A/N: Oooooookay. I'm really, really glad that I'm back to writing this after another grueling school day. I mean, all my profs are loading us with tests and assigns! Yay! So please forgive me if this chappy sucks big time. I'm blaming that stupid storm I kinda conjured (ya know singing every morning and the likes). I promise to do better. If I'm still alive and not buried under tons of work.

Lirin-Chan: Same here! It's been a long time since I the last time I did a fic with another. Though I tend to be soooo crazy sometimes when it comes to being a part author of a fic. (I once shared a fic with a friend. It's Card Captor Sakura. It was never posted 'coz it's full of bickering a la Goku and Gojyo. Believe me, we've already used a ream of pad paper, and still the fic is nowhere near the middle!)

Koinu-Chan: Even I like the way Ummei makes the clothes too. I really enjoy imagining it! I kinda got that from the Greek mythology. I just fused the three goddesses into one, gave her her own identity and her own way of determining the fate of a person.

Zelgadis55: Thanks a lot for agreeing 'bout Gojyo and Hakkai seeming right! I enjoyed writing that part big time!!! Thanks!!!

Etherereal-tenshi: It's okay. At least you were able to find it. Arigatou Gozaimasu!!!! (I tried finding it the other day without logging in or searching for it and it was hell hard!)

Darkstar51: Since I'm feeling great today, I'm not going to divulge anything whatsoever about you. But if you do anything as in ANYTHING absolutely CRAZY or anything of the like after I post this chappy, then prepare yourself for the biggest surprise of you life!!!! Bwahahaha :D

Arashi: Thanks a lot!!!!

Hayashi-kutsuki: really, really sorry about that. I'll try to make things simpler next time. Gomen ne

Now on with it!!!!!

As the group started their journey, the goddess and her subordinates are watching them closely. Hakkai and Gojyo are off to call up the monk while Sanzo and Hokura will be watching Goku's every move.

"I'm not feeling good about this Ummei." Niji sighed watching the goddess.

"Hmm?"

"Come on Ummei! You're not just intentionally and openly helping them, you gave them the Soul Ringer to call up a ghost, and not to mention you're breaking Tenkai laws! Do you hellishly want to be exiled or what?!?" Yume shrieked.

"By the way, how did you get the Soul Ringer?" Niji asked.

"Well, after you two appeared and delivered the news from Tenkai, I went straight to Kanzeon Bosatsu and asked for help. And since she is the goddess of mercy, she helped me get the Soul Ringer." Ummei smirked.

"B-a-k-e-r-u!"

"Hey watch this. Looks like Homura and Sanzo will be in trouble." Ummei giggled as she waved her hand.

The scene from Gojyo and Hakkai's tapestry returned to their respective cloths while that of Homura and Sanzo fused and lighted silver before growing in size.

"Why are you helping us out?" Sanzo asked coldly.

"I'm already caught up with Ummei's plan and your stupidity Konzen." The monk rolled his eyes.

"If I don't know better, I'm going to say you're getting soft Homura." Sanzo answered, urging his horse faster.

"Nani?!? You stupid, corrupt monk! You're getting off your rocker!"

"Admit it. When it comes to Ummei and Goku, you're one good little fighting god." The monk taunted.

"At least I'm not a worthless master who maltreats his pet and when gone, becomes insanely mad about finding him!"

"K'so, is that Konzen and Homura?!?!" Niji asked in bewilderment.

"Hai!" the girl replied cheerfully.

"They look like children. I'm so going to love this!" Yume smirked.

"Enough with them. Let's check on Gojyo and Kai next."

With another wave, Homura and Sanzo disappeared to be replaced by the faces of Gojyo and Hakkai. The two have found temporary shelter inside a worn-out hut on the way. Hakkai is currently giving some fruits to the dragonet sprawled on the table while Gojyo is looking through the window.

"When will we get there?" Gojyo asked turning away from the window and sitting on the floor.

"We're nearing the monastery now. Maybe by noon tomorrow we could possibly reach the forest that leads to the monastery. That is, if there will be no delays." The brunette answered looking at the map.

"You mean we're going through that damn forest again?!? Without any help?!? How the fucking hell can we do that?!?!" Gojyo pounded on the creaking floor.

