Heh, so how long exactly has it been? Too long, yes. Much too long. I can't even begin to justify how long it's been without sounding like a jerk. But finally, here is chapter 6. It's probably not the most exciting chapter ever, but it really sets up the rest of the story. Please, if you still care about/remember this story, I'd love feedback. Enjoy and R&R and also much love!

As desperately as he needed it, sleep would not come for Goku. Instead, he lay wide-awake, the warmth from his lover keeping him calm as he absent-mindedly ran his fingers through his blonde hair. Sanzo had fallen into a deep slumber not long after the two had made love, something that Goku knew was long overdue. Goku sighed softly, reveling in how comfortable he was, but thoughts of vengeance still hung in the forefront of his thoughts.

Jiao-long would die by his hand, that much Goku was sure of. He just wasn't quite sure how he was going to go about it. He could either wait for the boy to make another move, or he could reverse things and hunt him down instead. As appealing as going on the offensive was, the fact remained that Goku really had no idea where Jiao-long was. Even still…Goku looked at the sleeping form beside him. Sanzo couldn't know, and if Goku waited for Jiao-long to make a move, he risked his lover finding out. I guess I really don't have a choice. He wrapped his arms around Sanzo's waist and buried his head in the crook of his neck. He would start his search tomorrow.

"Did you sleep well?" It took Goku a few seconds to realize that the question had been directed at him from the man sitting across the table. Sanzo had a look that was half worry, half annoyance across him face. He'd been looking at Goku like that since the brunette had stumbled down to breakfast much later than usual.

"You usually don't sleep in this late." Goku shrugged, hoping to end the conversation quickly.

"Maybe I was havin' a good dream."

"Were you?" Looking up, Goku knew this wasn't something he'd be able to shove to the side and decided to take the defense.

"I don't remember." The blonde narrowed his eyes, not at all amused by his lover's antics.

"Could you try?"

"No."

"Goku…" Sanzo switched tactics, lowering his voice and softening his gaze a little.

"Mind your own fuckin' business," Goku hissed before standing to leave, half his meal still on his plate.

His strides were long and fast as he made his way outside. At first, he was headed towards the peach tree, but changed course at the last minute; that would be the first place Sanzo looked for him. Instead, he headed for the small thicket that grew to the far north of the temple. It had been a very long time since Goku had visited it and quickly scrambled up the closest tree. He was already lost in his thoughts; he certainly did not need to get lost in the woods too.

Drawing his knees up to his chest, he reflected back on the verbal skirmish he'd had with Sanzo. It was the first time in a long time that he could remember snapping at his lover like that. It sent a stabbing sensation through his upper body, knowing that he'd been such an ass. But it was impossible to deal with how caring Sanzo was being, because if he was caring, then he wanted to know what was wrong, and if Goku told him what was wrong, well, Goku could only guess the consequences. And none of them were good. Sanzo could end up angry, ashamed, disgusted, annoyed... The list inside Goku's head continued for as long as he could think.

And the worst part was that he was placing Jiao-long about Sanzo; he was more concerned with revenge than he was about how it was affected the most important person in his life. And it didn't look like that would change anytime soon.

A twig snapped and Goku was brought out of his dark musings. Before he looked down, he knew it could only be one of two people.

It was Jiao-long.

"Hello up there, Son Goku!" the boy greeted in an almost polite manner, as if they were old acquaintances.

"You," Goku snarled as he felt his fingers sink into the soft bark of the tree.

"Did you miss me? Did you miss all the fun we had together? Why don't you come down from there and we can…catch up?"

"I have absolutely nothin' to say to you. Go the fuck back to wherever you came from or I swear I'll—"

"You'll what? Kill me?" Jiao-long threw his head back and laughed. Goku cringed, remembering how often he'd hear that same cackle; it was always after he'd been attacked.

"I will. I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore." Taking a step closer to the tree, Jiao-long stared up at the brunette, seeming to examine Goku and his threat. He looks different, Goku said to himself, noticing that somehow, Jiao-long now looked less like a child and more like something else. It took a moment for Goku to place it, but eventually he knew what the boy was beginning to look exactly like: the demons Goku had once fought.

"Ah well. I'd love to stay and talk, but if you won't be nice, I'll go attend to other business." Jiao-long turned on his heel and quickly made his way deep into the woods.

Goku wanted to follow him, wanted to rip the smirking head off the corrupted body, but the all too familiar presence of his lover stopped his muscles from moving. That's why he fled. Obviously, the boy had not forgotten about the wound that had been inflicted upon him by the priest.

"There you are," Sanzo breathed heavily, showing evidence that he'd been looking for the brunette for some time.

"Here I am," Goku repeated, not sure what else to say. Seeing the blonde so exasperated and know it was his fault sent another round of sharp pangs through his chest. There was nothing more he wanted to do in that moment than fling himself out of the tree and into Sanzo's arms. But doing that would break down the "everything is fine" façade he'd spent so long conjuring.

"Come down from there?" Even as he asked the question, Goku could see that he was judging the distance between the ground and where he was sitting in the tree; he would come after him if necessary.

"Fine." Easily sliding down from branch to branch, Goku soon found himself within arm's reach of his lover. He could smell sweat. Sanzo really had been searching for him.

"Please. What exactly is going on? Something isn't right Goku, please tell me." Sanzo reached out, letting his fingers brush down Goku's arm.

Shivering at the touch, Goku let his head drop. "I can't. I can't tell you." He had said it; he had admitted guilt, even if it was only a small part. Without looking up, he could hear Sanzo sigh loudly and move away, his footsteps almost a stomp.

"Dammit Goku. How is this happening? What did I do wrong?" Goku raised his head, trying to focus on Sanzo through his tear-blurred eyes.

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"Goku, I don't understand. When I don't pay attention, something awful happens. Now, something awful has happened and I'm trying to listen but you won't talk to me! I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't, aren't I?"

The pain in Goku's heart was like nothing he'd felt before; Sanzo was right. For so long, all Goku wanted was for Sanzo to show that he cared, and now that he did, he was pushed away for it. Please don't let this be happening.

He was seconds away from pulling Sanzo into his arms when the smell of fire stung his nose.

"The temple!"