Red Alliance 7/7

The same disclaimer still applies : yada, yada,… not mine…, yada, yada…

The same warnings still apply : yaoi only rumored, English still isn't my language, yada, yada… Please, be kind to my mistakes…

Criticism welcome… Even flames !

Summary 7 of 7 : Here is the end… Chapter posted with the epilogue in the next part…

Reviewer's corner :

Sanada-sensei, I give you a lot of work, don't I ? You're so patient with me ! I'm afraid the people telling me I forget my head on my pillow every morning are quite right… I don't know what I would do without you ! From the bottom of my heart : thanks ! (PS : I'll send a mail in a few days, if you don't mind !)

Attiqah (sorry, got lazy on the whole name. Anyway, I hope this time won't swallow the bold lettering I systematically put in your name which never appears on the screen, grrr), don't worry you're never annoying. If you really want to be some help, just pinpoint please ! Btw, it's nice to hear from you each chapter ! Hooo ! I almost forgot ! Thanks for reading A.S. too : it's my fav' so I really like hearing people feeling about it !!

Welcome to our fourth official reader ! Hi ! Cesmith ! I was delighted by your comments ! Thanks !Hope you like the end of the story… Anyway, the end isn't the end… So, maybe « see you soon » too in the sequel !

Part 7 « Ecce Homo. »

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Kenren

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Damn. Damn. DAMN !

I can't believe I have really slept ! I don't even know how much time I have spent in my bed. I have no idea of the hour. You're supposed to have eternity before you in Heaven. Try to find something as basic as a watch in here!

I've awoken still fully dressed, and for a few seconds I had the chance to believe that my only worry could be knowing whether a debriefing was scheduled this morning. I was about to slide back into the prior-slumber state of bliss (because I was sure there wasn't any military meeting today), when I remembered.

There was an important meeting today, even if I wasn't supposed to be there. Tenpou didn't want me to be over there. I was supposed to come and visit him only tonight. If he was still here.

And here I am, walking aimlessly in my own quarters. Useless. And worried. Hell yhea, I'm worried. I catch my own sight in a mirror (no, I'm not so infatuated with myself, but ladies like this kind of little common comfort in their lovers' room). Wow. I look AWFUL. And it reminds me of something.

« I've been drinking myself out of my mind in a tavern, and I've been found dead drunk in a corridor of the building by my superior officer… »

What had Tenpou said? They couldn't link me to what happened because of the story the dragon had made. I feel like grinning. I can't be involved. Why should I wait here?

And here I am. Just before the library's door. Too bad the red wooden panel is almost as thick as the walls, here. I could have tried listening to what is happening in the room otherwise. At this point, it's coming in or going back. Or spending the whole day here 'til I know the wooden patterns on the door by heart. My hand is already on the handle. Waiting and hiding isn't my style, nee ? I wonder briefly whether I should knock. I usually do, but I never wait to come in. Let's try something new. I'm not going to knock at all. I open the door and remain in the doorway a few seconds.

Wow. I blink. Wow again. How many are they in this fucking room? They're all looking at me, suddenly silent.

And how dared they ? The « housewife » in me (the one I didn't even know could exist in my twisted mind before I met Tenpou in this hell he dares call a library) is upset. It's as if I haven't done anything yesterday's evening. There must have been a cataclysm. Bastards. I begin walking straight ahead towards Tenpou.

Litouten is here. I'm sure he couldn't wait any more. Do you think he would have come alone ? Nooooo. He brought some soldiers, too. Teme. I should get rid of them just right now. And I'm a very good fighter. I would be really, really pleased to do that.

Gods. Wait a minute. Even the Toushin-Taishi is here. With his sword. That's not good. Keep a straight face taishou. Damn. Damn. DAMN !

Focus, just focus, on this funny kind of serene island which is Tenpou sitting on his desk, with a fucking neutral face. Somehow, I guess already he is not really glad to see me, by the way he breathed out a very thick cloud of smoke.

