Chapter 2

"Who do you think she is?" Hakkai asked Sanzo the next morning.

The pair had woken up before the others and were currently sitting crossed legged on the bed watching the purple-haired girl and Goku sleep. They were wrapped completely around each other and sleeping deeply.

"She must be a healer since we're not dead." Sanzo replied irritably before taking a deep drag on his cigarette.

Hakkai smiled, "We're as far from dead as we can get. I can't find so much as a single scratch anywhere."

"Look, they're waking up. Now you can ask her questions instead of bothering me." Sanzo said as the pair on the floor stirred. He watched with interest as Goku opened his eyes slowly. They were blurred with sleep and he closed them again and nuzzled closer to the girl. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open and he jumped out of the bed.

"What the hell? Why is there a girl in my bed?" he yelled.

The girl's eyes snapped open at his abrupt departure and she sat up quickly, looking around in confusion for a moment. The moment was all Sanzo needed to recognize her limiter and point his banishing gun at her head.

Gojyo sat up quickly and looked around, taking in the scene, before leaning against the wall to watch it play out.

"Who are you?" Sanzo demanded.

"A friend. If you would kindly lower your weapon, I will explain." she replied with no fear in her eyes.

"You do know what this is, don't you?" Sanzo asked.

She raised one slim eyebrow, "A banishing gun. If you would?"

"No. You will explain yourself now." He fired a shot just to the side to make his point.

Iyame's eyes narrowed dangerously and before anyone could react she had hit Sanzo with a dart of energy. The gun fell from his useless fingers and his eyes widened as he realized what she had done.

"Sanzo!" Goku cried and ran to his sun.

"Don't touch me, monkey." he growled.

Goku stopped and turned towards the girl. "Iyame! What did you do to him?"

She smiled, "You remember my name."

Goku blinked at her for a moment while he went over what he had just said. "How do I know you? Wait, what did you do to Sanzo? Can you undo it?"

"I paralyzed him. I will remove it when he agrees to behave as befitting a gentleman and a priest. I will explain everything to you, Goku. Any explanations to them are at my discretion and I will not do so at gun point."

Goku looked at Sanzo and saw the fury in his eyes. He returned his gaze to the girl, "Iyame, please undo it. He's only going to get madder if you try to make him promise."

She sighed. "As you wish, Goku." She reached over and tossed the gun to Gojyo, "Please don't give that back to him right away."

Iyame stood and stepped over to Sanzo. Her brow furrowed and she leaned forward to inhale deeply at the juncture of his neck and shoulder.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, desperately wishing he could move away from the youkai currently invading his space.

When she stood straight she smiled softly at him and ran her knuckles down his cheek before speaking. "I'm glad you survived, Kazuki. I had suspected it was you." Her look turned business like, "Now, don't make me harm you after I worked so hard to bring you back to life last night and before we have a chance to catch up." she told him as she placed her hand on the back of his neck for a moment. It glowed for a moment and then Sanzo was standing and had a tight grip on her throat, while she had an equally tight grip on his wrist.

"Sanzo! Stop it! Let her go." Goku cried as he tugged on the priest's arm.

Sanzo's harisen came out of nowhere and thumped Goku on the head repeatedly until he released his arm.

"Perhaps, we should give her a chance to explain, Sanzo." Hakkai said in his quiet way. "I remember a terrible pain in my chest and then nothing. What about you?" he asked.

Gojyo finally spoke up, "Both of you were dead last night. The youkai put a staff through your hearts. She brought you back to life and then went to Goku while he was in his other form. He didn't try to harm her. She spoke with Merciful Goddess and the Goddess told her that next time Goku broke his limiter, Iyame could fix it now that her powers were unlocked. You should probably put her down, Sanzo. She's indulging you."

Sanzo looked at Iyame, "Is that true?"

She gave a short nod and a pointed squeeze. He narrowed his eyes but released her after a moment. She gave him a disgusted look and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Ungrateful brat." before turning on her heel and stalking out of the cottage.

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Goku looked from Sanzo to her retreating back several times before frowning and following her. He caught up with her and walked by her side quietly. For a long time she gave no indication that she knew he was there, but then she reached over and twined her fingers with his.

