Fatherhood Chapter 9
Saliva coated Wovism's tongue as it stroked in between the fangs & down to the tips. His stomach vibrated with a growl. Wovism walked round the child, asleep in his curled position. The thick brows knitted & red eyes smoldered with the deep hunger growing in his veins. The smell of the child was deliciously inviting but the ambience encircling him was not. To the damnation of the gods, an amethyst sphere was protecting the child, its cloudy wisps swirling around it like evoking images of laser beams, like they were claiming territory. Once or twice, Wovism approached the sphere and an enigmatic force shot out, forcing him to withdraw. He spat onto the ground, chiding himself for underestimating the Sanzo.
Biting the sparsely grown grass off the moldy rock, Wovism chewed, his tongue rolling the grass ball in his mouth. Is it possible for the little one to use the Sutras at his age? Closing his furry eyelids, Wovism concentrated, burrowing through his memories. Long ago, his great-grandfather & father used to have long discussions, exchanging theories of Sanzos, discussing their strength, weakness & other miscellaneous issues. Sucking the sap, Wovism frowned deeper, bedding thick lines across his face. What was it they talked about if Sanzos were to have any offspring?
His eyelids gradually opened. Of course, Humans prefer to pass on their heritage through their kinsmen to outsiders. Generally, most monks were trained to have dharma powers for it's extremely rare to find those with innate dharma powers. To produce such treasure would require the Sanzo to break his vows of celibacy. As far his great-grandfather could remember, this topic was an endless debate for centuries since it involved the integrity of priesthood & its teachings. Wovism glared at the child. Though he may appear frail, his sub-conscious was a contrast. However the child was still human and humans need nourishment to live. Swallowing the grass ball, Wovism turned. At the entrance of the cave, Wobsolk was standing there, panting heavily.
Wovism! My Lord! Wobsolk shouted, running up to him. We're under attack!!
Yes, I know. The three traitors…
Not only them, Genjo Sanzo! He's with them!
What! Wovism turned sharply at him. Impossible! No human could survive the rock spikes!
Either you killed an apparition or the Sanzo has risen from his grave! Leave the human child here and let's go to the Wobslkim. Although the loss is great, at least the Clan will live on. Wovism! Wobsolk bit his ear. Wovism! Forget the human child!
Don't you dare tell me what to forget! Wovism swatted Wobsolk, leaving three permanent claw marks on his wolfish face. If there's anyone else who is afraid as you, take them to Wobslkim. I'll return with the Sanzo & dumped his corpse at your paws!
"Here, wooly wooly," Goku sang, swinging his staff joyfully. "Come & play with me!"
"Leave some for me, greedy monkey!" Gojyo chipped in, slicing a couple of wolf demons.
"Children, don't fight. There's plenty for everyone," Hakkai smiled, blasting his energy beams at the hillside. Instantly, the clots of earth exploded in the air and many of the wolf demons were tossed all over, breaking their bones as they fell. One of them whimpered in pain as it tried to stand up. It heard an ominous click of a weapon. It looked up and saw Sanzo looming over him, his gun pinned on its forehead.
Upon the cliff top, Wovism watched his brothers disintegrating in ashes, blowing away in the wind. The Sanzo's companions looked like they were enjoying themselves, blasting & dicing their demon kind. Traitors! Barely turning, he already knew Sanzo was coming towards him with one of his followers by his side, the legendary 100-eye Demon murderer, Hakkai. Wovism's muzzle coiled in rage. Undaunted, Sanzo inserted fresh bullets in his gun & targeted it at him.
"Where is my son?"
Inside the cave, that is, if you can bypass me, Genjo Sanzo. Pity, I haven't have the chance to taste the boy yet. His flesh was will be as tender as the woman. Did you manage to gather her remains?
"Shut up, demon," Sanzo fired. Wovism skidded, ran forward and jumped. Hakkai shot an energy ball that threw him backwards. Digging his paws deep into the ground to break the impact, Wovism spat & lurched forward, moving faster. He snapped his jaws into Hakkai's arm till he tasted blood. Releasing, he jumped up and kicked Hakkai in the stomach with his hind legs. Hakkai rolled over, holding his injured side. Pleased with the downfall of the obstacle, Wovism proceeded with the Sanzo. He opened his jaw wide with very intention to break Sanzo's neck. Appallingly, a foul-tasting metal was in his mouth.
