Chapter 3 - God, my ass!
** This is just so readers don't get to bored, Rayla has 3 different blood types residing in her creating a new power, Hence the name Tri-Blood. Also I don't own the Saiyuki storyline or the characters.**
Rocks, dirt, tower of rocks and oh look... more dirt. Was all Rayla could think to herself as yet again the group was heading towards the sunset, three in the front, Goku lagging and Ray watching his back. This time they were walking, it wasn't a difficult task for Rayla but even she was at her limit.
"996, 997, 998, 999... 1000. That's it I'm done!" Goku says hotly, exhausted from carrying the luggage since Hakuryuu was at his limit, "Time to throw them down and have one of you guys pick up the pack."
Sanzo, Gojyo and Hakkai turn to face Goku with indifference in their face. Rayla who was standing at the back knew what was going to happen as they all stood together.
"1, 2, 3." they said together placing their fists in the middle.
Goku pulled his scissor hand away clearly disappointed, "Ah man! This is bullshit! Next were going draw straws or something like that."
Ray shook her head at their childish game of rock, paper, scissors. Poor Goku always seemed to choose the same thing and loses. The others merely chuckled at his expense, "Ha, ha. He'll be carrying that pack all the way to India."
"He always throws down scissors, you think he'd catch on by now." Hakkai points out her thoughts.
Sanzo had less sympathy on his face, "Pick it up, let's go."
"Ahh, how much farther do we have to walk?"
Hakkai answered, "As long as the path isn't passable by Jeep."
Hakuryuu flew infront of Goku in what Rayla could assume as slight sympathy how ever, "God, you suck! I know you cane turn into something other than a Jeep, you just don't want to give us a ride, stupid..."
Goku continued to argue with Hakuryuu who merely gave squeaks and grunts in return, "Sanzo, I believe it's time you put your animal and Hakkai's animal in separate cages."
"I would call him more of Rayla's animal..." was Sanzo's reply to Gojyo's comment.
An irk mark appeared on her black head, "Stupid monk." With that she picked up the packs for Goku, he protested but she held firm to make life easier on him. Goku is so much like Nataku, perhaps that's where my attachment to him comes from...
The sun was setting lower in the sky and they still had yet to clear the pass, with the night coming there wasn't many options left to them.
"At this break neck pace were never gonna get past the mountain range by sunset." Sanzo pointed out still leading with Hakkai and Gojyo beside him.
Goku was still trailing even without the weight and Rayla chose to stay at his side, "All right then, I suggest accommodations at this humble little establishment." Hakkai suggested as a temple came into view.
The building was a traditional temple with 3 or more stories, Red, gold and other colors made the building stand out more. The massive temple doors were closed when the five of them reached the building.
"Oh man."
"Now this is my kind of humble little establishment." Gojyo comments with a smirk.
Rayla gave him a small smack on the shoulder making him shrug, "Excuse me!" Hakkai calls out.
A bald monk came into view higher above them, "What is it that you want?" the monk asks.
"Were traveling west and it grows dark. We humbly request accommodations for the night." Hakkai answered. At that moment Rayla was thankful for Hakkai and his amazing set of manners, the other three were rather useless.
"This is a sacred temple and no but the holy and the blessed may enter this doorway or reside within these walls." The monk relied with several hand gestures as if to prove his point. Though it only made him look like a fool...
"Ah shit! What the hell is up with that?" Goku demands angrily.
Rayla knew even if the men were allowed in a women would not be... "Monks... Their all religious hypocrites to busy praying to practice what they preach." Gojyo adds with a clenched fist.
"Watch your mouth." Sanzo snapped.
Hakkai was using a hand to cover his mouth, "Ya, hold it down."
"Man, I'm hungry. Do something! Sanzo!" Goku urged.
Apparently that was all that needed to be said, "By the Goddess, he said Sanzo!" The monk gasps before muttering to himself, "Yes, he wears the robes of the late Koumyou Sanzo, the founding scriptures of heaven and earth, they adore on his shoulders and the crimson shakura on his brow. The mark of one close to the gods..."
The monk stopped not knowing Rayla had easily heard him, "Forgive us Genjo Sanzo!"
The second speaks finally both clearly looking unsettled, "Sanzo... I will go and tell the others he's here."
