Goku

When I woke up, I was hungry and sort of cold. The ground was uncomfortable and I felt like I was out in the open. As I sat up and looked around, I realized that it would be easy for a bunch of stupid youkai to attack us where we were. I wondered if Hakkai had thought about that when he'd decided to pull over.

Prolly. Hakkai thinks of ev'rythin'.

I looked over at him, ready to say good morning and where's breakfast, when I realized he was crashed out next to Gojyo. I guess neither of them could stay awake all night. I wished one of them woulda' woke me up—I would have traded places.

Oh well. Nothin' happened, so it's not a big deal I guess.

I sat there a few minutes looking around and realizing for the first time how early it was. I never got up this early, so it was kinda' weird. The sky was all gray and stuff. Maybe it would rain.

If it rained Sanzo and Hakkai would prob'ly get all pissy and stuff.

My stomach growled. "Mm. I'm hungry."

I felt bad about waking anyone up, so I decided I'd get breakfast on my own and went to look through our supplies. There wasn't very much to eat. Well, not anything good anyway. Most of it was in cans and stuff. I ate some anyway, but it wasn't very good. What I really wanted was some fresh fruit, and it didn't look like we had any. The grocery shopping had been cut a little short thanks to Sanzo and Gojyo's fight.

Man what's up with those guys anyway? They've been actin' so weird.

I remembered that yesterday we'd passed some fruit trees a ways back. It had smelled really good. I had wanted to stop and eat some, but I was scared to ask Sanzo since he was being so weird. I could go back and get some now—it prob'ly wasn't too far away.

Looking again at my friends, I set off, back down the road the way we'd come, going as quickly as I could. I didn't wanna' leave them alone too long with that crazy youkai lady runnin' around kissin' people.

Thinking about it made me feel hurried and I started to jog.

We'd passed the fruit trees around evening, so they couldn't be far off. A few miles. I could handle that easy. I had crazy-good stamina.

It was a pretty morning. I heard a lot of birds singing, and even though it was cloudy, the sun was coming through here and there. I could smell the rain gathering and the wind felt good. I liked traveling a lot. We got to see lots of cool places, and I had lots of fun with my friends. It prob'ly wouldn't be half as fun without them.

That's why I really didn't like it when they got hurt or somethin'. Maybe I wasn't so good with expressing the stuff I felt, but I still felt a lot, and I really cared about my friends. Sanzo was like my dad, sort of, and Gojyo and Hakkai were like my brothers. Hakkai was always real nice to me, and Gojyo was there for me if I needed him, and I knew it. Even if we did fight a lot. It was just for fun. The trip would have been way boring without him. And I had no idea where I'd be without Sanzo. Prob'ly still in that cage.

I shook the thought away. I didn't want to think about the cage ever again. It was behind me, and I had friends now. The closest thing I'd ever had to a family.

And I didn't like it when bad stuff happened to my family.

It would be cool if they were awake when I got back. Maybe they'd like some fruit too.

I wondered what else they'd like. There wasn't too much around that was edible, but maybe I could find somethin' else too.

I hadn't gone too far when I could smell a sweet smell of something in the wind. I knew right away that it was apples. My mouth started watering right away, and I could hardly wait to see them.

A little bit later I saw a big-ass row of apple trees along the side of the road, and I could see the apples. They were pretty big, and really bright red. Perfect.

Drooling, I ran up to the first tree in the row and stared up into its branches, homing in on one really big, juicy looking apple, and then I started to climb the tree, shimmying out on the branch to grab it. I could see my face in it, it was so shiny. I smiled. "Hey there. You look yummy."

It was really hard to keep from taking a big bite out of it, but I reminded myself that it was for my friends, and then I held it against my chest, stood up to grab another that looked just as big and bright as the first. The smell was great, and being up in the branches of the tree made it even stronger. I coulda' hung out in the tree all day, just eating apples and relaxing, but I knew I had to go back to make sure my friends were okay.

I grabbed as many as I could, and then I started to climb down the best I could without dropping any. When I was on the ground again, I took my cape off and laid it out on the ground and put the apples in the middle so I could wrap them up and carry them easier.

While I was tying it all up, I realized that if I was gonna' carry them in my cape I'd be able to take even more than before. That meant there'd be enough for later too. Grinning, I went back up into the trees and brought down another armful. I dropped a few this time. That really sucked. But I still had a lot, so it wasn't too bad.

When I was sure I had as many as we'd need, I climbed down again and tied my cape up, and swung it over my shoulder like a bag.

