Sanzo Became A Sadistic Evil Manipulater When?

[redbrunja]

I have noticed a trope that fanfiction authors use when writing Sanzo from Saiyuki, and it drives me insane because it's usually written by good authors who almost make it work, but I read their fic and it takes me a day to figure out why that fic left a bad taste in my mouth as well as  precisely why it drove me insane.

Okay, here's the senario: with no build-up or explanation, I'm supposed to suddenly believe that Sanzo is not only fucking both Hakkai and Goyjo (not at the same time) but that he's using them with no emotional attachment, simply to satisfy a bodily need, similar to the way he smokes cigerettes, they mean nothing to him, and they are just okay with this.

To reiterate and simplify, Sanzo snaps his fingers, and says 'I'm going to be fucking you now' and then proceds to do so.

Why this bothers me and is it is, imho, a complete corruption of his character:

First, I have a really hard time buying Sanzo having sex with anyone. From what I've seen, he hates touching people and being touched. When Kanzeon, aka the Merciful Goddess, kisses him while he's unconcious, he slaps at her. If what I understand is correct, he was almost raped at a very young age and killed his attacker, his former friend (who viewed Sanzo as surronded by floating flowers, in the flashbacks if that gives you an idea of the kind of emotional attachments we're dealing with) Rikudo turned himself into a demon and almost killed Sanzo, etc.

This is not a man who has positive ideas about sex or physical contact.

Even considering that he's a man and has needs, what is wrong with masturbation? That makes much more sense to me for Sanzo; you don't have to involve anyone else, deal with their issues, or worry that they're going to say something about it/make comments/expect anything. That seems much more in line with Sanzo as well as the Buddhist principles of detachment and no mind.

Secondly, let's take into consiteration his partners, shall we?

Neither Hakkai, nor Goyjo are doormats. While I have no doubt that if someone had complete control over either of them (i.e. they are not traveling willingly with them to achieve a goal) they could manipulate Goyjo and Hakkai (Hakkai especially) into thinking they are worthless and fit only to be used by someone.

I don't, however, buy either of them  willingly letting someone use them for their own amusement, unless, with Goyjo, it was a mutal thing, and she was smokin' hot. Furthermore, with Goyjo, can you see him keeping his mouth shut that he's banging the priest, guess Sanzo isn't so high and mighty after all?

Furthermore, I cannot see Sanzo expending the effort it would take to get Hakkai and/or Goyjo into the emotional place they would need to be in to allow themselves to be used in such a manner. Sanzo doesn't like effort and he spends too much time with these morons already anyway. Also, when would he have time to brainwash/manipulate them into letting him fuck them (I hope the pronouns aren't getting too confusing).

The whole situation puts my back up, because it seems to require that Sanzo becomes an evil, manipulative bastard who needs sex so much he has to twist the people around him to get it (which seems the opposite of non-attachment) plus the energy to make this happen, while Hakkai and Goyjo become spineless catamites with no self-respect.

Also, I keep wondering what is going on with Goku while this is going on, and feeling sorry for the poor boy who undoubtedly doesn't understand what's with all the creepy, creepy subtext.

This is not to say that all Sanzo/Hakkai or Sanzo/Goyjo fics are bad, just can we stop with the 'he's bitterly nailing both of them in an angsty and ooc way' fics? Because in my opinion, it takes way too much handwaving with characterization to make those make sense.

Comments

[twistedsheets10.livejournal.com]

When silly fangirls decided they'd make him one.

Yep, that completely threw me off, too. Physical contact is hard with him. Actual sex is a little harder. And the image of Hakkai and Goyjo as doormats are hilarious. These guys are strong individuals who have no problems expressing discontent, even with Sanzo.

besides, Sanzo should only smex Goku. Kidding.

[enderxenocide.livejournal.com]

Oh, I agree with you completely. I can't put it quite as eloquently as you can, but even as a slash fan who will read just about anything, I find that these kind of fics are so needlessly out of character, for everyone. Sanzo doesn't take shit from anyone, and neither do Gojyo and Hakkai. In fact, most of the Gojyo/Sanzo, Sanzo/Hakkai, and Sanzo/Goyjo/Hakkai fics that I've read have had both boys (for lack of a better word) teaming up to encourage Sanzo to open up and accept a little affection. It makes so much more sense to me, that those two (and Goku, for that matter) who care about the bastard so much would make the effort to initiate anything (sexual or otherwise). There shouldn't even be the need for that kind of lack of emotional attachment needed in those kind of fics.

And now for something completely different, you are getting me into HET, of all things! Not FAIR, I tell you. Not fair at all.

[relmneiko.livejournal.com]

Ow. You're so right it hurts. I think I'm kinda guilty of this myself, but when I did it it wasn't Sanzo dominating Hakkai, it was just a mutual "we're not doing anything emotional and we're not talking about it" type of thing. Now you've made me go and re-think it. -.-;

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

FTR the word is trope. A troupe is a bunch of people all together for some reason.