Chapter 7

Goku's POV

Ladon's voice is still ringing in my ears. You deserve to die, he says. I think so too. That's why I can't move. That's why I don't want to move.

I wait till his claws hit me. I close my eyes, trying to remember all the good things, the good fortune that I'd been given. So maybe when I die I can keep these good memories that I have. They are worth keeping you know.

 There's that friend I had when I was in that mountain, the little yellow bird that kept me company. I remember waking up everyday smiling, only because I knew he'd be there in a while. And he always does come….. Until that day.

Oh yes, he still came but he wasn't breathing. He just lay down there, his eyes closed, his feathers ruffled, and his body unmoving. I remember crying my eyes out for him in days.

 But there are still a lot of good memories, like Hakkai. He's a good friend and he keeps me full. He always had something for me. An extra ration, a defense for me and all those little things. He's like a big brother to me.

Then there's Gojyo. A little rough and a tease, but he's another big brother otherwise. He's always the first one to show concern for me. Like the time I was captured by Homura. He was the one up and about trying to find me. It didn't show but he was in pure panic. Well, he explains that they won't be able to play mahjongg anymore so…… that's kind of explains it.

Then of course, my biggest, my best memory of all is Sanzo. He freed me from the mountain, gave me the sun and made me happy. Most of all, I know he loves me. He doesn't say so aloud but his action says otherwise. He's that kind of guy, you know. Quiet about his feelings and yet……..

I feel the sudden whip of air. Probably Ladon swishing his claws up then down……… WHOOOOSH…….. This is it. I'm going to die. I thought as I could feel the wind getting heavier on my face. Then I heard something.

I promise. Huh?! I promise. I'll come back to you.

Wait. I know those words. I said those words. To Sanzo. God, what am I thinking? I thought to myself as I opened my eyes just in time to see Ladon's claws come bearing down upon me.

Just in the nick of time I jumped off the branch and came to a tumbling halt to the grass beneath the tree, blood gushing down my left arm.

"Hmmm……. I thought you resigned yourself to death." Ladon said as he slithered towards me and came to stop just inches away.

I wasn't listening to him though…….. I can hear my voice not so far away. I was talking to someone.

"I'll introduce you to Ten-chan, Ken-ni-chan, and to Konzen!"

"Really? But will they like me?"

"Of course! They're real nice. I'll bet you they'll like you!"

"You think so? Then I want to invite them here as well."

"Wow!! That's cool! Maybe we could have a picnic!"

"Yeah! That's a great idea."

"Then it's a date! I'll ask Konzen to make us a picnic meal! We'll be so happy together here."

"Yeah! I know we are going to be so happy and we'll stay friends forever!"

"Uhuh. Friends forever."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

My head was spinning. When did I make this promise? Who did I make it to?  I shook my head trying to clear away the fog that insists to cloud the rest of my memories.

Slowly, so slowly, a figure, a face is coming into focus. I concentrated to nothing but that face. I know for certain that that is the face I made a promise too. Just when the face is coming on clear and I can start to recognize him, Ladon growled.

"Little one! Have you forgotten about me?" He asked as I noticed that his bluish green complexion turned red-green.

"No. I'm sorry. I thought I was remembering something."

"Hmp. This is no time for that. You do realize that you are in judgment?" His red eyes bored deep in to mine as his skin turned to bluish green again.

"Yes."

"Now, why did you evade my attack?" He asked me as he starts to get cozy on the ground. It was as if he was interviewing me. Creepy.

"I made a promise."

"A promise?" Ladon inquired further, his brows rising to his forehead.

"Yes, a promise. I told this person that I'd go back to him alive."

"Really? Who might this person be?"

"Sanzo. He saved me. He's my sun."

"Your sun eh? Then what about the other promise?"

"What other promise?" He looked at me suspiciously.

"You were just thinking…… Or rather remembering it." Ladon says. I kept my mouth shut. I don't exactly know what to say.

"You intend to keep the promise you made to this Sanzo and yet you don't intend to keep the other one?" Ladon's voice raised.

"I do!!! I do!!!" I put my hands to my face, hiding from Ladon. His line of questioning is making me dizzy and guilty.

"I do intend to keep it. It's just that I don't remember the guy or girl I made that promise to."

"Impossible." Ladon snorted.

"But it's true!!!" I screamed back at him. He looked surprised then registering my tone of voice he got angry.

"You're saying that you're telling the truth? Well that's bull!!!"

"It's not! What I'm saying is true! Why would I lie?"

"To get away from your punishment. You can never lie to me. I can see right trough you."

