DISCLAIMER: I do not own Saiyuki nor do I take credit for it or any of it's characters. I make no profit from this what-so-ever. I only own Setsuka (SES-Kuh) my bro wanted to know how you say it, and Luxe. ENJOY!!

All Is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 4: Heaven's Tools

Setsuka had evaded Kanzeon successfully for most of the morning. However, she now found herself cornered by eight soldiers and was currently seated in the Goddess' office wrapped to the chair by silken cords. She glowered at the older woman, her white tresses falling from her elegant swept updo from the struggle against several soldiers. While she may have had smoldering good looks on her side in some peoples opinion, she clearly did not engage in combat for a living at any point in time of her life. She squirmed against her bindings to no avail before settling herself deeper into the chair and irritably sighing.

"Do you really think I could be summoned like some damn dog?" She sniffed at Kanzeon. The merciful goddess chuckled at her, rearranging an assortment of documents on her desktop.

"No, of course not, but I need you to keep that pompous attitude and you'd make a great goddess." She smiled. "I just had you dragged here to go over what's expected of you. Simply put, you are the new goddess of love, fertility, and sex. At this point in time, I just need you to be a symbol of these attributes. Now, you are expected to have….what's the word…lovers? Male concubine… To put it bluntly. Even if you are to marry, you are expected to pretty much be the most desiring, desirable, and attractive being in all of paradise. Maintain that appearance, because it can help land you anyone." Setsuka had quirked a brow at her and miserably failed at hiding an amused grin.

"So I'm here in paradise to be a slut?" She asked. Kanzeon rubbed the bridge of her nose. 'Don't say it…DON'T say it….' The merciful goddess thought to herself.

"Tonight at dinner, sit next to me. We will be accompanied by Prince Nataku and his father Li Touten. Oh, and your late night meeting with the prince last night has raised quite a few rumors. I, for one, think it's cute." Kanzeon winked at her.

"I, for one, think this is horseshit." Setsuka calmly said. She bit her lip, turning her eyes down to her knees. She hated that someone was dictating her life for her. It made her skin crawl. She didn't give a damn if heaven was all that great, it wasn't worth freedom. She couldn't even have a conversation with Nataku outside without people flapping their ignorant traps. She felt herself growing hot, like it was time for a cigarette, but she only released an irritated sigh and pouted.

"Whatever." She growled in defeat. Her jaw clenched in frustration gave her emotions away, but Kanzeon chose not to acknowledge her displeasure quite yet. "If you are finished, kindly turn me loose, will you?" She requested. Kanzeon waved her hand and Jiro Shin untied the young goddess, silently watching as she stood and withdrew from the room without another word.

"Look, Li Touten, this appears to be a good situation coming from a shitty one, I think our little prince will do just fine with her."

"My Nataku has not the proper education on women. He knows only the duties of the battlefields, nothing of marriage."

"And my Setsuka knows nothing on marriage either, they can figure it out together, I have faith in them. I was watching them last night, and they were all googly eyes at each other. I think this is the best path for her."

"Perhaps, he's been distracted since yesterdays dinner. Maybe, they can complete each others purpose."

"And what do you mean by that, Li Touten?"

"Lady Setsuka has a much better chance of reigning as a goddess if she were to marry a key person in heaven." The man rubbed his beard, his eyes shining with anticipation and greed. Kanzeon did not miss the flash of lusty ambition in his eyes.

"And I'm sure Nataku's ascent into the ranks of heaven will be a much easier climb up the ladder if he had a strong, unyielding wife beside him to help him stand his ground and look after his home duties while he is away." She countered. Li Touten fell into a thoughtful silence, a smile breaking over his face.

"Then we've come to an agreement?"

"Yes, Merciful Goddess, I think we have. We shall announce it tonight at dinner."

"Perhaps marry them in a few weeks?"

"Agreed."

"Very well…I will go to the Jade Emperor at once."

Setsuka entered the banquet hall and just like the night before, the entire room fell into an obvious hush. Eyes were on Setsuka and immediately, the murmurs began. Setsuka kept her eyes straight as she kept pace beside Kanzeon. Kanzeon felt pride swell within her as she saw how many people admired her offspring and secretly wished Sephora were here to see their lovely daughter. Setsuka was not surprised to see that Li Touten and Nataku were standing behind their chairs. As they approached the table, Nataku pulled a seat out for Setsuka.

"Thanks." She mumbled at him. He silently nodded and took his seat beside her. He found himself gazing out the corner of his eye at her. She was silently staring down at her wineglass, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap. She shivered in her thin satin evening gown, lips pulled into a slight frown. Nataku could almost feel her aura of misery radiating from her. He averted his gaze to the rest of the room and reached under the table. His hand covered hers, lightly squeezing in reassurance.

"It's ok." He whispered to her. She looked at him, startled. Was it that obvious she was upset? "I know how you feel, like you are on display….I know, it's ok. We'll be alright." He discreetly comforted her. She felt her lips turn up into a smile as she gazed at him. He was focusing his eyes on the large banquet hall, so Setsuka was gazing at his profile. he was very attractive in all his youth and power, but Setsuka felt the hint of naivety within him. She found it odd that she could almost feel what was inside him.

