Chapter One: GROUND ZERO PROJECT

Author's Note: This is where we know the real deal. Standard disclaimers still apply. Standard pairings, as obvious from the prologue. The concept again, is based on the movie by Kinji Fukasaku. Now, I didn't miss anything? Let's go on then!

He finally woke up, wincing slightly as he did. His eyes slowly fluttered open as the pain from earlier was still there. He felt his hands move, the floor he was lying down on was cemented. Smooth and made out of fine marble, there was an explosion of dark color when he opened his eyes. The vision immediately began to change. In front of him was a gray wall and a blackboard. He saw the shadows of the ceiling fan moving right above him. The sooner it cleared, the more he saw it. By each side of the front, there were two men, same from the ones he saw earlier. Holding their guns in position.

He could tell that the whole class was beginning to wake up as well. He heard moans and soft whispering asking where they were. He winced and slowly sat up, seeing others doing the same as he did. He touched the side of his head where he was hit, and he cloth bandages. Though there was some dried blood by the side of his cheek, the injury itself was cleaned and covered. He looked around him and saw that there was nothing much in the dark colored room except the gray walls, two green colored lockers by the side of each room, a blackboard up front and a table.

''Sanzo?'' a voice called.

He looked to his left and saw that Gojyo had regained consciousness. He paused to look around him and then he looked back at the blonde.

''Where the hell are we?'' he asked.

''How the hell should I know?'' Sanzo returned as he shook his head.

''Damn, my head... Feel like I've been trampled on by elephants or something.'' Gojyo said as he sighed and winced. He looked up and saw Sanzo's own injury. ''What? – They did that? –''

''Who else would've done it?''

''Yeah. They bandaged it, too.'' Gojyo said as he looked up. ''Well, at least we know they don't want us dead.''

''Hm.'' Sanzo said as he looked at him. ''Don't be so sure about that.''

Hakkai and Goku opened their eyes at the same time. Hakkai got up and Goku did as well, rubbing his head.

''Wh-What happened?'' the boy asked as he looked around. ''Where are we?''

Hakkai immediately looked at all of them. ''Is everyone alright?'' he saw Sanzo and was about to say something when he noticed the cloth bandage around his head.

''Eh?—'' he asked as he blinked. ''They bandaged it up?''

''I know. It's strange...''

''There's nothing strange about it.'' Komyo suddenly said as he himself got up from the floor. ''They meant to do that. They don't want you dead, after all...''

''Sensei...'' Sanzo trailed off. ''What's going on here, We don't understand...''

Komyo looked at him, again, he wasn't smiling. But he looked rather sad, almost worried.

''Sanzo... I'm very sorry, I should have warned you...''

Before he could finish, the doors opened. The students fell quiet, and they looked up – some of them were still whispering, but they tried to make sure it was as soft as possible. Again, footsteps were heard. Stepped up in front of the class was a man around his late thirties or so it seemed. He had brown hair up to the end of his neck, and a beard, which had of the same color. He looked at them, almost sternly and yet somehow, it had a very sinister air to it. The students moved back as they saw him.

''So, you're the chosen class, are you?'' he said, looking at the fifty students in the room – staring at him with frightened and confused eyes and glances. He snickered and shook his head. ''You look like a bunch of worthless shit bags alright, you should do.''

''The hell is going on here?!'' one of the students asked. ''Where the hell are we and who the hell are you?!''

''Who the fuck are you callin' shit bags, asshole?!'' another one joined in.

One of the men by the side of the room started to fire his machine gun, continuously as it pointed north. The students screamed and started to run for cover. Goku shielded his head and Sanzo shut his eyes tightly as he moved back. Hakkai and Gojyo did the same, moving their bodies a little low.

''I'm the one who does the talking here, kid.'' He said again as he grinned maliciously. ''If you have anything else to say, you can save it.''

The whole room fell quiet as he then got up and walked over to the black board. Picking up a piece of chalk, he started to write the words in big bold letters for the whole class to see.

GROUND ZERO PROJECT.

He put down the chalk and faced the class.

''I'm known around here as Li Touten.'' He introduced in a clear voice. ''From now on, here are the rules. I'm in charge here, anyone else who has a problem with that will be shot right where he deserves to be shot.'' He paused before he continued. ''Next rule is, from now on you don't have anymore friends in this class. You have possible moving targets.''

''What are you talking about?!'' Goku asked as he frowned. ''Why would you ask us to do that?!''

''Last rule.'' He said, ignoring Goku. ''You do not trust anyone anymore. Anyone, no matter who they are, they're your enemies.'' He nodded and looked at them. ''Is that understood.''

