Hello. I began writing this on a Sunday, and before i knew it, it became a very large story. Please leave me your comments

CAPE SOUNION

The morning was weirdly windy, unrest as Mu himself as he climbed the path between Pisces temple and the main hall. Ever since they were all brought back to life he hadn't find a moment of peace. Deathmask and Aphrodite were back. Camus, Shura, even Dokko and all the silver saints. The weirdest thing was that despite Shion came back too, he posed only as Athena's advisor, Saga was appointed the new pope instead, and there was no trace of Aioros while Sagittarius temple remained empty. It was nothing short from awkward when gold saints casually meet at the dinner hall every now and then. Most of them preferred getting meals at either their own temples or at Rodorio. Like they were avoiding each other. And it was tense, and exhausting, and still Dokko insisted on doing activities together, which felt more like some sort of punishment than team building. The only one who almost nobody had seen at all was Kanon, always coming and going like a ghost. Not once had he eaten at the dinner hall or joined the night guards or the morning training. Mu was sure Dokko hadn't been able to catch him, much less make him participate in his annoying whatevers. Nothing. And at times he even disappeared, Mu was sure he left the sanctuary every time. Why? To do what? Where to? It was unsettling. A haunted soul in endless mourning...

The main hall was empty, where would Saga be? So the Aries walked past the building to Athena's chambers. She met him outside.

- Morning, Mu.

- Good morning, Athena. - Said the Aries kneeling down - Did you want to see me?

- Actually I'd like you to be my escort for the day. - Said the holy girl with a smile

Mu nodded and stood up. He then offered his arm to the Holy girl and they went out.

She took him to Athena's gardens. They looked gorgeous.

- The garden has changed.

- Aphrodite comes every now and then to check on it. This is the result. Isn't it lovely?

- Indeed. - Mu didn't say anything else. He never got along with the Pisces, he didn't think he ever will, but no doubt he had changed...

- I'd like to thank you for your continuous support to your fellow saints, Mu - The Aries looked at the girl beside him - Things have been difficult, yet you have been always ready to help them whenever needed, even despite your own opinions. Thanks for your loyalty.

- I only live for you, my goddess. It is my pleasure to serve you however I can.

- But you have been restless, my Aries, and that is getting you tired. There is so much people can endure... Saga appointed a free day a week for everyone. I wouldn't want you to spend yours worrying and wondering. - Mu opened his eyes wide, that is exactly what he had been doing so far - Is there anything that gives you peace? Anything that you like to do?

Mu thought about it. - Working the clay, I guess. - Yeah, that's something he really liked, he hadn't been at it much thought.

- Think of me and make the world something beautiful, Mu

- For you, Athena...

- I have faith in you all. I believe in you, my saints.

Athena smile towards Mu was so warm despite her own worries, it brought tears to the Aries eyes. He held her hand and kneeled down before her.

But then a terrible disturbance shook the ground were they stood. A powerful cosmos rose to the sky like a pillar of light somewhere nearby.

- What is that?

- Please Mu, take me there!

All saints silver, bronze and gold rushed over to the place.

- I can't believe this. I just can't... 13 years and you haven't learned anything! - Kanon was furious, his cosmos rose as a spear hurting the sky, seen from any of the 12 temples. Saga had been pushed back by it, he stumbled and fall backwards to the floor a few steps away from his brother - What good is that big head of yours if it is too thick to think? This is outrageous! - Kanon cosmos suddenly vanished as he noticed the holy girl and the Aries had just appeared - It's all so pointless you know? If you don't get it, this all is utterly pointless. - He took his hand to his head as if assaulted by a massive headache - It's Cape Sounion all over again, and we both know where that road leads, we've been there. Sorry, I'm not doing this. - Kanon shook his head and turned around

- Kanon...

- Don't you bother... I know the way to my prison

Kanon walked pass Shaka and Ikki towards the Gemini temple without even realizing they were in the way. His face was the ultimate picture of defeat.

As he left, Shura approached Saga

- What happened? - Said the Capricorn helping him stand up

But he didn't answer, he himself wasn't sure

Noticing Athena's presence, Saga walked towards her.

Since Athena had left with Saga, Mu was dismissed. It was already late to join the morning trainings but it was too early to go to the dining hall. Mu recalled his conversation with the holy girl and he thought it would be a good opportunity to go fetch some supplies.

