious with severe head injury*
Hakkai/Sanzo: K'so. *tried to hold of the titan as long as they can*
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Gyumao saw this through a piece of glass that he quickly breaks.
Haku who had just finished this demon now sensed that his friends were badly in need. He looked up to see Gyumao smirking.
Gyumao: Your friends will die and all your efforts aren't going to be worth anything. *disappeared*
Haku suddenly found that he was being forced up and through the stone above and get thrown back to the ground. The wind started blowing madly, sending sand flying through the air. After a few minutes, it stopped but the opening wasn't there anymore. Haku had to wake up from the shock of being thrown through stone at that moment he got up and rubbed his head that had blood on it. He looked at his surroundings and realised that Gyumao had tried to make sure that he couldn't reach his friends. Haku was lucky that he had his limiter or the wound would have been worst.
Haku stood up and reached out his hand. It doesn't matter how deep underground they are, he still has a chance to find them. He concentrated and his hand glowed a fait blue. He was trying to sense where his friends are. He walked for twenty seconds before he stopped.
Haku: [They're here.]
He also had the ability to see what was going on down there. What he saw made him want to get them out of there fast. Time was running out and they won't hold for long. He had the power to get rid of the ice titan but they were miles under the ground. Haku only saw one chance. He got out his Nyoibo-gun.
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Hakkai was too tired to send anymore ki blasts since he was already straining to keep the barrier up. Sanzo had tried to find another weak spot but he was just wasting his bullets. There were a lot of ice mountains now thanks to the ice titan's ice beam.
The ice titan was now aiming for a spot above Hakkai. It sent an ice beam to the ceiling and created some gigantic icicles that came crashing down onto Hakkai's barrier. Hakkai was now beyond his limits. As soon as the last bit of ice falls off his barrier, he dropped to the ground to join the rest of them.
The ice titan now looked for the last one. The one with golden hair like the sun. It was a violation to it. He doesn't like it and was hoping to stain it red. Sanzo happened to manage to climb on top of it with the help of one of the ice mountains. The ice titan tried to shake him off. Sanzo shot directly down its head but still no signs of a weakness.
The fight went on. The ice titan's hands can't reach up its head so it shakes it. Sanzo held on for dear life no matter how tired he was or how numb and cold he felt. The ice titan soon resorted to trying to get Sanzo off by ramming its head onto the wall. Sanzo had avoided getting crushed but the ice is very slippery and he was close to losing his grip.
Suddenly, a wide beam of sizzling light crashed right through the ceiling and also through the ice titan and destroyed the core. Sanzo was blown upwards due to the extreme force. He closed his eyes to keep the shattering ice from getting into his eyes. When his body hit's the ground he's going to be an instant goner. But he didn't.
Sanzo opened his eyes. He realised he wasn't falling to the ground. Some warm air blew and he could finally feel his hand. Warm wind? He was even more surprised to realise that someone was holding on to his hand. Ha looked up to see Haku leaning over the hole while grasping his hand firmly. Haku was smiling and he noticed that his head was bleeding.
Haku: *smiles* Do I always have to be there for you guys?
Sanzo studied his surroundings closer to realise that he had just been sent very high up. There was a large hole in the ceiling where the blast went through. He was near the opening. Haku's Nyoibo-gun lay on the sand, temporarily neglected.
After Haku pulled Sanzo out, he levitated the others through the hole (it took quite a lot of effort since this was the second time he's ever used it) and healed them. It was night before they were all properly healed and ready to go in the morning.
Sanzo: Why don't you heal yours? *points to his head which is temporarily bandaged with a piece torn off his trench coat*
Haku: Oh. Guess I forgot. *heals it and dispose of the torn piece of clothing* Thanks. *smiled*
Sanzo: Stop smiling like that. Your starting to look like the saru.
Haku: *smiled again* Really?
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The impostor of Li Touten's claws picked up the object. It was a black scroll. It unrolled the scroll and something fell into the drawer. It unfolded the scroll. The letterings were of an ancient demons civilization written in red. The impostor of Li Touten read it and smiled with pride. It picked up the black prism in the drawer.
That was what made Komyo gasped with horror. It was sign from the Emperor of darkness himself. Legend says that it only chose the best of evil to rule by its side. There were only two. One was to be the King of Darkness and the other was to be female to take the role of Queen of darkness. That prism is a symbol that represents one of those positions. It was known as the Hex Sign. The Emperor has never given it to anyone. Until now. The impostor of Li Touten is now to be the king. When the Hex Sign starts to change into it's true form, the impostor of Li Touten will get the power it needs to destroy Goku once and for all alongside the Emperor and the queen. Darkness will reign all once more. The Emperor will eventually reveal itself after hiding for over fifty billion years.
