Chapter 2: "Attempt"
They arrived in front of the Buddhist temple. In no time, they had gotten out of the car and were now staring at the massive door.
The temple seemed to be very important. It was rather big and impressive.
Goku - Whoa! It's really huge! But it's really far from any city… they must have stocks of food to stay here !
Gojyo – Monkey has no interest in life apart from his food…
Goku - And you nothing except tobacco, women and sake, erokappa!
While Goku and Gojyo were bickering, Hakkai and Sanzo were still watching the temple in front of them.
Hakkai – Have you ever heard of this temple Sanzo?
Sanzo - No… We should be careful… I have a bad feeling…
Hakkai - Unfortunately, for the moment, we don't have any other choice, we have to ask them hospitality for the night, we don't have reserves of food anymore and a good rest would be nice…
Sanzo - ... Ok, but tomorrow we leave at dawn
Then, Sanzo approached the door, but before he could put his hand on the gong, the immense door opened and a monk appeared, Sanzo moved back a little, on his guards.
The monk (smiling) - Hello, may I help you? (Then seeing Sanzo's sutra and opening his eyes wide in surprise) but… you are a Sanzo! (bowing) I am very honored!
Sanzo – We're looking for a place to spend the night…
The monk - Yes of course! You and your companions can stay in our humble temple as long as you wish!
Gojyo looked at the huge temple, sweatdropping and then looked at each other. 'Humble?'
The monk (still bowing) - It is a great honor for us! Please, enter!
Sanzo – By the way (everyone looks at him) to be clear, they are not my companions, they are my ser-vants, got it?
Big and kinda uneasy silence.
Gojyo and Goku - …'
Hakkai - /I knew he'd say that/ (smiling with an embarrassed look while restraining two slightly irritated Gojyo and Goku) - thank you for your hospitality!
The monk (still smiling) - Follow me please.
They followed him. Sanzo was still staring at every move from the monk.
/something's wrong here… I don't know what, but……/
He turned his head towards the others and his eyes fell upon Goku. They stared at each other for a few seconds before looking away at the same time. Gojyo blinked.
Gojyo - /did I dream or did I just see the great Sanzô sama… blush ?... Heehee, how interesting… Could it be because of…/
Gojyo who was still looking at Sanzo with a astonished and amused look received a glare from this one meaning something close to what's-amusing-you-k'so-kappa-keep-smiling-with-your-goofy-face-of-yours-and-you'll-see-the-color-of-my-gun-and-the-lovely-sounds-it-can-make.
Gojyo finally looked away but not without letting escape a small laughter, which did not fail to irritate Sanzo even more.
Goku - Do you think they have some meat? Last time in the other temple they did not have any… (the straw that breaks the camel's back... lol)
An enormous vein made its appearance on Sanzo's face and the infamous harisen landed on the head of the monkey.
Goku - Itaiiiii! (slightly outraged) What was that for?
Sanzo (frowning and ignoring Gojyo's stifled laughter) – Shaddup! Bakazaru!
The monk – Here are your rooms.
Hakkai (surprised) - Individual rooms?
The monk - yes, we have lots of room here, put yourself at ease, we will bring your meal here in a few minutes.
He bent down another time and left.
Hakkai (after a few moments of silence) – So... what do you think ?
Sanzo – We didn't see anybody except him in this temple, we should stay on our guards.
Hakkai - Hai! I agree…
Goku - Hakkai, can we practice while we're waiting for the dinner?
Hakkai (smiling) - Of course Goku…
Not so far away from there, hidden shadows were watching them.
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They finished their meal, and started playing cards.
Goku (sighing) – They don't have meat...
Gojyo (sighing louder) - Nor women, tobacco, or sake...
Hakkai (smiling, amused) - Maa maa, it's a temple all the same.
Sanzo - Yes but it looks like these monks are hiding something.
Gojyo (murmuring with an amused smile) – Look who's talking...
A gunshot whistled really really close to the kappa's ears.
Gojyo (irritated) - Oï! Stop taking it out on me k'so bouzu !
Sanzo (rising his gun again and shooting at random) - Urusai!
Goku looked at them with a slight surprise look.
/since a few days, Sanzo and Gojyo squabble a lot... I wonder why.../
He looked at his cards.
/My training with Hakkai starts to bear fruit... but I am still far to be able to use this technique in case of attack... /
He glanced at Sanzo who had stopped threatening the kappa to look at his cards.
/I have to succeed... if I want to protect him... He says that he doesn't want any protection, that he's strong, and I know he is but... I want to be sure that nothing will ever happen to him... /
Goku thought about his dream and frowned slightly.
