My Sun, My Supernova
Chapter 7
This is My Fire,
So Let Me Burn
The next morning, throughout the entire procedure of breakfast, packing up and climbing aboard Hakuryu, the tension between the four companions is so tight it's almost enough to be labeled a choking hazard.
Sanzo is silent and distant, as if totally oblivious to the presence of his companions, with the exception of Goku, whom he seems to be paying a little too much attention to, at least for Gojyo's liking.
Gojyo, himself cranky and glum, happens to be keeping a very watchful and suspicious eye on Sanzo's every move. As a result, he finds himself becoming quite uncomfortable with the way Sanzo is looking at Goku. As his surveillance continues, and he actually witnesses Sanzo smile at Goku, he is downright disturbed. Since when does Sanzo ever smile at Goku? Since when does Sanzo ever smile, period? It's not even a normal smile, as far as Gojyo is concerned, but some twisted Sanzo version of a smile gone bad. That's how wrong it is.
What's worse is the effect it seems to have on Goku, who has been stealing glances in Sanzo's direction all morning. In response to that devilish smile, Goku's face had flushed beet red and he had suddenly seemed very nervous, maybe even upset. Gojyo's thoughts darken as he is forced to wonder just what Sanzo is up to.He doesn't even want to consider the possibility that Sanzo might be trying something weird with Goku, but he's not willing at this point to put anything past the priest.
In fact, of the four, Hakkai seems to be the only one who is at least willing to pretend that everything is okay. He speaks to everyone as he usually would, makes sure everything is in order, and does his best to keep things together in some semblance of normality. Thank goodness for Hakkai.
XXX
They drive steadily for several hours, eventually entering a sparsely forested area with a narrow track serving as a road. It seems like a nice area, quiet and green, and Hakkai slows the jeep somewhat just to give them all a chance to admire the soothing scenery and hopefully calm some obviously frayed nerves at least a little.
A bird flies over top of the moving vehicle, calling out shrilly, but no one pays it any heed. As they approach a turn in the road ahead, however, leading towards a more densely tree packed area, a scream suddenly pierces the air, and the occupants of the jeep go on full alert. Hakkai picks up the speed, heading straight towards the direction of the sound. Three sets of eyes, in green, red, and gold, stare intently ahead, waiting to see what will come into sight. Meanwhile, a pair of violet eyes take on a dark shine, seeming to fix themselves on some internal plane of existence, and then set sternly in a look that is as emotionless as stone.
Hakkai brings Hakuryu squealing to a stop as they round the bend and the situation at hand is finally revealed to them. There, on the road, is a horse and wagon, surrounded by approximately half a dozen demons. In a heartbeat, Hakkai and the others take in the full extent of the situation that faces them, and they are ready for a fight.
A human family is under attack. The man and the woman already lie dead and bloody on the side of the track. It is too late to help them, but the children can still be saved. There are two of them, a boy and a girl. The girl is currently the one screaming, as she is being yanked out of the wagon by a vicious, burly looking demon. The other child, the boy, is obviously injured, having fallen from the wagon and subsequently been trampled underfoot by the horse.
The demons pause in the middle of their gruesome activity upon the arrival of the jeep, but their alarm is quickly replaced by apparent nonchalant confidence and excitement. The burly one, most likely the leader, wastes no time in speaking out.
"Well, well, lookey what we have here. Looks like this is turning out to be our lucky day. Seems we get to ransack not one, but two vehicles in one day! Now ain't that somethin' else?"
The entire troop bursts out into loud and mocking fit of laughter, obviously meant to be menacing, but falling miserably short as far as Goku and Gojyo are concerned.
The two share a quick look, and then smirk, turning keen and battle ready eyes upon their foes. Gojyo gives his head a toss, clearing his long hair from his face.
"Ah, I see the local hoodlums in these parts obviously haven't heard about our reputation. What do you say about giving them a little update, Goku, or on second thought, how about a full length lesson?"
"All right!"
Hakkai decides to get in on the action, as well.
"Now, now, teachers must exercise discipline, not violence! However, in this circumstance, I think a small exception might be in the agenda."
