Saiyuki: Reborn

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Chapter 18


\"I\'m not joking,\" he whispered, suddenly pulling the boy into a kiss-
-strong and forceful, just the way Huyen liked it. His hands groped
over his back, hips, and thighs. \"Fuck, you feel good,\" he went on
in a growl, and he tugged Huyen hard into his lap.

//Something\'s wrong.// Though Huyen\'s body was already heated, his
lips already parting invitingly, he knew this wasn\'t how Jin should
be acting. He scraped his feet against the floor, but he had nothing
to push against, and he had to wait for Jin to take a breath before
he could begin to struggle. \"Jin, stop it,\" he said again, pushing
against his chest. \"What the hell are you thinking? What if Lan or
Goku--\"

\"Fuck em.\" He let Huyen push against the floor, using his momentum
to slide off the toilet. Jin dropped them both to the cool tile,
feeling a faint jolt as they hit but not caring. He pressed
insistently down on the boy, shaking his head a moment as it gave
another throb. \"Just...just fuck them all....\" Tilting his head, he
started to kiss and bite at Huyen\'s throat.

It was more tempting than Huyen wanted to admit, just forgetting
everything, and for a few long moments he allowed Jin\'s advances.
When he caught himself winding his arms around Jin\'s neck, however,
he realized what was happening. //This isn\'t right. Fuck them all?
Jin would never....// \"Wait.\" Growing suddenly anxious he pushed at
him more insistently, but Jin was larger than him and wouldn\'t
move. \"Jin, stop it--I mean it. Get off.\"

He growled in frustration, shaking his head
again. //Wha...what?// \"Huyen....\" Jin clamped his hands around the
boy\'s hips so he could thrust against them, suddenly desperate to
keep his headache from coming back. \"No--come on. Fuck....\" He
forced a desperate kiss, though his taste was somehow sour.

//This isn\'t him. This isn\'t Jin!// Huyen fought openly now,
tightening his hands in Jin\'s mohawk to force his head back. \"Stop
it!\" he shouted, trying to wriggle out from underneath him. \"Jin,
snap out of it!\" //Goku….// He twisted, but Jin was holding him
firmly in place. \"Goku...Goku! Lan! Damnit Jin, get *off*!\"

Goku had awoken moments earlier, ears twitchat tat the sound of
something hitting the floor. He was barely to the door of his room
when he heard his lover\'s voice. He burst into the bathroom, barely
pausing at the scene before him. Without a sound he lifted Jin clear
off the other boy, and though he had the urge to simply fling him
into the wall, he opted instead to push him roughly into Lan\'s arms
as the man came up behind him. \"Huyen.\" Dropping down, Goku urged
the boy into a sitting position. \"You okay?\"

Jin blinked stupidly as he found himself on his feet and leaning
against someone. //Wait, wasn\'t Huyen just....// He grabbed at his
burning forehead, groaning softly. \"Huyen...?\"

\"I\'m all right,\" Huyen assured, rubbing at the back of his head
where it had hit the tile. He took a few deep breaths to calm
himself. \"Something\'s wrong with him--that wasn\'t Jin just now.\"

\"Wasn\'t...?\" Lan frowned, flicking the lights on as he urged Jin
against the wall. //It is him. But….// \"What is it?\" he asked Jin
carefully, placing a hand over the one Jin had on his forehead.

\"Fuck,\" he hissed, raising his other hand as well. \"Fuck, Lan....\"
He sagged, eyes squinted shut. \"Fucking hurts....\"

Goku remained close to Huyen, though his eyes were on the other.
Something...smelt funny. There was a weird scent in the room, and he
pulled his lover protectively closer. \"Jin....\"

\"Hold on.\" Lan leaned close, concentrating hard on the man before
him. Gently he urged him to his knees so he wasn\'t in danger of
falling over. //What is it? Jin….// He caught it suddenly--a brief
flash, like the feeling of the spell he had detected in Huyen
earlier that evening. Damnit. \"It\'s...him,\" he reported quietly. \"I
think it\'s the demon.\"

//Shit.// Huyen\'s hand immediately shot out, tightening around
Goku\'s wrist even if he knew it was probably useless. //Don\'t go.//

Goku growled softly, nearly about to rise to his feet, but the hand
stopped him. //Not Jin, too. You can\'t have them both.// He shifted
anxiously. \"Can you help him, Lan?\" he asked, tone low and
threatening. //Because if he can\'t....//

Jin managed to open his eyes faintly, meeting Lan\'s deep, worried
gaze. \"Get...it out of me,\" he hissed painfully, cringing, and his
eyes inadvertently swung to Huyen--his body tensed. //Damnit, no!//

Lan tried to draw his attention back. \"Look at me,\" he instructed
firmly. He licked his lips as he concentrated, trying to reach
deeper into his mind. //I\'ve never done anything like this before. I
don\'t know if I can--how I can even start.// \"Help me,\" he
whispered. \"Come on, Jin, I can\'t do this without you.\"

\"I\'m not a fucking priest,\" he hissed, fighting to keep Lan\'s gaze,
but the pounding in his head was getting worse. //Fuck....//

Goku watched a moment more, and finally his patience wore out. He
reached down to urge Huyen\'s hand away. \"It\'s okay,\" he assured
softly, standing. \"I\'m not leaving.\"

He moved closer and pushed Lan lightly to the side. \"You can do a
barrier, right?\" he asked briskly, glaring down at Jin as the man
attempted to look back at Huyen.

