Honour, Duty, or Love?

Title: Honour, Duty or Love?
Author: JadeHeart
Located/Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first
Fandom: Saiyuki

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, they belong to the creators of ‘Saiyuki’, nor am I making any profits

Chapter 6


Hakkai plunged back into the woods, putting some distance between himself and his pursuers. As he ran his thoughts turned to his friends.

He hoped that Goku had made it back to the town by now and had managed to avoid further harm. They had been caught completely unawares by the ambush sprung on them earlier this morning. The change in the previously normal seeming townspeople into mindless ravenous zombies had been surprising and unnerving to say the least. Both he and Goku had suffered some hurt before they had realized that there was no misunderstanding and been able to respond in kind although even the brutalness of their return attack seemed to do nothing to protect them.

Of course, both of them had realized at the same time that if this was the true state of the towns people then it was most likely not just an isolated few that were there attacking them. And in that case the others were also in danger. The knowledge that Sanzo may be in severe difficulties made Goku go wild, yelling and screaming at the zombies to get out of his way.

The problem was that no matter what either of them did in their current zombified state the town’s people seemed to be almost indestructible. Broken bones, lost limbs, all seemed to do nothing more than slow them down for a moment. As soon as they cleared one group away they rose again, reanimated by some other force that Hakkai could not see. He had wondered if it was like Chin Yisou and his use of the mahjong tiles. Perhaps this was what was happening. It didn’t seem like quite the same but he was no expert on such matters. All he knew was that they were in trouble.

He and Goku had then decided that the best thing was for them to split up. Their foes did not seem to deplete in numbers and they were sure to be overwhelmed by the sheer mass of bodies soon if they didn't act quickly. He was using up his chi quicker than it could replenish and Goku too had begun to take a heavy beating despite his immortality. So in an effort to split their opponents’ numbers they had decided to separate with the hope they could dispose of each individual group before circling back to return to the town. So, on the count of three, they had parted, each heading in the opposite direction; Hakkai hoping to draw the majority away whilst Goku made a break towards the town in the hope of getting back there to warn Gojyo and Sanzo in time.

He kept running, knowing he had not shaken his pursuers. He didn’t know how many zombies were still with him. Unless he was able to totally destroy them so they were nothing more than dust, they just kept getting up, picking up severed limbs and holding them in place as they reattached before shambling onwards. This constant fighting had depleted his chi powers now to very low levels so fleeing was the only other option at this stage.

He worried about the others, especially Gojyo and Sanzo. They had left them alone back in the town, not thinking there was any problem, expecting to be able to rejoin in them in a couple of hours. When they had left things had been peaceful, a tranquil morning with nothing to disturb it apart from Sanzo’s grumbling until he had his morning coffee. All the people they had seen or met the previous evening still seemed the same, quiet yes, but still they had seemed human. None of them had been expecting there to be any trouble. They had obviously been mistaken in that assumption but there was not much he could do about it now.

He paused to catch his breath, leaning back against a tree, closing his eyes for a moment and focusing inwardly to ascertain his damage. Hmm, not too bad. Not good, but not too bad considering. Some bruises, some cuts from more than one close call, the worst being his inner chi and only time and rest would solve that. Neither of which he could indulge in at the moment.

A sixth sense made his eyes snap open and he threw himself to the side, diving for cover as three knives flashed through the air to embed themselves in the trunk where he had been standing but a moment before.

He scrambled away, not waiting to see who his assailants were. It really didn’t matter. All he needed to know was that they were trying to kill him. That, and there were more of them and they would wear him down eventually at this rate. He was also at the disadvantage that his foes knew this area better than he and could cut him off or get ahead of him if he wasn’t careful. He had already noticed that they were ensuring that he was getting no nearer to the town. Every time he made to move in that direction the attacks intensified and he would be forced to veer away.

He ran on once more until he was forced to rest again, stopping and leaning over to rest his hands on his knees, taking in deep gulps of air to his burning lungs. He had thought that he was pretty fit but he wouldn’t be able to continue to go on at this grueling pace forever. Sooner or later he would run out of energy completely and have to stop. When that happened there was every chance that he wouldn’t survive the encounter. A depressing thought.

His hand involuntarily reached up to touch the silver clamps on his ear, fingering them as he pondered his predicament. When realized what he was doing he quickly snatched his hand away. He did not want to do that. That would definitely have to be the last resort. The very last resort – for everyone.

