The Saiyuki Fic Rec Post

[themadpoker]

Y'know the Saiyuki fandom is just an awesome place to be. Because there is a plethora of good genfic and honestly I had little hopes seeing as when you have a story starring four reasonably good looking guys, well, let's just say you end up with many many stories you hope to never have to explain to younger relatives. Or any relatives for that matter.

But no. I was proven wrong. And I am so very happy about this.

Remembering to Breathe by X-Parrot And I start this off with the death fic. Now if you anything about me, you'll know I don't like deathfics. There is far too much angst and sadness and I usually need several doses of happy cracky stories to cheer me up afterwards. Or AUs (which we'll get to afterwards). So I nearly ignored this fic altogether.

But then I didn't. It may have been a higher power. It may have been luck. It probably was me putting off something school-related. Whatever the reason, the conclusion was happy.

I am trying to figure out how to explain what a wonderful thing this fic is without giving spoilers. Because there are many to be given. Which might be a good place to start with.

This story has plot. I mean serious plot. Like, oh my goodness I think the author actually sat down and planned this out before writing it! =O

I was shocked too.

And the characters. It is entirely possible X-Parrot spontaneously developed telepathic powers, knocked on Kazuya Minekura's brain and asked politely what she might do were she ever to kill one of the characters off. Which is slightly creepy (the character death and the brain-invading powers) but very good for my soul.

And if you're not convinced yet, I'd like to inform you her villains are believable OCs. Do you know how HARD that is? Tis very easy to write irrationally evil HATE YOU villains for the purposes of fic but ones you can vaguely sympathize with are much more of a rarity.

Quick warning though: it's long. I'd suggest you warn your family and stock up on Rice Krispies and tea before you start. Because you most certainly won't be taking any breaks to get food or human contact.

Raising Kouryuu by Grey Liliy Also referred to as the fic where I awwed, spazzed, and had a minor identity crisis when I realized I could not, in all truthfulness, bring myself to hate Dr. Nii.

This fic has Sanzo as a teenager. Well not really, but he acts like a teenager and what with the constant grown-up surliness I receive from the regular Saiyuki, a story wherein our favourite monk smiled caused me several heart palpitations. Of the non-life-threatening sort, I am happy to report (or at least as far as I know. It is entirely possible I will spontaneously combust tonight because of goodfic overdose but at least it'll be a happy death). But I'm getting ahead of myself.

So this story goes with the Sanzo gets turned into a kid!plot. And I know this sounds overused and you're probably rolling your eyes and saying God Zeineb, why are you reccing us a cliche? I thought better of you after Remembering to Breathe! But fear not. This story is not merely a poor excuse to write chibi!Sanzo (though umm frankly I can't say I'd object to that). This story has plot.

That's two in one day. See what I mean about the Saiyuki fandom?

So aside from the obvious kiddie!Sanzo, what reasons can I offer you to read this story?

Well there's the fact that you get to see Goku have lots of fun playing big brother. I, for one, would read a story on that basis alone. But as a bonus, you get the crazy hijinks of Dr. Nii’s lab! Dr. Hwang trying desperately to maintain some sense! Sanzo flirting! (yes you heard me right. Trust me, it works in context). Sanzo unknowingly commenting on what a poor excuse for a monk he is! Actually, just Sanzo in general!

Only warning I’d give is that it’s not quite finished yet. Still, I have intense faith in Grey Lilliy and I do think she will write the next few chapters soon. And if not, well you can join me in my campaign to Not Let Goodfic Die! Links to spazz-inducing!fic available to the first fifteen members. =D

If by KarotsuMused The fic that permanently convinced me that Gojyo is a handyman. He is.

Now, I must admit, I actually debated for awhile whether to include this story. Because while it is wonderful (I haven’t let you down yet, have I?) it’s not finished. Discovering this made me a very sad ninja. I worried it would do the same to you (the sad part, not being a ninja. Although you are free to become a sad ninja if you want). But then I realized one important thing. You can help me convince KarotsuMused to finish it.

We can do reviews! Send e-mails! Bribe with art!** Threaten to hurt Kiddie!Gojyo!

…Well umm not the last one. I don’t think I could bring myself to do anything harmful to Kiddie!Gojyo. Except maybe suffocate him in hugs. But we could threaten that! =D

Which coincidentally takes us right back to the fic. This is an AU written on the premise that Gojyo was born a fullblood youkai. It doesn’t cause as many changes as you would think.

In an effort to render myself a more concise and coherent reviewer I have decided to merely compile a short list of reasons why you should read this fic.

1. Gojyo reading.
2. Jien
3. Well written OCs (I particularly like the teacher lady).
4. Gojyo the handyman.
5. The language (I don’t know, her word choice is just kind of perfect okay?)
6. And did I mention Gojyo? Because I do think I need to stress his awesomeness here (“Geez, Jien, do I have to wear this? Can’t we at least paint it black or something?” Gojyo tries to look at the adornment with distaste, but his eyes do not reach so far. “It’s so girly!”).

Warning: the urge to bash Hakkai’s head may come upon you strongly in the reading of this fic. Don’t. Because then you wouldn’t be able to see him in…

A Dog’s Life by Grey Liliy Known as The fic that caused me to suspect Grey Liliy of having somehow attained divine powers.

Sanzo is a dog. You heard me right, a dog. Even more shocking, a Golden Retriever!

…okay, that’s not actually all that shocking. But but but doggie!Sanzo! In character doggie!Sanzo (you know you’re a good writer when you can turn a character into an animal and still have them entirely recognizable as themselves).

This fic has elements of many of the previous stories I stated before. The Saiyuki gang’s reaction to character death (Sanzo’s. But it’s OKAY: HE HAS MERELY EVOLVED INTO DOGGY FORM), Goku being an adorable panda (I know it’s monkey. But I like pandas. >_> Can we do a mix? A manda?***), and of course the usual good characterization (I love the fact that good characterization is a usual in this fandom. Diamonds, diamonds everywhere!)


*Alternatively known as: fic recs for all!

**Well I can’t. But that’s what I’ve got lovely friends like you all for. ^.^

***Ahahaha. Unintentional puns FTW


Okay since I’m feeling guilty about not being able to give you a few recs (there was this AWESOME Chicago AU where it didn’t occur to me to save the URL because umm I’m a horrible person D=), you get a bonus fic!

Tanabata Jasmine by Nekotsuki This isn’t Saiyuki fic. This is Rurouni Kenshin. But seeing as it’s what I happen to be reading right now and this is a bonus you’ll have to excuse that.

See the remarkable thing about this fic is you don’t actually realize how absolutely amazing it is at first. The summary says: When Kenshin goes missing on the night of the Tanabata festival, will his friends be able to find him and bring him home? Not utterly horrible or anything but you don’t exactly expect anything revolutionary from that. And it does this to you throughout the fic. You just sort of read and keep reading because you’re really enjoying it and before you know it an hour has passed and your French homework is lying undone in front of you and you have to rush downstairs so your ride to school doesn’t ditch you.

Ahem. Well moving on from that oddly specific example: there are amazing things about this fic you only realize after you stop reading. Like ZOMG! Everybody’s so completely in character! And there is an OC villain who is likable! And it’s the author’s first fanfic in 12 years!

…Maybe we should kill her. People shouldn’t be able to write that well after such a long hiatus.

Point in favour: it’s ridiculously long and finished. I’m not actually done yet but if it keeps the same quality standard throughout as the first four chapters I do believe you’re in for an enjoyable read. :) Happy fic reading!