AFN: I'd say this is my longest one yet. Sorry. I couldn't stop myself. For those who have this idea in mind, please don't request me to write any more romance stories. Please? I'm begging here. I'll try to make the next one shorter. Since it's still Christmas, there is still no review limit! Just wait until I finish the next one. Can someone tell me how to make bold and italics? I tried in Microsoft Words but it doesn't show up in Fan Fiction net. -_-;
Here's a question: Can Sanzo play basketball? Can anyone in Saiyuki play basketball? (In case your wondering, no. I don't watch Slam Dunk. My little sister does.)
A/N: I'm in a bit of a humorous mood so there should be something funny in here. Beware. There could be gory stuff. How many of you think this should be rated PG-13? I'm not so good at rating stuff. Especially when I stink at it.
To Ruby: Can't do a Lirin/Haku romance in here. I've tried but it's very hard because she enjoys having fun by annoying others. Besides, take notice that Haku does stay a distance from her. Due to a lot of reasons (e.g.: She's always near Sanzo to make him mad and when Sanzo is mad, stay back.). Sorry. But just to make it up to you, I've written a little short story about a Goku/Lirin one. But I'm no romance writer so don't expect much. It's called Little Friendship.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER IS TOO LONG!!!!! YOU MIGHT WANT TO DISCONNECT RIGHT AWAY IF YOU WANT TO READ THE WHOLE THING IN ONE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd suggest some eye drops... (Don't say I didn't warn ya.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki. Who doesn't own it will get a- Hey! *something comes and pushes me down* Ouch! Get of me Hakuruyu! *Hakuruyu continues to try and subdue me until I use a collapsible cauldron to hit him on the head* Don't worry. He's still alive. At least. *evil smile*
By: Yamamoto Kou
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Gyumao went to his chamber in the South. That's where he kept Yoane. Lirin was kept in the North while Dokukakuji was in the East. He kept his own son in his own castle. He didn't use memories to distort their minds. If he wants them to be loyal, they have to be aware of what he was doing to them. Lirin escaped due to lack of attention on the chains and the bars. But the same mistake will not happen again.
Gyumao's footsteps echoed through the hallway. His breathing was loud. He headed towards the place where he kept her.
Yoane managed to lift her head up a little bit. She was chained to the wall. She was already bloodied and bruised with some broken bones and ribs. She wished she could just die but she will not do that. To live for Kougaiji. The only words that kept her heart pumping all this while. Without it she would've died long ago. She was sure that he did something bad to him. To make her days worst was the fact that she couldn't help him. But she must keep some hope.
She saw Gyumao's shadow as he came up to her. She squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the harsh words and the biting sensation of pain to add to her wounds. But it didn't come. Instead, there was the sound of the chains being unlocked. She opened her eyes to see Gyumao's hideous face.
Gyumao: Come with me. Now. I'm going to have to use you for bait. *dragged her up*
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It was another day. Hakkai was finally starting to lose his grip on the little suspicion that Haku was Goku.
Hakkai: [I'm just imagining things. Just because he has the same golden eyes and a limiter doesn't mean he's Goku. If he was, he would've been asking for food by now. Goku's not the quiet, thinking type either. He's a different person. He doesn't even use Nyoibo. He's too tall, voice does sound a bit like him but it could happen. Goku must be in Heaven eating to his hearts content.] *finally managed to convince himself to drop all suspicions*
Sanzo: [What are they hiding damn it! I could just aim my gun and force them to spill it out, but it could be something childish. Those things aren't important anyway. Hmm. Now that I think about it, it must be something childish. Not worth my attention.] *dropped suspicions as well*
Haku: *busy thinking* [What's Gyumao planning now? I know eyes like those. They're eyes that show that he's planning something. Scheming. And it's not good. Especially the hint of desperateness that showed when I told him to try. Should I tell the others?] *continues to contemplate the situation*
Gojyo: *teasing his brother*
Doku: *talking back to his brother*
Nataku: No, I don't have any buns. Leave me alone already!
Lirin: I know you have one! Onegai!
Nataku: *weary and feels like either fall over and sleep or snap* Tasukete.
Haku: *decided* I suggest we'd better get stronger.
Hakkai: Why are suddenly bringing up this topic Haku-san?
Haku: When I last saw Gyumao, I saw that he was planning something. We'd better prepare for what ever it is.
Hakkai: Sou. We should all get ready. He could come at anytime. ^ ^
Haku: [That's what worries me.]
