--Chapter 16: Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui--

The next morning came much too quickly for the four of them, and as the rain poured down Sanzo knew it wasn't going to be a good one. Goku was sullen and silent, which was distressing since he was normally so vivacious; it hurt Sanzo's heart to see, even if he didn't mention it. Instead, he threaded his fingers through soft brunet locks to reassure the young man the best he could.

"Sanzo…what's it like in Vatican City?" Goku asked quietly, watching the porters that Homura had hired load their things into the carriage. He and Sanzo were sitting in his room, with Sanzo perched watchfully in the window as Goku rested against him. The brunet was nervous about leaving the only place he'd ever known with a man who still stirred fear in him.

"It's full of people…and busy, in the public areas. Even the basilica is always filled with the sounds of people rushing around, praying, working…" Sanzo itched to light a cigarette, anything to get rid of the tense energy that was flowing through him. He wasn't looking forward to returning to Vatican City in the slightest because he had a very, very bad feeling about what was going to happen. Homura was up to something, that much he knew. He just needed to figure out what it was.

Goku nodded, falling silent again as he stared out the window. He fiddled nervously with the edge of the bandage on his wrist, and his eyes slid closed underneath the sound of the rain against the glass. "Are there more people like me there?"

"No," Sanzo replied pointedly. "You're the first case of someone having the Stigmata in a few hundred years."

"Oh." That just made it so much worse, Goku decided. He sighed, sitting up and resting his chin on his folded knees. He went to open his mouth to speak again, but before he could, Homura appeared in the doorway with a wide smile on his face.

"Come along, you two. It is time to say your goodbyes so that we may depart."

Both Goku and Sanzo nodded silently before getting up from their seats to follow the man out into the hall. Goku could feel tears prickling the edges of his eyes and his throat closing with sadness. His entire body felt heavy as he walked into the playroom that he had spent so many years in. He knew he was coming back, so why did he feel like this?

Gojyo was standing there, looking miserable when Goku's arms wrapped around his middle. "It's just for a little while, squirt. Then you guys will be back to take me with you." he said, his voice cracking just a little. What was going to happen to him now that Goku was going away? He was going to be terribly bored and lonely.

Goku nodded jerkily and hugged the man tighter. "Yup. And they'll be able to make you better. They'll take care of you," he insisted. He tilted his head up to meet sad crimson eyes and his heart ached all the more. He let go and moved aside to hug Aria next.

"And see you later, prick. You'd better take good care of him." Gojyo shot Sanzo a pleading look the betrayed the forcefulness of his tone. He knew the blond priest would do just that, but he felt it was his duty to say it anyway.

Sanzo just clicked his tongue in annoyance and rolled his eyes, but Gojyo got the message anyway.

When Hakkai moved towards him, Gojyo felt like his heart was going to break. "We will be back for you. I promise," Hakkai murmured as they embraced, careful not to be too overly affectionate in Homura's presence. He knew Gojyo understood the need for subtlety, but it didn't make the parting any easier. "You just have to wait here and keep yourself out of trouble."

"Pssht. You've got to have a little more faith in me than that, Hakkai." Gojyo smiled sadly, waiting until Homura turned to speak to Kougaiji to sneak in a small peck on the lips that made Hakkai flush a bit. "Take care of the kid. I don't trust that bishop guy farther than I can throw him."

"That makes three of us," Hakkai said with a bitter smile. He shook Aria's hand, his heart aching for the sobbing woman. He thanked Yaone and Kougaiji for their hospitality and the lavender-haired woman smiled warmly back at him.

"You're always welcome back. You and Sanzo, you know that."

Kougaiji nodded stoically, looking pained with the effort to keep his face blank. He refused to look Goku or Sanzo in the face and did his best to avoid Gojyo's gaze. Hakkai pitied the man in that moment, resting a hand on his shoulder. Only then did the redheaded priest look up at him and nodded.