A crackling of foliage to his right set him off running again. Damn it, what should he do? If he stood and fought all he did was knock them down and they got up again. They weren’t fully youkkai or they would disintegrate upon contact with his chi powers. So they were actually human, or had been at one time. Now he just wasn’t sure what they were nor how to defeat them. Brute force alone obviously wasn’t the answer.

Hakkai paused at the river to drink, letting the cool moisture sooth his parched throat, eyes flicking around him, senses alert. He had a split second warning that he wasn’t alone and only enough time to roll aside as an axe swung through the space his head had been. He sent that attacker stumbling back, skin sizzling and yet it made no sound nor showed any discomfort, instead merely standing whilst globules of charred flesh withered and fell from the body to land on the ground with a wet squelching sound.

Hakkai didn’t have much time to register anything more as others erupted from the trees and rushed towards him, brandishing weapons, silent and deadly. He immediately created a barrier, shielding him at the front and sides with the stream at his back and watched as they broke upon the front, knocked off their feet only to regain them again and begin to pound on the shield.

He considered his options. He could keep the shield up for some time as it was not as draining on his chi powers as an actual attack, but he could not hold it forever as they continued to pound on it viciously.

There really wasn’t much else he could do. He would have to make one all out concerted attack and hope that it would be enough to give him time to make his escape once more.

He had just determined that he would put all his energy into one final burst of power, making the shield into a weapon instead when something hard hit him in the back. He stood frozen for a moment, then blinding pain shot through him, ripping a strangled scream from his throat, and he stumbled forward from the force of the blow.

His shield crumpled at the same time he did and he knew he was in dire danger. Desperately he tried to reach his hand to his ear to remove his limiters as his attackers closed in around him with weapons raised, many already stained with blood. He struggled to command his own body but he was having great difficulty and he realised that he wasn’t going to make it as the sunlight flashed on the sharp metal descending towards his helpless body.

Sorry, he whispered regretfully in his mind to his absent friends, watching death rush towards him.

Suddenly there was blazing power all around him, searing his flesh, singeing his clothes, flames in a raging inferno. He tried to turn his head away from the burning heat but that simple act was finally too much and darkness stole his vision.

-oOo-

Hakkai opened his eyes slowly, face feeling stiff and dry, lips sore and cracked. He blinked a couple of times to clear his vision, feeling the grittiness in his eyes, longing to rub the itch that seemed to be building there but he felt too lethargic to move to do so.

He blinked again and drew in a deep breath, and coughed as the air rasped against the back of his throat and irritated his lungs.

“So you’re finally awake?” a voice said from the darkness.

Hakkai peered across the space before him, past the small fire burning in a depression, to the shadows beyond, realising that he appeared to be in a small cave.

Kougaiji stepped into the light of the fire and looked down at him.

“So it would seem,” Hakkai replied hoarsely and gingerly tried to sit up.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Kougaiji said as Hakkai collapsed back on his side at the stab of pain that cut through him, breathing hard, winded from that small effort. “You took an arrow directly in the back.’’

Kougaiji held out a small flask and slipped a hand beneath Hakkai’s head, lifting it so he could place his lips over the opening. Hakkai drank greedily as the cool water soothed his throat.

“Not too much, or you’ll be sick.” Kougaiji cautioned withdrawing the flask.

Hakkai didn’t try to stop him although he still felt thirsty, knowing he was right. “Thanks,” he said.

Kougaiji stoppered the flask and returned to sit cross-legged by the fire.

“How bad is it?” Hakkai asked, referring to his wound as he sent threads of power through his own body to see what damage was there.

“It grazed the spine.” Kougaiji stated. “You’re very lucky. A hair’s width further and you’d either be dead or crippled. There are limits to my healing power. And yours, I imagine.” Kougaiji stirred the fire a little, sending up a shower of sparks.

“You healed me?” Hakkai said calmly, hiding his surprise.

“Do you see anyone else here?” was Kougaiji’s rather sharp reply.

“Ah,” Hakkai remembered the events prior and things suddenly clicked into place. “So that was your doing at the river also? I guess I have you to thank for saving my life then as well.”

Kougaiji shrugged, seeming a little discomfited at not only the thanks but the fact that he had actually helped an enemy. “You obviously weren’t doing too well on your own.” He glanced over at Hakkai. “I dislike seeing uneven fights,” as though that adequately explained his interference.

