Late Birthday Fic - An Hour of Play
Aug. 26th, 2007 10:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessAn Hour of Play
Author – D M Evans
Disclaimer – not mine. All rights belong to Kazuya Minekura et al, no profit made, just a little fun
Fandom – Saiyuki
Rating – PG, totally work safe
Prompt/claim – Insane, Gaiden Goku
Pairing – none, gaiden gen fic
Timeline – Set early in the Gaidens.
Author’s note – written as a late birthday gift for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mjules and for the fic_variation’s August challenge of sane/insane. Thanks to evil_little_dog for the beta
You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation – Plato
“You don’t understand,” Konzen explained in a very tight tone to Kannon. His fingers gripped his desk. “He’s making me insane.”
Goku frowned a little at that. Why was Konzen always so grumpy? It wasn’t his fault things went wrong. The boy looked over at Kannon. She winked at him even though her face remained serious. Goku knew this look. It was a mask, the one she wore whenever Konzen was yelling loud, those times the blond thought she should be more serious. Goku could see she wasn’t and, if Konzen would just pause to take a breath, he’d realize that.
“That’s probably not taking much,” Kannon replied, shaking her foot. Goku liked that because she wore anklets of shiny stone and tiny bells. It was like music when she walked.
Konzen’s scowl deepened so much Goku thought his head might pinch in two. “He drew all over some of my papers.” He held up the evidence, shaking it.
Kannon eyed the drawings. “Goku’s pretty good. You should encourage him.”
“No.” Goku could hear Konzen’s teeth gritting. Konzen stabbed a finger at the remains of a vase on the top of an ornate cabinet. “Look at that.”
“A broken vase? Any reason you didn’t just get rid of it?” Kannon waved a lazy hand at the shards.
“Goku and Kenren broke it playing with a ball. It’s staying there as a reminder.” Konzen grumbled.
Kannon got up, gliding across the room to inspect the shards then went over to Goku. “You know, Konzen, instead of grumbling about how insane Goku’s making you and holding up misdeeds to teach him a lesson, why don’t you set the paperwork aside and go out and play with him.”
Konzen’s eyes bulged. “Play?”
“Yes, you know, have fun, run around, play ball, whatever.” A grin played with the corners of her mouth.
“The last time I look him outside, he fell out of a tree on me.” Konzen’s lips thinned.
“It was an accident,” Goku protested, fingering the links of the chains he wore.
“That’s his favorite phrase,” Konzen replied dryly.
“Take him out and play, that’s an order.” Kannon grinned broadly.
Goku was very glad that Konzen’s scary face was being made at her and not him. Konzen stood up and let his fingers brush Goku’s hair. “Come on, Monkey.” Goku curled his fingers in the soft cloth of Konzen’s robes and trotted along after the tall man. Konzen led Goku into the gardens then looked down at the boy and said, “Okay, play.”
Goku glanced around at a loss. What did Konzen think there was to do here? “What do you want to play?”
“You play, I watch. Pretend it’s my office and run around and break things.”
Goku made a face. “It’s no fun alone.”
“I see Daddy still needs a few lessons.” Kenren’s voice held a ring of laughter as he sauntered down the garden path, a bottle swaying over his back, hitting against a pack he had. Tenbou followed him, looking amused.
“Yo, monkey, there’s someone your intellectual age.” Konzen pointed at Kenren who pursed his lips at the blond. “Go play.”
“Find us some shade, Goku. I’ll teach you to play mah-jongg.” Kenren said.
Tenbou tapped Konzen’s shoulder. “Want to wager on how fast he corrupts poor Goku?”
Konzen rolled his eyes. “No mah-jongg.”
“But I wanna learn,” Goku protested, grabbing Kenren’s hand. He didn’t know what Kenren was talking about but Goku didn’t want to lose a change to play. He pulled the soldier along quickly until his shackles clipped the man’s knee. Kenren swore, hopping around. Goku’s golden eyes widened. “What does fu-”
Tenbou put a hand over the boy’s mouth before he could get the swear out. “Kenren, little ears!”
