I don't own Saint Seiya, or any of its characters, please do not sue me.
A Lifetime in Exchange for Seven Days
Chapter 6
" " Talking ' ' Thoughts
[Olympus]
"I don't believe this, he's actually going to go?" Aphrodite whispered to Hermes, whom just shrugged and looked at the backview of Zeus. Most of the immortals are gathered today, right now, they're just standing here and watching Zeus's departing form.
"That Athena... I hope she doesn't say anything that will make Zeus want to throw a lightning bolt at anyone." Hera said thoughtfully, the Queen of Gods looked after her husband with a frown on her face. He didn't look all that happy when he woke up this morning, and he wouldn't tell her the problem.
"Do you think Athena will be able to stand her ground?" Persephone asked, it's now late spring, Hades has to let her come back.
"That girl has a head made out of metal, she won't listen to him." Diameter told her seriously, Zeus's form slowly got smaller and smaller, all the immortals behind him heaved a sigh and scattered about.
[Sanctuary]
'Powerful cosmos.' The Gold Saints thought as they looked at the twenty something year old man before them, all of them looking tense under the man's intense gaze.
'Who is he?' Another question thought simultaneously by the Gold Saints.
"Um... Excuse me, but..." Saga started, wanting to say something, but the man held up a hand and quieted him down with one stern look.
"Which one of you is it? Huh?" He asked harshly. "Which one of you took the most important person in my life away from me? Huh?"
All of the Gold Saints blinked then turned to Kanon and Milo simultaneously, those two womanizer! What did they do now? The two of them blinked and smiled nervously, searching though their memory for at least one girl that mentioned having a boyfriend of some sort.
"Sir, I'm sure if you calm down, we'll be able to solve this in no time." Saga said nervously, great... someone has finally come after Kanon or Milo, those two idiots, hanging around women all day long will only lead them to this kind of trouble.
The man turned towards him and looked at him from head to toe, his clothing is formal, and he looks to be the oldest of them. "So... you must be the Master of the Sanctuary, right?" He asked slowly.
"Yes, I am. Now, do you mind telling me what your reason for coming to Sanctuary is... and just how did you get in?" Saga asked, looking at him strangely. His cosmos is powerful, but it doesn't seem like there were any sort of fight that went on near the border of the Sanctuary, or else... he would have clearly felt it with this guy's powerful cosmos.
"I just want to know which one of you took the most important person in my life away from me." He said matter of factly, and crossed his arms in front of his chest, glarring at all of the Gold Saints.
"I don't think that should be...." Saga started again, feeling a huge sweat drop at the back of his head.
"Father!" A shocked rang out, all of the Gold Saints turned around.
Saori stood a few steps above them, her eyes wide with disbelief and her mouth hanging open. Father. Father? The Gold Saints looked at each other surprised and shocked. Behind them, the man walked past them and without another thought he embraced Saori tightly.
"My baby!" He exclaimed happily.
Saori graoned at the pressure of the hug, her face just above his shoulder. Blinking, her shocked face met with her Saints' shocked eyes.
Frowning, Kanon turned towards Saga first. "I thought Saori didn't have any parents." He whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear.
"She doesn't." Saga answered back.
"Then, who is he?" Shura asked, totally lost.
"Well... Saori called him father..." Mu trailed off.
"That's impossible, he looks to be just about 20ish." Alebaran shook his head immediately.
"Unless... he had her when he was like two or three years old." Milo suggested quietly, everyone blinked then sent him a death glare, shutting him up totally.
Slowly, Saori regained her composture, her shocked face turned to an annoyed face. "What are you doing here?" She asked quickly.
"You don't welcome me here?"
"Of course not!"
"You wound me so!"
"Don't be so disguisting!" She said and pushed him away from her and looked at him from up to down then back up again. "And why are you dressed like this?"
