#BAJI OR SOMETHING BUT

[royaltea000]

his cutie mark :(

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

Chifuyu: We could try killing them with kindness?

Baji:

[heshemejoshi]

going west

[sun-of-4-gun]

reeding your Six ear backstory I'm curious on what the jttw gang thought of him? where they like:

"that monkey looks a lot like you"

SWK: yeeAhh how much of a coincidence O﹏o

hahah essentially!

Tang: Why did he look like you?!??

Monkey: No idea (lie), but I am flattered! Not happy about everything else though.

it was a very "Fuck You. Random Chimp Event 🫵" moment because to the pilgrims, Six seemingly came out of nowhere and took Monkey's place after he was banished. later on they thought they had him back but it was an imposter! I'd imagine it was Sandy & Horsie who were suspicious of "Monkey", because Pigsy & Tripitaka were thinking of him as being much better than before, except it isn't really Monkey or Stick and neither were being aggravatingly annoying or frustratingly aggressive!!

Monkey only realised what Six was when he was just about to destroy him. with the No Killing Rule by Tripitaka, and Buddha & Lin's sympathy for him 500 years ago, he gives it a second thought to not kill this guy, who to his understanding is basically just a younger version of himself under different circumstances. in a way maybe it would've been like killing himself, or at least these negative aspects within that manifested to ruin his own life, metaphorical &/ literal self-sabotaging & harm if you will. because "Six" was initially pushed away & buried to the back of his mind, but bottling up ruins you, and that's exactly what almost came to be

so he does it again, but this time with a positive outlook and hope this six-eared macaque will understand that what he did was wrong during timeout. just as Buddha did for him once!

there isn't much to think of for the others since it was all so chaotic & confusing. one moment Monkey killed a bunch of guys and claims he didn't, and after being banished by Tripitaka for "lying & murder", he came back to apologise because apparently he did kill people! but it turns out no, he didn't, because that was the six-eared macaque who framed him, stole his identity, & almost got away with their luggage if it weren't for the real Sun Wukong! I don't think Monkey even tells/confirms to anyone about the fact that technically he created Six, so this is all his fault for not talking about his feelings 5 years ago, and he's still not going to talk about this maybe after 1,000 years because it's just so out of the blue!

Pigsy assumes that was just a rogue hair clone, he teases how more pleasant & tolerable Six was compared to the original, and prefers a quiet Stick. this earns him a bonk in the head

Tripitaka hopes that Monkey keeps his promise to free Six in 500 years & give a chance to redeem himself like he has for him. he's glad his youngest disciple didn't kill the specious macaque & is being considerate of other's feelings

Sandy was absolutely furious about fighting his own shadow, as Six borrowed it to match his prowess when they battled. I'd think he has ideas of his origin but it remains a quiet understanding and unspoken secret between him & Monkey

Horsie prefers the original and did not like Six even when he was in disguise. I imagine he instantly sensed it wasn't his friend but couldn't understand what was different. the vibes were just off but again, didn't say anything

and so after that kerfuffle, they'll carry on their journey like nothing happened to the next episode!

[p3ach-bun]

I love them if you can’t tell by my username lmao

[wonder-and-wildflowers]

I know its probably unrealistic for such a small pet shop, but I like to think that in addition to Baji being a vet, Chifuyu or Kazutora are also pet groomers.

Like they have a whole seperate part of the pet store which is in the back and the back is divided into a grooming and a healthcare section.

Especially since we know for sure they are the kind of people to pick up strays. That means theyd have to have a history of getting matts out of fur.

Plus, if your pet has fleas, Baji would be able to treat them and Kazutora (who I've decided is doing the grooming) would be able to help ensure the fur is properly maintained and the pet is washed in defleaing stuff.

Baji is the vet (canonically).

Chifuyu who works out front and deals with the customers and sells all the food, treats, beds, toys, ect.

And Kazutora, who doesn't want to deal with stressful customers and so instead he stays in the back and grooms animals.

[belindarimbi13]

I love you, Toman Founders, in every universe 🫶🏻

[1way2mars]

Pazuribe Event Translation - “VS Blue Lock!? Let’s settle it with soccer!” — Part 1

Some of the members from Toman mysteriously end up in Blue Lock! Follow Mikey, Takemichi and Mitsuya's side of the story!

─────────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────────────

☆ Please give credit in case of use.

