Disclaimer: Saint Seiya belongs not to me . . . Why do I keep doing this?

Character(s): Pandora and Saori

Rating: K+

Notes: One of The Night Queen's requests.

Bad Omen

Saori ran across the lawn, her hands spreading out like the wings of an eagle. She made a zigzag towards the gate, pushing the iron bars to continue her visible chase. The gate creaked under her smooth palms, the sound echoing for a period of time, until it met with a deadly silence.

Her head twisted back, hoping Grandfather Kido did not catch her creeping out. A small voice told her that he would be angry with her choice of action, but the voice was not strong enough to overpower the bigger one that pushed her to continue and persuaded her that he will never know.

She looked to the sides, locking both hands on the bars. The adrenaline pumped in her veins, making a smile creep on her face. This would be a great opportunity for her to explore by herself, without having to be delayed by her grandfather's slow pace. It was her golden ticket and she is taking it.

She ran out, giggling with each step that grew farther away from home. Her brand, new dress ruffled to the accordance of her legs, swiping back her cropped, lilac hair as well. This would probably be the best experience of her life besides bullying the orphan boys. Yet, her moment of fun came to an end when her eyes landed on an older girl sitting on a tree stump, a ragged doll held in her hand.

Her feet slowly came to a halt as she shifted her body to a side and directed her full attention on the girl. She tilted her head and examined the gothic dress that she wore. White ruffles were sowed at the bottom of her black dress, hitting her knees. The top covered her chest, leaving her neck exposed, while the silk sleeves covered to her elbows.

The girl chuckled and turned her dark, violet eyes onto her, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear that lashed onto her face.

"Are you lost, little girl?" It was an absurd question when clearly she is young herself, perhaps a little older than Saori.

The lilac girl scowled. It made her angry the way she addressed her as a little girl. She was old enough to take care of herself and she is not going to let nobody tell her otherwise. She tightened her fists and marched her way towards her.

"I wouldn't be talking when clearly you are the one who appears lost."

The older girl chuckled. "I'm not lost, little girl. I'm merely observing a rabbit looking for trouble." She smiled and averted her attention to her doll, smoothing out her crimson, yarn hair. Black buttons gazed at her owner with a red sown grin that caused Saori to slightly tremble at the sight of it.

She quickly ignored it and tried to resume the topic. "Look, you -"

"Pandora," the older girl announced, receiving a perplex expression. "If I am going to associate myself with a feeble rabbit, the least I can do is give you my name."

"It is Saori, not rabbit," she fumed, tightening her fists.

Pandora chuckled. "Don't fool me as one who cares. I merely gave you my name for you to show me respect. Don't classify me with your kind, low-life."

The younger child seethed in her spot. How dare she put her, Saori Kido, down! Clearly, she is stupid to realize to not know who she is.

She huffed and crossed her arms, casting her head to a side. "Low-life? You must be confusing me with yourself. I bet you're a beggar living in the streets." She pointed a finger at her. "A person like you should perish for giving disrespect to Saori Kido!"

Pandora laughed and jumped off her seat. Her black shoes hit the ground as she whirled towards Miss Kido, her doll secured in her arms.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Her eyes widen to her words, the brush of her hair billowed with the wind.

The older one crept closer to the younger one; a wicked smile touched her lips.

"The wind is blowing harshly and the wolf's howl is heard in the distant, that is a bad omen, you know? It means death is around the corner." She pressed her doll tighter to her breast, her left arm securing it, while freeing the other. Using her right hand, she brushed a strand of Saori's hair between her forefinger and thumb.

"I wonder, which one of us shall see the god of death, you or me? Or, perhaps, someone else, presumably older, shall die soon."

"Who?" The whisper barely reached her ears.

"Go home, Saori," she pushed. "You wouldn't want your grandfather to die without your presence."

Her eyes widen to the sudden announcement. She shook her head, refusing to believe it. Each step back, she said no, hoping to hear Pandora say otherwise. It was just words; she doesn't have the power of death. But her mind refused to acknowledge that bit of information, leaving her to believe that what she said is true. And without another word, she ran towards home, Pandora's boastful laughter echoing behind her. She ran and ran, yet no matter how much she pumped her legs the dirt road kept getting longer.

A rock stood in her path, causing her to stumble and harshly meet the ground. Her arms scraped against it, a hiss seeping through her lips. Pandora's laughter continued to surround her, until it engulfed her and caused her to press her palms to her ears. She shook her head, tuning out her laugh – however, futile that may be. Eventually her shouts of no became louder than her laughter that she failed to realize a hand pressed against her shoulder.

"Miss Saori!" She continued to shout. "Miss Saori!" The hand shook her harder, making her to stop and open her eyes. She placed her hands on the dirt ground, looking back to gaze at her butler, Tatsumi.

"What are you doing beyond the gates?" He helped her up on her feet, brushing away the dirt that clung to her dress the best he could manage to do. "Your grandfather will punish me if he found out."

She didn't pay attention to his words, but escaped from his grasp to check on her grandfather. Tatsumi sighed and stood on his feet. He took a step before something caught his eye. A rag doll lay on the ground, its beady eyes and red sown grin caused a shiver down his spine. He couldn't recall Miss Kido possessing such evil thing, pondering if he should bother retrieving it.

A harsh wind slapped his face as a screech met his ears. He didn't have time to pick up the doll, leaving it on the ground. He dashed and slipped a couple times until he came into view of the door of where Saori's yell came from. Bursting inside, he is shocked to find her grandfather sprawled on the floor.

"He is not breathing!" she shrieked, attempting to awaken him.

The butler quickly grabbed the phone and called the doctor. Later that night, it was declared that Mitsumasa Kido is gravely ill. The reason became unclear to why when he appeared healthy, but, perhaps, the owner of the doll knew the cause.

She emerged from the shadows, approaching the doll she left behind and picked it up. She embraced it tight and turned her back towards the Kido's mansion, her feet leading her away.

A tune caught Saori's attention, turning her face towards the window. Pressing her hands against it, she watched the older girl fade away in a whisk of gust as a first drop of rain felled from the sky.