"Shangri-la: a place where people and demons, along with science and magic, have established coexistence; a chaotic world. However, that state has ceased to be. The experiments to resurrect the great demon, Gyuumaou, who was slain 500 years ago, have created a negative aura. Influenced by this negative aura, demons have lost control over themselves and have gone berserk. This mysterious and abnormal change in circumstances-"

"Hey, hey. What the hell are you explaining things for now?"

"Thus, a group of five youths have been compelled to journey westward, to India, in order to stop the suspected cause of this effect that the experiments to revive Gyuumaou will have, and reestablish peace in the world."

"For the sake of the world? That's definitely a new development. You don't need to attribute arbitrary reasons for that. Now, are you ready, punks?"

"The Scripture . . . ? If you want it, you can have it . . . "

"What?"

"Hey!"

"What are you doing, Sanzo?"

"Tori! Wait! Stop!"

"That demon steals people's painful memories. And, it's possible that they become so relaxed after their painful memories are taken from them that they want to stay with that demon."

"SANZO!"

Chapter 06: Recapture

Kougaiji's POV

Lirin, Dokugakuji, and Yaone have all gone missing suddenly. First it began with Lirin running off on her own again after the Sanzo Party, then Dokugakuji and Yaone went after her. I've been waiting for them, but it's taking them too long for such a simple and easy task. My dragon and I fly through the dry land in search of our friends. Explosions are heard suddenly to my left and I turn my head. A small village is surrounded by a wall, but also a barrier of some kind. My attention is focused on the explosions.

"That's Yaone's . . . "

Goku's POV

Yaone throws more of those explosions at the barrier, but nothing's working! I'll never get Sanzo and the others back at this rate!

"It's no use after all," she says softly. I grind my teeth and grab my nyoi-bou tightly in my hand.

"I'm going to break it no matter what!" I shout as I twirl my nyoi-bou between my fingers, then hold it tightly again.

"What are you going to be able to do with that stick?" Lirin asks.

"It's about effort!"

"Effort, huh? If it's effort, then I'm . . . "

Lirin gives a wide grin and balls her hands into tight fists. Dokugakuji sees this and immediately steps in.

"Wait, wait . . . I understand how you feel, but . . . "

"What are you guys doing?"

The four of us turn around to the new and familiar voice and see Kougaiji walk up to us.

"Kougaiji!"

"Onii-chan!"

"Kougaiji-sama."

Kougaiji glances at the village's barrier and studies it for a second or two, then he turns his focus on us.

"What happened?"

Suika's POV

Finally I've made that brat leave my village along with his other unexpected friends. Everything is peaceful once more. As I make tea for my three guests, I think of the woman that didn't come back. I'm glad she has not returned—the anger towards her loved one made her go away. The only woman allowed in this village is me.

One-by-one I set the cups of tea down in front of each of my guests. Somehow they seem different from the other men. The others are so lively and happy without their memories of their pasts, but I have never seen such apathetic men before. I begin with the redheaded man and move my hand to his shoulder and touch my cheek to his, but he turns his head away. I frown softly and stand straight next to him, then smile again.

"All of the painful memories that you have; I am putting them to sleep."

"I see . . . " he says.

"If you stay here, you'll be able to experience eternal peace. You understand, right?"

"This is a good place . . . " the brunette answers. I smile and walk to the blonde man.

"That's right, you should stay here forever . . . by my side." I tell him, but I'm given no reply. I try to give him the affectionate gestures I tried on the redheaded man, but the blonde turns away, as well; he won't allow me to touch him. I frown and look over the three of them, they all seem to have their thoughts somewhere else, or perhaps on someone else . . . I turn my attention to the brunette man and walk over to him. A small dragon on his shoulder is watching me closely, but I pay it no mind. I reach out my hand to touch the man's cheek, then suddenly the dragon attacks me!

Goku's POV

"A peaceful little village where the villagers live with a demon who steals their painful memories," Kougaiji says to himself after hearing my story of what happened. "I've heard about this as well."

"What is it?" Yaone asks.

"No, I might be thinking of something else. But besides that, if we don't hurry and get their memories back, they won't be able to turn back to normal," Kougaiji explains. He walks up to the barrier and places his hand on it, "It's a rare type of barrier. Do you know how it was built?"

"I'm pretty sure it was a spell, but she was singing," Dokugakuji answers.

