Disclaimer: Gensomaden Saiyuki has never or will belong to us, Jadej.j or Wingzero.

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Learn Japanese with JJ and Wingzero!

Baka = Idiot

Ero kappa = Perverted water sprite

Hanyou = half demon

Harisen = paper fan

Itai yo = That hurts

Kitsune = Fox

Saru = Monkey

Youkai = full demon

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'Thoughts'

"Regular Speech"

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Note: We're trying our best to keep the characters IC. So if some of 'em act a little OOC at times, we're really sorry. ^^U One of us happens to be a newbie to the series.

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Gohan stood up. "I know where to get the camp gear thank you." Then he headed for the door. "Take care Sanzo, Hakkai." He then fled through the doorway.

Hakkai stood up next. "Something is not right, Sanzo?"

"Hm... I have a feeling he's hiding something," Sanzo said also standing up. It was something that apparently threatened lives or he would have stuck around, but enough about it, they have a mission to continue. "Let's go. It's not our primary concern now. We need to head west."

"But Sanzo." Hakkai couldn't help but feel Gohan's sadness in his heart. He shook his head. "As you wish then."

Sanzo knew Hakkai was upset over his coldness towards the young sanzo, but they were all duty bound. He wasn't used to seeing the other without a smile. "We're bound to run into him if he's on his way west." He nodded to Mishu as a way of saying good bye.

"Good luck," Mishu said with a bow. They were going to need all the help they could get.

Hakkai walked out the doorway. He looked to see if he could see the young Sanzo at all. No sign at all. "He seems so alike but different from you Sanzo. Do you think it's wise to leave him alone, even though he has Kitsune with him."

"Of course he's different," Sanzo said, inwardly rolling his eyes. He hated to dwell on the past and decided not to pursue the topic. "You cannot force him to come with us just as you cannot make the sun rise from the west. Everyone has their own path as we have ours."

"I know we can't force him, Sanzo but you never ask him either." Hakkai smiled.

"Do I look like the type to ask?" Sanzo asked like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"It's you that should ask though, Sanzo." Hakkai keep smiling.

"Whatever," Sanzo replied. He headed back the way they had come from and stepped out of the temple into the sunshine. "Oi Saru, Pervert! We're leaving!"

"Okay!" Goku yelled back and bounded over towards them. His friend, Kitsune, had left a few minutes ago with the other sanzo. They were in an awful hurry, which confused the poor little saru.

Gojyo stamped out his smoke. "You really know how to treat your own right don't ya, Sanzo. That sanzo was trying not to cry when he pick up his fox. You did something wrong, didn't you?"

Sanzo merely whacked Gojyo with his paper fan as he wasn't in the mood to argue. Sure, he sounded cold heart, but it was his way of caring for people. He often use rather sharp words to get people back on track. 'Reality bites, get used to it.'

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Gohan had stop in front of the camp store. "Wait here please, Kitsune. Remember that the shop owner hasn't gotten over his wife's death." He rubbed his green eyes. He couldn't cry in front of the elder sanzo. 'Why do I feel like I'm a lost child all of a suddenly?' Gohan push the door open and enter the shop.

Kitsune stared at the shop's door with a confused look. He wasn't sure his friend was okay, even though he said he was.

The owner of the shop was a young man in his mid to late twenties. He had short black hair and was on the muscular side. Currently, he was helping another customer with their supplies.

Gohan took a breath and head for the sleeping bags. He liked Goku and Hakkai. They were nice and Kitsune needed more friends than just him. He wanted to get to know the other Sanzo. He needed to know more about the Sutras he wore. 'I must ask him. I need to know what the hell to do with them.'

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Gojyo huffed. "Your cold mood might be good with adults, Sanzo but Gohan just a kid."

Hakkai said nothing he didn't know what to say.

Sanzo rolled his eyes outwardly. If Gojyo wanted him to be good with kids, then why wasn't he good to Goku? "What's with this sudden care for children?" His hand was on his gun just in case this was some sort of trap. They had left Goku and Gojyo outside the temple while they dealt with pressing issues. What unnerved him was the kappa's sudden liking for children.

"It's what Kitsune said about Gohan. It chills me to the bones okay." He put up his hands.