He almost stopped walking at the sensation that came over him from her touch. It was as comforting as coming home, as exciting as fighting a skilled opponent, as filling as the best meal, and as familiar as his own name. Speaking of names . . . .

"Why do I know your name?" he asked curiously.

"I am you mate, your wife." she replied quietly.

Goku's eyes widened in surprise and he tugged her to a stop. "My wife? How can I be married? Sanzo found me when I was a child; I wasn't old enough to be married."

"You are different, as am I. Ones such as us have mates chosen at birth who balance us or our power would be too much. We are linked on a fundamental level; it's in our blood and bones. We grew as close as two people could. We played together, lived together, and learned many things together. We were both taken before the Merciful Goddess – you as a heretic and me as a pet." She looked down at their clasped hands, "It is partly my fault that you were imprisoned. I was away, training with my Master, when it happened. We underestimated how close we were and I was gone for too long. It affected us badly and you lost control. Had I been there, it probably would not have happened at all."

"You know what I did?" he asked with a mix of dread and curiosity.

"Yes, but I am forbidden to communicate it in any way." she replied.

"Oh. Was it really horrible?"

"You were trying to protect a friend."

"But that's not so bad." he said.

"The method got out of hand. Your intentions were pure." she replied softly.

"How are you the same age as I am?" he asked curiously.

"When you were imprisoned I prayed and prayed that we would be reunited when you needed me the most. My grief of being away from you was such that any plant I passed would wither and die and people got sick just being in the same room as me. It was overwhelming and I could do nothing to stop it or control it. I was lost without you, who had always been there for me. I had failed you and you were suffering for it. One day, Merciful Goddess came over and told me that we would be together again. She locked much of my power so that I could not destroy heaven and earth with my grief and told me that I would stop aging when I reached the age I needed to be when I found you again. She told me to learn as much as I could because I was going to be on my own for a very long time. She was right."

"If I meant so much to you, why didn't you look for me?" Goku asked in a pained voice.

Her eyes locked with his, "I did! I have been searching for you for nearly five hundred years. I do not think I was permitted to find you until now because I could not sense you clearly until a few days ago. Once I could, we moved as quickly as possible towards you. I have been all over Shangri La searching for you. Never doubt that I will always be by your side and want to stay there. Perhaps it is because it is time for the Pancha Mahabhuta to reunite."

"The what?"

"Pancha Mahabhuta: the five great elements. Something terrible has happened, perhaps we are meant to stop it and that is why all of us are together again."

"Again?"

"Yes. We knew the other three in one of their previous incarnations. You became friends with them and introduced us to each other. We became a sort of family."

"We're on our way to fix the minus wave that made all the youkai go crazy." he offered, pleased that he had known and loved his family before.

She nodded, "That would probably explain it then."

He nodded, "We should get back."

"As you wish." she said reluctantly as she followed him back towards the cottage.

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When they got back they found Hakkai gathering ingredients for breakfast. Iyame shooed him away and took over the cooking. Soon some truly delicious smells were coming from the kitchen and everyone's stomachs started growling appreciatively. She set filled plates in front of each of them, starting with Goku, then took a seat at the table next to him and began to eat without a word to anyone.

"Iyame, thank you for bringing me back last night. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness please let me know."

"Keep him from pointing that annoying thing at me and I will consider us even." she replied quietly without looking up.

Everyone heard the click of the gun being cocked and looked at Sanzo, who once again had the gun out and pointed in Iyame's direction.

"You are a very slow learner, aren't you Kazuki? My answer is as before." she returned to her bowl and continued eating.

"Who are you?" Sanzo demanded.

She ignored him and continued to eat her breakfast.

"Sanzo, just put the damn gun away, okay? She said she would answer your questions if you weren't pointing it at her." Goku cried.

"Shut up, monkey."

"Take your own advice, blasphemous one." she snapped. "I know you were raised better than that."

Sanzo stared at her in surprised silence.

Gojyo chuckled, "Why won't you just answer the question, Iyame?"

"I saved his life last night; the least he can do is speak to me without trying to threaten me." Iyame replied.

"Trying?" Sanzo asked with a dangerous edge to his voice.

She sat back and crossed her arms. "Yes, trying. You have no idea who I am or what I can do. Your attempt to frighten me is a waste of time. I am no youkai, priest."

