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[Nataku]

It was silent and serene in heaven as always. In the Goddess of Mercy's private gardens, the child-god Nataku sat on his throne as always, eyes blank, breathing shallow, staring ahead, unmoving. How long since he'd been sitting like that? Others would say it had been forever. Others would say it was just like yesterday....

Jiroushin, the ever loyal servant, could be heard ranting and complaining about his mistress so early in the morning.

Everything was quiet, peaceful...

You couldn't really tell where the twitch came from. It couldn't be the wind because there was no wind in the city. It was a big twitch, apparently coming from nowhere, and the cloth holding Nataku's raven hair into a topknot came away. Cascades of black hair fell down, framing the god's shoulders and face.

For the first time in nearly 600 years, those huge golden eyes blinked.

...

...

Nataku rose, careful.

"I need new..." He stopped abruptly, hearing his voice. He sounded MONSTROUS. Erm. "Right. I need new clothes."

Aaand...he started removing his old clothing.

[Nataku]

"Always doing nothing! Jiroushin, fetch me this, Jiroushin, fetch me that!"

The servant was stomping his way around the lotus pond, a tray of mochi and a mug of tea in his arms. He was frowning so much you'd think he was constipated.

Not the first time Jiroushin wanted to give his liege a piece of his mind. But, as always, she would laugh, tell him he was a dandy and go sashay off to watch that nephew of hers.

"Maybe I really should change my tactics. Maybe I can write her a letter telling her all my woes and---"

Jiroushin blinked and turned his head.

The chair was empty.

The chair where Nataku-sama had been sitting on for 500 years was empty.

".....!"

Articles of clothing that clearly belonged to Nataku were scattered by the chair's feet. Jiroushin looked around warily. He tried sensing the air, the land, the water...but he was alone. Placing the tray in midair where it hovered, Jiroushin took cautious steps and crouched down. These were Nataku's clothing. That distinct S-like pattern on the sleeves...

The Toushin Taishi was awake! This couldn't be good...can it?

Jiroushin hurriedly rose. The Goddess must know. She---

He whipped around and yelped.

"Hello, Jiroushin. You brought me tea? Thank you. I AM quite hungry, you know. That's very sweet."

The boy---err, no, man, was five inches taller than him now! He was standing so close their noses almost touched. Jiroushin was a kami, and he rarely felt any negative emotion, but at that moment, his guts had frozen inside him.

A slender hand grabbed the mug of tea from Jiroushin's tray.

"Cheers."

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.

"Can you find me some clothes, Jiroushin? I need them right away. I'm really cold right now, naked."

He nodded mutely and ran. Ran like hell.

[Nataku]

Nataku watched in amusement as Jiroushin ran off. He shook his head, making his raven hair dance. His stomach growled. He really should get some food. He looked down on himself and just like that, he was clothed.

His new clothing looked very much like that of the higher heavenly army officers', but his was immaculate white instead of the basic black. He fixed his sleeves and made sure his boots were well polished. He looked crisp and very presentable.

"Hmm. All this hair is...getting annoying."

He conjured a band from thin air and swept his locks into a ponytail. A mirror appeared, let him survey his appearance. Needless to say, he was quite beautiful. He gave a satisfied smile and the mirror vanished.

"Right. I have to report back to duty. I should be a general by now! And my wage should be given!"

He made a sweeping motion with his right hand and his trusty Dao materialized. Nataku hefted the blade, inspected it, and did a couple of forms.

...

Still good as ever.

"Right. Now let's get us to the palace..."

[Nataku]

The streets of Tengkai, Nataku found, had not changed one bit. The trash bin that he kept throwing peanut shells into was still disturbingly by its corner. He walked slowly, taking his time, his eyes wide as he noted the horrendous....unchanging streets. The gods and goddesses out in the streets stared at him. Nobody recognized him. The little ones hid their faces at the sight of his Dao. The men cowered fearfully away and the women grouped into murmuring huddles.

This is worse than I thought. You'd think they had enough sense to try make things a BIT different.

Nataku stopped walking and shouldered his Dao. The stalls, the garish colors, the stones - everything was disgustingly the same. You'd think they would fortify the fortress, change some buildings...

And I suppose the same old guy is still holding the throne, huh?

