Chapter Six

A/N:  Hey! Long time no update! Sorry about that. Just lost some inspiration……. Anyways, here goes the next chapter… Hoping you like it.

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Sanzo's POV

I'm not the type of person who believes everything he hears. But I'm also the type of person who knows when someone is saying the truth and when they don't.

This woman though, is telling the truth. I can see it in her eyes. The way they fill up with unshed tears as she speaks about Nataku, the way they momentarily flash with anger at the mention of Li Touten, and how they plead on Goku.

I sighed. This situation is getting really sticky. Homura, the deceased fighting god, was a hell lot of work. Goku needed to be delimited to defeat him.

I'm sure that Nataku is hundred times harder to fight. For one, he is a heretic, just like Goku and Homura which automatically means great strength. Add the fact that he subdued the great Gyumao and literally subdued Goku too. Wait, did I mention that he could cast magic spells too? Now isn't that a comforting idea? I sighed yet again.

Now that's all talking about Nataku. I haven't reached Goku's part yet. As you all know, he's a good person. He doesn't fight back with his friends. Hell he doesn't even argue with me! All he says is 'Yes Sanzo', 'whatever you say Sanzo'. It's tiring really. But when he does get pissed with me or he's upset about something I said or did, all he does is to run away.

So, imagine good person Goku, imagine his guilt about forgetting his long time friend, his very best friend on heaven and imagine his guilt that he, the supposed best friend, has brought upon sadness on Nataku.

I shook my head. I don't want them to meet. I might lose Goku this time. I almost lost him to Homura. I fought for him then. And I will fight for him now. Even if he doesn't want me to. I mean, why would it be any different to Nataku? Sure he's his best friend and I can understand all the crap that he's been through but what if he accidentally kills Goku?

I can almost imagine the fight that will ensue, should they meet. Nataku all high and mighty, bringing upon kicks and punches, casting spells left and right and Goku……. Goku is just trying to evade them…… Tears spilling down his cheeks pleading that Nataku stop. Nataku shakes his head menacingly, acting sad but then unleashes a fatal blow and………… BOOOM! Goku's down on the ground all soaked in his own blood. His blood.

"Hestia? What's the matter?" Hakkai's concerned voice penetrated in my hazy state. I shook my head to clear my mind of that gruesome picture.

"You got to hurry…….. Nataku's here. He's near." Hestia said, her voice mixed with fear and….. Excitement? Oh yeah, she's a mother. It doesn't matter that her own son might kill her, all her mind's screaming is that she might get another chance with her son. That she might save him from his misery. Mothers.

Hestia turned to look at Goku.

"Let's go." She said her voice now steady and determined.

"Where? I don't know the place that you were talking!! Have you forgotten that I've lost all my memories regarding Nataku?" Goku asked hysterically as he stands on his feet and paces around the room, his brows deep with worry.

"Goku calm down, maybe we could think of something……." Hakkai trailed as he too, stands up and began pacing the room behind Goku.

"Hey, you wearing a hole on the carpet guys!!! Calm down!!! The more we get panicked the more we think of nothing." Gojyo says as he leans down, his hand on either side of him supporting him.

"For once you said something comprehensible." I muttered under my breath. He hears it nonetheless.

"Hey watch it bouzo!" He says as he looks deep into my eyes. I noticed for the first time that he's scared too. He's looking at me, expecting me to think of something that would get us out of this mess. I glared at him. Must I always do the thinking?

"Goku, little one, calm down. I know where that place is." Hestia said soothingly as she crosses the room gracefully and pats Goku's back.

"Really?" Goku asked her. His eyes were shining with so much hope, so much that its breaks your heart. Hestia nodded solemnly.

"Yes, I do. I kept it protected, clean. I want it to be perfect. After all, it's my son's paradise."

"Protected? What do you mean protected?" I asked my voice raising. Damn, don't tell me that what I'm thinking is correct!!!!

"Protected, yes. I cast a spell that would drive away intruders." She said as she bows her head down. She's keeping something.

"What do you mean by saying that its keeping intruders away? Is there some sort of a guardian in there?" Hakkai asks, probing Hestia further. Hestia raised her head and smiled wistfully.

"You are a wise man, Hakkai. Yes there is a guardian inside Nataku's paradise. It's name is Ladon."

"Ladon? What the heck is that?!" Gojyo asks skeptically as he stands up. I can see that he cant take this crap no more.

"Ladon, a big winged serpent, with claws that can rip the air and breathe that can set even water afire." Hakkai breathed amazingly.

"What?! Hestia……. Are you implying that Goku fight that monstrosity?" I asked as I stalked towards her. Goku held me back.

"Sanzo, I want to fight Ladon." He stated simply. I looked at him like he'd grown another head. A head that looks like……………. DEATH.

"Do you know what you are saying?" I hissed as I glared at him.

"Yes, I want to help Nataku. I promise I'll get back to you." He said as he looks into my eyes and pleads silently. I sighed. Might as well give in now, while there is still time. I always give in anyways. I nod my head ever so slightly.

Goku didn't give me big hug like I expected him too, but he smiles sadly at me and went to Hestia's side. There was too much tension in the air as he walks slowly to the other side, until…..

"Ooooooh, the buozo's getting soft!!!" Gojyo squealed loudly. Hakkai cracked a smile. Goku smiled genuinely. I thanked him silently. Hestia looked up at him in wonder. What a guy. Nerves of steel. Yeah right.

