7.

The Goddess was most displeased.

She showed her irritation by pacing to and fro the dais in front of the giant Athena statue that was really Her Cloth, on which stood her throne.

Not only had the Cygnus Saint openly defied and attacked Her, not only had Shaina Silver Opiuchus Saint disappeared, not only were the children destined to become the next Generation of Saints far from adequate, not only was the new God-War becoming more and more of a reality, but also Her spy, Asterion, Silver Canes Venatici Saint had vanished into thin air.

Not that She missed him personally, on the contrary, She disliked the man intensely: his smug self-assurance, his incessant bragging about the 'edge' he had over any other Saint (save perhaps Marin and Ikki) because of his telepathy, the lecherous looks he gave every girl he met (Not Her though. Not even he would dare.).

But She needed him. Every Saint was an asset in the present situation, however annoying.

And on top of it all business was slacking.

Several foreign companies had withdrawn their investments in Graad. Tatsumi was forever complaining to Her about them. It was getting worrisome. There was a definite trend: all were from the United Kingdom or other

EEC * countries, and there was even one from the USA, and that bothered Her most, because she had put her hopes on the New World. Where Europe had suffered greatly from the Poseidon Incident, the Americas had come out of it relatively unscathed, and She had found She could easily lead those gullible Americans from the US by the nose. Besides, there was where the money was nowadays. The Foundation had had to spend enormous sums and Her income was going down.

Tatsumi recommended cutting on the costs of rebuilding, but how could they with still so much to do?

She sighed.

Fortunately the Warriors of Blue Graad had arrived in Sanctuary; though that, too had a downside. Now She had to suffer Alexer's arrogance as well.

The self-made Lord of Blue Graad never left an opportunity untouched to remind Her just how dire her need was, and wasn't She lucky to have him? Well, She'd soon see him put down a peg or two. Or even three.

Up until yesterday She had had to keep Her peace, but this morning, quite unexpectedly…

"My Goddess?"

Shiryu's low voice broke through Her train of thought.

She swung to face him, then sat down on Her throne.

"Dragon Saint. You bring news? You have accomplished your mission?"

"Even Her questions sound more like commands." thought Shun, watching Her from the shadows aside the dais.

Shiryu looked up.

"As best as I could."

Athena smiled at him, and for a moment it became clear why so many would fight for Her. The smile of the Goddess was indeed something to die for.

"I know you never give me but your best, Dragon. So tell me: have you discovered where Seika and Sunrei have gone to?"

"Only where they have been." he answered.

She frowned.

Although it was a sunny day, quite warm for the time of year with November drawing on, the temperature suddenly dropped a few degrees.

Nastassia, standing next to Shun, shivered.

The Goddess had welcomed her so kindly, and had at once taken a liking to the shy Russian girl. She had appointed her to be Her personal handmaiden. Nastassia had been honoured and was very diligent as to her task, making sure that her Lady's chiton (In Sanctuary, She always wore Greek dress) was spotlessly white, Her sandals dust-free, Her supply of facial creams and hand lotions never low and the girl especially enjoyed brushing the Goddesses' long, brown, silken locks. They would, in those private moments together just before bed or in the morning as She rose, chatter about everything and nothing, share girlish intimacies, giggling like ordinary teenagers. It had led her to believe that they were friends. Now she was sharply reminded how Athena stood miles above her.

She choked back a sob.

"It's all right, you know. Athena is just desperately worried." murmured a gentle voice at her side.

Darling Shun! Trust him to try and comfort her. He was every bit as Hyoga had described him and more.

She smiled bravely back at him and he gave her hand a little squeeze.

"Let go of my sister."

Of course, Alexer had to appear right at that moment to spoil it!

"You, Andromeda, had better remember that Nastassia is both daughter and sister to Lords of Blue Graad, and not for the likes of you, a mere Bronze Saint."

"Really?"

And there was Ikki, never far away from his brother, ever protective! He and Alexer had been at loggerheads from day one. Nastassia was sure that one day they would come to blows.

"It seems to me that you've forgotten that we are no mere Bronze Saints any longer; we bear God Cloths now. And you, Alexer, are merely a second grade Warrior, not even a Saint, and, if I am well informed, you only rose to that rather over-exalted position of Lord of Blue Graad - which is as high as you can possibly hope to get- by murdering your own father, an old man at that. What an accomplishment."