Lan gulped, his nerves beginning to wear thin--he\'d never done
anything like this. \"I...think so,\" he said quietly, pursing his
lips thin. But I--\"

\"I\'ll help,\" Huyen said abruptly, coming closer. \"Seeing as I used
to be a fucking priest. Goku, can you hold him down? I don\'t want
him getting jumpy again.\" He gave Lan a reassuring look and squeezed
his shoulder. //We can do this. We have to.//

Goku crouched down, setting one hand in the middle of Jin\'s
chest. \"I\'m going to break the control for just a moment,\" he said
flatly, glaring at Jin, and the man watched him with concern. \"You
two get a barrier up before that fucker can get him again.\" Without
waiting for a response he raised his other hand, not hesitating as
he backhanded Jin sharply across the cheek.

Lan cringed at the rough treatment, but he was quick to gather his
focus once more; he concentrated, and with Huyen gripping his hand
he found it was easier to focus. //Jin…please be all right.// He
kept his eyes closed, relieved when he felt his Chi beginning to
arrange itself about his companion\'s psyche. //It seems to be
working. Thank goodness.//

Jin nearly collapsed at the added pain, but the throbbing in his
face momentarily dispelled that at the back of his head. He could
vaguely sense what Lan and Huyen were doing, and as the initial
shock began to wear off he could fully appreciate their work. \"It\'s
better,\" he hissed softly, relaxing against the wall. \"Fuck,
Goku.... Couldn\'t you think of something better?\"

Goku snorted as he stood and backed away. //He seems okay now.// He
turned away with a frown, somehow unable to erase the image of
someone else on top of his lover. Of Huyen\'s face twisted in fear
and.... //Fuck....// He started for the door without
realizing. //I\'ll...I\'ll kill him. I\'ll kill the fucking
bastard....//

\"Goku?\" Huyen stared after him, his concern rising as Goku
exited. \"Look after him,\" he muttered to Lan as he pushed to his
feet, giving chase. \"Goku? Goku!\" He caught up to him quickly,
snagging his arm. \"Goku, stop.\"

He paused, blinking, as he realized where he was. //Huyen.// His
fingers curled tensely. //Damnit, I hate this. I fucking hate it!//
Goku turned, and with a sudden movement pulled Huyen against his
chest. He glared out into the room, looking at nothing, breathing
hard as he held his lover protectively.

Huyen gasped quietly at the sudden, protective gesture. There were
times he almost forgot how strong Goku was, and it was a little
intimidating; feeling Goku trembling in anger, his breath
ragged…. //Goku, don\'t. You have to stay in control here.// Unable
to think of anything else he twisted his arms around Goku\'s neck and
pulled him into a kiss. //I\'m right here. I\'m all right.//

Goku allowed the kiss, but he wasn\'t in the mood for such affections-
-not now. When Huyen finally released him, Goku only pulled him
close again, just holding him tight. //Just stay here a moment. Let
me....// He shivered, turning his face suddenly into the boy\'s
shoulder. //Let me know you\'re okay.//

He hadn\'t been able to distract Goku as much as he\'d hoped, but at
least he wasn\'t going anywhere. \"Stay with me, Goku,\" Huyen said
seriously, wriggling a little--Goku\'s arms were almost painfully
tight. \"I\'m all right--Jin\'s all right. So don\'t do anything stupid,
okay?\"

\"Hm.\" Goku remained where he was a few more moments, finally
noticing the painful tension in his lover\'s body. He let go slowly,
somehow unable to meet Huyen\'s eyes. \"I won\'t go now,\" he murmured.