He could go to the villages, but the cliffs and chasms around the sanctuary offered splendid material to work with so he wandered off. After a while he noticed someone laying down over some rocks way ahead from where he was. It was rather odd, that particular place was really isolated and difficult to walk by. Maybe a lost villager... The Aries hoped he hadn't fall down from a cliff. It rained a few nights ago and the roads above could easily turn dangerous even after the sun shines. The worst case would be the man was assaulted on such roads and pushed over. It wasn't rare to find rogues plaguing the travelers, although the saints had rid the area of most of them since they came back. Still Mu approached cautious, it could always be a trap.

He was about to call the person when a golden gleam caught his attention. "A golden box?" It was indeed one, but he couldn't completely see neither it nor the person close by as to recognize which one it was. As Mu moved forward and a little to the left to have a better look at the person there, he meet the cold stare of a mocking golden face.

- Gemini - He stated. But Mu meant the helmet of the golden cloth, not the saint who had been staring at it as if trying to figure out a terrible enigma

- Huh? Greetings, Aries. - Said Kanon putting down the helmet, but not quite looking at his fellow saint. - Are you lost?

- No, I came here looking for clay. – Mu was stunned to find the object of his earlier thoughts in the middle of nowhere.

- Oh, sorry I sat on your supplies. - Kanon stood up. Indeed there was a nice spot of clay under the rock he had been sitting in.

- They weren't mine, but thanks for finding them for me. - Mu left the large can he was carrying in the floor next to him and took a few tools out of it. Then he kneeled down to get the material. In the meanwhile Kanon put away the helmet.

- Aren't you kind of old to play with dirt? - Said the Gemini when he saw the Aries works

Mu wasn't sure if that was meant as an insult or only as a joke, but he found it funny anyways.

Kanon arched an eyebrow. He didn't think what he said until he said it. He was glad the Aries took it lightly.

- Have you been at your temple already? - Mu wanted to break the awkward silence that followed his discrete chuckle, but he wasn't sure how. The first thing that came to his mind might have not been the best there was.

- The whole place is falling apart.

- I thought there were some repairs done. The battles in there were not as severe as in other temples... - Mu realized that was not what Kanon meant. - And the residence?

- Haven't stepped in yet...

That puzzled Mu, there's been weeks! Where was Kanon staying then?

- ... I need to attend Kiki's training this afternoon and the night guard later on... I can help you out tomorrow after noon, if you like. - Mu didn't dare look up to Kanon while he said that. - I can show you were you can get whatever supplies you need too.

Kanon looked down at Mu filling up the can with the clay. Why in the world would he care? Kanon was kind of annoyed, he was not nearly in the mood for pity or getting scolded. If this guy thought he could...

- Unless you got other plans - Said Mu putting the lid to the can and teleporting it away.

Kanon tried to cool down his temper. It seemed the Aries was sincerely offering help

Suddenly the noise from Mu's belly cut the weird silence

- It's late already - Said the younger man turning his blushed face away

- You wandered very far - Said Kanon amused

- Have you gotten lunch already?

Then Kanon's own hunger answered for him.

Mu smiled

- Let's go back to Aries. - He said shaking off the clay from his pants as he stood up - I got kreatopita.

- Huh? Somehow you struck me a vegetarian... - "no, wait, is he inviting me lunch?"

Mu took that as Kanon accepting

- Why? Not even Shaka is. - Said Mu walking back the way he had come

Kanon lifted the golden box

- The Indian blond of Virgo? You can't be serious.

- Well, you won't make him go fishing or hunting, but if Aioria cooks Shaka will eat whatever is placed in front of him, although he doesn't eat much anyways...

- You go hunting? - That was more a statement than a question

- Aioria and Aldebaran like to do that from time to time. I tag along out of nothing else to do. But Aioria alone manages the cleaning. Nobody else has stomach for that.

- I didn't think there's game in here

- Mostly hares and the like, small game. Fishing is easier but you got to go further away... There's not a lot of meat in Jamir, so I'm not used to eat it on a regular basis, but I hold nothing against it. I wouldn't know how to choose it, thought, much less how to cook it

- Choose it? You mean at the market? - Mu nodded - I don't think that is such a great science...

- Aioria makes it look that way. So I rather let him pick, even when it can take forever.

- He chooses and you pay? You have such a blind faith on him

- Hadn't let us down so far.

- And if you wouldn't know how to cook meat, who made the kreatopita?