Hakkai looked at Sanzo. "There is room in the jeep for both boys but like you said we can't force them to come with us."

"Aw," Goku pouted, He wanted to have someone his age around, but like Hakkai said, they couldn't force the two to come. Hakuryu was nowhere to be found so they had no choice but to stay for awhile, even if Sanzo disapproved of it.

Back at the shop, the owner finished his business with the group of travelers and made his way to the young sanzo looking at the sleeping bags. "Is there anything you need help with?"

Gohan turned around to look at the man. "Ah two sleeping bags, please." He didn't know why his heart was racing.

"What sizes would you like them? We adult and children sized sleeping bags?" Of course he knew the sanzo needed one adult sleeping bag, but he wasn't sure about his companion.

"Child's and Adult's sleeping bags that are waterproof please."

The shop owner grabbed one of each size, which were also waterproof. "Is there anything else you need?" He was strong enough to carry both of the bags as he had to carry heavy boxes on a daily basis. Unfortunately, his strength couldn't save his wife. He was left with two children, whom he had to raise on his own. His mother helped him with his children.

"Water canteens and a backpack please." Gohan held out his gold card.

"Right away, sir," the shop owner hopped to it and grabbed the objects from the shelves. He placed the water canteens in the pack as he already knew about them. Plus this was a monk of the highest stations possible. Once done, he rung up the purchases and charged it on the gold card. "Do you need help carrying this to your transportation?"

"I have no transportation but thanks for the help. I should be fine." Gohan picked up the backpack and the two sleeping bags. "Take care." The young Sanzo bow and head for the door.

"You take care yourself," the shop owner called to him. "There are several demons running loose around here. No telling what they might do to you." His hand clutched his heart as he remembered his wife drying in front of his very eyes. Good thing neither of their children witnessed it.

"I will and thank you again." Gohan exited the shop.

"Are you finished?" Kitsune pouted a little. He was tired of watching the people shy away from him.

"Yes let's go." Gohan tossed him a sleeping bag. "At least now we will keep warm at night." His voice was unhappy. "We better get going." With the backpack on his back Gohan started walking to the gate of the temple.

Kitsune caught the sleeping bag with ease and followed behind the young sanzo. He wore a frown instead of his usual smile, seeing his friend depressed.

Out of the blue, someone yelled, "ITAI YO!!!"

Goku was rubbing his injured head and glaring at Sanzo. It was obvious the monk was in a foul mood after talking with the others and not being able to leave for their jeep was absent.

Gohan stopped and looked at the elder sanzo. 'Why am I acting like a fool.' He shook his head, his blue hair flap around. He started walking again.

Both Gojyo and Hakkai look at Gohan then at Sanzo. "Well ya dumb monk ya got anything to say to ya small counter part?" Gojyo lit up another smoke.

A fan descended upon an unlucky hanyou's head. No one insulted him and got away with it. In addition to it, he wasn't dumb. He just lacked a heart. "We'll be heading West as soon as we can find that dragon. I'm guessing you're heading in that direction."

Gohan felt his cheeks heat up. "Yes...sir..." The young monk held back the need to hug the elder monk. He could tell hugging wasn't his thing. "If it alright with you?"

Hakkai smile grew. "Of course it is, Gohan. There is lot's of room in the jeep for both of you."

Gojyo rubbed his head. "Idiot monk..."

This of course earned him another whacking. No one insults Genjo Sanzo and gets away with it. He placed his trusty harisen back into his pockets. "As long as you stay out of my seat, I don't care if you come." He was referring to his seat up front besides the passenger.

Goku and Kitsune were busy giggling at Gojyo's response to the whackings.

"Hit the monkey the next time, Sanzo." Gojyo shook his head. "And where is our jeep any ways?"

Hakkai shook his head. "I don't know where he flew off too. Sorry."

Gohan moved closer to Sanzo. "A strange way to keep your friends inline, by hitting them over the head with a fan."

"It works," Sanzo shrugged. "Besides, I'm not going to waste any of my bullets on their stupidity if necessary." Guns were hard to come by these days. People who actually knew how to use them properly were even rarer. Sanzo was one of those exceptions. His bullets were specifically designed to cause demons pain; whereas, normal bullets wouldn't.

