Disclaimer: I do not own Gensomaiden Saiyuki.
Chapter five:
" Let go of me! Goddamn oaf!"
Goku yelled while trying to free himself from his captor's hold.
The paralyse from the injection had finally worn off and Goku was once again able to use all of his limbs to free himself.
His efforts on the other hand were fruitless. This guy had a surprisingly tight grip.
He was being carried into some deserted warehouse that had by the looks of it mainly been used for meat and other foods.
( There was still the sign on the front of the doors)
The psycho lady who had wanted to meet him was Kougaiji's stepmother and most certainly had nothing good in mind for everyone's favourite monkey.
" Put him in with the girl, then go and fetch my dear stepson. I want them all to know what happens when you try to cross me!"
After being literally thrown into a freezer Goku quickly got to his feet and started pounding against the heavy steel door.
" Bastards! Let me out so I can beat you all to a pulp!"
Unable to knock down a steel door with his bare hands the anger slowly left his body and he was stuck with the problem of
a.) awaiting being murdered if he didn't start kicking some ass and fast.
b.) Freezing to death in this stupid thing.
A sneeze from the back of the place made him turn around and he was only half-surprised to see Lilin crouched down in the corner.
She looked up at him eyes fierce, she too seemed to want to give these guys a piece of her mind by using her fist.
" You that weird guy my brother was supposed to kill but who decided to kill himself instead?"
Goku felt slightly embarrassed with the subject.
" Yeah, that's me.", he answered while nervously scratching the back of his head.
" Didn't do a very good job of it, did you?"
Yes, this was definitely Lilin. She was getting on his nerves already.
" How long have you been here?", he asked changing the subject.
" Not long or else I'd be dead. Brother was right, you really are a monkey."
Before Goku could angrily retort the door opened revealing someone he certainly hadn't expected.
' Homura?', Goku thought not believing it,resisting the urgeto spurt out his adversaries name in surprise.
'What the hell was he doing here?'
" The lady is ready to meet you. Please do come along without trouble."
Like hell he would.
Goku spun around with a roundhouse kick at the ready.
To his dismay Homura was quicker and caught his foot. His grip tightening he threw Goku off his feet.
" Son Goku, there is no reason to make this harder for you than it already is."
Anger shining in his eyes Goku scrambled to his feet and threw a punch at Homura catching the guys chin before a swift jab to his stomach knocked the air out of Goku.
Clutching his stomach and staggering back a few steps Goku desperately tried to catch his breath.
He knew Homura was hard to beat but his blows had never been this bad.
Maybe his body wasn't used to fighting anymore.
" You having trouble with a kid? You're losing your touch Homura.", Zenon said while entering machine gun at the ready.
" Playtimes over kids. Come along." Gesturing with his gun towards the door.
Neither of the usually trouble provoking kids felt like risking being drilled through with bullets so they both reluctantly went along.
They were led into the large hall of the warehouse with several big and blackened windows running along the walls.
In the centre were Gyukomen and Shien who had a restrained and beaten bloody looking Kougaiji in front of him.
" Kougaiji!", Lilin exclaimed worriedly and rushed forward towards her brother only to be grabbed by Homura.
He dragged her towards a long, metal table that stood just a few metres to Gyukomen's right and with some struggling and shouting from the girl managed to tie her to it.
Gyukomen ignored the whole procedure her eyes never leaving Goku.
This freaked Goku outa littlebut he held her gaze not willing to give her the upper hand.
Finally she turned to Kougaiji.
" My dear boy, did you not once say you couldn't choose between the lives of your sister and best friend?"
Kougaiji didn't respond preferring to focus on staying conscious.
" Tonight I'll make you regret not choosing between them.
From now on when I tell you to kill someone you'll do it without a fuss and without messing up."
She advanced on him as if she were a tiger advancing on injured meat.
Lifting his chin up she spoke softly to him.
" Cherishing what one posses isn't enough especially for some lowlife like yourself who couldn't protect a fly."
She then went to stand in front of Goku.
A ferocious smile spread across her face.