I was about to head back to where my friends were when I saw someone coming down the road toward me. They were still a little ways away, so I thought it was that youkai lady. Then I saw that it was a human man. He looked pretty old, with a white beard and stuff. It seemed early for an old dude to be walking by himself, but then I saw that he had some kinda crazy big basket on his back. He stopped under the orchard and gave me a weird look, kinda' like the ones Sanzo gave.

"Mornin' Jii-san." I waved a little.

"Who are you?" He had sort of a gruff, old man voice. Maybe Sanzo would be like him when he got old.

"My name's Goku. I'm just passin' through."

"Did you know you're in my apple orchard?"

This old guy was bein' so rude I wasn't sure what to say. "Uh…no…"

"So then you weren't planning to pay for those—you were just going to steal them."

"What?" I felt totally stupid right away. I should have known the apples belonged to someone. "No! I'm not tryin' ta' steal 'em. I really didn't know that-"

"Never mind," he growled. "Travelers do it all the time—I guess they think that since they're just passing through it's okay. Just get out of here."

"Oh…okay." I watched him a moment as he set down his backpack thing and his little walking stick and got ready to climb the tree. I couldn't believe this old guy was going to climb these big trees all by himself. He didn't look like he was in that good of shape.

"Um…"

He glared over his shoulder at me, "You're still here?"

"Yeah…well, I-"

"For the last time, kid, beat it."

I hesitated a little longer, laid down my cape and went closer, "Um, I'm really sorry 'bout takin' your apples without permission. If ya' want, I could help ya' pick some…for payment or somethin'."

His expression didn't change, "What makes you think I can't do it by myself?"

"I dunno. Can ya'?"

He snorted, but it sounded like a laugh. "Of course I can. Just go on and have a nice day."

"I feel bad about stealin' from ya' like that." I said seriously, taking hold of the lowest branch. "Just leme' help."

For a while the old guy stared at me, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking. His expression didn't change or anything. Then, finally, he smiled a little and nodded jerkily. "Fine. You help me for an hour and we'll call it even."

"A whole hour?"

"Is that a problem?" He glared again.

"No. 'sallright."

The others would be okay without me for a little bit longer. Maybe if I worked fast the old guy would let me go after his basket was full. I didn't think it would take a whole hour to fill it up. So I climbed back up into the tree and started to collect the apples. At first, I thought I'd just grab some and then drop them down into the basket, but he got mad at me right away.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, boy?"

"What'dya' mean?"

"Keep dropping them like that and they'll bruise!"

"Oh…" I rubbed my head and smiled, feeling stupid for not thinking of that, "right. Sorry. So ya' want me ta' get a bunch an' just bring 'em down to ya', yeah?"

He snorted, "Kid, you're not the brightest bulb I've met."

"Huh? Bulb?" I had no idea what he meant. Bulb made me think of plants, and plants made me think of food, so immediately I was hungry again. But I didn't have time to eat. I had to hurry up and get this done so I could go back to my friends. I didn't want them to leave me.

I worked as fast as I could, taking as many apples at a time as I could hold, and climbing down from the tree quickly. At first the old man just stood by and glared and snorted at me, but after a while he started to lighten up and talk to me a little.

"Well, bright bulb or not, at least you aren't completely useless."

I grinned at him as I loaded another armful of apples into his basket.

"You travelin' alone?"

"Naw. I've got three other friends with me."

"Ah. That's good. Travelin' alone's no good. So where are the four of you heading?"

"West. We're sort of on a mission."

"I used to travel when I was younger. It's nice to see the world while you can still walk."

"Mmhm!" I jumped back up into the tree easily and began grabbing more apples.

"You sure are a spry little feller. What did you say your name is?"

"I'm Goku."

"Goku hm? I'm Li."

"Nice ta' meetcha'. So dya' live around here?"

"Not far from here. I take the apples to a market in a little village to the west. They're my major source of income, but a lot of folks come by and just take what they need."

I felt bad again, but he just kept smiling.

And we kept working. We worked for at least another hour, and I realized that the basket was a lot bigger than I realized. "Are ya' really gonna' carry all these back home?"

"No. My son should be coming along soon. He has a truck—that's rare in these parts, you know."

"Yeah? We've got a jeep."

"A jeep huh? That's good for traveling."

We worked a little longer, and then Li asked me if I'd had breakfast, so I fudged a little and said no. The stuff from the cans earlier wasn't enough to really be called breakfast. So he sat down and got out some food and offered it to me. It was just some simple rice and bread and stuff, but it looked yummy, so I agreed to eat with him before I went.

"Well, Goku, I don't know if there's much point in telling you this, since you and your friends are leaving the region, but you should try to be careful."

"Yeah?" I popped a hunk of bread in my mouth. It was so good—all fresh baked and warm and soft. The best bread I'd ever had! "Why?"