"I will be right down to let you inside..." Even as the monk spoke those words he held a weary look towards Rayla.
It was much as they expected as they all gathered into the main room , the head monk was there waiting for them, "Priest Sanzo you honor this temple with your presence. You will be extended every hospitality."
"We are grateful for your welcome." Sanzo replied though it seemed forced, it was likely he wished not to pretend to be nice. Rayla found it odd he even bothered at all...
"Okay, so just how much of a big shot is he anyway?" Gojyo asks Hakkai.
Hakkai answer automatically how ever, "Sanzo isn't his name Gojyo it's more of a title he's been given. There are five sacred scriptures in the world called the founding of heaven and earth; and if I've got this right the title of Sanzo is one given to the guardians of these scriptures. Among those who are attendants to the Buddha faith their revered as the most holy of all monks."
Rayla couldn't stop the small snicker gaining Goku's attention, "Are you sick Ray-Ray?"
She smiled at his concern but shook her head no and continued to listen knowing they had heard by their own smiles, "So the entire baldy contortion has no clue he's a complete dickhead."
"Their putting us up for the night, shut up." Hakkai pointed out smiling.
They turned their attention back to Sanzo and the priest of the temple, "You the Koumyou Sanzo also graced this temple with his presence almost 13 years ago. His majesty was only second to his humility. His presence is still fresh in my memory, if i may say so you greatly resemble Master Koumyou. I heard news of Master Koumyou's shortly there after I learned that his favorite student had taken up his mantle. I am pleased for you. Proud of you."
"Your praise is appreciated, it would be to dangerous to pass these mountains in the dark. So we are grateful for allowing us to stay the night." Sanzo answered but his patience seemed to be close to their end.
Another monk walked up to Sanzo, "We would be happy to let you stay it's just... "
"Just what?" Hakkai asked as they eyed up the four.
"It's just that this temple is sacred and our order does not allow outsiders to pass through our doors. A women is not allowed in any temple and these three gentleman over there don't seem to be devout or contrite."
"You'll all let the monk stay but your gonna let us sleep outside on the rocks. You don't treat women like that either! I wouldn't stay here if you got your knee's and begged me!" Gojyo snapped at the monk clearly enraged.
Rayla merely let it slide, being outside meant she could patrol, "Speak for yourself!" Hakkai said holding his hands up at Gojyo.
"You can sleep where you want!" Sanzo said with a sharp look.
Goku pouted, "I don't wanna sleep on the rocks!"
"Remember that these monks are of a very devout order, Gojyo."
"Ya the order of judgmental assholes."
Yet again another monk stepped forwards, "Are they your pupils. Genjo Sanzo?"
"No their my servants!"
Irk, Irk, Irk... What did he just call us!
Poor Hakkai held both Gojyo and Goku back as they tried to kill Sanzo yelling at him, Rayla grabbed Goku by the back of his shirt to help Hakkai out.
"I see, how ever we can not allow a women inside..."
"That women goes where I go." Sanzo stated firmly with a venomous look. His words made Rayla's eyes widen in surprise, she fully expected him to allow her to sleep outside. Perhaps he isn't a complete dickhead...
I little while later a large amount of food was prepared with Goku quickly stuffing his face slightly scaring the monks.
"You think about even touching my plate and I'll cut your hand off!" Gojyo threatens.
Goku argued back, "I'm hungry and you've got plenty!"
"You try it, you die!"
"Will you knock it off!" Hakkai demands as Sanzo merely sat covering his face wishing he didn't know either of them.
Goku paused before looking around until his eyes landed on Rayla who was standing behind him leaning on the wall. He took a tray of vegetables and held it out to her, She looked up at him to find him smiling.
"You need to eat to Ray-Ray."
She smiled at him, "You eat Goku-kun. I have already done so." She said walking up to him as he downed the food, she pulled a handkerchief. Handing it to him Goku began to clean his face.
"Like a mother and child..." Hakkai points before he a bead sweat appears on his face to find a very annoyed Rayla.
*gulp*
It was nightfall finally came around and they were all gathered into a single room...
"Man! Those monks kick ass in the kitchen... but your still better Ray-Ray." Goku ads in quickly.
"And these accommodations aren't that bad either." Hakkai points out.
