: Calling :

Gensomaden Saiyuki

Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki. All rights go to Minekura Kazuya.

Rating: T

Warnings: Goku-centric, language, violence, suspense

Notes: This chapter would have to be my favorite of the entire story. Therfore? Constructive criticism and feedback are appreciated more than ever.

In addition, many thanks for the reviews/C&C so far. They, too, are greatly appreciated.

Chapter Two

The moon rose on two more nights of relatively peaceful travel. The closer the traveling entourage grew to the pinnacle of the mountain, the more Goku found himself entranced with the dimly glowing orb. He dimly recalled hearing – probably from Hakkai – that the moon's light was merely a reflection of the sun. If it truly had come from Hakkai, then it was likely a fact. Still, he couldn't help but think that the moon had a life of its own—almost like he did, with a steady pulse and capacity for a wide array of emotions. Its glow was white, with a tinge of gray, but white nevertheless. He had also heard (this time definitely from Hakkai) that white was a mixture of all colors combined. Somehow that seemed odd – after all, when mixing paints, didn't they always turn brown or black? – but again, if it came from that particular source, it was most likely fact.

When the moon was painted high in the sky, Goku found himself most inclined to watch it. Somehow or another, he found himself crouching on his knees both times resting his hands on his thighs; he would tilt his head back, gaze focusing on the seemingly unremarkable circle. Something deep within him stirred; something settled at the core of his being. He didn't fully understand it, or what it meant, but he did recognize the faint feeling of déjà vu. The setting was most likely different; everything was different, since he was older than he had been before he lost his memories. Wherever the déjà vu came from, it was more than likely burrowed within the void before his thoughts began.

Both times he had fallen asleep where he had sat. Once he had found himself curled up on his side, the other he wasn't entirely sure since Gojyo had kicked him to wake him up. Just that morning Hakkai had gently rebuked him for sleeping in the dirt; now his clothes were in worse condition and his face was streaked. Goku hadn't cared, and voiced this, which had earned him a laugh from Hakkai and an exasperated look from Sanzo.

As the day drew to a close, Goku began to fidget again. He anxiously tilted his head back to the sky, squinting to block out the sun from the underside of his eyes. Bare wisps of clouds streaked overhead, idly reminding him of how smoke looked when it coiled out from the end of Sanzo and Gojyo's cigarettes.

The further the sun set, the more profusely the heavens bled. Crimson stained the canvas, refusing to just yet give way to the darkness which would permit stars to shine through pinpricks of the paper. When he righted his head and looked over his shoulder to the east, Goku was disappointed to see the moon had yet to wake.

His sensitive ears caught an audible click. Turning around, the boy noticed that Hakkai had turned the front lights on. It wasn't yet dark enough to require them, but he knew the man was taking no chances; not where they were currently perched.

The group drove along a precarious ridge; the path narrow, but not so narrow as to require them to walk. Still, one heavy shift of the vehicle would more than likely toss them all over the side. That was something none of them were eager to risk—especially considering the endless drop. Goku had dared to lean over just enough, and he had noticed that it was impossible for even his sharp eyes to locate a definite ending. Such a fall could definitely be fatal.

Gojyo spoke, startling him. "Don't tell me we're going to have to camp here," the half-breed muttered in disgust.

Managing to sound both soothing and rebuking – as only he could do – Hakkai replied, "It wasn't my intention."

Goku wanted to smirk, to tease Gojyo as the man immediately shut up, but he held his tongue. Not only would such a jab ignite a fight that would possibly turn physical; Sanzo would also yell. He hated it when Sanzo yelled, even if he did deserve it most of the time. So, with great reluctance, Goku said nothing.

He wanted to see the moon again, yet at the same time was beginning to feel drowsy. Trekking through the mountain had thus far not been an easy task at all. No further unusual incidents happened since the river (thankfully, he thought) but that didn't mean Sanzo was any less prone to his bouts of irritation, or that Gojyo would lay off on him for once, or that the group would stop to rest when stubborn determination that strangely persisted in the form of Sanzo kept driving them onward.