☆ I'll do my best to update the second part of the event once it's released on May 31st!

☆ I'm not a professional translator and I'm still learning Japanese. That's why some things might not match exactly/could have been better translated/there might be mistakes. This is a great way for me to learn. I put a lot of effort into making the translation as good as they can be!

☆ Find more pazuribe translations here!

☆ If you have any comment, question, correction or suggestion, please let me know! Interactions are appreciated (^^ゞ

OPENING STORY

場地 圭介：集会終わったしバイク流しながら帰るか

Baji: Meeting’s over, so let’s ride around on my bike on the way home.

松野 千冬：そっスね！

Chifuyu: Sure!

��野 万次郎：おーい2人ともこれからヒマ？

Mikey: Heeey, are you guys free right now?

場地 圭介：あ？今から帰るトコ

Baji: Hah? We’re just about to go home.

佐野 万次郎：じゃあヒマだな！おーい！タケミっち〜！場地と千冬もいけるってさ

Mikey: Then you’re free! Heey! Takemicchi〜! Baji and Chifuyu said they’re coming.

場地 圭介：おい！！マイキー勝手に話進めんな！

Baji: Hey!! Mikey, don’t make decisions by yourself!

龍宮寺 堅：おっ場地も来たのか

Draken: Oh, so Baji is coming too?

三ツ谷 隆：結構人数集まったな

Mitsuya: So we ended up being a good amount of people.

松野 千冬：何かするんスか？

Chifuyu: What are we gonna do?

佐野 万次郎：タケミっちのヘタクソライディングの特訓がてら海の方まで行こうと思って

Mikey: I was thinking we could head down to the sea while we do a special training for Takemichi’s shitty driving.

場地 圭介：ほぉ～？そんなにヘタクソなんか？

Baji: Ohoo～? Are you really that shitty?

松野 千冬：まあ上手くはないっスね

Chifuyu: Well, he’s really not that good.

花垣 武道：千冬～！そんなにはっきり言うなよ～

Takemichi: Chifuyu～! No need to put it so bluntly～

佐野 万次郎：よしじゃあ出発だ！

Mikey: Alright then, let’s go!

・・・

花垣 武道：ん？

Takemichi: Mh?

佐野 万次郎：え、何ここ

Mikey: Eh, where are we?

松野 千冬：今オレたち神社にいました・・・よね？

Chifuyu: We were just in the shrine… right?

龍宮寺 堅：あぁ・・・なんだココ何かの施設か・・・？

Draken: Aah… What’s this, some kind of institution or…?

三ツ谷 隆：同じようなドアが並んでるな

Mitsuya: There’s similar doors lined up.

場地 圭介：神だのみじゃねぇ？

Baji: A plea to the gods, isn’t it?

松野 千冬：場地さんそれ言うなら「神隠し」っスよ

Chifuyu: Baji-san, if you say that, it’d be “spirited away”.

場地 圭介：あーそれだワ

Baji: Oh– well then.

龍宮寺 堅：とりあえず進んでみねぇ？誰かいるかもしれねぇし

Draken: For now why don’t we move forward? There could be someone else.

花垣 武道：そうですね・・・誰か探すのはアリがも

Takemichi: Right… Might be someone to look for.

場地 圭介：よっしゃさっさと行こうぜ

Baji: Okay let’s get moving.

花垣 武道：（なんなんだ・・・？ナオトもここにはいないし、タイムリープ・・・じゃないよな？）

Takemichi: (What’s going on...? Naoto isn’t here either, and it isn’t a time leap, is it?)

松野 千冬：おい、タケミっち何してんだよ置いてくぞー

Chifuyu: Hey, Takemicchi, what are you up to? We’re leaving you behind–

花垣 武道：あぁ置いてかないで！今行く！！

Takemichi: Aaah don’t ditch me! I’m going!!

STORY BEFORE THE BOSS

花垣 武道：完全に迷った・・・

Takemichi: I have no idea where we are…

佐野 万次郎：同じ風景ばっかだな～　ぐるぐる回ってるみてぇ

Mikey: It’s all the same sight～ It’s like going aroound and aroound.

三ツ谷 隆：ココ、さっきも通らなかったか？

Mitsuya: Didn’t we go through here before?

