Note: Hai! Sorry that this one came out late. I was busy, so it took me quite some time to complete the following chapter. Anyway, I know that some of you are already wondering what in the world is going on. Throughout the last few chapters, that is if you noticed, I had actually left out some hints. Want one? Our Hakkai does not want to leave out his past. Want more? Once you do not want to leave out your past, what would happen to that particular soul? Sanzo, Gojyo, and Goku, what are their connections with Hakkai? Lastly, what are Kougaiji's and Lirin's connections to Yaone?

All of these lead to one particular person. Unfortunately, if that person had a few problems in hand, then, who would that person turns to?

Anyway, here are more hints. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter Five

"Let go off me!" Sanzo shrieked, pulling himself from the man's strong grasp.

Kougaiji, still red eyed, reluctantly released him. He continued staring at the young lord, with a pair of accusing eyes.

"I do not care of what you think about me, but the fact is still clear. I did not kill any of your beloved dragons, nor I was here moments ago," Sanzo answered harshly.

Lirin shook her head in disgust. Men, they never could solve anything by talking and always by force. She chuckled at her own thoughts. "Boys," She said, trying to break up the sudden silence. "Boys, I do think that we should get out of here before it gets dark. You know Terra hates the dark."

Gojyo sniffed and had offered to lead the way, claiming he had never been lost and could find the exit with his eyes shut. Unfortunately, after some thoughts, he reconsidered and gave up his position to Sanzo.

The young lord spat and took a firmer grip on the bridle of Islimach and the companions moved silently through the forest.

Kougaiji followed them from behind and Goku noticed the cold rage in his eyes after the misunderstanding.

"I think, you two should consider an apology each," Goku suggested, trying to end the cold war. "I do think that this is rather childish."

"You are still a mere baron," Answered Kougaiji. "You do not know the pride a marquis have to defend, and anything you say will be pure nonsense to me. Therefore, do shut up!"

Goku did not reply back. Kougaiji's words stung him. He ordered Fflewdur to slow down as they moved side by side with Lirin and Terra.

Lirin gave him a hopeful look. "Do relax, dear. Ignore him."

Goku looked down. "I am troubled," He said in a low voice. "I hope that this will not continue. I do not want our relationship to be hard because of this…"

"I am sure it would not be," Lirin cut. She smiled and turned to the path in front of them. If Kougaiji still had doubts of Sanzo, he showed no sign. In the saddle, he rode unbowed, as though he had found new strength. On his face, was a look Lirin had never imagined to appear. In it was pride, yet more than that, it held, as well, a loving and caring features.

After a long pause, Gojyo moved closer to Goku. "Is there anything that bothers you?" He asked.

"I think you see many things," The baron answered quietly, " Many, yet, none of to my use."

The duke smiled. " Is that what troubles you? My knowledge? Very well, you had put me to a challenge. Now, what is that you desire to know?"

"Is there any time to discuss this?" Lirin interrupted from behind. Somehow, she knew what the young men were up to.

"My lady," Gojyo said, smiling. "Forgive me for dropping in."

"Very well, apology accepted," She said at once. Pride and elegance in one.

"But," Gojyo continued, "It wonders me. You are travelling towards Lord Adaon's mansion, are you not? Why is that you are using the forest trails? They do have gravel tracks, you know?"

Lirin nodded. "True, we are heading west, but, not to Adaon's place. In fact, even we do not know exactly where are we heading. All we got is this crumpled piece of brown paper," She said and gave it to the duke.

"A map?" Gojyo murmured. He studied the paper. "This makes no sense. What is there at the Shova Town? I heard that it had been a ruin ever since the town's oil mine closed down."

"Shova?" Sanzo repeated. He overheard the conversation and pulled over. "That town is just ahead of us. I thought that we were heading the wrong way, but, nevertheless, you do intend to get there."

"Thank you," Lirin said. "Now, if you please, do continue on."

