[Generic Disclaimer: Saiyuki and all the affiliated characters are copyright to Kazuya Minekura. No profit has or will be made off of this fiction.]

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~ The Trouble With H ~

Summary: Gojyo and Goku are having trouble. And it usually springs from things that begin with the letter H.

Warnings: PG-13

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When Goku woke up, everyone else was gone. He sat up, vaguely wondering why no one had woken him. Usually Sanzo never let anyone sleep in.

Sanzo's things were all packed. Gojyo's and Hakkai's bags were there, but their bedding was missing. Hakuryuu was curled up on Hakkai's bag, sleeping peacefully.

Hakkai's head popped inside the tent, yawning. "Morning Goku," he squirmed inside, and began to pack his things. "Sanzo's ready to go, so you'd better hurry."

"...Hungry..." Goku muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"I'll make breakfast as soon as we get the tent down," he threw his bag outside the tent, Hakuryuu flying to rest on his shoulder, "I'm afraid I slept in."

"Watch where you're throwing bags 'Kai..." Gojyo growled, shuffling in and stuffing his things in his bag.

"Sorry," Hakkai yawned again.

Goku immediately yawned, followed by Gojyo.

The redhead blinked. "Damn contagious yawning."

"Let's go already," Sanzo crossed his arms outside the tent.

"Yeah yeah. Don't get your robes in a twist," Gojyo threw his own bag through the tent door, hoping to hit the monk.

"If you two hadn't been up all night doing gods-know-what, you wouldn't have this problem," the blond narrowed his eyes, "If this is going to become a problem--"

"We're coming," Hakkai interrupted, stopping Sanzo from continuing, "I'm just helping Goku pack."

"The monkey can pack his own crap," Sanzo started to walk off, "You two can start loading the jeep."

Hakkai sent Hakuryuu outside to transform.

"But what about breakfast?" Goku pouted.

"Town's only a few hours away. You can wait until then," the blond replied, throwing his bag into the dragon-turned-vehicle.

Goku whined, but said nothing as began to pack his things.

The town was, as Sanzo had said, quite close. They caught a late breakfast and wandered around town for awhile. The village boasted a huge marketplace, and Hakkai made a notice of dwindling supplies. The four parted ways for the afternoon.

"Be back here at twelve or I'll leave you," Sanzo growled, irritated at how much time was being wasted. But supplies were a necessity. He and Hakkai headed to the market.

"You say that every time," Gojyo shrugged, walking off the opposite direction, hands in his pockets.

Goku stood there for a moment, looking from the right to left. Finally he walked straight ahead, deciding to find something to do in the shopping district. The place was heavily crowded for mid-morning, and he was almost tempted to find Hakkai and Sanzo, just for some company.

"HEY! It's the monkey!" a familiar high-pitched voice yelled from behind him. He whirled around to find Lirin standing a bit away, hands on her hips.

"Aw man, not you..."

She ran up to him, smiling in delight. "Yay! I was looking for something to do!"

Goku looked boredly at the girl. "So was I, but not from you."

Her smile turned to a frown. "Hey! What's wrong with me?!"

"Well," Goku shrugged, "If you really wanna fight, at least it'll kill some time..."

She smiled again, adopting a fighting stance. Goku grinned as well, summoning Nyoi-bou. It appeared in the air above his hand, and he grabbed it. Swinging it once, he stood.

Lirin jumped, excited at the prospect of battle. Then suddenly, she stopped, raising a finger to her mouth in thought. "Oh. I forgot. Oniichan said I'm not allowed to fight today."

Goku blinked. "You should really think of these things -before- you get me all ready to fight!"

She smiled again. "Don't worry! He said I couldn’t fight you! He didn't say anything about playing with you!"

"....Wanna play Beat-you-with-a-stick?"

She blinked, almost as if considering this. "Hmmm...nah. Oh, I know! Let's play hide-and-seek!"

Goku didn't say anything for a moment. "You're not gonna cheat are you?"

"Why would I do that?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Cuz you're my enemy?"

"Oh yeah. Well, I won't this time!"

He sighed. "Alright."

She jumped up. clapping. "Yay! I'll hide first, and you count!" Before he could protest, she ran off to find a hiding spot.

Goku frowned. "I didn't wanna be it." Deciding it was pointless to argue, he walked to the nearest pole, covering his eyes with an arm and beginning to count.

"One, two, three..."

After counting to fifty, just to be sure she was hidden; he went in search of the young youkai. Realizing it was a very crowded marketplace, he suddenly regretted agreeing to this game. Assuming she wasn't cheating--which she probably was--Lirin could be -anywhere-. He had half a mind to forget the game and go find something better to do, but that would mean leaving Lirin waiting for him. He really didn't want to abandon the girl, as much as a pain as she was.

He walked down the path, looking under various crates and tents. He was beginning to wonder if she hadn't just given up and went home. He hoped so.

"Jeez, you suck at this game Monkey-boy," Lirin muttered.

