Three weeks past. During the first two weeks I felt like a prisoner, just a nuisance that the four of them had to look after. I wonder if they thought that I might cause some kind of problem if I were left alone. Nothing I said or did seemed to be right or helped at all. On Wednesday of the third week if finally felt a little more of a part of the group. That was the day that we encountered our first battle. A pack of demons ran toward us, all ready for battle, screaming insults and such. I was hanging back feeling a little awkward and out of place. Would it be alright if I helped them, or was a being hypocritical fighting my own kind?

Then Gojyo spoke to me:

"Are you goanna stand there all day? Help us out why don't you?"

I was least expecting Gojyo to ask me for help. He was, after all, the one who didn't seem to want help from the "new girl." I cleared the unhelpful thoughts out of my head and assessed the situation. If I hadn't been paying attention I wouldn't have noticed that the battle was slowly being tipped in favor of the attackers. I fought all out, helping where I could and after only a few minutes, we won the fight. The others were impressed with my abilities and I felt a little less awkward when we were in conversation.

Currently we are on the fourth week of our journey. Ominous dark clouds are rolling overhead. We aren't anywhere near the next town so we have to hurry before it rains. All five of us have horses. They had some other transportation method before but he diapered. I believe he was a green jeep that turned into a dragon. Someone had stolen him a day before the Sanzo party had stormed my temple. I suggested we use some of the horses that the temple had in the stables. We had used them for gaming but now that there was no one left we might as well use them. They are bigger riders and I'm the only one that can ride faster than a trot, so progress is slow. At about mid day is when we heard our first roll of thunder and felt the first few drops or rain.

"Great, rain, just what we need." Gojyo said.

"Look, there's a farm just up ahead. Maybe the farmer will let us stay in his hay shed until the rain lets up." Hakki wondered out loud.

"Whatever we do we better hurry. I'm in no mood to be walking through the rain." Sanzo said darkly.

What was wrong with him? A little rain won't hurt anyone, it's only water.

When we reached the farm the farmer did let us stay in his hay shed. He also told us that if we wanted to go very far we would have to bite the bullet and just walk in the rain. Sometimes it can rain for days without letting up around here. The farmer showed us to his barn and let us settle in. The shed had a high slanting roof and a hay loft. Rows of stalls crowed with pigs, sheep, horses and cows lined the isle way. Large red doors at either end of the barn were shut tight to prevent the rain from getting in. The farmer browed two of the farmer's larges stalls to put our horses in. We couldn't just let them wander.

Finally we all thudded down onto the hay up in the loft and just talked. Seems we do a lot of that, Gojyo and Sanzo also seem to smoke a lot. Their smoking bugs Hakki but he doesn't mention it. After a few minutes I confiscated the lighters, their smoking was bothering me too. My argument was that if a cinder dropped the whole barn would burn down in an instant and then we would be stuck in the rain with an angry farmer. Gojyo chased me around the loft commanding me to give him his lighter back. When we both got too tired to continue we flopped down next to Goku and Hakki again. Everyone seemed at peace, except Sanzo. He was staring out at the rain leaning against the wall and looking out at the rain thought a window across the barn from the loft, brooding. Sanzo broods a lot, but not this way.

"What's wrong with Sanzo?" I asked keeping a low tone.

Hakki replied after a long pause, "He prefers not to discuss it."

"He gets this way every time it rains. But he always comes out fine." Gojyo added

Goku looked worried though, watching Sanzo closely for him to move. When he finally shifted his weight, Goku jumped about a foot. Then we all sat in silence, listening to the rain as drops continued to pound on the steel roof. I was getting board, and there was nothing to distract me from my own hard feelings toward the rain. Seconds ticked by, and I began to count again. Three, four, five…

"Should we head out?"

Everyone looked at me startled. They were thinking I was crazed.

"But, the rain?" Gojyo was astounded.

"A little water won't hurt anyone."

"But—"

"Common, let's go before the rain gets too hard you sissies."

"I suppose we could. Sanzo what do you think." Hakki intercepted Gojyo's retort before we cause too much more of a problem.

"I'm in no mood to travel." is all Sanzo said.

Anger boiled up and over, as it does when it rain.

"So we're just going to weight here for days on end and not make any progress. You heard what the farmer said; we could be stuck here for a long time."

"So."

"So! Listen up blondy, time is not what we have. Too save your precious little world we need to stop them from bringing back Gyumaoh."

"So long as it rains, we stay put."

I walked up to him, looked him straight in the eye and slapped his pretty face. Climbing down the latter I said:

"I'm leaving, if anyone wants to catch up with me I'll be in the next town."