"I don't know Gojyo but there's no other way to make it there." Hakkai sighed.

Ummei wiped the scene and it disappeared through thin air. The looms are all weaving by themselves making up the fates of their owners including Goku's. After looking through heretic's tapestry, the kami sighed and stood up from her throne.

"Come on, let's leave for a while. I need some space." She said toher subordinates.

"But what if something happens to Goku?"

"I'll be able to sense that Niji. But for now, I need to get as far away from this room as possible. We've spent a whole day here, I'll let them weave their fates for now." The two looked at each other but followed the girl anyway.

A young girl tugs Hakkai's sleeve before breaking into a run. He tried to catch the girl that is about to enter a forest path in front of them. Recognizing it as the one that leads up to the monastery, the brunette stops the girl but she in turn just smiled, held his hand and ushered him forward.

"Ne, this is dangerous you know. We need to go back. We will get lost here." He said softly to the girl.

"Iie. Let's go there. I'm going to show you something." The girl answered cheerfully pointing to the top of the mountain.

The two walked around the foot of the mountain until the girl stopped beside a huge tree. She flashed a wide smile to Hakkai before she started removing the vines in front of her. The brunette still puzzled with everything helped the girl until a huge door was revealed in front of them.

"Come on. We're almost there." The girl giggled.

He opened the door and saw a flight of stairs beyond it. The other side is dark but the girl went inside anyway. He heard a clinking of metal and the girl emerged with a lamp in her hand. They climbed what seemed like a thousand or more steps until they came in front of a dead end. Hakkai looked at the girl who is still smiling and asked for directions. The girl held his hand and they pushed what seemed like a rock in front of them that easily gave way. A well-lit hall welcomed them as they emerged from the secret passage with the girl still leading the way. They walked around the corridor until they stopped in front of a door. It automatically opened revealing a dark space. The girl broke from Hakkai's hold and dashed inside. She sat through a crumpled heap of clothes until she got up, a staff in her outstretched arms and walked to the brunette. He smiled as he saw the staff and reached out for it. With this their errand will be easier. With this, all they have to do is call up the monk's spirit, dash to Sanzo and Homura, finish the youkai and save Goku. The girl is almost there, the staff is at his reach…. Then, A loud crash disturbed the stillness of the night.

"What was that?!" Hakkai asked himself as he sat up from his sleep.

"Kyuu, kyuu." He looked at the dragonet circling around the bell the goddess gave them.

"Gojyo must've dropped it in his sleep. Good thing nothing's wrong with it or anything." He said to himself as he put the bell on the table.

"That was a really strange dream." He thought as he walked outside the hut.

Dawn greeted him outside as sat by the opened door. He is thinking about the dream he had. He heard people saying that a dream, when it comes at dawn is truest of all. Strangely enough, it is still in his mind, everything from the appearance of the girl until the finding of the staff. He knows there is no ay they can get through the forest without divine help but through the secret passage… This time, he is hoping that his dream will turn to a reality.

When morning came, Ummei came out of her chamber and into the weaving room where she greeted her two subordinates cheerfully.

"I smell something rotten." Yume muttered.

"What? Do you think she has something up her sleeve?" Niji whispered to her.

"Of course I don't! And if I do, it's either done or is on its way to the brewing area." Ummei smirked appearing behind them.

"Okay, okay smart one, now what are we here for?"

Ummei sat on her throne and watched as the tapestries weave themselves continuously.

"Now, let's see what is happening to them…"

With a wave of her hand, two of the tapestries glowed silver, merged and became an instant screen for them. When the light faded, they saw Gojyo and Hakkai preparing for their departure. With a motion of her finger, the scene changed to Homura and Sanzo, still on their way to the mountain. Ummei sighed and muttered something under her breath, Sanzo's face disappeared and a map was in front of them. Two silver orbs are fast moving to a woodland while two others are approaching a mountain. The girl's eyes sparkled as the map disappeared. Then, she turned to the tapestry weaving beside her and into Goku's fate.

"No one's helping you Goku. Can't you see that? It's been a while since I caught you but still no one succeeded in rescuing you. Don't you think your friends gave up on you after all the trouble you caused? Who knows, maybe they are now continuing their journey and time will come that they will forget you even existed." The voice in Goku's head jeered.