/I don't know who it was, but they look so alike, Sanzo and him... /
He looked at Sanzo
/but Gojyo's right... for once... what's important is that he's there, now, and that I can protect him... This nightmare will never come to reality, I won't allow it.../
He lowered his eyes.
/I can't lose him... He's my sun... and even if he doesn't feel the same... he is... the most important person to me.../
Gojyo - Goku? Oî, Goku? Are you with us? It's not the time to daydream baka!
Goku - Ah? Yes of course!...
Gojyo – What were you dreaming of, anyway?
Blushing, Goku kept his nose in his cards. He did not dare to raise his head, fearing to meet Sanzo's eyes and blush even more if it was possible.
Goku – Huh nothing...
Later, they finally stopped playing cards but it was still too early to go to bed. Therefore Sanzo, who still had a bad feeling about the place, and the 3 youkais decided to inspect the place separately, Hakkai and Goku on one side, Sanzo and Gojyo on the other.
Hakkai - /usually, Sanzo should have been with Goku... it is odd... it looks like that unconsciously they have been avoiding each other for several days... I don't even know if they are aware of it... I wonder whether Gojyo is not right... could it be because.../
Hakkai stopped.
Hakkai - Goku?
Goku (stopping) - yes? Did you see something odd?
Hakkai - Mmh no... I... just wanted to ask you... Is there a problem with Sanzo?
Goku (freezing a little) - With Sanzo? (slightly embarrassed) No, why?
Hakkai – Are you sure?
Goku looked away.
Goku - ...
Hakkai approached him and smiled slightly.
Hakkai - Goku... you know that you can talk to me...
Goku (hesitating) - I know but it's not really an easy thing to say...
Hakkai - Goku /I understand... In fact, I'm a little bit in the same situation/ You know, I think you should talk to him about it...
Goku (embarrassed, blushing and speaking quickly) – What are you...
Hakkai - you know what I'm talking about... /tell him... what you feel/
Goku -... But...
Hakkai (approaching and putting a hand on his shoulder) – if you don't tell him, you'll never know, ne Goku? You wouldn't like to live with regrets ?
Goku (hesitant) - no but...
Hakkai - Then go ahead, when you're ready... and if you have a problem, I'm here, ok?
Goku (raising his head and smiling a little bit) - hai!
Hakkai (smiling) – So we have a deal... Now we should head back to our rooms...
He started walking again, followed by Goku.
Goku (pensive) - Hakkai... do you think that he could kill me for good?
Hakkai (smiling, amused) - I don't think so... (then smiling, embarrassed) but with Sanzo, nothing is certain...
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In Heaven,
Kanzeon was looking down at the two separate groups. In fact, recently, she was watching them more as usual.
The Sanzo ikkou had fallen in a trap... but it wasn't so important. They were strong.
Nevertheless, she knew that something was going to happen soon. More important than this.
And above all, things seemed to become more interesting for her nephew.
She smiled.
Life wasn't so boring after all.
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On Earth,
In another part of the temple, Gojyo and Sanzo were also inspecting thoroughly.
Gojyo - /This place is really odd... we didn't see a soul except the first monk... and then there's this sensation, as if somebody was watching us.../
Gojyo – So what do you think about it?
Sanzo didn't answer him, but he was looking with scrutiny at the dark corridors, frowning.
Gojyo stopped to stare at the monk. Sanzo pretended not to notice, but as Gojyo continued to stare at him with insistence and with a slightly taunting look on his face, a vein appeared on Sanzo's face.
Sanzo - What?
Gojyo - Just one question... when did the great Sanzo-sama learn how to blush?
Sanzo – 'Ch' what are you talking about ?
Gojyo - I don't know... you tell me...
Sanzo (turning his back on him) - I don't see what you mean, and you better shup up if you want to stay alive !
Gojyo (lighting a cigarette) – So you don't remember ? Want a clue? - /but it would be useless... you know very well what or rather whom I'm talking about.../
Sanzo stiffened but remained quiet.
Gojyo - /in fact, you're not so good to hide certain things... Sanzo sama/
Gojyo (smiling lustfully and ironically) – the great and all mighty Sanzo-sama is such a shy person...
A gunshot whistled extremely close to Gojyo's head.
Gojyo - /whoa! That wasn't far/
Gojyo (really irritated) – Hey! Watch where you point that thing! You really are a public menace you know? You nearly killed me there!
Sanzo (irritated, a vein bulging) – 'Ch' if you didn't say bullshit all the time I could save some bullets.
