Title: Reign of the Heart
Content: shonen ai/yaoi, AU, This chapter has lime parts. Whee!
Disclaimer: When dear Bethee becomes rich, and obtains Canada, I will buy the rights to all these titles! *evil laughter*
Pinku: Run! Run now!
Lorelei: *still laughing*
~Chapter Four~
The sun was now high overhead, beating mercilessly down upon anything below. Unfortunately, that meant Goku, who was now in charge of steering the horse and making sure an unconscious Sanzo didn't topple off the saddle. Goku ran a hand over his brow, heaving a sigh.
"Ughn…Just need a city, a village…anything! Damn it, Sanzo! Stop slipping!" The youth irritably grasped at the unconscious young prince, who couldn't seem to stay on the horse without Goku's help. The golden eyed boy grunted as he pulled Sanzo into the saddle. The prince slumped, leaning into Goku's lap. The only way Goku could keep him in the saddle was by wrapping his slender arms around Sanzo's waist. "You'd better thank me when this is over," he muttered. Goku squinted ahead into the horizon. His eyes widened when he could discern buildings jutting from the horizon. "All right!" Goku tried banging his legs against the horse's side to spur the animal forward, having some success. Soon enough, they were eating the ground beneath them at a fair speed.
The horse's pace slowed as they entered the village, which appeared to be one of small size. As they walked through it, Goku's head swung about to survey his surroundings. The town appeared to have a lack of citizens.
"Saa…where are the people?" Goku murmured as the horse trudged along the worn stone streets of the city. Every once in awhile, Goku would spot a large crack in the road, proving its ill condition and many years of use. "Is anyone here?" Goku called out, nervous to raise his voice too much. This town was beginning to give him the creeps. The creak of a door at his right caught his attention. An elderly woman had poked her head out, no other part of her body showing from behind the old wooden slab.
"Why do you cry so loudly?" she hissed at Goku, who stared. The young brunette gestured to the prince lying in his arms. The woman looked them over with shifty eyes, pulled her head back in and reappeared completely a moment later. "Hurry; come inside." She waved her hand at them, and Goku smiled in relief. Slowly, he jumped down from the horse, catching Sanzo before he fell off, and lowered him to the ground. He half dragged the blonde into the woman's house.
Goku sat patiently beside Sanzo's 'bed', one knee pulled up to his chest where he rested his chin. Sanzo was much more peaceful in sleep then when he was awake, Goku had decided. Beautiful, but dangerous.
Goku paused. Sanzo; beautiful? Well, maybe that was taking things a strand too far, but the prince was most definitely handsome. Handsome, and as much as Goku hated admitting it; desirable. It was possible Sanzo was different from all the other people who'd used him, and it was possible Sanzo might even care for the boy. That still didn't change his past, and much to Goku's own regret, he never wanted to go through anything like it again. And that meant he would have to push Sanzo away.
"But how can I? There's something…something about him that's…" For a moment, Goku thought Sanzo had stirred, and the boy went rigid. It ended up being a simple figment of Goku's imagination. The youth sighed, hugging his chin deeper into his chest. "But…" Goku let his eyes linger over Sanzo's still form, the way his golden hair fell lazily into his face, his well shaped, but not overly defined physique, which was bare at the moment to treat the wound in his shoulder. "But Sanzo is the only master I've had who hasn't treated me like a slave. No, like a sex toy…Sanzo treats me like a…like a…"
"Like an annoying pest who doesn't know when to shut up." Sanzo finished, sort of groggily. Goku's head shot up.
"S-Sanzo!" Goku sprang out of his seat, filled with overwhelming joy. "Sanzo! You're awake! You're alive!" Sanzo grunted, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Of course I am alive, you stupid ape…" Suddenly, Sanzo felt a warmth on his chest. He stared down to see Goku as his side, his arm slung over Sanzo's chest in a sort of hug, so as not to disturb the wound in the prince's shoulder.
"I'm so glad…" Goku continued. Sanzo snorted in irritation.
"You act as if I was dead," Sanzo scoffed. Goku rubbed a hand across his eyes, suddenly slightly angry at Sanzo.
"It sure seemed like you were! You weren't awake, weren't moving…Sanzo, you were barely even breathing!" Goku clenched a fist at his side, letting his head drop. Mussed brown hair toppled into his young looking face, hiding the silent tears that ran down his cheeks. "I was so scared…" The boy's golden eyes widened as he felt a pressure, a gentle, reassuring pressure, on the top of his head. Goku slowly lifted his head to see Sanzo, his hand resting upon Goku's head, a near smile on his face. Maybe it was that the prince was delirious from the poison, or maybe it was something more. But at that moment, his eyes held an immeasurable fondness for the young Goku, who simply stared into those violet gems.