The demon gang seems somewhat taken aback by the bold front being presented to them, but they aren't about to back down. They begin to jeer and toss out mindless insults at the new arrivals, still feeling themselves to be in a superior advantage and not aware of the identity of their adversaries.
Sanzo takes this opportunity to stand up in the jeep. His clear and commanding voice cuts through the commotion to attract the attention of his comrades.
"This is no business of ours. Hakkai, take Hakuryu straight through. Use only what measures are necessary in order to make passage. Leave the rest. I say again, this is a waste of effort and is not our concern."
Not taking his eyes off of the demons, Gojyo responds to Sanzo in a disgusted tone of voice, indicating that he doesn't give a damn about Sanzo's opinion in this particular situation.
"This happens to concern anyone who is actually capable of feeling. Why don't you go play with your little knives, Master Priest Sanzo, and we'll take care of the part that actually requires a conscience."
Crack.
The little girl in the lead demon's clutches hangs limp in his arms, her neck having just been broken. He tosses her body to the side, freeing his hands to fight.
Without further delay, weapons are summoned forth, and Goku screams out a battle cry as he and Gojyo rush into action. Hakkai prepares a chi burst, letting it fly.
Sanzo watches the scene for a moment, his face blank. He touches a hand to his face beneath the nose, and checks his fingers for signs of blood. When they come away clean, a flicker of a frown crosses his forehead, and then his eyes widen. Slowly, a satisfied, corrupt smile steals upon his lips, and Sanzo begins to laugh. The sound is short and shaky, almost forced, as if in response to a situation that has turned out to be so bad, that one might as well laugh because one knows that otherwise, all that's left to do is cry. This is laughter that speaks of pure surrender to utter hopelessness, as much as it is an expression of pure relief finally obtained.
The laughter ceases as quickly as it had begun, and Sanzo levels his gun at his intended target with deadly intent
XXX
Goku notices Sanzo's movement in the jeep, and his heart lightens at the realization that Sanzo will lend them a hand in this after all. Of course he's not as cold hearted as Gojyo accuses him of being, of course not.
The gun is fired, and in the next instant, Goku's own heart freezes absolutely solid.
For Sanzo has just shot the little boy lying injured amidst the band of demons.
Sanzo's next words reach Goku's ears through a haze of shock.
"Now there's no more need to waste time here."
Disbelief, complete and totally unfathomable disbelief, nearly makes Goku forget that he is in the middle of battle. He screams, a blood curdling, throat-searing scream, and finishes off his opponents while barely even registering them in his mind.
The demons summarily destroyed, Goku, Hakkai and Gojyo are left standing by the wagon surrounded by corpses, encircled by a scene of bloodshed, carnage and death.
Gojyo's eyes are livid red pools of pure hellfire when he turns them from the little boy's corpse to Sanzo.
"What… did you… do?"
Standing in the jeep, gun still at the ready, Sanzo faces the other three in a moment of grim silence.
Goku is the one to speak next. When he does, it is only to say one word, a familiar name, in very unfamiliar circumstances. His voice is small and hoarse, almost pleading in tone.
"Sanzo?"
Sanzo casts his eyes to Goku, and his coldly murderous gaze appears to soften as he does so, lingering upon Goku like a tender touch of comfort. His response is almost gentle, and seems to be directed at Goku alone.
"The child was seriously injured, possibly crippled for life. Possibly beyond saving."
Gojyo cuts in harshly, but is unable to complete his sentence, so overcome by outrage and disbelief is he.
"That doesn't give you the right to…"
A few heartbeats of unbroken silence, and Sanzo concludes his answer to Goku.
"The world does not need another orphan."
Gojyo is looking angrier by the second, while Hakkai's expression is terrifyingly blank and steady, focused intently on Sanzo. But as for Goku…
Goku looks at Sanzo, hears his words, sees the evidence of his actions, and still sees… only Sanzo. Not a psychopath, not a monster or a murderer, but only Sanzo. He looks at Sanzo and asks himself if what he sees is nothing but darkness, a black hole that gives off no light and no warmth, but that is not the answer he finds.
