Chapter 12: Supreme Kai Makes Progress With a New Teacher; Whis Ditches The Destroyer

"Hey, you still with me, Supreme Kai?" Grand Kai waved a hand in front of his eyes.

"Oh, yes, sorry, I was distracted."

"So, as I was sayin', the soul –"

"Sorry, can we continue another time?" Shin asked.

"No sweat, dude."

From a distance came the sound of Beerus's voice. "Don't stop on my behalf!" Any additional time to collect himself was welcome.

Grand Kai nodded and got up. "I see, ya got other business. Well, just drop me a line when you're ready." He started to approach Beerus, and Shin sat shocked as he witnessed their exchange. There was no bow from Grand Kai, just a two finger salute. "Yo, Lord B, it's been a while." Shin felt a shock similar to the first time he'd heard Goku confidently say 'Zenny.'

"Yes, it has been," Beerus said. "Are you still running tournaments in Other World? I haven't received an invitation recently."

Shin noticed that even though they appeared friendly, Beerus still maintained a proper posture, hands behind his back. Just like Whis, Shin thought with a smile. Whis had once let slip that Beerus had picked it up from him, and Shin found that to be very cute.

"Oh yeah, we had one a few years back. Sent you an invitation, but Whis said you were having a good nap. Still, you've got Goku training at your place, right? So I bet you've seen all that needs to be seen when it comes to that."

"Yes, unfortunately."

Grand Kai hummed. "Still owe that guy a training session in a couple o' centuries."

"Well, do let me know when the next tournament is."

"I'm thinking: skateboarding tournament. What d'you think? Wanna see me do a sick kickflip?" Grand Kai had materialised a board before Beerus had a chance to answer.

Beerus motioned for him to go ahead, and the pair of gods got to watch as Grand Kai, in formal attire, did a lap around Shin, performing several tricks as he did so.

"I see. Well, if I'm up, I'll be there, but if I'm not, don't wake me."

"As always, dude. I'll let ya both get on." He held out a fist, and, to Shin's surprise, Beerus bumped it. Grand Kai retracted his hand, waving his fingers as he did so. "Learned that from the kids. See ya! Until next time, S Kai!" He gave one last wave before vanishing.

Beerus tried to appear relaxed as he took a seat opposite Shin on the grass. "Is he any good as a teacher?"

"Oh, yes, perhaps not the most orthodox in his methods, but he does know what he's talking about." Shin cleared away the books and crystal ball. "I'm surprised to see he's still as whacky even around you. I wonder if he'd be the same in the face of Grand Zeno."

"Well, we've known each other for quite a long time now."

"So he wasn't always like that?"

Beerus hummed. "Oh no, he's always been this 'whacky' as you say. Maybe once upon a time he was just a little bit more restrained. He can be proper when he needs to be, so don't worry about him meeting Zeno."

"Oh, I know. He was quite – as you said restrained – on the first day he came here. Didn't call me anything other than my title, but now I'm whatever nickname suits him. I suppose I fear his second meeting with Grand Zeno more than the first."

"I'm with you on that one. He could be as troublesome as Goku in that respect…"

"Anyway," Shin started when they'd run out of small talk, "what brings you here? This is quite an unexpected visit." Beerus had appeared as if the last meeting and strained parting hadn't happened. He hadn't expected to be able to have such an easy conversation, but he supposed it was work-related.

"It's about your teacher," Beerus said. "We found you a new one. Of course, you're free to continue lessons with Grand Kai if - hey, are you okay?"

Shin looked shaken. "You – you mean – is he here?!"

Beerus nodded. "I guess it's as obvious to you too. Whis! Come over!"

Whis appeared with the Grand Supreme Kai in tow. Shin was on his feet in an instant, running towards the other kai. Never had any of them seen Shin rush up and hug someone with such enthusiasm before. There was no thought for proper greetings or courtesy as Shin gripped the Grand Supreme Kai tightly, nuzzling his face into his stomach.

"Grand Supreme Kai! I missed you so much… I never dared to hope I'd see you again." He was crying freely now as he felt Grand's hand gently rub his back.

"East… It's been too long."

A muffled sob escaped Shin at being addressed like that. Of course during his research about Merus he had come across images of Buu allowing the Grand Supreme Kai to assume control of the body they shared, but he wasn't sure how much control Buu would allow going forward. Only in his wildest daydreams did he get to meet Grand again like this, believing it would only be possible if they found themselves in such a specific situation again.

"I'm so glad to see you again," Shin said. "It's really… I'm so happy."

Beerus found the whole scene rather touching, but he wasn't here to get emotional witnessing a reunion after 5 million years. "Alright, alright. Look, we've managed to convince Buu to let Grand Supreme Kai take over for a few hours every now and then to teach you whatever he didn't get round to. Can't make any promises because it's Buu we're talking about, but I'm sure the quality of teaching will be better when he is available."

"Lord Beerus…" Shin looked up at him, eyes still watery, and Beerus looked away, not needing that image of Shin in his mind. Shin wiped his eyes and bowed. "Thank you."

Beerus waved a hand. "I was only doing what made sense. Now, let's not waste any more time while he's still in control. Don't mind me and Whis, we're just going to hang around to keep an eye on the unpredictable prick - no offense, Grand Supreme Kai."

"Quite understandable," Grand Supreme Kai said. "Now, East, I've been told you were taking lessons from the Grand Kai. Perhaps we should start with how much he has taught you."

