"I'll be right over there," Chi-Chi pointed as she sent Goku on his way to fetch them something to drink. She waited until his back was turned for a full five seconds before slapping her hands against her cheeks and dropping to a crouch on the ground.

What. Was. That?!

Had he…had he'd been about to do what she thought he was about to do? Had he'd been about to kiss her?! What was wrong with her?! Why hadn't she let him?!

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Chi-Chi cursed, knocking herself in the head with her fists.

She had been able to feel his breath on her face, he'd been so close, and yet instead of kissing him senseless she asked him to fetch her something to drink! A drink!

"I'm an idiot," Chi-Chi sniffled, feeling close to tears.

Even if he hadn't been about to lay one on her, she still couldn't take the chance. Not here in front of all these people. Not when the one thing her Papa ever asked of her was to keep from making a scene while she was out amongst the people. He'd been working so hard to improve his reputation that Chi-Chi didn't want to burden him by making things worse.

Still...even if she didn't have her and her father's reputations to consider…Chi-Chi still would have probably pulled away. If only because she wanted their first kiss to be private. Wanted to be able to dig her fingers into that fluffy black hair of his and take his breath away.

She couldn't do that with a crowd.

Well she could…but it wouldn't be proper.

Chi-Chi wiped the tears from her eyes and made her way to the bench she had promised to wait for Goku at. It was already pretty crowded but there was one seat available and she had barely just managed to sit down when a deep, gruff voice greeted her warmly.

"So we meet again."

Startled, Chi-Chi spun in her seat only to be greeted by Hou Yi smiling down at her.

"Oh! Hello again," she greeted, as he leaned against the bench beside her. "What brings you to Shuilong?"

"The same as you I imagine. Enjoying the festivities."

"I do love the Star Festival," she agreed, smiling as she looked around. And to experience it with Goku? Chi-Chi sighed and placed a hand on her cheek. She would cherish this day forever. "It was lucky that we happened to arrive here when we did."

"Oh? Is there something else that brings you to Shuilong instead?"

"Hm? Something else? Oh…um…" Chi-Chi blushed. It was one thing to talk about undertaking the journey with Goku, she'd always known he would understand, but it was another thing entirely to tell anyone else. Most people tended to dismiss the stories as nothing but fairytales or make believe. Would Hou Yi think her ridiculous like the granny back in Kaishi? Or would he be like her mother's old friend, Jiyuu?

Unfortunately she didn't have a ready excuse to offer him, so she decided to risk the truth.

"We're looking for the temple of Qinglong if it exists. It's supposed to be somewhere around here."

"Oh it exists, alright," Hou Yi grunted, leaning back. "Though I do not recommend you go looking for it unless you are prepared."

Chi-Chi couldn't believe it. Not only had he not dismissed her but he knew enough about Qinglong to warn her?

"Prepared for what?"

"To have a hundred years pass you by."

"What?" Chi-Chi gasped. He couldn't be serious! And yet Hou Yi didn't so much as crack a smile. She stared stunned, waiting for an explanation that he was all too happy to give as he leaned in closer to keep from being overheard.

"Qinglong awaits her challengers at the bottom of the nearby sea trench. But only those who travel in hand with a Great Clam pearl can traverse the return distance with no ill effects."

"I-Ill effects?"

He leaned closer. "Without it you will return to the surface and find a hundred years have since passed while you have yet to age a single day."

"But…" Chi-Chi gulped, "But if I have a pearl, I can go and come back to the same year?"

"To the same day."

"Really? Is that really true?"

Hou Yi nodded solemnly. "It is."

"How did you ever learn this?" She had never heard of such a thing before. Surely if Jiyuu had known he would have warned her!

Hou Yi took her hand in one of his and raised the other in an oath. "I swear on my honor it is. I could not let such a beautiful woman suffer such a cruel fate as I."

"As yo—" Chi-Chi's eyes widened. "You? Ya mean you're over a hundred years old?"

He smiled and pressed her hand between both of his. "Just a bit."