Well, it's not as if I was really use to obeying his orders off the battlefield. Spare a smile on your way for Goku, Kenren, so quickly, too bad, I'm sure the gaki hasn't even seen it. Konzen is here with him. He just chose the right moment to visit Tenpou, I think. Shit. He slightly frowns, but otherwise is as unreadable as a sphinx, this strange lion-bodied and human-headed creature Tenpou told me about once. It's funny all of the weird things he taught me without even me (or he I think, too) noticing.

I sit just beside him. Tenpou or the-man-who-has-never-learnt-how-to-use-a-chair-and-always-ends-up-on-the-floor-or-on-his-desk. On the desk, today.

It's a strange day. Right now as I am here, I don't know any more if I've come so near because I feel the need to be right here to protect him, or if it is because he radiates so much confidence, that it reassures me to have him by my side. If he is worried, he is the best actor I've ever met. Maybe better than the dragon.

The white king was the first one I had noticed in the room. Being a soldier, the first thing you have to learn is where are your allies and spotting them quickly before you move. Well, I learnt that for a battlefield, but the library looks like one today, anyway. This time, for that matter, Goujun doesn't make any disgusted comment as I come in, and it's the only sign I have that he is still with us against them.

Gods. I really need a smoke. I lean towards Tenpou without caring about the other people here. « Lighter ? » I ask, a cigarette already between my lips.

#########

They all heard a sigh coming from the marshal, as he picked his lighter out of one of his pockets to light the general's ciggie.

« Hell, I'm very popular today. So many important people coming especially to see me ! » Tenpou couldn't help adding glaring at the minister. He saw Litouten frowning.

As if the situation wasn't complicated enough, Kenren had decided to drop by too, thought the marshal. No way to make the general leave now that he was already settled. At the least, he could try to keep away Konzen and Goku who weren't involved in the matter at hand. He owed it to Konzen, after all. He had promised not to bring more problems to the child whose he was the guardian.

« There are mangas in the bedroom for Goku : you two could have a look while we're speaking here ? » he said, crossing willingly Konzen eyes, to make the blond know it was rather a plea than an offer.

In spite of his worry (thing he would deny if anybody asked him later), Konzen decided to do as he was said. He grabbed the saru by his long hair, his other hand still on the child's mouth. For once, Goku seemed ready to follow him without complaining, though.

There is something odd, today, was thinking Kanzeon's nephew, entering the bedroom, and then closing the door behind him. He had come in the library with Goku an awful lot of times. The kid loved the place and its owner, and it was a few hours while the kid could bother somebody else than him. It was the only room in Heaven he knew nearly as well as his own office. Damn. Even this mess wasn't the natural mess he was so used to see here. And all these people here…

He let go of the saru, and thought the child would run straight ahead towards the mangas' tower he could see in the middle of the room. But he was wrong. The child turned around to face him. And Goku spoke.

The blond's eyes widened. Because what the saru said wasn't at all what he was expecting. He spoke about Nataku. He spoke about blood he could smell. He spoke about a bloodstained book in the middle of Tenpou's desk which the toushin taishin had seen and that his father shouldn't see. He said he was sure Tenpou was hurt because he could feel it.

The child was afraid. Sure the people in the other room wanted to harm his friend Ten-chan. It's what he explained to Konzen, the best way he could. His little hands turned into tiny fists. And as well as fear, there was anger boiling in his huge golden eyes. They had to do something, because this man with the dark hair, Litouten guessed Konzen, was the one who had already hurt Tenpou once even if it was a secret and Konzen wasn't supposed to know, like the marshal had said…

The blond closed his eyes. Sighed miserably. In what kind of alien Heaven had he woken up this morning? Then Konzen looked sternly at the child again. He had given him a name. Goku. Simple. Short. Easy to remember. And here comes Tenpou, the strangest person in this hell of boredom called Heaven. He looks at the saru and says : Goku. And suddenly the name has a meaning. The one who can see what the others can't. You didn't know how much you were right, marshal. As if the kid wasn't enough to be bothered with, Konzen had to help Tenpou, now. He sighed again. If he wouldn't do anything, Goku was going to do a silly thing.

« Stay here. » he said. And he came back into the main room.