"I see. So it's sound."

Kougaiji takes a few steps back from the sound barrier and holds his hand out to it.

"I'm going to break through it with my summoning demon."

"Amazing, Onii-chan!" Lirin cheers. She, Yaone, and Dokugakuji move away from Kougaiji, but I stay in my position and stare at him.

"Why . . . "

"You want to ask me why I'm not taking the Scripture? I must admit, this is a very opportune moment."

Kougaiji does have the perfect opportune moment to take the Scripture from me, especially since it's four-to-one, but instead he's doing something like this and helping me get my friends back. I smile wide and say, "I owe you one!" Then I retreat back to the other three away from Kougaiji.

"Keep your ears covered!" he tells us and begins to chant. We stand far back and watch as a red aura lines his body. The wind stirs around him and a ball of fiery colors grows between his hands. Kougaiji raises his hands in the air and the ball shines brightly, then transforms into a large fiery bird at the ending chant 'Eichouma!' The bird stretches its wings wide and swoops through the village, easily passing the sound barrier and burning down anything in its path. When it gets to the mansion it disappears, leaving the front half of the village burned, the sound barrier gone, and the mansion in one clean piece.

Suika's POV

The dragon's claws are trying to scratch at my face, but I'm making sure it does not get anywhere close to my beautiful skin. Unfortunately, one claw scratches my hand.

"Ouch! Why you . . . "

Finally I grab the dragon by its long neck and it cannot hurt me anymore. The dragon looks at the brunette man for help, but he doesn't move.

"Leave this room, at once!" I yell at it as I walk to the door. I throw it out of the room and against the wall, then I quickly close the door before it can recover and fly back inside. It tries to scratch its way through, then it gives up and I'm assuming it's flying away. I fix my hair as I return to my guests.

"Are you alright?" the brunette asks me. I look at him and smile as if nothing had happened.

"I'm fine, thank you."

A rumble is suddenly heard and my mansion trembles with the force. I'm caught off-guard for a second and almost lose my balance, but I catch myself. As soon as I recompose my position, I realize what just happened.

Goku's POV

"Alright!" Lirin cheers happily. I smile big and rush into the village.

"Sanzo!" I call out. There's a rustle among the destroyed homes and I skid to a stop. Slowly the villagers begin to rise from the rubble, but something is off about them; their eyes are consumed in red and their skin is chipping off, revealing a bluish-purple color underneath.

"Apparently, it's not going to be as easy as we thought," Kougaiji comments as the villagers slowly make their way towards us. I feel like I'm at the bug village all over again—there's a bunch of not-human humans coming at me with random shovels and weapons with the intent to kill me!

"Damn it, are they all being controlled?" I ask.

"I'm going to put them to sleep," Yaone says. She gathers green dust of some kind into her hands and throws it out over the villagers, but not one of them slow or fall like the bug-people did.

"It's not working . . . " she says softly.

"Just as I thought: Even though they appear to be human, they aren't," Kougaiji says.

"What do you mean by that?" I ask.

"The story about the demon Yaone was talking about is from over a hundred years ago. Apparently, all of the villagers' bodies are dead."

Suika's POV

"If you continue to live here, you will be able to live in peace. I won't be lonely, either. Let's stay together forever . . . "

"Yes . . . "

"I'll make delicious foods every day, do the laundry, and at night I'll sing you a song."

"And that's going to continue forever . . . ?"

"Yes, forever. For eternity."

Goku's POV

"Outta my way!" I scream. There's so many of them and it's hard to fight them all off! I've kicked some, I've hit some with my nyoi-bou; they just get back up! It's so annoying! The others are having a hard time, too. Dokugakuji is slashing away at the villagers with his sword, Kougaiji is using fire spells to blast people away, Yaone is hitting them away with her spear, and Lirin is using her fists. A bunch of the villagers surround Yaone, but Lirin comes to her rescue and kicks them all away.

"Thank you very much, Lirin-sama," Yaone thanks.

"No prob, no prob." Lirin replies and shoes a peace sign.

"Don't let your guard down, Lirin." Dokugakuji says. All of the villagers we beat down really hard suddenly get back up like nothing even happened! Agh, they won't go away!

"You're kidding!" Lirin exclaims and we all begin fighting again.

"Damn it!" I cuss. "There's no end to this!"

