DISCLAIMER: I don't own Saint Seiya : (

A/N: Cheers! Here we are at the conclusion of this ficcy : (

I hope reading it gave you a good time! I surely had one writing it.

Thanks for your support via-review and for standing my discreet english ; P

PLEASE R&R I really wanna know what you think about the conclusion!


Eagle and Lion

By Smiling Cat

Chapter four: Eternal Promises

"On guard!"

Young Kiki rushed against his teacher: it was a powerful and precise attack, but the boy had lowered his guard in his hurry to succeed, letting his opponent toknock him down roughtly before hitting her.

"Ohi-Ohi"

Kiki moaned massaging his back while the other trainees were laughing at him,getting scolded by their teachers.

Marin reproached him harshly

"How many times do I have to tell you not to be so impetuous and to pay attention to your actions! You're too impulsive!"

"But…."

"No Buts! You will perform 3000 push-ups as a punishment, and next time you lower your guard I won't restrain my power…. You're warned! Go!"

"Yes, master!"

He went away discouraged.

Marin sighed heavily

"That boy will drive me crazy sooner or later!"

"Didn't you use to say the same thing about a certain Japanese boy?"

Shaina said flanking her.

They laughed togather and went towards the sides of the training field to talk privately.

"Yes! But Kiki is even worse as for energy, indiscipline and slyness! But he's reallypromising…. Last week he managed to destroy a rock with a punch, his Cosmos increases day by day. He has almost understood the seventh sense…… And he's only nine; he will make a great Saint! Mu would be proud of him."

The master didn't bother to hide the pride she felt for her new apprentice.

The Ophiucus Saint looked at her amazed

"You seem very calm lately…… How's so Marin? You started acting like this after your meeting with Athena. And the Goddess disappeares for hours without a word…..She's missing from yesterday but the Bronze Saint seem to think she's safe…. Do you know something about it? "

The Eagle Saint smiled under her mask.

I'd scream it at the top of my lungs if I could….. Hurry up my love, come back to me!

Than she changed issue and asked calmly.

"How's Seiya? It's been quite a time since I last visited him."

"His wounds are healed but he doesn't wake up…. The doctors don't know what to say. It seems like he's waiting for something…. But what? His sister is with him now. How could her voice not be enough to call him back?"

"Don't lose hope Shaina. Have faith in Athena, he will make it!"

"You're right. You know I'm nearly scared by the idea of his awakening… I took care of him till now fooling myself about loving him but when he will be back he won't want me at his side…."

"Shaina remember that Seiya is very young…. He doesn't know what loving a woman means, he has never had time for this kind of things?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Fight for him Darn you! When he will wake up don't let him go. You seem sure about your feelings, than teach him how to love. If you step back for fear you'll regret it forever!"

As I'm doing now… But I'll have a second chance thanks to Athena!

They remained silent, each one lost in her own thoughts, till duty claimed them: Their trainees were done with their exercises and needed their teachers to go on with the morning session.


Marin sighed, sitting again under the pleached olive-trees in the garden of the Leo Temple.

But this time she wasn't crying: hope had taken place of desperation in her heart.

This morning Shaina noticed it…. What a strange event… We have been fierce rivals for so long and now she's the best friend I could have hoped for. How people change! Will Aiolia be different too? What if his feelings for me have changed!

She recalled his face, the tenderness his eyes wore that night before she left; she had seen a selfless promise in them: eternal love!

That memory reassured her.

He didn't forget me!

She leant against the trunk of the olive-trees and admired the stars rising one by one.

Marin fell asleep while gazing at the Leo Constellation that seemed to shine only for her and dreamed about HIM.


Why is there so much light?

Pegasus Seiya was opening his eyes with difficulty, blinded by the rays of the rising sun that entered from the window of his Hospital room.

Where the Damn am I !

He looked around absent-mindedly

It's a Hospital, why…?….Hades!

He touched his chest remembering the pain of the wounds Hades gave him but they were quite healed.

How long have I been here? I recall only a wonderful garden in which I met the Gold Saints and sometimes I heard the voices of my sister and friends…

Than I felt Athena's presence; she was calling me while holding hands with an impressive man with a devasting Cosmos…..

