Title: Starvation
Chapter: 2/2
Authoress: Hikaru R. Kudou
Genre: Shounen ai, General, Romance, slight Angst, slight Humour
Pairings: Sanzo/Goku, Gojyo/Hakkai
Warnings: Quite OOC, the authoress's poor English, a little cliché-d, copious typing errors (should there be any)
DISCLAIMER: Minekura Kazuya-sensei owns Saiyuki, I own the storyline as well as my computer, additionally Sanzo and Goku belong to each other.

Authoress' Notes: I'm really sorry for the short chapters! *bows in apology* Thank you very much for the generous reviews! On the side note, I edited the whole fic. I knew I should've written it in essay form…

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            The first thing Genjo Sanzo saw was none other than Son Goku. The monkey had dozed off to sleep without he himself knowing.
            Sanzo approached the figure. Goku had his back to Sanzo, so the cleric could not perceive Goku's hand clutching his unfilled stomach. Sanzo scanned Goku's pose for a moment, his eyes marvelling the perfect masterpiece before him, feeling quite reluctant to disrupt Goku in his serene moment of slumber. Every cell of Goku's seemed to radiate innocence that it would be a sinful crime to ruin the picture.
            However, Sanzo knew he had no other alternative. "Saru! Oi, saru! Wake up!"
            Goku gave a sleepy moan, but he woke up immediately as soon as the voice registered itself in his grey-cells. "Sanzo…?!" He nearly ejaculated.
            "We're moving now. Unless you're staying behind…"
            "Iie…I'm ready to go." Goku stood up quickly and darted towards the door. He paused momentarily.
            "Nan da?" scowled Sanzo.
            Goku turned his head slightly to the left, barely allowing Sanzo to see his worn-out face. "I…I'm sorry, Sanzo."
            Sanzo did not answer. What was there for him to say?
            The hand that was on the door tightened its grip. Goku bowed his head in remorse. Before Sanzo could sprout a question, the boy had run away, leaving Sanzo silent with confusion.

            Their journey was resumed shortly after Sanzo rejoined them. Goku eyed the really huge box that was next to Gojyo.
            "Felt better, Goku?" asked Hakkai.
            A hesitant answer. "I…I think so…"
            Gojyo, discerning what Goku was doing, tapped the box playfully. "You want to open this little baby?"
            "Er…no…that would not be necessary…"
            Sanzo, meanwhile, was frowning thoughtfully to himself, pondering why—and how—in the world had Goku lost his genki-ness. If he did not know any better, he could have sworn that Goku was not Goku.
            Hakkai's smile was fading. "Goku, you're not feeling well, are you?"
            Gojyo added, "Goku not eating? Has the sun risen from the west? Is it the end of the world already?"
            Goku faked a smile. "No, no, no! I'm all right, see?" He feigned laughter.
            Everybody knows Sanzo, Hakkai and Gojyo were not gullible, so it was only natural they did not take Goku's words.
            Gojyo continued to taunt Goku, trying to lighten him up. "Are you sure, saru?"
            Not really a smart move, since he merely aggravated Sanzo even more. "Leave him alone!"
            THWACK!
            Gojyo bent in pain. "Aiiiieeee…! That hurts!"
            Goku was contemplating to himself, thinking of what Sanzo had just said. Alone…? Sanzo wants me to be alone…? Goku took a closer look—but not too close—at Sanzo. The monk had his head down, thus resulting in his bangs shielding his eyes from view. Nevertheless Goku did see the corner of Sanzo's mouth curved downwards—more crooked than usual.
            He must really abhor me…
           
"Hey, saru, what are you thinking about?" Gojyo shattered his musings.
            Goku, snapped out of his reflections, replied hastily, "Nande mo nai! I'm sleepy. I think I'll get a quick shut-eye." He lied down and closed his eyes. Maybe I won't feel so hungry if I sleep…
           
