GENSOUMADEN SAIYUKI
Part 1 - As In Heaven…
"Ah, Konzen, you always had the knack for getting yourself in the most interesting tangles…" Kanzeon Bosatsu said, she sat on her throne with her legs crossed, one hand on the arm of her chair and the other playing with a lotus blossom. She looked utterly serene with her flowing black hair and flowing white robes.
"Kanzeon-sama, aren't we going to intervene? I mean are we supposed to…" Jiroshin said, the gray-haired retainer looked as frazzled and concerned as ever. Kanzeon privately thought that he was born a worrier.
Ah, good old Jiroshin, can't you see that mortals can take care of their own affairs without intervention from the gods? We gave them free will to determine their own fates…because they are capable of that…
"If the Emperor has decided to sit back and watch the chaos of Gyumao's rule, why should we? They have not even replaced Homura Taishin as Fighting God."
"You can always…"
"No, as I've said the gods are here to witness not to intervene. Besides, why should I? When the events down there are so interesting."
"Kanzeon-sama!" Jiroshin looked outraged.
"Konzen brought it on himself, this too was started five hundred years ago. He is so blind, then, and being reborn hadn't changed that." Kanzeon said. She looked into deep into the center of the flower, unseeing, her eyes looking back into that forgotten time.
So oblivious, I called you a child and a child still you are…one word of affection…one caress… and was he so hard to love? You had been friends practically ever since you could talk… You surprised me when you seem to give your heart to someone so different than you…
Very entertaining…in its own way but this drama is getting old…
***
In Heaven, about 500 years ago...
Tenpo paced about as he decided what to say. He was having a hard time finding the words for someone who was known for being so clever.
It's hard…and this is hardly a routine situation… How does one tell a childhood friend that you want more than friendship from him?
He had been waiting for the chance to tell the blond god. The other had been much mellower lately, so that he no longer had that many qualms about being rejected. The moment never did seem right though.
It was also hardly characteristic of me to be this hesitant…
Though gods were a patient sort and did think out their actions before carrying them out, Tenpo had a streak of passion in him especially when things like this was concerned.
"Ten-chan, I'm here!"
"Aa, Goku." Tenpo said, smiling fondly at the child.
Ah, thinking of the devil or nearly so...
The little itan was the reason the Marshal felt that Konzen could be his someday. He could still see that day, a gleaming bright jewel in his memory…
***
"...And look how lively things are around here now" Tenpo said absently. It was true, as far as he can tell. Konzen looked more animated than he'd ever seen him. Color infused the smooth white skin that made the blond god look as if he was cast in marble. The boredom and anger was still there but they were less dominant in that lovely face. Konzen looked alive for once. There was life in those amethystine eyes, making them glow entrancingly. He was preoccupied with the lovely sight that he barely corrected Konzen's new adoptee tried to call him uncle. He made small talk as he tried to figure out.
Goku certainly seems good for Konzen...even if my old playmate seems a bit less enthusiastic about him... I can tell that there's some form of affection there...
"Please call me Ten-chan." Tenpo said easily.
One way to win him over would be to win his charge...after all Goku is the one who made this change in him...not that Goku isn't winsome all by himself...
Tenpo could find it in his heart to warm up to young one.
He is so innocent… Even Konzen's not that hardhearted enough to be immune to such innocence… If I hang around long enough with them, maybe I can take advantage of the crack in his armor…and in time…in time, he'll care for me, too…
Hope began to bloom in Tenpo's heart. He had been admiring his blond playmate since they were quite young, almost children really, but he never saw any sign that the other could care for any thing, much less any one.
This maybe my chance…my only chance…
And Heaven knows, Tenpo Gensui was not one to squander chances no matter how small.
"You've got someone like that in your army, right--someone who keeps you busy?" Konzen said suddenly.
"Oh yes, I do But he's a lot bigger than this kid." Tenpo said, rather surprised that Konzen even noticed.
"Name of Kenren or something…"
And he knows his name, too…
Tenpo nearly missed Konzen's next words.
"…he's a better fighter…so called fighter gods…"
I hope he's not thinking…I know that there are rumors of me and Kenren…
"He's an individualist--" Tenpo quickly reeled off the reasons he had taken on the man. Kenren was street smart and brash. The redhead made a good friend besides a good ally for what Tenpo planned. He didn't want to lose the man but what Konzen thought was…important…
There that should be enough I suppose…
Tenpo held his breath and waited for the ax to fall.
