The atmosphere around the gang traveling west was incredibly awkward. Yokari and Gojyo were refusing to speak to each other. They were still mad at each other from their conversation at Shunrei's house. Goku was even feeling awkward with the two lovebirds not speaking to each other.

Sanzo's eye twitched with the prolonged silence, "You two are being way too immature! Just kiss and make up already!"

"Tch. Why does it bother you so much anyway? I'm not apologizing for what I said," Gojyo said.

"Typical...," Yokari huffed, looking out at the scenery they drove alongside of.

Gojyo's eye twitched, "What's that supposed to mean!?"

Yokari whipped herself around to face him, "You know exactly what it's supposed to mean asshole!"

At this point, Sanzo grew so irritated that he pulled his gun out and pointed it directly at them. Sweat drops slid down either of the pair's temples. They froze in place and dared not breathe another word. Hakkai tried to not get involved and stay focused on keeping Jeep going in the right direction. Goku scootched himself more to his side of the backseat to avoid the pair.

"I've had enough of dealing with the antics of Gojyo and Goku. I don't need another immature child to deal with so don't make me have to use this!" Sanzo said fiercely.

"Sanzo, do try to control that fuse of yours. If you must shoot someone, make it Gojyo. After all, Yokari is pregnant after all," Hakkai said calmly.

"Hakkai! You traitor! You'd let Sanzo shoot me!?" Gojyo yelled.

Sanzo let out an annoyed sigh, "It's not worth it..."

Out of nowhere, Yokari leaned into Gojyo chest and rubbed her head under his chin like little kitten looking for affection. Goku, Sanzo, and Gojyo stared at her in absolute confusion. Sanzo's arm dropped. He put his gun away, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Gojyo's cigarette almost dropped out of his mouth.

"Um- this is... random and- unexpected," Gojyo said.

"Uh- does this mean you two made up now?" Asked Goku.

"Well... I mean, she's not really giving me much choice here," he said, blushing. Why does she have to be so damn cute? It's hard to stay mad at her like this.

Defeated by Yokari's beauty and ultra adorableness, Gojyo relaxed his body and wrapped his arms around her lovingly. Hakkai simply smiled from the front seat. Goku wasn't sure what had happened. At least Gojyo and Yokari had stopped being mad at each other and the rest of their drive to the next village wouldn't be as awkward anymore.

**Meanwhile – in the heavens; three days later**

The three Butsushin were huddled in a circle. They were looking at a long piece of paper. It happened to be a bill from when the group had their little drinking contest that Sanzo used their card to pay for all of the alcohol they drank. It read 'remaining balance: 860 yen.' $8.60.

"How in the heavens!?" The one said stunned.

"My my, quite the high-rollers, aren't they?" The other female one said.

"Perhaps it's time to close that account...," the male one suggested.

**Back with the Sanzo gang**

The sky grew dark with ominous looking clouds. The heavens were pretty mad about the immense charge on their card. The clouds rumbled as the group traveled along. Soon, Jeep stopped directly in front of a group of dead yokai. Their bodies were covered in talismans. A rank odor of death permeated Goku and Yokari's noses.

Since they were the only full yokai in the car, their sense of smell was far more sensitive than that of Hakkai's or Gojyo's and definitely more sensitive than Sanzo's. They decided to keep driving. Maybe they could get some answers in the next village. It only took less than an hour to get to the village. Right as they came to a stop, the clouds burst opened and the downpour started... right on the five travelers.

"Ah man! I'm getting soaked!" Goku complained.

"I knew we wouldn't make it before the rain started," said Gojyo.

Yokari wet top made her breasts look even bigger and her nipples took a more defined shape through the thin material. Gojyo took notice, stared mindlessly at her breasts, and opened his mouth slightly. A paper fan to his head snapped him out of his perverted fantasy thoughts.

"Oh dear. Gojyo! This rain is making my boobs cold!" Yokari said as she pressed her chest against his.

"Get a room you two!" Sanzo said and walked away in a hurry.

Goku and Hakkai giggled and went to catch up with Sanzo to get out of the rain. It was lucky the inn was close by too. Gojyo's face went flush red as his body became highly aroused from the warm feeling of Yokari's breasts pressed against his soaking we body. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and forced his body to move to get them both out of the rain.

