Chapter 1: Will you be patient with me?

Aquarius Temple

A little boy moves around the Temple. He runs in circles while his blond hair waves into the wind. In the middle of the circumference made by the little one is a handsome young man with long indigo hair, his blue eyes closing in resignation while a long sigh escapes him.

Hyoga, please. Stop running for God sake - The little one named Hyoga stops but looks angrily at Camus.

But sensei! -the little three year old said- I am soooooo bored..

I'm very sorry for that Hyoga. But please, Could you behave like a good boy and STOP RUNNING AS A MADMAN!- Camus started in a low stern voice but finished shouting at the child. Hyoga abruptly stoped and looked at Camus. His huge light-blue eyes -almost too big for his angelic face- filled with tears. He started choking with his own tears.

Oh no. Not again..- Camus looked at a loss. He approached the kid and bent on his knees to be at Hyoga's level- Ok Hyoga. Hey, listen to me! -He cupped the boy's chin to keep his attention. When finally he stopped crying, Camus started to speak again- Listen to me. I'm sorry for having shouted at you. I´m not used to dealing with little ones like you- Hyoga looked at his teacher with a puzzled look on his face. He started sucking at his thumb- You surely don´t understand one word of what I'm sayingvto you but, believe me, we are in a very difficult in here. Would you be more patient with me?- Hyoga nodded while still sucking on his thumb.

Thank you -Camus smiled and ruffled Hyoga's hair- In the end you're the one who is suffering the most- He said while stroking Hyoga's cheek with the back of his hand.

What a beautiful scene- A voice interrupted.

Milo- Camus said. A sincere smile on his face- How proper of you. You never change, don´t you?- He said raising to his feet.

Hello sweetheart- Milo said spreading his arms without acknowledging Camus commentary. Hyoga ran into Milo's arms. His laughter echoing on the Temple's stone walls- How is the ice cube treating you?- Milo picked up Hyoga hugging him almost too tightly.

Hi uncle Milo-The little boy answered in his now heartbreaking childish tone of voice.

Milo could you please shut up -Camus said annoyed- At least address me more respectfully in Hyogas's presence.

Don't listen to him baby. He's trying to scare us, but we won't let him -Milo said smiling. At this point Camus couldn't help but smile too. Hyoga only looked from one to the other without understanding anything.- So, have the two of you had dinner yet?- Milo said stroking Hyoga´s soft tresses.

Not yet-Camus said.

How irresponsible of you Aquarius. Are you hungry bunny?- Hyoga nodded shyly while sucking his tumb- Don´t worry darling. Uncle Milo is here to rescue you. Camus if you don't feed your child soon I´m afraid we'll have to get him a new finger- The Scorpio Saint said.

Camus aproached Milo with a reproving look. He loved his best-friend but the Gold Scorpion could annoy him like anyone can. He took Hyoga from Milo's arms and placed him into his own.

Ok scorpion! Rescue all of us and get the dinner -Camus said finally putting the child down.

Now way I'm bringing it to you here. We'll have something at my temple -Milo said with a wicked smile- That's of course if bunny wants to. Do you, bunny?

I'm hungry -That was all of Hyoga's response.

You win Milo -Camus said nonchalantly as he took Hyoga's hand. He then began walking down to Milo's temple.

As always -Milo said smirking.

Scorpio Temple

So, they haven't found a solution to the... ejem problem... yet? -Milo asked to a busy Camus who was trying to put some food into Hyoga's mouth. The child seated on his teacher's lap was too busy playing with his toy to pay attention to him.

Lady Saori said that the Scientifics at Graude foundation where doing their best to find the cure for the Iinvolution- The Aquarius Saint answered. Soon after he gave up the task of making Hyoga eat something- Weren't you hungry, Hyoga?- he scolded the boy turning him in his arms so he could face him.

I want pizza- Hyoga said in his childlike meek little voice- And Barney wants ice cream- He added and hugged his furry toy.

I'm afraid that this is the only thing that it's for dinner- Camus said sternly- So be a good boy and finish it. Besides, who is Barney?

The dinosaur in Hyoga's hands, you moron- Milo said looking at Camus with a reproving look- You haven't been watching too much TV on the late, have you?- Milo aproached Camus. He took Hyoga from his Master lap and placed him over his shoulders- Do you want Ice cream sweetie? Uncle Milo will get you a big one.

First of all Milo, let me remind you that *I* am in charge of the little brat in here, so *I* decide whatever he eats or not. In second place, stop spoiling him- Camus said to the Scorpio Saint - And last: Hello! We are in a lonely Sanctuary in the middle of Greece, you asshole! Where are you going to get ice-cream?

