Day 22: Shift 3, Library

[rage8]

Saïx had been known to keep to himself, limiting his interaction with even his own peers in the Organization to the Superior as much as possible. Of course, he gladly took up the task of chasing a few, random traitors here and there, but solitude and the company of those whom could be considered competent was something Number VII almost took

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[opposingheaven]

Libraries were both a comfort and an anathema to Kenren Taisho. He'd spent plenty of time in Tenpou's rather extensive collection, and the familiarity of being surounded by books was something he could appreciate. Unfortunately, he was also struck by the familiar fear of being asked, in that way that wasn't really a request, to do Tenpou's cleaning

[screwthegods]

The voice over the intercom had been something of a surprise for Homura, as it was his first time actually hearing it. Was it something like what mortals called a proclamation from Heaven, he wondered? It certainly seemed to be the case, with a faceless voice telling the patients where they could go and when

[opposingheaven]

Kenren looked up at Homura as the other god approached, a blank expression on his face. "Cut with the titles. I'm sure as hell not going around parroting Toushin Taishi everytime I see you."

The comment about Tenpou's library made him wince slightly. That had been below the belt. "Yeah, he did," he replied, a wry smile on his face. "Probably better than the Imperial Library with all the stuff he had from the Lower World. This one's rather less hazardous to your health though." Less chance of getting crushed by falling novels, for one thing.

He didn't trust Homura, especially not that look in his eyes. He was plotting something and probably not in a good way either.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "They don't need to know. Who they are now isn't who they were then."

[screwthegods]

A low chuckle escaped Homura's lips at Kenren's candor, both when he demanded they drop the titles, and that Homura be quiet about the past. Really, he had expected no less from the Taisho, one of the 3 gods Heaven made such a fuss over all those years ago. The news of Konzen and Tenpou's betrayal shocked the loyal gods, but Kenren was considered much more likely to defect; many had said it was only a matter of time.

Homura really had admired them all, and Kenren especially for that.

Of course, admiration had it's place, and it wasn't necessarily here. He slid his fingers over the spine of the book he had chosen, then put it back on the shelf. "That could be said for anyone, including yourself."

He smirked. "After all, you are not who you were then...nor who you will become in the future."

[opposingheaven]

Kenren sighed, beginning to remember clearly why he'd always hated politicians and bureaucrats in Heaven. They could never speak a single sentence straight. Even if Homura wasn't a politician, he was doing a damn good impression. Kenren could play those games if he needed to, it was a requirement for being so high up in the army, he just didn't like to.

Thankfully, he wasn't part of the army anymore, nor was he even in the heavens.

He shrugged, a seemingly careless gesture. "I'm dead. I don't become anyone else in the future," he said lightly. "I become someone else, that's how it goes. Same for them."

[screwthegods]

Homura closed his eyes, smiling at Kenren's simple acceptance of a very basic truth, one that was perhaps more accurate than even the Taisho realized. After all, Sha Gojyo had no more memory of his life in Heaven than any of them had. And no matter what Homura had said, what hints he had dropped, he was always aware of this: that none of them had remembered, that it wasn't certain if they could.

He couldn't help a twinge of sadness at the thought.

"Does it really bother you? The thought of them knowing who they were...who they were to you, Kenren?" Homura appeared at ease as he spoke, the question asked without pressure in the tone. "It wouldn't change who they are."

[opposingheaven]

Kenren kept his eyes on Homura's face, watching for telltale expressions which might drop information into his lap. It was kind of irritating that this guy knew both himself and Tenpou and Konzen, but also had knowledge of Hakkai and Sanzo. Intelligence was an asset, and Kenren liked to be the one holding the cards.

"They don't need to know," he repeated, because really, that was all there was to it. It hurt to see such familiar faces, such familiar personalities, and not be able to act the same way around them, but this was the better way. "It'd bother them. Who they were shouldn't be allowed to affect what they do now. Living, knowing what used to be must suck."

[screwthegods]

"And you are so certain that it would." It was less of a question than a statement of fact, a conclusion that Homura had reached based on Kenren's insistence.

Homura's face gave away little, save for a sense of distance as the man thought. Living knowing what used to be... Was Kenren aware of how correct that statement was at times?

"You can relax, Kenren Taisho." It felt strange to Homura not to address Kenren by his full title. "My words have yet to make them remember anything of it, save for a brief moment from Son Goku...and even that moment was fleeting."

