To LN Tora, I honestly didn't think of spell and think it was kind of good idea. ^_^ and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.
To Eli Tan, I hope this chapter answer your curiosity!
To Naruka, there's no way I'm going to kill Gojyo. What's a story without Gojyo in it, right? ^_~
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki. Never did and never will. ( -_- )
A Curse of Taboo Child
Chapter 3: Taboo Child's Blood
As soon as Gojyo opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was a blast of pain that shot through his head. He groaned silently. Damn! That must be a very hard blow to make him groaned pitifully. He lifted his blood red eyes to scan his surrounding and realized he was in a damp cell. It was when Gojyo tried to reach for the nasty bruise behind his head that he realized he was shackled to the wall. Now this is really the worst day of my life. Gojyo thought dryly. I'm being shackled, unable to sit down, my head hurt like hell, and he left me to rot in this stinky place wearing only my pants! Where in the living hell are my clothes?
Then, his ear caught sounds of footstep, coming towards him. Gojyo curved up a small grin. It's about time… And two men appeared. Gojyo stared at them. Gojyo had already known one of the men. How could he forget? This was the damned demon that cheated him by bringing another demon to smash his head! What was his name? Kenny…? Kenshin? Yes, that was it. Kenshin. And the other one… Gojyo turned his attention the other man. Long, blue-black haired and the color of his eyes were indeterminable since the stinky place was quite dark. In his right hand he carried a white metal case. Well… I'll bet within a minute, the introduction will begin.
"What took you so long to come here?" Gojyo said mockingly and smiled an annoying grin. "I could've died from boredom here. No cigarettes, no liquors and especially no women."
The blue-black haired man glanced to his partner, knowing his short-tempered attitude that any second from now, Kenshin would kick the insolent out from their captive. But to his greatest surprise, Kenshin curved up a small smile as if Gojyo's words amused him. Zean narrowed his eyes in displeasure. I don't like this…
Kenshin came closer to Gojyo. "We are waiting for your fiery head to snap out of unconsciousness, Gojyo." He said the name with a slight caress but enough to make Zean tightened his jaws and Gojyo raised his eyebrows. Okay, this is starting to freak me out.
"Cut the crap," Gojyo said with the mocking grin lingered. There was no way he was going to lose his cool in front of these guys. "Tell me what do you want from me? If your plan is to use me, so that Sanzo will come to my rescue, forget about that. He don't give a damn about me." But at least Hakkai will wonder about my whereabouts. Who else is going to screw him at nights if it wasn't me? Gojyo smiled.
"I hope you don't expect you friends to come, Gojyo" Kenshin said. If he said my name like that again, he's going to get it! Gojyo thought angrily, slowly losing his cool. The only man who he had allowed to say his name like that was Hakkai and he didn't freak him out like this man did. "Because right now, your friends think you're dead." Kenshin secretly indulged himself by losing himself into the magnificent red eyes as they went wide in disbelief.
Calm yourself down. Gojyo thought but his hand tightened dangerously into fist. They will not believe those stupid craps without any proves to say it otherwise. But when Gojyo looked at Kenshin irritatingly confident face, he felt a rush of anger and alarm ran through his head. Damn it! As if his head wasn't burdened enough! What were you thinking, Gojyo? Of course Hakkai wouldn't believe it! None of them will believe it…unless He raised his eyes as realization hit him like blasting lightning. Unless these bastards faked his death… DAMN IT!
Alright, now I'm really going to freak out…
Zean decided he had watched this revolting scene long enough. If Kenshin had a sudden lust to fuck someone, it should have been him! Not this fucking half-breed demon that he had just met yesterday! Frowning, Zean stepped forward. "Alright, the introduction is over. Kenshin, let's get on with our experiment."
Experiment? Gojyo thought in disbelief. What do they take me for? A blasted mouse lab? Wriggling his wrists around the shackles, Gojyo knew he had to know their purpose of this crazy experiment, whatever it was, before the blue-black demon stuck any of those only-God-knows-what wires into his body. "Not yet," Gojyo said, stubbornly refused to show any trace of panic, which he knew his body was screaming from it. He'd rather be dead than to let these demented men stole his cool. Curving up a sarcastic grin, Gojyo continued. "I don't even know your name."
"It is none of your business." Zean said coldly. "All that we want from your is your blood."
