All Things Come to an End - Chapter 4 - January 2006
Chapter Three
All Things Come to an End - Chapter Four
As Hakkai and Yaone entered the inn where Gojyo, Sanzo and Goku had been waiting, Gojyo could tell something was wrong. The tension between the lovers was almost palpable, and made even him feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough to do something about it.
"All right, you two, spill. I wanna know what's going on, and why you're late. Now," he said, the customary cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Hakkai sighed as he sat down. He'd rather hoped it wasn't that obvious, but knew that Gojyo knew him better than anyone and would have gotten it out of him anyway. He motioned to Yaone to tell the others.
She looked startled, but then her indigation took over and she told them how Hakkai had stopped the beating, and the menacing way the man had spoken to him as a result. She added her own part to the story, telling them her conclusions, looking at Hakkai pointedly as she spoke.
"I know these types. I know what they're capable of. Remember, I used to be one of them. They may not be youkai, but they still have power, for all that. Don't underestimate this man, Hakkai. I just have a really bad feeling about this," she finished, her voice cracking from the tension.
Sanzo sighed. Way to go, making enemies they didn't need right now, he thought as he puffed on his own cigarette, seemingly unconcerned with the revelations. Finally he spoke up, startling them all.
"I agree with Yaone, actually. Men like that will stop at nothing to get what they want. That's the way of the world, these days," he said quietly. "I suggest you take things carefully for the next little while. Don't give them any excuse to attack you, or any opening where they might take advantage. They have the upper hand here, and it's up to you to lessen the blow once it falls. As I believe it will," he finished, staring out the window in idle contemplation.
Hakkai looked at the others in silence, then bowed his head. Goku looked at him, then grinned. "Awwww, who cares? Let's eat. I'm starving," he said, enthusiastically. "Owwwwwwwwww, what was that for?" he demanded as Sanzo's harisen descended on his head.
"You stupid monkey. This is a serious conversation here!" Gojyo said angrily. "Haven't you been listening?"
Goku nodded, holding his head where he'd been struck. "Yes, I was actually, pervy kappa, but as I said, who cares? Hakkai's not gonna do anything stupid, we all know that. Not to mention, he's got us watching his back, so nothing's gonna happen, right?" he replied. "Now let's eat. I'm hungry here, in case you didn't hear me the first time."
Gojyo reached out, ruffling the teen's hair playfully, then pushing him off his chair. "We heard you, idiot. We just weren't listening."
As the two fought, Sanzo sighed and idly started filling his banishing gun with bullets. As each round clicked into the chamber, the sound echoed through the room, causing the others to look at him and stop the noise.
"Good, now that I've got your attention, I think we should order something, before we get kicked out. Goku's not the only one who's hungry here. Just keep it down, will ya? You're giving me a headache," he said, stubbing out his cigarette into the ashtray and lighting up yet another, much to Hakkai's consternation.
"You know, Sanzo, you're sure smoking a lot more than you used to. You really should cut down," he said, conversationally.
Sanzo glared at him out of the corner of his eye and continued puffing away. "You got a particular death wish tonight, Hakkai? It can easily be arranged, you know," he replied, just as casually.
Hakkai merely smiled and gave his order to the waitress who looked at them in confusion. They always came in at the same time each week, ordering the same stuff, and fighting in the same way. She'd never understand these guys, she thought as she took their orders back to the kitchen. Weirdos.
At the end of the evening, they parted ways, as they usually did, with plans to meet up again the following week. While they were leaving, Gojyo took Sanzo aside. He'd had an idea he wanted to run by the blond priest.
"Yo, Buddha boy, I have something I wanna talk to you about," he said quietly as Goku, Hakkai and Yaone were making their good-byes. The priest's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, listening to what the scarlet-haired man had to say to him, ocassionally nodding. As Gojyo finished, Sanzo nodded his acceptance.
"Okay, we're outta here, Goku. We've got a long way to go, y'know," he said, giving the teen a whap upside the head as an encouragement to hurry up. Goku rubbed his head, glaring at the monk. He then waved as they left.
"See ya, Hakkai, Yaone! You too, you perverted kappa!" he yelled from the relative safety of the doorway, then yelped as Sanzo grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out the door.
