Chapter 2: Nightmare
"Goku? Goku? Where are you going?" I asked the zaru confused. Instead of answering me, he just looked at me with sad eyes, turned his back and started to walk away. I tell myself immediately to let him be, but something made me run after him. "Wait! Wait, Goku!" I yell. The faster I ran the harder it is to catch up with him. I stumbled on my own feet as I bit back a cry. I look up to find where the zaru had gone but he was nowhere to be found. He left me. He left me. That thought seem to break me apart. I cried and hugged myself. "Goku? Why did you leave me? Why?"
"Sanzo! Oi, Sanzo wake up!" I opened my eyes and groaned when I see Hakkai looming over me looking concerned. "Yokatta! I was so worried, for a minute I thought you wouldn't wake up. You were groaning like crazy." I mumbled something incoherent, hoping Hakkai would get the picture. Hakkai nodded knowingly. "I hope you don't mind but I camped. Hakuryu desperately needed the rest. You were already asleep and I didn't want to wake you." Hakkai explained as he threw me a bottle of water which I took gratefully. "Its okay. Where are we?" "Ummm. halfway to the next town." I hear some movement from the back of the jeep, so I took a glance. Goyjo has just woken up and was lighting a cigarette. My gaze then landed on my zaru. Goku had his head against Goyjo's leg and was sleeping serenely; he was mumbling something in his sleep. I smiled slightly; he was always a beautiful sight. I took my own lighter and lit a cigarette. "Why don't we get moving then?" I told Hakkai as I nodded at the rising sun. "Why not? I think Hakuryu's well enough." Hakkai started Hakuryu up and went on to the next town.
"Oi! Bakazaru! It's morning already! Wake up!" Goyjo yelled at the still sleeping Goku. No effect. [Hmmm.] Goyjo smiled wickedly and removed his leg from underneath Goku's head. BANG! Still no effect. He scratched his head; wondering what to do next. He then had a sudden inspiration. Goyjo postioned himself and yelled at the top of his lungs; "Breakfast's ready, bakazaru!" "Really? Where?!" "Hehehe. I knew that would do the trick." Goyjo chuckled to himself. Unluckily Goku heard him; the zaru knitted his brows together, thinking hard. "Teme?! You fooled me, horny water monster!" "I did not. I was just trying to wake you, bakazaru." "Who's a zaru?" Goku yelled fisting his hands and advancing on a still calm Goyjo. Whack. "Urusai!" "Sanzo. it hurts." Goku whined clutching his head. "Serves you right, bakazaru." Goyjo, readying himself for another attack from Goku was surprised when the zaru just kept his mouth shut and stared at the passing scenery. "Oi, zaru are you okay?" He asked concerned. "I'm fine." "Ano, Goku I do have some food here, would you like something to eat?" Hakkai added trying to cheer up Goku. "No thanks, Hakkai. I'm not really that hungry." Hakkai and Goyjo's eyes were wide as saucers at the remark of Goku. "Goku." "Stop babying him. He should know what he is doing." Sanzo interrupted harshly.
[Why do Sanzo have to be so mean?] Goku thought to himself sadly. Right now, he was really entertaining the idea of joining Homura. The idea of Sanzo being mad at him always, will make their trip to the west unbearable; for him, for Sanzo and even for Hakkai and Goyjo. Right now their other two companions can feel the tension from them. [I mean who wouldn't notice? Sanzo and I haven't been talking to each other and I wouldn't dare to come close to him.] Even his monkey brain can digest it. Hakkai was trying too hard to be gracious to him and Goyjo; well he has been a lot nicer to him lately and he appreciated that. He had a lot of things on his mind and a tease from Goyjo would be lethal to his brain. Goku sighed. They had reached town, Goku don't know which but he doesn't give a damn. "Why don't we rest first? I found an inn next to bar." Hakkai suggested cutting into Goku's train of thoughts. Sanzo merely nodded and walked the direction Hakkai told. "Why don't we follow the damn corrupt monk? He might not get us rooms." Goyjo said and followed Sanzo. I willed myself to follow them, but I can't move. I want to put a lot of distance between myself and Sanzo. I couldn't afford him yelling at me again. I was startled when Hakkai appeared in front of my face. "HAKKAI! Don't scare me like that!" I told him clutching me chest. "Gomen, Goku. But are you alright? You can talk to me, you know?" I looked at him. Yes, I can talk to him and I can definitely trust him, but I don't think I want to talk about it. I sighed and stared at the ground. "Hakkai, I don't want to talk about it. I'm okay." I tried my best to smile but all I could muster was a smirk. "Goku." "Hey! They're already inside, let us come inside too!" I told Hakkai and bounded to the inn. I saw Hakkai shaking his head.