Gojyo was next as expected, "Oh my Goodness, how will we ever repay you for your graciousness to include us you highness?"
"I'm going to kill you."
"Idiots..." Rayla muttered once again leaning against the far wall.
A young boy walked into the room, once again... bald. "Have you found the room to your liking?" He asked setting a tray of only four cups.
Goku looked up at Rayla concerned, she was looking out the window though, "My name is Youai and I have been given the high honor of attending to all your needs. Simply ask and I will provide it for you."
The kid asked for it, "Dude I doubt you can provide for any of my needs. What about you Ba-"
A pebble flew to hit him in between the eyes, "Don't call me babe!"
The boy looked at Rayla as if the first time seeing her or perhaps first time seeing a women. She ignored the boy and he went back to Gojyo, "You better watch your mouth! Women are positively forbidden in this temple!"
Hakkai, Gojyo and Goku looked at Rayla, "There's a contradiction..." Hakkai muttered.
The boy looked confused, "Isn't that right Master Sanzo?"
Sanzo looked at Rayla quickly before answering, "Why are you doing this to me?"
Youai had stars in his eyes, "I have to confess, this is the highest honor bestowed on me Master Sanzo. I have never met a holy man chosen by Buddha himself! it's men like you I have dedicated myself to the Buddhist faith, I can not tell you what this moment means to me! I promise you, I will put my heart and soul into making your stay here a pleasant one. If there's anything you need at all, please don't hesitate to call my name, Really!"
The whole speech the kid gave made the 3 boys stare wide eyed and stunned at the two, Rayla was smiling and trying to hide her face. The boy left just after he finished talking...
1
2
3
and the laughing and side holding began...
"You? Holy man? Ya right!"
"I can not tell you what this means to me, do not hesitate to call my name!"
"You know what this means don't you?"
"He doesn't know you very well." They stopped laughing only for the second to say this together before they once again started laughing.
Sanzo sat with his back to them and now facing Rayla holding and reading the paper, "Sanzo, Be gentle with the boys heart..." Rayla said calmly to him. He looked up only to roll his eyes at her and going back to his paper.
Hakuryuu laid curled up happily sleeping, beer can, cigarette butts and garbage covered most of the area. It made Rayla shake her head at the boys, how easy it had become for her to predict their actions so well.
"Ah you guys! I'm still hungry and I've got gas like you wouldn't believe! Al these beans and vegetables, Blah!" Goku complained as the four guys sat around the table playing Mahjong.
Rayla grabbed something from her pack, opening her hand to Goku making the boy smile brightly. He downed the meat bun she offered him happily, "Your the best Ray-Ray!" he said between bites.
she shook her head, "Don't talk while eating."
"Their Buddhists so their vegetarians and if you think about farting, I'll kill you." Hakkai warns him.
"His farts would almost be better than all this nasty incense." Gojyo grumbles with a lite cigarette.
Sanzo had the same hanging in his mouth, "You can all put up with it for one night. Rayla is being more of a man about this."
*sigh* I have become nothing more than another one of the guys, Idiots.
They continued the game, "All right, last piece. Call" Gojyo tells them laying a piece down.
Sanzo's eyes squint more than usual, "Call." he flips his pieces, "All triple straights."
Before the others could add theirs, that young boy from earlier barged in, "What! What are you guys doing?" Damn what was the brats name again? Rayla thouth annoyed how she rarely pays attention to names unless someone it trying got kill her, sadly someone never even bother to introduce themselves... sad how so many demons have little manners... Ray thought slightly annoyed.
"It's Mahjong." they all answered at the same time.
*Falls over*
"Damn it"
"So you were waiting for the five of one tile!"
"No drinking! No smoking!" The boy said annoyed with an irk mark on his bald head.
Monks came in to take all the trays, beer and game away and out of the room, "We are confiscating all of this!" the boy tells them with Gojyo by his side.
"Man"
"Do not 'Man' me! We are in a sacred temple! Act like it! I don't understand how none of you seem to know about the ways of Buddha, it's like all of you are asking for Buddha's retribution to come raining down upon you!"
"You have far to many speech, boy." Rayla said with slight annoyance, making the boy gasp and move a little further away from her. She sighed.
"Just go to bed."
"Sanzo, toss me the comics when your finished with the paper, will ya?" Goku asks him.
