Hello my dear readers! I know I haven't been here as often as I used to but I promise I'm still here and still writing! Many of you have probably read my Saiyuki stories and thus are aware of an OC I created named Koume. Well, after reading my old stories I decided to reinvent this character. I want to better flesh out her character and make her more unique *and less cliché*

So, what follows is a *hopefully* better origin story!

Disclaimer: As I've stated many times, I do not own the rights to Saiyuki or the characters from that series. In this version there will also be some darker themes- some of which will be difficult for readers. For that, I issue this trigger warning for death, abuse and adult themes. If none of this bothers you, then I hope you enjoy! I promise to keep writing and posting as often as I can.

A Face From The Past

Hakkai remembered that morning very well. It had started off with such promise. The sun was shining, a cool breeze blowing over his face. The trees overhead provided a relaxing bit of shade and the sound of birds chirping was so soothing… or more, that's the scene he tried to picture. The reality on the other hand…

"Gojyo, you asshat! Did you eat the last dumpling?!" Goku's shrill shout could be heard for miles, breaking the illusion that Hakkai had put himself into. There were no trees, no birds; just seemingly endless stretches of desolate landscape and an unmerciful sun bearing down on a weary group of travelers. Gojyo gave Goku a sideways glance in his seat stripped to his tank top whilst trying to fan himself with an old take-out menu.

"Ya and so what if I did?"

His response only seemed to anger Goku further.

"That's not cool! I was saving that for later! You had no right to take it!"

Now Gojyo was getting annoyed and leaned in, getting in the young demon's face.

"Yeah well, you ate everything else, you bottomless pit! Besides, I don't need your permission to eat food that's equally mine!"

Goku groaned and the two continued bickering. Up in the front set, Sanzo let out a tired grunt. If heat stroke hadn't taken hold of him he'd have put them in their place already.

"My god do they ever shut up?"

Hakkai, also weary from the drive, managed a soft laugh. "If they did I'm sure we would have seen it happen by now."

"Tch." Sanzo grunted. "We should have left them behind long ago and gone on without them."

"Yes well it's a bit late to kick them out now. They'd just end up following us in the end out of spite."

Yes, it was a peaceful morning indeed, Hakkai thought. While he may have acted annoyed this was just their routine and he was more or less used to it. He wondered offhandedly if he'd miss all this once their journey finally came to an end. His thoughts were interrupted by a loud rumbling from behind him and an upset moan.

"Ugh… I'm hungry…"

"So what else is new?" Gojyo muttered, trying to be quiet.

"Now now, Gojyo, you have no right to complain. You are partly to blame for this, after all."

"Wha- mm…" Gojyo couldn't argue with Hakkai's logic and decided to remain silent.

"I'm afraid we'll have to wait just a little longer until the next town, Goku, but I think there was a little something left over in the bag."

"Really? Hakkai, you're the best!" Goku quickly grabbed their travel bag, rummaging through it until he came across four small cookies wrapped in plastic.

"Huh? What's this?"

"I think the restaurant owner called them fortune cookies. They're a new fad or something."

"Ohhh? You don't say?" Gojyo said, swiping one. "I think I remember something like that."

"Huh… Well I'll try it!" Goku leaned forward in his seat, offering one of them to Sanzo who took it without a word before handing one to Hakkai. The jeep was silent aside from the sound of plastic for a moment before Gojyo spoke up.

"Fortune smiles on those who act boldly." He said softly, a smile on his face. "Well I am bold to be sure."

"Huh? What's that about?" Goku asked, munching away at his cookie.

"It's a fortune, monkey. They apparently put them in the cookies at random."

"Oh?"

"What about you guys?" Gojyo asked. Sanzo was next to read.

"Your health is important. Take time for yourself. Tch. Stupid."

Despite his complaints, Goku laughed.

"How true! You don't take care of yourself like you should and got called out by a cookie!"

"Whatever."

Hakkai laughed at Goku's enthusiasm, glancing back.

"Well what about yours, Goku?" There was a long silence and soon enough everyone in the car let out a deep sigh, immediately understanding. In his haste, he completely devoured his cookie along with the fortune inside.

"My god you're dumb."

"Shut up, Gojyo! I didn't know any better!"

"Aha… now now…" Hakkai held his fortune up. "Since you didn't get to read one, how about you read mine?"

"Okay!" Goku smiled and took the fortune, reading it silently to himself for a moment, a confused expression crossing over his features.

"A fated encounter is sure to reopen old wounds… Be careful."

"What the hell?" Gojyo looked over the paper as well. "Looks like a bit of bad luck there Hakkai. I guess not all the fortunes are good ones."

"That's life for you." Sanzo muttered, taking the fortunes and releasing them into the empty landscape. "Now all of you shut up until we get to the next town or I'll leave you behind."

None of them really believed the fortunes held any kind of truth to them but in reality they should have heeded the warning for none of them were prepared for what was to come. For as the next town came into view, someone else was approaching, running through the sand on the opposite end of the desert.