05.04.2005: Comments to reviews removed. See chapter 3 for reason.

DISCLAIMER: Still not mine, and never will be. Send Fan Letters to Kazuya Minekura, and tell her to never stop expanding on Saiyuki!

CHAPTER 12

The youkai woman who had introduced herself as the daughter of Chin Yisou watched as the murderer tried to tear his claws through his comrade's flesh, the blond man not yet fighting in earnest, but dodging, blocking, as if hopeful that his friend would be able to regain enough common sense to recognize him and stop his assault.

It would not happen.

She stood nearby, smiling. Finally, revenge was imminent.

A small voice in her head, easy to ignore after years of practice, whispered, 'Is this truly what you want, Hari?'

Hari... her name had been Hari once, long ago – before her sire had come to her, to ask her if she wanted to join him, leave her mother's house... she had accepted, and liquid red on the entrance door's threshold had told her that it would not have made a difference anyway, had she refused...

Over the years, he had taught her a great many things, most of which were either supposed to bewitch or destroy. She had excelled in mixing together explosive powders and liquids from things commonly found in nature – and in using charmed gems to control people's senses, their responses...

Thus educated, her teacher had ordered her to wait in a certain region, to bide her time until her target showed up, a target described everyday, with a voice full of venom... She had done as she had been told, having to live among humans, weak and pathetic creatures, until either Yisou or the target would arrive where she was. If the target did arrive first, she was to assume that her father had been defeated.

And that was what had happened. It had been easy to recognize him, the murderer, and she had been watching him relentlessly until now. Now, the time for payback had come.

She decided to grace the voice, which oddly sounded like that of the woman who had born her, with a silent answer.

'Yes, this is what I want. This is what I have waited for... he will pay!'

She had been very careful in the creation of the particular amulets she wore right now – one provided the convenient binding spell, which had enabled her to paralyze the men, leaving them defenseless victims for the murderer, while the other one was able to fool everybody emanating youryoku into being unable to see her by creating a special barrier. The limiters could override the effect by containing the demonic power within the body – but that was nothing to worry about in her eyes.

At first, all she had intended to do was witness Gonou killing his incapacitated friends, but the idea of a futile fight to bring his companions' torture to a peak had intrigued her - and why not? The former Sanzo had to deal with his friend before he could even think about trying to attack her, and Yisou's daughter doubted that he would be able to subdue Gonou in his demonic form...

Meanwhile, Kouryuu had a hard time avoiding the continous swipes of clawed hands, trying to connect with his body and rip into it.

'Gods, he is even faster than usual...'

And for the first time since his transformation, he felt vaguely grateful, for his new condition provided him with the speed and stamina necessary to survive the lightning-quick attacks

'I would feel much more comfortable if I still had the sutra to bind him, though...'

Thinking this, he did not manage to jump sideways in time, and first blood was spilt – four deep parallel gashes had opened up on his upper arm, right below the shoulder, where Hakkai had used his opportunity and taken another swing.

Clenching his teeth together in pain, he barely managed to avoid the follow-up which had been aimed for his throat. Hakkai's grin had become a fixture of madness upon the brunette youkai's face; sinister glee danced in his eyes as he looked into his opponent's face.

"Hakkai... I don't want to hurt you, but you leave me no choice..."

Kouryuu had barely uttered the warning when he realized how ridiculous it sounded. How was he planning to hurt the youkai?

A wild cackle behind him told him of Yisou's daughter's amusement.

Continuing to dodge his companion's attacks, a thought formed in his mind.

'Fight fire with fire...'

It was the only way.

He began to pry on his limiters...

Goku, who was still lying on the floor off to the side and saw what the former monk was up to, tried to stop him.

"Kouryuu – don't!"

The blond man ducked under a kick that was aimed for his face, paid no attention to his charge's protests. Finally, the first bracelet loosened... and fell off his wrist.

A great surge of power rushed through his body, and he got out of Hakkai's reach with renewed vigor. Red haze began to cloud his vision, and he welcomed it.

"Put that thing back on, Kouryuu!"

Gojyo's voice, clearly close to a panic. This time, he took the time to answer, noting the snarl in his voice with mild surprise.

"I can incapacitate them both if I do this... once you can move again, take me out!"

Without waiting for a response, he pulled on his second limiter. This time, taking it off was infinitely easier.

And then...

Kouryuu felt the transformation begin, the process which painfully forced his hands, his face, his ears into a different shape. Suddenly, the slightest noise was loud as thunder, the rush of blood in his body was a raging river, the pounding of his heart the voice of the gods' wrath. The red haze before his eyes tinged everything, and the only thought left to him was 'kill!'...

I had planned for this to be longer, but I personally think it is a good point to leave it at for tonight (as I also have the feeling that the stuff I wanted to include will provide enough material for yet another chapter... and as I love to leave this at cliffhangers – in ensures me an audience ;-) ).

Let me know what you think!