Disclaimer applies to everything.

30 December 2002

Author's note: Thanx for all the reviews so far, appreciated greatly.  I like this fic very much myself, and keep modifying ideas to fit the characters better! Read on!

Sarra forced her legs to take another step.  The same needle-sharp pain that Goku experienced earlier were torturing her now, making every step pure torture.  She drew her arms around her, trying to drive the pain away.  This was the deadliest poison she had encountered so far.  Her body, though accustomed to many different poisons practically withered under this one.  She knew how dangerous the situation was.

            Just as she was about to give up and drop to the ground, a miraculous arm supported her and helped her back to her feet.  She wondered if this was the Gate's tricks again.  But it felt solid enough, warm even.  Through the red haze of pain, she looked up and saw a familiar face, though not what she deemed friendly.  "Please let me go," she stated simply.  The face looked down on her in something like contempt.  "If I do I must the biggest idiot in the world." He replied, his voice without malice.  Without humour either.  Sarra turned her face away.  She hated aides.  But she grudgingly admitted that his support was needed for her already ill state.  However, there was one more thing that she knew she had to handle on her own.

            Sanzo slowly supported her through the trees, keeping his other hand on his gun.  Even though he had not seen youkais (He doubted that they exist here) any living breathing creature can still be taken down by a bullet.   

            There was an ear-splitting screech and a group of strange creatures ran towards them.  Sanzo quickly drew his gun.  "Stay still."

            "That's supposed to be my line," Sarra replied weakly.  With the screech, she heard another sound – a low, humming sound that crept into her mind and spread slowly, tantalizingly lessening her pains.  "No.." She whispered and pushed Sanzo away.  The latter didn't mind anyway, he let her sink to the ground as he aimed his gun at one of their attackers.  "Good evening," Sanzo said, his eyes travelling from one to another.  One of them, presumably the leader came rushing towards him, face screwed up in malice.  "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

            One shot, and he collapsed to the ground.  Sanzo looked at the rest of them.  "I said good evening," and without the slightest change of expression, he blew their brains apart. 

            Sarra watched all this with a little awe.  This stranger can kill! And he has no qualms about it either.

            You're that way too, you know… I can help you kill better.

            Sarra clenched her fists.  The Gate was creeping into her mind, taking advantage of her weakened status to try and take over her soul.  Disobedient Gate! I will determine how and when to use you…

            You're too weak…

            There was a sudden movement, so subtle that Sarra only managed to see it out of the corner of her eye.  Another one… and he's headed towards Sanzo!

            Let me help you, rest your mind…

            Sarra couldn't stand it.    

            I'm your KEEPER!

            With a scream she released a huge amount of energy to block out the voice.  To regain control of her mind, but most of all to stop the pain. 

            Sanzo was nearly thrown forwards when the blast hit him.  He reeled around in shock, gun at the ready.  What the hell…?

            His heart nearly stopped as he beheld the girl – just a moment ago unable to stand, now standing calmly, as if nothing had happened.  Her energy swirled around her like wind, although her hair whipped around her like live turquoise snakes, her steel-grey eyes reflected ruthless calm.  With a swift movement of her hand, she seemed to pull an invisible chain that sent the hidden mercenary crashing to earth. 

            Sanzo steadily aimed his gun.  "Don't you idiots know when to quit?"

            "Forgive me, Mistress." The quaking figure trembled at her feet.  Sanzo felt a twinge of regret for the poor guy.  He was following orders.  But there was no room for regret once you've done something, he thought.  He was about to slam a bullet into the mercenary's head when Sarra stepped forwards and gripped the man's neck, raising him almost two feet into the air – single handed. 

            "With me, death is guaranteed." She said calmly before throwing the man high into the air, screaming murder.  So high he went that he momentarily disappeared from view.  The wind around Sarra died down and she turned to face Sanzo.  "Are you hurt?"

            Sanzo chose not to reply.  He strode over and placed his arm under her shoulders again.  Sarra accepted his arm, but sooner had she stepped forward then she collapsed.  This time she fainted.  "Idiot…" Sanzo swore, stranded.  What was he to do? The house wasn't very far off now, but he couldn't drag her… realizing any other option wasn't available, he grimaced and scooped her into his arms.  He was a little relieved to know that she wasn't heavy, but even in unconsciousness, he could see that she was still suffering.

            "What happened?"

            Sanzo heard Nigaki's footsteps coming towards him.  'She passed out," He said curtly and began walking again.  Nigaki came up to his side, and looked at Sarra.  "She used the Gate?"

            "I don't know what she used," Sanzo growled, "But she definitely overtaxed herself."

            Nigaki shook his head.  "She always did what she wanted.  We couldn't stop her even if we  tried.  She could've killed us all."

            Sanzo passed him a quizzical look as they entered the hut.  In there, he received a shock.  Her hut was like… more like a prison.  A single window faced the world, and there was only a low shelf which he guessed served as a table, and a bed.  Another room adjoining to it served as a storage area.  He gently laid her down on her bed.  "What kind of woman lives like this?"

Nigaki merely smiled, but it was bitter.  "A cursed one, High Priest.  Pretty homey, don't you think?"

            Sanzo looked around the place again.  It reminded him of Goku's cell where he was imprisoned for so many years.  He mentally noted not to bring the monkey here.  "What do you mean cursed? Diseased?"

"You can say that…" Nigaki felt Sarra's forehead.  "She would have trouble recovering though… Goku's poison seemed to be pretty bad."

            Sanzo calmly lighted a cigarette.  He still saw Sarra a moment ago, cold eyes that showed no mercy, emanating power so strong that it was suffocating.  He shivered slightly… her expressionless face since the day they met her, but her actions were those of a normal person – ready to protect…

            He remembered her pain, her arrogance at his aid, and her desperate attempt to rid her body of the poison.  He could almost feel her thoughts – Block everything, even if it means death.

            Death.

            With me, death is a guarantee…

            "Mercenary of Death…" He suddenly said, half a whisper.  Nigaki smiled a little.  "Yes… that is true.  You probably have seen what she was capable of.  She can make or break us, it was only her respect for us that she did not attempt anything… even I can't stop her if she's put her mind to it."

            "Idiot." Sanzo said impatiently and walked out of the room.

            Nigaki watched him go.  "I wonder…" He said to himself.