Rie: H-hello... everyone... This's Rie again, I'm here... for the next chapter... (Looks so tired like zombie)
Gojyo: WHOA! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!
Goku: YOU LOOK SO... TERRIBLE!!"
Rie: I didn't get enough sleep lately. And I just finished this on 02.43 am... God, what should I do?! I had an important school trip today!!!
Sanzo: I don't care. The most important thing is you finished the story. (Exhales his cigarette smoke)
Rie: Why are you so heartless?!?!
Sanzo: Say that again. (Points his gun on Rie's head)
Rie: W-Why... why're you so cool and strong?!?!
Sanzo: Ask the God, not me.
Rie: Such a small hearted man... (Whispers) Anyway, would you like to do the disclimer for me, Kenren?
Kenren: Ahem, Rie doesn't own Saiyuki, neither the character nor the story. She just own this fic.'s plot. That's all. (Grins)
Rie: Thank you! Now, enjoy the story! Oh, sorry for the mistakes... ^_^
"Ohayo, Minna-san!" Goku chirped cheerfully, walking down the stairs to the dining room.
"Ohayo, Goku," Hakkai and Tenpou responded with their gentle smiles.
"Morning, Chibi," Kenren greeted warmly.
"Yo, Saru," Gojyo waved his hand while his eyes still focused on the newspaper he read.
"Kyuu~!" Hakuryuu chirped and chomped his breakfast.
Goku grinned and jumped to the nearest seat from him. Hakkai took a big spoon of fried rice and put it on Goku's plate. The monkey grabbed his spoon and fork, and then swept away the food in one strike. Gojyo sighed at his companion's manner in table and moved his hand to get his own share. He swung his hand to the left, then to the right, but nothing bumped with it. Felt curious, he looked at his plate only to find it already empty. He frowned and faced Goku, who ate his food which was belonged to Gojyo before.
"Hey, that's mine!!"
"Huh? Nani...?" Goku blinked and stared blankly at Gojyo. "Oh, this? I thought you didn't want it. It'll be a waste to throw it away, so I eat it."
"What makes you think that way?!" the kappa shouted.
"Well... you didn't touch it..."
"That's because I save it for later, you...!!!"
"OVERGROWN ASSHOLE!!!"
Kenren jerked in shock and sprutted away the coffe inside his mouth. Hakkai lost his grip on the plates and fropped all of it to the floor; scattered it to pieces. Tenpou stared at the red hair gokiburi with unreadable expression. Hakuryuu stopped chewing and gave a long 'Kyuuu?'. The other people who also ate in that room were looking at Gojyo like statues, didn't even move an inch from their first position. Goku stunned with a wide opened mouth but didn't give any kind of sound. Gojyo, the one who was been staring at, panicked and waved both of his hands at the other.
"Th-that's not me...!"
"That voice... it sounded like Sanzo...," Hakkai rubbed his chin. "To think about it, Sanzo and Konzen hadn't come out from their room..."
"So... they're fighting again?" Tenpou asked.
"Man, Konzen sure it a stubborn one...," Kenren chuckled.
"SHUT YOUR SHIT, MOTHER FUCKER!!!" Konzen's voice heard from the second floor.
"Oh, Konzen!! Think about our underage reader before speak, please!!"
"You're such a nice guy, Hakkai," Gojyo smirked, thinking it as a joke.
"God, 'till when are they planning to fight...?"
"Until one of them come out as the winner, of course."
"... Good answer, Gojyo..."
"Thanks!"
Another loud voice followed from the second floor. This time, it wasn't Sanzo or Konzen's voice, but broken glass and gun's sound. Gensomaden and Gaiden group, minus two blondies, ran up the staircase faster than they could realize. Gojyo and Kenren were the first one who arrived in front of the crime scene. They kicked the door and opened the way in from the other. Five of them went in and faced the monk and the Kami barked at each other. Hakkai glanced over the floor where the broken face scattered. On the wall, a new little hole had been created. A bullet still attached inside.
"Why don't you just die, Goddamit?!" Sanzo yelled, pulling Konzen's tied blond hair with his full strength.
"I won't die again before bury your dead body by myself, Bastard!!" Konzen shouted back, pinchining Sanzo's cheek like wanted to rip it off.
"Um... my I ask you what is your reason for this kind of action this morning?" Tenpou asked as polite as he could.
