Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Saiyuki. And I didn't create it. But I'm damn glad Minekura Kazuya-Sama did.

((Our comprehensive exam is finally over! cramming for that was hard, I had only 2 hours of sleep in over 48 hours.. +.. starry-eyed.. anyway, KotoJuri, Kryscylla, Kierrn Saro, RedEyedRavenWolf, thanks you guys.. hehehe, yeah, goku's a really mistreated child.. let's see what happens after that.. frankly I don't have much idea about that yet. and yeah, RedEyedRavenWolf, sorry about the broken cliffhangers.. i'll try to change that habit..

This one is really short. Sob.))

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS

Chapter 8

Koryu found himself in a very uncomfortable situation. First, the people whom he thought were okay weren't really okay after all. When it came to this sort of brotherhood thing, the guys were just too tight about the rules and regulations. Did it really matter that he had to do something that stupid just to get "inducted" in?

The blonde looked down. "I won't do it." Everyone else in the room froze. "What?" the hooded man could only stare at him in disbelief. This was the first time someone has ever disagreed to do the task. He suddenly wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. No one has ever backed out, not in his time at least.

"Sorry. I just cant do what you're asking me to." Koryu was still staring at the ground beneath him. Sweat was starting to form in his temples, and he felt cold all of a sudden. Hah, Koryu. Just what did you get yourself into? He knew he had to face whatever consequence there might be when he decided to join the so-called brotherhood, but he hadn't expected something to happen this fast. at least not during the induction "rites".

But to kill someone for them? This brotherhood is a fucking mafia. And there he realized it. That's why he was offered all the booze and drugs and smoke he could ever need for his life. This was not a normal fraternity. There must be some underground bigshot behind all this.

"Very well. You understand that not completing the task will therefore render your application null. You have to leave within the few minutes and never come here again until you are ready."

Koryu barely heard the last few sentences. Fists were raining down upon him, and although he could hear the elder shouting at the boys to stop hurting him, he was being beaten to death. "Coward!" "Bastard!" "Fuck you!" "Faggot!"

Koryu closed his eyes. Tears were flowing out uncontrollably, but he had no way to stop the numerous men clambering on top of him. A few minutes later he passed out, a broken, beaten and crumpled figure beside the highway. A kind gentleman stopped his car and brought the half-alive blonde to the hospital.

"Hello?"

"Aiel, its me, Gono."

"Oh, its you. So.. ?"

"I just called to tell you that I cant make it tonight. Something came up. I cant tell you right now but I promise I will tell you when I can."

"Wow.. did you actually breathe while telling me that?"

"Ehm…"

"Its alright Gono.. I'm sure whatever you're doing is important. And we still have a lot of chances to get together. I'll just… call someone else to keep me company tonight."

Gono was stricken to hear her say that she was going to look for someone else. The green monster tugged at his heart, but he knew he couldn't leave Goku alone.

"Alright. Thanks for understanding. Take care."

"Bye."

Click. The dial tone was suddenly colder at the thought of some other guy cozing up to Aiel when it should be him. But she did say that they had a lot of chances to get together. He brightened up at that thought and walked back to where Goku was busy wiping his face with paper napkins.

"I'm really sorry you had to see me like this."

"Its alright, Goku. What are friends for anyway?"

"So I guess you wont be spreading this around?"

"You have my word for it."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

"Yey! Thanks. Nee-chan!" Goku was back to his old genki self, his grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I'll walk you home. Or do you actually walk home?"

"I have a driver. Do you want to come to my house? Okay. You're coming with me. Thanks neechan..:

Gono could only nod and smile. He wasn't given the chance to answer the question but he had long since agreed to accompany his friend home. Especially after such a sudden and painful confession.

Gojyo was lying on a small patched couch, his eyes glued on to a dirty magazine, his long red hair splayed all around him. Haa.. nothing like a good Friday afternoon, staying home and doing absolutely nothing. His brother wasn't home yet, and he had the whole one-bedroom-one-bathroom house to himself. Nothing like the peace and quiet when doku' not around.

The tiny door creaked open. Spoke too soon. Doku removed his coat and brought his keys down to a small counter near the door. After checking to make sure it was locked, his serious gaze landed on his brother.

"Stop reading trash, will you?"

Gojyo pulled the magazine down his face, gave his brother a blank stare, and pulled the magazine back up to his face again.

"You know anyone called Koryu?"

"No."

"Really? This says he's in your class. Almost all your classes.."

"Nope.. never heard of him.. I'd know if he was my classmate. Now leave me alone, ok?"

"Fine."

Doku proceeded to the bathroom and turned on the faucet. Seconds later he was taking a bath.

KORYU.

KORYU…

KORYU…?

Rings a bell, doesn't it? Koryu koryu koryu.. whoever could you be? I know everyone in class.. there's Kei, Reiyu, Gard, Jeff, Yaone, Nadine, and that weird kid Goku. Aiel. And her new admirer Gono, the new student. And then there's this other new student. I don't like his guts. But we're becoming okay. Gojyo closed his eyes. Come to think of it, his name is.. His eyes snapped open. KORYU!

He got up immediately and banged on the bathroom door. Any names mentioned by his brother must be related to the local gang. And it could only mean either of two things. That his friend had been in on the gang happenings, or that the gang did something bad to him. Shit.

"Doku! What about Koryu! I know him!"

"What! I cant hear you? Cant you see that im fucking taking a bath?"

"what happened to Koryu?"

"Wait. Im coming out soon."

He had no choice but to wait for his brother to come out of the bathroom. He walked around the house, feeling very worried for Koryu's fate. He spied upon a small piece of paper underneath the keys to the house near the door, and it was a schedule card. From his school. his year level. The schedule was almost identical to his. Only the name was different. Koryu.

His brother came out much later with a towel wrapped around him. "He was recommended to the gang. He didn't want to do the task, and now some assholes beat the hell out of him. Now we couldn't find his body where they dumped him half-dead."

Gojyo's mouth dropped.

"Shit."

He went to the bathroom and splashed water on his face. So its finally happening. They're targeting us high school students.

The redhead walked out of the room a few minutes later, clad in a dark jacket and torn pants.

Now where to find him…?

((Gomene for the short chap.. I guess I just have accept the fact that school gets harder and harder everyday. I thought I would be able to have more time to write after the comprehensive exams.. boy, was I wrong. The mountainous workload is now dumped on my back. Ohwell. I'll still update asap. And it wont take longer than a week. I hope… ))