Disclaimer: I don't own anybody in Saiyuki! They all belong to Kazuya Minekura.

Author's note: Hey guys, I'm back! I missed you all! I am SO SORRY if I haven't updated for such a long time. Our computer broke down twice and we had to get it fixed…so there goes all my files! Everything was gone! My documents, pictures and most of all my fanfic! Well, hope you guys aren't too mad at me! Gome! Gome! I am so mad at myself though… anyway… here's chapter 12 and I hope you enjoy it! Please read and review! Its been a while…

Chapter 12: Hope

Sanzo woke up ahead of everyone the next day. He sat up and looked around to see where he was. He was back at the cabin… with the others. Goku and Gojyo were sprawled on the ground, still fast asleep. Hakkai was sitting up, his back leaning on a few boxes, but he was also asleep. Then, he looked down. He saw himself covered in bandages. "It must have been Hakkai…" he thought. Just then, he remembered what happened last night. Between him and Homura. He panicked as he looked around the cabin, but he quickly calmed down when he saw Shiey asleep on the ground not far from him. He walked over to her and sat there for a while. Her face looked peaceful, but if you looked at the rest of her, then you might change your mind. Her lavender top were torn in some places and her skirt was the same. Her arm was bandaged because of a few cuts. Her legs had black and blue bruises all over them. And just when Sanzo thought it couldn't get worse… it did. Shiey moved uneasily and lay on her side, her back now facing Sanzo. His eyes grew in shock at what he saw on Shiey's back. There was a huge wound that was neatly bandaged, but blood has already started seeping out of it. Shiey's top was held together by only a few more pieces of fabric on the bottom. "Homura…" Sanzo said in fury. Then, his features slightly softened as Shiey turned to face him again. "Shiey… What did he do to you?" he whispered. Just then, he saw Hakkai move from the corner of his eye. He turned to look at him. "Good morning." Hakkai greeted with a smile. Sanzo looked away and turned back to Shiey. "I'll have to change her bandages later." Hakkai said, approaching Sanzo. "How'd we get here?" Sanzo asked, not tearing his eyes away from Shiey. "If I'm correct, I think Shiey brought us here." Hakkai replied. "I thought her powers were weakening." Sanzo said. "Well, that troubles me as well. We'll just have to ask Shiey when she wakes up." Hakkai said. "So, did she heal us as well?" Sanzo inquired. "She was only able to heal my wounds. I think it was because she knew I could take care of you guys. And besides, I think she was tired from everything that happened." Hakkai answered. "We won't be traveling today, are we, Sanzo?" Hakkai asked. "No." Sanzo replied. "I suppose not." Hakkai added. A moment of silence occurred, but was broken by Goku and Gojyo who had just waken up. "What a beautiful day!" Goku remarked, stretching his arms. "When's breakfast?" he suddenly asked, causing Gojyo to sweat drop. "Is that all you ever think about, you stupid monkey?" Gojyo teased. "No, you stupid water sprite!" Goku yelled. "Okay, then give me something else you think about." Gojyo declared. "Okay! Um…" Goku started. "I knew it…" Gojyo said. "What do you mean by that!" Goku yelled. "Just the way I said it." Gojyo replied. And so, an argument began. "Now, now. Why don't you guys settle down and I'll make breakfast?" Hakkai said, attempting to break it up. "Yeah! Food!" Goku exclaimed.

Konran tower…

"Is it taking effect yet?" Homura asked. "It might be. She already saw them last night. And seeing that some of her powers have returned, it must be taking its course." Shien replied. "Good." Homura said. "What's the curse you put on her anyway?" Zenon asked. "The curse of Shizai. It is able to make a person forget every happy memory and leaves them only with the bad." Shien answered. "Harsh." Zenon remarked. "Exactly." Homura said, grinning in satisfaction.

"Hakkai, is Sanzo okay?" Goku asked. "He's fine, Goku." Hakkai reassured with a smile. "Will he be eating breakfast?" Goku inquired. "Maybe later." Gojyo replied. "When will Shiey wake up?" Goku asked again. "She might wake up soon." Hakkai stated. And so, they continued eating. Suddenly, Goku dropped his chopsticks and stopped eating, causing Hakkai and Gojyo to look at him in surprise. "Hakkai—will Shiey be okay?" Goku asked with a serious look on his face. Hakkai looked at him and smiled, "She'll be just fine, Goku."

