Kuji

Chapter 3 - Bedtime Stories

Disclaimer: Nope, no profits, no ownership, no nothing, except a toppling manga stack

Chapter 3: In which we learn that Kenren has requests and is just as devious as his lover

Warnings: Yaoi (in case you haven't picked that up), M/M,
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There was a knock at the door of Tenpou Gensui’s onetime office, now a library – or just maybe playroom - of sorts. Normally at this time in the evening Tenpou didn’t answer, just waited until the people outside either let themselves in or bloodied their knuckles knocking through lack of brains to actually try the door. It had provided minutes of amusement the week before as a servant had persisted in politely knocking. He had had no reply, so had called a medical team, after being convinced that Tenpou Gensui had collapsed, only to open the door and find Tenpou darning one of his socks and drinking tea.

This time, however Tenpou knew who it was, so he abandoned his chair and book of military diaries to go and open it.

“Konzen.” He smiled. “Nice of you to come.”

The blond aristocrat was indeed in the doorway, clad in a purple tunic and black leggings rather than the icy white he normally wore. His golden hair hung haphazardly in his face and he looked confused at both Tenpou’s smile and the lack of noise.

“Where’s the saru?” he asked then looked angry. “He hasn’t run off to Litouten’s again looking for Nataku has he? Because if he has I’ll fucking-” his voice rising. Tenpou placed a finger to his lips, stopping him mid-rant.

“Shhh. Sleeping.” He said with a wink that looked a little too much like Konzen’s dear Aunt’s own wink. “Utterly exhausted.”

Konzen actually looked shocked at that and wordlessly stepped inside Tenpou’s library. For once the room was tidy, not spotless, for spotless was a word and state that was the South to Tenpou’s North, but the floor was mostly clear and it had the odd few books here and there giving it the impression of actually being a room that was lived in not just inhabited. Konzen looked around.

“Where?”

Tenpou pointed to one of the sofas. Exactly where he pointed there was ball of sleeping monkey curled up on a battered red velvet cushion, covered with a ludicrously bright and yet ludicrously comfortable patchwork quilt that Konzen had a sneaking suspicion Tenpou had made himself. Goku was murmuring something in his sleep and had a shining smile on his face.

“Tenpou, I want to ask you what you’ve done to him but I really don’t want to know, just that you’ve shut him up.” Said Konzen sitting down next to the snoozing Goku, grateful to see that somehow, Tenpou had managed the bath the boy and get him to go to bed – and to sleep – clean.

Tenpou laughed quietly and reached into a bookcase for a steaming green teapot with two mismatching cups. He had carefully stowed them there earlier, in the hopes of convincing Konzen to stay for tea.

“It’s called fun and games, Konzen.” He said sweetly, offering a cup of tea.

Konzen accepted with a nod of politeness that he rarely bestowed on anyone. Tenpou continued.

“Goku spends so many hours cooped up and unable to run around for the stigma that surrounds heretics. Kenren and I took him out to the meadows of Tenkai. You know, climbing trees, chasing butterflies and running around until you are exhausted.” He poured the tea and placed the cup reverently on the table.

Konzen looked confused for a moment, the god wasn’t wholly aware that children needed such things, his own childhood being one of closeted ritual, stuffy ceremonies and the occasional uplifting visits from his Aunt. He picked up the teacup between delicate fingertips and sipped at it, enjoying the slightly bitter taste.

“I didn’t know you were that sort of person.” Said Konzen resting the warm cup on silk-covered knees. This was somewhat soothing … in an irritatingly pointless waste of time and space way, Konzen added mentally

“It was Kenren’s idea.” Admitted Tenpou, pulling out his lighter and cigarettes, but resting them on the desk, knowing that Konzen wasn’t fond of tobacco smoke. He’d just look at them for now and work out the many ways of being about to smoke through his pores. “He did much of the running and games, I just convinced them both to take a bath afterwards.” Tenpou smiled and drank from his own cup.

“So where is the rebellious little brat now?” asked Konzen with narrowed eyes and a slight twitch. Tenpou grinned, he had a funny feeling Konzen had heard them going at it like hammer and tongs more than once. It certainly explained the uptight twitch. Maybe extending an invitation to the blond to join the party one night was in order.