Seiya looked around again and saw what he missed at his first inspection of the room: two young women laid asleep on a couch in the dark corner at his right. One of them was Shaina…

What does she want this time!

….The other one instead…..

"SISTER!"

The girls woke up with a start and burst into tears when they saw him up, unable to say or do anything. Shaina collected herself immediatly and pushed Seika forward.

"Cheer up! Go!"

Seika threw herself directly in her brother's arms.

"I'm so happy Seiya! I thought you'd never wake up…. I have so many things to say….."

The Pegasus Saint was crying too.

"Now we have all the time of the world!"

Shaina silently closed the door behind her and left with a bitter smile on her masked face.

He didn't even notice I was there….


In the same istant Seiya woke up at the Hospital the Sanctuary was shaking with Athena's come back. Her immense Cosmos surrounded the whole area and than centered itself in the Goddess' Temple; she wasn't alone…. Six powerful Cosmos encircled her protectively.

Everyone woke up or left their occupations to hurry towards the Temple.

They all felt something incredible was going on!

Marin who had spent the night at the Fifth House was the first to arrive in front of the Pope's Palace; but suddenly she hadn't the heart togo on.

He's there!

She clearly felt his Cosmos

Aiolia is back! HE'S BACK!

Something shattered inside her: desperation, sorrow, love, loneliness, hope, joy…. All that she had felt till now and hidden from everyone burst out like a river in flood.

She started shivering, unable to stop.

Oh God! What's happening to me? Why should I break down now? No one must see me like this!

Marin disappeared and came back to the Leo House while the others were coming.

Aiolia looked around incredulous….. he wasn't dreaming! He and his fellows were really at Athena's Temple with their Goddess…. Wearing their Gold Cloths….. ALIVE!

Mu, Kanon, Milo, Doko and even the imperturbable Virgo Shaka were all as astonished as him.

They turned to face Athena and knelt before her. She smiled down at them.

"Welcome back my dear Sints!"

Nobody managed to speak, but the tears of those brave and faithful men were the bestreward she could have ever desired. At last Doko recollected himself enough to say:

"Athena, I think I 'll speak for everyone by espressing our endless gratitude….. We show it by swearing again our fedelty to you! Your wishes will be……"

"OH Stop it Doko!"

She lectured him affably.

"You have just come back! Don't waste our time with formalities…. I did what I felt I should do.

Let's go now, they are waiting for us to celebrate!"

The Saints stood up and followed her, exchanging amazed glances at her flippant mood.

"You know….. it's not me that you should thank but Eagle Marin!"

"What did she do?"

Aiolia asked deeply worried while his fellows were darting at him amazed and knowing looks, making him blush.

"I offered her a gift and she pleaded for your lives;I couldn't do it alone so I asked Zeus' help… he wasn't happy about it but he couldn't let his daughter pass for a perjurer!"

Athena laughed mischevously , winking at them.

The Gold Saints gaped at her and Shaka said worried

"You shouldn't have compromise yourself for us Milady. If HE finds out…"

"I'll think about it when the time comes!"

Saori cut him out, meaning that the question was over

I think he already knows everything…. He'll want something in exchange…..Who knows what is he up to this time?

In the meantime Aiolia was thinking back at the words of his Goddess

She could have obtained everything and she asked for our….no….. MY life……Marin!

Milo startled him with his malicious voice

"Hey Aiolia! Are you still there? I was saying that you should be the one to give our gratitude to DEAR Marin!"

And Mu added to make things worse:

"Yups! I think he's the perfect choice!"

The embarrassed Leo Saint was saved by other hot comments by the fact that they had finally reached the Palace's entrace: as soon as they went out they were welcomed by the cheers of a jubilant crowd.

Athena advanced and all went still.

"My followers! The Gold Saint are back! I could do nothing for the others but here they are:

Aries Mu, Gemini Kanon, Leo Aiolia, Virgo Shaka, Scorpio Milo and Libra Doko the new Pope!"

