A/N: This chapter is really short. Like, really short. They get longer, I promise. This chapter is just a small, important little set up. Also, be sure to look at Astral Writer's Feminine Reflection, the companion to this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki. Please, stop making me say that, it's starting to hurt.
Goku had a death grip on the sleeve of Sanzo's robes, tugging at it as she tried to look at everything the store was offering. It was a lot of light, pastel colors. Mostly pinks, a few bits of blue, with the air heavy with the scent of fresh baked bread. It was full of all sorts of people, lining up to order, waiting for their order, taking their order, browsing, or just mulling around and chatting. The rustle of money changing hands was ever present, but the noise level really didn't rise above a gentle murmur. When they came in, a woman in a pastel pink apron had offered them a free creampuff sample. Judging from the left over flecks of cream at the corner of Goku's mouth, she had enjoyed hers.
Now she was looking at all the different breads, cookies, and cakes behind the glass display cases. She was chattering away, going on and on about how delicious this one could be, and 'ooh a layer cake', or 'look at that! How did they swirl it like that?', and was oblivious to how annoying Sanzo found it. But it all looked so good, she couldn't help it, and why wasn't Sanzo sharing any of her excitement? She even pointed to some dark chocolate truffles, because she knew Sanzo liked dark chocolate. She got nothing.
She pouted for a moment, before giving up completely. She tugged Sanzo around a bit more, with much difficulty as the priest was like a bag of rocks. "Hey Sanzo, can I have that one, please, please, pleas-"
"SHUT UP!" Apparently the monk was long since fed up with her monkey, before her fist connected with the top of Goku's head.
Goku whined for a bit about how it hurt, pouting at Sanzo before turning back to the displays. Her eyes kept straying to a cake that had the prettiest frosting and crystallized sugar. She was about to ask again, but stopped herself. She didn't want to get hit again. Sanzo rolled her eyes.
"What! If you have something to say, then just say it, ya stupid monkey." she growled. Goku looked back shyly.
"That one looks good, could I try it Sanzo?" she asked cutely. Sanzo felt a vein throb.
"Fine, but then we're leaving." she said. Goku smiled happily.