"What's wrong with this?" He blinked at her. His long, wavy golden hair, his smiling blue eyes, everything spells attractive on him. "Don't you like it?"
Saori narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms in front of her chest then shook her head determinedly. "Not. At. All."
[Later]
Everyone sat around in the living room, the usually large room is now crowded with over 10 people. By this guy's request, all the Gold Saints has to be present in this little meething thing. He's now just sitting there looking over at every single of them, muttering loudly.
"Um... he has a kid already, not good." Mu looked at him with dotted eyes, Kiki... his kid. He really needs to get rid of Kiki someday.
"Too fat." Fat? Alebaran blinked... he's just large....
"Womanizer." Kanon narrowed his eyes, but couldn't deny the truth.
"He's too sad." Saga blinked, him... sad... what the!
"He's too creepy." Death Mask just glarred at him, planning his death secretively.
"He relies too much on his brother." What is he talking about? He fought bravely as well.
"Is he blind?" Shaka's closed eyes fluttered, wanting to open them and kill him instantly on the spot.
"He has painted nails." It's for his attack, Milo crossed his arms in front of his chest, glarring at him.
"He's a twenty something year old guy in a 14 year old's body." Is that supposed to be his fault? Aioros hissed.
"He's too serious." Isn't that a good thing?
"He's like a block of ice." Camus closed his eyes and turned his head away.
"And... are you sure this is a man?" Aphrodite cluntched his fist and sent daggers his way.
"Enough! Idiot! What are you doing here?" Saori officially gave up her calm nature and turned around to scream at the guy, her eyes glarring at him.
"Is that how you talk to your father?"
"Maybe you should begin acting like my father in order for me to talk to you like my father." She countered, many possibilities going through her mind of why he is here right now.
"Goddess...." Saga started up, gaining her attention, he's lost beyond belief by this whole thing. "I thought... you didn't have a father." He said quietly.
Saori rolled her eyes and looked away from him. "This is my father. Athena's father, Zeus."
The Gold Saints nodded in understanding, Zeus, God of all Gods... Wait! Zeus? Simultaneously they turned to look at the 20 something year old guy, he is Zeus? Highly unlikely. They glanced at each other and shared a look, what is he doing here?
[Later]
Saori watched as all of the Gold Saints left the meeting room one by one, looking over their shoulders at Zeus skeptically. Saga was the last to leave, he turned and looked at Saori worriedly. "Goddess... are you going to be all right?" He asked quietly.
Saori looked at him and smiled, her calm aura back around herself once again. "Don't worry about it, he's my father after all, he won't do anything to me." She said reassuringly, knowing fully why he is here right now.
Saga looked at her then looked at Zeus, whom is still sitting around, with that goofy smile on his face. Sighing softly, Saga nodded and walked out. Saori closed the door behind him slowly, the room returned to silence, she just starred at the door. After a moment, she turned and faced Zeus.
Suddenly, it seems as if everything changed completely. Zeus is no longer wearing that goofy smile, his stance is different. Saori looked at him, he's serious, and she knows this. That little performance he put on for her and her Saints is just something to lighten up their heart, showing them that he does not intend to attack Sanctuary.
"Father..." Saori started, picking up her head she looked at him.
Zeus looked at her kindly and patted the seat next to him on the sofa. Saori walked over calmly, and sat down next to him, they two of them looked out the window together.
"Athena... I don't know what to say, I'm really disappointed." He said first, his voice soft with an old tone to it. "I've never had any kind of attachment to any of my Saints before, I cannot possibly understand what you're going through right now." He paused, then glanced down. "However... I do not understand why you would want to throw away everything for them."
Saori smiled, even though she may be mad at Zeus for doing some of the things that he did, but he is still her father. Kicking off her shoes, she pulled her legs up to her chin and her arms wrapped around her legs. "Father, that's because I love them. I love every single one of them, I don't want them to be hurt in any way possible." Her smiled deepened and she laid her head onto her knees, her head titled so she can look at Zeus's profile. "Father, what would you do if you knew that I was in danger?"