As I walked down the aisle way I felt four pairs of eyes watching me leave. I grabbed my horse on the way out. Faster transportation would be required to reach the next city by nightfall. Just out of sight of the shed I mounted up and started on my way at a fast trot. Gradually I let him slip into a canter. Both he and I needed a fast run, he was lacking energy and I needed to clear my head or think about something else. I would be too busy trying to stay on rather than concerning myself with my worries. Rain slashed at my face and left small scratches on my cheeks. A solitary tear slid down from my eye. Distracting myself wasn't going to work and I was going to cry, again.

After running for a long time my horse decided to slow down; then he stopped. After standing for a couple minutes, he began to eat grass on the side of the road. I'm not sure how long I just sat there, could very well have been hours. I kept replaying the scene in my life that had caused me to hate the rain so much. Over and over again I watched, helpless to my own memories.

A few years back, I met a man. He was kind, gentle, loving, and all together nice. We spent many happy months in the temple together, sharing each other's presence. I met him around the same time my master became terminally ill. None of the healers in the temple could diagnose the problem, or even begin to come up with antidote. He helped me through that rough spot better than I could have gotten on by myself. Just days after my master recovered, he went out for a day. When he returned, he invited me to a candle lit dinner at his place. I had willingly obliged. Ten minutes into the meal he began some speech about how little time we really had on this earth and how a happy couple like ourselves should spend forever together. Then, he began to choke on something. He convulsed, and stopped breathing, all while I stood there, unable to move. Once he died his body turned to ash, and only one thing was left behind.

At this moment I pulled a small gold ring suspended from a chain that was clasped around my neck and grasped it tightly.

All that was left behind was a small black box, inside was the ring. The doctors checked for a way of death, but since only ashes remained the only thing they could come up with was that he had been poisoned. I spent every wakening hour of my life from then on searching of his killer, and every sleeping hour being tormented by his death. Yet when I found the killer I was quite surprised. He was an old friend of mine. One of the few who run away when I told them I was a demon. He apparently spent years stalking me. Once I fell in love with my boy he spent a long time finding a way to kill him and end my happiness. Some people hated demons even before they had began to turn evil. I did kill him, but it didn't make anything feel any better.

I remember it was raining that night. The rain had usually helped ease my worrying and tended washed away any of my fears or doubts. It rained for days, and all I did was sit there, hoping that if I spent enough time in the rain, my sorrows would be washed down the river. Of cores, it didn't work. I have blamed the rain ever since.

Then I heard a far off sound. The sound sounded like hooves pounding against the wet road. As they got closer I could discern four horses; three of which were trotting, and a smaller one that was cantering to keep up. I just sat there and hoped they would pass me up and continue on their way. Of cores they didn't. Each horse slowed and then stopped once they reached me. We stood there in the rain as seconds ticked by. Twenty…twenty-one…twenty-two…

"Look, I don't really care what you think, I only came along because they dragged be along." Sanzo said.

"Oh Sanzo." Hakki said.

I looked at him through the rain. His facile expressing didn't change from his usual brooding expression as I looked at him. Perhaps the rain had washed away the tears or he had too cold a heart to care if I was in a poor mood.

"Boy, how kind of you to join us." I spat.

I was still very angry at Sanzo. He had no right to be so stuck up. He was one of those men who either need to get laid, or get a cat. We continued to stand in the rain and get wet for another long moment.

"Common you guys let's go!" Goku was becoming impatient.

He attempted to get his horse to move, but with no effect. The pony wouldn't leave until the rest had started to come along. I rolled my eyes at the stubborn beast and started off first. The path we were walking on was large enough for all of us to walk side by side on. As we wlaked Gojyo tried to lighten the mood with a little small talk.

"So Hakki, you have your power limiter on you ears, and Goku's is on his head, am I right?"

"Um, yes, your right."

"And since the two of you are demons you need to wear them to keep common sense, right?"

"Where are you going with this Gojyo?"

"Why doesn't Akimoto have a power limiter?"

"Are you asking me or Hakki."

I was still too pissed to care if I were being offensive. Gojyo went silent, waiting for an answer. I sighed and pulled the golden ring out from under my shirt.

"That's…really small." Gojyo said, a little surprised.

"As compared to Goku's I suppose, but it still works the same and doesn't get in the way nor is it too heavy and bothersome."

"That makes sense."

I offered no further information as we walked along, so Gojyo was stuck with talking with Hakki and Goku. Sanzo also seemed unwilling to speak. Once we reached the hotel, the rest of the night seemed to be strained and uncomfortable. When we went to bed I was still upset at Sanzo and he was still annoyed at me.