" I'll be having the honour of sending you to the next world myself, Goku-kun."
Goku rolled his eyes at her. What a lame line!
As if he'd really let her of all people kill him.
Homura had better chances of getting the better of him than she did.
" Proceed, Homura.", the heartless woman said darkly.
Seeing said ex.-god produce a knife Kougaiji started thrashing against his bounds.
Goku's arm twitched, the machine gun pressed into his back keeping him motionless.
If only Zenon were distracted for a mere second he could
just maybe…
CRASH……CRASH ….
Right on cue several windows were broken.
Goku used everyone's distraction to elbow Zenon in the stomach causing him to drop the gun then knocked him unconscious with a good, solid punch to the jaw.
A gunshot sung through the air, followed by a yell of pain from Homura.
Everything happened so quickly Goku was barely sure how it had all happened.
Gojyo had shot and then threatened Homura with his gun preventing him from trying anything but Gyukomen had still had enough time in all the chaos to grab Lilin and run for it.
Suddenly Sanzo and Hakkai were there keeping Shien off his back who had discarded Kougaiji as harmless and advanced on Goku.
He was grateful for that because now he could finish this nightmare once and for all.
The Goku from before his coma may not have known how to handle such a situation but our monkey boy certainly did.
Ignoring the screamed protests of his comrades Goku raced after the witch and her hostage.
The dark sky loomed over him and a light drizzle hindered his vision slightly.
The warehouse was by the docks. Passing through lots of abandoned rubble Goku spotted a small iron bar. ( As well to handle as a dagger but with a blunt end)
Soon enough Gyukomen was cornered between Goku and the dangerous looking water.
Both heard police sirens approaching.
Fear shined in her eyes as she stared helplessly at Goku.
It was over. Whatever she did now, it was over.
With an inhuman snarl upon her face Gyukomen reached into her vest twisting Lillin to a different angle in her grasp in the process and pulled out a gun.
Goku stood his ground, fingering the iron bar hidden behind his back and concentrating on his target.
His eyes flickered to Lilin who acknowledged her cue.
Pressure was on the trigger.
Yanking on her mother's arm Lilin brought Gyukomen off balance.
The bullet whizzed past Goku's right ear but he hardly noticed, already in motion.
The iron bar was slung over his shoulder with tremendous strength and accuracy ,hitting Gyukomen's forehead and knocking her unconscious as she fell into the waves below.
(hit head on g)
Lilin and Goku stared at each other. Slowly two relived smiles answered each other both glad the danger was over.
Something behind Goku caught the girl's attention.
" Kougaiji!", she exclaimed rushing past to her brother who was currently being supported by Hakkai.
Sanzo and Gojyo close by.
Goku blinked confusedly at the sight. It was strange to see Gojyo wielding the gun instead of Sanzo.
Grinning broadly Goku joined the little group as police started to swamp the area.
" Hey Sanz..."
Twack…. "You…twack…stupid…twack…monkey….twack.."
Sanzo screamed face red in fury.
" I'll second that." , Hakkai said to Goku's astonishment. Usually that would have been one of Gojyo's lines.
"Ow! Sanzo, stop it!" Goku shielded his head with his hands as best as he could.
Twack…there's no escaping the mighty..twack…fan.
" Woah! Hold it Priest boy or you're send him into another coma.", Gojyo said pulling Goku to safety.
" That was a really cool throw, you're gonna have to teach that one to me.", big brother said proudly an arm slung around Goku's shoulder's.
Hakkai frowned at the actions. Gojyo shouldn't encourage Goku's reckless behaviour!
" Oh, and one more thing.."
" Yeah?", Goku asked curiously.
Suddenly he was being shaken roughly by the shoulders.
" Don't you ever scare me like that again goddamn ape!
I chase the murderers, you get into safety!"
" I hope you've learnt your lesson, Goku.", Hakkai said sternly expressing his own concern.
Goku definetly had learnt his lesson.
Never let the others know he was doing something dangerous!
Officers and Medics rushed past them to the end of the pier in order to get Gyukomen while others swamped their little group, demanding answers and giving treatment mainly to Kougaiji.