Hakkai half smiled. “Of course,” he said, being certain to keep any humour from the tone of his voice.

Kougaiji truly did have a strong noble steak, something that seemed surprising in a demon prince and yet Hakkai couldn’t truly imagine him without it. What was it Yaone had said about why she stayed with Kougaiji? That he was a prince not due to his birthright but because of his innate nobility.

Hakkai found he was actually in total agreement with her and in a way always had been. Kougaiji had always been a bit of an enigma from the first moment Hakkai had met him when he arrived to save Yaone from suiciding because she had failed to kill them. The obvious caring and lengths he would go to, to protect his loved ones was something that Hakkai more than admired. In some ways he felt a little jealous at times of the open affection that Kougaiji and his followers expressed for each other.

However, musing about such matters was not helping him in these current circumstances. He had his own concerns and he had to do something about it. He didn’t know how Goku was faring and that still left the fate of Gojyo and Sanzo unknown also. He had his own people to help and now was not the time to be worrying about anyone else.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, sending more of his power towards his wound. He had to try and heal quickly, at least enough for him to be able to move, if he was to be in any shape to help his friends. It hurt. His reserves were dangerously depleted and the injury was severe, if not fatal. But he still had to keep trying.

“Don’t over do it,” The sharp voice startled him, snapping him out of his semi-trance.

He opened his eyes to see Kougaiji staring hard at him, a frown on his face.

“Your body won’t take that kind of strain.”

“I’ll be fine.” Hakkai said, giving one of his false smiles.

Kougaiji seemed to see right through it as he snorted disdainfully. “Sure you are,” he said sarcastically. “When you’ve finished bleeding all over my cape I might believe you.”

Hakkai glanced down to realise that he was in fact lying on Kougaiji’s cloak. “Sorry,” he said, noting too the dark, wetly gleaming stain spreading from under him.

“Just stop trying to be stupid, and lie still.” Kougaiji said, dismissing his apology.

“That would be very pleasant to be able to do but unfortunately I do have someplace I need to be.” Hakkai murmured, trying to lie more comfortably on his side without jarring his wounded body any more than he had to, although that wasn’t easy. “Those zombies are still out there and the others may be in danger.”

Kougaiji looked at him silently for a moment. “Is killing your self for them really worth it?” he questioned. “You’re not going to be much help if you’re dead.”

Hakkai smiled at him. “Oh, I don’t intend to die, at least not yet, but I do need to leave as soon as possible. To which end I need to try and heal as quickly as possible. I’m sure you understand.”

Kougaiji continued to just look at him as thought he still thought he was being foolish and didn’t speak again.

Hakkai tried again to turn his power internally and focus on healing though it was even more difficult this time than the first as the pain increased now he was more aware of it. The sound of movement broke his poor concentration again and he opened his eyes to see Kougaiji stand abruptly, coming over to kneel beside him.

He gazed down with those red eyes that reminded Hakkai so much of Gojyo’s and yet were completely different. Gojyo’s eyes were frequently filled with humour, Kougaiji’s eyes were like the fiery depths of a volcano where the lava slowly sat, still and calm, but the threat of eruption was always there. The firelight from behind framed his head, his long hair falling over his shoulder, the marks on his cheek seeming to glow. Everything about him made him seem like the demon he was, but it didn’t seem right that such a one looked so beautiful that it stole your breath.

“Guess there’s no helping it then,” Kougaiji said suddenly.

He reached out and Hakkai felt himself automatically tense up at the expected danger from one who was to all intents and purposes his enemy, but instead Kougaiji placed his hands gently on his body, one on his chest, the other reaching around to rest on his back. Hakkai couldn’t prevent the way his body jerked at the sudden contact, knowing Kougaiji would be able to feel the way his heart was pounding in his chest.

Kougaiji met his gaze and for a moment they just looked at each other silently, eyes and hands joining them. Then Kougaiji closed his eyes and began to whisper something, so softly that Hakkai could not make out what he was saying. He was no longer afraid of what might happen. If Kougaiji intended him ill then it would be easy enough for him to do it. Hakkai was certainly in no shape to stop him. If he had wanted to kill him there would have been no need to save him in the first place for his death had been assured at that moment. Even now, if Kougaiji truly intended to kill him he certainly didn’t need to be this close to do it. He could have remained seated at the fire and simply crushed or burnt Hakkai out of existence with nothing more than a wave of a hand and a few spoken words. So, no, Hakkai didn’t believe any longer that Kougaiji intended him harm.

