[saru]
For good or bad, and regardless of the fact that he's really almost 500 years old, Goku is the kid of the group. When he's not preoccupied by the events that took place 500 years ago, he's quite carefree and even bratty. His needs and his stomach come first, so he is often whining and picking fights with Gojyo --who often acts as childish as Goku does and fights right back. 

Underneath the carefree exterior, though, lies some very serious and even deadly business. Goku is truly a very powerful, violent demon who was imprisoned 500 years ago. Although he did not commit the crime he was imprisoned for, his truly violent tendencies as a full-fledged demon are a good enough reason for fearing him and wishing to see him safely locked up. Luckily for the Sanzoikkou (trans. those who travel with Sanzo), Goku's true self is contained by the golden circlet he wears. Whenever this circlet is removed, though, Goku's a force of nature to be reckoned with. He's a cyclone tearing across space, ripping everything apart and smiling every step of the way. A truly scary sight that worries Hakkai, Gojyo, and, yes, even the stubborn Sanzo.

Goku, though, is ultimately a very lonely little boy. Locked away for 500 years, he must've withdrawn into himself fiercely, feeling betrayed and miserable. I think this is why he is so unable to express his feelings, whether as a demon or in his human shape. He is simply not used to being with people, so he doesn't know what to do with them. He's starving for attention and love, but isn't quite sure how to get it. His relationship with Sanzo is a clear example of this. Goku is fiercely devoted to Sanzo, the first person to show him kindness (of a sort) in 500 years. Whenever Sanzo is wounded Goku is devastated and driven to become his true self in order to destroy whoever attempted to kill his present happiness. At the same time, Goku annoys Sanzo by doing all the things the sour monk hates: whining, lagging behind, complaining around the clock, pestering him. All very normal behaviour for a kid who's dying to say I'm lonely, look at me! but would rather swallow his own tongue than admit this. 
 
 

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