Suddenly, angry yells can be heard.
Sanzo: I SAID GET OFF ME!!!!!
Lirin: Baldie Sanzo!!!!
Nataku: A little help here? *trying to pull Lirin off*
Gojyo: *turned his attention and insults towards the monk* Hey look! High and Mighty Sanzo-sama is giving his girlfriend a piggyback!
Doku: *laughs* Good one. I would've thought he's enjoying it if it wasn't for the fact that he's not.
Hakkai: Lirin, if you get off Sanzo, I'll make you some pork buns when we get back.
Lirin: Okay!!!!! *jumps off*
Nataku: *gives a sigh relief and wipes his brow*
Gojyo: Do you guys bribe her to get off her brother?
Doku: Not really.
Haku: *too deep in his thoughts to notice so he just keeps walking*
Lirin: I'm bored. I want to draw something!
Gojyo: What do I look like to you. The paper man?
Haku: [Paper? Sou ka! Gyumao has both the Holy Sutra and the Evil Sutra! He's going to do something with it. Even with its dharma powers, Gyumao's too strong for it too repel. He will probably need them for something. But what? He's definitely not going to create a new world.]
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'It' was in the North now. It did the routines that it does about every night. It wasn't strong enough to overcome Goku at the moment. Goku. How it loathes that name. The word 'hate' was just a speck compared to the burning desire that lies within. It will have to feed upon these small and useless life forms until it finds something that can help it. Besides, it was freezing there.
Little did it know that Komyo was following it. He silently levitated after him.
It was passing a dark countryside. It stumbled across a very old shack hidden within the trees and half buried by snow. It was good enough to spend the day until night comes. It was almost sunrise. It travelled through a crack in the wall and tried to find a suitable place to rest. It found a drawer that would do nicely. It opened the drawer. And something rolled into view.
Komyo gasped in horror at what he saw.
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They all stopped for a rest. They all sat cross-legged on the floor.
Gojyo: How far are is it anyway?
Doku: Shouldn't be long. We've been travelling so long we have to be close.
Lirin: I'm hot. Baldie Sanzo! Can I borrow something?
Sanzo: What is it?
Lirin: I want to borrow your harisen!!!!!
Sanzo: *uses harisen to hit Lirin on the head* Baka!
Gojyo: That should cool her off.
Before any of them knew it, the ground gave way under them. They all landed on the sandy floor. Lirin and Gojyo landed head first into the soft sand.
Gojyo/Lirin: *pulled their heads out and spit sand out* Yuck!
Sanzo, Hakkai, Doku, Nataku and Haku bestowed the underground cavern they were in. At least it sort of looks like one. They were in a very wide place. They were also a long way down. Climbing back up would take a very long time and some of them may fall of due to exhaustion mid way. The wall around them is made of stone. Torches lined the walls but only some of them were dimly lit while the rest had burned out. Around them were seven big tunnels. Very big tunnels. There were some dimly lit torches to guide the way. They all looked the same.
Nataku: So, where shall we go?
Hakkai: Well, we could take one tunnel each. But it's dangerous to split up under these circumstances.
Gojyo: Are you talking about the ones that involve Gyumao still having a lot of time on his hands?
Doku: Besides, for all we know, this could be a trap.
Sanzo: We either climb, all go together into one tunnel, or split up. I'm going for the last option. *starts heading for a random tunnel*
Hakkai: Sanzo! *gives up because he knows it's no use* We might as well take our own tunnels. *heads for another one*
Doku, Lirin, Nataku and Gojyo went into different tunnels, leaving Haku to face the remaining one.
Haku: *before going in, he senses something and turns to looks around* He's here.
As if on cue, the tunnels that the others went into were closed shut and tight. The sound of the solid stone panels crashing to the ground were muffled due to the sand so the others couldn't hear it. Soon, the sand flew up and out of the opening above and Haku had to shield his eyes when this happened. As the sand quickly rises to the surface, a stone floor was revealed. Then there was a large stone panel sealing the opening above as soon as the sand is gone. It made quite a grinding sound as it slid over to seal the place. The torches suddenly flared up, giving the chamber enough light to see every single detail of the place. Worn out and faded drawings and patterns can now be seen. The floor it self has a big one. It's probably Gyumao's patented symbol.
Haku faced the remaining opened tunnel. Then a strong gust of wind that threatened to blow him into the wall came but Haku didn't budge. Then a voice from above broke out through out the chamber.
Gyumao: I've been expecting you. Haku is your name isn't it?
A balcony was sliding out from high above with Gyumao sitting on some throne of his.
