A/N: Okai...I know there was a long delay on this fanfic. I was working on the other Saiyuki behind-the-scenes one. Hmm...perhaps you should read that one instead. I update that more. Oh well. For now, just read this chappie - R/R!

Chapter 13 - In Danger

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The next morning was a blissful one. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the random idiots were bickering, and the usual. Since Sanzo had not showed any signs of lashing out at anyone, Kohaku took it as a good thing. She had decided to forget the whole thing of arguing last night, and was very ready to move on.

It also turned out that the group was to begin traveling West again that day. As everyone jammed into the Jeep, Kohaku stared up at the blue sky above.

'We don't get such nice weather back in my time. The air is all polluted…'

But even so, Kohaku missed everything about the modern world, from pollution to the very best of clothing brands. She knew the other four did too.

Her thoughts were drastically interrupted by the halting of Hakuryu. Ahead of them was a mob of youkai, preparing to attack. Arizu yawned, after taking a nap, and thought miserably, 'If only we had guns handy…that's the cool thing about the future.'

Yasuko frowned at the sight of her first real encounter with youkai. 'If only we had a sports car handy…then I could plow through these ugly people. I did get my driver's license, after all.'

Kohaku glanced nervously at the Sanzo-ikkou. As usual, they weren't the least bit bothered by the youkai.

"Hey, what if the other girls and I aren't totally prepared for fighting yet?"

Hakkai smiled. "You'll be fine. After all, we spent all of yesterday training, didn't we? Furthermore, these youkai aren't much trouble at all."

Still yawning, Arizu replied, "True, but I've never even held a sword before, let alone many weapons."

Yasuko glanced smugly at her. "No need for that. One look at your hideous face, and the youkai will run off screaming."

"…"

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Getting out their weapons, the Ichiban-Sanzo-Ikkou prepared for battle. Needless to say, the youkai charged first, and they either got shot, cut up, or blasted to pieces. The Sanzo-ikkou purposely left the remaining youkai to the girls.

Kohaku aimed at a fast-approaching youkai. She missed widely, but was lucky enough to hit another one close by…instead of Sanzo, who nearly got shot by a wobbling arrow. He glared daggers at Kohaku, who smiled weakly.

Next, Yasuko took out a grenade that she had stolen from a store in the last town. She threw expertly, and it exploded onto a group of screaming youkai. One escaped however, and he grabbed Yasuko, pinning her down to the ground.

Hearing her furious screams, Gojyo immediately rushed to help her, but Arizu got there first. She literally threw her whole body onto the youkai, and glomped onto his neck from behind.

Flinging Arizu around, the youkai finally broke loose, and attempted to run off. He was unsuccessful, and was then shot by Sanzo.

Using what Hakkai taught her, Ritsuki concentrated and fired a ball of chi. It was a success.

After defeating all the youkai, the girls were giddy with happiness at winning their first battle. They celebrated by literally annoying the hell out of the other guys, not including Hakkai of course. But then, no one really knows.

No other excitement came for the rest of the day. Stuffed together in the back seats, Gojyo, Yasuko, Goku, Arizu, Ritsuki, and Kohaku all fell asleep beside each other. It was a rather cute sight, and Hakkai chuckled to himself upon seeing this. Before dozing off, Kohaku couldn't help wondering if Sanzo ever wanted to be supported by someone else…She truly thought he had a far-off, sorrowful look in his eyes at that moment. Perhaps it was just a trick of the light.

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As night fell, the group arrived at yet another town. Waking up, Yasuko had the fabulous idea of going to a bar to celebrate their victory. The males felt there was no need, of course, but the girls insisted.

Their eyes grew wide at the sight of the bar. It was absolutely huge! People were dancing, drinking, singing, and there was even a DJ!

"Sugoi…this is better than any bar I've been into…" Breathed Yasuko.

Seating themselves down, the girls engaged into a conversation about the fight.

"…Did you see how Arizu saved Yasuko today? It was hilarious!" Laughed Kohaku.

"If I'm correct, Arizu leaped onto the youkai…and scared him off."

"NAH…I bet he just saw her face and freaked out!" Howled Yasuko, spurting out beer.

Arizu stared in disbelief. "I saved your sorry ass, woman!"

Before an argument could begin, the two were interrupted by an overly sexy young female walking up to their table. Her dazzling blue eyes shone as she glanced at the troop of eight. Gojyo wolf whistled.

"Good evening, ladies and gents. I hope everything is going smoothly here. If you need anything, I'll be around. My name's Youkaiko, by the way." With that, she smirked haughtily and went away.

Blinking, Kohaku said, "What an awesome name…she was a bunny stripper, wasn't she?"

"Really? Sugoi! Can I give her a carrot?" Arizu clapped her hands in delight.

"You're such a complete fool…"

"You shouldn't be talking, Kohaku! Speaking of which, how can a wee snowman like you live without your bright carrot nose? Is your boyfriend called Frosty, by any chance, or maybe it's Sanzoooo?" Yasuko slurred on the last word.

Kohaku bolted out of her chair, and attempted to tackle Yasuko to the floor.

Blowing out smoke from his cig, Sanzo drawled, "Unbelievable…"

Arizu called out, "Quit acting like children, you guys!"

"Talk to yourself, Jolly Rancher!" Kohaku yelled, while grabbing Yasuko's hair in a catfight.

Just before real violence could start, Youkaiko came over and split the two girls up. Kohaku gasped slightly and noticed that the female was wearing a power limiter, very similar to the ones that Hakkai had. Glancing over, Kohaku could see that Yasuko knew as well. They didn't mention it to the others.

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Late evening was drawing near, and Youkaiko explained that she was on a break for the time being. No one saw her as she silently dashed towards the quiet, back part of the bar. Walking down the empty halls, she met up with a cloaked figure standing towards the end of the passage.

"How did things go?" The voice was soft, and mysterious. A male's.

"They don't know a thing, though I'm not sure about the ones named Kohaku and Yasuko. I think they suspected something."

"Kohaku…I knew she was trouble when I first saw her." The voice replied.

"I know, though, that she's a serious nut-case. We should have no problem kidnapping them." Said Youkaiko.

"Yes, everything will go as planned. We strike out in the middle of the night."

"Quick as always…little brother."

Pale blue eyes glimmered in the dark as the mysterious figure pulled down the cloak that masked his face.

"I, Ryuji, will make sure that we succeed…"

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A/N: Well, Ryuji is back. Not sure what he'll do just yet. I'm still trying to write random scenes, so don't expect a complicated story line. An OC is coming up, Kougaiji-tachi (I hope), and Homura. I'm making another OC to fawn over Homura. Gods have fans too...did you know that?