Yet still it felt strange. Hakkai usually kept himself away from human contact. He didn’t like to be touched and that stemmed from many things, thoughts and feelings from his past and what he now was. The only people he’d had any real contact with had been Gojyo, Sanzo and Goku. The only other times he had allowed himself some contact with other people had been at his choosing, Yaone being the last. So he was unused to having another touch him in this way.

Kougaiji continued to chant, keeping his eyes closed and his hands in place. Hakkai began to feel a warm tingling begin in his body, centred where Kougaiji’s hands rested. He noticed that the dimness of the cave began to decrease as Kougaiji’s aura seemed to slowly grow brighter.

Hakkai shuddered, sensing his body beginning to try to heal, flesh knitting back together, blood vessels sealing, deep bruising reducing as the swelling receded. He moaned, as his own eyes closed, plunging him into darkness as his body writhed under those hands.

It was an intimate moment, erotic to say the least. He knew full well that such a feeling came with the touch, the sense of power flowing through it, racing along nerve endings, delving into the deepest portion of body, heart, mind and soul. It was a confusion of pain and pleasure and a combining of them both that made this intimacy so different from any you were likely to experience and it left the body craving for more.

Hakkai was used to this feeling in a way. It was what he experience every time he healed himself, and to a lesser extent when he healed others because there was an obvious backlash when two people were so closely connected during this process. But he had never had someone do this to him before. He’d generally only ever been healed in the usual mundane and ordinary manner and simply finished off the rest himself using his powers. He’d never experienced a full healing before and it seemed as though he had no control over his body as it reacted how it wished to under this power.

So all he could do was lie there, not silently or still, but moaning and writhing, hands clenching in the cloak that lay beneath him, one hand flailing to land on a hard thigh, bunching in the soft material as he arched under the fiery touch that was delving deep inside him. He could hear himself panting, short sharp gasps, and began to realise that Kougaiji’s voice had changed also. His chant was more ragged and hoarse, punctuated with small gasps as well as his hands pressed harder against Hakkai’s body, brushing against bare skin.

The intensity continued to build, climbing higher, pushing Hakkai to the limit until with a loud shout he bucked under the touch and his other hand tangled in soft strands which he clenched hard as he heard a corresponding echo to his own before he collapsed back to the ground, exhausted.

His senses returned in a moment as he breathed in deeply. His body felt completely wrung out, drained of all energy in one way and yet there was no pain now. A quick internal check showed that his wound was almost completely healed, a miraculous feat in itself, but not only that there was a now a well of renewed energy within himself that he would be able to draw upon. He knew that it was not from his own natural recuperation. That power had been passed to him.

It was then that he realised that there was a heavy weight lying across him and that both his hands were resting on that person. Kougaiji lay across his chest, eyes closed, breathing deeply. He wasn’t asleep, Hakkai could tell that from his breathing, but it was clear that he was close to exhaustion himself and trying to regain the strength to move at least. Hakkai could feel that one of his hands still rested upon Kougaiji’s leg, high on his thigh, close to the join of leg and groin. His other was tangled in the long red hair.

He slowly removed h is hand from Kougaiji’s head, feeling those soft strands slip from between his fingers, making him shiver in the aftershock and then removed his other hand as well.

“Can I assist you?” he asked quietly, not wishing to sound condescending to the man who had just saved his life.

Kougaiji pulled himself up with a groan. “I can manage.” he muttered, sitting back and swaying a little.

Hakkai sat up and reached out to steady him, holding him by the shoulders. They stayed like that for a moment, faces close together, red eyes gazing deeply into green. The tableau held for a moment and then Hakkai dropped his hand and reached out to grasp the discarded flask, removing the lid and holding it out to Kougaiji.

“Drink,” he instructed. “You’ll feel better.”

Kougaiji didn’t argue and took it, tipping it up and Hakkai watched his throat as he swallowed.

“So what’s your next move?” Kougaiji asked, moving away from Hakkai a little.

Hakkai didn’t take exception at that, understanding perfectly Kougaiji’s need for space after such an experience.

