Disclaimer: Me? Own Saiyuki? You're joking…
This is drawing (very slowly) to an end… only a couple of chapters left after this…
NOTE: I revised this chapter and went more into more detail as was requested! Plus, I realised that I had left some important detail out (OUCH!!! Rubs head as she glares at Sanzo who's just hit her with his paper fan) Anyway…Hope this is better ^_^
Btw… can anyone tell me what Gojyo's weapon is called??? I need to know asap!!! Please!!
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Chapter 9
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Gojyo
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"So have you been here long?"
"Only a year sir." The girl was sweeping the floor, oblivious of my gorgeous smile. I sighed. These temple girls were too demure for my taste. I had been trying to have some conversation with this novice for ages, and was only being answered by brief sentences or monosyllables. Not really worth risking my life anyway… If Shunrei ever got to know I was trying to flirt with a novice, she'd probably borrow Sanzo's gun and blow a hole through my head. Strange how she and Sanzo didn't get on, seeing how alike in character they were. Proud, cold and mean. I grinned to myself. It must be something required on their job application… Wanted… a stone hearted meanie who doesn't know how to have a bit of fun… would suit them right to the ground. Well… better a mean Sanzo who was alive than a dead Sanzo. I bit my lip. I had to stop being an idiot. It was all over. The monk was back to himself, bent on making our lives hell. It was useless worrying. Now was the time to have a bit of fun.
The girl was still sweeping the floor. I decided to see if my theory considering certain her… uh… emotions on a certain person of my acquaintance were right. "Sanzo was pleased with your services." Actually, the monk had been out cold when she'd been near, or hadn't even bothered to thank her, but why not tease her a litle? Sure enough, she changed colour, and looked up at me with shining eyes. "Re…really?" She looked ready to fly to the high heavens. "I… I am so honoured…. He… he's a very special… I mean, important person…and… and…" She babbled on, full of adoration for the Honourable Genjo Sanzo. I nearly laughed when I heard her listing the virtues of the corrupted monk. I leaned back on the chair, wondering what she'd say if she suddenly heard him cursing like only he knew how…
I stiffened. Oh shit. Was it possible? Frowning, I waited, wanting to make sure that it was not simply my impression. Yes… it was weak, but there.
How the fuck did get to know? Dammit!I should have known that this was too good to last.
I clenched my fists. Well this time they wouldn't get us unprepared. They'd get to Sanzo over my dead body.
Standing up abruptly, I left the astonished girl and went off to find Hakkai.
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Sanzo
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I was not going to stay in this monastery a day longer than necessary. And that meant I had to regain the use of my limbs fast. I threw away the covers and placed my legs on the ground. Pressing my fists on the mattress, I got ready to heave myself upwards. One, two, three… I gave myself a push upwards, I was up… I cursed loudly as my legs crumbled beneath me, and I fell on the floor, as if I were a stuffed doll.
The only good thing was that I was alone. I would not have borne Hakkai's encouraging comments, the saru's insistent whine to be allowed to help me or the kappa's taunts. I clambered onto the bed, wanting to scream at my every movement. It hurt to move, and standing up, or at least trying to, was sheer agony. I swore volubly as my vision blurred. I couldn't keep my bloody balance. Well I'd just have to, seeing that I had told them we'd be leaving. There was no way I'd go back on my word.
Clenching my teeth, I tried to stand up again. This time I made it. Everything stayed in its rightful place, and the feeling of nausea faded away. I took a few painful steps, and collapsed on a chair, panting heavily. Wiping the sweat on my forehead, I tried to catch my breath. It was like learning to walk all over again. I glanced around. There was a table near the window where my robe and the sutra were placed... I'd make it there at least. I dragged myself up again, still holding onto the chair for support. Slowly, I let go and stumbled towards it. Why the fuck had it got to be so far? One step… another…another… I stumbled and nearly fell flat on my face, but luckily I caught the table in time. I leaned heavily on it, trying to rest. I scowled. If the kappa had seen me like that, I'd never have lived it down.
