Re-cap
"No!" Goku yelled making Sanzo stop, "Get out of my way!" Sanzo yelled at Goku who was standing infront.
Rayla tried to go to Goku but Hakkai held her back, "How can you go and kill him like that without thinking. Isn't he your friend?"
Goku and Sanzo stared each other down, "Huh?"
"You make me sick!" Rikudo said as he appeared behind Goku and went to stab him through the back. Eyes widen at the sight that was before them... Sanzo had jumped in between to protect Goku.
The rain seemed to pour harder, "Wait... Sanzo..." Goku was sitting on the ground with Sanzo in his lap unconscious, "SANZO! Sanzo you gotta wake up! Sanzo, wake up!" Goku cried as the rest of them came over to check on Sanzo.
"You weren't meant to die like this just hold on man!" Gojyo tried to urge as Sanzo rolled himself out of Goku's lap, bleeding heavily.
"SANZO!"
To be continued...
Chapter 7 - Goodnight and Goodbye
** I don't own any of the Saiyuki characters or storyline **
Sanzo's beaten body was barely hanging on as they four of his comrades gathered around him, looking for anyway that would help him survive.
"Sanzo!" Goku called to him in despair.
Hakkai's medical side kicked into gear, "Don't move him Goku!"
"Sanzo!" Goku continued to yell hoping he would receive anything other than silence.
Rayla's beautiful face twisted into despair, "Don't die on me you stubborn monk!"
Rikudo stopped his attack stunned y what he might have done, he began to scream in agony over Sanzo's condition. Rayla slowly and gently pulled the staff out and immediately began putting pressure on the wound as the set him out of harms way.
The rain pounded down on them with out remorse, Rayla couldn't stop the thought of the rain trying to wash away the pain.
"Serves you right, that's what you get for betraying your own kind and take the side of demons. You weak and pathetic Priest!" Rikudo stated with a sinister laugh. All thoughts of Shuei still being inside were banished from Rayla's mind.
Goku leaned forward making Rayla concerned and slightly fearful over what could happen, "What's wrong Goku?" Gojyo asked.
"You don't look so good..." Hakkai pointed out.
Sanzo was hoisted up against the building he was once standing under as Goku collapsed on all fours, "Stand back.." Rayla tried to warn them but it was too late.
Goku grunted in pain, "Goku will you get a hold if yourself!" He screamed and lifted his head as his limiter shattered to pieces.
His hair grew longer, his nails extended, his ears became pointed... Rayla despite the situation was in awe of Goku, "Goku?" Gojyo called confused and surprised.
"Gojyo, get back!" Hakkai tried warning again now knowing what Ray was trying to warn them of earlier.
The transformation was done as the three of them stared at Goku, "Goku, is that?"
"Yes, it is." Hakkai confirmed., "Without the limiter he's reverted back his original form. The creature conceived in the giant stone where the earthly aura's gather. The great Sage... Goku."
Rayla and Goku's eyes connected and her heart skipped a beat, "Hakkai, Gojyo. His power is at it's full strength you must be careful."
"Ahahaha, At last your true form is revealed. Looks lie your all demons after all." Rikudo said not bothering to take the defensive.
Goku disappeared from sight before he was right on top of Rikudo and smashed his head into the ground with nothing but his hand. Rikudo managed to grab both of Goku's hand in a vain attempt to stop Goku's attack. His hands steamed as Rikudo tried to vaporize Goku, He kicked Goku off of him making Goku fly back only a few feet.
He landed and instantly charged again, Rikudo threw his talismans but they missed as Goku easily dodged them and continued to charge. He punched in the face sending Rikudo to the ground. Goku... I know your still in there... Rayla thought as she could still hears his cries.
Goku began to beat Rikudo without mercy, pounding away one fist after another. She knew she has no other choice as she allowed her own aura to go slowly.
"You can be impressed later, we still have a chance to save Sanzo." Hakkai said going back to healing the wound in Sanzo's gut, "I think the spear missed his vital organs, We've got to get him out of the rain. Inside I may be able to stop the bleeding. "
"Missed his vital organs?" Gojyo questioned.
Hakkai stayed focus on Sanzo, "I'll find some way to take care of Sanzo, Right now you've got to stop Goku..."
They paused feeling another Aura grow, They turned their attention to Rayla as her body was outlined in a bright red light. Her body began to change like Goku's, Her hair grew out past her knees, her ears became pointed and finger nails grew.
"Ray...?" Hakkai questioned nervously.
She looked at the making them gasp, her stunning violet eyes turned a ruby red, "Stand back, this is something I will be able to handle."
"Right, let's give Ray the easy job." Gojyo agreed not wanting to deal with Goku.
