Disclaimer(s) - I don't own Saiyuki or ANY of the Saiyuki Characters nor am I affiliated and therefore I am not making any profit from this story whatsoever. Saiyuki and its characters belong solely to Kazuya Minekura and all other respective creators/owners. I am just a fan. A BIG fan. A HUGE fan. A... well, you get the idea. I don't own anything but the 4 girls' characters in the story.

***

….. He opened the door in silence, leaning in the gap to see her sleeping form. He leered, 'Daja' they had called her. A fitting name – as pretty as her face… and the rest of her, he was sure!

Suddenly, a black object streaked between his legs and into the room. Lumao cursed silently. "Fucking cat!" He thought – he hadn't notices it with them when the little whores checked in.

He entered the room fully, aware that the cat was now a new obstacle in the room to avoid. He closed the door with click, and locked it once more. No one would be getting in, or out now. He headed towards the narrow bed, his movements precise and sure in the absolute darkness. He stood over Daja's sleeping form, unable to see her, though absolutely sure of her position. He grinned in the darkness, allowing his own black personality to overtake him.

He carefully pulled down the blanket, exposing Daja's still fully dressed form. He crept one leg onto the bed, and in a swift move, straddled the sleeping Muse. She awoke with a start, panic in her throat as a greasy hand covered her mouth.

"Shhh…." An oily voice slid out of the darkness above her "Quiet my little pet – don't struggle, or I'll be forced to end your pathetic little life all the sooner." Daja's eyes widened and she stilled as she felt the edge of the knife cutting against her neck, emphasising his point. Tears filled her eyes in terror, as she felt his other hand languidly fondle her breasts through her t-shirt. A moan of fear escaped through Lumao's fingers as she noticed his already unbuttoned pants, and his fingers reaching towards the zipper of her own jeans. Kit, hearing the distress signal, launched herself at Daja's attacker, claws outstretched.

The man roared in pain, both hands suddenly removed from Daja's body as he fought to remove the cat now attached to face. He wrenched the cat loose, fending off Daja's swinging fists, and hurled the small feline against the inner door. Daja screamed piercingly, the sound cut off abruptly by a swift punch to her jaw from the recovering Lumoa. "Goddamn noisy bitch." He muttered to the unconscious girl, furious that the cat had interfered. He raised a hand to his face in the dark, wincing as his fingers brushed against the small, bleeding scratched inflicted by the cat. He growled in anger – now he would have to find an excuse for those!

He turned back to his prey, feeling for her shirt in the dark, and dividing it across her chest in one vertical slash of his knife. He grinned in the dark, his eyes unable to see anything, yet his hands feeling plenty. Before he could continue, light poured into the room from the interconnecting door. Lumoa roared, his eyes adjusting to the glare, "who the hell are you?" He screamed.

"How dare you." The voice was alien, guttural – feral. "Get off her NOW, you son of a whoring bitch!"

Lumao's fear spiked at the voice, which he was convinced was not entirely human. He grabbed his knife, and held it down against the unconscious girl's throat. "Move, and she dies!" He growled as intimidating as possible. A head came slowly into focus as the figure took a step closer into the room; a single piercing green eye could be seen stabbing Lumao with its deadly gaze.

"No," the voice belonging to the eye had changed; it was as though it was filled with the empty darkness of space, "you die." Lumao panicked, and thrust down on the knife.

A flash of white, like sharp claws at his eyes. Lumao screamed in pain as the knife flew from his fingers and he threw up his hands to defend his face. A second later, all thoughts were gone as a powerful blast disintegrated his skull. The headless corpse fell back, legs still straddling Daja.

Hakkai entered the room swiftly; shoving the dead body off her as he gently shook her shoulders and checked her neck for a pulse. Confirming she was alive, he bent down and picked up the limp feline body by the doorway. The warmth and steady breathing of the cat confirmed its life as Hakkai walked stiffly back into his room and laid the animal on the dresser. Giving it a quick and thorough examination for broken bones or internal damage – and finding neither – he left the cat to rest.

He quickly returned to the closet room, and with as much care as he was able to right then, lifted Daja in trembling arms, and brought her into his room, laying her on the spare bed. Her torn shirt fell to her sides, revealing her chest and torso. The young man sucked in a breath as he saw the massive scar between her breasts. He let his eyes drop as Hakuryuu flew over to lie near the unconscious Kit. Hakkai strode back over to the open door and slammed it shut, locking it with a strong Chi barrier.

Once this was done, he turned and leaned against the door, strength leaving him as tears of anguish filled his eyes. He sunk to his haunches, arms crossed as he stared at Daja from across the room, silent, hot tears running down his cheeks. "Gods, I was too late – too late again. Always too late..."

