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.

***

The door closed with a small click. He was gone. With rough words, and rougher actions, he had cared for her, nursed her, and passionately kissed he – yet with that same arrogance she had learned to live with over the past few weeks, he had pushed her away, denying anything that could have happened. Denying her heart, and his own. Bella leant her head against the door, one fist rising to softly thump on the wood, as she let out a small scream of frustration.

How dare he? How dare he do this to her? He had baited her till she had shared one of her deepest secrets, had listened, had looked... and had not cared when he kissed her. He had kissed her with a fire, and a passion that was so unlike his calm personality – a side of him that was only evident to those who knew him well, and even THEY were surprised when he acted that way. He had kissed her... and she had welcomed it. How DARE he?

Bella sunk to her knees, her bare arms crossing over her chest in a protective gesture as her actions in the last 10 minutes flew through her mind. God – I'm so STUPID! Her face flushed at the memory of his lips, and she couldn't help touching her own softly, her fingertips brushing over her swollen mouth. He had been so.... wow. She felt an unusual fluttering in her stomach when he had approached her. Those flutters turned into earth moving tremors as he had made sweet love to her mouth.

She tilted her head back, and a small, genuine smile graced her lips. She would get through this, her gut clenched form her memories, but she would face them as she always had, and strive onwards... no matter how much it hurt. Resilience and strength. Those were the keys to surviving as long as she had. Resilience and strength.

She was still kneeling when a light breeze caressed her cheek, making the loose strands of her hair drift lazily around her shoulders. Bella sniffed once, and stood quickly, still facing the door, yet instantly on guard. Letting her bare arms drop to her sides, she let her chin drop to her chest, as she spoke:

"Hello, Prince."

Kougaiji grinned from his spot at the open window, his mauve locks drifting in the wind as his eyes sparkled in amusement. Sharp, pointed teeth glistened in the near darkness as twilight overtook the sky. Hi skin rippled at the feeling of being so close to her once more.

"Hello, Isabella."

Bella turned, eyes gleaming as she smirked at him. So... he had found out her name somehow – but did he yet know who he was dealing with? The youkai man's eyes widened in shock, and then squinted in rage as he saw Bella's arms for the first time. What the hell...?

"Who the HELL did that to you?" He growled, his voice like a snow panther – icy, animalistic and dangerous. Bella was taken aback, and stuttered slightly, her breath catching at the predatory look in his eye – the territoriality of it... so familiar.

"I... uh... It..." She couldn't answer, and ended up staring at the floor. She gritted her teeth and forced the words away. She wouldn't tell this stranger, she wouldn't! And who was he to ask anyway? Bella's thoughts continued to swirl as her anger at the intrusion began to grow.

Kougaiji jumped into the room from the windowsill, and slowly stalked towards her, ignoring the growing anger in her immediate vicinity, too absorbed in Bella's physical form – what had happened to her? The scars looked old, they were rippled, and hollow – she must have been no more than a child when that had happened. How could someone have done that to a child?

The demon prince had followed the monk to the inn, his eyes constantly scanning the extremely odd sky. The storm clouds had made the oddest formation he had ever seen. They had split and circled, as though he was in the eye of an enormous storm. The entire village was in the centre, and the night had followed the sun evenly. He doubted even the village residents had noticed the thunder that rolled ominously in the distance, or how the dark brooding clouds circled like hungry sharks.

Kougaiji watched and waited for his chance to get her alone, this mystery woman. He had perched, like a vulture, on the roof of the building across the road from the inn. He had seen the monk as he sat by the window, and watched as he disappeared, and loud voices had issued from beyond the glass. He had waited for a moment, memories flashing through his head at the sound of that voice raised in anger. He remembered her name this time – not that he could ever forget it... how could he?

He had known from that moment in the rain, that she was different. She wasn't the same girl she once was. The Muse of Strength. Isabella. Her eyes were different. Her face, hidden. But still – no matter how much she had altered in 500 years, he couldn't allow his bitch of a stepmother to know she walked the earth once more. To see her harmed in any way… would be too much.

