Beyond the Woods and Mountains

Chapter 7


A week had passed and the ex-chief of the clan was still hanging on, even if it was by a thread. Both Hakkai and Sanzo started to make more frequent visits to their father’s tent and Gojyo hoped that they knew the old man was going to kick it. He did feel bad about wishing something so harsh on another human being, but the man had no quality to life anymore. He could do nothing but lie on the furs and drink broth. If Gojyo were in that situation, he would have had someone kill him long ago.

He sat patiently on the center dais, twirling his honey wine around in his cup. Sanzo had gone off with the hunting party so he had no one to oogle while Hakkai was in his father’s tent. His eye caught some of the young maidens who passed by but none compared to Sanzo. Their fight was still fresh in his memory; every move, every thrust, every step. Sanzo has managed to avoid him since that night without so much as a glance. Gojyo had barely seen the man since then.

“Hey, Gojyo? You lost in thought there?” Gojyo turned and looked up to see his brother.

“Oh, hey. Sorry, I was daydreaming there. What do you need?” Jien sat down next to him.

“I wanted to let you know that Kou and I are heading out to the Misty Valley, hoping to wring in their clan.”

“They Misty Valley? Do you think we really need them?”

“Every little bit helps, Gojyo. We’re trying to gather the clans who are nearest to us in hopes of making them join us before Homura gets them.” Gojyo nodded.

“Yeah…alright, head on out. Just watch your back, okay? Spies and enemies could be lurking anywhere.” Jien smirked.

“I’m not worried. As far as we know, Homura has no inkling about us. He wouldn’t even know who we are if he did see us. Don’t worry about us. You just take care of your little wife and control the clan!”

“…Yeah.”

“My chief! My chief, come quick!” A young clan girl came running up to the dais. “It’s the former chief! He’s passed away! Only a few minutes ago! You’re wanted in the hut!” Gojyo looked at Jien who immediately jumped off the dais.

“Lets go, Gojyo!”

Gojyo followed after them, a few steps behind. The timing could not have been perfect. A sick elderly man had to suffer no longer and he could now have complete control of the clan, elders and all. Now he was fully free to make his own laws and traditions. Of course, he had the opportunity before but those damn elders were loyal to their former chief. Now that he is gone, they would have to do whatever Gojyo said.

Gojyo entered the hut when he arrived and saw Hakkai kneeling next to his father’s body. There was only one servant girl present and one elder. Hakkai looked up at Gojyo as he had entered with a grief stricken look on his face. Gojyo never thought he would see that kind of face on Hakkai. It seemed almost out of character for him. Hakkai’s father was the reason for the huge personality difference in his sons. He knew Hakkai had to know that about the man. From what others had told him, his father seemed to show more affection and attention to Sanzo. One of the elders said it was because Sanzo’s mother was his favorite woman and he could not have her so their son was the closest thing. Sanzo did not seem to show any affection for his father. He had gone to visit him more often but he never looked to be affected by his illness.

“Hakkai….are you alright?” Gojyo asked him softly. Hakkai just nodded and looked back down at his father. The elder knelt down on the opposite side of the man and removed the heavily beaded tribal necklace from the man’s throat. He turned to Gojyo and held it open.

“You are now the sole heir to the Eiravada and Sedalon clan. You are hereby in full command of the clan in all ways and forms. Please accept this necklace passed down from generations of Eiravada chiefs and take your place as head of this clan.” Gojyo lowered his head towards the necklace and the elder slipped it over his head. It was quite an impressive necklace. Most of what he thought was beads were actually animal teeth. The rest were highly decorated carved bone and intermingled with the teeth. “Hakkai, take your place by your husband and chief.” Hakkai stood up and walked over to Gojyo, standing next to him.

“I’m sorry for your loss, Hakkai.” Gojyo said to him and Hakkai only nodded again.

“Please Hakkai. It’s your father’s last dying wish of you. Be a faithful, loyal, and true wife to your husband. Don’t give all of us a hard time with your overly intelligent ramble. Be like your mother! She always knew her place and knew just what to do.” Hakkai clenched his fists but nodded.

“Yes sir….I will.” The elder smiled.

“That’s a good boy. Now you two must be dismissed so we can perform the traditional ceremony for your father’s spirit to be carried into the afterlife.” Hakkai nodded and took Gojyo’s hand, leading him out of the hut.

“You have work to do before your introduction ceremony.” Hakkai told him. “It’s a long and boring process or so I’ve heard. You have to be prepared in case you are asked any questions. You have to write up some policies that
YOU plan to carry out and present it to the elders.”

“Shit…this sounds like a lot of work!”

