Disclaimer: I own nothing of importance.

Warning: SPOILERS for Saiyuki Gaiden.

Chapter 1

Sanzo was sitting on the ground, his back up against a tree. He held a cigarette to his lips, a lazy trail of smoke rising from the burning tip. His violet gaze wandered over to his companions.

"Ow! Watch what you're doing, you stupid monkey! OW!"

"I told you to stop calling me that!" the golden-eyed boy replied, giving the bandages another vicious yank. "And quit being such a baby! You don't hear Hakkai complaining and he got hurt a lot worse than you did!"

"That's because he was smart enough to dress his own wounds rather than let you do it!" the water sprite snapped back.

The priest let his eyes slide closed, wishing he could block out the argument just as easily.

"Now, now, you two. Gojyo, Goku is just trying to be helpful. Goku, please try to be a bit more empathetic. We did take on both Shien and Zenon, after all," Hakkai interjected, trying to pacify the situation.

"Yeah, so? I faced all three of them at the same time. You don't see me complaining," the teen said, tying off the bandage on Gojyo's arm.

"You fought all three of them together?" the demon asked.

"Yeah, whatever, monkey."

"I did! Tell them, Sanzo!"

The monk exhaled the smoke from his lungs. "I'm staying out of this."

"Sanzo!" Goku whined.

The blonde flicked his cigarette butt to the ground, his annoyed gaze meeting the saru's. "You got knocked out. That's hardly something to brag about."

"But, it took all three of them to do it!"

Gojyo and Hakkai looked at each other. Goku faced all three at once and doesn't have so much as a scratch to show for it, the tall brunette thought, eyeing the energetic youth. Is there any limit to his strength?

"Excuse me."

The Sanzo Party jumped to their feet, whirling to face the intruder. The man was of average build, clothed in simple blue robes with his light brown hair pulled back into a high ponytail. The crimson chakra was visible in the middle of his forehead.

"Great, another god," the monk muttered, glaring at the intruder. "What do you want?"

"I do not come to fight, but instead bring a message," the god explained, holding his hands out non-threateningly.

"A message? That's a new one," Gojyo said, his summoned shakujou not leaving his hand. "Let's hear it, then."

"This message is only for the Seiten Taisei," he replied, turning to look at the shortest member of the group.

Goku looked over his shoulder to see who the god was addressing. There was no one there. He blinked. "Huh? Me?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes. You have been granted an audience with the Jade Emperor himself."

"The Jade Emperor?" the redhead repeated.

"Who's that?" Hakkai asked.

The messenger turned his attention back to the group, looking a little annoyed at not being able to talk with Goku privately. "As you probably know, there are five bodhisattvas who rule the heavens and earth. The Jade Emperor oversees the five. He is the supreme ruler of heaven," he explained.

"So, he's the head honcho up in heaven, huh?" Gojyo said. "You sure seem to be popular with the gods, monkey."

"What business does he have with Goku?" the monk asked, stepping in between the god and his charge.

"I am not at liberty to say," the deity replied.

"Well, that's too bad. Goku's not going anywhere," the blonde stated.

"I'm afraid you do not have a say in the matter. My orders were to bring the Seiten Taisei before the heavenly council. This does not concern you," he said, disappearing.

"Goku, look out!" Gojyo called out a warning.

Sanzo turned, reaching out to his charge as the god appeared behind the saru. The deity laid a hand on the boy's shoulder as the monk grabbed his arm, all three of them vanishing.

Gojyo and Hakkai stared at the place their friends and the messenger had just been standing, eyes wide. The demon recovered first, putting one hand on the back of his head as he chuckled softly. "Well, this will certainly make it difficult to track them."

. . .

To Be Continued

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