Sanzo sighed as he stared outside his window. Luckily the inn has many rooms to spare, so each of them has their own room. Sanzo thanked his lucky stars; he needed his space today because he needed to think. He was thinking that maybe he has gone too far in giving Goku the cold shoulder. Yes, to him it was benefiting because the distance he was causing between them might help him forget his affection towards Goku. But so far it has proven to be no help at all. First, his affection grew stronger towards Goku than ever, second, the cold shoulder treatment looks to have taken it toll on the poor zaru. Sanzo groaned to himself, when he pictured Goku from this morning looking so detached and lonely. [Maybe I should let off a little.] He thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
"Don't you think Sanzo is going too far?" Hakkai asked Goyjo. They were in the bar next to the inn sharing sake. "Hell yes! Just look at the zaru, he was definitely not himself! Can you imagine the day that Goku would eat just one serving?!" Despite himself Hakkai chuckled. "No, I definitely didn't see that coming." "So what do you think should do, bang Sanzo's head to wake him?" "It would be an honor to be able to do so, but I don't think a simple whack at the head of Sanzo will change his mind." "You're right. That the damn monk can be so hard headed sometimes. But this time he's just being shy? I mean what's wrong in showing your pet some emotion, right?" Goyjo asked while drinking some sake. He suddenly tensed up when he got a whiff of some youkai's scent. Hakkai stood up and readied himself for battle. "Are you ready for some late night exercise Goyjo?" He asked while glancing at the direction of the door, where hundreds of youkai came streaming in. "Why not? I feel so full from dinner that I have to burn it off."
Sanzo woke up. Something was inside his room, or rather someone. "Show yourself." Sanzo said while taking his gun out. "My, my, aren't we in such a bad mood?" It was Zenon. "I didn't remember inviting you here." "Asking permission is not our style." This one was Shien. "Hmmm. 2 against one. Are you that weak that you need someone to back you up?" "Hehehe. I like you. You're gutsy for someone who is at a disadvantage." "I'm not at a disadvantage. I will make you pay for disturbing my sleep." Sanzo said as he attacked Zenon and Shien.
"Goku, Goku wake up." "Huh? Is breakfast ready?" Goku asked rubbing his eyes eagerly. "Hey it's still night! Why the heck did you." Goku stopped when he realized who he was talking to, "Homura? What are you doing here?" "Oh nothing just had the urge to visit you guys." Goku narrowed his eyes. "Where are your 2flunkies?" "You mean Zenon and Shien? At the moment they are playing with a certain blond monk." [Sanzo!] Goku's mind screamed; he can't handle those two fighting gods alone. He made a dash to the door when Homura stopped him. "You're going to help that Sanzo? Can't you see that he doesn't need you anymore?" Goku stopped. There is some truth in Homura's words. Sanzo is very vocal about not needing him. "But." "Come Goku, I will let you see something interesting." Homura said while gesturing at Goku to follow him. With no other choice Goku followed Homura.
[Shit.] Sanzo was at Shien's mercy. His whips were around Sanzo's neck and Zenon's gun was pointed at his temple. [What a way to die!] Sanzo thought sarcastically to himself. At least he had a choice. Either he dies with guns or with choking. Unfortunately nothing seems better than the other. Zenon snickered. "Why don't you call for your pet's help? I suppose he would gladly help his master out." Sanzo tried to snigger too but the whips around his neck just made him cough. "Tch. I don't need help. Especially from that bakazaru." Sanzo spat angrily. "Are you sure? You were so close aren't you? You even tried to save him from dying once." Shien said with menacing eyes. "What made you think I saved him? He was responsibility after all. Nothing more. It was like carrying dead packages all the time." Sanzo said rather angrily. [If they intended to kill me, must they torture me like this. I don't want to be in anyone's mercy!] He thought to himself indignantly. Sanzo was startled when he heard sniffing noises; he turned to look towards the door then gasped to himself. Homura was smiling victoriously and Goku was crying, though he was trying vainly to control his tears, his shoulder shook. Sanzo immediately regretted what he said. He definitely hurt Goku's feeling this time. Homura draped his hands around Goku' shoulders and started to lead him away. With a backward glance and a smirk at Sanzo, he said, "Zenon, Shien let's retreat. Our mission has been successful." "Tch. Already? And I was having fun." Zenon said looking wistfully at bewildered Sanzo. Shien released his hold on Sanzo and walked away. "Let's go Zenon." "Hai, Hai." Then he too disappeared after Shien.
Sanzo's eyes were wide. He can't believe that he had fallen for Homura's trap. For the first time since their journey to the west, Sanzo let his tears fall freely. His worst nightmare had come true. Goku was gone.