"Goku." Goku opened his mouth to say something in response, but Sanzo continued. "You're an idiot."
"W-what…?" Sanzo frowned, his eyes now holding some anger within them.
"You took me here, all by yourself, heedless of any danger you might've encountered. You could've been injured, or worse, you could've died. And then we'd both be dead. That is why you are an idiot." Goku began to mouth some words, his voice dried up for the time being. "However," Sanzo's deep voice continued, this time sounding almost wistful. "However, that is also why I respect you. I know no other person, aside from maybe Hakkai, who would ever have done that for me. And for that, I can't thank you enough." Sanzo gasped sharply, his hand flying to where his wound had been bandaged. "Damn…" he muttered, grasping at his shoulder. He gave Goku a painful sort of smirk. "Well, Goku. I have to congratulate you. You are the most…reliable servant I have ever had…I…" Sanzo made a pained choking noise, the sting in his shoulder becoming too much for him to handle now. He soon passed out from that pain, leaving a confused Goku at his side.
"You what…?" Goku puzzled over Sanzo's unfinished sentence.
The redheaded half breed puzzled absently over a random crest Hakkai had kept on his chest of draws. He placed in down, turning to face Hakkai, who looked out the window in a detached sort of way.
"Hakkai." The deep voice caused the dark haired man to tense. Hakkai turned to face Gojyo, his face unreadable.
"Yes?" Gojyo frowned. The man was acting as if nothing had happened, and that made Gojyo angry and hurt all at once.
"Don't you wanna say anything?" The half breed prompted, somewhat irritated. Hakkai let his gaze wander to the floor. Gojyo stared at him expectantly, refusing to give in until Hakkai at least said something.
"I…don't know," the green-eyed man admitted at last. Gojyo sighed, walking over to take a seat beside Hakkai, at a reasonable distance, as not to cause confusion, or discomfort between them. His red eyes gazed at Hakkai, never leaving the man's figure.
"Well, at least we're that far…" the redhead breathed. Neither of them spoke for a moment, fearing to shatter the delicate silence around them. "I meant it, you know," Gojyo began. Hakkai looked at him in slight confusion. "What I said. You're the only one who's cared about me since then, and I respect that. Maybe even more then respect…Hakkai, I…"
"Please, Gojyo," Hakkai lifted his hand. "I…don't want…" Gojyo visibly flattened. He let his head droop, long red hair falling around his face. Hakkai couldn't look away from the disappointed half breed. Tentatively, he began to run his fingers through the long, crimson strands, Gojyo looking at him with questioning red eyes. Hakkai let his pale hand rest on Gojyo's tanned cheek. "I don't want to be the one to hurt you," the green-eyed man finished quietly. "I'm afraid of that more than anything," Hakkai's voice was so quiet, it was barely able to be discerned above the rustle of the curtains in the slight breeze that had picked up. Was it night already? Neither of them had any perception of time at the moment. Gojyo rested his hand on the hand that lay on his cheek, gently pulling it down. He reached out, catching Hakkai's chin in his hand, and pressed his lips gently against Hakkai. A light brush at first, and then a firmer reassurance.
The two pulled away together, staring into each other's eyes. Both leaned forward, their lips meeting more hungrily this time, this time their tongues taking play in the action. The kiss grew to become something possessive, ensuring. A sort of signature to the contract of love they'd inadvertently committed themselves to. Hakkai was the one to end the kiss, breathing slightly more heavily than normal, his eyes worried.
"Gojyo…" Gojyo reached out, running his hand along Hakkai's jawline, tracing down to his neck. "Gojyo." The half breed stopped, looking back into Hakkai's green eyes.
"Hm?"
"We can't do this…it's not only forbidden, but looked on with disgust. You are…you are…" Hakkai's eyes turned downcast.
"I know what I am." Gojyo stated firmly, tilting Hakkai's face to look into his own. "I am in love…with you…" Hakkai's eyes became fearful.
"You…it's too soon…" he argued, though with little emphasis in his words.
"You feel the same way," Gojyo stated, rather than asked. Hakkai kept still. The dark-haired man felt himself being pulled into Gojyo embrace, and he rested his cheek on the half breed's chest.
