With an angry roar, Hakkai launched an attack on the vicious god. Sanzo took the opportunity to carry Goku to safety. Scooping the unconscious boy up in his arms, he ran to a large hollow tree. He was joined shortly by an irate Hakkai. Placing the monkey in the healer's arms, Sanzo left without a word. Hakkai would do his job and Sanzo would do his. He just wanted to make sure that son of bitch that hurt Goku would die as painfully as possible.

Sanzo arrived on the scene to see Gojyo giving the god a hell a time. Even the kappa seemed to have wanted his revenge for Goku's condition.

"Gojyo, go help Hakkai. I want to finish what I started."

"I haven't got a problem with it as long as you make it slow and painful. The kid will..."

"I'm not doing it for that damn monkey. I'm doing it because this guy really annoys me!"

'That's a lie' thought Sanzo as he looked at the crimson that stained his robes. Only now did he realize how much blood Goku must have lost.

Gojyo stood stunned for a moment, by Sanzo words. That monk was such an ass. How could he be so cold? The kid had just taken a hit for him, yet was still ragging on the boy?! That monk was getting one hell of a chewing out when this was over.

Sanzo commenced to give the god a hell of an ass-kicking then pointed the gun at his heart. An anger burned inside the monk that he could not extinguish. The overwhelming need for revenge. Sanzo pulled the trigger and never looked back.

As the demon screamed and disintegrated Sanzo whispered "See you in hell."

As Sanzo made his way over to Goku and the others a feeling of foreboding washed over him.

'It's nothing. Hakkai can heal any flesh wound.'

But as Sanzo rounded the trees he found his foreboding correct. Goku lay unconscious in Hakkai's arms. The lavender sash was placed firmly against the saru's wound. It was almost completely saturated with Goku's blood.

"I can't heal him. He must have been poisoned. We need to get him to town as soon as possible, or he'll...die."

The last word seemed to burn into the priest's soul. Goku might die. All because he was protecting Sanzo. How could this happen? He was only a kid and...

"unnn"

Sanzo was pulled from his thoughts by a soft moan from the saru.

"S-Sanzo?" he whispered. His voice was so weak.

Sanzo slowly knelt on the ground next to where Hakkai cradled the boy's head in the rook of his arm. He gently smoothed Goku's unruly hair. The child opened his eyes slightly.

Sanzo felt a stab of grief in his heart as he looked into them. The golden eyes that usually sparkled with vibrant life, where now glazed with pain and the beginnings of fever.

"ahh!"

Suddenly the boy convulsed, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth. He reached out; clinging to the first thing he could find...Sanzo's hand.

"Sanzo i-it hurts! Make it stop! Please Sanzo!" he whimpered

"Don't worry Goku, we'll get to town and find a doctor." It was Gojyo who spoke this time. Sanzo had forgotten he was there.

Gently, the kappa picked the child up in his arms.

"The sooner we leave, the sooner he gets help."

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Oh I love angst! I love it soooooooooo much! Sorry Goku fans. I love him too, I really do, but he's so much fun to pick on. Anywho, R&R if you please. And no flames! They will be used to warm my house this winter. Constructive criticism accepted though.

kappa-water sprit

saru-monkey