"I wouldn't want to scare you, son, but there's a powerful youkai who lives around here. It's up for debate whether she's gone berserk or not, since she doesn't go into villages to attack humans, but many a traveler has been attacked."

The bread turned to rocks in my stomach, "A girl youkai?"

Li nodded, "The survivors always have the same story—a young, female youkai, who looks like she's in her twenties, but is as cruel as an ancient god. She shows no mercy. In fact, the survivors usually claim that they wish she would have just killed them with their friends."

I was quiet for a while thinking about the youkai that had come out of nowhere last night and wondering if it was the same one.

"I didn't scare you, did I?"

"No. It's just that…what does she look like?"

"I've never seen her myself, but the descriptions are consistent—long, black hair, and demonic, green eyes."

Green eyes. That made me think of Hakkai. When he was in his youkai form his eyes were really…

Demonic was the only word I could think that described it.

I remembered fightin' with him and shuddered.

"So be on the look out. She's pretty to look at but dangerous to come across. I believe she goes by Jade the Asahara."

"What's an Asahara?"

He shrugged. "I doubt it means anything. It's just a family name, as best I can tell. Around here, and in the surrounding villages, we call her the succubus."

I stared at him, trying out the word. "Succubus… what's that?"

Li chuckled slightly, "A demon who seduces men in the night. See, the Asahara likes doing that. She loves to lure human men away with her beauty and…well, have her way with them, and then eat them."

It was a little confusing for me. Have her way with them… But I'd feel stupid if I asked what that meant, so I'd just keep it in mind and ask Gojyo later. He'd know. Or maybe Hakkai. Hakkai wouldn't tell me all the gross details at least.

The news bothered me a lot. Especially the parts about seducing men and the green eyes. It made me think that the youkai from last night really was this Asahara lady. And I really didn't like that she'd been kissin' Hakkai. I wondered if she would have had her way with him if we hadn't woke up.

Hakkai's not a human.

I got up suddenly; I'd been away for a long time. If that youkai was really wandering around somewhere I had to get back to my friends and protect them. "Thanks for the food, Li, and the apples, but I've gotta' go now. I've gotta' go make sure my friends're okay."

"I understand." He got out a pipe and lit it. "Well, you have a nice trip, Goku. And keep your eyes peeled for that woman…she's powerful. Incredibly powerful. As far as I know, she runs an entire clan all by herself, and she'd vengeful."

"A whole clan? Run by a girl youkai?"

"So they say. Of course, she doesn't often do her dirty work. She's got a few brothers who run around, taking orders from her. But, she's dangerous, that's all that matters. She's the type that, if you cross her wrong, she'll follow you to the ends of the earth. Until you're dead. So be careful. And don't wander around alone."

"Thanks." I said again, picking up my apples. And then I started to run down the road, to the west. I didn't know how we'd gotten involved with this Asahara chick, or what she wanted from Hakkai, but I knew she wanted to kill Sanzo. Maybe it was because of whatever had happened yesterday morning. If she was after Sanzo I had to make sure I was there to keep her from killing him. Hakkai too.

The apples suddenly seemed really stupid and pointless, and I wished that I had just stayed with my friends instead.

I ran all the way back to them, sorta' scared that they'd be dead when I got there. Everybody was there though. They were up, but they were just sittin' there, not even eating or anything. As I got closer, I could hear them talking. At first I thought maybe Sanzo and Gojyo were fighting again, but they weren't. I slowed down and walked up to them, just listening.

Hakkai was saying, "…if she promised to kill Sanzo, I think it would be unwise of us to assume she's not going to continue hunting him."

"Feh. It doesn't matter." Sanzo snorted, "She's not a problem."

They both looked at him.

"What is wrong with you, man?" Gojyo demanded. "You heard what Hakkai said about how strong that bitch is—and if she's really gonna' keep looking for you, I don't see how she's not a problem."

"Whoever gets in my way dies. I told you that."

"Sanzo, you're being a bit stubborn, don't you think?"

I padded up to them, "Hey guys. What's goin' on?"

They all turned to look at me. Sanzo glared, "Where the hell have you been?"

I set the apples down, "I went ta' get some breakfast is all."

"That was a bit irresponsible, don't you think, Goku?" Hakkai had that weird, worried look all over his face, even though everything looked like it was okay. "Especially after what happened last night?"

"Yeah, but I was hungry. 'Sides, I found out somethin' important about that youkai chick from last night."

I noticed how their expressions changed, like they went from being worried to being even more worried.

"See, I ran inta' this farmer guy, and I helped him pick some apples ta' sell. He told me 'bout this really strong girl youkai—said she's real mean and stuff, and that if she's mad at ya' she never stops lookin' for ya'."

