"Why are the cicadas so excessively annoying tonight, master?"
Komyo Sanzo looked down at the young boy, all of seven years old, but carrying himself like one with considerably more years on his shoulders. That however was not what really made Kouryou stand out - no, the fact that he did not let them weigh down on him was what did that. He seemed to let nothing slow him down, cloud or block his way…his eyes saw beyond any obstacles and distractions. That was why he would not fail, and Komyo supposed that was why he had heard the boy.
Why did he so completely take the boy under his wing, without doubt that this 'river-rat' as the other children called him would succeed him as a Sanzo, as a protector of a Heavenly scripture, of the Power of light itself?
Well, the child had chosen him, and who was he to argue with that? Other than that, he hadn't really thought about it. There were many reasons Komyo could not explain for why he pulled that river child out of the water, and many more still why he had been there to do so in the first place. The ones he could explain were simple: that kid was so damn cute, with that bright blonde hair and purple eyes. Those eyes…what could one even say about them? Many more foolish talked about them, he knew: called them demon's eyes. But the slightly wiser thought of them as something quite different…
"They are all calling out in their own way, perhaps celebrating such a beautifully clear night?"
"It's far too hot for a celebration." There was no doubt the child had his opinions.
"Yes, it is hot," Komyo said with a small smile. There was always time to talk about the weather.
Master did that all the time: responding as if he heard only part of what was said. Nearly everything was subjected to the great Komyo Sanzo's simplification. Every problem, every eternal question.
No attachments, nothing and no one binding you to this world. If you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha… That was not how Komyo Sanzo thought of him, though, was it? Kouryou turned to look up at his master, dragging his eyes away from the forested night, as the man looked down at him.
No, he supposed not.
The boy could not hold his elder's gaze, though, as guilt pricked him. He expected Komyo Sanzo to sacrifice his own upholding of muichimotsu, just for him? In what he believed was his own selfishness, perhaps he did.
"Wait, Sanzo! What are those things chirping all weird?"
Genjo Sanzo did not spare the monkey a glance. "Something that is arguably more annoying even than you."
"Is it a bird?"
"Worse."
"What does it mean to be worse than a bird?"
"You ask too many questions," Sanzo growled.
Goku opened his mouth to protest, but Sanzo wasn't finished.
"You mean, with all those years you spent in that cage, you never heard a friggin' cicada? Shut up and go to sleep."
"Cicada…" Goku tested the word on his lips without really saying it. He had gotten what he wanted.