"HEY!!!" Goku shouted in protest after a minute or two of thinking.

"Hakuryu!!! It's alright now. Gohan is coming too so please come out." Green eyes darted over to look at Hakkai. Gohan felt his cheeks burning now.

"Something wrong Gohan. You ya got a fever?" Gojyo asked.

The mentioned person shook his head. "No I..." He sighed. "Just surprised that all."

No dragon came out of hiding. Goku was busy playing with Kitsune to not even notice. Kitsune wanted to have fun so he didn't bother with the absence of the small dragon. Sanzo on the other hand was brooding over something or another.

It was then Kitsune heard Gojyo mention about his friend. "Are you sure about it?" He placed his hand over the young sanzo's forehead and frowned. "We must get you to a healer!"

Gohan laughed out loud. "No it's not that I'm sick." His cheeks blush again. "I'm embarrassed that all. My feelings are all mix up at the moment." Gohan giggle again. "So much that I'm confused as well."

Hakkai let out a sigh. He was glad Gohan was okay but Hakyryu hadn't showed up again. "Hakuryu please come out."

Gojyo rolled his red eyes. "Oh I see now." He smirked.

Gohan turned to Sanzo. "May I borrow your Harisen?" His hand twitched.

Sanzo raised his brow and wondered what on earth the other could be thinking. He wasn't the type of person to share, but if the ero kappa was going to be injured, why not? The harisen soon was handed over.

Gohan nodded to Sanzo before the harisen flew and whacked the ero kappa over the head. "Keep your opinions to yourself." He crossed his arms and held out the harisen to Sanzo. "Thank you." His cheeks were still red.

"Kisama! You brat didn't have to hit so hard." Gojyo growled.

Another harisen descended on the poor kappa's head. As if one harisen toting sanzo wasn't enough, Gojyo now had to face the wrath of two! Some may wonder, where the hell did Sanzo get the other one? As a matter of fact, he had two to begin with. He just never broke his second one in. "That's for being an idiot."

Gohan fingered the old harisen. "Here your harisen."

"I didn't say anything to you ya cranky old monk." Gojyo glare at Sanzo. Sanzo pushed back the fan to Gohan and waved his other one, which happened to be much harder, making it good for whacking idiots. "Keep it, I have another one." He waved the other one in the air at the two idiots in his group, causing Goku to hide behind Hakkai. Even though Gohan stole from him, he guessed it wouldn't hurt to give the sanzo his paper fan. After all, he could teach Gohan the art of whacking idiots.

Gohan fingered the paper fan. "Thank you." He slowly put the paper fan away in his robes. "I didn't mean to grab it. It's just Gojyo's words." He glared at the red head. He shook again. His mother's image came back to him full force. He shook his head again. "Jerk...." Gohan took a deep breath.

"We had better go and look for Hakuryu then." Hakkai sweat drop. "Well that a good step isn't it."

Gojyo slap his head. "Way to state the obvious..."

Kitsune stopped fussing over Gohan to sniff the air. He tilted his head as he smelled something very strange. Meanwhile, Goku had stepped out from behind Hakkai and sniffed the air very carefully. The scent smelled very familiar and he knew it meant trouble for them. He tried putting a finger on what it was. "I smell blood, but it isn't human." He took one long whiff and cried it, "It's Hakuryu's!"

Hakkai's face went pale. "Where Goku?" He was now worried about his friend, Hakuryu.

Gohan didn't like what Goku said. "No..."

Gojyo became more alert. "Don't leave us in the air monkey where is that smell coming from."

'Please don't let him be dead.' Goku pointed in a direction before running off towards it. "This way!" He thought about the one yellow bird, who was his only friend back in his prison. It had died a long time ago and now he was afraid of losing the people he cared, even the ero kappa. Kitsune and Sanzo were not far behind him.

Gohan was behind Hakkai who was behind Sanzo. Gojyo had the back of the group. "Man I should have not let him go out but he..." Hakkai was worry now.

In the middle of a clearing, Hakuryu was struggling to make his way back to the group. He had gone out earlier to hunt small animals, but he hadn't expected to encounter demons. Trying to escape, he was caught by their attack and played dead until they left. His wing was useless and he lost quite a bit of blood. He whimpered as the pain tore through his body, but he needed to get back to his master.

