it branches into a Y. one end comes up to the round silver/gold canister thingie (not sure what that thing is or does), the other end goes over to the airbox and hooks onto a little block right under the coldstart injector. I think the theory is the fast idle air pulling past the cold start injector helps atomize the fuel during cold starts.
Sounds like a loose clamp or cracked hose.
Either one is totally aggravating to do anything about.