His stomach growled. Nataku grunted and turned from his path, walking toward a stall that sold everlasting apples. The vendor was trembling visibly.

"How much." Nataku said, picking up three fruits.

"A-a-a s-s-s-silver a-a-apiece."

"Fair enough." Nataku had to stab his Dao into the earth to be able to use his other hand to rummage through his pockets. "Son of a..." He bit back the curse sharply. He had no money. The vendor cringed. Nataku huffed, looked around the street. "Look. I'll pay you back after I get my wage. That fine?"

The vendor nodded so fast his head should've flown from his neck. Nataku beamed.

"Super. I'll get back to you on that."

He went off, one pocket bulging with two apples. He was already eating the third. After reducing the fruit to core in a matter of seconds, Nataku threw it over his shoulder without as much as a glance back, and it landed into a trash-bin perfectly.

[Nataku]

Nataku surveyed the heavenly palace with one eye closed, his Dao held loosely in his left hand. It seriously didn't change. From out here he could sense the awful bastard that was the current Tentei. Heaven was going to the dogs.

Squaring his (now broad) shoulders, Nataku walked up to the doors and kicked them wide open with a loud bang.

Oh goodie. It was a full-blown congregation.

"Greetings!" Nataku grinned widely as he entered the palace, strutting as if he owned the place. He kept his golden eyes at Tentei, who rose.

"You dare trespass these halls, stranger!?"

Nataku's grin got bigger as he swung his Dao around.

"Oh I can assure you, fuckface, I am no stranger."

[Nataku]

They didn't stand a chance, primarily because NO ONE was allowed to kill other than him. Blood ran thick and red down Nataku's Dao, and even then the blade was glimmering faintly from the inside, as if glad to have its first slaughter in forever.

Nataku towered over the bastard on the heavenly throne, who had his arms up and actually begging

"No! Please! Don't kill me!"

Nataku's eyes glinted evilly.

"Why not, fuckface? After all that you did to me? After what you made me do, huh? After what you did to Goku---!"

He bit back the name.

"You are a worthless piece of shit. Out of my way!"

One swipe of the Dao was all it took, and the head rolled by Nataku's boot. He stepped away in disgust and grabbed the severed head by its topknot, holding it high and inspecting the expression of horror etched upon the face.

"Still ugly as ever. Eesh."

Still holding the head high he turned to the cowering court.

"YOU SONS OF BITCHES GOT ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY TO ME?!" Nataku's voice rang sharp and clear throughout the palace.

Nothing but sobs answered him. Nobody even dared look at him.

Using his Dao, Nataku toppled the headless corpse sideways, where it promptly turned into useless mist upon hitting the floor. It was as if the whole of Tengkai groaned. Everything, even the foundations of the palace, creaked. There was a sigh in the wind, and the Light That Never Was faltered, flickered.

"Useless piece of shit."

He let the head fall to the floor, and it shared the fate of its body. Nataku looked at the Heavenly Throne, his Dao lowered thoughtfully.

And then we will take the Heavens, my son...

He frowned. "You too. You were the most useless piece of cowardly shit in the whole universe."

He turned around, his Dao vanishing. He sat himself on the throne, comfortably, even crossed his legs one above the other as he put his arms on the armrests.

And then there was silence.

At that moment Heaven seemed to let out a long breath. Nataku closed his eyes briefly.

"Well then." He said. "That seems to be in order."

Down in Tougenkyo, the Sun would not be seen for five days.

[Kanzeon]

Kanzeon was just dozing off again. Her eyes watched the lotuses on the pond as she yawned. She heard Jiroushin's ranting alright, but she didn't bother. She snorted, crossing her legs. Where is that god damned, Jiroushin?! I'm fucking hungry...

"Kanzeon-sama! KANZEON-SAMA!!!" Wailed a familiar voice. Kanzeon just looked to the direction of the voice. "Jiroushin?" She cooed. "Where's my breakfast?"

"Na-Nataku-s-sama took it." He stuttered. "He-he's a-aw-awake."

"I bloody knew that before you met him," She coughed. The Goddess stood up, putting a hand to her waist.

"Now be a good boy and fetch me breakfast." Kanzeon said blithely.