Sai Orlianna: Wow, I got the next chapter out in a week. I'm so proud of me.

This is definitely one of my better chapters, so please

R&R. Also, I have a new fic up for any Candidate Pilot

fans out there. It's called The Power of Love. Check it

out. Thanks to all those who reviewed. Ja for now!

Fate Plays Her Hand

Ch. 12

The Cards Fate Dealt

Kanzeon Bosatsu sat lazily on her throne, already bored with the day. Nothing extraordinary had happened outside of the usual business she dealt with. She was seriously considering leaving when the sound of hurried footsteps caught her attention. She shifted her bored glare to see a soldier kneel.

"Kanzeon Bosatsu-sama, Prince Nataku has been captured and is en route to heaven as of this moment."

Sitting up a little straighter, she let the news sink in. Nataku apprehended, but who got him? Her curiosity peaked; she was usually the first to figure these things out. "Who was it that succeeded in attaining him?"

"The Emperor's Guards, milady." The soldier said hurriedly. "They found him only two days ago with a small group of mortals."

The Merciful Goddess took this in silently, making the messenger slightly nervous. She stood, walking to the nearby window. The sun shone high, bathing her in its light. "And what of the Sanzo Party?"

The soldier froze, unsure of how to word the next part of his news. "Milady, the...the Sanzo Party was apprehended along with the other mortals."

Shocked by this news, Kanzeon quickly turned on the soldier. "What do you mean?"

"Well, those who were found protecting the fugitive were also arrested." The soldier said hurriedly, bowing deeper. "Captain Sam went against regulation and ordered that they be brought to Heaven along with Nataku-sama."

"Did he now?" This new bit of news intrigued the Merciful Goddess. So, Konzen and his friends were returning to heaven. This could be interesting. Yes, this could very well be a very interesting turn of events. A twisted sort of smile crossed her lips as a mischievous glint appeared in her eye. "You may go."

"Yes milady." The soldier said hurriedly and turned to leave. She watched as the soldier existed her chamber, and then turned back to her window.

"Jiroushin."

Jiroushin hurried to his mistress's side at the sound of his name, bowing quickly. "Yes milady."

"I want you to send a message to the general. Tell him that once the prisoners arrive, I want them sent here…immediately."

"Yes milady." Jiroushin said. He recognized that note in her voice. This wasn't going to be good.

"Oh! Also, I want Captain Sam to escort them." Bowing once more, Jiroushin hurried to deliver his message. Kanzeon smiled in anticipation. Fate had just dealt her the cards she needed. If she played them right, more than one secret would be revealed. An unabashed laughter escaped her lips, quickly consuming her. Oh! She couldn't wait to play this out.

………………………

Sam walked as one condemned. He knew that bringing the others here would land him in trouble but nothing prepared him for the shock he received when he arrived. An order to immediately report to the Merciful Goddess along with the prisoners was the last thing he expected. He looked back at them as they trailed behind him without question. He had insisted they come along because something told him that they wouldn't have stayed, or was it something else. His eyes landed on the woman now identified as Sephira. She walked with an authority that he knew well. The presence of a leader trying not to show fear in the face of an enemy. A sense of admiration welled up in him at the sight of her, but it was accompanied by the familiar pain of loss he felt every time he saw her. Trying to shake that feeling, he turned his gaze only for it to land on the stone face of Sanzo. He had been the only one forced to come here. His companions had refused to abandon the woman to his men. Sanzo had adopted a piercing glare that didn't waver even for a second. Sam recognized that look, but he had not seen it on the face of Sanzo-Houshi. Oh no. He had seen on the face of another man who had reason to hate the world around him. Was this just a coincidence, them being here? His thoughts were evaded, however, as they entered the palace of the Merciful Goddess.

…………………………….

"Kanzeon Bosatsu, the prisoners are here along with the captain you requested."

Kanzeon smiled as Jiroushin opened the doors, revealing the small group. As they entered, a sense of déjà vu fell over her as she saw the faces she knew so long ago. She noticed that each had their hands bound in slim iron rings, except for one – a woman with purple hair pulled out of her face. Golden chains were wrapped around her hands and feet while two guards held the ends of each chain. 'She must be the one…'

"What the hell? What are you doing here, you old hag!?"

Kanzeon smiled. "Nice to see you too, Kenren-Taishio. No wait, you're going by Sha Goyjo now." Kanzeon noticed all too well the glare he was sending to her. She ignored it as her eyes fell on the slender red-head standing next to him. The girl's clouded eyes lowered, almost respectively, as Kanzeon passed her.