花垣 武道：いつの間にか千冬たちともはぐれたし・・・・・探しに行きますか？

Takemichi: We somehow got split up from Chifuyu and the others… Should we go find them?

佐野 万次郎：アイツらならなんかあっても大丈夫だろ

Mikey: Whatever happens to them they’ll be okay.

三ツ谷 隆：まぁでもココがなんなのかもわかんねぇし早めに合流したいな

Mitsuya: Yeah but we have no clue what this place is so I wanna meet up with them as soon as possible.

佐野 万次郎：お！扉はっけ～ん！とりあえずここの扉開けてみようぜ！

Mikey: Oh! Foound a door～! Let’s open it for now!

花垣 武道：え！マイキーくん！少し警戒したほうがいいんじゃ・・・！？

Takemichi: Eh! Mikey-kun! Shouldn’t you be a little bit careful…!?

ウィーン

Wiiin

？？？（潔 世一）：くぞぉ・・・！まだまだ！！

??? (Isagi): Shit…! Not there yet!!

？？？（糸師 凛）：フン・・・

??? (Rin): Hmph…

花垣 武道：あ！誰かいた！よっかた～！！あの～すみませんちょっといいですか？

Takemichi: Ah! There was someone! I’m glad～!! Umm sorry, do you have a minute?

？？？（潔 世一）：え？誰？

??? (Isagi): Eh? Who is it?

？？？（糸師 凛）：誰だ

??? (Rin): Who’s that?

花垣 武道：いや、あの～怪しい者ではないんですが・・・ちょっといつの間にかこの建物の中にいまして・・・ここがどこか教えてくれませんか？

Takemichi: Oh boy, well～ I’m not someone suspicious but… before we knew it we were inside this building… Could you tell me where this place is?

？？？（潔 世一）：”ココ”のこと知らないのか？

??? (Isagi): You don’t know about “this place”?

花垣 武道：え？あ、はい・・・

Takemichi: Eh? Ah, yeah…

？？？（潔 世一）：”ココ”に関係無いやつが出入りできるようになってるわけないよな？

??? (Isagi): There’s no way guys unrelated to “this place” can go in and out, right?

？？？（糸師 凛）：当たり前だろ　しかもこいつらの服見てみろどうみても不良だ　何しに来たのかしらないがさっきと出ていけ、邪魔だ

??? (Rin): That’s obvious. And look at their clothes, they look like delinquents. I don’t know why you came here but it’s about time you leave, you’re on the way.

？？？（潔 世一）：ちょっ！凛！

??? (Isagi): Wait! Rin!

花垣 武道：え！すみません！話聞いてください！

Takemichi: Eh! I’m sorry! Listen to me! 

パシッ！

Snap!

？？？（糸師 凛）：触るな

??? (Rin): Don’t touch me.

佐野 万次郎：オレの仲間に手ェ出してんじゃねぇよ

Mikey: Then don’t mess with my mate.

？？？（絵心 甚八）：そこまでだ

??? (Ego): That’s it.

ピタッ

Clunk

？？？（絵心 甚八）：拳だの暴力だのに頼るのはナンセンスだ　ここは”青い監獄（ブルーロック）”勝敗はサッカーで決めろ

??? (Ego): It makes no sense to rely on fists and violence. This place is “Blue Lock” and we decide the outcome with soccer. 

佐野 万次郎：は？そもそもテメェ誰だよ

Mikey: Hah? Who are you anyway?

？？？（絵心 甚八）：俺の名前は絵心甚八　その部屋にストラックアウトが出るようになってるから　じゃーね

??? (Ego): My name is Ego Jinpachi. Soccer goal targets are supposed to appear in that room so… See you.

？？？（潔 世一）：あ！切れた！何の説明にもなってない！！

??? (Isagi): Ah! He cut off! That doesn’t explain anything!!

佐野 万次郎：今のやつを探して話聞いた方が早そうだ　行くぞ二人とも

Mikey: It’d be quicker if we found that guy and asked him. Let’s go, you two.

？？？（潔 世一）：お、おい！

??? (Isagi): H-Hey!

？？？（糸師 凛）：ほっとけやってもどうせ勝つ

??? (Rin): Even if you leave it as it is, I'll win anyway.

佐野 万次郎：ハァ？んな訳ねぇだろ　さっさとオマエ潰してアイツ見つけ出してやる

Mikey: Hah? You’d say that. We’ll find them and then I’ll crush you.