Kenren shook out his leg. “Look at the company he keeps. That’s hardly the worst thing he’ll hear.” He glanced about then pointed. “Right there. Have a seat.” Kenren set down his pack and the bottle, and dug out a set of tiles.
“You walk around with a mah-jongg set?” Konzen’s pale eyebrows raised.
“He was already planning on doing nothing much today,” Tenbou replied, as he sat next to Kenren.
Konzen sighed and took his seat. Goku flopped down and started playing with the tiles. The boy spent a lot more time playing with the tiles and marveling over their slickness and colors than he did learning to play.
Finally, Kenren opened his bottle of sake. “Let’s see if this helps the process. Want a sip Goku?”
Konzen slapped Kenren in the back of the head as Tenbou put a protective arm around Goku. “No sake!” Konzen asserted.
While the men bickered back and forth about the virtues and evils of sake, Goku lifted the bottle to his lips and drank. He wanted to be like Kenren since he knew how to have fun. Sputtering and coughing, the boy nearly dropped the bottle. “Ewww!”
“There, happy? He doesn’t even like it,” Kenren snorted, giving Goku a look that said that should be impossible.
“Are you done corrupting the monkey?” Konzen pulled a long face. “Since I’m pretty sure this is not what Kannon had in mind when she said take the boy out to play.”
Kenren put the tiles away. “Kannon, eh? Finally doing something about your sour puss?”
“How about a good game of tag, Goku?” Tenbou asked before Konzen could explode.
Goku bounced up, still wiping his mouth on his sleeve. “Yay!” he cried around his arm.
Kenren slapped Konzen. “You’re it!”
“Awww, he’s so slow he’ll be it forever.” Goku stomped his foot.
Konzen’s eyes narrowed as his lips pulled into a scary smile. “You think so?” He sprang up at Goku, who squealed, racing away.
Tag continued until dinner forced a halt to the game. Goku just knew that the playing would come to an end now and he didn’t even want to eat until Kenren promised a fun game after dinner. Goku practically inhaled his food, looking expectantly at the general.
“We’re all going night fishing,” Kenren proclaimed, polishing off his last few bites.
“That is not a game,” Konzen said.
“But it is fun…even if Kenren doesn’t grasp the ‘kill nothing’ idea.” Tenbou smirked.
“I’ll get us some rods,” Kenren said. “Tenbou, you get the lanterns and snacks. Konzen, you…well, what do you do?”
“I don’t fish.” Konzen held up a hand. “You take the monkey.”
Goku tugged on Konzen’s robe. “But you have to play with me. Kannon said so.”
Konzen’s shoulders slumped. “Fine, I’ll go fishing.”
They reconvened at the lake. Kenren had some blankets for them to sit on. While he showed Goku the basics, Tenbou set up the lanterns then flopped down with a book.
Konzen gave Tenbou the dim eye. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You’ve never been stuck out all night on one of Kenren’s fishing expeditions before,” Tenbou replied, accepting the rod from Kenren without even looking up. He cast out his line then went back to his book.
Sighing, Konzen just stretched out and shut his eyes, totally ignoring his fishing rod.
Goku didn’t know how Konzen could sleep. This was exciting. He cast out his line and caught a tree. He tried again and nearly caught Tenbou so Kenren cast for him. Goku settled next to Kenren, eyeing his bobber expectantly. “When I am I going to get a fish?”
“You need a little patience,” Kenren replied and Konzen choked on a laugh.
Goku ignored him, concentrating on his fishing line. Soon his eyes began to droop. Maybe this wasn’t such a fun game. Suddenly his rod was nearly pulled out of his hands.
“You have a bite, Goku!” Kenren cried, his hand flailing at the lake. “Set the hook!”