[opposingheaven]

He was at a slight disadvantage, knowing so little about Homura when the other god seemed to know a lot about him. Their actions must have been quite well publicised. Still, he could make guessed based on what he knew. "I don't want them to have to live with Heaven's legacy over their heads," he replied, closing his eyes and stretching his arms langruously. "That's what we were trying to escape, in part." He opened one eye a slit and looked at Homura. "Surely you can understand wanting to be free of Heaven's expectations."

He closed his eye again, tilting his head back and letting himself relax a little. He needed to start catching naps during the day if the structure of the nights was gonna' be the norm. Even a god couldn't fight on forever without rest

[screwthegods]

Homura let out a quiet laugh at the blatant assertion; Homura knew better than nearly anyone what it was like to be dominated by the Heavens, and the need to escape from that. That goal, total freedom, was something he had died to achieve...and now he was here, in another prison. Were the gods trying to make him feel futile about his efforts? It wasn't working, if that was their intent.

"They should be given proper credit, no doubt. Even as mortals, their spirits shine as brightly as they did in Heaven." Homura had a great deal of respect for that, had ever since the first time he saw the group. "But they've never been of the ilk to let anything rule them; you should know that better than anyone, Taisho."

He paused for a moment, deciding how much it would be wise to reveal. "Son Goku's memories were sealed as part of his punishment from Heaven. So your assessment is quite correct."

[opposingheaven]

Yeah, he'd been right there. Homura hated the Heavens as much as Kenren did at least. At least he wasn't dealing with some stick-up-his-arse traditionalist. That would really have been a pain, although he could at least get away with punching them now. Shame Li Touten wasn't here really

[screwthegods]

"You misunderstand me. Your friends have made it quite clear to me, both in words and action, that they have no desire to remember that time." Homura moved his fingertips over the shelf beside him, idly reading the titles on the spines. He doubted he would remember any of them, but he wondered for a moment if they might be the stories that she would've liked, ones with cheerful endings and gallant heroes. The sort of stories that never actually happened, written for little girls and women with hopeful souls

[opposingheaven]

"Then stop pushing it!" Kenren snapped, finally getting tired of this game. "They aren't interested. I can't blame them either, so taunting them is just gonna' make things worse."

He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, Homura's words hitting rather too close to home for his comfort. "Why'd you think their armies are so big?" he said quietly. "Always the chance that some youkai might get in a lucky swipe and cause enough damage to kill you." He'd taken more risks than necessary himself on occasion, just to feel like he was alive and not just existing. He had the suspicion that that had been the reason for some of Tenpou's reckless behaviour on the battlefield as well.

"Some of them had their political games, some their lust for power, others had a death wish."

[screwthegods]

Homura laughed quietly, shaking his head at disapproval of the sharp tone. "Temper, temper, Kenren Taisho. It isn't wise to let your anger get the best of you."

His smile lingered as Kenren spoke of the army, and of the things immortals would do to lose themselves, however temporarily, from the unchanging eternity that was their existence. He thought of the games they played, and the cruelties they inflicted just to convince themselves that Heaven was indeed good, the paradise they wanted to be, and all because no one who actually thought about it could stand it.

He thought of Shien, Zenon...Rinrei.

"I know all too well the games they play, Taisho...of the lengths they'll go to." He met Kenren's eyes with his own. "And now you try to protect your friends from all that now that they've managed to escape it, correct? But I'm afraid you'll have to trust me when I say that they above all do not need your protection from it, nor mine."

[opposingheaven]

Kenren forcibly reigned in his temper, knowing Homura's words were true. Must be the effects of this place, he thought. He was usually able to maintain his temper under the most trying circumstances, but this place, cut off from his comrades, surrounded by those who resembled them but who he couldn't quite trust the same way... it was frustrating as hell and made him want to lash out at someone.

He returned Homura's look steadily, regaining his calm. "It's not a matter of needing to," he replied evenly. "If they're anything like they were, then there's nothing short of an army that'd stop them." That's what it had taken last time, after all, and not a normal army either. "Doesn't mean I don't still want to protect them." An odd smile crossed his lips. "If it were me, I wouldn't want to be reminded."

[screwthegods]

"No, you didn't." This memory was a pleasant one for Homura, and it showed on his face. "In fact, you--or should I say, your future self was more outwardly enraged by my teasing than any of your companions."

He turned his eyes, watching Kenren from their corners to see him process this new information. Doubtless he wouldn't like it, which made it all the more interesting to crumble in front of him.

"They must be wondering about it. The relationship of this stranger to your contemporary incarnation. Doubtless they've picked up some clues based solely on your appearance...not to mention that seemingly unbreakable bond between you."