He turns around once more to say goodbye to the place he has just been awoken in; the memory of the warm embrace of his brothers in arms still lingering inside him, yet somehow far off.

They had fulfilled their purpose: died an honorable death on the battlefield to protect their dearest, their home, their master, and rose once again to fight for life and justice; even to catch a glimpse of what the world could have in store for them. Drinks, walks, love… a civilian way they've never felt they could get.

And once they thought, he thought, that was the last smile they could ever see of each other, the last time they'd feel the wind caressing their skin, drumming in their ears, that bright warm sunbeam, like a hand reaching out, pulled him out of that infinite darkness an enveloped him in a soothing voice he knew all too well…

The sunlight blinds him for a second: he resists opening his eyes just yet, his body still heavy from exhaustion and his long lavender hair falling over his shoulder in a sloppy braid. The sensations would mix and twirl inside of him: the calm winter void of nothingness, the lovely heat that tries to raise him from the bed, the heavy spring weather perfumed with a thousand new blossoms ready to bloom, even if it is just to wither a second after. And a small sweaty hand, worried, on his shoulder. He can almost feel the breath the little boy is holding.

"Kiki." He raises painfully from the bed, one hand shading his eyes from the sunlight, trying to understand his surroundings. He can see a solitary cloud slowly drifting through the sky of Star Hill, and an exhausted, almost fading Saori Kido on her knees at the center of the twelve - no, fourteen- improvised beds, all occupied with faces he knows all too well, dry blood drawing patterns on her wrists and eyes glassy with tears, but smiling. Always smiling. The gods have allowed her to bring her saints back. The boy is kneeled on his bed besides him, eyes red with grief but a heart so happy you can hear it sing within his chest, and that smile he'd give away the world for. And so he has: he knew he wouldn't come back from the battlefield, not after a Holy War. He has heard every story from the previous ones and he was ready to let his apprentice take his place; he would've been up to the challenge, of course he would. But now that place is still his and the boy is just a boy still, not a warrior destined to shed blood at his sweet age. He has the chance to enjoy his childhood, he thought, while watching him rapidly list a good number of efforts put in taking them out of Hades' hands and how happy he is it worked and he was really lonely and and and… "I missed you too".

Already risen and with a cup of tea on his hands to wake the still numb limbs, his cape over Miss Saori's shoulders, he can't shake that strange feeling again. He remembers the union at the wall, fighting side by side along with his brothers, in spite of everything that has happened before; it felt so right, so easy… but now that he's looking up to the same sky that told him once his beloved master had died, he can't stop the wrath bubbling inside of him. He knows it all, knows it wasn't the guy who watched him grow, who got himself into trouble for giving in to his whims of midnight candy and stories; it was his hand, but not himself. Yet, there is some of that rage, the fury of a boy left alone in the world, that's still clutching at his chest. He has been the first to awake again into this world, he knows he should help her with such a deed, but his strength is failing him; it was always a fight easier to fight from afar. He suddenly sees himself towering over the still body, breathing softly, of that who was his mentor, his guide. Hands still cold and a shadow in between his eyes: he knows he has forgiven, he was much too wise for him not to, but he'd swear he can see that same resentment hidden behind closed eyes. Or maybe he's trying to justify his own, maybe. His whole body is begging for him to run off, away, back home. Back where they can hurt him, embrace him and leave him alone running through the night again. He clutches that cold hand looking for composure. He finds none.

"Athen.."

"No, please", she interrupts him in a whisper but never losing her calm mannered ways: "just Saori. I'm only that at the moment. Until you need her again".

"Saori-san… I beg your pardon but I need to go back to Aries and take care of the protection of the Sanctuary."

"Please, do. And do take Kiki with you. He's been expecting you." he does need him around right now to not crumble. He needs his blissful ignorance: he knows a part of the story but he never felt the sting of it, the open wound. But then again, if the dam can't stand the violent current behind it, then...

"I would like him to come along", he was never a good liar, but panic strikes and he needs to make a move, "but I'd hate to leave you alone."

"I'm positive I'll be having some company not long from now" she said, smiling at the men all around her, tired and dirty but somehow shining bright, hopeful. Saori… she's a kid after all. One way too wise, way too tough for her years, and still with so much love to give. He can't stop himself from trusting in a heart so pure, so childlike. He vows and leaves her waiting for the rest of his knights to rise.

This is muy first fic in english, and also the first one after a while, so it's here pretty much for proofreading. Every single comment is appreciated.