Roxanne stood as close to Goyjo as she could. She sensed power immediately when they walked into the room; a power that was strangely familiar to her. Instinctively, she lowered her eyes as she felt someone pass her by. She wished that her hands were free. She wanted to hold onto Goyjo for what little comfort she could get.

Kanzeon observed each person in turn. Sephira's cool eyes met the Merciful Goddess's as she passed her. She was taken aback as she noticed a bit of amusement in their captor's eyes. Emma and Hakkai stood next to Sephira, both keeping an unthreatening face. Goku, on the other hand, was doing his best to break the cuffs that were on him. His eyes were a mix of confusion, angered determination, and annoyance. The sight of him brought the Merciful Goddess back to a time when he was brought before her once before. The pleasantness of the memory was soon dropped when her eyes landed on the hateful glare of Genjo Sanzo. 'Ah, Konzen…'

"Why are you keeping us here?" Sanzo growled.

If at all possible, Kanzeon's smirk grew as she patted his cheek mockingly. She heard him mutter a string a threats as she walked past him toward the final member of the group. Golden eyes set in a regal look met her mocking gaze. "Prince Nataku. You've finally made your escape only to be caught again."

"I see you haven't changed, Kanzeon Bosatsu." Nara shot back, her voice remaining steady.

Kanzeon's smile turned into a stern look. "You do realize what you have done. You have broken one of the sealed taboos."

"I know."

Kanzeon sighed as she continued. "And are you ready to face what is being levied against you?"

Nara stood poised in front of her as she answered. "I am."

Kanzeon stood for a moment, taking in all Nara's gaze had to say. "Very well. Take her away."

"No!" Goku struggled forward, trying his best to get to Nara. "Let her go!"

"Stop it, Goku." Goku froze as Nara turned her intense eyes on him. "This is the consequence I must face."

"Consequence? For wait?" Goku cried, confused.

Nara smiled a sad sort of smile. "For wanting to see you again."

Goku's face fell as her words hit him. She did this to see him again? What did she mean? Helplessly, he watched as the guards led her away.

"Jiroushin, unbind their hands." Jiroushin did as told. There was an uncharacteristic note in his mistress's voice that quelled all argument. Kanzeon watched as the small group was untied. "Please, sit. I'm sure you're all wondering what exactly is going on."

"That's for damn sure!" Goku yelled, finally jolted out of his shocked state. "Where are they taking her? And why do you keep called her Nataku? She's not Nataku! She's Nara!"

"Yes she is."

Goku turned fast at the quiet voice of Sephira. "No! You're nuts." Goku cried as he slumped onto an offered cushion. "She can't be…"

"I'm afraid it's true, Son Goku." Kanzeon began as she sat on her throne. "This Nara, as you call her, is actually the fugitive god Nataku whom I had you track down." The silence that answered this spurred her to continue. "Prince Nataku had been in a comatose-like state for the last 500 years. Not long ago, we found that his body had disappeared. This only meant one thing, his soul had escaped. That alone is a crime worth punishment; going to the Mortal Realm without proper permission. But, if it had only been that one crime, the punishment would have been minor." She took a deep breath before continuing. "But what he did makes his crime even more severe. He broke one of the sealed taboos; he merged his soul with that of a mortal."

"He merged his soul with Nara? Why?" Goku asked, not entirely sure what to make of this.

"Son Goku, you already have the answer to that question." Kanzeon said, turning her dark gaze toward him.

"...for wanting to see you again." Goku couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"The question remaining is…" Kanzeon continued as realization passed over Goku's face. "…was it worth it."

"Wait a minute!" Goyjo yelled, jumping from his seat. "You mean to tell me that she was with us the entire time?!" He felt Roxanne's slim hand gently grab his wrist, urging him to sit back down. Goyjo's red eyes turned on her pleading ones. "Did you know about this?!" Roxanne sat helplessly as the bitter truth crossed over her face. "You did?" Goyjo cried in hurt disbelief.

"Emma?" Hakkai tried to get her to look at him, his voice pleading for an explanation.

"Please don't be mad, Hakkai." Emma whispered softly, hoping he would understand. "We had no choice." Hakkai was at a loss. He looked up at Sanzo, hoping for some help. What he found there was not what he had expected. For the first time since he had met Sanzo, Hakkai was frightened of him.

Sanzo stood, back rigid; his face hard as his narrow eyes landed on the hunched over form of Sephira. His voice shook with rage spurned from an unknown betrayal. "You knew? You knew the whole time!"

