Chapter 9

After much deliberation with Dokugakuji, the youkai prince decided that it was indeed a bad idea to bring Goku back to the palace with them. For starters he wasn't allowed to step foot in the palace without an Evil Sutra in tow. Well, he could actually do so but that would mean that his chance to get his mother revived would be forfeited. And two, bringing in an enemy within their base would surely arouse suspicion with his loyal subjects.

In the end Kougaiji decided to bring Goku and the others to an old abandoned warehouse somewhere in the outskirts of a town not too far from their palace.

"What do we do now?" Doku asked him as he laid the saru on the only bed in the house. He didn't answer right away, because he didn't have any answer. He hadn't given any thought on the Evil Sutra and his plans for reviving his mother while Goku was in danger. But now that he knew that the saru would be alright it would just be fine to start thinking about finishing what he had started.

"I should get the sutra now while Sanzo's not expecting it." The prince said after awhile of silence.

"I'll come with you." Doku offered swiftly.

"No need. Gojyo and Hakkai have already gone… I could handle Sanzo by myself." He looked at Goku for awhile and added.

"Just take care of him for me."

Yaone, who had been brewing her own plans regarding a certain saru and who had developed an eternal scowl on her face since all of this has happened brightened a bit on something that only she could understand.

"Kougaiji-sama, I think it would be wise to bring Doku along with you. It would raise the probability of gaining the Evil Sutra don't you think?"

"I can handle it, alone!!"

"But what if the fates are against you, my prince? Sanzo-sama is unpredictable. We shouldn't underestimate him. It would be safer to have Doku around. And besides you need to have the sutra right away don't you?" Yaone said whilst putting a hand on her breast, right above her heart in display of sincerity. Kougaiji looked at her uncertainly.

Yaone had always been loyal to him, Kou reasoned to himself. Surely, Yaone thinks nothing but his best interest. After a brief internal monologue with himself, he agreed. Maybe this is what Yaone needs, a vote of confidence. By agreeing with her ideas maybe she'll revert to her old self, the one that Kougaiji had known and learned to love as a friend.

"Yes, I think it's for the best." Kougaiji amended and sighed. He stood up and cast a wistful glance on the saru.

"Take care of him for me okay?" He said as he eyed Yaone earnestly. He cast a glance at the corner of the room to spot Lilin sleeping soundly on the floor.

"Take care of her too. We'll be back in a few."

"Yes, Kougaiji-sama." Yaone bowed politely and watched his prince with Doku disappear through the front door. Her eyes glinted maliciously as he tended to the shivering Goku.

"I think it wise that me and Gojyo stay 'dead' for awhile." Hakkai commented to Sanzo as the two discussed the plan, or rather tried to discuss it. No matter how vengeful the buozo was towards a certain youkai prince, Sanzo can't help but feel a bit crabby and bitchy. Ever since he and Goku met, they had never spent a day without each other. And although the saru was annoying as hell, he missed him.

The constant chatter and the ball of energy had been his anchor and his strength. Now that it's - he's, gone Sanzo realized how much he had depended on Goku. He wanted to blame and hurt the prince right now for taking the saru away, but since he can't, Hakkai would be a nice replacement for awhile.

"Hn. Yes, I think it would be better. Besides with your current conditions you would be more a liability to me than an asset." The buozo snapped at the monocled one. Hakkai sighed. This was getting really tiring.

"Sanzo, snapping at me won't do you any good, you know?" Sanzo grumbled incoherently. Hakkai sighed again. It wouldn't do them any good if he lost his patience now and act like Sanzo. Someone has got to be level-headed. And in this case, he's the only choice.

"I suggest you hide us 'liabilities' as soon as possible. Kougaiji is sure to make his move while your conditions are unstable." He said after awhile of deliberating with endless possibilities of what Kougaiji might do.

"What are you talking about?" Sanzo asked as he crashed the remains of his cigarette in his hand.

"What I mean is that, while you and I are 'talking' here about this revenge plan, he's out there on his way to finish what he started."

"The Evil Sutra." Sanzo said realizing the youkai's true intention.

"Yes indeed. If you'd think about it, getting Goku on his side was a brilliant plan to get the Sutra." Hakkai said thoughtfully.

"If Kou had been a little luckier, he might have succeeded too." Hakkai added. Sanzo grumbled to himself as he stood and went to windowsill to contemplate. What Hakkai is saying really makes sense. Of course, Sanzo wasn't referring to Kou's 'brilliant' plan. His brain gears had already started churning when Hakkai had commented that Kou might be on his way to retrieve the Evil Sutra.

If he was Kougaiji, he would surely come back for the sutra as soon as humanly possible. He was supposed to be 'weak' and without a comrade. It's an opportunity that one couldn't let pass. Kougaiji'll be here tonight. Of that, Sanzo is now sure.

"Hakkai, take this." Sanzo said as he threw something on the monocled one's lap. Hakkai looked at it and gingerly picked it up.

"Sanzo?" He asks his eyes questioning.

"There's an underground place behind this house. I want you and Gojyo to hide there with the Sutra. Kougaiji'll be here tonight." With that Sanzo strode from across the room and to the door. He turned to Hakkai before heading out.

"Be sure to stay there until I say otherwise."

"Bu-but Sanzo!!"

"Go hide now!" Hakkai heard Sanzo faintly say from behind the closed door. Hakkai shook his head before standing up.

"God, you're still stubborn as hell!" Hakkai chuckled as he made haste towards his koi's bed and gently lifted him up.

"Yaone? What are you doing?" Lilin asked groggily to Yaone. The youkai just shook her head and tried to smile nonchantly at the little princess.

"It's nothing Lilin-sama. I was just making some medicine for Goku-sama." She said as lightly as possible. The princess might be as thick as the trunk of tree but Yaone couldn't be too sure. Lilin, just like Goku, shows a touch of intelligence every now and then. She'd have to be really, really careful.

"Oh. Oh, that's good." Lilin said as she stifled a huge yawn. She stood up and went to Yaone and watched her mixed herbs and other stuff. She sniffled some.

"Eww... Gross! Are you sure that's medicine Yaone?" Lilin asked suspiciously as she crossed her arms over her breasts and tapped a foot. Yaone forced a laugh out of her.

"Lilin-sama, isn't it you who told me that all medicine are gross looking, smelling and tasting?" Yaone said, teasing Lilin. Lilin's face darkened for a moment.

"Oh yeah. I did, didn't I?" Lilin said brightening visibly. She walked over the sleeping form of Goku and smiled at Yaone.

"Too bad for the saru ne?" The princess asked Yaone gaily.

"Yes, Lilin-sama. Too bad for him." She smiled to herself as she continued mixing the green, slimy substance she calls medicine. Yes, too bad for him.

t.b.c