Everyone applauded and praised Athena and her Saints, that were congratulating the astounded Doko and reassuring him they would have accepted noone else as Pope.

Aiolia was anxious: he couldn't see Marin around.

It's impossible that she doesn't know what's going on…. Than why isn't she here?

His face wore a determin expression.

This time I won't let her run from me!


It didn't take long to find her, he only had to secretly leave the crowded celebration and concentrate himself to know she was at the Golden Leo Temple. That reassured him and he passed calmly trough the seven Houses separating them. When he entered the fifth Temple he found it empty but knew in an istant where to look for her. He quicken his pace towards the Garden and saw her:

she sat under the pearched olive-trees hugging her knees and folding her face unto them, her body was shaking with sobs, the mask laid forgotten in the grass.

She heard him coming and lift her tear-stained face up. Aiolia stood there, gazing at the astounding vision.

He had dreamed about her so much and now she was in front of him: her almond shaped light-brown eyes were puffy with tears but still magnetic and he lost himself in their depths fascinated.

That exchange of glances was more eloquent than words: Aiolia hold out his arms to her and Marin sprang up to her feet to seek refuge in them. She hugged him tightly, mumbling his name with a broken voice; the warrior clasped her in his arms silently, caressing her back, burrying his face in the red cascade of her hair. They stayed like this for a long time, surrounded by the white mantel of the Gold Saint, as if fearing the other would vanish if they broke apart.

"I love you Aiolia!"

Marin managed to say after swallowing her tears.

He smiled against her temple and drew back to gaze in her eyes. He saw what he has yearned for from that distant night: a decision, a promise. Eternal love.

His face shone with joy.

"I love you too Marin!"

He said caressing her face with a trembling hand, wiping her cheeks still moist with tears, brushing her cherry lips….. without breaking eyecontact.

Marin put her arms around his neck, burrying her hands in his chestnut curls, bringing their faces close to invite him to claim her lips for their first tender kiss that became more passionate little by little. They reluctantly pulled away only when they heard a voice calling their names.

"It's Seiya!"

Marin cryed out amazed, but happy to know her favourite pupil was finally safe and sound.

"That brat had better have a good reason to bother us!"

Aiolia muttered annoyed.

She laughed at his pouting face

"Next time we'll try not to be troubled by anyone!"

She said smiling seductively and went in search of her mask while Aiolia was flushing thinking about the NEXT TIME.

Than they hurryed to the Temple hand in hand and found the impatient Pegasus Saint along with the Bronze Saints, rather embarrassed by their friend's rudeness.

"Finally! Where have you two been?"

The boy exclaimed gaping when he saw their clasped hands.

Shiryu was the first to recollect himself and slapped his brother on the back.

"Seika told us her story and Seiya couldn't wait to thank you Marin! You know him… when he's up to something he's unstoppable!"

"Uff! It ain't true! But I really wanted to thank you: what you did for me is the best gift I have ever riceived in my life. I'll always be grateful to you Marin!"

"Don't be… not to me! It was Saori Kido who asked me to look for Seika. She told me she had made you a promise and that she wanted to keep it to reward you."

"What! Really?"

The Bronzies cryed out in chorus.

Aiolia intervened seeing them almost unbeliving:

"Athena is really a generous person and always keeps her word, you should know it by now…..

I heard she didn't endear herself to you in the past…. But try to understand her…… she's burdened with an ineluctable destiny and that has been the only time of her life in which she could indulge the whims of her human nature. Now she's our Goddess: she gave herself away to undertake this hard task and even if everything rests on her shoulders she keeps loving her faithful servants.

Any other God would have abandoned us to our Fate……"

He looked at Marin with intensity

"……but not Her! Let's go now!"

"Where?"

The guys asked, touched by Aiolia's speech.

"To thank our Goddess where else?"

The Gold Saint laughed joyfully at them, sarting towards Athena's Temple with Marin at his side.

They exchanged a look and he knew she was smiling with happyness under the mask:

they were together…..it didn't matter how or where.

Forever!

They thought at the same time running in the sunlight.

The End


(I have some ideas for a possible sequel…..perheps…. any suggestions?)

Bye