Sanzo studied her thoughtfully for several tense moments before uncocking the gun and placing it gently on the table. He left his hand resting on top of it and leaned back in his seat. "I'm listening."

"My name is Son Iyame. I am Goku's mate." she said calmly.

"Titles?" Sanzo asked, covering his surprise with a glare.

"Yochi Taisei, Byyako." Iyame replied.

"Great Sage, Equal to Earth?" Hakkai asked.

"White Tiger of the West?" Gojyo asked.

"Yes. Goku and I are balance, ying and yang, equals and opposites in all things, and can draw on each others talents when we wish. I am the air to his earth and the water to his fire."

"Why are you just showing up now?" Sanzo asked.

"I have been looking for him for 500 years and was only able to sense his location within the last few days. I prayed to Merciful Goddess to allow me to find him when he needed me the most and that is why I am here now." Iyame explained.

"He needed you the most now? What about the other time he went berserk?" Gojyo asked.

"I do not know. All I know is that two of his family were dead when I got here and it appeared he needed my help quite a lot."

"So, would it be that Goku is equal to you as heaven rather than equal to heaven as a place?" Hakkai asked curiously.

"Both." came the quiet reply.

"Why didn't he try to kill you when he was in his other form?" Sanzo asked.

"I am his mate and he knows me, even if his conscious mind does not remember."

Gojyo raised a brow, "If his greeting was anything to go by, he certainly knew who you were."

Sanzo and Hakkai looked at him questioningly.

He shrugged, "How would you greet your mate if you hadn't seen her in 500 years and were a hormonal teenager?"

Goku's eyes widened, "What do you mean?"

"I'd be happy to give you a demonstration, if the lady consents?"

"She does not. It is getting late, should we not get on the road?" Iyame replied primly.

"We?" Sanzo asked darkly.

"Yes. Merciful Goddess told me to make sure you get where she sent you."

"There is no room for you in the jeep. You are not coming."

Iyame scoffed, "As if you could stop me. I do not need a ride from you. I have been making my own way just fine for a long time."

"Iyame, may I ask why you keep calling Sanzo 'Kazuki'?" Hakkai inquired politely.

Sanzo's eyes snapped over to him before he returned his gaze to Iyame.

"That is the name I knew him by when he was a baby."

Sanzo's jaw clenched and the vein on his forehead started pounding as the others looked back and forth between them.

Goku finally worked up the nerve to ask, "You knew Sanzo before he lived at the temple?"

"I helped bring him into this world."

Round eyes from all but Sanzo greeted this statement. He glared darkly at her and she smiled back at him.

"You will find it difficult to intimidate someone who changed your diaper and walked you to sleep as many times as I have."

He growled and looked away from her, his internal conflict poorly masked for a moment.

"If you have any questions you may ask any time you wish." she said before standing and clearing the table. Goku stayed at the table for a moment before following her into the kitchen.

"Thank you for breakfast, Iyame." he said shyly. "It had some of my favorite things."

She smiled over at him, "I had hoped they were still your favorites."

"Can I help you clean up?" he asked uncertainly.

She tossed him a towel and he grinned at her. Once the dishes were done and the food packed up they left the kitchen to collect everything from the bedroom.

The three men were still sitting at the table and watched the couple as they moved around the cottage.

"You know, he's been very quiet this morning." Hakkai said to Sanzo.

Sanzo narrowed his eyes, "He does seem to enjoy following her around, and hasn't gotten into a single argument with Gojyo yet this morning. It's been rather peaceful all things considered."

"She can sit in the backseat with me anytime." Gojyo said cheerfully.

"She is an accomplished healer, Sanzo." Hakkai said quietly.

"Iyame." Sanzo called.

She walked into the dining area and stopped just inside the doorway, Goku on her heels. "Yes?" she inquired politely.

"I would like you to join our party." Sanzo said as if he were bestowing a great gift.

She tilted her head and raised one brow, "Is that so?"

"It is. There is enough room in the jeep for you and your belongings as long as you pack light."

"That is a very kind offer." she replied noncommittally.

Goku whooped and started dragging stuff outside. She turned and followed.