"Oh, Bozhe Moi, they are going to fight this time! "

Alexer had turned deadly pale, his eyes narrowing like a snow-cat's, a sure sign that he was about to pounce.

"If you two have finished…" came the icy tones of Athena "…I would like to listen to Shiryu's report without further interruption."

Alexer at once subsided and bowed low. His manners towards Athena were always impeccable.

"Of course, My Lady."

But he never called Her 'Goddess', the arrogance of the man!

"I had just come to take my sister to our quarters. She should rest: she is of a delicate disposition and unaccustomed to the heat of this country? Of course to us, Warriors, extreme temperatures of either kind make no difference."

What that as a parting shot, Alexer all but dragged his sister off. The girl cast a last desperate glance at Shun, and a heavy sigh escaped the Andromeda Saint.

"If you need a diversion in order to have a chance to be close to the sister, just say the word and I'll 'occupy' the brother!"

"Please not! The situation is tense enough as it is!" We'll find a way, some day, somehow."

Ever since Asterion's disappearance Ikki had resumed his telepathic conversations with Shun, as they had done since childhood. The Phoenix Saint could not have helped but notice how Shun felt about Nastassia, and had greatly approved and encouraged his little brother, telling him it was about time that those hormones of his kicked in. Shun had mentally blushed, asked if he could please be less carnal about it, then went gushing on about Nastassia's virtues and didn't Ikki think she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen?

"I'd be grateful if you didn't slay Alexer. It would break Nastassia's heart and we DO need that damned fellow."

"Wow, you've actually used a swearword. You're making progress, little bro'."

"Oh, put a sock in it, will you?"

Meanwhile, Shiryu had resumed his tale.

"…and it occurred to me that someone might know where they are without consciously knowing it. Little girls take in everything but easily forget about it. I questioned all the remaining children of the Orphanage…"

"Diligent, isn't he?"

"Naturally he'd be worried about Sunrei."

"Hah! He never visited her once at the Orphanage when she still lived there, and she'd been gone already for a month before he started this investigation, and that only at Athena's bidding."

"…it was a setback that the Director had not informed us earlier of their departure. He had taken it for granted that they had returned to the Mansion."

"He will be fired of course. Tatsumi, make a note of it. I will not tolerate such incompetence."

Shiryu continued.

"It took awhile for me to win the children's trust. Finally, a little girl told me something very interesting."

"You are wrong, Ikki, Shiryu tries hard to find Sunrei. He obviously wants her back: he loves her still, after all, despite their quarrel."

Ikki managed to translate a sigh into thought.

"Shun, WILL you OPEN YOUR EYES ? True, Shiryu cares about the wretched girl because she is his surrogate mother and little sister rolled into one. Have you known him to worry about her, I mean REALLY worry, like he used to over his Master? When a man, even if he's still a youngster, loves a woman, he does NOT wait until his Goddess orders him about when she disappears. He will do ANYTHING to be with his love. Believe me, I know. Anyway, Shiryu's a poof."

"Ikki!"

"Alright, a homosexual. Well, don't look so shocked. It would be weird that among all of us brothers there wouldn't be a single one. Mind you, he hides it well, but I have seen him entering a Gay Bar in Tokyo's Red Light District."

"What were you doing there yourself?"

"Entering another bar. Girls, for me. Rest and Recreation, little bro', not all of us have Russian Princesses at our disposal. Disappointed? You know I'm the Bad Boy of the family. Anyway, if the Dragon can get his kicks that way I say good for him. He's still Shiryu. It doesn't make a difference to me, and I damn well hope it doesn't to you."

Shun took a long look at his halfbrother as he related the details of his search to the Goddess.

