**A/N** Thanks so much for the reviews! I'm glad that there are some Saiyuki fans out there. Please forgive any mistakes you might find- while I'm an avid Saiyuki fan, I did write this quite late at night ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own the title or any of the characters from Saiyuki (but oh how I wish I could o.o especially Hakkai *glomps him*),
Chapter Three
Togenkyo
From upon her mystical throne the Merciful Goddess, Kanzeon Bosatsou, gazed down upon the wondrous land of Togenkyo. Amongst the beauteous landscapes of hillsides, lush forests, sparkling waters, and proud mountains overlooking hot deserts, there seemed to be naught but the natural order in which things should be.
If only all had remained this way- if only the balance between the youkai and humans hadn't been corrupted- if not for the forbidden practice of mixing science with the youkai magic, Shangri-La would have continued in peace. How sad that it was not the case…
Kanzeon frowned deeply, resting her chin heavily upon her palm, causing the decorative bangles on her wrist to jangle. The chaos of the land had begun when the youkai became mindless, bloodthirsty slaves caused by that much forbidden practice. It was getting to be quite dangerous to simply travel from one town to another. Demon attacks on innocent humans were becoming more and more frequent; humans were becoming too afraid to try and fight back or even to leave the house after dark.
While the peril throughout the land grew more prominent, however, the real battle had yet to occur. The infamous Sanzo party- made so by their not so secret journey towards India- continued to get further from their goal. The Saten Scriptures were still not in their hands, and there were others yet to be collected. The circumstances of the demons slowing the party down had to be taken into consideration, sure, but that was not what Kanzeon now worried about.
Another more powerful force had stepped into the picture…
The evil half-god Homura and his accomplices, Shien and Zenon, had come forth from whatever hell they'd been hiding in, adding onto the strain of urgency for Sanzo to retrieve the scriptures. Already there were a few rendezvous' between the four journeyers and the powerful gods, already there was time wasted on those battles that had gone nowhere.
"Homura…" Kanzeon murmured, "What on earth are you trying to pull? The destruction of the heavens is a risky business- you could very well destroy yourself in the process…"
Of course she didn't expect an answer, and she did not receive one. That perhaps came more as a relief than anything. As long as the defenses around her remained, she and her allies would be safe from Homura's touch.
Kanzeon was wary, however, for he had been quiet for too long. A few weeks had already passed since the last time Sanzo had encountered the half-god and this failed to settle with the Merciful Goddess. Homura had something else up his sleeve, which disturbed her because he already had taken the Saten Scriptures from Koushu. It was true he still would need the Maten Scriptures in Genjyo Sanzo's possession, but he had plenty of opportunities to take it. Kanzeon already knew that for the time being, the Sanzo party was not yet a match for the half-god.
As the shadow of threat continued to loom over Shangri-la, Kanzeon wondered just how long it would take to finally overthrow evil. She was one for excitement, but there was a line drawn somewhere when it came to the safety of the land and its people. In the fairly long lull given to them, she noted that her traveling group of "heroes" had not really accomplished too much. As long as Homura held the Saten Scriptures, however, and remained hidden, Kanzeon supposed there wasn't much to be done about them. Perhaps the good coming out of this was the prolonging of chances that Gyomaoh could be revived. There were still three sutras to be found, though, and none had been.
She hated to say it, but it seemed her chosen four would need backup sometime soon.
The goddess uncrossed her legs then re-crossed them, lifting her chin from her palm. There was perhaps a way to find a little extra help, but the problem was finding someone trustworthy enough.
"Just who could I find?" Kanzeon whispered, concentrating to gather her thoughts and memories. "Ah, yes…I know."
Those who long remained sleeping were always waiting to be brought out for a rainy day. Their souls would need to be awakened, something that may or may not take a bit of time, all depending on their reincarnated hosts. Kanzeon unfolded her diabolical plan mentally, red lips curving into a thoughtful smile. She knew her dear Konzen Douji, known as Genjyo Sanzo now, would very likely decline from becoming a pawn in her game. This time he would have to put up with it, for he and his company had a history with the heavens far more intricate than they would ever dream of…
* * *
Houtou Castle
Lady Koushu reclined in her chair placed in front of the hulking figure of the feared demon Gyomaoh, her fingers tightly gripping the wooden arms, nails threatening to scratch the finish from the seat. Her cold, unforgiving eyes bore holes into the figure bowed before her, red lips trapped in a sneer.
"Nii, I truly hope for your sake that you've come closer to finding the other scriptures. My patience is running near empty."
The human scientist lifted his head, straightening the white coat marking his profession, and looked to the youkai Lady. Her reflection was displayed twice in the lenses of his glasses which were placed over slit eyes, a smirk played on his face. He clutched a white plush bunny in the crook of his left arm and held a sheet of paper in his right.