Goku turned around to find the girl floating behind him, arms crossed. "Thought you said you weren't gonna cheat."

Lirin floated to the ground, leaning all her weight on one foot. "Well, I -assumed- that you could actually find me!"

The brunette decided he didn't want to play anymore. He was going to get rid of Lirin, and go find Sanzo and Hakkai. At least they weren't this annoying. "Well, sorry. I suck, okay. Why don't you go find someone better to play with?"

Lirin leaned in close, until their faces almost touched. She smiled. "Don't worry, I forgive you! It's your turn to go hide now okay? Let's hope you do better at that!"

"But I don't want to--" he started, but the girl disappeared.

He frowned. Maybe if he hid for awhile, she'd get tired of searching and go away. He climbed into a nearby crate, closing the lid. It was a bit small, but he could sit comfortably. All that was left to do was wait.

He had been sitting in the crate for a few minutes when he started to hear a noise. It sounded like someone banging on his crate. Thinking it was Lirin, testing to see if he was there, he kept quiet. Soon the noise stopped. He waited a little longer for her to move out of range, and then pushed the lid.

It didn't budge. He pushed harder, but it wouldn't open. He was stuck in a sitting position, so he couldn't get much force into a push.

"Aw man..."

"Where the hell is the monkey?" Sanzo asked, smashing out another cigarette.

"Well, we're a bit early, so he's still got some time left," Hakkai pointed out, loading the newly acquired supplies into Jiipu.

"He probably found someone gullible enough to give him food for free," Gojyo smirked, lounging in the backseat, "He's got that 'cute lost monkey' look to him."

"Even if someone did decide to feed him, they'd quickly regret it," the blond leaned against the side of the car.

"You don't suppose he got lost, do you?" Hakkai looked back into the crowded market, "It is a rather large place."

"That's a good possibility, considering who we're talking about here," the kappa shrugged.

"Do you think I should go look for him?"

"No, you stay here," Sanzo pushed himself off the car casually, "I'll go. I don't need either of you getting lost as well."

Gojyo leaned down, grinning. "Thought you said you were leaving him. Are you worried?"

"Got a death wish?"

The redhead held his hands out defensively. Sanzo glared at him, then turned and fell back into the crowd. Gojyo and Hakkai watched him.

"They're such a couple..."

"It's quite cute actually..."

As far as days went, Goku had seen worse, but this was not turning out to be a good one. Not only was he stuck in a crate, but his legs were getting cramped from sitting cross-legged so long, it was maddenly boring, and, worst of all, he was getting hungry again.

He hoped the others would start searching for him soon. Sanzo had said he would leave him if he wasn't back on time, but Sanzo said that every time, and he'd yet to do it so far. Besides, Hakkai wouldn't let him, and eventhough he refused to admit it, Sanzo usually didn't go against Hakkai. And Sanzo needed him, right?

He pouted. "Why couldn't I have jumped in a crate of meatbuns?"

Sanzo growled in frustration. He'd been wandering around the thrall of people for near on an hour, with no sign of the boy. When he did find him, he vowed never to let him out of sight for more than a minute.

Gojyo's comment had irked him as well. Usually he didn't take much out of anything the kappa said, but this time had hit a nerve. He wasn't supposed to be searching for his supposed traveling companions; he was supposed to be going West. The fact that finding Goku was his main priority set off an alarm in his head.

But that was something he refused to think about at the time.

After an hour left to his own devices, Goku came to the realization that even if the others searched for him, they wouldn't be thinking to look in crates. This scared him, because the possibility that he wouldn't be found entered his mind for the first time. He had to do something, anything to get the attention of someone that might be curious enough to open the crate. He began rocking back and forth, trying to get the crate to move. Eventually, he got enough momentum going to knock the crate to its side.

No one investigated. And now he was trapped on his side. Definitely not one of his better days.

Sanzo, having been through the entire pathway of the market, was running low on both ideas and patience. He started back to the exit, planning to look again before checking with Hakkai and Gojyo if Goku'd come back after he left.

He came to an intersection in the path. Thinking nothing of it, he continued on, until he heard a very familiar voice giggling. He whirled around looking at a stack of boxes. Lirin sat on the boxes, laughing contently.

She didn't see him. He could just move on and not have to deal with her. But then again, she probably knew what happened to Goku. Decisions decisions...

He stomped over to her, fists clenched. He was going to knock Goku senseless when he found him. Lirin, noticing the irate monk coming her way, squealed in delight.

"It's SANZO!"

"Shut it brat. I don't have time for games," he crossed his arms, "Where's Goku?"

She blinked. "Huh? Your monkey? Haven't--" she stopped, seeing the business end of Sanzo's favourite form of getting his orders obeyed pointed straight at her forehead.

"I won't ask again."

"Monkey's not here! Play with me instead!" She latched on to the arm holding the gun.

Sanzo attempted to shake her off, with no avail. He twitched.

