THUMP! THUD! "Owww", moaned Goku, disentangling himself from the tall brunette he had run into. "Now , Goku , hasn't anyone told you racing in the corridors isn't always a good thing?", asked Kanzeon Bosatsu, stepping back and smoothing hir robe. Goku sniffled, looking smaller than usual. Kanzeon shot him a concerned look; the boy seemed on the verge of tears. "Hey", se said reassuringly, "What happened? My cranky nephew blowing off steam again? It's okay, you can tell me, I won't tell a soul, and,", se added in a stage whisper, "I won't laugh." At the last line Goku looked up desperately at the tall god. He wavered for a second and then, throwing caution to the winds, whispered, "Pinky-chan is missing." Kanzeon nodded solemnly. Encouraged by hir response, Goku elaborated on his tale of woe. "Ya know, Konzen gave me a bunny for the nights cause I sometimes feel lonely while sleepin. I really, really, really love pinky-chan and now,", Goku sniffled, "He's lost! I looked everywhere, but I can't find him!".

Kanzeon cast a benevolent glance at the tearful monkey and patted his head. "It's okay, Goku. I know where Pinky-chan is." Goku looked up at hir, eyes wide. "Ya do? Can ya tell me? Please?", he implored. "I can do better than that. I'll give it to you. It's in my room, Jiro dear brought it over sometime back. It was in my garden, you know. What was it doing there?"' asked Kanzeon, leading the way to her room, Goku following, excited at the prospect of getting his Pinky-chan back.

"Weeeellllll, I was playin in Ten- chan's room ya know, we were making paper butterflies. Then someone came with a message for Ten- chan and I saw a real butterfly and wanted to play with it and Pinky-chan wanted to come too, so I took him, but the butterfly was real fast and I was tired and I was hungry and the butterfly suddenly flew into your garden and I sorta couldn't find it, but I searched real hard, but I still couldn't find it, and I started feeling real tired and real hungry and then, Ten-chan came and took me back to his room and we had scones and jam and we made more paper butterflies and then I thought Pinky-chan might also be hungry, even though Ten-chan says he won't ever get hungry, I mean how can anyone not get hungry, and I decided to give him some scones but he was missing! I called out for him, but he didn't reply. I felt sooo worried, I really love him and I had lost him! And then I felt real bad and I went around looking for him and I ran into you.", finished Goku, gasping for breath. "My, what a lovely tale", sighed Kanzeon, opening the doors to hir chamber. "There's your Pinky-chan, safe and sound.", se said, indicating the pink bunny doll on the couch. Goku whooped with joy and bounding over to his Pinky-chan, showered it with kisses. "Gee, thanks! I was soo worried, Pinky-chan is a birthdead present from Konzen and I really don't ever wanna lose him. I am soo sorry, Pinky-chan.", said Goku seriously, apologizing to the doll. "Birthdead? I think you mean birthday.", smiled Kanzeon. "Speaking of which, isn't my nephew's birthday coming soon?" Goku looked at hir, wide eyed. "Konzen has a birthdead? But isn't birthdeads only for children? He told me so.", inquired Goku. "No, adults have birthdeads too- I mean birthdays. Konzen's is just a week away. I remember a time when- Oh my, look at the time! It's getting late, Tenpou is going to be worried. Hurry along, chibisaru and take good care of Pinky-chan. He's a really beautiful birthday present.", smiled Kanzeon, showing Goku out. Goku nodded solemnly, but the effect ended up as adorable as he clutched his Pinky-chan and prepared to bounce away.

The slightest of frowns creased Kanzeon's forehead as the saru prepared to retreat. Se then grinned as Goku turned and gave hir an anxious look. "When is it again?", he asked. The Merciful Goddess' brow raised, as though se had no idea what Goku was talking about. "When is what?", se asked sweetly. "The birthdead!", chirped Goku. "Ohh, The birthday- it's just one month away.", smiled Kanzeon. "Mmm-Hmm.", nodded Goku and bounced away after a cheery goodbye. Kanzeon waved to Goku and allowed hirself a grin as Goku ran out through the gate, knocking over a harried Jiroushin in the process. Well, this week was sure to be interesting.

