As dusk descended amidst the darkening forest all was silenced by the bewail howl of wolves. But if one were to listen closely to the sound one would wonder of their origins, for it seemed no earthly hounds could create such a mournful chorus. Like a thousand lamenting widows they howled and screamed seemingly loud enough to make dead in their earthly tombs clap their decaying hands over their ears to block out the soul warping sound.

But as it was, the beasts themselves weren't the real demons. Riding barely a hundred paces behind them were their masters, atop great beasts the size of small elephants, their bodies covered in long crimson fur that hid their true form. The riders themselves were no more attractive, they wore saya-jin style armor the color of dried blood, great helms, and a large golden amulet, that rested over their muscular chests. The only exception was their leader who wore obsidian armor, his large helmet was decorated with almost Victorian flair, a great plume rising from the center surrounded by a ring of golden skulls, each representing a planet conquered and subjugated. His amulet was also more lavish, large jewels encrusting it's silver surface that, when light struck it the right way, caused his armor to dance with color.

The dark leader muttered and ancient curse as he urged his lagging beast onward, it's mouth opened in pant gave testament to the length of the hunt, but its master was unconcerned, this prey was well worth the effort. They had been tracking her for months now and he would not let her escape, not after all the trouble she had caused.

Juuhachi-gou stumbled, almost falling aver a bare tree root. 'Just my luck on the run six years, but they only find me when I've got some thing that could turn this war around in our favor.' She stumbled again exhaustion and lack of sleep getting the best of her.' Shimatta. this would be a lot easier if those bakas hadn't gone off and gotten themselves killed right away.'

The hounds continued their mournful howls as they had for many hours previous, a constant reminder to their masters of the whereabouts of the prey

'There's no way I can escape from these Hell Hounds, their practically immortal and they've got more energy left than I do. My only chance is to find some where the won't find me and wait till they pass by.'

As if in answer to her prayers a small door open in the trunk of a great redwood tree not more than a yard ahead of her and before she knew it a strong arm reached out and pulled her inside, the other arm closing the secret entrance behind her. Though her first instinct was to scream and pull away, she knew that anything was better than facing the Hell Hounds. Nevertheless a hand was roughly clapped over her mouth in case she should decide to take a chance.

Slowly the mournful bawling became quieter and indistinct until it finally faded into silence. Juuhach-gou felt her savior relax slightly. However she was still unsure of his loyalties, and therefore asked the obvious question.

"Who are you?"

"Oh come now Juu-san don't tell me you've forgotten me already." A gentle masculine voice replied.

Juuhachi-gou narrowed her eyes to slits, but still could not make out the face, so hoping that The Hounds were far enough so as not to be attracted by the light she created a small ki sphere in her right hand. When she looked back up she almost dropped it from surprise.

"Gohan-kun!?"