Author's Note: This ficlet was inspired by something Ukoku (Dr. Nii) said in vol. 9 of Saiyuki Reload: "...then his fatherly mentor, Koumyou Sanzo, was attacked by youkai assassins and died of his own volition...Koumyou died for you." (this isn't the whole speech, but it's the gist of it.) I've always wondered about Koumyou's thoughts in his last moments, and this is what I think happened. I hope you enjoy it!

Beginning of the End

Koumyou Sanzo leaned back in the shade of the Japanese maple and blew a plume of smoke into the cloud-smattered sky. The tobacco, normally a comfort, was bitter today. He stared off across the courtyard at the golden haired boy sweeping leaves from the paths. He felt the warm glow of pride in his chest, while at the same time his throat constricted in regret.

Kouryuu was a strong boy; quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and intelligent. But for all that he tried to deny it (even to himself); Koumyou knew he was also so very fragile. He felt things strongly and hid it behind those hard amethyst eyes and a quick temper. When Koumyou plucked the infant from the river he'd known that he would care for the child. He would raise him to be his successor, but he had not expected to love boy as his son.

He had not expected to become so attached. It pained him to think of the burden he would soon place upon young Kouryuu's small shoulders. The life of a Sanzo priest had never been an easy one, but with the stirrings in the West, it was becoming even more hazardous. Then there was the matter of the ascension of the disciple over his master. Koumyou wasn't sure he could bear to put his young Kouryuu through such pain.

He would worry about that later, he decided. For now, he would name Kouryuu as his disciple and start training him in the ways of a Sanzo priest. He hoped that it would be years yet before he had to worry about turning over the sutras to Kouryuu. Though, with that thought, he had a strange feeling of foreboding that sent a shiver up his spine.