Disclaimer applies to everything
13 January 2003
Author's note: Sorry bout the delay. got caught up in stuff! Anyway, here's the seventh chapter, hope you guys can read n review, thanx everybody who gave good comments, really appreciate it!
The battle was intense, as was the concentration on everyone's face. The only person who could still smile was Goku - even Hakkai was having a hard time with the numbers. "Sanzo, they're too many," Hakkai said after saving Sanzo from an axe-wielding maniac. Sanzo did not reply. His bullets drove into anyone within shooting range, but he was tired too. "We have to get away from here."
Getting away was the last thing they could do. Sarra darted around, her spear piercing without mercy. Even so, she knew she was reaching her limit. Rage was building up inside of her as she saw that their numbers kept on growing - fast! "Damn you, Medea." She growled and stopped in her tracks. She surveyed everything with contempt, feeling the anger burning. Are you calling me?
Yes. Come to my aid! She screamed silently in her mind. Then came the answer. I hear and I obey.
Almost immediately the air around them begin to twist slowly but surely, until everyone of them had stopped to stare at Sarra. Stare and tremble. "She's summoning the Gate! Run!!!!"
"Eh?" Goku blinked. "Who's summoning what?"
But none wasted any time. They ran for their lives, while Sarra watched coldly. "Cowards. Die." As if on command, the man screamed in pain and dropped to the ground - dead. One by one they fell, until none remained.
Almost as sudden as it happened, the wind dropped down and all was still. Not even a sound could be heard. Sarra began walking towards her house, stepping over dead bodies. The four friends could merely stare. "Really cool," Goku said excitedly. Gojyo promptly thwacked his head. "Idiot! She could have killed us!"
"But she's not going to, right?" Goku rubbed his head, feeling sore. "She's a bit chilly, but - "
"Idiot!" Sanzo roared because a dart narrowly missed his cheek. He promptly fired a few bullets. A loud scream told him that his aim was perfect.
"Nah, Sanzo, remind me not to poke you," Gojyo chuckled as he lighted a cigarette. He too began walking back to the Citadel, followed by the rest. "I wonder if the food is still there? What if they destroyed the food, huh?" Goku mused out loud.
"Stupid monkey. Worst that can happen is the food'll get trampled."
"What?!"
To Goku's delight there was still food, and the four of them joined the other Guardians who had fought hard. Of course, Goku ate as much as for nearly ten people, so that he earned strange stares from everybody. Hakkai had to explain, in the best terms possible while Goku belched his satisfaction. Sanzo and Gojyo pretended he didn't exist. Gojyo thought Sanzo was behaving worse than ever, because he kept tapping his foot impatiently. Gojyo feared the paper fan would make an appearance again, but it didn't.
All the sudden there was a hush as Lord Mara entered, looking very grave. He was followed by Nigaki, who wore the same expression on his face as well.
"Guardians, I am pleased to find that none of you are injured. however, I have to inform you that one of our Guardians are missing."
'Who?" One asked.
Mara bit his lip.
"Ryudell."
Sarra slowly dragged her feet back to her hut. The Gate was a powerful weapon, but one that required every ounce of strength to control. She could feel its hunger, the hunger to kill. It was everything she could do to subdue it once it was unleashed.
Unleashed. She absently fingered the shining chain around her hip - the chain that had been there all these years. Her Gate oppressor. The knot on her wrap too was a Dark Oppressor, entwined with the chain, it made a very powerful lock, specifically designed to hold the power of the Gate. She sighed. Even with the oppressor, the Gate was sly enough to try and sneak into her mind - she could very well imagine what would happen if it were off.
"Tired, Mistress Sarra?" A mocking voice called to her from somewhere above her. Sarra was instantly alert. "Who goes there?"
A bolt of energy appeared from nowhere, and Sarra automatically shielded her face with her arms, only to find a pair of strong manacles clamped tightly around them. 'What the."
A figure dropped to the ground, followed by many other men. Sarra stood there, intently staring at each one of them. "Medea's men?"
The first figure stepped forward and Sarra recognized him immediately. "Wenger." She snarled. The man called Wenger smiled lazily. He approached her without fear - without fear?! Sarra tried to blast him, but to her surprise she could not unleash any power at all. She glanced down at the manacles and saw that they were etched with runes - Oppression Runes. She glared angrily at Wenger. "Was that a diversion?"
"In a way." Wenger laughed. Sarra closed her eyes. There were too many. very difficult without her powers. Heck, she couldn't even communicate with her Gate. Well. seems like there's only one thing to do.
"Well? Are you going to scream for help, Mistress?" Wenger mockingly challenged her. Sarra did not answer. She would wait. The manacles were attached to a long chain, and by the looks of it, it was rather heavy. She had unwittingly been given a weapon. Without warning, she darted at a cluster of men and swung out her arm. The chain was perfect. The blow disarmed them, and Sarra had no trouble finishing them off. They were weak, after all. She darted around them, surely knocking everybody out. Until at last, there was only Wenger. She faced him calmly. "Well? Shall I scream now?"
"Stupid girl!" He snarled and lunged at her with his sword. Sarra calmly dodged it. She wasn't called the Mercenary of Death for nothing. Her combat skills were just as deadly. She made full use of her chains, delivering blow after blow of punishment to Wenger. The latter could not believe it. "Dam you!" He growled and dropped his hands. "You've forced me. I thought we could settle this in an honorable manner."
