A/N: Yay!!!!!!! It's been a long time since I got my brains to work on this fic. But first of all, I would like to say that I'M STILL ALIVE!!!!!!!!!! Very, very sorry guys if it took me ages for this fic. For the last few MONTHS, I have nothing inside by mind save for our T-O-N-S and T-O-N- S of projects!!!!! I mean we've been dumped with projects and researches one after another that's why I wasn't able to deal with my fics. REALLY, REALLY SORRY GUYS!!! 'Kay, this is the last chapter of the story and I hope you guys like it.
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"How's he?" Ummei asked as soon as Zenon's form appeared.
"Sleeping. Think he got tired of crying and let himself fall asleep."
"Crying?" Ummei looked up from her book.
"Ever since he regained consciousness, he started crying and he didn't stop until five minutes earlier." Zenon walked away and Ummei began to read her book again.
"Concerned aren't you?" Homura asked looking at her.
"Hmm?"
"Don't pretend you didn't hear what I said Ummei, I know you're concerned about the boy so don't deny it." Ummei placed her book down and smiled at the fighting god.
"Yes, I'm concerned but that's because you might have some plans about him that you don't want to tell me Homura-san." She smiled sweetly but mischievously as Homura snorted.
"If you don't mind, I'll take a look around this tower of yours for a while." She got up after the fighting god nodded in agreement.
The dark corridors seem endless as Ummei walked. She saw a large oak door and stopped in front of it for a while, hesitated before touching the knob. The door latch opened and she turned the knob slowly, cautiously. Inside, she saw the sleeping form of the heretic and she went closer.
"I know what you think of me now but this is the only way I know to help you." Ummei reached for the stray locks of golden brown hair and gently brushed it away from his face.
"Sleep well now. I'm going to tell you everything when you wake up." She glanced at Goku one more time before turning back.
"Why don't you tell it to me now." Came the cold voice behind her.
"Goku, you-you're awake?"
"Yes. And now, why don't you tell me about your plan." Ummei retraced her steps and sat beside the heretic.
"Would you believe me if I tell you?"
"I don't think so." the boy replied with an uncertain tone.
"Very well. I'm bound to tell you the plan sooner so why not let it out a little earlier?" a smile formed on the corner of her lips and Goku was confused.
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"Where are we really going?" Gojyo asked while they continued their journey.
"To Goku is." Hakkai explained calmly.
"And where exactly is that place?!" Gojyo said, voice raised in annoyance.
"We'll be there soon."
The trio continued the ride down an endless road in complete deafening silence. Each one is absorbed in his own thoughts that they felt like travelling alone. There were no whines from a certain genki monkey-boy or a fight between him and Gojyo. No cursing from Sanzo and wide smiles from Hakkai. Each one of them realized the emptiness brought about by losing a companion and a friend. Just as they are deep in their thinking a loud gunshot echoed throughout the surroundings that made both Hakkai and Gojyo jump.
"Why the hell did you do that for?" Gojyo asked but never gained an answer from the monk.
"Fine, if you don't want to answer then it's damn okay to me. Keep to your own dumb foolishness!" He said in an attempt to get a reaction from Sanzo but none came.
Silence crept on them as the sun set. In the horizon, a small tower stands that gleams red in the sunlight. As they get closer, the tower gets bigger and they know that they are finally reaching their destination.
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Ummei finished talking and looked at the boy beside her. Goku's face was a mix of confusion and disbelief in the things the girl told him.
"So, do you believe me now?" she asked.
"No, not yet." Came an uncertain answer.
"Come with me then."
"Where?"
"I will show you what my plan is."
"But I thought what you told me was your plan?" asked the boy greatly confused.
"Yes, but it is not yet complete."
"What do you mean by that?"
Ummei led Goku out of the room and into another where Homura is waiting. A look at the fighting god's eyes told Goku he's in for a serious trouble and he started to panic and break from Ummei's grasp.
"So, you've told him all about it?" Homura asked eyes glued on Goku.
"Not all, I've saved the best parts for last of course."
Hearing this the fighting god smirked and walked towards the struggling boy.
"You're going to love the show we've put up just for you and your friends."