"Goku? Goku? Where are you going?" I asked the zaru confused. Instead of answering me, he just looked at me with sad eyes, turned his back and started to walk away. I tell myself immediately to let him be, but something made me run after him. "Wait! Wait, Goku!" I yell. The faster I ran the harder it is to catch up with him. I stumbled on my own feet as I bit back a cry. I look up to find where the zaru had gone but he was nowhere to be found. He left me. He left me. That thought seem to break me apart. I cried and hugged myself. "Goku? Why did you leave me? Why?"
"Sanzo! Oi, Sanzo wake up!" I opened my eyes and groaned when I see Hakkai looming over me looking concerned. "Yokatta! I was so worried, for a minute I thought you wouldn't wake up. You were groaning like crazy." I mumbled something incoherent, hoping Hakkai would get the picture. Hakkai nodded knowingly. "I hope you don't mind but I camped. Hakuryu desperately needed the rest. You were already asleep and I didn't want to wake you." Hakkai explained as he threw me a bottle of water which I took gratefully. "Its okay. Where are we?" "Ummm. halfway to the next town." I hear some movement from the back of the jeep, so I took a glance. Goyjo has just woken up and was lighting a cigarette. My gaze then landed on my zaru. Goku had his head against Goyjo's leg and was sleeping serenely; he was mumbling something in his sleep. I smiled slightly; he was always a beautiful sight. I took my own lighter and lit a cigarette. "Why don't we get moving then?" I told Hakkai as I nodded at the rising sun. "Why not? I think Hakuryu's well enough." Hakkai started Hakuryu up and went on to the next town.
"Oi! Bakazaru! It's morning already! Wake up!" Goyjo yelled at the still sleeping Goku. No effect. [Hmmm.] Goyjo smiled wickedly and removed his leg from underneath Goku's head. BANG! Still no effect. He scratched his head; wondering what to do next. He then had a sudden inspiration. Goyjo postioned himself and yelled at the top of his lungs; "Breakfast's ready, bakazaru!" "Really? Where?!" "Hehehe. I knew that would do the trick." Goyjo chuckled to himself. Unluckily Goku heard him; the zaru knitted his brows together, thinking hard. "Teme?! You fooled me, horny water monster!" "I did not. I was just trying to wake you, bakazaru." "Who's a zaru?" Goku yelled fisting his hands and advancing on a still calm Goyjo. Whack. "Urusai!" "Sanzo. it hurts." Goku whined clutching his head. "Serves you right, bakazaru." Goyjo, readying himself for another attack from Goku was surprised when the zaru just kept his mouth shut and stared at the passing scenery. "Oi, zaru are you okay?" He asked concerned. "I'm fine." "Ano, Goku I do have some food here, would you like something to eat?" Hakkai added trying to cheer up Goku. "No thanks, Hakkai. I'm not really that hungry." Hakkai and Goyjo's eyes were wide as saucers at the remark of Goku. "Goku." "Stop babying him. He should know what he is doing." Sanzo interrupted harshly.
[Why do Sanzo have to be so mean?] Goku thought to himself sadly. Right now, he was really entertaining the idea of joining Homura. The idea of Sanzo being mad at him always, will make their trip to the west unbearable; for him, for Sanzo and even for Hakkai and Goyjo. Right now their other two companions can feel the tension from them. [I mean who wouldn't notice? Sanzo and I haven't been talking to each other and I wouldn't dare to come close to him.] Even his monkey brain can digest it. Hakkai was trying too hard to be gracious to him and Goyjo; well he has been a lot nicer to him lately and he appreciated that. He had a lot of things on his mind and a tease from Goyjo would be lethal to his brain. Goku sighed. They had reached town, Goku don't know which but he doesn't give a damn. "Why don't we rest first? I found an inn next to bar." Hakkai suggested cutting into Goku's train of thoughts. Sanzo merely nodded and walked the direction Hakkai told. "Why don't we follow the damn corrupt monk? He might not get us rooms." Goyjo said and followed Sanzo. I willed myself to follow them, but I can't move. I want to put a lot of distance between myself and Sanzo. I couldn't afford him yelling at me again. I was startled when Hakkai appeared in front of my face. "HAKKAI! Don't scare me like that!" I told him clutching me chest. "Gomen, Goku. But are you alright? You can talk to me, you know?" I looked at him. Yes, I can talk to him and I can definitely trust him, but I don't think I want to talk about it. I sighed and stared at the ground. "Hakkai, I don't want to talk about it. I'm okay." I tried my best to smile but all I could muster was a smirk. "Goku." "Hey! They're already inside, let us come inside too!" I told Hakkai and bounded to the inn. I saw Hakkai shaking his head.