"Your attention!" A loud voice a random faceless counselor called over the buzz of conversation. All eyes turned to the main tabled that was lifted on a stage like podium on which the jade emperor was seated. He stood awaiting the silence that was sure to come. When all the murmurs finally ceased he cleared his voice. Setsuka yawned.

"I would like to welcome everyone to tonights banquet. This is an evening of good tidings. I bring forth three bits of good news that we can all feast and drink to." He announced. There were whispers and Setsuka looked to Nataku for answers, but he looked as clueless as she and only shrugged, leaning back into his chair.

"First, I would like to announce that the demon army has been subdued. Peace once more is upon us!" He announced. A burst of cheering and applause thundered throughout the banquet hall. Setsuka jumped at the noise. She remembered what Nataku had said about being heavens assassin. She silently smiled, realizing he could have died in a battle, but was currently safe and sound. She didn't even realize how happy she was that he was ok. She tightened her hold on his hand under the tablecloth. There were several moments of applause in which the Jade Emperor allowed the noise to gradually die down before speaking again.

"My next announcement is to formally welcome our Goddess of love, sexuality, charm, and fertility. Please rise, Lady Setsuka Harikiri and be recognized as the symbol of romance!" The emperor thundered, beaming. There was applause and Setsuka was pulled to her feet by Jiro Shin. She nervously bowed to the hall, ignoring the whistles from various gods and soldiers. As she straitened back up, a tall, pale, dark haired man in the back of the room caught her eye. His hair was pulled back into a bun as was the rest of the soldiers. She recognized him as what she thought to be Nataku's attendant. He was smiling at her, almost knowingly. She felt a tug on her skirt and realized Nataku was trying to pull her back into the chair. She complied, looking pink as her eyes lost sight of the man. The applause died down again with excitable murmurs before the hush enveloped the hall once more.

"Now, I bring an announcement of union, one of a true 'match made in heaven'." The emperor announced. "Upon careful consideration and thought of the matter I have come to an arrangement to bind two of heavens beings together. In approximately four weeks, War Prince Nataku, and Love Goddess Setsuka will be united in the sacred vows and bindings of matrimony! This is my decree, and it is final." There was more thunderous applause, but Setsuka couldn't hear it. She heard nothing but her own heart pounding in her head and felt nothing but her blood boiling. She didn't even feel the pats of congratulations on her shoulder and hands. She leapt to her feet, knocking the chair back and over as she stormed away from the table.

"Setsuka…" Kanzeon muttered, watching her daughter make her way between tables and chairs, her long white hair gently flowing behind her, her head held high. The Merciful Goddess looked down at Nataku who was staring at the table cloth, motionless and emotionless. He was positively blank. Li Touten, however, grinned ear to ear and heartily exclaimed what a perfect match it was to other men who had come up to speak to him.

"What in the hell did I just do?" Kanzeon whispered under her breath, her face set somewhere between alarm and concern.

"Good question." Nataku muttered back. Kanzeon looked down at him, shocked he even heard her, but his eyes were still locked on the table, his fists clenched.

Setsuka pushed on through the banquet hall, she was almost at the doors when she caught sight of the soldier she had seen earlier. She stopped at the door, still paying no heed to the thunderous cheering and applause as Gojun approached her from the rear and stepped in front of her, grasping her shoulder.

"Mi'lady, please, don't make a scene…" He lightly asked. Setsuka furrowed her brows.

"I'm not, I'm leaving, let me through." She demanded. Gojun didn't move.

"Lady Setsuka, please, this is how heaven operates, at least TRY to LOOK like you are being compliant, trust me, it will make it go much more smoothly and painless. As we speak, Li Touten is watching you. He is looking for your weakness. I imagine many men are, don't show it to them. Don't give them this satisfaction." Gojun's tone was unwavering and stern, but his eyes were compassionate. "I am only trying to shield and protect you." He said. "If I did not approach you to attempt to stop you, trust me, Li Touten would have brought everyones attention to these very doors, making it impossible for you to slip away." It was true, even now, there was a happy and excited buzz in the room and no one seemed to pay them any mind at the doors.

"Let me through, Gojun." Setsuka harshly repeated. "This is all your fault. You dragged me here. If being in heaven means you become some damn puppet for killing or pleasure then I want nothing to do with it. Take you for example, all of you soldiers, you are nothing but damned golems. Tools for heaven to use. I don't care if you are a Dragon King, you will remove your hands from me. Frankly, I'd be happy to leave heaven tonight. I will not be a golem. The administration is bad enough, but it seems I was brought here to cater to the pleasures of the soldiers here. Heavens army of brainwashed tools can entertain itself for all I care." She slapped his hand away, ignoring the look of insulted hurt on his face from her judgmental words as she roughly pushed past him. As she did, she caught another glimpse of the man with gray tinted teal hair with the triple chakras on his forehead. He wore light blue robes that were torn off at the sleeves and his arms and torso were bandaged. His eyes remained close but he sadly frowned. It was obvious he overheard her unpleasant remarks to the Dragon king. She disregarded and exited the banquet hall, held high, chin up, and shoulders straight as she walked away with what pride and dignity she had left.

AN: almost got the next chapter done, hope you guys are enjoying it! Thanks for the awesome reviews, keep em coming, please!