First chapter!! The chapter that shall start it all. It's going to start off in Goku's pov and then go into Sanzo's pov. I'm really not sure how well I did on this so tell me what you think of it. I apologize in advance for any mistakes. I hope you like it!
Reviews would be like a pure ray of light on a dark, rainy day. Flames will be sent to Sanzo. Sanzo...with a gun.
Song of the Day: You Found Me by The Fray.
Britt: First Chapter, is here!
Me: Yep and since this is the first chapter, may I introduce my our partner in crime...Goku!
Goku: Hi!
Gojyo: Oi! What about the great Sha Gojyo!
Goku: Hey, what are you doing here ero-kappa?!
Gojyo: Don't call me that you baka-saru!
Britt: I smell a fight coming.
Me: *sniff* Noooo. I smell meat buns.
Goku: Meat buns!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Saiyuki. If I did, Sanzo would've shot me by now.
How long have I been here, wasting away? Waiting and waiting for something. No, I knew better than that. I was waiting for someone. I was waiting for them.
How long I have been here, I don't quite know. Days, months, weeks, or maybe years? Time seemed to run together in my mind. Time didn't matter, because I hadn't seen a clock in a long time.
I haven't seen much of the world in a while. I stay in a single place, waiting and waiting. Never do I see anybody, though. Nobody comes around here.
This feeling....it's so for so long.
One day, I'm afraid I'll just fade away. The only thing that keeps me grounded is a shred of memory. My name. My identity is what keeps me connected to this and I chant it like a prayer. Son Goku.
I would've gone insane, if I wasn't waiting. Voices of the pasts and flashes of memories are my only salvation. That is what keeps me here and ties me to this world. The hope that someone will come.
And I cling to that hope like a child clings to a security blanket. No matter how long I stay here and suffer, my faith will never die out. After more time passes my faith might wither away, but will never leave completely.
I feel compelled to stay here until someone comes for me. Even if it's not those who I'm expecting. I've stayed here for so long that human contact is so foreign. My loyal nature keeps me here.
I'm not even sure if I can leave, even if I tried. I haven't moved from this very spot in so long...
In a way, I don't want to either. A small part of me is scared to go....Scared to live again for fear of getting hurt again. And yet so much of me yearns to break away from this place. To feel the touch of grass or the warmth of the sun.
Yes, the sun. I miss it so much. I only receive little sunlight here, darkness though is a frequent visitor. How I crave to feel the brightness of the sun.
If this place was deep within the earth, I wouldn't yearn for a sun I never knew. That's what I would think. It's unfair to be teased with something you can barely see and can never have.
But, today... Today I feel different. I feel just a little more hope. As I awoke to see the tiny streams of light that would leak through the sky, I felt more warm than I had in a long time.
When I lifted myself from my sleeping position I used my inner strength to manage just a little smile. I had faith that one day, no matter how far away, I would see the sun again.
Rain. I really, really hated the rain. In fact, I loathed the rain. Rain brought nothing good to me. Just useless water and bad memories.
That's why I was trying to hurry my ass home to avoid getting caught in it. Hell, it just wasn't my day. Work at the temple had been erratic and I ran out of smokes.
And I'm unable to go buy some because I'm currently trying to get home to avoid the weather. Damn!
I growled in frustration. Just another annoying day in the life of Genjo Sanzo. Yep, that was me. Sigh.
I was taken away from my thought's when I heard a low rumle in the distance. It was faint, but still couldn't be too far away.
Dammit. Shit. Shit. Shit. His mind chanted. I was still a good few streets away from his house. And I needed to get home now!
I started off in a sprint toward the apartment complex. Why hadn't I decided to take the car today?! Who the fuck decided exercise was so important?!
Well, I'm getting plenty of it now! Although, I guess it's necessary in this situation. And I'm only a few blocks away from getting away from this wretched weather.
My pathway was then quickly halted as I skidded to a stop. There in front of the road was a sign that said, Road Repair. Please find alternate route.
What the hell was this shit? I had just used this road this morning!How could something damaged the road that bad in only seven hours? Was someone trying to mess with me, 'cause it ain't funny.
I swear if Gojyo pops out and yell, "Got you, asshole!" I'll shoot him. Actually, I'd shoot anyone right about now. And my gun just happens to be in my pock-
Crack. Shit! It's getting closer. I really did hate the rain. More now then before. And the community. I hated them to. Who the hell blocks of a main road?
I'd have to search for an alternate route. I whipped my head around trying to find a street to cross. All I could see were homes, shops, and more houses.
This is hopeless. I'm just gonna have to break into one of these houses, pull out my revolver, and force them to let me stay there until the rain stopped. That's what any sane person in this situation would do, right? Wrong.
Just when his migraine was about to sky rocket, he spotted it. A narrow alleyway in between a condemned shop and an old warehouse. Both building were barely used, so it's no wonder he never noticed the alley.
