Title: Finding the Sun
Author: AznSage
Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
Pairings: Goku+Konzen/Konzen+Goku
Archived:
-Still Time ()
-FF.net
Rating: PG
Note: It's a Goku POV fic. Gaiden, but not exactly the same as Gaiden is. Homura comes into play in this part and I mix around manga and anime version stuff.

Idly, I strolled down the halls of Tenkai, wondering just who could tell me what my name meant without recoiling back in fear. There were veryr few choices and the first one that came to mind was...Kanzeon. She seemed to be really nice and would explain to me the meaning of my name. But she would probably ask where I got it from and if she finds out it's Konzen...well, she'll most definitely not let the subject drop easily. And I really didn't want to bring any trouble to Konzen, so who could I turn to?

That Jiroushin guy seemed okay. Except he is whereever Kanzeon is. So...bad idea. I sighed. This was going to be difficult. I've been walking around these corridors for at least ten minutes and not one person has showed up without a sneer on his face towards me. It's not very surprising, but is it to much to ask that they just ignore me? I would prefer that they ignored me than sneered at me. Because if I didn't know their opinions of me, I could just be blissfully unaware of how much they despise me.

I wish.

Apparently, my musings had gotten myself lost again. Just exactly how big is Tenkai? And here I thought I was going on a more familiar route through the halls, only to discover there's another one here and there's a lovely field by it.

Flowers blossoming in every inch of the field, spanning far beyond the horizon, the breeze gentle and caring, caressing and calling me towards it. I felt drawn to it. Perhaps, a relaxing stroll in my element would be what I need to forget about my woes of a stuffy, boring place like Tenkai.

The flowers were beautiful, but there just was something about them that lacked the charm of those on Earth. I don't know why I felt this way about it but I did. Maybe it was because the red of the flowers lacked that extra spark that the ones on Earth did. Or maybe it was because the oranges seemed duller in the light than the ones on Earth. Or maybe it was because the yellow hues of the flowers seemed to fade into the background, not as able to stand out as it's cousins on Earth. But I can tell you one thing for sure, the violets were beautiful.

They were the same color as Konzen's eyes, except they lacked the menace behind them. But the good came with the bad. The flowers also lacked the kindness and caring that I knew must be in his heart. They lacked the concern that he had cast at me when I had gone hiding. But they shone with his purity, his beauty, his light. I couldn't help myself in picking a few to bring back to him.

However, after only a few steps of picking, a huge form blocked my way. I looked up at who it was and blinked. How had I not noticed this person here before? He was a tall, lean, well-muscled god with wavy long hair and the most striking eyes: one was blue, one was golden. He wore the same shackles that I wore, except his were longer and bound together. He seemed to be in deep thought, his gaze looking far from Tenkai, his heart elsewhere. His hands rested on a large saber made of fire, matching the billowing purple and red cape that he wore. His face was chiseled and very well-defined, a very handsome man in his own right.

His eyes were suddenly on me though, noticing that I was standing there with the most curious look ever. I gripped my violets tighter and smiled at him.

"Hi, I'm Goku. What's your name?" I extended my other hand at him in the same friendly way that Nataku had for me. I wanted to befriend this man. He had a golden eye as well as the shackles. Perhaps we shared something in our origin, our past that would help me understand this whole itan business.

He looked at me seriously again, but this time, his face broke out a smile. "I'm Homura." He took my hand and shook it twice firmly. I could feel the strength from it, coursing from his body to mine. He had recalled his flame sword and sat down on the field, comfortably crossing his legs and resting the unused sword hilt next to him. "Sit if you want."

I did, never letting go of my violets. Then, the stupidest question came to mind, but I felt the need to ask anyway. "What does Homura mean?"

He looked at me quizzically before answering. "It means flame." He stared at me for a while longer before I started getting edgy. He seemed very interested in my story as well, seeing as how he was staring intently at my chains and trying to look like he wasn't staring at my golden eyes.

But I was the curious one and voiced my question faster. "Why do you have one gold eye and one sapphire eye?"

"Because I'm part kami, part human. I am an itan as well. One day I will bring great misfortune to Tenkai, I am sure of it. Are you that kid that there's been rumors about?"

"Rumors?" That was the first I heard of it.

"Yes, rumors. The itan who was born of the aura of the Earth. The greatest fear of the rulers of Tenkai. The one with the golden eyes of a shade that would put the most valuable of treasures to shame. The child of the Earth sent to oppose Heaven."

