Author`s Note: Thank you so much for your reviews! I really appreciate them ! I hope you find this latest chapter nice too, I'm doing this in the middle of the afternoon, and I feel so sleepy..........Oh yeah! Can anyone please tell me what is Gojou's weapon name??!

Chapter 10: Gone

Gojou stared at the new youkai-Natsumi. No way, this can't be happening, he thought. He pinched Son Goku's cheek.

"Itai! What are you doing, erokappa!" Son Goku pinched him back.

"Oww! You didn't have to pinch me that hard, you stupid monkey!" Gojou rubbed his cheek and glared at Goku.

"You started it!"

"You're useless!"

"URUSAI!" Sanzo's gun fired up in the air.

Okay, so this wasn't a dream, judging from the pain of his cheek, and that stupid gun's shot. So... she's really a youkai now.

"How are we going to save her Sanzo?" Hakkai asked nervously.

"I don't know, " Sanzo said narrowing his eyes.

Kougaiji stood rooted to the spot. It was his fault. He'd changed.... no destroyed her! What am I going to do?

Youkai-Natsumi smiled wickedly. She lifted her hand, and a bright ball of 'ki' appeared. Without any hesitation, she tossed it at Kougaiji like a bowling ball at the speed of an arrow.

It hit Kougaiji full force. He was thrown back several feet away. It's my fault, I deserve this, he thought in pain. I've..still got to try....to change her back....somehow.

"Natsumi, listen to me. You were never as cruel as this, don't change, please, Natsumi......," he pleaded to the advancing Natsumi. She laughed, a gurgly, wicked laugh and released more balls of 'ki' at Kougaiji. He screamed in extreme pain, but didn't avoid the attacks, and kept on pleading her.

"KOUGAIJI!" Goku shouted. "I can't let this go on, Sanzo!" He reached for his power-controlling device.

Sanzo whacked him on the head. "No way! I'm not gonna take the trouble to stop you again!"

"But, what else can we do?" Hakkai looked at Kougaiji, who was being repeatedly attacked by Natsumi.

Gojou gritted his teeth. This would mean death, but he had to stop her. He didn't want to see Natsumi killing anyone, no not at all.

He ran towards Natsumi, and the blade of his weapon shot out. It hit her, lightly, but she managed to jump out of reach.

Gojou got to Kougaiji, who was lying down at a strange angle, his legs and arms twisted sickeningly. "Kougaiji!"

"Do-dont...wo-worry about.... me.....ju..just don't kill...her....." Kougaiji managed to gasp out.

"I don't listen to anyone's orders." Gojou faced Natsumi with an angry expression. Snarling, Natsumi had gotten closer to him. Her eyes were red with anger.

Gojou attacked first. He used his blade,attacking continously but Natsumi avoided it easily. Finally she got hold of the handle, and using power, blasted him. Gojou was threw back and landed with a heavy thud beside Kougaiji.

"GOJOU!" Goku cried in horror. He looked pleadingly at Sanzo. Sanzo still shook no.

Natsumi gave out a maddening laugh. It rang and echoed miles away. Then she prepared to strike them again, but before she could, a gun shot at her, and got her in the arm. Gojou, looked up surprised.

Natsumi turned with an angry yowl. Sanzo was holding out his gun and aiming at her, fired again. This made Natsumi really angry and she blasted several fireballs of 'ki' at them. Goku stood in front of Sanzo, holding out his Almighty Staff. I don't care if I die for this, he thought. Gojou stared in horror.

A split second before the fireballs hit them, a blue light flashed out. The whole area exploded.

"Masa....Masaka! Sanzo! Hakkai! Bakazaru!" Gojou shouted. Natsumi laughed hysterically.

The smoke cleared. Silhouettes could be seen behind the smoke. Natsumi stopped in shock. Gojou breathed a sigh of relief. They were alright!

Homura and Ai were there, both holding out their hands after releasing their power. Ai saw Youkai-Natsumi for the first time.

"No...way. Natsumi!!" She was about to run to her when Homura stopped her. "Yame, she's not Natsumi anymore. She'll kill you." Homura said grimly.

"bu-but....She's my SISTER!"

Natsumi's fiery red eyes changed momentarily. SISTER? She shook her head, and snarled.