######

Goujun

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The marshal has enough commonsense to keep away Kanzeon's nephew and his « pet ». Good idea. On-the-other-hand, as long a relative of a boddhisatva is around, Litouten can't try anything too foolish. I like the way my marshal's mind functions.

Anyway, the general could have made things easier by staying out of the way this morning. If the taishou has done what needed to be done, there's a chance the minister would have to give up his plan of taking revenge against the marshal.

The minister doesn't let Tenpou gensui out of his eyes. But I think he realizes he is not going to win today. His underlings have turned the room upside down, and they haven't found anything. Their missing soldier's story can't stand if they have no proof. And this missing soldier was supposed to be on Earth. But what was Litouten looking for ? Such an attempt can't be a political move only, and it worries me. There is some kind of resentment, here. And I've never seen this room in this state. Even yesterday it wasn't like that.

« There is nothing left to throw on the floor, Litouten-san. And as you see, I have military matter to discuss with my superior. »

I nod briefly to confirm the marshal's biting words. The minister will have to leave, and the sooner the better.

« Don't be in such a hurry, marshal. Nobody has seen this god. He could be dead for all we know. It justifies further investigations, doesn't it ? We're not only looking for the man, but any clue. Like blood, for example, » the minister answers with a fake sweetness.

This god is sly, indeed. But he shouldn't find what he is looking for, normally. And suddenly his eyes are on me. I don't think he knows I know what happened. I hope yesterday's orders not to let anybody in my army's barracks for this night was a coincidence in his mind. But I don't like the way he is looking at me.

« I've heard that the draconic kind has abilities, we mere gods haven't, especially their sense of smell… »

How dares he ? Messing with my army ? My men ? Then insulting my rank ? My race ?

« And do you mean you could use me as your hound? » I ask icily.

I have the pleasure to let my anger show for this. Gods aren't used to see an angry dragon. In ancient times, it was rumoured that the only gods who had ever seen a king dragon's true power never made it alive. Old stories die hard. It's sometimes a chance.

He can see danger in my eyes, as I let my reptilian smile grow. Good to see he is smart enough to be afraid of me. He takes a step back. His minions have no move to protect him from the irate dragon. Even the taishou seems uneasy. I can almost feel the mirth the show causes to marshal. He hides his smile behind the hand which keeps his cigarette near his mouth. The toushin taishin remains strangely calm, and his lips have a strange amused curl, too. Konzen Douji chooses this moment to come back in the room. I follow him from the corner of my eyes without anybody else noticing his presence.

He is behind the desk now. Draconic peripheral vision is amazingly useful at days like this. I'm still looking at the blond, while the minister tries to regain his composure. And I see what Konzen Douji is looking at, so fascinated.

A book. The book. I can remember it so clearly. The marshal picking it up out of the bloody floor and putting it on his desk with a disillusioned comment, before disappearing in his bedroom. The book, still bloody and still here.

Taishou no baka.

I look at the general. He hasn't noticed anything. I knew I couldn't trust him. His case is desperate. With a little chance, he won't do anything worst than this mistake today…

I broke eye contact with the minister to skirt the desk. I hear Litouten's relieved sigh. I put my hand on the book and make it disappear inside my white tunic. Have I mentioned how quick can be dragons? Anyway the two seated silhouettes of Tenpou gensui and Kenren taishou were a perfect shield. Konzen Douji gives me a bewildered look, but reacts quickly as he understands I'm not going to show the object to the minister. Who is speaking again.

« As you like it, your majesty... »

Good I'm a majesty, now. But he goes on.

« Anyway I've heard our little friend over there... » insinuated the minister.

The itan child ? This man is very stubborn. But it's not my role to react at this one.

« Goku is not your pet, he is mine. Find something else, minister, » growled sourly Konzen Douji, almost insulting, and glad to have let the said Goku in the other room, I suppose.

I never would have guessed he had these nerves. Well, maybe he is more like his aunt than I ever thought. Anyway, nobody had seen he had come back in the library, and his instantaneous answer, surprising the people in the room, seems to settle the matter.