The ride appeared awkward from then on. The creepy silent that hung in the air even succeeded in making the cold Genjo Sanzo shift uncomfortably once in awhile.
            The long stillness was broken by a very loud sound—the sound of a stomach churning, craving for victuals to allay the commotion it was suffering from.
            Goku wrinkled his face, his hand clasped his stomach. The pain was too much to put up with.
            Gojyo was clearly vexed. "Oi, saru…you'd better eat something…" He attempted to untie the knot on the box.
            Goku could faintly smell the inviting fragrance of food. "No thanks…"
            Hakkai insisted, "Just eat a little, it will do."
            No, once I start I can hardly stop… "No, I can handle this…" It was as if Goku was trying to assure himself. Goku turned away from the three of them. His stomach was still making that infuriating, atrocious music. And Sanzo could not take it anymore.
            "Baka saru!!!" The monk whacked (poor) Goku with his Ultimate Paper-fan of Trepidation. "Stop giving me trouble!"
            "…itai…" Sou…I am troubling him…
            Sanzo sat back in his seat. "Are we anywhere near the next town?"
            "Actually, we are," replied Hakkai, "But I suppose I can shorten the distance in no time, Right, Hakuryu?"
            "Erm, Hakkai…the sky looks kind of dark…I think it's going to—you know…" interrupted Gojyo.
            "Wakatta." The youkai kicked into high gear. "Hold on tight, minna-san!"

            Not surprisingly, before they knew it, they had arrived. They hurried into yet another motel. Hakkai arranged for their rooms. That done, he handed two keys to Sanzo. "Two rooms. I suppose we're sharing one?"
            Gojyo eyed Hakkai frantically, his hands signaling wildly. Hakkai, you dolt! Don't give him ideas! You promised you'll be accompanying me tonight!
           
