Well, on the ninth and tenth of this month, I was gone to a competition where I had to speak off the top of my head. Oh joy, not. And, because I only have one study hall and a major ass writer's block, it took so long to type this up. Anyway, I wasn't able to work on this so I'm behind. Sorry! But here it is! Hope you'll like it, but warning, major ass cliffhangar! Sorry! And it sucks ass right now! Really sorry!

Doublelynn- Lol, thanks! Hope you like this chapter!

Devil-Angel- I love Julin! Her and Lirin might become friends, not sure yet. Gotta read the rest of the mangas to find out what happens to her and Kougaiji first! And don't tell me either! I want no spoilers! I hate school too, but maybe this chapter will brighten your day! Hope you like it!

Steven- Here it is! Hope you like it!

Chapter 5

Dark gray eyes watched as each person of the Sanzo gang fought to keep the ones they had no idea they were falling for out of harm's way. This made it an interesting situation, but also the perfect time to test their limits.

"I think it's time we put their loyalties and mental strength to the test. I wonder how they'll react to this, that I do," the man said, as he watched the four. "Which to do first, I wonder. Hm…the hard strong priest and the feisty leader? No, they should be last. The two polite and kind youkai? No, not yet. The ladies man and the betrayed lover? Maybe. Ah, the youngest two of both groups. Innocent and sweet. They shall be the first." The man laughed before jumping down to disappear in the shadows.

Goku dodged another oncoming attack that would've taken off a good chunk of his arm. He quickly took his chance to attack Kougaiji again, fighting harder than he had done the last time they had fought. Why? Why did he fight so hard? Was it because if he failed, Julin would have to fight again?

Julin watched as both of them fought, blocking attacks from the other and sending their attacks in respond. It was like a game to them, taking turns on blocking and attacking each other, seeing who could stand the most without backing down. This battle was also balanced. Even the smallest mistake could tip the scale to either favor one person or favor the other. She only prayed the scale tipped in Goku's favor.

Must act swiftly. She has to see him for this to work. If she does, all the pieces will fall into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Once that happens, their eyes will be opened to what really drives them so hard. Time to work, that it is.

Julin's concentration on the fight before her was broken by another sight. The sight of a man dressed in a long rob that covered his face, all except the crooked smile that revealed crooked teeth. He stood on the opposite building as she did, seeming to watch the fight. The man grinned and slowly retrieved a knife from his robes. Julin's eyes widened. He movements were swift, and she barely had time to move.

Kougaiji and Goku both froze as blood was spilled between them, staining the ground at their feet. Goku looked at where the blood had come from, and the sight that met his eyes horrified him. Julin stood in front of Goku, the man in front of her, and the knife embedded into her shoulder. "Julin!" Goku yelled.

The man smirked before tearing the knife from Julin's shoulder, spilling her blood on the ground. Perfect. As predicted, all the pieces fell into place. Time to make the escape and fulfill the next part of his plan. The man grinned and jumped away from Julin and over the edge of the building, disappearing completely.

Julin fell to the ground, blood spilling from her shoulder. "Julin!" Goku yelled as he ran towards her. He gently picked her up and looked her over. The wound was deep, the knife had embedded to the hilt. "Julin, are you alright?" Goku asked.

Julin winced and looked up at him. "Now who's gonna get themselves killed from not paying attention?"

Goku blinked and then laughed slightly. "Yeah, I guess so." He quickly tore part of his cape, tying it tightly around her shoulder to slow the bleeding. "Let's get you fixed up."

Goku quickly stood, picking Julin up with him. He then turned to Kougaiji. "Sorry, Kougaiji. As much as I want to continue this fight, we'll have to put it off." Kougaiji nodded, understanding that those close to you are more important than anything else. Goku nodded as well and jumped down from the building, Julin safely in his arms. He had to find Hakkai and the others. If that person was after him, the others will be in danger. This was not good.

Kougaiji watched Goku run off with Julin. His stepmother wont be happy about this, but her opinion and his were completely different. Though he was ordered to kill Julin, he wasn't about to do it while she was done and injured. She had stopped the attack on Goku using her own body as a shield. This meant that she was very daring and jumped into things without even a second thought about the consequences. Sort of like Lirin. That may have been the reason he let her live for now. She reminded him so much of his younger sister, whom he'd do anything for. Just as, it seemed, Goku would do anything for Julin.