They walked inside together, "Don't worry Yokari, you'll be dry soon."

The boys were guided to their rooms. Gojyo and Yokari were in a room together. Each are given a towel to dry off. Yokari was the only one to dry off and undress in her own room while the boys all gathered in another room to dry off. Goku was staring out of the window admiring the flashes of lightning cracking along the skyline outside.

A young lady who worked at the inn, entered the room with a tray. On it was five cups filled with tea. Yokari wasn't far behind and politely asked to join the boys in the room. She had her towel wrapped around her upper half and her hair was down. The braid in the back had been taken out and that group of hair was the only wavy section.

"It's a shame you got caught in that downpour but it looks like it'll be a while before it stops," the young lady said.

"Are you serious? That's just great," Gojyo said displeased.

"We noticed a lot of dead yokai bodies on the way here. Would you know...?" Sanzo asked.

The young lady smiled, "That must have been Rikudo-Sama's doing."

Goku had a confused expression, "Who's that?"

"You probably wouldn't have heard of him where you come from in the East. He's a priest. People around here started calling him a savior," she explained. "Apparently, he wanders from place to place killing yokai along the way. I heard he's a big man covered in paper talismans all over his body. And his spiritual powers are so great that any yokai who even touches his talisman would die."

"Talismans? Come to think of it, we did see them all over the yokai bodies," Hakkai said.

Paper talismans... I recognized those charms. Could it have been-? No, it couldn't be... Sanzo thought but his train of thought was interrupted by Gojyo's flirting with the young lady.

"So, this is a live in gig for you? How about ya tell me which room is yours?" He said to her.

"Sanzo?" Yokari said.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Oh- Uh, I don't know if I should..." she said, blushing.

"Can I borrow your fan?" Yokari asked him.

Sanzo smiled and handed it to her, "Sure thing Yokari."

"I'm already soaking wet. But you-," Gojyo started with his cheesy pick up line.

Yokari walked over to Gojyo and whacked him upside the head with Sanzo's fan, "Quit flirting you cheating sleazebag! And that was a horrible pick up line!"

"I never said we were in a relationship together! And where did you get that fan from anyway!?" He shouted at Yokari.

"You're like a damn faucet! Hot and cold; getting lovey on me and then flirting with another skirt the first chance you get!" Yokari yelled at him.

Hakkai stood by smiling lightly, "Here we go again..."

Yokari marched over to Sanzo and held out his fan to him, "Thanks Sanzo. You're a dear ."

Goku stared, dumbfounded, "She's vicious."

"Anyway, I think it's best that we rest here until the rain stops," Hakkai suggested. "Our Jeep doesn't have a top, you know."

Sanzo laid on the bed, "Yeah. Good idea."

Gojyo and Yokari left the room to go to their own. Goku went to his room too. Sanzo was left to his thoughts. He thought back to his days at the temple when his master, the previous Sanzo Hoshi had been alive. Aside from him, there was only one other person who didn't treat him like some kind of plague.

This person's name was Shuei. He was the Shihan-dai of the temple. The other monks made fun of Sanzo when his first given name was Kouryuu. A child who, after being born was placed in a basket and dumped in the river; abandoned by his parents. Sanzo dreamed of a particular memory with Shuei. It was when the temple grounds had a bear attack.

The bear stood tall on two legs. It growled in anger at the monks. Shuei was prepared to use his talismans when Kouryuu stopped him. He told him to let him handle it instead. Kouryuu confidently stood before the great beast. He told him to stop attacking the monks and to leave. It growled again and was about to bring its huge paw down on the child until he told the bear to not dare touch him.

He then promised the bear that if it left the temple grounds and never came back, his territory would not be touched... ever. The bear, scared by the boy's sheer look in his eyes, calmed down and left. The monks stared in shock. They murmured amongst themselves; saying how his eyes were like a shura or a rasetsu demon than of someone who was holy. Kouryuu went to his room.

He sat on his bed and looked out of the window; staring at the falling rain outside. Shuei came into the room. Kouryuu hadn't noticed though. Finally, he looked over and apologized for not noticing. He had spaced out.

Shuei remembered why he came to his room, "Oh, Sanzo-Sama wants to see you. This afternoon, everyone was saying your eyes looked like a shura or rasetsu. I think you look like something entirely different to me."

