"Golden?" I repeated after hearing my uncle explain about the golden eyed boy who has been causing trouble around heaven. "They must be nice to look at ."

"They are the eyes of a heretic! Manou, please take this seriously."

"He's just a child right? He probably just wants to play. God knows heavens not a place for that."

My uncle sighed and lowered his tensed shoulders. He had to keep reminding me of what was expected of me over and over.

"Manou! The position of assistant is not given to people who say such things! Do you want to lose this opportunity?"

"No! Forgive me uncle. I'll watch what I say."

"I just don't want you to encounter unnecessary trouble. The gods around aren't too fond of commotion. Especially the one's this boy is causing." My uncle rubbed the side of his head remembering how angry those certain gods had been. "Just be careful, don't take this subject lightly."

"I'll make sure not to but can you tell me a little more about him? If I know more of what is appropriate to say about him... then I won't get on anyones bad side."

My uncle paused for a split second.

Although he had just advised me to not dwell on the subject, he couldn't resist giving out gossip. He immediately gave in and came closer so that I could hear better.

"You have no idea how he treats Lord Kozen."

I blinked confused.

"What does Lord Konzen have to do with this?"

My uncle sighed.

"The merciful goddess gifted him with the boy and because of that, he's been getting negative attention. So you must prepare for whatever happens today. Do you understand Manou?"

"Yes, uncle."

"Your skills have developed nicer than expected and you are of the right age to follow my footsteps."

I looked up and smiled at him.

"Do you really think I'm ready?"

"You have had the best example to learn from."

"Who?"

The facial expression he had of a smug old man was replaced with one of heartbreak. Which made me laugh. I was waiting for his reaction and after a few laughs, I told him I was joking and that I was ready. He soon stopped walking and turned forward. The large doors opened and in the distance there sat a woman.

"Merciful Goddess. I am here ready to serve you." My uncle said bowing down. I followed his lead and bowed. "This is my niece, Manou."

Since this was my first time meeting the Merciful Goddess, it was tradition not to look directly at the goddess. That would be disrespectful. Yet I couldn't resist taking a peek. Her gaze had been on me this whole time and it seemed like she wanted me to make eye contact.

I glanced at my uncle and made sure he wasn't looking at me.

Thankfully he wasn't and my eyes finality embraced the Merciful Goddess gaze.

"No need to be so formal." She began to smile. Her presence was contagious that it made me start to smile as well. She stood up and walked in front of me. She took my hand and brought it up to her eye level. "What a beautiful smile. Who knew you had been hiding this treasure all these years." She complimented, making me blush.

"She was preparing herself for this day, Merciful Goddess!" My uncle said trying to hide the nerves he was feeling. "Manou has been training since she was young to be able to work under you one day." He started to bubble on about my qualifications and how hard I've been working but the merciful goddess only ignored him.

"Tell me child," She cutting of my uncle, making him bite his tongue. "What do you think of change?"

Looking into her eyes, I searched for any indication on whether she was asking me to provide a kiss ass answer or if she wanted to hear me out.

I was not a mouse waiting to get caught.

There was no expectation in her.

"Everyone can experience it if they want to." I began, giving her an honest answer that didn't need to be filtered. "It can either be good or bad but that depends on the person who wants to experience it."

She let go of my hand and put it down gently.

"What an answer...I know how you can work for me then." She said smiling again. "Since you have been trained to fight and serve someone, you will assist my nephew. Although he won't admit it, the current situation he is in now has him going nuts. He needs helps raising his pet and you my child will be the one to help him."

My uncles jaw dropped hearing her.

"B-But Merciful Goddess! Do you think her skills deserve to be used for a better purpose than babysitting?!" He started to protest, choosing the right words to say. "She has been raised with the hopes in becoming one of your assistants."

The merciful goddess turned to him and raised an eyebrow.

"Are you disobeying the goddess wish?" She asked in a voice that's almost taunting.

My uncle squirmed for a minute and asked her why did she always do this to him.

It was quite amusing seeing these two interact.