"Since when has Wenger become honorable?" Sarra swung her chains, and suddenly felt a searing pain shoot up her arms to her head, causing her to drop to the ground. Her body felt numb - like she had been pierced with a million blunt needles. "Uh." She hugged her body, and faintly heard Wenger laugh. "These chains are excellent. Lord Mara was right about your powers."
Mara.? The pain became overwhelming and she blacked out.
Medea tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully. The kidnapped Guardian, Ryudell was chained to the wall in one of her dungeons. A necessary precaution, of course. Once she wakes up it would be difficult to subdue her.
"Well, Kikuri? What plans do you have for this Guardian?" She inquired the little man beside her. 'I've already wasted many of my men to capture her.don't disappoint me."
"She's your answer to not only conquering this realm, but also other worlds besides," Kikuri grinned evilly. "I'm surprised you've never given it consideration."
"I wasted a thousand men to divert their attention so that she could take Ryudell out. And right now I'm wasting another thousand to capture Sarra. If this keeps up I won't have anyone to rule, Kikuri. That wasn't my target."
My target isn't to ally with you either, Kikuri cursed silently. I want to get back to Togenkyou, preferably with the Evil Sutra and Genjyo Sanzo dead. Which was why I need to capture both Guardians.
"By the way, Kikuri. Why do you need to kill that man?" Medea asked. "He can do us no harm."
Kikuri just grinned. "Leave everything to me, Sorceress. I know just what to do."
"I hope Mara's manacles work on Sarra. If not Wenger will be minced meat." Medea sighed. "Continue with your plan, Kikuri. Oh. the next full moon, you shall follow me to meet Lord Mara. Your dimension skills are a great use to us."
'WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A loud voice roared, jolting the Sanzou- Ikkou awake. "What is it? Breakfast?" Goku muttered sleepily. Nigaki stood in the center of the room, looking annoyed and very worried. 'Wake up, all of you. Sarra's gone."
That caused everybody to widen their eyes. "Sarra?" Sanzo growled. Nigaki tapped his leg impatiently. "We sent messengers to her hut this morning, but she wasn't there. There were dead bodies in the woods near her house, and signs of a struggle. And we found this - " he held out a length of silver cloth. Sarra's hair tie. "You mean.' Gojyo blinked unbelievingly. "She's.?"
"Medea has her too." Nigaki gritted his teeth. 'Unbelievable, but it's true. And I'm afraid Medea might find her too hard to handle."
"What do you mean? She can bust herself out of there, right?" Goku slowly dressed. Nigaki shook his head. "If they managed to capture her, that means they have blocked her Gate." He took a deep breath. "They want to channel her powers for their own use. I assure you, that is not good."
Sarra.
Sarra, come back!
She was running with all her might - she had to get away. Her mother and father were waiting for her. she couldn't live in the Citadel any longer.
Sarra.!
The voice was calling her, insistent. She didn't turn back. Footsteps. she heard them following her. She ran harder than ever, trying to escape the voice, the footsteps that were following her. Until she entered darkness, and the footsteps were no more. Then shapes came out of the darkness, great shapes with red eyes and bared fangs. She screamed, and there was another voice - a voice she had never heard before, but it was calm, soothing her. Let me help you.
Kikuri watched as Ryudell stirred. The Guardian had awakened, and as predicted, she wasn't in the best of moods. The chains were inscribed with power-oppressor runes, so she couldn't use her powers, and that made her really angry. "Let me go, you slimy man!" She had screamed. Kikuri just chuckled. Medea had a great dungeon - set underground deep in the forest. she could rot down here for all the world could care.
"Where is the other one?" Kikuri asked Wenger. Wenger cocked his head to the other dungeon. "Behind these walls. We kept them apart."
"Good. Sanzo's group will come for them very soon. With her powers, we will be able to wipe out everyone who tries to stop us."
Wenger watched as Kikuri exited the dungeon. He then proceeded to Sarra's cell, where she was chained to the wall with the same power oppressing manacles. He tipped her chin up and watched her bruised face. Kikuri had taken the liberty of inflicting a few wounds here and there, and he could see her quiet anger reflected behind those gray eyes. "Cheer up, lady, we're not going to kill you."
"I'd rather you do," She said gravely. "Take your hands off me."
"Why should I, when you're so.helpless." He murmured softly and traced her cheek with the back of his hand. Sarra balked at his touch, and it made him irritated. "Stop struggling, It's useless," he growled and let his gaze wander down her body. The sleek black top outlined her slender body beautifully. It was maddening to see her like this, waiting to be used.
Used, his mind lit up at those words. He had been waiting for this moment. Waiting every since he had first seen her in battle. She looked so damn hot that he couldn't stand it. "Since you're not going anywhere, why don't we spend some time here?" He murmured and leaned closer, staring straight into those glaring eyes. 'I'd not be with you in HELL!" She spat furiously. That did it. He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. "I'll teach you a lesson!" He reached for the knot around her hip, and Sarra's heart skipped a beat. "Let go of me!" But Wenger was beyond reason. He tore at the knot and the chain, and as the knot gave way, Sarra felt a wave of pain wash over her. She felt a voice whisper in her ears, and she lost consciousness.