Sanzo had nothing to say to any of them before he ushered Goku out of the room. He only nodded at Yaone, glared at Kougaiji, and nodded again at Aria before he followed Goku out. Resting his hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezing, he lead the brunet down the stairs and out to the waiting carriage. Hakkai was right behind them, and Homura was already inside, resting comfortably in his seat. It made Sanzo want to punch him square in the mouth.

"Such a dreadful day for traveling," the bishop noted once they had all climbed inside, smiling innocently. "It's a shame that the rain is falling so hard."

Hakkai and Goku said nothing, and Sanzo gnashed his teeth around the acerbic reply on the tip of his tongue. He couldn't think of anything to say that wouldn't result in Homura getting the upper hand. The bishop had such a knack for it.

Before Sanzo could answer, however, Hakkai offered politely, "It is a shame, really. It might have been wise to wait a day, but the press for time was certainly a disadvantage." Though he smiled, his dislike of the situation was more than evident. Sanzo couldn't blame him one bit for it, either.

If Homura had been a lesser man, he might have flinched, but as it was he merely returned the smile in full. "Perhaps, but since it seems I have to baby-sit the two of you, we will just have to be at a disadvantage." His mismatched eyes flickered, daring either of the priests to say anything else to the contrary. Then, he turned his gaze to Goku, who had been staring out the window. "This will be your first time on a train, I take it."

Goku nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's kind of weird," he said, brow creasing in thought. Riding in a carriage, taking a train…something about it all seemed very familiar, but it was too fuzzy for him to remember. He didn't like not remembering, but he also didn't want to ask Homura any more questions; who knew what the man would ask for in return?

Homura just smiled at Goku, which made Sanzo want to hit him all the more. The bishop seemed to have an odd fascination with the boy and he didn't like it. At all.

"Just you wait until we get to Vatican City…there will be so much for you to see and do! And I promise you that we will be able to get you fixed right up," he said, looking slyly in Sanzo's direction. He seemed to enjoy pointing out the fact that the two priests had gotten practically nowhere with finding out any sort of information regarding Goku's Stigmata, outside of what it was and who it afflicted.

"Of course we will, Goku," Hakkai added with a smile that was entirely for Goku. The boy smiled back, giving Sanzo a smug sense of satisfaction. Take that, you bastard.

The rest of the carriage ride was silent, and before long Goku was dozing against Sanzo's shoulder. The blond didn't protest the contact, and he gave Homura a sharp glare every time the man looked in their direction. It was innocent; nothing more than the brunet leaning against him since the window wasn't comfortable.

But even then, the raven-haired man seemed to lose interest and began to stare out of his own window, lost in thought. That suited Sanzo just fine, though it was a bit unnerving to see him with such a serious expression.

Hakkai had buried himself in his books, still searching for the elusive cure that would help Goku…without Homura's help.

All three men had been so preoccupied with other things that they hadn't noticed that the train station was coming into the view. The carriage ride hadn't been that long, but the present company had made it feel like a lifetime. Sanzo nudged Goku awake, the barest trace of a smile quirking onto his lips when the brunet began to protest. "Come on. We're at the train station."

Goku rubbed his eyes and looked out the window, awed by what he saw. He pressed his face up against the glass and stared out at the people bustling along the platforms. "Wow…this place is busy!" he exclaimed.

Sanzo bopped him gently on the head. "Of course it is, idiot. It's a train station. Now, make sure you keep close to Hakkai or myself so that you don't get lost." He would have offered to hold his hand, but that would have been ridiculous, not to mention risky.

The rain had slowed to a mere drizzle. Porters appeared once more to take the luggage onto the train, since their arrival to the station had been planned already. It seemed that Homura was almost desperate to get them back to Vatican City, which made it stranger. And it didn't help that Homura's clout seemed to get them going faster than it would have been by themselves. "Come along, gentlemen. We have a train to catch," the bishop called, waving them over to the proper platform. Dressed in his finery, Homura was catching attention from the mass of people, but the man didn't seem to mind too much. So much for them being in a hurry.

