AN Here is where things are going to get a little AU. I'm not sure about the technology for the blind within the Saiyuki world. I'm not sure if things like Braille even exist in that universe, but I have incorporated them in to the story. Also, this is going to be by far the longest chapter, because it sets up the rest of the story.

Chapter 8: A Glimmer of Light

They had been at Goku's for the past week, and things had only gotten marginally better. Hakkai would say a few words here and there, but was still too quiet. He never gave an honest smile. Sanzo was getting damned tired of the self-pitting air the youkai had taken up. Lighting a cigarette, he pondered a few things that had come to mind over the past days. There was no way Hakkai was going to start acting like he usually did until some things started to go back to normal. Sanzo had very little faith that Gods gave a rats ass about anyone on Earth, but he was almost resigned to going back to Chang 'An to speak to the three Aspects. Will it even matter? Sanzo wondered bleakly. Goku would likely be pissed that he was leaving, but he wasn't about to clue the monkey in on anything until he had some kind of plan.

Inside, Houmei was rushing around in the kitchen while Goku contained the twins. Sanzo had never known a real family. He wasn't sure it would have changed him that much if he had. The temple and his mentor had been enough for him. If he'd ever really belonged anywhere, it had been at there. Goku scooped up the girls, and Sanzo watched as he carried them upstairs for their naps. Knowing those two, the chimp would be busy for a while.

When things were finally quiet in the twins' room, Sanzo heard Hakkai's door open. He watched as the blind youkai slowly moved down the hall with one hand on the wall and the other stretched out in front of him. Uncertainty was written across his face as he reached the end of the hall to the kitchen. Houmei set her pan down and raced to his side steering him safely to a chair.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I just wanted to be out for a while."

"No one locked you in there," Sanzo said unsympathetically. A rag flew across the room and hit him in the face. Houmei was glaring at him for all she was worth, but it did little to the monk. He knew that Hakkai was barricading himself in his room because the twins were afraid of him.

Hakkai said nothing to that, and reached up to pet the dragon that had just landed on his shoulder. "It feels like it's a nice day out," he commented.

"Maybe you should try going out," Houmei offered. "Goku could go for a walk with you after lunch."

Sanzo stood up abruptly. "Let's go."

"I…I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"Get off your ass. We're going."

Reluctantly, Hakkai stood up, and Sanzo placed guided his hand to the middle of his upper arm. There had been a blind monk at the temple when he was a child, and he had taught Sanzo the proper way to lead a blind person. The monk winced as steely fingers tightened around his arm. "Watch it," he warned.

"Sorry," Hakkai said sheepishly.

They walked silently from the inn and down a secluded path. Of course, Sanzo paused to light a cigarette along the way. He stole glances at the man beside him. Some of Hakkai's trepidation had seemed to melt away as he took in the fresh air. Turning his face to the sky, he almost looked content. It didn't take long for Hakkai to get tired, and they took a rest on a large rock in the clearing.

"We'll go back when you're ready," Sanzo told him.

"You're going to leave soon, aren't you?" Even blind, Hakkai was still more perceptive than most people.

"What makes you think that?"

Hakkai shrugged. "You can't stay here forever. Surely there is something the great Sanzo has to do besides hang around here."

"Keh. I'm sure I could find something."

"Sanzo…"

"What?"

"I never did thank you, did I?"

Sanzo stared at Hakkai. He looked like hell even if he was supposedly better. "Save it. That fucker had it coming."

"I don't mean for that. You stayed with me when I woke up," he explained.

"It's time to go back."

They didn't say another word on the way back to the inn. Sanzo led him along the path silently with a sullen look on his face. Part of him had been hoping that Hakkai would have forgotten about that. It wasn't like he cared about the youkai.

The next morning, Sanzo was ready for his journey before breakfast. Goku had been furious that he was leaving without telling him about it first. After Gojyo leaving, he had become determined to keep the three of them together. Leave it to the saru to get sentimental. He would forgive Sanzo eventually, and even if he didn't…

It took Sanzo a few days to make Chang An. He really hadn't missed the place. The monks bowing and scraping to "Master" Sanzo always annoyed the hell out of him. There was always so much hypocrisy in this place. He may be a bastard, but he was an honest bastard. These dumb fucks went through the motions with the illusion of righteousness.

In his chambers, he splashed water from a basin on his face and stared into the mirror. He had always been called a pretty boy, but he wasn't vain about his appearance in the least. His face was just his face. Beauty in general had never been one of his hang-ups. It probably all went back to his general distaste for the entire human race. He couldn't respect anyone who was in caught up in something so shallow. Maybe that had been one of his problems with the kappa to begin with.