A huge blast of energy blasted Wenger to the to the other side of the room. The blast was so huge that the manacles around Sarra's wrists cracked and shattered to the floor. The wrap around her fell, and the chain clattered to the ground. Sarra stepped forward, a shining aura enveloping her body. Her eyes were hollow, dead.
The Mercenary had awakened.
"What the hell?!" Hakuryuu screeched to a halt as a pillar of light burst through from somewhere in the forest. "Sarra!" Nigaki yelled. "Over there!"
They flew through the forest until the came to a hole in the ground - it was more like a small crater. The pillar of light came from there, and as they alighted from the jeep, a hole in the ground opened and several frightened men scrambled out of it. "Down there!" Hakkai cried.
"You're not going anywhere." A voice stopped them. Nigaki spun around and came to face with Medea, and Kikuri next to her.
"Go and save her," Gojyo and Hakkai stood their ground. Hakkai turned to Sanzo. "Go and save her, Sanzo. We can hold them off here." Sanzo turned away. "I'm not going to pray for you if you die."
"Che." Gojyo grinned. "Who'd want a requiem by a corrupt monk?"
Sanzo, Goku and Nigaki hurried down the passage underground and came to cell. On the wall, was Ryudell. She looked frightened. Nigaki hurriedly blasted her chains. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Ryudell rubbed her wrists. 'Sarra. stop her."
At that moment the wall opposite them blasted apart and a body hurtled to the floor, unmistakably dead. It was Wenger, but he closely resembled limp meat. They faced the hole, and Sarra stood in the other room, as if nothing had happened.
"Sarra!" Nigaki saw that the Oppressor had been unchained. He took a step to her side, but suddenly a blast of energy nearly threw him backwards. 'Uh." Nigaki grit his teeth. "Leave her body, Gate!"
At that moment Hakkai and Gojyo came. 'What's happening above?" Sanzo asked.
"Lord Mara came with the other Guardians. We came down here to help you."
"Lord Mara.?" Sarra suddenly said slowly. "He is with Medea?"
"Yes." Nigaki said in astonishment. He knew that certain Gates possessed intelligence matching humans, clearly this Gate knew something. "Why did you ask?"
"You have been fooled." Sarra said in a soft voice. "He is your enemy."
"You're our enemy," Gojyo drawled. And a pretty sexy one at that, he added silently. Without her wrap, they could see that her black top was actually some kind of hugging dress that ended pretty low. The black boots reached right up to her thighs and was secured by the same gold rings as on her arms.
Nigaki couldn't believe his ears. "What are you talking about?"
Sarra suddenly smiled. It was an eerie smile, very like the one Goku wore when he transformed into his real form. "It doesn't matter. He will die. Everyone will die - " She raised an arm and Hakkai and Nigaki simultaneously raised a barrier - just barely milliseconds before the impact came. 'She's too strong!" Hakkai cried. Nigaki buckled beneath the pressure. "Her oppressor. where is it?"
Nigaki spotted the wrap discarded in a corner of the dungeon. He had to get it!
Sarra noticed his focus and with a sweep on her hand, drew the wrap to her. "I'm not letting you take this."
"You can't go on!" Nigaki furiously lunged at Sarra, who expertly dodged. Her skills, combined with the unlimited power of the Gate made her almost invincible. She threw Nigaki backwards without effort. She watched Nigaki get up as Gojyo tried with his retractable chain, but failed. Goku could not attack. there was something about her that stopped him. It was. as if she was him. Her power, her spirit. and Goku knew he was unstoppable when his youkai limiter was taken off.
Sarra blinked hollowly as Nigaki got back to his feet. 'Why.. Why are you trying to save her?"
"You're even more stupid than the monkey!" Gojyo exclaimed angrily. "Don't you understand friendship?"
"Friendship." Sarra mouthed the word slowly. "There was nothing for her. You gave her nothing. How can you claim something you never gave?" Sarra furiously blasted them away.
Suddenly the truth dawned on Sanzo. The Gate wasn't trying to kill Sarra. it was trying to protect her, but in a different way. It thinks Sarra has been suffering. It wants revenge.
"You can't kill everyone!" Hakkai cried. "How can you be so sure that this is what Sarra wants?"
"It isn't." Her face darkened. "This isn't what she wants. She would stop me, because she can't let anybody be hurt." Her eyes closed for a second. "She will die anyway." Her eyes opened again, and there was a glint of sadness in them. "She had suffered because of my existence. All of you made her suffer to use my powers for your own good."
"It was for the good of this realm!" Nigaki cried furiously. "How can you be so selfish? Sarra suffered because you try to do what you're doing now - destroying everything!"
"Impudent Guardian." Sarra said unfeelingly. She stopped. "I never knew how lonely a human could be." She suddenly said, as if continuing a previous sentence. "Sarra was."
'Try and distract her," Nigaki muttered under his breath to Gojyo and Goku. "I'll try to repair the power oppressor."
Gojyo and Goku instantly took off at different directions, moving so fast that they were a blur. Sarra stood there, unmoving, but they could feel her watching them.
"Now!"
A bright flash of light, and Gojyo and Goku were thrown backwards.
Sarra hadn't even moved a muscle. She slowly turned to face Goku. "You. you are strong." She suddenly disappeared.
"Above!"
Goku looked up and just managed to deflect a bolt of energy. "Unbelievable." He gasped.
"It'll be the end if you're saying that." Gojyo grinned.