Goku, in the meantime, was still taken aback by all the activity buzzing around him. He practically plastered himself against Sanzo's side, but that didn't stop him from looking around to take it all in. He'd never seen so many people in his entire life; there had to be more people here than the entire village that he lived in. "Sanzo…it's kind of scary."

Again, Sanzo ran his fingers through Goku's hair to reassure him the only way he knew how. "Just stay close and you'll be fine. Don't think about it too much."

A nod, and Goku's eyes were darting all over the place again. Then, he spotted a vendor near their platform and his entire face lit up. "Sanzo look! Cotton candy! Can I get some, for the trip?" He tugged on Sanzo's robes as he gazed up imploringly at the priest. It was such a ridiculous sight that Sanzo had to close his eyes to avoid it.

"No. I don't think you need any sugar, especially if we have to be cramped up in a berth. I'd rather not have you bouncing off the walls," Sanzo said firmly, watching as those golden eyes began to wobble expectantly and the faintest hint of a pout began to form on Goku's lips. Of all the idiot expressions Goku could make…

"It can't hurt, Sanzo," Hakkai said after a moment, giving the other priest a sly look.

Sanzo understood and he couldn't help the smirk that quirked the edges of his mouth. "Fine. Do what you want. Here." He handed Goku some money and watched as the boy ran to the vendor to get the treat he wanted. Turning to Hakkai, he said, "That was low, even for you."

Hakkai just smiled. "What? Wouldn't want Goku to be unhappy on this field trip, would we? And if he happens to get a little…overactive, who are we to complain?" He knew as well as Sanzo that the candy was going to get Goku completely hyper, but neither man looked really concerned about it.

Goku, in the meanwhile, was busy watching the man spin the cotton candy with his machine until he had a enough to fill a paper bag that was roughly the size of Goku's forearm. He apologized for not being able to put it on the cone, but the man said he didn't want it to get wet. The brunet understood, paying the man and digging into the treat as soon as he was walking away. The first taste of cotton candy was sweet and satisfying, but the second bite was ruined when the sounds of voices filled his head.

"Goku…would you like some cotton candy? It's really very sweet."

"Sure Mama! Can I really?"

"Of course, my love. Anything for you."

He started, looking around and wondering where the noise had come from. He recognized his own voice, but…who did the other one belong to? The cotton candy had gone sour in his mouth, but he was determined to eat it since Sanzo had paid for it. His stomach felt weird and his head hurt suddenly.

"Goku, are you all right? You're really pale," Hakkai asked when he returned to their side, the older man's hand swiping across his forehead. "And you're sweating. Did something happen?"

He was quiet for a long, long moment until his voice came barely above a whisper. "I…think I've eaten this before, here, at this train station. I heard a woman's voice in my head and…I sounded so young…" Goku trailed off, staring at the bag of cotton candy so he wouldn't have to look up at either of them. "Forget it. It doesn't matter."

Hakkai scoffed at him. "Of course it matters! Now, are you sure? Are you positive it was a memory of some sort?" He remembered discussing with Aria that Goku had no memory before he was found, so why would something so simple trigger a memory?

Goku shrugged as tears gathered in his eyes. "I don't know, okay? I just don't know." His hand balled into a fist at his side as the other reached up to scrub away the waiting tears before they could fall. He didn't want to cry about something he couldn't even remember. "But, she sounded-"

"Is everything all right over here?" Homura asked, suddenly appearing at Goku's side so quickly that the boy jumped. Whatever he had been planning to say had instantly been silenced by the sight of those eager eyes upon him. "I thought I overheard something about strange voices and memories…" He didn't even try to hide the keen interest shining in those mismatched eyes.

Hakkai felt Goku press against his side as the boy inched away as subtly as he could. "No. I don't believe so. Goku was just telling me about how delicious the cotton candy was." Hakkai smiled ever so politely, and the hand on Goku's shoulder tightened automatically.

