Title: The Realm Below

Author/Artist: Shirahime
Pairing: Konzen & Goku
Fandom: Saiyuki

Rating: PG
Theme: #8-Our own world

Word count: 580
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Saiyuki Gaiden and I'm not making any money from them.

The grass felt good beneath Goku's bare feet as he ran along the river's edge. He felt so light without chains to bind him. Coming upon a large puddle, he jumped into it, the displaced water spraying noisily.

"Must you always make a mess?" a familiar voice asked from behind him. Goku turned to see Konzen, his arms folded across his chest. Though the words that he'd spoken seemed irritated, his expression did not. Goku even fancied that he could see mild amusement dancing in violet eyes.

"Isn't it great, Konzen?" Goku asked as he bounded toward the god. "I told you that it was pretty down here. Do you like it?"

"It's alright," he answered as he absently looked up at the trees whose branches shifted in the wind. "You kept bugging me to come down here, so I had to see what was so special about it."

Goku fisted the god's garment in both hands, gazing up at his keeper in a plea. "So can we stay here for a while, just the two of us?"

Konzen looked as though he were considering it before answering, "I don't see why not," which caused his young charge to cheer.

Goku laughed as the god reached down to ruffle his dark hair. He watched over the god's shoulder as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds that had momentarily hidden it, its light streaming through the leaves of the trees above. Its rays filtered through Konzen's golden locks, suffusing them with a soft glow. They glinted off of his golden jewelry and illuminated his pale clothing. The picture as Goku gazed upward with wide eyes was of ethereal beauty, a sight that was never intended for the world below.

"So beautiful," Goku murmured softly, but not so softly that Konzen didn't hear.

A faint smile appeared on sculpted features. "Am I?" he asked, sinking to one knee in front of Goku so that they were at eye level.

Goku blushed, "What I meant was… it's almost like you shouldn't be down here, not with me…" He trailed off as a hand moved to cup the side of his face.

Konzen wore an expression that Goku had never seen, but had always hoped to. "I'm a god, so I can go wherever I please. And the only place that you belong is at my side."

Golden eyes glittered as violet loomed closer. Goku drew in a deep breath, watching golden lashes flutter as eyelids fell shut, the hand that had stroked Goku's cheek slipping behind him to draw him closer…

The sensation of a pillow smacking him in the head woke Goku from his slumber. He gazed up sleepily into the annoyed face of his keeper.

"Konzen?" Goku asked, wondering how it was that they were back in the god's rooms in Heaven, and wondering if he were to fall asleep again, would he drift back into the dream he had just been roused from.

Konzen frowned. "Who else would it be? You were sleeping like the rock that you were born from. It's time for breakfast, and I don't feel like missing it."

At the mention of food, Goku suddenly emerged from the lethargy of recent sleep, leaping from the bed to the floor besideo the god. "What are you waiting for?" Goku asked as he tugged on Konzen's garment. "Let's go!"

The god sighed, muttering "I was waiting for you," before turning to lead the way.

End