"Ai, use the power that the rest of the gods have contributed. NOW!" Homura ordered, while creating an energy shield to block off Natsumi's furious advances. Hakkai also pulled out his own power to strengthen it.

"But... she'll be destroyed!"

"No, Sanzo, " Homura threw to him the Sutra he had gotten from Gyokumen. "Use this to stop her so that Ai can aim for that necklace. Do it!"

"Ch', I don't receive orders." But Sanzo went to the front anyway. He started chanting, then with the two sutras flying out like snakes, shouted, "Purify the demon!"

The sutras surrounded Natsumi. She screamed savagely and held her head in pain.

Ai, knitting her eyebrows in determination, made a huge ball of 'ki' appear. She threw it, shouting, " Natsumi! We'll save you!"

The power aimed directly for Natsumi's necklace, and destroyed it. The necklace exploded into a million pieces, the shards flying everywhere.

Natsumi fell to the ground. Her claws and youkai's ears had disappeared, and she regained back her normal appearance. Ai ran to her and held her. Natsumi looked up at her.

"O-nee-sama? I'm....sorry."

"Yokatta, you're back. Don't worry now, " Ai said gently. "I'm sorry i couldn't find you earlier. Your system closed down, no wonder." Ai raised her hand and a glow of light surrounded Natsumi's body. "There, you're you now." Natsumi stared at Ai and both of them laughed.

Goku ran over to where Gojou and Kougaiji were.

"Gojou, are you dead yet?"

"Ch', I wouldn't die by that little burst of power. Are you looking down on me, bakazaru?!"

"Well, you are badly hurt anyhow!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"URUSAI!!!" A shot flew past them.

Kougaiji laughed a little and looked over at where Natsumi was. Yokatta....He tried to get up. Suddenly through the trees, Yaone, Ririn and Dokugaji burst out. Yaone stared at the bleeding Kougaiji in horror.

"Kougaiji-sama, what happened?!" she exclaimed while fumbling for a healing medicine.

"Naah, I just fell down."

"Onii chan! Don't lie!" Ririn said, folding her arms.

Dokugakuji, after observing the situation, remained silent.

"It's not our business anymore. let's go." Kougaiji got up with great difficulty. "Kougaiji-sama!"

Suddenly in front of him, a burst of power zapped.

"Don't expect to escape, youkai, for doing this to my daughter." Kami-sama appeared, with all the other gods.

"Ch', they are really cowards appearing after the fight." Gojou spat and shook his head.

"You have imprisoned a goddess, and replaced her divine power with this... this contaminated power. You will be sentenced to instant death, " one of the gods spat out.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" Another god said.

"Do what you want." Kougaiji answered.

Kami-sama nodded grimly. "At least you realized your mistake. I wouldn't mix in youkai's affairs, but this is too much! I'll kill you myself!"

Natsumi turned and saw her father and the other gods. "Daddy....!" She cried out joyfully. Suddenly, she saw her father holding a huge sword. The.. PUNISHMENT SWORD?!?? Daddy's going to kill Kougaiji! NO!

She flew with amazing speed, and as Kami-sama was about to slash Kougaiji, she pushed Kougaiji off. Kami-sama stabbed her instead.

"Aaarhhhhh!" She screamed. Blood splattered everywhere. Everyone gasped, horrified.

The blood splattered over Kougaiji. He looked at Natsumi, stunned.

"NATSUMIIIII!!!!!" Ai's scream rang out in horror. Sanzo and the rest couldn't believe their eyes.

Her blood had splattered over Kami-sama too. He stabbed his own daughter ! He thought horrified. He let go of the sword. Natsumi, sword still through her, fell down to the ground.

Kougaiji rushed to her. He tried to pull the sword, but he couldn't touch it.

"No... Natsumi.... why did you do this!" Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

"Because... I...don't want...you to die....This is....the best... way.... isn't it..." Natsumi choked and coughed out blood but still continued.

"Thank you.... for... taking care....of me..... ~huh..huh....~ Being... with you.... was the happiest time of ...my life." Natsumi smiled, and coughed out more blood.

"No... stop it! Stop it! Natsumi, you won't die! YOU WON'T DIE ! I won't allow it !" Kougaiji grabbed her hand, and shook her gently.