Homura raised an eyebrow, but said nothing on the matter. "Well, I came to tell you boys that the train is about to leave. Wouldn't want you boys to be left behind!" he said cheerfully, turning and walking towards the waiting train. People were bustling more than ever, but the bright red of his robes was easily visible in the crowd.

"As if we could be so lucky," Sanzo muttered darkly. He grabbed Goku's hand and began to lead the boy through the sea of people, knowing that Hakkai was close behind. He wasn't worried; the man could take care of himself. He could feel Goku's hand shaking slightly in his own and he gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Once they neared the train, he squeezed it once more and dropped it before Homura could see.

Begrudgingly, Sanzo had to admit that this train was far cleaner and more comfortable than the one he and Hakkai had taken to the small fishing village. The car was large and lavishly decorated, just what he had come to expect from a man like Homura. It didn't even seem like a train car at all. Goku was sitting in the seat beside him, staring out the window. The cotton candy lay forgotten in his lap. "Aren't you going to eat that?" They were alone, Hakkai having gone to find some more of the books he brought with him and Homura was locked away in the study that came with the accommodations.

Hazy golden eyes turned to him before blinking back into focus. "Uh, yeah. Just thinking about things. It was weird, hearing someone else's voice in my head. I could hear her so clearly, but…I can't remember who she is, but I think…I think she was my mother."

Sanzo couldn't even begin to know what that was like. How many times had he wished that he could forget all that had happened? "Double-edged sword," he murmured, earning him a strange look from Goku. With a sigh, he elaborated, "You wish that you could remember, when I wish that I could forget. What a pair we make."

Goku smiled at that. "I bet she was real nice, my mother." He went quiet again after that. He hadn't told Sanzo that part of Homura's 'bargain' with him was that he was going to get to see his mother again. After all, he was still at odds with the feeling that the idea presented him with. "I think that's the voice I heard, in my memory. It just sounded like something a mother would say to a kid."

Sanzo nodded as he folded his arms across his chest. "Hmm," was all he said for a long moment. By the time he spoke again, Goku had gone back to looking out of the window. "I heard your voice, you know." He winced at how stupid that sounded when he said it like that, but Goku didn't look like he thought so. In fact, the boy staring with rapt attention at him. "Before we came to your village, I heard your voice on the train. It was fucking annoying, so I planned on finding you to shut you the hell up." The corner of his mouth quirked upwards in a smirk at that. "Obviously I wasn't very successful. I kept hearing it, and it wasn't until I witnessed your…episode, that I realized what it was."

"That's weird…but, it makes sense. I guess I was calling for something. I really, really wanted someone to come and help me. I love Aria and the others, but I hate being in that hospital. I hate that people think I'm lying and that people think I'm crazy," Goku said, nodding to himself. "Maybe I was calling since I knew you were coming to save me."

Sanzo rolled his eyes at the sentiment, pulling the boy to lean against him slightly. The small bit of contact couldn't hurt, could it? "That's ridiculous." But how much else had happened that he would have considered ridiculous, had he not witnessed it himself? He snorted dismissively, closing his eyes and leaning back against the seat. "It doesn't matter. I'm here now, okay? You don't have to call anymore."

"I know, Sanzo. I know."

By the time Hakkai returned to the car, his arms laden with books, the two of them were fast asleep and nestled against one another. He hated to wake them, so he just let them be and kept a careful eye out for Homura.

Night had settled in by the time they reached the station that would take them to Sanctity of Innocent Heart, as Homura insisted they stop there before going to Vatican City. Sanzo had woke an hour prior, but Goku snoozed in blissful ignorant of their surroundings against his shoulder. The station was practically empty, save for several attendants that he recognized from the church. How strange. "Hakkai…what are they doing here?"

Hakkai peered out the window, frowning. "I don't know. Those men aren't from Sanctity…they're from the Vatican." The two priests looked at one another as they both came to the same realization. Something wasn't right.