“Huh?” Goku pulled hard on the bamboo rod. “Oh right, you told me how.” He yanked again then started winding in his line. “Ooo, it’s pulling back!” The rod nearly bounced out of Goku’s hand. With a happy cry, he got a better hold on it, wheeling in harder.
“That’s the fun part,” Kenren assured him. “Easy now, don’t pull too hard or you’ll snap the line. Let the fish tire himself out.”
Goku tried to do what Kenren was saying but this was too exciting. He hauled hard on the line and the rod bent.
“Wow, that’s a big one,” Tenbou said, appreciatively.
“Let’s see if you can land it,” Kenren encouraged the boy.
Goku wheeled the line in faster as Kenren got the net ready. Goku swung the rod to the side as hard as he could and the fish broke water. The fat fish sailed in the air, still on the line, totally missing the net. It landed in Konzen’s lap and started flapping about. Konzen taught Goku a new swear as he thrashed around trying to fling the fish free. Kenren howled loudly.
“Sorry!” Goku cried, blushing.
“Don’t worry about it. That’s the most action his lap’s ever seen. Konzen should be thanking you.” Kenren laughed.
Goku wasn’t sure which one of them ended up in the lake first. Konzen charged Kenren. There was some flailing around and then a loud splash. While the boy was giggling hard, Tenbou took the fish off the line and put it in bucket for him.
“My my, he’s actually playing.” Kannon laughed, strolling along the shoreline. “Konzen, you’re playing with the wrong boy. Save wrestling with Kenren for behind closed doors.”
“What are you implying?” Konzen roared, stalking out of the lake. A water lily dangled from his long hair, his robes dragging nearly from his body from the drenching
Goku didn’t quite get the joke but apparently Kenren and Tenbou did, judging by how hard they were laughing. “Kannon, see my fish?” He pointed to the bucket proudly.
She squatted down and examined the fish. “A fine one, for sure. Why don’t you let it go now though, Goku. It’ll die otherwise.”
He gasped and dumped the fish back into the lake, ignoring Kenren’s protest. “I don’t want it to die.”
“You can play catch and release,” Kannon said, stroking his hair.
“Am I done playing with him yet?” Konzen asked wringing out his robe.
Goku’s lower lip trembled. “You don’t like playing with me?”
“He doesn’t like to play with anyone. Don’t take it personally,” Kenren sniffed, eyeing Konzen angrily.
Konzen’s face fell and for a moment he didn’t seem to know what to say. “I don’t mind playing, Goku,” he admitted softly. “But now I’m soaking wet and I want to go home.”
“You and Kenren can go change. I’ll stay here and fish with Goku until you get back,” Tenbou offered.
“That sounds like a good idea,” Kannon said, sitting next to Goku. “Show me how to fish, Goku.”
Konzen and Kenren glanced at each other, realizing they had been dismissed with orders to return so they headed off to change. Goku excitedly showed Kannon how to put bait on the hook. Kenren and Konzen eventually came back, dry, and Kenren with more sake. They fished until the moon was high in the sky. Goku finally gave in to his drooping eyelids and curled up against Kannon, with her hand in his hair, and drifted off to sleep, very content.
Author – D M Evans
Disclaimer – not mine. All rights belong to Kazuya Minekura et al, no profit made, just a little fun
Fandom – Saiyuki
Rating – PG, totally work safe
Prompt/claim – Insane, Gaiden Goku
Pairing – none, gaiden gen fic
Timeline – Set early in the Gaidens.
Author’s note – written as a late birthday gift for
mjules and for the fic_variation’s August challenge of sane/insane. Thanks to evil_little_dog for the betaYou can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation – Plato
“You don’t understand,” Konzen explained in a very tight tone to Kannon. His fingers gripped his desk. “He’s making me insane.”