"What do you mean?" Kouryuu asked him.

Shuei thought a moment, "What indeed?" Threads of godlike golden hair; deep, dark violet eyes. And the full moon illuminating you from behind like a halo.

"Oh. Hey," Kouryuu said, "Here." He took out a set of beads. "I want you to have these."

Shuei recognized them, "Are you sure? These are the beads you had with you when you were found on the river."

Kouryuu nodded, "Yeah, why not? Besides, I've never given anything to anyone. So consider yourself lucky."

Kouryuu excused himself to see Sanzo-Sama. The last bit of Sanzo's dream was the moment he saw his master lying on the floor, bleeding out from the attack that had killed him. He jolted awake almost in a sweat. Hakkai was standing next to Sanzo's bed holding a cup in his hand.

"You alright?" He asked and held out the cup. "You were moaning in your sleep."

"Oh, sorry, "Sanzo apologized.

"It's okay. I'm not fond of rainy nights either," Hakkai admitted.

Oh... right. It's because of the rain. Sanzo thought. "Oh yeah... I knew that."

They heard a scream from the young lady you served them tea earlier after they arrived. They gasped and turned toward the door of the room.

"What the-?" Sanzo said.

"Let's check it out!" Said Hakkai.

Four out of the five hurried to the entry of the rooms. Goku hadn't woken up. The lady ran down the hall to the room Sanzo was in. She was scared out of her mind.

"Help! There's a yokai in the kitchen!" She yelled frantically.

They all ran out of the room and straight to the kitchen. Sure enough, there was a male yokai sitting on the floor shoveling the innards of a dead human into his disgusting mouth. All four had a look of horror and disgust. Gojyo went in for an attack.

"Kitchens... are not for eating people!" He yelled as he went to drop kicked the yokai.

A second one appeared behind him, "Gojyo! Behind you!" Hakkai said.

"Hey, you stay back. Got it?" Sanzo said to Yokari. "We can't keep you safe if you get involved in fighting."

Yokari nodded, "Okay."

Goku jumped in and punched the yokai behind Gojyo in the face. He dropped to the floor like a fly in a zapper. Goku had finally gotten up and went in search of everyone else.

"Well what do ya know. You really can get out of bed," Gojyo joked.

Goku smirked, "Yeah, sometimes. What do we do with the...?"

Before Goku could finish his question, the yokai who tried the surprise attack suddenly was covered in paper talismans. His skin started releasing a sort of steam. He yelled in agony. The same fate befell the yokai who was eating the human guts on the floor. Gojyo and Goku stood too frozen to move.

"Wha...? What the-!?" Gojyo said.

"Om. Da makarashada sowataya. Un tarata kanman," a voice started chanting.

That voice... thought Sanzo.

In the kitchen stood what looked like a tall monk wearing a traditional hat, "My name is Rikudo. I will destroy... every last yokai in this world."

Those beads. That face... no doubt about it. Sanzo thought as he looked the guy over.

"So that's him? The famous Rikudo," Gojyo said.

It's Shuei. Sanzo was sure of it. The young lady thanked Rikudo for taking care of the yokai in the kitchen.

"I need no thanks," he said plainly. "I'm only fulfilling my mission."

Sanzo couldn't help but stare blankly in thought. Rikudo... I know for sure that's Shuei. But why is he emitting such an evil energy? It's like he's a completely different person now.

Sanzo, Hakkai, Goku, and Yokari walked away together. There was nothing for them to do since Rikudo killed the yokai. Goku yawned, still tired. Rikudo suddenly lunged his monk staff in Gojyo's direction; resting it lightly on his shoulder.

"Hey!" Rikudo yelled.

"What!?" Gojyo asked, annoyed by such rudeness.

"Are you human?" Asked Rikudo.

Hakkai turned to face him, "That's a pretty rude question to be asking."

Rikudo had a smug look on his face, "You can't hide the truth from me. I know for a fact you four are yokai!"

Goku became defensive, "Yeah? So what if we are!? We're just-"

Hakkai stopped him, "Goku..."

"Didn't I tell you? I will destroy all yokai! Especially the woman! She's carrying a yokai child inside of her!" Rikudo yelled with a thirst for yokai blood.

Goku was taken aback, "What the hell is wrong with you!? Just lemme speak..."