Now that Ikki had made him see the truth all the pieces of the puzzle that Shiryu had been to him lately fell into place, and the Andromeda Saint kicked himself for not realising it sooner. How come it never struck him as odd that the Dragon Saint hardly ever spoke of Sunrei, not even at the time when she lived at the Mansion, rarely smiled at her and never touched her? He, Shun, had been much more open, much more close with June, even though what he felt for the Chameleon Saint came nowhere near his feelings for Nastassia. Of course, not showing his emotions might just have been Shiryu's way, but he'd never been shy of showing his feelings about his Master or Seiya. Now that thought unsettled him. No, Ikki must be right. After all, when he, Shun had first set eyes on Nastassia he hadn't been able to stop talking about her, asking everyone if they liked her too, wasn't her short pale golden hair not just like a halo and were her light brown eyes not the most beautiful in the world? Did Ikki think she'd like some flowers for her room? Which ones? What colour? Or would that be putting himself too forward? Could Ikki perhaps ask her?

"Go ask her yourself." his exasperated brother had told him, to which he had answered that he dare not.

"What, the Great Andromeda Saint will brave Hades Himself but is scared of declaring his love to a girl? Okay, I'll do it for you." "Noooo!!!"

In the end he had summed up all his courage and spoken to the Russian girl and -miracle of miracles- she'd admitted, blushing shyly, that she liked him too, and from that moment on he had been treading on pink clouds.

They had spent every spare minute together, walking, talking, holding hands…kissing. Shiryu and Sunrei had never done any of that, though they did not have to hide from an irate brother. Every tender gesture had come from the Chines girl alone, never from his halfbrother. Poor, poor Sunrei…

"Hell, I would have kept mum if I had know my revelation would upset you this much. You look like you've lost your best friend. Like I said, it changes nothing."

"Except for Sunrei. I do feel sorry for her."

"Save those feelings for later, she'll be needing them."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I…"

"Are you two ever going to pay attention? Shiryu has just informed us of something vital!"

The brothers rushed forward at once, kneeling next to the Dragon Saint to show their obedience.

"As I was saying…We know that Hyoga visited the Orphanage just before attacking us. We were told that Seika ran out and that she slapped him. The little girl however said to me that she was send after him to fix a rendezvous between them on the beach."

"Obviously, they are in league."

Shiryu nodded.

"A logical assumption. A few weeks later, both Seika and Sunrei vanished without a trace. It is a pity that they are not Saints: we would have been able to locate them by their Cosmos."

"Unfortunately, that only works when a Saint is either nearby or taps into the Big Will." said Athena, "It is imperative we find them: they can lead us to the Renegade."

"Notice how she won't use his name anymore?" Ikki thought-send to Shun.

"A further search proved futile. We had not a single clue." said Tatsumi.

"I concentrated on the little girl" continued Shiryu, " We talked about Miho. "

"Do we know a Miho?"

Tatsumi coughed.

"The girl who made such a racket at Seiya's funeral and was so disrespectful to you, My Goddess."

"Ah, yes. Is she important?"

"Apparently so." answered Shiryu, "For the little girl remembered overhearing a conversation between Seika and Sunrei about that young woman involving pink bunnies, of all things. I paid no attention to that, until I remembered seeing an advertisement for a Pink Bunny Bar. When I questioned Tatsumi, he told me that Seika, years ago, had been working in such a bar. So I presumed that, since the two girls had been friendly, that had given Miho an idea. After all, she's on her own now and has to earn her living: what can she do? If I had had interest in such things I might have made the connection sooner."

"Liar, you must have passed the place hundreds of times, the Chippendales are right next door."

"Ikki."

"What kind of establishment is this …Bunny bar?" asked Athena.

"I don't think we need to go into the details." said Tatsumi hastily.

"Oh. That kind of a place."

"I checked it out." said Shiryu. "Neither Seika nor Sunrei had ever been there, but when I casually questioned the bartender, he let slip…"

"Yes, you'd want to be casual with the Bartender, preferably without slip."

"Ikki! Please!"

"Yeah, well, I wish he wasn't so covert about it. Why doesn't he come out of the closet? The Goddess can't disapprove, it's called 'Greek Love' after all. I hate it when people pretend to be virtuous and then sneak out at the back. Or sneak in…"

Then pun wasn't lost on Shun. He blushed fiercely.

"You should talk. Anyway it must be hard for him. We should be supportive. Let's talk to him and show him we don't mind. Maybe he can find someone to have a nice, steady relationship with…"

"…that one of the girls who had been working there was called Miho, and, what's more, that she had had a little Russian boy with her."