Sanzo didn't even look up, "Ya sure man no sweat."
"Hey! Are you guys even listening to me?"
"Uh... No" Poor kid did ask for...
He shook, upset and unsure how deal with it in the end he just sighed much like Ray.
Hakkai changes the subject, "Tell me, Has this temple suffered from an unusual demonic activity recently?"
"No, of coarse not. It is said that by the Lord Buddha's protection this temple is warded such worldly things because of our deep devotion has been communicated to the Lord Buddha."
The boy is clearly not thinking, "Oh ya, What are you gonna do if they do attack you? What then mini monk?" Gojyo questions the child.
"That would never happen in a million years but if it did the Merciful Goddess would protect us." he answered his eyes defiant.
Rayla shook her head, More like watch and enjoy the show. Merciful, my ass! Gods, my ass! It's all the same moronic thinking!
"Right but if she didn't you got guns and shit right?" Goku asks his head propped on his hands.
The boy argued again, "Of coarse we don't! Killing goes against everything Buddhists stands for!"
"Good god kid your killing me!" Gojyo said exhausted.
Hakkai's face was thoughtful as Hakuryuu sat around his shoulders, "Then that's all the more reason we should probably keep the duration of our little visit here short."
"Goku. Sanzo. I am going to patrol around the temple. I will return shortly." Rayla says before anyone else could speak.
Sanzo nods his head with Hakkai, "Wait Ray-Ray!" Goku called after her but she had already gone out the window with great speed.
A few hours later the crescent moon was higher into the sky, "Beef... Pork... Chicken... Fish..." Goku complained.
"Women... Liquor... Smokes..." Gojyo joined him.
Hakkai blows off their complaints, "Okay you both are just pathetic."
"Where's Sanzo? And Ray-Ray isn't back yet!" Goku grumbled.
"Our little helper came and said the head priest wanted to see him." Hakkai informs him.
Goku was thinking (a bad sign) ," This late at night?"
Hokuryuu started making a bit of noise, "Huh? What is it?" His eyes narrow with suspicion, Rayla, slow it down till we get you! He thought to himself even though he knew she would.
Goku then felt it, Be safe, Ray-Ray. He thought as Gojyo too picked up on the feeling. They all got up and went to the window, the aura outside was able to be seen.
"I think we got company." Gojyo points out.
Goku looked bored, "No way, another assassin?"
"We'll be lucky if it's just one, besides Rayla is out there too." Hakkai mentioned.
Damn, He is closer to the monks that I thought! Rayla growled to herself annoyed by the sorry excuse of a mistake. The demon smashed into the temple where most of the monks were praying, rock and debris was thrown around.
"Come out, come out where ever you are, Genjo Sanzo." He called standing lazily on the rocks. Rayla quickly urged her feet to move faster than any human could run. Following his voice she tried to reach the monk before the carnage began.
"I have orders from Lord Kougaji, himself."
Faster! Faster! I'm going to be too slow to save them save them all... Damn it!
"I have come to take your life!"
"Oh my, I do love the taste of tender monk flesh!" the demon said, she could smell the scent of its nasty breath.
The laughter and scurrying sounds meant she would be a few minutes to late, the smell of blood filled her nose and she became angry for the senseless killing. The demon didn't notice her presence as she finally came into view. Rayla used the stealth and agility she held to stay out of sight but a brave or perhaps foolish monk step forward.
"Do not panic! Use the signs! Form the signs and chant the scriptures, By the power of the Merciful Goddess, BEGONE DEMON! You have no place in this most holy of temple, Go!" With that the remaining monks formed around the demon holding the signed and chanting. At first the demon appeared to be weakened as he howled, but Rayla felt lies roll of like thick fog.
The demon suddenly stopped and began to laugh making the monks gasp, "No it's not!" It said with a malicious smile that made her sick to her stomach.
"Your chanting is just noise to me, your pathetic!", the demon went to attack with it's blade. Before the monk was slashed he was shoved to the ground and the demons eyes widened.
The monk looked up to find Rayla holding of the demons attack with both her katana's crossed, they stared wide eyed at the women as if she was a demon herself, How ironic!
"So you want to be first? Women's flesh is much better..." The demon purred liking it's vile lips.