"But…but that means…everyone you ever knew…" She slapped her hands across her mouth, realizing she had touched what must be an uncomfortable subject, especially if the look in Hou Yi's eyes meant anything, but he was kind and simply smiled at her sadly.

"They have long since gone, tis true. Which is why I wander, no longer tethered to a home."

"Oh that's just awful," Chi-Chi murmured, feeling pain on his behalf. She couldn't imagine disappearing for a day only to return and have everything she'd ever known stripped from her. And he had saved her from that fate! "I know it can't replace what you've lost but you're welcome to stay in my father's kingdom and be among friends. We have our own tall tales, so you wouldn't be outta place should you feel up to sharing your past."

"It is kind of you to offer my dear. I may take you up on that."

Chi-Chi smiled. "I have to warn you though, my father's a bit of a history buff. I know he'd love to grill you about the past if you were ever willing."

"It would be my pleasure, so long as I could be graced with your company," Hou Yi raised his brow suggestively but Chi-Chi didn't know what for. It was a good hostess duty to make sure her guests were comfortable.

"Of course," she promised as her thoughts drifted back to why she'd invited him to her home in the first place.

A hundred years. She couldn't afford to lose a hundred years. Her father would be long dead by the time she got back and she couldn't do that to him or to herself. She didn't want to lose the only parent she had left. And what of Goku? He may be an orphan but she knew he had good friends. It would hurt him to lose them too, which meant they needed to find a Great Clam but where could she find one of those?

"I can see your mind turning," Hou Yi spoke up, leaning in closer to the point that Chi-Chi felt the need to scooch back an inch. She attributed it to his being raised in a different era, so decided not to say anything. "If you still desire to meet Qinglong, I can show you where the Great Clams can be found. They are not far."

"Really?" Chi-Chi looked around, examining the town. It was a nice little village but if they had such access to pearls, she wondered at them not being on display to lure tourists.

As if sensing her thoughts, he added, "The Clams are rather temperamental. They can sense those with pure or ill intentions. If you go there out of greed, you will not be coming back."

Oh. Well she supposed that was similar to Xuan Wu...but would needing a pearl to visit Qinglong be considered a pure intention? Or a bad one?

"Chi-Chi!"

Chi-Chi looked up just as Goku fell against the bench, blocking Hou Yi from view. "Here ya go Chi-Chi," he said, handing her a bottle of water. "Man, am I beat! Let's get outta here, Chi. I could use a good night's sleep." He yawned and then shot her a smirk. "Cause last night, someone was all over me."

"I was not!" Chi-Chi flushed, still embarrassed by the position she'd woken up in that morning. "It was…" Her eyes darted to Hou Yi—glaring from behind Goku—and back to the man currently antagonizing her. She yanked Goku down by his ear to whisper furiously. "Your tail got tangled all around me!"

Goku pulled away and rubbed his ear, pouting. "Aw Chi, you don't need to come up with excuses if ya wanna snuggle. We can do it again tonight if ya want."

Chi-Chi turned a darker shade of red, unable to flat out deny her desire to do just that. Luckily she hadn't forgotten they had an audience. "Would ya quit jokin' around? Can't you see Hou Yi's right behind ya?"

"Hmm?" Goku glanced over his shoulder. "Oops, sorry. Didn't see ya there. Ready to go, Chi?"

"It is a pleasure to see you again as well," Hou Yi growled.

Chi-Chi groaned, feeling a headache coming on. She hoped they both could get along long enough to find the pearls and Qinglong.

"Goku, Hou Yi has offered to show us how to reach Qinglong's temple."

"Oh really," Goku frowned. That sure seemed awfully convenient.

Hou Yi's glare darkened, looking just as pleased by the idea. "Technically that offer was just for you my dear but I understand if you desire your escort by your side."

"Escort?" Chi-Chi mumbled. What a fancy way of calling someone her companion. She supposed that was further proof that he was as old as he claimed to be.

"Husband," Goku corrected, startling them both.

Chi-Chi blushed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Yup, she was definitely feeling a headache coming on. "Not yet," she warned. The "And if you keep this up, not ever!" heavily implied.

