Chapter 6

Goku opened his eyes and let them adjust in the darkness. He had been pretending to sleep for the past three hours now and he was getting stiff from his position. Goku wondered briefly on how he could manage to sleep with his head hanging upside down.

He looked at his companions and sighed in relief when he was sure that all three were sleeping soundly. Goku stared at Hakkai intently. He was sleeping at the driver's seat with his glasses removed. Hakkai looked so peaceful when he's asleep. Goku then reminisced all the times Hakkai comforted him and backed him up. He was the nicest of the three and that thought made him smile softly.

Goku then looked at Gojyo and smirked. The kappa was snoring loudly and had his mouth hanging wide open. Oh sure, they fight all the time. But deep inside Goku knew that Gojyo liked him and treated him as a little brother. Goku liked them both. And even though they have those rough times, he knew they would pull through for him. He felt tears streaming down his face.

Goku roughly brushed them away. He hated the situation he was in. His mind and conscience was screaming at him, shouting and pleading that he stop this nonsense. It was like killing family. But then his heart would suddenly hurt, as if someone squeezed it in their fingers.

Goku knew that he would be extremely lonely without Kougaiji. He loved him and because of him, he felt loved for the first time. Sure, he could count Gojyo and Hakkai as people who loved him, but it was brotherly love.

Goku shifted his eyes in Sanzo's direction and shook his head. Sanzo had his eyes hidden beneath his bangs and the moonlight illuminated his finely sculpted face. Sanzo is definitely handsome. Staring at his face always took Goku's breath away.

If only he returned my feelings. Goku thought wistfully. For a long time now, Goku had been infatuated with his savior. At one time, he was almost certain that he loved the monk. But after hoping for so long, Goku gave up. Loving him will never even cross the monk's mind. Then came Kougaiji. Goku thought fondly. He had wonderful timing. He came into my life, when I was feeling lost.

In some sense, Goku thought to himself. They had been both his saviors, Sanzo freeing him from that damned mountain and giving him a new life. Kougaiji on the other hand had him sort of reborn. When he thought that life was not worth living anymore, he comes and shows him how wonderful it is to have a life.

Goku took a deep breath. He had already repaid Sanzo by accompanying him to the west and protecting him from Kougaiji. Now Kougaiji needs his help. Besides, Kou's task was all for the purpose of reviving his mother. He won't be helping Kougaiji alone but he will be also helping another being, Kougaiji's mother. He made up his mind already. Taking a deep breath he tapped Hakkai's shoulder.

"Hakkai, Hakkai." Goku called softly as not to wake Gojyo and Sanzo up. Hakkai woke up with a start, then rubbed his eyes and looked at him concerned.

"Goku, what's the matter?" Goku bit his lip. It's now or never. He thought to himself as he let himself look sad.

"Hakkai, can we talk?" Hakkai nodded and jumped out from the jeep. Goku followed him and they went deeper in the forest to have some privacy.

Gojyo woke up when he felt some space when he shifted. Goku always took up his space and he was used to being cramped. He sat up and looked around. The saru was gone and so was Hakkai. He knitted his brows together. Hakkai wouldn't exchange me for Goku, would he? Gojyo thought to himself frantically. Obviously, they're having a midnight rendezvous.

He took slow, deep breaths to calm himself down. Then he chuckled to himself. Of course, Hakkai wouldn't do that. The saru probably got hungry and asked Hakkai to come with him, since the saru was afraid of the dark, even though he wouldn't admit it.

Gojyo reached into his pocket and retrieved a cigarette. He lit it up and took a long drag.

"There's no harm in checking them up, right?" He thought aloud. He looked at Sanzo. The monk was still sleeping soundly. Then making a quick decision, he leapt from the jeep and searched for the saru and Hakkai. Gojyo cast a glance at Sanzo.

"The monk could take care of himself, anyway."

The two of them finally found a suitable place and agreed to talk there. Goku seated himself on a tree stump and put his head in his hands, as if in agony. Hakkai looked at him strangely.

"Goku, what's the matter? Are you hurt?" Goku shook his head and still refused to look at Hakkai.

"Goku, you know you could tell me anything."

