Disclaimer: Am I Minekura Kazuya? No. Do I own Saiyuki? No.
NOTE: This was my first attempt at fan fiction which I left behind for several years. Now that I'm trying to clean up my list of incomplete stories, I've decided to finish this. But before adding a chapter, I revised this first one and got rid of a subplot which I found silly and unnecessary.
I hope you enjoy this new and improved version of the chapter. This is not going to be a long story and I will update as often as I can in between school work.
Chapter One: Pieces Fit the Puzzle
The magnificent palace of the Goddess of Mercy, up in the heavens, stood in all its glory, and the Goddess herself, sat, in all her radiance (and not to mention with a pair of binoculars in her hand), gazing down at the world and its comings and goings. For a moment, her brow contracted in a familiar look of thoughtfulness and foresight. And then she relaxed and smiled.
The entrance of her servant and constant companion, Jiroushin, briefly interrupted her reverie.
"Goddess of Mercy," the fellow began, "these documents need to be signed, regarding the appointment of a new fighting…"
He paused abruptly upon seeing her enigmatic grin.
"What can you see? What will happen to the world below?" He stopped his trail of inquiries as she raised a hand to silence him. He frowned disapprovingly.
"Today, Jiroushin," she proceeded to explain, "we will witness the beginning of the emergence of a great force. Those idiots who call themselves the Prophets of the Power call this the Union of the Two Destructive Forces. But it's really just a little love affair. One that will turn the gears of destiny."
She chuckled softly.
That's not a good sign,Jiroushin thought silently, and a worried expression spread over his face.
"Why so glum, Jiroushin?" the Goddess teased, "we will have another interesting show to watch, one that will keep us on the edge of our seats." And she smiled slyly.
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"Sanzo," wailed a persistent Goku, "I'm…"
"WE DO NOT HAVE FOOD!" the complaints of the childish boy were cut off by the rapid and angry answer of the fair-haired monk.
"Hey, you corrupt monk," teased redheaded Gojyo, "don't be so cranky or else you'll have more wrinkles on your face!"
However the only satisfaction he received from making such a remark, was the pain of a spirit-ascending gun jab (and not very gently) the back of his crimson head.
"Guys, guys, simmer down," declared the peace-loving Hakkai, "we are nearing a town where we can drop by to rest and replenish our supplies and… Oh, Boy!"
The latter comment was made on account that his companions had not stopped bickering with each other despite his words. But then, he was used to it. They all were.
Later that day, they did reach a town, and the rhythm of conversation shifted slightly.
"Wow, pork buns, and dumplings, and noodles and sushi… and … and." his mouth watered as Goku gazed at the local delicacies of the town which were all on display in the plaza.
"It looks like you've had a very fruitful harvest this year," Hakkai remarked to a one of the townspeople, an elderly gentleman with a long beard.
"Indeed, we have," the man replied, "this is the good fortune brought by our hospitable treatment of the mystics who have graced us with their presence."
The old man smiled with contentment as he recalled the favorable circumstances.
"Mystics?" Hakkai inquired politely.
"Oh yes," the old man replied, "they call themselves the Prophets of the Power, and their spiritual powers have been protecting us from misfortune, especially from any of the youkai that have gone mad."
The four members of Sanzo's party looked at each other silently. Even Goku sensed that there was something suspicious about all this. But they decided that they would investigate it further once they settled in.
Gojyo was trying to get the attention of a slender, young, brown-haired woman and when he finally caught her eye, she saw the man behind him. With a loud gasp, she cried out, "It's a Master Sanzo!"
And before the four companions realized what was happening, they were surrounded by a multitude of people all struggling to get a glimpse of Sanzo. In an instant, the others understood the situation.
"Sanzo said he wants the best food in town," Goku started taking advantage of the development.
"And he likes to preach only to the pretty girls," Gojyo added.
WHAM! Both felt the wrath of the paper fan.
"Indeed, we are very honored to have the privilege of receiving another very prominent personage of our religion in our humble town. Allow us to pay you every respect and honor that is in our power." This speech was given by a tall, lanky man, who seemed to be the leader of the town.
"I thank you for your warm reception of me and my companions, but please understand that we are on a very important mission and seek only to stay but for awhile to rest and we will be on our way," replied Sanzo in a very civil tone.
"Very well, then," responded the mayor, "but during your brief visit, I hope you have the chance to meet with our resident spiritualists. I'm sure that they would be very glad to speak with you."
Sanzo nodded gravely.
Later on, when they were amongst themselves, the four discussed the situation.
"Do you think they're another fraud?" Gojyo asked Hakkai, as they walked to residential quarters of the strange prophets.
"They may not be," replied the latter, "because the fakes usually travel in groups posing as Sanzo's Party?"
"Do you know them, Sanzo?" Goku inquired.