"Goku," Kougaiji grabs my attention and I look at him, "I'll stop their movements for a brief moment. Use that chance and go."

"What about you guys?" I ask.

"Stop worrying about others and start worrying about yourself. Dokugakuji, keep them occupied for a while."

"Alright."

"On saraba gyaatei gyaatei, on kiri-kiri naumaku samanda basaradanka on. Abiraunken hanasougyaatei boujisowaka. On! Sanmayasato. Ban! Onkaakaa hisan, maeisowaka on sharei reishientei jawa, mei unhatta! Kai! Come forth, Engokuki!"

The Hell Fire Ogre forms out of Kougaiji's palms and engulfs every one of the villagers; their movements becoming momentarily sealed.

"Go!" Kougaiji yells to me.

"Thanks!"

Quickly I run through the villagers and I make it inside the mansion just in time before they all start moving again. I hope those guys will be okay, but I'm sure they will—a couple of dead bodies can't slow them down so easily! I call out for Sanzo and begin running around the mansion. With every door I come across I slam them open and call out, but all I find are weird cocoons that are taller than me. It's like this for the next few doors and I get frustrated easily.

"Damn it, where are they?" I cry out in annoyance. A familiar noise brings me out of my bad mood and I see Hakuryuu flying towards me!

"Hakuryuu!" I smile wide. Hakuryuu leans his head down and tugs on my cape.

"They're that way? Okay, let's go!"

Hakuryuu leads the way and I follow close behind him. We stop at large double doors and I kick them open. Inside are even more cocoons, but there's four standing out in front of the others—I found my friends inside the cocoons.

Meanwhile

Slowly the next town is coming into view. Natsumi is relieved to finally stop after traveling such a distance away from her friends, especially Hakuryuu. As they enter the village and though the phoenix is in motorcycle form, Natsumi can smell the different kinds of scents in the air. There are normal humans walking around normally in the normal village, some heads turning occasionally as she and her owner ride by, but more importantly, everything is normal and nothing more—finally it's a day to relax.

Then suddenly it's all gone; the two have driven through the whole village and are continuing onward. Natsumi tries to stop, but her owner won't allow her to even slow down. The further and further away they get from the village, the more worried Natsumi becomes. Her owner is clearly not alright, and they're moving further and even further away from everyone. Will they ever be normal again . . . ? If not, then . . .

*gunshot* Saiyuki Reload - Love for a Water Sprite

Goku's POV

The first cocoon is Sanzo and Tori, but they look so much younger now; younger than me. They're covered in blood and are holding hands. The next cocoon is Hakkai and he looks like he was when I first met him a few years ago. His hair is a little longer and he's covered in blood too, especially his right eye, but it's covered by his hair. The third cocoon is Gojyo and he looks around the age of Sanzo and Tori in the first cocoon. His short hair is up in a small ponytail and the scars on his left cheek are fresh and open. The fourth cocoon is Tori again, but she looks like how she is now, only in this cocoon she looks very sad and a little angry, even though her eyes are closed like everyone else's. I run to the first cocoon and begin tearing away at the silk.

"What the hell is this? This stupid thing . . . "

As I tear at the cocoon, something happens. Sanzo's and Tori's eyes shoot open and the chakra on Sanzo's forehead glows brightly. He and Tori scream in agony before they disappear, leaving the cocoon empty for a few seconds before it disappears, too.

"They disappeared . . . ? Ah! Could these be the memories she stole from them?" I ask Hakuryuu. He nods at me and flies to Hakkai's cocoon. I run to Gojyo and the two of us began tearing at the cocoons one-by-one.

"Just a little longer, guys!"

Meanwhile

Sanzo sits on his bedside, his eyes down to the floor, his face holding no expression, his mind blank. A soft light appears in front of him. As Sanzo tilts his head up to look, the expressionless face turns to shock and surprise with wide eyes as he sees himself standing in front of him as a kid. Little Sanzo stands there with his head down and his hand holding another transparent hand belonging to little Tori. They lift their heads and look at Sanzo, covered in blood with soft tears streaming down their cheeks. Little Sanzo and little transparent Tori begin to walk towards him, their hands forward. The two disappear inside Sanzo and the monk holds his head, screaming in agony as the memories return.

