Disclaimer (again): These characters aren't mine, and will never be... even if I wished on a shooting star... ^_^;
~::Chapter 3::~ Reminisce
Goku dragged his feet as he walked. The incident was inconceivable. How could it have not been Hakkai? Was his imagination playing tricks on him? ...
He started to think about how he and the others would usually go around town... how they would stop by the town's best restaurant... the fights he and Gojyo had over the last dumpling... the battles they had against those demons who didn't even give a bit of a challenge, and even the way Sanzo always hit him on the head with his ever-reliable fan... though he never really understood why.
"They wouldn't leave me... we're a team. A team isn't a team even if just one member is missing..." Goku contemplated. Out of his sadness, he had forgotten about his hunger pangs and satisfied himself just by reminiscing the memories...
~~Flasback~~
Sanzo sat up in his bed, still covered in a couple of bandages. He almost died during the desert trip because of the poison their foe had applied by means of creating a wound on Sanzo with her claw-like nails. And what's worse- Goku took off his device. With Hakkai and Gojyo, weak from battling him, were now incapable of returning the device.
All they could hope for was a miracle.
But then Sanzo, despite his condition, was able to regain enough consciousness and pacify Goku with his device once again.
"It almost cost him his life. I could've... he could've... we all could've... because of me... and I thought it would help if I took off my device to save them..." Goku thought sadly as he looked at Sanzo.
"S-sanzo... I-I'm... " He muttered as he was seated beside his injured companion.
"Baka Saru!!!"
WHHHAAAPAAMMMM!!! his fan hit Goku right smack on the head.
"Ow ow ow ow!!! ... But but I-I..." Goku crouched, covering his head with his hands.
"Shut up" Sanzo answered coldly, "Get me a beer..."
"Uh, y-yeah..." Goku nodded.
Goku went to get Sanzo's can of beer. With his mood like that, the last thing he'd want to do is stall. And as he returned with the cans in hand, he watched sadly at how his friend opened them. Guilt was eating him up, and though he wanted to apologize for everything, explain why he did it all, and show how much he wanted to sacrifice just to get his friends back in time... he had no idea how he would make Sanzo listen-- that long. But, at least he could try, right?
"S-sanzo... I-I"...
"Here..." Sanzo reached the other can to him.
"I-" Goku slowly took the can... he felt his heart beat faster, his head ache and his eyes start to sting. But looking at Sanzo, he ironically saw no trace of hostility despite the usual coldness he would give off. It was as if he had forgotten already about all that happened. Goku felt so at ease with the realization that the surge of emotions were too much to just keep inside, he felt as if his chest would burst... he wanted to cry.
"Even then, Sanzo proved that... that even if my carelessness was trouble for him, he still would forgive me. Though he would never say it in my face, It's as if he actually did... " Goku pondered, "What are words anyway? His action shows it all..."
Goku looked up once again and saw himself back in reality. He was just in front of the town's bar. His face gave a faint smile, which slowly grew bigger as he realized that he had a new hope in finding his friends.
Although lacking energy, he quickly brought himself in the bar, and searched for a familiar face.
Then there he was, his friend with the beautiful blood red hair. His smile grew bigger as he quickly walked towards the counter, not minding the insults being thrown at him as he unconsciously bumped into the other sober customers.
"Gojyo, where-- " Goku softly said. He sat down beside Gojyo, who had his head resting on his hands. His face was covered by his hair. He looked troubled... if not, he was just more sober than usual.
"Gojyo..." Goku said once more, his eyes were starting to burn out of anger, and happiness, a weird mix of emotion that just seemed to confuse him all the more.
Gojyo looked up, his eyes looking distant. He turned his head slowly towards Goku and smirked. He held up his glass of liquor , and gestured a 'toast' to Goku, as if to offer him a drink.
Goku's eyebrows met. He had been worried sick, hungry and confused ever since he woke up this morning. He had been roaming all over town, like a little boy, because he had no idea where they all were. And now he finds one of them wasting his life by getting himself drunk the whole day. Why did they have to let him go through all that? They could have just left a little note... waken him up... anything but this! And now, it all the more seemed like an insult especially with Gojyo looking at him careless as ever, as if nothing happened.
"YOUUUU!!!!" Goku screamed as he clenched his fist tightly and swung it towards Gojyo. All that went through his mind now was how insensitive they had been. All he wanted was for him to feel the pain... although he knew this wouldn't measure up to even half of it.
Goku's eyes grew large. His jaw dropped as he saw his fist, through Gojyo, who had now become a milky translucence. "No... no.... not again... no way..." Goku screamed inside of him, his eyes wide in horror, his arm just stretched out-- paralyzed by fear.
He felt his stomach turn as he watched Gojyo gesture once more with his glass, and slowly become clear as glass... until he completely vanished.
"Gojyo..." Goku shot out, as a tear slowly dripped from his cheek. He couldn't hold the emotions in any longer.
Author's little note: OMG OMG!!! I feel so evil! Poor Goku!! o Hey hey, I have nothing against Goku, okay? Anyways, I hope you guys liked this chapter! ^___^ I'll get on with the next one as soon as I can. I can't assure anything about cliffhangers... ^___^; Thanks so much for those who reviewed! You give me motivation!!! =D
