A/N: Gomen, minna-san! It took me so long to get inspired for this chapter! ::bows:: Ok, so there's a fight in this chapter, but I'm telling you now, it sucks. I'm not that great at action, I just like the interaction between characters. So if the "fight" is a little ambiguous, that's why. ^_^ Oh and there is also a blatant disregard for the townspeople and buildings.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed my oneshot Yuki! I appreciate it very much ::glomps:: *^_^*

Reviews:

Ami the 13th: ok, I won't. Since you asked so nice ^_^ and I love one day miracle!

Iapetus: Yes, I quite enjoyed the stealing of the clothes as well. And Goku dressed up as Sanzo is so kawaii!

Anael Razualle: Hooray for purple roses! ^_^ Sank you!

Ran Mouri: I know right, I cannot wait for him to wake up in the manga! *sigh* Those are my favorite episodes from season two. I love Nataku!

BlueJadeAL: Thanks for saying so. I appreciate you giving it a chance.

Ethereal-tenshi: Sank you, sorry that it took me so long to update.

Lazeralk: I'm always nice to Goku! Well, almost always..

Bakazaru Boi: I always read the most fanfiction when there's school reading to be done. Nice to know I'm not alone ^_^ Fluff makes the world go round!

*DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET SOME GOOD GOKUXSANZO FANART?* ::puppy eyes::

'..' Thoughts

"." Spoken

Chapter 5

Homura and Xenon strolled through the small town at a leisurely pace, taking their time to get to their destination, as gods are wont to do. Xenon walked slightly behind Homura, assailed with doubts about whether or not they were doing the right thing.

He had known Shien a long time, a lot longer than he had known Homura. Together, they had both sworn allegiance to the new god of war, for they both hated the world in which they lived. But, if Shien were to see that Nataku had awakened, would he still wish to follow through? Was it wrong for them to not even give him the chance to choose?

He gave voice to his concerns as they neared the inn. "Are you sure it was a good idea to leave him behind? I can't help but feel as though we should have told him"

Homura did not stop or turn around. He simply kept walking. His answer was short. "No. This is the way it must be." His mind was made up. Nothing would stop him from destroying this world. He had come too far to back down now.

As the two gods approached the inn Homura raised his eyebrows in interest while Xenon's eyes opened in horror - someone was blocking the way. Shien stood, his back to them, with his whips in his hands. He turned at their approach and opened his eyes to glare at them.

"If you wish to go any further, you must first kill me."

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Nataku smiled over at Goku. "How'd the 'talk' go?" Goku's answer was merely a deepening of his blush. Nataku laughed and motioned towards the empty seat next to him.

Goku shook his head, "No thanks, I'll stand."

Nataku, Hakkai and Gojyo stared at Goku in shock, then slowly turned their attention to Sanzo. He pointedly ignored them and flagged a waitress down.

Gojyo laughed "Ero houshi." His laugh was cut off by a bullet flying dangerously close to his face. At the sound of the gunshot, the restaurant fell silent and all attention turned towards the noisy table in the corner.

Gojyo jumped up, enraged. "You shitty monk! One of these days you're going to hit me!"

Sanzo merely smirked. "If your daily deeds are good you won't get hit."

"My daily deeds! What about you, monk? Monks are supposed to be celibate not screw in the woods!" Gojyo had yelled this quite loudly and the already attentive crowd gasped at the accusation.

The waitress who had come over blushed furiously and made a vain attempt to take their order. "Ano..eto.."

Sanzo, seemingly oblivious to the crowd of onlookers, cocked his gun and placed it against Gojyo's head. He spoke softly, but menacingly, "I'm not supposed to kill either."

"Maa maa..." Hakkai stepped in front of Gojyo, while Goku tried to pull Sanzo away from the other man. Nataku just laughed at the antics of the former gods. Any further violence was prevented, however, as the five suddenly froze upon feeling powerful auras nearby.

"Shien." Nataku whispered. All eyes turned to him, faces dawning with realization. The young god quickly rose and exited the room, the Sanzo- ikkou hot on his heels.

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Homura called forth his sword and then addressed Xenon without turning from his opponent, "I do not ask you to choose sides Xenon, only to stay out of the fight."

The exiled god simply nodded dumbly, looking back and forth between his companion and leader, his loyalties confused.

Homura turned his full attention to Shien and smirked arrogantly. "Do you really think it wise to challenge me? You know you cannot win."

Shien dropped into a defensive posture and snapped his whips. "I gave my word that I would follow you, but that does not extend to the killing of my true master. Let's get this over with."

"As you wish." Homura moved forward to strike, but stopped as the door to the inn burst open.

Nataku ran over to his former general waving happily, "Shien! It's me! Shien!" He halted when the gravity of the scene in front of him sank in. He looked from Shien to Homura, noticed their weapons, and the smile slid from his face. "Shien, what's going on?"

"Please stay back Nataku-sama this man means to kill you." Shien motioned Nataku back towards the inn.

Homura bowed in mock respect. "How nice to meet you at last, Lord Nataku. I thought you'd never wake up."

"Who are you?" Nataku demanded.