"I'm sorry." Goku said his head still buried in his hands. Hakkai didn't understand what Goku said so he crouched in front of Goku and put a hand consolingly on in his back.

"Please Goku. I could help you, tell me." Hakkai was shocked when Goku finally lifted his head up. His eyes were wide and unfocused and he had tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry! But I have no choice. I have to do it!" Goku screamed wildly at him as he lunged at Hakkai and tried to grab his throat. Hakkai evaded adeptly.

"Goku! What's happening to you?!" He asked between breaths.

"Nyoibo!" Goku called forth his staff and poised it directly in Hakkai's face.

"Goku, please stop it. I don't want to fight you." Hakkai pleaded. Goku just shook his head.

"I'm sorry; I have to do this, I..."

"Why? Who are you doing this for?" Hakkai asked, hoping to distract Goku.

"For Kougaiji." Goku whispered as he pressed his staff at Hakkai's throat.

"Kougaiji?" Hakkai asked puzzled.

"Yes! Kougaiji, I'm doing this for him." Hakkai looked at him earnestly,

"Goku he's just using you."

"Stop it."

"Can't you see it? He's just using you to get to us." Goku shook his head and covered his ears.

"Stop it!"

"He's just toying with you Goku! He never felt for you!" Hakkai yelled as he shook Goku's shoulders. Goku looked up at him blankly, but then his eyes blazed with anger.

"He loves me! Do you hear? I'm doing this as his partner! He never used me!" He yelled as he pinned Hakkai to a tree.

"Kougaiji loves me… He will never betray me!" Goku said his eyes mad with rage. Hakkai flinched. He had never seen those eyes on Goku. It reminded him of Seiten Taisen Goku's eyes. It was a look of hunger, of mad rage, of not being satisfied, and that made him feel fear.

Hakkai stood frozen on the spot. He just merely watched as Goku picked up his staff and advanced on him slowly. A few feet away from him, Goku leapt up into the air, his nyoibo staff high above his head. Hakkai knew that he should get moving or else he would never get to see Gojyo again.

He smiled to himself as he pictured his face. Sorry, Gojyo I think I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to you. Hakkai thought to himself as he watched Goku come down upon him. Hakkai felt Goku's nyoibo made contact with his head. Then he blacked out completely.

"Where the hell are they?" Gojyo said aloud. He had been walking for about half an hour now, and he felt as if he was just walking around in circles. He took a long, lazy drag in his cigarette, and then perked up when he heard the saru's voice.

"So that's where you are." Gojyo said to himself happily as he walked towards where the voice was.

"Oi saru! What's with all...?" Gojyo stopped suddenly, his mouth hanging open in shock and in disbelief. Goku was high up in the air and Hakkai had backed up in a tree looking serene. Then in slow motion, Goku descended and whacked Hakkai at the top of his head.

Hakkai crumpled to the ground his blood sprayed everywhere. It was like a nightmare to Gojyo. He stood rooted in his spot as he continued to watch Goku. His limbs were not following him. He was telling himself over and again that he go and help his beloved Hakkai – but as much as he wanted to, he can't move.

Then the saru gave Hakkai one more blow to make sure that he was... Oh god! Gojyo thought to himself. Hakkai might be... He didn't want to think about it. Instead he heard a loud yell rip through the stillness of the night. He realized that it was him. He ran to Hakkai's side and cradled him, completely ignoring Goku who had moved aside looking completely insane.

"Hakkai, open your eyes. I'm here; everything's going to be okay." He said soothingly as he gently touched Hakkai's face. He received no response. He gently shook Hakkai.

"Ne, Hakkai? Come on, don't fool around. Open your eyes." Gojyo shook his head as Hakkai was still unmoving. Gojyo was getting very scared by now.

"Hakkai! Hakkai! Open your eyes! Open it, damn it!" He hugged Hakkai tightly as if he never wants to let go. Gojyo suddenly stilled. He laid Hakkai on the ground and kissed him softly on the forehead.

"I'll avenge you." He whispered fiercely as he turned to face Goku. The saru was still unmoving on his spot, his eyes wide and unfocused and was murmuring to himself over and again.