"Chi-Chiiiiii…"

She silenced him with a look, although just barely, before turning back to speak with Hou Yi who was still glaring at Goku. What was it with these two?

"If you're still willing, why don't we meet back here at sunrise? I am tired and I wanna be well rested before facing the next challenge."

Hou Yi's gaze softened as he turned to her. "A wise decision. If you are sure about facing Qinglong…"

"I am."

"Then I will await your presence at sunrise."

He took her hand in his, no doubt intending to kiss it again, but Goku pulled Chi-Chi back against him before he even had the chance earning a scowl from the other man.

"What was that for?" Chi-Chi grumbled as she straightened to regain her balance.

"Sorry!" Goku smiled, before turning a smug grin towards Hou Yi. "Thought I saw a mosquito. Gettin' bit is the worst!"

Hou Yi glared and opened his mouth to respond before thinking better of it. With a farewell nod to Chi-Chi, he turned away with a huff and disappeared into the crowd.

Chi-Chi turned to Goku excitedly, practically jumping into his arms. "Isn't this great Goku? We ended up getting the information we needed after all!"

She spun away, eager to get camp set up while Goku followed behind at a more sullen pace.

"Yeah, great," he muttered.

o0o

Goku was not happy. Not at all.

He had spent the remainder of the night—and most of this morning—trying to convince Chi-Chi they didn't need this Hou Yi guy and that he couldn't be trusted but Chi-Chi wouldn't listen.

"Dontcha remember the witch and woodsman?"

"Of course I remember but I was alone with him for at least a couple of hours before you showed up," Chi-Chi argued. "He could've easily tried something then but he didn't. Doesn't that show he can be trusted?"

"Ya wouldn't have been if you'd just waited," Goku mumbled, annoyed at the reminder that he'd been away when the stranger approached her.

Chi-Chi shot him a warning look as she made her way towards the sleepy little seaside village. "I don't wanna hear it, Goku! I appreciate you're tryin' to keep us out of trouble but Hou Yi has been nothing but chivalrous."

Mostly. Admittedly he'd manhandled her a bit after their fight but considering how old she now knew he was, she imagined this was more acceptable in the time period he'd been raised.

"Plus, he was able to warn us about needing Great Clam pearls. We should be thankful for runnin' into him or we coulda accidentally outlived all our friends and family!"

Right. Because a shiny rock somehow canceled whatever time magic there was. Goku still didn't know if he believed this—although if it had come from anyone else he would have—but if Hou Yi was telling the truth, then he suppose he could be a little grateful. Still…putting a hundred years between them and that creep didn't sound so bad.

"Someone else mighta known."

"They might have or they might not. Not quit your grumblin' or else ya can't come. He's doing us a favor."

"But Chi-Ch—"

"I mean it Goku!"

He knew she did too. Chi-Chi never bluffed her threats.

This was the worst.

Goku sighed for what felt like the hundredth time, making Chi-Chi groan. She didn't really understand what his problem was but she knew he usually had a reason. Whether it was a good one…well, that remained to be seen…but she didn't want to force him to be around someone he didn't like.

"Look, let's just get through this," she begged, turning to face him. "After this is done, we never have to interact with him again if you don't want."

"I don't want."

Chi-Chi sighed. She really should have seen that coming.

"Promise me you'll be civil?"

"Huh?"

"Polite."

Goku frowned, making Chi-Chi rub her temples. The headache from last night seemed on the verge of making a comeback.

"Just don't be rude," she tried instead but by the look on Goku's face, that wasn't gonna fly either.

"For the love of…just don't say anything then!"

"Fine!"

If Chi-Chi wanted him to keep quiet while she made a mistake in trusting that guy then Goku wouldn't say anything. He snapped his mouth shut and kept it shut even after they met up with the slimy Hou Yi who then proceeded to show them the way while Chi-Chi offered him warm smiles and friendly greetings.

Goku ground his teeth as he followed after, wishing he could punch something—or someone. Luckily they didn't have far to go because it was only a matter of minutes before Hou Yi was pulling aside some large fern leaves, revealing a secluded hidden cove, nearly entirely contained by rock formations all around except for a small gap leading out to the ocean.

