Because I love Nii: The half-way point of Raising Kouryuu.

-Fixed a couple of typos. I should learn not to post stuff around two in the morning.

Chapter 10: Sanzo

"Kouryuu! Get away from him!" Sanzo wasn't moving and something fundamental was keeping Goku from grabbing him away. Just, something about the guy in the robes was giving off some wary vibes. The man sitting there reminded him of a snake, and he didn't want Sanzo to get bitten because he was too stupid to stand still. Goku kept his eyes locked on Sanzo and lowered his voice just a bit. "It's not safe, come back to me."

Kouryuu stared at those eyes behind their shield of glass and froze. His brain was screaming at him to let go of the sleeve and run, but he couldn't budge. Why was this man dressed as Master Sanzo? How did he get a scripture? Why couldn't Kouryuu run away and get behind Goku? Kouryuu tried to pull spit into his mouth when it went dry but his body just didn't want to agree with him.

Nii chuckled quietly as he watched the whites of little Kouryuu's eyes expand and his breathing pick up. It was good to be remembered, to know one had left an impact on young impressionable minds. Nii took a hand and ran it down the boy's cheek, smiled just a little wider when he tried to shrink away from the touch. "I knew you'd come back to see me."

"D' Don't." Kouryuu was stuttering, but he still couldn't seem to pull away. There was just something magnetic holding him in place. Or it could just be the fear.

"Now why would I do that?" Nii was content that Kouryuu was frozen in place, but he made sure to move a free hand to grab the boy's arm just in case. Kouryuu wouldn't be running and the mama's boy wouldn't be ruining things today. "I have such fun things planned for us."

Goku watched the man's hand stroke down Sanzo's cheek and continue to his arm. The free hand had a grip on the boy's arm on the other side, but it was the moving hand that made Goku's blood rise. He was petting Sanzo. Goku growled. "Let him go. Now."

Nii rose a brow at the other nuisance that had made himself known. A jealous boy who's mind was clouded by that rage was glaring at him. The lad's pose was tense and coiled, begging to lash out. He nearly laughed out loud. Powerful demon or not, the boy wasn't a threat. He wasn't smart enough to be a threat. "This doesn't concern you any longer. Little Kouryuu will be joining me today so say your goodbyes and run along now."

"You bastard." Goku was about to take a run at the conceited jerk in front of him, but stopped himself a few feet away when he yanked Sanzo's arm behind his back. The move had spun Sanzo around to face him and the boy's face caused a sliver of fear to sever Goku's rage. The vicious pull had near ripped the arm out of the socket and the blonde's mouth was hanging open in a silent scream. "Sanzo!"

Nii laughed out loud this time as he stood to his feet. He relaxed his grip slightly to Kouryuu's arm, it wouldn't do to break it. Yet. "You slipped."

Goku covered his mouth as he realized his mistake at saying Sanzo's name. But he couldn't help it, Sanzo was hurt. He shook his head out a little and kept his voice steady in an attempt to stay focused at the task at hand. "Let him go."

"Can't you think of anything else to say? But I see you're going to be persistent, aren't you?" Nii cocked his head to the side and sighed. "Why don't you just back off a bit, hmm?"

"Like hell."

With his free hand he yanked Kouryuu's head up by the hair to display that pretty face. He faked a pitiful frown when Goku sucked in a hiss of a breath. "He doesn't belong to you anymore. So scurry along, though, I doubt that you'll listen to reason."

"He doesn't belong to you so get your filthy hands off of him!" Goku tried not to shout. Sanzo was scared and whimpering. Shouting would only aggravate the situation further. But it was so hard not to lose it on this man in front of him. Goku pulled a hand behind his back to get ready to summon his Nyoi-boh. Smashing this bastard's face in was looking better and better an option.

"Take a few steps back or it'll be worse." Nii tightened the grip on the arm. "I'm not sure how much pressure this arm can take."

Goku cursed, but took a few steady steps back. He couldn't risk anything right now, not when that villain still had Sanzo. "Let him go."

"Keep going." Nii waited until Goku was a good ten to twelve feet away before smiling. That was enough of a distance to make sure things stayed in his corner. "That's a good boy."

Goku stopped moving and huffed. He should have just risked grabbing Sanzo when he was close. Now he'd have to think of something else. "You're going to pay for this. I swear it."

"Oh, more company." Nii drawled out as the boy's other companions ran up behind Goku trailing after their pet dragon. They had the most adorable looks of shock on their faces. The demon-killer and the taboo-brat probably didn't have a clue and were sure to cause a fuss. At least now he could deal with them all at once. Nii hated to repeat himself. "But the answer's the same no matter how many times the three of you ask."

