05.04.2005: Answers to reviews removed. See chapter 3 for details.
DISCLAIMER: Saiyuki isn't mine. I don't make profits from it, so please don't sue.
CHAPTER 13
Horrified and awestruck at the same time, Goku and Gojyo watched the duel between their two companions begin in earnest. As Kouryuu was totally unrestrained now, his attacks were at least as vicious as Hakkai's; there seemed no way that both of them would survive this fight without serious injuries. A terrifying ballet of two natural forces, green and violet eyes shining with bloodlust...
The blond youkai was the one to land the next hit; with a speed that matched Hakkai's, his claws tore bloody lines across the other's chest, who snarled in pain and anger.
And all the while, Yisou's daughter stood nearby, her binding charm rendering the boy and the halfbreed immobile, laughing gleefully.
There was no name, no companions, no title, no remorse – he was himself, and he was out to kill his opponent, to see the flow of life run out of him, standing out sharply against the brighter red that dominated his vision.
A bellow of rage escaped him when the OTHER MAN managed to kick him, bring him down; but in a split second, he was on his feet again, and the clawed hand meant for his face punched the ground instead. It sounded like mountains collapsing to his painfully sensitive ears.
And this annoying shriek from behind him... he could not see the source of the continous sound that drilled into his head, yet he desperately wanted it to stop...
He grabbed the OTHER MAN's foot, pulled it up to make him lose his balance, and was about to jump on top of him to finally deliver the killing blow he longed for... But the high-pitched noise in his back irritated him, vexed him beyond measure. He would not be able to enjoy his victory like this!
Growling low in his throat, he pivoted in a blur of speed, his hearing seeking out the source of his annoyance. There it was – he could not see it, but it was definitely close...
He punched through empty mist with his claws, and was rewarded with a short cry and blessed silence afterwards...
However, his opponent had not done him the favor to stay on the ground, as he felt moments later, when pointed talons marked his back with deep cuts...
Hari never saw the attack coming. One moment, she was revelling in the knowledge that, after years of preparation, justice would finally be served, in the next, she felt her ribcage shatter, pieces of bone piercing her lungs... the force of the blow threw her back, her mouth filled with the metallic taste of her own blood; darkness tried to drown out her consciousness.
'Must... stay... alive... long enough...'
She held on to her anger, her RAGE about what the murderer had done to her sire, to keep herself conscious. Just a few more minutes, then the fight would be decided... if she died now, the charms would lose their effect, and the other two men would be able to subdue their friends, save them from each other. The blood price had to be paid – she would not give up until one of the two raging youkai would be dead...
Goku and Gojyo witnessed the woman going down, a gaping hole gushing blood in her chest where Kouryuu had struck her, and began to struggle against their invisible chains with renewed hope. However, the force that held them was as strong as before; aside from eyes and mouths, no movement was possible.
Meanwhile, their friends fought near the spot where Hakkai's limiters still lay on the floor, dully reflecting the sunlight. The two fighters' speed had diminished somewhat; it seemed that both of them began to tire.
Finally, Kouryuu managed to grab Hakkai's arm and held it while he delivered a kick to his stomach; gasping, the brunette youkai's knees buckled for a second, and he was pushed down on the ground until he was lying on his back, his wrists clamped together above his head by one of his opponent's hands. A devilish smile appeared on Kouryuu's face as he lifted his other hand to bring it down on his prey, sever the throat...
Frantically, Gojyo called out: "Kouryuu, NO!"
No response – and no way to save Hakkai from the monster their blond companion had become...
Goku, however, had an idea. Instead of calling out his master's new name, he called on the person he had been before his change.
"Sanzo! GENJO SANZO! Don't hurt him! This is Hakkai, remember? A friend!"
For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Then, Kouryuu's face turned towards him, his hands still firmly pressing the bucking Hakkai to the ground, and... was that a glimmer of recognition in those violet eyes?
"Goku..."
'He REALLY recognizes me!', the boy rejoiced for a moment, before getting back to the matter at hand.
"Sanzo... Hakkai's limiters... they're lying right next to you... put them back on him!"
More success; clawed fingers relaxed, and the hand so ready to kill mere seconds ago was lowered to feel for the earcuffs lying close by. Searching fingers found their target, closed around the limiters...
"Good, good!", Goku encouraged while Gojyo watched in awe - the monkey had managed to defeat inherent bloodlust and minus wave in his appeal to Kouryuu's old self.
"Now put them back on his ear!"
It seemed hard for the blond youkai to fumble the little metal objects open with only one clawed hand, especially since Hakkai did not stop struggling under him. Finally, the first limiter snapped back into place.
The brunette man under him roared; clearly, he did not want to be restrained, confined within the politeness of the healer again. Hands began to wind themselves out of his opponent's grasp...
The second limiter was in place and Kouryuu was about to snap it shut when one of Hakkai's hands managed to escape his hold. Like daggers, claws drove into his chest, dealing him a wound almost identical to the one he had given Yisou's daughter. Again, the sickening crunch of splintered ribs being driven into softer tissue below could be heard.
And Hakkai's lips peeled back in a grin.
"KOURYUU!"
Gojyo and Goku had shouted simultaneously; the monkeylike boy's cheeks shone with tears. This was it, his master, his companion, his friend would die right before his eyes, and he had been unable to prevent it...
The second limiter on Hakkai's left ear had snapped shut almost at the same time the death blow had been dealt; hands weakening with pain and blood loss, Kouryuu nevertheless managed to finish his assignment. With a 'CLICK' somewhat louder than the two others, the third limiter closed...
... and Hakkai, back to his old self, found himself lying on the floor, his hand, now only adorned with normal fingernails instead of claws, still half-buried in Kouryuu's chest. The catlike pupils of the blond youkai's violet eyes were dilated, blood ran out of his mouth, and his voice, so unlike and yet so similar to his normal low timbre, managed to rasp two syllables before his eyelids fluttered shut and he rolled limply off the healer's body.
"Hak...kai..."
Green eyes widened in horror.
'What have I done...?'
And Hari, known only as "Yisou's Daughter" to the companions, whispered, "Justice... has been...served...", before her soul willingly fled into the darkness awaiting it, taking her magic with it.
There you go! Gods, I have to stop mauling those poor guys... ah, but it's sooo much fun!
Comments appreciated!