Lost

By: SageWriting

Rating: PG-13

Summary: "To be betrayed is to be human..." When the team is betrayed by a friend, and one of their number is handed over to the enemy, can the remaining three save him before its too late? Friendship, pain, love and sadness...All shall be tested...and found worthy.

Foreword: Sorry about the delay, I was unable to sign In on this account and I just now figured it out. Forgive me! Anyway, read and review, people! No review...no chappy...cause I do so love reviews.

Disclaimer: nope, no own. But I DO own Beren and Trista.-sigh-

Warning: LOTS OF ANGST IN THIS CHAPTER! THOSE WHO MIGHT CRY EASILY SHOULD MAYBE GET SOME TISSUES. THANK YOU. Also, -clapclap- YAOI PEOPLE!

Chapter four: To live...or to die...Cho Hakkai. (Part two)

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I still don't get it, Hakkai...I cant understand why you did that!" Gojyo looked furious. Hands clenched as he leaned forward in the chair, "He doesn't even CARE that you might die- he just wants to know WHEN WE CAN FREAKING LEAVE!"

Hakkai jerked back, floating harmlessly through a chair that had been behind him. He didn't...he didn't understand what was going on. He might die? Then he wasn't dead yet? Then why was he a ghost? What did Gojyo mean Sanzo doesn't care? He was so confused, all his questions running though his mind unable to be asked, only building up behind his eyes, putting pressure on his mind. Ghosts, apparently, he realized with a dim curiosity, can get headaches.

He was absolutely baffled, then, by the tears streaming down Gojyo's face. "T-Trista...the woman who helped us...She says if you don't wake up by tonight..You wont ever... And, god Hakkai, its an hour before sunrise..."

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"Do you understand?" Clawed hands tore at his throat, pulling their captive closer and closer to a row of razor sharp teeth lying in wait.

The man nodded quickly, "Yes, yes! I understand! Please, please don't hurt me...I-I'll do it! I'll do it!" He was dropped back to the ground so hard he staggered, hands flying toward his torn neck.

"We will be waiting here in two hours. If you do not hold up your end of the bargain..." He sneered. "Well, I hear the flesh of a newborn is quite tender."

All the color fled from Beren's face and he bowed low, heart thudding in his chest. "I..I shall be here in two hours, I swear! Just, leave Trista out of this, please!"

Fangs gleamed in the dull light. "You have two hours."

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Hakkai almost couldn't believe what he had just heard, his eyes widening even as he spun to look out the small window, the curtain ruffling from the warm breeze that drifted in. Already he could see the faint lightening of the sky, the change in temperature, the way the moon began to fade.

Just like his body.

"Oh gods...Why did you do that? WHY?" The kappa's hands gripped at the sheets; so tightly his knuckles were bone white "I don't understand it, not at all! We've been up against worse enemies than that- so...why...?" The tears falling off his chin were hidden as he leaned forward, his hair falling about his face.

He had no clue that Hakkai was just beside him, trying to comfort, to console, even as his body began to fade, even as his mind began to break apart, making it harder and harder for him to think and form coherent thoughts.

At this point, all he wanted to do was go curl up in a corner and sleep.

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Trista stood at the sink, cleaning the dinner dishes, tears falling down her face. Her hands shook as she picked up the half eaten plate sitting in front of the priest, his head bowed to his chest, arms hanging loosely by his sides, his bangs ruffling with each little breath he took.

The small sarui sat next to him, his arms folded on the table, head lying on top of them, mouth parted slightly as he snored lightly. A slight mixture of sleeping herbs, strong enough to knock out the strongest of youkai, her own creation.

Arms wrapped around her, drawing her up against a taller chest. She spun, hiding her face in her husband's shirt, "Oh Beren! Please, don't do this...There has to be another way...! This...this isn't right!"

"I will not risk our child, love. If it means the life of one of these men, then so be it. They are youkai, no different from those who threaten us."

