A/N Ok, I only got one review for Chapter 9, but hey that's not a problem. I'm completely aware that this story is pretty erratic when it comes to my updating it, but please keep in mind that I've got other stuff to do…like work ; not to mention I draw (I do Saiyuki fan art! If you would like to see it, e-mail me! ;) I do take requests too.) Anyhow, here's Chapter 10- not as long as 9 was but hey, don't hate. I'm working on Chapter 11 as we speak so hopefully that'll be up soon too. And THEN I ought to write another chapter to both my cross over and sequel to my Trigun fic. chuckles Check those out, please if you've not already! Oh yes, and soon to come- a Pretear/Saiyuki cross over- Genre- Comedy/ Sports. It's a BASEBALL fic! hot guys in tight pants..oooh yeah.
Dragoncat- yes the joys of shopping. Who'd think that I could write a 16 page chapter about shopping at the mall with the Sanzo-ikkou? chuckles As for Saiyuki getting put on AS I highly doubt that'll be possible any time soon…or at all. See, Saiyuki is a bit too much for AS, since editing would really be a pain and then there'd be no show. Too many swear words, too many sexual innuendos, and too much violence I think. Not to mention it's a 50 episode series…seems the only ones like that they show are Inu Yasha. rolls eyes You can order this series, however, from www.discountanimedvd.com –no credit card required if you're the patient type- send in a check or money order and then wait 2 weeks they're cheaper there than in the stores anyhow.
Disclaimer: Don't own Saiyuki, want to, but I don't- no profit being made- just pure…good…semi-clean fun.
Escape to the Fire Soul
HoutouCastle
"You have got to be kidding me…" Yaone's orange eyes stared in utter disbelief at her youkai prince. He had just given her the instructions on how to get the information needed to recover the sphere in the Gansu Forest and she was not exactly thrilled about it.
Kougaji's expression was one void of humor; he didn't like it any more than she did, but he knew this plan would work. He was more than happy when Dokugakuji had somehow convinced the violet haired girl to be the one to go on this quest…yet there was work to do before they could leave.
"I'm sorry; I really don't see any other alternative, Yaone, other than by force and I'm sure that would not go over too well. I know I can rely on you to pull through for me."
The apothecary sighed softly. She knew Kougaji would never willingly send her on a mission that he found too dangerous without reason. With a wary nod, she smiled.
"You assume correctly, my Lord Kougaji…" Or did he? Yaone couldn't help but recall the first time she'd volunteered to take care of the Sanzo party…she'd failed miserably and attempted to take her own life. She'd be ashamed if she did not succeed a mission as simple as this one. "I'll try my best."
Kougaji placed a hand on her shoulder gently before turning to leave, speaking with his back turned. "Good luck Yaone."
The young woman exhaled expressively. "I'll certainly need it."
Houtou Laboratory
Dr. Nii Jenyi sat on the bench in the monochrome hall across from his lab, a cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. He puffed leisurely, smirking at a thought scampering across his mind- the image of Dr. Huang's expression if she could see him actually following her orders was quite amusing. A low chuckle escaped him as he sat his white bunny doll on his lap. Every now and then Nii liked to humor Huang's rules just to shock her.
His thoughts wandered to his current project…so much time had been put into it and so much research…what had come of it thus far? Next to nothing- he couldn't keep on delivering the same news to Lady Gyukomen Koushu, some kind of results had to come into play soon. But he still did not know how to open the orb and extract the spirit inside…It frustrated him- the spirit continued to lay dormant so it became increasingly obvious that a specific something was needed.
On top of the confusion with the sphere there lie more in the whereabouts of the Sanzo-ikkou. If the group of misfits had simply disappeared then it was likely that the Maten Scriptures had gone along with them. That irksome half-god Homura had gone away with the Saiten Scriptures so the Gyomaoh troupe was pretty much empty handed. Nii conveniently chose to forget the fact that he had given those sutras to Homura in the first place…he had only done it to save his dear Lady. He was so underappreciated.
