• 1-Lifetimes
• 2-Night Times
• 3-Encounter
• 4-Aftermath
• 5-Wrong and Unseemly

Sweet Decay

By Eline

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There was very little amusement to be had in Heaven. The days passed in monotony, even for itan princes of Tentei's household.

That incident in the gardens remained as a vaguely amusing memory until the day Homura glimpsed a lanky figure being towed along in the wake of a small child. They had just emerged from Kanzeon Bosatsu's Palace and were heading out somewhere in the vicinity of the offices used by the militia. The boy seemed vastly more enthused about where they were going than Konzen was.

The itan boy and his keeper . . . They did not appear to be having the kind of relationship that most of the gossip implied. Homura's extremely brief acquaintance with Konzen Douji had been . . . *interesting* to say the least. The way the man had reacted--as though he had never been kissed before . . .

So perhaps those rumours about Konzen Douji being uninterested in women had been true. And the same could probably be said about his non-inclination towards members of the same sex. In a very literal sense.

Completely untouched. Homura found it fascinating that Konzen had managed to remain that way, here in Heaven where corruption was practised with as much vigour as it was down on Earth--only less inventively because the gods had far less imagination than what mortals gave them credit for.

His next meeting with Konzen Douji occurred when he t ext expected it. He had been out until the approach of dusk signalled the end of another day long in Heaven. It was the kind of sight that artists would supposedly give their left arms for.

Homura watched the fading of the light from just outside the decorative boundary that divided the Royal Palace from the rest of Heaven, though not out of appreciation for the view. He was in no hurry to return to the Palace. The marbles halls held no allure for him--they were only walled-in spaces and he did not miss them in the least.

He was a part of the royal household and yet apart from it. There were no expectations of him other than having the grace to die someday so that the shame of his birth and parentage could be wiped from existence and memory.

So he walked alone. Not actively avoiding the courtiers of Heaven, but never actively seeking them out. But it was almost impossible to be alone in the Courts of Heaven.

The approaching figure was a familiar one. Konzen Douji, radiating palpable annoyance, was walking along the same pathway in the opposite direction. He was wearing what Homura was coming to recognise as his usual air of perpetual displeasure. And he was muttering irritably under his breath. " . . . Of all things . . . Damned monkey . . ."

They almost passed each other by without incident, but Konzen recognised him despite his pique. His expression darkened instantly and he would have kept going if Homura had not nodded his way.

"You have some nerve," Konzen began sharply. "What the hell were you thinking back then?"

"Trying to avoid potential embarrassment--I doubt they could have identified us."

"Trying to what? You have a very odd idea of what constitutes embarrassing!"

"And good evening to you too, Konzen Douji," Homura murmured. The courtier’s trick. Politeness when none was called for. He hoped that it would stem the flow of invective that Konzen seemed primed to unleash on his ears. "What are you doing out so late?"

That turned out to be a mistake. The vein in Konzen’s temple actually bulged out at the question.

"I would have been saved this meeting if I hadn’t been looking for a certain wayward monkey," Konzen said through gritted teeth. No pretence of courtesy there.

Homura could not stop himself from asking, "Is it dinner time then? Or bath time?"

The outraged look on Konzen’s face was answer enough.

"I know I may have been reduced to an animal trainer but--"

There had to be other ways to shut Konzen up when his voice attained that grating tone other than this. But it was not unpleasant. Konzen’s lips were soft like a woman’s. And he tasted clean . . .

"Are you insane?" Konzen hissed at him when they drew apart. Or rather, he drew away, unsuccessfully suppressing the flush that coloured his fair skin. "Just *what* do you think you’re doing?"

"Nothing. Just . . . wondering. mig might find your ward in the fields just east of here. I saw him there once."

"Eh? He goes out that far?" Konzen appeared startled. Had that been a trace of concern there? Definitely concern . . .

Homura shrugged as if to say it’s none of my business.

"Thank you. Excuse me, Taishi." And Konzen stalked off, leaving Homura to regard his stiff back thoughtfully.

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