"Do you really not know?" His tone was laced with aggravation. This is not the way he wanted things to play out. 'I can only hope that I can end the fight with Shien before Nataku gets involved, I can't take them both.'

"Homura?" At his nod the young man continued. "So you were the one who took my place. Why are you fighting Shien?"

Homura regarded the younger god haughtily and spoke condescendingly to him. "I need Son Goku for my plans and I cannot take him if you are guarding him. Therefore, I must kill you in order to do so. And now Shien has the impertinence to stand between me and you so I must kill him. Troublesome really."

Nataku closed the remaining distance between Shien and himself. He put a hand on his arm and pleaded with one of the few gods he had respected. "Shien you cannot fight him. He is a god of war. It's true you are strong, but you don't stand a chance."

Shien looked down at Nataku, surprised and warmed by the concern in his eyes. He smiled. "I must fight him, my lord. Do not keep me from serving you as I was unable to do in the past."

Homura, weary of the chit chat, attacked, aiming for Nataku. Shien pushed the young man out of the way and blocked Homura's sword with the hilt of his whips. The two men began to fight in earnest, moving with such speed that it was difficult for the others to follow.

"Shien!" Nataku moved forward to help his friend but instead found himself staring at the back of a leather jacket. Xenon did not face Nataku, but kept his eyes fixed on the battle. "Shien has regretted letting you down for 500 years now. Do not deprive him of his chance to redeem himself. You have no idea of the guilt he has lived with."

Nataku stood helplessly staring at the battle going on in the middle of the town. He felt Goku walk up beside him and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. Neither of them spoke, but Nataku was grateful for his support. He watched with growing dread as the battle continued.

Shien had been holding his own fairly well against the war god, but Nataku and Homura had been correct. There was no way for him to win the fight. Homura pushed Shien back and he fell to the ground roughly. Homura then swung his sword and released the fire dragon from it. Shien tried to bring his whips up to block the attack, but in his heart he knew that it was too powerful for him to repel.

With a small cry Nataku phased out from behind Xenon and appeared in front of Shien, his sword deflecting the attack. He turned his head slightly towards Shien and spoke so only the two of them could hear. "I never wanted you to fight my battles for me Shien. What I really wanted was for you to fight with me."

Shien looked up at Nataku, eyes wide with disbelief and hope. Nataku smiled down at him, then switched his blade from a defensive to an offensive position. He attacked so quickly that Homura had no time to react. Nataku's blade cut through his chest, severely wounding him.

Homura fell back hands flying up to staunch the blood flowing out of him. Xenon quickly went to him, and the two phased out, back to Koran tower.

Nataku ran over to Shien's side. "Daijoubu?"

"Hai." Shien smiled at the relief that flooded Nataku's countenance. " Arigatou."

"Iie. Don't worry about it." Nataku couldn't help the smile that flew over his face. He stood and offered Shien a hand up. "Come eat with us. We hadn't even ordered yet."

Shien looked doubtfully over at the Sanzo-ikkou who were still standing by the front of the inn eyeing him unconcernedly. "Is that really ok?"

"Yeah, let's go. I'm starving!" Goku proclaimed loudly, earning himself a disdainful glance from Sanzo.

"Bakasaru" Though the word was the same, the tone held notably more affection than those present had ever heard the monk use before.

Goku smiled up at his lover and winked "Gotta get my strength back, ne?"

Sanzo let out a "Che" then quickly turned to go inside in order to hide his blush. Goku laughed and ran in behind him. Hakkai and Gojyo smiled knowingly at each other and walked in together. Shien took Nataku's proffered hand up and the two walked in behind the other four.

They returned to their previous table, much to the embarrassment of their waitress, who promptly pulled over another chair for Shien. "Can I get you anything else, sirs?" She asked while trying not to blush.

"Two of everything on the menu." Sanzo ordered and raised his credit card at the shocked look of the waitress. "Put it on this."

Goku grinned at the thought of so much food. "I can't wait till it gets here! I'm so hungry!" Sanzo glanced over at Goku and fought the grin threatening to break out.

The food arrived and everyone dug in heartily. When Goku and Gojyo began to argue over the last meat bun, Sanzo hit Gojyo over the head with the fan and handed it to Goku.

Gojyo was a bit put off by Sanzo actions, as he would normally hit the both of them to end the fight. "What now that you're sleeping together you won't hit him?" Instead of replying Sanzo shot a few bullets past his head. "Shitty monk!"

Hakkai grabbed Gojyo and pulled him down. He whispered something to him that quieted him down.

After dinner Sanzo stood and grabbed Goku by the wrist. "I'm going to bed. If anyone disturbs me before sunrise, I'll kill you." With that he dragged Goku from the room. The startled boy gave a meek wave to his companions before stumbling after his love.

Gojyo let out a big yawn and then winked dramatically at Hakkai. "Yeah, I'm beat too, best be off to bed. Prolly gonna have an early start in the morning."

Hakkai grinned at his precocious lover. "Oh yes. I'm practically asleep right here." He stood and bowed to Nataku and Shien. "Oyasumi."