Gyumao: I want to see you strive and struggle before me before you die. I still want to observe that power of yours. It's not all you can do is it?
Another gust of wind blew in from that tunnel.
Haku: *faces Gyumao* Whatever it is, bring it on!
Gyumao: Before I start, you might want to know that your friends are going the right way. I have placed one of my unfaithful subordinates somewhere in there. The problem is will they make it there alive? Even if they do, they still have to get out. I doubt it. And so, the fighting will begin now! *drops a hanky like what the Romans do (At least that's what I think they do.)*
Haku: *faces the open tunnel*
Another strong gust of wind once more blows but this time, four eyes can be seen bulging out.
Haku: Come and get me! *takes a stance*
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Sanzo walked along the dimly lit corridor. He's not taking any chances. His gun is out and he's got enough refills in his spandex space to fill a truck or two. And I mean the really big ones that can be seen in America.
Behind him, you can see the dozens of booby traps that has been set off and not even close to giving him a scratch. But the creatures were another problem.
Sanzo: Ch. *shoots a few* This is so annoying.
Bat like creatures were attacking him. The only difference was they're too big and have dinosaur tails. That's why they have to have large wings and sharp claws to cling to the ceiling. But the tunnel was a bit too small so one of them can just block the entire place.
Sanzo: *crawling over the dead bodies to get to the other side*
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Hakkai is trying to be very careful. Although he has no problems with the bat like creatures, he's still having some trouble with the traps.
Hakkai: *took one step and arrows missed him by centimetres*
Hakkai took another step and fire flared up in front of him. Took one more step and had to turn around to blast the boulder that came rolling behind him. He then had to cross the trench that just opened. The trench was also filled with acid.
Hakkai: Yare, yare. *ki blast more bat like creatures into tiny burnt bits* This is going to take a while.
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Nataku had his own way of crossing. After a few close calls with the spikes and his first attack of the bat like creature, he felt very annoyed. Soon, he couldn't take it anymore and used the fire dragon thing to burn anything further down the passage. Some shriek signified the death of the now roasted bats. There were still the traps but he was satisfied anyway. He blew the smoke off his sword and continued to make his way through. As he manages to escape some traps, he noticed a lot of ash and soot on the floor.
Nataku: Hm? ?-? ? Oh. Ü
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Gojyo tapped on the stones with the end of his shakujo as he went along. The traps were set off and he could go safely. Not really.
Gojyo: Get away rat breath! *attacked the bat like creatures that blocked his way*
Gojyo had activated a pit filled with acid earlier on. Those that annoyed him too much was wrapped up by his shakujo before being thrown into the acid. That was just one of the ways Gojyo used.
Gojyo pushed one of them forward before using the end of his shakujo to activate the trap that turned out to be the one that involves two opposite walls crushing the thing that's in between. The walls soon went back to its original position, leaving a bloody squashed mat of fur and blood. Any gut in there is now officially organic paper. The crushed bones only serve to make it stiff enough for it to be mistaken for cardboard.
Gojyo: Serves you right. I'm starting to enjoy these traps. *pushes one of the coming bats into the wall that soon shot out spikes from one side* Ha. *keeps going while sending more bats to their dooms*
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Lirin was punching the bat like creatures, knocking them unconscious. She decided to use the bats as a bridge over the floor so she won't trigger any traps. She's usually not that smart, but she gets credit for adding to the list of those who show brains at random times.
Lirin: Take that! *punched a bat as it attacked her*
The bat like creature gets thrown onto the floor. Therefore, activating a trap. A piece of the ceiling that's attached to a pole came down and squashed the bat's head. It then returned to its place.
Lirin: Eww. I can see some pinkish stuff coming out of its ears, nose and mouth. It's face looks uglier too. I wonder what happened. Oh well. *prepare to fight the next batch of bats and used the first one that comes down to be put over the one that got its brain squished*
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Doku was busy slashing at the bat like creatures. More like busy cutting their heads off. As soon as this batch was done, he kicked the head over and watched the heads set off the booby traps. One fell into the acid pit. One set off a bear trap. One set of a boulder so Doku had to run and lucky enough for him, ran faster than the traps can activate. The boulder was covered in blood for all the things it rolled over. When the next batch of bats came, Doku pushed them aside without noticing that they are trying to sink their teeth into him. Unfortunately, (or fortunately in this case) the bats didn't take notice of the boulder on a rampage until it was too late.
Doku: *looked back* Ouch! That has got to hurt. Too bad. *keeps running for his life*
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Haku was fighting with a four eyed, blood thirsty, vicious, two headed, spike tailed, poison spitting, and steel clawed lion demon that has two eyes on both the sides of his head and the back of the head as well the four in front (confusing huh?). As they roared, Haku realised that they had three tonsils too. Talk about a freak of nature.
