Something Familiar

Pain and cold. He felt those two feelings all over his body for a long time, and it was beginning to drive him mad. Pain. Cold. Pain. Cold. Nothing was easing them, and nothing… Then, Sanzo heard a noise. A distant voice was speaking something the young priest could not understand. Then, as his consciousness began to filter back, he recognized the sound as light humming. His eyes opened to well-lit room with mostly plain walls, but he caught the scent of a small aroma candle. He stared at the ceiling in a daze for a long time, before he finally tried to move his body. It wouldn't budge. He tried to remember what had just happened to him, and as his flashback came to an end, he remembered the sight of gentle golden eyes. Goku? Had Goku arrived just in time to save him? But, if so, then why was he staring blankly up at an unfamiliar ceiling?

"Goku."

The humming stopped and there was silence for a long while. Sanzo tried to call again, but his words caught in his throat and he started to cough. He turned on his side, and as the coughing subsided, he saw a young woman, a couple years younger than himself, standing near his bedside. His vision was still blurry, but he could make out her image better. She had long, dark brown hair that was tired back in a ponytail, and she wore very simple house clothing. A book was in her hand, and she was looking at him on the bed with concern.

"Who are you? Where is Goku?"

"Goku? Who is that?"

"Goku… I thought he was right…"

"I'm sorry. I only saw you lying there."

Sanzo finally found the strength to glare at the stranger.

"Who are you and where have you taken me?"

"You are in my home, recovering from serious wounds, and I am-"

She got close and Sanzo's eyes went slightly wide as he saw her face.

"-A demon…!"

Sanzo quickly sat up and reached for something that was no longer on his person (his gun) but then felt a wave of dizziness and pain. The girl went to him and set her hands on his shoulders, attempting to push him back down. Sanzo resisted as much as he could (which wasn't a whole lot).

"Please, young master, you mustn't push yourself so soon! You are still terribly weak and injured now!"

"Get your hands off of me, demon! You're just like those monsters who…"

"Young master, please… I'm sorry for their behaviors…"

"Mm?"

Sanzo couldn't handle sitting up anymore and allowed himself to be gently settled back. The girl sat at the edge of the bed and straitened the covers around him. He felt cold again, but there was a warmth coming from the girl.

"Do you know them, then?"

"Knew them… before demons all over the place started changing. I can't explain it."

"…You killed them, didn't you?"

"I couldn't just let them hurt people… it's not right to do so. But, their behavior was understandable. Humans don't always treat their kind so decently nowadays."

"Their kind? Don't you mean your own kind?"

"No, we are not the same. Have you heard about the legend, about how a human can be forced into becoming a demon by bathing in the blood of one-thousand demons?"

"Who hasn't? And besides, I grew up at a temple."

"Well, I think… I may be one of those."

"You don't remember? I don't see how one could forget killing so many demons."

"That isn't it. I think I was born like this."

"Born into the world from…"

Even just the thought of it sent chills down Sanzo's spine, and he visibly shivered.

"Are you still cold, young master? Allow me to fetch you another blanket."

She left the room and came back moments later to cover him with a heavy comforter. It weighed down on his wounded chest, but he otherwise felt warmer. He looked back over at the girl, who took a seat in a nearby chair.

"SO what do you want from me?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Not even my script- Wait, where is my holy scripture!"

Sanzo tried to sit up, but the weight on his chest, combined with his growing exhaustion kept him down. He once again glared at the girl who was calmly reading her small book.

"Where is it! Tell me, or you're dead!"
"Your scroll is on the table right next to you, young master."

Sanzo turned his head, painfully, and spotted it right where she said it was. he reached a hand out from under the heavy covers and grabbed it, pulling it back to him protectively. This time when he looked at the girl, he had almost gentle features.

"Why?"
"Hm?"
"You could have just taken this and left me for dead. Why didn't you?"
"I'm afraid I have no need for a scroll out here, young master."
"..."

Sanzo finally settled back, relaxing into the warm bed as he put a hand to his head, messing up his blonde hair.

"I just can't figure you out."
"You misunderstand. I'm just glad to finally have company."
"You live by yourself?"
"I do."
"You are completely isolated, and yet you know to show the proper respect, as if you had been sternly disciplined."
"Well... a great monk...visited me, once. Since then, this just comes natural to me, I guess."

She set down her book and smiled at Sanzo sweetly.

"You know... I see a lot of him in you, young master. As he reminded me of the night, you remind me of the shining day."
"...That's who it is, then. I know who you remind me of, now."
"Oh? Who is that, young master?"

Sanzo rolled onto his side, facing away from her.

"Just... a really annoying monkey I know."