“To be a chief, it is! You have a very large roll to take over. Everyone will be looking to you for strength, guidance, and safety.” Gojyo just sighed heavily as Hakkai pulled him along to their hut where he was forced to sit at the table. Hakkai slammed some papers down in front of him and a quill then gave him a firm, hard look. “This is important, Gojyo! You are to write up new laws and make any changes that you see fit.” He dropped a heavy papered thick book tied together with tight vines. “Read through this carefully and do what you will. I will be attending my father’s burial ceremony.” With that, Hakkai hurried out of the hut leaving Gojyo with a stunned and confused look on his face.

“I have to read…all this?” He looked at the book. “Well, right now I want to annul the marriage…so I’ll read up on that.” He started to flip through the book, frowning at all the words. “This already looks boring and I haven’t even read one single bit of it.” How was he going to weasel his way out of this one? He sat in thought for a bit then got an idea. He would not read it all in one shot. He could just tell the elders and Hakkai that he wants to THINK more on these issues before he does anything to them. He really wants to focus on the traditional marriage thing.

After a bit of page turning he came to the section about the Eiravada Clan marriages. The biggest issue of the passage was the need to keep only the chief heirs and whomever the former chief picks as a spouse for their child. Well, he would just have to change this passage. He took his time rewriting it on the paper, changing the whole arranged thing to a personal choice. From now on, he could choose whom he wanted to marry. No one can tell him whom his best match is or who he should be with. He also wrote that the chief is the only one who can choose to annul a marriage without the consent of the elders. He took some time to read it over a bit before signing it.

But what title would he give Hakkai? Sanzo had suggested making him a military tactician or the like. Would Hakkai even like that? Regardless of Hakkai’s feelings he would have to do what Gojyo told him as his chief. But, he also had Sanzo who would give him a hard time if he forced a job on Hakkai he did not want. Well, he could always let Hakkai make himself whatever he wanted. But there was a downside to that. Gojyo was not entirely sure how Hakkai would handle this sudden annulment. Most likely, the man would be happy that he was free to do as he wished and make his own choice. But what if he were to get upset about the news? He did not want to hurt Hakkai’s feelings to much but he did not have a choice.

Looking back at the paper he rewrote, he had another thought. He could stay married to Hakkai but make it so that he could have multiple partners and wives. Hakkai would have no say in who shares his bed or whom he chooses to romp around with. But…would that be fair to Hakkai? If it were he in Hakkai’s place, he would not like it at all. Scratch that idea. Besides, that would make Hakkai the head wife and he would torment the others. Definitely scratch that idea. Gojyo decided to stick with what he already has and leave it at that. By tonight, he would be a free man again, bound by no traditions or married life. That is the way he always was and the way he wants to continue to be.

Later in the evening, when the burial was complete, Hakkai and Gojyo were to meet with the elders. As Gojyo entered the meeting room the elders stood up in respect and to greet him. Gojyo took his lavish seat and Hakkai sat next to him on the plainer one. Gojyo held up his piece of paper and placed it on the table.

“My fellow clan elders. As your new chief, I have taken the time to study your book of laws and traditions. However, I choose to think long and hard about what I want to do with them; if to keep, change, or add to them. But what I have here is something that I think is important.” He looked at Hakkai. “I, as the chief, now have the right to annul any marriage without the consent of the elders.” The elders gasped and murmured in surprised shock and Hakkai just met Gojyo’s eyes, dumbstruck. “I know this is sudden, but like Hakkai, I don’t believe in being forced to do something you do not wish to do. Both of us were placed in a situation that made us uncomfortable. It is our right to choose, not the right of others. So with this new law, I hereby divorce Hakkai”

“B-but you can’t do that!” Said one of the elders. “Hakkai is the eldest son of the former chief! Your marriage is the key to holding these clans together!”

“Yes, that’s true.” Replied Gojyo “However, we had our marriage, it was consummated, and now I’m the sole heir to this clan. My side of the clan would fully agree with my choice. The clans are joined; the former chief has passed, so now I reign. This is my new law and it will be accepted.”

“But what of Hakkai! What is he to do now?” Asked another elder. “His only important trait is that he is of chieftain blood!”

“He is more than that now. He’s a person rather than a bargaining chip.” He looked back down at Hakkai. “He can choose what he wants to do now. He can live as a normal everyday clansman, or he can choose to take a position. Even if he wants to make himself a title, I’ll allow it and pass it.” He smiled at Hakkai.

Hakkai was too shocked to even respond to Gojyo’s words. Annul? End the marriage? But why? Hakkai was already thinking of ways to work through this marriage, to bring out the best and worse points. He was ready to make the relationship work in whatever what they could find; no matter how long it took. But now…now he was alone again. He was free, which is what he had always wanted…but why did he not feel fulfilled? Gojyo granted his one wish but now he was having second thoughts. It was obvious that Gojyo really did not want him. Like everyone else, they lusted after and pine for Sanzo. Gojyo wants to pursue Sanzo without feeling guilty that he is, or was, married to his brother. Sanzo would never marry Gojyo nor would he lay with him. Gojyo was chasing after a man who would never submit to anyone. Maybe he already knew that but just enjoyed the chase Sanzo could give him. Regardless…it made his heart ache.