"Oyasumi!" Nataku replied with a grin as the two men practically ran from the room. He turned to Shien, who had been quiet all through dinner. "Care to talk about it now that they're gone?"

Shien smirked mirthlessly. "Am I that easy to read?"

"To me you are." Nataku smiled then gave an encouraging look. Shien sighed and stared into his drink.

"I wasn't able to help you, again. I had promised myself that next time you needed assistance I would be the one to give it. I failed." Shien opened his eyes when he felt a hand on his arm. Nataku shook his head from side to side then looked at Shien, who gasped at the emotions he saw written in those eyes.

He spoke softly, but sincerely. "That's not true. You were loyal to me and fought to the best of your ability. Aside from Goku, you're my best friend." Nataku stood up and tugged on Shien's arm. This time he spoke more jovially, "C'mon you can stay in my room with me!"

Shien smiled and followed.

**************************************************************

Goku continued to stumble after Sanzo down the hallway to their room. "Ne, Sanzo slow down! How do you walk in these damned robes anyway?" Goku's statement was punctuated by his tripping over said robes into Sanzo's back.

Sanzo turned around and eyed Goku who stared up cutely at him. He reached down and picked Goku up, slinging him over his shoulder for the rest of the walk down the hall.

Goku cried out indignantly and began to kick playfully. "Sanzo! Put me down. I can walk."

Sanzo ignored him and walked into their room, locking the door behind him. He tossed Goku on the bed and immediately climbed on top of him and began kissing him.

When they parted, Goku laughed "Oh, this is much more comfortable than the ground."

Sanzo smiled and flicked Goku on the end of the nose. "I don't remember hearing you complain then." Goku opened his mouth to reply, but found he had nothing to say, so he closed it and pouted.

The site was too irresistible, Sanzo closed the distance between them and kissed his saru for all he was worth, causing the boy to arch up into him. Sanzo moved from Goku's mouth down to his neck where he was hindered by clothing.

"What do you say we get rid of these 'damned robes'?" Sanzo asked softly, as he pulled the robes down to expose Goku's torso. Sanzo took a second to enjoy the site of Goku below him, breathing heavily and flushed with desire that radiated from his eyes. He smiled and returned his attention to Goku's neck.

Before, when they were together in the forest, Sanzo had been driven by an almost frenzied desire to claim Goku as soon as humanly possible. But now, they had the entire night ahead of them, and Sanzo had every intention of taking his time. He slowly moved his hands over Goku, memorizing the feel of his entire body and the taste of his skin.

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Sunlight poured into the hotel room, illuminating the two naked figures on the bed. A sheet had been haphazardly thrown over them before they drifted off into peaceful oblivion, and now they laid tangled up in each other's arms. Nataku smiled down at Sanzo and Goku, happy that his friend had found love at last.

He carefully reached over to Goku and shook his shoulder slightly. Goku's eyes opened sleepily, and it took him a second to recognize the blur in front of him as his friend. He wiped the sleep from his eyes and smiled up lazily, "Good morning."

Nataku returned the greeting, then held up a handful of clothes. "I thought I should return these before I left." He carefully placed Goku's clothes on the bedside table.

Goku's eyes widened, "You're leaving? Why?" He tried to sit up, but Sanzo's arm tightened around his middle, preventing movement.

Nataku sat down next to Goku and tried to ease his distress. "Just for a little while. Shien and I are going back up to the heavenly region for a time. We have much to catch up on. Do not worry, this is not good-bye. We'll see each other again."

Goku stretched his hand towards Nataku, "Promise me. Promise me you will return."

Nataku shook his hand, "Of course I promise. And as soon as you're done with this little errand of yours, you're coming up to heaven with me for a visit. I still have all of those places I promised I'd show you."

"It's a promise then." Goku laughed weakly as he felt tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm going to miss you my friend."

"And I you, but I have a feeling that you won't have much of a chance to be lonely." Nataku joked while casting a glance at the arm Sanzo had possessively wrapped around Goku's middle. He stood then and took one last long look at Goku before smiling. "I'll see you soon."

"You can count on it." Nataku phased out, leaving Goku alone again.

Sanzo mumbled something in his sleep that sounded suspiciously like a certain saru's name and pulled Goku closer to him. Goku pushed the sadness of Nataku leaving aside and nestled himself deeper into Sanzo's embrace. Before drifting off again, he had one last thought.

'No, not alone. I'll never be alone again.'

~Owari

A/N: Well there you have it! My first fic! *sigh* Thanks so much for reading it! I left Nataku and Shien's relationship somewhat up in the air on purpose. Take it as you will. I know that it ends a little bit unresolved, but since it takes place during the second season, just pretend that they beat Homura in the same way, but this time minus Shien. And with Nataku popping in from time to time! XD And in case you were wondering, it's unresolved because Shien wasn't a part of my original plot, I really just wanted to get Goku and Sanzo together and I did that, so, in my mind at least, chapter five was the last one.. Ok, gonna stop writing useless babble that no one reads anyway now...

If any of ya'll have the time, my little sister wrote a Saiyuki fanfic. It's called "Fate Plays Her Hand" and her name is Sai Orlianna. If you get a chance read it! Thanks! *^_^*