Begin From The End

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Chapter 1: Meet in Togenkyo

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A/N: Sankyu for your reviews minna! This one will be longer than the prologue. New characters will be introduced as a new question arises. Oh, and I'm changing a few words (i.e. God will be called Tentai.)

Disclaimer: Minekura Kazuya doesn't own this plot. :p

By: Yamamoto Kou

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Three years after the prologue.

SanzoandYosukigotmarriedandhadtwokids. There. I said it. (A/N: I really don't like these things.) The first one is their daughter, Saemi. She is the perfect one. Well, almost. She was good at almost everything. She has a nice attitude despite being a little impatient and being incredibly dangerous when angry, which is rare. She's has an outward appearance of fourteen (she's really seventy-four years old in real years ::but since when do gods get old THAT fast?::) and her hair is blonde, her eyes are violet and she has a nice figure. Even at this age, guys are starting to swarm around her like bees to a hive. Although her parents don't show it, they're really proud that she can get along without many problems.

Then there is the second kid. The son, the 'problem child'. His name is Soujiro. His outward appearance is ten years old (see above for :: and take note that not all gods will have the same outward age appearance even when the same age). Like the rest of the family, he was blonde. His eyes are blue like his mother's. He also has the good fortune to inherit the stubbornness and determination of both his parents. And because of this, he had also never set foot in school. Since he doesn't go to school or participate in tests, over 60% of the gods and goddesses in Tenkai consider him to be stupid as he doesn't talk very much.

But on the contrary. The only beings alive that know of his true abilities were Nataku Taichi and Hakkai. Soujiro had just as much knowledge as Hakkai did when he was Tenpou since it was through him that Soujiro learned. As for non-academics stuff, he excels in the battlefield. After all, his sensei is Nataku. He befriended them when he skipped his first ever day of school because like his parents, he really isn't considered as sociable. He had confronted them when he bumped into them. Afterwards, Soujiro had confided to them about the fact that he won't go to school. After a few... attempts, they realised that he was really persistent. So they did the next best thing.

But of course both them decided to keep the fact that they were teaching Soujiro since they all think it would be fun to watch the expressions on their faces if they find out. Soujiro agreed.

Sanzo, Yosuki and Saemi had tried everything to get him to school and they've tried everything to track him down when he was away but Soujiro kept them in the dark. That's when they gave up quite some years ago and they don't bother when Soujiro's gone anymore. Soujiro doesn't come home much of the time either. But the years went by and in the end, they had confidence that he will come back. He's been gone from home for a few months once and his family didn't even bat an eyelid as if not much time passed at all. It's just that they know they can't control his comings and goings.

Soujiro's strongest desire is to leave Tenkai to find some thrills. After spending practically all his lifetime on Tenkai, he found it absolutely boring. And as he was still too young, he can't descend.

Now it was this particular day that after nagging to Hakkai and Nataku about it, Nataku decided to help him descend but only for a certain period of time.

Hakkai: Demo, it would be violating the rules ne?

Nataku: That won't be a problem. Besides, if you're worried about him getting into trouble in Togenkyo, then don't cause he is perfectly capable of taking care of himself.

Hakkai: Now I'm wondering why you're so sure of it?

Nataku: *eyes Hakkai* If you must know, Soujiro's getting better at evading my attacks and if I'm not careful, he'll soon manage to lay a finger on me. Not bad for a half god. Besides, I'll be bringing him to the West of Togenkyo.

Hakkai: Ah. I see. Since it is hardly ever populated, there would be not much of a chance for him to be in trouble. So what's the time limit?

Nataku: Three weeks of un-heavenly boredom should satisfy him.

Hakkai: *sees an evil glint in Nataku's eyes* Yes but you know the consequences.

Nataku: I will be careful.

And so he left to tell Soujiro the good news.

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The very next day, Soujiro, with a backpack full of supplies, Hakkai and Nataku headed over the Tenkai's Gates. Thanks to Nataku's position as head of the Tenkai Army, they managed to get him down.

Nataku: *smiles* Good luck Soujiro and try to make the best of it.

After Nataku ascended back up, Soujiro muttered a profanity or two. He scanned the almost barren landscape. He can't complain since it was this or nothing.

And despite their close friendship, opposing Nataku is always a dangerous thing to do no matter how small the matter.

Soujiro decided to find some shelter to stay in so he headed further west. It was two hours later before he heard it.

The sound of fists powerfully punching the air. As a half god, he still has a god's sense of hearing. And that sound could only mean one thing and that there's someone practicing his or her close combat skills.