Gojyo had to take a double look at the greasy man holding Sanzo. Goku looked like he was about to kill the man and he didn't blame him. He'd only just met him and already Gojyo was feeling a chill. There just was something wrong with a guy who'd restrain a little kid by the hair. Gojyo set the groceries down on the ground slowly before taking a relaxed fighting pose. He had a feeling the opening for when they could grab the kid would be a tiny one. "Who's the freak in the Sanzo get up?"

"I don't know." Goku tried to hold in the frustration but couldn't seem to do it. But he was grateful the other two had shown up. Gojyo could help distract and if anyone could think of a way to get Sanzo without him getting hurt, it was Hakkai. Goku made a mental note of where the two were in comparison with Sanzo. Goku was still the closest, but he could still see Jeep hovering above them. "If we get closer he'll hurt Sanzo."

"Oh go ahead and be specific. It's clear I'll break his arm off if you try anything." Nii flashed his most charming grin and widened it when he caught Hakkai twitch. This was too easy. "But then again, breaking his neck is a fun option as well. Children are so very frail, after all."

"I don't know who you are, or where you came from." Hakkai clenched his fists and took a few confidant steps foreword. Sanzo was having a hard time breathing with his head pulled back so far. Hakkai was angry. "Or even what you want, but if you don't release that boy this instant…"

"A hanging threat, very classic." Nii ruffled Kouryuu's hair and allowed the boy movement of his head again. The boy rewarded him with a glare, though it was somewhat ruined by the coughing from the sudden intake of breath. The good doctor turned his attention back to the traitor of a demon. "But not very effective."

Kouryuu wanted to struggle, but he wasn't sure what to do. The others were right there and staying still so he guess moving wasn't very smart. Gojyo looked the calmest out of the group, he was thinking of something to do. Kouryuu was a little scared of Hakkai at the moment. The look on the man's face was more frightening than the man who had his arm right now. Jeep was still hovering overhead, and the other, he just didn't look so good. "Goku."

The heartstrings were being yanked full force and Goku almost couldn't take it. But he'd hold his ground and wait for the others to make a move together. It was the only chance they had for keeping Sanzo safe. "Kouryuu, it's going to be okay. I promise. This is your last warning, you freak. Let him go."

"Oh, and you were doing so well keeping quiet for a bit." Nii sighed and pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. "But you had to go back to the same old tricks. I guess a monkey is a monkey."

"Shut up!" Goku yelled. "It doesn't matter how I say it! You're going down!"

"Clam down." Hakkai put a hand on Goku's shoulder. He then turned to the fake priest in front of him. "However, I agree. Release the boy now and maybe we won't prolong your death as long."

"Nah, I think giving the bastard a choice is too nice." Gojyo took a strategic step to the side and put Sanzo directly in his line of sight. Just maybe, if he was quick enough he could make a run for the boy.

"The three of you really aren't being fair in this. I'm only taking what's mine to begin with." The raven-haired man stuck his hand in his pocket and gripped his 'insurance policy' to make sure it was still there. Nii checked the edge of the plunger to make sure it was ready. Satisfied, he removed his hand from his pocket to stroke Kouryuu's hair. It was soft and pliable, not like the other boy's. Kouryuu was much better.

"What the hell do you mean by that you freak?" Gojyo steadied his hand from pulling out a cigarette. It would have showed Sanzo that his attentions were somewhere else. There was just something so sickening in the air right now, and Gojyo wanted a light.

"Yes, do clarify for us." Hakkai narrowed his eyes and searched for anything in the other man's face to reveal a weakness. Those eyes were like a concrete wall and Hakkai's heart almost stopped when the thought of ripping his limiters off crossed his mind. This was a dangerous situation. Hakkai kept himself in check for the others' sake. If he lost it now, there was no way the other two could control themselves either.

Nii pulled Kouryuu up straight in front of him and gripped his shoulders to hold him in place. He leaned over to stick their cheeks together and grinned as the boy shivered. Such perverse pleasures were such fun. Nii rubbed his cheek along Kouryuu's as he continued. "He broke my toy. It's only fair that he replace it."

"Toy?" Goku was caught off guard on that one, almost enough to ignore the other man's perverse groping. "We've never met you! How could he have broken your toy?"

"You've met my little toy before, even if it was a while ago. If I remember correctly he was quite fond of the red-head, and dear little Sanzo here shot him three times while using the demon as a shield." He tightened his grip on Kouryuu's shoulders when the boy flinched at the name Sanzo. Nii raised his voice along with his head. "Oh, and you dropped a castle on him. Such a horrible way to die for such a cute little boy. Have you guessed yet?"