It charged at Haku who nimbly dodged forward and gave it a strong punch in the stomach. It wheezed and winched with pain and it only served to make the beast more rabid. It too a bite at Haku who kicked it full in the face. Haku did the same to the other head that attempted the same thing.
Haku: For mighty beasts, they sure are stupid. This the best you can do Gyumao? *dodged the spiked tail and steel claws that came whizzing by only narrowly missing his flesh*
Gyumao: Grr. *clenched teeth and fists* This is only the beginning!
Haku: *pulled the lion's heads down by the mane*
Lion: *attempted to spit poison at the now very close target*
Haku: *jumped and sat onto the lion's but in the process made a very large cracking sound as he landed hard onto the neck*
Turns out that Haku twisted the lion's heads and broke the spine along with any other bone that attaches the head to the rest of the body. Since there's no way that the brain can connect to the body now, it died and disintegrated like any other demon.
Haku: *recovered from fall as the lion disintegrated under him and took another stance* Next!
Gyumao: Grr. *called the next one out*
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As the Sanzo-Ikkou, Nataku, Lirin and Doku moved on, the passage sloped up. To make things worst, it was slippery since it was somehow made of ice. The coldness adding to the annoyance. And traps are still intact so you never know. Something other than bat-like creatures could be waiting on the other side. One things for sure. Whatever it is up there, it sure could stand the cold since that's where all the cold air came from.
Take note that the final trap before the ice slope is a badly made but lasting rocket with a sharp end that's suppose to spear through the guy who isn't careful. Even if it didn't miss its target, it will keep flying until something strong enough gets in its way. Most of our bishounens managed to dodge it thankfully. Others, well...
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Please take this time to rest your eyes now. I don't want to be blamed for giving you guys' eye problems.
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Sanzo: ...... *tries again*
Sanzo had tried to climb the slope a few times. There were two results. One, he tried to jump higher see if he can get a better grip higher on but he always end up sliding off while making a squeaky sound. Two, he tried to climb it on all four but since this is an anime, his arms and legs will move rapidly as he slowly slides back to the floor.
Sanzo: K'so! *looks back to see the spikes that are suppose to fall on top of him* Hm.
After a few minutes and the sound something being ripped of a thick wooden board, Sanzo started climbing the slope with the help of a few spikes...
The sound of spikes being planted firmly into the ice and the sound of scrambling up can be heard.
Sanzo: [It's damn cold but it's better than sliding off this *beeping* slope continuously.] *somehow managed to dodge a spike that came crashing down*
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Hakkai is inspecting the ice slope. He's contemplating on how to get up there. He looked at some leftover bat wings. Nope. He's not THAT desperate. The walls that are on either sides of the slope are wider and the ceiling higher. There are some unconscious bat-like-creatures though (Some bat like creatures are unconscious and alive because sometimes, the force of Hakkai's Ki blast can knock the ones behind against the wall, thus leaving them unconscious). And maybe a rope or two...
Hakkai got an idea any went back down the tunnel.
There was the sound of something being ripped off a thick wooden board, something snapping and followed by the sound of something being dragged on the floor.
Hakkai can be seen coming back holding a board, a not so big spike and some rope in one hand, and a bat like creature being dragged along the floor in the other. He set these things down and started his work. He stuck the spike at one side of the board and tied a string to it. He soon woke the bat like creature up.
Hakkai: Ano...
Bat: *very scared now and tried to get away*
Hakkai: *held it by the scruff of the neck* Not so fast please...
After a little convincing on Hakkai's part, the other end of the string is tied to the bat like creature. Hakkai held on to the spike.
Hakkai: You can start now.
Bat: *since there was enough place, it stretched it's wing and flew so fast like it never flew before*
Hakkai: *holding on to the spike as he goes up the slope for fear of sliding down*
Several traps were activated as soon as they passed but since Hakkai was going so fast, the traps missed him.
Hakkai: ^ ^ *actually enjoying this*
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Nataku was overlooking the ice slope from below. He could use his fire technique to melt it but that would cost him the only way to go forward. He needed a plan. If only it wasn't sloping up...
He slashed the remaining bats that weren't in range for his fire blast so they should all be dead. And when he came here he decided to blast the activated traps to ashes since they pestered him so much. So there isn't much of anything he could use.
Nataku crossed his legs and started to think. He wanted to get up, finish up whatever it is up there and get out of here because it was freezing. Then 'ting'. A thought warmed him up. If not only temporarily.
