Series: Saiyuki and Monkey
Author: Zelgadis55
Rating: PG13
Warnings: This is the final chapter
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from either Saiyuki, which is owned by Kazuya Minekura and various license holders or Monkey which I am not sure who it belongs to but is the classic late 70's/early 80's live action series. Both are based on the same legend. The only characters from this fic that belong to me are all dead now…
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Distorted Mirror
Pt 16
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Epilogue one
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The night was cool, dark and clear with no moon to disturb the viewing of the stars. Tripitaka sighed. She had given up long ago on trying to find and count all the constellations and individual stars, now she just stared up at them, admiring their beauty. She barely moved as someone exited the building directly behind her, sitting down quietly beside her on the step.
They sat in silence for about ten minutes until Tripitaka finally acknowledged the person with her. Sandy smiled with what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Oh Sandy," the priest despaired, "I know in my mind that Monkey will be fine but in my heart, I'm scared that he wont recover from King Slaard's final attack. If worst did come to worst, how could we cope without our dear friend?"
Sandy answered softly, "I don't know but we'd find a way to manage. Whatever has happened in the past, we've always found some way and whatever happens in the future, we'll still find a way. Anyway, we don't need to worry because that ape will be fine. He's probably only still asleep because he was so tired from the long fights of the last couple of days and the search from last night."
She smiled at him, still sad but feeling a little better. "Thanks. I know you are right but I am still worried and I know I will worry until he opens his eyes and starts picking fights with you and Pigsy." Tripitaka chuckled a little at that realization.
Sandy shook his head with amusement. "And there you are, always chastising us for arguing and yet, you wont feel better until we do. I'll have to remind you of that next time an argument breaks out."
"You know what I mean," Tripitaka replied.
"Yes, I do. It's understandable because it's normal and Monkey being out of commission isn't."
"Yes…" the priest softly replied, "it isn't."
There was more silence for a few minutes as the two sat and contemplated things. Sandy was the one to break the quiet this time. "Master…" he hesitated, "I can't quite put my finger on it but you've changed. Just a little…"
Tripitaka looked up at Sandy in concern. "Changed? In what way?"
Sandy sighed and thought about it before speaking again. "I don't really know master. I guess, something in your attitude."
"Oh!" Tripitaka suddenly remembered the talk she had had with Sanzo while they were held prisoner and smiled. "Yes, I guess I have."
Sandy looked at her quizzically, "You know what it is?"
Tripitaka nodded.
"Please, do tell."
The priest shook her head, "This isn't the time or place. Peoples attitudes toward me would alter too much." She explained, wishing that she could tell her disciple the truth and then she muttered under her breath, "Especially Pigsy's attitude." She stood up and turned to go back inside as Sandy looked at her in confusion
"Where are you going?" He asked curiously after a moment.
"To check on Monkey and then to bed." Tripitaka replied.
"I wouldn't bother, I'm fine Master." Monkey grinned as he seemingly came out of nowhere, giving the priest a surprise.
"Monkey!" Tripitaka cried happily. "I'm so glad you are alright!"
The monkey king continued to grin, "You better go to bed master, we still have a long trip ahead and a few days travel to catch up on."
"Yes." Tripitaka nodded enthusiastically. As she walked past Monkey, he spoke to her softly in her ear, so that Sandy could not hear.
"Don't feel bad Master, it's for the best that you didn't tell that cold fish the truth."
Tripitaka just stared at Monkey for a couple of minutes then she smiled and went to bed.
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Epilogue Two
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The next morning was overly warm and overcast with the promise of a storm much later in the day. Once again, Sanzo was in a foul mood. His companions didn't even need to be warned, they all just silently agreed to not stir each other for once.
The four of them piled into Hakuryu's jeep form silently and drove out of town for what Sanzo fervently hoped was to be for the last time. He never wanted to see this damned place again. Even as they left, he had a strong sense of foreboding for whatever was to come. Maybe it was just the oncoming storm but maybe it was something else. To tell the truth, Sanzo really did not want to know. He then pushed all such thoughts out of his head, refusing to think on them any longer.
Hakkai drove along silently with a slightly strained smile crossing his features. Physically, he was fine but he was still quite tired. Really, it was only to be expected after the amount of energy he had used over the last couple of days.
Gojyo was still very sore and stiff but otherwise fine. He had refused to let on to Hakkai how he truly felt as he knew his friend would fuss and try to do something to help him when there was really nothing that could be done except rest for a while. Right now, there was nothing Gojyo wanted to be able to do more than spend a few days relaxing and recovering, preferably with a pretty girl or two pampering him with sexual favours. It wasn't going to happen anytime soon while the four, five with Hakuryu were travelling on this damn quest though. However he smiled at the thought and decided to wish for the opportunity anyway.
Goku was extremely fidgety and hungry. He always got fidgety when he was hungry, unless of course he had gone past the hunger levels and into the starvation ones, in which case he would have trouble finding the strength to even move. Right now, half an hour after having finished breakfast, he was merely hungry. Still, recognizing the mood that the ill-tempered priest was in, Goku tried hard not to fidget or mention his hunger. He didn't want that kind of attention from Sanzo today. Another problem was that he was regretting that he had never been able to have that rematch with Monkey. Sure, he had been able to fight beside him but that wasn't the same thing as testing his strength against an exciting opponent in a fair fight. He closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. When he opened them again, he stared in surprise. They were passing the area in which they had originally met and seen off Monkey and the others.
"Sa…" he started to say, his eyes wide.
"Urusai!"
Goku swallowed, "…But…"
"I said to shut up bakazaru!"
Goku shrank back into his seat as the terrifying gaze of the irritated monk glared at him from a standing position on the front seat. Goku opened his mouth to speak, "…" but nothing came out as Sanzo snapped at him again, quieting the five hundred year old teenager.
"Don't you even dare mention any more tears in the sky or people falling out of them. I'll kill you if you do!" To emphasize his point, the monk pointed his gun towards Goku's face.
Goku swallowed again and said in a very small voice, "But…"
Gojyo spoke up, "But there is another tear and what looks like a pretty young nee-chan has just fallen from there."
Sanzo turned his glare and his gun onto Gojyo and then Hakkai as he started to slow down and turn the jeep to where the young girl had fallen. "Just keep driving!"
"She may be hurt though." Hakkai replied.
Sanzo glanced over to her. "She's standing just fine and town isn't very far away." There was a click as Sanzo released the safety. "Keep driving!"
Hakkai sighed and called out, "I'm very sorry miss but we can't stop. Town is back that way." He pointed in the direction of the town that had been their base ground over the last couple of days and as she looked in that direction, Hakkai stepped on the accelerator with an unusually annoyed look on his face as he continued to drive the group towards the west.
Owari.
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A/N: Well, that's the lot! I had a lot of fun writing this a lot and I really appreciate the reviews that everyone has sent. Thank you!
Diva Urd: Yup! Monkey's fine. He has always bounced back quite easily, though there were a few times he didn't. Argh! I realised I forgot to re-send that ep to you since it disappeared with the first mail…
Tora Macaw: (grins) What was so evil about it? Hmm? Here it is!
Sailorgemini1: Thank you (smiles). Well, this one is the last post for this fic. I wouldn't have left you on a cliffhanger, well, not for too long anyway :-P