A person, stood there alone. Clad in flowing long bright red robe. Their long lovely deep crimson hair blew in the wind, like soft dancing rose petals. It was so rich and bright. It was just beautiful. This persons' hair, there was no way of seeing their face, as their back was turned. Their gaze was held upward towards the sky. A single hand reaching out towards the sky, longingly. Slowly their hand drops to their side, what was once one hand, now two. The two of them locked together, to find another body standing next to the one with crimson hair. They too where looking up towards the sky.
The sun rose over the Five Peaks, Shunrei walks to May's room to see how the ill was feeling. Knocking lightly on the door, before entering. There wasn't a response. She must still be resting. All last night she slept. And her tempature had yet to subside. Turning the knob, she goes in with a new bowl of water and cloth. The items fall out of her hands, the bowl shattering and the water spilling everywhere. Gasping in shock, her screams wake everyone in the house.
"Shuneri!?"Shiryu reaches her with the others."What is it?! Wha-!?"His widen shocked and confused before him."May!?"The room was empty. Completely empty. He hurries over to the bed.
"What the-!?"Seiya looks around baffled like his friends."Where did she go? She was just resting last night."
"Shiryu."Shuneri looks to him, worried and scared.
Outside a delicate hand reaches up carefully plucking a couple of orchids. Standing upon the tips of their toes, allowed their arm to outstretch towards a couple more. Satisfied with their bounty, of flowers you smile to yourself.
"Their lovely. I hope everyone will love them."You put the flowers with the others you had collected since morning. Counting them, you had the right enough for a lovely center piece for morning breakfast. The colors all radiated off each other. It made you smile, which you where sure it would bring delight to the others. Looking up at the sun, it would soon be time for them to wake up. No doubt they would be hungry, it was a good thing you prepared the meal before leaving. Knowing Shiryu would be up soon, you had needed to hurry back. Grabbing the basket, you hurry down the path back home.
"I sure hope, Seiya and the others slept well."you thought."I cannot wait to show them everything. I am sure they will love it. What should I start with first? Ah! I know! I'll take them to my favorite spot first, where nii-san takes me a lot."Picking up your steps, racing the rising sun, you see the house in distant coming closer. Your eyes and smile light up.
Once inside you would set up the center piece for everyone to see. All the bright and rich colors will blend so well together. Imagining their surprised and please faces, delighted you. Shiryu would be so proud of you, so would Master and Shuneri. Your smile didn't stop."I cannot wait."Focused on what was to come, you didn't see the person before you, until you bump into them.
"May-chan?"Shun startled and surprised to find you out here, up and well. With no indication of illness."What are you doing out here? Better yet,"He puts a hand on your forehead. Checking your temperature. It was fine."You're alright."
He sounded more surprised, while leaving you confused."Of course I am well. Why would I not be? Is everything alright?"
What's going on? She was just sick yesterday...Shun thought puzzled. Thinking deeply about it, he didn't hear you calling to him."Huh.."He looks to you.
Looking up to him concerned."Shun-chan, what is the matter?"Reaching out, you take hold of his wrist when a reaction happen.
Shun wasn't sure if it was a dream or something else. Everything faded and he found himself transported somewhere else. No some other time. He couldn't make out the time but he was sure, it wasn't the present. The place, it looked and felt so familiar.
Laughter. He heard a bright and cheerful laughter. He looks around trying to find it, but there was nothing. Shun was about to say something when everything vanished and he found himself back on the mountain. With you calling to him. Looking directly at him, visibly worried now.
"Shun-chan. Shun-chan!"you tug lightly on his wrist. Waiting for him to respond. It was just weird, he was fine one minute and the next he stood before you spaced out. You had kept calling for him over and over again for some time.
He eventually came back, which was a relief. Though Shun was still in sort of a daze."...What...?"He collects himself. Realizing he was back and remembers why he was out here."May. May! Shiryu's been looking for you."
"For me? But, nii-san knows I like to pick flowers."you tell him. Holding up the basket filled with flowers."I came to pick flowers to make a lovely center piece. For everyone. Aren't they lovely?"
Is she playing around? Shun wasn't sure. With your smile, made he even more so."Shun-chan? Why do you keep checking my temperature?"You ask, as he had his hand on your forehead again.
"...No more fever..."he whispers to himself, taking his hand back he gives you a smile."Sorry, May-chan. But, we should get back. Your brother and everyone are looking for you. Let's not make them worry anymore."
Back with the others, Shiryu and his friends spread out in search for you. Shunrei and Dohko remained back at the house. She was extremely anxious and worried. Unsure if something horrible might have happened to the girl. While the others searched, she sent out a prayer for May's safe return. Praying hard. For it to be answered upon hearing your voice.
"Shuneri! Master!"