Without the sutras, however, the only remaining hope of reviving Gyomaoh rested within that sphere's spirit. He knew that it had immense power and if his assumptions and research were correct, that the spirit inside had the powers beyond a god. That seal would be as good as broken…
Ni inhaled deeply and let out a jet of smoke, slowly. When it cleared a pair of nylon clad legs stood in his line of vision. His grey-green eyes rose, following along the form until coming to rest on a sweet face…Yaone?
Yaone tried to keep the disgusted look from her face after walking into the cigarette smoke. When it cleared, she forced down a shiver- Dr. Ni gave her creeps, plain and simple. However, for Kougaji, she would sacrifice a few moments of sanity.
"Dear Yaone…what brings you to the…slums of Houtou Castle?" Ni drawled, snuffing the cigarette in the ashtray beside him.
The apothecary felt absolutely sickened by the mere sight and sound of him- she wasn't anybody's 'dear'. However, she managed to mask the loathing for Ni with a sweet smile.
"This is far from the slums, Dr. Ni…this is where all the magic happens after all." She sat beside him on the bench, crossing her long legs. "I suppose that's because of the brain behind the operation."
Ni smirked, absently squeezing the bunny doll. Yaone could see his gaze trail along her legs and she resisted the urge to pop him in the face.
"I suppose so…what is it you came here to do? You're not on a…mission from that…precious prince of yours, are you?"
It figured that the creepy perverted doctor would know something was up. Nobody just waltzed on into this part of the castle, especially nobody so closely affiliated with Kougaji. Good thing Yaone had come prepared. She smoothly reached into a pouch at her side, pinching a bit of blue tinted powder between her thumb and forefinger. Time to switch gears; she didn't know how long it would be before somebody else would show up.
"Of course not Dr. Ni... Lord Kougaji doesn't even know I'm here."
Ni chuckled. "Naughty, naughty Miss Apothecary…" His eyes dropped to her pinched fingers. "What's that, hmm…A new concoction of yours?"
Yaone clenched her jaw but kept the phony pleasant expression in place. "It certainly is, Dr. Ni, and I thought my favorite lab technician ought to test it out first. I guarantee it'll give you a feeling unlike any other…" without warning, she blew the powder into his face.
As hoped, Dr. Ni inhaled sharply with surprise, ingesting the powder. The drug began to take effect almost immediately, clouding his mind, slurring his speech, impairing his judgment. It acted basically as fast moving alcohol…with a very strong proof. Nii tried to blink away the confusion settling in.
"What…is that? It's…strange."
"As it should be, Dr. Ni…" Yaone was rather pleased with the results so far. "So what is this project I hear you're working on?"
"That's confidential…between the other doctors, Lady Koushu, and myself…how do you know anything of it..?" Ni slurred.
The young woman pouted, hating to have to play such a gross role. "Aw…I was so hoping to be able to help out on it. How I know isn't that important…is it?" Ugh, she'd much rather go back to pretending to be a waitress for a bunch of moronic customers.
The doctor grinned drunkenly, manipulating the bunny doll. "One might find information inside…the lab, but…a pass card is needed to enter…"
"Darn, so I guess it's out of my reach, isn't it?" the young youkai woman sidled closer to him, hoping this would be over soon. 'This bunny thing is freakishly creepy!' she thought.
"Afraid so, Miss Apothecary…" the bunny voice chortled as Ni swayed.
"Even so, hypothetically, where could I find this information? There's no harm in telling me since I can't get into the lab anyhow, right?" Time was thinning and Nii would be asleep soon.
The bunny moved to her ear as though to whisper, but Ni's voice remained the same volume. "In a folder…by the last computer…but you'll never get it, Miss Apothecary…you just don't have the credentials…hmm?"
Luckily he had said that just as he slumped back, arms falling slack at his sides, the bunny doll flopping over at his side. Yaone sighed as the doctor fell asleep, her tangerine colored gaze dancing about before she deftly plucked the key card from his lab coat pocket.
Yaone moved to the lab door, pressing an ear against it. She doubted she'd be able to hear anything anyhow, but it was worth a try. When she found she was right, Yaone took the chance and swiped the card, slipping inside as the door hissed shut behind her. The smell of metal and chemicals stung her nose and she made a face...now where was that folder?