Then, Sanzo started to walk again, followed by a smiling and really amused Gojyo.
Gojyo - /what will you do now?... Run away or face the truth ?... /
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Finally they all met in the corridor leading to their rooms. The place was really odd but it was hard to know what was wrong. Moreover, since their meal, they had not seen anybody even though, considering the size of the temple, hundreds of people should be living here.
Sanzo - Tomorrow morning be ready, we leave before dawn.
Hakkai - Hai! Oyasumi nasai!
Each one moved towards his room.
Goku hesitated then ran after Sanzo.
Goku - Wait Sanzo! Can I speak to you?
Sanzo looked at him in the eyes. Something, an emotion seemed to flicker in his eyes but it disappeared before Goku could determine exactly what it was. Sanzo briefly hesitated then sighed.
Sanzo – Whatever... You have one minute, saru.
Goku smiled. They entered Sanzo's room, Goku closing the door behind them. Sanzo moved towards a table and took his cigarettes and his lighter. Both were still standing. Goku was watching Sanzo intensively. As usual, the monk had removed the top of his dress, revealing the thin muscles under the black top. He was beautiful, nobody could deny it. He had a natural grace in every of his movements making Goku involuntarily shiver. His fair hair and skin, visible in spite of the lack of light created as a halo of light around him, attracting Goku's eyes as a magnet. He was really like the sun... his sun... Intimidated, he looked away not to blush, even if it was difficult to see in the dark if he was actually reddening.
Sanzo was also discreetly looking at the young man. He lighted his cigarette, calming him. The fact of being alone with Gokû (something that had not occurred since a long time he realized, a little bit surprised) made him suddenly nervous...
Sanzo - /Why?... After all, it's only a bakazaru... /
He raised his eyes and realized that he was lying to himself. He had changed. Physically... Recently, they had bought a lot of clothes for Goku. He had grown several centimetres, even if he still remained smaller than the blond. His thin but muscular body was becoming slowly more and more elegant, the fine and delicate features of his face more mature every day. More mature in his behaviour too, even if he was still a bakazaru...
This physical change was obvious and undeniable. The proof was that in many places where they stopped in their trip, more and more... girls, seemed to be attracted to him, staring at him and giggling. He knew that the four of them weren't bad-looking, rather sexy as Gojyo would say, but seeing all these girls around the young man... that irritated him and especially... that frightened him... letting him fear that one day he would leave him for one of them. And when he realized that, it only irritated him more.
He, who had promised to himself, since his Master's death, the man he considered as his real father, that he would never let someone get close to him... He realized that he had been lying to himself. Letting Goku get closer to him, more and more, breaking his walls one by one and warming his heart.
Little by little, Sanzo was starting to consider a new possibility... But he wasn't ready... Too many bad memories, too many fears continued to haunt him...
Sanzo - What do you want?
Goku seemed nervous.
Goku - I... I wanted... to know if you were ok with the fact that I practise with Hakkai.
Sanzo (frowning) - Why wouldn't I be ok with it, saru?
Goku – It's just that... (hesitating) you seem really irrirated recently, and I wondered whether it was related...
Sanzo - Baka... I don't mind... but why do you want to learn this technique all of a sudden?
Sanzo crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. In spite of the fact that he didn't show it, Goku was really nervous. He thought about his conversation with Hakkai.
Goku - / To tell him here, now/
Goku -... To become stronger, because..., because...
He moved forward, so as to be face to face with Sanzo.
Sanzo - Because what?
Goku stayed silent, staring at the ground and not daring to look at the violet eyes. Sanzo could see that Goku was in conflict with himself.
Suddenly he spoke.
Goku - Sanzo... what am I... I mean... what do I represent for you?
Sanzo opened wide his eyes, not expecting such a question, but he pulled himself together quickly, dissimulating any emotion in his voice.
Sanzo (moving forward and his harisen ready to strike) - Ch' what kind of question is that bakazaru?
But there, something highly unpredictable from the point of view of Sanzo happened, disturbing him definitively. Goku had stopped the harisen before it hits its goal, catching Sanzo's wrist. He looked up at Sanzo with an intense look. Their faces were close, too close to Sanzo's taste but he didn't do anything however, hypnotized by the firm look locked on his eyes, staring at him intensively...
Goku - /I need answers... even if I'm nothing for him, I want to hear it from his mouth.../
Goku - do you want to know why I asked Hakkai to teach me his techniques ?
They were still staring at each other, without even blinking. The atmosphere was full of electricity and Goku felt heat gain his cheeks.
Goku - because I want... I want to be able to protect you...
