"The more precious things you have, the more it's worth losing." Saiyuki vol. 3

Gojyo walked up to the girl's traditional style house in awe. It was more like a mansion, or palace. Walking up, there was the main house, where the family lived he supposed,and served meals. Then there was the guest house, off to the right. There was a little pathway up to the main house, from what he could tell in the dark. He still had his arms draped over the young girl, and was chatting idly with her.

"Well," The girl stammered. "My name is Mina. I live with my master in the main house. " Gojyo stared at Mina in suprise. "Master?" He almost forgot about Hakkai standing over to the girl's left. "How long have you worked under him?"

"Since I was born. I was abandonded so he saved me, and I've pledged to work for him. He also made me these youkai power limiters." Gojyo nodded. 'So that's how she hasn't gone crazy yet.' They entered the main house with only a few candles lit. "Oh!" Mina stated."He must have gone to sleep. Here are a few blankets for your rooms." Gojyo smiled at her. "So... which ways your room?" Hakkai laughed at the girl's face. "Haha, He's just kidding. We'll be on our way now." The girl smiled and waved as they headed towards the guest house.

"Ahh... this is great, right Hakkai?" Gojyo flashed a bright smile. Hakkai smiled back as they entered. Their rooms were on parralel sides of the house, on oposite ends. In the middle was the kitchen and sitting room. Gojyo and Hakkai sat there for a few minutes before deciding to go to bed. "Night." Gojyo whispered. He sat in his room until he saw the last candle blow out, signifying Hakkai was asleep. He licked his lips. "Now then, time to find that hottie" He took out a cig and put on his jacket, then headed towards the main house.

As he was leaving however, the strangest thing happened. It seemed like the house had enlongated, and he couldn't see outside of the windows. He decided to wander into the sitting room, only to see it looked like the house he stayed at with his half-brother and step-mother. Gojyo's heart almost stopped as he saw her, the mother who's love he always craved. "Gojyo..." The form called to him, waving him to her. Gojyo couldn't stop the tears forming in his eyes as he saw her beckoning him, a smile on her face. "Mother..." he rasped out as he ran over and wrapped himself in her arms. He stayed like that for a moment before he heard the hideous laugh form in her throat. Glancing up in question, she pushed him away to stand.

"Hahahaha. You fool! I hate you! You are nothing, most of all you will never be my child! I will never love you!" The woman said in a wail. As she came over to him fist outstretched, he felt just like a child. Just as she was going to strike him, he woke up, drenched in sweat on his bed. It looked to be around seven o clock the next morning. "Shit."Gojyo muttered, not even bothering to get out of bed as he lit a cigerette and ttried to stop the pounding in his heart.

"Ahahahaha" The man laughed in the shadows. "Welcome to my humble abode, Sha Gojyo and Cho Hakkai of the Sanzo party." The man's tight face pinched as he pushed his glasses back up his nose.

"Mina, don't let them go anywhere today. Stall them as long as you can, at least until tomorrow's nightfall." Mina bore a hole into the floor as he spoke to her. "Yes, master." The man stared at her. "Good. Ahahahahaha."

Hakkai woke up around five in the morning to Gojyo screaming. 'What the hell?' Although he didn't know what's going on, He knew he would have to wait until Gojyo to get up to talk to him about it. So he pulled his blanket over his head as the groans and yells continued.

"Sanzo! Where are Hakkai and Gojyo!? They should be here by now." Goku whined. "Shut up, we'll go ask around later." Sanzo stated.
As they headed out the door, Sanzo noticed the jeep, or Hakuryuu, was gone as well. 'Hmm.' He thought. 'There are no tire tracks, so they didn't drive anywhere. What is going on?'