Please don't hurt me.

Chapter 17: Daddy's Little Boy

"Shit, that was hard." Gojyo collapsed onto the ground with a huff and leant on his weapon. It had taken over four hours to take that blonde bastard down. Whoever pumped up his muscles was going to take a royal beating from this Water Sprite the moment he got his chance. But, that would wait for more important things at the moment. He rubbed his forehead into the warm metal of his staff. "Can I take a nap now?"

Hakkai couldn't have agreed more. His limbs ached, his head hurt, his chi was drained and Sanzo was still struggling against his bindings. It was as if the man inherited Goku's energy while he was at the castle. He only hoped that when Lirin had run off to get Kougaiji in the middle of the fight, it was to help them and not Sanzo. At least Kougaiji would be reasonable if they explained the situation. He was still surprised that Goku had managed to knock him out long enough to tie the man up. Considering the fight, that was nothing short of a miracle. "As soon as we make sure that nothing is going to go wrong or that he can get loose."

"Just give me five minutes." Kouryuu growled as he tugged and yanked at the knots holding his wrists. He had been far too careless in that fight. Granted, he really should have sent Lirin for help at the beginning of the fight so he could have concentrated fully from the beginning. So he continued tugging. One more shot was all he needed; then he could go home and everything would be peachy. "All of you are so dead!"

Goku snorted and grabbed the end of the knot of the ropes that held his hand. He pulled it tighter. After all that work and time to catch him, there was no way that something like a loose rope was going to let him escape. "You're not going anywhere because you belong with us!"

The blonde rolled his eyes. "Is this that Sanzo shit again? Are you people unable to take a hint! I ain't him!"

"You are!" Goku shouted. He was bleeding in a few places, but didn't bother to ask anyone to tend them. He'd be fine. It was Sanzo that he was worried about; the man was sure to have a few broken ribs underneath all of those bruises. But it was all for Sanzo's sake. Goku had to just keep reminding himself of that fact and everything would be fine. "You just don't remember."

"This is so stupid." Kouryuu winced when the maggot boy tied an extra rope around his waist to be sure that he couldn't get out. He relaxed in his chair and huffed. If he bid his time, than his body could have a chance to rest and then Kouryuu would show them what he can really do. Failure wasn't an option this time. "Believe what you want. It's not going to change anything."

That's what I'm scared of. Goku frowned as the other man trained his eyes on the wall. He was pouting and plotting all at the same time. It was sort of an odd expression for Sanzo to have. Though, Sanzo wasn't the only one looking off, Hakkai and Gojyo were wiped and really looked like they needed a break, too. "Don't be so sure. I know that we're gonna' find a way to fix ya.'"

"I don't need fixing." Kouryuu grit his reply through his teeth and gave his arms an extra yank. These losers were so irritating. "There's nothing wrong with me."

"That's not true!"

"Goku."

"What, Hakkai?" Goku spun around to face the demon. His eyes were holding steady and Goku felt himself feeling small in their line of sight. Goku could tell that Hakkai was on his last legs and that arguing with him would be futile.

"Please, just stop for now. We're all exhausted, angry and at least one of us is confused." Hakkai put a chair up right so he could sit. Which reminded him of the damage done to the eating establishment. He hoped they didn't have to pay for that. It was quite a mess; especially with the hole in the wall. "We'll have a nice long discussion explaining everything from the beginning as soon as my head stops spinning."

"But."

"No 'but.' Just leave it be, Goku. We've got him here, that's all that matters for the moment. We can discuss things further in the morning." Hakkai held his head. "And Kouryuu, do try and not escape. We'll be forced to take other means to restrain you and I'd rather not drug you." Because I'm not sure what's already floating around in your system to begin with…

"No promises." Kouryuu huffed. Well, that just meant he'd have to bide his time like he was planning already. Though, if he waited too long than the others would be in shape again, too. That wouldn't help him much. Maybe if he kept working at the ropes they'd eventually weaken and shred. Or not. It was so hard to think when he couldn't move. Kouryuu's thoughts were interrupted, however, when a slight rapping could followed by creaking of wood. It caught everyone's attention and Kouryuu wished that his back wasn't to the door. He wanted to see if their visitor could be used in distracting the idiots.

Goku watched closely when the door started to open. He could have sworn they told the villagers to stay away. But, once the door was open, it was obvious that they weren't dealing with a villager. The man may have changed his clothes, but Goku would recognize that face anywhere. It was a face that he could not forget and would never forgive. "You."

"I'm disappointed. I expected much more from you."

As the slow voice drawled on from behind him, Kouryuu froze; it felt like his insides had constricted. He found a knot building in his throat as he questioned the air in front of him. "Dad? What are you doing here?"