But she wasn't so sure. "No, Beren. They're different somehow...Gojyo...he hasn't even left his friends side for a moment-"

"Are you telling me one of them isnt out?" He hissed sharply, gripping her forearms. "Trista! I only have an hour and a half left- are you trying to get our little one killed!"

"No, no, no!" She cried, shaking her head. "I...I just cant!"

His eyes narrowed, "Then I will."

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"Hakkai...There..There is something I need to tell you.." Gojyo got up, sitting on the edge of the bed, holding Hakkai's limp hand in his own. The side of his face was lit with the rising sun, the palest pink and red.

Hakkai raised his spirit head a little, each movement sluggish and slow, his eyes fighting against his fatigue, something was telling him that he had to listen...that this was something he had to hear. He could stay awake for a little longer, for this.

Soft strands of his crimson fell around the kappa's face even as he reached up to brush at his eyes with his free hand. "I guess...I should have told you this long ago...But there wasn't a right time. At least...that's what I kept telling myself. And now, I may never get another chance."

"What is he talking about...?" Hakkai murmured, rising to his feet, his steps weighted, like walking through syrup. "What is..."

"Im in love with you, Cho Hakkai." Blunt, honest, every word ringing with a sincerity that struck at the other's phantom heart, making his eyes shoot wide open, mouth falling in shocked surprise.

"He...He...what...?"

"Gojyo? Are you still awake?" A voice Hakkai didn't recognize came through the door a moment before there was a soft knock. "Im sorry to bother you, but Trista is worried. Wont you come and eat a little something, to ease her fears?"

Gojyo got to his feet, leaning down to place a chaste kiss on Hakkai's forehead. "If you can hear me, Hakkai. Please, come back to me. I have so much to tell you, so much you need to hear." Without another word, he placed the other's hand on the blanket and moved to open the door, "Forgive me, Beren. I'll eat something real quick, where is Trista?"

Hakkai stood silent, his eyes still widened in shock. He turned even as Gojyo shut the door behind him, "Goj-" He started to move forward, to follow, but his feet refused to move. His arms hung limply by his side, and no matter how much he concentrated, he could no longer get them to obey. "Oh gods...am I dying?" Panic settled in and he nearly screamed in frustration. "No! Not now...I cant die NOW!"

Hakaryu let out a soft whimper, as if he could hear his master's desperate pleas. He floated over to land on the bed, sharp eyes focused keenly on the spirit Hakkai, as if he could see him. And he probably could, all things considered. "Kyu.." He crooned, tilting his head to the side.

"I cant die now! I have...I have to..." Even as Hakkai's mind shut down, his spirit folding in upon itself, he had to finish his thought, knew if he didn't he would never get another chance. Even if it was only spoken inside of his mind, he had to hear it out loud. "Have to...Gojyo..."

Cho Hakkai's body faded without a trace.

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Gojyo knew something was wrong the minute he was out of the room. Whether it be the way Beren held himself, or the faint smell of herbs that drifted from the kitchen, or Trista's mysterious absence...But he knew something was off.

Which was the only reason he was able to stop the needle aimed for his upper arm.

"What are you DOING!" The kappa demanded, leaping back. "Are you crazy!"

"Im sorry." The man muttered, backing the other up into a corner. "Im sorry I have to do this...But you see, my baby is worth far more than you. I will not allow them to kill my innocent child, even if it means I must become that which I hate!" He lunged again.

It takes a great man to sacrifice himself for his friends. For some reason, Trista's words came back to him as he dodged, echoing in his mind over and over. A great man. Was he such a man? Could he sacrifice himself to save the others? Goku, Sanzo, the unborn baby in the young Trista's womb...Hakkai.

Slowly, in front of Beren's shocked gaze, Gojyo lowered his arm, his half materialized shakujo fading completely from view. "Tell me." He said softly. "Tell me the truth...and ill help you."

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Hehehehehehe, bad point to stop? -smile- im the queen of angst and cliff hangers, I swear!

Come back and review! yayayayayayayay!

Next chapter: Decisions.