Sanzo sat there, not taking his eyes away from Shiey. There was nothing to say. He closed his eyes for a second and looked away from Shiey, then he took out a cigarette from his pocket. He lighted it and started smoking. Shiey was just lying there, not moving. "Damn," Sanzo remarked. He once again rested his eyes on Shiey's sleeping form. "I hate it when I'm like this." Sanzo said to himself. He couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened to Shiey. If he never got mad at her, none of these would have happened. She wouldn't have had to get hurt like this. She wouldn't have had to endure the pain. Sanzo gritted his teeth in anger. "Shiey… I'm sorry." Sanzo whispered.

Inside Shiey's thoughts…

Everything was dark. You couldn't see anything. Just then, the bright rays of the sun came emerging from the horizon. Shiey shut her eyes, the sun was too bright. Suddenly, out of nowhere, four silhouettes came from the sun. Shiey stood up and walked towards it. Just when she took her first few steps, she heard something break and she felt herself falling… fast. Suddenly, she heard voices from all around her. The voices sounded familiar. Just then, she landed on the ground with a thud. You couldn't see or hear anything. Just then, it started raining, and there, in the distance, was the bright moon. Shiey couldn't move… she was stuck. Suddenly, she opened her hands and was surprised to see a silver necklace with an emerald green pendant. She kneeled and examined it. "Hakkai… Hakkai gave this to me." She said slowly. "Shiey!" a voice called from the distance. Shiey looked up and was surprised to see Goku. She stood up and ran to him, "Shiey! Over here!" Goku called. But as soon as he appeared, he vanished. Shiey stopped in her tracks, when suddenly, she heard another voice call. "Hey, pretty lady… over here." Came Gojyo's voice. Shiey looked behind her and smiled. She made her way to Gojyo, but when she was about to reach to him, he disappeared. Her eyes widened in shock. Tears started to form in her eyes. "What's happening?" she asked herself. Just then, a familiar voice called, "Shiey, come here." The tone was rather cold. She looked beside her, and she was not mistaken. Sanzo was standing right there. "Sanzo!" she exclaimed, walking towards him. "What?" Sanzo asked. Shiey smiled an shook her head, "Nothing… I'm just glad to see you." But as soon as she finished her sentence, Sanzo was nowhere in sight. "Sanzo?" she called. But there was no reply. She could only hear the raindrops. Suddenly, she fell on her knees. Then, she started crying. "Why is this happening?" she asked herself, trying to hold back the tears that didn't seem to cooperate. She was wet. Nothing was spared. Even her underwear was wet. Suddenly, out of the blue, called an awfully familiar voice, "Shiey!" Shiey looked behind her and saw Hakkai. Her eyes widened and she looked at him. "It's me." Hakkai said. Shiey stood up from the ground and continued looking at him. "I love you, Shiey." Hakkai said. Shiey shut her eyes, "No, you're going to disappear to! Just like the others!" Shiey shouted in disbelief. "I'll never leave you. I'll be with you always." Hakkai replied. Shiey opened her eyes and ran towards him. "Hakkai!" she exclaimed as she ran to him with tears still flowing from her eyes. Hakkai opened his arms to catch her, but when Shiey was about to hug him, he vanished. She fell on the ground and looked up. She was alone. No one was there. Not Gojyo. Not Goku. Not Sanzo… And not even Hakkai. She furrowed her brows and started crying. Scenes ran through her mind… It was the times that she spent with them. She cried uncontrollably. But no one was there to comfort her. No one…

Sanzo was taken by surprise when he saw Shiey moving uneasily. She looked like she was in pain. She started groaning. "Shiey…" Sanzo said. Hakkai, Gojyo and Gojyo ran to where Sanzo was and looked at Shiey. "What's happening to her, Hakkai?' Goku asked. "I don't know, Goku. It seems like she's in pain." Hakkai replied. "What do we do?" Gojyo asked. Hakkai took Shiey in his arms and started shaking her awake. "Shiey! Shiey! What's wrong? Wake up!" Hakkai said over and over. Finally, she stopped groaning and fell asleep once more. "Will she be okay?" Sanzo asked. "Yes, she must've had a bad dream." Hakkai reassured as he placed her down on the ground once more. Sanzo looked at her, worry in his eyes. Hakkai sat down beside him. "You don't have to worry, Sanzo. She'll be fine. She might be waking up soon." Hakkai said. "Yeah." Sanzo said in an emotional tone. "Just call me if there's trouble, I'll be preparing our lunch." Hakkai said, standing up to leave. "Yeah." Sanzo replied. Hakkai started walking, but stopped and looked back at Sanzo. "I've never seen him this depressed." Hakkai thought. Then, he looked at Shiey. "Shiey… please wake up soon." Hakkai thought.

