AN: This chapter is a little longer. Please leave a review if you like it. ~safarigirl

Night Rain

Chapter 9

Amaya smoked the cigarette slowly, savoring the taste of the nicotine and tobacco on her tongue. She knew, without a doubt, it would be her last one. Once they drove away, leaving her behind, she would walk in the opposite direction, find a nice little spot of ground, and simply fade away. She took one last long drag of the cigarette before flicking off the cherry and throwing the butt to the wind. She resumed her position - head tilted back, eyes closed, hands resting on top of her head so she could feel the wind blowing through her fingers.

It calmed her, soothed her, and soon her mind drifted. Why did she feel the way she felt about these four travelers? She barely knew them, had only been traveling with them for 2 days, only knew them for a total of 4 days. It didn't make any sense. They were complete strangers and yet…and yet not. Especially Sanzo. She felt she knew him from somewhere, almost a once upon a time kind of feeling. It was as if she knew him from some hazy dream that she couldn't quite remember. She chuckled to herself at that thought. Her entire life, at this moment, was like a dream she couldn't remember.

Still, no matter the reason, she knew in her heart of hearts that she did not want to kill these four. So, she was making a choice. It felt like the correct one.

Something tugged on the side of her grey tank top, drawing her from her reverie.

"Yes, Goku," she said quietly, not opening her eyes to look at the younger demon.

"You're really leaving when we get into town?"

"Yes, Goku."

"Why?"

"Because I have to."

"But…why?" Goku whined, his voice rising.

Amaya sighed.

"She doesn't have to answer your stupid questions, monkey."

"I wasn't talking to you, water sprite."

"Your voice is annoying. Shut up."

"Don't tell me what to do."

"Both of you shut up!" Sanzo yelled from the front seat. Amaya heard something smack both Goku and Gojyo and smiled.

"We're here," Hakkai announced, the tremble in is usually happy voice betraying him. Amaya's smile faded. She allowed herself one more moment in the back seat of Jeep before opening her eyes and standing. She took Gojyo's offered hand and allowed him to help her down.

"So you're leaving us?" Hakkai asked, joining the rest as the jeep transformed back into Hakuryuu. The small white dragon flew to the brunette and perched on his shoulder. He cooed at the demon girl, his neck straining so he could head butt Amaya. She reached a small hand out to pet behind his ears.

"Yes," she replied, sweeping her caramel colored hair off of her face. She looked at the four men surrounding her, her eyes meeting each in turn. Green-eyed Hakkai with his kind smile. Red-eyed Gojyo with his smirk. Sweet golden-eyed Goku. Her gaze traveled to Sanzo and they locked stares, purple with light blue. She let her gaze linger on his for a moment.

"Sanzo, I'm hungry," Goku whined, breaking the moment, if there had been a moment. Amaya wasn't sure. Sanzo turned his purple orbs to the shortest of the group and sighed.

"Fine, we'll go get something to eat." He turned without another word and walked away without looking back. A chill traveled up Amaya's spine as a sudden sense of déjà vu washed over her. She shook her head to clear it.

"Good luck, Gojyo, Hakkai, Goku," she said with a small wave as she too turned to leave them.

"You as well, Amaya," Hakkai replied. Amaya nodded. She took a few steps down the street before she stopped and looked back. The four where walking together. Gojyo's hands were stuffed in his pockets and, although she couldn't see it, there was no doubt that a cigarette hung from his lips. Hakuryuu perched on Hakkai's shoulder while the man walked in between Gojyo and Goku. For his part, Goku could barely contain himself. Amaya allowed a small chuckle to escape her lips as she watched him almost bounce down the street next to Sanzo.

Sanzo. She felt the panic well in her chest as she watched him walk away. Her feet moved of their own accord, taking her forward against her will. She fought it, digging her fingernails into her palms, clenching her jaw and grinding her teeth. She forced her eyes from his retreating back. Forced her feet to walk in the opposite direction.

"Don't let him leave you," a voice cried in her head. "You have to stay with him."

Amaya forced her feet to flee. The panic rose as she ran blindly through the town. She turned a corner, a second one, a third, until she saw the edge of town. She ran as fast as she could, not caring that people pointed and stared at her. She needed to get away from this place, from Sanzo.

"Go back!" the voice insisted. "Go back!"

When she finally stopped, she was deep in the scrub brush outside of town. She sat, not caring where she fell, and cradled her head in her hands as she rocked back and forth.

"No, I'm not going to," she whispered over and over, trying to ignore the voice and its compulsion.

"Go back," it whispered back seductively, "Kill them all. Kill Sanzo and take the scriptures. Go back and kill them."

The voice felt like a caress as it whispered its instructions over and over again. Slowly, it broke her down. Slowly, it took over. Slowly, she stood and headed back into the town.