"You sick son of a bitch." Gojyo was trembling. He had almost put all of that Kami shit behind him. But just knowing that this was the 'Master' that kid was so damn found of, and died for, just tossed him over the edge. "Bastard. You damned bastard."

"Kami-sama." Hakkai muttered in awe and drew a hand to grip his chest. The memories were flooding back into his mind of crazed laughter and blood. "You, you're the Sanzo priest he called 'Master.'"

Kouryuu looked back from the other three to the man's head beside his own. What were they talking about and why did everyone look so upset? Kouryuu looked to Goku and saw the boy start to tear up a bit in the corners of his eyes. Goku's fists were shaking and Kouryuu found himself taking a step back. He felt the frosty sensation stream down his back when he accidentally bumped the man holding him. The man was cold and hard, Kouryuu berated himself for the contact.

"So you do remember." Nii stood up slightly and wrapped his arms around Kouryuu's shoulders, crossed his wrists in front of the boy. Not that the boy would have moved anyway, it was clear now he was interested. He made sure to have their bodies flush together and nearly giggled when the Goku boy snarled. "I almost thought you might have forgotten."

"How could we have possibly forgotten that?" Goku beat Gojyo and Hakkai to the punch. "You manipulated that boy and turned him into a monster. If you think you're going to do that to Sanzo than you're wrong!"

"Sanzo?" Kouryuu's voice was soft as he looked between Goku and the others. The warm weight of the older man's arms held him in place. It was constricting and the man's grip kept getting tighter. "Why do you keep calling me, Sanzo?"

"Because they like lying to you." Nii rested his head on top of Kouryuu's and chuckled. "While I think Kouryuu is much cuter, your real name is Sanzo."

"That can't be right." Kouryuu felt the man release him finally, but he was too shocked to move. He was free from the grip, but his breathing still felt tight. "What's he talking about?"

"We'll explain everything later. Everything, the truth." Hakkai held out his hands towards Sanzo. "Just come to us now while you've got the chance!"

"Really?" Kouryuu nearly took a step. "No more lies?"

"Really, kiddo. No more lyin.' " Gojyo kept his eyes on the priest. It was too convenient of him to have let Sanzo go that easy. He watched the man put his hands in his pockets and just had a hunch he was ready for them to come charging. So, they needed the kid to come to them. "So get your butt over here."

Nii slowly pulled his needle out of his pocket and placed his finger on the plunger. It was time to start wrapping things up. "Now, it's time for the two of us to be going. Come Kouryuu."

"I'm not going with you." The panic was finally starting to set in and Kouryuu suddenly found the momentum to make his legs move. His brief burst of energy was cut short however when the man hauled him back by the arm and against his chest.

"Last chance to let the kid go." Gojyo shouted and summoned his weapon at the ready. Games were over and there was either going to be a fight or a massacre. Goku was already a step ahead of him with the Nyoi-boh. Sanzo was already actively trying to pull away from the other man. Panic had finally set in and Gojyo prayed the kid wouldn't do anything stupid. "Don't worry kiddo, you're not going anywhere."

"I had figured it would come down to this." Nii watched the three pose for a fight. He rolled his shoulders a bit until they cracked. He raised his hand from behind his back and dropped his grip on Kouryuu's arm so he could reach to pull the child's head back. "You'll have to forgive me if my fighting is a little rusty."

"Hey, Kouryuu watch out!" Hakkai yelled as the other man struck. He cursed himself when yet again he didn't have time to stop a blow. Hakkai vowed the other man would receive a blow for every one Hakkai had failed to block.

Kouryuu felt the needle impale his throat and he sucked in a tight breath. He could feel a small trickle of blood run down his throat and the man's hand following the trail. He could see Goku shouting and the other two running but it was blurry. Then, he just watched as everything faded into oblivion.

Nii released the boy after slowly pulling the needle out. It was always good to plan ahead just in case certain children didn't want to cooperate. He pat Kouryuu on the head as he stood quietly and stared blankly. The boy was sure to behave now. "Much better, you be a good boy and sit tight while I deal with your little friends."

Sanzo wasn't moving. He was just staring out into space and standing there. Even his eyes had dulled and Goku was scared. He shouted to the boy, but didn't get a response. Not even a flicker of movement or a blink. "What did you do to him?"

"Just a little drug so he'll stay put while I deal with you." The doctor made a quick dash and used an old mantra to slice at the alleged Great Sage before he could even adjust to his little trick. The move made him feel a little nostalgic.

Goku was pushed out of the way just in time before the other man's strike could hit. The man had moved so damn quickly! Regretfully, Gojyo was unable to block it from hitting himself and he shouted out as the blood gushed from his chest. "Stupid monkey, pay attention."

