I watch the scenery go by, as there was no entertainment provided. I
sighed. Ever since Goku left there was always heavy silence in the jeep.
And I don't like it one bit. I felt movement from the back of the jeep, so
I discreetly took a glance. Goyjo has shifted position and has a faraway
look in his face; ever since the zaru had gone, Goyjo was a lot less noisy
and he always seems depressed. I guess he also misses his bickering
partner. Hakkai on the other hand was the opposite of Goyjo. I never
thought that he could smile a lot, and I do mean a lot. When Goku was here
he was cheerful but now that Goku is gone he has gone double. I appreciated
both of them, for they kept me sane. Goyjo made me think that moping around
for Goku is okay and Hakkai made me think that not minding him is okay too.
I do mope for Goku when I was sure that no one was around to see me, and I
was as cool as ice when I was around Goyjo and Hakkai. I brought a hand to
my eyes to shield myself from the brightness of the sun. We've gone too far
and we've endured many things together, too bad that Goku is not here with
us, he was part of the team and he deserved to be here. I hold back a
screech when Hakkai suddenly threw in the brakes. "What the hell?! Don't
you know how to drive?" I asked him indignantly. If only I was patient
enough, I myself would have driven the jeep, Hakkai was either driving like
a grandfather or he was driving like a maniac! Talk about a no win
situation! "Ano, sumimasen, but we have company." Hakkai said as he broke
in to my thoughts. Goyjo gasped irritably from the back, I took a look at
what made him gasp and what made Hakkai threw in the breaks so immediately.
I raised my eyebrows when I saw who were standing there; Homura and
company.
"Well, well if it isn't the Sazko-ikkou." Homura drawled lazily. He had a confident smirk on his face that made Sanzo so angry he wanted to scratch Homura's face off. "How are you doing? Hope banishing demons isn't too much of a trouble for you." Homura continued a challenging glare in his eyes. "What made you think that we'd have trouble?" I asked him coolly. "Let me see.." Homura tapped the side of his face as if he was thinking hard. "Oh, yes. I do remember you were a foursome then right?" His smirk grew a little wider on this comment but Goyjo definitely snapped on this. "Teme! I'll get you for this Homura!" He launched himself at Homura his weapon poised in front of him. Zenon was much too quick for Goyjo that he had evaded the attack meant for Homura. "Too slow, boy! You're not ready for Homura yet! Try me!" Goyjo who looked like a raging bull, attacked Zenon and actually hit him a few times square and hard while yelling, "Give us Goku back! You damn of a kami-sama!" Homura chuckled at Goyjo, then threw me and Hakkai a victorious glare. "You see, Goku will never come back. He decided to stay with us, and do you know why?" His eyes were staring right at Hakkai. "Did Sanzo tell you what happened?" He asked Hakkai. Hakkai could only shake his head. "It's because.." "Stop it." I hissed at Homura, and I became aware that Goyjo had stopped fighting Zenon and was listening in on the conversation. Homura relished the situation. "Sanzo hurt Goku's feelings, telling him that he wasn't needed and that he was a dead weight for Sanzo." Goyjo and Hakkai threw me a disgusted glance. We all knew how touchy Goku is about these matters. Hakkai gave me the benefit of doubt. "You didn't? Please tell me you didn't tell it." I looked at the ground, feeling all their stares. Homura, Zenon and Shien's happy and contented looks and Hakkai and Goyjo's disappointment. It took all my courage to spit out words and to look at them defiantly. "I did." "No.." Was all Hakkai could say and Goyjo meanwhile was looking at me like I had grown another head. "Tsk, tsk, am I seeing the fall off the Sanzo-ikkou?" Homura asked me humorlessly. I snapped, my patience was at its limit. I launched an attack, not bothering to use the gun; I was far too pissed to think of using a weapon. My bare hands should be enough too release some anger. "Teme.." Homura caught my outstretched arm adeptly, twisting it around my back. "Let me go." I tell him, but of course it was useless. I was in an uncomfortable position. I could feel Homura's breath on my ear. Then I heard him say it. "Ne, Sanzo, did you know?" "Know what?" I grunted. "Goku tastes good." I was too shocked to say anything at all and I could vaguely feel my jaw hanging open. Homura then released his grasp and was laughing madly. "Zenon, Shien let's retreat." "Whatever you say boss." "Sanzo, it was fun playing with you." With that they vanished.
