Twilight

Chapter 1: Ame (Rain)

Standard Disclaimer Applies

I know that in the first chapter of Hanyou and Youkai, I said Twilight would not come until the prequels were done. Well...I decided that since I was so anxious to get this one up, I would put this up, and see which one gets more positive feedback. That way, I decide which one I'll focus on.

Anyone who liked my other stories, like Paradise, Red Hardcover Novels--don't fear, because those will continue to be updated as well. However, know that this story will be told in a slightly different writing style; I, however, like to consider it, 'unique,' rather than the aforementioned.

In any case, I hope you will enjoy this story: it's a long one that I have planned, and, like Paradise, I have NO idea how long this will turn out to be. Just hang on for the ride, please, and enjoy Twilight.

Sanzo hated the rain when it carried on like this.

A bold, accusing statement such as that may not have had much impact normally, written in plain text or in a way of the like; but for Sanzo, it was a solid fact; a rule. With the rainy nights came nightmares, of blood, betrayal, and that insignificant feeling of inferiority. With the rain, pounding relentlessly against the living quarters' window, came the familiar pain of not being able to protect what was most important to him.

But he could not forget, because does one ever really forget the death of their master?

Sighing, Genjou Sanzo ran a tired hand through fair locks, silently wishing for a cigarette. Sure, it was an unhealthy habit—and a fatal one at that—but he had lost everything the night his instructor, his father figure, died. What was the point in living anymore? For comrades? Sanzo quietly scoffed out loud at the idea. No one was very close with him, let alone wanting to even be around him. He did know two people, whom he might call,"acquaintances," but even those relationships were strained; one hid his emotions behind a habitual smile, and the other was basically his verbal sparring partner, if not what a person could call his, "bad friend."

In short, Sanzo could be best considered a loner. A lonely figure silhouetted by the dark shadows of his past.

"Master Sanzo." One of the subordinates of the temple spoke to the taller male, respectively bowing. When the blonde nodded gruffly to go on, he continued. "Master Hakkai and his friend have returned...they request your presence immediately."

"Che. Tell them I'm coming." Sanzo was really in no mood to speak with Hakkai, but he knew that the other spineless excuses of priests around the palace would not relent until he did. Exhaling sharply for the second time that day, Sanzo walked towards the front gate tiredly, wishing quietly that the rain would soon let up.

When he reached the entrance of the shrine, a familiar brunette and redhead were waiting for him. One of the men was grinning; the other had a cigarette in his mouth, and looked rather irked standing in this rain, in a way similar to Sanzo. Immediately after the older man's arrival, the smiling one embraced the blonde happily.

"Sanzo! Hisashiiburi desu ne!" A vein appeared upon Sanzo's twitching brow, as the brunette squeezed him harder.

"Yeah, yeah, it's been a long time for me, too, Hakkai. Now would you mind getting off me?"

"A-Ah, sorry." Abashed, the young man sheepishly grinned, pulling away. "It's been over four months, though, since we've last seen each other, hasn't it?"

Cursing softly when the tip of his cancer stick went out, Sanzo went reaching into the pocket of his jeans for another one. "So what? It's not like you come here with something for me, so why should I care?"

The redhead, who had been standing next to the brunette quietly fuming before, glared at the grumpy blonde with a fierce dislike. "Hey. Whatever your problem is, don't take it out on Hakkai. He's only tryin' to be friendly, you stupid monk."

"Who says I have to listen to you, red roach?" Sanzo answered rudely.

"I said, you ASSHOLE!" Infuriated, his fist was about to fly towards Sanzo's face--until a smaller, paler hand stopped him. "...Hakkai...you seriously aren't letting that master-less youkai hunter get away with that, are you?!"'

Gently, the verdant-eyed male pushed his friend's hand down. "It's not a matter of letting him, 'get away with,' something, Gojyo. I just don't want to see the both of you fighting again over something so meaningless."

"MEANINGLESS?!" Gojyo roared, thinking that Sanzo was taking advantage of the kinder man's acceptant ways. "The hell is that supposed to mean, 'meaningless--?!'"

"Gojyo." Hakkai's voice was firm; and not wanting to fight back any longer, Gojyo gave in.