The Cardinal emerged from the study he'd holed himself up in, looking like a cat with cream. "All right, gentlemen. Let's be on our way. It's late." Homura started to walk towards the exit from their car, but Sanzo stopped him short.

"What the hell are they doing here?"

"I would advise you not to use such language in my presence, Father Sanzo. You are already in enough trouble as it is." Homura folded his arms across his chest and stared Sanzo straight in the eye. "And I highly doubt you want senior members of the Council hearing you swear. Now, let me through so I may greet them properly and do try to remember yourself."

Sanzo's fist clenched at his side, but he stayed wisely silent. Homura was a very dangerous man to deal with and he needed to remember that. He couldn't afford to put Goku into danger, either. With a sigh, he walked over to where Goku was laying and he nudged the boy awake. "Goku, wake up. We're here."

Goku sat up, rubbing his eyes and yawning widely. "Where are we?" he asked, glancing out the window. His eyes widened when he noticed Homura talking to the group of men, a shiver traveling down his spine when one of the men locked eyes with him. He was sure that he'd never seen these men before, but those eyes were all too familiar. "Sanzo…who are those men?" he asked shakily.

"Those men are attendants from Vatican City. It's likely that they're here to escort us on our journey," Hakkai answered for Sanzo, leaning to close the curtain.

Goku's heart skipped a beat and he had to resist the urge to look outside once more. He wasn't sure if he should tell them about the strange feeling that had settled in the pit of his stomach, but it seemed that Hakkai and Sanzo were otherwise occupied. Not to mention the fact that Sanzo looked like he was going to murder someone. It was probably best if he just stayed out of their way.

Hakkai was heading towards the exit, but Sanzo hung back to wait as Goku gathered what little he'd been able to bring with him. The cotton candy was left on the seat; he wasn't going to eat it anyway. He looked up at Sanzo and nodded, but the man stopped him with a serious look on his face.

"Don't say anything to those men. If they ask you a question, keep your answers vague. They don't have any business with us, but they'll try to make it their business. It's for your own good," Sanzo insisted, waiting until Goku nodded at him before he leaned closer. He pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss, but he pulled back when Goku tried to deepen it. "We're going to be right here with you. I'm not going to let anything happen to you, got it?"

Goku smiled, feeling the tension in the pit of his stomach easing up a bit. He trusted the blond priest with his life. "I got it." He took a couple of steps before he tugged on Sanzo's robes to get his attention. "Hey…I love you."

Sanzo's eyes widened for a second before he shook his head, the barest of smirks curling the edge of his mouth upward. "Yeah, I know." He turned away then, but Goku understood. He didn't have to hear him say it to know that the blond meant it right back.

Goku had never been more uncomfortable in his life. Luckily the church was near the train station, so they were able to walk instead of riding in another carriage. Still, the men that were leading the way made him incredibly nervous, and he made sure to stay close to Sanzo and Hakkai. They talked to Homura in harsh tones and used words that he didn't understand.

Hakkai was watching them just as closely, his eyes sharp. He'd been trying to listen in on their conversation, but the conversation was too quiet for him to hear and he didn't dare get too close. "They're here for a reason. Men like that wouldn't just come to Sanctity unless they were asked or they were here for a purpose. Many of them are high officials in the Council," he muttered to Sanzo.

Sanzo's fists clenched in his pockets and he glanced down towards the brunet that was walking in front of him. "I think I have an idea of why they're here. I bet anything Homura contacted them about bringing Goku back with us." He spoke quietly, so that Goku wouldn't overhear. That was the last thing they needed.

"I'm sure. But that still doesn't explain why." The pieces of the puzzle still weren't falling into place for Hakkai. He knew the church would be interested in a case where someone had the Stigmata, but that wasn't everything and he knew it. There was something different about Goku's case, something important that he was missing. "Sanzo, we can't let Goku out of our sights while we're here, or while we're in Vatican City. Not until I figure out why. The books that I brought with me are useless, and the ones that Yaone offered me aren't any better. No texts can seem to tell me anything other than what the Stigmata is and who it usually afflicts. It's entirely too strange."