"No. They won't do that!"

"Really? Then why do I sense a feeling of betrayal in you? Why do you have second thoughts? Admit it. Even to yourself you must admit that you are losing hope that they will save you, that they will come back for you…"

"N-no. I'm not. Sanzo and the others will come. And if they don't, I'm going to deal with you myself!"

"Do what you want. I'll be right here waiting for your time, for my time."

"Shut up and leave me alone!" Goku shouted.

"I can't. I'm inside you now, ready to take over when you're off your guard. Remember that little monkey."

"Go to hell!"

Goku marched outside the cave and walked around the forest gathering some fruits on the way. He went to a river, cleaned himself and his now healing wound before sitting under the shade of a huge tree. He looked up to the leaves trying hard not to make the tears in his eyes fall. Yes, he is doubting his friends now, even Sanzo. There's no sign of anyone near him. The hope of being rescued slowly dies in him now. He feels he want to give up to the youkai in him. Give up and kill everyone, even Sanzo.

"What use is putting Goku's fate beside you when you know that if you use your powers to help him, the youkai will know about it?" Yume asked the goddess.

"You know what this loom si for right?" Ummei asked with a smile.

"Yeah. It's for the one greatly favored by fate. But in my opinion, what's happening with Goku is not a good example of a person who receives a favor from you." Niji answered matter-of-factly.

"Being favored by fate does not always mean you get lucky everytime. Remember that fate works in a mysterious way. And when duty calls, I need to answer of course." she smiled as a small orb of silver formed in her hands.

"But the youkai will find out!"

"No Niji. This will be the pure work of Goku's fate. Now watch and learn." She said as she blew the orb into the tapestry.

As Goku continued his musings, he heard something far off. Intrigued, he got up and went to the origin of the sound. He moved the thick grass in front of him and saw a fox cornering a pure white rabbit. Knowing what will happen to the poor creature, Goku summoned his Nyoibu but hesitated when he remembered what happened to him last time. With a heavy heart, he tried to walk away from the scene but the terrified appearance of the animal stayed in his mind. He then retraced his steps and attacked the fox.

"Well ell well, it's feeding time again isn't it? You're so kind to feed me Goku." The youkai sneered in his head.

"No! I'm not going to let you take over me this time!" He shouted as he delivered a hit through the fox.

"Let's see about that."

Goku then let go of his weapon and cringed to the ground. The fox, having stood to its feet again snarled at the heretic. Goku lifted his head and the fox whine din terror when the once golden eyes are now glowing red. Goku rolled to the ground over and over, trying to fight the youkai in him until at last he stood up panting.

"I told you I'm not letting you out this time!" He said as he avoided the fox who again attacked sensing the evil driven away.

Goku ducked and made a quick grab of his weapon and with it drove the fox away. Tired, he sat on the ground catching his breath when the rabbit came out of the bushes and hopped beside him.

"Hello there!" he smiled taking the rabbit into his arms.

"Thanks for helping me earlier. I never thought I'd be able to fight both the youkai and the fox. You know what? Because of you, I've learned that I still have control of myself and I can defeat that youkai."

The bushes beside him moved and a face of another rabbit appeared followed by two others. Knowing that he must let go of his newfound friend, Goku released the rabbit that joined his friends after one last look to the heretic boy. He stared at the bushes before flopping down the grass.

"How can I be so stupid!?! I know Sanzo and the others will get me out of here. How can I lose faith in my friends? They will be here. I don't know they will find me but I know they will. And until that time comes, I'll do my best and not let this damn youkai rule over me!" he said to himself as he drifted to a peaceful sleep.

"A rabbit?!?! When the hell did you get that crazy Ummei?!?! That was way too stupid!!!" Yume shrieked.

"But it worked!" the kami answered beaming.

"Honestly I have to agree with Yume that it was a childish, simple, worthless, and stupid thing to do. But must also admit that it had great effect on Goku."

"That's the beauty of it! It was childish enough for Goku to relate and understand, simple enough that it only needed a fox and a few rabbits to do the trick, worthless enough to make the youkai die with shame upon being subdued by Goku just because of a helpless animal, and stupid enough for anyone not to notice that it was a work of a kami." Ummeie explained with a broad grin.