From the moment they started moving again, Sanzo led the companions swiftly, following without hesitation a path, which now seemed clear. He felt the powerful muscles of Islimach beneath him, and guided the steed with unaccustomed skill. Finally, they came to the end of the forest. Lirin cried at the sight that greeted them.

Kougaiji had dismounted earlier then the rest. He anxiously studied the dragon's wings. Sanzo swung down and went to his side. The dragon roared and rolled its eyes as he approached.

"It had sprained its wings," Sanzo said. "Unless we can help it, I fear she will not be able to hold the pace."

"I need no outsider to tell me that," Kougaiji said. He stood straight and examined the dragon's wings with a gentleness touch, which surprised Sanzo.

Sanzo turned around and studied the surrounding. "Maybe we should just walk a little," He suggested. "I fear, our horses too, are exhausted."

Agreed.

Everyone was silent. They moved slowly across the dark and gloomy deserted street. Lirin had imagined it as a ghost town from one of Goku's bedtime story books and the weird building structures spooked her. She held her dear tightly.

"Those are creepy looking stone structures," The duke said, breaking the silence as he pointed out towards a group of neatly arranged carved stones in front of them.

They ignored him and continued the walk. Not far, a tall building seemed to rise from beyond the thick gray mists. They looked closely and found out that it stood on top of a hill. The building looked run down and falling apart, highly unstable.

"What is that you are looking for?" Sanzo asked as they continued on up the hill.

Goku was silence for a while before he answered. "I have no idea. Perhaps, we should just check out the building?"

"No objection to that," Lirin answered.

The group climbed up the long windy stairs leading to the entrance of the building. The building had a rather unique antique looking design. Large statues of gargoyles stood firmly at every corner of the structure. At the center was a tall bell tower. Lirin came up to an opening below the tower. She took hold of the thick rope and pulled it with her strength. It created a loud screeching booming sound.

"Look," Sanzo said, as they entered a large room.

They looked around them. The room, instead dark and gloomy like other suites, was heavily decorated with precious jewelry and gems. The whole room practically glittered and sparkled with the beauty of the ornaments worn by the whole men and women of the house.

"Did we just bust into someone's grand celebration? Because, if we do, we better get out," Gojyo said.

Sanzo shook his head. "No, look over there."

They turned towards the direction the young lord pointed.

"The people. They are ignoring us. It is like…"

"They do not see us," Kougaiji cut, as he moved forward.

Goku waved his hands rapidly, trying to attract attentions, but failed.

"Who are they…?" Gojyo stammered.

Lirin ran to her brother's side, who stood opposite an elegant looking lady. She was enjoying herself, totally ignoring the two strangers. Then, another lady and a man joined her. They are very happy, Lirin thought. The girl studied the room. Suddenly, a figure at the corner of the room caught her attention. It was a girl. Unlike the others, she looked haggard and unattractive. Her eyes, instead of joy, showed fear and anger. "Brother…" Lirin whispered.

Kougaiji looked at his sister, then at the girl. Both of them watched silently at what was about to take place in front of them. The watched as a few more men entered the room. They had an air of arrogance and filled with mischief. The men walked up the stage and announced something in a language in which both of them could not understand.

Suddenly, another group of men and women came up from behind the girl and dragged her away. Her screams and shouts for help trailed down the long corridor.

"Someone need to explain to me what in the world is going on!" Gojyo demanded.

Kougaiji raised his hand, ordered them to stay on guard.

"Look!" Lirin said, suddenly as she pointed to the center.

Goku gasped. One by one, the rest of the men and women began decomposing in front of them. Their bones rattled before collapsing into dust and blown away by the strong winds. Nothing from the creatures remains.

Sanzo shook his head. "From the way they behaved, I could come to a conclusion that they were demons in disguise."

"Are you suggesting that we are murderers?" Kougaiji spat angrily.

"I was talking about them," Sanzo said quickly. "They had pointed ears, if you noticed them."

Once again, they were startled by a piercing scream.