He straightened up his robes and walked to where the Aspects resided. Though he'd been here many times, he was never exactly cozy with the floating heads. It wasn't fear or respect for the gods either—it just wasn't somewhere he cared to be.

Bowing before them, he waited to be addressed. "Priest Sanzo, you have come to ask a favor of us."

"Yes, I have come to ask that you heal my fellow traveler, Cho Hakkai," he said."

"The Merciful Goddess is not ignorant of his plight, however we will not heal him. He must learn to accept his handicap."

Sanzo had expected this. "With all due respect," he began, "Cho Hakkai has done his part in whatever he has been asked to. Do you mean to tell me that there is nothing that can be done to help him?"

"There is a school not far from this temple. You will find help there."

Sanzo lowered his head, and took his leave.

It didn't take him long to find the school. One of the monks in the temple had known of the place and gave him directions. The place was quaint and happy looking with a white fence around the schoolyard. A group of young girls sat in a circle giggling. He watched them for a moment and noticed how they barely seemed to be looking at the toys they held, but touched them. This was a school for blind children he realized.

A dark haired man opened the front door and called the children in for classes. He had a wide smile on his face and unseeing pale, blue eyes. The man remained on the porch for a moment after the children were inside, and Sanzo walked up to the gate. "Are you in charge of this place?" he asked.

The stranger "looked" toward Sanzo. "I am one of the teachers here, but Enjuu-Sensei is the headmaster. Why have you come to our school?"

"I have come to ask for some help for a friend who was recently blinded. I am Genjyo Sanzo," he said politely. He could tell that the teacher was still unsure of him. He's no fool, Sanzo thought.

"I have heard of you and your friends," the teacher said with a slight nod. "I am Ryoko. Sensei will probably be ready to see you when he returns from the village. Until then, you may wait here. It is nearly time for our afternoon lessons."

A slight, blonde woman in her forties appeared behind Ryoko. The first thing Sanzo noticed about her was that those hard, brown eyes were definitely looking right at him. "Ryoko-san, the children are waiting for you."

The teacher nodded. "Eris, this is Priest Genjyo Sanzo. He has asked to see Enjuu-Sensei. Will you take him to the kitchen for something to eat?"

Eris relaxed a bit. "Certainly," she replied. "Follow me, Sanzo-Sama."

The inside of the school was neat and cozy. He could tell that the students lived here as well as studied here. They passed two classrooms and a living room before entering the large dining room and kitchen. "Would you care for some tea? The students finished lunch just a bit ago, and I could make you something if you are hungry."

"Tea would be fine, thank you."

Eris poured them each a cup and sat down across from him. "There is someone you wish to bring to our school?" she asked.

"It would be best if someone could come with me to him. Hakkai is a grown man."

She sighed wearily. "My brother may or may not agree to it. His is much older than I am, and he would not do well on a journey."

"Is your brother blind as well?"

"No," she replied taking a sip of tea. "We founded this place together more as a way to honor the memory of our little brother. He died young, and without much education. Here, blind children are given the best chance at a good future. They learn how to read, write, and all of the other subjects sighted children learn, but also how to function within the seeing world. Craftsmen from the village come and help them learn trades, if they wish. When they leave here, our students are ready to be independent."

Sanzo took that in carefully. He was about to ask another question when a frail looking old man came in the room. "Ah, Priest Sanzo, you have quite the reputation," he said with a smile. "Ryoko tells me you have a friend in need of a little help."

Nodding at the strange, little man, he told the entire story leaving out a detail here and there. There were people who wouldn't think fondly of Hakkai having another man as his lover.

When he was done, Enjuu set down his cup. "Well, we're going to do something about this, I tell you. Ryoko would be happy to go with you, I just know it."

"Were you planning on asking Ryoko what he thought of this plan?" a bland voice commented from the doorway.

"Now, Ryoko, it's time you had a proper adventure again," Enjuu chastised. "Besides, it will give you another story to tell the children."

Ryoko groaned. "I didn't have an adventure. They came here if you'd remember it right."

Enjuu ignored him. "When are you planning on leaving, Sanzo-sama?"

"As soon as possible," Sanzo said still staring intently at Ryoko. He wondered what kind of adventure he could have possibly had.

"Ryoko, go pack."

"But what about our students?" he asked irritably.

"Eris and I can take care of things until you get back."

"Fine," Ryoko agreed finally.

The next morning, Sanzo found Ryoko surrounded by a group of kids ranging from four to seventeen. All of them seemed heart broken that he was leaving. "I'll be back before you know it," he promised them. "I'll tell you all about the Sanzoikko when I get back. In fact, I bet Sanzo will tell you a story or two himself."

Sanzo grimaced. That, he knew, was directly intended for Sanzo to hear.