Mother's Devotion

A Mother's Devotion

Title: A Mother's Devotion

Genre: Angst/Family

Disclaimer: I don't own Saiyuki, but I do own Torino Kazeyo.

Summary: After Ukoku's event came and went, Sanzo-ikkou has yet to face another danger of losing one of their members. A mother's wrath is very terrifying indeed. Set after Reload 9 manga. Non yaoi.

Beta : Warrior Nun

CHAPTER TWO

Brother's Decision

"My name is Torino Kazeyo, older brother of Son Goku." Slitted golden eyes pierced through strands of silver hair framing ivory white face. "And I'm here to save him."

Sanzo and the others stared at the young stranger in clear astonishment. Goku's brother? They had long assumed that Goku had no family given that he was born from the earth, but now this guy showed up, claiming to be Goku's older brother. Should they believe him? But those golden eyes were exactly the same…

On the other hand, Ukoku let out a small chuckle... "Giving of your exclamation as Son Goku's brother, I believe you're a heretical being then, Torino Kazeyo-san? Very unpredictable yet, is very interesting." Ukoku adjusted his glasses casually, keeping his gaze to Kazeyo's golden ones. "But still, child of the Earth or not, I sincerely hope you know better than interfere with my business." The dark eyes glowed as Kazeyo remained unmoving. "You have seen for yourself my power over Son Goku. Now if you please, Kazeyo-san, hand me your little brother. I've not quite finished with him." Ukoku spoke calmly, his usual cockiness filling his voice.

Kazeyo's face showed no change of expression, but his eyes blazed with somewhat anger. "You foolish human," He sneered, "You will soon learn how powerless you really are; to challenge the true power of nature."

Ukoku's smirk never wavered. Then, without warning, his Muten Scripture sprouted out again, predictably to Kazeyo and Goku's direction. Sanzo, Gojyo and Hakkai couldn't tear their eyes off the scene as the scripture whirled around the spot, leaving blackened soil on its trail.

Ukoku frowned, though he was not above admitting that he was a bit surprised as he saw his scripture hit nothing but empty air. Again, he adjusted his glasses. "Oh my…"

"Cho Hakkai-san."

Hakkai turned abruptly, shocked at the voice that suddenly greeted him. Kazeyo had stood behind him, still carrying Goku in his arms. But what adding more to Hakkai's surprise was a pair of grey wings upon the silver-haired heretic's back.

"Here," Kazeyo held out his arms and gently placed the unconscious Goku onto Hakkai's arms. "Take care of my brother. I know you've got some healing abilities, human turned youkai."

Hakkai nodded, though wincing a little at the heretic's choice of words, as he supported Goku's body and lowered him gently to the ground. He turned his head around to thank Kazeyo but saw that the heretic was no longer there. Only then did he realize that Kazeyo was floating among tree branches, his grey wings were spread out, making him look somewhat like a golden-eyed angel.

Hakkai's eyes widened.

He's fast!

"Don't just sit there you dummy, heal him!" It was Gojyo's voice that snapped Hakkai's thoughts back to the ground.

"Ha…hai." He turned his attention back to Goku as he slowly folded his sleeves to allow more chi access. He put his hand on Goku's bullet wound gently and closed his eyes as a familiar green glow radiated and he could feel the wound slowly closed under his touch. Then he moved to heal some burnt marks left by the scripture. To his relief, there were only a few minor injuries.

"He'll live, right?" Gojyo asked. His concern was unmistakable in his tone.

Hakkai nodded. "Only a bullet wound and a few minor bruises and burnt marks. We're lucky Kazeyo-san pulled him out from that scripture in time. If not…" Hakkai let his words trail off as he stared at Kazeyo, who was still floating in the air with his eyes piercing Ukoku.

"Wings, eh? You're getting more interesting, my heresy friend." Ukoku spoke, staring at the grey wings as if aching to examine them. Kazeyo snorted as he landed and with a swift movement, his wings were sucked back into his body.

He kept his gaze at the dark priest firm as he hissed threateningly. "You shall pay for what you did to my brother, dirty human." He spat, his heretical golden eyes blazed in rage.

Ukoku smirked sarcastically. "You're an amusing one, heresy. It really is a pity that your existence would soon… disappear." At his words, the Muten Scripture awoke once again and engulfed Kazeyo, who gave no attempt to escape.

The smirk widened as the scripture wound itself around Kazeyo's body, trapping him in the same predicament as Goku minutes ago.

"Don't say I didn't warn you, heresy." Ukoku mocked, winning smirk wound upon his handsome face.

Kazeyo said nothing. He held his head high, closing his eyes, and suddenly in a swift moment, the scripture fell apart from his body, scattered as if being sliced by unseen knives.