"Hmph" was the only reply he received. Sanzo said not a word and he had extinguished the cigarette he was smoking, a sign of disgust.
"Huh? What are you saying, you corrupt monk?" asked Gojyo.
"I've vaguely heard of them from the other monks at the temple," was the reply of the former, "but they're not really as important or as powerful as they make themselves out to be. They're obsessed with trying to harness this mysterious power which they say has been prophesied."
"Great power?" Goku asked curiously, "that's not so weird. Everyone wants power."
"That's true," Hakkai agreed, "but it's the way people try to get power that can be messed up."
"So, are they the kind of crackpots we have to be worried about?" Gojyo asked.
"No idea," the monk replied curtly, "I couldn't care less. But if they get in our way, we'll just have to deal with them."
They reached the gate of the temple where the prophets were residing. As they knocked, a hooded figure opened the gate to peer at them suspiciously.
He recognized Sanzo immediately and gave a respectful bow. The monk nodded in acknowledgment. They exchanged the necessary greetings and introductions.
But when the man turned to glance at Sanzo's companions, his eyes widened slightly when he saw Goku. The yokai stared back innocently.
"I'm very sorry," the man said hurriedly, "but we cannot allow these others into our sacred ground at the moment. We are in the middle of a very important ritual that cannot be disrupted."
Sanzo raised an eyebrow at this but then nodded curtly.
"Well, then, we take our leave," the monk said, before turning around to do just that. The others followed suit after shrugging.
"What was that about?" Gojyo asked later on.
"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," Sanzo said, "they clearly don't want any guests, and to be honest, I don't like the looks of their place anyway."
"At least we've paid our courtesies," Hakkai said cheerfully, "and there will be no need to speak with them anymore."
"Hmmph," Sanzo replied, lighting a cigarette.
"That guy was creepy," Goku commented, "and he kept staring at me."
"Probably because you have such a silly looking face," Gojyo teased.
"HEY!" Goku protested, and their familiar bickering began again. Sanzo rolled his eyes and Hakkai merely laughed.
The remainder of the day passed uneventfully. They were able to get special hotel accommodations and a free buffet. In spite of this, all of them still felt that they would have to keep a careful eye on the mysterious prophets.
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Meanwhile at Houtou Castle in Tenjiku..
"Mr. Prince," declared the sly Dr. Ni, "there is a report from one of our informants that there is some suspicious going on in a town in the southern region. Some strange spiritual activity is disrupting the effects of the minus wave. And there is also something of interest to you, I suppose."
He snickered tauntingly.
"Your friends, Sanzo's party, are reported to be there as well. You could say hello to them on the way."
Another annoying giggle.
Kougaiji glared at the lunatic.
Hmmph,he thought. "Dokugakuji, Yaone, Lirin, let's go!" he said.
"Yeah! Going to kick some butt again, older brother," Lirin cried enthusiastically.
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After observing the strange dealings of the Prophets of the Power and hearing accounts of them from the other townspeople, Sanzo and the others decided that there was more to them than meets the eye.
"And if their presence really is causing discrepancies in the minus wave," Hakkai said, "then, maybe Kougaiji and company will attempt to subdue them."
"They're probably on their way here right now," Sanzo said plainly.
"We'll have to keep our guard up, won't we, guys?" Hakkai said cheerfully.
The smile disappeared from Hakkai's face.
"Now, where did those two wander to?"
Sanzo lit another cigarette.
"How annoying," he said irritably, "let's split up and find those two idiots before they do harm themselves."
After an hour or so of searching, Sanzo was passing by a strange row of dark alleys. After walking past it, he felt compelled to go back. There was something there. He sensed danger. He loaded his gun and walked to where he started. In one of the alleys, a strange light was glowing. Cautiously, he approached the area, step by step, put the safety off his revolver, got ready to shoot and…
"Hold it, hold it. I'm not a foe," spoke a man dressed like a soldier with a charka on his forehead. This man, was, in fact, Jiroushin.
"Genjo Sanzo, I am Jiroushin, attendant to the Goddess of Mercy."
Sanzo's arm relaxed and he replied, "And you have a message from the old hag, I suppose? Another dumb order?"
"Well, not exactly, it's just that she's been in a thoughtful mood, making strange prophecies but she doesn't specify what they're about. But I suspect it isn't good."
"And what do you want me to do about it?"
"Just beware. Something's amuck. Rely on your eyes of mind. Something's coming."
"I know."
As Jiroushin disappeared, Sanzo added to himself, "I've felt it too."
He had been hearing voices, indistinct mutterings, he had been seeing strange shadows, strange shapes. But he wasn't about to act on anything he didn't know much about.
I agree,he thought, extinguishing another cigarette, something's definitely amuck.
