Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Saiyuki. And I didn't create it. But I'm damn glad Minekura Kazuya-Sama did.
((More exams coming up! I better update this before I start cramming again. Hehehe. Thanks Kryscylla for keeping tabs on this. I probably wouldn't have moved much if no one was actually reading the story. hugs. And thanks to cremara.. well, I just really wanted to make that insane hunger fit so.. :D Now back to the story…))
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
Chapter 9
Kaila! Dont go yet.. I still have so much to tell you. You wouldn't believe how much I've grown already. I even have a friend. At least I think that's how we are. Friends. Aren't you proud of me? Wait. Just wait a minute, damnit! Kai………………!
Koryu's eyes snapped open. He was greeted by a blur of white and blue, yet when his vision finally settled, he was clueless as to where he was at that very moment. Kaila…
And then it all came back to him. There were many strong fists and there was much blood, so much that he wasn't sure how the story ended. Just what did they do to me? He peered down at himself and found his body bandaged and stitched in so many places. In fact, so many parts were hurting and because of the pain, he just couldn't bother to complain about which part was hurting or not. It became simpler. He just felt one big pain throbbing all over him.
"Good to know you're awake." It was the Steve, their butler. "Your parents will be coming back tonight, as you have been sleeping for.. almost the whole day."
Koryu didn't reply. Instead, he stared back at the ceiling and blinked. Just what did I get myself into? He felt a tear crawling down his cheek as he tried to remember just how he got to the hospital. Just what are you trying to prove, Koryu? Don't you think you've done enough pain to your parents already? Becoming an addict, and now trying to join an underground society? You're fucked up. He winced at the thought, and closed his eyes. He was sleeping again in a matter of seconds.
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And he failed to see the red haired man sitting right beside him. A few hours ago, Gojyo had ran all the way to school – it was the only place he could think of. Although there was no sign of Koryu, as he'd expected, he chanced upon the long white limo that used to fetch Koryu from school.
As if on cue, he was grabbed by the raging driver who started shaking him by his collar. He had to shout out that he was looking for Koryu as well and that he had no idea where he was. But wherever he is, I'm sure he's in a hell of a fucked up state. He shook his head, trying to clear his muddled head. Only a few weeks into school.. and THIS happens to the new student. His head raced to the other new student, and he suddenly realized that he should have informed Gono about Koryu's disappearance as well.
"You have a phone with you?" The driver looked at him suspiciously, but then sighed and rummaged for something in his trouser's pockets. "Anything for master Koryu.. or his friend." Gojyo was handed a cellphone and he punched in Gono's number. A few rings later and a voice answered.
"Cho Residence. What can I do for you?" came the courteous voice. "I'm looking for Gono, please.." The familiarity of the redhead's voice sank back to the other line and the butler of the Cho's replied warmly, "Of course, Mr. Gojyo, just wait a moment."
"Gojyo?"
"Hey! Gono.."
" What's the matter? You sound.. flustered."
"I am, damn it! Gono, Koryu has been done in by gangs, and I have no idea where he is."
"Is he..?"
"No.. I don't know. There's no body. Look, just.. try to look around, pull some strings and call some people, okay?"
"I'll do that right away."
"Bye."
Gojyo looked down at the cold street. Suddenly, all the hope that was still inside dissolved after he talked to Gono. How could he possibly be able to help anyway? He's new in town for Christ's sake, and he doesn't have any idea what the gangs here do.. And a small voice answered back inside him. He doesn't even know that your brother is part of one. Or that you were like Koryu too. He cringed at an old memory, provoked ever since news of Koryu's plight crashed down on him that night. An insatiable thirst for action and cigarettes. That was what made him do something so stupid in the first place. If only he had warned Koryu.. How did I not see that coming!
On the more peaceful side of town, an almost bursting Gono swallowed hard and walked slowly towards his parents' lounge. He was sure his mother would be there, but if his father was also present, he would have to drop everything, and pretend he just wanted to get a book from the library. His mind was swooning. He didn't understand exactly what Gojyo was saying, but from what it sounded like, it seemed that Koryu was missing, and most probably hurt, maybe even fatally. And so what could I do to find out? Call the police? That'd be the end of the world for Koryu for joining the gang in the first place. But did he really join the gang? And what in the world were gangs so notorious for?
He sighed, relieved that his mother was the only one in the room, curled up in one of the big chairs by the bookshelves. "Mother.." She looked up from her book and eyed him. "Gono?"
"I have this sort of problem. Its not my problem, but I thought that I could help him and I'd have to ask you to help too."
She smiled at him. "Of course I'll help Gono. What is it?"
"My friend is missing. Something with the gangs maybe… And he's probably not in a very good physical condition right now…"
He was surprised that she stared at him, not blinking, face stern yet thoughtful. "We could ask the hospitals around here. There's a possibility he's been brought to one…" She rummaged in her bag for a notebook and handed it to Gono. Look up this place's hospital. You can use my name to ask. Just.. be careful."
Gono nodded and walked briskly into the next room. It was his father's office which was often used for private conversations. In the next hour he was busily waiting, being put on hold, being passed around, but he finally managed to get a message to each. To call back if any blond teenager arrived because he was family and was missing.
And soon enough, someone called. Gono wasted no time in meeting up with Gojyo.
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One eye squinted at the almost blinding light. 3 figures loomed over him and he suddenly recalled that Steve was with him when he last woke up. Who.. what… "Gojyo?" The third person was someone he recognized but couldn't very well put a tag to.
"Koryu. You remember Gono?" The brunette smiled at him and gave a friendly wave, to which he responded to with a smile, but he wasn't sure he was able to express it. He felt.. lifeless, as if only an ember of life's flame existed inside him. Where the rest was lost too was not even considered.
He remembered them pouncing on him like a pack of leopards on a gazelle. And the worse thing was that he offered himself so easily to them. He knew that backing out was the most stupid thing to do, but still he did it. Why didn't he just really back out? Why did he test his pride? Why did I even bother going?
(( Uhm.. SOrrrreeee… smacks self There is just too much to be done.. I.. cannot… I try but.. I will always try to update asap.. but sometimes nothing comes out and I don't know what to write anymore.. may I take your family history instead? Is this the only thing would-be doctors are capable of writing now?))