His mind on a million things about her, things he wanted to say, to do, he had completely missed the angry way she stood, the fighting stance, the rigid shoulders... the shadowed eyes. He reached out a hand to touch her arm, to see if his eyes were not lying to him...

SMACK!

The hard, curled fist connected solidly with the princes' quick reflexes, his arms coming up in a double cross to shield him. Bella growled and crouched low, sweeping her foot around quickly to take out his feet. Kou jumped back four feet, his eyes wide with shock, his face wary. Why did she attack him? Didn't she remember him? "Isabella, why…?"

She swept her arms across her body, and readied herself into a close quarters fighting position. "How did you come by that name, Prince?" She asked darkly, her eyes hidden beneath her heavy fringe once more. Her limbs were steady and her breathing calm as she waited for his response. "And besides that, why are you here?" Kougaiji growled, his eyes turning hard as stone in the face of the defiant woman standing so innocently against him. Didn't she know who he was?

"I am here to take you back… Princess."

***

Daja's song finished right before sun set, and she fell back with a groan into Hakkai's waiting arms. Suki's wound had been more extensive than she thought – the blade had stabbed through an artery and severed the major tendon controlling her arm. Daja had needed to coax the tendon back up from its relaxed, curled position near the elbow, then attach it with a particularly difficult melody. Still, she was able to heal it, using more power, and a focused intent.

Suki was still unconscious as Goku, receiving a nod from Hakkai, picked her up carefully and headed back to the inn, followed by an exhausted Tryst – Gojyo's arm still around her waist. Hakkai helped Daja to her feet, and they followed slowly after the group.

Upon reaching the inn, the group split up, Hakkai telling Goku to put Suki to bed, and let her rest and recover. The younger man nodded, and made his way to the stairs, noticing Sanzo descending from the higher levels. Goku's drawn face turned to his sun, and he asked the question they were all thinking - "How's Bella?"

"She's fine." Sanzo snapped, his voice cracked and angry, as he made his way to the bar. "Damn troublesome wenches." He muttered, earning him a passing glare from Tryst. Goku shook his head, knowing he would catch up with the monk soon enough, and made his way to Suki's room, busting it open with a small kick to the door, and laying her gently down on the nearest bed.

Watching her closely, he placed a chair beside her face, and settled down to wait. Had he thought to check her eyes, he would have found them glazed over, white and shuttling frantically as she dreamed…

***

Downstairs, Hakkai nudged a dozing Daja, who mumbled sleepily from his shoulder, the arm holding her up tightening protectively as Hakkai looked down to her peaceful, if exhausted face. Smiling gently, he nodded to Sanzo as he made his way upstairs, disappearing into Daja's room.

"God I need a drink!" Tryst groaned as she saw the monk heading for the bar. Gojyo smiled at her, those exact same words resting on his tongue as he followed the tall brunette into the small, near empty bar off to the left of the reception area. She was very quickly becoming one of his favourite people to be around – not women – people. Tryst plopped herself down on the nearest bar stool and waited patiently for the bartender to notice her. It didn't take long. Most men noticed Tryst within seconds.

"What can I get for you miss?" He leered, bristly beard twitching as he smirked at her.

She propped bother her elbows on the bar and dropped her chin onto her hands, unintentionally giving the man full view to her ample cleavage. She yawned and eyed the bottles behind the man. "Uhhh… just gimme a beer." She drawled, to tired to think of anything else. She just wanted to forget it all. The travelling. The strange place she had found herself in. The Youkai. The killing. The blood. Bella's strange… transformation…as though a layer of her humanity had been stripped away… Tryst shuddered, that had been scary. She had felt like for a moment in time, she had seen Bella – the true Bella, the one she had hidden even in their own world, before they had been awakened.

The bartender returned with the requested beverage, and gently placed on the polished wooden surface before her. He leaned in, taking advantage of her calm facade and closed eyes, to try his luck…

"Just what do you think you're doing?" A rumbling voice said quietly. The bartender jerked, caught like a deer in the spotlight, his face mere inches from Trysts.

