AN: Hi, so this chapter is going to have some fighting and some blood so beware : )

Chapter 4

Their group had left the village a few hours ago. Goku was in an odd state of silence as he stared at the passing scenery. Sanzo simply stared straight ahead. Hakkai and Gojyo decided to just leave it be, afraid that pushing on the subject would only make it worse.

The sky was clear and the breeze gentle and soothing. Hakkai remembered it was a day much like this when they had pulled over to rest after driving through the night when Goku had fallen asleep under a tree. He and Gojyo both thought Sanzo was going to take out his paper fan on the unexpecting boy, but instead he actually cracked a smile smile before quickly resuming his emotionless expression. He sat down next to the napping boy taking a nap of his own.

That day had been an eye opener for both Hakkai and Gojyo. It was obvious Sanzo cared deeply for the young boy. Hakkai knew why it was hard for him to except the fact but his current actions were ridiculous.

Sanzo gritted his teeth as Goku sighed for the twentieth time. "Stop sighing damn it! It's annoying."

Goku winced a little at Sanzo's cold tone and his emphasis on annoying. He quickly stopped and started to tap his finger on his knee. He vowed he would try his best to not annoy Sanzo as much anymore. If it means he can stay with his sun, he'll do anything.

Gojyo threw his hands in the air. "Ok seriously, someone talk. This is driving me crazy."

"The quiet is strange, that's for sure," Hakkai agreed his smile taking its place on his face.

"Personally, I'm finding the peace and quiet refreshing," Sanzo said.

Goku's eyes suddenly widened as he stood up in his seat. He sniffed the air nervously.

"Goku? What's wrong?" Hakkai asked. He knew the young demon's senses were much more advanced than their own, his sense of smell especially. Goku's nose could rival that of a bloodhound.

"Stop the jeep!" Goku called. "Kougaiji's up ahead!"

Hakkai slammed on the breaks. Once the jeep skidded to a halt they all jumped out to face Kougaiji and his men.

"Long time no see Sanzo," Kougaiji smirked as he stepped in front of his men. He had a group of about 50 or so demons. "You know the drill. Hand over the scripture."

"Ha!" Goku laughed. "As if he'd listen to anything you say!"

Kougaiji narrowed his eyes on Goku. "I think you and I have a score to settle." The two suddenly darted at each other is a furry of punches and kicks.

Hakkai and the others moved to help their younger companion, but found their path quickly blocked by the other demons.

"Damn it all!" Sanzo pulled out his banishing gun quickly taking out three of the demons. He look to his right to see Hakkai fighting of several of the other demons. To his left Gojyo was in a similar situation.

"Shit, these things are endless!" Sanzo cursed as he shot another three demons and started to quickly reload his gun.

As he reloaded he didn't notice the demon coming at him from the side. Sanzo tried to side step it but he wasn't fast enough and the demon grazed his side with its claws making the man choke back a cry. He quickly finished loading and shot the demon.

The priest stumbled back holding his side. It wasn't life threatening, but it hurt like hell. He looked around for Goku but couldn't see the little brat anywhere. "Damn it, Goku."

A sudden scream cause everyone to pause and turn toward the source. Next to a large boulder on the side of the road stood Kougaiji holding Goku's limp body up by the hair. His clothes were all torn and his body was covered in cuts and bruises, but what had made him scream was most like his bloody and broken arm. The bone could be seen coming out of his skin.

****

Goku swung at Kougaiji but couldn't seem to land any hits. Kougaiji only smirked and continued to easily dodge Goku's oncoming attacks.

"What's the problem Goku? You seem distracted by something."

Goku narrowed his eyes and managed to land a right hook sending Kougaiji flying back a few feet. "I don't know what you're talking about. It seems I'm doing just fine."

Goku used the temporary break in fighting to try and locate Sanzo. He looked around trying to see the blond but had no such luck. He turned to face Kougaiji again but found he was missing.

"Shit!" Goku looked around but couldn't find his opponent.

"Over here Goku." Kougaiji called from behind him. Just as Goku turned he slammed his knee into the young boy's gut making him fall to his knees.

"You are distracted. What? Worried about your monk?" Kougaiji asked in a teasing tone. "Keep this up and you'll just cause them trouble."

Goku tensed. He could feel his anger growing. What did this guy know?

Goku lunged at Kougaiji, his anger taking over. He swung over and over again continuing to miss. "Fight back already!"

Kougaiji smiled. "Alright." He suddenly disappeared before reappearing in front of Goku punching him hard in the face.

The young boy flew back several feet before stopping but Kougaiji was instantly on him continuing his assault. Goku barely had time to think between the punches. He could taste blood in his mouth.