"He was clinging unto him!"
"No, it was you who were embracing him!"
"It's because I'm his master and I have to protect him from the likes of you!!" Sanzo shouted, pointing Konzen in the rude way.
"PARDON?! I'm his master, not you!!" Konzen barked.
"It's me!!"
"Me!!"
"ME!!!"
"ME!!!"
"Enough!!" Hakkai screamed and trapped everyone in a deep silence. "Would you be kind enough to explain what is truly happening here?"
"He slept with GOKU in his arms IN FRONT OF ME!!!" Sanzo and Konzen responded right away, pointing at each other.
"Me?!" Goku pointed himself with confused look.
"God, now you two sound like HOMOS!!" Gojyo screamed hysterically.
"I'm not a homo!!"
"Neither do I!!"
"Stop following what I'm saying!!" the monk protested.
"You're the one who keep repeating me!!" the God didn't want to lose.
"There's no end of this," the Chinese clothed man sighed in defeat.
"Oi, Saru. Think something to stop them," the redroach spoke to the monkey who stood right beside him.
"What? Why me?!"
"Because you are their reason to fight!"
"I never said I want them to fight over me!!"
"So, you want them to fight until one of them chopped down the other's head and threw his headless body to the deep blue sea?!" Gojyo asked with his annoying tone.
"I-I don't want that! I... want them to stop, but I don't know what should I do! Hakkai...!" Goku turned to Hakkai and looked at him with his puppy eyes.
"... I'll try to do something... Hm, but I have to go to buy our need... Oh, Gojyo! Could you please go to the market and buy something for us? We're going to leave tomorrow, so we need to get ready."
"Sure, no problem with me."
"I want to go, too!!" Goku jumped in excitement around like a monkey (Well, he is a monkey).
"Huh? Maybe you shouldn't-..."
"I think he better come with me, Hakkai," Gojyo cut Hakkai's words. "With him around, it'll be harder to tame those blonds. After all, he's the main reason..."
"... I guess you're right. But, will it be okay? I mean, to look over him too when..."
"Not to worry, I'll go with them," Kenren smirked and said. "I'm getting bored here."
"Guess I'll stay here to watch over Konzen, then," Tenpou guessed his own role. "Just make sure you don't bring another trouble, okay, kenren?"
"Easy. I'll beat those punks in one swipe!"
"... That's not what I meant..."
"Oh, one more thing, Gojyo!" Hakkai walked to Sanzo's side and stole something from the blond with light speed. He threw it to Gojyo when Sanzo realized it.
"What?! My gun?!"
"It'll be better if that thing's gone for a while."
"But...!!"
"I don't want to clean any trace of blood in this room that caused of that thing. Well, take care! Stay away from trouble!"
"Alright! Be a nice boy, Sanzo-chan!" Gojyo said with giggles.
"Take care, Daddy Konzen!" Kenren waved.
"We're going! See ya later!" Goku grinned cheerfully."
"WAIT!!!"
Sanzo and Konzed cried out loud, but none of those 3 men turned around even just to look at them. They left the weaponless Sanzo and Konzen in two black haired man cares.
Goku, Kenren, and Gojyo walked side by side in the sea of human's body. A lot of stand stood in every side and corner. Goku focused on the food shop, while Gojyo and Kenren watched every girl they could find. Different from Sanzo and Konzen, the red hairs could get along with each other. Their mind and attitude were kind of same, since they were the same person from different time and world.
"See that girl over there? What do you think?" Kenren asked, hald whispering.
"Hm... Small boobs, but cute face. 75 points," Gojyo said with serious face. "What about that one? The one with grey hair."
"Um... Nice body. 85 points! Oh, how about her?"
"He's a boy..."
"Wha-?!" Kenren jerked and stepped back. He rubbed his eyes and once again observed the person he was pointing at. "How did you know?!"
"Instinct."
"What kind of instinct is that?"
"Hey, Gojyo...," Goku asked. "Sanzo lost his golden credit card, and we don't have money. So... how are you gonna buy what Hakkai ask?"
"Easy, Monkey. Look at this," Gojyo took out something from his pocket and swung it in front of Goku's eyes.
"S-SANZO'S GOLDEN CREDIT CARD?! Where did you find it?! How did you get it?!"