"But this can't be…what you are, and what I am…we can never be lovers this way…its unheard of…" Gojyo suddenly tensed as an idea came to him. He gently pushed Hakkai away, so that he could look at him directly, both hands resting on Hakkai's shoulders.
"But, do people keep half breed slaves?" Gojyo asked, his eyes alight with a plan. Hakkai was quiet a moment, thinking the question over.
"I suppose so. No one really cares if half breed's are used that way…" Hakkai trailed off, realization slowly dawning. "Gojyo!" he exclaimed. "You couldn't possibly be thinking…!" Gojyo smirked, his eyes mischievous.
"I'm at you complete and utter disposal, master…"
Hakkai stood outside the door to his room, his back pressed against the wall. He'd been in this position for a long time, after he'd told Gojyo he needed a walk. They'd had a discussion on their plan, and it was all too overwhelming for the brunette to take all at once. So he'd left for a while, a long while, to think it over. It amazed him Gojyo was so easy-going with the whole idea. Didn't he see what kind of situation it put the both of them in?
Not to mention…
Hakkai gazed down at his hand, his pale slender fingers curled into a fist around an object he held. He slowly opened his hand, revealing a bright red jewel that hung from a small silver chain. Upon laying eyes on it, his fist clamped instinctively closed, and he turned his head away. He hated that jewel, and all it did.
The old man, a mysterious gleam in his eye, looked the young man over once more, a twisted grin pulling at his lips.
"Yes yes," he continued, placing the necklace in Hakkai's palm, and wrapping his fingers around it. "This will give you the strength you need to obtain your lover." Hakkai looked into the man's eyes dubiously. The old man's eyes hardened, the unrecognizable glint still remained. "You do want her back, don't you?" Hakkai opened his hand to look at the charm, failing to see it's uniqueness, but suspicious of it all the same. His grip tightened again.
"I'll do anything to get her back," he replied in a low voice. The man laughed, and an instant vanished just as soon as he had appeared. Hakkai traced his thumb along the crimson stone, his eyes cold and lifeless. "Kanan…"
And this was the price he had paid. Nothing made sense now, and his emotions were far from in order. Hakkai felt as if he was blindly leaping for any chance at love, just so he wouldn't be alone anymore…
He didn't want to hurt Gojyo like that. The young man could still sense the jewel's presence as it pressed against his palm, ice cold, no matter how long he'd kept his grip on it. The necklace absorbed everything, even emotions. Hakkai's eyes widened suddenly, and he involuntarily pitched the necklace down the corridor, where it landed with a clack. The thing never shattered. Heaven knew he'd tried enough times.
The hand that had held the necklace trembled before him, and he clenched it at his side to calm its tremors. Soon, those tremors would seep into the rest of his body, as they always did when the stone began to drain him of his humanity. Fortunately, he'd known when to let go of it, no matter how much he craved the emptiness the stone left within him. After all, it was worlds better than the pain it replaced.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" his voice was hoarse, as he condemned the necklace, but really, himself. He wasn't his own best friend, to say the least. And he was a hypocrite for being a healer, when he had so many raw wounds of his own that needed desperate healing…
A hand, gentle, but firm, and more than anything, reassuring, caught his trembling shoulder. At the contact, the shaking stopped. The hand slid down to his arm, gently tugging him back into the room. The door closed behind him. Hakkai was now pressed lightly against the solid wood of the door, stuck between it and Gojyo's tall, lean form. One wiry muscled arm served as a barrier from Hakkai's escape, so that he was forced to look into those burning red eyes. Now, they were not blood, but fire, one that beckoned and warmed. Gojyo's eyes alone reached out to Hakkai, bringing him in.
Maybe this wasn't just a blind leap after all.
Another hand, dark skinned, and slightly calloused, gently traced a finger down Hakkai's cheek bone. The dark-haired man tensed at first, but loosened to the touch. Gojyo didn't want to hurt him, and he didn't want to use him either. The half-breed caught Hakkai's chin between his thumb and forefinger, and tilted the brunette's head towards his face.
"Can you tell me you're willing to go through with this?" the redhead asked in a low, soft voice. Hakkai paused mid-breath, his eyes searching anywhere but Gojyo's face. "Please look at me." The emeralds stilled, resting their gaze in Gojyo's red eyes. "I want to hear you tell me that you want this." Hakkai opened his mouth, for a long time no sound escaping.
"This is what I want, Gojyo," he answered, leaning forward to rest his lips very tentatively on Gojyo's. Gojyo grinned against them; Hakkai could feel the upturned lips. The half-breed pulled Hakkai into an embrace.