"We're not giving up. Nobody gets in my way!" Sanzo grit his teeth and fired at Sarra, but strangely he knew - his aim was slightly off. The bullets just whizzed by Sarra, and the latter simply stood there. She suddenly lunged towards Sanzo, a ball of energy in her hand.
"Sanzo!" Hakkai shielded him quickly, but the force was too great - Hakkai collapsed to the ground. "Hakkai!" Gojyo cried.
"Where are you looking at?"
Gojyo spun around in horror, just to get a kick in the stomach so hard it threw him backwards. Sarra landed again, and turned her attention towards Goku. Goku grit his teeth. If. He had a chance, if.
His hand moved towards the golden circlet around his forehead. If he didn't stop her, they would all die. He won't let them die. They still had something to do.
"Stupid monkey!" Thwack-thwack-thwack! Goku was slammed facedown onto the floor. "OW!!!!!!! Sanzo, that hurt - " He sat up and rubbed the spot where Sanzo had hit him with his paper fan. But Sanzo was no longer there. "Sanzo?!"
Sanzo had walked towards Sarra. His gun was by his side, and his face was as surly as ever. "Get out of my way, idiot."
Sarra regarded him calmly. "You have some nerve challenging me."
"Give me your best shot." Sanzo gripped his gun. He knew he should aim it, but he couldn't. There was something that stopped him; something that told him that he must not kill her. Can not kill her.
Trust in the eyes of your heart.
Darn it, he suddenly cursed himself. He was getting soft or what?
There was no time to think, because Sarra had moved first. She drew back her arm to strike, but suddenly there was a burst of electricity and she screamed. "No!!!!"
I won't let you hurt him!
Sanzo watched in amazement as Sarra dropped to the ground, convulsed in pain.
Inside her mind, a war was raging. Sarra fought to regain control of her body, but she couldn't win. She knew she would die when this keeps up, but she had to win, somehow. She forced the Gate to draw back, and in this space of a few seconds, she knew she had to act.
"Sarra?!" Despite the danger, Sanzo rushed to her side and held her up by her shoulders. Is it Sarra, or is it.? "Sanzo." Sarra replied weakly, managing a small smile. Sanzo nearly sighed in relief. "Are you - "
"Kill me."
Sanzo stared in anger. "What?!"
Sarra looked up to his face. Thos eyes. this will be the last time she would see those eyes. she loved those eyes. They held promise of warmth. of something she had never known all her life.
"I will die soon, but this body must not live. Kill me now, and replace the oppressor,' She said between gasps. The Gate was fighting her, and she didn't have much time. "She will leave once this body dies."
"I can't kill you." Sanzo burst out hoarsely. He couldn't."There must be another way."
"Another way." Sarra smiled painfully. She suddenly jerked in pain. The Gate! She couldn't wait any longer. "Sanzo!" She cried and leaned up - kissed him on the lips. It wasn't the sweet kiss of love, but a desperate, aching feel of despair.of fierce protection. This will be my last memory, she thought. She reached down and pushed Sanzo's gun to her body. She would die here, with the person she somehow loved. She broke the kiss and stared into Sanzo's eyes, smiling sadly. 'If there was a way, I'd be with you forever. Sanzo."
One shot, another, and Sanzo finally found the strength to pull away. There was a burst of energy, and Sarra rolled away and knelt a little way off, blood covering her hands. She stood up, blood dripping down the front of her robes, eyes hollow. "You."
"Sarra has won." Nigaki breathed in pain. "Give it up, Gate."
Sarra did not seem to hear. She took a step towards Sanzo, and another. "Genjyo Sanzo." She said softly, and suddenly there was a smile on her face.
They were face to face now. Sarra lifted her bloodied hand and looked at it. 'She broke my hold to save you."
"Disrespectful Gate." Sanzo growled, aiming his gun. "You're going to die."
"Yes. Sarra is dead now." Sarra's eyes blurred, but she was still smiling. "Thank you, Sanzo. You. you gave her something to protect. Gave her a reason to live, and a reason to die. Only. if only she met you earlier." She closed her eyes, and there was a rush of wind. The wind died down and Sarra collapsed into Sanzo's arms.
"Sanzo."
"Hakkai. please close the wounds." Sanzo said softly. Hakkai blinked, and then nodded. With the last vestige of strength he possessed, he closed up the wound as Sanzo gently wiped the blood away from her face. Nigaki gently replaced the power oppressor and then stood up. 'Let's go." Nigaki said at last. "Our work is done here."
"Not yet, Master Nigaki." A familiar voice gloated from somewhere above them. From the rim of the hole, Nigaki saw Lord Mara sanding there, his face wreathed in triumph. "The Guardian has died, why don't you all join her?" Medea appeared next to him and suddenly the floor rumbled. 'What the."
A black, sticky liquid suddenly seeped through the crack of the floor and glued them all to their places. "AAH?! I can't get loose!" Goku exclaimed in confusion. Gojyo tried to hack with his blade, but it was no use. To make things worse, he beginning to feel tired, and the liquid was climbing higher and higher.
"What do you think of this? Soul sucking spirit, and you can't escape!" Mara laughed evilly.
What do you guys think??? Pleez review!
Thanx 2:
GeneWeiss. he didn't dare!
Ruishi. continuing.
Chell. for the encouragement
cool-kitsune.4 the sunshine
miya. thank you, thank you..
Rook. sorry, running out of puns!
blinkie.for being the first 2 review.