“What does Hakkai say about all this?” The elders all looked to Hakkai who stood from his seat.

“I agree with Gojyo.” He said, his voice steady and firm though he was aching inside. “This is a foolish tradition that should be changed. A person has a right to choose whom they wish to share their lives with. It should not be a concern of the council. As of now, I will take one of the old huts at the end of the village to reside while I think about what I wish to do with myself.” He reached his hands behind his neck and removed the chieftain necklace that was worn by wives. He also removed his chieftain clan armbands and a ring. “These are the traditional wear of the royal chieftain family. Gojyo can keep them for when he feels the need to use them.” He pushed them over to Gojyo who pushed them back.

“No. Hakkai, you don’t need to go that far. You are still a son of royal blood. Most likely your clan members will still follow and obey you.”

“But I don’t want that…not anymore.” He pushed them back towards Gojyo. “As of now, I’m just Hakkai, a clansman.” He excused himself from the table. “As of now, I don’t belong in this room.” He headed for the hut flap but stopped and looked back at Gojyo. Gojyo looked at him with a bit of worry on his face but Hakkai in turn smiled at him. He would not let Gojyo see that his act had a reaction in him. He left the hut and as he said, went to the end of the village to find a home.

He easily found one that was all made up thanks to a faithful clansman who gave it up for him and went to another. Hakkai tacked the flap down and sat on the hay pile that was the bed. It was not what he was used to but he would learn to deal with it. The area was small but he was only one person. He folded his legs up to his chest and rest his chin between his knees. He felt the sing of tears threatening to fall but he held them back. He would not let Gojyo get the best of him that way. Hakkai wanted to make the marriage work. The more he thought about it the more he realized that the two of them COULD learn to like one another. It would take time but it would have worked out. Despite how frustrated Gojyo could make him he enjoyed the man’s company. He was always alone and Gojyo filed that void for a while. But now…he was all alone again. No one would want to be with him now that he was not a royal family member. He knew Sanzo was going to have something to say about that but Hakkai was preparing for it. He gasped when he heard the flap rip from the tact and he turned to see Gojyo entering the hut. Good thing he was not crying.

“Gojyo…”

“Hakkai.” Gojyo replied flatly and walked over to him. He settled himself down on one knee in front of Hakkai. “What’s with you? You’re giving up your right to the royal family? I didn’t ask that of you, Hakkai. You can still be who you are just not with the marriage papers. I was hoping you’d want to be my military advisor or strategist or the like. I don’t want you to be floating around the village as if you were a nobody. I doubt Sanzo would like that and-“

“Sanzo again.” He narrowed his eyes at him. “You are always bringing my brother into this! I know how badly you want him but get in line with all the others! He’ll never have you or want you! You’ll get bored of chasing him soon! And I don’t care what Sanzo will have to say about my choice! He wont’ be happy with YOU! So I suggest you start thinking of a way to calm Sanzo down when he hears!”

“Hey, it was Sanzo who suggested this in the first place!” Hakkai looked at him in hurt shock.

“W-what?”

“He told me to do this. He said it would be easier for you and me! Now we can be with whomever we want! You’re not bound to me, Hakkai. I don’t own you. You’re not my wife any longer! You’re free to do as you wish! I will give you any title you want!” Hakkai was still hurt over the words he heard about his brother.

“I…I don’t want any titles just yet….I want to be alone, really. Leave me. I need to think.” Gojyo put his hand on his shoulder and Hakkai could not help but twitch.

“You’re upset about this…aren’t you?”

“No…I’m not upset about the marriage.” That was a lie “I’m just not used to living in such small conditions.”

“I’ll make you a new hut.” Hakkai looked at him.

“I don’t want anything, Gojyo. Leave me.” Gojyo sighed and stood up.

“Are you sure, Hakkai?” Hakkai nodded and Gojyo walked to the door “Fine then. Have it your way.” Before he could leave, Hakkai’s voice stopped him.

“Hey, Gojyo?” Gojyo looked over his shoulder at him.

“Yeah?”

“Do you think…that over a few years…we would have…maybe learned to love each other? Even if it was just a bit?” Gojyo looked away and down.

“I don’t know, Hakkai. I don’t want to married. I never did. I want to screw around and have fun with other people! I don’t want to be tied down to one person my whole life. I guess if I had to be…then yeah, I would have learned to like you.” Hakkai frowned sadly when he said ‘like’ instead of ‘love’.

“Yes…I have that feeling too. It’s better this way for both of us.”

“Yeah.” They were silent for a few minutes then Gojyo spoke, changing the subject. “Have you thought about what you want to do?”