Inside Shiey's thoughts…

The rain wouldn't stop. Shiey was kneeling on the ground, the silver bracelet still in her hand. Images of Gojyo, Goku, Sanzo and Hakkai entered her mind. She remembered all the things she did with them. Just then, her head started hurting a lot. She grasped it in pain. "What's… happening…?" she said as she tried to ignore the pain. "Yaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!" she screamed in pain as she fell on the ground. Just then, the pain faded and she sat up again. She looked at her hands and saw a silver necklace, "What… is this?" she asked herself. Just then, an image of a kid with brown hair and gold eyes entered her mind. He had an innocent smile on his face. The next image was a man with scarlet red hair and wine red eyes. He looked cocky with a smug look on his face. "Who… are you?" she asked herself. That image was followed by an image of a man with golden hair and purple eyes. He looked lonely and distant. And the last image was a man with brown hair and emerald green eyes. He had a beautiful smile and he looked handsome. "Who… who… are you…?" she asked again. "Who are you!" she yelled, grasping her head in pain.

Suddenly, Sanzo heard Shiey breathe heavy. He looked at her in shock. "Hakkai!" he yelled, causing Hakkai, Goku and Gojyo to look at him. "Shiey's not breathing!" he yelled again. Hakkai, Gojyo and Goku hurriedly ran to them and kneeled beside Shiey. "Will Shiey be alright?" Goku panicked. "Shut up, Goku." Gojyo yelled back, trying not to panic. "Shiey! Shiey!" Hakkai called repeatedly as he took Shiey in his arms. Suddenly, Shiey's body became heavy. Hakkai's eyes widened in surprise. He lay her on the ground and felt for a pulse. There was none. He placed his head close to Shiey's chest to listen for a heart beat. Nothing… She was gone… "She's… dead." Goku said slowly, tears in his eyes. "No way." Gojyo denied. Sanzo sat there, looking at Shiey's form, he was in shock. "She's dead." Hakkai concluded. "No way! No way!" Goku denied it over and over, he started crying. "No freaking way! She was alive just a minute ago! She can't be dead!" Goku denied as he looked at his friends' faces. They were serious. "But—no way! It can't be true!" he said. "Shiey! Open your eyes! Open them!" he said, shaking Shiey awake as his tears stated falling. "Goku, stop it." Gojyo said, pulling Goku away from Shiey. "She's dead, okay! Face it!" Gojyo said. "No… she's… she can't be…" Goku said, running out of the cabin. Gojyo, Hakkai and Sanzo looked at Shiey. She looked like she was just sleeping. Hakkai took her in his arms, "Shiey… wake up." He said. He couldn't believe that she was dead. It just couldn't be possible! Just then, he felt Shiey's heart beat. He looked at her in utter shock. Shiey suddenly opened her eyes and looked at him. "Shiey…" Hakkai said. "Gojyo call Goku." Hakkai stated. "O-okay." Gojyo replied as he ran out of the cabin to go and get Goku. Hakkai looked at Shiey… Suddenly, Shiey's eyes widened in surprise. "Let go of me!" she yelled as she pulled away from Hakkai. "Shiey…" Hakkai said. Sanzo looked at Shiey in disappointment. "Shiey, it's me." Hakkai said, approaching her. "Go away! I don't know who you are! Get away from me!" Shiey yelled. Suddenly, Gojyo and Goku came bursting in. "Shiey…" Gojyo said. "Shiey!" Goku exclaimed as he jumped to hug Shiey. "Shiey! You're alright!" Goku said. "Who are you! Get away from me!" Shiey said, backing away. "Shiey…" Goku said. Suddenly, Shiey's eyes widened. "What… what did you do to Homura!" she demanded. "What!" Sanzo yelled as he stood up. "Shiey, what the heck happened to you?" Sanzo asked. Just then, Shiey yelled in pain and collapsed towards Sanzo. Sanzo caught her in time and brought her to Hakkai. "Sanzo, what happened to her?' Hakkai asked. "I don't know, Hakkai." Sanzo said. Sanzo sat down beside her and held her hand in his. "Shiey… what did he do to you?" Sanzo asked himself. Suddenly, he felt Shiey's hand move and then, all he remember was falling into darkness and Goku's annoying yell.