"I'm not trying to run away! I'm here to confront you to save my friend!"

"Really? And who might that friend be?"

"Nataku!" Ladon paused, and then roared in fake laughter.

"To master Nataku? To him?!" I nodded. He stopped his laughter and looked at me straight in the eye, his eyes shining red with rage.

"You little son of a bitch! If you're so good a friend, you won't forget Nataku.  Even with the hitch's spell…. You should be able to remember him. Ties that bind, right?" He stopped and spread his bony wings out then continued his mad rage.

"But you don't have that!!! You made him a promise, a promise to be his friend for all eternity and here you are…. Happy and well and without my master."

"Nataku? I made that promise to him?!" I whispered to myself as the pieces fall into place. I can't remember Nataku, couldn't remember the person I made that promise to, this place is so familiar……. Why the hell didn't I think of this before?

At this place right here, is where we last had our share of happiness. This is where Nataku and I made that vow to stay friends forever. This place had been our sanctuary……… we planned on bringing, Tenpou, Kenren and Konzen here.

"You're on your little world again? I'm afraid you're going to have to die without knowing it!!!" Ladon screamed at the back of my mind.

You intend to keep the promise you have to this Sanzo, why don't you intend to do the same with the other one?

But I do. I intend to keep it. Both of them. I said to myself as I eyed Ladon retracting his five sharp claws and swung them back. I called forth my nyoibo and jumped back evading them.

"Back again huh? This time no more mister nice guy! I tried the talk method with you…… but it seems it will never work!!!" Ladon screamed as he slithered around making a great big show.

"Look! I'm tired of all your talk too……. So let's get this finished." I told him as I launched my own attacks. Kick, hit, spin. Not one of them hit him.

"Is that all you could do? Then I guess it's the graves for you!" He said as he let out a bloodcurdling scream and fiery hot breath. I became blinded  for a moment. When he came into focus however…..

"Shit." Was all I could say. Not only was he armed with five, no ten samurai-like nails, a fiery hot breath and body that could wrap me to my death……. He was also shielded by his fire. His skin, his head, his wings all over him was a protective shield of green fire. Now how am I supposed to hit him, much less get near him?

"DIE!!!" Ladon said as he clamored towards me menacingly.

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Gojyo's POV

We wasted no time. Immediately after the saru left, me and Hakkai and the buozo went up to the surface to meet Nataku.

Walking up the stairs was like walking down to hell. It was getting hotter and hotter as we went up. When we emerged to the sun and the sky we knew why it was so hot.

Nataku had the ground burning. He was in rage, calling out Goku's name again and again.

"Goku! Come out! I know you're here! Show yourself!!!" He screamed as he waved his hands about, throwing balls of fires as he did so.

"He won't come out." Buozo said unwisely. Bad move, Sanzo. Bad move.

Nataku's attention was riveted to us. He eyes the buozo carefully then probably recognizing him, smirked.

"Konzen. I didn't know you were still alive." He slurred as he cracked his knuckles.

"I didn't know you were awake." Touché.

"I wouldn't get on my bad side if I were you, Konzen."

"You wouldn't want to be on mine either, Nataku." Sanzo says evenly as he eyed Nataku coolly.

"Uhuh. Whatever you say." Nataku said off handedly as he averted his gaze, it landed on Hakkai. He apparised him carefully.

"I like your hair longer, Tenpou." He commented as he smirked. Then his gaze landed on me.

"Kenren. It seems that time really doesn't change a person." He said so sarcastically that I was having thoughts on whether I should feel insult about that comment.

"Wow. It seems like a reunion. All were' missing now is Goku." He shook his head.

"No matter. You could meet up in hell after I'm through with the three of you!!!!" Nataku screamed as he launched into nothingness.

"Where is he? Did he disappear?" I asked, gripped with panic.

"No. He's just moving to fast for our eyes to see." Hakkai whispered. Then in an instant, Sanzo dropped to the ground unconscious. We didn't even see a thing.

"God help us." Was the only thing I could mutter.

t.b.c

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A/N: sorry if this is a messy chap, I'm kind of in a hurry so excuse the writing and all that crap.

Anyways, thanks for the review you guys! I guess you are still reading this piece although a lot of you seem lazy to write a few lines of review……… Hehehehe…… well that's okay! I got to convince you otherwise in the last chap! (well okay, that was more like black mailing…….. hehehe……)

Same threat as of the last chap applies here!!!! *grins* (Just bear with me for a few more chaps….. yes a few more…… I think it's going to end in say 3 more chaps? Depending on how long I write….)

Hope you do enjoy reading this chap.

Have a good day.