Sephira sat with her arms resting lightly on her knees, her eyes down cast. Her stoic face held the look of a general admitting defeat. "Yes, we knew."

"How long have you known?" Sanzo hissed. Anger was now coursing through every ounce of his being. How could she keep this from him!

"Almost a year after Sensei died." Sephira replied steadily. "Nara warned us that these people would be coming after her. That day, we swore to keep her, and her secret safe."

"Don't give me that!" Sanzo snapped. "After all the shit you put us through with your damned Sensei and saving your useless asses time and again, you didn't trust enough to tell us this!"

Sephira jumped to her feet enraged, facing Sanzo head on. "We didn't ask for your help! You showed and jumped into the battle! We were doing just fine until you…"

"Oh yes, you were doing great!" Sanzo countered, stepping closer to her, his eyes piercing into her. "If we hadn't shown up, you'd have been killed."

"So? Why would you care, you heartless monk!" Sephira screamed, the storm in her blue eyes clashing with the torrent in his violet ones. "You've never cared about what's happened to me!"

"I don't, you baka! You keep getting in my way!" Sanzo countered. His body tensed inadvertently as he stepped even closer, not realizing how close he was to her now.

Sephira's face flushed with anger as she pushed her will to the limit. She refused to lose to this jerk. "Excuse me, but you had a secret to! You were hunting Nara! If I'd known that, I would've had Emma POISON YOU!"

"What! You couldn't have stopped me yourself?" Sanzo's mind was in overdrive. He had to shut her up. He had to hurt her, make her feel the pain he felt right now. "But then again, you don't have any strength left in you since that day! You're still the broken bitch I found still clutching to your bottle for dear life!" Pain ripped through his cheek as the realization of what he just said came to the forefront of his mind. His mind cleared enough to notice Sephira trembling before him, hurt evident in her eyes as tears began to fall.

Her voice shook. "You damn monk. Don't you dare presume I'm that person." Her body began to shake with sobs as she turned from him.

Sanzo watched Sephira walk away from him. He knew he had gone too far, but he couldn't take it back. His mind told him not care, burying what his heart was screaming at him to do. 'She deserved it.' That excuse dismissed any argument his heart had as he turned from the shocked stares he was receiving.

Silence fell once more since the onlookers were still too deep in shock at what they'd just witnessed to speak. Clearing her throat, Kanzeon did her best to break the uncomfortable silence. "Nataku's trial will be held tomorrow at noon. For the time being, you will stay here. I have taken the liberty of having rooms prepared for you, so if you would like, you may get some rest."

Emma stood, feeling as if this was her place. "Thank you, um…"

"Oh! How thoughtless of me." Kanzeon gasped. "I am Kanzeon Bosatsu, the Merciful Goddess."

"Yes, thank you for your hospitality, Kanzeon Bosatsu-san." Emma finished, bowing politely.

"Jiroushin, please show our guests to their rooms." Kanzeon ordered as the small group stood. "One more thing, you are not aloud to leave this place. You may go anywhere within the palace walls, but no where else."

Small nods and acknowledgements followed her words as they exited with Jiroushin. Timidly, Goku approached her once more. He kept his eyes down, his face betraying his feelings. "Where…um...where did they take her?"

Kanzeon smiled slightly at the determination Goku had. She leaned closer to him, whispering silently by his ear. "She is in the lower levels. There will be guards posted by her door until the trial, but they do change at midnight." Goku took the information in silence as he turned to follow the path Hakkai had taken out of the room.

Kanzeon watched him leave with a sad gaze. "Nothing's changed…even after 500 years, he's still determined to be with you." The sun had now shifted, leaving shadows behind in its stead. Kanzeon walked to her window as a slight breeze blew by. "Captain Sam."

Sam, who had been standing silently in the corner this whole time, approached, bowing low. "Kanzeon Bosatsu-sama, I can explain..."

"Captain, I am beginning to see why you went against regulation and brought them here."

Sam straightened up, eyes fixed on the Merciful Goddess. "Ma'am?"

Kanzeon sat gracefully on the windowsill, listening to the birds outside. "I bet you're wondering why such people are with the prince. First, the woman who could be mistaken for your fallen mistress. Next, the man who loved her. Of course, accompanying them is the reputed Kenren-Taishio, Tenpo-Gensui, and heaven's most dangerous criminal, Son Goku. Yes, I am beginning to see why."