Nataku got his sword and aimed it at the slope. He summoned all the concentration he had and focused. Soon his fire dragon blasted up the slope. When he was done, he ended up with an ice staircase in the middle.
Nataku didn't think it would work so well. He climbed the stairs with a smile on his face. He sure wished he could warm himself up though.
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Gojyo was stumped. How on Earth was he going to get up there? Gojyo wasn't really resourceful and he wasn't that smart either. He paced around and looked at his shakujo. He put it back since there were no more things to slash. Gojyo then sat down.
Unfortunately, he sat on the stone that activates the rocket. It zoomed out of its place and headed straight for Gojyo.
He dodged but then tried to hold it back since it gave him a sudden stroke of inspiration. The rocket was sure strong. Gojyo had to practically plant his feet into the ground to keep himself from being dragged.
Gojyo tried hard to point the rocket in the right direction while trying not to be dragged himself. It was a big rocket and it still threatened to bring him off his feet and into the ceiling, the wall, or even the floor. When he was satisfied, he let the rocket go and climbed onto the rocket to keep his feet from hitting anything on the ground.
Gojyo had managed to use the rocket to fly up and had no worries about the traps. The only thing he has to worry about now is if he can cling to the rocket long enough.
Gojyo: *we can see him hang on to the rocket like it was the mother of all cigarettes*
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Lirin stood and looked at the ice slope. And she used to think that the rocket was pretty. Her eyes went all sparkly and stuff.
Lirin: Waa!!!! Sogoiwa!!!! *puts her hands to gather* It's so shiny!!!!!! Maybe there's something even better up there!!!!
Lirin then did something that the others could never do. Something that was unbelievable. Weird even. Not really.
Lirin: Ha ha!!!! *some dust trails her as she goes and the traps keep missing her for some reason*
Lirin just ran up the slope. Without any idea of the danger that could befall her or the fact that there was no way that anyone could just run up an ice slope without sliding, landing headfirst on the head and cracking it. This just proves that stupid people are not entirely stupid or useless. Either Lirin is too stupid to know that risks exists while doing that or she was very good at ignoring the obvious fact most of the time. This goes to show that ignorance is bliss.
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Doku was thinking. He thought. And thought. And thought some more. Doku then plucked out one of the dimly lit torches and puts it near the slope to see if it's completely ice. It was.
Doku impatiently paces across the floor. He was too big for the rocket, the bats are dead, and even if the rocket could carry him, he just missed the chance as it crashed into a wall.
Doku looked at the acid trench. He looked at his torch which of coarse lighted by a very weak fire. The acid doesn't seem to be affected by the acid. He thought to himself.
Doku: [Why not give it a go anyway. I've got nothing to lose.]
Doku grabbed a piece of stone that came off when the rocket rammed itself into the wall nearby and used his sword to somehow make a hole in it. It could also be sealed with a thinner piece of the stone that was cut from it. (Please don't go into details. It's not really possible but this is for the plot's sake and mine! I'm running low on ideas. Bad.) As soon as that's done, he fills it with some acid and throws it at the slope. When it was in the air, the acid started to leak out. Doku threw his torch at it. The idea was to make the ice jagged enough to climb on.
But it was too high and instead of sending it's impact towards the ice, it went for the ceiling. Some stones fell and crashed into the ice. It caused a chain reaction and the ceiling in front of him started to crash into the ice. Soon, there were enough rocks to allow a person to climb. Doku took the opportunity and ran since the tunnel behind him was falling apart.
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Haku just slammed the eighth demon into the wall. As it disintegrated, Haku yelled up at Gyumao.
Haku: Got anymore? I'm talking about one that can actually last for ten minutes.
Gyumao is getting angry by the second.
Gyumao: [He's finishing them off like they're just a couple of pathetic squirming bugs. To make it worst, he's doing it bare handed. But I've still got my last resort. But I can't use it now.] Gyumao signalled for another to get in.
Haku immediately tackled it.
Three minutes later...
Haku: Next!
Gyumao: Grr.
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Everyone had reached the top. It was freezing. Let me brief you with the first thing that happened to them when they reached the top.
Sanzo- Threw the spikes away, turns around and shoots the damn slope for giving him so much trouble.
Hakkai- Once he got out of the slide, he untied the rope of the bat. He than accidentally (but really on purpose) elbowed the bat onto the slope and into a trap which involves spike dropping from a certain ceiling. Hakkai must either be getting annoyed with the place and needed something to let of the stress or he's getting meaner. (Hakkai: Oh clumsy me. I'm so sorry about that. ^ ^)
Nataku- Once he gets up, he immediately makes a fireball to warm himself up. It was so cold that his white hair turned into a solid icicle and the fire melted it to Nataku's pleasure. (Nataku: =-= Ah.)