Stifling a yawn, Goku nestled his head against the crook of his elbow. His skin was warm after the sun had beat down on it all day, though the air was quickly cooling. Attempting to ignore his outer surroundings, the boy closed his eyes and relaxed, allowing the sleepiness to lull him into drifting down the river of dreams. Only they weren't quite dreams, because he was aware that he was dreaming, and he knew he could do whatever he wanted despite the laws of physics. So, Goku decided he would fly.

-

The first thing Hakkai noticed was that the back of the jeep had grown unusually quiet. While he had no doubt Goku and Gojyo were acting better-behaved than they were used to, due to the ridge, this sort of silence was a tad unsettling. At this point, Goku was prone to start asking about where and when they were going to stop, what dinner would consist of, and complain that he did not want to sleep within the vicinity of Gojyo's feet again. All in the boy's own words, of course.

Then it was more of the shifting behind him than the glimpse of movement in the review mirror that caught his attention. Eyes flickering over his shoulder, Hakkai was both bewildered and – admittedly – mildly irritated to see Goku had stood up.

Managing to contain himself, he said gently, "Goku, please sit down."

"Yeah, monkey. You'll fall," Gojyo taunted. When no immediate reply came, not even a twitch, two pairs of eyes caught in a brief exchange of concern in the mirror's reflection.

Their words had caught Sanzo's attention. In his peripheral vision, Hakkai saw the priest turn slightly on his seat, a half-finished cigarette caught between taut lips as he appeared to scrutinize his charge.

"Quit being a brat and sit down, you idiot monkey," said Sanzo flatly.

Out of instinct, Hakkai's foot let up on the gas. The jeep slowed a few kilometers, but did not stop entirely. Gravel crunching beneath the tires was easier to hear without the louder roar of the engine. Much to Hakkai's puzzlement, he thought of the sounds of various bones breaking. It wasn't too unlike the makeshift road beneath them now.

Goku's lack of response was far more frightening than if he had said anything. At least words would have portrayed someone was present, even something, but the youth said nothing. Hakkai's grip tightened on the wheel. He did not look back. His eyes were on the road.

Not a second later, the vehicle creaked and gave a too-violent jolt. Hakkai slammed the brakes, apologizing to Hakuryuu profusely in his mind, but was unable to voice his apology. All he could realize was Gojyo's loud curse, Sanzo's eyes widening in an unreadable expression, and that when he looked over wildly, Goku was soaring over the ridge, over the chasm, into oblivion for a brief second of wild beauty.

Then he dropped, and Hakkai shouted his name.

-

There was everything, and there was nothing. A yearning call filled him, grasping the core of his being and drawing it close with sisterly affection—or perhaps, more accurately, motherly. Dazedly, Goku wondered why such a presence would make itself apparent in his dreams. He stretched his arms out wide, as though inviting the presence to embrace him just as a mother should. He wanted to welcome it, to erase the aching sadness that seemed to weigh down on his own soul.

Dreamily, he thought that his right arm felt odd; almost as though someone were pinching him in thirty different places all at the same time. All he could think was, Damn it, Gojyo...

He was literally jolted out of his dream as the entire side of his body slammed into the side of the ravine, his arm caught in a long chain, his entire body dangling by just the one limb. Stunned, Goku shook his head. Something wet and warm trickled down the side of his face. He looked down, saw an endless, dark sea of nothing, and immediately screamed.

"You damn idiot!" he heard Gojyo yell above him. The man's voice was strained, as though he were carrying a heavy load. Then it all clicked in Goku's mind; the triangle between his arm, the chain, and Gojyo's tone. The crescent blade of the shakujyo dangled dangerously close to his side. Uttering a frantic curse of his own, Goku grasped the chain available to him and planted his foot on the side of the ravine.

"You..." Gojyo let out another, much stronger obscenity. "Climb up the side, damn it!"

And Goku would have retorted, would have done just that anyway, would have regained his balance, had it not been for the ominous cracking sound to his right. Without looking he knew, and even when he did look, sight did not change a thing. The path behind the jeep began to give way, and it threatened to take the rest of the group with it.