"He he he, slow down. Hakkai found it this morning inside our bag and asked me to pay for our breakfast. So this little money source still in my care. What, you want to buy something with this?"
"Yes!! I want to buy food!! Can I?! Can I?! Can I?!"
"Hm... let me think..."
"Gojyo!! Please!!" Goku pouted.
"Only if you eat all of it before we arrive at the inn and you don't tell Hakkai I use it to buy beer and cigarette. Deal?"
"DEAL!!"
"Then go and find what you want. I'll be at that store over there with Kenren if you find it, okay?"
"Okay!" with that, Goku ran off on his own journey.
Kenren sighed at his old companion's attitude. Even after 500 long years, his attitude didn't even change a bit. True, his appearance changed a lot. Kenren still remembered the little Goku ran in front of him inside the palace. Curious, he tugged the monkey's long brown hair, which made Goku protested. But he saved Goku from those people who ran after him. That was their first met, such a beautiful memory...
While Kenren busy in his own world, Gojyo observed him with full attention. In front of him, there was his ancestor; his past. They look really alike, both their appearance and attitude. Even some merchants thought they were twins. It was kind of funny for him to met Kenren yesterday, just like a dream. He kind of curious about his past life, but that wasn't the one that bugging him right now... It was something else...
"Hey, can you... answer my question?" Gojyo asked all of a sudden to Kenren, who turned his attention to him right away.
"Sure, as long as it's not something weird of crazy... Hell, I'll still answer it even if it's weird or crazy. What is it?"
"It's about Goku..."
"...," Kenren's expression suddenly turned into a dark and gloom one. "Okay...?"
"Are you, Tenpou and Konzen... really wanted to take him back to Tenkai?"
"Yes. We'll take him, no matter what happen."
"Huh...?" Gojyo gave a little sigh. He watched Goku from far, observing all his moves and expression. "Then... maybe you'll have to fight me."
"Excuse me?"
"I-... We can't let you take him away from us."
"...," the leader of Western Army once again fell into a deep silent.
"Goku is the oldest yet the youngest in our group. He's so cheerful, bright, and full with spirit. He always smiles and I barely see him cry. He's just like... sun for all of us. It won't be same without him, never be same.... That's why I won't let you or anyone take him away, because he's too important for us..."
"If that's your reason, then I'll fight to death in order to get him with the same reason as you."
"...," this time Gojyo was the one who kept silent.
"We know him first and have the same bound with him just like what you have. He's our treasure, the one we want to protect even if that means we must sacrifice our lives. We can't afford to lose him once again. No matter what happen and stay in our way, we'll fight until our last drop of blood to get him back. We made a promise with him in the past. I've break a thousand of promise I made, but this's the only promise I can't do anything to get away from it..."
"If that so... then I'll do anything to stop you, even if I have to kill you..."
"Then I'll do the same thing..."
"..."
"..."
"C'mon, what's with the awkward silence?!" Gojyo said out loud and started laughing. Kenren's serious face started to back into his funky one.
"I can't belief I truly said that! Crap, I should've written that for my speech in front of my army!" Kenren said.
"Yeah, you idiot!"
"You're an idiot, too!"
"Then we're the same!"
"Of course we're the same! I'm your ancestor, remember?!" the army leader chuckled. "But.. I'm serious about what I said."
"So do I," Gojyo responded with a smirk.
"GOJYO!!! I FIND WHAT I WANT TO BUY!! COME HEREEEE!!!" Goku called with extra loud and happy voice, waving his hand and jumping to catch the kappa's attention.
"Looks like the monkey's journey has over. Let's go," Gojyo said and walked first.
"Right behind you," Kenren smiled.
Both of the redhead walked to their monkey's side. Gojyo took out the golden credit card from his pocket to pay what Goku wanted. In front of him, on the vendor position, a pretty girl stood and ready to serve her costumers. Gojyo smirked at Kenren which fill with some kind of sign, which made Kenren smirked back with unsure look. The redroach went to the vendor with his cool style and started to launch his flirt attack. Goku stood beside Kenren and watched his friend's action.
"Hey girl, are you alone?"
"Yeah," the girl answered.
"How about I stay here and make sure you don't feel lonely?" Gojyo smiled and put his seductive stare.
"No, thank you. I'm kind of... busy now."