My hand brushed over the sutra. I glanced down at it. I had felt almost naked without it… Slowly I took my robe and slipped it over my head. Then I place the sutra on my shoulders… Now, I had almost returned back to myself… Genjo Sanzo…
Sighing, I looked out of the window and as I looked outside, and I saw a river. Hn… perhaps that's why I had been having crazy dreams and thoughts lately. Rivers had always had a bad effect on me… The place was full of trees. I'd never… I leaned slightly forward and stood still. I was almost sure that I'd seen something move…but there was nothing there. I suddenly felt uneasy. I did not make mistakes so easily. Something was definitely lurking out there.
My shoureijou… I stumbled back to the bed, almost tripping on the folds of my robes. I collapsed onto it, tired out, and I slid my hand beneath the mattress. I got out my gun and fondled it. I was glad I had told Goku to get it for me. I always felt safer when I had the shoureijou, although I doubted if I was really up to fighting whatever could be hiding out there.
The uneasy feeling grew, and I was sure I could sense a distinct aura of evil…
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Hakkai
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"I know he's not yet strong enough, but I'm afraid he's decided to leave." I smiled weakly at her glare. "It's useless trying to…" I stopped halfway through my sentence. Youkai. Closing in… The sense of their presence overwhelmed me. This time I was sure of it.
The high priestess looked at me strangely. Goku looked up from his food, struck by the sudden silence. "Hakkai, what's happening?" he asked, swallowing his mouthful, golden eyes full of worry. I opened my mouth to answer, but Gojyo came running into the kitchen. Our eyes met, and I nodded slowly. "You've felt it too, haven't you?" he asked quietly, crimson eyes full of anxiety.
"Are there many of them?" I turned to her startled. I hadn't been aware that she could sense their presence too. I decided it was no use hiding the truth from her.
"I'm afraid there are, and they are approaching fast." She gave me no answer but made her way to the door leading to the inside of the temple. Shunrei called out, and a priestess came running to her. I overheard only a few snatches of the conversation, and the other woman's face paled. She nodded furiously, and after giving us a brief look, hurried off. The high priestess turned to me. "I have sent them to hide in our underground passageways. They are women of prayer, and know nothing about fighting." She moved closer to me. "They are here for him, are they not?" Her voice was soft, her expression unreadable. I nodded. She frowned and looked away.
"We must get him to safety." I hesitated. "And you too, my lady. This is no place for you." She frowned at this, and I could see that she did not like being sent away to hide. But now was not the time to argue. We had demons to face, and Sanzo was in danger. And she could help us save him.
"Hakkai!! Watch out!!" I ducked to the floor, pulling her down with me, just as a spear sped past me and hit the wall. Leering faces were at every window, and the only way of escape was through the kitchen door, back into the temple. I stood up and pushed Shunrei towards the door. "Goku, you two have to get to Sanzo now! Quick! Gojyo and I will take care of these!" Goku nodded, and grabbed the high priestess's arm. They rushed out of the room, as the demons burst through the windows. I avoided a punch to the face, and kicked my aggressor in the stomach, making him howl in pain. "Sorry for having made you stay here, Gojyo!"
Gojyo grinned as he slammed a youkai to the floor. "Are you kidding?" he yelled. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything! Come on, let's kick some ass!"
I would not let Sanzo down this time.
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Goku
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On, and on and on… Don't these corridors ever end?
We kept on running, although I had to slow down slightly, for she couldn't keep up with me… and I didn't know the way. If they had already reached Sanzo… I groaned. There were demons coming at us from behind, and others were approaching from the front. There weren't that much, only thirty or so; I could handle them alone. I looked at the high priestess. She knew the way to Sanzo's room, and she knew where to hide. "You have to get to Sanzo."
She looked at me in disbelief. "How?"
"I'll make a passage through the demons, and you go on. I'll take care of these youkai." She seemed hesitant, but finally nodded. I was glad of that; it saved precious time. "Please get him to safety!"
She nodded again. "Good luck boy." I turned to the group that were blocking the way to Sano's room. I threw myself at them and started hitting left right and centre, as they leapt at me, claws and fangs barred. She rushed past me and almost got through when one of them grabbed her robe with his filthy hands. He pulled her towards him as she struggled to get away. "Let go of me you scum!" she hissed, voice dripping with anger. He laughed evilly at her face and he lifted his claws up, ready to strike…. He slumped to the floor as I crashed his skull in with my Nyaibou. He icy blue eyes met mine. "Thank you," she said. She was definitely brave… her voice didn't even shake. I watched her get away, and turned back to the youkai.