“Thanks to you I should have a good chance of trying to make it back to town.” he replied.

“You really think you’ll make it?”

Hakkai shrugged, with a small smile. “I have to try.”

Kougaiji scratched at his chin, obviously thinking. “If we combined our powers we could probably knock off all those zombies, if we could get most of them into one place.” he said slowly.

“What did you have in mind?” Hakkai asked, more than a little interested. He really didn’t know why Kougaiji was here but he didn’t think this problem with the zombies was of his doing. It was too cruel for one thing and didn’t fit with what Hakkai knew of the demon prince.

“If you can summon up all your chi into one power ball I could summon my demon and join it inside it. It will take everything we both have to hold it there, but that will keep it contained, building up its power. When as many of the zombies are all together we can send it straight into them. The power released will completely disintegrate every one of them so there’s no chance they can come back.”

Hakkai thought about it. It could work, in theory but Kougaiji was right about one thing; it would take all their power to pull it off. He wondered if he would have the strength.

“Well?” Kougaiji asked, looking at him intently.

“Let’s do it,” Hakkai said with an even smile.

Kougaiji gave him a sharp nod and stood, extending a hand to help Hakkai to his feet. Hakkai turned to pick up the cloak he’d been lying on.

“Leave it,” Kougaiji said. Hakkai looked at him. “I’ll never get those stains out.”

“I’ll get you a replacement.” Hakkai promised.

“Whatever,” was Kougaiji’s off-hand response. “Let’s get moving.”

-oOo-

Goku hunched down, gazing across the town below. It had been a hard fight every step of the way but he was almost there. The only problem was that he didn’t know what to do now. There was no sign of Gojyo or Sanzo and no way of knowing if they were alive or not either. He could only hope they were.

He also worried about Hakkai. He had hoped to find the healer already here waiting for him but he had seen no sign of him yet. He was torn between going into the town to find Sanzo and turning back into the forest to look for Hakkai. Judging from the number of zombies he would not be able to battle them all on his own and survive. Certainly not that and be able to rescue his friends.

He scrubbed his hair furiously as his head began to hurt. He wasn’t any good at strategy, that wasn’t his strong point at all. Give him something to fight, or point him in the direction of a good meal and he knew exactly what to do, but working out a concerted plan of attack? Just not his forte. That was what Hakkai was good at so why wasn’t he here?!

“Sitting there isn’t going to change things,” a soft voice said behind him making him spin around and land on his butt as he stared at the two people standing there.

“Man, Hakkai, where the hell have you been?!” he said, getting to his feet and glaring at his friend.

Then he realised just who was standing beside Hakkai and leapt back. “And what the hell is he doing here?!” he almost shouted, pointing a finger at Kougaiji who just stared down his nose at the shorter youth.

“Shut up or do you want to bring every zombie down on us!” Kougaiji scowled.

“It’s all right, Goku,” Hakkai assured his friend. “Kougaiji’s here to help.”

“Help? He’s probably the one that set all this spooky stuff up just so he could lay his hands on Sanzo’s sutra!”

“I have no time for this,” Kougaiji turned as though to leave when Hakkai placed a hand on his arm, halting his progress.

“Please,” he said with a small smile. “Please stay.”

Goku looked on in amazement. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. First, the shock of Kougaiji actually being here, then that he was also here with Hakkai, and now Hakkai actually begging him to help? And even more unnerving was that Kougaiji was actually listening?! The world according to Goku had just turned on its head!

Kougaiji gave a sigh and turned back, throwing a scowl at Goku. “Fine, I’ll help just as we planned.”

“You have a plan?” Goku’s ears pricked up. A plan was good. Yay for Hakkai!

Hakkai placed a hand on Goku’s shoulder, peering down at the town below. “Have you seen any sign of Gojyo and Sanzo?” he asked.

“Nothing so far, but there’s this crowd of zombies over there,” Goku pointed Hakkai in the right direction. “and they look like they’re trying to dig or something.”

“They might have chased your friends into a cellar or some such.” Kougaiji commented, watching the scene below also.

“You could be right. That makes this a lot easier though with them safely out of the way.” Hakkai said.

Kougaiji looked over at him. “Are you willing to risk it? What if that’s got nothing to do with them?”

Hakkai looked over at him. “The zombies only go for living flesh which means if they are making that much effort then there must be someone down there.”

