Chapter 15 - Fated Spell of Five

"Talking"

*Actions*

Rayla's thoughts

Someone else's thoughts

A memory of the past

Rayla lifted her head to the rain the poured gently down onto them, it was obvious there wasn't a town close enough to the group. That left them with the option of setting up a small camp in the woods. Rayla didn't really mind the rain but she knew what it could do to that already crabby monk, so she helped Hakkai and Goku set up a green tarp.

"We aren't really going to camp out here are we?" Goku asked Hakkai and Ray. She knew he was mostly upset that there wasn't a proper restaurant for him to pig out at.

Hakkai turned to look at him with Rayla, "At least we'll be able to get out of the rain for a few hours."

"Then would one of you explain to me why the three of us are doing this while the other two sit on their ass?" Rayla growled out hammering a peg into the ground with a little to much force.

Hakkai didn't bother to hold back the sweat drop that started to slide down his face, neither of them wanted to answer her how ever, Rayla continued to help outside as she thought about the past. Sanzo hates the rain, each time he gets into a bad mood when it begins to pour. I knew why but I stayed out of their business but perhaps we all just wished for the past to be washed away with it. We were all tied together, more than these boys really knew. I didn't believe her when she told me but that night, it was raining just like this and that's when I truly started to believe...

Back then it was only Rayla, Goku and Sanzo; the three of them worked together despite their differences. Rayla didn't know at that point but it was Gojyo who had originally found Hakkai, his name was different back then but his personality never seemed to really change to her.

Sanzo had been summoned once more to the Temple, the Aspects asked him to hunt someone down. It had been only two months before hand that a mass murder was reported, one man killed a thousand demons, a whole clan. Rayla had heard the rumors but she knew there had to be more to the story. There was also the rumor that if one man killed a thousand demons he himself would turn into one. That had been the first time she ever heard of the name how ever, Cho Gonou...

Back at the temple when Sanzo had returned from being told his current mission, the monks were getting driven up the wall by Rayla's favorite person. Goku was a bit younger and had his long hair at that point, but hewas still the same innocent boy she remembered.

"Thank goodness, Master Sanzo is here!" Rayla stiffened when she heard the news. Rayla's hair was still long but her hair only reached past her shoulders, she wore it in a pony tail most days.

"Thank the gods." The second monk complained.

Sanzo walked into view of the small room Goku and Rayla were in, "What's all the commotion about?" He asked.

"It's just that boy..." The monk started looking at Goku which in turn cause Sanzo to look as well.

Goku was covered in dirt, paint and anything else the little puppy he had brought in could get into. Rayla was going to tell him 'no' knowing how Sanzo would react but Goku pulled the 'puppy' look on her so she caved. Sanzo glared at all three of them, the innocent dog included, "Hello Sanzo! Welcome back!"

"Sanzo." Was Rayla's only greeting to him.

The first monk clenched his fist as Sanzo grounded his teeth, "The women allowed him to bring some filthy stray dog into the compound. They've been knocking over alters, artifact's... i-it's completely out of control!"

"It's a puppy and he is merely boy!" Rayla defended them both stepping in the way slightly.

Sanzo glared at her and pretended she wasn't there as he walked up to Goku, "Look Sanzo!" Goku held the puppy up.

Rayla knew what was coming making her flinch as the old man fan smacked Goku on the head hard, "Why you *Smack* dumb monkey!"

Rayla sighed, "That hurt! Why did you do that for Sanzo?" Goku whined at him as Rayla noticed the monks dumbfounded expression.

"You know damn well what it was for!" He growled at them before he turned is annoyed expression onto Rayla, "You have to stop letting him have what ever he wants!"

"He's a boy Sanzo, a bored boy that you leave behind all the time!" She argued back to him.

The monks watching them sighed amazed by what they were watching, "That boy and women can be such a burden. Why the Master would take on such a troublesome pair, I will never understand it, it just doesn't make any sense to me." The first one told the other.

"I totally agree." The second monk said despite their thoughts, bothe Rayla and Sanzo had heard what was said. There was already enough problems with her being there since she was a women, then Goku came along. Despite that Sanzo still silenced them when ever they compained, it was his own way of showing he cared, at least that was what Rayla hoped...

Sanzo's violet eyes turned to glare at the two monks silencing them once more, "Sorry Master, please forgive us." They said before running away.