"I...want ...to know if... you...~huh...huh....~ loved...me.... the... way I.. do... " Natsumi gasped out.

"I LOVE YOU! I ALWAYS HAVE! DON'T GO! Don't leave me...." Kougaiji sobbed.

"Step aside, Kou-gaiji." Kanzeon was there beside them. When Kougaiji didn't budge she kicked him off. Natsumi gasped again. Kanzeon grabbed hold of the sword, and pulled it out. Kougaiji went to Natsumi again and hugged her tightly.

" Natsumi, you've got to heal. You can't leave me here alone. " Kougaiji said and kissed her passionately.

Natsumi smiled happily. Finally.... her love.... was realized. "I love you...Kou...." her head fell down lifelessly to the side.

Kougaiji, horrified, turned to Kanzeon. "You are the Goddess of Mercy, right? You can heal her right? Right? Do it! DO IT!" He cried out hysterically.

Kanzeon shook her head. "It's hopeless."

Ai, who saw what had happened, burst out crying hysterically. She started running towards Natsumi's body but was stopped by Homura. "Let me go, LET ME GO! She's not dead! No she's not ! LET ME GO!" She struggled. Homura held her tightly and drew her into his arms. "Ai...."

Sanzo looked at Homura and Ai, who was struggling fiercely. His hands tightened around his gun. It could've been me, there....

Gojou`s eyes were brimming with tears.

Hakkai covered one side of his face with his hand.

Kami-sama looked totally shaken. He had killed one his daughters.... no ....way. It was that youkai! That youkai made him do that! He turned to Kougaiji fiercely.

Kanzeon stepped in front. "Kami-sama, Natsumi took the blow for Kougaiji. I'm sure he means a lot to her, is it not?"

Kami-sama sighed.

"Youkai.... my daughter died to save you. I won't let her death be in vain. Go, and make sure I won't see you again." His voice trembled slightly. Without another word he disappeared, the rest of the gods with him. Kanzeon turned, and with a knowing look, disappeared too.

Kougaiji held Natsumi's body close to him. Only a few more moments.... Natsumi's body slowly disappeared. The last he saw of her was her smile. She had gone peacefully.

Without a word, he turned and disappeared. Dokugakuji, Yaone and Ririn, followed.

Author's Note: Aah that's it! *sob* I couldn't save Natsumi though I tried! I'm sorry Natsumi... *rubs tears off* I've included an extra last chapter....read on.

Chapter 11: Afterthoughts

Kougaiji kneeled in front of the imprisoned Rasetsunyo. "I couldn't save her, mother......I tried but I couldn't." He grabbed his face with his hands. "Why couldn't I? What am I living for! I can't even save the two people I care the most!"

" Don't worry......."

Kougaiji looked up in surprise. What was that he heard? Was it the wind? No, it sounded strange, but awfully familiar. He looked at his mother.

"Don't worry......."

There it was again. He certainly wasn't dreaming. Was it really his mother, telling him not to worry? He glanced at her again. Suddenly he saw something.

Was that a smile? It passed so fast he wasn't sure.

"You'll meet again......."

The jeep rattled on again. They still weren't any nearer to their destination.

Gojou stared at the moving places.

"Gojou, were you crying just now?" Goku appeared in front of Gojou's face suddenly.

"Yargh! Don't scare me you stupid monkey!" Gojou punched Goku on the head.

"Itaiii! I just wanted to know, you stupid ero-kappa!"

"You won't know anything even if you tried, a-hou!"

"Of course I can, stupid monster!"

"No you can't!"

"Yes I can!"

"I said no!"

"I SAY yes!"

"URUSAIIIIII!" *WHHACKKK*

"ITAIIIII!!!!"

Author's Note: It's done! *does a little dance with a paper fan* I finally finished!! .... Umm... or did I?!?? If they (the characters) want to continue on, I guess the story be posted some other day! I'm just the narrator! Do review and tell me if you enjoyed it or not! If you don't, please tell me why and I'll improve it on my next story! Thank you very much!

For your information, a-hou means idiot but I don't know if this is the correct way to spell it !

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Saiyuki and all its characters is copyrighted to ENIX,Kazuya Minekura, G-Fantasy etc. They do not belong to me.

But the fictional characters do!! *big grin!*