The monks were still on the floor to scared to move, "Run! RUN YOU DIPSHITS!" She screamed at them before she used her strength to shove the demon all the way to the far wall breaking it. The monks took the chance to run, the smell of their fear lingering in the air.
"You just let my meal go, I will eat you first then devour the rest." The demon said confidently as it stood from the rubble.
He charged straight at Rayla, weapon ready. His skill was low but his strength was enough to make it harder for her to avoid every swing in the form she was in. He swung down and she blocked it with one blade, bringing the other towards his torso.
Ting!
Her eyes widened to find a wristband on his only covered arm blocked the blade, He used the chance punch Rayla in the gut and sending her back a few feet. She ground her teeth as she straightened out, not out of pain but out of anger. When she looked up, he was no where in sight. She felt it a second to late as the demon appeared behind her and kicked her hard in the back sending her crashing into a wall.
Rayla groaned as she stood, whimpering from the other side her caught her attention. Stupid boy! The little boy from earlier was cowering in fear, eyes wide.
"Tell me child, do you have a name? The name you will take on in the afterlife the demon purred as he advanced towards the boy blade raised.
NO! Rayla's mind screamed but a voice made her spirits brighten ever so slightly, "Man, this is a big let down. I can't believe this is their second try, they might of sucked but at least the first go around was pretty to look at."
"Ha! I know you, your the 3 demons who betrayed us. I'm going to enjoy tearing you all apart, one at a time or all together!" Green and ugly sprouted more crap from his mouth.
"Goku!"
"Ray-Ray! You bastard your gonna pay for what you did to her!" Goku growled as Rayla grabbed the young boy and jumped up to the other three standing on the giant statue of Buddha.
"Yes, I'll even let you decide the order you all die!" it continued.
Gojyo was unfazed just like the rest besides the boy and Rayla who was infuriated, "So what so ya think Goku?"
"He acts like an asshole, has bad hair and roughed up Rayla. I say - 20 points."
Hakkai adds in, "Take off another 20, his clothes are bad and he smells."
"Haha... what! How dare you mock me." Stupid, Green and ugly, what a combination.
Goku points at him grossed out, "Ugh dude! Bad teeth take off another 5!"
The demon throws it's weapon and it embeds itself inches from Gojyo who didn't move at all and was completely unfazed, "Bad aim, that's another 10."
Gojyo jumps from the top straight at the demon with the speed, he grabs the back of the demons head and smashes it off his knee. The demon goes flying before his head connects with Goku's foot sending him back towards the hole Rayla had made.
She jumped down as well and landed near the door with the boy to make sure he had a good chance to run in case things got ugly, "Be ready to run this time kid." She said before taking a defensive stance.
The demon got up and was looking at the 3 guys, "Okay that didn't take anytime at all, Ray-Ray what happened?"
She ignored the question with a slight irk and her brow, "I was keeping him busy to allow those stupid monks to run."
"Maybe this is just his way of making us think he's got us whipped before he brings out the BIG guns." Hakkai mocks him. So much for the normal one...
The demon stretched out it's unclothed arm, "How very perceptive of you." His aura picks up the rubble around him before he sends it flying at the boys. Hakkai merely puts up a barrier with very little trouble.
"Ah please."
"So he resists me..." demon man pondered,
Goku praises Hakkai, "Hey you really got the hang of this!"
"Ya I kind of thought of it when I was taking out that little spider lady the other day. Materialize a little chi, make a barrier wall. Not bad eh?"
Rayla shook her head at their laid back attitudes, another thing that drew her to the group., "Awesome dude, hook me up with a few tricks like that will ya?" Goku asks ignoring the demon.
A bead of sweat was on the back of Rayla's head, "You have to be able to concentrate and that's not really your strong suit."
Man, how can they be so... so... ugh. They will be the death of me... A few more beads of sweat appeared as she used one hand to cover her face. An uneasy feeling crawled down her spine and she noticed the demon looking a the limiters on both Goku and Hakkai.
"Let's find out, why don't I show my demon brethren the true instead of my powers." It said confirming her thoughts. Green and Ugly holds out thee arm with and clothing on it and a blade of flesh come out of his arm like a hook. Dark magic... Evil practice.
Hakkai was unfazed, "So that's why his little ans-amble is missing it's right sleeve. "
"And I thought it was just thought it was a really bad fashion statement." Gojyo tells them honestly.