Gojyo- Was yelling all the way and he stopped when the rocket finally reached the top and fly into the ceiling. Gojyo's entire body followed, and came back down to the ground with a sore arse.
Lirin- She ran up and when she reached the top, she still kept running. The law of anime had allowed her to run up thin air and smash her head into the ceiling to help her become aware of her surroundings. Soon she was aware of the fact that she was sitting on Gojyo and by doing that, making his sore arse worst.
Doku- Finally made it up and threw his body onto the flat ground and saved himself from being crushed under the last of the ceiling but unfortunately, couldn't stop himself from landing onto Nataku's fireball. (Doku: Ouch!!!! *tries to put out the fire on his pants*; Nataku: -_-;)
They were now in a circular chamber. A thick sheet of ice coated the floor, the walls and the ceiling. The floor was covered with snow so it made things worst. Their breaths came in mists. In the middle of the chamber was Yoane laid on a large piece of ice. She was blue from the cold. The small clouds of mist indicate that can be seen in front of her face means she's still alive though she was badly injured.
Hakkai: Yoane-san! *comes up to her and heals her wounds and used his sash as a blanket to keep her warm* She's got some broken bones. Only Haku can heal those.
Nataku: Where is he anyway? *looks around him to see the seventh tunnel sealed with a stone panel*
The thin ice on its surface could only mean one thing. The tunnel was sealed up shortly after everyone went in.
As it finally dawned them, the tunnels sealed themselves. The large piece of ice in the middle of the room started to part to reveal a large opening. More frosty mist came out of it. Everyone was freezing. Something came out. As soon as the thing has completely get itself out of the place where it was kept, the ice block shut itself tight.
It was an ice titan. The spell to create it was made forbidden by Heaven. The ice titan is more like a golem made of ice instead of clay but no one had ever been successful at stopping it. It issues large amount of cold air. The only weak spot it has is the core inside it, which is made out of ice. The difference is that the ice that makes its body is made out of very strong ice. It would take over one hundred and sixty years to melt if you keep it in molten lava. To break it would be almost impossible since it's harder than steel. But the core is none other than ordinary ice. If that thing breaks or melts, the ice titan will go with it.
Nataku: This guy is easy! *uses fire dragon but to no avail* Huh? *shoots into its mouth but its so cold that fire turned into ice*
Ice Titan: *shot out an ice beam*
Sanzo: *rolled to one side as the titan emits another ice beam*
Jagged pieces of ice scattered over the ground where it passed.
Hakkai: *trying to find a safe place to hide Yoane but there was none so he had to use his barrier but before he did, he fired a ki blast*
Ice Titan: *didn't even get a scratch and sends its ice beam at him*
Hakkai: *tried to hold up his barrier but realised that he doesn't have much energy left*
Everyone else realised how much energy they used. Even if they run they would be using up valuable energy. Not that there's anywhere to run to. If they stayed in there any longer, it won't need the ice titan to freeze them to death.
Lirin: Lirin Kick! *kicked the thing but all it did was grab her by the leg and threw her into the wall where she feinted due to the force*
Hakkai: Lirin! *get over to Lirin while bringing Yoane along* [This is getting critical. We have to do something.]
Doku/Nataku: *hacked at the ice titan but got kicked forcefully into the wall*
Doku: * his back bone snapped and also he got some internal damage with blood starting to trail from his mouth*
Nataku: *he may be a god but he cracked his good arm when he slammed it into the wall first and he feinted from exhaustion and the pain*
Gojyo: No one defeats my brother except me. *swung his shakujo's chains around the titans neck and tried to bring it down*
Ice Titan: *caught hold of the chain before swinging it around and making sure Gojyo keeps hitting the walls*
Gojyo: *fell down to the ground unconscious with severe head injury*
Hakkai/Sanzo: K'so. *tried to hold of the titan as long as they can*
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Gyumao saw this through a piece of glass that he quickly breaks.
Haku who had just finished this demon now sensed that his friends were badly in need. He looked up to see Gyumao smirking.
Gyumao: Your friends will die and all your efforts aren't going to be worth anything. *disappeared*
Haku suddenly found that he was being forced up and through the stone above and get thrown back to the ground. The wind started blowing madly, sending sand flying through the air. After a few minutes, it stopped but the opening wasn't there anymore. Haku had to wake up from the shock of being thrown through stone at that moment he got up and rubbed his head that had blood on it. He looked at his surroundings and realised that Gyumao had tried to make sure that he couldn't reach his friends. Haku was lucky that he had his limiter or the wound would have been worst.