Kirashi was the next target. She stood watching as both Gojyo and his brother fought. Dokugakuji brought his sword down upon Gojyo, who stopped it with his staff. Sword clashed with staff, just as brother clashed with brother. This was wrong. Why did they have to fight? Shouldn't they be helping one another? Something weird was going on that she had no idea on. All she knew was that these two brothers shouldn't be fighting. But what could she do? She couldn't stop them. She had no way to do it.

This fight might make it more dangerous to do. If not done at the right time, the blow may kill the woman. That wouldn't be good, no it wont. She had to stay alive for the plan to work. She had to continue breathing to send Gojyo into madness. Have to act quickly and on time.

Kirashi watched as the weapons clashed between them once again. This could go on forever. Or maybe not, as her gaze was thrown from the battle to the glint of another weapon. One that was aimed at the fight, but more at Gojyo. Without thought, Kirashi ran towards Gojyo. She had to stop that attack at least, if she couldn't stop the battle.

Gojyo blocked another of Dokugakuji's attacks, meaning to return the attack with one of his own. He was surprised to find himself on the ground, looking up at Dokugakuji, just in time to see him bring his sword down upon Kirashi, making a long gash down her back, blood splashing onto the ground below her.

"Kirashi!" Gojyo yelled. Dokugakuji blinked in surprise. She had jump between them, sending Gojyo to the ground, and taking the attack. But why? Why would she jump in now?

Kirashi fell to the ground, blood pouring around her. That bastard. He knew she would do that and knew that Dokugakuji wouldn't be able to stop. She painfully got up onto her elbow, the other hand holding the wound that the man had given her across her chest. It hurt. It hurt like hell to even move.

"Kirashi!" Gojyo yelled as he ran over to her, forgetting completely about the fight and focusing his attention on the injured woman. He quickly took off his vest, not knowing any other way to help, and pressed it against the bleeding wound on her back. His clothing would get stained, but he couldn't care less at the moment. "You idiot! Why did you do that?"

Kirashi winced again. She had to show him why so he wouldn't think her an idiot. Her eyes darted around, looking for the man who had caused her so much pain. Then, she spotted him, standing uptop a building with that mug smirk on his face. Wincing in pain, Kirashi raised the hand that held her wound, dripping in blood, and pointed towards the man.

Gojyo followed the direction she was pointing and saw the man just in time to see him disappear. "What the fuck?"

"Hm, seems she was stopping someone else from completing my job for me. Crazy woman. Guess we'll have to put this fight off for now," Dokugakuji said, putting his sword over his shoulder. He had also seen the man just as he had jumped onto the building, a bloodied knife in his hand.

Goyjo looked at him in confusion. He was letting him go? Dokugakuji looked at his younger brother. "Hey, it's not as much fun if it's not on fair terms. You'll be completely distracted with her well being if you fight. I'll let you go for now, but be ready when I come back. Now get out of here before I change my mind."

Gojyo nodded, understanding what Dokugakuji meant. He quickly, yet gently, picked Kirashi up, her blood dripping down his arms. He then ran off, meaning to find Kirashi the help she needed. If he didn't find help in time, she'd die in his arms. It hurt to think about what would happen if she died, yet he didn't understand completely why. Was he falling for her? He couldn't be…could he? He'd figure it all out later. Right now, he needed to find her some help.

Two down, one to go. The leaders would be last, most likely going to put up a good fight before ever going down. That left the human turned youkai and the kind and polite youkai. Couldn't hurt her too badly. Didn't want to make her mad enough that he wouldn't escape. If he died, their eyes would never be opened, and the first two would surely die pointlessly.

Yaone struck at Hakkai with her staff, cutting away a bit of the clothing, but not close enough to cut the skin. She struck again and again, never close enough to cause injury. Hakkai had stopped her fight with Maki, giving her no choice but to go from one technique to a totally different one.

Hakkai smiled calmly as he dodged another attack. "You have improved a lot. I'm glad."

"Thank you. You have improved as well. I'd also like to see how well your friend fights. She seems very strong," Yaone replied, returning his smile with one of her own.

"I'm afraid you won't get the chance to. I can't allow Maki to fight in my place."

"Hey! You were the one who jumped in and took my place! Remember!" Maki yelled, obviously pissed as she stood on the sidelines with her arms crossed.

