Notes:

All recognizable characters belong to Kazuya Minekura and the rest are mine. I really love these guys and hope I do all right keeping them in character. :)

~Tali

Chapter 1

"Nooooooo!" Goku screamed as the staff punched through Sanzo's chest. All he could feel was an overwhelming darkness where his sun had been. Hakkai was lying nearby, having already suffered the same fate. Goku looked between the pair of them and then lifted haunted eyes to Gojyo a moment before his limiter fell to pieces at his feet. Deadly claws extended and his wild hair blew around him in the light evening breeze. Elliptical irises narrowed as he brought his claws down in a swipe powerful enough to separate head from body.

Gojyo watched as Goku tore the youkai apart while still howling his grief to the uncaring sky. Once he was done with that one, he moved on to the next. After ascertaining that Goku was occupied, Gojyo turned his attention to his fallen friends and sprinted over when he saw a strange girl standing over them. She was young, maybe Goku's age, with pale skin, and very long hair the purple of deep twilight. Her bangs were long and spiky across her face while her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that was teased by the wind. She had on a long fitted black dress with silver edging that laced up the sides. The sides were unlaced from the knees down so she could walk easily in her heavy boots. His eyes narrowed as he spotted what was surely her limiter – a silver ear cuff on her left ear that attached in two places with three chains dangling between the cuffs.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, axe point under her chin.

"I am healing them." she replied evenly, no hint of concern in her sky blue eyes.

"They are dead."

"That does not matter." She flicked a glowing finger at him and Gojyo doubled over as he felt his insides make a violent bid for escape.

"You . . . bitch." he gasped as he fell to the ground.

Gojyo watched helplessly as she removed her limiter, knelt between his friends and pressed a hand to each of their chests. Her entire body glowed a brilliant golden white. He watched as the blood slowly disappeared from their clothes and the glow subsided. She turned untamed eyes on him for a moment before picking up her cuff and clasping it on her ear once more. She then returned her level gaze to him and touched one fingertip to his forehead. Gojyo sighed in relief when the pain immediately subsided. She stood gracefully and stepped away from the pair on the ground and indicated that he should check them.

He knelt between the pair and checked them over. They had no wounds at all, not even a scraped knuckle as far as he could see. And they were breathing slowly and evenly. Gojyo stood up and studied the girl closely before nodding to her. "Thank you."

"You are welcome." she replied.

Her eyes shifted over his shoulder and he realized there were no more sounds of violence behind him. Gojyo spun around in time to see Goku, who was some distance away, drop his last victim and turn his golden eyes towards them. "You might want to leave now if you plan on surviving the night." he said quietly to the girl behind him.

She paid his words no mind as her face broke into a joyful smile and she started running towards Goku – now Seiten Taisei. Gojyo sprinted to catch up and caught her arm. He pulled her violently away from her goal, "He's going to kill you. Get out of here now."

She continued smiling at Goku and tried to shake loose. "He will not harm me. Let go or I'll make you sick again." Gojyo tightened his grip and continued pulling her away.

The girl turned blazing blue eyes on him, "Last time. Let. Me. Go."

He shook his head and she flicked a finger at him again. He dropped to the ground, too ill to do anything but watch as she ran over to the monster in Goku's skin, who gave her a feral smile before picking her up and giving her a kiss so passionate that Gojyo blushed.

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Seiten Taisei watched as his mate started towards him. He narrowed his eyes as Taisho tried to stop her but allowed her to defend herself as he knew she could against that one. He smiled as she broke free and ran towards him, while noting she had not killed her foe but merely made him ill. She really was too kind. If that one interfered again, he would destroy him for daring to touch his mate. When she was close he crouched down to catch her and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

He growled possessively before crushing his lips to hers. He ran his hands down her back and up her thigh as they kissed passionately. Long minutes later, but still too soon, she pulled away and breathed deeply while resting her forehead against his.

"Seiten, I have missed you." she whispered before rubbing her cheek against his.

He set her down gently and wrapped his arms around her tightly, happy to finally see his mate again.

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Gojyo watched as Goku cradled the girl against him as if she was the most precious thing in the world. A low rumble sounded and it took him a moment to realize the monster that lived in Goku's body was purring. What kind of creature was she to have tamed that monster? The girl wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug and Gojyo continued to watch as a light came down from the heavens above them.

"Keep him still for a moment more." an impatient voice said.