Haakkai stayed in that position for a few minutes, until he heard Gojyo's voice echo in his mind: "What are you doing? You just saved her – she's not dead, you know." "Hey man, She needs help!" That was Goku. "Sit and feel sorry for yourself on your own time – get your ass to work NOW!" Sanzo's voice butted in.

Hakkai stood up slowly, taking strength from the words of his friends. He walked haltingly over to Daja, and began to place healing Chi over her severely bruised jaw. He then covered her with a blanket, and place a cold compress on her fevered forehead. Hakkai then sat back, waiting for her to wake, his piercing gaze never leaving her face.

***

The rain pounded down. Like a supernatural drum, the ground reverberated to the weight of water from the heavens. It cleansed the earth and scoured the trees. It drenched the rocks, and made streams into rivers. It soaked through the thin cloth of the youkai princes' jacket as he stood on the roof of the building opposite the inn. The dark shadows filling every corner below provided excellent cover, but he always preferred the higher ground. The street below was tightly bordered by two and three story buildings for three blocks either way, and the dusty ground turned to mud, which oozed out of the surrounding shoulder-width alleyways.

He breathed heavily, the strength of the rain giving him newfound purpose as he clenched one fist tightly around the gem at his neck. He had found their tracks, moments before the rain came down, and had followed them to this building. It had been far too dangerous for him to leave Lirin alone at the castle, so he had told her to wait with the dragons over in the next field. She had pouted and complained at not being able to see 'baldy-chan', but she understood when he was being serious, especially when he had produced the meat bun from a hidden pocket, only giving it to her once he had her word.

Kougaiji sighed, and now he was here watching a building for no other reason than the will of that evil bitch he was forced to call mother. He kept his eyes firmly on the doorway, ears perked for sounds, knowing that the Sanzo Ikkou were notoriously unpredictable, and could very well come hurtling out into the rain at any moment. He waited with the patience of a born hunter, the rain sluicing down his exposed chest and plastering his hair to his face, creating a dangerous, hidden atmosphere to his already chiselled features.

An hour into his watch, he noticed a movement. He tensed, muscles quivering in anticipation as he flexed his fist, uncovering the crystal and allowing it to witness the scene. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the lithe form nervously looking over its shoulder, flitting from the doorway of the inn to the middle of the street, where it abruptly stopped. He took a step closer to the edge of the roof, his attention now completely captured by the odd creature out in the rain.

It was a girl.

Kougaiji's head flicked back in confusion as he confirmed it. "What the hell..?" he whispered, as he watched her black clad body standing in the middle of the street, seemingly having turned to stone. The youkai prince followed the rain, and leapt down to a side alley, leaning his body around the corner to watch her more closely, his attention now completely riveted on her form. The rain began to fall heavier as a strong wind picked up. The prince shivered slightly – his body finally reacting to the bitter cold.

What was she doing? He thought, as she slowly raised her arms to her hair, undoing it from its restricting bun, the fuscia streaks glowing brightly against the white blonde tones. She let it fall against her back, then slowly raised her arms to the sky, wriggling her finger as the water trailed down from her finger tips to her covered elbows. Her head fell back, and her shielding fringe was pushed aside slightly, her eyes closed as she allowed the rain to drench her from head to toe. Her eyes snapped open, and lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating her bright smile. She wriggled her fingers again, and thunder boomed overhead, perfectly harmonising with her lilting laughter.

Kougaiji was stunned, his eves riveted as she continued to enjoy the storms power. She was… amazing. She stood out there, in no more than a form fitting black out fit and she was laughing. Was she mad? He felt heat rising from his belly as he continued to watch her, and his hand slowly slid back up to cover the blood red crystal at his neck.

Noting the small movement, the girl dropped her arms, whipping around and down to a crouched fighting position, all traces of laughter gone as she eyed the alleyway. The wind died. Her soaking hair struck her face sharply, as her single visible eye searched for the cause of the small movement. There was none of that exuberance left in her eyes now, Kougaiji noticed. Rather than play the sneaking culprit, the prince strode swiftly into the street, his tanned body illuminated by another flash of lightning, which was swiftly followed by a rolling boom.

He eyed the woman in awe. She looked like an angel of death, her beauty only being matched by the murderous intent in her eye. Her fuscia eye. He felt a tightening in his chest. Suddenly, there was a flash of recognition. She twitched her head, then raised herself gracefully, until she stood facing him, a small frown on her lips. The prince hesitated, wanting to say something, but unable to find the correct words to explain his presence. He felt ashamed suddenly, his ineptitude at speaking to a female – a HUMAN female – causing him to stand straight, and eye her with royal arrogance.

