Chapter Two - Shion

What do I cherish the most? The question still lingered in my mind. It brought nothing but memories that I had thought I had buried in the past. And, now, it emerges with full force, making me relive the moment that I wished I had not remembered.

The memory consisted of a man I had lost long ago. I refuse to let it surface. I already have people to cherish. My goddess, my pupil, Mu, and his student, Kiki, plus my long-time friend Dohko, and the rest of the Saints that surround me are who I cherish most.

Yes, that is all I cherish. Really, it is. But, I still feel an empty space that none could be able to fill.

A chuckle fell from my lips and I had all eyes settled on me. They question my sudden chuckle, but all I could say that it was nothing of importance, just a silly memory that came to mind.

They did not ask any further and let the topic end. They place their attention on Kiki, who spoke of how much he cherishes his master, Mu. Bashfully, he kept his head down, having to repeat himself several times. He kept speaking in a low voice that, sometimes, the recipients in the room could not hear what he is saying.

At least, he does not lie. I, on the other hand, lied.

There are others that I have come to cherish, but are now long dead. Dohko and I are the only ones left from the last Holy War. But, if I had to add another person, or rather several, I would say my past comrades and my master, Hakurei.

I feel my eyes burn with tears, tears that I want to restrain. I hang my head low, having my bangs conceal my face. I don't want anyone to see me in this crying state. I kept myself relaxed, taking in deep breaths and closing my eyes. After I composed myself, I stared at the present Gold Saints, having a sense of déjà vu, as if I was surrounded by my old comrades. They remind me so much of them. I smirked for, obviously, they were the reincarnation of them.

You cannot imagine how I wanted to end my life for being such a failure. Yet, I could not bring myself for committing such atrocious deed when I had an obligation to complete. But hearing Kiki speak about how much he cherishes his master brought me to remember how much I had cherished my master.

I remember once, when I was child, how I made this oath to my master, Hakurei. It was silly of me to do, but I had my reasons.

After the ordeal of what I had done and my master saving my life, I had trailed behind him relentlessly, hoping to be like him one day. I remembered we were sitting around a fireplace. He stared at the fire, crackling and dancing in the air, as the color of the fire swayed on his face. I sat near his side, watching the orange hue dance on my flesh.

My mind had constantly pondered on what the old man was thinking about. Did he think about the past, such as I am doing right now? Did he think about his comrades or his brother that resided in the Sanctuary? I never knew.

"Shion," he called for me. I placed my attention onto him, waiting for him to speak.

"There will be another child who shall train with you."

"Another child?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

He nodded his head. "Yes, tomorrow you shall meet her."

The smile on my face faded into a scowl.

"What do you mean her?"

"Does it bother you?" he asked, lightly smiling. The respect a pupil was supposed to uphold shriveled as the rebellion side took control. I stood on my feet, staring at the old man in anger.

"Of course! Shall I be happy to be training with a girl?" The thought of seeing a girl endure through the hardships a Saint must face irked me. But who would have thought that Yuzuriha was the girl I had to train with. I should have guessed it at that moment. It should not have surprised me that she would want to be a Saint when the girl highly respected me, but I was a child back then, and all logic seemed to have scattered and left me in shocked at that moment. If only, I had more control of my emotions, if only.

"Shion, it was the girl's decision to fight."

"But…" I could not finish my sentence for I had nothing to say. I looked down to my feet, a face filled in defeat.

"Shion," he called. I looked up. A faint smile was seen on his lips that made me wonder why the old man was saddened.

"One day, Shion, one day, you will no longer have me by your side, but you must remember to always be strong and move forward."

I gape at his words, panicking at the thought of it. The feeling of being alone scared me that I shook my head repeatedly and chanted, "No". I threw myself into his arms, clutching the fabric of his clothes. I had to make sure that he was real and not some figment of my imagination.

"I don't want you to die," I voiced, a demand that he avoids death's door in a brisk manner. "If you die, I shall die with you."

Slap!

My head twisted to a side, bearing a red mark of a palm. I pulled myself away from his form, rubbing my cheek as the sting of his blow numbed my skin.

"You are an idiot." I looked at him. "Do not say such things. I am an old man, Shion, and you have a life ahead of you."

"I will still die with you, old master."

"You are a stubborn mule!"

"I learned from the best!"

A chuckle sprang from his lips, chuckling at stupidity I displayed.

"You are an idiot."

I frowned at his words, prepared to argue my reasons. The old man was right, however, I did not die like I said I would by his side.

A wet cloth was pressed against my face. I had left the living room and headed into the kitchen. I needed to be alone to compose myself once more. A firm grip startled me and made me turn to face my old friend. He partially smiled.

"What?" I asked, placing the wet cloth near the sink.

"I think you need this." He handed me a dry cloth, muttering my thanks to him before I pressed it against my face. I wanted to tell him how I felt, but I would rather ignore it and move on. No point of discussing our feelings like women.

Revision: June 24, 2011