Chapter 4: Loss of innocence

Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki or the characters, I just use them for the purpose of my exploitation and enjoyment…ha.

Got to say, I'm sorry for the slacking off (Got a bunch of homework. Can anyone say Pokemon theme song for the trumpet? :D)

"…..What?" Goku asked, he wasn't quite sure if he heard the girl right.

"Oh, I can take care of myself; I've been practicing ever since I found you." Kari nodded, assured by herself. Goku wasn't so convinced. "Don't look at me like that! I know how to fight; here I'll show you. Grab my arm." She pointed to her left arm and held it out so he could grab it. Goku grabbed her arm skeptically, to humor her. She took him by his arm and put a palm to his chest and flipped him; not with the speed or strength of someone who had been fighting for a long time though. Naturally Goku landed on his feet; broke free from her weak grip and poked her in the head.

"Hey, that was pretty cool." He said, chuckling to himself. Kari seemed to be getting angry.

"It's easier to fight with a pillow." She huffed, crossing her arms. "But trust me, I can fight." She hopped around and punched the air as though she was a boxer. Goku shook his head.

"You can't come Kari," He tried to explain nicely so he wouldn't hurt her feelings.

"And just why not?" She asked, indignant.

"W-ell," Goku didn't know how to say this lightly. "You're a girl. And a human girl at that. You don't have what it takes to make it out here. What I'm doing is dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt." The girl snorted.

"I think I can take care of myself, AND you. You need a girl around to help you out and make sure you're okay."

"Well you're not coming."

"You can't stop me." There was a fierceness in Kari's eyes that wouldn't budge, even to common sense. Suddenly he came up with an idea; he'd let her come with him. Surely a girl as herself would want to leave after the first sign of danger; or maybe her dad would come get her; she listened to her dad so she wouldn't argue with him. It was a good idea.

"Alright, you can come with me. If you're sure you're up for it." He said, his tone as mocking as an older brother trying to convince his younger siblings to do his bidding. She looked indignant once again.

"Oh, I'm up for it all right! And you won't be laughing when I'll be the one saving you." She crossed her arms and walked past him; she had spunk for sure. Goku couldn't help but laugh as he followed behind her; she ignored him.

It had been several hours since the two had formed together and set off on their adventure. The sun was high in the landscape provided little shade to take shelter in. The forest had long diminished as they walked on and was replaced with a desert landscape. It was Goku who had suggested they stop so they would not waste energy; they had a few days to go before they would reach the town so Kari didn't mind.

"So did you bring any food?" Kari asked as they sat down on a boulder. Goku's countenance suddenly looked horrified.

"No." He said quietly. She smiled big.

"I did." Goku latched himself to her in a suffocating embrace.

"You're the BEST, Kari!" He shouted happily. Kari couldn't help but smile.

"Why thanks Goku, now here." She broke free from him and brought out some sandwiches and gave him one; which Goku ate happily. The lunch itself was uneventful but after they had finished and they were ready to head out again Goku became tense. Kari noticed and looked at him.

"Goku, is there something wrong?" She asked.

"Kari, you need to find someplace to hide. There are people coming." "But what if you need help?"

"Just go!" He shouted, serious as death. She nodded and ran to hide. Soon enough three huge men appeared. They were obviously demon as their pointed ears poked out from their shaggy hair. Their muscles bulged at the sight of Goku and they grinned with an evil intent.

"Well, my brother thought he sensed the Sanzo party near us but we only found a pipsqueak." The biggest of them said, the two others laughed. Goku summoned his Nyoi Bo and got ready to fight. The three giants laughed again.

"Well boys, looks like the little man wants to fight. You know what to do." The biggest giant crossed his arms and the other two disappeared in a flash. There was a dead silence in the air; the giant just stood there, grinning. Goku didn't move; he closed his eyes and listened very carefully for any sound.

"You won't be able to hear them, they're too fast for anyone to hear." The biggest giant said, laughing at Goku. Goku ignored him; right in the middle of another taunting Goku heard a very faint whistling sound that was getting louder. Goku opened his eyes and quickly ducked; just in time to avoid a giant's left hook. Without thinking Goku rammed his Nyoi Bo up and into the giant's stomach, sending him into the sky and head first into sand.

He didn't get up.

Another faint whistling sound and Goku found himself stumbling over the second giants' leg. The giant quickly got up and Grabbed Goku by the leg and spun him around. He tossed him like a rag doll into the air but before Goku could be caught again he regained himself enough to slam his Nyoi Bo onto the giant's head. Making him crash to the ground. Goku landed on the ground and plopped on his butt, dizzy. He grinned at the biggest giant who was stunned.

"Looks like they weren't that hard." The biggest giant growled.

"Fine. I didn't want to have to fight and look like a jerk for beating up on a kid but I guess I have no choice." He got in a stance and his muscles began to bulge to the point of ripping his shirt off. Veins started to pop out from every part of his body, he shouted and charged at Goku with the same intensity as a stampede. Goku tried to jump but the giant snatched him and started to bash his fist into Gokus' head, he couldn't even move. The giant slammed the limp Goku into the ground and picked him up again; Gokus' neck was easily wrapped in the giants' paw. He started to gasp when the giant started to tighten his grip, laughing at Goku's struggling and attempts to get some air.

The giant was about ready to finish him off when suddenly something stabbed him in the back of the neck. Kari had climbed up the giant without his notice and stabbed a knife into the back of his neck. Kari shut her eyes tightly and continued to stab him in the neck until he let go of Goku and crumpled to the ground, twitching.

Goku sat up rubbing his neck and coughing; taking in big gasps of air.

"Thanks…Kari." He panted. He looked over at her and stopped. Kari was staring at the body; which was still twitching. Then she looked at the knife and threw it away in disgust; she buried her face into her bloody hands and started to sob. It was obvious she had never killed a thing before and was traumatized. Goku crawled over hesitantly and touched her shoulder. She jerked away and looked at him; she stared at him and hugged him suddenly; sobbing into his shoulder. Goku was stunned for a minute but wrapped his arms around her; at a loss for words.

Maybe his plan wasn't such a good idea.

Whoo, looks like I finally updated this batch of cookies. I hope I didn't disappoint you guys with my lame attempt to make it actiony, lol. So comment on the story and tell me how I can improve. And could someone tell me if I got Goku's weapon correct? I was trying hard to remember and that came up. Also if you can tell me how I can improve on writing fight scenes I would also greatly appreciate that. Thank you for reading ^_^