"I hear the upper command of the army are wary of him." Konzen said speculatively. The interest in the voice was detached not at all jealous.
"Aa…" Tenpo began to explain and soon found himself enmeshed despite of his real intention in explaining the follies of High Command to Konzen.
There will be other times…sometimes I wonder how he can be so blind and cynical at the same time…but that's part of his charm I suppose…
***
The time never came for Tenpo kept finding reasons why he shouldn't tell the object of his secret admiration.
I don't want to lose what we have now. If he rejects me…it might never be the same… Right now he doesn't even know of it… The rumors of me and Kenren would also ensure that he'll never guess it…so I can have it for always…unsullied and unchanged…
But, face it, do you want it to remain the same? Never to have his love? To never even take the chance to win him?
I am being a coward…
Tenpo steeled his resolve. I'm going to tell him today.
"Goku…" Tenpo trailed off.
"Ne, Ten-chan?" Goku looked up from where he was reading manga.
"Is Konzen alone today?"
"He's always alone, Ten-chan. He's doing those boring papers again."
I'll see if I can change that…he is all too alone except for you…
Tenpo took a deep breath and continued before he lost his nerve.
"Arigatou, Goku. Would you stay here for a while? I need to go out for a moment." Tenpo asked.
"Hai." Goku replied absently.
***
"Tenpo, I thought Goku had gone to visit you." Konzen said as he looked up from a pile of documents he was reading.
"Aa, he came over to read some more manga."
"Then why are you here, aren't you afraid that he'll make a mess of you library."
"More of a mess you mean. No, he's rather well behaved in there." Tenpo chuckled, amused despite the situation.
Very few people could say that about Goku…the numerous times he'd sneaked into the main palace. He'd gotten in trouble with the people there quite from what I hear from Kenren…
"But what are you doing here?" Konzen asked. He didn't stop what he was doing and continued to hold the paper in front of him.
It was such a familiar thing that they've done so many times. However, this time, it somehow lacked the usual charm. The casual trust Konzen gave him by ignoring him was something precious to him but…
He's still ignoring me…today of all days when I'm going to profess my undying…affection for him…
Tenpo didn't want to make it real by naming it prematurely.
If Konzen doesn't feel the same…
"Konzen, could you put that down and look at me?" Tenpo asked, politely as always.
"What is it?" Konzen asked, irritation more out of habit than anything else.
" I need to tell l you something important and I want to see your face when I say it."
"Oh, all right. Give me a moment." Konzen said, as he laid down the piece of paper on his desk.
Now's the moment… Come on, it's your moment…come on…
"What is it?" Konzen asked, the irritation returned as the moment lengthened without a word from Tenpo.
"I--I--" Tenpo stuttered under the baleful purple glare.
"What?"
The indifferent tone was what broke through his reluctance. Tenpo leaned in and put his lips on the blond god's.
Konzen's mouth was warm and sweet and heady like the wine that Kenren loved. A taste he could never get enough of. It was a long moment before he realized. Realized that Konzen wasn't responding. The blond was remaining like a cold marble statue in his arms. True, the cherry lips were apart letting him do whatever he wished but it was more of letting him in rather than really welcoming him. The purple eyes stared at him without feeling. Faced with this non-response, Tenpo faltered.
"Konzen, I..."
"What the hell was that all about?" Konzen asked, filling the silence with the indignant words. However, the blond god seemed too startled to put much heat into them.
"I wanted to ask you if you would be my lover. I...always felt some affection towards you." Tenpo stuttered.
"What about Kenren? Aren't you 'married' to him?"
"That's what everyone thinks. You know as well as I do that the rumors around this place…"
"Aa." It came out evenly.
"Is that all you can say?" Tenpo asked, his heart pounded loudly in his ears.
Why doesn't he react…say something…
"What do you want me to say, Tenpo? We're friends. I never thought more of you than that."
"Nothing more. I understand…" Tenpo said, turning on his heel and fled the room.
I knew it…he doesn't want anything other than friendship…and now I've made a fool of myself…
***
"Then, he kissed me...are you listening to me?" Konzen asked. He was lying by his current lover, narrating the whole incident to the man. He was being ignored.