"The Renegade's friend! The one he refused to train!" exclaimed Athena.

"Exactly. Jacob. As it happens, Miho ended her employment at the Bunny Bar on the very night Seika and Sunrei disappeared. Not a coincidence, I'd say."

"Why do I get the feeling he's enjoying this? Dragon Saint: Athena's Secret Police. Do you think he wears a raincoat and sunglasses when he goes out sleuthing?"

"It's not funny, Ikki. I can't understand Shiryu. He's like…like a bloodhound on its trail!"

"Why so surprised? This is the Saint who will go to any lengths to win: gouging his own eyes against Medusa, having his heart transpierced in order to grab hold of Shura the Capricorn Saint…"

"You made no lesser sacrifice against Shaka in the Temple of the Virgin."

"Ah, but I had a lot to make up for and little to live for. And I didn't have the vocation to become a Saint in the first place, contrary to Shiryu who actually wanted to become the strongest of all. Did it never occur to you that he's the only one of us who wasn't blackmailed one way or the other into the part? I can't speak for Ichi, Nachi Geki and Ban of course, and Jabu is devoted to Saori Kido. "

"But Shiryu was no more keen to fight for Saori than we were."

"He fought for his Master, and that amounted to the same thing in the end. Compare with Hyoga, who went against the orders of his Master! Remember, he was sent to destroy us at the Tournament. He didn't. Makes a difference, doesn't it?"

"You admire Hyoga, don't you?"

"He has guts. Which Athena will have on a platter, if he doesn't watch out…if we don't help him."

Shun gave a sigh of relief.

"Oh, Ikki, I'm so glad that you think so too!"

"Careful, or it's our guts she'll have. Hush now, let's listen to the Dragon."

"It took a long time before I learned something else of significance from those…girls that serve in the Bunny Bar. All they wanted was for me to buy them expensive drinks. However, since Tatsumi had amply supplied me with funds, it was only a matter of time, patience and money. Eventually, I was successful."

"In what way?"

"The Dragon Saint looked smug.

"I discovered that Miho had a special friend among the Bar Bunnies, a young woman named Minako. She quit her job at the same time."

"Another one who has vanished, no doubt." remarked the Goddess sourly.

"Ah, but this on I have found!" said Shiryu triumphantly, "Though I wasn't told her surname, and the owner of the Bar did not know it either, for he hires his girls anonymously, I did learn that she had mentioned her father, a salaryman who had been made redundant a year ago. Then Tatsumi took over the search…"

"I went through all the employees files of every company in Japan where people had been let off for the last two years." the major-domo said, " I narrowed it down to those with daughters of the appropriate age called 'Minako'. And I came up with one Seiki Asatani! The father led to the daughter."

"Bring her in. I want to question her personally."

Shiryu smiled.

"My Goddess, we have anticipated Your wish. I had her picked up as she came home from her new job. "

"Let's have the girl!" Tatsumi called to the Palace Guards, standing at attention at the top of the great stairs leading down to the Twelve Temples. They saluted neatly and ran down.

"Well done, Shiryu, I commend you."

"I live to serve My Goddess."

"And the worst part is: he means it too."

"Shiryu means well."

"He's just kidnapped a girl to halfway across the world. Weren't we supposed to protect the innocent? Or doesn't that Minako count as one just because she was friendly with Miho, whose biggest crime as far as we know is calling Athena names?"

"They won't be harmed. Not by Shiryu."

"What if Athena asks him to?"

"She wouldn't."

"Don't be too sure of that."

The Guards returned, dragging along a terrified young Japanese woman.

The Goddess smiled reassuringly at her.

"Don't be afraid. I only want to ask you a few questions. I do apologise for my servant's rough behaviour. You will not suffer any further discomfort if you cooperate. What we do is unfortunately necessary."

"Who are you?" whispered Minako hoarsely, " Where am I? I was locked up in the dark for hours and then he came!" she pointed an accusing finger at Shiryu, " I thought he was a Demon from Hell!!! He…he took me in his arms and then I wasn't there anymore but elsewhere, and then here…I was sick…"

"The aftermath of teleportation." Athena told her, " Nothing to worry about. My Dragon could have transported you by more conventional means, but we are pressed for time, and we don't want you to be away from home for too long either, now do we? Tell me, my dear, where is your friend Miho?"