Goku was started to faded in and out of consciousness. When he felt Kougaiji's boot slammed into his gut he was about to black out but was quickly brought back by a sickening cracking sound followed by an intense pain in his right arm.

He screamed at the intense pain. It shot through his arm and up to his shoulder. He was about to fall to the ground but was stopped when Kougaiji grabbed his hair keeping him up.

Goku didn't have the strength to fight back and the pain in his arm kept him from moving around too much. He struggled to keep his eyes open as the fighting all seemed to come to a stop. He could see his companions standing in front of them now.

****

"Goku!" Hakkai and Gojyo both called together, moving to assist their friend.

"Stop!" Kougaiji commanded as he gave Goku's hair a tug making the boy wince. "Or else."

They stopped their glares both focused on the enemy. Sanzo slowly joined his friends his eyes never leaving Goku. His eyes were just barely open. Sanzo lifted his gun pointing it at Kougaiji.

"Let. Him. Go." Each word seemed to come with more venom then the last.

Kougaiji put his razor sharp claws to Goku's neck. "I don't think I will." He pressed his claws into Goku's skin drawing a few drops of blood. "Better be careful, my claws have been dipped in a deadly poison Sanzo."

The blond tensed and thought for a moment before slowly lowering his gun. "You want the scripture? Fine! Take the damn thing!" Sanzo moved forward and held out the scripture.

Kougaiji smirked. "That was easier said then done. How does it feel to be the weak link in the group Goku?"

Goku glared and tried to to pull free but the pain in his body was just too much. He winced as Kougaiji dragged him over to meet with Sanzo. They were just about to reach him when Kougaiji leaned down and whispered into Goku's ear.

"Take a good look at your precious priest because it'll be the last time you see him as anything other than a corpse."

Goku felt his blood run cold. He planned to kill Sanzo!

Kougaiji and Goku now stood before Sanzo. Sanzo held out the scripture to his friend's captor.

'No!' Goku thought to himself. 'I don't want to be the shackle to Sanzo! I don't want to be a burden!"

Kougaiji lifted his hand and Hakkai instantly knew what was about to happen. "Sanzo!"

Sanzo realized to late he saw the claws coming for him and closed his eyes prepared to feel the stabbing of the claws. But instead felt someone fall, bumping into his body. When he opened his eyes he saw Goku standing between him and Kougaiji his arms outstretched protectively

Kougaiji's claws were embedded in Goku's abdomen. Goku coughed, blood seeping out of his mouth and down his chin.

"L-Looks like y-you've lost again... Kougaiji..." Goku fell back into Sanzo who quickly wrapped his arms around the wounded boy. Blood soaking the front of his body now.

Hakkai and Gojyo both used the moment to attack Kougaiji who quickly retreated. He was already weakened from his fight with Goku and he was in no state to fight these two.

Jumping back Kougaiji whistled, summoning his flying dragon. He quickly mounted the creature before looking back.

"I may not have been able to get the scripture today, but I have claimed the life of one of your friends! Until next time, Sanzo." The dragon quickly took off flying his master to safety.

Hakkai and Gojyo quickly turned to their friends. Sanzo sat in a daze holding Goku who seemed to be barely holding onto consciousness.

Goku managed a smile at Sanzo. "L-Looks like I won't b-be an annoyance much longer..." Goku winced as he tried to move his broken arm. He could feel the poison working its way through his body. It made his body burn and ache.

"Don't say that..." Sanzo said just barely audible. "Monkeys can't die without permission."

Goku opened his mouth to say something when he suddenly started coughing violently blood splattering on the ground next to them.

"Goku!" Sanzo tightened his grip on the boy.

"Sanzo," Hakkai placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, "we need to move him somewhere safe so I can tend to his wounds."

Sanzo nodded. They all knew they weren't close enough to any town and opted for finding a small cave a little ways off the path. They laid Goku down making up a bed out clothing.

"Put this in Goku's mouth," Hakkai said as he handed Sanzo a rag. Sanzo nodded knowing what Hakkai had to do before they could do anything else.

He placed the rag in Goku's mouth. It was to prevent him from biting his tongue when Hakkai realigned his broken arm so it would heal properly. Hakkai grabbed the broken arm.

"Ok, one, two, three!" He snapped the bone into place. Goku's scream was muffled by the rag. When he calmed down Sanzo removed the rag. Goku's forehead was covered in sweat.

Hakkai quickly began to heal some of his other wounds using his chii. He was unable to cure the poison inside the young boy's body. He had never felt more useless.