STORY AFTER THE BOSS

佐野 万次郎：ホラッ！！

Mikey: Come on!!

バンッ！！

Bam!!

？？？（糸師 凛）：力任せでサッカーができると思うな

Rin: Don’t think you can play soccer using all your strength.

バンッ！！

Bam!!

花垣 武道：き、気づいたらサッカーで勝負することになってる・・・

Takemichi: Before we knew it this became a soccer competition…

？？？（潔 世一）：てか、結局��らは何者なんだ？

??? (Isagi): I mean, who are you all anyway?

花垣 武道：何者と言われても・・・強いて言えばさっきの人が言ってた通り不良になるんスけど・・・本当に怪しい者じゃないです！何回も言ってると逆に怪しく見えるかもしれねえけど・・・

Takemichi: Who are we… If you ask me, we’re a bunch of delinquents, like that other guy said before but… We really aren’t shady! Though it might seem fishy if I keep on repeating it…

三ツ谷 隆：オレらなんでココにいるのか本当にわからないんだ

Mitsuya: We really don’t know how we ended up here.

花垣 武道：神社にいたんですけど、鳥居を潜った瞬間にここにいたんです！信じてください！

Takemichi: We were at a shrine, but we suddenly were here when we went through the toori! You gotta believe us!

？？？（潔 世一）：うーん・・・（まぁ必死っぽいし本当・・・なのか？）

??? (Isagi): Mhhh… (Well, he looks desperate so… it might be true?)

三ツ谷 隆：そういや　自己紹介がまだだったな　オレは三ツ谷隆だ

Mitsuya: Come to think of it… We haven’t introduced ourselves yet. I’m Mitsuya Takashi.

花垣 武道：あ！オレは花垣武道っています　アナタの名前は・・・

Takemichi: Ah! I’m Hanagaki Takemichi. Your name is…

潔 世一：ああ！俺は潔世一　あっちで勝負してるのは糸師凛ね

Isagi: Aah! I’m Isagi Yoichi. That guy over there competing is Itoshi Rin.

花垣 武道：えっと、潔・・・クン　 携帯借りることとかできますか？もしかしたら迎えを呼べるかも

Takemichi: Mh, Isagi… kun. Do you have a phone I could borrow or something? Maybe someone could pick us up.

潔 世一：　あ～ごめん　懈怠貸せないんだ

Isagi: Ah～ Sorry. Can’t lend you a phone.

花垣 武道：やっぱり不良だからっスか！？悪い事には使いません！！

Takemichi: Is it because I’m a delinquent!? I won’t use it for bad stuff!!

潔 世一：いや、違う違う！オレ今没収されてて手元に携帯ないんだ

Isagi: No, you got it wrong! I don’t have my phone with me right now because they took it away.

花垣 武道：え・・・？没収って？

Takemichi: Eh…? Took it?

潔 世一：”青い監獄（ブルーロック）”には入る時携帯は没収されたんだよ　サッカーに集中するために

Isagi: When we arrived at Blue Lock, they confiscated it. So we can focus on soccer.

花垣 武道：さっきの人言ってたその”青い監獄（ブルーロック）”って何ですか？

Takemichi: What’s all about this Blue Lock that guy mentioned before? 

潔 世一：今全国の高校生ストライカー300人を集めて世界ーのストライカーを育成するっていうプロジェクトがあってさ　それがここ”青い監獄（ブルーロック）”ってわけ

Isagi: There’s a current project to bring together 300 high school students from all over the country and train them to be the world’s best striker, that’s Blue Lock.

花垣 武道：はぁ～最近のサッカーはすごいですね

Takemichi: Woah～ Soccer is amazing these days.

潔 世一：ってそれ置いといて花垣くんたち帰りたいんだよな　やっぱ絵心さんのところに行くべきかな・・・それとも帝襟さんか・・・？ よし！外部と連絡取れそうなところに案内するよ

Isagi: But putting that aside, Hanagaki-kun and the rest want to go home. Maybe we should go to Ego-san… or maybe Teieri-san…? Alright! I can take you to some place where you can contact the outside world.

花垣 武道：え！いいんですか！？アザーズ！！マイキーくーん！！

Takemichi: Eh! Are you sure!? Hey!! Mikeeey-kuun!!