“No, not yet. I should have my decision by the end of the day.”

“Okay, you know where to find me, then. I’ll be seeing you.” Hakkai nodded and watched as Gojyo left the hut without a glance back. He flopped himself back down on the hay and stared up at the ceiling.

"Get used to being alone, Hakkai.” He said softly to himself. “You might as well make this your home.”

By late afternoon the hunting party had come back successful as always. Sanzo was immediately approached with the news of his father’s passing and Gojyo’s coming to power. He did not care enough about his father’s death but focused more on Gojyo’s power status. Now he had full access to the clan. Any of his advisors or elders from his old clan would be heading here now. Changes were going to be made very soon.

“Hey, Sanzo!” He frowned angrily when he saw Goku come running over.

“What is it, monkey? Better be some good news!”

“Not really! Gojyo annulled his marriage with Hakkai! Now Hakkai is going to be living in one of the old huts at the end of the village! Gojyo wants to give him some kind of job and title but I don’t think Hakkai wants it! Hakkai even took off all his clan leader items!”

“What? All this happened when I was away? Shit!” He hissed. “Where’s Hakkai? Take me to him!” Goku led the way to other end of the village and to the hut. Sanzo did not bother telling Hakkai he was here but instead just barged in.

“S-Sanzo?” Hakkai was just putting some clay bowls down on the floor.

“What the hell is this? You’re not living here all by yourself. Come live with me in my hut.”

“But you hate having people stay with you.”

“You’re my brother! You’re the only person I can tolerate! You’re still an heir, just like I am. Fuck what Gojyo says.” Hakkai walked up to Sanzo to face him.

“He said the annulment was your idea, Sanzo. Why would you give him that idea? I was going to try and make the marriage work!”

“Look, I did it because I know the type of guy Gojyo is! He would have never settle down with just you. I wanted to get you out of that relationship before your feelings really got hurt. I know that you would have developed feelings for him over time and I know they would have never been returned.” Goku walked into the hut and suddenly jumped on Hakkai, hugging him tight.

“I’m so sorry, Hakkai! I didn’t know you felt bad about Gojyo leaving you! I thought you were happy! You didn’t look upset! You can come live with me!”

“No one wants to live a monkey’s pen.” Said Sanzo, crossing his arms.

“That’s not true! My hut is fine!” Hakkai chuckled softly.

“It’s alright, Goku. I’m sure you heard what Sanzo said and he did the right thing.” Goku looked up at him.

“Are you sure, Hakkai?”

“Yes I’m sure.”

“Then are you going to go live with Sanzo? I don’t want you living here all by yourself!”

“Well-“

“Yes, he’s going to be living with me.” Sanzo answered for him.

“Can I live with you guys too? Huh! Huh! Can I?!”

“Hell no! Pets belong OUTSIDE!”

“I’m not a pet I’m Goku! Who’s going to keep Hakkai company when you go on your long hunting trips?!” Hakkai smiled at Sanzo.

“He does have a point, Sanzo. He’ll be fine if I’m there watching over him.” Sanzo saw the looks on their faces and knew he would not win. Even if Goku did not live with them he would be over every second of the day.

“Fine. But if the monkey annoys me to much he’s out on a limb, go it!”

“Yeah, yeah!” Goku said happily and took Hakkai’s hand. “Come on, Hakkai! Lets go settle in!”

“Alright Goku, you can lead the way.”

Hakkai walked a few inches behind the two who were bickering the whole way. He had to admit that he felt better now that he was not going to be alone. Sanzo liked to brood in his hut a lot and Goku was a lot of work. He would definitely be busy enough where he can keep his mind off of Gojyo. He would also take advantage of a title position. He would take up the title of a military general and lead the army. He figured that once the news got out to the Eiravada clan members about the annulment, they would not feel so loyal to Gojyo. Most likely they would refuse to fight or follow their new chief. If Hakkai took up the role of a military leader, he could lead his side into battle with Homura’s. That way, the clan’s would still be united as one. Gojyo would not deny him of his wish. It is the least he could do after the way he broke the marriage arrangement.

But Hakkai would get over it as time went on. Gojyo did not do it out of cruelty or hatred but rather went with his own feelings. Hakkai had already told him how much he hated the fact that the both of them had no choice in the ways of tradition and marriage. Gojyo held true to that and Hakkai could not really blame him. He did give him his wish: to be able to make his own choices as a person. But the few feelings he started to notice while living with Gojyo seemed to hurt the most. Maybe he really wished for it all. To be free to make his own choices but to also have Gojyo’s love. There was that word again…love. He really was starting to develop strong feelings for Gojyo. Sanzo was right to get him out of the marriage before his feelings were really ripped to shreds. However, he was sure those feelings would subside in awhile and he would no longer feel like this. Right now, the best way to look at it was a learning experience and nothing more.