"Don't talk, just get out of his way! Yokari! Get out of here!" Gojyo went in front of Goku.

Both of them got out of the way just in time to avoid a slew of paper talismans Rikudo threw at them. Yokari made for the nearest door to stay out of this dangerous encounter. Goku leapt toward Rikudo in an attack. The monk dodged it, shifting his body to one side. Rikudo took his staff and attempted a counter-attack on Goku.

Gojyo and Hakkai stood by and watched the fight play out. Rikudo's attack had been stopped. Sanzo stepped in and had the back of his hand pressed against the staff.

"Shuei. What do you think you're doing?" Sanzo asked him without any emotion.

"You're-," Rikudo started, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Just so you know, you're not doing yourself any favors wiping them out. You're just thinning out the idiot population," he said.

Rikudo laughed, "Well, well, well! I heard the rumors during my travels. I never dreamed I would run into you here. They say the newest Sanzo Hoshi is followed by a band of lawless hooligans. He chose the lowest of the low to be his disciples." His eyes grew cold. "What am I doing? I could ask you the same thing, Genjyo Sanzo. Surely you haven't forgotten it was one of them who killed the last Sanzo!"

"People do change, don't they Shuei? I didn't think I'd ever hear something like that coming from you," Sanzo said.

Rikudo smiled, "This has nothing to do with change. Shuei is dead. He died a long time ago... when you left the temple!"

Rikudo explained that the night Sanzo left the temple, another wave of yokai came to attack the monks. They had been seeking to posses the maten sutra Sanzo wears around his shoulders. Shuei used a forbidden talisman and invoked upon him the Alaya curse. He told him how he had defeated the yokai but it had cost him his freedom and he became a slave to the cursed talisman.

The talisman uses Shuei's body to seek out yokai and devour yokai souls. He had been massacring innocent yokai for ten years. It was the only thing he could do to escape the full affects of the curse and the pain he felt along with it.

"...Then all of the yokai lost their minds and started attacking humans," he held up a hand; a manic look on his face. "Now people treat me like a savior. What a joke!"

Sanzo saw how deeply embedded the talisman was on Shuei's body. That damn thing's taken root. He's gone... Rikudo... that's the name of a dead man whose soul has been taken over by that talisman.

"That guy's nuts. Who's the real yokai here!?" Gojyo said.

Rikudo made an attempt to attack again, "who's the yokai? Why don't we find out!? And once I kill you three, I'm going to get that pregnant one too!"

Hakkai yelled to everyone, "Get outside! It's not safe fighting in here!"

Goku groaned, "Do we have to get wet again?"

They ran outside. "What's with this rain?" Gojyo wondered.

Hakkai tried to wipe off his monocle, "I can't see..."

Rikudo grabbed Hakkai by the arm. It sizzled releasing the same steam as the yokai from the kitchen.

"Wha-?" Hakkai tried to get loose.

"My entire body has assimilated with the talisman!" Rikudo said. "You can't even touch me! Not with bare hands."

Goku was pissed, "Let go of him jerk-face!"

Goku readied his Nyoi-bo. As Rikudo let go of Hakkai's arm and attacked Goku instead, Goku blocked the monk's staff with his Nyoi-bo. Rikudo pushed his staff against Goku's rod. Goku slid back. The rain made the ground slippery. He couldn't get a very good footing. He finally noticed that someone was missing from the fight; Sanzo.

"Sanzo... no fair," Goku said as he saw Sanzo was staying dry under the roof of the inn.

"What's wrong Genjyo Sanzo? You refusing to help the yokai after all?" Rikudo taunted.

Sanzo casually closed his eyes, "No. Whether I help or not, they're not gonna die."

Gojyo smiled and rubbed the side of his head with his hand, "He's not wrong though."

"And even if we did die, he still wouldn't recite any sutras for us," Hakkai joked, as he laughed.

Rikudo gritted his teeth, "Grr. Shut up!"

I had something I wanted to protect. When I lost it, I learned how worthless I was. I learned I had my hands full taking care of myself. That was when I realized... I wanted something I didn't have to protect. Sanzo had been deep in thought.

"I think it's about time to put an end to this," Rikudo said, breaking Sanzo's train of thought.

