At The End Of Things

Eva Yasha

Sanzo and Goku walked slowly eastward, the light of the rising sun stretching their shadows out behind them endlessly. They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Sanzo spared a moment to reflect on that, and how different it was from their journey into the west four years ago. Goku had truly changed in the weeks they had been separated. They'd been back together for the past three years, but to this day, Sanzo wasn't really clear on what exactly had happened to the monkey. Something about memories, and an eternity in heaven.....an eternity Goku had obviously given up.

Goku, ever sensitive to the moods of his caretaker, felt Sanzo's thoughts turning inward and sighed softly, wondering briefly what his sun was brooding on. Giving it up as a lost cause, he turned his face into the wind and took a deep breath, letting contentment wash through his soul. They were going home, back to Gojyo and Hakkai and their little house.

Goku had missed them with a frightening intensity, and with every step eastward they took, he felt as if little pieces of his soul were slowly returning to him. His smiled abruptly, wondering what they would make of him now. The days of the hyper-active, eternally hungry saru were long gone, thanks to the gift of the merciful goddess.

Goku's smile faded as his thoughts turned to the Great Kannon. After he had left Gojyo and Hakkai, he had wandered aimlessly for weeks, on the verge of starvation, searching in vain for Sanzo. Finally, taking pity on the monkey, Kanzeon Bosatsu had appeared before him.

Goku, she said, crouching down next to him where he lay collapsed from hunger in the dirt of the street. Goku, Sanzo is on a mission for me, and he may never return. Goku's heart clenched painfully as panic overtook him. Kanzeon smiled and reached out for him.

I can offer you a place in heaven, she said temptingly. I can even make you forget about Sanzo so you can be happy there.

Her hand reached toward him, and a golden glow surrounded her, flowing outward to envelope Goku as well. As if in a daze, Goku felt himself reaching out, his fingertips brushing hers.

Deep within his heart, something screamed in pain and fury.

Unthinkingly, Goku snarled and snapped at Kanzeon, flinging himself away from her outstretched hand. The golden glow vanished, and Goku's senses came flooding back to him. He locked his eyes with Kanzeon's and she gasped at what she saw glimmering in their golden depths.

"Heaven's not enough." He said simply, "If Sanzo isn't there."

The merciful goddess smirked. I thought you might say that, she said smugly. Very well then. If your devotion to my nephew is still this strong....

She reached out and touched his forehead. Perhaps this will make things a little easier on both of you.....

The next thing Goku knew, he was falling out of the clear blue sky to land smack on top of an infuriated Genjyo Sanzo.

"Goddamn Baka-saru!"

Whack the paper fan came streaking down.

"What the HELL are you doing here!?!"

Whack

Stop it Konzen. Kanzeon Bosatsu's voice rang out. You know you need him.

"Urusai! You old hag!" Sanzo screeched up at the sky, waving his paper fan menacingly.

With a final snarl for the interfering deity, Sanzo turned to Goku.

"Let's go." He growled, and walked away.

It was only much later, Goku mused thoughtfully, when he was sure the Goddess's attention was elsewhere, the Sanzo had pulled his monkey into his arms, and assured him that he was, in his own way, glad to have him along.

After that, Goku seemed even more sensitive to Sanzo's thoughts and moods, and was better able to keep a curb on his hyper-activity and appetite. Sanzo swore it was divine intervention, and they just let it go at that.

Sanzo glanced over at his charge in time to see a wistful smile grace the monkey's face.

"Oi....saru....What are you thinking about?"

Goku looked over at the sun he had followed for so long and smiled.

"Nothing really....I'm just glad to be heading home." His golden eyes shone brightly as he said this, and Sanzo felt a trace of a smile grace his own lips.

"Aa."