There was more than one computer in the lab- of course there was- why wouldn't there be? Yaone frowned, slowly walking through, mindful not to touch anything else. There was nobody inside at all, which seemed to a little too strange, but she'd not look a gift horse in the mouth.
At last her gaze rested on a manila folder resting at the corner of a terminal. That had to be it. Reaching it, Yaone began to thumb through the pages to be sure this was what Kougaji needed- there was no way she wanted to deal with Ni all over again. However, an unsettling feeling pitted in her stomach- this had been far too easy...
Kougaji's Quarters
Dokugakuji turned into the doorway of the youkai prince's chambers and watched as his friend paced the floors once again. Yaone was nowhere to be seen and so the older demon figured she was still on her "mission". It'd taken a lot of coaxing on his part, but Dokugakuji had finally convinced Yaone to go along with Kougaji on this quest. He'd pointed out that she was the perfect choice- she could heal Kou, she was an excellent fighter, she had smarts, and no matter what, Yaone seemed to possess the ability to lift Kougaji's spirits. Not to mention that their prince would lay down his life for her even if it meant losing his own, which ensured Yaone's safety nearly one hundred percent. There was almost no way either of them would be harmed…
"How long have you been standing there?" Kougaji spoke at last, his deep violet eyes dancing towards his guardian and friend.
Dokugakuji smiled.
"What are you smiling about?" the youkai prince demanded none too harshly.
"Is Yaone supposed to come back soon? It'd be best if you both hightailed it outta here as soon as possible." He evaded both of Kou's questions easily by asking his own.
Motioning towards a supply bag nearby, Kougaji voiced his agreement. "As soon as she returns with what we need, we're leaving." He chuckled softly. "Be sure to keep a close eye on Ririn…she's sneaky."
Dokugakuji rolled his eyes. "I'm sure I can handle your kid sister, Kou. If ya remember, I had a younger sibling." His voice lost some of it's cockiness at the recollection of having to take care of Gojyo when they were both younger. "He was no bed of roses…"
As though on cue, Ririn bounced into the room, wild orange hair flopping over bright green eyes.
"Onii-chan, aren't ya gonna come to breakfast?!" She gazed up to Kougaji, grinning widely.
Mystified, Kougaji quirked a brow. "Breakfast?"
Lifting a hand, Dokugakuji spoke. "Courtesy of yours truly."
"Yeah, there are mountains of food!" Ririn exclaimed.
"So just enough for you then?" the demon prince sniffed, teasing his younger half sister. "How come you never cook for me, Dokugakuji?"
The guardian shrugged. "Ya never asked."
A faint smile tugged at Kougaji's lips as he placed a hand on Ririn's forehead. His deep violet gaze met her bright green one before he turned to the silent guardian. The pair communicated wordlessly- Yaone would be back any moment and Kou needed to stay behind. Removing his palm, he smiled a bit more gently.
"Go on Ririn…I'll catch up." Much later…he thought silently…hopefully.
"Okay onii-chan!" Ririn gave him a wide grin as she bounced away.
"Dokugakuji…" Kougaji called as his friend turned to leave. "Take care of her well."
The raven haired youkai smirked. "Quit saying that like you're not coming back, Kou."
Kougaji's seriousness did not fade. "It's always a possibility. Just watch after her."
"Of course I will, and when you and Yaone come back, we'll both be waiting." Dokugakuji winked before leaving the room.
'If we come back…but we must…for Ririn…and for my mother. We must succeed…' Kou turned towards the windows, sighing heavily. Where was Yaone?
Laboratory
Yaone's eyes widened in alarm- she could hear footsteps drawing near in the hall outside. The clicking of high heels seemed like the ticking of a clock warning that her time had nearly expired. Stuffing the manila envelope into the pouch at her side, her hands quickly moved to pick a phial of sleeping powder out, fingers curling around it.
Dr. Huang's voice sounded, muffled. "Dr Ni? This is no time to be sleeping on the job, wake up." A pause. "…Dr. Ni..?"