Hakkai and Gojyo both turned back to Sanzo, but he just said, "What's that have to do with us?"

"The way he described her sounded just like the lady we saw last night. I thought she was probably the same."

Hakkai at least seemed trouble, "What exactly did this man tell you, Goku?"

I stood there, trying to remember his words exactly, shrugged. "Guess she doesn't go into villages to attack humans, so she might not be crazy yet, but she's killed lotsa' travelers. And she's really, really mean." I tried again to remember Li's exact words. "Merciless an' cruel. Guess she's got demonic green eyes. And…oh yeah, they call her Jade the Asahara…or somethin' like that. Anyway…people call her…succubus." I think I got that word right.

Gojyo slid a glance at Hakkai, so I must have said it right. Or else I had messed it up and he had no idea what I was talking about.

Hakkai's voice seemed really cold. "Is that so. I wonder why?"

"Um. The farmer said somethin' about her…havin' her way with guys, then eatin' them."

"Ah. I suppose that explains it."

I looked hard at Gojyo, half expecting me to tell me what that really meant, but he was just smoking, not looking at any of us.

This was so weird. Really, really weird. Why did this hafta' be happening to us? First this crazy youkai wanted ta' kill Sanzo, now she was tryin' to get to Hakkai.

"One more thing." I said. It was strange having to be the messenger, and I was sure I was forgetting something. "She's strong. Way strong. She's in charge of a whole clan."

"Was." Gojyo spoke up at last.

"Well Sanzo." Hakkai said, standing up, "What do you have to say to all of that? If this Jade the Asahara is really after you, don't you think that's cause for concern?"

"Please. Just admit it, Hakkai, you're the one who's worried—this bastard youkai is obviously after you, not me."

"She had her chance to kill me and didn't take it." Hakkai sounded angry for some reason. I looked at Gojyo and he shrugged. "She told us she's after you, so what are you getting by trying to deny it?"

Sanzo got up too, dropping his cigarette, "Just mind your own business, Hakkai. We've wasted enough time talking about this, now let's move out." He walked toward the jeep.

Hakkai stood there, shaking his head, and Gojyo moved closer to him. I thought they were gonna' say something to each other, but they didn't; they just stood there a sec, shoulder to shoulder, and then Hakkai headed for the jeep too, getting in on the driver's side.

Gojyo looked over his shoulder at me, "Well, monkey, ready for another fun-filled day on the dick-eating journey west?"

For some reason that made me remember what he'd said to Hakkai last night. They hadn't known I was awake, but I had been listening as Gojyo talked about how sick he was of being around Sanzo, and how he was tired of the whole trip. It made sort of worry that he was gonna' take off some day.

Not today though. So I got my apples and put them in the car.

I got one out and started to eat it, thinking. Somehow I had to think of a way to protect Sanzo and Hakkai from that crazy girl youkai, and I had to keep my eye on Gojyo too, to make sure he didn't disappear on us.

It seemed like a lot all the sudden.

For some reason, it seemed like we drove longer today than usual. The sun got higher and higher in the sky and I got hungrier and hungrier. A few times I wanted to complain, but I had enough apples that I didn't really need to. Besides, I could tell my friends were upset about something. It seemed like Hakkai was driving faster than usual, and today Sanzo and Gojyo were both quiet. I tried to be quiet too, even though I wasn't sure why.

Noon passed and we didn't stop. Normally Hakkai took a break from driving, or I complained enough about being hungry that we had to stop. Today, Hakkai went right on going, and no one stopped him. Were my friends that scared of that girl youkai? Should I be scared too?

I was with Sanzo. If she tried anything, we'd just kill her—what was the big deal? Sure, Li said she was tough, and last night Hakkai had some trouble with her, but if we all ganged up on her, we could finish her, couldn't we? As long as we all stayed together, we'd be okay.

That made me think about Gojyo wanting to leave again, and I looked at him. He was just sittin' there, smoking like always, hair blowing back in the wind. Was he really thinking about taking off?

I didn't want him to. Even if me and Hakkai and Sanzo were good enough to take care of bitchy-face youkai, I still didn't want Gojyo to leave. We needed him.

A couple times, I thought about asking him about it. Sanzo and Hakkai weren't paying any attention to us, so maybe he'd talk to me about it. One time I even started to ask.

"Gojyo?"

When he looked at me, everything seemed normal, but his voice was too flat to be Gojyo's. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Ya' okay?"

"Yep. I'm good."