As they walked next door to their home, Hakkai asked Gojyo quietly what he'd been talking to Sanzo about as Yaone walked on ahead. He shrugged in reply. "Just some stuff that I'd wanted his opinion on. No big deal," he said, waving it off and taking a leisurely puff of his cigarette. He didn't want Hakkai to get wind of it, or he'd be in for it. Hakkai could be touchy at times if he felt he was being over-protected.
None of them noticed the gazes of various people following them carefully as they walked to their home. If they had, they may have noticed a few people that seemed not quite right for the neighbourhood and realised something was up.
Hakkai looked at him oddly but didn't press the issue. He was tired of talking about it. He still couldn't see what the fuss was about, but he'd given his word not to go out of his way to court disaster. Nothing was said about disaster going out of its way to court him however.
Weeks went by without anything happening, and they all eventually relaxed somewhat. Even Yaone had to admit that she had possibly over-reacted. Gojyo still wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to say anything. Goku and Sanzo appeared more often than usual, but Sanzo explained it away as 'Temple business'. Hakkai wasn't so sure, but held his peace.
He was all set to meet with the others at the inn again when an urgent knock sounded at the door. Mystified, he opened it, to find one of his students at his door, panting in exhaustion and gibbering away at him. He held his hand out for the boy to calm down.
"Relax and tell me what's going on. I can wait while you catch your breath," he said calmly, hoping it would help.
The child merely shook his head and grabbed Hakkai's tunic. "No, you have to come NOW," he said urgently. "My brother...he's sick. Really sick. The doctor's tried everything, and suggested that we find you. Will you come, please?" he said, with the beginnings of hysteria in his voice.
Hakkai looked concerned, and began to follow the boy out the door. He called back to Yaone to tell the others where he was going, then followed the child to his home, which thankfully wasn't very far. He didn't see Gojyo and Yaone both slip out after him, worrying that this was a trap.
The child's parents met him at the door, his mother weeping in fear and relief. "Please save my baby," she cried as Hakkai entered the small house the children shared with their parents. No wonder he was ill, Hakkai thought, as the house was so small and cramped. They shared the small living space with several other family members who thankfully had made themselves scarce. Ideal breeding grounds for pestilence.
Hakkai immediately got to work, calling up the chi energy he used to heal. Several hours later, he stumbled out of the house, embarrassed at the effusive thanks the family were heaping on him.
"It's nothing, honestly. I'm glad to help out where I can," he said, his face flushed with embarrassment and fatigue. It had taken a lot out of him, but he'd saved the child. He smiled to himself. All in a day's work, really.
He looked up in surprise as Yaone appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, supporting him as he walked carefully down the street. He'd stumbled a bit, he realised.
"I guess I'm a little more tired than I thought I was," he said gratefully to the violet-haired woman. "Thanks for helping me out here," he added, and looked down, but looked up again in shock as the support was violently ripped from his side.
Hakkai looked on in shock as a large hulking man grabbed Yaone's arms behind her, pulling her further and further away from his side. "Yaone!" he cried in panic and started towards them, intending to get his lover back. He stumbled and fell to his knees as the fatigue washed over him.
The raven-haired young man realised he'd been ambushed, as several more large men appeared and encircled him. He recognised the man Orman as one of them and his eyes narrowed. It seemed he'd been a fool after all.
"Stop. Leave her alone. She's no part of this. You want me, so come and get me," Hakkai said in a steady voice. He hoped they'd do the honourable thing and let her go, but he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Orman played dirty.
Orman gave Hakkai a cold, sinister smile. "Oh I think not, Cho Hakkai. Yes, I know who you are. I've spent a lot of time, effort, and money in finding out who you and your friends are. And I must say, I'm not very impressed. I was under the impression you and your youkai girlfriend would be harder to catch than this."
Hakkai's eyes widened, and the slimy thug laughed. "Yes, we know she's youkai as well. It wasn't even that hard to find that little tidbit out. Not when she stands out from a mile away. That's why I had my little friend here," he gestured at the hard-faced hulk who held Yaone in his bruising grasp, "take care of the girl. No sense in being stupid now, is there? I've waited a long time for this."