Haku stood up and reached out his hand. It doesn't matter how deep underground they are, he still has a chance to find them. He concentrated and his hand glowed a fait blue. He was trying to sense where his friends are. He walked for twenty seconds before he stopped.
Haku: [They're here.]
He also had the ability to see what was going on down there. What he saw made him want to get them out of there fast. Time was running out and they won't hold for long. He had the power to get rid of the ice titan but they were miles under the ground. Haku only saw one chance. He got out his Nyoibo-gun.
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Hakkai was too tired to send anymore ki blasts since he was already straining to keep the barrier up. Sanzo had tried to find another weak spot but he was just wasting his bullets. There were a lot of ice mountains now thanks to the ice titan's ice beam.
The ice titan was now aiming for a spot above Hakkai. It sent an ice beam to the ceiling and created some gigantic icicles that came crashing down onto Hakkai's barrier. Hakkai was now beyond his limits. As soon as the last bit of ice falls off his barrier, he dropped to the ground to join the rest of them.
The ice titan now looked for the last one. The one with golden hair like the sun. It was a violation to it. He doesn't like it and was hoping to stain it red. Sanzo happened to manage to climb on top of it with the help of one of the ice mountains. The ice titan tried to shake him off. Sanzo shot directly down its head but still no signs of a weakness.
The fight went on. The ice titan's hands can't reach up its head so it shakes it. Sanzo held on for dear life no matter how tired he was or how numb and cold he felt. The ice titan soon resorted to trying to get Sanzo off by ramming its head onto the wall. Sanzo had avoided getting crushed but the ice is very slippery and he was close to losing his grip.
Suddenly, a wide beam of sizzling light crashed right through the ceiling and also through the ice titan and destroyed the core. Sanzo was blown upwards due to the extreme force. He closed his eyes to keep the shattering ice from getting into his eyes. When his body hit's the ground he's going to be an instant goner. But he didn't.
Sanzo opened his eyes. He realised he wasn't falling to the ground. Some warm air blew and he could finally feel his hand. Warm wind? He was even more surprised to realise that someone was holding on to his hand. Ha looked up to see Haku leaning over the hole while grasping his hand firmly. Haku was smiling and he noticed that his head was bleeding.
Haku: *smiles* Do I always have to be there for you guys?
Sanzo studied his surroundings closer to realise that he had just been sent very high up. There was a large hole in the ceiling where the blast went through. He was near the opening. Haku's Nyoibo-gun lay on the sand, temporarily neglected.
After Haku pulled Sanzo out, he levitated the others through the hole (it took quite a lot of effort since this was the second time he's ever used it) and healed them. It was night before they were all properly healed and ready to go in the morning.
Sanzo: Why don't you heal yours? *points to his head which is temporarily bandaged with a piece torn off his trench coat*
Haku: Oh. Guess I forgot. *heals it and dispose of the torn piece of clothing* Thanks. *smiled*
Sanzo: Stop smiling like that. Your starting to look like the saru.
Haku: *smiled again* Really?
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The impostor of Li Touten's claws picked up the object. It was a black scroll. It unrolled the scroll and something fell into the drawer. It unfolded the scroll. The letterings were of an ancient demons civilization written in red. The impostor of Li Touten read it and smiled with pride. It picked up the black prism in the drawer.
That was what made Komyo gasped with horror. It was sign from the Emperor of darkness himself. Legend says that it only chose the best of evil to rule by its side. There were only two. One was to be the King of Darkness and the other was to be female to take the role of Queen of darkness. That prism is a symbol that represents one of those positions. It was known as the Hex Sign. The Emperor has never given it to anyone. Until now. The impostor of Li Touten is now to be the king. When the Hex Sign starts to change into it's true form, the impostor of Li Touten will get the power it needs to destroy Goku once and for all alongside the Emperor and the queen. Darkness will reign all once more. The Emperor will eventually reveal itself after hiding for over fifty billion years.
AFN: I'd say this is my longest one yet. Sorry. I couldn't stop myself. For those who have this idea in mind, please don't request me to write any more romance stories. Please? I'm begging here. I'll try to make the next one shorter. Since it's still Christmas, there is still no review limit! Just wait until I finish the next one. Can someone tell me how to make bold and italics? I tried in Microsoft Words but it doesn't show up in Fan Fiction net. -_-;
Here's a question: Can Sanzo play basketball? Can anyone in Saiyuki play basketball? (In case your wondering, no. I don't watch Slam Dunk. My little sister does.)