In a way, he had been relieved that the brunet had made a play for him. His friend's supposed relationship to Kenren worried him to no end since he'd heard of it but being who he was, he didn't asked the other man about it.
My pride…would've been too much to ask… Besides, this doesn't mean that much…
"Kenren?" Konzen asked, irately.
It wouldn't harm to see that he take it seriously considering his superior officer tried to make a pass at his lover…
The blond god thought that he'd merit as much consideration as that. Even if their relationship was only sex, the man should feel some territoriality over him.
"So what do you propose I do about it?" Kenren drawled, finally. The redheaded god's hands were lazily tracing imaginary spirals on Sanzo's body, going lower and lower…
Irritation took second place to the sensations the touch was arousing.
"Kenren…" Konzen gasped. After that, he no longer had room to think of anything else.
***
Kenren looked down on his sleeping lover and marveled at the man's perfection. In the moonlight, Konzen looked very much the god. Silky blond hair cascaded over the pillows. Skin glowed softly like alabaster.
So lovely, I don't know why you're with me… I'm loud and rash, not at all like you…careful as a cat and just as finicky…
Kenren wasn't blind. There were a lot of longing looks thrown at the man's way. It wasn't just Tenpo, though the Marshal had been one of the more serious contenders.
I can see both of you together so easily… You two seem to fit each other's personalities… You don't fight with him as much as you do me… Why me?
Not that I'm complaining…but…we don't make that much sense…
There was no logical explanation for Konzen's choice. Kenren had thought that the blond would choose Tenpo Gensui as soon as the Marshal had found the guts to confess his feelings. They had a longer history together. They were cuter together. They had that silent understanding that Kenren couldn't fathom. But somehow…
Somehow…he chose me… Why? For whatever the reason…Shit!
It was time to go. He could continue these musings elsewhere. It would cause no end of gossip if he were to be found in these quarters. It was something he and Konzen had been careful of. Kenren sneaked out of his quarters well after the time where people were up and about. His men who were quartered in the same barracks could be trusted to keep their mouth shut.
Now we have more reason to keep the secret…
They'd keep it so secret that everyone gossiped about Kenren and Tenpo instead, since the brunet was forever dragging Kenren off to discussions of what was happening in the military. Something the blond god was not aware of. Kenren was almost sure that the Marshall was purposely keeping his friend free from the political maneuverings involved.
He's very protective of Konzen, though he says that he's just doing it because Konzen's not in the military and couldn't be bothered with it… Bullshit!
Kenren knew real affection when he saw it. "His" Marshal had a thing for the blond for the longest of time.
Now that he's gotten it into the open, we have to be more careful than we already have been…
Kenren was very sure that Tenpo wouldn't keep his infamous cool if he'd learned that his redheaded friend had gone off with his crush. Kenren knew his superior officer well and despite the cool way the Marshal sized up his enemies, the man had a temper.
It wasn't as if I had done it intentionally…but well…
Kenren didn't know, couldn't have known, really, that Tenpo had been referring to the blond god that day, or that the brunet had harbored that much affection for the man.
How were I to guess? That conversation was surely innocuous enough…
He pulled his breeches, absently; barely noting that he got it pulled up wrong side up. His mind too busy on a day under sakura trees…
***
"...Kenren, Did you ever feel so bored you might as well be dead?" Tenpo asked Kenren, one fine day, under the cherry trees of Heaven.
Me, bored? Where did he get that idea? I find my own entertainment...
His friend always did have the strangest ideas.
"Hm? Why're you asking?" Kenren asked back still lolling about in the effervescent warmth of sake and sunlight.
It was too good a day to be wound up about Tenpo's philosophical discussions.
"I know someone who's never loved flowers, or touched another person, or ever drunk wine
He always looks mad about something." Tenpo added.
"Hmm, I'd say he's not worth bothering with." Kenren drawled back lazily enough but his interest was piqued.
How could a man live like that? I can't imagine anyone living like that... I wonder who it is...
***
Kenren removed his breeches to put them on right, reaching for his belt as the memories continued to flash through his mind's eye.