Zeus blinked and turned to look at her, Saori looked down at the ground, uncertainty entered her eyes. "Would... you risk everything you have to save me? Or would you... just leave me to be, and let me die or survive on my own?" If he can give her the answer that she's hoping for, then he really isn't that bad after all.
Zeus looked at her, then sighed and looked towards the windows again. "Of course, you're my daughter after all." He said calmly, she is his daughter still.
"Exactly... even though I'm not their mother, but I feel responsible for them, especially when they have pleadged their life to me. I feel that I need to take care of them, that I need to give them a happy and good life." Saori then turned towards Zeus again, this time, her smile still bright. "I presume that's how you feel about me."
Zeus looked at her clear eyes, why is his daughter so stubborn... and why does she always has to have all the reasons on her side. Sighing, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, almost ending up in his lap. Saori laid her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed, enjoying the moment. He just held her and looked out at the windows, she's so tiny... but when she's fully dressed in that cloth of hers, she is no longer tiny like this. She will then become the fearless Goddess that everyone admires and fears at the same time.
"Let's go out today." Suddenly, he popped out a sentence. Saori opened her eyes and looked at him curiously. He let go of her and looked at her with a smile. "Let's go out today... when it's near night time, I heard the market near the harbor is very beautiful."
Saori looked at him, surprised at his request, then remembered the form that he disguised himself in. He came prepared. Saori smiled and nodded, Zeus smiled back at her. "Then... what are we going to do now?" Saori asked and titled her head, she only has today to spend with her father. As for next week, she will no longer be Athena, she will no longer be his daughter.
"You can do whatever you want... I need some sleep first." He said with a helpless smile on his face, Saori laughed softly and nodded.
[Outside]
Saori closed the thick double door quietly, she let her hands stay on the doors, then she looked up at the door. Sighing, she turned around and walked down the long steps of the staircase, turning, she went to the training ground, knowing that's where she'll find everyone.
"Goddess!" Before she even got close enough to see anyone, everyone bowed to her and stopped their movements. Saori looked up and smiled, then waved her hand signaling for them to go back to whatever they were doing before. Looking around, her eyes landed on someone that is not dressed in a cloth or training uniform. He looked up at her then said something to one of the students, soon enough, he was already making his way towards her.
She sat down on one of the benches and watched as he walked closer to her, his strong form confident and straight. She looked at him quietly, just enjoying the way that he makes her feel when he's around her. How long does she have to feel this way and to see him this close?
"Saori?" He called out her name softly using his deep voice, Saori blinked and looked up at him. His back is facing the sun, blocking out the large heat radiating tool away from her, thus, his face is in the shadows, unseen by Saori. "How was the meeting with Zeus?" He asked first, his voice showing his concern.
"It was fine." She answered shortly, she's secretly glad that Zeus didn't throw a fit when he came down here. After all, no one knows about her marriage yet... if he did throw a fit about it, her secret will no longer be a secret.
"He didn't say anything harsh, did he?"
"No." She shook her head slowly, he was understanding... so totally not what she had imagined in her head. She then let out a loud breathe and looked up at Saga with a smile. "We're going out tonight. He wants to check out the harbor markets, we'll be leaving as soon as it gets dark. So, don't wait up for me, okay?"
She knows that he has a habit of waiting for her to go to sleep, either when she's doing all those paper work or when she's just watching T.V. He has a habit of sitting beside her and waiting for her to finish everything before escorting her back to her room. She knows that he must be tired, even more tired than she is, because he has to get up earlier than her. She had always wanted to tell him to go to sleep... but deep in her heart, she found it touching. And she was being selfish, she wanted him to stay with her for as long as he could during these few days so that she won't have so much regrets when she goes to marry Mr. Okaity.
Saga smiled but said nothing, Saori knew that he's not going to listen to her, but it doesn't hurt to at least remind him about it.