"My god……." Hestia breathed.

"What? What happened?" Goku asks her.

"He's here! My son's in here!!" She says almost hysterically.

"What the fuck?! Where?" I swore as my heart raced up in panic.

"Just above us. Up in the ground." She brought her right hands to her chest.

"He can sense Goku in here. He isn't just aware that we're underground…… but he'll find out soon enough."

"What are we going to do?" Hakkai asks his eyes wide.

"He'll sense that Goku will leave this area once I transport ourselves. But we have to give Goku time to fight Ladon……. You can't expect the little one to fight them both at the same time." Hestia looked up. He set his eyes on Hakkai, who nodded slightly then to Gojyo who did the same then at me.

"If something happens to Goku with Ladon………. I don't know what I will do to your son." I said my voice hard and cold and surprisingly steady. But that statement doesn't even sound like a threat. I mean, Goku will have a hard time with Nataku. It'll probably take about…… oh say two seconds for Nataku to beat the shit out of me. Yeah, a threat.

Hestia nodded solemnly. Goku looked at me straight in the eyes, and mouthed the words, 'I Promise.'

Hestia clicked her fingers; they were enveloped in a thick bluish light and were gone. Be safe, Goku.

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Goku's POV

I shook my head to collect my bearings. And I thought that instant transportation was neat!! I thought to myself as I brought my hands on wither side of my head to stop it from spinning. Not my head…… My vision, you dummy!

I think we didn't really transmit here. The wind might have brought as here. Like they moved extra fast and had become extra strong……. You know what I'm talking? Oh well, maybe my theory is right, I did get spun a lot of times…….Extra fast.

"Little one are you okay?" Hestia asks me as she offers her hand which I took gratefully.

"Yeah, just a little dizzy." I responded as my vision finally clears up. When it did I gasped at what I saw. In front of me is a large dome of greens, plants and flowers, all crisscrossing each other, making a tight knit of braid to seal the sunlight and just about everything away.

"Wow." I breathed under my breath.

"Little one, this is not the time to be amazed."

"I know. Where is Ladon?"

"Break into that tight knit of greens…….. When you have fully enetered….. Ladon will come out to give you judgment."

"Okay." I breathed deeply before setting out into a run. A run that might lead me to save my friend or a run that might be the end of me. I do hope that it's the first one…… I thought. I really do hope it's the first one… Because I made a promise to Sanzo and if I didn't keep it….. He might kill me again in the after life….. I thought sarcastically as it brought about a smile on my lips.

Yes, I think I will keep that promise. To Sanzo and to Nataku.

Then I took a leap called forth my nyoibo and brought it down hard on the thick shrubbery.

"Be successful little one!!" Hestia called out. I couldn't respond. I was inside. This is it.

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My feet made a soft thumping sound as I landed neatly onto the paradise. For me it was like déjà vu. I just knew that I was in this place. I'm sure of it. I can recognize this place…….. And in the middle of this paradise is……. I turned around to see if it is there.

It is. The maple tree. In my heart I knew that I had now connected with Nataku somehow…… If I could remember this place then surely I will one day recognize him.

I was starting to have a blissful smile on my face on thoughts of endless possibilities when I noticed something inside the tree. Blue-greenish scales slithering towards the trunk of the tree. Claws sharp as a five samurais helping its long body along to slide down the tree.

It body landed on the grass, slowly……… It was like slow motion. Then in an instant like time's been fast forwarded, his head was seen……. Like someone snapped it into vision.

A big, almost glowing green thing. Then I realized……….. It had a person's head. Only it is bright green.

"Who dares come into this place?" It called out, it's voice low and scary. I don't know what made me to, but I answered it.

"I am."

"And who might you be?" It turned its head on me. I shivered. Its glowing red eyes are emphasized more by its green color. It's so eerie. But I stood strong.

"Seiten Taisen Son Goku."

"Oh? Then die! I know you. You are the one who brought upon sadness on my master! You deserved nothing else but DEATH!!!" It withdrew it wings on his back and spread it magnificently. Boney and strong at the same time, Ladon flapped it. Leaves and flowers around him whipped around him.

 Then he shrieked and let out a fiery breath towards me…… I had barely the time to move away.

"You deserve to die……… You deserve to die. My master brought you company and happiness….. And what did you give in return?" HE slithered towards me again as I missed his claws by inches.

I jumped up at the highest point of the tree.

"You deserve this…… You brought upon him sadness when he brought you joy…… DIE…….." He hung his head back and flapped his wings…….. But I wasn't thinking of moving around or to try and evade it.

Do I really deserve to die?

Ladon let out a blood curdling scream………..

I just closed my eyes.

Do I really?

Do I really deserve to die?

tbc

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A/N: For those who were waiting for a long time for this installment….. I'm sorry. But the wait's over now and if you are reading this note then you have finished reading it!!!! (Hopefully! J)

Anyways, if you still want me to continue this give me a holler. I want to know if there are still people reading it.

I got discouraged for awhile coz no one's reviewing it…….. (Well there are like one or two…… Thanks natacha and gallatica!!!!)

Hmmm…. So please take a time to click that button down there……. It says something like….. review chapter…… it only takes you a couple of seconds to write criticisms or whatever…(no flames though…..) J

So no reviews…. Probably no continuation…..

So please.

*Pleads with puppy dog eyes*