That was all. I didn't really know what else to say—I wanted to ask why he wasn't trying to tease me, or why he and Sanzo were arguing so much. I wanted to ask if he was worried about the youkai who was after Sanzo or if he thought we'd be okay. I really, really wanted to know if he was going to leave us. But I didn't know how to ask any of that stuff, so I didn't. I just grabbed another apple and tried not to worry so much.

The sun was starting to go down by the time we finally got to a town, and I realized we hadn't taken any breaks at all. At least, not any serious ones. We'd stopped a couple times to stretch our legs, but there hadn't been time for more than just a little food, and then we were back in the car again. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running from something.

The first place we headed for was an inn. By that time, the others seemed to be acting a little more normal. Well, sorta' normal. They were still a little weird. Sanzo and Gojyo were getting into it again, over some stupid thing—it was like they couldn't get past the fight they'd had the other day—and Hakkai wasn't saying anything at all. One time, he stopped in the middle of the road and I ran into him.

"Woah! Hakkai? What'dya' stop for?"

"Hm? Oh, nothing. I'm sorry, Goku, I'm simply considering where we should spend the night."

Gojyo said, "I vote for getting separate rooms."

"Separate rooms? Hm. I'm not sure that under the circumstances that would be wise. Sanzo?"

"I hate to say this—really, really hate to say it—but I have to agree with Gojyo. Only because I don't want to have to bear his stupid face any longer than I need to."

"Exactly." Gojyo sneered. "I think I've pretty much filled my Sanzo quota for the day."

"But guys!" I interrupted. "If we split up, dya' think it's safe? That youkai…"

"Never mind, Goku." Sanzo said. He sounded harsher than usual. "For the last time, that Jade the Asahara is not an issue. I don't even want to waste my time thinking about her."

"Yeah, but-"

"Forget him, Goku." Gojyo slung an arm around my neck, "If Mr. Holy wants to get his ass raped and eaten let him."

Sanzo cocked his gun, aiming it at Gojyo's face, "Let me hear you say that again, Gojyo. Please."

Gojyo smirked, "Maybe you like being on the bottom."

"And maybe you'd like to sink to the bottom of the river."

"C'mon guys, cut it out." I pushed Gojyo's arm off. "Fine. Fine. We'll get different rooms, right, Hakkai?"

"Well…I guess if that's what it takes to keep us all intact we have no choice." He was smiling, but it looked…wrong. Somehow. It just looked wrong. His eyes kept darting.

"'Kay." I was starting to feel a little annoyed too. "I'll share a room with Sanzo." At least that way I'd be there, just in case. Not that I really needed to protect Sanzo—he was more than capable of defending himself—but I wanted to be there. Just in case.

"Then you drew the short straw, monkey." Gojyo ruffled my hair.

I didn't say anything. I didn't want them to drag me into their stupid fight. What was up with them anyway? Were they just really sick of being around each other? Maybe staying in different rooms tonight would help.

We were on the way to the inn now, and I was feeling just as frustrated and nervous as all my friends were acting, when I looked up the street and noticed a huge crowd of humans. They were all talking and making lotsa' noise, so at first I thought they were cheering for something. Like a parade. "What's that?" If it was a party there'd probably be some good food.

The others stopped and looked too. "Perhaps there's some sort of a festival." Hakkai said quietly.

"Looks like it's heading this way." Gojyo took a step in that direction. "Maybe there's some hot chicks there."

Sanzo stayed where he was. "Dream on, Gojyo. In a classy town like this, there are probably not a lot of girls who want to sleep with random half-blood trash."

Even I knew that was taking it a little too far.

Gojyo spun around, eyes so angry they scared me a little, but his mouth was smiling, and I could see all his teeth. They were perfectly white. "You know what, Sanzo, fuck you. Alright? Fuck you, man! You and your fuckin' issues can all go and fuck yourselves. Maybe we should just give you to that youkai—maybe if you get fucked that'll straighten out the twist in your panties!"

"I just thought you'd like to be aware of the truth. Obviously a slut like you doesn't appreciate one moral more than another. Why would you?"

"You pieca' shit priest! What the hell is wrong with you? So some fuckin' youkai killed your daddy! Get over it!"

I stared at Gojyo, horrified. What the heck was he doing? What was either of them doing? We all knew there were just some boundaries we didn't cross. Whatever happened to the other Sanzo. Stuff with Gojyo's mom. The crap Hakkai had done for Kanan. We just didn't mention it. Ever.

Just like that, Sanzo sprang on Gojyo, swinging for his face.

I got between them, barely in time, and did my best to hold Sanzo back.

"Goku! Get out of the way!"

"Let him go, Goku—if he wants a piece of this he can come an' get it!"

"Gojyo! I swear to God I'll kill you!"

