SAIYUKI FANFICTION
Gyokumen Koushi toyed at the peaches in the bowl, deciding they were still too green for her taste. Ah well, it was too early in the season anyway for them to ripen properly. She looked over to her son, sitting quietly by her chair as he always did for an hour before going about his business. He had brought the peaches in with some grapes knowing she liked the fruit. She was well satisfied at what she saw. The man had faults she would admit, his attachment to a certain blond human, the biggest of them, but overall, he turned out rather well.
He's even better than Lirin, that worthless girl...
She had been quite disappointed at how his twin had turned out. Lirin might be strong but the girl had a child's mind and simplicity.
She could only plot on one level...whereas Raz--Hakkai, must remember that he prefers that name now--can do so on several levels...just like his dear mother...1
Besides, Lirin was a traitor of the worse way, leaving her poor mother to fawn upon that bitch Rasetsuyo.
She has not even come here since her father has been resurrected...As all of my servants, either gone off to dear Gyuma service or to toadying to that bitch Rasetsuyo...traitors all of them... Never mind...Hakkai is all I need...
Hakkai held the only hope she had left, that all her plotting came to this infuriated her but then her son was no mean pawn himself.
Several youkai lords are very much impressed with him and strength... Lord Gakuo's faction seems to favor him more than they do Kougaiji...so has Wulei's...
There were a minority that was true but their interest can be cultivated.
If only he would get rid of that human...
It would be much easier to get allies, if he did. Hakkai was an unknown in court. He was no human sympathizer like Kougaiji but it would take some time before the court would learn of it. It had been two hundred years since she had sent him to spy upon the humans and before that, he had been happy enough with commanding his mother's troops. Now most of those troops were gone, killed by Homura and his goons.
Which reminds me... Several youkai clans have lost their best warriors to humans in the days when we were trying to get the Sutras...and to the Sanzo-ikkou, of course...
The minor matter of Sanzo had bothered her until a solution had come to her in a flash of insight. It would not be so bad to welcome the man into the family... He's strong and stubborn, if he could be persuaded into using those traits to our advantage... He had been a good leader, if a strange one, he'd have led that ragtag group of his to victory without R--Hakkai's--interference... Most youkai nobility will appreciate the irony of it!
The natural step towards that would be to turn the man into a youkai. That would eliminate any racial loyalty he would feel...
And so, she would put her plan into action.
And when he's done the deed then maybe Gyuma will acknowledge him and give him the position of Heir as he deserves...
Then he would displace Rasetsuyo's son as his mother would displace Rasetsuyo as Empress.
And that would be my greatest victory of all...
Her plans were coming into fruition. Like the peaches in the bowl, she could see the first promise of ripeness in them. Everyday, her son's fame was growing and everyday, she managed to convince her dear Gyuma that he was a worthy son...
Worthier than that bitch's get... Soon...and once they fall out of favor...I'll rid myself of them...and that is even sweeter...and Gyuma and Lirin will come back to me...
Much sweeter than the peaches when they have fully ripened...
"The seventh battalion has left again to comb the countryside. Your father is clamoring again for human flesh to eat. It's so tedious...when there is something so tantalizingly close at hand."
Hakkai wasn't the least fooled by the relaxed way Gyokumen Koushi addressed him.
She's going to go for the kill this time, I think...
It was no secret that the woman disapproved of Sanzo's place in his harem.
Or at least as disapproving as she could be...
Privately, the green-eyed youkai thought that his mother was a bit mad. Her moods often swung wildly and tended towards unusual directions when it came to her enemies. He just smiled his pleasant smile and ignored the blatant innuendo. Nothing was to be gained by being forward at this time.
Everything in their proper time and season and now is not the time for rebellion, not just yet...
"You should keep a close watch on your pet and make sure he doesn't get loose."
"Aa, Mother."
"You still have that vial you...liberated...from those uppity humans, don't you?" Gyokumen Koushi said.
Ah, so we get to the point of this conversation...