In all the chaos Goku's gaze still met Kougaiji's.
The demon prince looked exhausted but relief and gratitude shone clearly in his eyes.
And Goku understood.
Grinning broadly at Kougaiji like the cheeky monkey everyone said he was Goku watched him be carried away into an ambulance with Lilin close behind.
Sitting on the roof of a police car Goku was dangling his feet to and fro while humming cheerfully to himself.
( Gojyo had put him up there claiming that he would be able to keep a better eye on the chimp from there while he had to work)
He was rather pleased with himself.
Everything had turned out fine and now there were no more secrets to his life.
Maybe the dreams would stop, too.
While waiting with Hakkai for Sano to finish his testimony Goku had decided to try asking Hakkai about the dreams.
In the illusion Hakkai would have gladly tried to work such things out with him but Goku was a little worried about this Hakkai.
To his relief Hakkai listened to his problem and asked vital questions about what had been happening in the dreams.
After some thought he came to the conclusion that Goku's sub consciousness was warning him about the danger of Gyukomen.
Hakkai admitted that it was a very strange kind of warning but Goku's feelings of being trapped and threatened in his dreams were good enough prove for his theory.
Finally Sanzo returned and leaned against the police car while lighting up.
" Sanzo?", Goku asked carefully. He hoped Sanzo was less angry with him for being reckless.
Goku wanted to ask him something important that had been bugging him for a while now.
" What?", the reply was his usual pissed off kind.
" How did you guys find me so quickly?"
" Pure luck really. Just as those bastards threw you in the van Gojyo and Hakkai arrived.
Your brother really is a lousy driver especially when he's worrying."
Goku rolled his eyes. "I bet he was only driving that badly to annoy you."
Why would Gojyo be worrying about him? He could look after himself against a bunch of nutters.
Sanzo turned to him, his eyes emotional again, taking Goku by surprise.
" You're alright, aren't you?"
Goku smiled. He kind of liked this softer, more concerned Sanzo.
" I'm fine. Stop worrying, Sanzo. I'm not made of glass."
" Oi, chimp! I got you food.", Gojyo yelled heading towards them with Hakkai close behind.
" Proper police food to be precise.", Hakkai said cheerfully.
" Donuts? Aren't you sick of these yet, dumbass?", Sanzo asked exasperated.
Goku happily tucked in to his snack.
" Nothing wrong with donuts. They've got everything you need in them.", Gojyo declared proudly.
Sanzo suddenly cursed. Goku looked up from his food startled.
" Huh? What's wrong?"
" Your old man's coming.", Gojyo said bitterly.
" I'm sure we can reason with him.", Hakkai said diplomatically probably the only one in the group Izumi would not scorn.
Goku followed everyone's gaze. But something was wrong.
Izumi was heading towards them with an angry expression on his face. Probably because his 'son' was disturbing his time schedule again.
The more Goku stared at Izumi the more the image flickered, as if the man wasn't really there.
Sound started to fade from his ears and the panicked feelings from his dreams hit him full force.
He couldn't breath.
His heart was pounding frantically in his ears, beating too fast, hitting his ribcage, trying to burst out.
Everything was spinning. Blinking Goku tried to focus on something.
If only he could get a grip of his senses.
Suddenly Gyukomen was there. Standing above him holding a knife above her head.
His wrists ached as the wires sucked more and more lifeout of him.
The image of Gyukomen flickered then merged into one of Izumi but of a completely different Izumi.
His heart was beating unbearably fast.
Goku had seen this man before. Every night in his dreams. A white haired scientist covered in blood with a mad glint in his eyes.
His lungs felt frozen up.
The knife plunged down, aimed at his heart but never penetrated.
Goku's heart just stopped.
Completely stopped.
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He was floating.
Somewhere. Somewhere between life and death.
Or was he already dead?
Did it even matter anymore ?
He felt strangely light and free.
Pain rushed through him.
Pulling him down.
A heart beat echoed in his ear then another.