Such language. How improper of you Camus -Milo said indifferently- I'll go down to the town, of course.

Oh! Sure. you know you cannot leave Sanctuary if you don't have a good reason- Camus pointed out- What are you going to say to the pawns? Hello, I'm going to buy an ice cream to the brat, move on. I'll leave my temple alone for a while?

That sounds excellent to me- Milo replied.

Yep, me too!- Hyoga chirped cheerfully.

Oh. Does it?- Camus said with a mocking smile while taking Hyoga from Milo's shoulders- And when your opinion was asked, little man?- He harshly said while putting the child down- You are going directly to bed since you're not hungry anymore.

Come on, Camus -Milo said- Bunny just wants to eat an ice-cream. That's not so much to ask, is it? Remember his only three years old now.

I know that- Camus said without turning his gaze from Hyoga's contractedly form.

You seem to forget- Milo replied.

I don't- Camus denied facing Milo- And stop bossing me. I'm not a child and I know how to put up with kids, OK? -Camus said raising his voice.

That I can see- Milo said ironically- As a caretaker YOU SUCK CAMUS- Milo said also raising his voice.

And what would you know? Have you ever trained a pupil? YOU DO KOW NOTHING- Camus shouted the last sentence.

I'd do it better than you - Milo spat to Camus. The tone of the conversation changing. Each saint trying to upset the other.

Seeing all this Hyoga began to cry.

Stop -Hyoga said between tears- Stop shouting. Stop!- Each word making his sobs stronger.

At his reaction, the two adults stopped quarreling and looked embarrassed at him. Milo was the first to go to Hyoga and pick him up into his arms.

We are sorry sweetheart. It was not our intention to upset you- Milo said smiling at Hyoga's tear stricken face. He kissed sweetly the child's forehead.

Camus hesitantly approached both of them and bent himself to be at Hyoga's eye level.

I am awfully sorry too, little one -Camus whispered to the child while brushing away Hyoga's tears with his thumbs. He smiled softly at the kid nestled in Milo's arms.

You're right Milo, I don't know how to manage with kids- Camus said looking at the Scorpion. His sad smile never leaving his face- I think you would do it better than myself ever could.

Saying that Camus twisted in his heels and began walking to the exit of the temple under the stuned gaze of Milo and Hyoga. The child moved in the Scorpio Saint arms, giving him a clear signal that he wanted to be released into the floor. He then ran to Camus who was already outside the temple.

Are you going to leave me alone?- Hyoga said tugging at Camus' denims- Don't leave Hyoga alone. Please -Camus turned back to the kid touched by his words. He picked up Hyoga and put him to arm's length looking directly at his big baby-blue eyes.

I'll *never* leave you alone, did you hear me? Never - Camus said firmly.

But you are now -Hyoga said sadly never breaking the eye contact- Hyoga wants to be with his sensei. Hyoga loves uncle Milo but wants to be with his sensei. And sensei doesn't want it!

Hyoga- Camus said softly while hugging Hyoga tightly to his chest.

Sensei wants to be with me?- The kid asked hugging Camus back. His little hands grabbing desperatly at Camus T-shirt.

I do, dear- Camus said stroking Hyoga's soft tresses- I know you are a smart kid so I'm asking you again. Would you be patient with me?- He added. Hyoga nodded, his little face buried in Camus soft fabric.

Would *you* be patient with me?- Hyoga replied looking into Camus blue ice.

Camus only hugged him more tightly.

What a beautiful scene. Again -Milo said coming from the shadows. He had been listening all along without interrupting- You guys seriously have to stop doing them. You'll make uncle Milo cry- he said with a sincere smile. He then approached Camus who was putting Hyoga down.

Listen Camus. You're my best friend since we were trainees- Milo stated putting a hand in Camus' shoulder- I didn't meant to say something that could hurt you. You know how can I be sometimes... -Camus looked at him questioningly- Ok! Ok! Always. But really my friend, I'd never take care of bunny better than you. It's just that way. It's written. You are the only one. Can you forgive me?- Milo said extending a hand to Camus.

Bastard - Camus punched Milo's shoulder with a friendly smile.

Asshole- Milo replied smiling- That hurts. You realize that now I'll have to take revenge, don't you?

Shut up Milo. For Athena's sake.- Camus said as he took Hyoga's hand and started going up to his temple.

Hyoga turned around releasing the grasp in his teacher's hand. He ran to Milo's direction and hugged him.

I love you, pumpkin- Milo said lowering down at the kid's level kissing the top of his blond head- Take care of that ice cube goodfornothing.

Hyoga grinned and went back to take Camus hand again. Then both of them left to Aquarius temple.

TBC