With a slow and lilting voice, he spoke.
"Dear Lady Koushu, we're doing what we can…but as you know, Professor Wang is struggling with his searches and Dr. Huang is…a little less than competent lately. I do believe it is her time of month, to be blunt…I'm afraid most research is being left to me and only me."
Koushu shared her human underling's expression. "Ah yes, poor Dr. Huang then, I suppose." She chuckled ruefully. "So what have you accomplished, then, Nii?"
Nii raised the right hand holding the sheet of paper. On it there were grids, tables, and other scientific formulas scrolling in all directions.
This had no meaning to the superior youkai. "And just what is that? It looks nothing more than nonsensical numbers on paper."
"My Lady Koushu- this is the research done on a capsule we found in a forest near Gansu. It appears there is a living energy thriving within it…"
Koushu tilted her head to one side, her sea green hair swaying. "What sort of living energy?"
Nii brought forth the plush bunny, changing the pitch of his voice to a tone slightly higher than his own.
"One so powerful that if it could be harnessed by science and youkai magic, there would be no more need for those silly scriptures…it is an energy that could rival the gifts of the gods themselves…"
Eyes widening, Koushu leaned forward in interest. "Tell me more, Nii…"
* * *
Unbeknownst to the Lady Koushu and Dr. Nii, a spy lingered just outside of the throne room where the pair spoke. He had grown accustomed to listening in on their conversations instead of being a part of them, but he couldn't help but feel that as prince, his rank ought to mean something more important. Unfortunately, Koushu thought her self much more important and saw her step-son as only a puppet.
Kougaji clenched his hands into fists, his manicured nails digging deep into the flesh of his palms. Just what were those two planning this time? How much longer did he have to wait to free his mother from her curse while Nii and Koushu continued to play their games?
"Bitch," he spat to the air, refraining from punching the wall like he so wished to do. The red haired youkai prince seethed in his stewing resentment for his step-mother, but refused to move from his place. He absolutely had to find out what they were speaking of.
For the past week the laboratory doors had been shut tightly, the three human scientists working profusely on something secret to all but Koushu. Of course, she would never disclose the information to Kougaji- she hated him so, and she hated his mother as well. He often wondered if she would truly stick to her word, if she would have his mother freed once the scriptures were in their hands again. It was a small price to ask for in return for Gyomaoh's resurrection.
Quieting his thoughts, Kougaji pressed the back of his head to the wall, paying more attention to the conversation from within…
"We're not sure what it is that sleeps within the capsule, but it is likely a dormant god. If this is so…" a chuckle escaped Nii before he finished.
Koushu seemed to catch on rather quickly. "A god-one we could bend to our will?"
"Perhaps," Nii mused, "but that would be foolish…this would be a god of great power more ancient than those who exist now…we would have to have something of importance for him…or her…a favor of sorts."
"How intriguing," Lady Koushu voiced, her tone growing sly. "Why, I'm sure if there is a goddess inside of that capsule you could pay her endless favors, Nii…"
"But my dear Lady Koushu, I only pay those favors to you…"
* * *
Kougaji grimaced. He had heard a bit more than he needed by the end of their conversation. There was no doubt in his mind that the conversation would cease soon and the pair would go off somewhere for the Shangri-la Shuffle.
A shiver ran down the youkai prince's spine at the hideous thought. Lady Koushu only searched for power, he was sure- there was no true love for Gyomaoh, only the thrill of being on the most powerful demon's arm. If he was lucky, Kougaji thought, maybe Gyomaoh would slay Koushu upon awakening.
"Onii-chan, I found you!" A screeching childish voice detected his figure still standing near the door in the hall.
Kougaji turned sharply, hoping that Koushu or Nii hadn't heard his annoying half-sister's call.
"Ririn, what are you doing out here? I told you to stay with Yaone." He scolded the short, tomboyish carrot topped youkai, though a very faint smile tugged the corner of his lips.
Ririn was the daughter of that monster Koushu, but luckily she was nothing like her mother. However, she was a lot like a certain bottomless pit of a youkai monkey Kougaji could think of…
"I got hungry, onii-chan! Yaone is taking too long to cook so I came to find you! What're ya doin' anyway?" Ririn beamed up at her older brother. Though she often found him to be a little berating, she really looked up to and admired Kougaji.
Kougaji sighed and took a step in the other direction. "Ask Dokugakuji to fix you something. I've something to think upon."
The youkai prince did not wait to see the expression of disappointment appear on his younger sister's face. He trusted that after her pouting she would obey, as long as food was involved. His mind was focused on something different than cuisine for the moment.
This capsule that Koushu and Nii spoke of containing an ancient power…Kougaji could only wonder if it were possible to use it to free his mother. If so, then he knew he had to get to it before it fell into the wrong hands- by all means necessary…