"I can't believe you. How in the name of heaven and hell can you do that kind of thing?!?"

"That's it Yume. That's my job. To make everyone think about how a certain thing happened. To keep them wondering how, for it to be always a mystery. That, is my job as the goddess of fate."

Silver lights in front of them made their eyes shift from Goku's cloth to the others. Two of the tapestries are glowing and merging. Once a scene unfolded, they saw Hakkai and Gojyo inside Hakuryuu approaching the foot of the mountain.

"Er, they do know what they are getting into right? I mean, they can't possibly get out without help so what's the point of going there?"

"That is the only way to the monastery Niji." Yume glared at the taboo child.

"Or maybe not." The two looked at Ummei then to the hakuryuu who suddenly turned right.

"Oi Hakkai, where are you taking us?!? The path is supposed to be that way!!!" Gojyo asked the brunette.

"If we use that path, you know we will be hellishly lost for kami knows when."

"Do you have any other plans?"

"I think so. But's its better than forever finding the way out of that crazy forest."

"You didn't tell them the secret passage did you?"

"How will they know if nobody told them Niji? Ummei, that is clearly breaking Tenkai laws!"

" Yume, calm down will you? I sent it through a dream. Sending messages to anyone using their dreams is one of the things I was granted to use on my own free will. I'm not breaking any laws, just using what they gave me." She smirked.

"You're getting impossible."

"That is impossible." Niji commented looking at the scene that is now showing Sanzo and Homura.

"Okay now where are we?" Sanzo asked the fighting god.

"Somewhere inside a forest." Came the answer.

"I damn fucking know we are inside a forest but where is the blasted way out?!?"

"Just turn right." Homura answered ignoring Sanzo's words.

"Are you damn sure?"

"Just do as I say will ya?!"

"No way. The last time you gave the direction, we ended up in front of a cliff remember? Now, hive me that blasted map and I'll get us out of here!" veins started popping out of the monk's head.

"You nearly lost the map earlier! Not to mention you were the one who led us to a place completely far from the entrance path to this forest."

"Just give it to me!" Sanzo spat jerking the map away from the kami's hands. He inspected it for sometime before he spoke

"To the right." He said as his horse broke into a run.

"Like I said." Homura muttered following the monk.

"Uh Hakkai, what are we supposed to do here?" Gojyo asked as Hakkai jumped off hakuryuu.

"Here, help me take these vines off."

Gojyo complied and they ripped off the plants infront of them. When it cleared up, a door was in front of them just like what happened in Hakkai's dream. The brunette opened it and the flight of stairs was revealed.

"Er, where does this door leads?" Hakkai didn't answer but instead went inside and felt through the wall.

"Can you light this thing? We're going to need this big time."

With Hakkai leading the way, they climbed the stairs but the time it took seemed longer than in his dream. Upon reaching the stone, Gojyo collapsed on the steps.

"I can't believe this. I climbed this far only to find a dead end?!? Hakkai, who the hell told you to go this way? That's it. I'm coming back."

"Kyuu, kyuu, kyuu."

Gojyo didn't notice it when Hakkai pushed the trapdorr and went inside the hall. Upon hearing the dragonet, he turned and saw the smiling brunette and the hallway.

"K'so. How did you do that?!?"

"Come on. The staff is near." Hakkai smiled as they continued walking.

"Honestly Kai, you're creeping me out." Gojyo shuddered as a cold wind blew past them.

A few more minutes of walking passed then the two stopped in front of a door. Hakkai pushed it open and saw what he had already seen in his dream. Crumpled pieces of clothing scattered on the floor.

"Uh, is this the place where we can find the staff?" Gojyo asked

"Yeah. Just wait for a while."

Gojyo complied while the brunette rummaged through the tattered material until he stood up, a wooden staff with bells in hand.

"Okay, I think this is it." Hakkai smiled to the redhead leaning against the wall.

"How did you know that???"

"Come on, I'll tell you on the way."

"Where is he?" Homura asked trying to see the map.

"He's just beyond the trees over there." He answered, pointing to the said direction.

"Then let's go." Homura began to move when Sanzo stopped him.

