A/N: Saiyuki belongs to Kazuya Minekura; East of Eden belongs to John Steinbeck.

If you haven't read the book, you won't catch most of the symbolism. If you have, guess the character connections. Contrary to most of my fictions, quite a bit of thought went into this one. See what you can find.

"Maybe you've tumbled a world for me...Your damned bitch is having pups in my brain!" - Sam Hamilton

Enjoy.

***

A puppy. A pocketknife. Pride. Fifteen hundred dollars. Sheep. Vegetables.

Love me. It tears into me that you don't. I am half of everything you are, but find it in yourself to accept that. Love me, because I'm all you have.

I am constant, dark, sharp, jealous want. I am who I choose to be. I am Sha Gojyo.

*

My angel. A nuisance. My companion. An idiot. My trusted. Unworthy.

I miss her. It tears me apart to think of her. She's all of me, all I could care about. I know you're there, but I can't bring myself to care.

I am intense, caustic, ecstatic, malicious love. I am my past. I am Cho Gonou; I am Hakkai.

*

Carefree. Idyllic. Trusting. Loving. Goodness. Golden.

Don't leave. I would tear in two if you went. I'll bear whatever you throw because the here and now is perfect. Keep me, because it wouldn't work any other way.

I am careless, basic, natural, inherent charm. I am who I want to be. I am Son Goku.

*

Responsibility. Desire. Apathy. Energy. What's wanted. What's needed.

I need it. It tears through the bullshit when it happens. I'm volatile when I think, irrational in epiphany. Work through it, though I'd rather not.

I am lonely, logical, desperate, angry rationality. I am what fits. I am Kouryuu; I am Genjo Sanzo.

*

Uncertainty. Comfort. Apprehension. Casuality. An ending. A legacy.

Here am I. I think too often for my own good. It's good to know, good to finally understand. I know where I am going, and I am content.

I am nothing more than your memories and the most tangible thing you know. I am Komyou Sanzo.

***

A/N: Did you get them right? Let's check.

Sha Gojyo = Caleb Trask. This was the easiest; we are all Caleb. Hakkai = a mix of Adam Trask and Cathy. Contrary to popular belief, Hakkai is closer to Cathy than Gonou. Goku = Aron Trask. Of course. Sanzo = a mix of Lee and Abra Bacon. Kouryuu is closer to Abra and Sanzo is more like Lee. Komyou = Samuel Hamilton. A few Sam quotes were used in the descriptor paragraphs for Komyou. ("Here am I. Liza hates when I say that..." and "I know where I am going, Lee, and I am content.")

Hope you enjoyed this little snip of brain discharge. The rest of the interpretation, my loves, is utterly up to you.