Saiyuki Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Time ❯ Annoyance Factor ( Chapter 4 )

 

 

Shi-ne put a hand over her eyes to shade them from the glare of sunlight on the water. She was watching Goku and Nataku play by the waterfall, smiling to herself a little. They wouldn't be back for a while since Goku had managed to demolish the vast majority of food they'd brought along. If ever there were two boys who needed some play time it was those two. She knew that Nataku had never told Goku about his position as war god. She sincerely hoped he would withhold that information for a bit longer as Goku would either worry or offer to go with the other boy when he was sent out. The very thought of them sending sweet, gentle Nataku out to face the gods only knew what over and over again made her shudder. She'd seen the horrors of war all too often and far too up close and personal. All that crap about no member of Heaven was allowed to kill aside from the war god was complete and utter nonsense. She'd held on to her second in command as the final breath left his body and his eyes glassed over in death. She'd put thousands of humans and youkai on the funeral pyres, not to mention, a million and one other things that would have given a weaker soul nightmares forever. She didn't want either of them exposed to those things. Ever. But she knew those times would come eventually. They had to, all things considered. But until that day, she would watch over and keep them safe as best she could when she was home.

 

There was a rustle in the trees near the bank and she was half standing with her hand on her sword when she recognized the person picking his way delicately toward her. Dear gods, she'd never seen such a prissy man in her life. She sat back down and waited for him to get to her.

 

Konzen looked grumpy. Of course, that was the way he always looked so one could never tell if he was just being himself or in a particularly bad mood. He approached his friend of many years the same way he always had, head on. There were very few he actually deigned to call a friend but she had been one from the moment she had slugged him, knocked him flat on his ass and told him to stop being a dick. He had even grudgingly admired the fact that she'd done it in the presence of the Merciful Goddess, who'd nearly rolled off hir chair laughing. She had never bowed down to him or fawned because he was the Merciful Goddess' nephew and was never anything less than honest. If that honesty sometimes wounded his ego, all the better in her mind. That was why he liked her.

 

He paused, watching Goku and Nataku splash eachother with water from the pool and play hiding games on the slippery ledge just behind the waterfall.

 

“I might have known,” he said, pulling the picnic blanket next to her and sitting down on it.

 

“Damn, you're fussy. Known what?”

 

“That you'd be corrupting the youth,” he said, nodding toward the two boys. “You know his keepers are looking everywhere for him and his father is cursing your very existence.”

 

“Like I care.” She shrugged. “When isn't he? I should slit that man's throat from ear to ear. That bastard told Nataku no one would miss him if he died. What the hell kind of thing is that to tell a child? Besides, I live to be a pain in the ass to him. You know that.”

 

“Speaking of your talents for being a pain in the ass to those aside from Nataku's father . . .”

 

She flopped back onto the grass. “So, which one of them sent you? Tenpou or Kenren?”

 

“Neither and both. Apparently, Kenren is allergic to medical tape.”

 

“Oh, crap!” she said, looking horrified that she'd actually injured him. “I'm sorry.”

 

“Don't apologize to me; I'm not the one who has red welts all over him. And Tenpou is pretty pissed that you kicked in his door. Again. He's talking court martial.”

 

“If he would have just answered it, then it wouldn't have happened. They're never going to court martial me. He knows that just as well as you and I do. I'm too good at killing.”

 

He adjusted the blanket and stretched out next to her. “Shi, this isn't working. You know it isn't. Not for at least a hundred years now. This is kid's stuff, Goku could be more subtle. If he hasn't managed to get it after all this time chances are he isn't going to. You should just give up.”

 

She glared at him from under her lashes. Damn it, she knew she should give up. Should have ages ago like any sane individual would have but he didn't have to be a jerk and rub it in. “I know. I probably will soon. It isn't easy for me, you know.”

 

“I know. I'm an ass for bringing it up.”

 

“You're always an ass anyway so what difference does it make?”

 

“Guilty as charged. What's the attraction? I don't get it.”

 

“I really don't understand that one myself,” she said, wiggling over and putting her head down on his chest. “Don't bitch about it. You've flopped on me a thousand times, it's your turn.”

 

“Damn. Fine. Whatever,” he said grudgingly, putting an arm around her shoulders anyway. “Seriously, why keep aggravating him like you're a ten year old? Boy, no less.”

 

“Probably because I have no idea how to get his attention any other way. The Merciful Goddess knows I can't compete with the other females here. I'm not pretty or seductive or sweet.”

 

“You're a goddess,” he pointed out.

 

“More or less. My areas of expertise are lightning and thunder. Those are not the soft, feminine qualities most males look for in a potential romantic interest. I'm a soldier; it's all I've ever been, all I'm ever likely to be.”

 

“Whatever. I just came to collect my brat. And to remind you about the dinner party tonight,” he said, sitting up and dislodging her head from his chest.

 

“I'm sick. I was injured in the last battle too badly to attend. I'm on hiatus from stupidity. I'm allergic to small talk. Tell them whatever you damn well please to but I'm not going. I have a better party to go to in the world below.”

 

Konzen glared at her. “If I have to attend this debacle, so do you. I'm escorting you so at least wear a damn dress for once instead of your uniform.”

 

“What? Afraid they won't be able to tell which one of us is the girl? I like wearing my uniform. I don't even think I own a dress.”

 

“Find one.”

 

She rolled her eyes and had to restrain herself from punching him in the kneecap as he stood. “You're in a good mood today. Have you been sneaking into the Merciful Goddess' opium?”

 

“Hardly,” he snorted. “Goku! Get over here!”

 

An Awwwww could be heard from the waterfall and both boys appeared from behind the rushing water. Both were soaking wet and Nataku's robes looked like they weighed about as much as Goku's chains as he dragged them along the ground.

 

“Come on you two wharf rats,” Shi-ne called, taking in their bedraggled state and trying to avoid outright laughter. “Time to go.”

 

“I take it he's eaten everything in sight.”

 

“Naturally.”