-

If they lived through this – though really, it was more a matter of when, because he had no intentions of dying in such a stupid manner – Sanzo was going to kill someone. Who, he didn't know; Gojyo was always a perfect candidate, though Hakkai would be furious with him. If that was the case, however, he could just off the man-turned-demon and be rid of that annoyance. But that would leave him with Goku, alone, and the brat would whine incessantly, ceaselessly, tirelessly annoying. And if he shot Goku, who would be left to fight Gyuumaoh? Sanzo had no fears of taking on the demonic force in Tenjiku, but he had no doubt the very effort would kill him before he could accomplish a damn thing.

These inanities passed through his mind in the same instant it took for him to act. Gojyo was straining to keep Goku where he was; the image uncomfortably familiar, as Sanzo recalled a certain incident where he had, more or less, been in Goku's place. Hakkai, too, had noticed what was happening to the path behind him, but was clearly unsure of what to do. It was times like these that made Sanzo the unofficial leader of the group. And he hated it.

Without even having to think of it, the priest raised his voice to be heard over the crumbling. "Goku, get ready to run. Hakkai," he continued, turning his gaze on the man coldly. "Drive."

There was no time for questions, only simple actions. Without waiting to be told twice, Hakkai threw the vehicle back into gear, pressing down on the gas pedal. The jeep bounced precariously as it all but flew along the path; proving dangerous for both Goku and Gojyo. The half-breed was slipping, swearing violently even as his eyes widened to the point the irises were nothing but the tiniest of dots in the midst of white. From his position, Sanzo couldn't see his charge, but he could perfectly well hear the bumps and loud cries as the boy seemed to struggle with his job. Undoubtedly, running along the side of a cliff had to be difficult, but it was either that or die.

And damn it, Sanzo was not going to let Goku die before he could kill Gojyo. At least he knew how to deal with whining; it was Gojyo's lecherous and unnecessary commentary that he couldn't quite get used to.

The crumbling grew to an almost deafening, endless cracking sound. Sanzo was half-turned in his seat now, barely able to see the path behind them fall to pieces just before they rounded the side of the ridge. Still, no matter how much faster they went, the land seemed determined to catch up with them.

"Hell...!" Gojyo swore just behind him. The muscles of his arms bulged, forcing blue veins to become prominent in his struggle. His feet were planted against the side of the vehicle, his back half on the floor of the jeep; it was the only way he could hold on and not go over the edge with Goku. But with their speed, and Goku's weight, it didn't seem that was going to be much of a help for long.

Sanzo hated getting his hands dirty. Nevertheless, he threw himself into the battle anyway, grasping the chain and giving a firm yank. He knew his strength was nothing compared to Gojyo's, but it seemed to be just enough. Neither man looked at the other. Both were too busy struggling just to keep a hold of Goku. This was all they could do on their end; on Goku's, all anyone could do was fervently and silently tell him not to let go.

Little bastard, thought Sanzo furiously. He hated him. How he had ever been saddled with such a crazy, annoying, nerve-grating brat, he would never know. Karma definitely was not on his side, either then or now.

The air was hot, even though the evening was rapidly falling to night. Sanzo couldn't even see the chain anymore, except where it curved sharply over the side of the jeep, barely reflecting the headlights. Sweat dampened his temples, the sides of his face, his back; the underside of his knees and elbows felt especially uncomfortable, hot and sticky. His palms were frighteningly dry, though he knew that would not last. Soon enough perspiration would come forth, his hands would slip, Gojyo would tire, and Goku's earlier fall would be complete.

When Hakkai abruptly slowed, Sanzo almost cursed. He changed his mind when, on instinct, he looked up and realized they had left the narrow path. The ridge was still there, but the land was broader, reaching out into a cluster of trees just beyond the reach of the headlights. Sanzo's relief was immediately numbed; they had not entirely won yet.

Pulling Goku up was far easier with three of them working rather than just one, as Sanzo and Gojyo had had to deal with once before. However, all were exhausted by the end, none more so than Goku. With the jeep's headlights facing away at a perpendicular angle, all the man noticed was a gleam of a bronze coronet, and the slightly fainter glimmer of wide golden eyes. The boy's chest was heaving; he collapsed to his back the instant he was on safe ground. His arms glistened faintly with sweat. Something different trickled down the side of the boy's face, as well as down one darkly bruised arm.