... knives that were the air itself.

Ukoku stared, for the first time let surprise clearly written on his face as he muttered. "What the…"

"You forgot one simple fact, human." Kazeyo stood, completely free, as he leisurely straightened his clothes. "I am the son of the Earth. If you're naïve enough to believe that just a single Tenchi Kaigen Scripture could bring me down, you're no worth of the 'Sanzo' title."

Ukoku remained silent; his eyes were still fixed on his scattered scripture, as he raised his hand and clapped his own forehead. "How stupid," he chuckled in playful manner. "Son Goku was wearing his limiter. How stupid…"

"Should he was released from that power suppression," Kazeyo added, glanced at the golden diadem gracing Goku's head, "your scripture wouldn't stand a chance against him. No scriptures will, against the creations of the Earth itself."

Ukoku, still chuckling, slowly held out his hand and the pieces of his scripture flew to his hand. Kazeyo did nothing to prevent the sutra coming back to its owner, but kept his challenging eyes at the priest.

"I shall keep that in mind, son of the Earth." Ukoku finally spoke; his tone was casual as he put his scripture back into his robes. "Now since it seems that my scripture would take some time before it could be used again, I'm afraid that I have no choice but to retreat. I just have one thing to say," His eyes glowed for a brief second before they closed as a familiar smirk graced the dark-haired priest's face. "You really are a nuisance, Kazeyo-san." With that, the evil human vanished.

Tension that filled the place disappeared, as Kazeyo relaxed and turned his attention back to the astonished trio.

"How's he?" Kazeyo asked as he approached the ikkou, obviously addressing Hakkai.

"I've closed his wounds." Hakkai replied, rubbing his arms tiredly. "But for an unknown reason, he seems unable to regain consciousness. I've tried everything, but…" He focused his emerald eyes on the unconscious boy, worry coloring his features.

Kazeyo's expression gave no changes as he knelt before the boy and his companions. His silver brows met as he cursed. "That bastard…"

Then without warning, Kazeyo placed his hand on Goku's golden diadem and yanked it off, predictably startling Sanzo and the others.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Gojyo yelled as he lunged forward, attempting to grab the limiter back. But before he could even reached him, Kazeyo had tossed the limiter high to the air and with a snap of his fingers, the diadem was sliced off and fell onto the ground as nothing more than scattered pieces of metal.

Gojyo's eyes widened. "What did you do that for?!"

"Leave it to me." Kazeyo responded shortly, his golden eyes narrowed as he saw his brother started to change into his demonic self before his eyes.

"What the fuck…!" Gojyo was about to retort but Hakkai's calming hand on his shoulder held him back.

"Calm down, Gojyo. You should've realized that it's not wise to pick fight with him."

Gojyo turned his steaming head to face Hakkai's calm one. "Shit, Hakkai… He's gonna release the Seiten Taisei!"

"Just trust Kazeyo-san, Gojyo. He is Goku's brother after all." Hakkai whispered assuringly.

"You honestly believe that shit, Hakkai?" Gojyo grunted in disagreement, but dare not to protest further. He knew better than testing out Hakkai's patience.

Sanzo, on the other hand, remained mysteriously silent as he watched Goku finished transforming and the Seiten Taisei opened his eyes, revealing slitted and predatory orbs, causing those around him to unconsciously flinch.

"Nghrr…" The heretic groaned, and Gojyo reflexively muttered "Shit!" and gripped his weapon in anticipation. But then, faster than any eyes could follow, Kazeyo pulled Seiten into his arms and with an almost soundless movement, his wings sprouted out and engulfed Seiten's body in his embrace.

Followed by three pairs of astonished eyes, Kazeyo finally opened his wings after a few moments, revealing a sleeping Goku with a new golden diadem gracing his head.

"Ano… Kazeyo-san, what did you just do?" Hakkai asked, trying to sound casual.

"Restoring his life-force..." Kazeyo answered shortly, bringing his hand to trace around the limiter for final checking. "That bastard sure knew how to use the scripture…"

"But… We thought only the monk who could…" Gojyo didn't get to finish his words as Kazeyo suddenly stood, holding Goku's body firmly in his arms.

"It's clear to me now," He began, his tone was unreadable as his golden eyes swept over the tensed ikkou. "That the people my brother has been hanging out with are clearly unreliable. You will cause nothing but danger to my brother. Especially that human..." His eyes met with Sanzo for a brief second before he continued, not giving any chance for them to retort. "That's why, I'm taking my brother back to our Mother."

-tbc

Sneak Peek for the next chap: Mother's Voice

#

"What do you want to say?"
"I want you to stay away from my brother."

#

"W-Who are you??"
"Open up your mind, dear child, and tell me. What do you see?"