Goku wiped his mouth with his arm, "We can't get near him. None of our attacks affect him. What are we supposed to do!?"

Sanzo straightened himself up. He looked as though he had decided on something. The rain kept falling on the group with no signs of letting up. What were they supposed to do? Three yokai up against a monk who was covered in paper talismans preventing them from physically touching the guy seemed like a horrible match.

"Hey," Sanzo said and looked at Gojyo. "Your cigarette went out. And quit it with the misplaced loyalty. There's only one way to stop him."

Sanzo removed his gun from his robe sleeve without a single sign of expression or emotion. He walked out from under the roof that had been keeping him dry. Lifting his arm, he pointed the gun at Rikudo's head. Goku clenched his teeth. He ran over to Sanzo and stood in front of him. With one hand, he grabbed Sanzo's hand and pushed his arm down; forcing him to lower the gun.

"Don't do it Sanzo! He might have gone crazy, but... wasn't he your friend once?" Goku cried.

Rikudo took this opportunity to strike with his staff. The tip of it on the bottom was pointed. It would have been enough to pierce through skin and potentially kill someone.

"You idiot! He's behind you!" Yelled Gojyo.

In this moment, Sanzo remembered that night when Koumyou Sanzo Hoshi had stood in front of him to protect him from the yokai who took his life. Koumyou put himself in harm's way just to protect the young Kouryuu. He risked everything for him. Sanzo reflexively shoved Goku out of the way as Rikudo lunged his staff forward. Goku fell to the ground with a thud.

He put a hand to his forehead and winced lightly, "What the-?"

"Sanzo!" Hakkai yelled.

On the ground laid Sanzo, Rikudo's staff sticking out of his lower left abdomen. Goku looked in horror. Blood from the wound poured out of Sanzo like a river flowing towards a waterfall.

"Sanzo?" Goku said and saw the blood that had splashed onto his hand.

"SANZO!" Gojyo yelled.

From inside of the inn, Yokari heard the yells of Hakkai and Gojyo. Unsure if she really wanted to find out, she first looked out the window of her room. She couldn't see from the angle and the guys were too close to the building. Cautiously, she made her way to the front entrance. As she slowly cracked open the door, she caught a glimpse of what looked to be Sanzo's foot and something that wasn't rain pooled along his leg on the ground.

She finally decided to peek her head out of the door just enough to see what happened. As it turned out, she didn't want to find out what had happened. In total shock of seeing Sanzo lying on the ground, impaled by the staff, she slowly dropped to her knees. Tears flowed out of her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand so as to not attract the attention of Rikudo. It would have defeated the purpose of her being safe inside the inn if she made noise and caught the attention of the person trying to kill all yokai.

"Gagh! Keh!" Sanzo coughed up blood as he pulled the staff from his weakened body.

"Sanzo! Open your eyes!" Goku pleaded.

Sanzo fell forward, eyes closed, "Keep it down."

"Why would you of all people do that!?" Goku asked.

"I... want to know why too," he said before he passed out.

Yokari spaced out completely just inside the doorway. Goku started to freak out and was about to move Sanzo. Hakkai told him not to move him. Rikudo stared at what he had done and tried to process it.

"...I did that- with my own hands," he said. "No, you got what you deserved. "Anyone who sides with yokai deserves to die! I don't care if they are human!"

Rikudo had completely lost it and started to laugh hysterically. Goku grew even angrier. Sanzo had saved his life from eternal imprisonment; a life of being shackled inside of a prison made of stone to only see the sky and nothing else. Five hundred years of nothing but stone and sky to look at. It was absolute misery.

Goku huffed heavily. As his breathing became more rapid, he was sent into a near panic attack. Everything he had gone through up to this point came flooding into his mind all at once. Hakkai and Gojyo tried to get his attention. They grew more and more concerned as they didn't know what was going on with him. He let out a loud cry of anguish and his inhibitor around his forehead shattered.

"Goku!" Gojyo yelled and started to get near him.

Hakkai stopped him, "No, Gojyo! Stay back!"

Goku's nails turned into long claws; much like those of Yokari's in her yokai form. His ears also became pointed. His hair grew longer in the back. His teeth became longer like fangs and his pupils changed their shape into slits instead of being circular like a human's. This was his true form; his yokai form. Goku stood with a look of blood thirst in his golden colored eyes.