I jogged over to the opening and went inside. It was a lot longer that I'd expected it to be. It was even about three feet wide. Probably a great spot to get mugged. I thought.
I walked through the dirty, concrete passage taking survey of my surroundings. There was plenty of dirt and dried leaves covering the ground. Some nasty graffiti and paint lining the walls.
And the whole way there was trash, boxes, plastic, and....a dead animal. I carefully stepped away from the carcass to avoid crushing the bones. "Nice." I muttered under my breath.
Another crack of thunder reached my ears as I passed the rest of the waste littering the street. Just a few more feet and and I'd be out of here and right down the block from my house.
Just as I thought it'd be all up hill from here, I tripped. I hated Kami and all the other Gods up there in Heaven. I could practically hear them laughing at me.
"Fuck! What the hell tripped me?!'' I snarled. I scanned the floor to find whatever it was I tripped on. A plastic bag, a crushed can, a foot- Wait....a foot?
There, sticking out of a large cardboard box, was a foot. A human foot, which could only be attached to a human. I stood up and hastily brushed myself off.
"Hey you, in the box! What the hell are you doing, you tripped me!" I said angrily. I must have alarmed the person because the box jumped and the foot recoiled into it's fortress.
"Hey I'm talking to you! Get out of the box!" I ordered. By now the box was shaking. This was getting ridiculous! It's not like I was gonna hurt them. Why would they be afraid?
Though now that I look closer at the box....it's not that large. There's no way you could fit grown man, woman, or bum. Which could only mean....
"Come out of the box already. I won't hurt you." I said a bit quieter. The shaking stopped but whoever was inside made no move towards getting out. I sighed.
I knelt down to the filthy excuse for a shelter. If anyone stayed out here in that it would get all soggy from the storm. I carefully and slowly reached out, grabbed the flaps of the opening, and pulled them away.
I found myself staring into two golden orbs filled with too many emotions at once. Shock, surprise, fear, excitment, relief, and wonder. I had been expecting to see some homeless person drinking alcohol out of a paper bag.
But, no. Instead I was looking at a young boy, with long brown hair, sitting on a filty cardboard bed. I stared at him and he stared back. I soon grew tired of the silence and decided to speak up.
"Hey kid...What the hell are you doing in there?" Astonished eyes blinked. And blinked again.
"Hello?" Another blink.
"Kid, are you deaf or something? Answer me." I commanded sternly. Had this kid never seen another human being before?
"Sorry." He murmured. I stared at him. Well at least he could speak.
"What?"
"M'sorry for tripping you." He said sincerely. I pinched the brigde of my nose in annoyance.
"Yah, thanks but I asked you a question. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home?" Didn't young kids have curfews?
"I don't have a home." He replied. I stared at him in disbelief. A poor, homeless kid? That wasn't too uncommon, but still.
"What about your parents?" I asked. He seemed to ponder this for a moment before giving his answer.
"I...don't think I ever had any." He answered. What does he mean he 'thinks'? Everybody had parents at one point in their life, otherwise they wouldn't have been born. Even if you are an orphan.
"So...your all alone here?" I could see the sadness swell up in his eyes before he nodded.
I sighed and looked around. This place was disgusting and probably a perfect site for rapists and killers. Not the best place for a kid.
Wait...What the hell was I doing? This kid isn't my problem, so why should I care? I don't even know him! Besides, if he's alive with no parents he must be able to take care of himself.
I was about to leave, but then....He looked up at me with such a stupid expression on his face, that I lost my will too. Dammit, to hell and back. I couldn't leave now...Anyone with that stupid expression, could never take care of them self properly. And I wouldn't be able to leave here without feeling guilty.
He barely looked like he could ties his shoes. Scratch that, he didn't even have shoes. I looked down at the kid who was studying me with curiousity. His clothes were filthy, his skin was dirty, and his hair was wild. He looked like some kind of monkey.
"Come on." I grunted. He looked up at me questioningly.
"Huh?"
"I don't like repeating myself, now come on. It's going to start pouring here." I explained.
He looked up at me with a cross between immense joy and disbelief. I thought the kid was going to go into hysterics, but no. He just sat there frozen to the spot.
"Let's go. Can you get up or what?" Nothing. I almost released another sigh. This whole thing was making my head pound. All I wanted to do was go home and get something to eat.
"Stop playing around, kid! Hurry and get up!" I stretched my hand out to help him up. He stared at the offered hand with pure astonishment.
And all at once he reached out his smaller hand towards mine. He was a bit hesitant at first, but when he finally grabbed on he seemed to be over joyed at the touch.
The boy slowly stood up out of the box as if he hadn't walked in a long time. Surprisingly though, after being cramped up in the box, his legs seemed fine.
