Alone

Chapter Two: Mirage

A/N: Hmm...apparently I got mixed reactions to the first chappeh. ::grins:: 'Sokay. Not everyone likes everything. That's why I'm doing this, to test out all the pair theories. Tho it's a -lot- harder than I thought it'd beh...

This one wasn't in the song either, but it's the respective couple for the last one. It's 59, and dedicated to my cousin Chi (FF.N name hellfan). This is her main pairing, so this one's for you Chi-chan! ::thumbs up::

Oh, and just for further reference, I don't think any of these are connected to each other. Each chappeh is a seperate one-shot, unless otherwise noted.

---

--Find tomorrow within the mirage wavering in the distance--

This was bad. Gojyo shook his head, attempting to get the sand out of his hair, with little avail. He turned to the others, who were just starting to get up. The redhead glared, crossing his arms.

"I -told- you it was a bad idea to camp in the desert," he snapped at Sanzo, who calmly brushed sand off his robes.

"I did second that motion," Hakkai said, pushing on the tent canopy. A waterfall of sand fell from the top, cascading to the considerably higher ground.

In Sanzo's defense, there was really no other option. The next town couldn't be reached for at least a day, and Hakuryuu wasn't going to last much longer without rest. Eventhough it was risky, the monk had decided to camp out in the desert. Apparently, that risk had presented itself, for they all awoke covered in sand.

"Well, what the hell do you want me to do about it?" Sanzo glared at the irate kappa, "Just dig everything out and we'll move on. It's just sand. I can't help it if you sleep with your big mouth open and ate some."

"You wanna go?!" he clenched his fists, stepping closer to the monk. Hakkai stepped in between the two, interrupting the battle.

"I believe Goku is missing."

Subject successfully changed, the three inspected their surroundings. Sure enough, the monkey was nowhere to be found. After becoming quite sure that he wasn't just buried in the tent, or wandering around close by, the remaining ikkou began to worry. Hakkai was questioning Hakuryuu if he'd seen the boy get up last night. Sanzo was chain smoking. It was the only way the others had learned to tell of his gnawing emotions. Worry, doubt, fear. All his insecurities blown out with constant cigarette smoke.

Gojyo had been smoking as well, though after a few minutes he smashed the thing out. Something about this situation bothered him. Sure, Goku did stupid shit all the time, but this type of random disappearance wasn't like him at all.

Finally Hakkai turned to them, Hakuryuu flying from his shoulder. "I sent Hakuryuu out to look around. He should find Goku if he's gotten lost out here."

The redhead crossed his arms. "So we're just supposed to wait here?"

"There's really nothing we can do right now."

"Bullshit," he snapped. He regretted it immediately. He wasn't mad at Hakkai. He didn't know -who- he was mad at. He stood up. "I'm going to look too."

Hakkai moved to stop him. "Gojyo, please..."

Sanzo held out a hand in front of the brunette. Looking at Gojyo, a flash of something appeared in his eyes, then was gone. "If the dragon gets back before you do, we're leaving your ass. Got it?"

"Loud and clear," he grinned dryly, walking off.

---

An hour later, Gojyo was severely regretting his decision. Not that he didn't want to find Goku. In that he was resolute. But the ends don't always justify the means, especially if you didn't live long enough to reach the ends. In both his haste and his love for a dramatic exit, he'd neglected some important things. Water, shade, etc. Not one of his better ideas, that was for sure.

Exahusted and dehydrated, he fell to his knees in the sand, which clouded around him. He didn't know what he'd expected. He didn't think Goku would be very far away. The heat was almost unbearable, and the sun's rays were merciless. For some reason, it gave way to thought.

He should go back. He wouldn't do anyone any good as a sun-dried corpse. What was the big deal about it anyway? Why was he worrying so much? Goku had proven time and time again that he could take care of himself. So why did the littel monkey matter so much?

