Author: babyg @ babygxpress

Foreword: Firstly, I would like to correct what I said in Chapter 15. The past that is about to be revealed in this chapter is actually 800 years ago, not 500 or 600 years !! Meaning, this happened before Son Goku was brought to Konzen.

Just some useless facts about the fictional characters' names. I specially chose the names to suit them. Ai is very obvious, her name meaning Love and in Human form Yuuki, meaning courage. Natsumi though, is partly because of the 'natsu' in it, which means summer, 'cos she's the fungoing one (right!?) and also 'cos I like that name :-) And now Miramei. This is a mixture of two words : mira - short for mirakuru (miracle) and mei - unmei (destiny/fate, however you see it). It took me some days to think of that name!

Chapter 16: Happiness and Sorrow

"Why do I have to do this? I've been signing stupid documents for 500 years straight!" Konzen threw his pen across the room and lifted his legs on to the table, groaning. His assistant gasped in horror.

"Konzen Douji-sama! These documents are due in half an hour!"

"It's too boooring....."

"That's right. Unchanging things are always boring. We need interesting things to spice up life a bit, eh?" Kanzeon Bousatsu stood in the doorway, grinning.

"Oh, it's you old woman. What do you want?" Konzen stuck his nose up in the air.

"Aa-ah, Kanzeon Bousatsu!" The assistant bowed deeply. "Please advise Konzen Douji-sama!"

"Advise? Ie, that's not my job. I just came over to see what my boring nephew is up to."

Konzen clenched his teeth. "You've seen it, so get lost now!" How annoying.

Kanzeon walked over to Konzen, and lifted his chin. "Is that the way you talk to an older person? Oh well, just came to see your boring face. I'm outta here. " She grinned sneakily at him before walking out of the door.

"Stupid old hag! Okay, okay don't bother me, I'll sign I'll sign!" He waved the anxious assistant away, took a new pen and did his job.

After half an hour he managed to finish signing the immense pile of documents. The relieved assistant took all the documents and scampered away.

"Time to relax. Haiii...." Konzen sighed. Suddenly his door burst open, and two lower-class gods stood outside.

A vein appeared on Konzen. "KNOCK BEFORE YOU OPEN THE DOOR!!"

"We're sorry Konzen Douji-sama! Kami-sama requests your presence at the Great Hall now."

"Whhhat? I just finished that...and now this!!" Konzen sighed frustratedly He folded his arms. "I'm not going!"

"But... Konzen Douji-sama, it's very important! We will be the victims to Kami-sama's wrath if we don't bring you! Please!" The two gods begged him.

"You are all irritating! Guess I've got no choice......" Konzen frowned then got up reluctantly. He walked, pulling a long face all the way.

"Kami-sama! We have brought Konzen Douji-sama here!" The two gods bowed deeply while announcing Konzen's appearance. Konzen saw that Kanzeon Bousatsu was standing by the side of Kami-sama's chair before he knelt down. That witch. She knew something was up.

"Hai. I am here now. Why do you want to see me for?"

"Konzen Douji. You are already 500 years old is it not?"

"400."

"Whatever. You are now at a marital age...."

"What! You called me here to talk about this rubbish!" Konzen got up angrily but was pushed down again by the bodyguards.

"Yes. As you are a pure god, I would like to ensure that the bloodline stays pure. Therefore, I have already chosen a candidate for you. As it is, I heard you are very hot-headed, and sulky. I hope you will be able to change your attitude. Also, Kanzeon Bousatsu agrees that she is the best candidate. " Kami-sama clapped his hands three times to call the chosen goddess to be brought in.

"What the hell..... those two old hags!" Kanzeon cursed under his breath angrily. He heard footsteps behind him, and then someone dressed in flowing white robes knelt down beside him.

"Kami-sama."

Her voice. It was like the soft April breeze, and it somehow chilled him, as if she was mocking at everyone. Konzen turned to look at her suspiciously. What he saw: a very fair lady (he could swear that she was almost as white as her robes!). What stood out of place was her hair. Light, very light bluish-green long hair. It contrasted sharply with her robes and skin.