Sanzo grinned. Pushing Wovism aside, he fired at the demon's legs. Blood and bone splitters burst out. Wovism crashed onto the ground, howling at the agony. Looking up, he saw Sanzo holding a dangerous shotgun in his hands.
"Do you know what this is?" Sanzo slotted in silver bullets into it. "Good old fashioned shotgun used for blasting wolves. This belonged to Azami. Fortunately, Gojyo found it beside her body," Wovism heard it clicking. "Without the use of your legs, I can kill you as slowly as you did with me & Azami." He fired one shot. Intestinal juices, bile & dark blood split out. "Like Azami said, shotgun bullets are very effective compared to mine." The second shot. An ear, fur, skin, a smashed eyeball and bits of sticky brain splattered next to Sanzo's feet. Sanzo placed the shotgun onto the ground, keeping his eyes on the mutilated demon. Wovism laughed. Sanzo frowned.
Do you really think your dharma bullets can kill me?
"That is my problem," Sanzo sank his gun into Wovism's remaining brain. "You can wait for your brothers to join you in Hell."
The gunshot rang thunderously in the air. Its sound halted everyone in their tracks, shifting their attention to the source. Black ashes swirled up in mid-air, suspending in the sunlight. Strangely, the dust began to expand its glossy blackness across the ground. The wolf demons remained still, mystified as the dust fell over them. All of a sudden, the blackness walled around the wolf demons and enclosed them in its fiery web. The wolf demons panicked and struggled as the black net tightened itself and sank down to the ground. Steamy hot air burst out with violent hisses, the ground began to churn as something monstrous was rising from the depths. With a thunderous roar, it broke free into the sunlight, a gigantic werewolf with its spiky tail swinging back and forth dangerously. Stretching to its full height, the werewolf split its jaws, exposing its razor sharp fangs. Thick worm-like tentacles merged out from its sticky tongue.
"Some chain reaction," Gojyo murmured, looking up at the towering werewolf.
"So it seems." Hakkai agreed.
"Yuck," Goku covered his nose. "His breath sinks!"
"That's the stench of his stupidity," Sanzo merely remarked. "Guys like him never die easily."
My kind never dies, Genjo Sanzo. Wovism spoke, his lime-green eyes sparkled. Your dharma-coated bullets are useless against me. What you destroyed is… Three bullets shot out, penetrating deeply into Wovism's belly. Wovism shuddered, hammered at the force of the blow. Hakkai released his chi energy and sent it into the area where the bullets had struck, staggering the monster backwards.
"My bullets aren't useless," Grey wisps swirled around Sanzo's gun. "It's just that I haven't finished killing you, stinky furball."
"Sou you," Hakkai smiled. "Besides, we don't like NATO demons."
"NATO? What does it mean?"
"No Action Talk Only, baka saru." Gojyo answered. "You need to improve your vocabulary."
Wovism steadied himself and swing his paws down to the ground, covering the foursome into an avalanche of sand and dust, forcing them to separate. Gojyo jumped and attempted to attack from behind. Wovism turned and opened his mouth. The tentacles lengthened themselves and hailed down at him. Skidding and turning, Gojyo sliced them off. In a writhing mass, the tentacle pieces dropped, oozing out foul-smelling lime coloured blood. Enraged, Wovism flung his paw and swiped Gojyo away, knocking him into Goku. Rotating, he threw out another avalanche of sand upon them. Shifting, Wovism opened his mouth, releasing more tentacles towards Sanzo. Hakkai rushed in and created a barrier shield. The tentacles relentlessly pounded themselves upon the shield like insane headless snakes. Hakkai gashed his teeth. Lifting his tail, Wovism swung it straight ahead towards them, completely breaking the shield, flinging Sanzo & Hakkai off their feet. The two tumbled, locking into each other.
"We might need more than bullets, Sanzo," Hakkai coughed, getting up his legs.
"Don't you think I know that?" He cursed, loading bullets. "Ready?"
"Hai."
Sanzo and Hakkai sped across the rocky trail, dodging Wovism's uncontrollable waves of attack. Seeing their direction, Wovism swung his arm against the mountain walls. Rocks came crashing down, its sound thundering in Sanzo's ears. He shot fiercely, blowing up a few of the rocks to nuggets. Afraid for their own safety, Hakkai grabbed and held him back.