[Where are they?] Goku asked himself as he went in the fifteenth room he found. Homura had given him the privilege to wander around the tower and that was without bounds. [Even so there are many rooms here to explore, I'm getting bored.] Goku thought about the trips he made with the Sanzo-ikkou. There was never a dull time with them, it was a constant thrill. Goku sighed. [This is not the time to be thinking about all this. I'm here with Homura and it seems to me that he cares, it is only fair that I should forget about the others.] Goku had his head down when he entered the veranda of the tower, his spirits hanging low at the thought of forgetting a large part of his life.
"What's the matter, son Goku?" It was Homura. "Homura, you're back? How's your trip? Why didn't you let me come?" He smiled softly as he answered my questions. "The trip was a success; I never thought that I could be so happy with that one visit." "Really? That's good then." I tell him, smiling as well. "And I'm sorry, if I didn't ask you to come; I thought that you're still tired about.. the other day." "Ohhh, I'm okay now." A shadow of loneliness crossed over Goku's face before it lit up with a smile. "Okay, I'll forgive you this time Homura! But next time you should let me come, okay?" "Agreed." Homura nodded at the setting sun. "A beautiful sight, ne?" "Hmmm.. yes it is. You like it Homura?" "Yes, I do. I remember sharing it with the one I love." Homura suddenly fell quiet, a tear falling from his eyes. "Homura? Are you okay? You're crying." Goku asked concerned. "Yes, I'm sorry for this Goku." He said as he wiped the tear away. "It's just that I missed her, Rinrei." "Rinrei?" "Yes, she was my fiancée. But you know how the gods are about us heretics." "Huh? Actually no...." Goku replied quit truthfully. "The gods despises us. They don't want us to be happy. So when they found out, they let Rinrei live here on earth, while I was strapped to being a fighting god." Homura paused for a while letting son Goku digest all that he said. Without thinking Goku threw his arms around Homura and said, "I'm sorry. I never knew that you were treated so horribly. I'm so, so sorry." Goku said as he hugged Homura tighter. "It's okay. I have you know don't I?" He asked Goku sadly. Homura felt Goku nodding against his shoulder. "Yes, I promise." Homura smiled victoriously behind Goku's back. [Gotcha!]
Hakkai and Goyjo stood at their places since Homura left. No one made the move. All of them including Sanzo were still recovering from the shock that Homura provided. The two could not believe that Sanzo could do that to Goku. Sure he was a jerk sometimes but, they never thought that he could be that heartless. I mean he has a way of saying harsh words to Goku but he also has a way of showing that he didn't mean what he said. Sanzo on the other hand seemed to be more shocked that the two of them combined. He still had his jaws wide open. [What the hell did he mean, Goku tastes good? Damn him to hell!]
Hakkai finally broke the silence. He knows Sanzo needs privacy but they need to be enlightened, they couldn't let something like this hanging. They friendship depends on this. If Sanzo thinks like that, then what is the importance of them hanging around with him? "Sanzo, I think you owe us an explanation." Hakkai said gravely, noting the fact that Sanzo finally closed his mouth. Goyjo piped up. "We're listening." Sanzo sighed and looked up. "Remember that night you were in the bar?" "Yes." "I was sleeping when I was visited by Shien and Zenon." Goyjo raised his brows. "Continue please." Sanzo sighed but he went on. "We had to play a little, but sometime during our play I was held at gun point." He looked up to see if they were still listening. "Then, they started talking that I bring out my pet." Hakkai looked at me questioningly. "Goku?" "Yes, but I said that I didn't need to, cause I can handle it." "Hmmp. Sound s likes your retort all right." Goyjo said while lighting a cigarette. "Then they wheedled more out of me. So that's when I said that I can do it by myself that I was just ordered to bring you along. That's when Goku and Homura came." Sanzo looked at his hands angrily. "I bit the bait! That's what they were aiming for!" He punched the ground forcefully.
