Title: I'll Follow the Sun
Genre: Very mild Angst, tiny shounen-ai of Sanzo/Gonou.
Characters: Gonou, thoughts of Kanan, Sanzo
Comments: Post adventure, Sanzo takes Gonou for trial; In Gonou's POV; song done by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; for Soreyle. :3 (Saiyuki doesn't belong to me, period.)
Status: Complete

"Priest Genjyo Sanzo, Criminal Cho Gonou. Enter and come forth."

I knew I was going to be punished for my sin and I was going to take it gladly. What I didn't expect was for Sanzo to stand in my defense.

"My lords, I know of Cho Gonou's sin but I must protest of him being killed as punishment."
"And for what reason, Genjyo Sanzo?"
"His sin is something anyone would've done if they lost their loved one."
"That is true, but killing is blasphemy against Buddha and us."
"Yes, I know but can we not make an exception?"
"State your proposition."
"He can…."

I decided not to listen after that. I didn't know why Sanzo wanted to save me, I should've been punished for what I did. Not only did I kill 1000 youkai but I loved my sister. Isn't that enough to condemn me? I couldn't help but think of my wonderful sister while they kept trying to plan my unknown future. But I stopped when I heard Sanzo say something.

"Let's give him a new life then, with a different name; a different way of living."
"...We shall discuss this in private. If you'll excuse us."

So the 3 lords vanished for a little while and I was with Sanzo alone. He looked at me for a second and then looked away, brushing off some imaginary dust off his robes. For some odd reason, I felt grateful. I didn't know why; I knew I wanted to die and be with Kanan but for some reason, I felt obligated to live. To live for him. I decided to pray to Kanan that moment, for forgiveness for not wanting to be with her yet.

One day you'll look to see I've gone,
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.

The 3 lords came back and said their verdict, which surprised both of us.

"Cho Gonou, seeing as you have killed 1000 youkai and loved your own sister, we feel we should condemn you. But Genjyo Sanzo has made an interesting proposition. And we have agreed. You are to have a new life, a new way of living, and must serve Genjyo Sanzo from now on. You must have a new name as well. It is Cho Hakkai from this day forward."

And now the time has come, and so, my love, I must go
And though I lose a friend
In the end you will know

I must've looked like an idiot at the time because everyone was staring at me, wondering what the Hell was wrong with me. I guess my eyes were wide and my jaw dropped after hearing that. But once I finally noticed my reaction, I closed my mouth shut and nodded with the shred of dignity I had left.

"This trail is over, you may now leave."
"By your will," we both said and got up to leave.

Sanzo and I left, closing the huge doors behind us. He let out a heavy sigh and looked at me. I rose a brow when he didn't reply right away. Then he finally did.

"You, my friend, are one lucky son of a bitch."

I couldn't help myself, I just started laughing and crying at the same time. He gave me a worried look but stayed his distance, afraid I might infect him with what I was going through. But I didn't mind; I had the rest of my life to live and it was going to be with someone who saved me, a man with sun-kissed hair and beautiful amethyst eyes.

One day you'll find that I have gone
But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.

Owari