Without any hesitation, the companions ran as fast as they could to where the sound came from. Soon, they came across a large boarded door. For once, they worked together and managed to bring the door down. They had entered the cell room. A room where, fugitives, servants and unwanted people were kept locked away from others. It was the most feared place anyone could have dreamt of entering, unless for visiting.

They continued on walking until apparently, they came to a dead end. Kougaiji sniffed. There was definitely something going on around that area. They turned around and froze.

There, right beside them, in one of the prison cells, they watched as hungry beastly looking creatures, busy swarming over what looked like the girl they had saw, moments ago. Once in a while, they could hear screams and shouts, but it was quickly swallowed away by the loud grunts and roars by the creatures. They had witnessed something they could not imagine had happened. They had witnessed a rape.

Soon, like what happened outside, happened inside the cell, too. The beast slowly began decomposing and rot away, leaving a very foul stench. This time, only the girl was left alone.

Lirin looked at her from behind bars pitifully. She knew that the girl was sobbing and filled with humiliation and disgrace. As badly as she wanted to help, she could not. It would be an illusion like outside. They were only souls and spirits of the mansion.

Lirin turned to her brother as he held her tightly in his arms.

"There should be a motive to all this," Kougaiji said.

"Yes," Sanzo said. "This is not just a coincidence. Someone knew that we would come across each other when we were taking out ride. Someone knew that we would help bring you here, to your sort of destination, and someone deliberately wanted us to witness what we had witnessed. That someone had the ability to read our minds."

Goku jumped to his feet. "This was just a set up!"

"That explains the tombstones on our way here…" Gojyo whispered. "Those souls we saw, they were restless, were they not?"

"But… why?" Lirin asked, puzzled.

Sanzo turned around. His eyes never left the sobbing girl. After a while, he turned his attention towards his friends again. "Goku," He said. "Was there anything besides the map you owned?"

"Here," The baron said, as he handed the young lord an envelope.

Sanzo opened it slowly. Just as he had expected, it was an invitation from their friend, the count. Apparently, the location written on the card was different. Sanzo rubbed his chin. Firstly, Gojyo had in invitation to his home. Then, an invitation to the deserted Shova Town. He was getting dizzy. He still could not understand all that had taken place.

They turned around and watched as the girl, too, slowly began decomposing.

"We better get out. I do think that this is the only thing that 'it' wanted to show us," Sanzo said, making his way to the door. The rest moved without sound.

Goku was the last to follow. There was a shadow that lurks at the corner of the cell that bothered him. As bad as he wanted to find out, staying close to the group was much more rewarding. He ignored it and ran to Kougaiji's side.

As soon as they left, the large mansion shook and collapsed into piles of rubbles and dust. To their astonishment, even the crowded ruins, began slowly fading away and left the lane bare and empty. Only one thing was left behind, though. It was a large gray tombstone, and they assumed, it was the girl's one.

Gojyo untied his horse from the tree bark. "We really should be getting out of here fast," He said, looking at the almost dark sky. "This place is already scary enough during the day. I could not imagine the view during the night."

Unaware, the companions did not realize that they were being stalked from behind, until the pack of horse shrieked in terror. Islimach reared as arrows rattled among the branches.

Kougaiji, dagger in hand, spun to his sister's side.

Sanzo's voice rang above the noise. "These are cursed creatures of Shova! Fight free of them!"

At first, it seemed to Goku the shadows had sprung to life. Formless, they drove against him, threaten to tear him from his saddle. He swung his javelin blindly. Fflewdur pitched furiously, trying to break away from the press of creatures. Goku saw the attackers numbered about a dozen as they dashed through the thick forest out of the town. The town entrance seemed to close with thick bushes and thorns as they moved out. He fought against the fear that chilled his heart and drained his strength.

"Where did they come from!" Gojyo shrieked, forcing his horse through. "I though they only appeared in story books and legends!" Behind him, he heard Lirin cried out. He took a quick glance behind him. Unfortunately, it was too dark to notice the situation.

"Brother!" Lirin cried out again.