Crimson eyes stare wide-eyed at a younger pair across from him. Gojyo is facing his little self, miserable and ready to die with blood dripping from the freshly cut cheek. Little Gojyo disappears inside bigger Gojyo and the hanyou holds his head as he screams in agony with the returning memories.

The brunette backs up into the wall of his bedroom, his sea-green eyes staring widely into an empty pair. The broken man before him has lost all reason to live as the blood of his enemies cover him, his own blood dripping down from his right eye. The man disappears inside Hakkai and he crumples to the floor with the overwhelming feeling, screaming in agony as the memories return.

Natsumi is suddenly forced to skid to a stop. She's concerned suddenly, but has hope that maybe her owner wants to turn back around, but a conscious is not what stopped Tori. In front of them Tori is being confronted by three people, two children and a woman. The children are in first in line, one solid and the other transparent. The bloodied twins are holding hands and looking down, then as they look up Tori stares into the violet eyes of her younger self and Sanzo's younger self. Tori tilts her head up a little further to look at the woman across from her, an exact image of herself with nothing different except the obvious depression and anger. Together the three images walk forward with their arms extended. Natsumi is paralyzed in shock as the images disappear inside her owner. Tori holds her head and screams in agony, falling off her motorcycle and curling up on the ground as the painful memories return.

Kougaiji's POV

Yaone throws more bombs at the villagers, but the results are the same as they get back to their feet.

"Considering the fact that she kept controlling them even after they died, could the demon here really have been thinking about their happiness?" she asks.

"There's one more story I've heard about regarding a demon that steals memories," I tell her. "Long ago, there was a demon who lived in a village that fell in love with a human man. The demon could sense that this man was carrying a painful past and was suffering. But, she did not take his memories from him. The man didn't wish for that, and she thought she could heal him with just her love, so they lived on. However, one day, the man took his own life. I don't know if the feeling that remained in the demon's heart was regret or rage against the man, but ever since then, it's said that she steals the painful memories from any person that she meets."

Goku's POV

"I wonder if they're back to normal . . . " I say softly. The four cocoons are completely gone now and only the many cocoons of the villagers remain. Hakuryuu tugs on my cape and turns his head back. Just as I turn around, silky strings shoot out and bind my arms, legs, and stomach. Suika is standing in the doorway, her demonic face gone and replaced with a false gentle face.

"If you had just stayed out of it, I wouldn't have had to do this to you."

"You're the one that should have stayed out of other people's lives!"

Hakuryuu flies quickly toward Suika, but those strings hit him and he falls to the floor.

"Hakuryuu!"

"What a rude brat. Everything I did, I did it wishing the best for everyone," Suika says.

"What you're doing is wrong! Sanzo, Tori, and the others will never be happy like that!"

"Do you think they're still thinking about that now? Now that they've been relieved from their painful pasts and are living so peacefully."

"What do you mean?"

"To allow a sad memory back is a very painful thing. Everyone asks to be relieved of that memory once again. Poor things, they're probably suffering right now. Or, they might be desperately running from those memories."

As she explains this to me, the strings have wrapped around my body from neck to toe. I struggle, but this string is impossible to break.

"Sanzo, Tori, and the others won't run away!" I yell at her, then I lose my balance and fall on my side to the floor. Suika walks up to me and squats down.

"I'll let you experience what it feels like to be haunted by painful memories."

Her hand brushes around my back and I glare hard at her, then suddenly my eyelids feel heavy and soon I see nothing but darkness.

Alone . . . I'm alone in a cold cave and no one is here . . . I hug my legs to my chest and bury my face in my knees. The snow falling makes everything seem so much more quiet than usual, and it scares me.

"Sanzo and Tori will come for me . . . I know it . . . "

I feel a soft pressure on my shoulder and I pick my head up to see a small, yellow bird. I smile softly and reach out to pet it, but then it suddenly disappears. I blink and look forward, my eyes widening as I see my new friend lying dead in the snow. Moving as closely as I can to the end of my chains, I reach out, but my nails are just inches away. Feeling hopeless, I hang my head sadly.

Sanzo and Tori will come . . .

A small weight settles on my wrist. I look at it and see the bird alive and well. I smile in relief, then the bird disappears again. My smile fades and I look forward again to see my friend in the same position outside of my reach. I close my eyes tightly and cry out.

And you will remain like that forever . . .