Mildly tossing his long red tresses back, Gojyo relit his cigarette and went to go stand under the overpass of the temple, though not before speaking again. "'Taku...Honestly, I can't say no to you, Hakkai, you know that...you aren't playin' fair..."

Hakkai sighed in quiet relief—one conflict had apparently been avoided, but it was one of the few he had been able to stop in the face of Sanzo and Gojyo's strange friendship. "You two truly are terrible...I hadn't even explained the reason I came here, and the both of you had already started to get into another fight..."

"Well, why don't you tell me, then, if you would be so kind as to grace me with that information?" The scathing tone Sanzo used dampened Hakkai's smile, and he almost frowned. Almost.

The brown-haired adult lightly placed his hand on his close friend's shoulder. "Sanzo...Gojyo and I have done some research on the local demon attacks downtown. We think that the group we've been tracking is the one who killed your master."

"What?!" It was normally rare for the other priests to see Sanzo lose his cool and show his unstoppable temper; but Hakkai and Gojyo had seen it happen on more than one occasion. And from the look in their comrade's lavender eyes, he was clearly losing it now. "Hang on a second, what the hell do you mean, you THINK it's the group who killed my master!? Either it is or it isn't, so tell me what you know already!"

"Sanzo, please!" Hakkai pleaded, mostly for the other man to calm down, but part of him was subconsciously trying to still the violent memories he knew Sanzo was experiencing all over again. "You mustn't panic; Gojyo and I will get more details, and we should know what's going on after a few days from now. If you can wait that long, we'll find out and let you know."

Grimly nodding, though obviously in reluctance, Sanzo sighed—the third time today. Though he didn't appreciate the assistance of two people he barely knew in his own quest for revenge—Sanzo's pride made him refuse to admit Hakkai was actually helpful—he knew the computer hacker would get the job done somehow. He was well known in the city of Jiken, after all—his skills with technology were nearly country renowned, and no one would dare harm Hakkai without knowing that a former member of the powerful street gang Akai Genkotsu, The Red Fist, Sha Gojyo, was his bodyguard and best friend.

"Fine. Do whatever you have to do to find out...just remember that I won't be thanking you after all this is over."

Hakkai smiled. "That's all right. The truth is, I would have been surprised if you did. I know you all too well, Sanzo."

"Hnn. Whatever."

The other chuckled quietly. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you? You truly are the vaguest man I know."

Sanzo stared at Hakkai with mild amusement. "I could say the same thing about you."

Gojyo, bored of standing against a pillar and listening jealously to the light banter Sanzo and Hakkai were exchanging, finally spoke up. "Oi, Hakkai! Let's go now...we've gotta go find some files for Master Sanzo, ne...?"

The blonde growled at the sarcastic tone Gojyo was using. "I WILL seriously kill you if you say that again."

"Maa maa..." Hakkai told them in an attempt to quell both men's urges to fight, while tugging on Gojyo's shirtsleeve gently. After all, he knew the normally mild-mannered Gojyo could do the most damage when prompted. "Well, we'll hopefully be seeing you again in a few days...take care of yourself while we're gone, alright, Sanzo?"

"Sure." The reply was short, but the promise was finalized.

And hopefully, Hakkai thought, while frowning at no one in particular, it won't rain when we return here.

By the time the car reached the temple, it already was long past early evening. The sky became a velvet black sheet, blanketed only by the not-so-environmentally friendly fumes coming from the human labored factories and smaller buildings of Jiken's population. The city had long become polluted with the demons having almost completely taking over every aspect of the world, including Jiken, their main capital as well as the most heavily youkai-influenced place of all in the human realm. Life for unlucky humans and youkai refusing to work under Gyukumen Koushu, which were quite a few, had become as disgusting as the air in this city—difficult, murky, and certainly posing an imminent danger to their future.

That's just the way it is now...people can try to ignore it, but it's pretty hard to do that when the world's fallin' apart right in front of them...no one's happy anymore, these days...that's why I have to be strong and happy. Because that was what Master wanted for me, as his final wish...at least, that's what everyone with Nataku said. I don't really remember what my past was really like, but...that's okay! I'll be just fine, as long as everyone's here to support me! I guess that makes me a lucky one, ne?