Goku frowned a little at that. Why was Konzen always so grumpy? It wasn’t his fault things went wrong. The boy looked over at Kannon. She winked at him even though her face remained serious. Goku knew this look. It was a mask, the one she wore whenever Konzen was yelling loud, those times the blond thought she should be more serious. Goku could see she wasn’t and, if Konzen would just pause to take a breath, he’d realize that.
“That’s probably not taking much,” Kannon replied, shaking her foot. Goku liked that because she wore anklets of shiny stone and tiny bells. It was like music when she walked.
Konzen’s scowl deepened so much Goku thought his head might pinch in two. “He drew all over some of my papers.” He held up the evidence, shaking it.
Kannon eyed the drawings. “Goku’s pretty good. You should encourage him.”
“No.” Goku could hear Konzen’s teeth gritting. Konzen stabbed a finger at the remains of a vase on the top of an ornate cabinet. “Look at that.”
“A broken vase? Any reason you didn’t just get rid of it?” Kannon waved a lazy hand at the shards.
“Goku and Kenren broke it playing with a ball. It’s staying there as a reminder.” Konzen grumbled.
Kannon got up, gliding across the room to inspect the shards then went over to Goku. “You know, Konzen, instead of grumbling about how insane Goku’s making you and holding up misdeeds to teach him a lesson, why don’t you set the paperwork aside and go out and play with him.”
Konzen’s eyes bulged. “Play?”
“Yes, you know, have fun, run around, play ball, whatever.” A grin played with the corners of her mouth.
“The last time I look him outside, he fell out of a tree on me.” Konzen’s lips thinned.
“It was an accident,” Goku protested, fingering the links of the chains he wore.
“That’s his favorite phrase,” Konzen replied dryly.
“Take him out and play, that’s an order.” Kannon grinned broadly.
Goku was very glad that Konzen’s scary face was being made at her and not him. Konzen stood up and let his fingers brush Goku’s hair. “Come on, Monkey.” Goku curled his fingers in the soft cloth of Konzen’s robes and trotted along after the tall man. Konzen led Goku into the gardens then looked down at the boy and said, “Okay, play.”
Goku glanced around at a loss. What did Konzen think there was to do here? “What do you want to play?”
“You play, I watch. Pretend it’s my office and run around and break things.”
Goku made a face. “It’s no fun alone.”
“I see Daddy still needs a few lessons.” Kenren’s voice held a ring of laughter as he sauntered down the garden path, a bottle swaying over his back, hitting against a pack he had. Tenbou followed him, looking amused.
“Yo, monkey, there’s someone your intellectual age.” Konzen pointed at Kenren who pursed his lips at the blond. “Go play.”
“Find us some shade, Goku. I’ll teach you to play mah-jongg.” Kenren said.
Tenbou tapped Konzen’s shoulder. “Want to wager on how fast he corrupts poor Goku?”
Konzen rolled his eyes. “No mah-jongg.”
“But I wanna learn,” Goku protested, grabbing Kenren’s hand. He didn’t know what Kenren was talking about but Goku didn’t want to lose a change to play. He pulled the soldier along quickly until his shackles clipped the man’s knee. Kenren swore, hopping around. Goku’s golden eyes widened. “What does fu-”
Tenbou put a hand over the boy’s mouth before he could get the swear out. “Kenren, little ears!”
Kenren shook out his leg. “Look at the company he keeps. That’s hardly the worst thing he’ll hear.” He glanced about then pointed. “Right there. Have a seat.” Kenren set down his pack and the bottle, and dug out a set of tiles.
“You walk around with a mah-jongg set?” Konzen’s pale eyebrows raised.
“He was already planning on doing nothing much today,” Tenbou replied, as he sat next to Kenren.
Konzen sighed and took his seat. Goku flopped down and started playing with the tiles. The boy spent a lot more time playing with the tiles and marveling over their slickness and colors than he did learning to play.
Finally, Kenren opened his bottle of sake. “Let’s see if this helps the process. Want a sip Goku?”