Sometimes I wonder why I even bothered with them, he's so damn noisy for one thing and she never tells him no. Goku's voice kept calling out to me, it really grated on my nerves but when I had enough I went over to smack him one but then he looked up at me with that stupid look on his face... it wasn't like the emptiness I saw in her eyes... in the end, I lost my will to strike.

Sanzo recalled both days with clarity as he thought to himself, Rayla had several uses, a babysitter being one of them. He pretended he didn't really care all that much, he took them in so now he was stuck with them.

Sanzo got is revolver loaded and ready to go as Rayla strapped her swords to her waist, "What's with the peas and sticks, you guys going somewhere?" Goku asked them.

Normally Sanzo took her with him but Rayla had been with Goku up until recently, Sanzo told her to come along and since she owed him her life, she couldn't say no; despite her new found attachment to Goku.

"Afraid so, Unfortunately I have been given the task of hunting down a certain someone." Sanzo answered bluntly.

Goku stood excited, "If Ray-Ray is going, let me go with you!"

"I refuse. Why should I take some troublesome animal with me?"

"Sanzo!"

"Who are you calling an animal?"

Goku and Rayla spoke at the same time making Sanzo sigh for a moment, "That's would be you! Don't you know who you are?"

"Awe come on! I don't want to be left behind here with the monks, Ray-Ray is the only who does anything with me!" Goku whined at him.

Rayla knew what the monks would say about Goku when they thought they weren't listening, she wasn't very well liked either. That was one reason why Goku attached onto her when Sanzo found him.

"Please Sanzo!" Goku turned his pleading eyes to Rayla, "Don't let him leave me behind Ray-Ray!" Rayla wasn't very fond of the nickname he chose, it seemed like more work to say but she never corrected him.

She looked at Sanzo but knew Goku had already convinced him, "You really are a pain in the ass." Sanzo grabbed one more thing, placing it on his head he looked at Goku, "Hurry it up you little monkey, Let's get moving."

Rayla and Sanzo started to walk away but she would never forget the big smile he wore, "Wait up, Sanzo, Ray-Ray!"

It hadn't taken them long to get to the small town they had been informed to look, the three of the sat at restaurant table as the sun started to set.

"Sanzo, I've been thinking. If this Cho Gonou guy killed a thousand demons and became a demon himself, he's a real bad dude right?" Goku asked Sanzo who sat across from him. Rayla sat beside him looking at him with a bit of worry, Goku had some skills but that didn't mean she could stop worrying about him.

"Who can say..." Sanzo answered but she knew he was thinking the same as she. There was something about this mission that didn't sit well with them, Rayla didn't know the details but could feel the doubt Sanzo held.

Girls talking in the corner caught Sanzo's attention, earning Rayla's as well, "Somethings wrong with Gojyo."

"Your telling me! He didn't try to hit on me once yesterday!"

"Didn't he say something about taking in a wounded guy about a month ago? Someone with green eyes and pretty face? That's when it started..." The comment from the unknown person made Sanzo stand up and walk towards the group having the conversation.

Rayla had a bead of sweat fall down the side of her face in worry, Sanzo tended to have bad social skills, "Sanzo?" Goku said muffled and mouth full of with food in his mouth... again.

"I'd like to know more about this wounded man your friend has taken in."Sanzo said placing his hand on the table.

The man... maybe... I think it might be a women... smiled at Sanzo, "Why look for a wounded man at my friend's house when there's a perfectly healthy, hot number right here. I bet you all carry big guns in your robes-" The man/women started to reach for Sanzo's... private area's. Rayla became instantly angry for some reason and drew her blade just as Sanzo pulled out his gun.

"The stereotype..." Sanzo looked at Rayla for a moment who held a blade at the neck of the same person Sanzo held a gun at, "...happens to be true!"

They had been told what happened and where this Sha Gojyo lived, Sanzo and Rayla stood outside the small house's front door while Sanzo knocked on the door, "Sorry to disturb you so late but I'm on a hunt for a diabolical criminal who committed mass murder."

"Idiot..." Rayla muttered to herself, "I am right, your have no social skills..." The was two handsome men in the room, one with short brown hair but she could only see one green eyes clearly, his hair covered one. Rayla could feel pain from this man, as if his heart had been torn. The other had both long red hair with red eyes... Double red... blood colored hair and eyes... he's a half blood! Rayla realized instantly staring, she thought of someone who had long been a memory.

Sanzo ignored her and continued to explain. "A man with green eyes, He goes by the name of Cho Gonou." Neither Rayla or Sanzo missed the way the man with short brown hair reacted.