"Konzen Douji, let me introduce you. This is the Goddess of Destiny. She has just arrived home here on Heaven after a very long journey in the centre of Earth, which will explain why you've never seen her before. Destiny, this is Konzen Douji, nephew of Kanzeon Bousatsu, and your fiancé. I have fixed your wedding date one month from now, for the two of you to get to know each other well enough. I have given enough consideration on this matter. Rejections will be unheard of. Do you understand?"

"Hai, O kami-sama." Destiny answered softly, keeping her head bowed down. Konzen refused to answer, getting angrier by the minute. Who the hell is he, determining MY future!

"Then, that will be all. You are both excused now. Oh, and one more thing. I will be hearing of the both of you being together at all times. There will be no such thing as avoiding each other."

Destiny said her thanks and got up her robes billowing. She held out her hand to Konzen. Konzen looked extremely surprised.

"Konzen, you are supposed to lead her out." Kanzeon smirked.

He gave her a dirty look, then mustering up all his patience, took her hand and walked out.

After they had gone, Kanzeon laughed. A little wickedly. "Serves him right! Now he will learn the gentleman's ways instead of staying a spoilt kid."

Kami-sama sighed. " This one had better last, Bousatsu. This maybe the only way to curb that goddess's growing power to Heaven alone. She does not relate what she has been through, but it is obvious that she has grown very powerful. Although, if she did mix with a human, her power might grow weaker, but we can't have anymore taboo pairings. There's enough as it is."

"It will be an interesting month. I guess I'll be taking my leave." Kanzeon walked out. He's always thinking for himself alone. Selfish. What does he want to do with this Goddess? As a possible successor for Nataku? Curb her power indeed.

After the huge doors were closed in the Great Hall, Konzen snatched his hand away. Destiny in turn, wiped her hand delicately against her robes, then stared at him in distaste.

"I didn't know Kami-sama has such bad taste in pairings."

"Oh, I'm sure of it. Don't expect me to like you. Now I've got to figure out a way of how to break things off." Konzen walked ahead frowning, his hand on his chin. Are you calling me ugly, you transparent woman!

Destiny glided slowly along. " I'm sure you've heard what he said. Anyway, we aren't destined to be together, so don't worry about it." I didn't know the quality of gods up here have been so down compared to last time.

"Who are you to tell me all that? Wait... you are the Goddess of Destiny. I didn't know a goddess existed just for that too." He turned to look at her, then jumped back in surprise. "Why... you are floating!!" You're getting weirder and weirder!

"Why walk when you've got the power to float?" She lifted an eyebrow at him. Like, DUH.

Just as she reached a corner, someone who seemed to be running fast collided into her. They both fell amid a huge clanking.

"What the....? Oh, I'm sorry, are you okay?" The someone got up with some difficulty due the shackles on his hands, then helped her up.

" No. But thanks. Who are you?" Destiny looked at him curiously. Now there's a better looking guy, and a more well-mannered one too.

"Homura. Have I seen you around?" Homura glanced at her a moment, then moved around a little agitatedly.

"No. I'm Destiny, a newcomer up here. " As a show of respect, Homura took her hand and air-kissed it.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm sorry but I'm late for an appointment, Ja!" He ran off.

Konzen stood by the side, his arms folded. " What a brat, he didn't even acknowledge me. And what's with all that show of kissing?"

"Its manners, my dear boy. And you were too easy to miss."

"Don't call me your dear boy! .... Wh-hats wrong with you?" Konzen caught her in his arms just as she collapsed suddenly.

"Nothing. Let go of me" Destiny said chokingly as she slapped his hands away and got up shakingly.

"Oh boy. I know your name's Destiny, but you don't need to keep saying it. And what's with the ungratitude?"

"I said destined! Stupid, learn your grammar properly!" She huffed off.

"Who are you to tell me that!" Konzen stormed after her.

Destiny stopped so suddenly (that Konzen nearly bumped into her) at the edge of a beautiful garden. There was a stream bubbling softly, beautiful green grass, and cherry blossoms all over. She sat on the river bank, staring at the ripples. Konzen sighed frustratedly but sat beside her.

