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 reader by: Warrior Nun

CHAPTER THREE

Mother's Voice

"That's why... I'm taking my brother back to our mother." Kazeyo stated calmly, still holding Goku in his arms.

"Why you…!" Gojyo was about to retort, but a sudden growl stopped him.

"No fucking way."

The three of them stared at Sanzo, who had been previously silent. His violet eyes blazed with unreadable emotions even for Hakkai and Gojyo.

"I wasn't spending shitty years raising that saru only to let strangers like you take him away in front of my nose."

Kazeyo frowned, his silver brows met in clear displeasure. "Saru?" His tone changed into one of anger. "You hold no respect to my brother."

"It's not exactly what it seems, Kazeyo-san." Hakkai hastily interfered, intending to save the awkward situation. "We thank you for saving us all, especially Goku. Without you, we dare not to imagine what would happen to us. And thus, we openly accept your position as Goku's brother…"

"Hakkai!" Gojyo protested, but one death glare from the green eyed man put him into silent mode.

"However, Kazeyo-san," Hakkai continued, after succeeding on silencing the furious red head, as his tone turned serious. "We can't help but object your quest on taking Goku. We all know that Goku is already old enough to decide the best for him. And I believe that not even you as his brother could take that particular right away from him." Hakkai spoke carefully; emerald eyes fixed Kazeyo's golden ones.

The silver-haired heretic just stared back, unblinking, before finally responding.

"What are you trying to say, human-turned-youkai?"

"I can't say I like your preference of words, Kazeyo-san." The usually soft green eyes had somehow turned predatory at the heretic's last words. Kazeyo, who stubbornly refused to lose the staring contest with Hakkai that not even Gojyo dared to participate, just kept his gaze firm as he spoke.

"Nicely phrased, Cho Hakkai-san."

This ended the unspoken contest between them as Hakkai let go of his dark aura and replied carefully. "My suggestion is to let Goku stay with us at least until he's awake and well enough to decide for himself whether to leave or not. Plus he still needs some treatment for his injuries. And I, as a healer, would definitely advise against it if you plan to take him in his current condition."

Silence followed Hakkai's statement. Gojyo stared at Hakkai and Kazeyo, try guessing what's on each other's mind. Sanzo merely kept silent.

"Very well then..." Kazeyo finally responded, looked more relaxed as he slowly handed the sleeping Goku to Hakkai, who seemed to be the only one he trusted among the three. "On one condition…"

Hakkai stared at the gleaming golden eyes, calculating. "What is it?"

"You must take me with you."

Gojyo was irritated. Very irritated...

He set baleful crimson eyes at the silver-haired man sitting beside him at the back seat. Kazeyo had insisted on holding Goku, thus preferring to squeeze himself into the small space the jeep provided instead of flying with those huge wings of his. He settled his unconscious brother onto his lap and resting his head on his chest as he stroked the brown hair gently. The heretic's arms curled around the smaller boy, his golden eyes never lowered their guard. But what irritated Gojyo the most was that Kazeyo insisted on taking out his wings—yes, those awfully huge wings—and engulfed Goku's body protectively as if traumatic that anyone might attack his dearest little brother.

Gojyo scowled as some strands of the grey feathers brushed against his arms, creating a tickling sensation. He scooted as far away as he could, pressing himself to the Jeep's body, as he glared at the winged heretic dejectedly.

"Stupid brother complex," He murmured, irritated. He had no idea whether it's just his feeling or not, but he felt almost sure that Kazeyo's piercing golden eyes were directed mainly to Sanzo. He wondered if the said monk could feel the penetrating glare through the seat. Sighing, the red head threw his hands over his head, attempting to relax in such a small space thanks to the huge wings. His eyes darted between the heretic and the priest.

Wonder what that monk will do to handle this situation…

"What do you want to say?" Sanzo murmured, his eyes closed in his usual manner of go-fuck-yourself-I-don't-give-a-damn as he inhaled the cigarette deeply.

Kazeyo stared at Sanzo; his tone was unreadable as he spoke.

"I want you to stay away from my brother."

Sanzo didn't even flinch at the straightforward request. He slowly opened his eyes and stared squarely at Kazeyo's eyes for the first time after the heretic had gestured him wordlessly to the woods for a talk, alone. They left Goku in their tent, taken care by Hakkai and the fuming Gojyo.

Kazeyo was at his human form. His hair was shorter, much resembled Hakkai—whereas his youkai form's was similar to Homura's—and his ears were that of human. One of his golden eyes was covered by an obsidian eye-patch, of which Sanzo assumed to be his power limiter. Kazeyo looked nothing alike with Goku in appearance, but when his uncovered gold eye bore through him, Sanzo couldn't help but feel as if he was staring at the older version of Goku.

Sanzo just shrugged, keeping his expression unchanged, as he slowly exhaled.

"I don't see the reason."

Kazeyo kept his gaze firm at the blonde as he spoke sharply.

"Stop pretending that you don't. I have been watching. I know my brother had almost got killed several times because of you. He almost lost himself once at the desert when he removed his limiter for your sake. He lost a huge amount of life-force when he was captured by War Prince Homura and was forced to create his new world. And lastly," Kazeyo's eyes blazed in somewhat anger but the human monk remained expressionless, "I know that he was fatally injured by that dark priest, and you did nothing but ran away, leaving my brother struggling for his life like some dying animal!" Clear anger was now visible in his voice.