"Then how about later?"
"I can't. So, what do you want to buy? Please, don't make the other customers waiting if you just want to chat about something unimportant."
"Wha-? Goddess, I don't know that an angel could be so cold toward a sinner... I thought the beautiful white winged creature like you will pray for me and help me to clean my-..."
"Sir, with all due respect, even an angel could be a cruel creature if the sinner keep making sins after she clean it for him. Now, please step aside."
"Ch, you're not fun at all..."
"I never asked you to think I'm fun."
"Could you please be a little warmer to me?"
"... No. Please, don't disturb me with your old way of flirt. NEXT!"
Felt nothing will turn to good with another topic; Gojyo stepped back and went to Goku and Kenren. Kenren smirked and chuckled while Goku kept teasing him. The kappa grunted and smacked the monkey's head, only to step into another meaningless fight. Even after the fight over, Kenren didn't stop laughing. That was one reason that made Gojyo annoyed more than before.
"Could you please stop laughing for something that's not funny with all meaning?!" he barked.
"Not funny for you, but super fun for me."
"Grr...!! You talk like that thing never happen to you!!"
"It's never happen to me," Kenren responded shortly.
"You...! Fine, see that one over there?!" Gojyo asked, pointing at someone who stood in front of the shop next to the food stand. A black long haired person stared at a blue dress behind the glass window, only showing 'her' back to the redheads. "If you can get her, I'll accept my lose!!"
"Easy. Here, watch how the master does it," Kenren left and went to his target.
"You sure about that Gojyo? He may win, you know?" Goku asked.
"You'll see... It's going to be fun..."
The leader of Western Army arrived at his destination. He coughed a little to catch his target attention and he did it. The 'girl' didn't turned around, but tilted 'her' head a bit when heard Kenren's voice. 'She' wore a red tight shirt and black short skirt, which made Kenren more interested in 'her'.
"All by yourself?" he started.
"Yes, I am."
"Then, how about I stay with you? I don't mind since I don't have another plan..."
"Really?"
"Sure. Hey, why don't you turn around? Let me see that angelic face of yours," Kenren threw another praise to reach his finish line.
"Okay," the 'girl' turned around and smiled at Kenren. The redhead smiled too at first, but his smile turned into a wide opened mouth in his shocked face. Not angelic, but more than demonic... His target had a thick beard and long moustache. 'Her' body full with muscle and 'her' face more than scary. With that kind of proof and a pair of flat chest, Kenren knew that his target was a MALE, and an ugly one. "So, ready to go, Honey?" the guy cared Kenren's cheek.
"N-no... I already booked by someone! EXCUSE MEE!!!"
"HEY, WAIT!!"
Without any other word, Kenren ran as fast as he could and back to Goku and Gojyo's side. Goku wouldn't stop laughing and put both of his hands on his stomach. Tears escaped from his eyes and his face turned red. Gojyo too laughed like crazy, losing his own self control. Kenren felt annoyed and shouted at Gojyo, since it was his idea at first.
"YOU... YOU ALREADY KNOW HE'S A MAN, DON'T YOU?!?!"
"Of course I do! If I'm not, I won't ask you to flirting him! Man, I should've take your picture and show it to the other! It was hilarious! HA HA HA HA HA!!!"
"SHUT UP!!!"
"I...! Ha ha ha!! Can't...! Stop...! Laughing!!! AHA HA HA HA!!" Goku said.
"Not you too, Goku...!"
"Hey, can... can we buy my... food n-now...? Pfft!!"
"C'mon, just stop it al-...! Huh?" Kenren stopped when glanced over the clothing shop. "That's..."
"What's it?" Gojyo asked.
"Nothing. Hey, could you lend me the... credit card?"
"What? You want to buy something?"
"Yes. So, could you?" Kenren asked with serious face.
"S-sure... go ahead," Gojyo gave Kenren the golden credit card. "Just... make sure you don't lose it."
"I won't. Wait for me here, okay, Goku?" Kenren said and left, walking all by himself to the clothing shop.
"God, what took him so long?!" Gojyo growled in boredom.
"I'm hungry... I want my food," Goku said, placing his hand on his grumbled stomach.
"Grr...! If that bastard doesn't come back in 5 minutes, I'll...!!"