''Hey! No it isn't! Not until we know just what the fuck is going on here!'' Gojyo said, unable to keep himself restrained.

The man was about to shoot at him, when Li-Touten raised his hand to stop him. ''I was getting there anyway...'' he grinned and looked at Gojyo, and then again at the rest of the class. ''The crime rate in Japan, from the recent years has increased to over two hundred thousand. And these crimes include, murder, robbery, rape, destruction of property and the like.'' He walked over to the board as he picked up the piece of chalk and underlined the words he had written earlier.

''These crimes were usually caused by people with the age range of fifteen to seventeen.'' He looked ahead. ''People your age.'' He said as he walked closer to the crowd. ''The government came up with something known as the Ground Zero project.''

''This is where people from your age, with your social status are picked and taken to this island. Usually, we chose from schools with popular infamous reputations...'' he pointed to a folder, which was handed to him. ''Wakayama High School seemed to be on the top of the list... Random students here have been suspects for the crimes I had mentioned earlier.'' He paused and laughed shortly. ''Did you know that last year's batch was also picked from here?''

Sanzo's eyes widened slightly as he remembered what he had read once from a headline. Wakayama High mystery massacre, when only one female student made it alive and forty-nine ended up dead. No one knew exactly where or how the massacre happened – but when it did, everyone was alarmed and the number of students entering of Wakayama decreased for a while, until everyone forgot about it.

It started to formulate in his mind. A massacre and fifty students in an island... He looked at Li Touten and scowled.

''Yes, of course some of you do.'' He said glancing at Sanzo before he turned back to the table. ''Anyway, that's why you're here...'' he said.

''Since you've been nothing but a burden to this country. If not to life in the universe itself. You've been chosen for the Ground Zero project. Instruction – each of you are given a bag of necessities. In there, you'll find food, water, medicine and bandages, a notepad and a pen to write down reminders and of course the most important thing...'' he paused. ''A weapon...''

Everyone started to whisper loudly and some of them even began to panic.

''A weapon so you can save your sorry asses when your classmate tries to kill you.'' Li Touten continued. ''That's the only instruction here. You're here to kill each other... and only one of you will be getting out of this Island and getting back home.''

There was an uproar, a few girls at the back started to cry and hold onto each other as some of the boys stood up at the same time and started yelling in protest at the top of their lungs. Only a few students tried to stop them, afraid of what force the military men might bring in because of their rebelling behavior. Komyo remained quiet as he looked at the four, who were the only ones to be calm, despite the outrage that they felt.

''But that's not fair!'' Goku said again as he looked up. ''We didn't do anything wrong!''

''Yes you did, student number 00133104, Son Goku.'' Li Touten paced around, without even looking at Goku. ''The fact that you infest this country proves that you deserve to die like a bunch of dogs. When you die here, no one will ever find you. No one will miss you. Your bodies will rot like the useless piece of chewed meat that they are.''

''You'd better watch what you're saying or I'm gonna be pounding you in a minute.'' Gojyo said as he clenched his fists, not even threatened by the guns aimed at him as he said those words.

''I had no idea this was how the government cleaned up their mess.'' Hakkai said coldly as he looked up at Li Touten.

With those words, again – the boys started protesting at the back. Waving their fists angrily and holding them up as if to threaten Li Touten. The man only looked calm as his brows met, he turned to the men and nodded.

Bullets soon flew from their guns as they aimed it at the group of three boys at the back. The girls screamed and ran for cover, and some covered their eyes. Blood splattered across the floor and the wall, bullets were on the ground. And the bodies of three once living teenagers, fell to their own pool of crimson. Their eyes wide open, the expression on their faces showed that it was too sudden and quick to have become painful for them.

Kimura Hasengawa, Student Number 00223306 – Dead

Onasaka Shibuya, Student Number 00234908 – Dead

Sanada Kaijin, Student Number 003453007 – Dead

FOURTY SEVEN MORE TO GO...

The whole room fell quiet as the shooting stopped, the men returned to their stoic stature as they stood there. Now, Li Touten looked seriously angry.

''That's what punk-ass bastards like you get if you start to talk back...'' He said. His eyes were flaring as he started at each student directly, making them back away as he did. ''Remember, around here I'm GOD. And my word is as good as GOD'S word. If any of you have a problem with that, then you can kiss pathetic wastes of lives goodbye...''

''Hm.'' Sanzo suddenly spat out in a low, but clear enough voice for him to hear. ''Don't make me laugh.''

Li Touten looked up and looked at him.

''Student Number, 00122104, Genjo Sanzo... You have something to say?''