"I'm here not because I want to, but because of Kami's order." No answer. He tried again. "What was that all about?"

"I always have premonitions. You know, sometimes they are beautiful, but most of the time they are just horrible."

"There you go again. Your voice sounds creepy when it gets that airy chilly tone, you don't seem real like that. I prefer the normal voice you had a few moments ago."

"You....prefer?" Konzen, realizing what he said, blushed deep red. "n-no... I mean... what I meant..."

"I hate being Destiny."

"What?"

"Being able to see the future, determining other's futures, are plain stupid. Being looked up to by the other inhabitants here, like I'm not one of them, is stupid. Do you know, " and her voice softened, " that you and Homura are the first ones that didn't treat me like an outsider. Everyone's been treating me so nice it hurts. They just want me to give them a nice future. Other than that, I'm nothing to them." What did I just tell him???

"You can change the future? Change mine then....." Konzen coughed as Destiny glared at him, "I mean... so what if you can change the future? Its no big deal. Its themselves, who determine their fate." Did I just try to comfort someone?

"You are right. That's why I can't stand it when everyone expects me to change their lives. So weak." she sniffed.

" Are you actually that powerful?"

"I've just come back from my journey down there. I've at least earned my title."

"Was it hard? Centre of the Earth. How was it like?" Konzen felt excited. She could at least brighten up his boring existence with her stories.

And so she began relating to him her adventures. If I were to describe every one of it, it would take me days and days and many chapters to finish. Lets just say it involved lots of mind-challenging tests, physical tests, and most of all, she even had some adventures with Satan, the Ruler of the Underworld. For to be a Goddess of Destiny, one has to meet the two natural leaders of the Good and Evil. Soon, the sun began setting, and it cast shadows everywhere. Destiny stopped, staring agape at the beautiful scene before her.

"So this is sunset. I've not seen it for so long I've forgotten." Suddenly she seemed to remember that she was supposed to hate Konzen for being paired up with her. She turned. Apparently he remembered too, for he got up haughtily, and without another word proceeded to walk away.

"Hey, you impolite otaku!! Help me up at least!"

Konzen looked back. "I'm not your servant!"

"Fine! If that's the way you want it!" She got up just as haughtily and both of them stared angrily at each other before turning on their heels and went opposite ways.

The next few days was spent with them arguing with each other. Apparently, Kanzeon had arranged for Destiny's room to be beside Konzen's for 'extra bonding', as she called it, and so both of them always managed to find an excuse for starting quarrels. It was either Konzen storming away, his hands covering his ears, with a furious Destiny behind him, or vice versa. Or both of them would stop and argue in the middle of the roads too.

Unknown to them, Kanzeon watched them everyday from her window. She smiled sneakily as she drank in the view.

"I've never seen Konzen getting so worked up about a person, have you Jiroushin?"

The poor general stuttered, " Bousatsu-sama! We shouldn't be peeping and prying into their affairs!"

"I agreed to their pairing, I must see how it works out. And it does put an interesting perspective to my life. " That way, I can find out why Kami thinks she's so powerful. But, she doesn't seem to show any sign of it.

Suddenly a huge ruckus of voices started outside the window. Kanzeon looked out, and saw the 'couple' arguing again. Apparently, it was quite serious this time as Destiny seemed to have lost her temper and acted more roughly than she had ever did since arriving on Heaven.

Time for me to butt in. "Hoi, you guys! Aren't the cherry blossoms lovely?" Kanzeon shouted out gaily, while Jiroushin looked very embarrassed.

Both Destiny and Konzen stopped in surprise and looked at Kanzeon, whose head was popping out of a window and was grinning widely. Cherry blossoms....lovely????

"Shit!" They both pointed angry fingers at her but Kanzeon had disappeared from the window, and all they could hear was her fading laughter.

"She seems to have a similar attitude to you, only more bossy." Destiny spat angrily.

"Don't compare me with that witch!"

Both of them suddenly caught each other's eyes.... and burst out laughing.

"I have to admit, she never looked funnier!" Konzen burst out.

"And Jiroushin's expression was priceless!"