Chapter Three:

The next mourning the sun rose over a small peaceful town. The first rays of sunlight glittered in the river flowing east across the town. Water turbines rolled into motion as workers started their mourning chores. Shops began to open and neighbors waived to each other through open windows. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted down the streets. In the barns, soft whickering of the unfed horses raced through the barn every time a load of fresh hay was wheeled in through the door. Loud munching came through stall doors of the horses that had already been fed. Five rental stalls that had been occupied just the night before had already been cleaned out and vacated.

Riding through the forest was our band of adventures. Before the sun had risen the five had decided to leave. The four boys needed to learn how to ride. I had decided to give them a crash course. Crash courses were near impossible when it came horses, but they can learn on the way, too. The forest and near by fields were perfect for jumping and running lessons.

I decided to start with jumping.

"Alright, you four need to learn how to ride. If we're going to make it on time for the show down with Gyumaoh then we need to move a little faster. We'll start with jumping."

"Ok?" Gojyo sounded hesitant.

"Don't worry. Falling off is a lot less painful than getting hurt in a battle."

I said this on purpose because I knew that none of them had ever been seriously harmed in any battle. Except Sanzo, he had nearly been killed at least three times.

"How do we start?" asked Goku, completely unconcerned.

"The first thing you want to remember is that the horse is doing the jumping not you. Don't try to fly out of your seat when your horse goes over a log. Second, you want to stay crouched over the horn with your hand extended over his neck. Like this."

I leaned over the saddle horn and reached my left hand up over his neck as if I were reaching for his ears. My horse picked up his ears, anticipating today's events.

"Here, I'll demonstrate."

I moved away from the log that I had been standing by and pulled my horse to a stop. Then I started at a fast trot. Flowing through the motions expertly I jumped over the log. Somehow I had found a place that had a set of logs all in a circle. I completed a set of five jumps and trotted back to the group. Goku was rearing to start, almost literally. As he practiced the que to jump that I had just taught them and his pony reared up slightly. I let him go first. That pony needed some exercise.

He and his pony flew over every jump with ease. The rider was a little sloppy, but the pony didn't seem to care. They went around twice before they got board and moved on. As they trotted back to the group I could see each of them smile. Horses can't smile, but figuratively.

"Very good. She sure seemed to be enjoying herself."

"She?"

"Yes, your horse is a girl. So is Gojyo's"

"How can you tell?"

"I have my ways."

"Common, tell me."

"Gojyo, it's your turn." I said, ignoring Goku.

"Don't think for a minute that the monkey can do better than me." he stated.

"I'd like to see you try." retorted Goku.

"If this is a competition, than I wish you luck." I said.

"What, no confidence."

Gojyo looked at me teasingly. Then he went up to the jump and started, chin held high. He walked his horse up to the first log and he stepped over. Goku laughed and Gojyo began to kick his horse frustratedly. Instinctively his horse started cantering. When Gojyo crouched over the horn his horse flew over the jump. A blue jay spread its wings and jumped into flight, startled by the sudden appearance of the horse and his rider. Gojyo's horse bolted into the trees. I ran after him. This was a horse that could jump and race. We crashed around in the trees, going over logs and careening around stumps. Each moment I got a little closer to the panicking horse. We passed a tight turn around some rocks and his cinch snapped clean off.

"Gojyo," I yelled. "Grab the mane!"

"Won't I hurt him?"

"No just grab the mane!"

He seemed hesitant, but once the saddle slipped out from under him, he did as I instructed. Miraculously Gojyo stayed on the horses back. After ten minutes more of running around his horse powered down and I was able to grab the reins. My horse stopped quickly and forced Gojyo's horse to spin around so fast he almost landed on his side. Still, Gojyo was on, looking a little shaken, but none the worse for wear.

"Good job." I panted, "You stayed on. That's better than I did first time my horse took off."

He just sat there, shaking, eyes wide.

"Let's head back to the others."

Dismounting I led the horses back through the labyrinth of trees to where the others were standing. They were having a conversation, each looking around worriedly about for signs of us.

"Gojyo!" Hakki exclaimed.

He trotted over to Gojyo and grabbed his hand. At this point I averted my eyes. I handed the reins to Hakki and walked over to a stump. Remounting I caught Sanzo watching me.

"The horse spooked. They do that at their own shadow, sometimes." was all the enlightenment I could offer.

"Is this really wise."

"Better here and now then later in an unfamiliar place."

"mmmm."