"I'm sorry." He really looked as if he lost his mind. Gojyo advanced towards him menacingly as he called forth his crescent shaped weapon, grinning madly. Now he had a chance, the saru was completely unaware of him. He looked at Hakkai one last time before he lunged himself at Goku.

Kougaiji peered through the bushes. He was relieved that Goku followed his request, although he felt really bad about making him choose. He smiled to himself. At least he knew that Goku really loved him, or else he wouldn't go through with the plan.

He looked around. Hakkai was on the ground unmoving. His blood was everywhere. Kougaiji assumed that he was dead. He surveyed the scene.

"Where is Goku...?" He stopped in mid- sentence when he realized that Goku was at the far end of the open area. He was crying and he looked insane and he was talking to himself and was unaware that Gojyo was advancing towards him.

"Kougaiji-sama, I think we should move in on Sanzo, while they are still busy." Yaone informed him matter of factly. At the back of his mind, he knew that she was right. It is more advantageous for them to move out now, but he can't tear his eyes away from Goku. Not when Gojyo had already had his weapon and was ready to strike.

"You go on ahead. I'll follow you." Kougaiji said as he stood up and leapt to help Goku.

"Kougaiji-sama!" Yaone yelled after him.

"Doku, you lead the attack." He called back as he landed down the area and started to chant.

"You're mine saru!" Gojyo yelled as he lunged towards Goku. The saru lifted his face in surprise. He hadn't noticed him! It was too late for Goku to move anyway. Goku just closed his eyes and waited for Gojyo's crescent shape weapon to cut of his head. He opened his eyes when he heard a whooshing sound accompanied by Gojyo's yell.

He recognized that fire being as Kougaiji's monster. He looked wildly around. Kougaiji is here to rescue him. He thought to himself happily. Then he saw Kougaiji smiling softly at him. Goku felt as if he were safe again. He ran towards Kougaiji and hugged him.

"I'm so happy." Goku said over and again to Kougaiji. The youkai prince just hugged him tightly in response. In the background, Gojyo rolled to his back and grunted. He had received major burns but he didn't care. He hasn't avenged Hakkai yet. Something must be done. He stood up and with a rush of adrenaline stood up and lunged himself once again at Goku his weapon poised to kill.

"I'll kill you, saru!" Kougaiji noticed Gojyo and pushed Goku aside.

"I'll kill you saru!" Gojyo yelled madly and struck his weapon in front of him. Kougaiji received the attack and was injured. The crescent shaped end punctured his stomach as he fell to the ground. Gojyo and Goku stared at Kougaiji as he fell to the ground. Gojyo laughed madly as he dropped his weapon.

"We're even now saru!" He plopped down in front of Goku and mocked him.

"Now, how does it feel to have someone you love die in front of your very eyes?" Goku can't believe it, he was just happily reunited with Kougaiji, and then he was gone again.

"So how does it feel?" Gojyo asked him gaily his face twisted in a cruel smile. Goku felt himself boil. He stood up and looked down at Gojyo. Gojyo looked surprised that he had recovered.

Goku kicked him violently in the stomach and he rolled all the way to the other end of the open area. Gojyo had not recollected himself when he felt Goku tug his hair and repeatedly punched him in the face.

"You'll pay for what you did kappa!" Goku yelled madly as he threw Gojyo and leapt up in the air called forth his nyoibo and bear down upon Gojyo.

Gojyo waited for Goku. He had no intention whatsoever to evade it. Besides he was quits with Goku. He wanted to be with Hakkai. Now with the saru's help, he will be. He felt the world sway and go black when he Goku finally came down his nyoibo crushing his head.

Kougaiji sat up when he felt okay. Gojyo almost killed him! Good thing he was able to move aside discreetly. Gojyo missed internal organs, thank goodness. He looked around trying to find Goku. When he did he gasped. Goku was looking down on Gojyo who was covered with his own blood.

Goku himself was covered both in Hakkai and Gojyo's blood. Goku looked at him smiled sadly. He looked really sad about having to kill his companions but at the same time he looked satisfied that he had avenged me. Kougaiji felt sorry for Goku because he was the one who made him suffer like that. He never felt regrets before, but he feels them now. Kougaiji wondered why, then after a while of pondering he knew. He had fallen in love with Goku.