"HEY!!" Kenren appeared and waved his hand. He ran toward Gojyo and Goku with a big bag. It looked like there were some pieces of clothes in there. "Sorry for the long wait!"
"What took you so long?!" Gojyo barked at Kenren.
"Wow, easy! Hey, Goku, change your clothes to this one," Kenren handed his bag to Goku.
"Huh? What's it?"
"Clothes. C'mon, hurry up! We've to show this to Konzen and Tenpou! They'll be surprise!!"
"But I'm hungry..."
"If you wear this, I'll give you a lot of food. Everything you want," Kenren said his fake promise.
"Really?!" Goku asked fit as a fiddle.
"Of course! Here, give me your pinkie," the leader of Western Army took out his own pinkie and took Goku's. He hooked it and showed it to Goku. "This's what you call hooking promise."
"Hooking... promise...?"
"Yes. If you do it, you won't be able to break your promise. Now, listen. I promise to you I'll..."
Suddenly, everything around Goku turned into black. Everyone disappeared together with every sound he could hear before. In front of him, stood 3 man that looked right to him with their warm eyes. One of them had long blond hair, the other had long black hair and wore a white lab coat, and the last one which kneeled in front of him had short spiky red hair and wore a black coat. The red haired one hooked his pinkie to Goku's and smiled.
"There – Promise!" he said. "That's what you called Hooking Fingers. It's the sign that we've made a promise."
"It's alright, Goku," the black haired one spoke. "We'll always stay beside you."
The scenery in front of Goku started to disappeared. Peoples and sound came back to him as his friends' voice kept repeating his name. Goku blinked twice and looked at Kenren and Gojyo's worried face. His finger still hooked with Kenren's. He wanted to say something, but something didn't let him to. Kenren placed his left hand on Goku's shoulder and shook it a bit.
"Goku... are you okay?"
"K-Ken..."
"Yeah?" Kenren tilted his head, same with Gojyo.
"Ken-niichan..."
Heard what Goku said, Kenren jerked in shock and accidentally broke his hook on Goku's finger. Gojyo stared at Goku in surprise. He didn't know what was going on, but it had to be something important. After a couple second of silent, Goku shook his head a little and looked at his friends.
"What is it?"
"You... what did you call me?" Kenren asked.
"Me? What? I don't know what you are talking about. So... Do you really will give me a lot of foods if I wear this?!"
"... Yeah..."
"GREAT!! GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES AND I'LL COME BACK!!"
Meanwhile, with Sanzo, Konzen, Hakkai, and Tenpou... and Hakuryuu, too...
"So... you're fighting because you don't like someone other than you embrace Goku or sleep beside him?" Hakkai took one conclusion.
"It's because it's him, I don't like it! I hate it!!" Sanzo shouted.
"ME TOO!!" Konzen yelled, too.
"This's hard..."
"You know, I think I know their problem," Tenpou said all of a sudden, which caught the other's attention. "Both Sanzo and Konzen love Goku!"
"Wha-?!"
"TENPOU, what did you say?!"
"Let me finish first. You love weren't lover's love, but father's love. You want to be the best for Goku and don't want the other to have him. Am I right?"
"Maybe...," Sanzu mumbled.
"I think so...," Konzen whispered.
"There, problem solved."
"That was a great conclusion, Tenpou. I never thought about that one," Hakkai praised. "Hm... it's weird. Goku and the other left since 2 hours ago but they haven't come back. I wonder if something happen..."
"WHAT?!"
"GOKU?!"
"I shouldn't have said anything..."
A step sounds heard from outside the room as well as a couple of people's voice. It was Goku, Kenren, and Gojyo's voices. All of them talked about something, but no one of the people in the room knew what it is. The door opened and Kenren stepped in with Gojyo. Hakkai walked toward them and welcomed them. He was going to do it before he realized Goku hadn't come in.
"Where's Goku?"
"Outside. Hey, Konzen, Tenpou, you have to see this!" Kenren said with burning eyes. Konzen and Tenpou watched him like he was going out of mind. "Hey, Goku! You can come in now!"
The monkey stepped in and hit everyone with sudden mild heart attack. He wasn't same with Goku that left with Kenren and Gojyo 2 hours ago. Now, he wore a black leather clothes which was armless and a long white pant. He didn't wear any shoes, but some shackles chained on his arms and legs. His brown hair became long like grew in fast speed without they could realize it. Konzen stared in shock and didn't even move an inch. In front of him, the only person who kept crossing in his mind stood, looked exactly like what he remembered. He mumbled something and then stepped to Goku slowly.