"He'll hear us if we come any closer. He might think we're some kind of animal and attack us. We have to wait for the right time." The monk reasoned out.

"But when will we know the right time?"

"Good question. They know where Goku is but they don't know what's happening to him." Yume said looking at the goddess.

"Er, right. I kinda forgot about that."

"Nani?!?! What are they supposed to do now? Just stay there. I mean, they are quite far from Goku and they can't possibly watch him from there."

"Yuuume.."

"I don't like the feeling of this." The heretic girl said looking at the goddess.

"Aw come on, you just need to bring them the new map I'm about to make. And tell Homura-san that when his task is done, Tenkai orders him to go back to Konran Tower immediately."

"You're sending me there just to give them a piece of parchment and tell a lie? Why not choose Niji?"

"Stop whining brat!" Niji said.

"Okay, here we go again." Ummei said holding a parchment in front of her

"A map I seek, I sorely need

To see the place where I exist

Tell me where, tell me where

The person I follow and the place of my quest."

The parchment lighted up and it seems an invisible hand is writing on the surface as mountains and forests appear. When the light faded, five silver orbs where there. Two are coming back from a mountain while three are inside a forest. Ummei smiled and motioned for Niji to take Goku's fate from the tapestry and place it on the ground. When this is done, she placed the map above it and waved her hand.

"Fuse and be one, to thee I command

Parchment and fate act as one

Discard the past hold back the future

Show only what is now, as the present unfolds."

"Okay. Now give this to them and tell them that all they need to do if they want to check on Goku is to press on the silver orb that represents him and they will know what he's doing. Clear?"

"Hai."

"Don't appear near them. The youkai will sense it remember that." Niji reminded.

With a dust cloud, Yume disappeared

"So a girl just popped out in your dream and showed everything to you?" Gojyo asked in disbelief when Hakkai narrated his dream.

"Yes. I know it's quite preposterous but it stayed in my hours after I woke up so I gathered that it must be another way we can go there."

As they continue down the road, the staff and the bell given by started to light up.

"Uh, I think something's happening to these two." He gestured to the things he's holding.

"Yeah. Maybe it means the spirit of the monk is just somewhere near here."

They circled around the perimeter for some time and observed the staff and the bell. There are some places wherein the light of the staff is strong and there are spots where the light wanes. But the bell remained lighted all throughout their rounds. After some time, Hakkai stopped Hakuryuu and the two jumped down from the jeep.

"Uh Hakkai, are you sure this'll work?"

"The light of the staff is strongest here we ought to start in this part."

"Uh, who will use the bell?" Gojyo asked uncertainly.

"I'll use it. Youi just keep an eye for the monk and the staff as well."

"Okay. Just be careful. You don't know what you're dealng with there."

"Hai." The brunette smiled.

As the bell sounded, cold air rushed up to them. A few more rings and soft moans were heard everywhere as misty figures started to crowd around them. Hakkai looked around while ringing the bell in his hands while Gojyo tried to find the monk, staff in his hand. In only a short while a thick crowd of ghosts surrounded them making it almost impossible to recognize each of them as they are transparent. Gojyo was about to shout and shove his way only to find the monk but the staff saved him. It glowed brightly and flew from Gojyo's hand and disappeared through the spirits. Only a faint light could be seen and the redhead's damn sure the staff flew to its owner.

"Can the one who holds the staff please come here?!" He called to them hesitantly.

After a while, a monk was beside him holding the staff in his transparent hands. He gave him a polite smile and a bow which made Gojyo sigh in relief.

"Okay Kai, we have our ghost, you can stop now."

After the other spirits have dispersed, the monk, still smiling asked them a few questions as to where they got the staff and what do they want. Knowing time is essential, the two decided to tell the story on the way to the forest.

Gojyo and Hakkai have completed their missions while Yume brings the new map to Homura and Sanzo. It's only a matter of time before they meet and that's where they will attack. And when it happens, the fate of the innocent Goku will be at stake…

A/N: At veeeerrrryyy long last!!!!! Waaaaaaahhh!!!!!!! :'c. I made the latter parts of this chappy in a hurry so really, really sorry if it's bad (and also if the whole chappy is bad.). Final chappy is on the way guys so please bear with me still. Until then, Love ya all guyz!!!