Hakkai looked at Sanzo, almost worriedly. But he knew once that Sanzo wanted to say something that he thought there was absolutely no stopping him. He tried to grasp on his shoulder, But to his surprise, his hand was shrugged off. Komyo looked at his student thoughtfully, even giving a slight grin.

''You bet as hell I do.'' He said, now scowling towards the general's way. ''You self-righteous asshole...''

Everyone started to whisper as one of the girls at the back called.

''Dame yo, Genjo-kun! They'll kill you!''

''Just keep quiet! They'll –''

''If you ask me, if we're going to do this, you should get killed along with us.'' Sanzo continued despite their warnings. ''You go around calling us the trash of the generation, you're just as flithy as we are, you and your government. Getting rid of us after we've got no use for you, Getting rid of those who don't believe in you, those who think differently. Then you act like you're the heroes!'' he looked at Li Touten who was now glaring angrily at him. ''You'd feel better if we acted like your dead government drones. ''

He let out a bitter, sardonic laugh before looking straight into the general's brown eyes.

''If this is how ''god'' or whatever kind of fucking government should rule. Then I'd rather die here and rot like the useless piece of chewed meat that I should than go back home and face that kind of justice! It'd make me sick!''

Guns were suddenly aimed at him. He kept his glare cold, ignore the clicking sounds from the guns that he heard.

Hakkai was getting worried for him, they wouldn't hesistate to shoot him down. Goku was furious as he clenched his fists, Gojyo was the same.

'''Student number, 00122104, Genjo Sanzo.'' Li Touten repeated. ''You'll be leaving this game a little early.'' The guns kept their aim steady at him. ''Shame, I thought a student like you, who's seen so much death in his life would've proved to be promising...'' his laugh was malicious. ''For your disobedience and radical idea against the government...''

''I'll consider it a gift.'' Sanzo spat out again. ''I'd be happy to be actually dead. Then someone who's alive and yet might as well be...''

''DAME DA! – '' Goku called and was about to jump in the way.

''Goku! Don't!'' Hakkai called his eyes wide in fear.

The gunshots then resounded through, there was crying and screaming heard throughout the room. A pool of blood started to flow through, on the ground.

Sanzo, who had his eyes shut tightly – slowly opened them. He was expecting to feel pain, pain so agonizing that he would wish that he would be dead. But that's what he felt like from the beginning, wasn't it? Ever since those two years ago, there were times that he wished this is what he wanted. He wanted to smile, he wanted to laugh. But would have the strength to do it? He had been shot! He was going to die! And everyone around him – would forget about him. He would never had existed...

But as he opened his eyes – he felt that his clothes were dry and no blood was on him. There was no pain, except for this sickening feeling in his stomach that something had gone horribly wrong.

Everyone in the room fell quiet. And he heard Hakkai call.

''Komyo-sensei!''

His hands started to shake, he gasped and looked ahead of him. His eyes widened as he saw Komyo-sensei, standing in front of him as he had blocked all the bullets. His body was tattered with all the bullets that had gone through him and had hit him. He coughed out blood, as he stumbled – but he forced himself to stand, still blocking his student's way in case anyone else decided to fire.

''Komyo! Step back now! We're punishing this student accordingly.'' Li Touten said.

''Sensei!'' Sanzo called. ''Sensei! Get out of the way!''

Komyo gave a painful smile as he stumbled and looked at Li Touten.

''Then you'll have to punish me as well...'' he said as he winced. ''For the same radical action that he stands for...''

With that, Li Touten grinned.

''Fine.''

More bullets came flying, again the room was filled with pleas and screams. More blood rained down upon the floor as then one of the men took out a throwing knife and threw it towards the teacher who stood in the way. It plunged right in the middle of his chest, and finally he fell down.

There was the stain of blood across Sanzo's cheek, as with his wide, horrified violet eyes looked upon his bleeding, dying mentor's face.

''Sensei...'' Sanzo trailed off, as he touched Komyo's cheek. Tears were beginning to form by the corners of his eyes, as he grit his teeth and clenched his left fist. Keeping his glance at him.

''Live...'' were the only words that he was able to whisper. His eyes then closed, his breathing came to a halt as his head tilted sideways.

Gojyo watched bitterly and looked away, Goku had tears falling from his eyes and Hakkai watched, horrified, as Komyo-sensei now lay lifeless on the ground.

Sanzo looked at Komyo, and then at his hands which were smeared with his blood. The tears now trailed down his cheek, mixing in with the blood that smeared across it.

''I couldn't protect him...'' he whispered.

Komyo-sensei, Faculty member number 00122504 – DEAD

TSUZUKU