"G-Goku...?"
"TADAA!!" Goku jumped cheerfuly. "So, what do you think?!"
"Wh-... huh?" Konzen blinked.
"He he he, bet you're shock right through your bone! I buy it at a clothing store in the market place. I don't even know I'll find this kind of thing there!"
"Where'd you buy those shackles?" Sanzo asked.
"Same place. Oh, and the wig, too."
"What kind of clothing store sells that kind of shackles?"
"What do you think, Konzen?! Shock, huh?! He he h-...!"
Before Kenren could finish laughing, a hard punch landed on his cheek. The redhead fell to the hard floor and grunted in pain. He was about to stand and gave back what Konzen did to him, but he saw that face. Konzen's face was full with pain and anger. His body trembled all over and his face reddened. Without said another words, he left the room with the other stunned inside it.
"Just... what the hell is that?!" Kenren protested.
"You're kind of... I don't know what to say about this...," Tenpou sighed and helped Kenren to stand.
"I don't understand about it?! What did I do and make him angry like that?! Man... his punch is hurt like usual..."
"You know that Konzen really love Goku, right? Just like his own son..."
"U-huh."
"Goku doesn't remember him, and he always waiting for that moment when Goku's memory will come back. And now, you bring to him the old Goku he loves, but only his appearance. Not his true self... What'll happen to Konzen's feeling, seeing the person that he thought as his own son back to him? Do you understand now, Kenren?"
"... Ch... Damn..."
"Actually, I want to punch you too. But... you didn't do this on purpose, I assume. So... I won't. But make sure you don't do this for the second time," Tenpou said seriously.
"Okay... Oh, one more thing," Kenren caught Tenpou's attention again. "Goku's memory... maybe it'll come back after all."
"Huh...?"
"When I do the Hooking Finger, he seems like... you know, unfocused. And after that, he called me... Ken-niichan..."
"THAT'S-...!!" Tenpou shocked. "We should tell Konzen!"
"Wait! We've to wait a little longer. When the time comes... he'll remember it, even the most painful one. We've to get ready for that... If you tell Konzen now, he won't wait even just a minute and do what we don't want him to do."
"Yeah... I guess you're right... Goku..."
Tenpou and Kenren watched the Gensomaden team laughed with their monkey. Their face looked so happy, just like them 500 years ago. Suddenly, they felt a deep big urge to snatch Goku from them. But it won't help, because no matter what they did now, it won't give them much good. Outside the inn, Konzen stood under a cherry tree, stared at the moon. A wave of sadden crushed in his heart. He wanted to get his Goku back. A single drip of tear flowed out from his orbs and drop into the grass, marked it with painful feeling forever...
Rie: FINISH!!! YAY, I WANT TO GO TO SLEEP!!!
Gojyo: Just wait a minute?! How possible that clerk didn't fall for my charm?! (Protests with loud voice)
Kenren: And why should I flirting a... GUY?!?!
Rie: I don't know! Please, let me sleep!
Gojyo: I won't let you sleep until...!!
Hakkai: (Pats Gojyo's shoulder) Gojyo, where's our needs? You bought it, right?
Gojyo: ... MAN, I FORGOT!!!
Rie: Idiot... (Grumbles and goes to the door)
Sanzo: Wait! Tell me about the vote!!! (Comes out from nowhere)
Rie: Not now, that's not really important after all...
Konzen: (Appears, too) This's more important than your life, you know?! Now thell me about it!!!
Rie: Wh-what's wrong with you all?! OKAY, ABOUT THE VOTE... FOR NOW, THE WINNER IS STILL KONZEN!! SATISFIED?!?!
Konzen: YES!!
Sanzo: He's cheating! I object it!!
Rie: ACCEPT YOUR FATE!! For the readers, please keep voting and reviewing. I've think about the ending, but maybe you won't like it. Maybe I'll make a sequel for this story... if you like it... So, please review. ^_^ (Smiles and bows politely) NOW LET ME GET SOME SLEEP!!!
The other: WAIT A MINUTE!!
Rie: SOMEONE, HELP MEEEEEE!!!