Sanzo pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "This just keeps getting better and better," he muttered under his breath to no one in particular. The church was coming into view, and he noticed Goku stiffen at his side. "Goku? What's wrong?"

Panic seized in Goku's chest and he wasn't sure why. There was a sudden pounding in his head and his vision began to blacken around the edges. "Sanzo…my head…" was all he managed before he fell backward, Sanzo's waiting arms the only thing preventing him from hitting the ground. The group stopped moving, but Sanzo wasn't having that.

He swept Goku up into his arms and headed purposefully towards the church. When Homura moved to stop him, a flat, "Move," was his only response. The man wisely stepped out of the way and Sanzo pushed past him. He didn't have time to answer to him, nor did he care to.

Hakkai was immediately beside him, giving Goku a once-over as the main building drew nearer and nearer. "We should bring him to the infirmary. He's running a fever and his color looks awful." He swiped a hand across Goku's forehead and winced; it was higher than he thought. "The nurses will be able to take care of him."

Sanzo didn't answer, but kept Goku clutched tightly to his chest. People didn't just get fevers and faint like that out of nowhere. He was going to make sure that the boy was secure and cared for before he beat the answers out of Homura. He had to know, and the man was the only link to solving this puzzle.

Once they made it to the hospital wing, Sanzo got Goku settled into a bed as Hakkai spoke with the nurse on duty about what happened. The brunet had started shivering, curling in on himself when Sanzo set him down. The sight tugged something in Sanzo's chest and he threaded his fingers through sweaty locks of hair. "You're going to be fine. The nurses are going to take care of you while I get this shit worked out," he said, though he wasn't sure Goku could hear him. Part of it was for his own peace of mind, more than anything. Nothing was going to happen to Goku while he was around; hadn't he promised that on the train?

The nurse on duty appeared beside him and shooed him away, promising that she would keep him informed on the boy's condition as soon as they figured out what had happened. Sanzo nodded curtly and followed Hakkai out of the hospital wing, only to turn around to come face to face with one of Homura's underlings.

"His Excellency requests an audience with the two of you. He says it's urgent."

Sanzo ran his hand through his hair as he barked, "Fine. I don't have time for this." Homura probably wanted a briefing on what was going on with Goku, but like hell he was going to tell him. The asshole could figure it out himself.

The hallways were dimly lit, indicating the late hour as they made their way towards Homura's office. The occasional nun would pass by, averting her eyes when she saw them coming towards her. "That's certainly odd," Hakkai noted when one young priest practically flattened himself against the wall to avoid the two of them. "I didn't expect there to be a welcoming committee, but things seem more…tense than usual."

Sanzo grunted, not caring one way or the other. "It doesn't matter. Let's just go see Homura so we can head to bed." Or to see Goku again, a nagging voice in the back of his head reminded him. He ignored it, not even bothering to knock when they finally came to Homura's office. "Okay, we're here. What the hell do you want?"

Homura was sitting behind his desk, fingers laced together as he smiled smugly at the two of them. "I've just received a message from the Vatican…you two are to pack your bags and be out of here by morning. You two have another assignment that needs to be taken care of immediately."

Hakkai's mouth fell open. "You don't mean-?"

The smug smile sharpened dangerously, and Homura leaned forward over his hands, "No, I think you'll find that that is exactly what I mean. Goku is in my custody now, so you two have a job that you need to perform. You will take a train out first thing and will report Father Michael at St. Mary's.Now, good evening to you both."

(Translation: He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart)

(A/N: Once again, many apologies for how long it took me to update this chapter. I had problems galore in it, and it was the cause of much angst because I felt I wasn't getting it right. Finally, I decided to post it. So, constructive criticism and valued opinions muchly appreciated!)