Hakkai wrapped the banishing gun in a handkerchief and took it to a small temple in town and asked a monk to return the "lost item" to Sanzo as soon as possible. Pleased to have an excuse to talk to "Sanzo-sama", the monk was more than happy to comply without asking questions. With that done, Hakkai went back to the market to gather some food.

Knowing it would be too dangerous to show his face once Sanzo returns; he went straight to gamble and quickly got the money needed to buy food. He apologized in his mind to the poor stunned fellows because he went all out on them despite knowing that they were no match to his skills.

Not daring to get too near the house, Hakkai found a spot on a tall tree in full leaf a bit far away from Gojyo's house and waited for Sanzo and Goku to appear. Since he wasn't sure what difference he had caused by returning to this timeline, he is determined to see through everything to make sure the history wasn't changed too much.

He has a mix feeling about seeing Sanzo and Goku again. He was thinking of revealing himself after they see Gonou. They might hear him out if he plays it nice, and he really needs Sanzo's help to get back to his own timeline.

Night came faster than he thought, but as youkai, his night vision gave him the advantage. He has a gut feeling that Gonou is going to leave the house tonight, and judging from the figure showing up from the end of the road, he knew he was right.

Sanzo walked with his usual stride and grim face, and the unusual rustling sounds of the tress indicate that Goku is there as well.

He saw how Sanzo and Gojyo start fighting after Gojyo refuse to hand Gonou over, and a small smile tug at his lips. They rarely get into serious physical fights these days, so seeing them wrestle each other is quite refreshing.

Gonou poke his head out worriedly after Sanzo fired his gun. Sanzo quickly turned the gun towards Gonou, but instead of saying his name, he frowned and stared at Gonou silently before he was disarmed and pinned down by Gojyo.

Seeing Gonou was about to escape, Sanzo called Goku out. Goku was not smiling this time, he just stared puzzledly at Gonou as he looked up and down Gonou like he was trying to figure out something before finally asking "You sure it's him, Sanzo? He looks rather different than a few days ago…..whatever, I'll just have to defeat him, right?"

Hakkai felt a cold sweat rolling down his brow, the history has already changed a bit, and it didn't bode well at all.

Goku attacked with full force, Gonou blocked the attack but the pained expression told others how painful it was. Goku's next kick sent Gonou flying to wall with a huge bang, and Hakkai couldn't help but winced. Goku seemed rather serious this time, and Hakkai feared that Gonou wouldn't be able to get away this time around.

He was beginning to think he probably needs to help Gonou out of this; he has every intention to help Gonou get back to Hyakugan Maou's castle even though he knew it would only be in vain. That one last request is currently the only thing keeping Gonou from falling apart.

But luckily, Sanzo's gun was within arm's reach, and Gonou took hold of it and pointed it straight at Goku, begging them to give him more time.

Hakkai felt a nostalgic sadness well up inside him because he knew how Gonou would be devastated after seeing what happened to the castle. But the next second, his whole body went rigid.

An eerie laughter and voice broke the tension, "That wouldn't do, Cho Gonou, I still need you to assist my plan."

A youkai in blue robes came out from the woods, his blue hair and narrow eyes seem so disgustingly familiar but Hakkai couldn't pin-point why. He never broods when facing enemies because he has a bad habit to freeze up about a second when he is thinking, and such behavior may very well cause him his own life in battles. But one thing he knew is that any youkai who knows his old name is never on his side.

"Good evening." the youkai greeted with a sick sweet tone of politeness and smiled a smile that makes Hakkai itching to punch that face "It seems like my timing is perfect."

Ignoring their stares, the youkai fixed his eyes on Gonou, the malice in his eyes sent shivers down his spine.

"Who the hell are you?" Obviously sensing the unfriendliness coming from the youkai, Sanzo stared coldly at the youkai and asked in a steely voice after kicking Gojyo off.

"My name is meaningless to you so don't bother." The youkai gave an up-to-no-good smile "I have something I want, and I have this brilliant idea to achieve my goal."

The youkai's power suddenly rose in an alarming speed, while everyone tensed up and prepared for battle; the youkai locked his eyes with Gonou's as the slit youkai eyes glowed with ominously.

Gonou's eyes widen, and suddenly let out a horrible scream. The gun slipped from his hands and he fell and clutched his head.

"What the fuck did you do!?" Gojyo hurried to Gonou's side and glared daggers at the blue-haired youkai, his whole boy tense and on guard.

The youkai laughed at the question "I've was always been thinking how to revive my clan after it had been wiped out by a mere human. When Gyokumen Koushu offered a handsome bounty for the sutra, I knew it was my chance. That cursed murderer owns us that much, don't you think so?"

"No….no….stop it…" Gonou was thrashing around as he held his head, trying to fight something but was obviously failing. Before they could do anything, he had stop moving.

The only one who was not even more on guard was the blue-haired youkai. But Gojyo had apparently not seen it coming when Gonou suddenly smacked him and sent him crashing into a nearby tree.

The youkai's laughter filled the clearing as he stood next to Gonou and grabbed his arm to yank him up. "Finally!…It certainly took longer than I had thought."

Gonou did not resist as he was dragged up, green eyes blank as glass. Blood was seeping from the wound on his abdomen but he showed no sign that he felt any pain. He merely stood there like a motionless doll

"Damaged before being used, what a trash." The youkai frown as he noticed the wound. "Guess I'll just have to make the most of it then." Rustling sounds came from all around them, and soon they found themselves surrounded by countless centipedes. The youkai chuckled as he looked at their disgusted faces, his fingers trailing along Gonou's neck in almost a loving touch. But then with a swift move of fingers, he ripped the three silver cuffs off Gonou's left ear.

Gonou's body jolted as vines began to wrap around his body, ears lengthen until they were slender and pointy, finger nails and teeth sharpen into claws and fangs. The now heretic golden youkai eyes stared blankly back at them. But unlike Goku's clear golden eyes, the amber of Gonous's eyes were dead with darkness lurking behind it.

But the youkai energy emitting from his body is what made Sanzo, Goku and Gojyo tense. The power the youkai released was nothing compared to Gonou's, the enormous energy was almost palpable as it raged and swirled around in thick waves that almost made it hard to breathe.

"Let the show begin." The youkai announced gleefully as Gonou raised one of his deadly claws.

-tbc-

still looking for beta-readers, please contact me if you are willing.