I ignored them and focused on keeping Sanzo back. Hopefully Hakkai wouldn't let Gojyo do anything either, even if he wasn't himself today. "I'm so sick of you guys fighting!"

They were ignoring me too though.

"For the last time, Goku, get out of the way!"

Desperately I looked for Hakkai, "Hey, Hakkai! Help!"

He was just standing off to the side, still looking at the crowd. "You two. You may want to stop that."

Gojyo was coming forward, "Yeah, whatever 'Kai."

I didn't know if I could keep them both apart, but I had to try. I reached out my other hand, bracing it against Gojyo's chest as he got right in Sanzo's face. "Aw, c'mon guys, cut it out!"

"Bring it on, Sanzo. Try saying all that half-blood slut shit to me again."

"Guys! Stoppit!"

"Gojyo, you're a half-blood slut."

"Sanzo!"

"And you're a dickless charlatan."

"Gojyo!"

"Don't think I won't waste every last bullet I have on you!"

"Shut up guys!"

"Eat me! You wouldn't be so tough if Goku wasn't here for you to hide behind!"

"SHUT UP!"

I couldn't do anything though. In the same moment, they pushed me out of the way and went at each other. Gojyo hit Sanzo with his whole body and knocked him down, and then they were fighting in the dust again, and I was standing there, just screaming in frustration.

"Hakkai! Help me!" I turned around, but Hakkai wasn't there alone. The crowd we'd seen had gotten a lot closer, and now lotsa' people were just standing around, murmuring and staring. Hazel and Gat were in front of them, both watching Sanzo and Gojyo have it out.

Not good.

"Well, well now, Mr. Sanzo. I knew you and your fine team were a scrappy bunch, but fightin' each other now? It just don't seem right, sir."

My mind raced. The last thing any of us wanted to do was look out of control in front of this creep. Now Sanzo, our always in control leader was rolling around in the dirt with Gojyo, trying to kill him.

At least it made 'em stop. Sanzo was in the middle of pounding Gojyo's face, and Gojyo had his hand around Sanzo's throat, but they froze and looked up at Hazel. Man, they were all dusty and bloody and bruised and looked way pissed. Seein' Hazel probably didn't help.

"I tried to warn you." Hakkai said quietly.

Hazel took his hat off and smiled brightly, "Or could it be you're havin' a lover's quarrel?"

This day just couldn't get worse.

I went over and helped Sanzo up first, and once he'd stepped away I offered Gojyo my hand. He took it but I could tell he was pissed.

"Why is it that we can't go from one town to another, walk down a street, or even take a damn shit without having to see your face everywhere we go?" He growled.

"Gojyo." Hakkai scolded. But his voice was a lot different than usual. Like maybe he didn't really care what Gojyo said or did. I looked up at him, wondering what had him so upset.

Hazel clucked his tongue, "My. Maybe it's best for ya'll not ta' be judgin' me—'specially not if ya'll've started fightin' amongst yourselves. After all, you'd never catch Gat and me fightin' in the dirt like a pair o' school boys."

"Can it, Hazel." Sanzo snapped. "And just tell us what the hell you want?"

"Whew." Hazel whistled. "Seems ya'll're in a fouler mood than usual."

"Fowl?" I asked, thinking of how nice it would be to have some Peking duck or some orange chicken.

Hakkai took control, "As you can see, Mr. Hazel, we're already having something of a bad day, and most of us you'll find are in a bit of a mood. Perhaps you could simply tell us what it is you're after and then be on your way."

"After? Why, Mr. Spectacles, I'm hurt! To think ya'll believe I'm after somethin'. No just the opposite—I'd like to help ya'll out t'day."

"Great." I muttered. "With what?"

"That's right." Gojyo stepped forward, and I thought maybe he was going to throw Hazel down like he did Sanzo, "With what?"

"See these people here." Hazel gestured to the crowd gathered behind him. I looked at them. They all looked back. Some were still whispering.

"What about them?"

"These fine people here have been tellin' me all 'bout a little problem that's been comin' this way, and as a matter o' fact, I was just on my way ta' find ya'll ta' let ya' in on it."

"Well great. What is it?"

"See, these fine people here aren't from this town. This here lovely couple's from a town about a six-day's journey west from here. This lil' ol' family's hometown is about five days west of here. These people four days west. These three days. This lovely couple's home was two days west of here."

"Was?" I couldn't help asking. I looked again at the people. They all looked pretty tired and scared. Some of them had burn marks on their skin or clothes.

"You got it little feller. Was. See, all these fine people got somethin' in common—their homes were destroyed by an army of youkai, headin' east from India."

"What? A whole army of 'em?"

