Chapter 23

Moving Forward

"Picking up old habits?"

Nai looked down at the goddess from her perch in the cherry blossom tree she had chosen to climb into. She was well aware that it was a pastime of Kenren. Gojyo had always had good ideas and his past life proved to be no different.

She smiled, "Maybe."

Konzeon smiled back before putting a hand lazily on her/his hip. "Your subordinates are waiting to meet you."

"Subordinates huh?" Nai jumped down, "I never got the impression I would have help with my little job."

"You'll have a few loyal soldiers." The two walked together, "I group of Kenren and Tenpou's subordinates were released after a five hundred year prison sentence. They know who you are."

"Why were they locked away for so long?"

"Insubordination against the army of heaven. They helped those four escape the rest of the army."

Nai smirked, "No doubt Hakkai was a good leader but that idiot Gojyo…"

Konzeon smiled at how fondly Nai talked about them. It was amazing how in one night she was put together better than her counterparts in the world below. "How is it that you're not grieving?"

It was good question, but Nai had the answer, "They're not the ones who died. And after what I learned yesterday, I know I have to do this for them."

"Good. Well, I'll leave you from here."

Nai watched the goddess go and took a deep, calming breath. How was she supposed to address an army? She had no clue how militaries worked or what she was supposed to say. She clenched her fists at her sides and approached the large doors before her. Despite their size they swung easily to reveal a vast field and a large number of men standing around. The odd thing was only about a dozen or so men were wearing military uniforms.

"Fall in!"

The shout came from a young god in a uniform. He had chin length black hair and the top half was tied back from his face. The other men in uniform hustled to form two neat lines. The other men whispered amongst themselves and stepped closer to see what was happening.

The woman was a bit intimidated but tried her best not to let it show, "So this is the military huh?"

The dark haired soldier stepped out from the line, "Yes Ma'am!"

His attentiveness made her feel a bit better, "Do you know who I am?"

"Toushin Nai Taishi. We all know who you are."

"And some of us would rather die than serve under a heretic woman."

Nai glared at the god and approached him, he took a tiny step back before stepping up to meat her, she noticed the hostile gesture, "If there's a problem you can get the fuck out."

"How dare you speak to me like that!"

The man raised his hand to slap her but before she could stop him, someone else already had. Nai eyed the dark haired soldier before returning to her glaring of the arrogant god, "Did you raise your hand like that to Homura?" the god's glare didn't fade and Nai smirked, "No, he was a grown man capable of killing you. I bet you've raised it to Nataku."

The god turned his head and Nai stepped closer, "But of course he could have killed you too. But you weren't aware of that at the time huh?"

Nai grabbed the front of his robes and promptly rammed his stomach with her knee. The uniformed gods smiled amongst themselves, "I don't know a lot about the military but I know a thing or two about bossing around a bunch of men. Any one not in uniform can get the hell out!"

She turned to the soldier who had helped her, "What's you're name?"

"Kyo, my lady."

She smirked, "Sir is fine. I'm going to need your help Kyo, are you up for that?"

He nodded and smiled, "Yes sir."

Nai watched from the sidelines. She watched them spar and train amongst themselves for about two hours. Twenty-two soldiers were what she was left with after dismissing the ones who were obviously against her. She was afraid they wouldn't be enough. A heavenly army of twenty-two didn't sound very menacing compared to the force of demons waiting for them. But then again, she had once settled for four…

Kyo took her place in giving orders until she learned a little better. He told her that they had been told of the battle to come. Told they had two days to prepare. It wasn't enough, but she liked their spirit, she had faith in them even though she didn't really know them.

"Sir?"

Kyo's features had concern written on them when Nai looked up. She walked the field with him, "Excuse me for asking, but we were wondering why you won't spar with us."

She chuckled, "I'm sure I'm no match for trained soldiers. And I don't have my weapon."

"You don't?"

"I'm definitely empty handed. I had a shotgun before I...well...died."