Hakkai narrowed his eyes concerned about to powerful demon's clashing, "Well Genius if Sanzo were conscious I would've asked him but if Ray can't rein Goku in there wont be a building left standing so support her!"
Goku bit into the shoulder of Rikudo making him holler in pain, the beads around his neck lit up in a brilliant red, making Goku scream and hold his ears to protect his sensitive hearing. Rayla's cries echoed his own not that she was in her true form. Rikudo used that chance to disappear from the losing battle he was fighting.
"He got away!"
"I'm not running, I will return and when I do all you demons better prepare to feast on all of my talismans." his scratchy voice deemed from out sight.
Goku's attention was brought to Rayla as he felt the threatening aura around her grow, "I know your still there, so give me back MY GOKU!" She yelled out to him. The statement made Hakkai and Gojyo look at each other concerned, it was rare for Rayla to get easily worked up.
Gojyo began to walk slowly towards Goku as Hakkai finished closing Sanzo's wound, Rayla immediately disappeared from sight.
"Hey Goku, you alright?" Gojyo asks him standing far to close.
Goku turned his head went to attack with a punch, Gojyo found he had been shoved backwards. He looked up to see Rayla holding Goku's fists, facing off against him and holding her own.
"Get back Gojyo, in the this state he'll strike at anything that moves. Ray's power equals his own!" Hakkai informed him as he watch the two.
Gojyo stood back, "Now he tells me."
Goku used his strength to start to push Rayla back as Gojyo came into assist, Rayla held his arms as Gojyo went to punch Goku in the face, "Chew on this you freak!" Goku used his mouth and did exactly that as his teeth sank into Gojyo's for arm.
"It's just a figure of speech! Now let go of my arm, stupid monkey!" Gojyo demanded of him grunting in pain. Rayla headbutted Goku making his mouth open in surprise and releasing Gojyo's arm.
"Ouch, son of a bitch! Ray you alright?" Gojyo asked she grunted in return trying to avoid Goku's fangs.
A sweet and commanding voice caught all of their attention, "Hold him still, Rayelle."
A golden light from the heavens appeared and illuminated both Rayla and Goku. A sparkling object began to swirl down in the middle of the light until its reached Goku's head and placed itself around, It was another limiter.
Goku turned back to normal in an instant and collapsed forward into Rayla's arms, she too turned back to normal and fell to the ground still holding Goku.
She wrapped her arms around him, "Goku, Thank goodness."
Gojyo walked up behind them and helped Rayla stand, he took Goku out her arms and went to Hakkai.
"He's asleep." Gojyo told them to ease their concern.
Hakkai was confused though, "What just happened?"
Rayla turned to greet the women she knew had come to their rescue, "You guys are pathetic, honestly Rayelle such a poor show."
*Irk* "I am not your entertainment." Rayla retorted as they boys stared at none other than the Merciful Goddess herself.
"Rayelle? Who... Who the hell is she?" Hakkai stuttered.
The unknown women to the boys merely winked at them...
Once they got Sanzo into a building and out of the rain the questions began, Rayla was sitting beside Sanzo who was propped up against a wall once more. Dabbing his head every now and then she tried to keep him stable.
"Hmm, your journey has hardly begun and your little gang is already in utter chaos." She said with indifference.
Gojyo became annoyed, "Hey where do you get off lady?"
Her faithful follower pointed an accusing finger at Gojyo but Rayla answer for him , "She is none of than Kanzeon Bosatsu, the one and only Merciful Goddess, blah blah blah... I've heard it all before!" She stated rudely getting several surprised looks.
"Hey you should be showing more respect, her majesty the benevolent Merciful Goddess has spared your dear ones total destruction!" Faithful decided to inform Rayla as she turned head back to Sanzo, "Don't ignore me!" he demanded of her as she continued.
"She's the Merciful Goddess?" Gojyo asked skeptical still holding Goku in his arms.
Hakkai's eyes were wide stunned by what he was hearing, "You must be the one responsible for placing on Goku's power limiter."
"Yes, that would be me and that little runt doesn't require any regular coronet either I might add. I have also design Rayelle's limiter to give her full control as you already saw." She answered truthfully giving more information than needed in Rayla's opinion, "Only the gods have the ability to forge a limiter out of materials capable of restraining Goku's and Rayelle's powers. Take my advice and keep a close eye on this one." She suggested pointing at Goku.
Hakkai looked at Rayla and she shook her head 'no', now was not the time to discuss it. The Merciful Goddess walked over to Rayla and Sanzo, "Now him, he's still problem I'm afraid. He's taken quite a thrashing."
"He's lost quite a bit of blood. There's nothing more than I can do for him." Hakkai told her.