“Now now Konzen, just because you’re jaded there’s no need to drag everyone else in. Kenren’s gone to bed too. It’s only myself who is the night owl.” He said serenely, meeting Konzen’s violet gaze with sincerity. Tenpou could read Konzen like a book at times and right now, the gaze was ‘in-your-bed-no-doubt’ which Tenpou was answering with his best ‘I-don’t-know-what-on-earth-you-mean’ gaze, which would have had the desired effect if Tenpou hadn’t yawned midway through.

Konzen sighed, he had been procrastinating for long enough.

“Thank you for taking care of Goku anyway.” He said softly, reaching to take the quilt off Goku and frowning when the boy didn’t wake up. Tenpou nodded.

“It’s never a problem, Konzen, you know that. It’s quite refreshing in light of the stuffiness … and there’s nothing like a nice bit of innocent rebellion you know.” He said, holding out a silk drawstring bag. “I put some more books for Goku in here; some An-pan and a book of folktales. He seemed to enjoy the few stories that you told him … showing your softer side again, Konzen, you should watch that otherwise people might start to think you’re being nice.” He smirked.

“Think whatever the hell you like.” He said, not confirming the statement but not refuting it either and squashing down the surge of pride. He raised himself up off the couch, and then reached over to remove the pillow from Goku’s iron-like grasp. Tenpou came over to help disentangle Goku from his nest and assisted the blond in hoisting the heavy child onto his back. Tenpou was astonished to see the slender ghost that was Konzen manage to carry Goku without his legs buckling. With those heavy shackles around his limbs, even Kenren struggled to pick the boy up. Tenpou then attached the bag to Goku’s back.

“I’ve also put a book in there for you too, Konzen. I think you’ll like it; it’s some classical mythology… I actually found it in the end … well it was found for me.” He thought hid his shiver of desire remarkably well; there was some good memories now associated with that book.

Konzen didn’t want to know about the shiver. He nodded then corrected his expression to look angry.

“There better be no one outside.” He said although his tone of voice not really matching the expression. “I look ridiculous, godsdamned bakasaru, I’ll kill him for making me do this.”

Tenpou looked him up and down. Goku was draped over his back and the tall blond was nearly bent double with the weight. Goku had his head against Konzen’s left shoulder; one arm clutched tightly around the blonde’s chest and was gently running the golden ponytail through his fingers with a serene smile. Tenpou gave a soft smile at the sight.

“Actually Konzen, you look more alive then when you first came in.” he said, watching the realisation of the statement dawn on his friend’s face.

“Shut up, Tenpou.” Came the retort but with the slightest, smallest, barely noticeable hint of a smile.

“Of course, Konzen Douji-sama.” Answered Tenpou, opening the door for him with a half-hearted cheery salute. “Same time tomorrow?” he added.

“Hmph … maybe.” Came the god’s reply, which was as close to an affirmation as he was going to get. Tenpou waved a goodbye.

“Growing softer, Konzen. It’s starting to show now.” He chuckled to the door softly, closing it loudly and switching the light off. He heard a rustling of sheets from his bedchamber and gave a smile, reaching to open the door to the barely-lit room.

“Must that baka always make caring for that kid sound like such a chore?” moaned Kenren from the nest of blankets, sheets and pillows that once resembled a bed. The only sign he was there was a thin plume of smoke in the darkness

Tenpou slung his white coat onto a mahogany hatstand and reached over to his latest Gekai-delight that rested the corner. It was a large dried out tree branch slung with a row of lanterns and Tenpou took great delight in lighting them and seeing the different lights flicker around the room. He lit each one individually and saw the coloured glass of the lanterns create little circles of red, green, purple, blue and yellow on the ceiling that chased each other like butterflies.

“I thought you’d be asleep.” Said Tenpou, sliding off his sandals and pulling off his tie with one practised motion. Kenren lounged back on the bed, kicking down the sheets, blatantly refusing to disguise the fact he was naked.

“Shoulda done but was too interested in what you and pretty boy were saying and now I’m awake… So get naked and come to bed.” He wriggled his body.

“I don’t jump to your orders.” Said Tenpou, sensuously sliding off his tabi socks and unbuttoning his shirt, leaving it open. “I am your superior remember, don’t make me court-martial you.” he waggled a finger in front of Kenren with a wink. Kenren grinned.

“Oh come on Tenpou, you know that I can convince you to get naked anytime, any place, anywhere.”