"Here we are," Hou Yi said with a grand wave of his hand. He stepped closer to Chang'e and moved to place his hand on her back. "Over th—"

"Goku!" Chi-Chi cried as Goku yanked her backwards.

Goku smiled, unrepentant as she stumbled into him. "Sorry Chi. Thought I saw another mosquito. They sure are pesky things."

Hou Yi growled at the blatant lie. The brute pulled Chang'e around like a puppet without a drop of shame! Yet his Chang'e accepted the excuse readily and looked content to stay by the whelp's side, unbothered by the boy's nearness. Did she not realize how much of a lying fiend the brat was?

Chang'e looked at him expectantly, clearly waiting for him to finish his original comment, forcing Hou Yi to shove the disgust he felt aside to focus on his role as a fellow adventurer.

"As I was saying," he started again, making sure to shoot a glare at the foolish runt, "Each of those tumultuous pools leads to a Great Clam. We will each need one if we are to return to this same day but I should warn you," and with this he directed a deadly gaze towards Goku. "If you do not seek the pearl with pure intentions, you will not leave alive."

Goku shrugged, having heard such things before. He wasn't worried, he knew he had a pure heart but Chi-Chi wasn't nearly as confident as she stared at the violent waters.

She swallowed and went over her swimming lessons in her head. Unfortunately there had only been a handful of them…but…but that was okay. She could do this. She could. She just needed to stay calm and not panic. Make slow and steady strokes…everything would be fine. She was prepared.

"You alright there Chi?" Goku asked, noticing her nervousness.

Not to be out done, Hou Yi added, "If you are not feeling up to this, no one would think less of you for backing down."

"Nonsense," Chi-Chi growled, her gaze still on the swirling pools of water. "I didn't come all this way just to quit now."

"You need not be stubborn."

"If Chi-Chi's sure, then she'll be fine," Goku argued, earning a pleased smile from Chi-Chi.

"Thank you, Goku," she said so sweetly, that Goku felt his cheeks heat up just from the way she was looking at him. Maybe today wasn't going so bad afterall, or at least he thought so, until Chi-Chi started fiddling with the ties to her dress.

Goku had never cared about other's nakedness before, not really. He'd only recently started to imagine what it might be like to see Chi-Chi naked but that was okay…kinda…because they would be married and once they were they would be allowed to see each other naked. Still, he didn't typically have many thoughts of men or women undressing themselves wherever they pleased but the thought of Chi-Chi exposing bare skin—bare skin that he had only managed to see on a few occasions and was for his gaze alone—in front of Hou Yi, sparked something in him that had him leaping in front of her, blocking the other man's view.

"Chi-Chi!" Goku cried, as Hou Yi tried to cover Goku's eyes at the same time—Avert your gaze, knave!—"What are ya doing?!"

Chi-Chi looked up just as her dress opened wide, revealing a short sleeve wetsuit—courtesy of Pika's shopping trip—that she'd been wearing underneath with an empty pouch tied around her waist.

"What was that?"

Both men relaxed their stance at once while Chi-Chi removed her dress and began folding it neatly.

"What's this Chi?" Goku asked, plucking at the rubber suit curiously.

"A wetsuit. I offered to get you one, remember? But you weren't interested."

"It feels squishy."

"It's supposed to, now stop that," she ordered, slapping his hands away. "And strip to your trunks so I can put your things in the capsule."

Goku did as bid, removing everything but his trunks, a pouch for the pearl, and his new staff, while Chi-Chi pulled out two pairs of swim goggles and breathing masks—another product of Pika's shopping—before putting all their things into a special storage capsule she'd purchased to wear around her neck, tucked safely under her wetsuit. She patted the spot where the capsule rested against her chest, making sure it was secure, before tossing the other goggles and mask set to Goku.

"Alright then, I guess I'm off," she waved, eager to get into the water. Wearing such a form fitting thing—even if it did cover everything—really made her self conscious and it didn't help that the boys barely appeared to be preparing themselves for their own pearl diving adventures. "See you fellas in a bit."