"What does it look like? I'm TRYING to get drunk, Baka!" Tryst whined without opening her eyes. The bartender retreated quickly, the deadly gaze being directed at him, intimidating him fully. He decided to serve the blond at the other end of the bar. From his attire, he appeared to be some kind of priest.

"You need to be more careful, love." Gojyo whispered, his lips tickling Trysts ear, making her giggle and pull away from him slightly, eyes still closed. Gojyo grinned complacently, and sat at the stool beside her, placing one arm comfortably around her waist. She stiffened for an instant, then gradually relaxed, having grown used to his small touches over the past few days. He had done it a couple of times, touching her hand, holding her waist or just standing closer than was necessary… yes… she had become accustomed to his presence.

She yawned, leaning against his arm as she opened her eyes and grabbed her beer. Titling her head back, she sculled the beverage in one go. Gojyo's eyes widened and his grin stretched from ear to ear. Damn, this girl was fun! Calling out to one of the girls serving the tables, he ordered four more beers and settled in to enjoy his evening. This was going to be fun!

***

Sanzo scowled by his seat at the bar, his thoughts in a million different places. He had received his bottle of hot sake from the flustered bartender, and was silently drinking each cup with great determination, as though he was angry at the liquor itself. He ordered another bottle, a stronger type, and then began throwing that away swiftly. He felt the small shivers in his muscles that indicated alcohol being drunk too quickly. His face felt flushed and his hands were shaking – but that wasn't from the sake.

Damn that troublesome woman! She had forced him… no… TRICKED him into it! He knew they were aware of his weaknesses, the side of him that he tried so desperately to hide or kill if necessary. His humane side. The side that made him do stupid, reckless things... thoughtless things… unplanned things… delicious things…. He liked his lips covertly, trying to taste any lingering pieces of her. She had tasted so…

He shook his head in frustration, the alcohol making his brain slosh gently against the sides of his skull as the room decided to start swirling uncharacteristically. Sanzo growled again, now even the walls were against him! He slumped against his glass, to drunk to think anymore. He flung a hand across the table for his bottle, unconsciously knocking over several empty others. When had he drunk those?

He found a partially full jug, and poured himself another cup, before placing his hand against his eyes, and gritting his teeth as his conscience finally cracked through his prideful arrogance. It spoke to him occasionally, in that same calm voice his master had always used with him, when trying to explain the lessons of life. It whispered to him now, as the alcohol coursed through his blood, and made him susceptible to its coercion…

Go to her….

***

Hakkai knew Daja wouldn't make it up the stairs in her condition – she was too exhausted. Before they had made it to the top step, he had swept her into his arms, smiling complacently as she didn't make a word, preferring to nuzzle into the space between his shoulder and collarbone. She murmured to him sleepily, incomprehensible words that made him grin in spite of his worry for her. Coming to his own door, he pushed it open with a small kick, and made his way into the dark space, habitually scanning for hidden attackers.

Finding the room safe, Hakkai strode over to the nearest bed – his own – and gently lay his precious package down on the covers. Her clothes were still covered in blood and grime, but she still looked like a goddess to him. He made his way to the bathroom, collecting soap, a bowl of water and towels. Returning to her side, he found her already fast asleep, curled towards him, as though waiting for his return. Hakkai felt a strange sensation in his throat, as he looked upon her like that. So calm. So peaceful – waiting for him…

He shook his head to chase away the growing thoughts in his head – thoughts that had no right to be in his head at that moment. Kneeling beside her, he began to wash her hands. Daja twitched in her sleep as the cloth wiped her hands, cleaning them of all traces of blood. Hakkai felt his eyes crinkle in mirth at her actions, loving how she giggled even in her sleep, as he tickled her finger tips.

He raked his gaze over the rest of her body. The black jeans were a bit dusty but otherwise fine, but the t-shirt… it was white, and as such had stained badly. It would probably never be wearable again. He hesitated in what he was about to do. He didn't want to seem as though he was invading her privacy, but it wasn't like he hadn't seen her before, not to mention, she would probably be disgusted to wake up in clothes caked in dried blood and grime.