Hakkai knew well enough that his mother would get to that vial sooner or later. The woman thought herself cunning and devious but she was sadly ever so predictable.
I've met commoners who could surprise me...
"Aa, Mother." Hakkai said brightly, knowing that his mother liked to be addressed so. It flattered the old witch well enough.
Sure enough the blow had fallen where he had known it would.
"Why don't you use it? It would take care of all...the problems..."
Ah there it is...
"Aa, Mother. In my own time..." Hakkai smiled blandly and pleasantly.
"But..." Oh no, you don't. I won't lose my Sanzo because of your impatience...
"In my own time and terms."
"I suppose you know what's best, but don't wait too long..."
The implied threat didn't faze Hakkai. He was the only one his mother could rely upon now that Gyuma Ou was awake. Her pet human Nii Jieni had been taken into the protected fold of his father for his genius as was the assistant girl. They would easily betray her to save their own hides. Hakkai saw her desperation despite her pretense of control.
She is like a wolf, gaunt and starving in the winter famine... Even the lords who dislike Kougaiji's moderate stance are too wary of her; they've barely approach me as it is since I seem to be in her good graces...
He seriously considered of leaving her so that he could seek better allies for his plans but...
It would not do to let Mother to become too desperate since it would rouse her out of her normal indolence and she can be cunning...in a very twisted way...
He had no desire to spend time figuring out what she was up to when he had to concentrate his energies on Sanzo.
He needs careful handling and much time to get accustomed to the new world order...
Hakkai himself needed time to get accustomed to his kin and his place amongst them. He had been long away.
Spying amongst the humans...Not that I need to get used to some things...
Hakkai had no intention of staying tied to his mother's skirts or follow all the rules laid down by his father. He intended to make his place in this new order truly his. He was so deep into his plans for the future that he almost missed his mother's next words.
"Your father bade me to tell you to present yourself at afternoon court...I hope you know how important it is for you to make yourself presentable. This could be what we've been waiting for..."
You are waiting for mother...
But it will probably not the way you want it to go.
Not in any way at all the way you want it to...
Poor mother...
Hakkai didn't have spies as his brother or mother did but he knew enough to use his own eyes. His lips curved into an ironic smile.
"I will."
"I have heard so much of your exploits from your mother, Razan, my son. How it was your efforts that led to my resurrection, rather than your brother's." Gyuma Ou's sibilant tone held little pride in it.
Most likely from mother...
The afternoon court was called in the throne room. Hakkai sat in a low chair off the dais, his customary place, of a minor prince not much higher in placement than most of the youkai lords. He liked it that way since it gave him a full view of the throne up on the dais and other chairs. He could see his mother on the left side of the throne and Rasetsuyo sat on the other side, the side of the proper wife. Her eyes fairly glowed with intensity. Rasetsuyo wore her serenity like a cloak. His father glared at him as if to read his intent.
"Hakkai, if you please father, and my brother did all he could. It was just my good fortune to be in the proper place to do better." Hakkai said brightly, looking into the glowering green eyes without fear.
His words seemed to calm his father, a new light of calculation entered those eyes.
Good...
"So...Hakkai...since you have proven your worth on the field. I would give you a position most worthy of your talents..."
The triumph in his mother's expression was so apparent that Hakkai had to smile to himself.
If it was a sound we would all be deafened by it...
"...I name you as the Marshal of my Armies, second only to your brother who is my Heir."
The triumph in Gyokumen Koushi's eyes was replaced with rage.
Second...as you have always been mother? I can see that you are barely tolerated in court and that is no wonder... If you did not bear your lord a pair of twins, I have no doubt you had been cast aside with relief...
Servant gossip said that her charms vanished come morning and her caprice made his father flee from her.
I doubt it was that immediate...mother was probably devious enough to hide the more...ugly...sides of her character before they knew she was pregnant...
"This is quite an honor, father, I accept." Hakkai bowed low, hiding the small smile of satisfaction from his mother. It was what he'd expected.
Everyone always favored Rasetsuyo and her son...and no wonder...