13 January 2003
Author's note: Sorry bout the delay. got caught up in stuff! Anyway, here's the seventh chapter, hope you guys can read n review, thanx everybody who gave good comments, really appreciate it!
The battle was intense, as was the concentration on everyone's face. The only person who could still smile was Goku - even Hakkai was having a hard time with the numbers. "Sanzo, they're too many," Hakkai said after saving Sanzo from an axe-wielding maniac. Sanzo did not reply. His bullets drove into anyone within shooting range, but he was tired too. "We have to get away from here."
Getting away was the last thing they could do. Sarra darted around, her spear piercing without mercy. Even so, she knew she was reaching her limit. Rage was building up inside of her as she saw that their numbers kept on growing - fast! "Damn you, Medea." She growled and stopped in her tracks. She surveyed everything with contempt, feeling the anger burning. Are you calling me?
Yes. Come to my aid! She screamed silently in her mind. Then came the answer. I hear and I obey.
Almost immediately the air around them begin to twist slowly but surely, until everyone of them had stopped to stare at Sarra. Stare and tremble. "She's summoning the Gate! Run!!!!"
"Eh?" Goku blinked. "Who's summoning what?"
But none wasted any time. They ran for their lives, while Sarra watched coldly. "Cowards. Die." As if on command, the man screamed in pain and dropped to the ground - dead. One by one they fell, until none remained.
Almost as sudden as it happened, the wind dropped down and all was still. Not even a sound could be heard. Sarra began walking towards her house, stepping over dead bodies. The four friends could merely stare. "Really cool," Goku said excitedly. Gojyo promptly thwacked his head. "Idiot! She could have killed us!"
"But she's not going to, right?" Goku rubbed his head, feeling sore. "She's a bit chilly, but - "
"Idiot!" Sanzo roared because a dart narrowly missed his cheek. He promptly fired a few bullets. A loud scream told him that his aim was perfect.
"Nah, Sanzo, remind me not to poke you," Gojyo chuckled as he lighted a cigarette. He too began walking back to the Citadel, followed by the rest. "I wonder if the food is still there? What if they destroyed the food, huh?" Goku mused out loud.
"Stupid monkey. Worst that can happen is the food'll get trampled."
"What?!"
To Goku's delight there was still food, and the four of them joined the other Guardians who had fought hard. Of course, Goku ate as much as for nearly ten people, so that he earned strange stares from everybody. Hakkai had to explain, in the best terms possible while Goku belched his satisfaction. Sanzo and Gojyo pretended he didn't exist. Gojyo thought Sanzo was behaving worse than ever, because he kept tapping his foot impatiently. Gojyo feared the paper fan would make an appearance again, but it didn't.
All the sudden there was a hush as Lord Mara entered, looking very grave. He was followed by Nigaki, who wore the same expression on his face as well.
"Guardians, I am pleased to find that none of you are injured. however, I have to inform you that one of our Guardians are missing."
'Who?" One asked.
Mara bit his lip.
"Ryudell."
Sarra slowly dragged her feet back to her hut. The Gate was a powerful weapon, but one that required every ounce of strength to control. She could feel its hunger, the hunger to kill. It was everything she could do to subdue it once it was unleashed.
Unleashed. She absently fingered the shining chain around her hip - the chain that had been there all these years. Her Gate oppressor. The knot on her wrap too was a Dark Oppressor, entwined with the chain, it made a very powerful lock, specifically designed to hold the power of the Gate. She sighed. Even with the oppressor, the Gate was sly enough to try and sneak into her mind - she could very well imagine what would happen if it were off.
"Tired, Mistress Sarra?" A mocking voice called to her from somewhere above her. Sarra was instantly alert. "Who goes there?"
A bolt of energy appeared from nowhere, and Sarra automatically shielded her face with her arms, only to find a pair of strong manacles clamped tightly around them. 'What the."
A figure dropped to the ground, followed by many other men. Sarra stood there, intently staring at each one of them. "Medea's men?"
The first figure stepped forward and Sarra recognized him immediately. "Wenger." She snarled. The man called Wenger smiled lazily. He approached her without fear - without fear?! Sarra tried to blast him, but to her surprise she could not unleash any power at all. She glanced down at the manacles and saw that they were etched with runes - Oppression Runes. She glared angrily at Wenger. "Was that a diversion?"
"In a way." Wenger laughed. Sarra closed her eyes. There were too many. very difficult without her powers. Heck, she couldn't even communicate with her Gate. Well. seems like there's only one thing to do.
"Well? Are you going to scream for help, Mistress?" Wenger mockingly challenged her. Sarra did not answer. She would wait. The manacles were attached to a long chain, and by the looks of it, it was rather heavy. She had unwittingly been given a weapon. Without warning, she darted at a cluster of men and swung out her arm. The chain was perfect. The blow disarmed them, and Sarra had no trouble finishing them off. They were weak, after all. She darted around them, surely knocking everybody out. Until at last, there was only Wenger. She faced him calmly. "Well? Shall I scream now?"
"Stupid girl!" He snarled and lunged at her with his sword. Sarra calmly dodged it. She wasn't called the Mercenary of Death for nothing. Her combat skills were just as deadly. She made full use of her chains, delivering blow after blow of punishment to Wenger. The latter could not believe it. "Dam you!" He growled and dropped his hands. "You've forced me. I thought we could settle this in an honorable manner."