"No, Sanzo. It's too dangerous."
"Hands off me," Sanzo roughly pushed him aside.
More rocks came tumbling down, bellowing clouds of dust. Half covering his face, Sanzo felt his heart in his throat at the thought of Tōkon gruesomely killed like his mother. Distracted, he failed to see Wovism's paw whooping down like an eagle. In an instant, Sanzo found himself at the brink of suffocation, enhanced by the demon's stench.
Now, you die…
Oddly, Sanzo started to chant. The air became sweet with the singing of the birds, the rustling of the leaves and heartbeat of all living creatures of the world. A voice emerged out apart from his own, a tender childlike voice. Light and vibrant.
Chichi… Chichi…
Faster than a split second, a great burning sensation flooded through him, growing with every word he chanted. Sanzo felt Tōkon standing in front of him, smiling brighter than the sun. His cubby hand placed upon Sanzo's cheek.
Chichi…
In a blur, he caught a glimpse of Tōkon running through the sunflower field. With each step, he grew taller. His blond hair flying against the wind, acorn eyes shining gaily like Azami, laughing cheerfully. There were no traces of bitterness or sadness in him, only the chaste happiness that Sanzo had longed forgotten. He saw himself swooping down, holding Tōkon up and twirling themselves round and round. Losing his balance, he fell to the ground. In a sparkle Azami was lying on top of him, smiling like the first time he met her. He rolled over, pulled her towards him and indulged into a deep kiss. There was nothing to hold them back anymore.
"Sanzo!" Goku screamed, running forward.
"Matte, Goku!" Hakkai warned. "That's not Wovism's energy."
"What the hell is it?" Gojyo hissed. "That's dharma power, isn't it? Who else can have it?"
"It feels like Sanzo's but it's not totally him," Hakkai swallowed. "It's much stronger."
"If it's not Sanzo, then who is the one?"
The trio stood still, watched Wovism writhing in a mass of translucent Sutras-like object as it spread all over the plain, consuming everything in its fiery amethyst light.
Chichi… Chichi…
"You hear that?" Goku pointed. "It's coming from the light."
"That's not Sanzo…" Hakkai gasped. "It's Tōkon! He's telepathically connected with Sanzo!"
"Are you kidding me?" Gojyo stared wide-eyed. "That junior is capable of doing that!"
"Sanzo said that Tōkon is a threat to the demons but I never fully understand what he meant by that!" A green aura surrounded the trio. "Stand close to me. Let's hope that my shield is durable enough to withstand the Sutras. It's going to erupt like a full blown volcano."
Wovism struggled like a fly caught in a web. The Sutras pierced through his bones, its heat burning through his fur, skin and vein, churning his internal organs upside down. Knowing the end was inevitable, he howled in defeat. The amethyst flames broke out, exploding in one shining blinding white light, diminishing Wovism's ear splitting screams and sweeping everything in its grasp.
Under the clear sky, Sanzo held Azami in his arms, holding her tightly, her face resting upon his shoulder. The touch of her body was like warmth of their first merrymaking in the summer night. Running his fingers down the locks of brown hair and onto her milky bare back, he whispered.
"I love you, Azami. Can you forgive me?"
"I love you too, Genjo and I will forgive you. Please look after our son for me."
"Tōkon will live a much happier life than us."
"Tōkon. I like it. It means fighting spirit. Let him give you the spirit to live on."
The wind soon blew around them, shaking the sunflowers to and fro. Sanzo held Azami tighter.
"I don't want you to go."
"Half of me lives in your heart and the other half lives in Tōkon. Promise me that you teach him to be a better person even though the world is awful place."
"I promise. That will be my eternal vow to you."
Farewell my love till I see you on the other side, if it exists…
Sanzo watched Azami faded away in the dimming amethyst light. Looking down, he sees Tōkon in his arms. The little boy stirred, sleepily half-opened his eyes and yawned. Tenderly, Tōkon wrapped his cubby arms around his neck and nestled his little head upon Sanzo's shoulder. Feeling his gentle touch, Sanzo ran his fingers through Tōkon's soft blond hair and softly pecked him a kiss.
A month later…
"Hurry up! Slow coaches!" Sanzo shrieked, firing bullets at Goku & Gojyo. "FASTER!!"