"Is- that Goku!?" Gojyo asked, stunned.

"That's what he looks like without the restraints of his yokai power inhibitor," Hakkai said.

Rikudo stupid laughed, "That's what your true form looks like? It seems you were the monsters after all!"

Goku attacked Rikudo with even more speed than when he had attacked Kougaiji the first time they had met him. Rikudo hardly had much time to dodge. Goku lunged his arm forward to attack but was stopped by Rikudo's hand grabbing his arm. As his arm let off the same steam as it had when Hakkai was touched by Rikudo, Goku seemed unfazed by it. In fact, he didn't seem fazed by anything anymore.

Rikudo was shocked and didn't know what to do. How could he be unaffected by the talismans' powers? Goku shoved him to the ground. All he was thinking about was killing Rikudo. The monk tried to fight back but all of his attacks were to no avail; they all missed. Yokari watched silently. She had never seen Goku like this.

Has he gone completely mad? Even I have complete control in my yokai form. She thought.

Rikudo threw his talismans at Goku. They landed on him but started to completely burn up. That was it; Rikudo's main attack were the talismans and they were now useless against Goku in his true form. What else could he do? Goku punched him to the ground. He punched, and punched, and punched.

There was no stopping him. He would have punched him to death if he had to. Gojyo was so horrified, he was frozen in place just watching Goku lose his shit.

"This is no time to be gawking Gojyo!" Hakkai yelled.

Gojyo snapped out of it, "Hakkai."

Hakkai was kneeling beside Sanzo; his upper half resting on his arm, "He's still breathing. The rain is sapping too much of his body heat. We have to at least stop the bleeding before he losing too much blood."

"What're you gonna do?" Sanzo asked Hakkai.

"I'm going to use my Qingong to close the wound. The staff missed his vitals, so it doesn't look completely hopeless," he said.

Hakkai hovered his hands over Sanzo's wound. A glowing light formed. Sanzo was completely unconscious. Hakkai told Gojyo he could try to help Sanzo but he had to take care of Goku.

"But, how?" Gojyo asked.

Hakkai looked at him, "I know as much as you do. Only Sanzo knows how. Goku is obviously not in his right mind right now. He can't contain his own powers. At this rate, he's likely to rampage and attack anyone and everyone in sight."

The fight between Goku and Rikudo continued on. Attack after attack. Goku took a good chunk out of Rikudo's shoulder. Then, the beads around Rikudo's neck emitted a bright light. It hurt Goku's eyes. He stepped back. After, a stream of smoke appeared where Rikudo had been standing. He vanished!

"He ran away!" Gojyo said.

"I don't run! I'll return. Remember this, when I do... all of you yokai will become fertilizer for my talisman!" His voice radiated through the heavy rain.

I don't doubt he'll be back. He'll keep coming back so long as he's under control of the talisman. I did manage to close Sanzo's wound though. Now the only problem left is... Hakkai thought.

"Goku!" Gojyo called. "Hey, you okay? Go..."

Goku turned around. He instantly went to attack Gojyo. Gojyo dodged his punch. Yokari's whole body shuddered at seeing just how vicious Goku was without his inhibitor.

"Gojyo, don't! Goku doesn't recognize us in his current state!" Hakkai yelled.

Gojyo grimaced, "You gotta be kidding me!"

Goku tried to attack a second time. Gojyo grabbed his wrist. Goku had a ravenous look in his eyes. Gojyo swung his arm to punch Goku in the face. Goku chomped down on Gojyo's arm. With his teeth clamped down, Gojyo pressed a hand to Goku's head and tried to force him to let go.

Suddenly, a heavenly voice called out, "Hold him still."

A ring of light formed around Goku's head as he stood in front of Gojyo. The yokai power inhibitor reappeared around Goku's forehead. He changed back into a human and passed out into Gojyo's arms.

Gojyo had an annoyed look on his face, "Great, the little twerp fell asleep."

"What just happened?" Hakkai questioned.

"You boys have really got to get your act together," a female voice said.

"Who- are you?" Hakkai asked.

While Hakkai and Gojyo stood before two unknown people; one female and the other male, Rikudo slowly wandered in a forest. His wound from Goku was bleeding out pretty badly. He clenched his teeth and swore he would kill Sanzo's yokai companions.