His footsteps were silent as he made his way down the deserted forest highway. His tanned, ruddy toes digging into the dirt with distaste. Still – it was better than wearing shoes. He couldn't STAND the constrictiveness of shoes. Adjusting his knee length, black trench coat, the young man continued on his way to the village in the distance.

He was sure he felt the pulse coming from there.

***

"Jivraaaa! Harahetaaaa!!"

"Urasai!" Came the reply – identically from two different mouths. The responders glanced at each other and scowled in annoyance. That… damn… monkey!

"Ah… hahaha – patience, you two! Goku, come, I'll get you something." The young brunette's face lightened, and he darted off after the retreating green eyed man, and his white dragon. The red haired female of the group smiled, and a small laugh escaped her lips in a huff – that baka was always so entertaining – the reactions he could pull from both Sanzo AND Jivra always made her giggle. It was nice to see her old friend comfortable in her surroundings once more. After all… it had only been 11 months since the last sutra had come to life…

Warm, moist lips brushed against Ax's ear, disturbing her thoughts, "What do you think – should we leave those two alone for a while?" Gojyo's breath smelt heavily of cigarettes and spices… and something else. Something decidedly… MALE. No matter how much she pretended, Ax couldn't help the tug of attraction she felt for the half-caste.

"Hmmm…. Good idea." She whispered in reply, and quickly signaled to Artie and Teu to join her. Jivra and Sanzo continued to walk ahead, making a slow beeline for the market place in the small village they were visiting. They hadn't noticed the lack of companionship – yet. She grinned at the thought of them figuring out her little plan, and felt her sharp canines press against her bottom lip. Oh yeah – Jiv was gonna be MAD when she found out Ax had left her ALL alone with the monk…

Ever since the unforgettable instance of the half-angel's soul splitting in two, the relationship between the monk and Jivra had been… awkward. Sanzo was still an arrogant asshole, and Jivra was as prickly as ever – but something as definitely changed. Everyone bar Goku had noticed the subtle shift from their previous relationship, and felt that, though this change was unusual, it wasn't necessarily bad. Between the three of them, Hakkai, Ax and Gojyo had decided that the two would need to spend as much time alone together as possible – to clear the air, or finish things for good.

Gojyo, of course, believed that Sanzo was horny for the girl, and immediately dove back into the story of the monks chemically induced mating period the last year. That is, he WOULD have, had not a bullet shot the cigarette right out of his mouth in warning.

Ax turned to Gojyo with a raised brow, and the red haired man smirked in reply. Ax merely smiled, and, as fluidly as a cat, stalked by the hanyou with her hands on the small blue dragon and the black raven. Teu and Artemis chirped in reply to the light pat, and recognized the signal as one to fly back to their camp, or to find Hakkai and Hakuyruu. Ax felt her vampires' heart lift slightly at the thought. She had the suspicious feeling that Teu and Hakuryuu were getting along as just a little bit MORE than friends – it was something she would have to keep in mind…

Walking down a nearby alley, Ax felt strong, wiry hands alight on her hips. She had heard him come up behind her, but had decided that, just this once, she would let him push his luck a little farther. The fingers travelled up her waist, and one hand continued to her shoulder, spinning her around in a swift movement. She stared, unsurprised into the sultry, crimson eyes. He really did have beautiful eyes. Gojyo smiled lopsidedly,

"Usually by now, I could expect a swift kick to the balls or a punch to the gut… what's changed?" His voice was soft, but not seductive – not yet. He was curious. "Not that I'm complaining, mind. I just want to know what lucky star I must have wished upon for this to happen." He wrapped his arms around her a little tighter, bringing her body closer to him. Ax frowned, feeling her blood-hunger begin to rise at the heat from his body. He was so close… too close…

"Gojyo… stop it. I was just curious… this isn't… it's not...." She struggled in his arms, unable to find the words she wanted, or the strength to escape his grasp. Clutching her tightly, the hanyou pulled her bodily to him, and crushed her lips to his. Her eyes widened, and she felt anger and distrust… then… something else…

Relaxing into his hold, she placed her hands around his neck, and allowed her lips to explore his gently, her sharp incisors scraping against his tongue, drawing blood. She allowed her eyes to close, and for the first time in many years, FELT the kiss, rather than analyzed it.

"Hmmm… well… it's not coming from HERE." A strong, masculine voice drifted up the alleyway, disturbing the two redheads, tearing them apart from each other. Gojyo whipped his head over his shoulder and scowled at the intruder. Ax, arms still around his neck, looked over Gojyo's shoulder and hissed in defiance, her eyes turning slightly red. She was pissed. Well – she wasn't the only one.

"OI! What the hell are you doing? Get the hell out of here you freak!" Gojyo yelled, furious beyond belief that someone had interrupted his long awaited moment with the vivacious vamp. He was ready to pull out his shakujo without a second thought - if he didn't already have his hands full.

The voice came again: "Yeah, look – whatever, mate." And it was gone. They hadn't seen more than a midday silhouette of the owner…. Just a voice…

Ax suddenly felt very cold. That voice… it was so… familiar. She had to find Jivra… FAST. Dropping her arms, she swiftly punched Gojyo in the gut, stopping his immediate questions, and dropping him to the dirt, so she could escape in the other direction. Gojyo hacked and coughed in reply, and winced as Ax transformed into her maeth form, flying as quickly as she could to find her wandering friend.

***

"Those bastards," The blonde priest muttered under his breath. He was quite enjoying the warm sunshine, and lazy air of the day, when he finally noticed that they were all alone. Just him... and her. Not even those little animal friends of theirs…

The redheads were going to pay for this.

