In both anime and manga Saiyuki, Yaone is a youkai and prince Kougaiji's personal apothecary. She was the daughter of a pharmacist, but was selected by the woman-eating centipede demon Hyakugan Maoh to be a concubine. She was saved from this fate by Kougaiji, and has since sworn her life to his service. She also takes the role of babysitter of Kougaiji's sister Lirin. In the Anime, Saiyuki Reload, Yaone's full name, Yaone Kusushi, was revealed. As well as the fact that Yaone is the one that killed her parents.