Goyjo looked at Sanzo. He looked pathetic now. He looks like hell period. He really misses his pet and he seems to have fallen apart. He had held himself okay for the past day, but after his little chat with Homura, he seems to have collapsed again. He believed Sanzo's story, besides he was like that the whole time. That was the Sanzo retort if he was held at gunpoint. He had so much pride that he wouldn't admit defeat and he wouldn't ask for help. Goyjo sighed. Maybe Homura did a little more push to make Goku leave like that. Hell, Homura is a sweet talker. He probably had egged Goku on, while Sanzo was going on his tirade. Yes, that was probably what happened. Goyjo took a glance at Hakkai and realized that like he Hakkai believed Sanzo's story. But the two of them made no move to comfort Sanzo. It will only make the monk miserable. They just sat there with him, an unspoken truce between them.
After moping around, Sanzo finally pulled himself together. He had to, he still had a mission to finish and after that he could go on and start anew. He looked at Hakkai and Goyjo who just smiled and nodded at him. He let himself smile a little. [At least I still have them. Arigatou, Hakkai. Arigatou, Goyjo.] "Why don't we get moving then?" I asked them sternly. Goyjo laughed and Hakkai visibly relaxed. "He's back alright!" Goyjo said giving Hakkai a high five. I snorted at this, feeling as if I am getting the old me back. "Here we come Homura! Get ready to get your ass kicked!" Goyjo said happily. I furrow my brow. Maybe they had misunderstood me. "What do you mean?" I ask Goyjo. He looked confused for a moment, then he smiled. "We are going to get Goku back right?" I didn't answer. Hakkai looked at me questioningly. "Sanzo, you don't intend to just leave it at that don't you?" I sighed. And I was getting the old me back. Hell I just wish I won't be such a wreck when I finish my story. "I know you want the zaru back but.." "But.. What do you mean but?" Goyjo looked angry. Hakkai restrained him from clobbering me. "Let Sanzo explain first." I shot him a grateful glance. "Hmmp. I'm listening." I took a deep breath. "Homura's right. Goku will never come back." "Why?" "I can't hear his voice anymore." "What do you mean?" Hakkai and Goyjo looked at me visibly lost. "My master once told me, that in your life you will hear a voice." "Go on.." "And that is the voice of need." Hakkai's eyes widened. "So what you're saying is, since you've let Goku free from that mountain, you've been hearing his voice constantly." "Yes." Goyjo still looked lost and he is starting to get pissed. "Oi, I'm still here you know? What's with this voice thingy? Just answer me in simple English okay? Why is Goku never coming back?" Sanzo suddenly looked tired and he seemed to have aged in the sad look he is projecting. "It's because.. He has found a place to belong."
A/N:
Abelle~~ hehe, sorry but I am not the mogrika from the axn forum.
DragoraGirl~~ thank you so much, for putting this on your fave stories list! I just hope this chap. is up to your liking.
Minna~~ thanks for the reviews, okay? I just hope my grammar is improving. Thanks!
"Well, well if it isn't the Sazko-ikkou." Homura drawled lazily. He had a confident smirk on his face that made Sanzo so angry he wanted to scratch Homura's face off. "How are you doing? Hope banishing demons isn't too much of a trouble for you." Homura continued a challenging glare in his eyes. "What made you think that we'd have trouble?" I asked him coolly. "Let me see.." Homura tapped the side of his face as if he was thinking hard. "Oh, yes. I do remember you were a foursome then right?" His smirk grew a little wider on this comment but Goyjo definitely snapped on this. "Teme! I'll get you for this Homura!" He launched himself at Homura his weapon poised in front of him. Zenon was much too quick for Goyjo that he had evaded the attack meant for Homura. "Too slow, boy! You're not ready for Homura yet! Try me!" Goyjo who looked like a raging bull, attacked Zenon and actually hit him a few times square and hard while yelling, "Give us Goku back! You damn of a kami-sama!" Homura chuckled at Goyjo, then threw me and Hakkai a victorious glare. "You see, Goku will never come back. He decided to stay with us, and do you know why?" His eyes were staring right at Hakkai. "Did Sanzo tell you what happened?" He asked Hakkai. Hakkai could only shake his head. "It's because.." "Stop it." I hissed at Homura, and I became aware that Goyjo had stopped fighting Zenon and