Sanzo sighed as he stared outside his window. Luckily the inn has many rooms to spare, so each of them has their own room. Sanzo thanked his lucky stars; he needed his space today because he needed to think. He was thinking that maybe he has gone too far in giving Goku the cold shoulder. Yes, to him it was benefiting because the distance he was causing between them might help him forget his affection towards Goku. But so far it has proven to be no help at all. First, his affection grew stronger towards Goku than ever, second, the cold shoulder treatment looks to have taken it toll on the poor zaru. Sanzo groaned to himself, when he pictured Goku from this morning looking so detached and lonely. [Maybe I should let off a little.] He thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
"Don't you think Sanzo is going too far?" Hakkai asked Goyjo. They were in the bar next to the inn sharing sake. "Hell yes! Just look at the zaru, he was definitely not himself! Can you imagine the day that Goku would eat just one serving?!" Despite himself Hakkai chuckled. "No, I definitely didn't see that coming." "So what do you think should do, bang Sanzo's head to wake him?" "It would be an honor to be able to do so, but I don't think a simple whack at the head of Sanzo will change his mind." "You're right. That the damn monk can be so hard headed sometimes. But this time he's just being shy? I mean what's wrong in showing your pet some emotion, right?" Goyjo asked while drinking some sake. He suddenly tensed up when he got a whiff of some youkai's scent. Hakkai stood up and readied himself for battle. "Are you ready for some late night exercise Goyjo?" He asked while glancing at the direction of the door, where hundreds of youkai came streaming in. "Why not? I feel so full from dinner that I have to burn it off."
Sanzo woke up. Something was inside his room, or rather someone. "Show yourself." Sanzo said while taking his gun out. "My, my, aren't we in such a bad mood?" It was Zenon. "I didn't remember inviting you here." "Asking permission is not our style." This one was Shien. "Hmmm. 2 against one. Are you that weak that you need someone to back you up?" "Hehehe. I like you. You're gutsy for someone who is at a disadvantage." "I'm not at a disadvantage. I will make you pay for disturbing my sleep." Sanzo said as he attacked Zenon and Shien.
"Goku, Goku wake up." "Huh? Is breakfast ready?" Goku asked rubbing his eyes eagerly. "Hey it's still night! Why the heck did you." Goku stopped when he realized who he was talking to, "Homura? What are you doing here?" "Oh nothing just had the urge to visit you guys." Goku narrowed his eyes. "Where are your 2flunkies?" "You mean Zenon and Shien? At the moment they are playing with a certain blond monk." [Sanzo!] Goku's mind screamed; he can't handle those two fighting gods alone. He made a dash to the door when Homura stopped him. "You're going to help that Sanzo? Can't you see that he doesn't need you anymore?" Goku stopped. There is some truth in Homura's words. Sanzo is very vocal about not needing him. "But." "Come Goku, I will let you see something interesting." Homura said while gesturing at Goku to follow him. With no other choice Goku followed Homura.
[Shit.] Sanzo was at Shien's mercy. His whips were around Sanzo's neck and Zenon's gun was pointed at his temple. [What a way to die!] Sanzo thought sarcastically to himself. At least he had a choice. Either he dies with guns or with choking. Unfortunately nothing seems better than the other. Zenon snickered. "Why don't you call for your pet's help? I suppose he would gladly help his master out." Sanzo tried to snigger too but the whips around his neck just made him cough. "Tch. I don't need help. Especially from that bakazaru." Sanzo spat angrily. "Are you sure? You were so close aren't you? You even tried to save him from dying once." Shien said with menacing eyes. "What made you think I saved him? He was responsibility after all. Nothing more. It was like carrying dead packages all the time." Sanzo said rather angrily. [If they intended to kill me, must they torture me like this. I don't want to be in anyone's mercy!] He thought to himself indignantly. Sanzo was startled when he heard sniffing noises; he turned to look towards the door then gasped to himself. Homura was smiling victoriously and Goku was crying, though he was trying vainly to control his tears, his shoulder shook. Sanzo immediately regretted what he said. He definitely hurt Goku's feeling this time. Homura draped his hands around Goku' shoulders and started to lead him away. With a backward glance and a smirk at Sanzo, he said, "Zenon, Shien let's retreat. Our mission has been successful." "Tch. Already? And I was having fun." Zenon said looking wistfully at bewildered Sanzo. Shien released his hold on Sanzo and walked away. "Let's go Zenon." "Hai, Hai." Then he too disappeared after Shien.
Sanzo's eyes were wide. He can't believe that he had fallen for Homura's trap. For the first time since their journey to the west, Sanzo let his tears fall freely. His worst nightmare had come true. Goku was gone.