"I'm not sure I follow, milady." Sam said. "I know of who you speak, but all of them, excluding the hypocrite Son Goku, are dead. Most on the day when Nataku-sama hid within himself."

Kanzeon laughed. Yes, they were the ones, but there was one more left. "Tell me, Sam, do remember the great seer Lady Amelia?"

"Yes." Memories flooded Sam's mind at the mention of this name. "She was the greatest of her kind; honest, polite, never prejudice to those whom she advised. Politics were usually swayed by her advice, though she never used it to her advantage. And yet… she always seemed so sad."

"Do you know remember what happened to her?"

Sam sighed as that memory too came back to him. "Only what people said. It was that day when the Sakuras were blue. They were blue for almost a month after the tragedy. Nataku had shut himself away as Goku was locked in the Mortal Realm. Several people went in search of her, needing advice, but she could not be found. Some say she faded away, others, that she became a Sakura herself. But those are just rumors. No one really knows the real story."

"Yes," Kanzeon turned her deep blue eyes on him. "but even rumors have some truth."

……………………………………

"How's Sephira?"

Not long after they settled into their rooms, Emma and Hakkai met. They walked together, getting accustomed to their temporary surroundings. Soon they found a beautiful garden filled with an assortment of flowers.

"I don't know." Emma said, sitting on a stone bench by a small rose bush. "She hasn't left her room."

"I see." Hakkai said, sitting next to her. "I haven't seen Sanzo either. I guess he's fuming somewhere. Man, I've never seen him that angry."

"Me neither." Emma replied. "I haven't seen Sephira lose it like that, ever. That Sanzo really has a way of bringing out the worst in her."

"I would say that for the both of them." Hakkai grinned. "I've never seen someone get to Sanzo like she does. If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were…"

"Yeah." Emma said, smiling, picking up on the joke. She quickly looked away as their eyes met. An uncomfortable silence fell over them as they sat. Emma felt absolutely horrid for having to deceive him. Worst still was having it come out in such a manner. She knew she had to apologize, somehow. She suddenly felt very nervous. Giving her hands something to do, she picked a flower from the ground near by, twiddling with it. "Um, Hakkai?"

"Yeah?"

Emma blushed as Hakkai looked at her. Not being able to meet his gaze, she looked down at the flower in her hands. "I'm…sorry. I'm sorry for keeping this from you. It's just that…"

"It's ok, Emma." Emma looked up as Hakkai interrupted her.

"What?"

Hakkai grinned. "It's ok. You don't have to explain."

Emma looked at him disbelievingly. The need to explain becoming almost unbearable. "But…but you…I…"

"You did what you had to." Hakkai finished for her. "If one of my friends were in that situation, I would have done the same thing. You were protecting her because you care about her. That's very admirable of you, Emma."

Emma looked away as her blush deepened. "Thanks…"

"ROX! COME BACK! I SAID I WAS SORRY!!!"

Emma thanked anything that would listen for the distraction as she and Hakkai turned to see Roxanne and Goyjo across the garden.

"It seems Roxanne's mad at him." Hakkai commented with a laugh.

"No, she's not." Hakkai turned his attention back to Emma, who was grinning evilly. "She's just trying to make him feel bad about being such a jerk before." Hakkai turned back to his friend to see him try to make Roxanne forgive him, only to be blown off. "I think it worked."

"Do you think she'll forgive him?" Hakkai asked as the two spatting lovers left their sight.

Emma giggled as they left. "Eventually."

…………………………………..

A Sakura stood proudly as the wind blew through it. Under its branches, many a person would sit and talk to it. This Sakura knew secrets no other knew. Secrets of passion and betrayal. But the one who now sat under its branches held something this Sakura had never seen before. Sephira sat, curled up against the tall Sakura. She had noticed its beauty from her window, and now sat underneath its calming buds. The tears that had stung her face only moments before had finally begun to settle into quiet sobs. The only thing that wouldn't settle was the pain her heart felt. Sanzo's words had cut her deeply, opening old wounds while inflicting new ones.

