Alone

~::Chapter 2::~ Mirage

Goku walked at a rather slow pace, compared to his usual pace when he was hungry and waiting for Sanzo to decide where to eat. And he was especially hungry now, for he hadn't eaten breakfast yet. But it seemed that the problem of hunger was nothing compared to his problem right now. Goku couldn't even swing his arms as he walked - he thought that it was too tiring. He conveniently kept his hands in the pockets of his pants.

It must have been torture, walking and smelling the aroma of the different delicacies being sold.

Goku could only look... and though he wanted to get as much food as he could carry, he simply thought of it being impossible since he needed Sanzo's special Three Buddha Gold Card to purchase food to his heart's desire. But Sanzo... Where WAS Sanzo?...

"This is torture..." Goku thought sadly and quickly turned away from the food stalls.

As he looked up, his gaze suddenly fixed upon a black-haired man who was at the fruit stall.

"Hakkai!!!" Goku said to himself. His heart pounded louder as he ran towards him. Each step nearer would strengthen his hope... He knew they wouldn't leave him.

Being inches apart from his friend, Goku reached out to him, his eyes widened with excitement, his mouth smiling... but then it suddenly disappeared as he watched his hand go through the vision.

He stopped in his tracks. He stood in bewilderment as he tried to process what had just happened. He held up his hand slowly, and looked at it with horror, and then looked up once again, at the man who had his back turned towards him, but still smiling as he was picking the choice fruits. It certainly was Hakkai, but his translucence set a chill through Goku, and made his stomach turn... it certainly was not what he had expected to see.

"W-what is this?!" Goku asked. He didn't know what to do. He turned around and saw everybody walking around, minding their business... it was a typical market day. Then he turned around to see Hakkai once more, but then he was gone.

The fruit seller had a queer look on his face. And he smiled unconvincingly. Goku must have been standing there for at least a minute, his eyes wide, staring through the fruit stand. Goku blinked, as if he had awakened from a dream. As soon as Goku noticed the seller, he went towards him, frantic about what had just happened.

"What happened to him?!" Goku asked the seller, the tone of his voice clearly showed that he was panicking.

"Him?" The seller slightly tilted his head.

"D-didn't you see him? The man with black hair... i-in green clothes and and... and he had a dragon on his shoulder!!! He was just here! Just a second ago!!!" Goku said as he gestured his arms wildly.

"Oh? Uh... I... I don't think I rememeber anyone who-"

"But He was here!!! just a second ago!!!"

"Sir... I'm sorry, but the only person who's been standing here for the past 10 minutes is you..."

Goku's eyes widened. "Could it have been a mirage?" He thought to himself "An illusion? Some cheap trick someone's playing on me?! Or even worse... could it all be real?" Goku shook his head, his eyes narrowed, "No... NO! It must be a dream... this is all just a dream... A NIGHTMARE!!! It couldn't all be real."

Shaking his head once more, Goku thanked the fruit vendor and started walking once more.

Authors little note: HIYA! Thanks to all those who reviewed the first chapter! You have inspired me to continue this fic! (I thought it sucked since this is the first time I'm writing a fanfic ^___^;) I hope you guys like this one too, although it's another cliffhanger... But I'll update pretty soon... PROMISE! :3