Disclaimer: I only borrowed the Saiyuki boys for a little while. Promise, I put them away again afterwards.
Seeds of Discord
by Raichutec
The sound of distant condensation woke him from unconciousness. Violet eyes opened automatically, staring at the blurry shapes overhead. A ceiling nearly too high to see, carved with intricate and delicate tiles like a mosaic tapestry, telling an ancient story long ago forgotten. He turned his head, realizing he was lying supine against a cool stone flooring, the tiles a glassy black hue, stretching out over a large rotunda with many exits, the mouths of portals leading off into darkness. Another look proved to him that he was truly alone. Hakkai, Gojyo and Goku were no where near him.
Fingers stirred briefly, arms attempting to lift only to discover themselves bound to the floor. "Tch," Sanzo clucked, turning his head to see the chains that held him fast. Wrists and ankles, and one more around his waist for good measure. There was still blood staining his fingers, though the gun he'd always carried was not in his hand. One last glance proved that he still held the Maten, draped over his shoulders and settled against his torso. Strange... it's the Maten that he wants. Why is he doing this? Why didn't he just take it?
As if Homura could sense the question being posed, he appeared out of thin air, figure shimmering for a fraction of a moment before becoming solid. "Well, so good to see that you are finally awake, Sanzo." He leaned over, the chains on his wrists jangling, the sound revertibrating with the clack of the beads around his throat. "Do you remember how you came to be here?"
Sanzo said nothing, merely glaring at the God who leaned over him. Homura waited a moment longer before he straightened, sighing quietly. "Sanzo, I suppose you're asking yourself why I brought you here. Why I haven't just killed you all and taken the Maten."
"Shut up," the priest snapped, "Stop playing stupid games, Homura. Spit it out."
Homura laughed, deliberately taking his time to crouch beside Sanzo's head before bothering to answer his impatience. "I brought you here out of a particular curiosity of mine. But, I will let all of you go, if you can manage to survive my challenge to you."
"I am not going to be party to your schemes, Homura." Sanzo's glower never faded, fists briefly clenching and unclenching, testing the strength of his bonds absently.
The god laughed at that, "And what other choice do you have, Sanzo? Shall I just kill you now and take the Maten?"
"We don't die that easily."
"No, I suppose not," Homura mused, "You've certainly survived a lot of things... but, this time, there's no hope. So, I will tell you my conditions and you can tell me if you think you're strong enough to face yet another challenge and survive it."
Sanzo traced the god's movements with his eyes, violet eyes narrowed as the other took his time to straighten himself, a hand resting against his hip while he simply smiled, smug and knowing, as if the outcome of his challenge had already been decided.
"You will remain here, with your companions for three days. In that time, none of you must consume any food or drink given to you. If you can do that, I will let you go. But, whosoever does eat within these walls before dawn on the third day will be bound to me from that day forward. To serve me, and not you."
Silence filled the air after the challenge had been set. Homura watched Sanzo's impassive features, searching for a reaction, waiting for an answer. The reply could only make him chuckle quietly to himself, as he should have expected it.
"They're not my companions. So do what you like."