佐野 万次郎：何？タケミっち今いいところなんだけど

Mikey: What? Takemicchi, we’re at the best part…

花垣 武道：潔クンが外と連絡取れるところに連れてってくれるみたいです！

Takemichi: Isagi-kun seems to be taking us to a place where we can reach the outside world!

佐野 万次郎：フーン

Mikey: Mhhhh.

三ツ谷 隆：その前にドラケン達探さなきゃな・・・

Mitsuya: We gotta find Draken and the rest before that…

潔 世一：他にも誰がいるのか？

Isagi: There’s more people beside you?

花垣 武道：はい　あと３人とはぐれてしまって

Takemichi: Yes, we split up from three other friends.

 潔 世一：多分それも絵心さんのところに行けばわかると思うから　とりあえず行こうか　凛も行くかー？

Isagi: Probably you’ll find out about that when we go to Ego-san’s. For now, let’s get going. Rin, you coming?

糸師 凛：どうでもいい

Rin: Whatever.

佐野 万次郎：なぁ、オマエなかなかやるじゃん　また会えたら続きやろうな！

Mikey: Hey, you play quite well. Let’s pick it up where we left off next time we see each other!

糸師 凛：フン

Rin: Hmph.

 潔 世一：じゃあ案内するよ

Isagi: Then, follow me!

花垣 武道：お願いします！

Takemichi: Thank you so much!

STORY AFTER DEFEATING BOSS LVL. 2

糸師 凛：力任せでサッカーやってんじゃねぇ

Rin: Don’t play soccer with brute force.

STORY AFTER DEFEATING BOSS LVL. 5

糸師 凛：オマエなんかに負けるかよ

Rin: I’m not letting you win.

STORY AFTER DEFEATING BOSS LVL. 10

糸師 凛：素人にしてはやるな

Rin: You played well for an amateur.

You can read part 2 here!

[refinedstorage]

Random Wukong screenshots 2/∞

[just-sp-in-inginthevoid]

New Art? Okay

I'm speedrunning this though

Takemichi:

- four-leaf clovers (his and Hinata's matching necklace; luck)

- cogs (time leap)

- morning glories? (love, innocence, promise?; can't find much about the Japanese symbolism, nextttt)

Mikey:

- manjis (toman, his name, harmony, good fortune)

- red roses (deep love, romance, passion)

- a crown (well, it's Mikey)

Draken:

- two dragons — one can be seen on his sleeve, the other on his pants (wealth, perseverance, wisdom, power, strength. Dragons are protectors as well)

- flowers, don't know which

Mitsuya:

- three petals flowers, don't know which

- owls (good luck, protection against suffering/hardships)

- his and Draken's dragon inside the top part of the outfit (like he hides his dragon tattoo) (meaning: same as ^ for Draken)

- manji (I'm guessing every toman members has them here but there's only Mikey and Mitsuya's inside clothes we can see; harmony, good fortune)

Chifuyu:

- snowflakes, for his name

- irises (purity, fending off evil spirits, hope, faith, loyalty, good news…)

- waves (renewal, cleansing, the flow of life, power/resilience, luck)

Baji:

- forget-me-nots (true love, don't forget me (duh)) not sure if it's actually forget-me-nots tho

- bamboos (leaves) (strength/resilience, flexibility/adaptability, prosperity)

- crosses (don't carry much meaning unlike if it was Taiju – Baji has been drawn wearing a cross necklace more than once and Japan likes the 'Christian aesthetic'. At worst, it could represent his death and the fact he was the first death Takemichi didn't prevent even tho he was there)

Ran:

- orchids, for his name (are seen as expensive and luxurious flowers)

- butterflies, well-known pollinating insects (believed to be human spirits last comming on earth, in the disguise of a butterfly, transformation, resilience, good luck, prosperity, happiness)

- spider web (like his tattoo on his chest) — the web is on the left (from our perspective) while his tattoo is on the right

Rindo:

- Bellflowers, just like his name (love, honesty, gratitude, humility)

- bees; other well-known pollinating insects

- spider web (like his tattoo on his chest) — he only has the right sleeve on where the web is so we can see his side of the tattoo he got (on the left, for us)

Izana:

- peacocks (kindness, care, love. In Buddhism peacocks are tied to Kannon, who is herself tied to compassion and mercy) (Japanese phoenixes are often depicted as the mix of a peacock and a pheasant)

- yin-yang (tenjiku's symbol; balance)

- chrysanthemums: the flower of the Japanese imperial family

Shinichiro:

- cogs (time leap)

- tiger lilies (wealth, confidence, in Buddhism: mercy and compassion)

- chidori (lil bird; longevity, courage, determination, tenacity, perseverance)

- just grass/weed? or not?..

