Gensomaden Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Living Requiem ❯ Reincarnation ( Chapter 1 )

Clatter.

Once again the golden crown rolled across the floor to hit the young knees of Genjou Koryuu. Time again the blood splashed on the white robes. Yet again the master's hand fell limp at the pupil's side.

…and again the trembling lips spoke the words…

"From this day forth, you shall be known as…Genjou Sanzo…"

~*~

Genjou Sanzo sat bolt upright in bed for what seemed like the millionth time in his life. Rain splashed through the open window onto his already sweat-ridden face, washing away the salty solution in a series of rivers cascading down his cheeks.

"Damn, it happened again…"

The priest let his head fall into his gloved hands. That night…the night Koumyou Sanzo had died…plagued him night after night, year after year. The image of his mentor bathed in his own blood on the ground was engraved in his mind for all eternity, and there was no way in hell to erase it.

Sanzo looked blearily out the window up at the sky. Dark clouds rumbled, sending their tears tumbling down to earth. Feeling his own emotions start to loose from their invisible restraints, the priest slammed the window shut with such force that the panes cracked.

"Shut up…" he whispered to the weeping heavens, "shut up."

This memory is over a decade old! Why won't it let me be?! "WHY?!" His forehead touched the broken windowpane as he fought to control his feelings. "Why must you plague me, Koumyou Sanzo?!" Then, softer, he added, "Why did you leave me, Koumyou Sanzo…?"

Behind him, the door creaked open. Sanzo did not turn around, choosing instead to keep his eyes focused on the falling rain. "I am fine, Hakkai. Nothing but a dream."

"You should learn to look before you speak, Genjou Sanzo," said a woman's voice.

Slowly, Sanzo swiveled to face the intruder. "You…"

"Hardly a warm welcome for someone bringing you good news," said the Merciful Goddess. She stood lightly in the doorframe, twirling a rose between her nimble fingers. Her mischievous eyes regarded him bemusedly as she smiled.

"Good news? There's something I haven't heard in a while." All traces of emotion drained from his face, leaving him with his usual placid stare. "Alright then, out with it."

"You were just thinking of Koumyou Sanzo, weren't you?"

The muscle in his cheek twitched. "That is none of your concern. Tell me the news and be gone."

The Goddess smirked. "You were. I can see it in your face. However, it is Koumyou Sanzo that I bring news of. It seems that the gods have smiled upon him, pure soul that he was, and speeded up the process of reincarnation."

The priest was silent. His blue-purple eyes regarded her warily, but with a hint of hope. "I didn't think even the gods could speed up that process…"

"He has been reborn far to the north of this place. However, this presents a problem, as your quest leads you to the west. Your friends are trusting you to take them to the one who is trying to resurrect Lord Gyumaoh. Each of them has something very important riding on this journey."

"And your point is?" Sanzo got to his feet, his fists clenching at his sides. "I've had to suffer half my life because of his death…for him to be reincarnated during my lifetime is a miracle in itself. I must go to him. Besides; the troubles of the others are of no concern to me."

"Isn't that a little selfish, after what all they've sacrificed for you?"

"I don't care, god dammit! All they sacrificed was by their own choice; not mine. I have no debt to pay for their decisions. They can either go with me, or go their own way. I care not which."

"Sit down, Priest Sanzo." The Merciful Goddess absently twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "You know as well as I that you won't leave your comrades. You need them in these days of war."

He stared at her challengingly for a while, then gave up and sank back down onto the bed in defeat. "I suppose."

"Good. So you'll be going with them to the West." She dropped her hand to her side. "A wise choice if I do say so myself…Well, I'll be going then. Good luck. You'll see your master after your journey is complete…" The Goddess then faded into the shadows, leaving the priest alone.

After she had gone, a smirk spread across Sanzo's face. "I said I would take them with me, but I didn't say to where. Wait for me, Koumyou. I will come to you."

~*~

"I knew he wouldn't follow my instructions," the Goddess said quietly from her throne in the heavens. "But I wonder how he will react when he finds out Koumyou has been reincarnated as a woman…?"

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Well, what did you think??? Good idea, bad idea, what?! R&R!!