Standard disclaimers. The lawyers ought to be satisfied with the fact that I mentioned it.

***

"Poison!" Goku glanced worriedly at the monk. He had seen the small trickles of blood when Sanzo leaned back on the tree. He had also felt the slight shivers when he held the monk. Sanzo was poisoned…!

"Ano…" Hakkai stood beside Sanzo, his green eyes flashing quickly at the unwavering gun and back at the woman. "Chen Ming-san, we need to find shelter for the night. Do you know-?"

"You can stay at my cottage. It's only a few blocks from here."

"Iya. We don't want to trouble you."

The woman shook her head, brown hair swaying with her movement. "No trouble. It's not often I find surviving humans." She gestured towards Sanzo. "If he's been poisoned by the lake dragon, he won't last the night."

"Nani!" Goku's eyes widened. "What do you mean he 'won't last the night'!"

"A high fever is usually the first, and worst, symptom." Chen Ming didn't move from her spot. "The poison moves to weaken the body first before it moves in for the kill." She glanced at Sanzo again. "I have some medicine in my cabin. I might be able to help."

"Why are you doing this?" Sanzo asked guardedly, his gun still unmoving from its target. But Goku heard an undercurrent of pain in the deep voice.

Chen Ming was speaking again even as Goku inched closer to Sanzo. "As I said, not many humans survive the lake dragon." She smiled, not showing any teeth. "I might as well help those that do."

"For what?"

She shrugged. "Humans should help other humans against mutual threats."

"Sounds good enough for me." Gojyo grinned as he tapped a cigarette out of his soggy pack. But the cigs were soggy as well. "Tch. Can't even light a proper cig."

"I think it's best if you just lead the way to your cabin, Chen Ming-san." Hakkai interrupted. "The sooner we get dry, the better. Right, Sanzo?"

His question hung in the air for a moment before the monk closed his eyes and lowered his gun.

"This way." Chen Ming turned and walked deep into the forest, followed by Gojyo. Hakkai sent a worried glance towards Sanzo but the latter waved it away and started walking. Goku kept close to him, just in case.

The fever was clearly taking its toll on the monk. His normally pale skin had gone paler, his violet eyes becoming glazed as his weary eyelids made it look… droopier. Though his footsteps were evenly spaced, Goku realized it was only because Sanzo was walking slower than his usual pace. And he was still giving off a lot more heat than normal.

The cottage wasn't far as Chen Ming said, tree logs lined to form walls stood on grey stone stacked together, a wooden roof hanging overhead. Shuttered windows were set sparingly on the walls, letting out a slight scent of wood smoke from a fire gone cold.

"You live alone, Chen Ming-san?" Hakkai asked as the woman started towards the door.

"Hai." She glanced over her shoulder at him, pushing the wooden door open as she answered. "I don't like to live with other people."

"Are?" Gojyo stepped forward until he was beside her. "Isn't there supposed to be a youkai living around here?"

"Hai. The lake dragon. It's the only youkai I've seen around here."

"You're sure there aren't more? Don't you get attacked once in a while?"

"Iie. Come inside, I'll show you why."

They followed her into the cottage – and stared in surprise at the numerous glinting objects that hung over the wood.

Limiters. Lots of limiters.

Silver rings and bracelets were attached to the wood, lining the ceiling as well as the floor. Steel moulded into every shape available hung from nails across the walls.

"My parents and I used to make limiters before they died." Chen Ming explained. "Killed by youkai driven wild one night when they didn't have the stronger-powered limiters with them."

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents, Chen Ming-san." Hakkai split his attention between Sanzo, Chen Ming, and the limiters.

"They were killed a few years ago." The woman shrugged. "I've learned to accept their deaths early. Please," she gestured towards a wooden table, where four wooden chairs were set. "Take a seat. I'll see to preparing dinner."

***

A/N: I'm so sorry this took me so long to write. School was hectic. And I had to go through a depressing couple of days when I was blocked by insecurities. Oh, and I also had internet troubles too *glares at the server* Thanks for waiting patiently.