"Since when has Wenger become honorable?" Sarra swung her chains, and suddenly felt a searing pain shoot up her arms to her head, causing her to drop to the ground. Her body felt numb - like she had been pierced with a million blunt needles. "Uh." She hugged her body, and faintly heard Wenger laugh. "These chains are excellent. Lord Mara was right about your powers."
Mara.? The pain became overwhelming and she blacked out.
Medea tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully. The kidnapped Guardian, Ryudell was chained to the wall in one of her dungeons. A necessary precaution, of course. Once she wakes up it would be difficult to subdue her.
"Well, Kikuri? What plans do you have for this Guardian?" She inquired the little man beside her. 'I've already wasted many of my men to capture her.don't disappoint me."
"She's your answer to not only conquering this realm, but also other worlds besides," Kikuri grinned evilly. "I'm surprised you've never given it consideration."
"I wasted a thousand men to divert their attention so that she could take Ryudell out. And right now I'm wasting another thousand to capture Sarra. If this keeps up I won't have anyone to rule, Kikuri. That wasn't my target."
My target isn't to ally with you either, Kikuri cursed silently. I want to get back to Togenkyou, preferably with the Evil Sutra and Genjyo Sanzo dead. Which was why I need to capture both Guardians.
"By the way, Kikuri. Why do you need to kill that man?" Medea asked. "He can do us no harm."
Kikuri just grinned. "Leave everything to me, Sorceress. I know just what to do."
"I hope Mara's manacles work on Sarra. If not Wenger will be minced meat." Medea sighed. "Continue with your plan, Kikuri. Oh. the next full moon, you shall follow me to meet Lord Mara. Your dimension skills are a great use to us."
'WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" A loud voice roared, jolting the Sanzou- Ikkou awake. "What is it? Breakfast?" Goku muttered sleepily. Nigaki stood in the center of the room, looking annoyed and very worried. 'Wake up, all of you. Sarra's gone."
That caused everybody to widen their eyes. "Sarra?" Sanzo growled. Nigaki tapped his leg impatiently. "We sent messengers to her hut this morning, but she wasn't there. There were dead bodies in the woods near her house, and signs of a struggle. And we found this - " he held out a length of silver cloth. Sarra's hair tie. "You mean.' Gojyo blinked unbelievingly. "She's.?"
"Medea has her too." Nigaki gritted his teeth. 'Unbelievable, but it's true. And I'm afraid Medea might find her too hard to handle."
"What do you mean? She can bust herself out of there, right?" Goku slowly dressed. Nigaki shook his head. "If they managed to capture her, that means they have blocked her Gate." He took a deep breath. "They want to channel her powers for their own use. I assure you, that is not good."
Sarra.
Sarra, come back!
She was running with all her might - she had to get away. Her mother and father were waiting for her. she couldn't live in the Citadel any longer.
Sarra.!
The voice was calling her, insistent. She didn't turn back. Footsteps. she heard them following her. She ran harder than ever, trying to escape the voice, the footsteps that were following her. Until she entered darkness, and the footsteps were no more. Then shapes came out of the darkness, great shapes with red eyes and bared fangs. She screamed, and there was another voice - a voice she had never heard before, but it was calm, soothing her. Let me help you.
Kikuri watched as Ryudell stirred. The Guardian had awakened, and as predicted, she wasn't in the best of moods. The chains were inscribed with power-oppressor runes, so she couldn't use her powers, and that made her really angry. "Let me go, you slimy man!" She had screamed. Kikuri just chuckled. Medea had a great dungeon - set underground deep in the forest. she could rot down here for all the world could care.
"Where is the other one?" Kikuri asked Wenger. Wenger cocked his head to the other dungeon. "Behind these walls. We kept them apart."
"Good. Sanzo's group will come for them very soon. With her powers, we will be able to wipe out everyone who tries to stop us."
Wenger watched as Kikuri exited the dungeon. He then proceeded to Sarra's cell, where she was chained to the wall with the same power oppressing manacles. He tipped her chin up and watched her bruised face. Kikuri had taken the liberty of inflicting a few wounds here and there, and he could see her quiet anger reflected behind those gray eyes. "Cheer up, lady, we're not going to kill you."
"I'd rather you do," She said gravely. "Take your hands off me."
"Why should I, when you're so.helpless." He murmured softly and traced her cheek with the back of his hand. Sarra balked at his touch, and it made him irritated. "Stop struggling, It's useless," he growled and let his gaze wander down her body. The sleek black top outlined her slender body beautifully. It was maddening to see her like this, waiting to be used.
Used, his mind lit up at those words. He had been waiting for this moment. Waiting every since he had first seen her in battle. She looked so damn hot that he couldn't stand it. "Since you're not going anywhere, why don't we spend some time here?" He murmured and leaned closer, staring straight into those glaring eyes. 'I'd not be with you in HELL!" She spat furiously. That did it. He grabbed her face and forced her to look at him. "I'll teach you a lesson!" He reached for the knot around her hip, and Sarra's heart skipped a beat. "Let go of me!" But Wenger was beyond reason. He tore at the knot and the chain, and as the knot gave way, Sarra felt a wave of pain wash over her. She felt a voice whisper in her ears, and she lost consciousness.