No one in their right mind would favor Gyukomen Koushi over the sweet Rasetsuyo.
Mother has always been...unreliable...even Lirin has turned away from her...
His stay in the human world had taught her many things.
Mother may pretend to care for us but she only thinks of her place and possibly father...
He wouldn't mind dancing attendance in Rasetsuyo's court rather than his mother but his plan denied it.
"Kougaiji, you and your brother should come to an understanding as you will be working together." Gyuma Ou voice boomed in an unmistakable order.
Kougaiji nodded though he looked like he'd rather spend some time in the snake pit with the cobras.
"Yes, father. Shall we discuss matters in private, brother?" Hakkai said, rising as he did so from the low chair he sat on.
And maybe I can ease his mind a little...
"I would be happy to but I have some business with the Lord of Shoikan for some days." Kougaiji backpedaled verbally. Wariness was plain in the indigo eyes.
Or maybe not...
It would not do to rush such things. Hakkai had yet to gauge the situation properly.
"Aa, at your convenience."
Till you run of petty excuses then or I get tired of them, actually...
"Sanzo?" Hakkai asked concerned that the monk hadn't attacked him with an irascible comment since he entered the suite. The monk had become a lot more active lately, pacing the suite like a feral cat, hijacking chairs or climbing the walls to peer at the guards around the compound.
Maybe I should detail one of the other eunuchs to look after him? Ekisu is too shy and submissive to keep up with him...it must be wearing off...
Sanzo had been considerably more active these past few days. It was reassuring that the blond regain his spirit but it was getting harder and harder to keep the appearance of host and guest rather than jailor and prisoner.
Maybe I should give him something more to do... maybe combat practice with the guards? But they might not be able to control themselves...and that might break the spell all that quicker...or maybe I should...
No, that method was not an option.
It might cause irreversible damage...
There were ways to keep a human pliable but such things cannot be used without serious price.
I've already pushed it more than I would like...
The collars and the spells on them were as far as he would allow, if his parents or any of the court lackeys did not like it, tough on them. Hakkai had no intention of causing permanent damage to Sanzo.
"Sanzo, you know better than to take a bath since I always visit at this hour...unless you want me to join you?" Hakkai drawled rather naughtily. He wouldn't really, the relationship was just too new and to fragile for that but it didn't stop him from teasing Sanzo. It would get him used to the idea...
"Or are you trying to play hide and seek? Maybe pounce on me while I'm not looking?" Hakkai was getting a bit worried now. It wasn't like Sanzo to take so long before trying to attack him with words.
Maybe letting him attack me physically would be a better idea...but I don't trust my reflexes...
The time he'd spent with the Sanzo-ikkou had sharpened them so that he did not react very well even to people surprising him by accident. It would be a really bad idea...
He loved Sanzo too much to risk hurting the blond, hence the little deception with the collar.
"Sanzo...?" Hakkai was feeling a little worried now. What if he found a way around the wards around the door?
It was not safe for humans to walk the corridors, though the collar would probably protect Sanzo from being killed out of hand. It would bring another danger all together, purposeful assassination in the hands of his enemies.
I wouldn't put it past some of the lords...
Some factions would find it convenient to dispose of the "Second Prince's human pet". It was just part of the scheming at court. It was not only his mother had been eying him for the throne.
The least temperate of the lot of them...and they are making the other side very nervous...
The factions favoring Kougaiji would gladly kill Sanzo for spite. The death of a human pet would not be a sufficient reason to start a feud. Not in the eyes of my sire, at any rate...
And the other factions might do it to start tension and to bring Hakkai to the edge. Keeping a human pet was something they understood, there was pride wound up in it and pride in their eyes was enough of a reason for Gyokumen Koushi's son to battle.
Everyone expects me to be ambitious..."That's why he went over to our side." They think they all know me so well...
It was amusing in its own pitiful way but such musings were for another day. Maybe I should call for Ekisu...or...
Hakkai was seriously considering calling the guards to help in the search when he saw a familiar figures crumpled on the floor and...2 Blood...so much of it...