Slowly, they stopped laughing. No more in a hostile mood, they both walked together.

"Hey Konzen.... do you know, I have another name."

"I don't care."

"It's Miramei. Call me that."

"Why should I?"

"Because its my name."

"........"

"Konzen!"

Konzen turned towards the sound.

"Tenpo! What are you doing here?"

"Aah, I'm on my way to the library." Tenpo smiled, thick glasses glinting in the sunlight, and he was juggling several books. "Eh.... who is this lady?" He smiled politely at Destiny.

"She's... Mi.... I mean Destiny. Destiny, Tenpo Gensui, my long-time acquaintance. "

Destiny smiled politely, making no move with her hands for she could see that Tenpo was having a hard enough time trying to juggle his books. " Hajimemashite. Dozo yoroshiku."

"Nice to meet you. A-ah, " And Tenpo's glasses glinted, " Are you THE fiancée for Konzen? I heard about it."

"Hai."

"Apparently, both of you seem very good together. Well I must be going. See you later." He smiled again and went on his way. Konzen shook his fist at him and was about to follow him when Destiny stopped him.

"Is that your friend? He seems different from you. Reminds me of a bookworm." An image of a worm, with Tenpo's face appeared in their imaginations. They both laughed.

"Aah! That's right! I just remembered! Is he the smart guy for the West Army?????"

"Yeah. Tactician, in fact."

"OOH! Lets go find him again!!! I want to ask him something!" She pulled Konzen along.

They walked past buildings, and past a field.

"Waa.... kirei...." Destiny exclaimed but suddenly stopped short. She stared intently, as if trying to see what was beyond the field.

"What's the matter?" Konzen shifted his weight aggravatingly.

"Remember the guy with shackles we met on my first day?"

"Yeah. What was his name?"

"Homura. He will be parted with his loved one soon, if they find out." She said this softly, almost in a whisper. Konzen strained his ears.

"What? Who will be parted from who?"

"You're stupid. Lets go." She walked on.

"Who are you to call me stupid?!" He shouted but followed her.

They reached outside the library. Destiny knocked on the door. No answer. She knocked a second time. A third time. A fourth. Then, frustrated, she kicked open the door and walked in.

"Be more polite." Konzen smirked.

"Anyone in here?" Destiny looked around. Piles of books lay strewn everywhere. Finally she spotted something black behind a table. She walked towards it.

"Tenpo Gensui!" She said as she saw him. "TENPO GENSUI!" She leaned down and shouted in his ear.

Tenpo cocked his head a bit, as if he heard something very faint but couldn't figure out what was it. He looked up and met Destiny's gray eyes, a few inches from his.

He sweat dropped. " Aii-yai, when did you come in? I'm sorry I didn't notice you before."

"Never mind. I've got some questions to ask....." She was interrupted by someone who burst in through the doorway shouted, " Tenpo! Where are youuuu!"

Tenpo adjusted his glasses. "Right here in front of you, Kenren. What are you so worked up about?"

Kenren who'd rushed in stopped short at the sight of Destiny. He immediately went to her, and took her hand.

"I've not seen you around here before. My name's Kenren, what's yours? Wanna go for dinner and maybe wine.... Ouw!" Kenren flinched as someone knocked him hard on the head. He turned. "What do you want... , " He lifted Konzen's chin and nodded in appreciation, "Oh, you are beautiful too, but wait for your turn."

Tenpo and Destiny let out a small giggle. Konzen glared at them and slapped Kenren's hand away angrily. "I'M A MAN!"

"Oh.... if so, why did you disturb me. How about it, my lady?" Kenren turned his attention back to Destiny.

Destiny looked at him coolly, and untangled her hand.

"I don't think that's possible Kenren. She is Destiny...." Tenpo began.

"Destiny???? Wow, you're more beautiful in person than what they said! And you're supposed to be engaged to a sulky who-cares-what-his-name-is fella. You certainly deserve more!"

"Er.... Kenren, I don't think that's going to work. Let me introduce you, this is Konzen Douji, " Tenpo gestured towards a very seething Konzen, " And he is Destiny's fiancé. Konzen, that's Kenren Taisho, for the West Army. "

"Eh...?" Kenren lifted an eyebrow and inspected him. Konzen stared back at him.

