Ch. 2-
The day was hot and sweltering. Full summer was on them and much to Sanzo's annoyance, the temple had refused to put in air-conditioning, so he was forced to lay in the darkest place he could, the innermost sanctum of the temples' prayer rooms. Curled up on the cool wood he listened to the cicadas and the clanking of ice melting in his lemonade. The light snore to his left would be Goku; stupid monkey was like his shadow these days.
A frown slipped over his delicate features; for once it had been him clinging to the younger man, holding on for dear life while frantically trying to disavow the entire situation. He leaned back and slid black-clad hands under his head, staring up at the ceiling he thought back to his meeting with the Three Aspects several months ago….
***
"Genjo Sanzo, we wish to speak with you further, please stay."
Shit. As Hakkai and Gojyo wandered out, smiles plastered across their faces, shoulders lightly brushing, he mentally kicked himself, anytime the three heads wanted to talk to him alone shit had hit the fan and he was left cleaning up after it. He kneeled soundlessly and crushed his cigarette out under his sandal.
"Yes, my Lords."
"We are growing concerned with you charge."
"You just told those two morons what to do, what's the problem?"
"Not those two, Son Goku."
"Goku? That empty-headed, bottomless pit of a child? He's annoying, but he's harmless."
"He may be harmless, but his true self is not." "Seiten Taisei Son Goku, the Great Sage. His awakening is nearing, we can feel his power flowing stronger around you, and even now your own aura is being tainted with his."
"I'm able to control him."
"You won't be for long." "That is correct, his power when fully released is too strong, even for one who holds both the sutra's of Evilness and Holiness."
"You've got to be kidding me. How much stronger is the little monkey going to get?"
"We do not know, but his true form could topple heaven if he so desired. The older he gets the more powerful he will become and the less able you will be able to control him." "Especially if you get any closer than you are now."
"What do you mean?"
"You have always been his central point of reference, something of a father figure to him, but these changes over the last few years, friendship and love, these emotions cloud your judgment. If this continues, you will only have two options: kill him or be killed by him."
Sanzo just sat there staring at the Sanbutsushin, "No."
"Genjo San..."
"No."
Sanzo stood and turned on his heel, glancing back over his shoulder he tapped out a cigarette and lightly pressed it to his lips, "That stupid ape will never go against me. Ever. He doesn't know how."
Turning, he stalked out of the temple and down the mountainside.
***
Sanzo turned over onto his side and lay looking at Goku. When he was sleeping like this, small snores and mumbling about food, it was hard to take the three heads seriously.
"Yeah right, like he'd ever try and kill me. Maybe if I stopped feeding him or something." He murmured and reached out a delicate hand, gently brushing the auburn strands away from his eyes.
"Just stay by my side, even a bakasaru like you can do that, can't you?" Sanzo whispered into the fading afternoon light. Curling in closer to the smaller body, he didn't shrug off the touch as strong fingers twined in his, the muggy afternoon heat settling over them like a warm blanket.
***