His vision blurred for a moment and his head spun. This was it. Heat stroke. He was going to be out in a few minutes, in the middle of fucking nowhere. Then they'd look for him as well? Maybe Hakuryuu would find his body. Maybe they wouldn't find him. No one would, and he'd melt away into bleached bones like in all the westerns.

Fuck, what a stupid way to die.

He looked up, refusing to just give in. He felt dizzy. It was going to come, whether he liked it or not. He fell forward, landing on his chest. Something moved in the corner of his eye. Was it cyotes? Some desert animal come to watch his death and gain a meal?

That was even worse.

He squinted, trying to see clearly in his current state. As it was, the heat made the air waver, rendering it impossible to see straight, muddled or not, although he didn't register this. But he recognized the figure moving slowly toward him.

So his mind had the coustesy to give him a mirage to end it with. Seeing Goku one last time before the heat consumed him.

It was a hell of a lot better than cyotes.

He smiled, the humourless twitching of the lips one only has when confronted with their own demise. He watched the Goku-mirage step steadily closer to where he lie.And suddenly he knew why he was out here. Unfortunately it would be his last thought. With that, his eyes closed, his mind floating into unconsiousness.

---

Gojyo woke up to someone poking his cheek. He opened one eye slowly to see Goku leaning over him. He groaned. "Fuckin' mirages..."

"Who're you calling a mirage, stupis kappa?" Goku shot back, grinning.

Mirages don't talk, do they? "Goku?"

"Duh! Who else is it gonna be?" he put his hands on his hips, "I'd expect this kinda thing from me, but not from you!"

Gojyo sat up slowly, his head still buzzing a little. He was back at camp. A fire was going beside them, cooking dinner. "What happened?"

The boy sat down beside him. "I got lost last night. I found you face-first in a pile of sand. Luckily Hakuryuu found us both. Are you okay?"

The redhead nodded. Goku sighed with relief. "That's good. I was afraid you'd died!" he handed Gojyo a cup of water, "Drink all of this, okay?"

The half-breed did as instructed, gulping down the contents quickly. It didn't do much, but it helped. "Thanks."

He turned to face the boy, surprised to find his golden eyes serious. "Hakkai said you went looking for me..."

"Yeah," Gojyo became serious as well, something he didn't do often with the brunette boy, "I was worried about you."

He smiled slightly. "Really?"

Gojyo grinned, bopping his friend on the head lightly. "Yeah, so don't ever do that again, you hear me?"

Goku laughed, rubbing his head absently. "Sure thing." He yawned, leaning a bit to one side.

Gojyo grabbed his shoulder before he could fall over. "Damn saru, you should be asleep!"

"Hey..." he replied half-asleep already, "'M not a saru. And I couldn't sleep."

"Why not?

Goku frowned a bit, which looked more like a comical pout in his current state. "I was worried about you, you dumb kappa. Why'd you have to go out and almost get yourself killed?"

Gojyo grinned, mocking the boy's words. "I was worried about -you-, you dumb monkey."

The brunette yawned again, leaning this time on Gojyo's arm. "...Huh. Well, if we're both gonna do stupid things because we're worried about each other, then the other one's gotta be there to save their ass, okay?"

The kappa laughed, rustling the boy's hair a bit. "That might be the smartest thing you've said in awhile, saru."

Gojyo didn't get an answer, even a complaint, from the boy. With a little effort, he moved his head down to look at Goku's face. He had fallen asleep. The half-breed smiled, shifting a bit to get more comfortable.

"Agreed."

--Now I can surely walk on and on forever--

---

A/N: Urgh, that took entirely too long... ::sighs:: Well, I hope ya like this better than the first one. At least you've got the other ones to look forward too. ::remembers the other two she's gotta do before 58:: ...Ah crap! ::falls over::

KawaiiLilMarron: I can -see- 38, but not for too long. They're too much alike to stay together for the long run, I think. Gojyo and 'Kai are differnt enough to match, y'know? And I'm holding you to the -anything else- part! ::winks::