So, I'm to be a blood bank…for what? One of them has anemia disease? Gojyo frowned. This was going to hurt like hell when they took his blood. "Why me? If all you want is blood, why risk your life to catch me?" Gojyo asked instead. Demons tried to avoid any contact with them except if it was Kougaiji's order. And these demons didn't look like someone's dogs. He saw Kenshin and the unnamed looked at each other as if contemplating whether to tell their captive or not.
"You are taboo child, Gojyo," Kenshin said as if the simple statement explained all. "A child that was born between human and demon."
Why couldn't everybody ignore the fact I am a taboo child? It's like a damn curse! Inside, Gojyo was bristling. He rarely got angry but these two demons really started to piss him off. But he wasn't going to show them how angry he was. Not yet. "That still didn't explain why you risk your life to capture me. If all you want is a taboo child's blood, there is a lot of them scattering outside."
"A taboo child is hated by all," The raven-haired demon said. Gojyo groaned silently inside. Damn it! Why the hell can't he get straight to the point? All these talking about how cursed a taboo child really starting to piss him off… was Kenshin tried to provoke him? Tried to see how far could he remain calm? "Hated by humans for he is a demon and hated by demons for he is a human. Outcast by both sides with no way to go. And now, when most of the demons have lost all control for themselves and start to kill humans and humans fight back, the breach between humans and demons widened so much now that taboo children had became their punch bags. A tool to vent their bloodlust vengeance with whenever they couldn't kill the real ones."
Gojyo closed his eyes as the dark memories of his childhood slowly flooded into his mind. A tool to vent their anger with… Kenshin's words were so true… from the day he was born until now, half-breed like him was considered nothing but a curse. Even without the minus wave, he had tasted the hatred and animosity from people around him at a very tender age. He was so lonely… isolated from other children… hated by his mother… villagers avoided him like a damn plague! And he began to hate the color of his hair and eyes for they were a sign for being a cursed child. The only thing that helped him throughout this living hell was his half-brother. And all he had ever done to deserve all those cruel treatments from them was trying to stay alive, to stay sane and to be able to face the world without any trace of shame of what he was. Just because of that… Only that… "Why are you telling me this?" Gojyo asked quietly.
"Because you ask us why we have to risk our life to capture you, Gojyo," Kenshin smirked. "We need a taboo child that is old enough to supply us the blood we need throughout this experiment and to find a cursed child that is still strong, healthy, matured and most importantly alive like you is very hard." Gojyo opened his eyes wide. Alive? What is he trying say? That people and demons are massacring those children just to assuage their bloodlust vengeance?
As if he read his mind, Kenshin said. "Don't you know that, Gojyo?" Kenshin's smirk was getting wider and Gojyo was too shock to be angry. "Of course you don't, you are no longer a vulnerable and wide-eyed taboo child. You are able to protect yourself and to intimidate others with you power. No one from either side dares to touch you."
"But you do," Gojyo's blood red eyes went hard. Why should the truth shocked him? He should have known that most of taboo children didn't last long. Even he, had to go through so many things …to struggle his way before he could survive this long. But killing them for nothing… Suddenly he couldn't breath…
"Ah… that's because we need you, Gojyo," Kenshin looked at Zean. "Without you, Zean's discoveries will be useless."
"Discoveries?" Gojyo scoffed. To think this half-wit, none-talkative and always-glowering demon had actually able to use his brain to discover that the fact a taboo child had another use other than being somebody's punch bag.
"We demons have to wear control device, so that we will not go crazy like others. But the control device also limited our power. Unlike you…" Zean went closer to Gojyo and reached out for his head. Instinctively, Gojyo stiffened and pull away. "Stay put." Zean snarled. What else could Gojyo do? He was half naked, hand shackled to the wall, his head still hurt like hell and surrounded by two demons that threatened to suck his blood dried like a damned vampire. Life can really be cruel to you sometimes… Gojyo thought dryly. No, life is always cruel to me.
Zean pushed the fiery hair away, so Gojyo's ear will be exposed. "…Unlike you, you have a human side inside of you that makes you unaffected by the minus wave. Without any control device attached to your body, you are able to use your power to the fullest without ever worrying to lose control." Zean released the hair and looked at Gojyo. "It's in your blood, Gojyo. And I'm going to take it."
A warning bell rang insistently in his head, telling Gojyo the talking was over and the experiment was about to start. "What are you going to do once you succeed?" Stall him… stall this fucking crazy demon… I'm not ready yet! There is no way I let this bastard probe me with anything!