Slowly reaching for his medical scissors from his kit near the bed, Hakkai began cutting away at the fitted white t-shirt covering Daja's torso. He did so quite expertly, so that the pieces could be lifted away, not disturbing the sleeper. When he was finished, and the last piece had been carefully slid from beneath her chest, he was faced once again with her half naked body. He gulped, and flushed bright red as her breasts were pressed together from the way she was curled towards him. He felt a hungry stirring deep in his abdomen, almost like the animal he kept caged there was purring.

Hakkai licked his lips, his heart hammering in his rib cage. He was supposed to turn away… he had to… it wasn't decent…

Screw decency.

Raising one of his hands, he gently trailed her shoulder with his fingers, marvelling at how soft her skin was. It was creamy, but not quite pale, and was as soft as silk. He bit his lip against his urges… he had to have more. Drifting his fingers back up her shoulder, her let them trail to her neck, then up her face… that peacefully sleeping face. He gently brushed a thumb across her lips, and swallowed, his muscles trembling from the boldness he was showing. His breathing was harsh as he felt her soft lips, her warm breath escaping from them, in steady, even intervals.

He couldn't hold back much longer… he had to turn away now – before he did something he might regret. But… he just… couldn't. Running his hand up her cheek, he let his fingers glide into her hair, shocked at its softness. Cupping her head he lowered his face to hers, his long fringe brushing over her closed eyelids, as he gently placed his lips on hers. He felt his control flare wildly in his grasp at the feeling or he skin against his, her tongue mere inches from his, the heat of it travelling down his spine like a drug. He wanted more… GOD how he wanted more… her lips were still against his as he moved his mouth in a slow, sensual motion against hers. He tasted her, and felt heat pool in his groin. He felt her own skin heat at his touch, and knew that she was reacting instinctively. Even in her sleep, she drove him to things he would never normally do.

Reluctantly pulling back, he gazed into her sleeping face, the flush on her cheeks only enhancing his need for her. Hakkai gritted his teeth and kicked himself mentally – he was not some pervert who did that to sleeping women! He was calm, in control… and completely entranced with the woman in his bed. Breathing raggedly, Hakkai stood, taking his cleaning tools back to the bathroom, before sitting down at the table to wait. There was no way he was going to leave her alone in a strange room in an unfamiliar town… no way. Picking up some torn shirts left for him by Gojyo, Hakkai put all his concentration into his sewing – that, at least, was something he could do without thinking.

***

Misa staggered into the sleepy, twilight town. She felt the anxious residue of storm cloud's, fighting and anger lace the air. Her wound was not completely healed, but she was strong enough to make the journey. She hid in the shadows, flitting from building to building as she made her way towards the centre of town.

She narrowly avoided being spotted by her Lady's daughter – Miss Lirin, who was calmly feeding two flying dragons. The girl was also hidden in plain sight – above the roof of a deserted restaurant, which seemed to have gone through a recent battle. Misa crept past the giggling teen, not wanting to be discovered in the state she was in. But wait… if Lady Lirin was here then that must mean…

Misa lifted her head quickly as a large, dark shape darted across the rooftops. She watched as the dragons stirred and rose, coming towards the figure as it jumped the final hurdle and landed amongst them. She heard her younger mistress yell loudly, her voice echoing off the surrounding buildings as the dark figure came into sharp relief from a piercing ray of moonlight. Kougaiji.

The Youkai prince gestured sharply, ordering his sister to get on her dragon. Lirin's voice rose in pitch, either from fear or anger. Kougaiji gestured again, this time, relieving himself of the heavy burden hanging over his shoulder. Misa gasped as she saw a flash of white blonde hair, as the prince deposited the body onto the neck of his beast, above the saddle. The brother and sister climbed onto their animals quickly, almost like they were escaping…

Misa shook her head in confusion as the two dragons lifted into the air, and sped quickly through the sky, heading west. As soon as they were beyond the outskirts of the village, the skies opened, and the rain that had threatened all afternoon finally came thundering down. Misa shivered at the temperature of the water… it was so cold. Colder than she had ever felt. A single raindrop crept into her mouth, and she spat quickly, eyes wide in surprise – the rain tasted bitter…

Like tears…

***

TO BE CONTINUED…