"You really haven't kissed in a while…" Gojyo observed, and Hakkai could feel his cheeks heat up. His forehead rested against Gojyo's tanned throat, and he could feel the half-breed's breathing. It was slow, but deep. Hakkai enjoyed just standing there, until he felt Gojyo's pulse quicken. The redhead pulled away, his hand sliding to meet with Hakkai's, squeezing gently. He pulled Hakkai to the large bed at the room's center, and gently pushed him down onto the mattress.
"Gojyo…?" Hakkai looked up, nervous, curious, and excited all at once. He'd never gotten so far with Kanan. Gojyo leaned down over Hakkai, his lithe body pressing down on Hakkai slender form.
"What do you want me to do now?" Gojyo breathed against Hakkai's cheek, eyes glimmering in anticipation. Hakkai swallowed, and breathed deeply, a light smirk playing across his face.
"I leave the decision in your hands," he responded. Gojyo chuckled, and let his hands roam along Hakkai's shirt, toying with the lace that held him in. Once undone, his hands began to explore Hakkai's bare chest. Gojyo straightened, pulling off his own shirt and casting it off to the side, as if it was completely meaningless to him. Which it was.
His body leaned heavily on Hakkai, a wonderful weight, and he could feel, skin to skin, Gojyo's muscles spasm and ripple. He had very nice muscles, Hakkai noted mentally, as Gojyo's mouth planted itself against his own. Electricity charged and burned in every place their skin made contact. Hakkai could feel Gojyo's erection between his thighs, and moaned against the half-breed's mouth. His hands flew into Gojyo's hair, grasping at the long crimson strands, becoming tangled. His body screamed for Gojyo to go further, yet his mind…Somewhere in the corner, the rational corner of his mind, he wanted to stop, to go more slowly.
Suddenly, Gojyo did just that. The fire and intensity that had existed began to ebb, and broke into a smooth warmth. Hakkai was confused as Gojyo's arms slid around his waist, simply holding him there, letting his breath even out. Still holding Hakkai, Gojyo slid further up the bed, and lay down, holding Hakkai against his shoulder. The dark-haired man's green eyes looked up at him from behind tousled bangs in question. Gojyo smiled, running his hand through Hakkai's dark hair.
"We're both two very emotionally messed up individuals," he sighed, long arms tightening around Hakkai's half naked body. "I think we need to go slowly if we ever wanna be normal again," His voice was sort of disappointed, but Hakkai knew he was right. Rushing into anything wouldn't do much good for both of them, besides shoving their problems aside for one night, only to find them waiting the next morning. It was all right, though. Hakkai wanted to stay this way forever, and he could sense Gojyo and enjoyed it too. Slow had its advantages.
"I agree," Hakkai added, stifling a yawn. Gojyo's eyes had closed now, and Hakkai figured he'd be asleep soon. The green-eyed man relaxed in Gojyo's hold, forgetting everything for once, and enjoying the moment.
Homura. Ever since the day he'd arrived that man had been slowly pulling at the fibers of Kougaiji's well-structured kingdom, hoping to unravel the entire thing. And if not that, than surely pull out a few seams on the way by undermining his authority! No one got away with that, not even his own stepmother, and surely, not a stranger!
With a haughty sniff, Kougaiji stormed into the common room, where Kyosyu usually spent her afternoons. He didn't doubt that Homura was in her company either. Doku had fallen into stride behind him, completely silent, but Kougaiji knew his presence anyway. For the moment, though, the prince ignored the man, having other matters that needed dealing with. Kougaiji stopped, his eyes falling along his stepmother, at her side Yaone, and of course, Homura, who stood at the other end of the room.
"Oh, Kougaiji!" his stepmother feigned a surprised exclamation. "I was hoping you would show up." She smiled, and Kougaiji nodded, not bearing the thought of wasting a smile on that woman. Yaone smiled shyly at him, looking up from under violet bangs. She was reserved, but not incapable. She was simply raised to be coy. He gave the girl a small smile, having some sympathy for her, as she had to be in the shadow of Kyosyu every hour of the day.
"Is there a particular reason to that?" The prince asked dryly, answering to Kyosyu's previous statement. The woman smiled, standing from her seat.