A loud gasp rung through the air followed by several gulps for more precious air.
Relieved voices soon followed and Goku struggled to make them out.
" Hakkai, you did it!"……..Gojyo?
" I hope it was still in time."……That was Hakkai's voice.
What had happened?
Why was he feeling so extremely drained?
Eyes snapping open Goku could barely make anything out.
The room was spinning and the noise in his head wouldn't let him think.
There was light, artificial light and machines of some kind.
A broken glass tube with wires hanging loosely from it.
He felt wet and sticky. A cold breeze told him he wasn't wearing much either.
" Goku, can you hear me?"
Goku couldn't work out who had asked that and couldn't answer.
He reached out a hand trying to find something, anything.
" Hakkai, what's wrong with him?"
A hand found his and held it tightly, securely.
The reassurance calmed him, brought him back to his senses.
" I'm not sure. The gods only know what experiments that bastard has been doing on him for the last week."
" Goku." Sanzo? What was going on?
" Goku, open your eyes.", the voice was commanding but also gentle.
The hand tightening with every word.
Slowly Goku opened his eyes. Hovering above him were his three companions but they looked different.
Hakkai was no longer wearing his suit but a green shirt and sash.
Gone were his glasses replaced by a monocle.
Gojyo's clothes looked old fashioned and he was covered in blood.
The red of his hair seemed so much deeper than Goku remembered.
Sanzo's clothing was the most dramatic change.
He was wearing a robe and a sutra was draped over his shoulders.
Goku tried to remember what that meant.
He knew this change was important, was supposed to tell him something but the pounding in his head prevented him from thinking straight.
Looking down on himself Goku noticed that he was only wearing a pair of boxer shorts and was lying in a puddle of green liquid mixed with blood.
Something thin and white hovered above him.
Goku's eyes widened in shock. His brainconcluding that this was impossible.
He didn't know why it was impossible, it just was.
" A Dragon?", Goku croaked before he fell into a semi-consciousness.
………..
………..
………….
Warm. It was nicely warm. That was the first thing Goku's brain registered.
Strong arms were wrapped around him carrying him someplace.
Goku opened his eyes and just stared at his lap.
He was wearing Sanzo's robes.
"..sanzo…", he whispered wrapping his arms around his keeper's neck and pulling himself closer.
" Don't fidget, monkey, or I'll drop you."
He could feel Sanzo's voice vibrating against him.
" Hakkai, did we bring the camera?
This is just priceless.", Gojyo said from further ahead.
Sanzo adjusted his grip around Goku.
"Damn, monkey, you're diadem is digging into my neck."
Goku's grip tightened.
" I'm not wearing a diadem.", he said hoarsely.
" Of course you are or else we'd be gonners by now."—Gojyo again.
Couldn't he be quiet. Goku was trying to sort things out.
" Youkai don't exist, you said. I'm not wearing a diadem."
Sanzo stopped in his tracks.
" Goku, what…"
" You said.", Goku repeated more forcefully.
He was in no condition to argue about this again.
" If we said that then it must be right, mustn't it Goku?",
Hakkai said soothingly. There was a long silence.
Sanzo continued walking.
" Sanzo?" Goku closed his eyes and leaned more heavily against his keeper.
" What now?"
" I'm not sure what happened." Sanzo grunted.
" We'll work it all out later, Goku.", Hakkai answered gently.
" Sanzo, we'll go back to the church won't we? And Gojyo and Hakkai will come too, right?
I don't feel good and don't want to be alone.", Goku said quickly panic clear in his voice.
He still felt dizzy and as weak as a kitten. A condition he did not like one bit.
" Go to sleep, stupid monkey, and stop saying such nonsense!"
Somehow Goku had a bad feeling of déjà vu.
TBC
It's done. Thank God.
I've been working on this all day….sheesh!
So I hope you like it.
Another chapter is coming and it probably (no guarantees) will be the last one.
Thanks for waiting and reviewing.
(Oh yeah, did any of you guys see that coming? You did. Hmm. Yeah, it was sort of hinted anyway.)
Bye.Bye