"Dammit Ax – I'm gonna kick your ass when I see you next." He heard Jivra say quietly, and raised an eyebrow in her direction. Apparently, she was as uncomfortable in the situation as he was. Strange. He had assumed she wouldn't have cared either way – she had never really minded being on her own, or with the group – except when it came time to sleep – then she had to go elsewhere, as she slept badly.

Genjyo sighed and stopped to lean against a nearby wall, pulling his cigarettes out of his pocket. Jivra turned her head to him, pulling the brim of her cowboy hat down a bit lower, to hide her eyes.

Stupid monk.

It had been months since her 'incident', yet still he treated he like she was… less than herself. It wasn't like she had LOST anything! Ok… sure. She had lost the Dragons soul, and powers. But she was still Jivra! She was still the person they met all that time ago. She was still… her. Walking over to the wall, Jivra leaned against it next to Sanzo, and allowed her legs to cross themselves comfortably. As the monk took a deep drag on his cancer-stick of a cigarette, Jivra sighed. This couldn't go on any longer.

"Hey monk," She said, just loudly enough for him to hear, but not so loud that every passer-by could listen, "I've been thinking – I know you're not keeping us, and we just happen to be tagging along… but… I think its time we went our separate ways." She waited, listening to the sounds of local children laughing in some game.

"I was wondering when you'd finally get going – you've guys have been nothing but a pain in the ass since we met you." Sanzo's voice was full of spite, and something else…

Jivra turned her head and glowered at him, he continued to stare straight ahead ignoring her gaze.

" You damn… stupid… arrogant… son of a… MONK!" She screamed suddenly, pushing herself off the wall and striding into the throng of market dwellers. Had she had a match, flames would have ignited on her head, such was her rage. She made her way through the people, came out the other side of the markets and disappeared into the maze of streets, not looking, and not caring where she was going. Sanzo stared lazily after her, not moving a muscle to chase her down. She said she wanted to leave, right? Well, there she went – good riddance. He dropped his cigarette stub and crushed it beneath his toe, walking back in the direction they had come from – the direction of the inn.

Still…

He alone knew what she now was… and it was because of that, that he couldn't let her go so easily. If she wasn't the living embodiment of one of the Heavenly Scriptures, he would have asked her to leave earlier. As it was, she was beginning to exhibit new and unusual powers – exceedingly similar to his own. The connection was made by Hakkai, when he noticed that both Sanzo and Jivra seemed to have a similar effect on Goku, not to mention the power to regain his limiter. That alone was proof of her holy powers.

Grunting at his how his thoughts always seemed to drift back to her, instead of back to himself, Sanzo walked back to the inn, looking forward to sitting down with the newspaper, and a mug of tea.

***

Piercing, silver black eyes shone through the darkness of the alleyway. THERE. That was where the pulse was coming from – that girl… she held… some kind of power. Perhaps SHE could do it… perhaps SHE could release him. Stepping out, directly into her path, the tall, spiky haired youth stopped Jivra in her tracks.

He was tall, almost six feet, with spiky blue hair. No – she was mistaken – his hair was blond with dark blue tips. He had broad shoulders and was slim – seemingly well built with a smooth, toned face, and sharp chin. His catlike eyes were almost sinister, such was the way he gazed at her, and his arms seemed to be somewhere inside his knee length trench coat. Beneath the hem of the black coat, she could she could see well worn, tatty jeans, and bare toes poking out from the torn hems.

She huffed in impatience and went to step around him, but he blocked her with a single twitch on his foot. She let her shoulders drop, and felt the tension of anger leave her, being replaced with the readiness for a fight – oh yeah… this would DEFINITELY help her release some of that tension…

Swinging her arm in a swift punch to the face, she felt herself go flying back by a huge gust of wind. She crossed her arms over her face and rode it out, wondering what the hell was going on. Looking back at the strange youth, she realized he couldn't be more than 22 or 23 – what was one so young doing here, all alone? Didn't boys this age usually travel in packs? Like dogs?

Walking towards him more slowly, Jivra stopped just outside arms length, and looked up into his silvery black eyes, trying to distinguish the exact color. They kept changing, though… silver, grey, speckled white, ebony black…. Shaking her head to release herself from the strange hypnotism, she asked him flat out, bored by games, "Who are you? Why are you blocking me? And what the HELL do you want? I'm kinda busy you know!" She put her hands on her hips and waited, watching his core for movement, in case he tried a surprise attack.

"You…" His voice was soft, like melting butter – it made her think of warm summer winds and the soft hush of tree leaves, "…You may have it – the power I need…" He took a step towards her, reaching out a hand slowly to her chest. Jivra immediately took a step back, slight disgust on her face that he thought to try to grope her. Well, she would show HIM – if he tried to touch her, he would feel the scorch of the sutra's power all the way up his arms. And if he was a demon, he would instantly burn. Oh…. She hoped he would try….

His hand landed lightly on her chest, right in between her breasts. Jivra smirked, and waited for the explosion – she had 'accidentally' caused several such youkai deaths in the past few months, as she had been learning to use the Sutra's powers. Of course – the only youkai that could touch her comfortably were her companions – though she supposed that had more with them being her choice, rather than them being youkai. Oh, except for Gojyo – every time he tried to make a grab for her (as he did every now and again – damn sex-crazed water sprite!) his hand got scorched, and Hakkai had to spend half an hour healing him. It always made Sanzo smirk when that happened – he liked the hanyou being beaten back by a girl.

Hand on her chest, the tall young man took a deep breath and closed his eyes, pushing back the Sutra's power with his mind, and feeling the scorching heat just beyond his fingertips… ah! There it was! The core! He opened his eyes to the sky and smiled.

Perhaps today was the day he could finally go home…

TO BE CONTINUED….