"I'll do it." I said bowing, it seemed like it couldn't be helped and I had been curious to meet this golden eyed boy of mischief. "If that's what what you wish for me to do. I'll do it."

"Manou!" My uncle started to protest again but this time I stopped him.

"I understand the task. There's no need to worry, I promise to do my best just like you have taught me."

My uncle's mouth clasp shut and his jaw started to tremble. He was so touched he didn't know what to say.

The Merciful Goddess returned to her throne and laid her cheek against her hand.

"How genuine." She chuckled and crossed her legs. "Kozen will certainly get all the need he needs from you."

"Manou will not fail you my Goddess!" My uncle cried out with pride. There was no trace of the nervousness he felt at the beginning and he started to babble on again on how hard I've trained and had been disciplined to assist the goddess in anything she wishes.

"Stop before my ears bleed." Said the merciful goddess, looking bored already.

"Oh no! Don't say that. Why do you always treat me like this?!"

"Uncle…I already got the job. You can stop overdoing the praise ..." He gasped in surprise at my comment and hung his head feeling unwanted. "I was joking uncle!." I tried comforting him.

The Merciful Goddess sighed and shook her head.

"I believe she will do a good job." She reassured him and my uncle immediately regained his composure. "Now will you stop it."

Once my uncle had snapped out of it and looked at the goddess with big eyes.

The Merciful Goddess ignored him and told me to go find Konzen and introduce myself. Following her instructions, I excused myself and left to start my new life as an official assistant.

"My lady always has a reason for her actions. Although she might not show it there's always a good reason. Now for what reason did you send Manou with Lord Konzen?"

"Describe the sun, Jiroushin."

"What?!"

"The sun shines but it's also warm."

My uncle's eyes widen.

"My lady..."

"Bright like the sun and warmth like its rays…" She muttered with a smile.

Although my uncle had worked for the Merciful Goddess for years, I had never really visited this part of heaven. I was always busy training and when I did come to visit on special occasions I wasn't able to see her or her nephew. Uncle was usually paranoid about me meeting them, always saying I wasn't ready.

What I also remembered was that uncle described Konzen as a cold and solitary person.

Always working and no real interest in anything else.

Eventually after wandering around, I finally found his office. Lightly knocked on the door.

Wait, I should I introduce myself? The Merciful Goddess did say he did not want to admit he was having trouble and uncle protested immediately. How would he react to me then?

"Come in!"

I said I'd be his assistant and I can't let my training go to waste.

Walking in, my eyes first took in the long blond hair Konzen had. Against the sunlight, it glowed beautifully.

That impression didn't last long because I also noticed the natural shape of a scowl he had on his face. That glowed beautifully too.

"What do you want? I'm busy."

Out of habit I bowed before him.

"Lord Konzen, I am here on behalf of the Merciful Goddess. She wishes for me to help you on your daily task as your assistant."

The pen he was holding snapped and the scowl he had before deepened.

"Damn that old hag! First she leaves me with this monkey then she doesn't think I can do it by myself!"

He started to yell and cuss at the top of his lungs.

This is the Konzen uncle was describing?

"Go to that damn old hag and tell her to assign you to a new position. You're not needed here."

"Lord Konzen, the goddess just wants to help you that's why she sent me here."

"Like hell she does. Leave."

The look in his eyes stung as he spoke and the heaviness of his words weighed down on me.

Okay, this is the Konzen uncle was talking about.

The door opened and in came in two of his servants. This was my cue to leave.

"Pardon the interruption then." I bowed once again and proceeded to walk out.

Doesn't need my help yet the documents he was working had a past due date and the room was a mess. He really doesn't want to admit he needs help...Which is more of a reason to stay. There's no way I'm returning to uncle empty handed.

A scream from Konzen's office broke me away from my thoughts.

"THAT STUPID MONKEY DREW ON MY PAPERWORK AGAIN! ONE OF YOU GO FIND HIM AND BRING HIM HERE! I'M GANNA KILL HIM!"

"Y-Yes sir!"

I am not going back empty handed!

