Standard disclaimer applies.





Yaone was panic stricken the moment she heard that loud sound. Fear gripped her as she heard the continuous splashing sound of that 'animal' Luckily for her; it is oblivious of her presence there.

Since she did not know what kind of a danger that thing can bring, she decided to wait till it finishes bathing and leaves her behind. Feeling a little cold now as she was scantily dressed, she moved into the cave a little and rests her tired back against the wall.

The day's fatigue was taking a toll on her that she did not notice a stream of water seeping from the inside of the cave. Slowly, the water was growing in amount. By the time she did notice it, the water level was at her waist.

She stood up and analyzes the situation.

'If I were to escape now, I would have to confront that thing in front. But if don't leave, I'll be drowned here..oh god..why do you always pick on me...'



In the heavens above....

"Who are you looking at...I never pick on humans." Kanzeon replied 'innocently'.



Back to the situation on earth......



Yaone thought hard on what she's supposed to do now but she didn't have think too hard though...because at that same time, a huge rush of water came from the inside of the cave, hitting her front and throwing her back past the waterfall and to land right beside that thing.

"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Yaone couldn't help but screamed as she gazed into the golden eyes of the animal beside her. I mean, if you were suddenly thrown by the current and open your eyes with a stranger beside you, would be shocked? Of course what.

But with lightning speed, the creature beside muffled her screams with a paw over her mouth.

"I won't harm you. Promise me you won't scream when I let my paw go," the animal said without moving his mouth. Yaone could only nod profusely in reply.

"What..you can speak...you......" Yaone stuttered when she was let free by the so-called tiger.

"Hello. Sorry to be so rude. I didn't know you were here all this while. My name is Tori. As you can see I am a tiger. A cursed one at that," the 'tiger' started.

"Hi. My name is Yaone. What happened to you?" Yaone asked, unaware of the now loose knot of her towel.

"I tell you what. Why don't we start introducing ourselves out of the water, over a nice hot campfire? I have already finished my bath. What do you say?" Tori suggested.

"Sounds fine to me. You won't eat or attack me right?" Yaone asked again, still unsure of the stranger.

"If so, I would have killed you now, right? Come on, ladies first," Tori reassured her again. Yaone giggled at the last comment and started to move to the edge of the water, with Tori right behind her.

Now, in a third person's point of view, it would have been thought that a girl was emerging from the lake with a tiger at her back, ready to pounce on her any time. That was what the Sanzo-ikkou saw it as anyway as they approached the area.

"Yeah!!! We're here already!!!!!..................NANI!!!!!" Goku yelled when he saw the scene in front of him.

"What???!!!! Isn't that Yaone??? Look at that!" Goyjo said, unaware of the 'danger' but instead eyeing her loose knot and inadequate clothing that is her towel which stopped at mid-thigh, while trying not to nose-bleed as much as possible.

Hakkai started to register the scene once again. Shocked and fear of losing a life overwhelmed him. 'Yaone...' he whispered to himself.

"YAONE-SAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" he yowled as he jump from his place on the jeep. He began to run towards her. Upon reaching, he quickly grabbed her and jumped back, releasing his chi energy at Tori at the same time.

Author's notes:

Gomen nasai for the delay. I was having some problems. I hope that you don't mind and the enjoyed the story so far.

Thanks Rook and Lexicon for your advice. I thought about it and made some adjustments and followed your advice.

To my other reviewers:

blinkie

ceres17

Meia Cera a.k.a Gensui Meia

Missing Link

hakkai-no-megane

Craz_Psycho

Saiyuki Freak

Raei Dagger

Thank you for your comments and support so far. I appreciate it very much. I hope that you will anticipate my future chapters.

Thank you.