Goku's eyes settle into a tranquil sea of liquid gold, and a feeling of peace and acceptance replaces all fear and doubt.
For in his eyes, Sanzo is still shining as brightly as the sun, with a light that draws him in like a beacon whose brilliance sets his very heart and soul on fire. Even now, Sanzo still holds the only light he needs, the only light he wants, and he will follow it, even if the fire burns him alive in the process, even if it proves to be the very fire of hell. In his eyes, there is only his Sanzo, his sun, his always and everything.
And Sanzo needs him, now more than ever.
Goku closes his eyes, and a feeling of dreaded certainty washes over him like a tide of black night. Even if he were to go blind right at this moment, he would still know what is to happen next.
XXX
Hakkai and Gojyo are in agreement without even needing to share a single glance or a solitary word. Each man knows what the other is thinking, and that the thoughts are in accord with his own.
Sanzo needs to be restrained. He needs to have the gun removed from his possession. He needs to be controlled. He needs to be treated like the maniac he has surely become.
Hakkai knows his aim must be perfect, even when using the lowest energy intensity as possible, or risk taking Sanzo's arm away along with the weapon in his hand. But Hakkai is always precise, in everything that he does, and this should be no exception.
To Goku it seems as if everything is happening in slow motion, as Hakkai sends a chi attack in Sanzo's direction.
Sanzo senses the impending attack, and fires. The bullet streaks away from the barrel of the gun, and finds it's mark in Hakkai's chest, even at the same time as Sanzo's weapon is ripped from his hand by the force of the energy, and he is sent flying from the jeep.
Hakkai falls to the ground with a gasp of pain, but the gunshot has altered his perfect aim. Sanzo has been grazed in the side by the powerful blast.
Gojyo screams Hakkai's name, afraid for his friend, but he is not sure of the extent of Sanzo's injury, and must retrieve the gun. There is also his other reaction, the one that almost makes him angry with himself for thinking it at a time like this, but which still cannot be denied. This is the thought that tells him that he must put priority on Sanzo's safety above all else, and Gojyo cannot even begin to explain where this comes from, and so he does not even attempt to try. He merely reacts, moving towards Sanzo without hesitation.
Goku does not remain idle, and his reaction is based on instinct rather than on rational thought. At this point, he is beyond rational thought.
Wielding his staff, he races to intercept Gojyo. His half-demon companion turns to meet his attack, but it is already too late, and the staff finds connection with Gojyo's body. In the moment before impact, Goku has a chance to glimpse the expression on Gojyo's face, and it strikes at that outer, rational part of him that has since shut itself down by necessity.
Gojyo's eyes speak of shock and betrayal, but they harbor no anger for Goku, or hatred, or even regret. What he sees in those red, red eyes is … acceptance. Simple acceptance.
Gojyo cries out as bones crunch and organs bruise, and he collapses to the ground in a gasping heap.
"Gojyo, I'm sorry, but..."
Gojyo gags and spits out a mouthful of blood, and through his pain-contorted features, he smiles.
"Goku… remember what… you once said. 'What do I fight for? For myself… who else.' So, no hard feelings… kay? No matter what… happens…"
As Gojyo begins to struggle to stand, Goku leaves him and rushes to Sanzo's side.
XXX
Gojyo struggles to reach Hakkai, and finds to his relief that the green-eyed man, though injured, has not been banished by Sanzo's infamous gun. Hakkai needs help, as does he. Goku is running with a one-track mind at the moment, Gojyo realizes, and he knows that they can't count on him to see sense or reason. In fact, for a moment back there, Gojyo was almost sure that Goku was on the verge of going berserk. Thank all the gods in Heaven that that, at least, had not happened.
Gojyo drags Hakkai to Hakuryu, laying him in the back seat. He takes one more glance at Goku, now crouched by Sanzo's side, and then takes off in the jeep, intending to head back to the village and seek out a doctor's assistance.
At the sound of Hakuryu's engine, Goku raises his head and listens, but he does not turn to watch as his two friends drive off into the eastern horizon.
TO BE CONTINUED