Disclaimer: Minekura-sensei is the genius behind Saiyuki.

Notes: This is rated PG for language because the boys love to curse.

Brothers
by Mako-clb

Epilogue

Goku was trying to take a nap, but he was having trouble getting comfortable. The bouncing of the jeep didn't bother him, not really. He was used to it by now. But something was wrong, so without knowing what else to do, Goku stretched his legs out, only to end up kicking Gojyo.

Goku felt Gojyo give him a half-hearted shove as he mumbled, "Get off."

Instinctively, Goku turned so he could punch Gojyo in the shoulder and start one of their usual play fights. It was a great way to pass the time. But something felt wrong, and Goku pulled his punch. Gojyo responded by swatting at Goku, but it wasn't the usual roughhousing they were used to.

Goku sat back down and tried to relax, but it was hard when he was bored and hungry and Gojyo was still a little weird. Goku scooted a little closer, and when Gojyo didn't push him off, he slowly leaned into the kappa. Gojyo didn't smell right, not bad but not like Gojyo should smell. At least he didn't smell sick anymore, just not quite right.

Goku tilted his head back, and now he could see Gojyo running his hands through his hair. Hakkai made that weird noise he made when he was worried but didn't want to say anything, so Goku figured Hakkai had noticed something was wrong, too.

"You idiots are too quiet back there." Those words were the only warning before Sanzo smacked first Gojyo then Goku with the paper fan.

Gojyo jerked, dislodging Goku from his side. "Damn it, you're always complaining we're too loud, and then we're quiet and you freak out? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Just sit down and shut up."

"That's what we were doing." Gojyo shifted all the way around so he was practically draped over Hakkai's shoulders. "Right, Hakkai?"

Goku smiled. Gojyo might not be exactly right yet, but they were all going to help him get back to normal however they could.

"I'm hungry!" Goku shouted as he thought about all the different kinds of food he wanted to order at whatever inn or restaurant they ended up at next. And he'd be sure to get an extra order of anything with cucumbers, just so Gojyo could have a little.

The End

Author's Note: I have tried multiple times to find out what Gojyo's favorite food is with no luck. So I went with the old standby that kappa like cucumbers.