"Sanzo!"
"I should have told you that that collar was made from a very strong alloy." Hakkai checked the bandages on Sanzo's chest where the bullet had grazed the monk. Thank the gods, that it bounced back to the floor instead of...
Hakkai couldn't finish that statement. His heart had nearly stopped when he'd seen Sanzo so still on the floor. The blast had knocked the monk unconscious and the wound had bled, making it look worse than it was. I've certainly seen him in worse but...but...I thought for a moment that he...he might have...
Sanzo had lost everything he was fighting for, after all.
And even then the bleeding could have killed him, he's too pale as it is, much paler than usual...
It worried Hakkai.
Too close...I should have known that that docility spell the mages put in the collar wouldn't last a month... I thought I had more time... Damned!
He should have known that no weak spell could hold Sanzo's will for too long. The man was strong willed and as much a fighter as they came.
I'll just have to advance my timetable...a little...
"Idiot."
"I could say the same to you." Hakkai chirped.
"Moron."
"Aa."
"You are crazy."
"And someone who's willing to shoot a collar so close to his head is...?" The exchange comforted the green-eyed youkai since it was a familiar thing. Sanzo had always been a grouchy bear of a companion, driven by the need to get the Sutra at all costs. Hakkai didn't understand the drive but he admired it as he did everything about the monk. That much drive not even the collar could contain... He is worth having...everything about him is perfect...
Sanzo was the one. Hakkai had always been easygoing. He had gone on to listen to his mother's ambition with only half an ear. The military was his passion, the one thing he found important. Before you that is...and I'm not about to let you get away...
The devotion he had felt for the monk was beyond anything he'd ever experienced and he was not about to let the man go ever.
"Bastard, why don't you get this over with and kill me now? I won't stay put and be your pet." The fire in the purple eyes flared despite the loss of blood.
"I don't expect you to, and you're not a pet no matter what anyone says." The conversation was getting too serious for words. Too soon...it's too soon for this...
But the words refused to be stopped.
"Really, then why do you have me wearing this collar?"
Hakkai could almost see the cunning in the angry question. Oh no, you don't...
"To keep you safe."
"I don't expect you to, and you're not a pet no matter what anyone says." He has to prove the statement...
Sanzo knew an opening when he saw one. He pounced into the breach.
"Really, then why do you have me wearing this collar?"
"To keep you safe."
The answer disappointed him and that made him angry.
Why am I disappointed? It's not as if I have any right to expect otherwise... He's my enemy and the cause of all this humiliation...
"I'm sorry you feel that way but...you will see..." Hakkai said, smiling so sweetly that Sanzo doubted the youkai sanity right there.
"You are out of your fucking mind." The words were heartfelt this time.
"You are out of your fucking mind."
Hakkai did not blame the monk for thinking so. Sanzo did not know of his plan or how serious he was about...well, about everything...
Serious as death...and it's just that...my death, if I fail...and not a pleasant a death it is, too... Still, he should trust me...
Unexpectedly, that distrust hurt, but what else was he could he do but smile? He certainly could not bring the trust back instantly. He betrayed Sanzo so he could have his chance he was not going to stop now.
"Maybe, that is so."
You will just have to see...Sanzo...
Hakkai knew that the step he was going to take was irrevocable from this point on.
I need to talk to Kougaiji, if I have to pin him to the wall to do it...
Author's Notes:
1 Silrayn sputters and turns into a wolfy puppy. She continues to sputter, sounding peculiarly like a puppy choking on a bone.
"There, there, Mama!"Ayan-kitsune butts his furry head onto Silrayn's with enough force to knock Silrayn flat.
Silrayn is swirly-eyed.
2 The first version of this sentence went:
Hakkai was seriously considering calling the guards to help in the search when he saw a familiar leather-clad figure crumpled on the ground.
"I didn't know you went into bondage, Sanzo." Hakkai pops out a whip.
Bop-edited to the sound of Gin Blossoms' "Hey Jealousy", I adore 80's music, don't you?