Walking down the path towards them safely. With Shun. You. Waving good morning to them, a healthy smile on and high spirits. No sign of illness at all. Surprised them, Shuneri though saw it as a miracle. Overcome with relief seeing you found and unharmed.
"May!"She embraces you tightly."You're alright. Where did you go?"
Before you could answer, Shiryu and the others come hurrying back. Hearing Shuneri. They where stun and surprised to see you up and well. Perfectly healthy in everywhere. Seeing puzzled look on their faces, Shun goes over to them."Shun?"Seiya asking for an explanation.
"When I found her, she was the same way too. Just fine."he tells them."No sign of the illness of anything. I checked her temperature, she's fine."Looking at you being checked over by Shuneri. Who too was just as puzzled as them.
"It's strange."Hyoga said, trying to figure it out."Maybe it was just a small bug."
Unsure."I suppose."Shiryu said."May."
The food was ready for breakfast and the table nearly set. Which was what you where going to do, when you came back from picking flowers and setting the center piece. But, after what happened, it didn't really go that way. Though Shiryu was glad to have you back, he was still upset at what you did. Talking to you in private. Getting up and leaving. Worrying and scaring everyone. Especially Shuneri. Which you didn't really understand why, but apologize for. He too asked if you still alright. Feeling sick still, which you assured him you where fine and don't recall being sick. Or fainting. Though it seem Shiryu was sure it happened. You didn't know how much you had to stress to him,you where fine and well.
Proving by the breakfast you made, which Shunrei finished setting up the table. Which was a truth and left it be. The two of you join the others at the table. Food was already being eaten. By Seiya. You take the open seat Shun had for you by himself and Hyoga. Sitting across from Seiya. At the head was Master.
With his mouth full, Seiya compliments the food."This is really good."He looked like a chipmunk.
Hyoga sighs shaking his head at his friend's manners."Seiya."
You never saw such manners and found quite humorous."Thank you, Seiya-san. I am glad you are enjoying the food. I have never seen someone eat the way you do. It does seem rather effective."Giggling.
Realizing how he was eating, he blushes with embarrassment with a big grin."Sorry."Scratching the back of his head.
"Oh. No please. It just shows me I have done a well job."You tell him trying to suppress your laugh. But it would not be contain, despite how small it was.
It was bright and cheerful. Made Shun stop eating, he looks right at you. Your laughter, it was just like the one he heard...when he was pulled away. It was nearly identical. Was it yours? He heard? It couldn't be, because there was no indication of you laughing when he came back. How could your laughter be the same then? Watching you from the other end of the table, being entertained by Seiya. Who kept you laughing and smiling. With his silly antics. Clearly he was enjoying the attention.
"Master? Are you alright?"Shiryu noticed the long look on the old man's face.
Dohko hadn't really touched his food, yet. It wasn't like him. Something was on his mind, but he would not say. It worried the young man."Nii-san."You get his attention, he looks over to you."I have finished and would like to take your friends to enjoy our home. Please."
"Oh. Yes alright."
You noticed he hadn't really touched his food."Nii-san? You didn't eat much. Is everything alright?"
He looks down at his plate, he hadn't really touched anything. Like his master."Yes. I was just thinking that's all."He picks up his chopsticks."When I'm done we can go."
"Astra. Astra, where are you?"Young Dohko called for the young girl all throughout the Sanctuary. He had asked some of the soldiers and trainees if they had seen the girl.
It was rather hard to miss her, she caused mischief where ever she went. Leaving behind a trail of it, that caught the attention of the Pope who warned the Libra saint he needed to keep a watchful eye on the girl. Though he did, she managed to slip through his fingers like water. By the time he would catch up on her trail, disaster already spurred. And it was too late.
The Pope would be there with her under his watchful eyes. Dohko though being a Gold Saint was trying, no, he was dead wrong. Keeping tabs on the girl was much harder than any Holy War. Still no sign of the...spirited girl. Was the best way he could describe her. The really nice word he could use. Knowing what would happen should he say something that might upset her. Her anger and temperament could shake the place. Should she cry, wings became wild and violent. Rain would come down like daggers. Though when she was happy, everything was alright. So much in a little body.
But it was a to expected, considering what she was and her lineage. He knew bringing her to the Sanctuary was the smartest thing. It was safe. Though some times he wasn't sure if it was had been the right thing to do. Coming across a group of trainees, he asked them and they told him no. Right then he heard a loud explosion, his spun around like the wind. His face went pale, upon the horror. His house. His Libra house was ignited. He knew right away who it was.
"Astra!"he hollers with fury. She was burning his house now!? Had she gone mad?! She was going to get it now. Filled with rage, using his Cosmos and with the speed of light arrives at the scene."Ast-!"He shouts. When saw before his eyes to his horror. Laid face down on the steps of his house, out cold.