He delivered a punch to the heretic's stomach who fell unconscious into the fighting god's arm. Then Niji appeared in front of them smiling.
"They're coming." Ummei stopped and looked at Homura.
"Looks like we have to hurry. We mustn't keep our guests waiting."
"Yeah, they don't know what's in store for them." Homura said looking at the unconscious Goku in his arms.
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"Hey what's that thing in the far end of the road?" Gojyo said straightening up from his seat.
"Ummei's crystal tower." Hakkai said not noticing that Sanzo flinched
They stopped right in front of the big crystal doors and one by one, they hopped out of Hakuryu, which immediately changed back into a dragonet and settled himself on the brunette's shoulder.
"Shall we knock?" Gojyo grinned sheepishly
"Let's give them the welcome they deserve." Hakkai said with a smile
The three prepared to storm the door when it opened revealing Niji and Yume both with a grin.
"You took a while Sanzo-ikkou. We've been waiting here for quite some time." Yume said as she held her scythe in place.
"Where's Goku?!" Gojyo demanded.
"We'll tell you when you're dead!" Yume said attacking him.
"Sanzo, we'll take care of them. Find Goku!" Hakkai said as Niji started her attack.
"Oh no you don't!" Niji said as she saw Sanzo darting towards door and magically shut it.
"You bastard girl!" Sanzo snarled.
The fight ensued yet Sanzo still can't find his way into the tower. Until he saw something glowing behind the trees. He went to investigate only to see Homura lurking in the trees and as soon as the fighting god saw him, he began his assault. Meanwhile, Goku and Ummei watched the battle from one of the top window of the tower.
"Looks like you're friends are coming for you." Ummei said
"Sanzo…"
Ummei looked at Goku and put a hand on his shoulder. Sanzo's fight with Homura is going nowhere so as with Gojyo and Hakkai. Ummei sighed deeply and turned to the heretic.
"Hey, if this goes on, we'll be here for ages. I'm going to let them in."
"Now?"
"That is if you're ready Goku." He looked at Sanzo and back to Ummei.
"Guess I am."
"Okay. Here goes."
The door of the tower slowly opened and the Sanzo-ikkou fought to get in. The trio was too busy fighting they never noticed Ummei motioning to her companions to let them in.
"Let's take this battle to higher grounds." Yume said, still attacking Gojyo while going up a staircase.
"Whatever you say little girl."
"You're a great fighter you know. That's why I don't mind playing with you a bit more." Niji said
"Tell me, where does this staircase leads?" Hakkai asked.
"To your doom."
Homura kept Sanzo as far from the stairs as possible and only let down his guard once Hakkai and Niji are out of sight. They continued fighting until the reached a door. Homura stopped attacking and at the same time, thick smoke filled the room. When it died down, Homura was nowhere to be found and the door in front of him slowly opens. Without any options, Sanzo entered the room. It was empty, save for two blocks of crystal on top of a high platform. Looking hard enough, Sanzo saw Gojyo and Hakkai imprisoned in each block. Knowing that the enemy is around, he took cautious stepped towards the platform, but halfway through, spears flew down missing him by inches. Surprised, he looked up the platform to see Niji, Yume, and Ummei standing.
"Where"s Goku?" Sanzo shouted
"Why, you want to have him back just to hurt him more? This floor will be filled with blood first before you can get him back."
"It will be filled with your own blood." Sanzo snarled.
"You want me to fight you Konzen? Sorry to disappoint you but someone else wanted you to fall in his hands."
"Homura? Let him come. I'll break him to pieces" Umei smiled knowingly.
"I'm afraid I'm not talking about Homura, Konzen. He found you a dull person to fight with and decided to go back to Konran tower."
"Then, who are you talking about?"
"She's talking about, me." Said a familiar voice behind Sanzo.
Sanzo turned around to see Goku, weapon in hand ready to attack. He saw the heretic's eye filled with hate as he lunged at him.
"Die!!!"
"Goku! Why are you attacking me?!" Sanzo asked puzzled while avoiding the boy's attacks.
"You deserve to die Sanzo."
"Look. I know I was harsh to you and I regret now!" Sanzo was beginning to stay out of focus.
"You're a liar!!!"