Sanzu:

- lotus (chastity, purity, linked to Buddhism)

- temari (lucky charms)

- knots, Mizuhiki (Japanese tradition) probably

[serenhob]

To commemorate my 50th post I present Grandmacore Tripitaka

Gonna add his disciples after

[tokyo-daaaamn-ji-gang]

Just know Ryusei is using that radio to chat with Baji and tease Chifuyu over the most random things. Chifuyu falls for it everytime too

[monochromaticbeans]

🌸Short Fics Masterlist🌸

Tokyo Revengers:

🧡Kazutora x Reader (You're a veterinary technician.)

🥊First Rule of Fight Club (Hikari discovers Kiyomasa and his little fight club.)

🖕🏻 Vinyl, Violence, and Complicated Histories (Hikari and Hanma.)

🏍️ Threads of Moonlight (Keisuke and Hikari reminisce when their son forms a new generation of Toman.)

🎁 Omiyage (Hikari returns from her trip to the States with some... interesting souvenirs for everyone. Set during Sakayume Chapter 23: You See Us Comin'.)

NSFW🔞 A Line, Once Crossed (Hikari and Sanzu in the Bonten timeline of Sakayume. Takes place before the events of Chapter 62: Drown in the Darkness.)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Final

NSFW🔞🍿 Movie Night (Hikari and Keisuke grown up, doing Netflix and Chill after a long week.)

🎶 Glowstick Garden (Hikari and Rindou form a friendship over music, in the final timeline.)

🎙️The Jazz Singer (Shion Madarame deserves a little love!)

🍼 Room For More (Hikari and Chifuyu, in the timeline from Chapter 55 of Sakayume: Your Love Is My Relief.)

🐺 Love You To Death (Based on the Type O Negative song, AU Baji is a werewolf and his love, a witch, performs a ritual to help him tame the beast within.)

📸 Out of Focus (Every Thursday, Hanma visits the bar where Midori works, determined to win her affection. Will he succeed or will she continue turning him down?Good timeline Hanma the photographer! May add a Part 2 later.)

💍Newlyweds At Work (Hikari and Draken in the timeline of Sakayume Chapter 58: A Beautiful Life. Short, cute, and sweet.)

❤️‍🩹The Ghost of You (A scene from Chapter 63 of Sakayume, Falling: Hikari visits Keisuke's grave in the Bonten timeline. This is written from Keisuke's perspective. Yes, as a ghost.)

🎤I Want It That Way (A bonus short from an event mentioned in Sakayume Chapter 26: Some Dream I Made Up. Hikari makes Chifuyu sing with her before a Toman meeting.)

[imminent-danger-came]

MK: "No way! I may not understand your irrational love of noodles, or working hard, or being angry all the time—but you are always there when I need you, so it's time for me to return the favor! Because Pigsy's Noodles, are noodles worth fighting for!"

(2x04 Sweet'n Sour)

-

Subodhi: "Zhu Bajie was a stubborn one too." Pigsy: "Oh! So you think we're the same just cause we're pigs huh, bet you think I'm just a disgusting little monster too." Subodhi: "Zhu Bajie had his vices, however, like all the companions he grew up. He struggled the most, but he worked hard, not unlike yourself. Although he didn't start out this way, in time he became a deeply caring and protective creature, and a powerful ally—one of the best in fact. The heart you have in abundance, the power? Why, you've barely scratched the surface of your potential! And that's saying something."

(4x09 Roast of the Monkie Kids)

-

Gettin' emotional over my favorite hard working Pig man.

[ojisanmuramasa]

....Hey, fun thought experiment: What if Macaque’s true form isn’t this-

But, it’s really this-

[hcdragonwrites]

Cleansing Rain (@digitalagepulao Drabble)

This was something that came to mind at the little Tumblr post this creator prosed below! It’s short but I hope you enjoy!

A great clap of thunder shattered the birdsong and scattered them like rice grains in the wind. The rumbling beast in the sky sounded tiger-like, it’s approach as soft as those jungle cats. Only it’s breath, as cold and full of water, warned that the beast was about to pounce upon them.