Undoubtedly the female doctor would be suspicious of foul play. Yaone bit her lower lip; having the feeling that Huang would come inside to investigate. She uncorked the phial, moving to the side of the door, lying in wait. Hopefully Huang wouldn't see her right away, which would give the youkai woman enough time to make her escape. Her breath came out shallowly as she tried not to give away her position. She refused to fail Kougaji, especially after she'd gotten so far.
The door hissed open and Yaone held her breath. Dr. Huang stepped carefully inside, peering around with a scrutinizing gaze. As her head turned in Yaone's direction, the apothecary dumped the sleeping powder into her palm, blowing into the air, and then covered her own mouth so not to breathe it in.
"Yaone- what are you…doing…here..?" Huang's surprise faded as fatigue set in. As her eyes shut, her knees buckled and she fell to the floor without grace.
Letting out a relieved sigh, Yaone rushed past the female doctor's slumbering form and into the hallway. She quietly replaced Ni's key card, debating heavily on stealing the head off of his bunny doll, and then decided there wasn't enough time for vengeance. Ensuring that the folder was still in place, the youkai scurried back towards Kougaji's chamber, unaware of the spying gaze of Professor Wang lurking in the shadows…
Kougaji spun on his heels as Yaone came bursting into his room. Her face was flushed; breath coming out in short puffs as she halted a few feet away from him.
"Yaone!" he took a step forward. "Were you followed?"
She lifted her gaze to him. "Not that I know, my Lord Kougaji, I just thought it best that I hurry. I have all of the information here…" she held out the manila folder. "…the coordinates of the sphere's location are on the last page."
Taking the folder from her, Kou leafed through it. The formulas, charts, and scratched notes made no sense to him at all. However, there seemed to be quite a bit of information. At least, no matter how sly he was, Dr. Ni was thorough in his research. Kougaji scanned for the coordinates before shutting the folder, slipping it into the small supply pack.
"I knew you'd come through, Yaone." He nodded curtly, motioning for the door. "Let's go."
Throne Room
A figure that didn't look anything like Dr. Ni shadowed the floor in front of Lady Gyukomen Koushu's throne. Her cold gaze stared in mild curiosity at the twisted form of Professor Wang hunched over in his wheel chair.
"Lady Koushu…" he nearly cackled her name. "There is something awry in the castle."
"What do you mean? Where's Dr. Ni?" Koushu demanded, stretching out her already too-long neck.
Wang smirked. "Taking a little nap with the lovely Dr. Huang, of course not in the sense you might think, no. They've let precious information slip away." He chortled, gnarled fingers fiddling as his large, protruding eyes remained unblinking.
Koushu hissed much like the snake she resembled, jerking forward in her seat. "Stop talking in riddles-what is going on?!"
"Temper, temper!" Wang cackled loudly. "The apothecary has made off with the information on the sphere!"
A moment passed in silence before Koushu leapt to her feet, fuming.
"Kougaji must have sent her for it- that brat! He'll take the sphere for himself…how did he even find out about it?! That damn little sneak!"
She cursed him again; whatever threat she used to hold over him obviously had no effect anymore. The snotty little mama's boy was up to something.
However…Ni was one of the greatest minds in Shangri-la and he'd been unable to decipher the puzzle in releasing the sphere's inhabitant. How did Kougaji plan on opening it? It didn't seem likely that he'd be able to. Relaxing a bit, Koushu sat back down, crossing her legs, staring down her nose at Wang. Perhaps the dumb prince would be fool enough to bring the orb back to Houtou…
"Hmm…well…I'm not worried about it. To be safe, however, I think I'll send a few spies to find out just what Kougaji is up to…"
A large white riding dragon lowed to Kougaji and Yaone in greeting from his place in the keep. The pair had moved swiftly through the winding corridors of Houtou, having been completely undetected the entire way. It made the youkai prince more than just a little suspicious. Usually he couldn't set foot anywhere in the castle without someone knowing about it.
"We must hurry, Yaone." Kou murmured, fastening the reins onto the dragon that'd called to them.