“Kenren Taisho, I think the truth is being stretched just a little.” Answered Tenpou, watching his flickering coloured lights. He was getting another one of those.

Kenren sat up, held out a hand and counted off his fingers.

“Sure I can. During that fancy dinner behind the curtain … and remember, I stripped you during combat training behind the barracks.” He laughed “… Oh yeah and your bare butt has graced the desk Goujun’s office twice now … and then …”

Tenpou bopped him neatly on the head with one of the pillows, silencing the list.

“That’s enough, Kenren.” He said with a slightly icy touch to his expression. Kenren acquiesced.

“Okay I’m sorry, that was uncalled for …” he put his hands to Tenpou’s shoulders and calmly slid the shirt down his pale arms, leaving it on the bed. He still wasn’t going to admit defeat on that count “So, how the hell did you become friends with that aristo-ice-statue anyway?”

Tenpou’s warm smile returned

“Does the mighty Taisho want a bedtime story?” He teased, letting the shirt roll off his arms and fall onto the floor. Kenren looked petulant.

“You read Goku one and it had magic stuff in it.” He grinned and tugged lightly on Tenpou’s hair as the Gensui sat on the bed. “Go on, get into bed and tell me the story about how Magical Girl Ten-Chan defeated the big blond monster.” He ducked to avoid the next incoming pillow.

“Keep saying that and you’ll go back to your quarters.” He said with a glint in his eye. Kenren smirked.

“You wouldn’t.” he said confidently. “If you take off your pants – y’know get comfortable – then come to bed and tell a story then I will tell one too … s’only fair.”

Tenpou pulled the covers over Kenren and unbuckled his pants, letting them fall to the floor. He then climbed into bed, completely missing Kenren’s satisfied smile and lounged against the headboard. He accepted Kenren’s proffered lit cigarette.

“Agreed. Well Konzen and I have been friends for years, Kenren. Before I was even a Gensui, when I was still a Taisho.” He said. “You ever hear of a Hirata Gensui?”

Kenren looked blank for a second then closed one eye, picturing the man who had once come to the Eastern Army to assist in training exercises.

“Big guy, grey hair scraped back and a stripy beard? Had a voice that made you actually want to run your nails down a blackboard for something better to listen to?” he asked, flinging Tenpou’s shirt to the corner of the room.

Tenpou nodded.

“That would be him; he used to be Tenkai Seihougan Gensui before me, when I had been promoted to Taisho.” Said Tenpou with a grin, exhaling a cloud of tobacco smoke. “Utterly unreliable, inept and couldn’t lead an army to save his own hide. He only got the position because of some well-placed relatives.”

“Oh yeah, I remember him. Didn’t he get dismissed for some fucked-up subjugation of some peace-lovin youkai? Said Kenren suddenly. Tenpou nodded.

“It was small community to the North of Shangri-La, who had come to our attention due to some coincidental stories. It was supposed to be a routine trip to the Gekai; just a quick scout around to see what was going on then hop back up. However, the charming Gensui ordered an attack on them instead and despite our best efforts to halt our troops, it still went ahead and many were injured… civilian and military.” He shook his head, remembering that he had managed to halt his own battalion before they had descended but had been too late for the others. “Obviously the mistake was chronicled and reported and needless to say Hirata didn’t come out well. This was compounded by Hirata’s discovery of an earlier recommendation from Goujun that I had been lined up for promotion.”

“Ha, Hirata never wanted to be out-ranked.” Said Kenren, Tenpou nodded.

“After some searching and various bribes to minions, Hirata found out where those documents had gone, namely to a new bureaucrat in the system; our erstwhile Konzen Douji, so he went to find him.”

“Where do you come into all this then, apart from the promotion?” asked Kenren. Tenpou sighed.

“I was the one who had counter-signed the report as a witness, and was actually delivering it to Konzen. Being honest, it was for mainly my own interests.”

“Everything is with you.” Murmured Kenren, reaching under the covers and squeezing a pale thigh, discovering that Tenpou was still wearing his boxers; he tugged at the fabric. Tenpou ignored him and continued.

“Funny. No, I didn’t want a cover-up of this so, the faster it went through the faster the fuck-up would be dealt with. Unfortunately as I was delivering the documents one way to Konzen, Hirata Gensui was coming the other way to demand them back.”