Sanzo (calm but with a dangerous voice) - I don't need your protection...I can protect myself.
Sanzo thought that he should act differently. Push back this stupid and annoying monkey, hit him with his harisen, get him out of the room, to sum up, he should act as he was used to. But he didn't. He couldn't. He wasn't able to take a decision. Moreover, the saru seemed really serious and that was really disturbing him.
Goku - you say that, but... you're always the one worrying... you already saved me several times /saved me from myself when I became seiten taisei.../ I mean, I do care too...
Sanzo (calm but dangerous voice) – who said I cared ?
Goku stayed silent for a few seconds. They were still staring at each other, without even blinking, watching the other's reactions, trying to guess their thoughts.
Goku -... that's what I'm asking you, what do I represent for you?
Sanzo stiffened, still staring at Goku. The harisen slipped from his hand still maintained by Goku's. It fell on the ground in a deafening silence. Goku felt his heart, his body vibrate, his mind was like in fire. In Sanzo's mind, it was as if something had broken. For the first time in a long time, he was lost, completely lost, not knowing what to do. Everything had changed so much since they had started this trip... Now, he couldn't decide anymore. Everything was so confused. He had tried since the beginning to keep his distance, to maintain Goku far from him, but now... /what should I do?.../
Sanzo's voice was slightly trembling now, fighting to sound menacing.
Sanzo – Goku, stop...
Goku - stop what Sanzo?... I just want an answer...
Sanzo, losing his patience moved forward, making Goku move back a few steps, surprising the young man who released his wrist.
Sanzo – what do you want me to say to you? I don't know what to say to you- /what do you want from me, Goku.../
Goku seemed to hesitate but then moved forward, determined, until he was nose to nose with the blond, encouraged by the soft darkness infiltrating the room.
Goku (gently) - I want the truth, that's all.
Their lips were now dangerously close from Sanzo's point of view. Sanzo was holding his breath now, trying to keep his composure in spite of the acceleration of the blood in his veins, but he did not move.
Sanzo - /you really want to make me crazy, saru.../
Goku (whispering) - I want to know if...
Sanzo (hissing with impatience) – I told you to stop that. You don't know what you're saying /nor what you're asking me.../
And then, he turned his head. He seemed calm, but in reality, his inner thoughts were in great turmoil. Above all he was angry... at himself... angry of his confusion, of this weakness envading him without his knowledge.
Goku smiled, sighing with resignation, his eyes trying to hide something close to sadness.
Goku - I see...
Sanzo immediately stopped his thoughts to these words.
Sanzo (staring again at Gokû) - What do you see? /stop looking at me with these eyes.../
Goku (still smiling) - Nothing, it was stupid, I shouldn't have asked you. /what was I thinking ? What did I hope?.../ (fake cheerful voice) Forget that... well... oyasumi Sanzô!
Goku moved back a little and was going to leave when he felt a hand on his face making him look up. He opened them wide. Sanzo's face was really close to his.
Sanzo - I...
Sanzo stayed still a few seconds. Their eyes were locked on each other again and then, in less than one second, Sanzo's lips were on Goko's. The young man, completely surprised, opened even more his eyes. A hand sneaked around his waist, attracting him closer to Sanzo. Still in a state of shock he started nevertheless to kiss him back. He closed his eyes, his arms and his hands intertwining with hesitation around Sanzo's back. What had started with a timid and awkward kiss, was intensifying as the two protagonists gained in assurance, their lips and their tongues moving slowly, tenderly, caressing, demanding. Sanzo's hand was caressing softly Goku's face, unconsciously making shiver the young man. Goku could feel his face burning. It was impossible for him to have one coherent thought...
Feeling suddenly dizzy, he could have fallen if Sanzo didn't hold him tight against him, gently but firmly... Time seemed to stop... when they heard an enormous noise, stopping them dead.
Monsters had broken the door and were now in the room. Completely surprised Sanzo and Goku finally regained consciousness and counter-attacked, Sanzo with his firearm and Goku with his Nyoïbo. The monsters came from everywhere. Goku had already killed a lot of them when it happened. A monster arrived behind Sanzo and stabbed him in the back. Sanzo surprised opened wide his eyes and had only time to protest with a Ch' before falling to the ground in front of Goku's eyes.
Goku – SANZO!
Goku had to get rid of youkais remaining before being able to reach Sanzo who was inanimate on the ground. He knelt, taking Sanzo in his arms and trying to stop the haemorrhage.
Goku - SANZO! Answer me, SANZO! K' so!
Others youkais arrived at the door, a chief at their head.