The light transformed into Merciful Goddess and Gojyo sighed in relief. At least Goku's limiter would be put back on now. Once the limiter was in place, Goku collapsed and the girl swept him up as if he weighed nothing.

"Iyame, you have found your mate when he needed you the most, as you asked." Merciful Goddess said.

Iyame bowed as much as she could with Goku in her arms, "Thank you for your kindness and guidance, Merciful Goddess."

The Goddess reached over and placed her hand on Iyame's forehead, it glowed brightly for a moment before she removed it, showing a silver band circling the girl's head where her hand had been a moment before. The ear cuff fell to the ground, unneeded. "You power has been unlocked and your age unfrozen. I will leave it to you to repair your mate's limiter next time he breaks it. Though with you around, he probably won't feel the need to."

"Your generosity knows no bounds, Lady. I thank you for all of your help." Iyame replied with her head bowed.

"Make sure they get where I sent them." With that Merciful Goddess disappeared.

Iyame straightened and walked towards Gojyo. She flicked a finger at him and the pain once again disappeared.

Gojyo slowly stood and glared at her. "Who the hell are you?" he asked quietly.

"A friend. Please, gather your belongings and I will take you to shelter and heal your wounds."

"What about Sanzo and Hakkai? I can't just leave them here." he replied.

"They are coming as well. Let's go." she said and walked over to the pair. A moment later both were floating quietly beside her and she was watching him quizzically.

Gojyo shrugged carelessly and gathered their belongings before walking up to the girl and indicating that she should lead the way. She set off at a brisk pace and he followed quietly.

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Iyame looked up as she heard rustling above her and watched as a small dragon circled and then landed softly on Goku's stomach. "Hello there, little one. I'll patch you up as well once we arrive." she told the small creature when she saw the ragged spots on his wings and the blood marring his coat.

She paused long enough to open the door of the abandoned cottage she had put her belongings in not long before and then walked inside. She floated Goku and pulled the blankets on the bed down long enough to put the other two into it and check them over one final time before tucking them in for the night. She pulled some blankets together and made a pallet for her and Goku and placed him gently on it. She brushed her fingers across his cheek and smiled when he turned his face into her glowing hand. Once he was healed she turned towards the only other conscious person in the room.

"I am Son Iyame." she said as she bowed to Taisho's latest incarnation, for she knew without doubt that is who he was and her joy at having her family together was boundless.

"Sha Gojyo. What did you do to them?" he asked.

"I healed them as I said I would. Now it is your turn."

"I've had enough of you flicking your damn fingers at me, thank you very much." he replied evenly.

"They would not have been able to come back if I hadn't healed them within a couple of minutes, and he would have killed you if you had succeeded in stopping me. I only made you sick because you gave me no choice and I removed it as soon as I was able." she explained gently.

He continued to glare at her, "No, thank you."

"As you wish." she replied before turning to Hakuryuu. "Will you allow me to heal you, little dragon?"

The dragon flew over and landed in her arms when she reached out for him. The girl's hands glowed brightly and all of the blood on his coat disappeared. When they stopped the little dragon stretched luxuriously. She turned and placed him gently on the bed between the two men. "Get some rest and you'll feel much better." she admonished him as he curled up on Hakkai's chest.

Iyame returned her attention to Gojyo. "Will you please allow me to heal you? You are in a lot of pain and you don't need to be."

"I wouldn't be in so much pain if you hadn't put me in it." he retorted.

"That is not true, Gojyo. I removed all of the pain I inflicted. The rest is from your battle injuries. I prefer to get permission, but it is not necessary." she told him.

"What the hell are you talking about? You can't put your hands on me if I don't want you to."

"I don't have to touch you to heal you, it just makes it easier." She shrugged before continuing, "I can always wait until the pain and blood loss make you pass out if that is preferable to you."

Gojyo growled, "Fine."

Iyame walked over to him and rested her palm against his chest where it glowed brightly for a several moments before fading back to normal. "Better?"

"Yes." he replied, somewhat grudgingly.

"I will leave you to your rest now. Good night." she said as she walked over to Goku and climbed under the blankets with him.

"Wait a minute. What do you think you're doing?" he asked.

"Sleeping. Good night, Gojyo. Get some rest." With that she curled protectively around Goku and appeared to go instantly to sleep.

Gojyo stared at her for a moment before shrugging and climbing into his own pallet.