"I can get Isuzu ready in no time at all!" Yaone turned towards another one of the dragons, figuring it'd be better if they took two.
"No, there's no time." Kougaji stopped her. "I feel something here that doesn't settle right with me. We'll both ride Subaru." He gestured to the already waiting riding dragon.
The prince mounted, his hand held out for the apothecary to help her on behind him. Yaone's face brightened red as she accepted his hand, berating herself for getting embarrassed at a time as crucial as this. Once she was seated, she adjusted the straps to the supply pack on her back and then tentatively placed her arms around her master's waist.
Sensing that they were ready, Subaru raced out to the landing, spread his wings, and took flight.
"Hold tighter, Yaone- you'll get thrown off otherwise." Kougaji warned, guiding Subaru towards the east.
Yaone obeyed, strengthening her hold around him, glad that he couldn't see how much her cheeks were burning.
'Quit it Yaone!' She scolded herself, shutting her eyes tightly. 'Stop thinking of him like he's just some pretty face! He's your prince; you are his servant- his sworn guardian…just his apothecary…and his friend…nothing more.'
She sighed against Kougaji's back, resisting the urge to run her fingers affectionately through his hair. His strength always had awed Yaone- from the moment he saved her life when they first met and beyond. Kougaji had never let her down, or Dokugakuji, or Ririn for that matter. He remained their pillar of unshakable strength despite his own inner battles.
Yaone wouldn't fail to protect Kougaji- if she had to give her life to save him she would do it in less than a heartbeat. She owed him everything and he owed her nothing, and yet continued his generosity. He'd saved her time and time again…she supposed she loved him for it. Or maybe…she just loved him…
The revelation shocked Yaone and she gasped. Yes, she'd follow Kougaji to the ends of the earth and back infinite times over. She'd sacrifice her sanity, her life, her everything just so he might be able to live on. Her heart skipped a beat and she rested her head between his shoulder blades.
"Yaone..?" Kougaji's slightly wind-thrown voice whispered past her.
"Yes my Lord Kougaji?" Immediately her head lifted from him. What was she thinking?
"Are you tired?" He had felt her grip weaken around him as her head touched his back. He supposed he couldn't blame her.
"A little. My apologies, I should be helping you search." Yaone frowned, bringing her tangerine gaze to the tumultuous landscape beneath them.
Kougaji remained silently in thought. Yaone deserved a rest. Odds were she'd been up all night discussing with Dokugakuji about who would leave Houtou and most likely had never gone to bed. It was maybe only eight or nine in the morning and Kou had already made her risk a lot by stealing the information on the orb. If she fell asleep however…he didn't want her to go careening off of Subaru. An idea came to him…
"Give me your hands." Kougaji requested coolly.
Yaone complied, lifting her hands from his waist. The prince worked deftly to wrap the reins around her wrists and then entwined his long tanned fingers over the backs of Yaone's hands. This enabled him to keep control of the dragon and ensure his apothecary's safety at once.
"Lord Kougaji?" Yaone spoke softly, having been forced to close the gap between her and his back when he fastened the reins around her.
Her voice was always so soothing to him. He suppressed a shiver at the feel of her breath drawing close to his neck.
"Get some rest Yaone, we've still a long way to go." Kougaji replied smoothly, unflinching.
"What about you?" she quirked a brow. "It isn't fair if I rest…"
"Do as I said. I slept last night and I'm sure you did not. I'll wake you when we get close."
He was lying. He hadn't slept. Not a wink.
"As you wish…" Yaone replied quietly, resting against his back once more. Her eyes shut slowly and she was briefly aware of the wind ruffling her hair and the brief squeeze given to her hands before she fell asleep…
A faint smile crossed Kougaji's lips when he realized Yaone had fallen into slumber, but soon his expression solemnized. His duty was to get that sphere and summon the soul inside, but protecting Yaone would come before excavating it. As long as she was safe, he could carry through with his goal, and as long as the spirit inside heard his orders and obeyed, Kougaji's mother would be freed whether he lived…or died.