Sanzo, oblivious to the two, left to his room after a deep "Hn."
            "Hakkai~!" wailed Gojyo.
            Hakkai sighed. "Yare yare…Gojyo, I've to send Goku to his room. He looks awful."
            Goku was leaning against a wall, looking out of the window. The downpour had started. Hakkai, feeling sorry for Goku, implored to escort him to his room. Goku did not argue in the least.
            Hakkai watched Goku as the boy crawled on the bed. "I'll leave the food on this table, all right?" He gestured towards the huge box neatly situated on the table. "Be sure to—"
            "...I won't touch them. You can bring them down." Goku did not look at him.
            "But there's no use of your torturing yourself. We're all worried about you…"
            Goku shook his head adamantly.
            Hakkai, knowing only Sanzo could knock some sense into Goku's head, shut Goku's door and walked to the room opposite Goku's. He knocked once, not wanting to get on Sanzo's nerves. He knew what the rain had done to Sanzo's frame of mind only too well.
            "Sanzo, sorry to disturb you, but Goku needs serious help. He won't listen to a word I say. Besides, I need to go out and buy a few urgent things…"
            Sanzo answered from within. "Idiot."
            "Ah, gomen…but I'm sure you know exactly what to do about Goku. You always do. I've to go now."
            Knowing that Hakkai had gone, Sanzo stood up and opened his door. He saw that Goku's door was slightly ajar. Sanzo could see Goku's tiny frame from where he stood. He took the liberty of entering the shadowy room. Goku heard the sound Sanzo was making, that he turned to see.
            Goku, somewhat astonished, could only utter "Sanzo…?"
            Maybe he should not have said anything. He was starting to think that every syllable he uttered was giving Sanzo a nasty headache.
            "Oi, why aren't you eating?" Sanzo leaned against the door.
            Goku, unable to find his power of speech, shook his head.
            "Answer me with your voice!"
            Goku shrunk in apprehension at Sanzo's booming voice. "I'm not hungry."
            Here, the authoress became aware that the last three words she just wrote under Goku's dialogue are the first in the "Top Ten Things Son Goku Would Never Say" but she had to go against the rule to make sure this story gets on the road—er, the net, she means. Then again, the story is already quite OOC. Just don't say she did not warn you…
            Back to the story…
            "Baka saru."
            "I'm sorry. If you want to, I'll leave—right away."
            Goku tried to get back on his two feet and headed towards the doorway. But Sanzo extended his leg, blocking the way out.
            "Where do you think you're going?"
            Somewhere far away from Sanzo, perhaps… "…I don't know. But I need to."
            Goku tried to squeeze himself past the monk, but the blond, in one swift motion, had grabbed the monkey by his collar.
            Goku tried to break free, but to no avail. "Hanasei, Sanzo!"
            "Quiet." The blond walked over and placed Goku back on the bed.
            Goku stared at Sanzo with those huge, bewildered eyes. But what Sanzo proceeded to do puzzled him even more. Sanzo unld the food box and after taking ten buns out, all piled on top of one another on a plate, he put it in front of Goku.
            "Eat."
            Goku gawked at the tempting buns, then shook his head. His neck was a tad cramped by his ample shaking of the head.
            "Stubborn monkey." Sanzo picked the topmost bun and held it in front of Goku. Goku was swallowing his saliva in hopes of controlling his malnourishment. Tears were forming in his eyes. He was torn between two decisions. In addition, he was touched. Sanzo never showed so much emotion before.
            Sanzo felt off the wall seeing those pearly tears sliding down Goku's delicate, supple cheeks. Without giving it a thought, Sanzo put his lean, sinewy arm around Goku. Goku broke down on the spot, burying his face in Sanzo's abdomen. Sanzo raised his arm, holding Goku's trembling head tenderly, keeping it composed, subduing Goku's sudden burst. He did not object to Goku soaking his black top.
            "Come, eat. I'll feed you—as always."
            Goku nodded in conclusion, succumbing to Sanzo's command. He bit into the bun in Sanzo's hand. A bun never tasted so heavenly savoury. "But why, Sanzo? I thought you hated me?"
            Sanzo did not reply in a flash, for he was choosing his words carefully. Truth was, he was unsure of Goku's perception towards him. He never knew what Goku really thought of him. Was it solely a child's devotion to his father, or a pet's commitment to its owner?
            Nonetheless Sanzo was certain of one thing—he wanted more. More than being simply a keeper to the little monkey.
            But would Goku return his feelings?
            "…Baka."
            Goku grimaced in Sanzo's embrace, resulting Sanzo to tighten his hug, pulling Goku closer to him. "I can never hate the one thing that makes me feel better during rainy days."
            Goku's cheeks flushed as his face softened. "Sanzo…but why were you so moody the whole day?"
            Sanzo produced an empty cigarette box. "I was running out of cigarettes. That frigging town didn't have any."
            "Sou ka…"
            "I don't mind that now."
            "Ne, Sanzo…you don't mind my humungous appetite, do you? I mean, does my constant wails annoy you that much?"
            "Ahou…stop asking stupid questions…"
            Sanzo's tone was mild, and that was sufficient an answer for Goku. He nuzzled closer to his owner. "Ah, the sun's out again. And I think I hear Hakkai's voice outside."
            Sanzo released Goku and got into his robe.
            "Where are you going?"
            "Telling Hakkai he's that ero-kappa's roommate from now on. Oi, Goku…"
            "…hai?" Goku's eyes were dancing in excitement.
            "If I still see those food intact on the table, I'll personally see to it that you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
            "…erm, wakatta!" He grinned from ear to ear.
            Sanzo smirked vaguely in satisfaction. "Good." He closed the door behind him.
            At that, Goku neared the table and exclaimed heartily. "I'm famished! Itadakimasu!"

- - - - [owari] - - - - - -

Authoress's Notes: Done! Now I'll have to get back with my other fics and my Saiyuki co-fic with my friends under the name of The Three Dimensions. I really have to stop juggling so many fics at once. But old habits are hard to get rid of…
            Saa, thank you for reading! Leave me a review before you leave! Thanks again! *bows*