Chapter 28: Road's End?
How long had it been since the last time they'd walked up this path, Gojyo could hardly remember. That or he didn't care to count. Counting meant thinking about how old he'd gotten between starting that journey and it finally ending. He was twenty-two when they left, three years to India, two years to get back… or was it more than that? Gojyo starting counting on his fingers.
"What are you doing?" Hakkai looked at him curiously.
Gojyo stuck his hand back in his pocket, "Nothin, just thinking."
Hakkai smiled, "Me too. How long has it been since we've been up to Chang'an?"
"Beats me," Gojyo kicked at invisible stones on the seemingly never ending stairs. "We got back three months ago. Everything before that's a little fuzzy."
"Hm… it was an exciting trip home."
"If you call dealing with a pregnant lady part of the way exciting."
"At least it made up for us not having to fight our way back."
"Yeah, maybe," Gojyo spit the butt of his cigarette out onto the stairs. "Some days I would've rather taken the demons."
Hakkai laughed, continuing their conversation when it subsided. "So what are you making this year?"
"Hm?" Gojyo blinked at him.
"You built a crib when we got back because we were on the road for her birthday."
"Sanzo called it a piece of shit," Gojyo muttered, lighting another cigarette.
Hakkai ignored the comment. "I was wondering what you were going to make this year."
There was silence for a long time as they walked, the temple gates above them drawing closer with each step. Gojyo stared at them, eyes narrowed as he thought.
"…Swings." The redhead finally answered.
"You hadn't actually thought about it, have you?"
"Did it look like I had the time?" Gojyo glowered at the other man. "The other day I had to deal with those girls from the bar. You can imagine how heartbroken they were when I told them I wouldn't be coming around as often anymore. That stupid job…" he kicked another imaginary stone. "I get home and I'm too tired to go out."
"But you like your job." Hakkai blinked at him.
"Yeah, sure, but how is building shit gonna get me laid!?"
Hakkai sighed. Some things never change. "And here I thought you were starting to enjoy the regular paycheck."
Gojyo hitched up his shoulders, shoving his hands deeper in his pockets. He refused to look at the other man for the longest time.
"…Maybe…" He mumbled.
The two scaled the last few steps into the temple courtyard. They made their way across the expanse of lawns and gardens and around the side of the temple, where Sanzo's private rooms were. There was a half-finished building across the way. Piles of loose timber and buckets of nails lay in piles around it. A make shift enclosure was off to the side. GangLi was inside, lazily munching on hay that had been placed out for him. The animal perked up at the sound of approaching feet, but went back to grazing after he saw who it was.
Xiaozhi was sitting on the porch in an ornate house robe, fanning herself. A sweating glass of ice water sat beside her. On her other side was an empty ashtray. She looked up when she heard them round the corner.
"Gojyo! Hakkai!" She grinned and waved them over.
"Yo! How's mama?" Gojyo grinned back.
Xiaozhi lifted the ashtray and extended it to him. Gojyo politely stubbed out what remained of his cigarette before sitting down.
"Tired," she laughed. "You have no idea how hard it is running after a toddler all day."
"And never will," Gojyo laughed. "Where is the little brat anyway?"
"Hopefully taking a nap," Xiaozhi answered. "Kouryuu took her inside to lay her down a little while ago."
"Damn," Gojyo said with mock disappointment. "It's too bad we missed her."
"Yeah… unless you want to help us finish the stable," she smiled.
Gojyo laughed awkwardly.
"So, how is everything, Xiaozhi? We haven't seen you since we got back." Hakkai asked.
"Better," she smiled. "It's easier taking care of a toddler when you don't have to sit in a jeep for hours. I think we're finally getting into some semblance of a routine."
"And the monks? They couldn't have been happy when they saw you walkin up next to their mighty leader." Gojyo asked.
"I imagine they weren't," Xiaozhi shrugged. "But they never got to voice their opinions."
"Meaning?"
"Before we even walked inside, Kouryuu yelled at them. He said: This is my family. All three of us are staying here. If you've got a problem with it, you can get the hell out!"
"Nice imitation…" Gojyo mused.
"I've had a lot of time to work on it. He then took us straight to the archbishop and explained everything. We haven't heard even whispers of complaint since."
"He told the archbishop everything?" Hakkai asked with suspicion.
"Not everything, obviously," Xiaozhi rolled her eyes. "Kouryuu left out about the scriptures and about my mother being the Merciful Goddess. As far as the abbot and everyone else know, she's just a normal little girl."
"With two sanzo's for parents," Gojyo interjected.
"That too."
"How is she?" Hakkai asked. "Has there been anything… odd?"
Xiaozhi sighed. "Not yet. We're taking her to the Three Aspects tomorrow."
"To the floating heads? Why?" Gojyo's brows shot up.
"Just a precaution. But the scriptures are theoretically apart of her. If there's anything we need to know or need to be prepared for, they'd be able to tell us."
"I'm guessing this was Sanzo's idea?" Hakkai asked.
She smiled, "For the most part."
"How is father of the year anyway?" The red head asked, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Busy, though he says it's nothing unusual. The only difference is that Goku isn't the one hounding him every other minute."
"Guessing she doesn't leave him alone."
Xiaozhi sighed pitifully. "I swear she wants to be with her father more than me. I'll end up with a complex or something sooner or later."
"Wouldn't let it bother you too much. Sanzo's always had like this weird magnetic field around him. Kids are just attracted to him."
She laughed. "I figured as much."