After I was sure he could stand I retracted my hand. It slid right away from the kid who couldn't see anything, for he was all too caught up in the world around him.
Crack. Crap, it got louder. The boy jumped at least a foot in the air upon hearing the sound. Stupid kid.
"Relax, it's just thunder. Let's go before it really does rain." I said.
"I...kinda...don't know where to go." The boy admitted sheepishly.
"I figured that. So...I guess," he looked up expectantly, "...you can stay with me for the night." I said begrudgingly. His eyes widened and then something miraculous happened. He smiled...
"Really? Thanks...uh...Hey, what's your name anyway?" He asked curiously.
"Formally, I'm known as the thirty first of China, Priest Genjo Sanzo." I answered. The boy looked confused for a minute, giving time for the information to process in his mind, and then grinned again.
''San-zo! Sanzo! That's a cool name!" He decided.
"Baka! Don't say it so freely!" I scolded.
"Hey, wait! Don't you wanna know my name, Sanzo?" the boy asked.
"I don't really care, Baka-saru..."
"What? No, that's not it! My name is Goku!" The boy proclaimed proudly.
Goku...? Not a hard name to remember. "I think baka-saru is much more accurate."
"Hey, I'm not a monkey! Oi, San-zo! Where are we going?" The boy, I mean Goku, blurted out in one breath.
"Tch, you talk too fast. And we're going to my house, where you can spend the night."
"Cool! Where do you live? What town is this anyway?" He asked while eyeing the tall buildings. I raised an eyebrow at that. He didn't know where he even was?
"This is Kozakura. It's a city in Kosuke." I stated.
"Oh, ok." He replied. "How long 'till we get there?"
"In a few minutes, so can you be quiet until then?"
He shrugged. "I'll try." Two minutes later.
"Hey, Sanzo..."
"Uh!"
7 minutes later....
"This is it..." I announced as we entered my apartment. Goku peeked inside from behind my back.
"It's dark."
"No, shit. I have to turn the lights on." I said while emphasizing with the 'click' of the switch. And as the light shone so did the boy's eyes.
"Wow! It's so big and cool!" He exclaimed. The little body bounced inside the two bedroom, one bath.
"Jeez, it's not that big." I mumbled. But Goku didn't hear, too busy exploring this new place.
"Oi! Don't run around too much! Other people live here!" I scolded. Damn kid. I'm starting to miss it when he didn't speak at all.
"Wow, Sanzo! Look! Look!" He yelled pointing out through the window. I groaned.
"What!? What the hell is it?"
"Look at the view!" Goku had his face squished up against the glass and was staring at the bright light shininng through the sky.
"Yah, it looks bright. Now stop being so loud, and sit down!" I ordered.
"Awww! I wanna look some more! Please!" He begged. He looked back at me with a pleading look. Kami, you just couldn't win with this kid!
"Fine, just be quiet."I ignored the small 'yay' in the back round and headed to my bedroom. I took my coat off to hang it on the hook and then fell against the bed with a thump.
What the hell was I doing? I just took this kid into my home, for no logical reason whatsoever. Was I going insane?! For all I know this kid could be a pick pocket or a criminal.
"Wow look a bird!" Goku yelled from down the hall. I snorted humorlessly. Never mind. There was no way this monkey would ever be able to do that kind of thing. He just didn't have the mind of a criminal.
But, either way I shouldn't have taken him here. I didn't know what to with him. Now, it's not like I could just throw him back out on the street. I'd have to do something with him.
Goku said he didn't have parents, but I'm sure he must've had some at one point. This could be a classic case of abandonment, or a kidnapping, or even a runaway.
Right, so all I have to do is find his records. Since he knows his name it should be easy to find any living relatives. Or maybe I wouldn't even half to do all that, because I had yet to do the simplest thing. Ask the kid.
He might have some relatives or friends that he can stay with. Which means I'll have to question him about it. The worst case scenario would be if his parents were dead. Then...I'd have to send the poor kid off to the orphanage.
I really don't want to do that, but if it comes down to that.... I sighed for the hundredth time that night. I might as well get it over with.
"Hey, Goku? You there?" I walked into the living and found him still standing at the large window. Droplets of rain were beginning to tap lightly on the glass meaning that the storm had begun.
"Goku? You listening?" No answer. Just a sniffeling sound. Confused, I walked closer to the boy. He couldn't be...?
A low grumbling sound from the boy's stomach snapped me out of my thoughts. So, he's hungry. But that doesn't explain why...
"Oi...Are you crying?" I asked. The boy sniffed again.
"No," he lied, "....it's just. I haven't felt this hungry in a long, long time. It actually makes me kind of happy.'' He laughed shakily and wiped the last of the tears from his face.
"....How weird. Does that mean you want something to eat?" I asked. This boy really was strange.
"Yah! What are ya' gonna make?" He asked excitedly. It's amazing how one minute he could be crying, and the next he'd be happily jumping up and down. It almost made me laugh. Almost.
