16 Footsteps

"Come out by yourself this time." -Sanzo to Goku

Footsteps is the Episode 16 of Saiyuki Reload and a sequel to Premonition.

Synopsis
Kougaiji is being captive by professors in Houtou Castle, while Goku reminiscence his past when the snow starts to fall. Goku was apparently afraid of snow. He was locked away alone in the mountains for 500 years, and on the days that it snowed, there was only absolute silence and complete loneliness. Overcoming his own fear, Goku made his first footprint in the snow, and it joined with other footprints left by the Sanzo Party.

Summary
The episode starts with Kougaiji being experimented by Nii and other scientists. Dokugakuji and Yaone finally meet up and both learn that Lady Gyokumen and Nii Jienyi have plans with Lirin and Kougaiji. They don't have much clue, but they decided to search for Lirin together.

The Sanzo Party is back on the road and Goku announced his worry over Kougaiji. The others tell him to get over it, and suddenly, they come up with the idea to have sukiyaki once they reach the next town. That makes Goku remember the past: ''Sanzo and young Goku were in Gojyo’s house. Hakkai asked if they can stay over dinner and have a sukiyaki ---A Japanese dish, of the soup or stew type, prepared and served in a Japanese Hot Pot--- which is perfect to eat in winter. Goku never heard of sukiyaki, and he drooled after the others explained it to him. He asked Sanzo if they could eat with them, but Sanzo refused since they need to go, being aware of snow falling outside the window.'' Once Goku is back to the present time, snow starts to fall.

In Houtou Castle, Yaone and Dokugakuji search for Lirin, countering and defeating castle guards as they reach the lab. They find Nii's bunny and suddenly Nii talks to them using the doll. From its eyes, projected the image of Kougaiji, screaming in pain while being infused in the tank full of liquid. While they are watching, Nii knocks them out and later holds them captive.

At last, the Sanzo Party reaches a town, Sanzo, Hakkai and Gojyo already out from the Jeep into the inn. Goku hesitates but hops down the Jeep, looking down at the footsteps as he remembers again: ''Back in Chang'an temple, Hakkai and Gojyo were returning something to Sanzo in the winter. Hakkai asked for Goku, and Sanzo told them that Goku had been curling up in the room, too afraid of the snow to come outside. Gojyo and Hakkai came and asked why Goku was afraid for snow, but Goku just said "I can't" over and over again. Hakkai concluded that the fear might grew from all of those years back in the cave on top of the mountain, as the snow must have been thick and Goku could not do a thing. Goku's memory went back to those snowy days, absolute silence, freezing coldness, totally alone and scary. After learning about it, Gojyo started to tick them off, calling Stupid Monkey and Worldly Monk to come outside. Pissed, Sanzo opened the window and talked back. Gojyo said his intention to invite them for Sukiyaki. Goku was excited but full of hesitation, and when a snow came in the room, he cringed. Sanzo looked at him and suddenly jumped outside the window, joining Gojyo and Hakkai. They started to lure Goku with talking about sukiyaki. Gojyo called him stupid monkey again and that got Goku angry. He jumped out the window with rage and landed on the snow. He started to walk in the snow and noticed that he was making footsteps. Goku then realized he wasn't in the cage anymore and he smiled.'' Jeep has turned into his dragon form and snaps Goku out of his musing. Sanzo calls out from inside the inn and Goku rushes in. They stick to the plan and really have sukiyaki for dinner.

Meanwhile, Kougaiji remembers when he is young, he fell in the snow and his mother offered a hand out to him. Somehow, the demon prince escapes and comes to the room where his mother is. Lady Gyokumen has waited for him, and soon Kougaiji starts feeling something weird in his head. He demands to know what they have done to his mind, and Nii says that they they brainwash him. They also spill that all the youkais berserk because of them. Kougaiji revolts and Lady Gyokumen takes the chance to pour her hatred towards Kougaiji's softness, which is like his mother, proceeding to break the triangular earring on Kougaiji's right ear. The episode ends with Kougaiji screaming "Stop it!" as he was being infused once again inside the liquid tank.

Urasai: Knitting

 * Hakkai was knitting scarf for everyone since it's getting cold, then Goku asked "Why it's long?". Because Hakkai thought of it that the four of them could all share one scarf. Gojyo and Sanzo imagined it, Goku agreed with it, but the other two didn't for it's not a good idea.