The drabble that inspired a soundtrack, and had its own roots in repeat listenings to Porcupine Tree's "Arriving Somewhere (But Not Here)." Coyo introduced me to the group and the song. Rune betaed the result.

There's a roadmap made of scars that starts with Gojyo's cheek, runs straight as an arrow to Hakkai's eye, wends its way down Hakkai's belly and twists with jagged turnabouts around Sanzo's chest, wrist, head. Goku's memory is the part where they always get lost, but Goku's heart steers them clear again, true and clear as dragon's veins.

They are going West, or forward, or around again. They are going to the end of the world, the beginning of wisdom, as far as heaven is wide. They are going where there are monsters and hope.

They will map that too.

~END~