Author's Notes: To those who reviewed, thanks a lot! But I would like to ask for some more advice. To those guys who flamed, sorry but I can't let you have your way.^^ To Lady Harlequin, I'm comfortable using Ilonggo... and English is just hard for me. But I'm trying though. Thanks a million times!
Disclaimer: Saiyuki isn't mine. Cuz if it was, then I wouldn't be writing any more fics, would I?
CHAPTER 7: Talk
Gojyo and Goku looked at each other. After a second they both broke down into fits of laughter. Kouryuu Sanzo? What a dorky name! It sounds like an underwear brand. No offense, but the name really sucks.
CLICK. Gun on head. Gojyo stopped and cleared his throat. CLICK. Gun on Monkey's head. Goku stopped coughing. Sanzo gave them the 'shut-up-or-you'll-get-it' look and immediately they settled down. However, each wore a smile. Except for Sanzo of course.
"Why the name change?" Hakkai asked looking at him amusingly. Sanzo wasn't the kind of guy who likes dramatic changes. Especially on names.
Gojyo and Goku nodded in consent. Why DID he change his name?
Sanzo shrugged obviously annoyed that they asked, "I don' want any trouble." And he was really hoping they would let him be. Who is he kidding anyway? Of course, they would ask. They ALWAYS ask! He continued, "The kid's very gullible. I don't want to mess with ignorance."
Goku slumped, his face showing great aggravation. How he hated it when Sanzo speaks in riddles. Why can't he just talk simply like Gojyo does? Then it would be a whole lot easier to understand the situation. He sighed and asked, "Is there any chance for you to just tell us why?"
No answer.
So much for trying. Gojyo chuckled and slapped Goku's back jokingly, "Too bad, monkey. You got to have brains to understand stuff like these." Goku slumped some more. Maybe, he has to find it out for himself. But does that mean he ain't got enough brains?
***
Hours later, they all went their own separate ways. Gojyo wanted to 'check out' some hot babes around the corner. According to him, noon is the best time to go and fish some fresh lively ones. Sanzo whispered that every hour was the best time for the water monster since his face always has 'HORNY' written on it.
Hakkai said he wanted to visit someone he knew...which was, of course, a lie. Every one knew he just wanted to be alone and do his 'Hakkai things'. Strolling in the forest and thinking endless thoughts about his slain Kana is probably his favorite hobby. Wait, don't forget 'blaming himself' and 'convincing himself that life has to go on'. Hakkai's routine were always...well, depressing.
As for Sanzo, he just wanted to go upstairs and take a long nap that usually ends right after sun set. After that, he'll probably eat, drink, play 'mahjong' and go right back to sleep. He warned everybody to never disturb his nap. Yeah right, as if they were stupid enough to do that.
That leaves Goku to do everything, which was to watch over Eli. At first, this matter was a problem. Of course, nobody would want to watch some dangerous 'VAH' sleeping her ass off. Everybody agreed that Sanzo was the perfect one to do the job since he's the only one who really knows Eli, but then of course, their decision changed after they heard the infamous clicking of THE gun. So, they did what any humans (and demons) do during crisis... 'rock-paper-scissors'.
Everybody knows that monkey always lose. Goku knew that, but there was no harm in trying... He forgot how trying can really suck.
Sighing, he forced himself to enter Eli's room, which was supposed to be HIS and Gojyo's room, and walked towards the window wearily. He positioned himself beside it and with a yawn, closed his eyes.
***
"You're Goku right?"
Goku flung his eyes wide open. Did somebody call him? He shook his head slightly and looked directly in front of him. He saw Eli sitting up, her head lowered down. It didn't take him long to answer her, "Yes." He wasn't really afraid of her, maybe nobody was. It was just kind of uncomfortable to be talking to someone you never knew. Yes, it's true that he's probably the friendliest among them but that doesn't mean he ain't shy. Of course, he's shy. But for the past few years, he realized that being shy won't do a person any good. It just can make you a really quiet guy, and he doesn't want to be THAT! Hakkai's one of them, and he really looks sad.
He saw her smile and replied, "It's surprising how I didn't forget all your names." He noticed that her smile was kind of sad...just like Hakkai's. He smiled in return and decided to talk to he for awhile, "Well, you'll never forget mine. It's really kind of short."
She nodded and looked at him. Her face was slowly brightening up, "Goku. I like it too. Have you ever asked your mother why she named you that?"
