"gettin' your claws dirty?" kenren remarked.

"remember your place, taishou."

"my apologies."

and with that, goujun left, but not before throwing one of his extra uniforms at tenpou's feet. there's going to be a lot of paperwork involving this incident. best get started.

tenpou finally came to in the midst of all the washing, re-clothing, and general pampering.

"what...what happened?"

unceremoniously, konzen dumped a bucketful of water on top of his head.

"keep saying that and you'll have your position longer."

"no, really, what happened?" he sputtered water.

"you're playing stupid, that's what." the blonde said, the calmness in his voice taking the edge from his words. "just say it. you started the fire, didn't you?"

"i didn't." well it was true.

"of course he didn't." kenren said, grinning and slinging his arm around the marshal. "he was with me the entire time."

konzen gracefully arched a brow. "doing *what* may i ask? i will not allow anything so inappropriate to reach tentei."

"scouting."

"down below." added tenpou with his own secret smile.

"konzen, what do i do with this?" goku held up tenpou's bloodied uniform.

"toss it into the fire."

a crash shook the ground as the main pillars fell, causing the roof to collapse. this was heaven's first fire, and they all knew that many more would come: hotter and wilder giving way to many a new dawn just as it was doing now. the sunrise was fresh this day.