Goku grinned suddenly, and his close friend since primary school, Nataku, stared at him strangely. "...What're you so happy about?"

"Nothing...I just was thinkin' about how great this is!"

The dark-haired one frowned. "S'cuse me?"

"I mean...I'm gonna have a new master soon, Nataku; isn't that GREAT!?" Goku shouted energetically, bouncing up and down in his seat. His friend wasn't about to stop the genki boy now, and he smiled to himself as he let the younger man ramble. "And he's a Sanzou, too, just like my last master! That means he's a good guy, right?"

"That's what they say...Sanzous are supposed to be the most illustrious monks around, not to mention they've had a long history of being able to kill demons, just like that." Nataku snapped his fingers to illustrate. "As much as I know is that they're great demons slayers, and I heard that most of them are totally awesome...you'll probably like 'em, I bet."

Goku tugged down the hem upon the bottom of his shirt lightly, looking embarrassed. "Y'know, Nataku...I think I remember Master's face. He was really nice, and he was always smiling...his hair was long and pretty, too! Ne, do you think this Sanzou's hair will be shiny like my old master's?!"

Sighing at the energetic boy's words, Nataku leaned back in his seat. "Jeez, you ask WAY too many questions, Goku! Don't you ever get tired of talking?"

"Mouuuu...that's mean, Nataku! And, besides, you're only a year younger than I am! Why're you so tired, when most nineteen-year-olds have got just as much energy as I do?"

A sad expression suddenly appeared on the boy, not quite fitting his face, but matching a pair of wise, wide golden eyes. "...If you ever had to carry the burden of a War Prince, Goku, you would understand."

Realizing he had touched a delicate subject matter, but not quite understanding his friend's words, Goku's own amber eyes softened. "Warui. Ne...Nataku..."

The brunette quickly grabbed Nataku's hands, as he plastered on what he hoped was one of the most disarming smiles he could muster at the moment. "...When I've gotten settled in with my new master, let's go some together! You know, when we're both not busy?! Even if we'll be somewhere different...even if it'll be hard to get used to our new lives far apart from one another...It'll be just like old times, okay?"

"Goku..." Nataku gently squeezed his childlike companion's calloused hand. "...It won't be that easy, you know...who knows what'll happen to us or this world as time goes on? Things sure aren't getting better with the state of the human world, and at this rate, Goku...we might be separated."

"S-Separated?! Nataku, no! I don't want that to happen! We said we'd be best friends forever, right?! We'd never forget each other, and we'll never stop being friends! That's what we PROMISED!"

"Goku." Nataku gravely admonished. "Stop being so childish. You know that promises like those can be easily broken, even when we don't want them to. Stop being so overly excitable and idealistic!"

Hurt by Nataku's obvious logic, the teen calmed down enough to lower his tone and head. "Yeah...you're right...I should've thought things through before I say them...sorry..."

"Young master Nataku, and young sir Goku." One of the family servants said, who was currently functioning as a driver. "We've reached the temple, so if you would both come out of the car, I will get your bags, Goku-san."

"Sankyuu da!" Goku chirped, smiling one last time for the solemn-looking driver before, (though not really expecting any sign of emotion back), and getting out of the backseat of the car with Nataku's help.

Nataku quietly embraced his close friend, while the driver was struggling with Goku's small suitcase of belongings. "Sayonara, Goku...until we meet again."

"Nataku...you are coming back to visit at least once, aren't you?" Goku asked confusedly, pulling away from Nataku's hold. "Why are you acting like we're never going to see each other again...?"

Apparently, this had been the wrong thing to say, and the tears that soon emerged from Nataku's shimmering eyes, Goku realized, were not of happiness. They spoke of a finalized decision, and unfathomable sadness. "Gods, Goku...oh, well, you probably know what the answer to that is already..." Nataku trailed off, as he rubbed his own tears away, not even wanting to let the servant see him cry.

"Nataku..."