He shook his head and looked at her directly, "I never had a mother." He saw how she looked at him with pity and attempted to apologize but he cut her, "But it doesn't really matter. People can live without parents." Why do people pity him because of that? He didn't really need a mother. In fact, it must have been better if he didn't have any mother at all!
She cleared her throat and faced him. She smiled and asked some more, "So, where did you get your name then?"
He smiled. Then and there, he knew that he and Eli had something in common. He doesn't really know what it is but it's just there. Strangely, her eyes seems to tell him that. "Gen--I mean, Sanzo gave it to me."
She looked at him, rather puzzled, "You mean, he named you?"
He nodded. And he's thankful Sanzo did. Honestly, he liked the name very much.
Scratching her head, she asked him softly, "Ano---Goku? Can I ask you something?"
Uh-oh. She sounded like she's going to ask him some personal questions. Or something that's not supposed to be asked. Those things always happen. He forced a smile, "Yeah?"
"About Sanzo---"
Oh no. Goku gulped.
"I would really like to know if his violet eyes are real...I mean, you know. Are they...well...."
"It's been there ever since I met him." Phew. He continued, "And I think it's purple. But that's not really a big deal." He saw a reaction from her. He couldn't tell what but he's sure she reacted.
Then, there was silence between them. Goku just continued on smiling. He figured out that he must have looked like some idiot smiling for nothing at all as she lowered her head again. He wanted to talk...but how would he start it? 'Uh Eli, what's your favorite color?'..no! That's not exactly the best way to start a conversation.
Then as if God noticed his dilemma, Eli looked at him and gave him a smile, "So, what's your favorite food?"
He grinned and suddenly relaxed.
And so that started Eli and Goku's lengthy talk. The two talked almost everything under the sun from food to fighting techniques. He found out that her name was derived from a legendary place that was suppose to grow some rare violet colored roses. They talked about her family and how she misses them. They exchanged ideas about people and their thoughts about the world. She told him many things about her world and he in turn, gave her astonishing facts about his. They talked and talked as time passed by quickly.
But for the first time in his life, Goku got to feel something---something different. He wondered why Eli trusted him so much since she told him almost everything there was to know about her. There may be lies, but it's still surprising that she talked to him. Then and there, he realized what a wonderful person the Vah was. Then and there, he got to know Eli much better and figured out that he really liked her. He felt like she was the Big Sister she never had. The gods were suspiciously kind to him...
They ended right before Sanzo entered the room to call them down for dinner. And as they went down, the talk was still fresh on their minds. And both of them liked it very much.
***
Sanzo twitched his face when Gojyo tried to seduce Eli again. But it didn't look like seducing, it looked more like he was making a fool out of himself. Then he grinned, what the heck? Seducing or not, Gojyo's always making a fool out of himself anyway...
"Genjo Sanzo, I'm here."
Suddenly, Sanzo felt something eerie. He knew that he's the only one who could hear that voice but he's positive someone's eyeing him right now.
"The guy at the corner, Sanzo. You don't need to worry about him, but his companion has far greater power... Come here."
"What do you want?"
"A talk about the vah."
Eli pushed Gojyo jokingly and blurted, "That ain't big. It looks more like dehydrated tissues of skin!" Gojyo snickered and patted her head. Sanzo cleared his throat and walked away towards the back door, "I ran out of cigarettes."
Gojyo looked at him suspiciously, "But you bought one yesterday. How come..."
"The other brand." Then, he slammed the door behind him making all the costumers annoyed with him, which was of course nomal.
Eli shrugged, "What's his problem?" And the three answered immediately, "Cigarettes."
***
Sanzo stepped out of the inn cursing. Gojyo perfectly knew what he meant but why can't he just keep his big trap shut? Now, he had to deal with another company again. He shook his head dismissing the thought about Gojyo and looked straight at the tree. A woman with long ebony hair stared grinning at him.
Sanzo rolled his eyes, "Kamatayan."
***
Eli excused herself and went straight to the bathroom. She's sure if she doesn't go now, her stomach will have a serious problem. With all that food, it wont be surprising if she'll suddenly bloat.
Goku sighed and asked Hakkai, "Where do you think Sanzo went?" He may be a monkey but he knows Sanzo really well. And that didn't look like Sanzo was going to buy cigarettes. He's betting Sanzo was going on a fight or talking to someone important right now.
Hakkai shook his head, "I don't know but I think he's just at the back."
Gojyo slumped, "What do you think he's doing?"
"Talking to the tree." Hakkai pointed at the window and grinned. Sure enough, there was Sanzo--talking to the tree.
Gojyo and Goku looked at each other quizzically, "eh?"