Orman smirked. Things were going exactly to plan, he mentally rubbed his hands in glee. This was definitely his lucky day. He ignored the glaring emerald eyes of his opponent. There was nothing Cho Hakkai could do but watch in impotence as his men had their way with the youkai beauty, he grinned to himself. All in good time, however, all in good time.
"Hold him," he ordered his men, and proceeded to take out all his anger and frustration on the immobile young man who'd dared oppose him. His fist contacted with Hakkai's stomach again and again, causing him to grimace in pain. He remained silent, however, much to Orman's disgust.
Yaone cried out for him to stop, but her cries were drowned out as the man holding her clamped his hand over her mouth, bruising her lips and bringing tears to her eyes. She attempted to bite the man, without success. Her whimpers merely made the assembled men laugh in amusement, as she looked daggers at them.
She wondered where Gojyo'd gone. He'd been with them when she first met up with Hakkai, then disappeared. Maybe he'd gone to get Goku and Sanzo, she hoped. She pleaded with the Gods mentally to help them reach Hakkai fast. He wouldn't last long, having given most of his strength in healing his young student.
She fumed impotently and struggled against the brute holding her as the men beat Hakkai nearly senseless using their fists and various other implements they had brought with them for the task. They then dropped him where he stood, laughing amongst themselves at how easy it had been to take the man known as 'Demon Slayer Cho Hakkai' down. Struggling to reach and break her youkai power limiter, the man holding her laughed and held her arms out to her sides, ignoring her cries.
"I don't think so, missy," he grinned evilly. "You'll have your fun, sooner than you think," he leered at her, then backhanded her as she spat in his face in rage. As he did so, she broke free from his hold, breaking her bracelet and changing before the men's stupified eyes, her own eyes full of hatred, anger and disgust. She held her spear in front of her, daring the men to try and take her down.
"Hakkai, are you all right?" she asked in panic as the raven-haired man lay on the ground, blood seeping out from under his body from various wounds caused by the beating he'd sustained. Hakkai twitched, but was unable to speak from the pain of the wounds. She bit her lip in dismay and faced the others again, her gaze hot and fierce. She began to twirl the spear, smiling coldly as it made contact with warm bodies in front of and behind her.
Orman stamped his foot in anger as his men fell to Yaone's wrath, or ran away in terror to avoid being mown down where they stood. They'd been warned about what to expect, the fools, he yelled after his retreating men. Cowards, the lot of them, he spat in disgust. Well he'd have the final laugh, Orman thought and grinned as an idea came to him.
He grabbed Hakkai by the hair, swinging the nearly unconscious young man in front of him and holding him like a human shield. "Just you try it, my girl. Your man'll be dead before you can say it if you move another step," he said calmly, holding his knife at Hakkai's back.
The young man stirred as he felt the cold knife and his pain-glazed eyes took in the carnage, looking sadly at Yaone. Gojyo was right, he had a short lifeline, he chuckled internally at the irony of it all; it seemed that things were to end here for him, just as he'd started to get it together. He mouthed the words 'I love you' at her, and as she put her hands up to her mouth in dismay as she realised what he planned to do, he smiled calmly at her and began to struggle against Orman's hold on him. It seemed to Yaone as if he accepted his death, and her heart broke.
The man grunted in pain as Hakkai's arm made contact sharply with his ribs. Enough was enough, he decided. It was time to end this. He swung the knife and caught Hakkai in the back, burying it to the hilt. The raven-haired young man gasped in pain, staring down at the sharp steel protruding from his chest, then fell to his knees. Gods, that hurt, he groaned as the pain overtook him, and coughed wetly, blood spilling out from his mouth. Orman looked on, triumph in his eyes. Even if it wasn't quite how he'd planned, the young man was now as good as dead.
"Hakkai!" Yaone screamed in desperation, and ran to catch him. He collapsed into her arms, and with one last long look into her eyes, he died with a tender smile for her and her name on his blood-flecked lips. She shrieked in loss and anguish, catching up her spear and running the fleeing Orman through the chest. "That's for Hakkai!" she screamed and swung again. "This is for me!" she finished, as her last stroke took off his head. She looked around for anyone else connected to Hakkai's death to vent her anguish and wrath upon, but they'd all either died or fled.