"If it were not for Cho Hakkai, my brother would've been died and I would've hunted you down and finished you off." He clenched his fists furiously, strangely his face remained unchanged.

"Are those not enough proof of your worthlessness?"

Sanzo's eyebrows twitched at the statement. He dropped his cigarette to the ground, and stomped it with his heels.

"You're done talking?" He commented airily, taking another cigarette and lit it up. From the corner of his eyes he saw Kazeyo looked almost blown up and continued without giving the heretic a chance to burst out. "I'm afraid that you spoke to the wrong person then." He exhaled, letting the smoke flow into the chilly night air.

Kazeyo gained his composure quickly enough to reply less hotly. "Oh?"

Sanzo met his eyes, appreciating the fact that the heretic was more matured than he thought. "It's Goku we're talking about. Though sometimes he acts like it, he's hardly a kid anymore. Like Hakkai said, he has the right to choose. It's not that I stick with him by choice in the first place." He inhaled again deeply, letting his lungs absorb the intoxicating nicotine. "You as his brother must know this fact better than anyone else." He stopped speaking for a moment to let the smoke slip between his lips.

Kazeyo stared at Sanzo, his expression unexpectedly softened. "I know. As an older sibling I wish to protect my brother, but of course I still value his decision. Besides," His lips curved to a mixture of happy and sad smile, "I can see that he's really happy being with you guys. I've never seen his aura glow brighter than when he spent his time with you. It's hardly understandable, seeing how many times you hit him or yell at him, and even endanger him. But, he seems to enjoy it."

Sanzo had given himself a break, leaning against a tree as he listened as the heretic started to open up to him.

"If he doesn't want to come with me, I have no intention to force him. As long as my brother happy, I will find my happiness as well."

"If that's so, why were you so persistent on taking him in the first place?" Sanzo unexpectedly asked, his violet eyes sparkled a tinge of curiosity. "If you really wish for his happiness, why tried to take him by force?"

Kazeyo let the question hang unanswered for a brief moment before answering with his eyes darted to the forest floor.

"It's because of her." He slowly replied and for the first time, Sanzo could sense fear from the heretic. "Unfortunately, I cannot speak of her."

Sanzo raised an eyebrow. His feelings told him that this wasn't good news. He asked nevertheless. "Her?"

Kazeyo wasn't quick to respond. He closed his eyes, attempting to calm himself before whispering, barely audible to hear.

"My Mother."

Golden eyes blinked twice before opening completely, staring confusedly as a wave of nausea still messing up his head.

"Nngh… it hurts…" Goku groaned, clutching his head with his right hand while using his left hand to support himself from the mattress he had been laying on. Once his head cleared a little, he set his gaze at his surroundings and figured that he must be inside a tent. He crawled his way to the tent's entrance and flipped the cover, revealing shadows of trees under the starry night sky.

"Where is this place?"

The last thing he could remember was they fought Ukoku together, and he was taken hostage after trying to protect Sanzo. He recalled almost being annihilated; there was helplessness, a great pain, a gunshot and… Sanzo!

He snapped his head around; panic slowly crept up his mind as the remembrance of his master took up his head.

Where's Sanzo now? Did he get killed? Or did he give himself up in change of him? Where are Gojyo and Hakkai? Are they all killed? Because of him? Then why is he still alive? What's happening here?

Cast you worries aside, dear child. There is no harm.

Goku stunned as the melodious voice reached him. He turned his head around in search of whoever spoke to him. Realizing that no one was there but him gave him a creepy chill. Then, without warning, the disembodied voice rang again.

Throw your fear away, dear child. You will be safe in my arms.

It was clear that it was a female's voice. Strangely enough, the voice felt familiar. Gulping nervously, Goku turned his head around, still stubbornly searching for the mysterious voice as he croaked, "W-Who are you?"

The voice laughed. It was hearty and it felt as if the whole universe laughed along with it.

Silly child, how can you even let me out of your mind?

Goku's eyes widened. This was getting freaky. Whoever did this must know him very well, he was sure about that. But he didn't remember having any close female acquaintances, thanks to his years living with Sanzo at the temple. But still, the voice felt oddly comforting…

I have been watching, my child. You have grown, just like your brother.

Goku froze. What did it mean by brother? The voice seemed to know him more than he knew himself. His heart raced as understanding slowly seeped inside him. Could it be…

Open up your mind, my child, and tell me. What do you see?

Goku slowly turned his head and stared into the darkness of the forest. Chilly night air stroked his cheek softly; his golden eyes went blank as he let out a whisper.

"Mother…"

"Mother?" Sanzo frowned, staring at the silver-haired heretic questioningly. "You mean your and Goku's mother?"

Kazeyo nodded, and Sanzo could sense slight fear in his reply.

"We have been watching, my mother and I. And unlike me, she saw youthree as nothing more than nuisance for my brother. I'm afraid she has lost faith in you guys. After this incident, I'm sure she won't keep it quiet. Sooner or later, Mother will appear by herself and take my brother, regardless he refuses or not."

tbc

Sneak Peek to Chp4: Mother's Calling

#

"What do you mean by 'he's gone'??"
"He's disappeared. Missing... Nowhere to be seen."

#

"Kazeyo-san, is something wrong?"
"It's her. Mother is here, right now."