He scratched his head of black hair and shrugged, "That's odd. Every god of war has a weapon. I don't know if any have ever had a gun..."

Nai shrugged in return, "Oh well."

"Have you tried calling for it?"

"Like a dog?"

Kyo laughed openly, "No. Calling like summoning."

Nai figured trying wouldn't hurt, it's what Gojyo and Goku did with their weapons right? She held out her hands and thought of her fathers shotgun nestled warmly in her hands, extra shells tugging comfortably in her pocket... But what she felt in her hand a moment later was definitely not a shotgun. "What the hell is this primitive piece of shit!"

Kyo pat the pouting woman on the back, "Its an archer's bow, Sir."

"I'm aware. It's not my gun is what I meant." she looked over her shoulder at the white canister strapped to her back and the white arrows inside. She sighed, "You're gonna tell me to try it so I guess I'll try it."

A few soldiers bustled about setting up a series of five targets on the other side of the field. The bow and arrow felt natural to Nai but she was still upset about her gun. She aimed, pulled, and released. Upon impact, in the center of the target, there was a white spark of light and a minor explosion that knocked over the targets on either side of the one she'd hit, "Oh... I could get used to that."

The Merciful Goddess had decided that he/she was bored. His/Her new plaything was off playing soldier with the military and her nephew and company were no livelier than a sack of potatoes.

He/She was staring out into nothing, like usual, when he/she remembered something. There were some people here, wandering about heaven that would make things interesting from this point of view at least.

Jiroshin noticed the menacing "I'm-going-to-meddle-in-something" grin the goddess had on and slowly approached her, "My lady. I hope you're not planning something."

"Of course not! What do you take me for? I'm just going to let things happen…"

"Are you sure that's safe?"

"Would you rather have me meddle?"

"No. This is fine."

"Hey Sanzo what's that?"

The blonde looked down at the orange paper airplane in his hand and scoffed, "What does it look like monkey?"

"Sanzo!" the boy wined, "I know what it is. I mean why do you have it?"

Sanzo stopped for a moment to look at Goku. He never did tell the boy what it was for. Not like how his master told him or even how he told a young Doogan many years ago. He had even contemplated telling Nai, but never got around to it.

"My master used to sit outside and make them on a sunny day. You can only fly them against a bright blue sky."

Goku shuffled his feet and looked out at the unopened window directly behind his precious sun. "It's nice out today…"

"I know that… stupid monkey."

Goku approached Sanzo and held out his hand, "May I?"

Sanzo was reluctant, but he handed over the paper to the boy anyway. He didn't flinch as he reached over him, perched on the sill, to open the window. He started to throw but stopped.

The blonde was growing irritated, "What is it?"

"Do you think she'll see it?"

"What?"

"Do you think Nai will see it?"

It was a nice notion. He shrugged and Goku dug a hand deep into his pocket. He rummaged about for a bit to the point where Sanzo wondered what exactly could be in there other than old cookies and candy wrappers. Goku pulled out a black marker and popped the cap.

"If she can see it, we should say hello."

"Tch, what a stupid idea."

Goku ignored the grumpy monk and scribbled on the wings of the paper plane and grinned at it stupidly. "Here we go!"

He threw with one strong gust of his arm and Sanzo had to fight down a content sigh as it soured out towards the sky, seemingly climbing higher and higher.

Outside in front of the house Gojyo grinned and put a hand on his hip, "Would you look at that?"

Hakkai covered his eyes from the sun and smiled, "It's a beautiful color."

"Hey monkey!"

Goku stuck his head out of the window, "What!"

"We're supposed to be training! Stop playing with paper and get down here!"

"Is that a challenge cockroach?"

"You know it monkey boy!"

Sanzo watched the boy as he exited the room then turned back to the window. The airplane was no more than a speck in the distance, still climbing high. He checked his Smith and Wesson; full with rounds. He clicked it closed and stood.