Note : Hi, everyone! I'm really sorry,I have not updated like forever. Please forgive me! Here is the next chapter. Please continue to review. I really appreciate the effort. Thanks to all who have reviewed. I dedicate this chapter to all you peeps who reviewed!

Chapter 3

"Shirin," called Hakkai ,under his breath. "This going to get ugly . You know what to do, right?"

He was already channeling his energy. The demons outnumbered them by more than a dozen.

"Demo,Hakkai-san let me help…please!" pleaded Shirin.

"DAMN IT! Shirin, just do as we tell you!" yelled Gojyo harshly .He ran forward as the demons began to attack . Shirin ran to Hakkuryu.He stood well away from the fight. He was worried that someone will get hurt. He knew deep down he could help…he just did not know how. A movement to the right caught his attention. A demon was aiming a dagger at Hakkai whose back was turned away. Instinct took over. Shirin ran towards the demon ,while Hakkuryu flew to warn his master. Just as Hakkai turned, the demon threw the dagger. Shirin altered his course slightly, his eyes on the blade. Then everything seemed to stop as he jumped and caught the knife in midair. He stared at the knife and the blood dripping down his hand…after all, he had caught the knife by its blade.

"Woooh! Nice catch, Shirin!" Gojyo called out to him. Shirin looked up at the surprised Hakkai. When their eyes met, they both smiled. Then….Hakkai's eyes widened.

"Shirin!" he yelled out at a warning

Sanzo turned just in time to see the demon who had thrown the dagger, pick up Shirin like a toy and fling him away. Shirin hit a tree and slumped to the ground, He lay there not moving.

Goku ran towards him, killing the demon in the process.

"Don't move him,Baka!" shouted Sanzo as he too ran to join Goku.

"We have check his spine and head first"

Goku knelt beside Shirin, calling out to Shirin softly.

"Let me see,"Hakkai said softly. Together they carefully turned him over.Hakkai gave a sigh of relief. Apart from cut of his head, there were miraculously no other injuries on the child.Hakkai got down to business and began to heal the child .As he prepared to channel his chi, a voice interrupted his focus.

"Please don't", Rasped Shirin.

"Shirin!Are you ok?"

Shirin ignored the question.

"I'll heal on my own….don't heal me…you mustn't".

"Whaddya mean you mustn't?" interjected Gojyo. "Hakkai, ignore him….the kid's just delirious!"

But something about the look in Shirin's eyes made Hakkai hesitiate.He looked to Sanzo for a decision.Sanzo stood quietly , looking at the boy.

"Sanzo?"Hakkai's voice interrupted his thoughts.Voilet eyes met troubled brown ones.

"Please don't" they seemed to whisper before they slipped into unconsciousness.

"Do it" Sanzo commanded.

Hakkai did not wait for a second invitation, as he began to heal the little god. As he did so their environment began to change .

"What the hell?"Gojyo looked around startled. They were in a dining room. Three adults were sitting at a table….a woman and two men.Sanzo eyes widened as he recognized one of the men.

"Shirin, time for dinner!" called out the woman.

"Coming ,mama!"

The boys looked up in surprise as another Shirin…a much younger Shrin bounded into the room and took his place at the table.Noone noticed the Sanzo ikkou or the

unconscious Shirin on the floor.

"Hakkai,what is going on here?" Asked Sanzo.

Hakkai sat back ,his healing done.

"I'm not really sure." He smiled irritatingly." But it seems that we somehow tapped into Shirin's memory while healing him."

"Riiight!"Gojyo looked around frantically." So we are in the kid's head…get us out."

"I'm not sure how to do that."

"Tch!" Groaned Goku.

"Stupid monkey! What is your problem now?" Gojyo gave Goku a small nudge with his foot.

Goku pointed towards the table.

"I can't grab the food….It looks so delicious too!"

"Never mind the food! Hakkai, get us out of here!"Gojyo was becoming visibly uncomfortable as he looked for a way to escape.

"Why? You scared?" taunted Sanzo.

"Nah…it 's just….very awkward you know. Feels like we are trespassing!"

"Since when did you develop a conscience?" muttered Sanzo under his breadth as he put out his cigarette.

"Gojyo is right. A man's memory is a private thing." stated Hakkai.

"Ne ,Hakkai is that why Shirin did not want you to heal him?" asked Goku.

"Oi" Sanzo interrupted before Hakkai could reply." Did any of you fools notice who is sitting at the table?"

They turned together towards the table.Goku leapt up with his staff extended.

"Homura!"

"Goku,stop! Remenber,he is already dead…This is just a memory."

"Sanzo,why is Homura in Shirin's memory?"Goku asked .

"How the hell do I know? Ask the kid when he wakes up!"

Just then the visions began to blur and the surroundings changed back to normal.Shirin stirred slightly before slipping into unconscious again.

"Oi,Hakkai how come the surroundings did not change again?"

"I think," came the reply." It is because he is asleep not unconscious. Or…"

Hakkai lifted up a finger.

"It could have been a one time thing."

Hakki reexamined the cut.

"It is closed.Goku get some bandages from my pack."

Goku came running back.

"Ne Sanzo,do you think Shirin knows Homura?"

"I can tell you that!"

A new voice broke in, startling the boys. They spun around to look at the new arrival.A man stood where none had stood before.His dark hair was up in a tight knot. His expensive looking oriental robe was secured with a golden belt. Rings glittered on each of his fingers which he held, interlaced in front his chest. His beady eyes rested on each of them as he smiled. Though his clothes were expensive looking and elegant. He still seemed to ooze sleaze from every pore in his body. As his eyes fell on the still unconscious Shirin ,they glinted with a sort of hungry look in them.Goku stepped in front of Shirin protectively.

"Who are you?" Hakkai asked politly.The man gave them a theatrical bow. His answer stunned them all.

"Why, I'm Hyokko!"

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This is by far one the worst chapters I 've written !Way too much dialogue!Sigh! It looked so much better in my notebook.Tell me what you think…er…in a nice way.'kay?