was listening in on the conversation. Homura relished the situation. "Sanzo hurt Goku's feelings, telling him that he wasn't needed and that he was a dead weight for Sanzo." Goyjo and Hakkai threw me a disgusted glance. We all knew how touchy Goku is about these matters. Hakkai gave me the benefit of doubt. "You didn't? Please tell me you didn't tell it." I looked at the ground, feeling all their stares. Homura, Zenon and Shien's happy and contented looks and Hakkai and Goyjo's disappointment. It took all my courage to spit out words and to look at them defiantly. "I did." "No.." Was all Hakkai could say and Goyjo meanwhile was looking at me like I had grown another head. "Tsk, tsk, am I seeing the fall off the Sanzo-ikkou?" Homura asked me humorlessly. I snapped, my patience was at its limit. I launched an attack, not bothering to use the gun; I was far too pissed to think of using a weapon. My bare hands should be enough too release some anger. "Teme.." Homura caught my outstretched arm adeptly, twisting it around my back. "Let me go." I tell him, but of course it was useless. I was in an uncomfortable position. I could feel Homura's breath on my ear. Then I heard him say it. "Ne, Sanzo, did you know?" "Know what?" I grunted. "Goku tastes good." I was too shocked to say anything at all and I could vaguely feel my jaw hanging open. Homura then released his grasp and was laughing madly. "Zenon, Shien let's retreat." "Whatever you say boss." "Sanzo, it was fun playing with you." With that they vanished.
[Where are they?] Goku asked himself as he went in the fifteenth room he found. Homura had given him the privilege to wander around the tower and that was without bounds. [Even so there are many rooms here to explore, I'm getting bored.] Goku thought about the trips he made with the Sanzo-ikkou. There was never a dull time with them, it was a constant thrill. Goku sighed. [This is not the time to be thinking about all this. I'm here with Homura and it seems to me that he cares, it is only fair that I should forget about the others.] Goku had his head down when he entered the veranda of the tower, his spirits hanging low at the thought of forgetting a large part of his life.
"What's the matter, son Goku?" It was Homura. "Homura, you're back? How's your trip? Why didn't you let me come?" He smiled softly as he answered my questions. "The trip was a success; I never thought that I could be so happy with that one visit." "Really? That's good then." I tell him, smiling as well. "And I'm sorry, if I didn't ask you to come; I thought that you're still tired about.. the other day." "Ohhh, I'm okay now." A shadow of loneliness crossed over Goku's face before it lit up with a smile. "Okay, I'll forgive you this time Homura! But next time you should let me come, okay?" "Agreed." Homura nodded at the setting sun. "A beautiful sight, ne?" "Hmmm.. yes it is. You like it Homura?" "Yes, I do. I remember sharing it with the one I love." Homura suddenly fell quiet, a tear falling from his eyes. "Homura? Are you okay? You're crying." Goku asked concerned. "Yes, I'm sorry for this Goku." He said as he wiped the tear away. "It's just that I missed her, Rinrei." "Rinrei?" "Yes, she was my fiancée. But you know how the gods are about us heretics." "Huh? Actually no...." Goku replied quit truthfully. "The gods despises us. They don't want us to be happy. So when they found out, they let Rinrei live here on earth, while I was strapped to being a fighting god." Homura paused for a while letting son Goku digest all that he said. Without thinking Goku threw his arms around Homura and said, "I'm sorry. I never knew that you were treated so horribly. I'm so, so sorry." Goku said as he hugged Homura tighter. "It's okay. I have you know don't I?" He asked Goku sadly. Homura felt Goku nodding against his shoulder. "Yes, I promise." Homura smiled victoriously behind Goku's back. [Gotcha!]
Hakkai and Goyjo stood at their places since Homura left. No one made the move. All of them including Sanzo were still recovering from the shock that Homura provided. The two could not believe that Sanzo could do that to Goku. Sure he was a jerk sometimes but, they never thought that he could be that heartless. I mean he has a way of saying harsh words to Goku but he also has a way of showing that he didn't mean what he said. Sanzo on the other hand seemed to be more shocked that the two of them combined. He still had his jaws wide open. [What the hell did he mean, Goku tastes good? Damn him to hell!]