Kenren raised an eyebrow.

“Am I thinking right in what happened? I remember Old Fart Hirata being known for his explosive temper.” He grinned. “When I was a lieutenant I remember him belting some poor bastard over the head with his tranquilliser gun over something like falling out of line during a drill.”

“Oh yes, his temper was legendary.” Nodded Tenpou. “I was attacked in the hallway, taken by surprise actually and a bit disappointing on my own part because I was usually on my guard around him, due to his constant attentions.”

“He attacked you?” asked Kenren suddenly, Tenpou twitched an eyelid.

“Attacked isn’t the word, lets just say he attempted to do what you did to me under that cherry tree five days ago.”

Kenren nodded in agreement then stopped, realising exactly what he HAD done to Tenpou under that cherry tree five days ago. It had been a balmy day and Kenren had been feeling impulsive. He had virtually dragged Tenpou out of a meeting and into the nearest gathering of cherry trees. He had then pressed him face-first against an unsuspecting tree trunk, pulled his pants to knee-level, lubed himself up and screwed him, forcefully and passionately. Tenpou’s gasps of pleasure, pleas to go harder and cherry blossoms falling on them as he came, meant that Kenren had woken up horny every morning since.

He snapped out of it.

“What the -?! Do you mean that he tried it on?” Tenpou nodded with a grin. He was remembering the cherry tree episode too. “The dirty bastard! I’ll fucking kill him!” Kenren shouted.

“Oh cool it Taisho, I’m not a damsel in distress. Yes, Hirata Gensui had formed an … well had formed a preference for me since assuming command, ironic really, yes Kenren?”

Kenren growled.

“Oh fuck off, rent boy.” He retorted with a grin. “So go on.”

“Well Hirata had the upper hand and Konzen Douji himself came up of his office to find the spectacular sight of myself being slammed against his office wall with my uniform half off and Hirata yelling abuse at me.” Tenpou flicked ash into the bedside ashtray, passed it back to Kenren and sighed.

“Ha, what did Blondie say to that?” chuckled Kenren, imagining Konzen’s prissy face turning every shade of pink, purple and red.

“He spluttered for a bit and shouted, then when Hirata didn’t seem to notice, and told him to ‘fuck off’ Konzen punched him.”

Kenren nearly spat the cigarette onto the sheets.

“Konzen, Kon-zen Dou-ji, prissy bitch extraordinaire punched him?!” he started to laugh. Tenpou chuckled.

“Yes, straight in the jaw. Unfortunately, dear Hirata punched back without thinking and bloodied Konzen’s nose. By which time servants had already gone for help.”

“And you became friends because of that?” exclaimed Kenren. Tenpou made a sweet face and took back the cigarette that was in danger of burning the sheets.

“Yes, I patched up Konzen’s nose for him and he bound up my head. We then both wrote reports on what happened and verified each other’s over a flask of particularly good sake. I was promoted soon after. It also helped that we had absolutely nothing in common and neither had thoughts of inflicting our interests on the other, and so such a friendship stuck and that’s the end of the story.”

Tenpou then swiftly stubbed out his cigarette, burrowed down into the sheets and blankets and sought out Kenren’s side, planting his feet firmly on the backs of Kenren’s warm legs. Kenren yelped and squirmed away reaching out to tickle Tenpou.

“Hey! Quit it! Your feet are like ice blocks, and you’re still wearing those boxers.” He said, starting to tickle viciously until Tenpou started to squirm himself and kick out.

“Okay! Stop!” Kenren stopped tickling but kept his hands poised. “I give in!” Tenpou cried, the hands drew away and he caught his breath. “Now, it’s your turn, tell me a story.”

“Don’t know if I should now if you’re gonna do that … and I had such a good one too.” Teased Kenren.

“Now now Taisho, stop being sulky and tell me your story.” Said Tenpou with a pout.

“I’ll only tell you the story if you take the boxers off.” Retorted Kenren quickly, Tenpou’s hands disappeared beneath the blankets and emerged scant seconds later, throwing a pair of black cotton boxers across the room. Kenren nodded.

“Well, once upon a time, long, long, looooong ago.” He started, suddenly ducking the pillow that Tenpou flung at him. “Nah Ten-chan you wanted a story and this is a story.”