" You three really are very suitable together. I feel a very comfortable aura with you guys." They are meant to be together.

The other three stared at her weirdly.

Soon, with them barely noticing it, three weeks had passed. To Destiny, it seemed like three short days. She had enjoyed herself so much, that she lost her aloofness, and now could greet those gods that treated her differently with cheerfulness too. She felt as if she didn't mind them now, just as long as she could be with the other three.

Her powers had been growing all this while. She could sense anything, and her predictions (which often got her out of scrapes) were very accurate. On her part, she thought she was getting luckier (she herself did not realize her importance). However, although Destiny did not notice her powers were growing, others did. Kanzeon finally realized how powerful she was, but she did nothing except grin to herself. Kami-sama's spies also reported to him that her powers were growing too. He grew grim, and began thinking a lot.

One day, when they were in the library, with Tenpo reading another one of his favorite 'history' books, Kenren drinking his wine seated on the chair, Konzen and Destiny teasing each other, an authoritative knock sounded on the library door. They all turned startled.

The door burst open. The Taisho of the East Army (I forgot his name!) came in, and all his soldiers lined up behind him. He ignored the rest, but went straight up to Destiny and bowed.

"The Goddess of Destiny, you are requested to be in the Great Hall immediately. There are some important manners to be discussed. Now, if you please."

Destiny stared at him, then retreated behind Konzen. The Taisho looked furious.

"Now, if you please...."

"Do you really need your whole army for one hapless girl?" Kenren lifted his glass at the Taisho.

"It's really none of your business, Kenren Taisho. If I were you, I would pay more attention to my attitude."

"But you're not me."

The Taisho glared at him, then walked resolutely and grabbed Destiny's arm roughly. She let out a yelp and tried to push him away, but he was insistent. Konzen punched him in the face and stood in front of Destiny.

"What are you trying to do?! Get the hell out of here."

"Konzen." The Taisho wiped his mouth, " I thought you were complaining day and night about your engagement. And we're just going to borrow her for a while. Aren't you glad that we're taking this bothersome person from you?"

Konzen looked grim, but didn't say anything. Destiny stared at him hopefully wishing he would say something in her defense. However he kept quiet. The Taisho pushed him away and dragged Destiny. She cried out helplessly.

"Konzen!! Konzen help me! Konzen!"

He turned away. Didn't even look at her. Kenren and Tenpo moved forward, but he held out a hand to stop them.

She looked at him in disbelief, before she was dragged away.

"Hoi! Konzen! Why didn't you let us go after her? Even if don't want to be a man, you don't need to pull us with you!"

Konzen snapped at him angrily. "What do you think you can do? We can stop him but we can't stop Kami from seeing her. "

Tenpo agreed. "He's right, Kenren. We shouldn't create more trouble than what we have now, being so close with her and all that."

"Che. So we're leaving her like that? Who knows what's that guy up to now."

Tenpo adjusted his glasses. "Did any of you notice that her 'ki has been growing each day? Maybe this summoning has something to do with her power."

Konzen gasped. Immense... power?

"I remember now... that old hag mentioned something about curbing someone's power... could it be her?"

Tenpo nodded grimly. " I did some research, however. Apparently, a very old legend says that when a competent Goddess of Destiny appears, she could overturn the Great Lord and all of Heaven. Although she can't take the post herself, she can choose his successor if she thinks the present one is not good enough."

Kenren sniffed. "So, they want to make sure she doesn't betray them. How weak."

"Right. So what do we do now?"

"What else, silly. Lets go find out what's happening in the Great Hall!"

babyg: Finally, Destiny's connection with Sanzo ikkou are revealed. What will happen to Destiny now? I'm sure its obvious But this chapter will be continued in Chapter 17: The Sealing. Be sure to catch it! See ya! * groans * God, this chapter took me so long to finish!!! But it was fun to write, because I've had reviews asking me to continue it ! Confident! Recharged!! Happy waiting! ^-^ v