A huge blast of energy blasted Wenger to the to the other side of the room. The blast was so huge that the manacles around Sarra's wrists cracked and shattered to the floor. The wrap around her fell, and the chain clattered to the ground. Sarra stepped forward, a shining aura enveloping her body. Her eyes were hollow, dead.
The Mercenary had awakened.
"What the hell?!" Hakuryuu screeched to a halt as a pillar of light burst through from somewhere in the forest. "Sarra!" Nigaki yelled. "Over there!"
They flew through the forest until the came to a hole in the ground - it was more like a small crater. The pillar of light came from there, and as they alighted from the jeep, a hole in the ground opened and several frightened men scrambled out of it. "Down there!" Hakkai cried.
"You're not going anywhere." A voice stopped them. Nigaki spun around and came to face with Medea, and Kikuri next to her.
"Go and save her," Gojyo and Hakkai stood their ground. Hakkai turned to Sanzo. "Go and save her, Sanzo. We can hold them off here." Sanzo turned away. "I'm not going to pray for you if you die."
"Che." Gojyo grinned. "Who'd want a requiem by a corrupt monk?"
Sanzo, Goku and Nigaki hurried down the passage underground and came to cell. On the wall, was Ryudell. She looked frightened. Nigaki hurriedly blasted her chains. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Ryudell rubbed her wrists. 'Sarra. stop her."
At that moment the wall opposite them blasted apart and a body hurtled to the floor, unmistakably dead. It was Wenger, but he closely resembled limp meat. They faced the hole, and Sarra stood in the other room, as if nothing had happened.
"Sarra!" Nigaki saw that the Oppressor had been unchained. He took a step to her side, but suddenly a blast of energy nearly threw him backwards. 'Uh." Nigaki grit his teeth. "Leave her body, Gate!"
At that moment Hakkai and Gojyo came. 'What's happening above?" Sanzo asked.
"Lord Mara came with the other Guardians. We came down here to help you."
"Lord Mara.?" Sarra suddenly said slowly. "He is with Medea?"
"Yes." Nigaki said in astonishment. He knew that certain Gates possessed intelligence matching humans, clearly this Gate knew something. "Why did you ask?"
"You have been fooled." Sarra said in a soft voice. "He is your enemy."
"You're our enemy," Gojyo drawled. And a pretty sexy one at that, he added silently. Without her wrap, they could see that her black top was actually some kind of hugging dress that ended pretty low. The black boots reached right up to her thighs and was secured by the same gold rings as on her arms.
Nigaki couldn't believe his ears. "What are you talking about?"
Sarra suddenly smiled. It was an eerie smile, very like the one Goku wore when he transformed into his real form. "It doesn't matter. He will die. Everyone will die - " She raised an arm and Hakkai and Nigaki simultaneously raised a barrier - just barely milliseconds before the impact came. 'She's too strong!" Hakkai cried. Nigaki buckled beneath the pressure. "Her oppressor. where is it?"
Nigaki spotted the wrap discarded in a corner of the dungeon. He had to get it!
Sarra noticed his focus and with a sweep on her hand, drew the wrap to her. "I'm not letting you take this."
"You can't go on!" Nigaki furiously lunged at Sarra, who expertly dodged. Her skills, combined with the unlimited power of the Gate made her almost invincible. She threw Nigaki backwards without effort. She watched Nigaki get up as Gojyo tried with his retractable chain, but failed. Goku could not attack. there was something about her that stopped him. It was. as if she was him. Her power, her spirit. and Goku knew he was unstoppable when his youkai limiter was taken off.
Sarra blinked hollowly as Nigaki got back to his feet. 'Why.. Why are you trying to save her?"
"You're even more stupid than the monkey!" Gojyo exclaimed angrily. "Don't you understand friendship?"
"Friendship." Sarra mouthed the word slowly. "There was nothing for her. You gave her nothing. How can you claim something you never gave?" Sarra furiously blasted them away.
Suddenly the truth dawned on Sanzo. The Gate wasn't trying to kill Sarra. it was trying to protect her, but in a different way. It thinks Sarra has been suffering. It wants revenge.
"You can't kill everyone!" Hakkai cried. "How can you be so sure that this is what Sarra wants?"
"It isn't." Her face darkened. "This isn't what she wants. She would stop me, because she can't let anybody be hurt." Her eyes closed for a second. "She will die anyway." Her eyes opened again, and there was a glint of sadness in them. "She had suffered because of my existence. All of you made her suffer to use my powers for your own good."
"It was for the good of this realm!" Nigaki cried furiously. "How can you be so selfish? Sarra suffered because you try to do what you're doing now - destroying everything!"
"Impudent Guardian." Sarra said unfeelingly. She stopped. "I never knew how lonely a human could be." She suddenly said, as if continuing a previous sentence. "Sarra was."
'Try and distract her," Nigaki muttered under his breath to Gojyo and Goku. "I'll try to repair the power oppressor."
Gojyo and Goku instantly took off at different directions, moving so fast that they were a blur. Sarra stood there, unmoving, but they could feel her watching them.
"Now!"
A bright flash of light, and Gojyo and Goku were thrown backwards.
Sarra hadn't even moved a muscle. She slowly turned to face Goku. "You. you are strong." She suddenly disappeared.
"Above!"
Goku looked up and just managed to deflect a bolt of energy. "Unbelievable." He gasped.
"It'll be the end if you're saying that." Gojyo grinned.