"Sell the potion, of course," Kenshin said as if Gojyo was asking a very stupid question. "Have you any idea how many demons out there that are willing to pay us anything for this potion, Gojyo?"
That's it! Gojyo thought furiously. I did say this bastard is going to get it if he said my name again, didn't I? "NO!! I don't, bastard!" Gojyo snarled, losing all the cool and calm attitude. "I'm just another of your stupid mouse lab. Soon, if I'm lucky, I will be a part of your fucking potion too. Why the hell do you think I have any idea?!"
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. How he would have loved to kiss the insolent mouth of the irritating half-breed! Maybe after Zean finished using him and he still survived, he would take turn. Then, he would have the greatest pleasure to screw him senseless until he was begging him to stop. Or better, until he was begging for more!
Zean knew the lust when he encountered one and it was written all over Kenshin's face. Immediately his anger to Gojyo doubled. This damned half-breed is really getting in his way! Then, Zean turned around and reached out for a syringe and at that moment, Gojyo had known a real panic. He had ran out of questions to ask and this damned experiment couldn't be delayed anymore. I'll teach you for turning Kenshin's attention from me, you fucking half-breed whore! His black eyes shone evilly.
What the hell?! Gojyo thought furiously. Does my forehead write I'm a fucking blood donor? His hands angrily tugged against the iron shackles. He wasn't going to give away his blood without putting up any fight! He had struggled his whole life, fighting off everybody who affronted him just so his blood could keep on flowing in his body. And if these crazy demons thought he was going to remain supple, giving away the blood he had protected so ferociously, they were badly mistaken!
Gojyo's eyes narrowed at Zean, his body stiffened and alerted like a wild lion watching its victim. Or was he the victim? Zean was a feet away from him, with a syringe that gleamed dangerously. Fight him off, Gojyo! Show him that you will not be easily put off! A voice inside him screamed. Gojyo quickly grasped the iron chains that held the shackles to the wall and unexpectedly hauled himself up and kicked Zean face and the syringe off his hand using his unshackled legs. Zean and Kenshin were momentarily astounded by the unexpected assault from Gojyo that it took a while for Zean to realize that blood was running from his nose.
Take that! Gojyo felt a rush of satisfaction.
What the hell!! Zean wiped the blood from his nose. I have enough of this for one day! This time he's really going to pay! "Kenshin! Strain him while I stick this bloody needle inside this fucking half-breed's wrists!"
Kenshin took a great pleasure in pinning the struggling and cursing half-breed that he had not complained like he always did whenever Zean ordered him to do something. But when Gojyo raised his knee to hit Kenshin's in the stomach, all his pleasure was gone. "Stay put, you bloody fool!" Kenshin snarled, swallowing down the excruciating pain of Gojyo's kick. "There's no use to keep on struggling! Your friends thought you're dead, you're shackled to the wall and you're injured! Just give it up now!" Kenshin tightened his grip on Gojyo's neck and his legs pinned firmly against Gojyo's legs.
"No!" Gojyo hissed through the pressure of Kenshin's hand on his throat. "If they thought I'm dead, I'm going to prove them otherwise!" Damn it! His body was losing the precious air and his defiant struggle made the whole situation worse. Damn every one of them to the lowest of hell!!
Zean was wildly jealous at the sight of Kenshin standing so close to Gojyo, even though Kenshin acted on his order. Reaching for a sharp and small blade and a transparent tube that was connected to a white container, Zean evilly dismissed his early intention to anesthetize Gojyo. This is going to teach you a lesson!
Gojyo saw at the corner of his eyes that Zean was trying to cut his blood vein opened using a sharp blade. Panic seized his heart, making it harder for him breath. Calm down!! A voice inside him ordered. Calm down, damn it, before you suffocate yourself to death! Breathe… Come on BREATHE!!! I can't! Gojyo thought. Too much pressure!
A sharp pain shot through Gojyo's right arm, causing Gojyo to gasp even more. Zean was oblivious of the blood that ran out freely from the gash as he stuck in the tube. The pain was so excruciating! Gojyo let out a bloodcurdling scream of pain that could be heard all over empty hall… And he slipped into a blissful state of unconsciousness.
