Standard disclaimer applies.
Ratings: Ratings will vary from one chapter to the other, so on the safe side, I'll keep it at "T". T for language and violence.
Spoilers: Some chapters will contain spoilers for the manga and/or anime. Be warned. Gaiden Spoilers.
Author's Note: Special thank you to all my reviewers. I'll try my best to make this fic better. I'm working on a Saiyuki AU called Distant World, I'll try my best to post it soon.
Chapter Four
Children are innocent and fragile, whether they're human or youkai, even heretics. No one has the right to hurt them, and no one has the right to take away their happiness. Every time he sees him hurt, he curses himself for his helplessness. And every time he risks his life to save him, he is always amazed by his never wavering devotion. Ever since the day he found him, the child refused to let him out of his sight. Which he thought was ridiculous, because if he let the monkey out of his sight he will have one serious headache. He doesn't know how or why they share such a unique bond.
It was that constant calling that led him to a place he never thought existed. A cave on Mt. Gogyo, where a child was kept prisoner. A golden eyed child chained to a prison on a mountain where no human dares to climb. He will never forget the day he came to face the source of his headache.
He never thought he'd be his responsibility, until more was revealed to him about the Seiten Taise by the Three Aspects, and his own encounter with the Sage that same night. After the night, he knew he will be stuck with the kid for a while. And that while turned to years.
In those years, there were times when a few words would bounce through the special link, and he'd try to ignore them. However, a certain phrase never left him, 'Sanzo's like the Sun'. He never understood his undying love for the Sun, was it because it was the only thing he can see from such a place, or was it its warmth and shine? Even though he was never able to come close to it, nor touch it, he still loved the Sun, he doesn't think he'll ever understand why.
He felt warm, and relaxed. It was like sleeping under the sun. Slowly he opened his eyes. He can see the sun from the window that was across where he lay. The curtains were pulled, and it felt…peaceful. He wanted to remain like this. But…quickly trying to sit up, he felt dizziness crept over him, I was asleep? A thought filled with fear.
"Why the rush?" he heard the sound of turning paper, and he can smell the smoke.
Sanzo was sitting on the far corner of the room, he slowly removed his reading glasses, and turned to look at him.
"Why?" finally finding his voice.
"Why what?" he pulled a new cigarette from his Marlboro Red pack.
"Why did you let me sleep! After all I've told you! You should've woken me up!" It was rare that you'd find Goku yelling at his Sun, still,
"Shut up, stupid monkey!" the famous Sanzo fan finally made its appearance in a very long time.
"Ow! Why'd you do that for!?" Placing his hands over his head.
"I told you before and I'll tell you again, dreams will be dreams, Goku" he said calmly as he sat down, and lit his cancer stick.
As he waited for this to sink in, he saw his charge's eyes cast down and filled with uncertainty, and fear. Sanzo waited for him to say something, he knew he'd say something, this was Goku after all, and he'd always say what's on his mind.
"I felt it," placing a hand on his heart, "it was so real, I was running after him, and then I-" his tightened his fist around the blanket. Eyes shut trying to block the memory, "I killed him," he said in a whisper and wept inwardly, "They punished me because I killed him…"
"But how can I kill my sun!" he yelled in despair.
Sanzo stared at him as the final words came out of him, "What did you say…?"
Goku stared at him, tears dwelled up in his eyes, "What…?" His hands rose to his head, "I don't know, what did I just say? Sanzo, what's wrong with me!?"
Sanzo watched the boy back himself against the bed board and leaning his head against his knees, "Sanzo, I'm scared, I'm really, really scared" he said in a muffled voice.
Sensing the unusual disturbance in their link, Sanzo decided to comfort him. He wasn't the best talker like Hakkai, and he doesn't joke around with some ass remarks like Gojyo does. Hell, he placed a hand over his head, "I'm here, stupid monkey."
He heard a mumbled "Thank you"
Late afternoon found Gojyo and Hakkai leaning against a small wooden bridge in the middle of the town. Gojyo got out his Hi-lit pack, and placed a cancer stick between his lips. It was a couple of hours before sunset.
"We couldn't find anything, hell, we don't even know what we're looking for!" He ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
"We weren't able to sense any youkai," Hakkai said calmly.
"It can't be human! Can it?" The lighter froze in midair as he awaited the reply.
"I'm not sure, but we've never encountered any humans with special powers. So it might be a youkai that succeeded in masking his aura."
"That must be one fucking smart youkai"
"I just hope this doesn't affect Goku much,"
When no more words were exchanged they decided to head back to the inn. The only thing they decided on silently is to never leave Goku alone, until they sort this mess they're in.
As they entered the room, Sanzo was sitting at the table, and across him, Goku was picking on his food. Not eating, his chop sticks would pick at the rice pices, make a line, and just repeat it.
"Stop playing with your food," And the fan hit him over the head.
"I told ya! I'm not hungry!" a sentence no one thought would hear coming out of Goku's mouth.
"As soon as we get on the road, you're gonna start whining about food!" Gojyo joined in.
"And the next village is three or four days away, Goku" Hakkai provided.
They all knew for a fact that they won't be able to leave town as easily, not with their enemy still unknown.
"When are we leaving?" Golden eyes turned to Hakkai.
"Tomorrow, maybe the day after." Hakkai replied as he petted Hakuryuu.
"It's none of your business, just eat your food!" Gojyo repeated.
After a couple of seconds, "Fine," he began to slowly eat.
Later in the evening, Hakkai suggested their sleeping arrangements. Sanzo was sharing one room with Goku, while Hakkai and Gojyo shared the other.
It was a little after midnight when Sanzo woke up. The room was dark, but he can still make the figure of Goku, sitting up on his bed.
"Why are you still awake, monkey?" He said.
"Sorry,"
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For…bothering you and all,"
"Shut up, and go the hell to sleep,"
"But what if-"
"I'll wake you up when you call me,"
"…okay," with that said, he leaned back on the bed, and pulled the blanket up to his neck.
It was a couple of hours before sunrise, Sanzo was sleeping, when an inane monkey started calling him. Disturbed from his sleep, he opened his eyes, and waited for a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
And when they did, he saw his charge struggling with his blanket tangled around him, "Stupid monkey," he said to himself as he stood up and walked away from the comforts of his bed to shut him up. "Hey,"
He was mumbling things incoherently, and Sanzo wasn't able to make out anything he was saying. "Hey!" This time he gave him a slight shake.
He was walking down a long corridor, and someone was holding his hand, he was scared, but he didn't tell him. There were two others, but he can't remember their names, they were walking ahead of them, weapons in hand, and ready to strike. Smears of blood decorated the white walls, and bodies lingered wherever they intercepted them. They moved without a sound, he was scared, but at the same time, he felt safe and warm because his sun was there, holding his hand. The two walking ahead of them, turned to say something, but he can't make out any words. He listened. Only silence. They slowly faded, the scene around him melted away, and he was alone again. Alone in his prison. Don't leave me! He cried, but no words came out, he called over and over again, no voice, only a silent scream that no one can hear.
He heard someone calling his name…
Sanzo was now shaking him roughly, "Hey, Goku! Wake up!" the quicker he wakes up, the sooner he goes back to his bed. Finally, Goku opened his eyes, and sat up startled, "Finally!"
Rubbing his eyes, "Huh? Who're you?"
05.15.2007
Edited 03.08.2008