Why? Why had his words hurt her so much. If it had been any other person, she would have been able to shake it off. But no, it was that damn monk. Whenever he said something about her, it stuck. She couldn't shake it. Her heart broke as he berated her with his words. They both held a secret, they both betrayed each other. Betrayal…was that what she had done? Had she betrayed him? New tears welled up in her eyes. Yes, she betrayed him, but why did this one thought bear more pain then all the others. He was just a stupid, cranky, pushy, monk! There were so many other things to be worried about at this moment. Like Nara being captured, or how they were going to get out of this mess. But no, the only thing her heart would let her do was cry over that damnable monk. Damn him! Damn him for doing this to me! Damn him for…for making me feel this way! Sephira buried her face against the trunk of the Sakura as her tear fell anew. The setting sun fell behind the horizon casting shadows across her trembling form. Damn him…

………………………………………

The halls were silent as darkness took control. Everyone in the house was asleep, supposedly anyway. Somewhere, a clock struck the hour. Midnight. The time when mischief awoke. Goku crouched behind the corner waiting for the guards to pass. Kanzeon Bosatsu had told him that they change at midnight. If he was going to see her, this was his only chance. He looked around the dark corner in time to see the guards leave. He knew he only had a matter a seconds before the new guards took their posts. Running with the shadows of the night, he snuck down the hall, stopping at the door to where they were keeping Nara. He tried the handle and, to his relief, it turned. Opening the door just enough, he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

The room was small. The four walls held nothing, not even a window. A small candle sitting on a table was the only light, but it was enough. By the far wall was a bed holding a small figure. Goku knew it had to be her. Something clenched inside him as he gazed upon Nara's sleeping form. Quietly, he sat on the side of the bed, observing her peaceful expression as she slept. Her hair fell lightly across her face, covering the small diamond on her forehead. A new pain clawed at his heart. "You did this for me? Why?" Goku whispered to her sleeping form, not expecting an answer. Suddenly, her words from a few days ago rang clear in his mind.

"Have you ever felt like you've known a person longer than you actually have?"

"Is this what you meant? Did you know me before?" Goku sat watching her in silence for several moments, just listening to her breath. His heart ached as he watched her. His arms wanted to hold her as she slept, to comfort her, but he contented himself with just looking. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. Afraid that it would wake her, he decided it was time for him to go. He could easily slip past the guards if he wanted to. Taking one last long look at her, he stood. Before he could leave, a tug at his sleeve stopped him. Goku looked down at Nara, who held his sleeve captive.

Her golden eyes gazed up at him, almost as if hoping this wasn't a dream. "Don't leave me." Goku sat back down, meeting Nara's tired eyes. She sat up, leaning against the wall behind her. "You came to see me."

Goku smiled at the joy in her voice. "I couldn't not come see you." Goku looked down at his hands. "They say you broke a pretty big rule. Is that true?"

"Yes." Nara said, her eyes taking in his expression.

Goku looked back at her, his eyes serious. "Was it worth it?"

For the first time since they arrived, Nara broke. "Yes. I missed you so much. I had to see you, just once more." A tear fell from her clear eyes, burning a trail down her pale face. Goku watched the tear fall onto Nara's hand. It reflected the flickering light of the candle. Reaching out, Goku took her hand gently in his, wiping the tear away.

"You know, we could break out of here. They wouldn't be able to stop us." Goku's eyes met hers once more, gold capturing gold. Nara's heart screamed for her to take him up on his offer, but her mind soon reminded her of the reality of the situation.

She squeezed Goku's hand as another tear threatened to fall. "No. I can't. I've put the others in too much danger as is. If I go now, they might be killed. Even if I was with you, I couldn't live with that." Nara felt her resolve wane again as Goku brushed another tear from her eye. His hands were so warm, she didn't want to lose that feeling. She leaned her face into his hand, keeping as much of that warmth as she could. "I got my wish. I got to see you. That alone will give me the strength to get through whatever they do to me."

Goku watched as she closed her eyes, capturing his hand within hers, keeping his pressed against her face. It took all he had not to take her from this place, but something told him he had to honor her words. "You're very selfish you know." His eyes caught hers as they flew open, staring at him in shock. "You're going to go through this without even considering how the others…how I would feel…living without you."

Nara couldn't believe her ears. Her heart leapt as new tears threatened to fall. "Goku, I…"

"Shh…" Goku put his fingers to her lips. In the dying candle light, they fell into each other's eyes, both drowning in the others.

Nara's heart ached for his touch. If tomorrow was her last day, she wanted to spend her last night with him. "Goku, stay with me tonight?" Goku nodded, not wanting to think about what would happen in the morning. Taking her into his arms, they laid down. Nara snuggled closer to him. She felt safe lying there with him, in the warmth he offered. Silently, the lay together drifting into a peaceful sleep. Though the dawn held their fate, tonight was theirs alone.

End ch. 12

Sai Orlianna: There you go. Hope you loved it. Again, please R&R. I will try and get the next one out soon. Next time: the Trial!

Ja for now!