“Doesn’t mean that it’s them.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Now Hakkai’s smile turned chilly. “But if it is not, then that means that they are already dead.”

Kougaiji just looked at him in silence, reading more there than what Hakkai was saying. He turned away as he spoke. “Fine. Let’s get this set up.”

“Agreed,” Hakkai said.

“What? What?” Goku was almost jumping up and down in his frustration. He really hadn’t followed most of what the two men had been discussing. It seemed that he had missed something. Now he wanted in on the action.

Hakkai smiled down at his younger compatriot. “Goku, we want you to act as bait and draw as many of the zombies back into the town as you can. It’s going to be very dangerous. Can you do it?”

“Well, sure I can. That’s not going to be a problem. They just keep coming and coming anyway.” Goku said dismissively.

“Yes, but you have to get as many as you can to come out of the forest into town and keep them there, without them catching you.” Hakkai stressed.

“Don’t sweat it,” Goku said with a grin as he wiped at his nose. “Leave it to me.” He turned to head back into the trees when he paused and turned back. “But what happens once I’ve got them all back in town?”

“Now he thinks to ask.” Kougaiji muttered under his breath.

Goku stuck his tongue out but any comment he would have made was forestalled by Hakkai’s answer.

“Kougaiji and I are going to combine our powers to create a very powerful fire ball. The intensity will completely destroy the zombies so I want you to watch out for Hakuryu. I’ll send him to get you so as soon as you see him you have to get out of the town quickly.” He leant forward and placed both hands on Goku’s shoulders, looking down at him seriously. “I mean it, Goku. As soon as you see Hakuryu you have to get out of there as fast as you possibly can. What Kougaiji and I are attempting is very powerful and very dangerous and we won’t be able to control it for long so you have to get out of the way immediately.”

“I got it,” Goku said, nodding his head, eyes serious in return. “I’ll do my bit. You guys just be ready to toast them!”

“We’ll be ready.” Kougaiji said flatly.

“See ya!” and Goku disappeared into the foliage.

“Think he can really do it?” Kougaiji asked.

“If anyone can, it’s Goku.” Hakkai assured him. He reached up to scratch at Hakuryu’s chin feeling the little dragon rub against his finger. He’d been so relieved when Hakuryu had found him as Kougaiji and he had made their way to this place. He had obviously managed to avoid the zombies also. Of course, being able to fly was an advantage but it wouldn’t help if they were able to use bows.

“Now, Hakuryu, when I tell you, you will have to fly like the wind to warn Goku and then don’t come back here. Stay with Goku and get out of the way. Understand?”

The white dragon cheeped concernedly, stretching his long neck out to rub along Hakkai’s cheek.

Hakkai smiled and stroked him. “Don’t worry. I’ll join you afterwards but you have to stay out of the way and it will be too dangerous here.”

Hakuryu cheeped again but nodded his head, showing his understanding of his instructions.

Kougaiji and Hakkai settled down to watch the next moments. At intermittent intervals Goku would appear in the town followed closely by a group of zombies. He would fight, lead them, sometimes drive them towards their fellow deformed townsmen where they would mill in confusion for a moment before joining in the digging whilst Goku disappeared once more back into the surrounding trees. This continued until there was a goodly number of zombies present in the township. Hakkai saw Goku looking around and guessed that the youth didn’t think there were any more in the forest worth going back for.

“Right, this is it.” he said, standing and raising his arm. Hakuryu hopped on to it. “Go, Hakuryu,” he instructed. The dragon sprung into the sky and winged its way rapidly down towards the town where Goku was fending off some of the zombies who had been drawn to him by his presence.

“Ready?” Kougaiji asked, standing also so the two of them stood shoulder to shoulder.

Hakkai smiled at him. “Of course. Allow me,” and he closed his eyes to concentrate.

Swiftly he drew on the well of power that dwelt within him. He could feel his own chi mixing with that Kougaiji had given to him, a curious blending of colours and feelings that made his entire body burn. He stretched his hands out before him, extending the ball of energy, letting it grow bigger and bigger.

“Is that large enough?” he asked a little breathlessly from his exertions.

“See if you can make it a bit bigger,” Kougaiji said, looking it over.

“So size does matter after all,” Hakkai said with a small laugh as he concentrated again.