Nii pressed his glasses up on his face as he watched that blonde hair. The poor boy's hands had started to fidget and sweat. He was scared. Good. The others in the room were also tense, but for a much different reason. Seems they remembered him; how delightful. "I came to see what was taking so long."

"I'm sorry." Kouryuu swallowed and tried to keep his breathing easy. Dad didn't seem angry just yet, more bored than anything. If Kouryuu was lucky all he wanted was to watch the final fight. He seemed to hate these three quite a bit. It would make sense he would want to watch them die. "You don't have to worry, I'm going to get the job done."

Gojyo had about enough of that freak man not being pummeled face first into the ground. So he decided to steer the situation in a way that they'd end up with that conclusion. He shoved an accusing finger in the man's direction. "How dare you show your face again, you bastard!"

Nii chuckled and turned his attention to Sha Gojyo on the floor. His temper fell right in line with Sha Jien's. Families could be so amusing at times. "So the little half-breed speaks his mind. How un-interesting."

Gojyo could feel his fists clenching tightly as the man spoke. His carefree attitude was really pissing him off. It's like he barely noticed that they were here! "Why you."

"And such an extensive vocabulary." Nii stuck his hands into his coat pockets and hummed. It was a beautiful day outside and it would probably be just as lovely a night. He briefly turned his thoughts to his lady patron at the castle and wondered if she would enjoy the night. He did hope that she would forgive him, but it was unlikely. At least he knew that the brilliant full moon would be out to watch out over him tonight. His favorite audience had to be present if he wanted any of it to be worth a thing. "I believe you'd be wise to shut up until I'm ready to deal with you. Can't you see I'm having a conversation with my son?"

"He's not your son! He's Sanzo!" Goku shouted and charged the man with every ounce of strength that he could gather. He wanted to hear the crunch when he bashed the man's head into pieces. However, it was his lungs being smashed into his back that he could hear. The vicious strike to his chest sent him flying into the back wall with crash. A bottle fell off of a top shelf and broke over the boy's face leaving it soaked in liquor. From either the concussion or the alcohol, Goku's vision was fuzzy as he watched that sick smile stretch across the bastard's face, but he could see the laughter in his eyes even behind the glasses. Goku tried to make his body move, but it resisted him. He could do nothing but sit their limply.

"That was a good try boy, but do try and contain yourself." Nii sighed. This was hardly a challenge. They just didn't make fighters like they used to in the day. Hell, Nii could have whipped this boy back when he was Ken'yuu. "Just sit still and be patient while I chat with Kouryuu, here."

"Goku!" Hakkai shouted as he watched the hit. It hadn't even looked like the raven-haired man had moved, let alone been able to send Goku flying into a wall and crippling him. A single hit to take down Goku. The move was a hundred times faster than anything he had done during their last encounter and Hakkai could feel his anger rising. That man had played with them. Frustration kept his anger company when the thought that they could not fight this man and win started to edge on the corner of his mind. His fingers groped at the air as they waited for something to do.

"That advice goes for you two as well." Nii tilted his head to the demon and his little pet. "Though, if you'd like me to hit you to make you feel better, than be my guest."

Gojyo shoved himself up onto his feet to stand. He was still tired, but this fight would be worth it. Standing still and taking it just wasn't an option. "You sick son of a bitch. What the hell type of monster are you?"

"Hey!" Kouryuu tried to turn in his chair. He was still stunned that his old man had some moves, but he really should have expected that in the first place. "Don't talk that way about my dad!"

"Your Dad? Please! He's a kidnaper and a liar! He screwed with your head so you wouldn't 'know us anymore!" Gojyo could feel Hakkai tense beside him. At least he wouldn't have to fight alone. That was always a comfort. "And he molests little kids! What else would you call him but a monster?"

"Shut up!" Kouryuu pulled harder at the ropes. That redhead was going to get it for even thinking of bad mouthing his father. "I'm going to kill you for saying those things! They won't even be able to identify your body as being humanoid when I'm done with it!"

Nii laughed at the groups pathetic struggles. Koumyou's, no his, brat really had brought together a class act of individuals, that was for sure. And Kouryuu was so adorable blindly standing up for him. "But it's true."

"Huh?" Kouryuu stopped and turned his head to look at his father. The man flicked his wrist and Kouryuu found the ropes sliced clean and his body free. He stood up to face the man. Dad had the oddest expression on his face; like he was amused and sad at the same time. "What are you talking about?"

"It's true. I did kidnap you." Nii pushed his glasses up on his face. This is where he would put his work to the test. The boy had expressed himself in the lab, but now was the time to see if it was all true. "And I did erase all of your memories and implant them with the ones that I wanted to have there. It was all done in my little lab and the whole family thing was just a bonus I added for fun to make your mother miserable."

