A/N: Something that came outta me two days ago... after I drew a sketch of Sanzo outside the cave and Goku staring at him. Then, this was written during the leftover time I had in my English composition exam. LOL. Enjoy reading this one-shot!

Disclaimer: Sheesh, I would've been rich by now if I own Saiyuki. Hehe. But I don't see Kazuya Minekura having lots of cash... I wonder why...

'Released...'

By doublelynn

"A light..."

A bright streak of gold shone above him...

"Is someone there?"

He approached the dark, lonesome cave quietly...

"Who... is it...?"

The figure bent to observe the little creature inside the mass of darkness.

"Why do I... feel like I'd seen him... before...?"

And was surprised that... a young boy was in there, and staring at him dumbly with those innocence-filled golden eyes, as if he saw the most outrageous thing ever. There wasn't a slight trace of emotion in those golden orbs. Just like plain stupidity had knocked his brain limits.

The figure survey the boy's appearances. Messy chocolate-brown locks of hair which grown too long on the back, a golden headband and shackles... on his neck, wrists and feet... chained to a gigantic iron material. The cave was dark and chilly. He observed the surroundings properly and hold back a gasp as his eyes caught something.

That cave... it has numerous talisman with Sanskrit writings on, placed in every single spot. He assumed this boy... or something else, must be sealed in by certain individuals. But who...? And why seal a boy in?

A feeling told him to held his hand out to the boy, who was now crouching and still staring but isn't afraid of the blonde stranger. Miraculously, the hard stone bars broke down and dissipated as he reached in nearer. The boy finally snapped out of his thoughts and shakily put out his arm, almost touching. The shackles that chained him in suddenly broke and disappeared. The figure pulled him out within a grasp.

For the first time in after being sealed in that place, he placed his feet on the fresh ground outside. He raised a hand to shield his eyes from daylight for a moment, his eyes hurt at the first contact with strong light. He tried squinting his eyes, and succeeded to gazing at the surroundings. He can finally hear the birds chirping and insects creaking. And can feel his inside blooming with excitement.

"Oi, kid."

He heard a voice, as he automatically turned back, facing the origin of the voice.

"Are you the one who called me here?"

The boy stared once more at him. His golden eyes flashing in awe at the unknown figure appearances. The color of his hair itself was awesome, blond... golden blond, paired with deep-amethyst eyes that are all too familiar, and flowing white robes.

"Quit staring and at least tell me your name," he said, a little louder.

The boy startled. He was put to solitude for a period too long but managed to communicate with words again.

"I'm... Goku... Son Goku..."

"Okay, Goku. Can you tell me where're you from?"

And he tried to remember, but nothing. Nothing came to him as he can't remember any single trace of memory, apart from his name. He don't even know what was the place he's locked too. The only thing he remembered, was how darkness always had him petrified in it's space. Although there's a small fragment of something, curdling and sneaking way back in his mind. So the boy shook his head.

"I... don't know..."

"What?"

"I... can't remember anything..."

"Then, do you know why are you in there?"

Goku shook his head again.

The blonde clicked his tongue in agitation. He turned his head away slightly, thinking in a deep thought. Should he just leave him here? But, he's only a young child... it'd be too cruel then. Or should he at least bring him back to the temple? But, look at him, he's like a little monkey for goodness sake, not to mention those busy-bodies back there. Unless...

"Oi, saru. Let's go."

Goku blinked his eyes in total confusion. Saru?

"You don't want to spend the rest of you life here, do you?" the blonde said, as he started to walk away.

"Ah, w-wait!" Goku finally spoke by his will, as he tripped on a rock and fell on the ground. Wow, the ground is... warm. He got up, sitting on the grass below. "W-what's your name, o-jiisan?"

The blonde stopped on his trail suddenly. He returned a backward glance, a slightly pissed-off one. His eye was twitching. "What..?"

"Err, what's your name, o-jiisan?"

All of a sudden, a big streak of white appeared near his face as it slapped him upside the head. "ITAI!"

The blonde glared at him, a vein popped on his forehead, and holding a... paper fan?

"Do I look like an old geezer to you? Then, cut it with the 'o-jiisan' crap."

"Itei... gomen..."

"Sanzo."

"Eh?"

"Genjo Sanzo. And do you wanna move your saru butt off the ground or what?" the blonde held out a hand to the sitting boy.

Goku blinked a few times and took his hand as Sanzo help lifted him up. The boy smiled at him, "Hi, Sanzo!"

"What's with the hyper-greeting?"

"Umm, I didn't greet you by your name earlier, so I thought I'd fill it in."

Sanzo snorted, "Whatever."

Goku began the trail out of the area, with the person who'd released him out of the mountain cave...

When sunlight hit his hair just so, an undeniable glow like the sun came from him...

It released him out of the eternal darkness that had paralyzed his thoughts before...

And released him out of loneliness...

After awaiting for five-hundred years...

OWARI of Chapter One.

A/N: Well, I think it's worth writing this. I know it's weird how they got along so well on their first meeting… and the 'o-jiisan' part too. (ACK!) Guess I sucks in writing these sort of stuff… I used only two hours to type this one-shot, which is so not myself because I'd usually write and stop in the middle of the fic. Geez. Now, please do review, ne? I need someone telling me how was this one-shot. Maybe I'll write more, but who knows (smiles). Tell me anything, except flames. LOL. Jyaa, thanks!