"Really? Don't know him..." Said the redhead eying up Rayla before glaring at Sanzo.

Sanzo was already annoyed, "Don't play dumb! I know for a fact that you took this mad man into your own home!"

"And I'm telling you I've never heard of him." The man began to step outside, closing the door behind him and staring down Sanzo, "Who the hell are you anyway? What kind of a monk goes around hunting murders?"

Sanzo ignored him and went to open the front door but his hand was grabbed forcefully by the man known as Gojyo, "Let me go!"

"What if I say no?"

Rayla pulled out both her blades, "Then your going to have a lot of trouble coming your direction."

"I'll sheet wrestle with you anytime after I've dealt with him, beautiful."

Sanzo brought his knee up to Gojyo's gut as soon as the comment left his mouth causing him to crumple to the ground, "Bastard!" He grunted as Sanzo began to walk towards the house.

That didn't stop Gojyo as he grabbed Sanzo by the shoulder and punch him with as much strength as he could, "Sanzo!" Rayla yelled out to the stubborn monk as he wiped his left cheek.

"You'll pay for that." Sanzo threatened ignoring Rayla's call, "Your a dead man."

Both Goku, who was hiding due to Sanzo's own odd request, and Rayla sighed quietly as Gojyo smirked down at Sanzo, "What dinomination did you say you were, Buddha?" He gave a short chuckle.

"Stupid women..." Sanzo grumbled not so quietly, "I heard that you arrogant jerk!" Ray glared at him, once again she was ignored, "The kind that doesn't forbid from my kicking your ass!" Sanzo answered while standing.

"Just because you belong to an order doesn't mean I have to follow yours." Gojyo brushed him off.

Sanzo was losing his patients, If he ever had any... Rayla thought to herself, "You wanna die that badly do ya?"

"Is it just me or is this getting out of hand?" Goku whispered to Rayla from where he was hiding, she nodded her head in agreement but no one noticed she was with Goku.

She couldn't deny it though, the fact that he was a half blood caught her interest, "I don't die easily." Gojyo retorted back at Sanzo.

Sanzo wiped out his gun and shot right through the door not far from Gojyo's head and the man they were hunting, "You damn Buddha thumper."

A small and not so subtle snicker made Sanzo's glare deepen but Rayla couldn't help it, "Now I don't want to bloody up those luscious locks of yours pretty boy..." Sanzo took the chance to taunt his opponent this time.

"Stop it, Gojyo!" A rich and soothing male voice cried out and the front door opened to reveal the man known as, Cho Gonou.

Gojyo was obviously annoyed, "You stay inside now!"

"So your Cho Gonou!"

"Took you long enough, Sanzo..." Rayla commented after already figuring that out.

Gojyo took the opportunity to bring his knee up to disarm Sanzo of his gun, Rayla went forward for back up but never butted into Sanzo's fights unless his life was on the line. She had to watch as Gojyo grabbed Sanzo by the head and slammed it into the dirt, he pinned Sanzo to the ground by sitting on him and holding the back of his head.

"You bastard..." Sanzo nearly hissed but gave Rayla the clear warning to stay out of this fight.

She didn't like but had to respect his wish, they had to finish their task, "You know, I'm always better when I'm on top..."

"I think I might puke..." Rayla muttered as she covered her mouth with her hand but her attention was caught by someone else, someone new.

Cho Gonou stood not far from her, "Hurry up and run!" Gojyo called out to him.

"Rayla!" Sanzo yelled her name but it felt more like a command to her.

She nodded her head, withdrew her katana's and block Cho Gonou's path, "Damn it!" Gojyo muttered, "I said go!" Gojyo tried again.

Rayla watched Cho Gonou's reaction, it wasn't what she expected of a murderer... Perhaps, he made the same mistake... I did. She could help but wonder about what exactly he was being accused of and why?

"What are you waiting for Rayla!" Sanzo demanded of her but she wouldn't look at him as she sheathed her blades. For some reason she couldn't swing, she lost her will to fight staring at those green eyes, "Why?" Gonou whispered softly but Rayla hid her face from him.

"RUN YOU IDIOT!" Gojyo hollered at him making him flinch before he started to turn and run.

Sanzo was beyond angry with Rayla by this point but had expect something like this might happen, "Useless idiot! Goku!"

