Third and last part of this story! Do enjoy!

Part 3:

Goku, who had few nightmares the rest of the night, woke up calmly the next morning. He was back in his own room. Sanzo's bed, across from his, was already made-up and Sanzo was nowhere to be seen. Goku got his armor and boots on and walked to Hakkai and Gojyo's room. Knocking softly, first, he opened the door a little, but his companions weren't there either. Then, he decided to check the dining area.

"Sanzo? Hakkai? Gojyo?"

It was empty. Worrying, he ran quickly outside the inn and looked around. Again, there was no one around. Not even one person in the market or in the homes along the road.

"…Hakuryuu?"

His friends- no, everyone in town- appeared to have gone. Goku was alone. The young demon dropped to his knees and cried out.

"Sanzo!"

----

Goku jolted awake from his sleep, sweating and breathing roughly. But wait. As he looks around, he finds that he is not in his own room. He's in Hakkai and Gojyo's! Looking to the floor, he noticed two sleeping mats had been laid out. The demon smiled. His friends hadn't left him all night. He got his armor and boots on and happily ran down to the dining hall. His happiness was drained when he arrived there, seeing that there was no one around. Things were starting to turn out like they had in his dream. For a moment, Goku wondered if he was still sleeping. He pinched his cheek. He concluded that it was no dream he was in. he looked towards the front door, afraid to walk out of it. Despite his mind's warnings, he proceeded towards the door.

He went out, but was immediately stopped by the sight of Sanzo, with his golden hair and his holy robes. But, he didn't seem like usual. He was very quiet, and he was holding a stick with white paper flag things on it. Goku tilted his head. (At least he wasn't alone, right?)

"…San-"

Suddenly, Hakkai and Gojyo popped out of nowhere and dumped buckets of water over Goku's head. It was cold, and Goku shivered and clenched his teeth. He was about to shout at them, but Sanzo brought his attention to the front as the monk started to wave around the stick he was holding. Goku's eyes followed the stick to the finale of the 'performance'- which is when Sanzo hit Goku over the head with it. The demon growled and grabbed his head.

"There."

"Ow! What the hell was THAT for, Sanzo!"

"All done."

"Eh? What is all done? What were you doing?"

"It was a ceremony. Lucky you- because of that, you wont be going to hell now."

"Huh… I'm not?"

"Nope."

Goku smiled brightly.

"Sanzo…"

"Not so fast. You'll avoid hell as long as you are good and quiet on the way to the next town."

"Yes, yes! I'll be very good!"

"Now, get in Jeep."

"I'm there!"

Goku smiled brightly again and ran off to get in his usual seat, waiting for his companions.

"That was fun. I hope it worked well enough."

"I hope so, too. I REALLY need some sleep."

"Sleep on the way. It should be quiet for a while."

"Good."

"I did feel a little bad about lying to him like that…"

"He'll get over it."

"C'mon, you guys! Lets go!"

"Coming!"

they got in Jeep and drove along for a while. Goku kept his word and was quiet- silently happy that he wasn't going to hell. He heard a noise to his right and looked over at Gojyo. He was lighting a smoke.

"Hey, Gojyo, where did you get that lighter? It looks cool."

"Heh. I snatched it from Sanzo when he wasn't lookin' and I don't plan on giving it back!"

Gojyo didn't need to lower his voice, since the monk was currently taking a nap, but Hakkai heard him and sighed. Goku stared at him plainly.

"That's a sin, Gojyo. You're gonna go to hell."

Gojyo's eyes went wide and his complexion went pale. He froze and dropped Sanzo's lighter. Hakkai snickered from the front seat.

"You tell him, Goku."

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

Gojyo yelled.