"You're dead meat," spat one of them.
"That's what you think." I grinned as I got ready to attack. "I love a bit of exercise after eating."
Don't worry Sanzo… I'll never let them get to you… never again.
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Shunrei
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Why did it seem to take me so long to arrive? The blood-curdling shrieks faded in the distance…that boy was either mad, or very strong… thirty youkai or so and he was dealing with them on his own… I had had to leave him, deciding to trust in him. I wouldn't have been of much use anyway, remembering that filthy scum with a shudder. I nearly believed it was the end…. At last, his door… I rushed in to find myself faced with a shoureiju pointed straight at my head.
"What the fuck is happening?" He glared at me as he stood unsteadily in front of me. I stared at him. How had he managed to get up by himself? It was incredible, but lucky, for I had no idea how I'd have managed to drag an unconscious man by myself. I tried to explain quickly. "There are youkai everywhere. We have to hide, now!"
"I'm not running away."
"You barely stand on your feet, and you want to take on a pack of demons by yourself?" I was growing irritated. Couldn't he understand that he could get killed? "Brilliant idea priest!"
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't you even dare mock me." His voice was calm, but I could sense an edge to it. I ignored him and slipped my arm around his waist. His violet eyes widened in surprise and anger. "Get your hand off me!" he hissed as he tried to move away.
That was it. There was a limit to my patience. "Fine, then fall!" I snapped back and I let go. He swayed, and was about to fall down, but I caught hold of him again. This time he didn't try to pull away.
"Bitch."
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"Where are we going?"
"Underground, they can't get us there." I was about to turn round the corner, when the murmur of voices made me stop. I looked quickly round the corner. Another group of youkai were approaching. There was no way we could get to the cellars now. The only place which was left were the temple grounds. I motioned to Sanzo to be quiet and I lead him through another passageway. I sneaked a look at him quickly; his lips were drawn in a thin line, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Suddenly he stumbled, and I tightened my grasp on him. He hissed with annoyance, probably angry with himself for having shown a sign of weakness before me. I could tell that every step was agony for him, but we couldn't afford to rest. It was too dangerous.
Only a few steps further and we would make it… We were finally outside. We were safe. I lead him on, silently, feeling relieved that he was out of harm's way. Further down he would be able to rest at last. I too, needed some respite, for I was rather tired. Comforted by the thought that my son was safe, I let my thoughts wander… He stopped abruptly, and I looked up, annoyed. His eyes looked straight ahead, cold and expressionless. He swore softly, and I followed his gaze. My heart stopped.
A group of demons stood smirking at us.
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Cliffie? Where? Where? *hides from the murderous glare on her readers' faces.* Please don't kill me… otherwise you won't know how this ends! Just two little chapters left, and the whole thing will be over… I promise over Hakuryu's spare tyre! :p
Hakuryu: *sweatdrops* Kyuu???
Hakkai: By the way, please excuse Konzen-san for the action scenes… she's not very good at them, that's why she usually sticks to angst. ^_^
Reviewers… THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love reading your reviews ^_^ They make writing this fic an even more enjoyable experience! Thank you for your support, and I wish all of you the best of luck too!!!! Some replies now…
Roy: As you say, Hakkai is being the overly sensitive guy. I see him as being the most observant one in the group, so it would be practically impossible for him not to notice certain mannerisms, and behaviour etc... Gojyo comments on their similarity in character, but doesn't really see it as something particularly unusual. Goku, innocently observes that Sanzo and Shunrei look alike, but being Goku, he doesn't really see the connection. Sorry, but that's the way I thought it should be!
I feel the same… I'll be sorry when it ends, but I know a lot of people will be glad that the suspense is finally over! *grins apologetically*
Genjo Sanzo1: Thanks for your encouragement! I bet university will be great, and that you'll have a great time! I wish you the best of luck!!! Update soon ok?
Blades of Ice: Can't resist putting a bit of angst in the last chapters so… :-)
Thowra, Fuuei-chan, annonymouse, UltraM2000 and all those who want to know how this will end… Hmm… just to give a little hint… some people are not going to get to know who Shunrei is… But I'm not saying who….yet…
Oh, and thanks for the info about whether Buddhist nuns cut their hair or not… one thing is definite… they don't keep it long!!!!!