"We're not giving up. Nobody gets in my way!" Sanzo grit his teeth and fired at Sarra, but strangely he knew - his aim was slightly off. The bullets just whizzed by Sarra, and the latter simply stood there. She suddenly lunged towards Sanzo, a ball of energy in her hand.
"Sanzo!" Hakkai shielded him quickly, but the force was too great - Hakkai collapsed to the ground. "Hakkai!" Gojyo cried.
"Where are you looking at?"
Gojyo spun around in horror, just to get a kick in the stomach so hard it threw him backwards. Sarra landed again, and turned her attention towards Goku. Goku grit his teeth. If. He had a chance, if.
His hand moved towards the golden circlet around his forehead. If he didn't stop her, they would all die. He won't let them die. They still had something to do.
"Stupid monkey!" Thwack-thwack-thwack! Goku was slammed facedown onto the floor. "OW!!!!!!! Sanzo, that hurt - " He sat up and rubbed the spot where Sanzo had hit him with his paper fan. But Sanzo was no longer there. "Sanzo?!"
Sanzo had walked towards Sarra. His gun was by his side, and his face was as surly as ever. "Get out of my way, idiot."
Sarra regarded him calmly. "You have some nerve challenging me."
"Give me your best shot." Sanzo gripped his gun. He knew he should aim it, but he couldn't. There was something that stopped him; something that told him that he must not kill her. Can not kill her.
Trust in the eyes of your heart.
Darn it, he suddenly cursed himself. He was getting soft or what?
There was no time to think, because Sarra had moved first. She drew back her arm to strike, but suddenly there was a burst of electricity and she screamed. "No!!!!"
I won't let you hurt him!
Sanzo watched in amazement as Sarra dropped to the ground, convulsed in pain.
Inside her mind, a war was raging. Sarra fought to regain control of her body, but she couldn't win. She knew she would die when this keeps up, but she had to win, somehow. She forced the Gate to draw back, and in this space of a few seconds, she knew she had to act.
"Sarra?!" Despite the danger, Sanzo rushed to her side and held her up by her shoulders. Is it Sarra, or is it.? "Sanzo." Sarra replied weakly, managing a small smile. Sanzo nearly sighed in relief. "Are you - "
"Kill me."
Sanzo stared in anger. "What?!"
Sarra looked up to his face. Thos eyes. this will be the last time she would see those eyes. she loved those eyes. They held promise of warmth. of something she had never known all her life.
"I will die soon, but this body must not live. Kill me now, and replace the oppressor,' She said between gasps. The Gate was fighting her, and she didn't have much time. "She will leave once this body dies."
"I can't kill you." Sanzo burst out hoarsely. He couldn't."There must be another way."
"Another way." Sarra smiled painfully. She suddenly jerked in pain. The Gate! She couldn't wait any longer. "Sanzo!" She cried and leaned up - kissed him on the lips. It wasn't the sweet kiss of love, but a desperate, aching feel of despair.of fierce protection. This will be my last memory, she thought. She reached down and pushed Sanzo's gun to her body. She would die here, with the person she somehow loved. She broke the kiss and stared into Sanzo's eyes, smiling sadly. 'If there was a way, I'd be with you forever. Sanzo."
One shot, another, and Sanzo finally found the strength to pull away. There was a burst of energy, and Sarra rolled away and knelt a little way off, blood covering her hands. She stood up, blood dripping down the front of her robes, eyes hollow. "You."
"Sarra has won." Nigaki breathed in pain. "Give it up, Gate."
Sarra did not seem to hear. She took a step towards Sanzo, and another. "Genjyo Sanzo." She said softly, and suddenly there was a smile on her face.
They were face to face now. Sarra lifted her bloodied hand and looked at it. 'She broke my hold to save you."
"Disrespectful Gate." Sanzo growled, aiming his gun. "You're going to die."
"Yes. Sarra is dead now." Sarra's eyes blurred, but she was still smiling. "Thank you, Sanzo. You. you gave her something to protect. Gave her a reason to live, and a reason to die. Only. if only she met you earlier." She closed her eyes, and there was a rush of wind. The wind died down and Sarra collapsed into Sanzo's arms.
"Sanzo."
"Hakkai. please close the wounds." Sanzo said softly. Hakkai blinked, and then nodded. With the last vestige of strength he possessed, he closed up the wound as Sanzo gently wiped the blood away from her face. Nigaki gently replaced the power oppressor and then stood up. 'Let's go." Nigaki said at last. "Our work is done here."
"Not yet, Master Nigaki." A familiar voice gloated from somewhere above them. From the rim of the hole, Nigaki saw Lord Mara sanding there, his face wreathed in triumph. "The Guardian has died, why don't you all join her?" Medea appeared next to him and suddenly the floor rumbled. 'What the."
A black, sticky liquid suddenly seeped through the crack of the floor and glued them all to their places. "AAH?! I can't get loose!" Goku exclaimed in confusion. Gojyo tried to hack with his blade, but it was no use. To make things worse, he beginning to feel tired, and the liquid was climbing higher and higher.
"What do you think of this? Soul sucking spirit, and you can't escape!" Mara laughed evilly.
What do you guys think??? Pleez review!
Thanx 2:
GeneWeiss. he didn't dare!
Ruishi. continuing.
Chell. for the encouragement
cool-kitsune.4 the sunshine
miya. thank you, thank you..
Rook. sorry, running out of puns!
blinkie.for being the first 2 review.