Konzen slapped Kenren in the back of the head as Tenbou put a protective arm around Goku. “No sake!” Konzen asserted.
While the men bickered back and forth about the virtues and evils of sake, Goku lifted the bottle to his lips and drank. He wanted to be like Kenren since he knew how to have fun. Sputtering and coughing, the boy nearly dropped the bottle. “Ewww!”
“There, happy? He doesn’t even like it,” Kenren snorted, giving Goku a look that said that should be impossible.
“Are you done corrupting the monkey?” Konzen pulled a long face. “Since I’m pretty sure this is not what Kannon had in mind when she said take the boy out to play.”
Kenren put the tiles away. “Kannon, eh? Finally doing something about your sour puss?”
“How about a good game of tag, Goku?” Tenbou asked before Konzen could explode.
Goku bounced up, still wiping his mouth on his sleeve. “Yay!” he cried around his arm.
Kenren slapped Konzen. “You’re it!”
“Awww, he’s so slow he’ll be it forever.” Goku stomped his foot.
Konzen’s eyes narrowed as his lips pulled into a scary smile. “You think so?” He sprang up at Goku, who squealed, racing away.
Tag continued until dinner forced a halt to the game. Goku just knew that the playing would come to an end now and he didn’t even want to eat until Kenren promised a fun game after dinner. Goku practically inhaled his food, looking expectantly at the general.
“We’re all going night fishing,” Kenren proclaimed, polishing off his last few bites.
“That is not a game,” Konzen said.
“But it is fun…even if Kenren doesn’t grasp the ‘kill nothing’ idea.” Tenbou smirked.
“I’ll get us some rods,” Kenren said. “Tenbou, you get the lanterns and snacks. Konzen, you…well, what do you do?”
“I don’t fish.” Konzen held up a hand. “You take the monkey.”
Goku tugged on Konzen’s robe. “But you have to play with me. Kannon said so.”
Konzen’s shoulders slumped. “Fine, I’ll go fishing.”
They reconvened at the lake. Kenren had some blankets for them to sit on. While he showed Goku the basics, Tenbou set up the lanterns then flopped down with a book.
Konzen gave Tenbou the dim eye. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
“You’ve never been stuck out all night on one of Kenren’s fishing expeditions before,” Tenbou replied, accepting the rod from Kenren without even looking up. He cast out his line then went back to his book.
Sighing, Konzen just stretched out and shut his eyes, totally ignoring his fishing rod.
Goku didn’t know how Konzen could sleep. This was exciting. He cast out his line and caught a tree. He tried again and nearly caught Tenbou so Kenren cast for him. Goku settled next to Kenren, eyeing his bobber expectantly. “When I am I going to get a fish?”
“You need a little patience,” Kenren replied and Konzen choked on a laugh.
Goku ignored him, concentrating on his fishing line. Soon his eyes began to droop. Maybe this wasn’t such a fun game. Suddenly his rod was nearly pulled out of his hands.
“You have a bite, Goku!” Kenren cried, his hand flailing at the lake. “Set the hook!”
“Huh?” Goku pulled hard on the bamboo rod. “Oh right, you told me how.” He yanked again then started winding in his line. “Ooo, it’s pulling back!” The rod nearly bounced out of Goku’s hand. With a happy cry, he got a better hold on it, wheeling in harder.
“That’s the fun part,” Kenren assured him. “Easy now, don’t pull too hard or you’ll snap the line. Let the fish tire himself out.”
Goku tried to do what Kenren was saying but this was too exciting. He hauled hard on the line and the rod bent.
“Wow, that’s a big one,” Tenbou said, appreciatively.
“Let’s see if you can land it,” Kenren encouraged the boy.
Goku wheeled the line in faster as Kenren got the net ready. Goku swung the rod to the side as hard as he could and the fish broke water. The fat fish sailed in the air, still on the line, totally missing the net. It landed in Konzen’s lap and started flapping about. Konzen taught Goku a new swear as he thrashed around trying to fling the fish free. Kenren howled loudly.
