Chapter two -

Slowly the pounding noise crept into Hakkai's consciousness, the dream of an exploding village fading into the reality of the incessant thudding. In the other room a plate fell to the floor, the sound of breaking glass barely audible over the frenzied knocking. In between knocks, Hakkai could hear his name being frantically called out.

"Hikaru?" Hakkai thought, surprised, and then quickly called out, "I'm coming."

Hastily Hakkai threw on his clothes and hurried through his house to open a now mercifully silent door. In front of him stood the young man he had grown rather fond of over the last several years. He was clearly upset, his eyes full of sorrow, his face pale. Hikaru was no longer dressed in his simple monk's clothes, but in a Sanzo's outfit, the chakra on his forehead was the official mark of his new status. Around his shoulders lay the Maten Sutra.

"Sanzo?" Hakkai asked.

"He's collapsed," Hikaru said, "and he's asking for you."

'No time to leave a note,' Hakkai thought as he grabbed his coat, turned off the lights, shut his front door and then followed Hikaru down the pathway toward the road. 'The village will be fine without you,' he told himself, but he still felt a stab of guilt as he remembered he had a healing the next day. 'There are plenty of people to take over your jobs and the Dr. will be more than adequate to heal the boy," he reminded himself. 'You can't save everyone, and even if you could, Sanzo has top priority.'

"I'll drive," he told Hikaru. "You look exhausted."

Hakkai started the car and carefully navigated the narrow streets near his house. Once he was on a more open section of highway he asked the questions whose answers he dreaded to know.

"When?" Hakkai asked.

"Yesterday morning," Hikaru said. "Master Sanzo has been under pressure from the Elders to name Hotaka as his successor. He called me into his room and informed me of his decision to name me as the next Sanzo. Then he told me to be strong and as he placed the sutra on my shoulders he told me that my new life's job was to protect the Maten Sutra. After that he walked out of the room before I could say anything."

"That sounds like Sanzo, making decisions concerning other's lives without consulting them. When we spoke about this, I can't believe it was only five days ago, I suggested he speak to you first."

"What's done is done," Hikaru said, "and I have accepted the position with honor. I have chosen the name of Kouryuu out of respect for my master."

"That is quite a tribute to Sanzo," Hakkai said with a brief nod of his head. He was impressed by Hikaru's devotion to his faith, and his obvious attachment to Sanzo.

"What was Sanzo's condition when you left?" Hakkai asked.

"He was conscious but in considerable pain. He wouldn't permit the doctor to look at him and his only request to me was to bring you to his side. The Elders tried to insist that I allow one of the other monks to come and get you since it would be beneath a Sanzo's dignity to run a simple errand, but Master Sanzo had requested I come get you and that's what I am doing."

The rest of the journey was made in companionable silence. Both men were worried about Sanzo, but kept their worries to themselves. Hikaru drowsed on and off and just as the sun was rising in the sky, Hakkai and Hikaru drove into the temple's courtyard. There was considerable excitement as several of the younger monks rushed out to greet them and assured the two of them that Sanzo was comfortable and sleeping at the moment. As they walked through the halls toward Sanzo's room, Hakkai's impatience at seeing his friend increased. He had never realized how long it took to reach Sanzo's room and it required all of his will power not to run ahead of the others. When he was finally in front of the door, Hakkai quietly opened it and prepared to step into Sanzo's room.

Gently Hikaru placed his hand on Hakkai's arm, delaying him for a moment. "We'll leave the two of you alone."

"Thank you," Hakkai said, and then he entered, closing the door behind him.

Hakkai leaned against the door, taking in the room. Sanzo had never been one for possessions; the room contained a desk and chair, a dresser for his clothes, and a bed. The only light in the room came from a small lamp resting on the desk. Someone, probably Hikaru, had pulled the desk's chair next to the bed.

The curtains were drawn and Hakkai could tell the window was closed because the room was overly warm and stuffy. Hakkai opened the window to allow some of the fresh air to gently blow in before he went over to the chair to sit down.

Cautiously Hakkai sat down on the chair. It was wooden and straight-backed and not very comfortable and Hakkai grimaced a little at the twinges in his body as he settled on it.

Carefully he took one of Sanzo's hands, so frail seeming. Had it only been just five days ago that Sanzo had been so full of life? It was as if once Sanzo had named Hikaru his successor, he had lost his will to live. Or, had it been that Sanzo's will to live had lasted until he had finally found a worthy successor? It didn't really matter to Hakkai which way it was, his friend was fading, and fast.

Calling a small amount of ki into his hands, he gently poured some of his warmth into Sanzo.

Sanzo stirred, his eyes slowly fluttered open, a look of surprise at the pleasant sensation was quickly replaced by anger as he realized the source. "I didn't ask you here to heal me," Sanzo grumbled, "so stop."

"I'm not healing you," Hakkai said, his face a mask hiding his emotions. The smile from days long gone was plastered on his face.