"Speaking of Goku," Hakkai said suddenly, as if a light bulb clicked on in his head. "Have you heard from him lately? He left so suddenly and didn't tell us where he was going."
"We've gotten a few letters." Xiaozhi paused, thinking. "Let's see… last letter we got said he was staying with some girl name Houmei for a few days and that after that we probably wouldn't hear from him for a while."
"Houmei?" Gojyo looked at Hakkai. "Isn't that the daughter of that inn keeper? The one we stayed at where we got attacked by those spider demons?"
"I believe so," Hakkai cradled his chin in one hand. "He did seem to take a liking to her."
"Guess I can't call him a brat anymore if he's off doing my job," Gojyo huffed.
The red head was ignored. "Did he mention when he'd be coming back?" Hakkai asked.
Xiaozhi shrugged. "Not yet. We've written back asking but Goku seems to be ignoring the question. Kouryuu's worrying himself over it… don't tell him I told you that."
"What's taking Sanzo anyway?" Gojyo looked down the porch, as if expecting Sanzo to round the corner.
"I was just wondering that myself." Xiaozhi moved to stand, pulling herself up by a banister. "I'll go check. Don't move."
"Wouldn't think of it," Gojyo rolled his eyes.
Xiaozhi smiled, shaking her head as she walked to the door and slid it open, pulling it shut behind her. This portion of the complex had been cordoned off by the archbishop for them to use as a permanent living quarters. It had been where Kouryuu's own quarters had been before leaving for India. The wall between his room and the room next door had been dismantled and a larger bed brought in, making it comfortable enough for both of them. The room on the other side was turned into a nursery and a room down the hall was changed into Kouryuu's office, as his old one had to move because of the expansion.
She stopped in front of the nursery and knocked gently on the sliding door. "Kouryuu?"
She received no answer. Xiaozhi carefully slid open the door, trying not to make any loud noise. The scene that greeted her made her smile and gently slide the door closed behind her.
Kouryuu, his robes bunched about his waist, was sitting in the bay window. His back leaned against the wall while both his bare feet lay flat on the sill, bending at the knees. His arms were wrapped carefully around a small figure resting on his chest, wrapped in a thin white blanket. The child's arms were lying haphazardly at her sides, as if she had fallen asleep mid-hug. Her head of thick black hair was nestled under Kouryuu's chin. Kouryuu's eyes were closed, his breathing steady, making his daughter rise and fall gently.
Xiaozhi carefully made her way over while dodging scattered toys. She leaned over Kouryuu's prone form, smiling fondly down at him. The little girl seemed to sense her presence. She adjusted her head so she was facing her mother. The little eyes opened sleepily. A little pair of violet eyes meeting her mothers.
"Shh," Xiaozhi whispered softly, reaching out and stroking her daughter's head. "Daddy's sleeping."
The toddler's eyes closed again at her mother's touch. She let out a yawn and quickly fell back to sleep.
Xiaozhi gazed lovingly down at the little girl as she continued to caress her head. She may have had her mother's hair color, but it would definitely grow to become like her father's. She had round little cheeks, perfectly rounded ears, and beautiful amethyst eyes. She was perfect; everything they could have ever hoped for.
Xiaozhi went over to the crib and pulled out the sheet. She spread it over Kouryuu's legs before leaning over and placing a kiss on his head.
"Good night, Kouryuu." She placed a kiss on her daughter's cheek. "Good night, Gesshoku."
She made her way out of the room and back to the two waiting outside. Inside, Kouryuu sighed in his sleep, content, free of nightmares. He felt a hand touch his shoulder for the briefest of moments and then it was gone. It roused him for only a second and he shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position without waking the bundle in his arms. As he drifted back to sleep, his mind wandered.
His journey wasn't really over. Perhaps it never would be. With each passing moment brings the possibility for a whole new adventure. His Master had known that. Now he does too.
And he wondered… what kind of adventures will his daughter have?
Then his mind went to his journey west and he grimaced.
No… no adventures for his daughter. She was going to live a quiet, boring life, grow up, and marry a man who didn't annoy him. He would make sure of that, even if it drove him to his grave.
In fact… scratch the marriage part too.
*That's it! It's done! Wholly and completely Done with a capital D! This is, by far, the longest thing I've ever written. And I do have to say, I'm very proud of it. Everything when how I was hoping it would. All the pieces seemed to fall right into place AND I left enough wiggle room in case I want to continue it in some form or another later.
So yeah, speaking of continuing; I do have a few extra ideas floating around in my head that I will more than likely pen at some later date. But, understand, Sanzo and Xiaozhi's story is done. I may revisit them every once in a while, but their story really is done. My extra stories will probably end up in a separate story. I'm thinking of calling it "Saiyuki: Afterstory." I'll probably cover what happens to Gojyo and Hakkai after journey's end, as well as following Gesshoku as she grows up. I haven't actually written anything for it yet, so it may be a while before you see any of them.
Something that has set this story apart from my other one is my inspiration for it. Xiaozhi's character was originally inspired by a song, Angel Eyes by Love and Theft, as well as Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi and Tornado by Little Big Town. The rest is history from there. I was also heavily inspired by the Saiyuki soundtrack; specifically a large majority of the show's openings and endings for all three seasons.
So… that's it. I've got nothing else to say. I hope you all enjoyed Girl With the Golden Eye. Please comment (no flames) and favorite too if you really, really enjoyed it. I'm going to take a break before I start on my next project. Thank you very much for sticking with me through all of these chapters.*