Hakkai looked at her with a slightly worried smile. He did NOT wand to piss her off. "Yes, well, I couldn't let you fight someone you had no clue on how to handle."

"And like you did those youkai that we came across on our way here?"

Hakkai didn't know how to reply to that one. It was true that Maki had no idea about the techniques Yaone used, but he had no idea on some of the techniques that the youkai used that they had come across.

Maki watched as the fight continued with them, very pissed that Hakkai wasn't letting her fight. He was treating her like a child whose hand needed to be held. She wasn't a child and could take care of herself. So why was he doing this?

Maki blinked as the light from the sun reflected off something and into her eyes. What was it? Something metal, but not from Yaone's staff. It came from somewhere behind them. A man, the sun glinting off the metal of a knife, dripping in the blood of another. This was something you don't see everyday, which meant he was trouble. And trouble he was, as he jumped from the other building, knife drawn, and aimed at Hakkai. She had to do something. Without even thinking, Maki ran towards the man, ready to stop him.

Hakkai jumped back from Yaone, and readied himself to dodge another attack. Yaone wasn't one to displease as she raised her staff. They were both surprised when Maki had run between them. Was she trying to fight again. They watched as she jumped up and kick a man, just as the knife he held came down into her leg, her blood pouring from the wound.

"Maki!" Hakkai yelled. This was not good. So not good.

Maki landed on the ground in a kneeling position, hand clamped at her leg. The man fell over the edge of the building, but disappeared a moment later.

"Maki," Hakkai said as he ran over to the woman, Yaone following. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. It's nothing more than a stab wound. No biggie," Maki said as she stood. Even with her protests, Hakkai helped her to stand so she wouldn't put any pressure on the injured leg, possibly injuring it further.

"Hakkai." Hakkai looked at Yaone. "Take care of her. We will continue our fight at another time."

Hakkai smiled and nodded. Thankful that she was letting him go to tend to Maki's wounds. "Thank you."

Yaone stood watching as Hakkai took Maki off to get her help. There was something there between them. Something that could change the way Hakkai fought. While he fought well, this could make him fight harder. It hadn't yet surfaced, but when it did, Yaone wanted to be there to fight him once again.

Sanzo picked Lirin up by the back of her shirt, holding her at arms length away from him. It wasn't very hard to keep her busy. Keep her at arms reach and you'll be just fine.

"Put me down!" Lirin yelled as she struggled.

"I hate children," Sanzo said as he held the struggling child, eye twitching in annoyance.

"Really? I feel sorry for the woman who'll be with you then," Hitachi replied, watching him with her arms crossed. He wanted to take care of it when she had it under control. Holding the child captive doesn't solve the problem, because you still have to deal with her.

"Whatever." Sanzo turned his back to her and started to walk off, meaning to give Kougiaji back his little pest.

Hitachi sighed and went to follow, obviously still pissed off. As she followed, the man watched her, bloodied knife in his hand. This was the last one, and then the second part of his plan can be put into play. But this would be more difficult than the others.

Hitachi paused as she sensed something. Something was there, watching her. She took ahold of her sword, ready to attack. She stood still, waiting for the attack she knew was coming. In a split second, she drew her sword and turned, holding it up to block the knife from a man.

Sanzo stopped and looked at them, just in time to see the man pull out another knife to strike her in the side. Blood spilled to the ground as the man pulled out the knife and jumped back, letting Hitachi kneel to the ground holding her side.

"Hitachi!" Sanzo yelled.

Lirin blinked. "That was a cheap shot! No fair!"

The man grinned and jumped away into an alley, disappearing in the shadows. Sanzo put Lirin down and quickly went over to Hitachi. Her wound seemed deep, dripping blood over her hand to stain the ground.

Hitachi winced as she put her sword back into its sheath. It was painful to move. There was no way she'd be able to walk on her own.

"Come on," Sanzo said as he knelt down, putting one of Hitachi's hands over his neck, placing his hand on her side. He stood, helping her to stand, and looked at Lirin. "Go find someone else to bug right now."

Lirin pouted and watched as they walked off, meaning to find medical attention soon. What was up with Sanzo? Is wasn't like he liked her or anything…did he? This is gonna be interesting.

Ok, this chapter sucked ass. I'm not very good at typing chapters were all the characters are in different areas and I have to keep switching scenes. That's why it took so damn long. Sorry! Next chapter will be better! Promise! Review and tell me how bad it was!