"Owww..." Goku whined, wiggling his arm over to rub his shoulder. He had landed hard on it when he made the crate tip. Upon retrospect, it probably hadn't been the best idea. "Now what am I gonna do?"

Suddenly he heard something from outside. It sounded like a soft thump from right above him. Was someone sitting on the crate? He slammed his fist into the top, hoping to gain the person's attention.

Another idea for the 'bad thing' category.

"OW! Dammit!" He brought his throbbing hand to his chest, cradling it there. It hadn't even worked, if it was really a person after all.

He heard Lirin's voice. "It's SANZO!"

Goku gasped. Sanzo was here! It was probably Lirin sitting on the crate now, and if he didn't do something, Sanzo wouldn't know he was there. He started to wiggle again.

Outside, Lirin was having some difficulty keeping herself on the crate. It was moving. She clamped her hand down on the lid, keeping the other on Sanzo's arm.

"What's with the box?" Sanzo asked.

"N-Nothing!" she squeaked, tightening her hold after the crate almost threw her off.

The blond aimed his gun at the wooden crate.

Inside, Goku struggled to move the crate as much as possible. He had to get Sanzo to notice and investigate. He was pretty sure it was working after he heard Lirin squeal. Then he heard two gunshots. Goku knew the sound could only come from a certain type of gun.

Lirin must've attacked Sanzo! Suddenly filled with both anger and worry, he summoned Nyoi-bou without thinking.

Lirin, still holding onto Sanzo's arm, jumped off the crate as Sanzo fired two shots at the ground next to the jumping box. "Are you crazy?!"

"Shut up." He pried her arms off his own, and turned to leave.

An explosion came from behind him. The monk whirled around to find the crate in splinters, and Goku standing ready for battle.

"Leave him alone!"

Lirin looked from Goku to Sanzo. Then she smiled. "SURPRISE!" Then she disappeared just as a bullet sped past the space she stood.

Danger gone, Goku blinked, looking at Nyoi-bou. "You mean I coulda done that all this time?! AW MAN!"

The paper fan collided with his head. "Dammit! You made me spend an hour looking for you and you were trapped in a damn box?!"

Goku winced, holding his head. "Sorry!"

Sanzo sighed. "Let's just go already."

The boy fell in step beside his guardian. After a few moments of silent walking, Goku peered up at the blond. "You really spent an hour looking for me?"

"So what if I did?"

He blinked. "Nothing. It just makes me happy."

Sanzo raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Goku was staring at him earnestly. "Because if you went through all that trouble, it must mean I'm important to you."

The monk, for once, was left with nothing to say. But the honesty in this statement bothered him. "Not necessarily."

"Then why else would you?"

Goku flashed a huge smile, linking his arm around Sanzo's. Sanzo gave an inward sigh, but didn't bother to remove his arm.

"Got any threes?"

"Go fish."

Gojyo picked up a card from the deck, then laid his cards down, grinning. "Got it. That's game."

Hakkai put his own cards down contently. "It appears you finally found a game you beat me at."

"Yeah, and I only had to go back to grade school mentality to get it."

He laughed. "It's the thought that counts."

Gojyo smirked, leaning in closer. "Maybe sometime I could teach you my secret."

The brunette gave a halfhearted smile. "The secret to Go Fish?"

The kappa's grin grew wider. "Who says I was talking about cards?"

"Sanzo."

Gojyo tilted his head. "What? Sanzo said? I don't get it..."

"Moron," Sanzo muttered, walking up to the car. Goku trailed happily behind him.

"Hey," Gojyo recovered, turning to face the newcomers, "So you found the monkey. Was he hiding in a tree or something?"

"Shut up, stupid water sprite!" Goku countered, jumping in beside him.

"I'm glad you're safe Goku," Hakkai smiled, starting the Jiipu, "I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry," the boy looked down, "I ran into Lirin, and she trapped me."

"Playin' around with Sanzo's girlfriend?" Gojyo leaned his head on his hand.

Goku kicked him in the shin. "Why don't you shut up?!"

"Damn monkey!"

"Good to have him back, yes?" Hakkai smiled, glancing at Sanzo quickly before turning his eyes to the road.

Sanzo's mouth twitched in what might have been some semblance of a smile. "If you say so."

The green-eyed youkai nodded, leaving it at that. He'd seen the two before Sanzo had thought to make Goku let go of his arm. He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. The monk could have his moments...

"Oi, Sanzo," Goku popped his head in between the two front seats.

He glared. "What now? If you tell me you're hungry, I'm putting you back in that box."

The boy pouted for a second, then shook his head. He smiled, leaning his head on Sanzo's shoulder. "Thank you."

Sanzo's face turned pink, and Goku whipped his head back to the backseat.

"Hey, you apologize for kicking me, stupid monkey brat!"

"Screw off, you deserved it!"

Hakkai opened his mouth to speak.

"Not. A. Word."

The brunette wisely closed it.

[~:.:~]

[~end of chapter~]

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