"Gojyo!" Nyoi-boh was out and at the ready as Goku charged. He would have tended to his friend, but this was the only opening he had. The man dodged easily and the cudgel smashed into the ground. "Get back here."

Nii grinned as the boy thrashed around. He hadn't been able to have this sort of fun in quite some time. It was a shame the boy was a tad unskilled, a challenge would have been more fun. He ducked left and felt a wave on energy coming up from the behind. He hit the ground and let the chi ball fly over his head and smack into a tree. Staring at the splintered rubble, Nii laughed and turned to the brunette. "My, my, I had forgotten about you. My apologies."

Hakkai let out a silent curse when the man used the same trick that had gotten Gojyo earlier. He barely got out of the way and hissed when it grazed his arm. He threw another chi ball but the man dodged it easily. "Who are you?"

Nii paused a bit to grin at the others' frustrations. It was so darling, even the little dragon was trying to get in on the action. He smacked Jeep out of the way as the dragon made a dive and smiled at the little body as it hit the ground. Head tilted, his eyes trailed up to match angry green eyes. "I'm Sanzo. Ukoku Sanzo."

"There's no way that you're a Sanzo!" Goku charged again and refused to let his hits lighten. He could still see Kouryuu standing quietly in the background and could feel his anger rising. "Now fix him!"

"And why do you say that?" Nii took the game in sport and checked his watch during a dodge as the chained-blade passed by his neck. It was just about time to get going. "If I remember correctly, your own Sanzo smokes, drinks, gambles and kills. Not to mention keeps the lowest forms of company. How am I any worse?"

"At least ours doesn't molest little kids you sick pervert." Gojyo dragged out as he retracted his chain. How the hell could this guy be so damn good?

"I'd deny that claim, but that would be too big of a lie even for me." Nii laughed and jumped back behind Kouryuu. He put his arms around the boy again and pulled him back into the nook of his chest. "I'd love to stay and enjoy the three of you for a longer period of time, but for now it's getting late and we really do need to be off."

"Don't you touch him!" Goku rushed him blindly. He had to get to Sanzo! Goku had to break every bone in the man's body for hurting Sanzo. All he could see was blood. "Give him back now!"

"Shit this is gonna' be bad." Gojyo leaned on his staff and tried to control the bleeding as he watched the other man start to chant. The stupid monkey was too angry to notice. Gojyo doubled over as the pain finally caught up with him from the fight. Stupid injuries.

Hakkai watched on and this time he was ready. Whatever mantra that man was preparing for, he'd have a shield ready for it. "Goku! Gojyo! Jeep! Get ready to take cover."

Nii leaned his head back and just smiled to himself. It was child's play. "Let me show you an empty heaven."

The three demons didn't know what had hit them when that blinding white aura engulfed everything. All they knew, was that every limb throbbed when they found the strength to move again. Eyes opened slowly and pushed against the rock beneath them. What they were greeted with, was an empty lot void of everything. There wasn't even a pebble left to roll in the wind.

"He's gone." Goku breathed out. His voice shook and his heart felt like it was going to explode. Goku screamed for all he was worth. Then nature cried with him as the few drops of rain started their pour from the sky. "He took Sanzo."

"God damn it!" Gojyo punched the ground. He didn't even care that his knuckles were bleeding. He hit the ground again for good measure and watched the rain wash his cursed blood across the smooth ground. "Just, damn it."

Hakkai tried to bring his breath back, but he was having a difficult time of it. Defending against that attack had taken nearly all of his energy. It had barely held. Jeep rubbed his head against the back of Hakkai's hand, but he couldn't find the energy to comfort the little dragon. "Are you two alright?"

"Still breathing." Gojyo sighed and plopped himself upright on the ground. He wanted a smoke and a stiff drink.

"What does it matter?"

"Goku?" Hakkai looked up to the boy's shuttering form through the rain. He prayed to the high heavens he didn't snap. That was the last damn thing they needed right now.

"We couldn't save Sanzo." Goku dug his fingers into the ground, pulled up the concrete. "And we were beaten so easily."

"It'll be alright, Goku." Hakkai stood slowly. "We'll get him back."

The soft comforting sound of Hakkai's voice wasn't what he wanted to hear. Goku was about to turn and berate the man when he caught the look on the man's face and quickly shut up. Hakkai's eyes were glazed and dangerous. The cruel snarl on his face contradicted the motherly tone that had spilled from his mouth. A reply wasn't necessary. Hakkai meant what he said, and Goku would do whatever it took to make sure it happened.

Ukoku Sanzo would pay.