Sanzo was in Shiey's thoughts. He saw what Homura did to her. He saw him hurting his sister. He tried so hard to control his temper. Then, he saw the answer he was looking for. He heard what Shien was chanting and after hearing it… his eyes opened wide in shock.

"Sanzo! Sanzo!" Goku yelled. Sanzo woke up and hit Goku with his fan. "Shut up, Goku. I know what happened to Shiey." Sanzo said. "What?" Gojyo asked. "Shien cast the curse of Shizai on her." Sanzo said. "What's the curse of Shizai?" Goku asked. "It's a curse that erases the happy memories of a person and leaves him only with the bad. So, in short, I think Homura wanted to erase the times we shared with Shiey." Sanzo explained. "What! So, you mean… she doesn't know us anymore?" Goku panicked. "Yes. Sanzo concluded. "But… there must be a cure." Goku persisted. "I've read about that curse. According to many books… there is no cure." Sanzo said. "No way…" Goku remarked. "So, what do we do?" Hakkai asked. "We wait and see what happens." Sanzo suggested as he looked at Shiey.

Sunset came. Hakkai was preparing their dinner. It was unusually quiet. Goku and Gojyo were talking to each other and Sanzo was watching Shiey. Hakkai walked towards Goku and sat beside him. "Hakkai… what do we do?" Goku asked. "We have to try and start over." Hakkai concluded. "You mean… gain her trust and be friends with her… again?" Goku said. "Yes. That's the only way." Hakkai suggested. "If that's the case… that's fine and dandy with me." Gojyo remarked. "Okay… I'll do it." Goku replied.

After eating dinner, they all went to bed. Goku and Gojyo lay together, sprawled across the ground. Sanzo was by the window, his back against a few boxes. And Hakkai was near Shiey. "Shiey…" he said, holding her hand tight. "What happened to you?" Hakkai said, looking at Shiey's face. "Come back… Shiey. Please, comeback." He said.

Inside Shiey's thoughts…

The rain still wasn't lighting up. And Shiey lay there, on the ground. Wet… and cold. The silver necklace was still in her hands. "What is this doing with me?" she asked. Just then… a voice came. "Shiey…" it was a woman's voice. "Who are you?" she asked. "You don't need to know who I am." The voice said. It was Kanan. "Shiey… you have to go back." Kanan convinced. "Huh?" Shiey said. "The reason why you don't know who those people are is because of Homura. He did this to you." Kanan informed. "Homura?" Shiey asked. "Yes. Now… go. They need you. They've been calling out to you… HE's been calling out to you…" Kanan said as a bright light suddenly showed. And… Shiey woke up.

Shiey woke up. "Hakkai?'" she said. "Shiey?" Hakkai said, looking at her. "Shiey! It's you! You're awake!" Hakkai yelled. Waking everybody up. Goku woke up and came running to Shiey. Then, he extended his hand for Shiey to shake. "Hi, I'm Goku." He introduced. "Goku, I missed you." She said, hugging him. Goku's eyes widened. "Shiey? You're back!" he said, hugging her back. "Hey Shiey." Gojyo teased. "Glad you're back." Gojyo continued. Then, Shiey looked at Sanzo. "Sanzo…" she said. "Thank you…" she said. "For what?' he asked in a cold tone. "I heard you… all of you calling out to me." Shiey said. They all looked at her in confusion. "We weren't calling you." They all said in unison. Sanzo grinned. "Thanks… anyway." Shiey said, sweatdropping. And so, the next day, they continued their journey westward.

In Tenkai…

"My, my. What the power of love can do." Kanzeonbosatsu said. She stood up from her chair and walked towards Nataku. "You really are something Shiey…" she said. "So, what do you think Nataku?" she asked, looking at the puppet. "You're sister's grown, hasn't she?" she finished.

Author's note: Hey guys! That was chapter 12 Hope you enjoyed it! And I'm so sorry if I haven't updated in such a long time! Gomenasai! Well, please review!