The Japanese woman stared at the Goddess with large frightened eyes.

"Miho? I…I don't know what you are talking about."

The temperature dropped a degree lower.

"Now, my dear, don't lie to me. We know about your friendship. All we want from you is Miho's present address. That is not so hard, is it? I shall personally reward you if you help us. You do want to help us, don't you?"

The Goddess smiled again. It was the smile of the tiger.

"I know nothing! Nothing!" moaned Minako weeping and shaking her head, " Nothing at all?"

"It would be wise if you spoke the truth." said Shiryu dispassionately, " We will find out eventually."

The Phoenix Saint suddenly rose.

"My Goddess, let me deal with this tiresome female. It is, after all, my speciality."

"Ikki, no!"

"Stay out of this, Shun, I know what I am doing."

Athena arched a delicate eyebrow. Ikki rarely volunteered for anything. Then again, and with Asterion gone, he was exceedingly good at extracting information from people's minds. The Phoenix Illusion had always given the most satisfactory results.

She leaned back on her throne with her elbows on the armrests, steepling carefully manicured fingers.

"Very well. I trust in your expertise."

Ikki flashed her a wolfish grin and stood to face Minako.

"Now, this won't hurt a bit."

She shrieked as the Phoenix deployed his Wings.

Ikki was true to his word, it did not hurt. Minako only felt a little prick in the middle of her forehead, and everything went black. She collapsed in a heap at his feet.

"Ikki, how could you?"

"Would you rather Shiryu had?"

"Well?" asked the Goddess after a while.

"Well." answered the Phoenix Saint, "She was telling the truth. Miho had drawn the attention of a gaijin customer but was unwilling to …erm…satisfy him, so Minako took over. Apparently he was very satisfied because he offered her a job at his own place of work. She thinks Miho quit because she was afraid that next time she would not be able to refuse anymore. Anyway, she hasn't seen the girl since. That's all."

He smiled at Shiryu.

"Sorry, Dragon, you were on the right track but your trail runs cold here."

"How annoying." said Athena, "And we have a cumbersome witness on our hands too."

"She can be memoryblocked." suggested Shiryu.

"I suppose it is necessary." sighed the Goddess," But that was always Asterion's task."

"I can do the honours just as well." offered Ikki.

"Thank you. Please do so at once. Ah, I believe she is coming to…"

Minako stirred, groaned and looked up.

"What…what have you done? How…he…you…"

She stretched out a trembling hand at Athena, "You …you violated my mind! Buddha will judge and punish you!"

The Goddess laughed.

"Buddha you say? What a coincidence. Shall we ask him?"

Minako stared at her in horror.

She was not the only one to stare, except that the others (save Ikki, who nodded to himself and murmured "I thought so.") stared in total surprise at the figure appearing behind Athena.

"Shaka!"

The figure smiled. A soft glow emanated from him. He wore a nothing but a white toga, his long, blond locks

like a waterfall about him, cloud grey eyes shining like stars, the red mark between them out like a fingerprint on his pale forehead.

"Rejoice, my Saints!" cried the Goddess, "For Shaka, Gold Saint of the Sign of the Virgin, reincarnation of the Buddha has returned to us!"

Minako screamed.

"Blasphemy! Insane, you are all insane evil people!"

And then a clear voice rang through the Japanese woman's brain:

"For goodness sake, woman, if you want to live, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!!"

To be continued.

EEC= European Economic Community. In 1987, that was still the name of the European Union.

Remember that this fic is based on the Manga. In that series, Shiryu shows no tenderness towards Sunrei (except once by offering her a flower). On the other hand, when his Master asks him at his arrival why he wants to become a Saint he answers: "I want to become the strongest." Shun by contrast is not at all effeminate or excessively weepy in the Manga. This is why I portray them as I do.

Shiryu's homosexuality plays no real part in this fic, other than that he is troubled (he's only 15 after all) and compensates by extreme zealousness in the performance of his duty. For the rest I respect his privacy.