Chapter 4
"Kouryuu."
Kouryuu lifted his eyes toward his master, who was smiling benignly at him. Goku and Shuei waited outside while the two within the room had a private talk.
"Yes, oshou-sama." He would accept any punishment he would receive for leaving the temple without permission. It had been a foolish act, leaving the temple to look for an unknown voice. He could have waited until the following morning, when he would have had the chance to ask permission from his master.
"You left the temple without asking me first. That is punishable by expulsion." Sanzo reached for his tea cup and raised it to his lips.
"I understand." Kouryuu watched his master drink his tea with quiet grace. He had always admired this trait of his master's; everything about him was dignified, from his face to his walk. It bothered him to have done his master wrong.
"However, I will do no such thing, for I believe you left with good reason. As I have come to know you, you never take action without having one." He put down his cup and looked Kouryuu in the eye, his smile never wavering. "Tell me, Kouryuu, what made you leave your chores?"
Kouryuu felt it easy to tell his master these things. It was hard not to trust such an honest smile. "It was a voice, oshou-sama. A voice that was calling me."
Sanzo nodded. "Perhaps it is rather early, but then that does not matter. This boy... You found him?"
"Yes. By a riverside."
"By a riverside?" Sanzo seemed amused. "What a coincidence. Did he follow you home?"
"Yes. He wouldn't leave me alone."
"Then it cannot be avoided." There was a finality in his voice that puzzled Kouryuu. The monk obviously had something in mind."Saa, let the boy in. I'd like to have a look at him."
Kouryuu got up and opened the door. "Come in," he said coldly to Goku, who slowly walked in, staring at the room and the man sitting by the window. He stood there awhile, staring dumbly as Kouryuu stood beside him.
"What is your name?" said Sanzo kindly.
"Goku. Son Goku," said Goku, who was gawking at Sanzo's robes. He had never in his life seen anything so regal.
"You followed Kouryuu back here, did you not?" continued Sanzo.
"Yes, I did. Is this where he lives?"
"Yes, this is where he lives. Would you like to live here as well?"
Kouryuu's eyes widened with shock; other than that, there were no visible signs of his emotion. He hadn't expected his master to take in someone like Goku, who would make a terrible disciple if he were to be made one at all.
"Yeah, this place looks good. And I want to stay with Kouryuu," said Goku, grinning at Kouryuu, who glared at him. "Please, may I stay with him?"
Sanzo laughed softly. "Of course you may. You may share his room and eat with him during meals. Only do not disturb him when he goes about his chores, for he must surely finish them. Mustn't you, Kouryuu?" Kouryuu bowed his head a little. "Yes, oshou-sama."
Goku was smiling ear to ear. "Wai! Wai! I get to stay with Kouryuu! Wai!"
The thing was done. The master had agreed to take in Goku, who would become Kouryuu's new roommate. And perhaps his new companion. It annoyed him, the thought of having to live with this noisy boy, but there was something about him which Kouryuu wished he could see. Something beyond his round, golden eyes and deep brown hair. They were both barefoot, as he had seen earlier. Both found by the riverside after being sought by someone who had heard a voice calling him. Serendipitous? Hardly. He half-hoped that he had never met this boy nor heard the voice calling him, but it was done. After all, he too had been found after Sanzo had heard a voice and gone looking for it. This boy was receiving the same gift he had been given; he acknowledged the fact with a bow.