"Of course. Homura was talking to me, and he seems to make a lot of sense." As if the woman wasn't bad enough, she had to take a liking to the man he couldn't stand. "He was wondering, and similar thoughts had crossed my own mind, why you haven't done anything about the human kingdom? Especially since you are such enemies; I would have thought with your strength you would be rid of them by now," Kougaiji's clawed fist clenched at his side. It was the only way he could vent his anger at the moment. Yaone's eyes fell upon his hand, slightly concerned. Now it was Homura's turn to speak.
"I've seen you're army, and they are nothing less than capable of doing the job. I just don't understand why you haven't even started." He stated smoothly, his voice so flawless, it made Kougaiji sick. He amazingly retained the calm in his expression.
"Well, actually, I wouldn't attack unless I have good reason to initiate." Homura thought this over, but had an argument to it.
"Didn't their own prince slay one of your border guards?" he pointed out. Kougaiji set his jaw tightly, trying to think of a way to get out of that one. He had nothing.
"Yes, that is true," he replied, not liking where this was going. Homura's face became smug.
"Well, then," he stated, as if that answered everything. Kyosyu cast an expectant look at Kougaiji, just waiting for him to say no, so that she could jump on him for irresponsible ruling. On the other hand, if he agreed, they would get the impression that by working together, they could easily undermine his authority on anything. Basically, the prince was stuck between a rock…and a hard place.
"Captain," Kougaiji addressed the tall, dark haired man behind him.
"Yes sir," Doku answered in his low voice. Kyosyu stared in shock, and Kougaiji fought the smirk that threatened to take over his expression. Obviously, she'd thought Doku as nothing more than a servant. Though there really was no way of her knowing that he had been a servant, and still was, but had also become captain of his armed forces. And the redhead wouldn't be filling her in on that bit of information any time soon.
"I'd like you to send a small group, no more than fifty, to let the humans know that we're ready. I think that should give them good enough notice, so this won't be an empty war." Doku nodded curtly.
"Yes sir," He quietly exited the room, his tall form disappearing around the corner. Kougaiji stared evenly at Kyosyu.
"So, you suspected my plan all along?" Kougaiji left her no time to answer, for he left the room, leaving them to ponder on that. At least, maybe, they wouldn't think they'd undermined his rule completely. Kougaiji was no more than ten steps away from the common room when the clack of heals rushed up from behind him. He turned slowly, meeting with Yaone's strawberry eyes, full of concern.
"Your-your highness?" she stammered, having trouble locking with his gaze. He patiently let her find her own words, though had to interject once.
"Please, call me Kougaiji. You shouldn't have to deal with formalities if that woman doesn't." Yaone smiled.
"Kougaiji…your hand," she reached out, her fingertips brushing lightly against the hand that Kougaiji had been clenching into a fist. Little rivulets of blood trailed down, his claws causing more damage than he thought. "Here." She took the bleeding hand in her own. Carefully, she pulled a handkerchief from the breast of her dress, slowly wrapping it around the wounded hand. "I would give you a potion for it, but I don't have those with me, so this will have to do," She smiled at him. Kougaiji looked at the piece of cloth, trimmed in lace, made of white velvety material. Swirling embroidered designs decorated its edges. The prince looked up at her, a sort of confused expression on his face.
"Thank you,"
Author's Note: Let me start of by saying this; *throws herself at readers' feet* I'M SORRY! FORGIVE ME! I would understand it if you wanted to throw random items at me! Go ahead! Do it!
Pinku: *throws a pot that misses by a foot in front of her*
Lorelei: *blinks* That's pathetic. *grabs the pot and chases him with it*
Pinku: AHHHHH! GOMEN NASAI!!! LORELEI!!
Lorelei: *grabs Pinku by the collar* Does anyone want a slightly used muse? He is pleasantly unintelligent, and over eats pocky!
Pinku: *scowls* Did you just call me pleasantly stupid?
Lorelei:…yeah.
Pinku: *sniffles* Meanie!
Lorelei: *drops him* Anyway, I am terribly sorry about the delay…*looks at last update and blanches* Heh heh…yeah. You have to understand that I am sporadic, and get one idea after another and before you know it, I'm buried. Well, I hope, at least, you enjoyed that chapter. Gojyo and Hakkai got naughty. And yes, I know, Sanzo passed out from pain, but hell, it was poison! Oh well. I believe that is it. My debt to you is far from fulfilled, but I am trying. Buh bye then!
Pinku: *sniff* I should get pocky…
A-chan: *smirks and gives him pocky*
Pinku: *eyes widen, sneaks off with A-chan to a random closet*
Lorelei: *looks around* Huh? Pinku? Where'd you go? *hears interesting things in closet* O.o Idiots…