"I got it!" She turned and looked at Hakkai, "Nothing is impossible for me... Nothing impossible for me... I got this... I can do what ever I want..." She continued in a sing song voice bragging in a slightly cute chibi form.
Hakkai was standing by her servant, "Okay I got that she's always so sure of herself."
"Oh boy, just try working for one!" He told him.
Suddenly she turned and pointed at Gojyo, "You! With the long purple hair and lots of spare blood get over here! Come on move your ass!"
Gojyo put Goku down gently before turning angrily around at her, "Look here honey, I don't care if you are a goddess, I don't recall making any vows that say that I have to sa-"
Gojyo was cut off as her lips connected with hers, "She never changes..." Rayla muttered as the faithful servant agreed nodding his head enthusiastically.
Hakkai was once again stunned as the Goddess pulled out first, "Hmmm." She says licking her lips, "I suppose that will do but I have tasted better..."
"What's the big idea you-" Gojyo was cut off again as she collapsed to the ground, "Gojyo!" Hakkai called to him.
"I'd take it easy if I were you honey I just sucked out a few prime pints of AB negative." She informed him snidely.
Gojyo lifter his head to look at her, "Don't you need my permission to do that?"
She ignored his question and walked back over to where Rayla and Sanzo were, she grabbed Sanzo by the hair and lifted him up with ease, "Damn it women you don't have to be so rough!" Rayla complained but they fell on deaf ears as she too was ignored.
"You aren't going to like this Konzen Douji or should I call you Gengo Sanzo now? Who ever you are if you want to live through the night your just going to have to deal with it!" She said to the unconscious Sanzo and leaned in to kiss him she did Gojyo.
Rayla turned her head sick of the women's behavior but when she suddenly grunted as Sanzo's arm came out to smack her away from his face Rayla's head snapped back to see what commotion was about.
"Sanzo! Your awake!" Hakkai called as Sanzo slumped over slightly leaning on Rayla for support. She tried to ignore the action but the feel of his cold and damp body told her he needed some help even if he wouldn't admit it. The thought made it easier to bare knowing it was not an emotional action and she was able to keep the blush away from her cheeks.
"Yes, I can see that! It was just probably an unconscious reaction. My, such strong reflexes though, I can see he's already getting his strength back, Enjoy yourself Rayelle." Kanzeon taunted Rayla making her head snap up as the pink returned, "Shove it women! I am nothing like you!" *Irk*
Hakkai chuckled, "Thank you so much!"
"If you want to thank me, give me your body in return. That's all the payment I need." She told him opening the doors, her shadow reminded Rayla of a swan, "This wasn't really about charity the fact is your on a very important mission right now and honestly it wouldn't be any fun if you died today. Ta Ta for now..." With that they both disappeared completely.
"I knew she was bored and needed entertainment..." Rayla grumbled.
Hakkai looked at Rayla as Gojyo did, "Ray, I believe we are owed an explanation... At the very least."
"I'm not sure if I can't explain it all but the basic point is that... My father was a half demon... like Gojyo..."She explain seldom as her bangs covered her eyes, "My mother was much like the women you just saw but she is not my mother. I have three bloodlines, a human, a demon and a god. I was known a the cursed tri-blood because of the destruction a had caused in the village I once lived. That was how I met the Merciful Goddess she bestowed the limiter that allowed me to control those gifts with practice."
"Rayla..." Gojyo stated sadly reaching a hand slightly in her direction.
Hakkai's eyes were not sympathetic but grateful, she was confused, "Thank you for telling us Ray. Please know we see no differently..." he said before he smiled and put a hand behind his head, "Though I won't be getting you angry ever..."
Rayla blinked looking at him before she let a giggle, the boys became stunned ( 0.0 ) "She laughing..." Hakkai said slightly scared.
"I think you broke her!" Gojyo just as worried as his companion.
Rayla covered her mouth slightly embarrassed she had let it slip, she removed her hand but the smile remained, "Thank you, Thank you both."
They smiled at her return understanding what she meant, knowing the pain themselves, "You know I have to admit, that was cute giggle..."
*Irk*
As the sunshine broke through, they managed to find an inn so Sanzo's wounds would be fully taken care of. Goku sat in a chair by his bedside as Rayla sat guard outside the bedroom, she was concerned how Goku may feel. The intention of lying was not her own, Sanzo had suggests years ago about keeping it quiet and to herself.
Goku had been quiet, not even asking for food. Hakkai walked up to the door making Rayla lift her head, "Is he awake?"
She shook her head 'no', Hakkai continued into the room without knocking, "Goku, Your still here. Waiting by the bed won't make him wake any sooner, won't you at least eat something?"
"No, I'm fine."
"You really don't remember what happened to you when your power limiter fell off, do you?" Hakkai asked point blank.