All Things Come to an End - Chapter Four
As Hakkai and Yaone entered the inn where Gojyo, Sanzo and Goku had been waiting, Gojyo could tell something was wrong. The tension between the lovers was almost palpable, and made even him feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortable enough to do something about it.
"All right, you two, spill. I wanna know what's going on, and why you're late. Now," he said, the customary cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Hakkai sighed as he sat down. He'd rather hoped it wasn't that obvious, but knew that Gojyo knew him better than anyone and would have gotten it out of him anyway. He motioned to Yaone to tell the others.
She looked startled, but then her indigation took over and she told them how Hakkai had stopped the beating, and the menacing way the man had spoken to him as a result. She added her own part to the story, telling them her conclusions, looking at Hakkai pointedly as she spoke.
"I know these types. I know what they're capable of. Remember, I used to be one of them. They may not be youkai, but they still have power, for all that. Don't underestimate this man, Hakkai. I just have a really bad feeling about this," she finished, her voice cracking from the tension.
Sanzo sighed. Way to go, making enemies they didn't need right now, he thought as he puffed on his own cigarette, seemingly unconcerned with the revelations. Finally he spoke up, startling them all.
"I agree with Yaone, actually. Men like that will stop at nothing to get what they want. That's the way of the world, these days," he said quietly. "I suggest you take things carefully for the next little while. Don't give them any excuse to attack you, or any opening where they might take advantage. They have the upper hand here, and it's up to you to lessen the blow once it falls. As I believe it will," he finished, staring out the window in idle contemplation.
Hakkai looked at the others in silence, then bowed his head. Goku looked at him, then grinned. "Awwww, who cares? Let's eat. I'm starving," he said, enthusiastically. "Owwwwwwwwww, what was that for?" he demanded as Sanzo's harisen descended on his head.
"You stupid monkey. This is a serious conversation here!" Gojyo said angrily. "Haven't you been listening?"
Goku nodded, holding his head where he'd been struck. "Yes, I was actually, pervy kappa, but as I said, who cares? Hakkai's not gonna do anything stupid, we all know that. Not to mention, he's got us watching his back, so nothing's gonna happen, right?" he replied. "Now let's eat. I'm hungry here, in case you didn't hear me the first time."
Gojyo reached out, ruffling the teen's hair playfully, then pushing him off his chair. "We heard you, idiot. We just weren't listening."
As the two fought, Sanzo sighed and idly started filling his banishing gun with bullets. As each round clicked into the chamber, the sound echoed through the room, causing the others to look at him and stop the noise.
"Good, now that I've got your attention, I think we should order something, before we get kicked out. Goku's not the only one who's hungry here. Just keep it down, will ya? You're giving me a headache," he said, stubbing out his cigarette into the ashtray and lighting up yet another, much to Hakkai's consternation.
"You know, Sanzo, you're sure smoking a lot more than you used to. You really should cut down," he said, conversationally.
Sanzo glared at him out of the corner of his eye and continued puffing away. "You got a particular death wish tonight, Hakkai? It can easily be arranged, you know," he replied, just as casually.
Hakkai merely smiled and gave his order to the waitress who looked at them in confusion. They always came in at the same time each week, ordering the same stuff, and fighting in the same way. She'd never understand these guys, she thought as she took their orders back to the kitchen. Weirdos.
At the end of the evening, they parted ways, as they usually did, with plans to meet up again the following week. While they were leaving, Gojyo took Sanzo aside. He'd had an idea he wanted to run by the blond priest.
"Yo, Buddha boy, I have something I wanna talk to you about," he said quietly as Goku, Hakkai and Yaone were making their good-byes. The priest's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, listening to what the scarlet-haired man had to say to him, ocassionally nodding. As Gojyo finished, Sanzo nodded his acceptance.
"Okay, we're outta here, Goku. We've got a long way to go, y'know," he said, giving the teen a whap upside the head as an encouragement to hurry up. Goku rubbed his head, glaring at the monk. He then waved as they left.
"See ya, Hakkai, Yaone! You too, you perverted kappa!" he yelled from the relative safety of the doorway, then yelped as Sanzo grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out the door.