My feet began to move away from Konzen's office and outside. I was going to fufill my duties as an assistant, even if it was done in the shadows. My first job was to find the boy and bring him back before those servants did. I had some idea where he could be considering what uncle has told me so far about him and sure enough, I soon found him. He was alone, picking flowers in one of the fields.

"They're very pretty." I said kneeling beside the small boy. He slightly jumped in surprise because he had been too busy focusing on the flowers that he hadn't noticed me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you."

"I thought you were someone else for a second." He admitted and laughed in relief.

"Like one of Lord Konzen's servants?"

His eyes widened and he looked at me in shock.

"I heard what you did to his documents...They are out looking for you though. Is this where you hide from them?"

"Yeah. They never think to look here!" " He smiled proudly before his face turned into a confused expression. "But who are you? Are you friends with Konzen?"

"Not exactly, I'm his assistant. My name is Manou."

"His assistant!" He yelled and I nodded in response. "Wait! But you don't look like one. Aren't they supposed to be old man with mustaches?" He asked innocently.

I giggled and smiled even wider knowing he was referring to my uncle.

"Not all of them. I don't think I'd look good in a mustache." I admitted jokingly, making him burst out laughing. "The person you are referring to is my uncle. He's told me a lot about you."

"Really?! Like what?"

"That you have golden eyes."

His smile started to face and he looked down, expecting me to say what everyone else has been saying about his eyes.

"I think they're as pretty as these flowers."

His head shot up and slowly grinned.

"You're the first person to say that! Everyone else is scared of them. I didn't think I'd meet anyone like Konzen. "

"Like Konzen?" I asked confused. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Yeah." He said nodding.

My eyes softened at the boy.

Maybe Konzen isn't that bad then.

"What's your name?" I asked softly. "I've told you mine now tell me yours."

His face brightened at the question.

"My name is Goku! I finally get to tell someone my new name. I'm so happy!"

I was right, this is just a kid. Why doesn't anyone else want to see that?

"Here! For you!" He extended his arm and offered me one of the flowers he had picked. "Oh! Can I put it in your hair?!"

"Sure. Go ahead, Goku." A warm smile radiated off my face as I bowed my head to him. He eagerly placed the pink flower on the side of my head, held in place by my high ponytail.

Just a pure little kid.

"Come on, let's head back. Konzen's servants are probably tired."

This time it was my turn to offer him something and I extended my hand for him to hold. Goku laughed and instantly took my hand into his.

It didn't take long for us to be near Konzen's office. Before Goku could barge inside, I stopped him and in a whisper told him to wait.

"Why?" He asked out loud but I signaled for him to quiet down.

"Although I am his assistant, he doesn't want to admit it. So until he says I am, I can't go in."

"What! Why doesn't he?"

"He's a little sensitive about the subject but that's okay."

"I'm sure he'll like you as much as I do if he got to know you."

I ruffled his hair in response and told him I hope he did but we needed time until that happened and for now he shouldn't mention meeting me. I comforted him in teLling him I would be waiting outside if anything happened. With that Goku entered the office and I was left behind.

Since I already completed my first task, I needed to figure out how to complete the next one. Which was making sure that office got cleaned up and that the documents Konzen had were in order.

After a few minutes someone with long brown hair wearing glasses and a lab coat came out. He paused for a minute, making me nervous because I thought he noticed me hiding behind the wall but thankfully he didn't and continued walking. A little bit later the door opened and Konzen walked out.

"Why can't I come?"

"They don't allow monkeys into these meetings. I'll be right back so just stay here."

Hiding behind the wall, I saw Konzen walk away and Goku watch him leave with a disappointed face. Once Konzen was far enough not to notice me, I came out and called out to Goku.

"Hey, want to leave a surprise for Konzen?"

"Yeah!"

Goku listened to my directions and we both started to clean the office. Eventually the office was left spotless with no clutter.

As a reward we decided to go find some food because Goku had been hungry.

"I told him to stay here." Konzen said arriving in his office an hour later.

He stopped when he realized there were no longer paper on the floor and that the objects around the room where put in their rightful place.

Konzen's eyes then landed on a vase with flowers that sat on his desk. At the realization they were the flowers Goku had bought earlier, he relaxed and he went back to finishing the rest of the paper work which he realized had also been put in order.