Youkai – Chief, the one with the sutra is here! But there are two others that we can't control in another room over there!
Youkai chief – I see, those will stay here. Lock them up. We will come later to take the sutra.
On these words, they closed the door of the room where Goku and Sanzo were. Goku did not even have time to react, petrified to see Sanzo lose so much blood.
Goku – Stop!
/No, no, they can't lock us up, I need to find Hakkai to heal Sanzô's wounds/
Goku thought fast. He had to react. Tears were forming in his eyes.
Goku – Hold out, you hear me!
/if I could use Hakkai's technique, I could save him, but there's nothing I can make... Calm down, calm down, I really need to calm down.../
He looked around him and quickly stood up, tore off a part of one sheet of the bed and made a bandage to Sanzo.
Goku– Hold out Sanzo we will find Hakkai!
He then tried to open the door, to break it but it was too much solid.
/K' so! I have to open it/
He looked at Sanzo on the ground, still unconscious.
/ I have to find Hakkai, if I don't... Sanzo could... by my fault.../
He clenched his teeth.
/it's out of question/
There weren't other exits, the window itself was too high. He turned towards the door, thinking.
/there's only one mean... /
Concentrating, he closed his eyes, put his hands behind him and then, a ball of energy formed between them. He projected it on the door which fell into pieces.
Goku – I did it
/Now I need to find Hakkai/
He went back to Sanzo, took him on his shoulders and left the room. Hearing noises he followed them and saw Hakkai and Gojyo fighting against the group of youkais who locked him and Sanzo up a few moments earlier. With softness, Goku put down Sanzo, still unconscious, against a wall in a safe corner.
Goku (smiling softly) - Hold out Sanzo!
Then he stood up and ran towards the monsters against who Hakkai and Gojjyo were fighting.
Gojyo - Where were you bakazaru?
Goku - A slight hitch, gomen. Hakkai! Sanzo is wounded!
They eliminated the monsters rather quickly (the majority thanks to Goku, the monsters being particularly strong) and Hakkai started immediately to cure Sanzô's wound under a very anxious Goku.
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A few moments later, Hakkai was operating on Sanzo's wound while Goku was telling them how they had been attacked by surprised (without however mentioning what had occurred right before... lol)
Gojyo – we've also been attacked by surprise. (sighing, irritated) We can never have a restfull night without deranged monsters, can't we ?
Hakkai (sighing, relieved) - The wound is closed up! I think that it will be okay now. His vital organs haven't been hurt. He's been really lucky. He lost blood, but not so much, thanks to the bandage you made to him.
Hakkai then looked at Gojyo's wound. He had a small cut at his arm. Hakkai let his hands hover above the wound, taking Gojô's arm in one hand. A few seconds after, Hakkai let go Gojyo's now healed arm, the half youkai winking at him. Hakkai smiled and then turned towards Goku.
Hakkai – don't worry, Goku. He'll be fine.
Goku (looking up at him) - thank you Hakkai. Fortunately you were there/because me I… I couldn't do anything…/
Goku's expression darkened.
Gojyo (putting an arm around his shoulders) - Hey Goku! Don't make this face! You did everything you could! You even made a ball of energy! And Sanzo is out of danger, isn't he?
Goku remained quiet.
Hakkai (Hakuryu perched on his shoulder) - I think we should leave, other youkais might come.
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In the Jeep, Hakkai explained him what had occurred (what the monsters had said to them before attacking them because all the bad guys always do that… lol)
Hakkai - the monks of this temple have been attacked a few weeks ago by those youkais. They stayed in the temple, using the monks as slaves. They lived with them, retained them captive, brought the spoils of their thefts in the temple... When they've known that a Sanzo and his sutra were there, they ordered the monk that we saw to lure us into their trap...
Goku (frowning) - But where were all the other monks?
Hakkai – Dead I guess... only some must have been able to run away...
Gojyo – well… We're out of this nightmare, aren't we ?
Hakkai - hai/but once more, it's only because Goku was there... He's not the only one who need to practice if we want to arrive alive at the end of this trip towards the west.../
He glanced at his rear view mirror. In the back, Goku was holding Sanzo, the head of the unconscious monk against his chest.
Goku had put his hand behind his shoulders while the other was around his chest, holding the monk tight against him.
Goku looked down at Sanzo.
/I've been weak... forgive me Sanzo... /
/I have to be strong… because I refuse to lose you/
TBC
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I'll update faster now, I think (I've been very busy lately with university)… Maybe one or two reviews would encourage me to do so… ;-)
The rhythm of the story is still slow, but it will improve, I swear ! ;-)
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