« I remind you, Litouten-san, as far as I'm concerned, this man is reported missing in action, anyway. The fellow soldiers from his regiment have all written in their report that he had disappeared in the first few days of the mission on Earth. Let's speak about it with this witness of yours. » I spat the last words with loath.

This man hired by Litouten has left his unit unseen because of the need of secrecy, that's for sure. But consequently, anybody with a little sense will think he has disappeared on Earth. It's not so uncommon. There is this soldier, Zenon, for example, who is rumoured to spend time on Earth more than needed and than in Tenkai. If the minister wants to produce a witness, I have all a regiment to tell him the man couldn't be in Heaven, anyway.

« So who was this man who has been seen coming into your office last night ? » spits the minister to the marshal.

New tactic. If he can't condemn Tenpou gensui for killing a god, he is at least trying to dirty his reputation. This man is despicable. But he doesn't give up easily.

« Don't you think it's a matter concerning me and only me ? You're pushing the politeness' limits, minister. »

Tenpou gensui stands up to face the minister, the marshal's face only inches away from Litouten's one. Tenpou gensui doesn't flinch. His smile has a steel edge almost insulting again. I don't like what I see in the minister's eyes. I can clearly see the hate, maybe even envy, but there is something else…

Dragons aren't supposed to perceive all the nuances of the god's feelings. We're sharing Heaven, but we are so different. Even « feeling » is an abstract concept for a dragon. It's the first time I'd like to be more aware of this kind of things. Anyway, as far as I can see, the general looks as uneasy as me with what he sees in Litouten's eyes. He is tense like a feline about to jump on a rival. Even for a dragon, it's obvious he is almost ready to assault the minister. Kami-sama. He is opening his mouth. I close my eyes and fear the worst.

########

Kenren felt a hand on his upper arm, squeezing nearly to the point to be hurtful. Konzen's hand. He hadn't seen him coming near him. And this contact was rather surprising coming from a man who couldn't bear to be touched. The blond's features were unreadable, but his tension noticeable in this touch. The contact urged him not to interfere. And curiously, the general recalled Tenpou's words, just repeated the night before : « Here comes the man who is going to make things worse ». Kenren breathed out slowly. He hadn't the right to screw anything right now. It was too important. Even this jerk of Konzen, unknowing of all the matter (at least it was what the general thought ) had felt it. But Kenren spoke before even realizing it.

« It was me. » said the suddenly inspired general.

Silence fell on the library. No need to be a genius to understand that most of the people present were thinking about the rumours, which had spread lately, now. If it was possible, Litouten's glare looked even more irate. And even the dragon seemed to understand it wasn't only because his last and final attempt had failed. There was some kind of jealousy in these eyes. Even Nataku was looking at his father with a strange look. The marshal, his face unreadable, turned around to reach his previous place on the desk beside the general. But not denying the just spoken sentence.

His hand hiding his mouth as he put a new cigarette between his lips again, he whispered to the general :

« Kenren, I could, no, I should kill you for that… Aren't there enough rumours yet, according to your taste? »

« You're such a bitch for a wife! » whispered back Kenren, laughing a little without anybody to notice in a slight euphoria due to the adrenalin, as he bent forward over Tenpou to crush his ciggie in the frog-ashtray.

« You see minister, there is a logical explanation for everything. » intervened at last the dragon (even he had to admit that Kenren's not-really-a-lie was rather a good idea).

« The man you're searching here - I don't want to know for what kind of reason - looks like similar to Kenren taishou. Height. Weight. Short hair. All that is in his file. Maybe your witness has made an understandable mistake? » suggested quietly the king of the Western sea, arching an eyebrow.

Without any word more, Litouten chose to leave the room with his party. Nataku had to follow his father, but managed to nod slightly towards them before leaving. While their departing, Litouten heard what only had for effect to confirm the marshal's version of the last night. The dragon was lecturing Kenren for not having past the last night kept in his quarters as his superior had ordered as punishment for him when he had found him drunk in the corridors, and went to visit the marshal instead. Very convincingly (and maybe acting with a real pleasure, the general was thinking during that time)…

The door slammed.