Kougaiji shot him a brief grin which almost broke his concentration completely as it was the first time he had seen the demon prince smile. Not only that, but it had seemed such a natural one.

He sharpened his focus again and poured more energy into the power ball before he was forced to stop. “That’s all I can do,” he said raggedly. “If I expend any more I won’t be able to hold it.”

“That’ll do,” Kougaiji said with a nod and now it was his turn to close his eyes and begin his chant.

Hakkai listened as he went through the summoning spell, unafraid, knowing that Kougaiji had complete control over the creature that he called forth.

As it appeared he watched as Kougaiji forced it into the glowing sphere that he held steady, although he almost lost his control as the creature was fully enclosed within it and the golden glow was now laced with flickering red flames racing over its surface.

“Hold it!” Kougaiji said sharply and Hakkai tightened his mental grip on their weapon. Beads of perspiration dotted his brow and a quick glance showed Kougaiji showing signs of strain also.

“Now?” Hakkai asked.

“Now!” Kougaiji commanded and in unison they sent the fire ball hurtling towards the town below.

The explosion was something to behold, the backlash of power sending both Kougaiji and Hakkai tumbling to the ground, knocked completely off their feet. Slowly they sat up and viewed the damage below. There wasn’t a sign of a single zombie, nor was there much left of the town either.

“That, I must say, was rather effective.” Hakkai said calmly as he got to his knees.

“Well, it certainly did the job.” Kougaiji said, standing and brushing his clothes down.

“Since that is now over what….”

Hakkai turned as he spoke and saw the dark shadowy figure rising up behind Kougaiji, the gleam on metal and he leapt forward with out a thought. He knocked the startled Kougiji to one side as he thrust out one hand to strike hard against the chest of the youkkai standing there, pouring a burst of energy into the palm of his hand which blasted a hole directly through the chest.

The youkkai coughed blood that streamed over Hakkai’s hand, eyes staring.

“Damn you,” he gasped as he reached out to grasp at Hakkai as he slid towards the ground. “And I almost had him.”

His dead form crumpled to the ground to lie sprawled there.

Kougaiji had got to his feet and now joined Hakkai.

“An acquaintance of yours, I believe?” Hakkai queried.

“No-one I knew personally.” Kougaiji answered. He stooped down and searched the body, pulling something from one pocket which Hakkai couldn’t see and concealing it quickly. “I was sent here to try and find him, with instructions to bring him back alive.”

“Oh, sorry about that then.” Hakkai said with a small laugh. “My bad.”

“No matter,” Kougaiji brushed his apology aside. “It doesn’t really concern me. In fact I shall take great delight in reporting that it was you who killed him.”

“Ah, well, then that’s all right.” Hakkai said, still smiling. “Glad to be of service.”

“Hakkai!” A voice echoed through the trees making them both turn.

“That’s sounds like my cue to leave.” Hakkai said, turning back to Kougaiji. “Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

“Yeah,” Kougaiji said, looking a little uncomfortable. “Don’t mention it.”

“Of course.”

Kougaiji fixed him with a steely glare. “I mean it, don’t mention it. I don’t need word getting out about this mess or my involvement in it.”

Hakkai inclined his head. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Fine. Well, I’ll be going.”

“By the way,” Hakkai’s voice halted him. “I would like to at least give you my personal thanks.”

Kougaiji turned to face him.

Hakkai looked back, completely serious. “Thank you.”

Kougaiji just nodded and turned away again. Moments before he was lost from view Hakkai heard him say, “And my thanks to you. So we’re even.” Then he was gone.

“Hey, Hakkai!” Goku suddenly burst into view. “Come on, we’ve got to find the others!” He suddenly looked around. “Where’s Kougaiji gone?”

Hakkai draped an arm around Goku’s shoulders and turned him so they could head back to town. “He had to go. He’s got things to do.”

“Ah, man, I thought we could have lunch together!”

Hakkai smiled at his young friend. “I’m sure we’ll meet again soon.”

“Yeah, that’s true enough!” Goku said brightly as he slipped from Hakkai’s grasp and raced away. “Hurry up so we can find the others and get out of this creepy place! We’ve got to find something to eat ‘cause I’m starving!”

“I’m right behind you!” Hakkai called out, following a little more slowly.

He cast one last glance towards the dark forest and then turned back to the task at hand which was to find their friends. There was certainly no doubt that he would be seeing Kougaiji again.