- Well, I did made it. I hope I didn't mess it up because it's the first time I try.

- I had it bad and I had it worst, it's good enough for me if I survive, might even try it again.

Once more Mu couldn't tell if that was an insult or a compliment, but he couldn't help chuckling again.

What was it with this man who shamelessly spoke the first thing to come to his mind? Mu didn't know him much, yet it was so easy to talk to him about everything and nothing. The walk back happened in an instant.

Kiki was already waiting at Aries stairs, messing around with the Japanese bronze kids. Since a few weeks ago, whenever Mu was absent, Kiki posed as the saint of Aries and the rest, as invaders trying to go though. At times the roleplay got out of hand, of course, but nothing too serious. Mu thought it was a good training. Up to that point, only Hyoga and Seiya were fighting Kiki. Shun and Shiryu were waiting close by. The boy was stunned to see his mentor calmly walking and talking with Kanon in their way up. Upon seeing them, the others stopped their racket.

- Hello, Mu. – greeted Shiryu standing up

- Good afternoon.

- Kanon...

The Gemini just nodded as greeting. For a moment he reconsidered accepting the lunch invitation at Aries, he was not in the mood to handle noisy brats.

- Mu arrived, so it's a draw! – Announced Shun to the rest

- Finally! Well, I'm off to lunch. See you tomorrow Kiki. - Said Seiya messing around the kid's hair - Bye Mu and Kanon.

- It's so late, good thing Camus is not here... - Mumbled Hyoga

- Dokko is going to hang us just the same. - Said Shiryu slightly pushing him back - Remember you are training with us today.

- From Dokko to Camus, I'll take Dokko scolding anytime. I'll race you up. Bye! - Said quickly Hyoga while turning around and sprinting forward

- Hey, not fair! Bye! - Said Shiryu trying to catch up with his friend

- Hey wait for me! - Seiya sprinted right behind them

- We do can pass, right Mu? - Asked shun a little nervous due to his friends' apparent disrespect to the Aries saint

Mu nodded

- Don't end up last, Shun. Give my regards to Shaka.

- Sure

- A race up 7 temples? Where does kids these days get that much energy? - Stated Kanon.

- Oh Master Mu. Can I sleep over with the guys at Libra tomorrow?

- Sleep over? Did Dokko invited you?

- Well, sort of... Long story short he said if we get permission from our mentors we can meet there tomorrow

- Only Dokko could handle that many brats at once... - Said Kanon matter of factly

- Go if you want, but if Libra temple gets blown off I better not find out you were involved.

- Of course not! - Kiki jumped of joy

- No messing with other's trainings either, and don't get late to your own next day. Now go set the table. Kanon will join us today.

- Master Mu, are you sure?

- Any problem, imp?

Kiki wanted to reply but nothing occurred to him that wouldn't be downward insulting. Kanon was now officially Gemini saint, so there was really no reason to freak out... That much.

- Kiki, please.

So Kiki nodded and entered the temple. Mu didn't liked in the least to repeat himself. That please was actually a hurry up.

Next day, on his way down to the training field, Kiki ran into Aldebaran

- Hello kiddo

- Hi, Alde...

- Huh? Why the long face? Did something happen?

- Ever since Kanon stayed for lunch yesterday, master Mu has been very distracted.

- Kanon had lunch with you?

- Yeah, master Mu invited him over

- And? What's the problem? Was he rude or something?

- Not really. He was actually very polite, well, besides calling me imp once. I don't know. That man gives me the creeps! Being a telepath and all, I can't tell what he is thinking and I don't think I want to know, still I can't help to feel like I should. It's like... It's like you have this huge book, but you open it and the pages are blank, but it's not possible! Ok? There's no blank books for us!

- Following your analogy, it might be written in invisible ink

- Indeed! It's disturbing... It's not possible his mind is blank, he might be consciously blocking it from outsiders, but that is exhausting, yet he stayed like that all the time he was around. It's not like I tried to pry in, but I've should have gotten something, there's always something!

- Calm down kid. I think you might be overreacting. Did you told Mu about this?

- Of course I did, but he downright ignored me. Master Mu has been too worried lately. Although he seemed to forget all about it during Kanon's visit and then I felt like his worries shifted direction somehow when the Gemini left. But it is not like they discussed anything relevant, they were too much into small talk all the time.

- Well, Kanon has been officially appointed Gemini saint. Maybe Mu's intention was to get to know him better. If we are going to work together it's not a bad idea. Not a lot of people knew Kanon even existed before the battle in the sea.