\"Fuckin\'s right,\" Jin muttered, stumbling to the door with his arm
around Lan\'s shoulders. His face was pale, but at least his head
wasn\'t hurting anymore. He looked to Huyen, expression sober. \"You
okay?\"

Huyen glanced at him, but only briefly. \"Yeah. I\'m fine. Don\'t worry-
-it\'s not your fault.\" But he couldn\'t quite face him yet, because
he knew that...if only for a while...he hadn\'t put up a fight. He
could still feel the imprints of Jin\'s hands on him.... \"Lan?\"

\"I\'m fine,\" Lan quickly assured, smiling weakly. \"Tired, but all
right.\" He rubbed Jin\'s back lightly. \"I\'m gonna take this lug back
to the sofa. He should be fine, now.\"

//Huyen....// As Lan helped him past, he stopped to reach out
briefly, patting his ex-lover on the shoulder. //I\'m sorry, kid.
I....// He bit his lip. //I should have been stronger for you.//

Goku watched both men, feeling something tighten in his chest at
Huyen\'s expression. //Damnit, this is what he wanted. This is
exactly what that fucker wanted.// He crossed his arms. //I trust
Jin--Gojyo--but that damn demon.... And Huyen....//

Huyen waited until Jin had passed before turning back to Goku,
giving his arm a tug. \"Let\'s go back to bed,\" he said quietly,
hoping Goku would follow without a fuss. He didn\'t want to have to
deal with this now. \"There\'s nothing else we can do right now.\"

Goku nodded at the other pair, sharing a glance with Lan, before
obediently following Huyen back into their room. He hated the
tension that had suddenly sprung up between them, but...he had no
idea how to deal with it. For a moment he almost wished he smoked--
it always seemed to calm the others. Instead he could only crawl
back into his bed, feeling exhaustion starting to creep up on him.

Huyen tried not to scowl as he slipped into bed with Goku. //Damn
this. But now, more than ever, we have to be careful--this thing can
mess with our minds.// It was a chilling thought, and though he
wanted just to curl up and forget everything he sat up, turning so
he could face Goku. \"Hey.\" He rubbed lightly at his chest. \"You
gonna be able to calm down?\"

Goku looked up at his lover, not quite sure what to make of his
question. Though...he was tense, so much that he knew he\'d probably
have a headache of his own in the morning just from the twisting in
his chest. He brushed his fingers gently against the back of Huyen\'s
hand. \"Stay here, and maybe,\" he answered softly.

Huyen smiled grimly and added his other hand to the gentle caress.
He wanted to say something, but...maybe it was better if he
didn\'t. //I\'ll just end up saying something to upset him. Especially
if I mention Jin....// He licked his lips, opting instead to stay
just like this.

Goku lay still, just watching his lover\'s face. For long moments he
was content to let Huyen touch him. Slowly, the tension began to
drain from him, and he sunk into the familiar
mattress. //Huyen....// The quiet was getting to him, though. It was
wearing on him in an exhausted sort of way. //I just....//

\"Do you miss him?\" he asked suddenly, barely above a whisper, though
it seemed almost too loud in their quiet room.

Huyen\'s fingers curled slightly, but he didn\'t stop. \"He\'s back,\" he
replied simply. \"I can\'t miss him any more.\" He met Goku\'s eyes
seriously. \"I\'ll never forget how much he meant to me, before you
found me. But you\'re the one I want now. You know that.\"

Goku didn\'t move or reply, just...thinking. //I\'m...the one he
wants.// They were strange words to him, something Sanzo never would
have said. It was relieving and eerie at the same time, and he
wasn\'t sure how to respond. \"Huyen....\"

Huyen snorted quietly. \"You could at least look happy, making me say
something so embarrassing,\" he muttered, thumping Goku lightly on
the chest.

His eyes narrowed, though perhaps with a touch of humor. \"It\'s been
a rough night,\" he pointed out, tilting his head. //A scary night. I
just got you all back....// His gaze darted away a moment, fingers
curling around Huyen\'s. \"I just wanted...to be sure, I guess.\"

\"Well cut it out. That should be the last thing on your mind.\" To
prove it Huyen leaned down, offering him a kiss with all the firm
affection he\'d ever granted. He then slid beneath the blankets once
more and edged up to Goku\'s side.

//This isn\'t like me.// Goku wrapped an arm around his lover\'s
waist, tugging him close so he could roll on top of him. Resting on
his elbows, Goku finally managed a faint smile. \"Can\'t help it. I
just don\'t want anyone else toughing you. Not even that water
nympho.\" He wiggled slightly. \"I\'m the only one allowed on you.\"

Huyen rolled his eyes, though he was secretly glad for the return of
Goku\'s good mood. \"Don\'t get all excited on me,\" he warned, relaxing
into the mattress. \"I\'m tired.\"

\"I won\'t,\" he replied, lying with his head on Huyen\'s chest. \"I\'m
just making sure no one tries to get to you. And I thought you\'d be
glad knowing I was here and not sneaking off to kill that bastard.\"
Goku stretched his arms up over their heads, idly playing with a few
strands of hair.

Huyen sighed. \"Good.\" He wrapped his arms around Goku\'s shoulders,
holding him close as he let the rest of the tension from that night
slip away from him. \"Get some sleep, all right?\"

He hummed a reply, though he had the feeling his sleep would be
light and short at best. Still, he closed his eyes if only to
pretend. //And tomorrow, I\'ll follow him to school if I have to. I\'m
not letting that bastard get anywhere near him.//