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Hakkai's searching, on the other hand, had been as fruitless as Sanzo's.
"Oh, boy. Where have they been going to?" he uttered hopelessly. He turned at a corner and bumped into someone quite familiar.
" Yaone-san, what are you doing here?"
"Hakkai-san, well, we're supposed to investigate something about the monks here but Miss Lirin's run off and now, I have to find her."
"That's strange. Goku and Gojyo seem to be missing as well."
But at that moment, Goyjo came around the curb and greeted them.
"What is this?" said he, raising an eyebrow suggestively, "am I interrupting something?"
"Oh no," both replied hastily.
"Well," Hakkai sighed, "this at least narrows our missing persons list to Goku and Lirin. I suggest we look for them together, Yaone-san. After all, two heads are better than one."
He smiled brightly. He always enjoyed spending time with the alchemist, especially when they didn't have to fight each other.
"I agree," replied Yaone, blushing slightly.
"Well, since three's a crowd," remarked Gojyo gallantly, "I'd better go find that corrupted monk before anyone gets hurt." He walked off and they parted.
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"Hmmm…Where am I?" Goku exclaimed, "oh no, I'm lost and then Sanzo will get angry at me again. Hmmm."
He whimpered and then glanced around him. "What kind of place is this?"
He seemed to be in the midst of old ruins of a temple of some sort. There were ancient pillars all around, bits of the foundation of a seemingly sturdy building now overpowered by the weeds and overgrowth. And so much grass, like he was in some kind of field.
"Something doesn't feel right, something doesn't seem normal in this whole setting," Goku observed.
The grassland he seemed to be in was swarming with peculiar looking plants that appeared to wither and grope for foundation at the same time. They looked dead but they were alive. The sky above him was devoid of birds and clouds, just gray and misty. It seemed to be whispering something to him but he couldn't distinguish anything.
And Goku felt like he was being watched, a most unpleasant premonition. He stood absolutely still, vigilant and apprehensive of some unknown peril.
He sat to rest on a broken pillar in a remote corner. After looking around him some more, he had felt that he could trust this particular spot. The vines that wrapped their slender arms around the pillars seemed ready to grab him and strangle him. He did not want to drop his guard down any time soon.
"What a creepy place," he said to himself. There was a low rumbling sound. But he was not alarmed. "I'm so hungry."
A branch snapped. Goku stood instantly and brandished his weapon. He walked towards the origin of the noise. He raised his staff and prepared to attack and…
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!"
Both Lirin and Goku gaped at one another incredulously. She had been the one who started the noise.
"Since you're here, we might as well find something to eat," she declared, but with a hint of unease in her tone. That was noted by her companion.
"Here? No way, I wouldn't trust the grass we are standing on," he replied. Both were silent.
"Ne, isn't your brother with you?" Goku said, attempting to start a conversation to reduce the tension which was rapidly increasing.
"He was, but I lost my way and after walking a while, I came here."
"Why?" The question was addressed to someone other than Lirin and they both knew it.
"I felt," said she, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "That I had to meet someone here."
Goku's eyes widened in disbelief. He had had the exact sensation. In a tone that was almost unintelligible, he muttered, "You had the dream too?"
This time it was her turn to be surprised. They looked at each other and were silent, each frantically recalling the dream that had haunted them for months.
There was swirling mist everywhere and an aura of danger. A strange intensity throbbed in Goku's chest as he passed into the surreal haze. He was walking towards something, he knew not what. He had lost all sense of direction.
After a while what he sought finally came into sight. Before him stood a figure, basked in ethereal luminosity and he felt every muscle in his body tense as he moved towards it. However, this was not the wariness he felt when he met an enemy at battle, it was an unfathomable desire to go near that figure, to meet it and to be where it was.
And just as he would lean forward, his face growing closer to that wonderful stranger, everything would disappear in a flash and he would wake up.
Lirin's version was not too different.
She was standing extraordinarily still in an extremely bright place. The light was not glaring but it was warm and gentle, bathing her in a strange and soft radiance. Lirin did not budge. It was not because she was incapable of doing so but more because of an impression that she was waiting for someone. Then, she would see a figure approaching her and all of a sudden, her entire being was consumed with an unimaginable feeling, a yearning to be with that figure as soon as can be. And just as it came into sight, the entire scene would vanish and she would be sitting up in her bed.
"No way!" Lirin cried stubbornly. "It couldn't have been YOU I was waiting for, you of all people, it just can't be!"
"Well, it's not like I WANTED it to be you, I'm just as shocked as you are, believe me," retorted Goku.
"But what did this dream mean? Surely, we won't just MEET like this, here, for no reason," she pondered aloud.
"That's true but how do you expect me to know?" Goku answered irritably.
And for once, these two seemingly simple-minded beings were lost in their own thoughts on things other than personal nourishment.