"So," Kouryuu's hands dropped to his sides. His father wasn't lying; even if he couldn't see the man's eyes through the glare on his glasses, he could tell. He gripped a hand to his chest and held tightly as he felt his heart pounding. "I'm really their Sanzo? What they've been saying is right?"

"Yes." Goku moaned from the wall. He could see that Sanzo was confused and looking for answers. If he had any chance to break through to him than it was now. Goku tried to push himself up, but he could only twitch. "And we're the ones that love you! Not him!"

"What he said." Gojyo was starting to get twitchy around this Nii guy. He knocked out Goku in a single punch and cut Kouryuu's ropes by flicking his wrist. Now, Gojyo wasn't one to admit when he was scared, but this man was just creepy. "You're one of us, so get away from that bastard. He's only going to hurt you."

Hakkai held out a hand to their blonde companion. His thoughts aligned with Goku's; this might be their only chance to get Sanzo back. Hakkai prayed with every ounce of his spirit that Sanzo would listen to reason and come to them. "Kouryuu, please. You need to believe us on this one."

"Kouryuu." Nii walked over to his son and stopped. Putting a hand on the shaking boy's shoulder be leaned in closely to capture his eyes with his own. They were searching desperately for something to believe; to follow; to confirm what they wanted to believe. Nii was happy to oblige. "Do you remember the conversation we had in the lab before you left?"

At first, Kouryuu wasn't sure which conversation that his father was referring to. He knew that they had been in the lab and Kouryuu was angry at the questions. The answers were so obvious that he was furious that father had even asked them. Do you love your father? Even if...? Kouryuu's eyes widened as he remembered. It was strange, but he felt warm inside. He had reason to be angry, because the answer was obvious. Even if these feelings are artificial, it doesn't change the fact that I feel them. "Yes. I remember. I love my father and I would do anything for him."

Hakkai's eyes narrowed as he watched Kouryuu relax and settle into a gentle smile. There was more going on here than brainwashing. They might have really lost Sanzo to this monster. Hakkai felt as helpless as when he watched Kannon take his knife and turn it towards herself. It was if it was happening all over again and all he could do was watch the train wreck. His limbs turned into jelly and he could tell Gojyo was also having trouble standing, though Hakkai was sure it was for a different reason. "Sanzo."

"So, who are you then?" Nii could feel the grin stretching along his face. Everything was going according to plan. He wished that he could have played this game for just a bit longer, but sacrifices often had to be made to achieve the most desired ending. He could think of no better way to prove his dear Koumyou wrong. It was the perfect gift.

"Kouryuu. My name is Kouryuu!" The blonde turned to face the brunette on the ground and grinned. He'd deal with the other two after he wiped out their strongest opponent. He could feel his killer instinct returning and Kouryuu didn't think it was possible to feel any better. He had a father supporting him, a mother to tease, a grandfather to lean on and friends to play with; he wasn't going to give up this joy for anyone. "And if I want to go home; these three need to die."

Nii smiled and reached inside of his lab coat for a cigarette. He lit it slowly and took a deep drag. The tobacco had never tasted so sweet. The smoke lingered in the air as he breathed it out slowly. "That's my boy."

"I'll never forgive you!" Goku was thankful that he had been given time to get himself back together. For what he did to Sanzo and the rest of them with this brainwashing, he was going to nail this bastard if it killed him. But first he had to get past Sanzo that had him in his sights. Though, that would be easy considering that Goku only had eyes for one target. "Nyoi-boh!"

When Kouryuu watched the kid with the crown tense and get ready to attack, the blonde followed suit. Kouryuu immediately made a dive for the boy kneeling on the ground but he was too slow. Kouryuu turned his body so that his feet hit the ground with a curse, but Goku had already shot past him like a bullet. He was getting ready to follow the little rat, but he stopped cold when he saw where the brat was headed. "Dad! Move!"

Goku had his target in sight. That man wouldn't catch him off guard ever again. He rammed the rod he held straight foreword with every intention of pushing him back into the wall for a taste of his own medicine. However, when it struck straight through the man's gut, Goku had to stop moving. The man's blood drenched his pole and flowed over his hands in rivulets staining everything in their path red. He hadn't moved; not even an inch to dodge. Goku's voice was barely a whisper as he stared into those empty, yet grinning, eyes. "You got hit on purpose."

Nii smiled and grabbed a hold of the boy's weapon. With the lad in such shock, he easily pulled the intruding weapon from his gut with a gasp and held onto the bleeding wound. That had hurt and Nii could tell that he was dying; but that was all to be expected. He had, after all, intended to meet with Koumyou tonight underneath the shining full moon. Predictably, Kouryuu dashed past to shove Goku out of the way and come to his aid. The poor boy was so worried and looked close to tears and it made Nii smile. Yes, this would be worth it. "Kouryuu."