The demon charges arm out and ready to attack, "And that will be the last statement you'll ever make."
"Oh ya, We'll see about that." Goku brings out Nyoi-bo. Rayla felt a familiar presences making her feel far more at ease.
Goku blocks the attack but is sent skidding back, still standing but was closer to Gojyo and Hakkai now, "He's strong, strong as he smells."
"Make sure to take you time beating him for me Goku." Rayla comments on the side, he nods with an enthusiastic smile.
Gojyo smirked, "And that's saying something from you."
"Ha, you'll never win. So you can die now or later?" It asks with far to much of an ego.
The demon grunts, Sanzo appeared beside the demon, grabs the arm attachment and slams him into the ground.
"Your not all that bright either, take away another 45"
"Nice shot" Goku praises.
Hakkai nods his head in agreement, "With that many points he's defiantly outta the game."
Gojyo hangs on one of Sanzo's shoulders, "You know, your penance for dramatic entrances is getting kinda obvious. I could've taken care of him all by myself, Thank you very much."
Sanzo shoves his arm off, "Of this I'm sure." The demon sits up, "If your an example of the caliber of the assassin's he's sending, this Lord Kougiji of yours.. well he must sourly under estimate our potential. For the record, she didn't kill you out of pity."
Sanzo glared the demon down, "So what is the real purpose of the experiments to revive Gyumaoh, tell me who is behind all of this?"
"You, You stink of human blood. How many people's blood have you been splattered with? You shame your own faith!"
Sanzo's glare deepened, "For that I'm taking another 20 and that's it game over."
"I don't think so." Ugly lunged at Sanzo, "I've got another hand!"
"By the powers of heaven, BE GONE!" Sanzo used the power of scripture against it, trapping the demon.
Sanzo raised his revolver and aimed, "You only get one continue buddy!"
BANG!
"Your safe now boy." Rayla says the young child who was staring at Sanzo. Hakkai looked behind Rayla, "So that's where you are! Well done, Ray. Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"
"Who ... Who are you people? I heard him say you've been splattered by the blood of many! If you've killed so many how are you any better than a demon?" The child demanded.
Goku was annoyed, "Look, you stupid little jerk! If we hadn't of stopped him he would've eaten your happy ass too, Ray-Ray saved far more they we did."
"We don't want to kill but I'm afraid they leave us little choice." Hakkai tries to explain.
Yomai shuts his eyes and denies, "But you always have a choice! The act of taking a life no matter whose life is blasphemy against the Lord Buddha!"
"Tell me, do you really believe what your saying?" Sanzo asks making him gasp, "Do you still mean that after you just seen the slaughter of some of your own brothers. Rayla saved some but there is a body count kid. If you wanna be close to the gods so badly perhaps you should join them, everyone becomes closer to Buddha when they stop breathing. It's harder to be close when you still are."
I hardly remember his name but he has a good soul, one I won't forget. Rayla thought as she watched the poor child collapse in defeat, "You right..."
"Your alive, think about that kid, "Gojyo points out to him as he puts a smoke in his mouth. The sun begins to rise behind the boys, Rayla had to admit even she was in slight awe as each and everyone of them lit up a bit more in the light, "Were all alive for a reason, find out why."
It wasn't long after that the five of them gathered back out front of the gates of temple some of the monk were out front to see us off including the boy. Sanzo starts to walk away and the rest of us follow.
Light patter of footsteps caught most of their attention, "What is it?" Sanzo asks him.
"Master, when you and your friends come this way after your journey is over, would you come visit our temple again? Because I'd... I'd really like you to teach how to play Mahjong, if you would please?"
Sanzo actually had a smile, "I'd like that very much."
"Lady Rayla, Thank you very much for saving so many." Yomai said making her eyes widen and a little pink come to her cheeks from his innocent look, "Sure kid."
Rayla felt a little weird to be watch as they walked away and continued their journey with sun still rising, she had the distinct feeling it was going to be a very, very, very long trip. Kanzeon always did enjoy entertainment, hardly worth title of Merciful. she sighed. she had to keep a promise made, for one that was merciful to her... Nataku...
That's it for now, I will be updating soon. I do want to know if the readers like it and I will take suggests on ways to make the story better or the love interest! so please R & R