As they walked next door to their home, Hakkai asked Gojyo quietly what he'd been talking to Sanzo about as Yaone walked on ahead. He shrugged in reply. "Just some stuff that I'd wanted his opinion on. No big deal," he said, waving it off and taking a leisurely puff of his cigarette. He didn't want Hakkai to get wind of it, or he'd be in for it. Hakkai could be touchy at times if he felt he was being over-protected.
None of them noticed the gazes of various people following them carefully as they walked to their home. If they had, they may have noticed a few people that seemed not quite right for the neighbourhood and realised something was up.
Hakkai looked at him oddly but didn't press the issue. He was tired of talking about it. He still couldn't see what the fuss was about, but he'd given his word not to go out of his way to court disaster. Nothing was said about disaster going out of its way to court him however.
Weeks went by without anything happening, and they all eventually relaxed somewhat. Even Yaone had to admit that she had possibly over-reacted. Gojyo still wasn't sure, but he wasn't going to say anything. Goku and Sanzo appeared more often than usual, but Sanzo explained it away as 'Temple business'. Hakkai wasn't so sure, but held his peace.
He was all set to meet with the others at the inn again when an urgent knock sounded at the door. Mystified, he opened it, to find one of his students at his door, panting in exhaustion and gibbering away at him. He held his hand out for the boy to calm down.
"Relax and tell me what's going on. I can wait while you catch your breath," he said calmly, hoping it would help.
The child merely shook his head and grabbed Hakkai's tunic. "No, you have to come NOW," he said urgently. "My brother...he's sick. Really sick. The doctor's tried everything, and suggested that we find you. Will you come, please?" he said, with the beginnings of hysteria in his voice.
Hakkai looked concerned, and began to follow the boy out the door. He called back to Yaone to tell the others where he was going, then followed the child to his home, which thankfully wasn't very far. He didn't see Gojyo and Yaone both slip out after him, worrying that this was a trap.
The child's parents met him at the door, his mother weeping in fear and relief. "Please save my baby," she cried as Hakkai entered the small house the children shared with their parents. No wonder he was ill, Hakkai thought, as the house was so small and cramped. They shared the small living space with several other family members who thankfully had made themselves scarce. Ideal breeding grounds for pestilence.
Hakkai immediately got to work, calling up the chi energy he used to heal. Several hours later, he stumbled out of the house, embarrassed at the effusive thanks the family were heaping on him.
"It's nothing, honestly. I'm glad to help out where I can," he said, his face flushed with embarrassment and fatigue. It had taken a lot out of him, but he'd saved the child. He smiled to himself. All in a day's work, really.
He looked up in surprise as Yaone appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, supporting him as he walked carefully down the street. He'd stumbled a bit, he realised.
"I guess I'm a little more tired than I thought I was," he said gratefully to the violet-haired woman. "Thanks for helping me out here," he added, and looked down, but looked up again in shock as the support was violently ripped from his side.
Hakkai looked on in shock as a large hulking man grabbed Yaone's arms behind her, pulling her further and further away from his side. "Yaone!" he cried in panic and started towards them, intending to get his lover back. He stumbled and fell to his knees as the fatigue washed over him.
The raven-haired young man realised he'd been ambushed, as several more large men appeared and encircled him. He recognised the man Orman as one of them and his eyes narrowed. It seemed he'd been a fool after all.
"Stop. Leave her alone. She's no part of this. You want me, so come and get me," Hakkai said in a steady voice. He hoped they'd do the honourable thing and let her go, but he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Orman played dirty.
Orman gave Hakkai a cold, sinister smile. "Oh I think not, Cho Hakkai. Yes, I know who you are. I've spent a lot of time, effort, and money in finding out who you and your friends are. And I must say, I'm not very impressed. I was under the impression you and your youkai girlfriend would be harder to catch than this."
Hakkai's eyes widened, and the slimy thug laughed. "Yes, we know she's youkai as well. It wasn't even that hard to find that little tidbit out. Not when she stands out from a mile away. That's why I had my little friend here," he gestured at the hard-faced hulk who held Yaone in his bruising grasp, "take care of the girl. No sense in being stupid now, is there? I've waited a long time for this."
