Chapter 12

S.A.: fingering the keyboard nervously

Sanzo: reading the chapter

Shurei: An update?

S.A.: Uh…yeah…sure… gets up from her seat

Ron: Something's going on…raises an eyebrow

Goku: But before Shurei bursts when she sees the chapter, it's best if the readers find out first.

Hakkai: Ahahaha…even the note's short, too.

Gojyo: S.A. does not own Saiyuki, except Naoru and characters not seen in the series.

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Chapter 12: Shirei Kazu

Kanzeon Bosatsu watched as Naoru and Hakkai ended their talk and walked back to the others. Her smile, sly as always, never faltered as her gaze focused on Naoru, who had been a goddess named Shirei Kazu in the past.

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The Goddesses of Nature bowed. Kanzeon Bosatsu nodded her recognition of the four women whose powers all came from their mother, the Sun Goddess. Kanzeon could see the powers stored within them in their eyes, which were colored either amber, green, red, or blue. Each were also wearing gems in their clothes, located between the chest and the collar bones. Each goddess wore either topaz, emerald, ruby, or sapphire. Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, mother of the four women and a friend of Kanzeon, was in front, still looking regal and cheerful as always.

Kanzeon smiled. "You've got fine daughters, Amaterasu. I'm not surprised you're proud of them." The Sun Goddess smiled at this and answered, "Arigatou, Kanzeon, for the compliment and for approving my daughters. But how are you, Konzen Douji?"

Konzen was beside Kanzeon's throne, as she had invited him to see the goddesses with her. He grunted and looked away. Amaterasu smiled as she returned to Kanzeon. "He hasn't changed," she said.

Before Kanzeon could answer, one of the sisters already did.

"He's rude." It was Konoe, youngest of the four sisters and goddess of earth. She had emerald-green eyes that sparkled with energy and childish antics. Her pigtailed pink hair bounced with every movement she made, making her look much younger than she really was. "He's scary and grumpy," she continued. "I don't like him."

Kanzeon laughed. The two eldest of the four sisters exclaimed, "Konoe!" The third only blinked and alarmingly stared at Konoe. Amaterasu, however, blinked and scowled at her youngest daughter. "How many times have I told you not to insult other people! Apologize to him before I ground you for weeks!"

Konoe looked fearfully at her mother for a moment before scowling and facing the blond god, grumbling, "Fine." Kanzeon could have laughed, for she was entertained at having watched a funny scene with Konoe pouting and Amaterasu scowling just like a mother. But she knew that Amaterasu would disapprove of her naughty attitude. So she silently watched as Konoe bowed and said, "Forgive me for my insolence, Konzen Douji. I assure you it won't happen again."

Kanzeon turned to Konzen only to see him looking not at Konoe but at the second youngest goddess, Shirei. She was the goddess of water who had sapphire-blue eyes that were filled with thoughts. She seemed shy, as Kanzeon saw it, and she didn't even react that loudly unlike two of her sisters.

Kanzeon's eyes widened. Shirei was timidly staring back at Konzen, her eyes looking as if they were having a hard time building a stable line of vision towards the god. And…she was blushing.

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Shurei: That short? THAT…SHORT!

S.A.: Eep…hides under the table

Sanzo: smirks

Goku: Sugoi…are we practicing short chapters from now on?

Shurei: Certainly not! S.A., come out!

Hakkai: Goku, it's best if you don't aggravate Shurei-san.

Goku: Ehehehehe…

Gojyo: Please R&R!

A/N: I disclaim the name Amaterasu and her title as Sun Goddess. She is the one of the important divine people in Japanese culture. I borrowed her and her title coz I think it fitted the role.