Chi-Chi snapped on her goggles and jogged down to the water's edge, testing the water with her foot. It was chilly but she supposed it could have been worse. She waved one last time, put her breathing mask on, and then sunk into the water, quickly disappearing from their sight.

The water was freezing! Forget chilly, she might as well have been swimming in a pool of ice! Chi-Chi shivered, grateful that her wetsuit was insulated, and focused on her mission.

It was darker than she'd expected. Whenever she'd seen pictures of people scuba diving or the like, the water had always been crystal clear and inviting but Chi-Chi was startled to realize that was not the case here at all.

She shivered again, this time more from the eeriness than the cold, and looked around, spotting a decent size rock. It would be enough to help weigh her down and allow her to quickly sink to the bottom while she searched for a Great Clam. She tucked it into her pouch—soon to hopefully be replaced with a large pearl—and then worked her way towards the ocean floor, keeping her eyes peeled for anything that looked like it could be the clam she was looking for.

If only she had a flashlight.

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, a glean caught her eye, sparkling through the murky water. Could it be? She moved a little closer, though it was slow going—swimming was not her strong suit—until she was sure she could make out what she could only believe was the shape of an open clam, its treasure shining invitingly in its mouth.

That had to be it! A Great Clam!

Chi-Chi shoved herself forward, walking more than swimming across the ocean floor, little by little until she was standing directly in front of it. A Great Clam. Giant was more like it. It was bigger than her and Goku's little capsule home! This had to be it.

She watched with some amusement as little air bubbles seemed to escape only to whip around in a frenzy as they rose to the surface. So that's what was causing those whirlpools.

Chi-Chi's gaze drifted back to the body of the Clam, examining it curiously. She had never seen a clam this size before. She stepped closer until she was at the edge of its mouth and peeked in, but as soon as she did, there was a rush of energy that surged all around her.

She shoved herself backwards just as the Clam snapped shut and an angry voice bellowed in her mind.

You dare try and steal that which does not belong to you?!

'I'm sorry!' Chi-Chi thought furiously back, bowing her head low. 'I was told I needed it to seek Qinglong! I wouldn't have tried otherwise.'

You do not need my pearl to reach them.

'Not to reach 'em but to return. So a hundred years don't pass by separating us from our loved ones.' Chi-Chi blinked, tears burning her eyes. 'Please, I don't want to hurt my father but I want to honor my mother by completing this journey.' She clapped her hands together. 'I know it's selfish but I promise to return the pearl as soon as I can. So please, please, please let me borrow your pearl until I return.'

Chi-Chi waited there for what felt like forever but eventually the Great Clam creaked open.

'Thank you! Oh thank you!' she thought, giving the Clam the widest hug she could manage. Something like a faint chuckle went off in her mind but Chi-Chi didn't care if the Clam thought she was being silly. She was just so relieved she could continue her journey without sacrificing her Papa in the process.

'Thank you!' she added one last time before taking the pearl and tucking it safely in her pouch. 'I promise to bring it back as soon as I can!'

Do not bother child. The pearl is yours. Take care that you prove worthy of it, for Qinglong has little patience.

'I will,' Chi-Chi promised. She waved goodbye, even though she wasn't sure if the Clam could see her or not, and made her way towards the shore one stroke at a time.

o0o

He was supposed to be getting ready to go find a pearl in the ocean. He knew that. The pearl was important, really important if that guy was to be believed. If he ever hoped to see any of his friends again he needed to find one.

And yet he was having trouble tearing his eyes away from Chi-Chi.

Sure he'd been curious about the wetsuit and the weird material but he'd been more interested in the way that material clung to her like a second skin, emphasizing her dips and curves that were somewhat hidden by the dress and loose pants she always wore. For some reason he had a strong desire to run his hands along those curves from the swell of her chest to the tuck of her waist and over the flair of her hips.

Who knew the human body could look so fun to touch?

It was only after Chi-Chi waved and disappeared into the water that Goku realized he'd been left alone with Hou Yi. He frowned, suddenly aware that if he had been admiring Chi-Chi in her wetsuit then that bastard had probably been doing the same.

Damn this was annoying.