I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but that did sound pretty accurate. "Yes, I do believe that's me. Not that many people know I'm here though. At least that's what Konzen said."

"Aa, not that many people believe that it's true that you're here, but give them a few days and make a few more appearances and I'm sure they'll know." He chuckled a bit at me and ruffled my hair as well.

"What's so funny?"

"I can't believe this is what Kannon thought Konzen needed."

That most certainly got my attention. "You know Konzen?"

"But of course. After I was released and Kannon thought it would be a good idea for the two of us to meet."

"And how'd that go? Are you guys still friends? Wanna come with me to see Konzen?"

"Not well, no, and he'll probably kill me. Kannon thought we would get along, but we're not exactly the best of friends. After I said he looks like a woman with that hair of his, he started to get defensive and it just turned ugly from there."

"Well, his temper does get the best of him. I already have a few bumps on my head from him." I rubbed my head woefully as a show of what I meant.

Homura laughed at this again. "Konzen means well. He likes you."

"Really?" I brightened up and couldn't stop smiling like crazy. "How do you know for sure?"

"Let's just say that Konzen mumbling about a certain 'bakasaru' isn't very subtle when he's stomping down the halls. The blush is always there and Kannon always pokes fun of him in front of everyone."

"Oh..." I hadn't been aware that Konzen wore that blush often, but from this, I would say anytime I'm mentioned it seems to show. I thought back to what the healer told me. "Ne...Homura, what's blushing?"

He chuckled at me. "It's a reaction that occurs when someone's embarassed about something. In this case, Konzen is embarassed in admitting that he cares for you. He has a reputation to uphold as a cold bastard after all. But then again, who could resist you? You're quite the adorable one."

"Oh..." So Konzen did care for me. I wasn't just hallucinating. Somehow, that just made me happier than ever. Just a tiny place in his heart for me. It was more than I could hope for. "Ne, Homura...you don't sound like you like him at all. Do you hate him?"

"No, but it's not like I like him either. I am probably one of the few people in Tenkai who isn't afraid of him lashing out at me. He really does need a little guy like you to help loosen him up, fill the void in his life."

"And I need him too. He's my sun..."

"Sun?" It was Homura's turn to be surprised by my words.

"Aa. He is my sun."

Homura smiled, not one of his smirks from before, but more of one that seemed at peace. "Then I am happy for you. Never let go of him. Never, understand? You rarely get to find your sun so early in your life."

"Nn. Thank you, Homura." He really was a nice guy. One of the violets began to fall from my grasp, reminding me not to linger for too long or Konzen would get worried again and probably whack me on the head for not telling him where I was. "I really have to go now, but it was nice talking to you."

"Likewise."

As I was about to leave, one question popped into my mind. "Oi...Homura...do you happen to know what my name means?"

"Go means enlightened or enlightenment. Ku means that which cannot be seen, the void and emptiness. Put together, it means that you understand the emptiness. Very suitable name for you." He smiled at me again and waved me off. "It's best you go, I do not want to keep you and cause Konzen's next rampage. If you ever feel the need to talk again, I will most likely be here. If not, just ask for me from one of the guards."

"Aa, sankyuu, Homura!" I ran off with the violets in hand, back to Konzen's room. I wanted to show him the flowers as a token of repayment for his kindness and concern for me. Homura's words about Konzen's feelings towards me had stuck with me and were constantly replaying in my head. He did care for me. But in what way?

-TBC-

Originally, Kanzeon was supposed to tell Goku his name's meaning, but I decided to rewrite it as Homura instead. More mixing of what actually happened...though I'm going to incorporate the GENERAL plot of Gaiden. And about Goku's name, keep in mind that in Buddhism, Goku's a great name. There's actually more meaning to it than just what Minekura-sensei uses, but I'm gonna stick with the little bit she used, maybe add more at a later time. I actually kinda like Homura and think that there are too many fics of him where he's the bastardized villain. So, I give you...thoughtful, understanding, not-trying-to-steal-Goku Homura!
I had more to say, but I don't remember...Thanks to chris, Azzie, gallactica (my friend scanned me her Chinese version of Gaiden, so I have to translate from that -.- And Goku isn't too young for lime...or lemon...but I realllly think that's not the point in consideration yet for this story. *takes chocolate*), Kiarene, and Astralkitten (ah...gomen...Tenpou and Kenren are coming after this, I was too busy to add them to this part -.-).
Next chapter: Goku meets Tenpou and Kenren. Don't know how I'm gonna pull this one well...but I am definitely keeping the "love child" line...So, ja, until next time ^^