"That's what they told me. Seems most of 'em came seekin' me out, wantin' my help. 'Course I'm happy ta' oblige—I can always use more souls for my cause—however, I thought this time I might let ya'll know."

"And why in the fuck would you be so kind as to do that?" Sanzo sneered. He was smoking again. So was Gojyo. But they were standin' a few feet apart.

"They're lookin' for ya'll." Hazel said seriously.

"Us."

"Yessir. That's what these fine people've told me—they all claim that when this here army came to their towns, they were askin' about a Sanzo Ikkou. I'm willin' ta' bet there ain't more than one."

I looked around at my friends. They looked around at each other. I made eye contact with Sanzo.

"So?" Sanzo snorted at last. "What else is new? More assassins from Houtou castle."

"Maybe." Hazel smiled slyly, "But if that's true, these assassins ain't like the rest that've come before 'em."

"What'dya' mean?" I asked.

"Seems this army's bein' led by a youkai named Ryptcore."

"That supposed to mean somethin' to us?" Gojyo snorted.

Hazel looked sorta' stuck-up as he said, "Ya'll tellin' me ya' don't know 'bout Ryptcore? Boy, he's a legend in India. They say he wasn't born, but artificially inseminated."

"Artificially what?" the big words were starting to hurt my head.

"It means he wasn't actually born." Hakkai explained. "He was created in a lab by scientists."

"Weird."

"That's not all." Hazel went on. "Ryptcore ain't just artificial, he's been taught all kinds of combat techniques, both physically and with magic. He's one of the most powerful youkai alive—maybe stronger than the Seiten Taisei."

I shifted uncomfortably as he looked at me. It was weird to think of anybody being stronger than me. It was exciting too.

"It's not just him you have to worry about!" One of the villagers cried suddenly. He stepped out of the crowd a little, holding the hand of a little girl. "He's got a whole army with him! The DethBreed."

"Death breed?" Gojyo asked. "What's that?"

"An army of bloodthirsty youkai, each of them handpicked for their brutality and hate. They'd follow Ryptcore to the ends of the earth just to taste a lick of blood on their tongues! It's awful! They killed everyone we cared about—devoured them all like cattle! They're coming this way, taking over the world like a disease, spreading darkness like cancer! Please, sir Priest!" He came a little closer, falling on his knees in front of Sanzo, "You must destroy him, or he'll destroy us all! All of humanity!"

Sanzo barely even looked at the man. "What's it have to do with me?"

Hazel said slowly, "That's the thing, Mr. Sanzo. They say Ryptcore's been imprisoned and tortured ever since birth just ta' make him a cruel, ruthless sonnova' bitch. A nightmare bred from a nightmare."

"Again. I don't see what that has to do with me. I'm not some super hero—Hazel, you're the one who swore to wipe youkai off the face of the earth."

I barely suppressed a shudder when he said that.

"So why don't you deal with it?"

"'Cause, Mr. Sanzo, Ryptcore's been promised freedom if he kills you an' your party. That's why. It ain't got nothin' ta' do with me."

Sanzo froze a moment, and I thought maybe that had struck a nerve with him. Then he suddenly turned away, "I've heard enough of this nonsense. It's not my problem."

A strange moan went up from the crowd. They were all starting to cry and beg. I'd never seen a group of people so terrified.

"Sanzo." Hazel stepped a little closer so he could speak quietly to Sanzo, "Ryptcore's been unleashed for the sole purpose of destroyin' you. It's your fault they let 'im out, so don't ya' think it's up ta' ya' ta' fix it?"

Sanzo pulled away, "No. It's not my fault. If Kougaiji sent him—or whoever's controlling Kougaiji—then it's their fault. So take it up with them."

Dokugakuji

"Ryptcore?"

Kou looked at me gravely and nodded. "I'm afraid so."

I glanced around, a little glad that Lirin and Yaone weren't nearby, even though I was sure he'd tell Yaone later, and then Lirin would no doubt find out some way or other. "Isn't he supposed to be imprisoned?"

"Yes, he is. But that bitch let him out—we all know she'd do anything to be rid of Sanzo Ikkou. The problem is…" he gazed out the window, the sunlight making his eyes look wine red. Just like Gojyo's. "The problem is that once Ryptcore is out, there's no guarantee he'll ever be willing to go back."

"So what's her angle?" Damn that Gyokoumenkoushu. Was she out of her goddamn mind?

"I've heard that she's offered him freedom if she kills Sanzo and his party."

I couldn't help gasping out loud. "But. Free Ryptcore?"

"I know, Dokugakuji…I know. It's madness. More than madness."