He started to feel uneasy trying to think who could have been in the room other than Goku because there was no way he could have done it. His uneasiness increased when the Merciful Goddess decided to pay him a visit.

"Here you go." Konzen slid a stack of papers toward his aunt.

"What's this?"

"A late document. That damn monkey is nothing but a constant distraction. Assign him to someone else please."

"When you're having so much fun."

Konzen shot up from his desk and glared at her.

"Don't you have anything better to do than torture me?!"

"And you make such a wonderful daddy." The goddess teased him turning her back towards him. "Besides, I did send someone to help you out. I'm not as cruel as you like to make me sound."

"You send me another distraction. Like I need a woman here. They're all loud and noisy. The monkey is enough already. I told her to go back to you."

"Really?"

The Merciful Goddess glanced around the room and noticed how clean it was.

"Pretty resilient."

"What are you going on about now?"

"Nothing, nothing."

After exchanging a few more words the goddess left alone.

"Manou, can we be friends?" Goku asked as we walked back. We were not so far from Konzen's office door.

"Yeah, of course."

"Then please don't leave and be Konzen's friend too."

I stopped walking at his request.

"I'm sure if I ask Konzen really nicely he'll accept you as his assistant and we wouldn't have to met in secret."

"Goku..."

"Spending all this time with you just makes me think how nice it would be if Konzen had you as a friend too."

"Just wait a little longer." I placed a comforting hand on his cheek and gave it a tiny squeeze.

"Goku! What have I told you about sneaking out."

He jumped hearing Konzen yell from the doorway.

"And you, leave. I already told you I don't need you here!"

"But Konzen-" I quieted Goku by putting a hand on his head.

"Goku left because of me, Lord Konzen so don't be mad at him." Staring into Konzen's icy gaze and took a silent breathe. "I don't mean to overstep my boundaries by saying this but you can do better than this."

"Excuse me?"

"To bend out of shape over some disruption to your daily routine. You're trying so hard to avoid the fact that what's happening to you can actually be good. It can make one wonder you are really bored to death or just that unwilling to change?"

Konzen eye's widened as he process what I had just said to him then his whole face light up with anger.

"How dare you!" He yelled moving toward me.

I quickly responded and let go of Goku before placing a firm hand on Konzen's shoulder.

"You shouldn't expect yourself to carry on like this. Don't you want to experience something more?"

He looked down at my hand then brought his gaze to meet mine. The intense anger faded and moved away from my touch.

"Don't get in my way. Screw up and you're gone. Got it?!"

"Thank you, Lord Konzen." I replied a smile. I had actually been slightly nervous about speaking that way considering all my training had taught me that a good assistant is submissive to their lord. Yet my uncle told me that you can alter that rule in a delicate way where the lord becomes submissive to you. He did it all the time when trying to get the Merciful Goddess to do her paperwork.

"Yuppie! Now we can all play together!" Goku out of all of us was the most excited and wrapped his tiny hands around my waist to hug me, digging his head into my side as if to absorb all the warmth from my body.

"So that's it…" Konzen whispered to himself seeing the sight before him of Goku and I hugging. He was seeing what his aunt first saw when meeting me; someone who wanted to see things as they were.

Hello!

Thank you so much for reading my brand new story. This story is actually one I started many years ago and published on another site. This is my third time revising it and tweaking it. I really love Saiyuki and therefore never wanted to drop this fanfic. I'm hoping you all will like it!

I decided to start this story in Heaven with the everyone's past lives in order to better explain their future lives. Each character/event is connected and I'm not trying to forcefully add an OC.

There is still a lot to come and this is only the beggining. So I just wanted to put it out there that some touchy subjects will come up. It will be dark and if you're very familiar with Saiyuki then it shouldn't really come as a surprise. I do plan to handle them in a very thoughtfull manner!

If you follow my other fanfic (The Reaper of Ishiyama) I am really close to finishing the latest chapter. Don't feel like I've abandoned it!

That is all for authors commentary and again, thank you for reading!