- Hmp, you might be right.

- Relax, kid, and thrust your mentor. - Said Aldebaran scrambling the redhead's hair, but Kiki's side glance to him and lack of protest told the Taurus he could not hide his own worries from the kid "there's no blank books for you, eh?" the Taurus smiled - A lot of things have happened. The conditions right now are far from ideal but we still must try to do the best we can with what we have. It is useless to worry about things beyond our control. - Aldebaran sighted and looked towards his temple. - I too at some point should try and welcome Kanon properly, if he ever comes around, that is. Everybody should. All this thrusting issues we all have will only lead us to our doom. - Then he turned in the direction of the main hall - Both twins tried to murder our goddess once, but right now it would seem she thrust them both above everyone else. Don't you think there's a reason?

Aldebaran soft tone and sincerity gave Kiki some comfort. The kid sighted.

- Alright I try... But, please tell me Aldebaran, what is exactly what worries you about them?

- About the twins? - Kiki nodded, the kid got the clear feeling Alde was concerned about them as well - Well, I wouldn't question their intentions nor their power.

- Would you doubt their sanity? - Kiki looked up at the Brazilian

Aldebaran was amazed at how cunning the kid was. Suddenly he felt he wasn't talking to a kid anymore.

- I agree with you they are not the most emotionally stable people, especially when they are together... But as I told you, we should do what we can with what we have and not worry about stuff out of our control.

- But they are just too powerful. If they indeed break down on us, they'd bring everything down with them

- Let's hope not. Go on to your training, you'll be late.

- Yes. See you later, Alde

Several weeks had passed since Kanon began living in the Sanctuary and it was Mu the first to approach him besides Saga. Well, both Shura and Milo had tried, casually looking for him at his temple every now and then, but the Gemini deliberately evaded them, not sure of how to relate to them anymore.

The younger Gemini had invested his time checking out the other gold saints as to know them better. Aphrodite had pretty much secluded himself tending to his garden. His only interactions with other sentient beings had been on Saga's or Athena's request. Camus had also locked himself up in his temple, going out of it only to train by himself in the gym or tend to whatever duties he had in the library; he wasn't paying much attention to his disciple, it rather looked like he was trying to avoid the Cygnus as much as possible given how the kid lived in Aquarius too. Shura spent lots of time training outdoors alone. Milo split his time between hanging out or training with Aioria and Aldebaran, and unsuccessfully stalking Camus. Dokko on the other hand had decided to help Saga to rebuild the harmony in the Sanctuary, an overwhelming task that had only reached the bronze saints so far and on which Aioria also helped from time to time. Shaka only seemed to care about his disciples and meditating, not going out of his temple unless Aioria took him out to meet Aldebaran and Mu. Deathmask, if that was his real name, rather stayed at Rodorio unless told otherwise. Aldebaran preferred training outdoors too, or hang out with his friends, sometimes also train with the bronze kids. And finally Mu… well, he spent all day every day in his temple, going out only when his friends dragged him out.

Kanon wondered why. He could understand all the other saints who rather stayed alone. Aphrodite, Camus, Shura, Deathmask seemed like they were still not in good terms with themselves after all that happened. And Shaka, for all the Gemini knew, had always been a hermit. But what would push the Aries to seclude himself like that? The gloomy atmosphere shrouding the guardian of the first temple had hooked Kanon's curiosity and so he had decided to observe him.

His routine was pretty simple. Early each morning he would tend to his temple first and if he didn't get any unexpected visitors, he would encase himself in a lone sloppy training to end the day either training with his disciple or busy in the cloths workshop. That, the cloths workshop, was a complete mystery for the Gemini. Once the Arians cosmos filled the place, rhythmic noises could be heard coming from behind its carelessly closed door. It wasn't guarded or anything but it wasn't possible to look inside unless one knocked on the door. And at those times when Mu alone worked in there, Kanon felt a deep sadness lurking in his cosmos; a feeling that seemed to disappear whenever somebody else was around.

Kanon had been wondering about that way before his latest fight with Saga. What reason would the young man have to feel that way? It was a feeling very similar to the one Camus and a few silver saints always carried around ever since they came back, and it didn't fit the Aries in the least.

Their lunch meeting only fueled Kanon's curiosity. Maybe in later days he would learn the reason, not that he was in any hurry to know.