[Night]
"So many people." Zeus commented as he looked around the place, people's chatters can be heard miles away. It's the lively night life of many people, the harbor market.
"It's where most people live their life... but it's also a fun place to be. You get to meet a lot more people than you usually do." Saori said and looked around.
"Yeah... a lot more people, a lot more pretty women as well." Zeus's eyes followed a woman as she made her way across some tent, Saori glanced at him then at the woman.
She rolled her eyes and elbowed him in his ribs, jolting him back to reality. "Don't think about laying a finger on anyone near here!" Saori warned, then tightening her lips she walked on faster, leaving him behind.
Zeus blinked and rubbed his ribs, then taking a few large steps forwards, he caught up with her easily. She's stopped by a tent to buy some kind of food, a teasing smile appeared on his face as he stood beside her closely. "Are you jealous? Don't worry, you'll always be number 1 on my list."
Saori turned around and shoved something inside his mouth, it's soft and very sweet. "Eat!" She said then walked on again, Zeus bit down and chewed in the delicious food, then picking up his feet again, he followed after Saori. He saw her eating the same thing as him, unlike him, whom gulped it down in two bites, she's taking her time with the food.
He glanced at her and watched as she bit down a bit, taking in a little chunk of the food while looking around curiously. He suddenly leaned forward and ate the other half of the food that she prepared to feed into her mouth. She froze on the spot as his lips brushed against her hand and her lips softly, then lowering her hand she looked up at him.
Zeus swallowed the food and then smiled holding up his right hand. "I promise I won't lay a hand on any of the women here! Now, can you smile?" He said and blinked at her.
Saori looked at him then broke into a smile, grabbing his hand, she dragged forward to another tent. "Come on, I want to check out the jewleries." She exclaimed happily as she walked into the tent with different types of jewleries. Saori let go of his hand and they both looked around for different types of jewleries.
A necklace caught Saori's eyes, it's a silver chain with an owl at the end, instead of looking lazy, they owl's eyes are extremely sharp. She reached out, wanting to touch it, but someone was faster than her. "I think it'll look great on you." Zeus's voice rang out behind her, without asking, he reached around and put the necklace around her neck. "It looks great." He said dragging the mirror in front of her, his face next to hers, she looked at the necklace.
"Shop owner, we'll take this, how much is it?" Zeus called out to the man behind the counter, then man looked up at him and smiled.
"It's a great choice, young lady you're lucky you have such a nice boyfriend." He said warmly, Saori smiled awkwardly and looked away. "I'll give it to you for 20 dollars!"
Zeus smiled and put a 20 dollar bill onto the counter, and placed the mirror on it. The shop owner nodded his thanks, Zeus then turned and dragged Saori out of the tent.
"Aren't you glad that you have a boyfriend like me?" Zeus teased as they walked down the long road again.
Saori rolled her eyes and turned her head away, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "Don't you think you should act like my father?"
"Don't you want a boyfriend like me?" Zeus blinked and she turned to look at him, then she laughed and turned her head away.
"Nope, I already like someone else."
Zeus raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything, they just walked down the long road. Stopping here and there to check out some of the tents, Zeus is very much interested in human lives, and surprisingly he fitted in with everyone quite well. Saori thought that he was going to curse everyone that didn't do as he wished, but he was very understanding.
However, no matter who you are, you can never stop time. As it gets later into the night, most of the tents are closing down, the two of them began their journey back the way they came from. The road is evidently much more quieter, not that many people can be seen walking on the road with their friends or families.
Stopping just a bit beyond the market place, Zeus suddenly turned to Saori with a serious look on his face. "Saga."
"What?" Saori looked at him confused, the sudden change of topic confused her mind.
"The one you like, it's Saga, right?" Saori's eyes widened involuntarily, she opened her mouth wanting to say something, but was cut off by Zeus. "Don't try to deny it, I know the truth, and I know you like him."