Beerus and Whis sat close enough to watch, but far enough that they wouldn't distract Shin. Not long after Kibito came over.

"Could I offer you some tea, Lord Beerus?"

"No, thank you. If I need anything, I'll call you."

Kibito bowed. "Whis?"

Whis politely declined too. "Are you really just going to sit here and watch?"

"No, you're going to watch. I'm going to nap."

"Charming."

Beerus patted the ground, but decided that Whis's lap was a much better place to rest his head. "I'll make it up to you later. Besides, if anything happens, I'll hear it. I'm attuned to that bastard's stupid voice."

ooo

Beerus insisted that he attend every lesson given by the Grand Supreme Kai – just in case - even though Whis, escorting Buu to and fro, would be more than sufficient to oversee things. Everyone thought it was a bit strange, especially because Beerus just dozed in various positions for the entirety of the lessons, barely cracking an eye open to check. He never asked for tea or food, in fact he hardly spoke a word. Even when the lesson was over Beerus said the bare minimum to Shin before leaving.

The Grand Supreme Kai was an excellent teacher, and he certainly deserved the title of Grand. This was only the 5th lesson and already they were moulding lifeforms using the Clay of Life, and Shin was managing to give life to what he had created. Granted these lifeforms weren't alive for very long, often appearing frail and sickly, but it was certainly further than he'd ever gotten before. The most important thing was that Grand Supreme Kai was full of encouraging words, and was not going to let Shin give up. And Shin had no intentions of disappointing the kai he respected more than anyone.

Today Beerus paid a little more attention, interested to see the true essence of the Supreme Kai role, the direct mirror of what he did, in motion before his eyes. He nudged Whis, asking for a snack while he waited for Shin to finish detailing the next creature he'd attempt to give life to. Seconds after he crunched down on a few crisps he had Buu looming over him.

"Buu wants a snack too!" He held out his gloved hand expectantly.

"You've got to finish the lesson first," Beerus said. "Get back to it."

"No! Buu wants a snack now!"

"Dear oh dear," Whis sighed, "perhaps it would have been better for you to sleep through this lesson too, my lord."

Beerus stood up. "I said get back to the lesson. Change back!"

"No! It's Buu's turn!"

"It has been two hours already," Whis pointed out. "We're probably out of luck today."

"Fine." Beerus leaned to the left so he could see Shin once more, still sitting there with his clay creature. "My apologies, Supreme Kai, it looks like today's lesson will be cut short."

Whis handed Buu a bag of crisps to keep him out of trouble. "Perhaps next time we should invite Mr Satan."

"He's not worthy to be here. I just won't eat next time – that's clearly what flicked his switch."

"In that case, I think it's time to take Buu home."

"Yes, I –" Before Beerus could say any more Whis was gone in a flash of light, taking Buu with him. "WHIS! AREN'T YOU FORGETTING SOMEONE?!" He huffed at the sky and sat down – at least he still had his crisps.

A few moments later a hand appeared in front of him. "I'll take you home."

Beerus looked at the hand and laughed.

"What?" Shin asked. "You won't even take my hand?"

"It's not that. Whis is just incredibly crafty. He jumped on that opportunity so quickly…" Beerus took Shin's hand. "He wants us to make up, so he's left us alone like this."

Shin looked confused. "I thought we were behaving amicably enough."

"Yeah, well…" Beerus trailed off. "Take me home then."

They appeared on Beerus's planet moments later.

"Why do you think I sit through your lessons?" Beerus asked.

"Because you want to keep an eye on Buu?" Shin suggested. "But I'm guessing that's not the real reason, because you could easily let Whis do that job alone. In which case, I would say it's not Buu you're watching, but me."

"A bit of both."

Shin arced a brow. "Really?"

"Ok, mainly you." Beerus sighed. "Look, I… I'm still mad, but I thought about it and yeah, I get it. I would have said the same thing and taken the same gamble in the hopes of being seen as such a benevolent and virtuous god. But I'm still mad about the fact you went there in the first place."

"I don't expect you not to be," Shin said. "Even I look back and feel embarrassed by my rashness."

"But the worst thing is that I thought this whole thing would make me…not hate you, but completely turn me off of you."

Shin looked up at Beerus. "It…didn't?"

Beerus looked away from that curious gaze. "No, I… As against all my survival instincts as it is, your impulsive tendencies are quite…likeable. Oddly. Uh, attractive may be a better word than likeable. I certainly don't like them. But if you weren't life-linked to me, I would probably really dig the way you throw yourself into stupid situations, and I'd probably take great pleasure in saving you from your own idiocy." He stopped. "Fuck, I'm rambling."

"Whis was right to ditch you," Shin said. "That's very interesting. I'll ask again – can I do anything more to apologise?"

"Yeah, don't fucking pull that shit again without consulting me. That's what hurt the most, you know. The fact we'd spent so much time together and then you just went off on that one."

"The Grand Minister had to know I was asking alone. If I brought you along it could reflect badly on Whis seeing as he was already quite involved."

"I know," Beerus whispered. Of course he'd spent hours thinking this over and over to understand Shin's position. "But it still hurt. URGH!" he let out a yell. "I hate sounding like a sap! Look, I'm having the saiyans over for training again – there's only so many days we can sneak on Earth to pick up Buu and not be noticed – so feel free to pop over and entertain me. You know, as part of this apology you're trying to give me."

A/N: Deep in my soul I know that even if GSK appears in the manga again, the chance that him and Shin get an on-screen reunion is almost zero, so I had to feed myself with this chapter.