This evoked Soujiro's second desire. The desire to be strong. He trained hard with Nataku but the chance to battle someone else would be a new thrilling experience to try out new strategies and face other types of fighting styles. But he kept his hopes low since there are probably not many fighters, even in Tenkai, who can survive a match with him let alone his shishio Nataku.

He got closer to the source and soon he was ten feet away from it.

'It' is a he. A guy just a few centimetres taller than him. He sports a mass of messy brown hair and an odd silver... no, platinum band on his head. A few drops of sweat flew into the air as the silver tag swings to and fro on his neck. He is now practicing the 'dollya chagi' (turning kick) . His eyes are closed in deep concentration.

Soujiro approved of this and Nataku would've too. Basic training on a daily basis helps to develop a strong foundation for more discipline, strength, accuracy and timing when carrying out complex moves. This is also one of the things Nataku had made him do even until now.

Soujiro watched as he stopped. He seems to be aware of Soujiro's presence even with his eyes closed. After a couple of deep breaths, he turned to Soujiro and opened his eyes. They were a clear shade of sky blue.

Soujiro: I'm impressed. My name's Soujiro, Genjo Soujiro.

Guy: My name's Goku. Son Goku. *looks around* Are you lost or something?

Soujiro: No. I'll be here for three weeks.

Goku: Doushde? (Why? A/N: I think that's what it is.)

Soujiro: I just want to.

Goku: Souka. *nods* So where are you going to stay?

Soujiro: To tell you the truth, I still haven't found one yet.

Goku: Then you can come to with me to where I live.

Soujiro: Ok. But first, how good are you?

Goku: Nani?

Soujiro: I meant you're fighting skills.

Goku: Quite good. Why do you ask?

Soujiro: I was thinking of having a match with you.

Goku: I don't think I should. You might get killed.

As Goku turned around, he felt a rush of wind on his back. He looked up to find Soujiro a few feet in front of him with a stance known as zenkutsu daichi.

Goku: *smiled and started getting all genki like* Yosh! You want to fight? *got into a zenkutsu daichi stance as well*

Soujiro: I just asked.

Soon, Soujiro lunged forward with a punch but Goku blocked it with a simple chudan soto uke (middle body block). Then Goku strikes back immediately by using a downwards motion to push Soujiro's attacking arm away and then put Soujiro off-centre with a circular action which also exposed Soujiro's chest area and that was when Goku used an oi-tsuki (front-lunge punch). And Goku pulled this off before Soujiro could even blink.

The force of the blow threw Soujiro backwards but he recovered fast enough for a simple break fall.

Soujiro: *panting while taking a new stance, the hanmi (half stance)* If I had known, I wouldn't have got easy on you.

Goku: Well, don't. *moves back into the zenkutsu daichi stance*

This time it was Goku's turn to strike first. He lunges forward again with great speed, aiming an oi-tsuki at Soujiro's face. But this time, Soujiro grabbed Goku by the wrist before the punch can make contact. Soujiro then brought his right arm over Goku's and at the same time grabbing Goku's right arm with his left had and then simultaneously twisting his body forward to execute a lock on Goku's arm, wrist and hand. Soujiro then twists his body around while still keeping the lock close to his body. As soon as he did that, he rendered Goku's right arm helpless as he applied pressure to he twisted his hips to the right.

Soujiro: I think it's better if you give up now.

Goku: ......

Goku flipped himself over and tried to punch Soujiro with his left hand but Soujiro released his grip on Goku's hand and defended himself with a tetsui otoshi uke (hammer fist) that is also and offence technique. Goku managed to evade it by twisting his body to the side and by launching another oi- tsuki.

Unfortunately, Soujiro managed an axe kick. Goku's oi-tsuki was thrown off when Soujiro raised his leg. Soujiro almost got Goku's collarbone when he looked up but Goku managed to roll out of the way.

Goku: *panting* You're not half bad.

Soujiro: *panting* So are you. I think it's time to call a truce. Deal?

Goku: *stood up* Deal. Now I'll take you to my place.

And with that, they left.

But just a few minutes later....

Soujiro: *sweat drop* Was that your stomach growling?

Goku: *in an embarrassed way* Hai. *switched to genki* C'mon, let's race. I wanna eat! The house is just straight ahead!

Soujiro: Hey, wait up! This is actually the first time I heard someone's stomach growl you know!

Goku: Hontoni deska!?

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AFN: I admit it. I used a reference for the attacks with the Japanese names. Any compliment for those goes to the book. Hope the chapter isn't too long. I'm trying to make the chapters shorter.