"Quit shooting & help us with the groceries!" Gojyo rebut. "Don't you know the list has increased immensely? Baby food, milk, and diapers, especially those! Tōkon uses them like he's drinking water. Furthermore, it's taking up A LOT of space!"
"Tōkon is growing up, Gojyo," Hakkai explained. "It's temporary."
"I hope so," Goku groaned. "He's eating more than I am.
WHAM!!! A brilliant white fan slammed onto Goku's face.
"Argh! Mo ii, Tōkon. It's the fifteenth time, already!" Rubbing his sore nose. "Sanzo!"
"Keep it up, son. Maybe, you will break your record today," Sanzo patted Tōkon, who waved his white fan cheerfully. "Ten more to go."
"Spoiling him, being a bad example," Gojyo grumbled as he lit a cigarette "If I become a father, I will smack him…"
"Gomen, Gojyo," Hakkai took the cigarette out from his mouth. "Smoke is not good for Tōkon's health."
"Don't be so picky! Anyway, we are going to teach him how to smoke when he's old enough, right Daddy Sanzo? By the time he reach twenty, he will smoke, gamble, kick butt and womanize…"
"Quit your garbage, kappa," Sanzo pointed his gun at him. "Unless you want your brains to be blown all over, I can add in your eyes & tongue too."
"No thank you, Sanzo-sama…"
"Gojyo!" Someone called out to him. Everyone turned and saw a lady running up to them. She was waving to them merrily. Her curly seaweed hair swaying across her face, blue eyes twinkling, curvaceous body shining in the sunlight.
"Gojyo!" She said again. Her dainty hands grasped the edge of the jeep's door. With a huge smile, "My goodness, I thought I will never see you. If it weren't for the gunshots, I would have missed you."
"Mai?" Gojyo jumped out of the jeep. "Is that only you? I don't believe it. It has been three years and you still look wonderful as ever. Are you free tonight?" Noticing a little girl by her side, shyly hiding behind her dress. "And you are?"
"My daughter," Mai said, bending down to carry her up. She held the little girl close to her and smiling proudly. "Isn't she a darling little angel?"
"Daughter?" Gojyo gulped, preparing himself for the worst. "Is she… is she?"
"Oh no!" Mai laughed, "You are not her father." Pointing her finger. "He is."
Instantly, the jeep's engine went silent. The trio shot their eyes at Hakkai, eyes wider than the sun and jaws hanging opened. Rooted to his seat, Hakkai stared, flabbergasted at the little girl bashfully waving at him. With little strength that remained in him, he faintly bowled over the next few words.
"I'm her father?"
*Chichi means Daddy in informal Japanese.
THE END
Coming soon… Fatherhood 2!
ABSOLUTELY NOT! GeneWeib doesn't have ideas for it! Sighz! After 6 wks of painstaking writing and rewriting this chapter, it's finally over!!! (Dancing all over the floor)
Thank you for all those who have R&R this fic, especially those who have read this fic throughout the entire time. Really appreciate all the support, comments and ideas. GeneWeib will be probably taking a break from writing fanfictions. It's pretty difficult to write stories and working at the same time. By the time GeneWeib reaches home, GeneWeib is brain dead. The only energy GeneWeib has left is to watch Jap animes…
Thank you (not according to order) from the depths of GeneWeib's soul:
Curiouzkatt, Coolpriss, Kawaii Goku no Miko, Meethzoonk, Ruishi, Dientore, M-I, Cutie-pie16, SF, Genki Genjo, @noon, Kuroi Neko-kun, XiaoLi, Vaness de Dhampyri, Gemini, Bern, Poignance, Jashuang, Thedaidoujicat, UltraM2000, LeViAtHaN2001, Rook, Kolpol940, Gitara and Cherry.
Honto ni arigatou gozaimasu! Mata ne !
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To Coolpriss :-
Ok, on chapter 7, Wovism said, "Don't be startled, humans. For I, Wovism can also speak in the tongue of men." Therefore, Wovism is able to speak in moral language. Do demons have their own language? Well… let's just presume they do. GeneWeib is damn lazy to go on with the ditty gritty details.
To Vaness de Dhampyri:-
A Hellsing fic? To be honest, GeneWeib hasn't even watched it except reading about it on the net. Seems like Integral & Alcucard (flip it & U get 'Dracula') has a rather interesting relationship…. & fans love to write fics about them falling in love. A vampire & a human…. Don't we humans love to write about taboo forbidden loves?