"Hakuryu!!!" Hakkai had push past Sanzo, Kitsune and Goku. He picked up the small dragon and start to heal him. "I don't think we be going any where soon." Hakkai looked back at Sanzo. "He lost a lot of blood."

Sanzo growled at no one in particular. 'This day was just getting better. ' He thought sarcastically to himself. "If I see whoever did this to him, I am going to introduce them to a little friend of mine, and no Goku it isn't you."

The injured dragon managed to chirp a feeble thanks to his master. He nuzzled Hakkai, knowing he was safe.

Gohan was now beside Hakkai. "Is there anything I can do? I'm also an apothecary." Gohan pull the small box he carry with him. He opened it to show many small bottles of drugs and potions.

Hakkai blinked in surprise. "So you know the art of healing."

Gohan nodded. "It was what I wanted to be but now...I'm a sanzo."

Gojyo had taken up guard to watch for demons. "Those demons might be still around."

"Nyoibo!" Goku summoned his red staff and took a defensive position around the perimeter. Kitsune likewise summoned his weapon. He stood on the opposite side as the saru.

Sanzo pulled out his gun and stood over the two healers. He needed everyone to be safe for the mission. It wasn't gong to be easy, but then again nothing was. "You'll have to place a temporary bandage on him until we are within the town."

Gohan nodded and pulled out a roll of cloth to tend to the little white dragon's wing. "Okay I stopped the bleed for now."

Hakkai pulled Hakuryu to his chest. "We had better be going then." Gohan closed up his healer's box and put it away.

Gojyo had his Shakuji out. "Let's go then before any one to attack us now."

Sanzo took the point position in front. He wasn't going to let any demon stand in his way and his trusty gun made sure. Kitsune and Goku pulled up the rear. Out of all the healthy members, they were the fastest and could easily make it back. Hakuryu tried to gain as much heat as possible by snuggling into his master. He shivered and chirped in pain.

Hakkai rubbed Hakuryu's head. "It's okay."

Gohan moved along beside Hakkai. His own weapon was just inside his robes ready to attack anything that might hurt him or his new friends.

Gojyo was behind the pair. "So what's now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sanzo asked with sarcasm. "We're going to book three rooms at a nearby inn. The children will share a room. Hakkai and Gohan will take the other one, in case if Hakuryu needs immediate medical attention. Pervert, if you bring any women into our room, you're sleeping outside."

"I understand. If I need a woman I'll go somewhere else then." Gohan look at Sanzo. "Okay..."

Hakkai smiled. "Thank you Sanzo."

"Let's not get all mushy until we're inside the town and count me out of it," Sanzo grunted. He hated showing his feelings, especially with strangers. Goku and Hakkai on the other hand showed their emotions on a daily basis. It wasn't hard to tell what the saru was feeling or thinking for that matter.

Gohan was nervous again. "I feel like this is my fault again." Hakkai shook his head. "We get into all kinds of trouble all the time."

"Yeah, Gohan don't blame yourself on this...it's those demons."

Once inside town, Sanzo handed his gold card to the person behind the desk at the inn. "Three rooms and make it snappy." He wanted to be inside before it started raining. As they were searching for their lost dragon, the skies became cluttered with dark clouds, signaling rain was on its way.

"Of course sir," the middle aged man stuttered as he wrung up the expenses. He handed over the keys to the older sanzo and nearly passed out when he saw the gun Sanzo was carrying in his other hand.

Sanzo gave one of the keys to the 'children' of the group. The other one was to Gohan as Hakkai had his hands full with an injured dragon.

Hakkai and Gohan headed up the stairs with Hakuryu. Gojyo leaned against the stair well. "I bring ya both some dinner."

Hakkai nodded to Gojyo. "Thanks."

The two 'children' headed towards the eating area as they were famished. Sanzo accompanied them to make sure they didn't cause any trouble and to pay the bill as well. Not to mention, he needed to limit what they were eating as one of them, namely Goku, could eat a lot of food in one sitting.

"I'm glad Hakuryu is okay." Gohan open the door to the room he and Hakkai were going to stay. "I need to tell Sanzo something but I'm scare on what he might say."