We took a breather for a couple of minutes. Once the shock was over I decided Hakki should go next. Hakki's horse could not be convinced to actually jump over any of the logs. Fortunately this gave Hakki the chance to practice the movements. I told Hakki to go around a few more times while I tried to get Gojyo back on his horse. We tied his horse to a tree so that he couldn't move. After Hakki had gone around the cores almost seven more times I was finally confidant enough to let Gojyo just sit there his horse who was tied to a tree. I was most concerned for Sanzo at this point. He was riding the second youngest horse in our group. The horse was well trained, but there was a certain lack of experience that could very well cause problems.

"Do you need me to show you how to jump again?"

"I should be fine. It's just like you said. The horse is jumping, not me."

"Alright then let's get started."

He trotted his horse confidentially up to the jump. Over, over, over. Each time he successfully went over the jump. He was nearing the last jump in the set and his horse shyed away from the log. The movement was so sudden that he crashed into the log as his horse went around.

"Sanzo!" Goku shouted.

Goku cascaded off his horse and ran over to Sanzo's limp body.

"I'm alright." He groned

His horse continued to thunder around the perimeter of the jumps. I stood my horse in front of Sanzo so that he wouldn't be run over. Standing up slowly, Sanzo tested his strength. He used the jump as a support before trusting his legs. Sure enough his right leg gave way under his weight and he grabbed at Goku's shoulder for support. This day seemed to be getting worse and worse.

As the runaway horse circled again I grabbed at the reins. I caught the animal and tied him next to Gojyo. At least Gojyo was more relaxed on his horse.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Sanzo got dumped, literally." As if on que Sanzo limped over to the group, supporting himself with Goku's shoulder. Sitting himself down on a dry patch of dirt he said:

"Could this day get any worse?"

"I think we've run out on getting worse and are on to the end of the world part."

Gojyo caught the joke and gave a snicker. Hakki smiled.

"Sanzo, what's wrong, why can't you walk." Goku asked, oblivious to any humor that may or may not be funny at all.

Sanzo looked at me for answers.

"Is your leg broken?"

"I'm not sure. How could I tell?"

"If you can't fell anything in your leg, like if it's all numb, then it's broken. If you can feel pain then you're just bruised."

"Sanzo, which is it." Goku was getting frantic.

"Not sure," Goku punched him on his right leg. "Ow! What did you do that for you stupid monkey!"

"Well that's a relief."

Everyone laughed and Sanzo looked embarrassed. Somehow his horse had managed to untie himself and now walked over and shoved his nose in Sanzo's face.

"Look Sanzo, your horse is sorry."

Everyone laughed harder than before and Sanzo rubbed the muzzle of his beast awkwardly.

At this point we took a lunch break. Goku finished early, he road his pony to a nearby stream. First they just jumped over it, and then they found a wider and deeper part and went swimming. The rest of us sat there and watched. Gojyo pulled out a deck of cards and we stared up a game.

Time passed leisurely on. Somehow we had found peace in this moment. Birds danced, the sun shone, and all worries and doubts just faded away. After lunch we progressed to the fields. They got the hang of running pretty fast. Soon enough we were playing four corners and capture the flag and tag and any other running game we could think of. We played around until dark. By then everyone was panting and laughing. We pitched tents and started a campfire.

Once I had thought the boys had fallen asleep I pulled out my guitar. I had been able to fool them so far that in the case all I was carrying were extra provisions. Their reaction would be unpredictable if I had told them that could play. I'm not sure why I couldn't tell them about my playing, but it didn't feel right. Something about them told me that they wouldn't appreciate the music. Starting up the guitar I began to pluck out the first few notes to one of my favorite songs. The music flowed on and I picked up the vocal track. Once the song had ended I looked up, now conscientious of a pair violet of eyes staring at me. Sanzo was watching me from the entrance to his tent.

"That was good."

"I used to be the songstress for my temple."

"We had a songstress. She had a dull voice."

"Master Sanzo always said I had a good voice."

"What was he like?"

"Kind, he saved me from an abusive uncle when I was just a babe."

"Like my master."

"It was different. The only reason that my master kept me was because of my eyes."

"Your eyes?"

"Yes. He says that the first demon Sanzo had the same color eyes as me."

"So you were no more then good publicity for the temple."

"Sort of. I got all the same training as the other sanzos in history. I still felt used once in a while."

"Play me another song." Sanzo said, getting tired of the topic of conversation.

He limped over and sat down next to me. I thought for a moment strumming randomly. Them I picked up another song. We spent almost all night talking and playing songs. Eventually we leaned back and watched the stars. Each small dot of light twinkled above in the black sky. A cool breeze swept across the grass and blew over us. The night air smelled of fresh wild flowers and the moon light highlighted his face just right. Without realizing it we shared one of the most intimate, but non sexual moments that lovers can share. We lay still and silent, watching time pass, enjoying a minute in time.