Rayla caught Goku nod his head as she got up to stand behind Hakkai, "Goku..." She whispered still gaining his head attention as she turned his head slightly before hanging it even lower.
Her jerked back a bit as if she had been stung, she never wished for nothing more than to see Goku smile. His innocent smile that captivated her cold heart, Just as he had, a hurt soul of a young boy, seeking for nothing more than to be accept, loved...
Goku did have Sanzo, Hakkai and Gojyo but in the end she knew she was really no use to Goku but her heart couldn't let go. He had grown into a strong young man, durable and strong willed.
"I remember the blood gushing from Sanzo's stomach then the world turning white. All sorts of idea's began spinning through my head come to think of it... I wonder who that was? He looked like Sanzo yet different. I can't remember why I was imprisoned for so long, I had to of done something truly terrible though. I mean why else would they have locked me away in Mount 'Gogui' (Not sure if it's spelled right) with nothing to do but watch the sun in the sky for years and years in cone craggy prison cell until a golden light finally reached down and saved me. He was the ray of sun I had been waiting for." Rayla stood still behind Goku as he confessed his feelings and memories. Hakkai had pulled up a chair and now sat beside Goku, Her heart broke at the story, it was obvious how Sanzo saved Goku from a life of torment.
Always being able to see freedom yet completely out of reach, "Sanzo's always been my savior, even though I can do nothing to save him. "
"Well I think the one thing that you can do for him is to be sure to never let him down. Don't you remember what Sanzo told us, he said that we would never die. We should take care not do anything reckless so that we can see this mission through to the end." Hakkai suggested with seldom words but the truth.
Goku stared wide eyed, "Your right, Yeah. Be strong..." His eyes sifted to the still form of Sanzo as the sunshine peeked brightly into the window.
Hakkai sighed, "Sanzo's still unconscious, Gojyo's still an anemic, Ray's worried as hell about you and your in a funk so I guess I'm the only one left to cook."
"Hey what a fantastic idea!" Goku turned and looked at Rayla, "Ray-Ray your the best cook out of all of us and you always make my favorites. Will you cook for me?"
He gave her the smile she wanted to see, her eyes widen and a touch of pink came to her cheeks before quickly bowed her head hoping no one had seen, "Since you asked so nicely I won't refuse."
The giggles told her she hadn't done very well in hiding, "I'll go get the kitchen ready!" Goku said excited before he bolted from the room.
"What do you know, Sanzo your the only person who could've gotten Goku that depressed. Do me a favor and don't re-open the wound we worked so hard to close, really hate for you and I to be left with the same scar..." Hakkai told Sanzo who had been listening.
He left the room with the door closing, Rayla began to turn and leave as well her footsteps along the wooden boards, "Rayla."
She stopped as soon as he spoke, "Do you plan to stay even now that they know?"
She was quiet, the thought of leaving because she caused nothing but trouble in the end. Sanzo hadn't seemed to care in the end even after learning the truth himself, the indifference he had shown her allowed her to move past what others thought, to live instead of hide.
"I will repay my debt to you all, until that day I will stand by your sides."
"Humph, Always knew you fit in with the other misfits."
Rayla walked to the door opening and stepping through, "Yes oh great leader of the misfits..."
*Bang!* A shot was fired at the already closed door, "Stubborn women."
Rayla was in the kitchen with Goku and Hakkai preparing the meals, Goku had been slightly quiet until he stopped what he was doing, "Hey Ray-Ray, I just want you to know... I'm really glad I always have you around. It's just that your always taken care of me, stashing food for me to eat, watching my back, there to cheer me up and I never feel alone when your all around, I never had someone like before and I'm so glad you always around."
Rayla and Hakkai looked at Goku's back, "I'm glad. Just know the feeling is the same Goku, we'll make sure your never lonely again."
He turned around with a huge smile, "ALRIGHT LET'S GET COOKIN!"
They had finished their meal and already loaded Hakuyruu who was back into a jeep, waiting for Sanzo to return from exactly what they all expected of him. When he cam out they were all waiting, "Need a ride?" Gojyo asked.
"It'll only cost ya ten thousand yen!" Goku joked holding out his hand.
Hakkai smiled with Rayla who had her own small one, Sanzo smiled back before getting into the jeep and once again the drove into the sunset heading west, "You wouldn't happen to be heading west?" Sanzo said chucking his gun at Goku.
"I'm crashing anyone who wake me, I'll cut their neck off." Sanzo warned making Hakkai laugh, "Go to sleep." Rayla demanded of him.
And so our little band of misfits continues their journey to the west, this group who would rather bite their own tongues off than be forced to dance to someone else's tune. Some people don't change in five hundred years no matter how many time they die, no matter how many times their re-born