The Pope kneeling by her, seemingly with a hand upon her forehead, his friend Aries was there along with Aquarius who was trying to douse the flames with his ice. Noticing Dohko standing there horrified and deathly worried. Before Aries could say anything, Dohko rushes over to the girl. Looking at her, Dohko saw her in pain. Sweating badly. She was sick, it was written all on her face. Her breathing was horrible. Like she was gasping for air. Dark circles under her eyes. Her little chest rising and falling rapidly. The Pope held her little hand that gripped so tightly.
She was shivering. Her body trembling, small soft whimpers he could hear. Where did this infliction come from?
"Her fever started the fire."Aries tells him."She has a high temperature and it keeps rising."
Dohko didn't understand. Just this morning, Astra was completely fine. Lively as always. All of sudden deathly ill. He didn't know what to do. His arms did, slowly they scoop up the little girl and cradles her.
"Astra..."
"..And Shunrei and I come here at least once a week to shop." You tell the others. Showing them the village market.
Which was busy like normal. People going about doing their thing, those whom you knew and knew you smiled as you walked down the road pointing about the person and what they sold. Telling them your favorite stands and what you liked to eat. How at times in the market there would on certain days and times shows. You introduced them to those of the village.
It was like your mouth didn't stop, the more you talked and told them. Showed them, the bigger your smile became and eyes brighten. It shimmered with joy. There where a couple of stories you told them. Finding them funny, you laughed when you tired to tell them. Which made it hard for them to hear it all, but engage and laugh too.
"Well, that's is the market."you stop and turn around to them."Did you enjoy it?"
"It was a lot to take in."Seiya admits smiling."But, I liked it."
"Yes. It was very informative. Thank you May-chan."Shun thanks you. Looking around the market."There are so many different things. Being able to remember all that you said, quite a talent."
You smile elated."Really?"
"Yes."Hyoga nods."I'm not sure what to do first here. Or what to get. Shiryu never really shows us this much. So thank you."
Your smile spreads more, you could hardly contain your joy."I am so very much happy you are enjoying yourself. It makes me happy to know, your stay is going overly well so far. I was worried at first. I do apologize for talking more than I normally do."
"It's alright. It's nice to hear you talk about something you love."Shun said."Everyone does. It just shows how important it to you."
"If it is something that I love the most, it is nii-san."you turn to Shiryu, smiling. He smiles back."I could talk about nii-san all day. And Shuneri. And Master. How nii-san is a very wonderful person. He is both kind and strong. As well wise. He is the best."You praise Shiryu.
Seiya nudges him."Aww, how cute."He snickers. Earning a hearty laugh from the guys."Yeah, Shiryu is a great person."Slinging his arm around Shiryu's shoulders.
"Please."Shiryu said modestly."Enough. Thank you, May."You give him a bashful smile. Looking away.
"What's this?"Shun noticed a flyer, taking it off."The Dance of Heavenly Lights?"You go over to and read it, your yes light up knowing what it was.
The others come over as you explain."It is a festival in which everyone gather's here and lights a lantern. Shuneri said it the time when everyone sends their prayers up the Heavens. Or it might be about helping lost souls reach the Heavens...? I think it could be both. Nii-san?"Looking to Shiryu for help. As you clearly weren't sure.
"You are some what correct."he ruffles your hair."It is a festival one must be here to see. It is very magical."
Shun reads the information."It seems to be coming up soon."
"Yes."you quip."Maybe, all of you can come back and we can all enjoy it. All of you, Kido-san, Tatsumi-san, Kikki, even Miho-san and the children. It will truly be a wonderful celebration! We can all wear festive clothing."You twirl around."Enjoy food. For you Seiya-san."The others laugh."And there is a wonderful spot, where it is best to see the fireworks."Your arms explode open."There will be games to play too. Dancing."You start to dance for a second, then take hold of Shun's hands. And pull him with you, he seem to get it and twirls you around."The sky will be lite up with so many stars."You stop and look up at the clear lite sky captivated. Out stretch a hand."It will be just magical. Everyone smiling and laughing. Their spirits filled with joy and merry. Souls burning brighter than the sun. You can just feel it...The stars...The stars will be dancing with us."
Your hand slips out from Shun's and you bring the other one down."...It sounds like a great time."Seiya comes to your side."I would like to see it. Guess we're coming back guys."He looks over his shoulder at his friends."What do you say?"
"With the way she's making it sound. How can I refuse."Hyoga accepts the invention."It would be a new change of pace. Guess you'll be seeing us more, Shiryu."He jokes lightly.
"Apparently so."Shiryu joins his humor."You might as well move in."
Not realizing it was a joke, you took his word to heart."Can they!?"They look at each other baffled and laugh. You didn't get what was so fun, standing there lost."...?"
Meanwhile, back at home an unexpected guest arrives.