Hakkai nodded and carried Hakuryu into the room. "First let's look after Hakuryu. Then we'll talk to Sanzo." Hakuryu slowly opened his eyes. He glanced over at the two men hovering near him and chirped feebly as he was in an uncomfortable position.

Hakkai gently put down Hakuryu down on a pillow. "There you go my friend." He rubbed the dragon's head. "You soon will feel better."

Gohan had his healer's box open. He looked for a pain killer that could help the small dragon.

Gojyo had gotten a few meals for himself, Hakkai and Gohan. He even got Hakuryu something to eat. He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Gojyo step inside. "Here you to go." He put both meals on the table beside Gohan.

"Thanks, Gojyo."

The water demon smile. "I'll be next door if ya need help." With that said he left the room.

Hakuryu chirped a grateful thanks before devouring his portion, but he was careful not to injure himself further. Meanwhile downstairs, the other three people of the group were settling in.

Gohan heard the rain coming down now. He looked down at the Sutras on his shoulders. He turned and saw Hakkai looking out the window. "I take it you don't like the rain either."

Hakkai turn and look at the boy. "Yes it bugs me a bit. Sanzo also has troubles with the rain."

Gohan's head hurt again. He gasped and felt to the floor.

Hakkai jump up and pick up Gohan. "What's wrong?"

Gohan look up at Hakkai. "Sorry the rain; it sometimes makes my head hurt." He sighed and gripped the healer's arm. "I need to tell you all...about something...I don't want to keep secrets any more..." He hid his head in Hakkai's chest.

Hakkai rub the boy's head. "Shhh....it's okay."

Gojyo had heard the thud in the room. "What happened?"

Hakkai look up at his friend. "Gohan got a head ache. Can you go get the others? Gohan has something to tell us."

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Goku and Kitsune chatted about this and that while they were eating. Some of the patrols were backing away from the two, recognizing them as demons. It wasn't hard for someone to notice the two golden diadems on either his forehead or neck.

"Take a picture it last longer," Sanzo growled at the crowd. He was extremely irritated with their situation and the weather. Now was not a good time to pester this sanzo, especially when he couldn't smoke due to one fox demon, who kept on insisting it was bad for his health. Yup, Sanzo was as friendly as a woman on her regular monthly cycle. Not a good combination when a gun was added into the equation.

Kitsune poked at Goku while Sanzo was busy reading a newspaper from who knows where.

"Why is Sanzo being so crabby?" He stuffed a chicken dumpling into his mouth.

"He doesn't like the rain," Goku said thoughtfully. He remembered the last time it rained and his master was seriously cranky. "It reminds him of his past. I think he's being sour because he needs his cigarettes, and we were delayed on our journey."

"I can here you." Suddenly a fan came crashing down on both youkais' skulls.

"ITAI YO!!!" came the scream of the two.

"Mou.... what was that for?" Goku glared at Sanzo. This had to be a record high of how many times he had been hit over the head with Sanzo's infamous harisen. "I was only answering his question as you weren't in the mood to."

Kitsune on the other hand was never whacked with any sort of object, but he might as well get used to it for Gohan now owned a paper fan. He too glared at the rather pissed off sanzo; however, he wisely kept his mouth shut.

"I don't like people talking behind my back," Sanzo snapped at the two of them. "Or in front of me as a matter of fact." He went back to reading the newspaper and eating his portion of the dinner.

Gojyo appeared. "Ah sorry to cut in ya eating time but Gohan collapsed and wishes to speak to us all. If you got the time."

"This had better be important," Sanzo said standing up. He noticed the other two were just staring. "If you're that hungry, pick up the food and let's go."

The two of them somehow managed to carry the leftovers to the room. Sanzo merely trailed behind the small group.

At this time Hakkai helped Gohan sit up on the bed. The young Sanzo had taken a pain killer for his head ache. "I'm sorry..."

Hakkai rub the boy's arm. "It's not your fault."

Gojyo knocked on the door. "Here we are."

"Someone had better explain what is going on around here," Sanzo hated being left in the dark. He leaned against the nearby wall, avoiding the window. He loathed the rain and the rain loathed him in return.