[Applause and calls of encouragement resound.]

KOUGAIJI: To the tune of a song called "Preparation," this is...Sanzo?

[Cheers almost drown out the applause as Sanzo steps out past the prince, helping himself to center stage. Kougaiji's quick glance at his pocket notecard of the show's lineup can't find an explanation for this abrupt addition--but a longer look at the teeniest-bit-too-self-absorbed Sanzo suggests some possibilities.]

KOUGAIJI: Excuse me--Sanzo? You haven't, er, smoked a hand-rolled cigarette from someone in the crowd, have you?

*k-chak*

SANZO: No. And I haven't heard my damn music yet, either.

[The already-cued Preparation begins, giving Kougaiji the chance to slip backstage to investigate and Sanzo the power to keep nearly everyone else from noticing, captivating them with Kiro Kintail's "Clear Blue Sky."]

SANZO: There's a fire burning on the hill behind me now
There's a fire here behind my eyes, burning everything
If I cannot have the one thing that I needed most
or protect the only one worth saving, I must now be strong

Ah, preparing now to make my way
Ah, I'm leaving now but I'm already gone

I can't catch my breath
I can't fight the dark
How could I have been so weak, oh
Run into the night
Run until the dawn
When it rains I always dream of you

If you meet the Buddha on the road then leave him dead
If you meet your father on the road -- but that can never be
There is only this one lesson I can share with you
Paper airplanes only fly beneath a clear blue sky

Ah, learning to be stronger now
Ah, a voice is calling, leading me to you

You can't break your chains
You don't know your crime
There's a stronger tie that binds you
Reaching for the sun
Calling out to me
When you sleep do you always dream of me?

I can't catch my breath
I can hear your voice
It's so clear beneath the blue sky
Walking my own road
I won't lead you along
But I know you'll always follow

I can't catch my breath
I can hear your voice
Here beneath the clear blue sky with you

[Applause.]

Or return to JOURNEY TO THE REST

This page was created August 9, 2006. Last updated June 27, 2007. The music of "Preparation" (from Saiyuki Reload Vocal Album Vol. 2) was written by GARDEN. The lyrics of "Clear Blue Sky" are copyright Kiro Kintail. This page's source code is copyright Kagenami Q. Saiyuki Reload GUNSTOCK logo is by Avalon Jones. DO NOT REPRODUCE. Saiyuki, Saiyuki Gaiden and Saiyuki RELOAD are copyright Kazuya Minekura/Ichijinsha; Gensomaden Saiyuki is copyright Kazuya Minekura/Issaisha, Saiyuki Project and TV Tokyo 2000; the Saiyuki RELOAD anime is copyright Kazuya Minekura/Issaisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu and Pierrot 2003; Saiyuki RELOAD GUNLOCK is copyright Kazuya Minekura/Issaisha, TV Tokyo, Dentsu and Pierrot 2004. All images are copyright their respective artists and creators. No copyright infringement is intended or implied.