"Gojyo!" Hakkai was immediately pulled out from the nightmare. A dream… that's all… It is just another dream. He silently calmed himself down, willing the pounding of his heart to slow down. He had dreamt about Gojyo, about the torture Gojyo had endured. Now that they knew Gojyo could still be alive somewhere out there, Hakkai could not have even a second rest without dreaming about Gojyo. And he didn't which one was worse; the fact Gojyo was dead or the fact Gojyo was still alive and under some crazy demons' hostage. But the screaming he had heard… the screaming had sounded so real… so near… so full of pain. Was it a part of the dream too?
Massaging his tired eyes and throbbing temple, Hakkai reluctantly left the bed and went to the inn restaurant, knowing that there could be no sleep for him now. Not after that dream… Even though Sanzo had curtly ordered him to have a rest before any hunting started, so he wouldn't be anyone's damned burden (Sanzo's exact words), Hakkai couldn't. All those sleeps and dreams made him more anxious and impatient for the hunting to start. Once he got his lover back in his clutch, he would keep him within his sight and never let him go. To hell with Gojyo's wish for a commitment-free relationship! Gojyo was his and Hakkai determined to keep it that way.
"Good evening, Sanzo, Goku," Hakkai greeted warmly as he sat for the dinner. Goku cheerfully answered Hakkai's greeting and Sanzo just snorted and nodded his head slightly. If he glared at Hakkai for not following his order, he knew Hakkai would give his 'I'm fine' and 'Don't worry' craps. If only Hakkai could see the dark spot under his eyes and the paleness of his face…
"So, when are we going to start?" Hakkai asked. Now… say now...
"After this hungry monkey filled his empty stomach." Sanzo said. "I don't want to spent the next hour listening to all those 'I'm hungry' craps."
At that, Goku looked at the empty seat beside him as if expecting to hear Gojyo's irritating words. Usually this was when Gojyo would tease him by agreeing whatever Sanzo was saying and he would get angry. Why was the dinner so silent nowadays?
Sanzo looked at his pet and his golden eyebrows raised in puzzlement when he got no angry retort from him. Then, he saw Goku's eyes were fixed on the empty seat beside him and knew instantly that his Goku was lonely without his arguing partner. What a minute! Sanzo stopped short with a horrific realization. Did he say the word 'his' before the word 'Goku'? …??
Damn it! Sanzo glowered at Goku, who was totally oblivious the battle that was raging inside his keeper's mind. With Gojyo's missing and all, Goku had grown uncomfortably close to him. Uncomfortable for him, of course. Ever since he had foolishly opened his emotion, which only a little bit ( Sanzo defied stubbornly) and Goku had sweetly cried in his arms, Sanzo had this peculiar feeling towards Goku and it was alarmingly growing. It was just a little hug, damn it! Not that you had brought him to your bed and screwed him! WAIT! Did he say that?! Did he actually think of taking Goku to his bed?!
This whole thing was so damned fuck up! And he didn't like it one bit!
"Sanzo?" Goku called tentatively. He had never seen Sanzo in such a bad mood before. He glowered at his food that if the food was still alive and had legs, it would've ran away.
"What?!" Sanzo snapped.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Sanzo retorted and went on to glower at the food. It was Goku that made him felt all these stupid and absurd feelings and he dared to him what was wrong? Bloody hell! He had obviously spent too much time with Goku! That's why you are thinking of taking Goku to your bed… You wanted him… Admit it… Just take what you desire most… "Shut the hell up, damn it!" Sanzo roared angrily at the irritating voices in his damned head, causing Goku to choke on his food in surprise and Hakkai to widen his eyes in astonishment.
Sanzo realized he had actually shouted what was in his mind. It shows how much Goku was affecting you. You've never lost control before. He bristled. If this voice didn't shut up… "Are you done?" Sanzo said curtly and quickly regained his composure as he stood up. "Let's go."
"But… I'm not finished yet," Goku protested, each one of his hands held meat buns.
"I'm not even started," Hakkai said, bewildered. He just sat here for five minutes and Sanzo wanted to go now?
Then both of them heard an unmistakable sound of gun clicking and Sanzo aimed his gun to Goku. "Then. Take. Them. With. You." Sanzo said in a very awful and stressful tone. Then he walked out. Fuck it. He really need to get the I-want-to-screw-up-with-Goku notion out of his system. And fast.
Alright, that's the end of chapter three. Any correction or comment is mostly welcome!