"Dad. Dad." Kouryuu held the man close and shoved his hand into the wound to help control the bleeding. He was in near hysterics as he watched the blood cough up from that familiar mouth. He pulled the man up by his shoulders so that he was sitting slightly upright and Kouryuu couldn't help but chant what was on his mind. "Don't die. Don't die!"

"Crazy son of a bitch." Gojyo dropped his Shakujou to the ground. He watched the cigarette drop from the corner of the man's mouth and roll onto the floor. Gojyo kept his eyes on the comforting object as his mind processed what had just happened. "Man just stood there and got impaled."

Hakkai too, was having a hard time contemplating what was going on and turned his attention instead to Goku on the ground staring at his hands. Hakkai himself had spent many a day looking at his hands covered in blood and knew where it could lead. He took a few steps over to tend to the boy and see if he had fallen into shock. "Goku, are you alright?"

Goku nodded as he watched Sanzo cling to the dying bastard. Watching Sanzo cry and scream and trying to hard to save the man made him feel guilty. He couldn't even begin to explain what he was feeling. He had killed the man who hurt Sanzo, but he had also hurt Sanzo deeper than he thought he could. It was all just so wrong. Why? "Why?"

"I don't know, Goku." Hakkai shook his head and could feel his grip on the boy's shoulder tighten. He knew that things could have turned out for the worst, but this was just so unexpected. It was difficult to swallow that they might never be forgiven for saving him. "I just don't know."

"Dad, dad please. You have to live and we can go home to Mom and Grandpa. You can play chess while mom yells at you and I can distract her. Just hold on." Kouryuu pet the elder man's hair. The man he loved most was dying in his arms and he was completely helpless to stop it. There was a sense of Déjà vu to this entire scene that kept playing in his mind, but that man had blonde hair. Whatever it was, Kouryuu knew that he could never go through that again. Never. Never. Never. "Please. Please I need you!"

Nii choked up a mouthful of blood to clear his throat. He really did have such a good boy. "Kouryuu."

"Don't talk," Kouryuu swallowed. "Just hold on."

"Remember what you told me." Nii smiled and reached up to stroke his hand along Kouryuu's face. He left blood streaked on the cheek and he felt satisfied. The red color suited him somehow and it smeared together with his tears. It really had been fun. "I want to see you again. Such a good boy. My boy."

"Dad." Kouryuu watched in horror as the man's eyes slid shut and his head fell against his chest. Memories started flooding through his mind of another man dying, but the face was hard to decipher. Something about a temple and rape and he didn't even know. It was overlaid with visions of his father's face and the lab that he knew so well. It made his head hurt and caused his breathing to become erratic and Kouryuu didn't know what to do. He shook his father's still shoulders. "Hey, wake up."

Gojyo watched as the man started clinging to the dead body and crying. He had never seen Sanzo so devastated over anything in his life. It was surreal. Gojyo tried to remember how he had reacted when his mother died; it hadn't even come close to this level of grief. "Shit."

"I guess he's dead then." Hakkai frowned as he looked up. He could only begin to imagine the type of sorrow that Sanzo was experiencing right now. Hakkai hoped that this would make the transition back to their Sanzo easier instead of more difficult. Goku however, was not fairing so well, either. "Goku, it's going to be okay. You with me?"

"Sanzo's crying." Goku pulled his legs underneath him and felt them slowly losing all of their feeling. Was that really love? Crying over someone that was practically a demon? Loving still even after knowing that they've done nothing but hurt you? Is this what Gojyo felt? Hakkai? Goku could only ponder as he watched the most important man in his life wail over a corpse that he had created. "Sanzo's never going to forgive me."

Father was dead. The grief stricken man stood slowly, he could even still feel his cheeks stiffen where the salty tears and blood had dried. Sanzo's mind had become an empty void and his eyes had glazed over with either shock or a complete system shut down from the trauma. However, there were two memories that stubbornly held their ground and seemed to be controlling his every action. He was sure they were from two different lives, but they seemed to go hand in hand. One of those thoughts repeated endlessly in his mind. Would you follow me anywhere I go? While the other found its way to chapped lips who knew not to whom they were speaking. "Do you know why I chose the gun out of all the weapons?"

Goku's eyes widened a little as he watched Sanzo sway on his feet. He took a few steps toward the table and picked up the weapon that had been discarded in the earlier fight. Goku wondered what force in the room kept him and his two companions from moving to intercept as they watched Sanzo standing there with the dead body rotting behind him. The man was shaking, but his words were thickened by the importance of these few sentences.

The man smiled as he raised the barrel of the gun to his temple. The metal felt cool to his skin and he leaned into the touch like a lover. "It was the perfect size to…"

The body had hit the ground with a sickening thud, but no one heard it. Their ears were still ringing from the echo of that final shot and the wretched wailing that followed.