"Good evening, Prince Kougaiji." She said, her soft voice rolling through the air like the thunder overhead. His 'royal arrogance' royally wavered. She knew him. How did she know him? He was sure he had never met her – he would have remembered. Her lips curled in a small smile, the raindrops bouncing of her skin mesmerising. He shook his head – Goddammit! He was staring again!

"Do you know me, woman?" He asked, pleased at how strong his voice sounded, despite his quivering nerves. She bowed her head slightly in deference, her single visible eyes crinkling in silent laughter, as she turned and headed slowly back to the inn. He gasped as he finally saw her eye fully – that tattoo! How... did she? Who… was she? She was almost inside the inn entrance, "Wait!" He called – he had to know…

She turned her head in query, eyeing him from the shadowed doorway, and once again he was struck by her striking features. "Who… who are you?" The question was the best he could come up with as he stood in the rain, in the street, shivering with cold, his hand clenched around something at this throat. She smiled again, her eyes still laughing, yet now filled with something else… remorse?

"You'll find out… soon enough."

The rain continued to fall.

***

Bella crept up the stairs, glad that the young receptionist and her creepy boss were nowhere around to see the puddles she left on her way. She made it to her door, slipping inside with the ease of long familiarity. She ghosted past her sleeping room mates, and entered the bathroom, silently closing the door and locking it behind her. She sighed again, taking a few seconds to slow her heart from her strange night time encounter.

She leaned away from the door, removing her weapons and stripping off her sopping clothes, jumping into the shower. She stood there for a moment, face being cleansed by the scalding spray. Kougaiji. The demon prince. Only son of Gyumoah and Rasetsunyo. What was he doing here? Bella slapped her forehead. Duh.., she thought, I'm IN Shangrila – it's not only the Sanzo Ikkou that live here. She began washing her hair, considering WHY Kougaiji would be here at night. He was obviously not going to attack, or he would have done so already – not just that – he had too much honour to attack at night. So why was he here?

She grinned. He was as handsome as the anime too. Tanned skin, and a voice just a little deeper than how it was usually portrayed. That differed to the Sanzo Ikkou's, whose voices sounded nearly identical. She frowned, but why did he want to know who I am? She thought, confused at his actions. She didn't want to tell the others about this, they would ask a million questions, not the least of which – WHAT WAS SHE DOING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT?? She grimaced at the thought of Sanzo's reaction to her meeting Kougaiji in the middle of the night, in the rain. Gods – his distrust in them was already high enough!

Bella sighed as she turned off the faucet and got out of the shower, towelling herself down thoroughly. I'll talk it through with the girls first, she thought as she dressed in her boxers and tank top pyjamas. They can help to decide if I should tell the boys or not. Resolute in her decision, she clambered into bed and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of thunder, lightning and fire.

***

Two hours later, it was still pitch black outside, and Hakkai was still watching her face – that was when it happened.

Daja's eyelid twitched, flickering as she dreamed. Suddenly, her back arched painfully, and her muscles clenched, tightening to the point of snapping. Hakkai winced at the sight of her contorted body – she was going to be sore in the morning. Her body fell back as the tension eased, and the dream started. She spoke, obviously reliving some inner nightmare:

"No – Please! Take MINE! Save HER! PLEASE! I don't want it! Don't give it to me! It's not mine! Leave it for Dani! Let her have it! Save HER! NO! PLEASE!..." Her voice broke as she screamed, until she eventually fell back, exhausted. Hakkai's heart broke as he witnessed the pain she was obviously still living with every day. Who was Dani, though? His gaze turned back to her face, watching her panting breaths calm as she fell back into a deep, dreamless sleep.

***

A few hours later her eyes opened and Hakkai was instantly at her side. Panicking at the feeling of a human body so close after her ordeal, she flung an arm out, which was caught by the young man. "Daja, it's me! It's ME!" He said quietly. Hearing his voice, she calmed, her arm relaxing in his grip as the memories of the previous night surfaced. She shuddered, sitting up as her knees came to her chest, and her arms wrapped around them. Her head fell forward as hot tears began streaming down her face. "Oh, God – what did he do to me?" She cried into her arms as she began to rock back and forth.

Hakkai moved, letting instinct drive him, as he wrapped gentle arms around her form, and rocked in time. "Shhh... Ok... it's Ok. I stopped him before he... before anything happened." He said quietly, his mind refusing to say the most hated word. They sat that way until the sun breached the horizon, the rocking slowing in time with the girl's tears.

Daja finally looked up at Hakkai – her red rimmed, crystal blue eyes never more beautiful to him than right at that moment. He stared, unable to look away, as she said in a broken voice: "Thank you. Thank you for saving me, Cho Hakkai." The first words she had ever spoken to him. For him. He smiled at the memory, as her own lips twitched in return, the best she could manage.