He had wondered about who Tenpo had been referring to but hadn't the time to pursue it, had no real plans of pursuing it. He was satisfied between the pursuit of pleasure and his duties to the Western Army. Then, he met Konzen…
He sure spiced up a boring day…
***
Hohum, who is he to talk of subduing demons when he doesn't even try to go down there to fight… He doesn't know anything…
Kenren had been thinking of nothing in particular, fiddling about, when he saw his friend and the little itan in trouble with some of the lower soldiers in the Army. Having nothing better to do than listen to the old geezer's blustery speech, he decided to join in the fun. The speech was so dull, anyway, that it threatened to put him to sleep. He kicked the one who held the monkey in the knee and started a repartee with Tenpo who seemed all game for it. That not being enough, he challenged every one bearing a grudge against him. He was having fun at punching out the idiots when he heard a strident voice called out the monkey's name.
Kenren looked up to see this vision of loveliness charging through the crowd.
Golden pony tail flickering from behind in irritation but hair and robe unflappably in place. The blond's violet eyes blazed with his irritation.
Ohh-hh, so that's the famous...Konzen Douji…
Kenren realized that he had uttered the thought out loud and shut his mouth before he could manage to say something more embarrassing. He'd heard of Konzen Douji before. Gossip about the blond was familiar fare in some of Heaven's circles. He was considered the epitome of a god in looks but no one had yet to melt the icy façade. Some compared the god to an ice-sculpture, beautiful to look at but cold to touch. Others, out of sheer envy, had started rumors of deviant tastes, the most recent being about his young itan ward.
"Now, now, o-niisan, Kids are the wind's children- it's natural for them to play." Kenren said, trying to placate the blond by putting his arm over the man's shoulders or so he told himself. Rumors hadn't exaggerated the man's beauty.
Jeez, even if he looks like he's going to explode…he still looks absolutely gorgeous!
"Get your hands off me! Who the hell are you?" Konzen asked. He was not the least placated. Purple eyes flashing seductively with rage.
"Abarenbou Shougun." Kenren punned away as he tried to push away a sudden flutter of desire.
"You're General Kenren." Konzen retorted, coldly.
That shut him up.
***
It certainly shocked me…
Kenren got his tunic on then his belt. He had never thought that the blond god would be interested enough to know the name of a lowly taisho.
He never struck me as the type to keep up with matters that didn't concern his duties or his small circle of relations and friends…
Kenren certainly never met the blond god before, much less been privileged enough to talk to him, much less count as a friend.
I never thought we'd get very far either…
He had always been getting on the blond's nerves. That first meeting led off to him ticking the man off by breaking a window. They never got together without fighting unless they were having sex…
I can't see any reason at all…to why we were still together…
It made no sense. They made no sense but here they were…
Blankets rustled as Konzen shifted position. It took Kenren out of his musings long enough to remind him that he should have been out of the room a half hour ago.
Better take my thoughts elsewhere… I can think in my room as well as here…
He finally fumbled on his tunic and his belt on and sneaked out into the deserted corridor. A couple of rooms away, he resumed his musings.
Why should he pick me when he could choose almost anyone? Not Tenpo, if he didn't quite fancy doing it with a childhood friend… There are folks congenial enough and not out to get him just for his position…
"Kenren? What are doing here at this time of the night?" Tenpo's hushed voice echoed in the empty hallway that they were in. Kenren nearly jumped at the sound so lost he was in thought.
Oh shit…and I was just thinking that he shouldn't know about us…
Kenren couldn't remember how long he'd left Konzen's quarters. It seemed like it was only seconds before...
~TBC~
Author's Notes:
Most conversations in this chapter were taken from Jean's Gaiden Saiyuki translations at Aetheticism.net. The rest is my imagination at work.
Sorry, if the chapter isn't what you, folks, were expecting. Do you guys think Tenpo should catch Kenren? BWHAHAHA!
I think I've been watching too much telenovelas (soap operas). The ending seemed reminiscent of the ending of the yesterday's (April 5, 2003) episode of "Daniela", where the enraged mistress goes to the wedding of the guy. My work mates love soaps and since we work in an appliance store…well, I've gotten an overdose of morning and afternoon soaps. Current favorites at work are "Daniela", "Maria Belen" and "Angela", all South American imports. ^^
At least 2 more fic updates are slated for this week. Hopefully they all fall through, stories for update:
1) "Foxy Affection" - chapter 3 - I've had enough material for another chapter for weeks already but was just too uninspired to arrange them
2) "Raven's Pendant" - Had a sudden inspiration, trying to make it last long enough to finish a chapter.
3) "In Season" - still lost at the lemon but trying…