Hakkai finally broke the silence. He knows Sanzo needs privacy but they need to be enlightened, they couldn't let something like this hanging. They friendship depends on this. If Sanzo thinks like that, then what is the importance of them hanging around with him? "Sanzo, I think you owe us an explanation." Hakkai said gravely, noting the fact that Sanzo finally closed his mouth. Goyjo piped up. "We're listening." Sanzo sighed and looked up. "Remember that night you were in the bar?" "Yes." "I was sleeping when I was visited by Shien and Zenon." Goyjo raised his brows. "Continue please." Sanzo sighed but he went on. "We had to play a little, but sometime during our play I was held at gun point." He looked up to see if they were still listening. "Then, they started talking that I bring out my pet." Hakkai looked at me questioningly. "Goku?" "Yes, but I said that I didn't need to, cause I can handle it." "Hmmp. Sound s likes your retort all right." Goyjo said while lighting a cigarette. "Then they wheedled more out of me. So that's when I said that I can do it by myself that I was just ordered to bring you along. That's when Goku and Homura came." Sanzo looked at his hands angrily. "I bit the bait! That's what they were aiming for!" He punched the ground forcefully.
Goyjo looked at Sanzo. He looked pathetic now. He looks like hell period. He really misses his pet and he seems to have fallen apart. He had held himself okay for the past day, but after his little chat with Homura, he seems to have collapsed again. He believed Sanzo's story, besides he was like that the whole time. That was the Sanzo retort if he was held at gunpoint. He had so much pride that he wouldn't admit defeat and he wouldn't ask for help. Goyjo sighed. Maybe Homura did a little more push to make Goku leave like that. Hell, Homura is a sweet talker. He probably had egged Goku on, while Sanzo was going on his tirade. Yes, that was probably what happened. Goyjo took a glance at Hakkai and realized that like he Hakkai believed Sanzo's story. But the two of them made no move to comfort Sanzo. It will only make the monk miserable. They just sat there with him, an unspoken truce between them.
After moping around, Sanzo finally pulled himself together. He had to, he still had a mission to finish and after that he could go on and start anew. He looked at Hakkai and Goyjo who just smiled and nodded at him. He let himself smile a little. [At least I still have them. Arigatou, Hakkai. Arigatou, Goyjo.] "Why don't we get moving then?" I asked them sternly. Goyjo laughed and Hakkai visibly relaxed. "He's back alright!" Goyjo said giving Hakkai a high five. I snorted at this, feeling as if I am getting the old me back. "Here we come Homura! Get ready to get your ass kicked!" Goyjo said happily. I furrow my brow. Maybe they had misunderstood me. "What do you mean?" I ask Goyjo. He looked confused for a moment, then he smiled. "We are going to get Goku back right?" I didn't answer. Hakkai looked at me questioningly. "Sanzo, you don't intend to just leave it at that don't you?" I sighed. And I was getting the old me back. Hell I just wish I won't be such a wreck when I finish my story. "I know you want the zaru back but.." "But.. What do you mean but?" Goyjo looked angry. Hakkai restrained him from clobbering me. "Let Sanzo explain first." I shot him a grateful glance. "Hmmp. I'm listening." I took a deep breath. "Homura's right. Goku will never come back." "Why?" "I can't hear his voice anymore." "What do you mean?" Hakkai and Goyjo looked at me visibly lost. "My master once told me, that in your life you will hear a voice." "Go on.." "And that is the voice of need." Hakkai's eyes widened. "So what you're saying is, since you've let Goku free from that mountain, you've been hearing his voice constantly." "Yes." Goyjo still looked lost and he is starting to get pissed. "Oi, I'm still here you know? What's with this voice thingy? Just answer me in simple English okay? Why is Goku never coming back?" Sanzo suddenly looked tired and he seemed to have aged in the sad look he is projecting. "It's because.. He has found a place to belong."
A/N:
Abelle~~ hehe, sorry but I am not the mogrika from the axn forum.
DragoraGirl~~ thank you so much, for putting this on your fave stories list! I just hope this chap. is up to your liking.
Minna~~ thanks for the reviews, okay? I just hope my grammar is improving. Thanks!