The fight continued with Sanzo still trying to convince Goku to return to him but to no avail. Soon, he just stood and received all the blows coming from the heretic.
"You want to kill me Goku? Then I'll make it easier for you." He said as he stood still.
"Why did you stop? Tired already?" Goku mocked still beating up Sanzo.
"No. If you think killing me will make you happy and if it will be the way to show that I'm really sorry for all the things I've done before, then I'll be happy to die." Goku's eyes widened and stopped his attacks.
"Sanzo…" Tears brimmed his eyes and he ran towards the monk crying.
Sanzo smiled at him weakly but just as the boy was in his arms; a streak of silver light pierced the boy's heart making his small frame fall almost lifelessly to the ground.
"Goku!!!" He turned to Ummei whose face showed no emotions at all.
"Honto ni gomenasai Sanzo if I hurt you. I'm really sorry." Tears started to fall from Sanzo's eyes down to the boy's chezeks.
"I should be the one to say that, not you." Goku smiled feebly and closed his eyes. Sanzo, realizing what happened held the boy close to him.
"You killed him! Why the hell did you do that?!" Ummei descended from the platform to where Sanzo is and looked at Goku with anguish.
"I did not kill him. It was you who killed him Konzen, not me. That is just the consequence of your actions. He was just a child yet you caused him so much pain. Only when he disappeared did you noticed how much he means to you, and now that he's gone will you be able to forgive yourself?"
"No." the monk answered silently, tears flowing down his purple eyes.
"I think what he says is the truth. It really looks like he has learned from his mistakes. Don't you think it's time you go back to them Goku?" Ummei smiled and turned to Goku who was standing beside her.
"Goku? But how?" Sanzo asked puzzled. Just then, the Goku he was holding turned into a crystal that broke into fine powders.
"It was just a crystal image Ummei-san made earlier. She said you would realize your faults if I die." He said turning a little shade of pink.
Sanzo got up and held the boy in his arms, which made Goku's face turn red. While Gojyo and Hakkai who were watching everything behind a secret panel went out and joined their friends.
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All their things were packed and Sanzo, Gojyo, and Hakkai's injuries were all taken care of, they prepared to go. They stayed there for three days and Sanzo pinted out that they really need to get going much to Gojyo's disappointment.
"Can't we stay here a little longer?" Gojyo whined as they all stood outside the crystal tower to say goodbye.
"NO!!!!" was Sanzo and Yume's answer
"Why may I ask?"
"Well, I don't like a stupid kappa like you roaming 'round the tower and not to mention that you have an appetite of ten thousand armies!!!" Yume said with a raised voice.
"So is the saru!!!"
"At least he's cute and lovable." Yume answered.
Gojyo was about to argue more but Sanzo's harisen made sure he won't. Dragging Gojyo, Sanzo leapt into hakuryu and waited for Goku.
"Come on you stupid cockroach. We need to go."
Just then, Goku came out with Ummei bringing with him a big sack full of food. Gojyo, smelling food, jumped from his seat and made a grab for Goku's sack and they started to quarrel. Hakkia, not managing to stop the two sweatdropped and looked at Sanzo whose veins are popping and with a fyling bun that hit him on top of his head, Sanzo pulled out his gun and fired six times making both Gojyo and Goku stop.
"Will you two stupid bums stop fighting?" Sanzo shouted.
Goku seeing Ummei ran to her shouting.
"Ummei-san! There he goes again! WAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" He said running behind the girl.
"Will you cut it out Goku?" Sanzo complained, but Goku stuck his tongue at him.
"Hey saru, thanks for the food!!!" Gojyo said between mouthfuls of food.
"hey kappa that's mine!!!!!" Goku said running back to the jeep.
Ummei looked at Yume who looked at Niji, who in turned looked at Hakkai and Hakkai answered them with a look that says 'they're always like that'. After both Gojyo and Goku stopped fighting, they formally said their good byes and thanks before continuing their journey to the west.
~OWARI~
******************************************************************************************************A/N:At last finished!!!!!!!!!! (I never thought I'd finish this).Well, thanks a lot to all you guys out there who read my fic. You already know who you guys are so thanks a bunch!!!!! And, please watch out for my next fic, Phantom Monk. See ya guys!!!!!