Love Song
Chapter Two- The Plot Thickens
By darthelwig
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I do not own Saiyuki. This story is rated M (for later chapters). Slash Warning.
A/N- Before any Kougaiji fans decide to eat me for breakfast, please listen. I actually DO have a plan for him, so please be patient. All will be revealed in good time.
And in case anyone is wondering about the rating, it IS accurate. Just give me time. I'm trying to let this story play out at its own pace.
Again, Special Thanks to GhostHelwig for helping me put this story together. I'd be lost without your guidance!
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His stepmother was waiting when Kougaiji walked in the door. She greeted him with a thin, strained smile.
"And?" she said, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms.
"It's done," he replied, and her smile widened, blossoming into the first real expression of happiness he'd seen on her face in quite some time. It eased the lingering pain in his heart to know he'd managed to bring her some happiness, even if just for a moment. This woman had loved him when his own mother had not. She had raised him, embraced him and made him feel worthwhile again. He owed her everything, even if he had to break his own heart to give it to her.
She patted his cheek, gazing at him in open approval.
"I know it seems hard now, but believe me when I say it will get easier for you. You'll see. Life will be so much better now that you've shed their dead weight. You're meant to shine, Kougaiji, and you will. Mother will make sure of that."
Kougaiji smiled at her, letting his hurt melt away under her loving approval. She always managed to make him feel better about things.
"Do you anticipate any trouble with your new band mates?" she asked, and Kou shook his head.
"No. Dokugakuji and Yaone are excited about it, and both of them are excellent musicians. We've already gone over our material a couple of times."
"It helps that they're such good friends of yours, dear. I'm sure they jumped at the chance to play with such a talented guitarist as yourself."
Kougaiji laughed, almost blushing with embarrassment. He was still decidedly uncomfortable with the high praise his stepmother always heaped upon him. But he had to admit that it did feel nice to hear someone speak so highly of his skills.
"And Lirin is anxious to get started as well," his stepmother continued. "She's such a bundle of energy."
Kou's smile softened as he nodded his agreement. His younger half-sister was one of the greatest joys of his life, even if he would never admit it openly. It was true that she could be quite the pest at times, given her seemingly inexhaustible energy and enthusiasm for life, but she never failed to make him happy. He seemed to have a soft spot for incorrigible youths.
"Well, why don't you go get some rest, dear. I'm sure this has been a difficult day for you. And don't forget that Ni is coming by later to meet with all of you. He's got big plans for you, darling."
"I know," Kou replied, nodding again. "I'll be prepared. Doku and Yaone already know they need to be here."
"Good. Now run along, dear."
Kou went upstairs, his heart so much lighter than it had been when he'd come in the house.
Gyokumen Koushu watched him go, the smile fading from her face to reveal a hard, pinched look around her eyes. It was becoming more and more difficult for her to maintain her façade of loving adoration for that boy. His weak, spineless attitude was wearing on her nerves.
"Drink?" came a soft voice from behind her. She turned to the dark-haired man, who was holding a glass out to her. She took it and wrinkled her nose as she caught a whiff of the pungent smell of alcohol.
"I'm running out of patience, Ni." Her voice was different now. In fact, her entire demeanor had changed. Kougaiji would not have recognized the woman standing there now- who was all haughty disdain and cold malice.
"Patience," Ni said, looking completely nonplussed by the woman's self-serving two-faced personality. "Things are finally coming together. Now's not the time to do anything… rash."
She glared at him coldly, sipping her drink.
"I'm aware of the plan. It is mine, after all. Kougaiji will be famous and I will reap the benefits of his boundless love." She smiled, imagining the wealth and prestige that she would enjoy once her good-for-nothing stepson made a name for himself. It was so close she could almost taste it. All she needed to do was put up with his aggravating neediness just a little while longer. Once he won the big "Battle of the Bands" contest, he would get his recording contract and the world would be theirs for the taking.
And she would finally be living the life she deserved- the life that fool husband of hers had failed to provide her. Well, what she couldn't get from her absentee husband she would take from her devoted stepson.
She smiled again as she took another sip of her drink, lost in her fantasy world.
Ni's lips curled up into a sly smirk and he suppressed an entirely inappropriate giggle. Yes, things were going exactly as planned.
….
Sanzo leaned against their van, which was parked in front of their apartment building. He wondered how long it would be before Hakkai and Gojyo realized that without a guitarist they couldn't play any gigs, and without that income they wouldn't have their apartment for long. Which also meant that all the soundproofing they'd installed would be worthless. They certainly wouldn't be able to rehearse there any longer.
If he was a less understanding person, he would have beaten Kou to a bloody pulp for this, though he doubted the little momma's boy had even thought that far ahead. Not that it really mattered. Kou could live his life however he wanted. That was his right. Being dumped like yesterday's garbage just didn't sit well with him.
He sighed and tossed his cigarette to the ground, grinding it under one booted foot like it was Kou's face. They'd end up living in the van again for sure, and there was only so much room in there, especially with all the equipment stowed in it too. He wasn't looking forward to spending so much time in close quarters with his band mates. All of a sudden, he wanted to pound Kou's face in again. He savored the mental image of his fist plowing into Kou's 'perfect' face, smashing his nose into hamburger. He smiled to himself.
"Is Kougaiji finally gone?" asked a voice that sent an involuntary shiver down Sanzo's spine. He looked up at Dougan with an angry frown.
"What do you know about it?" he asked through gritted teeth. He hated this guy. He was creepy, always showing up in the oddest places at the oddest times and staring at him with that creepy look of his- one part lust, one part worship and completely unnerving.
"It was bound to happen," Dougan said in his strangely high, silky voice. "He wasn't good enough for you." Dougan was smiling at him in that was that made his skin itch, and he forced himself to remain expressionless and cool. He refused to show any sign of weakness in front of this weirdo.
"What do you want?" he asked, nearly growling the words. Everything about this guy set his teeth on edge.
"I want to join your band," Dougan replied, seemingly oblivious to Sanzo's barely concealed and growing discomfort. "You know I can play very well. And I've even taken the time to learn all of your songs."
"You what?" Sanzo said, surprised despite himself. "How the hell did you do that?"
"I have a good ear for these things, and I've been to most of your performances, you know. I couldn't possibly miss seeing you onstage. You're absolutely amazing."
Dougan was eyeing him like a prime piece of meat, and Sanzo was hard-pressed to restrain his fist from connecting with that leering face.
"I want to play with you, Sanzo. Won't you let me?" Dougan asked, his tone innocent but his eyes holding a deeper, more disturbing meaning. Sanzo suppressed a shudder.
"I don't think so," he said, lighting another cigarette to calm his nerves.
"Why not? You know I'm good enough. You've heard me play!"
Sanzo looked at Dougan, his expression detached and cold.
"Irrelevant," he said matter-of-factly. "We're finding someone else."
Dougan was taken aback by Sanzo's cold attitude. Apparently rejection was not a reaction he had anticipated.
"You need me," he said, eyes narrowed. "Who else knows all your songs? Do you really think you'll be able to win the big contest with only a few short months remaining to find a replacement?" Dougan smiled triumphantly, but Sanzo just took another drag off his cigarette and nodded.
"Yeah. I do," he said. "Sorry to disappoint you." He smirked at the way the smile just dropped off of Dougan's face, to be replaced with an angry glare.
"Have it your way, Sanzo. But you'll come begging to me later. You'll see!" Dougan turned on his heel and stalked off, his long, dark hair trailing after him.
Sanzo looked up at the sky and exhaled a long, thin stream of smoke from between his lips.
"Damn it," he muttered, cursing every cruel fate that shined down on him. "What next?"