"I'm so sorry, Goku. But my father wanted to separate us...this was his opportunity to do it, and now he said I can't come back to see you...so...that's why---"

"Young Master Nataku!" The nameless servant cried out, interrupting the rest of Nataku's sentence. "Please come inside the car, your father called and requests that you come back home, right away!"

Nataku squeezed his friend's shoulder, silent tears coursing down his face. "Goku...I won't ever forget you...if I don't come back to see you, please don't hate me...I must go..."

As he dashed off, Goku didn't run after him. His own tears blinded him, at that moment, and the rest of whatever Nataku would have said was drowned out by his own sobbing.

Why...why is it that whenever I care about someone, they're taken away from me?!

...Why...?

Rain suddenly came pouring down, and the sound of the automobile disappearing into the night became the only thing Goku was dimly aware of.

--THE CHARACTERS-- (In order of appearence)

Genjou Sanzou-- A demon slayer with a cold, aloof personality. Unlike the late Sanzou priest of the previous generation, this blonde adult is quite ill-behaved; he smokes, and is downright murderous when angered. Despite needing a serious attitude adjustment, Sanzou is quite handsome, and his aura exhibits charisma that many find themselves enticed by. After loosing his master and father figure, Sanzou has become a cruel person, and even his two, 'friends,' are quite surprised by the change in Sanzou. The man had never really been downright friendly; but now it seems as if Sanzou wants complete solitude from the entire world. What could possibly melt this frozen man's heart? Will one heretical being enough to complete that task--trying and succeeding?

Cho Hakkai-- A young computer hacker whose skills are Jiken-renowed, Hakkai is gentle, compassionate, and a perfect gentlemen. His disarming smile, which is habitual for him, and melancholy green eyes, (which used to be framed by small, wire frame glasses, until he decided using contact lenses would be easier), have charmed many. But Hakkai seems to already have been in two relationships, (both secret to most), that ended terribly; so it doesn't seem as if he is looking for anyone at the moment. He may not look it, but Hakkai is quite possibly emotionally and mentally unstable after a hard life before coming to Jiken--and the only question left now is when will his resolve to live crack? Does he even HAVE one? Could the only thing Hakkai be living for now is his best friend?

Sha Gojyo-- Normally a mild-mannered man Gojyo is a hanyou--the taboo result of coming from youkai and human descent, which is apparent by the stereotypical crimson hair and eyes. He is Hakkai's assigned bodyguard; after all, the young brunette lives with a rich adoptive father, and there's no safer person to put as Hakkai's protector as a former member of the Red Fist gang, right? (No sarcasm intended, of course). Even past the dark background, it seems that Gojyo is a reliable person when it comes to his clients--and Hakkai is his first, and only, client ever. He seems to fly off the handle easily when it comes to Sanzou; but Hakkai appears to be a very important person to him, since he is the only one able to calm the redhead down, even when fully enraged. Is it possible that despite the social caste between them, that Hakkai and Gojyo are much closer with one another than one would think? Why does Gojyo seem to also have a dark past, like his two other companions?

Nataku-- A young teenager of nineteen years, this Japanese male lives by the strict rules of his wealthy father, who is a human who has close ties with the ones that deal with the demons who have already taken over the mortal realm. Nataku is normally a lot like Goku in personality, if not a bit more level-headed and thoughtful--but when forced, he develops a sort of haugty politeness that is usually only used when trying to be sarcastic, or in front of his overbearing father. He is the destined War Prince, a human of extraordinary powers who, secretly, must kill the demons who endanger mankind--and, unfortunately, Nataku has had to assassinate since the ripe age of twelve. With hands stained with uneraseable blood, will Nataku's wish of being a normal person ever come to light?

Son Goku-- A young boy who always appears to be cheerful, childlike, and naive, Goku is much wiser than he seems. His owlish golden eyes are a mark of his heritage: he is a heretic, a being derived from the materials of the earth, gathered upon Mt. Kaka. Some see Goku as lively and energetic, (genki), but few people know his true face. When the golden coronet that normally stays on his forehead comes off, Goku's youkai form is released: Seiten Taisen. Beneath the dense personality and chocolate brown hair, what goes on in Goku's intricate mind? And what part does he play in the lives of Sanzou, Gojyo, and Hakkai?