A/N: Ei thanks a lot to the reviews!!! Hope you like this chappy as well. I made this as fast as I can. Love you all guys!!!!! Btw, this chappy is for the Saiyuki guys (as I call them secretly), the rest of the class of IV Leadership batch 04, and of course all my readers!!!!!!!!!
*Ethereal tenshii: Thanks! Sorry but I can't take that freak away from Goku, he likes to tail him wherever he goes. ^_~
*Merf: What can I say, but a big, big, thanks!!!!!
*Saiyuki G.H.S.G: Thanks a lot, really!!!!!!! Er, what does G.H.S.G. means? (Goku, Homura, Sanzo, Goku?) Gomen, just curious.
*Koinu-Chan: Thanks a lot for the review and for putting this on your fave list. Thanks, thanks, and thanks!
Now on with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Homura waited impatiently for the reports of his two subordinates until at last; Zenon and Shien presented themselves in front of the fighting god.
"No news at all?" Asked Homura.
"None, no traces were left. But he's out there somewhere." Zenon said
"What will be your action?" Shien asked.
"Nothing. We'll just wait here until we hear some news. He'll be doing his move sooner or later. So no matter what, we'll be able to find him. But for now, let's be back to our old targets." A sly smile formed in his lips.
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"Ne Goku, feeling better?" Hakkai asked looking at the heretic.
"Hai. Thanks to you guys."
The Sanzo-ikkou drove away from the town the next morning. Goku's still suffering from a light fever but Sanzo was eager to go. None told Goku about the cloaked figure that stood near him nor the fact that someone might be after him. Those are to be kept secret. For now that is…
"I'm starving. I want some food!" the heretic whined.
"As you can see, we're in the middle of nowhere Mr. Saru." Gojyo said.
"Shut up you mouths." Barked Sanzo. Then the jeep halted.
"Ne Hakkai what's wrong?" The redhead asked.
"The way's blocked. A bunch of fallen logs and trees are on the road. We can't pass through."
"Does that means we have to take the long way?" Gojyo asked.
"I'm afraid so Gojyo." The brunette said backing up. Sanzo became more irritated.
"What?!?! I'm about to die starving!!!!!!" the boy whined.
The next few miles were traveled in silence, as Goku grew tired and fell asleep. Sanzo exchanged seats with Gojyo to support the sleeping boy throughout the journey. Reaching for his forehead, Sanzo felt the remains of the fever still lingers in Goku. Glancing around the surroundings, he made sure that the weird fellow they found in Goku's room is nowhere near them. But Sanzo's mind is telling him a different thing.
"If that creature isn't here, he's planning something big." Sanzo thought.
They reached the next town barely before the sun disappeared, and everyone was thankful. It will be hard going through the dark roads and forests when you know someone's watching your every move. They booked three rooms for the night. One for Gojyo, One for Hakkai, and one will be for Sanzo and Goku. The monk seems determined to watch the boy as closely as possible everytime. He can't afford to endanger the boy's life anymore, not after what happened.
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Goku started to drift into a peaceful sleep knowing Sanzo's with him and the other two are just on the other side of the wall. They will protect him, he will be safe with them, and they will never let anyone harm him. Slowly his citrine eyes closed, sleep engulfed him and he surrendered. There's nothing to fear now; he's safe from anything, anyone. Or so he thought. Sanzo, Hakkai and Gojyo can protect him in the real world, but in his dreams, he's alone, trapped in his own unconscious state of mind. There's no one to help him. No one…
"Goku." A voice called.
"Dare da?" Goku asked squinting in the dark.
"Goku." Again the voice uttered but it seems to be moving away.
"Ne, where are you?" again the boy asked.
The voice faded until nothing was heard. Goku stood puzzled in the darkness. There's no sign of anything. No movements, no voices, only pure sinister darkness that hides evil in every corner.
"Goku." Again the voice was heard, now followed by tingling of bells.
"Follow me." It continued.
The boy asked where a lot of times but got no answer. Goku waited and waited, until when he's about to ask another question, something happened. A thin white light appeared in front of him. It became wider by the second until it formed a path in the dark. Again, the voice sounded, luring Goku to follow the light. The boy followed with no questions asked. His movements are stiff, and eyes glazed as if his mind trailed off somewhere. The voice called for him as he took one step at a time like a mechanical doll.
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Sanzo peacefully sleeps beside a dresser. He did not hear Goku's footsteps nor the loud creaking of the wooden door. Gojyo and Hakkai are in their respective rooms, both sound asleep as well. A grey mist filled their rooms as they sleep, making them numb and drawn to their dreams. Goku continued to walk outside the inn with eyes closed.
