**(Yeay, here's the 2nd chapter! Again, I am very sorry in advance for any grammatical mistakes. I've checked it several times and almost end up cross-eyed. So, your understanding is much appreciated. THANK YOU for all the comments. Made my day! You guys are AWESOME. Enjoy!)**
Oh, I did put some foul words but not noticeable. I don't like curses but it sends the message.
I DO NOT OWN SAIYUKI because if I do I would not get a C for my drawings!
His head throbs. He couldn't remember how many days has he been asleep. Or wherever the hell he is right now but he knows for a fact that he's alone in a room. A rather nice room too. The whirring sound of the fan is getting on his nerve. "Tch…" Slowly, he opens his eyes. Squinting, he could see warm rays of sunlight streaming through the window. The soft shades of gold filling up the dark room. Raising his hand, the golden rays' dance on his palm, warm and loving against his cold pale skin. Like any other day, it would have triggered his senses, puts him in the mood. But today is not like any other day, does it? Sanzo closes his eyes, meditating or rather, waiting for any sound or voice calling for him. Even though there are times when he could not hear Goku's voice, nevertheless he could sense Goku's soul. Over time, their spirits have connected. Now, nothing but emptiness envelopes his very soul.
Slap by reality, Sanzo knows that he is only but a fool for having false hope. Goku will no longer be by his side. To be punished by such a fate, definitely he has done the unimaginable in his former life. Seeking oblivion, Sanzo wills himself to sleep. Surely, the world can wait a few days more for he no longer has anything to loose.
"Oi Hakkai, don't you think Sanzo's been sleeping too much? It has already been more than a month. I don't want to stay in this place any longer, damn it! We should hurry it up and find that stupid monkey already!"
Gojyo's in a bad mood nowadays. Hell, he's furious. He has a bad feeling and is worried sick about Goku. Guilt gnaws his being since he and Hakkai weren't around when Sanzo and Goku need them the most. To his knowledge, the arrogant priest and his monkey were attacked by Kougaji's so called troop. It should be nothing that they couldn't handle. That is not until one of them blows up with enough TNT to wipe a city off the world chart. One thing leads to another and Goku being Goku, geronimo'd into what seems to be an act of suicide.
"Now, now Gojyo. You know how badly hurt Sanzo is. Let him rest as much as he needs. We have been tracking down Goku for weeks but to no avail. We might as well wait for Sanzo and come up with a better strategy," said Hakkai in his calmest voice.
As much as he hates to admit it, Gojyo is right. He too worries for Goku's well-being. What's more, he's afraid that Goku might not survive from such a fall. Hakkai is aware that Sanzo is trying his hardest to stay asleep, avoiding human contacts. He also hasn't been eating well. Gladly, his injuries are fully healed following a week in a state of comatose. Thanks to Hakryuu, they are able to save Sanzo in time. It is a relief that Sanzo's health is improving but it puts wrinkles to his face to see Sanzo acting beside himself. More or less like a walking ticking bomb that refuses to be defuse.
Smiling his usual smile, Hakkai goes to Sanzo's room along with his breakfast, hoping to solve the mystery tugging in everyone's heart.
The knock on the door brings Sanzo back to the realm of the living. For a while, he tries to ignore it but in need of a drink and his cancer stick, the desire to feign sleep abandons him.
Unwillingly, Sanzo moves himself to a sitting position.
"Sanzo, I'm coming in", Hakkai announces.
"I brought you breakfast and of course, this as well".
Sanzo pulls out a cigarette and lights it on. Breathing in the smoke, Sanzo feels a calming effect in his chest.
"How are you today, Sanzo? Does it hurt anymore, I mean your head," said Hakkai with a concern gesture.
"Tch, don't be such a nag Hakkai. I'm fine," Sanzo utters, eyes staring blankly ahead.
"Then can I suggest that we look for Goku immediately? From where he fell, he might be in serious danger."
Sanzo almost flinches at the mentioning of Goku's name but his calm posture shadows any hint to his distraught emotions. As if staring into infinity, Sanzo remains static. For a moment, Hakkai thinks that his words have fall on deaf ears when suddenly Sanzo speaks in his normal tone.
"We don't."
"What do you mean WE DON'T? Goku needs us!" Gojyo suddenly barges into the room, guns blazing.
Hakkai sighs disapprovingly, his 'make love not war' approach not even halfway through.
Truly, Gojyo knows how to make an entrance.
"Are you an idiot? Do I need to spell it to you? What part of 'WE DON'T' escape your understanding?" The lid to Sanzo's bottle up emotions burst open.
Quick to snap and along with 'I've had enough of you and your smart mouth' on Gojyo's face, Gojyo springs on top of Sanzo and punch straight to his stomach with all his might.
"Stop it Gojyo! He's still hurt!" Hakkai tries to break the fight yet, like the air in the room, his presence disregarded. Heck, Gojyo could not care less.
Sanzo winces in pain as he feels the punch knocking out his breath. He lost the will to fight back. Holding his breath, Sanzo braces himself for the upcoming pain.
Gojyo stops halfway, obviously surprise that Sanzo isn't avoiding his attacks or does he replies it. Not that he mind much but it feels wrong. Gojyo stares into Sanzo and could see nothing except for a set of eyes that belongs to a broken mind. Violet shades of defiance and arrogance no longer burning with life. Gojyo's anger flies swiftly as it has come.
"Sanzo, as it is to you, Goku is no less important to us as well. So, tell us…" Hakkai said breaking the silence.
"He's dead," Sanzo knows better than to utter the name. It hurts too much.
Even at his own words, Sanzo wishes to stay in a state of denial.
Reality lingers at a point of no return.
For a moment, Hakkai and Gojyo stand unmoving, legs heavy on the ground.
"What? He couldn't be dead. How do you know for sure? ", Gojyo wails, he refuses to believe.
"After he felI, his presence vanishes." Gojyo and Hakkai are left speechless.
'He's dead.' Sanzo chants in his mind.
"This can't be right. Goku doesn't die that easily. F**k!" Gojyo slams his fist on the wall.
Yet to witness Sanzo's unwavering attitude, Gojyo's chest tightens. Sorrow vibrates in his chest. Glancing over Hakkai, Gojyo notices that he's holding his breath. His knuckles white from gripping the chair with a face twinge of utter torment. Heavy dark atmosphere hovers in the living room as the three silently grieves over the loss of their golden eyed boy.
Somewhere outside the inn…
A carriage passes by, carrying what seems to be a cage. A big brown rag piece of sack shields it from world. In the cramped space, a youthful figure desperately peeks through the iron bars, hoping to catch a glance of the sun. For reasons that he no longer has any memories of, he feels a core and deep attachment. His eye sparks with life as he sees the golden orb visible through the torn cloth. "'Like the sun," he absentmindedly utters. Touch by the warm sun, his head gear slightly reflects a quick light into Sanzo's room moments before he quietly retracts himself back into the corner.
Feeling his heart skip a beat, Sanzo looks over his shoulder. Eyes dead set on the window.
Convince that it is simply a mind trick, Sanzo brush it off and inhale soothingly from his cancer stick. 'Forget,' his mind repeats itself.
With the whines of the horses, the carriage picks up speed and heads towards a new direction.
West.
** (Drum rolls! How was it? Lame or too poetic perhaps? It did burn a fuse in my brain. Despite having an interview tomorrow, inspiration gets the best of me and of course to have people enjoying my story is priceless. Comments are nice too! (^_^)**