"She didn't seem very enthusiastic, did she?" Gojyo asked.

"No. She didn't agree or disagree either." Hakkai mused.

"She's coming to keep the monkey entertained and out of our hair and to heal us when we need it. That's all." Sanzo snapped.

Goku stopped abruptly by the window as he heard Sanzo's comment, and Iyame ran into him.

"Sorry." she said as he turned around. She caught the hurt look on his face and caught one of his hands in hers, "What is wrong?"

He glanced at the window and back at her without saying anything.

"He is an angry person, Goku. Do not take what he says to heart." she told him kindly. "Would you like to ride with me today?"

"Ride with you?" he asked, golden eyes shining with curiosity. "How have you been getting around?"

She smiled mischievously, "You will see."

He returned her smile before going back into the cottage.

"Have we got everything?" Hakkai asked as he gave the room a final looking over.

"Yes." Goku confirmed.

"Let's go." Sanzo said.

Gojyo slung an arm around Iyame's shoulders, "You can sit next to me, pretty lady."

"That is a very kind offer, but I have my own transportation." Iyame replied.

He looked around curiously but didn't see anything. "What transportation?"

Iyame let out a piercing whistle and the group heard a rustle in the bushes. A moment later two giant Maltese tigers walked into the clearing and right up to Iyame. The tigers were so tall that the men only came up to their shoulders. Their eyes were a clear blue and they had well defined black stripes across their heads and backs. Their faces had bluish purple fur between the stripes that was very beautiful. Their bodies had a combination of bluish purple and white between the stripes, with less white on their backs and sides and more on their stomachs.

"Virya, Dana, these are our new friends." She indicated to each member of the party to come up so the tigers could learn their scent and introduced them by name. She saved Goku for last.

"This is our Goku." The two tigers sniffed him especially close and Virya gave him an apprising look before nudging him hard enough to knock him over.

"Virya! That was not very nice. Get to know him before you start trying to push him around." she admonished as she pulled Goku back to his feet. "I am sorry. They are like parents to me. He was just trying to decide if you are acceptable." She turned back towards the tiger, "It is too late, Virya. That ship sailed a very long time ago."

He nuzzled her shoulder gently before lying down next to Dana, ready to be loaded up and head out for the day. Iyame showed Goku how to strap on Dana's harness so she could carry the supplies.

"Can I pet her?" Goku asked.

"You should ask her, not me." Iyame replied cheerfully.

He turned towards the tiger and shyly asked, "Can I pet you?"

She regarded him imperiously for a moment before stretching her head forward so he could scratch behind her ear. Goku tried a couple different places and she started to purr, loudly. He looked at Iyame in alarm but she just smiled.

"She likes you." She turned her attention to the other men, "Are you going to stand there all day or are we going to head out?"

They climbed in the jeep and Hakkai started the engine. Goku walked over to Sanzo, "I'm going to ride with Iyame today." he said happily.

"I don't care." came the indifferent reply.

Iyame watched this with narrowed eyes while leaning against Virya's neck. "You can push him around all you want." she said quietly to the tiger. He cocked his head and considered the bright one.

Goku's shoulders slumped but he tried to find a smile as he walked back towards Iyame. "Ready?" he asked brightly.

"I am. Do you want to ride in the front or back?" she asked him.

"I'm taller than you, so I should ride behind you so you can see where we're going too." he replied.

"Very well. Watch closely." She showed him how to get onto the tiger's back without pulling on his fur too hard.

Once she was on, Goku swung up behind her but was unsure what to do next to keep from falling off. She turned around and saw his expression.

"Silly monkey, come here." she said affectionately as she reached back and tugged his hand until he had scooted up against her. He sat stiffly as she placed his hand on her stomach and reached back to do the same with the other. He could feel the weight of her bust on top of his arms.

"What are you doing?" he squeaked.

"Making sure you do not fall off." she kept one hand on top of his and buried her other in Virya's fur. "Shall we?"

The two tigers stood up and followed the jeep as it pulled away. Once they hit the open road Hakkai slowly sped up and watched the tigers to make sure they were keeping up. "It looks like we won't lose any time during travel." he said cheerfully to Sanzo once they were up to their usual travel speed.

"Marvelous." came the dry response.