Nobody said anything as Hakkai set to tending Goku's wounds. After that he checked Gojyo, whose arm bore similar marks to Goku's, though not quite as grievous. Sanzo refused to be touched. Throughout the entire process not a word was exchanged. Silence reigned over the group, and it was all they could do to simply pull out a few blankets, find a dry place to lie down, and fall asleep.

-

He woke to pain in his limbs, a dry mouth, and the worst kind of throbbing in his head and abdomen. Groaning, Goku wanted nothing more than to burrow deeper into his blanket, to rest at least until his headache left.

He was not granted that reprieve as the first thing he felt was a hand on his shoulder. Gentle but firm, it could only have been Hakkai. Weary, Goku forced his eyes open against the glow of the rising sun. For once, he was not happy to see it.

"Can you sit up? Have a drink," Hakkai said, even as he helped steady Goku into a proper sitting position. A canteen was pressed into the boy's hands, already open. He drank greedily, though had enough sense to stop before the water was half emptied. The water helped; his mouth was moist again, and some of the pain in his stomach had eased a little.

"Thanks, Hakkai."

In response, the man shook his head. An expression of sheer disbelief underlay the concern in his eyes. "What on earth happened?"

"That's what I'd like to know," a new voice cut in; harsh and angry, but without coldness. Goku flinched, but lifted his head to look Gojyo in the eye. The half-breed was smoking mad, even without a single cigarette in hand. "Or rather, I'd like to know what the hell you were thinking!"

"I thought I was dreaming," Goku shot back unthinkingly.

It proved to be the wrong thing to say. Gojyo's eyes widened, first in surprise, then narrowed as scorn filled them. "Dreaming, huh? Tell me, monkey, what exactly do you do in your dreams? Fly? Because it sure as hell didn't work, did it!"

"Lay off!" Despite his sore and tired body, Goku shoved the blanket out of his lap. His clothes were rumpled, dirty, torn, and even bloodstained, but he hardly noticed over the throbbing in his temples and the angry sense of injustice in his chest. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"How the hell does 'sorry' cut it?" demanded Gojyo. "You nearly got us killed. Screw that, you nearly killed yourself!"

For a moment, it had seemed as though Hakkai was going to speak. From the look on his face, Goku would have guessed it would have been in his favor. However, after Gojyo's final utterance, the man's mouth closed again. Hurt stung Goku briefly.

Then the meaning of Gojyo's words sank in—or rather, the meaning of his word choice. He was shouting, yes, and was clearly furious. He had every right to be; in acting to save Goku's life – again, no less – he had hurt himself a great deal. Flushing slightly in shame, the boy lowered his eyes to Gojyo's bandaged arm. The man must have noticed, because he immediately turned at an angle so the wounded limb would be hidden.

Annoyed, Gojyo said, "You're more trouble than you're worth."

Goku said nothing. Instead, he looked for Sanzo, realizing his master had not once spoken up to add his rebukes and harsh opinions. He found the man, but Sanzo didn't even appear to have any interest in their conversation. He did, however, have a deeper crease between his eyebrows, his mouth set in a cold hardness around a burning cigarette.

Their eyes met briefly, before Sanzo looked to the others and flatly told them to pack up; that they were leaving. Yet in that instant, Goku had seen more than he had wanted to. Sanzo knew; he believed what the others did. He was angry, confused; unable to understand why Goku would want to kill himself. And try as he might, Goku couldn't think of a good argument to defend his position. He most definitely did not want to die, but how could he prove it? It was his words against his actions.

Worse still, Sanzo's refusal to voice a single one of his thoughts hurt. It cut through him like the rock had cut through his temple as he'd crashed into the ridge; quickly and efficiently, not enough to kill, but enough to deepen the wound from pain to agony.

His arms and legs sore, chest aching, and head thumping relentlessly, Goku folded his blanket and dropped it into the back of the jeep. He did not mention breakfast, and nobody suggested it. They were on the move within minutes, and despite the jolting of the vehicle, he fell asleep curled up against his blanket again. This time, when he dreamt, he was too afraid to fly.