Not interested in being alone on an empty beach with him any longer, Goku snapped on his goggles—not needing a mask—and launched himself high in the air before flipping down into the ocean with a graceful dive.

The water felt great! He did a couple laps, wondering where Chi-Chi had wandered off to and then decided to get to it. Spotting a large whirlpool out a ways from the rest, Goku swam towards it and then dived deep, following the rushing water to its source.

There were all kinds of sea life swimming around. One small family of turtles stared at him curiously, making Goku grin. He stopped to wave, wondering if they were related to Master Roshi's friend Turtle, and then continued on his way until he landed on top of the biggest clam he had ever seen!

This had to be it!

Rude! Hasn't anyone ever taught you it is rude to climb on others?

Huh? Goku looked left and then right but couldn't tell where the voice was coming from. For a second he thought he saw a large eerie eye buried in the sand but he blinked and then it was gone.

If that wasn't it, who was talking to him?

You're standing on me you fool.

Goku's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't expected the clam could talk!

He rapidly swam off the shell and then sank to the ocean floor to stand in front of the Great Clam, immediately spotting the large shining pearl sitting in its center.

Took you long enough.

Goku's brows furrowed as he studied the Clam. How on earth was it talking to him? It didn't have a mouth!

I am not so restrained by physical limitations. I speak to you in your mind.

Oh. Well that made sense he supposed.

'Nice to meet ya,' he thought back, hoping it could hear his thoughts as well. Luckily the Clam seemed able if its small humm was anything to go by but Goku got the sense it wasn't impressed.

I'm not.

'Ehehe. Well that's okay. I can get out of your hair…uh, shell? Anyways I can leave you be, but first I was wondering if I could have your pearl?'

My pearl?

The muscle the pearl sat on wrapped around it, as if to examine the pretty stone.

Why would you need my pearl?

Goku shrugged, not really knowing himself.

'Supposedly it's the only way to get back from Qinglong's the same day.'

Ah. That one. Yes, I do recall them mentioning such a detail long ago. But what makes you think you're worthy of it?

Right. Chi-Chi had said something about needing pure intentions or what not.

'Well, I don't really have any intentions but I know I'm pure of heart cause I can ride Nimbus. So that's all you need to know, right? So can I have it now?'

Yes…I can see you lack intentions…among other things…very well, you may take it.

'Thanks!'

Goku quickly snatched the pearl up from the Great Clam's mouth before it snapped shut, signaling it was done conversing with him. He shrugged, not really bothered and slipped the pearl into his pouch. It wouldn't be the first time someone tired of him.

Chi-Chi never did though, except earlier when he was pouting. Chi-Chi always seemed interested in what he had to say. Goku grinned. He was glad Chi-Chi never got tired of him cause he certainly never seemed to get tired of her.

Speaking of, he wondered if she had gotten her pearl yet? They were supposed to meet back up on the beach along with…

Alarm went through Goku as he realized Chi-Chi could be alone on the beach with Hou Yi this very second! He wasn't sure why the thought of them being alone together bothered him so much but there was something about the man Goku didn't like. More than just the fact that he was clearly trying to take Chi-Chi from him. After all, that doctor had tried to take Chi-Chi away but he hadn't sent alarms coursing through Goku like Hou Yi did.

He needed to hurry.

Goku gathered his strength and was just about to rush forward when a long slippery tentacle wrapped around his ankle yanking him back.

What the—

Goku turned to see the largest octopus he'd ever seen and then felt it snatch the pearl right out of his pouch.

"HEY!" Goku shouted, though his anger was lost as the bubbles came rushing out of his mouth and up over his face. Well if the octopus couldn't hear him, he'd certainly feel him!

He torpedoed down and punched it on its large bulbous head making it cry out and drop the pearl but before Goku could even swipe it up, the octopus was knocking him aside with one limb and grabbing the pearl with the other.

"No fair!" Goku gurgled.

Two arms took a swipe at him, hitting him so hard he broke through the surface and into the air. The Octopus followed after, using long limbs to try and pluck him from the sky but Goku was ready. He jumped off one tentacle like a diving board before flipping and delivering another kick to the octopus' head that shot it straight back to the ocean floor.