Suika's POV

The boy is wrapped completely in his own cocoon, laying on his back now as he relives the painful memories over and over again. Feeling a presence behind me, I smile and stand up before turning to my three guests.

"Now that you've regained your memories, I'm sure you're suffering again. It's alright," I tell them and slowly walk towards them, "I will let you sleep once more. Don't worry."

As soon as I'm within an arm's length away, a gun is touched to my forehead.

Sanzo's POV

" . . . Why? You were happy, weren't you? Wasn't it peaceful?" she asks us.

"Yeah, I remember," Gojyo answers, "It felt like I was in a comforting dream."

"Then . . . "

"However, a dream is just a dream," Hakkai comments. She scowls, the gentle expression no longer.

"You stupid brats . . . "

She sends a barrage of string at us, but it's useless as I pull the trigger and her body falls to the floor, the string still attached to her fingers. I lower my gun as she glances up at us.

"You stupid brats . . . "

"Same to you," I tell her, then her eyes close.

Goku's POV

I can't take it anymore . . . I've seen my friend die so many times now, I just can't take it anymore . . . I've retreated back to the wall, sitting down and hugging my legs with my face buried in my knees. It's still so cold . . . then slowly the temperature warms back up.

"Hey."

I pick up my head a little, then lift it completely and stare ahead of me. The snow is gone and Sanzo and Tori are standing just outside of my prison.

"We came for you."

Slowly my eyes blink open and my vision is blurry as I see yellow, green, and red. Soon everything becomes clear and I see my friend's faces hovering over mine. I blink once, then gasp and sit up.

"Sanzo!"

"If you're awake, hurry and get up," he says and stands straight with everyone else.

"I . . . huh?"

"Good morning," Hakkai says.

"Hey, where's Suika?"

"We already finished her while you were taking your nappy nap," Gojyo answers. I'm about to snap at him, then Sanzo's question interrupts me, "Where's Tori?"

"Huh? You don't . . . " I stop my question as Sanzo's expression turns angry and I immediately go straight to answering his question, "I-I don't know, she kept heading west after you guys turned back to the village!"

"West? You're sure?" Gojyo asks.

"Of course I'm sure!"

"Then let's hurry," Hakkai says. "We should meet up with her as quickly as possible."

Nothing else is said as we all hop into Hakuryuu and quickly head west. Tori, I hope you didn't go too far . . . Wherever you are, we'll find you soon, so hang on!

~ PREVIEW

Gojyo: After the longest time, we've finally found Tori. Man, I thought Sanzo would really have a friggin' heart attack . . . What? Oh my God, are you serious? *laughs* How lame! Oh, you've so got to hear this! You, right there! What do you think is the one thing that the invincible Genjyo Sanzo Monk can't handle? It's hard to believe, but San-chan can actually be so cute.

Sanzo: *hits Gojyo hard with his harisen*

Gojyo: Ow! You stinkin' monk!

Sanzo: Tch. Next time on Saiyuki Reload - Love for a Water Sprite, "A Tiny Partner."

Gojyo: Sanzo's surprising weakness will now be revealed . . .

Ura Sai

Everyone: Ura Sai.

Paper Sumos Episode 3

Ahhh, there's nothing better than to pass by yet another boring day by playing with paper sumos. A small ring is set up on a table and our paper sumos for round three are Genjyo Sanzo in purple and Sha Gojyo in red. Hakkai is of course controlling his best friend while Goku controls his Sanzo. So far, the real Sanzo and Gojyo have yet to be seen for now and Tori is once again the referee. She tells Hakkai and Goku to begin and the paper sumos attack.

"Nokotta, nokotta!"

"Here we go! Nokotta, nokotta!"

"Today I'm going to use the komata sukui . . . "

"Yeah? Well take this!"

Paper Sumo Sanzo is about to fall, then suddenly Paper Sumo Gojyo is distracted as Goku sets down a paper version of Tori in the ring on Paper Sumo Gojyo's side. Paper Sumo Gojyo turns to look at Paper Tori and then falls over, letting Paper Sumo Sanzo regain its balance in the ring and is left as the winner.

"Eh? Goku, that's cheating."

"Goku!"

The boy hurries out of his chair and runs away laughing as he's chased by both Genjyo twins, leaving Hakkai to laugh softly to himself.

"Oh dear . . . "

Note: "Komata sukui" is a sumo move which means 'over-thigh scooping body drop'.