“Sorry!” Goku cried, blushing.
“Don’t worry about it. That’s the most action his lap’s ever seen. Konzen should be thanking you.” Kenren laughed.
Goku wasn’t sure which one of them ended up in the lake first. Konzen charged Kenren. There was some flailing around and then a loud splash. While the boy was giggling hard, Tenbou took the fish off the line and put it in bucket for him.
“My my, he’s actually playing.” Kannon laughed, strolling along the shoreline. “Konzen, you’re playing with the wrong boy. Save wrestling with Kenren for behind closed doors.”
“What are you implying?” Konzen roared, stalking out of the lake. A water lily dangled from his long hair, his robes dragging nearly from his body from the drenching
Goku didn’t quite get the joke but apparently Kenren and Tenbou did, judging by how hard they were laughing. “Kannon, see my fish?” He pointed to the bucket proudly.
She squatted down and examined the fish. “A fine one, for sure. Why don’t you let it go now though, Goku. It’ll die otherwise.”
He gasped and dumped the fish back into the lake, ignoring Kenren’s protest. “I don’t want it to die.”
“You can play catch and release,” Kannon said, stroking his hair.
“Am I done playing with him yet?” Konzen asked wringing out his robe.
Goku’s lower lip trembled. “You don’t like playing with me?”
“He doesn’t like to play with anyone. Don’t take it personally,” Kenren sniffed, eyeing Konzen angrily.
Konzen’s face fell and for a moment he didn’t seem to know what to say. “I don’t mind playing, Goku,” he admitted softly. “But now I’m soaking wet and I want to go home.”
“You and Kenren can go change. I’ll stay here and fish with Goku until you get back,” Tenbou offered.
“That sounds like a good idea,” Kannon said, sitting next to Goku. “Show me how to fish, Goku.”
Konzen and Kenren glanced at each other, realizing they had been dismissed with orders to return so they headed off to change. Goku excitedly showed Kannon how to put bait on the hook. Kenren and Konzen eventually came back, dry, and Kenren with more sake. They fished until the moon was high in the sky. Goku finally gave in to his drooping eyelids and curled up against Kannon, with her hand in his hair, and drifted off to sleep, very content.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:15 am (UTC)And well Kenren...I just want to molest him. He's a hottie in any incarnation.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:22 am (UTC)thanks (love the icon)
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:26 am (UTC)I find the Gaidens interesting for comparing the characters from when they were in Heaven to how they are now. Like Kenren and Gojyo both have a certain playfulness, but you can see that Kenren has a lot less angst and is less damaged a person than Gojyo. And Konzen isn't really as mean as Sanzo, he's mostly just uptight and kinda humorless. But he doesn't have that really angry edge that Sanzo has.
I also found Nataku's story heartbreaking.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 04:38 am (UTC)your kannon is more hands-on here...
i have come to think of her as an observer
enjoying konzen's discomfiture at all times
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:49 pm (UTC)And thanks
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:43 am (UTC)and yes Nataku's story is
no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 11:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 12:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 02:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-27 03:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 12:28 am (UTC)The part with the fish in Konzen's lap made my day, haha.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:47 am (UTC)...You know, I should totally have Konzen icons, since I think he's even hotter than Sanzo, looks-wise. (It's that HAIR.) But I like Sanzo's attitude better... he's added badass to Konzen's "whiny bitch" aura.
Thank you for such a sweet birthday present. ^_^
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:57 am (UTC)well you deserved something after I screwed up the OTHER gift
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 04:31 am (UTC)Oh well. Different strokes for different folks.
*cuddles baby Goku right along with you*
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 04:37 am (UTC)but I wouldn't pass on cuddling the monkey
no subject
Date: 2007-08-31 01:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-31 03:17 pm (UTC)