The pilgrims upon the road looked up all with varying expressions of worry. All except one. The youngest of the pilgrims- the youngest in disciplehood that is. The stone monkey had lived longer then a man, longer then most trees, and almost as long as some great dragons of the seas. He had seen the Heavens, had waged war with Immortals and Demons alike. The stone monkey had been King, Student, Sage, and Warlord. He had seen horrors, had survived many of them, and had brought his own to those that had been in his path.

The storms breath heaved again. An exhale of a roar as the rain splattered dry dirt, as it began to create a chime of sounds as the trees leaves laughed in its wake. The earth exhaled, the smell of dampening stone, earth and dirt, rising. As Water and Earth met the Monkey stood still, caught in between.

Sun Wukong, King of Flower Fruit Mountain, Sage equal to Heaven, Warlord and almost usurper of the Jade Emperor- looked upward. While the rest of the band made for a low hanging honeysuckle Wukong stood. The rain fell like the softest breath on his skin. The first droplets were cool. A storm from the mountains blown off course. It would have been snow if it had not been brought to them. To him.

The other pilgrims frantically set up a tent for their Master, Tripitaka. He was but mortal and this cold downpour could take root as a chill and sickness. They worked quickly. All except the newest edition.

Wukong felt the wind run fingers through his fur as if greeting a new friend. The dirt and rock that had clung to him since his imprisonment beneath the mountain was brushed away. To the other pilgrims it looked as if Wukong was just standing in the rain.

The water fell in a heavy sheet, not a soft thing now. The tiger had leapt onto them and roared its rain onto that dry bit of earth. It’s fury however was a welcome thing to the stone monkey. He felt it wash over him- nature in its pure, untamed movement. The water soon had his fur sodden. Wukong leaned into the invisible claws of the storm, enjoying the rush of sensations. It was cold, the wind tried to steal at his clothes in a playful manner, and the thunder clapped his ears as his mother would if he had tried to play a prank on her.

“What is he doing?” Bajie said. He was incredulous beneath his eyebrows, frowning as rain soaked his skin even beneath the tree.

“Looks like he’s enjoying the rain.” Wujing commented. The great red beard beneath his chin flowed like a river of molten fire- the rain making it stick to his shirt.

“More like getting a bath.” Longma spoke from beneath the branches. The horse shook itself and, with the last shiver, reverted to the dragon prince he was. Longma checked the tent flaps to make sure the ties were secure. It was a small tent and worn. They would have to get a new one soon from the damage this one had taken. From within - and before the eldest disciple could latch the last tie- the young monk poked his head out.

Tripatakas bald head already glistened with the rain as he called Bajie back to his place beneath the tree. The boar had been making its way to the stone monkey, a moody look in his eyes.

“Leave him.” It only took those simple words to recall the boar back to the tree. The monk looked at Wukong again. He took in the stance of the monkey, how the rain was now washing over him. How he looked almost …. Peaceful. Harmonious in a sense. The mortal man felt a small smile steal upon his face. Tripitaka felt he got a glimpse into a personal joy, as one a child gave when experiencing a new sight or as a man enjoying the fruits of his labour come to fruition.

“He looks …happy.”

Longma tied the last flap closed then he, Bajie and Wujing set about erecting another tent for themselves.

Sun Wukong laid back in the green grass, making a soft bed for his head. He stared up into the storm with eyes wide, face soft. The rain continued, the sound slapping against rock and petal, against road and wood, against his fur and ears. The noise- the noise!- it was bliss. No silent stone, no unfeeling chains. Here the wind trussed and pulled at him. Here the rain cleaned away the hundreds of years of neglect left in his fur. It groomed him, awakened his senses, made him feel alive.

Wukong laughed. He laughed until his own rain fell from his eyes. He was alive. He could not die - but there were feelings - there were things worse then death. Life meant so little when one could not experience what it meant to be alive. In the rain, in the cold, in the growls of the storm, Wukong revelled in it.

He was alive. He was glad for the storm, for it covering the sudden well of feeling that made their way down his cheeks and from his eyes. Wukong didn’t stop his tears. They were not of sorrow. Not of pity. They were of joy- the joy of experiencing and touching, tasting, smelling and seeing the world again.

He was alive.