"Come closer little one." The voice said kindly, the bells did not stop
"Something awaits you here." Goku continued to walk as if in a trance
"Only a few steps more, Goku. Only a few steps more."
Goku made a halt in front of the silhouetted being. The cloaked figure motioned for one more step and Goku followed. Then, his eyes turned back to their normal state as a cold hand grasped his arm. Goku looked up to see his attacker but only saw two pools of burning crimson eyes looking down to him. He yelped and made for a run, but the creature still holds his hand and pulled him with immense force.
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The sun's rays touched Sanzo's face that morning. He had a good night's sleep last night. Beautiful dreams, a peaceful feeling, it was long since he last felt those things. He turned to look at Goku and went white when he found the bed empty.
"What the hell…" He dashed outside and pounded on Hakkai's room.
"Hakkai, Hakkai!" Sanzo called before the brunette opened the door.
"Is anything wrong?"
"Goku!" Sanzo said but Hakkai continued.
"He's missing am I right?" Sanzo gave him a puzzled but suspicious look.
"The look on your face says so."
"Come on let's find him." Sanzo said and they both ran outside.
They first searched the inn and the surrounding areas but no results. They were standing in front of the inn's door trying to figure out where could the boy go when a man talking to his companion passed in front of them.
"There are lots of people there. There had been an accident I presume. A body was found in a pool of blood half an hour ago but no one recognizes the boy…" Sanzo's blood froze.
"Did you say a boy?" Sanzo asked the man, his eyes hidden in his golden locks.
"Yes. It was found below the broken bridge earlier this morning. It seems the boy's dead."
At these words Sanzo darted away ignoring Hakkai and the man.
"What's wrong with him?" the man's companion asked.
"Nothing. I'm sorry for this but thank you anyway for the news." Hakkai said politely before catching up with Sanzo.
A crowd circled the place where Goku lay unconscious and bleeding. Sanzo pushed his way to get to the boy and check on him. Hakkai came and saw what happened froze in his position. Sanzo took the boy in his arms and carried him away from the crowd. Hakkai followed.
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Hakkai ran towards the inn but halted when he saw Sanzo lagging behind. He paused and took a good look at his friend. Sanzo's steps were slow and his gaze down at the boy. Hakkai did not see it but tears slowly fell from the monk's violet eyes to the boy's skin. Hakkai knowing every second counts, ran towards Sanzo and took the boy from his arms. Sanzo did not complain or anything, he just continued walking aimlessly with eyes cast down at the thought of losing the boy. Once inside their room, Hakkai healed all of Goku's wounds quickly and laid him down the bed. His pulse is weak but he knows the boy will soon recover and regain consciousness. After some time, Sanzo entered the room still dazed. Gojyo upon seeing him blocked his way and gave him a hard punch.
"Dammit Sanzo! Goku's about to die and you are like that?!?! What the stupid hell ever happened to that corrupt monk I know?" He said as Sanzo hit the wall.
"Come on, what stinking thought came into that brain of yours? Goku is about to die and you, the one who is supposed to take care of him did what? Hell, Nothing!! You were just walking like a fool never minding the helpless boy you were carrying! If Hakkai here hadn't snatched him away from you, I'm terribly sure Goku's all cold and dead by now!!!!" Gojyo's words seemed to have no effect on Sanzo as he still sat by the wall.
"Gojyo stop it. You can't blame Sanzo." Hakkai said softly trying to subdue the taboo child's anger.
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Darkness came and spread all over town. It's all quiet and mysterious. Hakkai and Gojyo are taking turns watching both Sanzo and Goku for the night. This is getting more and more dangerous. Not knowing your opponent is bad enough, not knowing when or where he will strike is worse. Despair starts to creep in their whole being as if devouring all their hopes. Hidden somewhere, a cloaked figure is smiling to himself, a feeling of contentment written in his face.
"This is just the beginning Goku. This is just the beginning."
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Homura is again hearing his subordinates report that they when a thought crossed Zenon's mind.
"I heard Son Goku had been injured badly last night." Homura's eyes opened.
"What did you say?" the kami asked.
"Fell from a broken bridge last night. Must be not in his right state of mind. He's not that stupid to do that." Zenon continued.
"Maybe it's him. Attacked Goku while he's asleep. Always his strategy" Shien suggested.
"Yes. It must be him." Homura answered softly
"What will we do now?" Shien asked.
"We'll go after him. You two find where he is right now. We still have an unfinished business with each other."
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A/N: Arrrr, I only have one thing to say before I go, and that is HARAHETTA!!!!! Well, Goku's mysterious attacker will be unveiled next chappy so please watch out for it! And please tell me what you think.