Goku jumped down on cue infront of Cho Gonou, "Damn it! So you were prepared for everything..." Gojyo sneered at Sanzo.

Goku stood and taking a fighting stance, "I just have to beat this guy, right?"

Goku didn't wait for a reply as he charge with his knee up at Gonou who held his own by bringing his fore-arm up to stop the attack. Goku jumped back but it was clear that Cho Gonou was severely injured already and wouldn't be able to put up much more of a fight.

Goku slowly stood, "Sanzo..." Goku turned to look at him happily as if a table full of food was infront of him, "This guy might actually be pretty good!" He said pointing at Cho Gonou.

"Don't look so happy about it."

Goku turned back to his opponent, "Then I'll take it seriously now."

Gonou looked once at Rayla before taking a quick glance at the door, Goku took the chance to bring his leg up kicking him in the jaw. He was knocked back onto his back but landed near Sanzo's gun, Goku charged at him while he grabbed Sanzo's gun and pointed it at Goku.

Rayla didn't stop herself, "STOP!" She screamed at them both as she placed herself between the gun and Goku.

"Ray-Ray..." Goku whispered in shaking voice.

Rayla stared down Gonou with her back to Goku, "I won't let you harm him... no matter what your past might be like..." She told him quietly but with a firm voice.

"Goku! Rayla!" Sanzo called out to them.

"Please don't move and just listen to me." Cho Gonou called out to everyone leaving a short pause before he continued, "Don't blame him for any of this. He has nothing to do with me. It's true I have committed monstrous sins but there is just one thing I have left to do. Time. I just need to have a little more time, I apologize for everything..." He suddenly lowered the gun before he took of.

"Huh? Hey!" Goku tried to call out to him.

The group invited themselves into Gojyo's house now that their target had already run off and Rayla was currently getting the cold shoulder from Sanzo, Gojyo was curious as to why she didn't attack his temporary companion, "So his name's Cho Gonou...? That name really doesn't fit him."

"And your telling me, he never told you anything?"

"That's what I've been saying all along, I don't know why you haven't been listening to me and another thing..." They all looked at Goku who was stuffing his face, "I don't see why I'm responsible for feeding your pet, Your really pushing your luck."

Goku turned around with a nearly empty bowl but a very happy face, "Hey this is really good! Can I finish it, Can I?"

"Are you trying to eat me out of house and home, you stupid monkey!"

"I'm not a monkey, my name's Goku you degenerate!"

"Well, I think stupid monkey is the most accurate!"

"He did go about five hundred years without eating, so his body must be trying to make up for it." Sanzo commented ignoring them all.

Gojyo was annoyed and confused, "What's up with that?"

"You certainly are eccentric, why did you take him in if you knew it would cause problems for you?"

"That's a very good question, I'm not sure I know the answer..."

"Hey Sanzo!" Goku called out, "Is he really a bad guy?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well Ray-Ray didn't attack with you told her too and for some reason he just didn't seem like a bad guy to me."

Rayla lowered her head as Sanzo lit a smoke, "Murder doesn't necessarily mean evil, right? The world being what it is a lot of people out there that deserve to die, don't they? But those who decide to take it upon themselves have to be prepared if others trying to kill them as well and that's what they call the law of Karma, my friend. That's why good or bad, the only ones left standing will be the ones that have the strongest will to survive. " Sanzo's words weren't meant to just her but she could feel he meant what he said.

Gojyo smiled and leaned on Sanzo's shoulder while chuckling, "Will to live huh? To bad your a monk!"

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Goku interrupted before he could answer, "So where does that leave us?" Goku looked at Rayla and Sanzo, "What are we going to do now? Do we just let him go?"

"Listen, I may not like it but this is still my assigned mission even if it is a pain in the ass..."

"I'm afraid your wasting your time." Sanzo looked at Gojyo, "I don't know what kind of unfinished business he has but what ever it is, he's going to do it and then he'll probably die." Rayla's head snapped in the direction of Gojyo, "That's just the kind of guy he is."

"If that's true..." Sanzo looked at Rayla, "That's even more reason to find him. My instructions are to capture Cho Gonou and bring him back to the Palace of the Setting Sun alive, I can't have him dying at his own convenience. Sorry to bother you."

Sanzo, Goku and Rayla started for the door to leave and continue their task, "Hey!" Gojyo called out to them, "Count me in!"

Sorry the update took so long thank you everyone for your patience more will be up soon I promise, Your all so awesome, thanks for all your support :)