Goku ran all the way to Tenpou's rooms, knocking over a clerk, two soldiers and an officer in the process. "How much more?", whined Kenren, draping himself over the never ending report of latest maneuvers down below. "Lately, all sorts of creatures have been appearing down below... I have never seen or heard of most of them before." Tenpou nodded, adjusting his glasses. "I agree. It's a bit ... convenient. Their appearance and the war prince's arrival- A little too... convenient." Kenren's only response was a groan. Tenpou raised his eyes from the paperwork and regarded his companion. Kenren raised his head and met Tenpou's eyes, anticipating the other's words even before they were mouthed. "Yes, Marshall, I should pay attention, and yes, I feel as bad as I look and vice versa. And yes, I would appreciate those talented fingers massaging my aching neck." Tenpou smiled. "You presume quite a lot, General,", Kenren raised his eyebrows, Tenpou's smile widened, "And luckily for you, you presume right." Kenren smirked as Tenpou arose and began to suit his actions to the words. "Oh, Tenpou..", he moaned, as Tenpou worked out the kinks, "It's not luck, its practice." "Of which you seem to have had a lot.", observed Tenpou. Kenren turned his head and smiled. "Oh, I don't thi-", he began, only to be interrupted by Tenpou's door crashing open as a blur collided with the Marshall and knocked him to the floor. "WHAT THE HELL? GOKU! LEARN TO KNOCK, WILL YA?", admonished Kenren, sorely missing the Marshall's fingers on this neck. Tenpou disentangled himself from the excited kid and smiled. "Kenren, he's half your size. Moreover, you never knock on my door before entering either.", he smiled at Kenren's pout, "Moreover, I'm sure Goku has a very valid reason for seeking my company." Kenren pouted more. "Valid reasons? I have valid reasons too, sir!", he sighed, indicating his neck, which had started aching again. Tenpou simply chuckled and returned to his seat. Kenren huffed. "Marshall, May I have a word with you about my adjutant?" Tenpou raised an eyebrow. "It would be better if you talked to him directly, I think, General.", smiled Tenpou mischievously. "I'll do that.", nodded Kenren, returning the smile. "Oooh, Adjutant?" Tenpou looked at Kenren innocently. "Yes, General Kenren?" Kenren gave him a mock glare. " Lately, I have noted a number of serious flaws in your behavior with your superior." Tenpou managed a look of shock and guilt. "Oh, sir, I had no idea..." "Of course you don't.", retorted Kenren, " Allow me therefore, to enlighten you. You disregard your superior's needs, ignore his well-being, for-" "Umm...sir? Begging your pardon, I don't mean to interrupt, but the Marshall deems it best not to discuss this issue in present company.", said Tenpou, indicating the openmouthed Goku. Kenren huffed again. "Well, when are we going to touch on these matters?" Tenpou smiled. "Perhaps tonight might be an excellent time to mouth these issues, sir?" Kenren grinned. "You're on. Alright, chibi monkey, what do you want?" Goku looked Tenpou nervously. "Ten-chan?" "Yes, Goku?", asked Tenpou graciously. "I wanna make Konzen a birthdead present.", said Goku shyly. "Birthday, Goku.", corrected Kenren lazily. "How nice, Goku. Do you have anything in mind?", asked Tenpou, smiling. "Uh.. I wanna paint him!", said Goku, encouraged by Tenpou's response. "Now, now, Goku, be specific. It would be rather difficult to paint Konzen, but making a painting of Konzen may not prove so.", said Tenpou indulgently, ignoring Kenren's laughter. "I wanna make a Konzen painting like the paintings here!", said Goku, gesturing around the cluttered room. "Oh, I see.", said Tenpou, " So, we're going to need paintbrushes, poster colours..." "But you won't get a Konzen lookalike to model for it.", interjected Kenren. "Come now, General, I won't need a look alike, I think.", smirked Tenpou. "How?", asked Kenren suspiciously.

"Soo, this is a 'camera'?", asked Kenren, looking at the contraption in his arms. " And your bright plan is to take pictures of Konzen to use as a model for your painting?" Tenpou nodded. "Oooh, Ten-chan, can I look?", asked Goku excitedly. "Now, now, saru, be careful! I'm sure this thing is as delicate as the owner.", warned Kenren, handing Goku the camera. Tenpou rolled his eyes. "Yes, Goku. The camera needs to be handled delicately." Kenren sighed at Tenpou. "So, I have absolutely no way out of this?" Tenpou beamed. "I'm afraid not."

"Does the heartless Marshall allow me to take my adjutant with me? I have a feeling this will be much easier with him around due to his intimacy with the subject."

"I'm sorry, General, sir, but the Marshall has designated another important task to me in your absence."

"Oh. And that is?"

"Teaching Goku how to paint. Ohkay, Goku, hand over the camera to Kenii-chan so he can take pictures for us while we practice painting that flower. General, put your back into the job."

"I would, sir, but I have a feeling Lord Douji won't be accommodating."

"Only one way to find out, General. Good luck."

"I'll need it."

"Good luck, Kenii-chan!"

"You monkey!"

Kenren sighed. How should he approach Konzen for a photo? How well can you take a photo while dodging a couple hardback files flying at your head? Hmm... There had to be a way. Kenren moved tentatively to Konzen's quarters. 'I have to catch him off guard.', thought Kenren firmly. NOT EASY. Konzen wasn't there in his quarters, or in his immaculate office, or in the palace at all. Kenren gave a rueful sigh and was preparing to leave when a silvery voice floated by. 'Why, General, whose photo do you want?" Kenren whipped around at the voice. So much for stealth. "The ice sculpture you call your nephew.", he said tightly. Kanzeon smiled. "Oh, Konzen. Why?", se asked innocently. "It's a secret.", he hedged. "Oh, you can tell me, I won't tell a soul.", pouted Kanzeon. Kenren sighed. "Don't you already know, O all-knowing merciful goddess?" "Oh, my, it's no use, I see...Ok, Konzen is over at the dragon's to get a few documents signed. Be a dear and get to him quickly, won't you? I'm soo bored." Kenren gave a mock bow and jumped over the nearest wall while Kanzeon hurried over to the lotus pool.