My head reeled. It was absolutely crazy to let Ryptcore out, even if it was just to finish off Sanzo. I didn't know very much about him, but what little I was aware of made me certain that he wasn't something that should be used like a weapon—he'd been artificially inseminated in a lab years ago, made from the DNA of the most powerful youkai that could be found. The scientists that had created him had done the most horrific experiments on him, treating him like a wild beast, tormenting him until his mind was gone and he was crazed with a constant lust for blood. I don't know where Kou's bitchy step-mom had gotten her hands on him, but it was the worst possible weapon for her to unleash on anyone.

"Ryptcore will never go back." Kou continued. "If he defeats Sanzo, he'll roam the world free, if he doesn't defeat Sanzo, he'll roam the world free. Either way, he'll destroy it. Not just the humans, but the youkai as well. Gyumaoh may or may not be revived. It doesn't matter. If Ryptcore and the DethBreed run loose for too long, nothing will matter."

"The DethBreed." I said softly. That nightmarish horde. Most of the youkai that comprised the famous DethBreed were certifiably insane, youkai who'd lost their minds long ago and had been freed from wards and hospitals and prisons all over the world. They were chosen for strength and lack of control. In fact, they probably would have just run loose, killing whatever they came across if Ryptcore wasn't their general. Not that it mattered. Once they were out and about there was no guarantee that even he would be able to keep them in check. There weren't very many of them, but most of them were powerful. Each of them almost as strong as Goku with his limiter on. If he took it off…well, I'd seen what that kid could do. He'd damn near killed Kou. He at least would be able to survive the DethBreed, but only if he gave up his own sanity. The rest of the Sanzo party might not be so lucky.

Gojyo.

I tried to shake his name away. He wasn't my brother anymore. He couldn't be. We were on different sides in the same war. I couldn't very well be concerned for his safety and continue to serve Kou like I'd promised to. Kougaji was my master, and any leftover feelings for my father's illegitimate son would just get in the way.

You don't really believe that.

No. I didn't. I didn't and I couldn't. I had failed Gojyo once, and I didn't know if I could ever forgive me for that. I hated to think of him fighting Ryptcore or any member of the DethBreed. I didn't know if he'd survive, but I had to hope he'd never run into them.

Not very likely.

"What are we going to do, Kou?" I asked suddenly.

"Do?" He gave me a strange look, and I was sure he knew what I was thinking. "There's nothing we can do, Dokugaku. Sanzo and his party are our enemies, so we shouldn't waste time worrying for them. Besides, Ryptcore is already free."

"Not the Sanzo Party." I said, trying to sound irritated. "But the innocents—there are a lot of innocent youkai who are going to be killed by that monster. Isn't it your duty to make sure that doesn't happen?"

He didn't look at me. "Yes, but…I'm afraid it's too late now, my friend. It's already begun, and I have my mother to think of."

I knew better than to be angry with him for making that decision. After all, Kou had his own goals to see to. He had that sister of his to protect. Could I blame him if he didn't want to go out and face the DethBreed itself and challenge its murderous general? Ryptcore was fighting for his very freedom, and there was no way he was going to step aside for Prince Kougaji, even if he was the son of Gyumaoh.

"Dokugaku…" he said quietly, and I looked up at him. "We all have things to protect, Dokugaku, things that are important, and I'm afraid that this time Gyukumenkusho has unleashed something none of us can stop. She may be playing with a power she can't fully control. If that's true, all of Shangri'la is in a very precarious position.

"I understand where you stand, Dokugakuji." He looked at the door and I knew he was thinking of Lirin. "If you wish to leave…if you want to go and warn your brother, I'll understand."

For a moment, I sat pondering his words. Go and warn Gojyo? Would Gojyo want me to warn him? Would he even listen to me?

I wanted to. Damn, how I wanted to. I was afraid for him—everything I'd ever heard about Ryptcore and the DethBreed was so awful, and if I thought there was even a slight chance that I could protect my brother from that, I wanted to take it. I'd honestly never been so torn between Kou and Gojyo in my life.

At last, I stood up.

Kou turned to look at me.

I spoke seriously, "Kou, you are everything to me now: my one and only master, the man I owe my loyalty and my life. I swore to you I would always serve you, and I will."

Kou met my gaze for a while, and then he looked back out the window, "I appreciate that, Dokugakuji."

I bowed a little, even though he couldn't see me, but I felt like my heart was going to burst.

Gojyo.

"It's possible though." Kou said, his voice startling me a little. "In case you're wondering, it is possible to be loyal to more than one person."

More than one person… What if those two people were supposed to be enemies? Then again, when was the last time we'd fought Sanzo and his friends? When had we ever fought them with the intent to kill them?

Suddenly, Kou turned and walked toward the door, "The decision is yours, as always, my friend."