Orman smirked. Things were going exactly to plan, he mentally rubbed his hands in glee. This was definitely his lucky day. He ignored the glaring emerald eyes of his opponent. There was nothing Cho Hakkai could do but watch in impotence as his men had their way with the youkai beauty, he grinned to himself. All in good time, however, all in good time.
"Hold him," he ordered his men, and proceeded to take out all his anger and frustration on the immobile young man who'd dared oppose him. His fist contacted with Hakkai's stomach again and again, causing him to grimace in pain. He remained silent, however, much to Orman's disgust.
Yaone cried out for him to stop, but her cries were drowned out as the man holding her clamped his hand over her mouth, bruising her lips and bringing tears to her eyes. She attempted to bite the man, without success. Her whimpers merely made the assembled men laugh in amusement, as she looked daggers at them.
She wondered where Gojyo'd gone. He'd been with them when she first met up with Hakkai, then disappeared. Maybe he'd gone to get Goku and Sanzo, she hoped. She pleaded with the Gods mentally to help them reach Hakkai fast. He wouldn't last long, having given most of his strength in healing his young student.
She fumed impotently and struggled against the brute holding her as the men beat Hakkai nearly senseless using their fists and various other implements they had brought with them for the task. They then dropped him where he stood, laughing amongst themselves at how easy it had been to take the man known as 'Demon Slayer Cho Hakkai' down. Struggling to reach and break her youkai power limiter, the man holding her laughed and held her arms out to her sides, ignoring her cries.
"I don't think so, missy," he grinned evilly. "You'll have your fun, sooner than you think," he leered at her, then backhanded her as she spat in his face in rage. As he did so, she broke free from his hold, breaking her bracelet and changing before the men's stupified eyes, her own eyes full of hatred, anger and disgust. She held her spear in front of her, daring the men to try and take her down.
"Hakkai, are you all right?" she asked in panic as the raven-haired man lay on the ground, blood seeping out from under his body from various wounds caused by the beating he'd sustained. Hakkai twitched, but was unable to speak from the pain of the wounds. She bit her lip in dismay and faced the others again, her gaze hot and fierce. She began to twirl the spear, smiling coldly as it made contact with warm bodies in front of and behind her.
Orman stamped his foot in anger as his men fell to Yaone's wrath, or ran away in terror to avoid being mown down where they stood. They'd been warned about what to expect, the fools, he yelled after his retreating men. Cowards, the lot of them, he spat in disgust. Well he'd have the final laugh, Orman thought and grinned as an idea came to him.
He grabbed Hakkai by the hair, swinging the nearly unconscious young man in front of him and holding him like a human shield. "Just you try it, my girl. Your man'll be dead before you can say it if you move another step," he said calmly, holding his knife at Hakkai's back.
The young man stirred as he felt the cold knife and his pain-glazed eyes took in the carnage, looking sadly at Yaone. Gojyo was right, he had a short lifeline, he chuckled internally at the irony of it all; it seemed that things were to end here for him, just as he'd started to get it together. He mouthed the words 'I love you' at her, and as she put her hands up to her mouth in dismay as she realised what he planned to do, he smiled calmly at her and began to struggle against Orman's hold on him. It seemed to Yaone as if he accepted his death, and her heart broke.
The man grunted in pain as Hakkai's arm made contact sharply with his ribs. Enough was enough, he decided. It was time to end this. He swung the knife and caught Hakkai in the back, burying it to the hilt. The raven-haired young man gasped in pain, staring down at the sharp steel protruding from his chest, then fell to his knees. Gods, that hurt, he groaned as the pain overtook him, and coughed wetly, blood spilling out from his mouth. Orman looked on, triumph in his eyes. Even if it wasn't quite how he'd planned, the young man was now as good as dead.
"Hakkai!" Yaone screamed in desperation, and ran to catch him. He collapsed into her arms, and with one last long look into her eyes, he died with a tender smile for her and her name on his blood-flecked lips. She shrieked in loss and anguish, catching up her spear and running the fleeing Orman through the chest. "That's for Hakkai!" she screamed and swung again. "This is for me!" she finished, as her last stroke took off his head. She looked around for anyone else connected to Hakkai's death to vent her anguish and wrath upon, but they'd all either died or fled.