"Tch, you'll eat whatever I have. Now, sit here I'll be done in a little."
"Ok, San-zo!"
5 minutes later...
Oi! Goku, it's done! Come on!" I called.
I had managed to find some leftover takeout eggrolls in the fridge. And I also made some instant ramen in the microwave. I wasn't really much of a chef so I usually kept a lot of frozen foods in the house.
The boy ran into the kitchen in a flash and jumped in his seat. He looked up at me with that goofy grin that I starting to get used to seeing.
"Sanzo, where's the food? What did ya' make?" He asked excitedly.
"It's ramen and egg rolls. And that's what I have so-" I was abruptly cut off, as the young boy attempted to inhale his food. I watched in disgust as he attacked the bowl of noodled and plate of rolls.
Geez, when was the last time this kid had a decent meal? It wasn't really my buisness though, so I probably shouldn't ask. "I haven't felt this hungry in a long, long time. It actually makes me kind of happy." I looked back at the kid, who was eating rapidly, and decided it was best not to ask.
"Hey, you little saru! Chew your food!" I order after he practically stuffed two egg rolls in his mouth.
"M' 'rry. M' vust wearry 'ungwy!" Goku spewed out. (I'm sorry. I'm just really hungry!) One of the veins in my head popped at the gross gesture.
"Don't chew with your mouth open! Baka!" He swallowed in one huge gulp and smiled sheepishly.
"Anyway...I want to ask you some questions." I said.
"M'kay." He replied still focused on his ramen. I sighed, not knowing where to begin.
"Alright, Goku here's the deal. Tomorrow I'm gonna have to find somewhere to take you. Now, do you have any relatives or friends you can stay with?" I asked. He slurped up the noodles hanging out of his mouth and swallowed.
His face looked more serious now and he was no longer smiling. He was thinking about something very carefully. He started to chew his bottom lip nervously before answering.
"I...don't remember." He answered.
"What do you mean, 'you don't remember?' What's wrong with you?" I asked suspiciously. He averted his eyes and stared at his empty soup bowl.
"I...can't remember anything." He said quietly. I stared at him in surprise. Nothing? He had no memory at all?
"You mean you don't remember anything?"
"...."
"You know your name don't you?" Goku lifted his head to meet my gaze again. The comment apparently made him seem just a little brighter. He managed a little smile.
"Yah, I do! I'm Son Goku!" He said with pride.
"Well at least you know that. Which means we're probably gonna have to check your records tomorrow to see who you can stay with. Okay?"
"Sure...I guess." He shrugged. I sighed and sat down. I looked across the table and found that he was staring at me oddly.
"What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to hide my annoyance.
"I'm still hungry..." Goku whined. I sighed and looked at the devoured ramen and what was left of the rolls. Suddenly, I was less hungry.
I pushed my ramen over to boy, indicating that he could have it. His eyes lit up and with a, "Thanks!" he began to stuff that into his mouth as well.
"Yah, yah whatever. I'm going to my room. You'll sleep in the spare room which is through the door in the living room. And when you're done here, put the dishes in the sink. Can you do all that?"
"Uh...Yah, sure!" Goku assured before taking another heaping of noodles.
"Alright, then I'm heading to bed." I said as I turned around to walk back to my room.
"Wait!" He cried. I whipped my head around at the loud call.
"Uh-um...I just w-wanted to say...Thanks." He stuttered. An honest word of gratitude. I'm really starting to wonder just how long that kid had been tucked away in that box.
"Tch, whatever. Don't worry about it, kid." I then turned away and once again began to depart from the kitchen.
"G'night Sanzo!" Goku called from behind me. I could just tell from the tone of his voice that the little monkey was smiling too.
I sighed for the one millionth and one time that night. In the morning I'd wake up in desperate need of an aspirin, a cigarette, and a cup of coffee. And somehow I knew that this act of kindness, would come back to bite me in the ass.
Wow....That's all I can say is, wow..... This chapter was super long for me! Don't get used to chapters this long, this was just a treat. It really could be split into two chapters but I wanted to get this taken care of in one. So, here ya' go!
Next chapter might not be up for a while 'cause I'm also working on a Bleach fic. But, I'll try to post it as soon as possible. A few notes:
1) This is my first Saiyuki story, so it was a little hard for me to write. Sanzo's pov was pretty difficult, so he might seem OC, but it is an AU so I guess it's okay. Sanzo...He'll one day break the record for most sighs in one day!
2) If you were wondering, Sanzo's apartment is probably the size of a nice condo. It's has two bedrooms, Sanzo's is the biggest with the spare room being slightly smaller, and one bath. The living room is large and small hallway. The kitchen isn't very big and has a small dining room in it. It's on the top floor and has a large window which leads out onto a terrace.
See ya' next time!