Goku was quick to follow but the octopus was too stunned to react. Thinking fast, Goku grabbed one limb and then another and another until he had them all tied into an angry knot, infuriating the octopus. It tried to attack him anyways but its knotted limbs threw it off balance sending it crashing to the ground and popped the pearl from its grasp. Goku quickly snatched it up and put it back in his pouch.

'That's whatcha get for tryin' to steal!' he thought, wagging his finger and enraging the octopus more. It took another swing that was just as effective as the last, making Goku stick out his tongue to taunt it. "Nyah!"

He turned away and started swimming back to shore. He couldn't afford to play with it any longer, he had to get to the beach before Chi-Chi!

Though it was too bad he was in a hurry. The octopus had sure looked tasty and he was sure Chi-Chi could have replicated those yummy octopus balls he'd had at the festival last night if only they had the time.

Goku was just wondering if he would have a few minutes to sneak away and grab a light snack when he spotted something ahead of him moving slowly across the ocean floor. It was Chi-Chi! But what was she doing? Why didn't she just swim?

He moved a little faster until he pulled right up beside her and waved, lifting his pearl to indicate his success. Chi-Chi smiled and returned the gesture making Goku grin. He knew she could do it!

Goku told her just that as they finally reached the shore, earning a pretty blush that made him smile. No matter how many times it happened, he always liked it when her cheeks turned red like that. His gaze drifted to the man standing a few feet away, seemingly in the shadows, and he felt his good mood evaporate at once.

o0o

Hou Yi huffed as he watched the boy jump into the water with abandon. Such a reckless person was no match for Chang'e. He would get her killed as quickly as he did the last time. But there would be time to get rid of him later if the Clams didn't do it. For now he needed to look the part.

He quickly stripped off his shirt and boots, leaving only his pants and then waded into the water. His beautiful Chang'e was wise to wear a suit to keep warm, less she risk her health due to her delicate constitution. He, however, was a sturdier breed of man who could take a little ice water without coming to harm.

Hou Yi dunked his hair thoroughly before slicking it back and then wandered back to his things to pull out a fake pearl from his pouch. There was no way someone like him could go after a Great pearl without suffering a watery grave. Maybe once upon a time they would have let him pass unharmed but no longer.

No matter. He did not need a pure heart to win Chang'e.

He was a warrior. A man who's very existence necessitated the use of deadly force whenever it was called forth. She had fallen in love with such a man then. She would do so once more.

But he could certainly speed things in his favor.

Once they arrived at the temple of Qinglong, he would allow Chang'e to face her challenge while he pocketed the pearl from the boy. With the boy trapped to remain or find himself a hundred years in the future, he could take Chang'e to his castle in the sky and seduce her until she was enthralled with him once more.

Two figures broke the water's surface just then, showing Chang'e and the whelp emerging side by side wearing matching grins. Hou Yi watched as the boy murmured something, making Chang'e blush in a way he had never seen her do for him, and for a fleeting second, Hou Yi doubted. Not that this was Chang'e—he knew with all his heart that this was her reincarnation—but he wondered if it was too late to capture such affections for himself. Was her heart so engaged that, even after the boy was lost to Qinglong, she would remain steadfast to one so unworthy?

He would not allow it.

Chang'e was his and he would do whatever it took to make that clear to her…even if it meant he had to move beyond a simple seduction. Niulang had a myriad of concoctions he used to break the hearts of lovers. He knew one would suit his needs, would make Chang'e forget the boy and think only of him instead.

It was not the path he wanted…but if he must, then so be it.

Hou Yi strode towards them, holding up his false prize with a smirk.

"If we are all ready then…"

He led them back out of the hidden cove and up a nearby cliff that overlooked the ocean, knowing it would make a good diving point to start them off. When they reached the top, Hou Yi pointed towards a large boulder jutting out of the waters about a mile offshore.

"Our destination lies beneath that point," he explained. "In the deepest part of the trench."

His gaze drifted to the boy as a smirk rose to his lips.

Little did he know, but it would soon be his final resting place.