Goku panicked as he watched Kougaiji being seized by the belt and dragged down from Terra. A warrior tumbled with him to the ground. Closely grappled, Kougaiji could not bring his dagger into play. The warrior raised himself abruptly and thrust a knee against his chest. The creature's eyes glinted. He bared his teeth in horrible grin as he raised his sword.

"No!" Kougaiji muttered. He remembered those eyes. It was the mysterious man that had almost taken his life earlier. Now, he was back to get them and this time, he had brought his soldiers.

The man's voice froze in the midst of a shout when he suddenly moved aside.

Sanzo, seeing Kougaiji's plight, had brought down his sword in one powerful blow. It did not injure the foe but managed to spare some time to help his ally.

In the grove, there was a sudden moment of silence. Then, a long sigh rippled among the attackers as though each one of them had drawn breath.

From astride Terra, Lirin was busy muttering an incantation. Sanzo hurried to her side. "Do not slay them. They will multiply to every attack," He warned. "Defend but do not slay."

"You knew about them?!" Goku cried.

Sanzo took a moment to plunge forward. "Follow me!" He shouted. He turned his mount and shot past the struggling warriors. He swung to face the clearing. In another instant, the enemies burst from cover. They had no sooner taken a stride forward that Sanzo, with a great cry, he urged his horse across the ground.

Gojyo loosed his spear, and heard the shafts of Goku whistle past him. He turned around. Where were the siblings? The duke forced his horse around. "Kougaiji and Lirin are out of sight!"

"What?!" Goku screeched, slowing down.

Sanzo, noticing the commotion and motioned Islimach to Goku's side. "What are you doing? Do not slow down or they will get you!" He scowled.

"I must!" The baron cried. "I have to find Lirin!"

"Move!" Sanzo instructed. "Go and save yourself. I will find them for you!" The young lord said, turning back. His sword flashed and rang against the weapons of his assailants.

Sanzo made haste. He spotted the stallion not far. Terra had gotten tangled among the vine roots.

One of the creatures shifted his attack to Kougaiji and his sister, who struck out at him with all his strength. The creature lost his footing and dropped to earth. Kougaiji stepped forward to his sister. He had forgotten the vicious swords of the creatures until he saw the blonde raise himself and pushed him aside.

Kougaiji froze with horror. In front of him he saw Islimach was suddenly between him and the creature. Sanzo rose in the saddle and swept down with his sword. As the creature toppled, the dagger flew glittering through the air.

Sanzo gasped and dropped his weapon. He slumped over Islimach's mane, clutching the daggerin his chest, barely missing his heart.

With a cry of anguish, Kougaiji caught him, as he was about to fall.

David knelt down and put his hands together. He began to pray.

Elena waited patiently from behind the cathedral's altar. Outside the stone walls, it was blazing hot but inside, miraculously, she felt cold and relaxed. She sighed. Apparently, during the pass few days, she had noticed a sudden change of behavior in her cousin. Usually, he was cheerful and happy.

She made herself comfortable on one of the long pews.

"No matter what, I still do not understand anything…"

Elena smiled. "Are you talking to me or someone else?"

He shook his head.

Suddenly, the large cathedral door swung open. Cold winds swept in as a familiar figure entered. Though silent, still, she had managed to catch their attentions.

"Is it time?" David asked softly.

The girl nodded her head. "Ellidyr had already done exactly what I had told him to do. Soon, it will be your turn. But first, the second task will be Elena's. David, you must understand that you task will be more than your cousins, right?"

Elena jumped up and down happily hearing her name. "Obliged to help!"

Silence again.

"Did anyone tell you that you are beautiful?" The girl asked, moving closer to David. She knelt down beside him. With her fingers, she brushed off a few strands of hair from his bruised face and placed her hands and firmly on his shoulders. She smiled as she studied the childish eighteen years old face.

David made no sign to move away from her as she pressed her blood red lips onto his.

"Do not worry," She whispered softly into his ears. "This is only temporary. Once I am done, I will return your sister and her body to you…"

End of chapter…