ack! I haven't been here in a bit, and I forgot that you were posting this essay. Nice, straightforward introduction to both the story and characters (inclusion of pics - always wins points!)

You are so *articulate* - thank you for making me realize why it is exactly I enjoy reading this pairing when I can find it.

This:
"Because Hakkai and Gojyo are married, and marriage? Is boring. Add Sanzo into the mix and suddently the angst and the confusion and the crazy balance-tipping ride that Saiyuki itself is is back, and the world snaps back into its usual breakneck, dizzy-making velocity. Sanzo's presence keeps everything just a little off balance and adds just that edge of the unexpected, a reminder of the violence that is never too far from the Sanzo party."

That describes the pairing *perfectly*. I'm very glad that you picked up this pairing. Kudos!


Although, I have to make a confession... I see Sanzo/Goku as more of my OTP than any other pairing... simply because I like to see the stories where the authors *believably* overcome all those obstacles that you mentioned for why Goku isn't included in the Sanzo/Hakkai/Gojyo pairing.

But... 3 pretty boys... that's damn good reading as well :^)