"And cut the shit," Sanzo said. "I don't want to die seeing that smile."

The smile fell away as quickly as it had appeared. "I'm not trying to heal you," Hakkai repeated, "I'm just giving you a little of my warmth to make you more comfortable. I knew when I saw Hikaru wearing the Maten Sutra that you wouldn't want to be healed."

"Damn right," Sanzo said. "They took away my alcohol and cigarettes, there's nothing left to live for."

At that statement, Hakkai let out a laugh. "Yes, Gods forbid that Sanzo should do without his beer and cigarettes."

Sanzo closed his eyes, a small grimace forming on his face before he managed to suppress the pain.

"Really, Sanzo," Hakkai said seriously. "Why didn't you tell me you were so ill when you visited?"

"I had things to do before I could even admit it to myself, Hakkai. I only regret that I have sentenced Hikaru to the life of a Sanzo, but of all of my students here, he is the most suited mentally and physically."

"He will do fine Sanzo. After all, he had a great teacher on how to be stubborn." The hint of a smile graced Hakkai's lips.

"The damned fool told you, didn't he?" Sanzo asked with a touch of amusement creeping into his voice. "When he told me of his name choice, I wanted to hit him with my fan for being such an idiot, but he's too old for the fan."

Hakkai chuckled. "Age never stopped you from hitting Goku or Gojyo, why would it stop you from hitting Hikaru?"

"I guess that a part of me was proud and honored that he chose to use Kouryuu." Sanzo hesitated a minute and then added, "Promise me Hakkai, that you will be there to help him when he needs it."

"Sanzo, you know I can't promise that."

"Hakkai, I need to know that he will have someone to turn to and maybe protect him if need be. Your ki still packs quite a punch. Besides, I want to make sure you don't kill yourself by over healing someone or overworking or not eating properly."

"Really Sanzo, this isn't necessary. I don't want you to worry about me at a time like this."

Sitting up, Sanzo yelled at Hakkai, "PROMISE ME!", and then he collapsed back onto the pillows that had been supporting him. His body shook with spasms of pain as he gasped for air from the exertion.

Horrified, Hakkai could do little more than provide a gentle flow of ki to help ease Sanzo's pain.

"Promise me," Sanzo whispered between his labored breathes. "It's important to me that you do. I know you won't go back on your word."

Hakkai shook his head, a slight grin on his face. "Even to the end you manage to force me to do something I would prefer not to. I will help Hikaru, uhm, Kouryuu for as long as I live and I will try not to risk my life. Is that promise enough?"

"I suppose that is the best promise I will get out of you," Sanzo said softly, "and it will do. I'm tired Hakkai. I'm going to sleep. Ask Kouryuu to have a room prepared for you so you can rest too."

"I think I'll just sit with you Sanzo, if you don't mind," Hakkai said, once again holding Sanzo's hand, warming it with soothing ki.

"Idiot. Do as you want." Sanzo sighed as he closed his eyes, his breathing evening out as his body relaxed under Hakkai's ministrations.

"Sanzo," Hakkai asked gently, "do you remember our battle with Nii?"

"Hmm?" Sanzo said so softly Hakkai could barely hear him. "Of course I do."

"Something happened that day, when I lay on the ground injured. I was dying…"

"Hakkai?"

"Sanzo, what's wrong?"

"There's light all around…so bright…so warm…"

"Light Sanzo?" Hakkai asked, knowing the answer but terrified at what it meant.

"Light and warmth…No pain…" Sanzo's breathing slowed even more. The hand Hakkai wasn't holding lifted from the bed as if to touch something only Sanzo could see. "Goku?" Sanzo asked and then his hand dropped onto the bed, his body took one last shuddering breath and was still.

"Sanzo," Hakkai said, the name was but a gentle breath of air from his lips. Hakkai knew Sanzo was dead but a part of him didn't want to accept it, wasn't ready to accept it. He poured his ki into Sanzo, knowing it was too late to help, but not caring. More, he kept thinking, just a little more. Shaking from the exertion, not caring that he was pushing himself toward his own death, Hakkai continued to drain his life energy in the hope of saving Sanzo. As his vision started to fade, he felt himself roughly shoved back onto the chair.

"Enough, Master Hakkai," Kouryuu said through his own tears, "enough. He's gone."

Opening his eyes, Hakkai gathered his meager remaining strength and looked at the young man standing so straight and strong in front of him.

"You're right," Hakkai said. "Our journey is finally over." Gently he moved Sanzo's arms, crossing them over his chest. Then, no longer caring who might see him, Hakkai lowered his head into his hands and allowed himself to cry. Wracking sobs tore from his body as he finally allowed himself to weep for Sanzo, Hakuuryu, Gojyo, Goku, Kanan, everyone he had ever killed, all the people he had been unable to save, but mostly for himself because for the first time in years he was truly alone.

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