“Can’t you ever be mature, Kenren?” Tenpou asked. Kenren grinned and in one smooth movement pushed Tenpou down onto the bed, drawing the covers up beneath his chin and kissing his nose.

“Says he who won’t put his uniform on in the morning, now be a good Tenpou and listen.” He stared into Tenpou’s eyes and the brunette nodded. “Once upon a time I was kicked out of the Eastern Army and placed in the West.”

“Ken-ren, I know this one already.” Whined Tenpou. Kenren manoeuvred himself on the bed so he was straddling Tenpou’s naked hips.

“Ah but you don’t know all of it, do you Ten-chan, because I never told you. Now listen.” Tenpou folded his arms. “Well before I went to find my new Gensui I had a little talk with the other ranks to see what this guy was like.”

Tenpou raised a single eyebrow and Kenren dropped down onto his elbows; his nose millimetres away from Tenpou’s. The man smelled like green tea and books.

“Yeah, a group of drinking buddies said that he was utterly mental with more books than sense. Some said that he was one of the best commanders known, but had a nasty habit of putting himself directly into the line of fire at the most inappropriate times. However, they all agreed that he was far too pretty to be a soldier.”

Tenpou drew in a breath to retort but Kenren clapped a hand over his mouth.

“So I went along to see for myself and I found the most bizarre bookworm hiding in a nest of hardbacks and that all the rumours were true.” He said. “so I decided that it would be better all around if I simply hooked up with him to confirm this for myself. Ironically enough the guys were all correct except for one thing …” he paused. “He was dynamite in the sack … and he brought along a little monkey and snobby ice statue who weren’t half-bad really. “ He raised himself up and spread his arms. “The end!”

“That was rubbish, Kenren.” Said Tenpou folding his arms. “At least my story had a plot.”

“Yeah but it got you into bed properly didn’t it?” snickered Kenren. “And it got you to drop your pants too … see … I told you I could get you naked anytime.”

Tenpou’s jaw dropped and he looked down at himself as if refusing to believe the fact that he was naked. He hadn’t seen it. Not at all. He really didn’t give his lover enough credit sometimes.

“Kenren …” he started, Kenren put a finger to his lips.

“Don’t worry, I promise I won’t do it again, I know it’s not fair.” He kissed Tenpou’s neck and drew him down into a tight embrace. Tenpou accepted the apologies that were whispered to his lips and kissed back letting his tongue wrap itself around Kenren’s. He lay back on the back and allowed Kenren to make gentle love to his body by means of fleeting kisses and soft touches whilst his hands drew circles over the muscular back.

As Tenpou melted back into the pillows, he heard Kenren whisper to his stomach.
“Besides, how am I get you to play Magical Girl Ten-chan for me if you’re naked all the time…”

Tenpou looked up at the lanterns on the ceiling.

“You want me to dress up for you?” he asked languidly, reaching to the nightstand for a little bottle. Kenren’s mouth descended to his hip-bones and fingers started to creep up his thigh.
“Sure … that would be hot, you’d look good all in black velvet or like a ceremonial kimono I could unwrap.” Said Kenren, raising himself up to look at his lover. He grabbed the lube. “Actually, you in the combat gear, shirtless, with a gun … totally dirtied up... oh yeah.” He lifted Tenpou’s legs to wrap around his waist.

Tenpou accepted Kenren’s kiss as the hot erection slid into his wanting flesh.

“Mmm …One day I just might do that, Kenren.” He let out a moan. “One day I might just do that.

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“You wish to be assigned to sniping practice?” Asked Goujun incredulously. “You realise that as the Gensui, you will never called on to do such things.”

“Yes, I but I feel it would be in my best interests to take part. Therefore I will require a requisition form for the correct camouflage kit.”


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Hiya, another chapter done and back out. I decided to wait until AFF was back up and runnign at full tilt until updating, so here it is

Thank you for all your reviews :D they make me so happy

Hughes: I think both Horny Ten-chan and Ken-Ni-chan and will have to draft Konzen into a threesome before this ends.

Assassins_Kiss: Thank you >_^ glad I made you laugh, but don't die yet.

Shiro: You make me blush *^_^* thank you very much, I'm glad you like it :D

Guanyin_Kun: Yay more kudos for me, thank you so much I think rough desk and wall sex should be allowed in the bishounen olympics myself ... I'd have to be peeled from the screen with this one. Hope this pleases.