He fell at that moment, that truest display of courage – he couldn't help it. He leaned his head down, eyes still locked on her own, as his lips brushed lightly against hers. He paused, looking into her eyes to be sure, as there breath mingles. To be sure for her? Or himself? He thought. He saw the truth there, and knew – she had already fallen, long ago. His lips pressed to hers, their eyes closing at the sweetest mixture of strength and passion flowing from him, to her, and back again. She pressed back, turning her head as he deepened their kiss, nibbling her lip, asking for permission to enter. She opened her mouth in reply, and his tongue met hers, the explosion of sensations bursting from their mouths and trailing simultaneously down their spines. Their tongues fought passionately, making Daja moan in pleasure. Hakkai was careful to avoid her bruised jaw. As he responded by gently lowering her back onto the bed, his mouth still locked with hers.

Suddenly there was aloud knock on the door. Daja jumped, nerves tensing as Hakkai pulled away reluctantly.

"Hakkai! It's me. Let me in." Sanzo's voice. Sanzo's command. Hakkai stood from the bed as Daja pulled the rumpled sheet around herself, and walked to the door. He opened it to a very irate monk. Before Hakkai could get a word out, Sanzo strode into the room, "the inn manager went missing last night. The owner seems to think it was a youkai attack, though there was no evidence to that effect..." His words trailed off as he noticed a bruised Daja looking at him from the spare bed. He turned swiftly to Hakkai, "What happened here?" came the growled question.

Hakkai gave Sanzo a piercing glance, "Nothing I couldn't handle," he purred in an alarmingly soothing tone. Sanzo's eyes flicked over to the Chi locked door, then back to Hakkai. Hakkai nodded slightly. "Fucking perverted asshole." Sanzo grumbled toward the dead man in the small room.

"I suggest we move on from here as soon as possible." Hakkai said quietly. Sanzo eyed Daja, nodding at the other man, before asking in a low voice, "are you ok?" Daja nodded slightly, surprised, yet touched by his concern. Sanzo grunted in approval and left the room – now much calmer than how he entered it. "I would suggest she sees her friends soon, also – they'll want to know what's happened." He said as the door closed behind him.

Hakkai turned and walked back to Daja, "what say I take you back to your friends room, hmm?" He asked gently. She nodded again, "Uhh…but, I may need another shirt, this one…" she trailed off in a trembling voice. A surge of anger flowed through Hakkai. The bastard got it easy, he thought with sweet savagery. He walked over to the dresser and pulled out a green tunic, matching his own. "I think this should suffice for now, ne?" he asked, making her giggle at the familiar turn of phrase. Hakkai smiled, happy he had made her happy. He turned as she discarded her torn shirt and changed into the green one. While waiting, he thought about her 'dream talking', and tossed out the question without really thinking.

"Who's Dani?"

When silence was his only answer, he cautiously turned around, to find Daja staring at him with empty eyes. "Who told you about Dani?" She asked, her voice small and vulnerable. Hakkai winced – he had obviously come across a soul scar, a memory which haunts a person even when awake. He cleared his throat, "while you were unconscious, you spoke – fully asleep – and mentioned someone named Dani, and how you didn't want… something."

Daja looked at the floor, her eyes closed in obvious pain. Hakkai swiftly crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her quivering shoulders. She buried her face in his chest. "Shh," he whispered, "I'm sorry. Daja, please, forgive me, I won't ask again..." After a few minutes, she calmed, and made a mumbling noise against his chest. He slackened his arms, allowing him to hear her, "I missed that." He said, trying to raise a smile out of her. She repeated herself, clear voiced as she stared at the floor:

"Dani was my twin."

Hakkai stilled, his eyes clenched shut as the phrase turned over and over in his head. Dani was my twin. My twin, my twin, my twin...

He steadied his breathing and opened his eyes, staring down at Daja's trembling figure. She knows, he thought, she knows that kind of pain, the loss of someone so close... a twin. Daja tried to calm herself down and meet his eyes. She surreptitiously wiped her nose on her shirt – the shirt he lent her – and lifted her eyes to his. He hadn't known. It wasn't his fault. He had only wanted to make her feel better – but Gods! She hadn't talked about Dani in years. Even knowing that she was going to have to tell him eventually didn't prepare her the question. The few people outside her family who actually knew, were right here on this journey with her! Hakkai though, he would understand, having travelled a similar road. His green eyes were clear, yet full of hidden pain.

"She was my twin," Daja repeated, "she died when we were 12." She gently pushed against his chest, indicating her need to be released. Hakkai obeyed with reluctance. Daja moved to the table by the window and took a seat, hands folded on the table surface. She motioned for him to join her. Hakkai sat, and waited patiently for her to get up the courage to begin her painful story…

***

To be continued…