Saori looked at him for a moment longer, wanting to keep up her facade a moment longer, but she eventually gave up and looked down at the ground. "How did you know?"
Zeus smiled, a kind and forgiving smile, suddenly he is Zeus... not the 20 year old teenager. He reached out and soothed her hair softly. "You still have a lot to learn little one."
Saori didn't say anything, by the tone of his voice, she knows that he has already forgiven her, and will not do anything to harm Saga. Suddenly, she feels his pain and his unwillingness to let go of everything. He's her father, and in one point of her life, he had told her that if anything were to happen to him, she would take over the throne and be the ruler of the Gods. Now... she is just growing up, just developing her Goddess senses, and suddenly, she's going to be gone, going away forever.
"I'm sorry, daddy." She choked out, she had never called him by that name. Yet... it just feels right to call him by that title right now.
Zeus gave out a loud sigh and pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly. She cluntched onto his shirt and pressed her face against his collar bone. "My little girl... you're growing up, and you're leaving me."
She's so out of reach, even though she is his favorite child out of all of his chidren, somehow it seems as if he can never have her completely. Everytime when he's so close to her, something has to happen and she will slip away from him. This time, he really thought that she was going to be finally beside him, but...
He let go of her and cupped her face to make her look at him, and he looked at her. "My daughter..."
"How long can I be your daughter? That title will only last till next week." Saori said quietly, her hands touching his hands.
"No. No matter what happens, you'll always be my daughter. Even if the next Athena is born, you're still my daughter." He said deeply, his voice filled with promise. "I'm sorry... but father won't be present at your wedding, hope you don't mind."
Saori shook her head, blinking her eyes rapidly, she forced back the tears that threatened to fall.
"I have a gift for you." He said and let go of her face, holding his hands together, a golden light surrounded his hands. Then opening them up, there stood a golden ball. He extended his hand and she reached to receive it, skeptically, she glanced up at him then glanced back down at the gold ball. Suddenly, she noticed a little button in the middle of the ball. Pressing it gently, the ball opened up and an illusion like sphere floated up.
Her favorite tune rang out, Fur Elise. The music radiated out proudly, inside the sphere it's still night time. Then, slowly, the sky was lit up by the sun rays and soon the sun appeared, bright and sunny.
"Saori." She looked up, this is the first time that he has called her by her human name. "No matter what happens, the sun will always rise, and I will be there looking after you."
She tightened her hold on the golden ball, and slowly, she shut the ball, returning everything to normal. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." She muttered, the only thing that she could think of.
Zeus laid a hand on her shoulder, she looked up at him, he nodded and smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry about it, I have tons of children left... and besides, I'll just snatch away the next Athena so that nothing like this will happen to her." He joked with a soft laugh.
Saori laughed along side with him, and looked over his face. She sees a young face in front of her eyes, but in his eyes, she sees a man older than time itself. Zeus's laughter slowly died down, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "You have my blessings my child." Then letting go of her, his cosmos flared up, he's teleporting away.
"Have a good life, and... take care." With that, he was gone, leaving Saori standing there alone.
That last sentence, it was so clear, to the point. But that 'take care'... who knows how much emotion was engraved into those two words. Who knows how much he wanted to take her away as well, but he respected her decision. Saori raised a hand and touched her cheek, it's as if his warmth is still there, his hands are still holding onto her face gently.
Sighing, she turned around and began walking back to Sanctuary. The golden ball warm and heavy in her hands, his visit still clearly engraved into her memory. Zeus, her father, has come and gone... and shall never appear in front of her again. She really wish that none of this have happened, perhaps then... she won't disappoint her father and go live with him for the rest of her life as Athena.
Perhaps... Athena's next life time will really be the perfect one. Then... will that Athena feel what she is feeling right now? Will she feel what the earlier Athena have felt? All these emotions... they will all be there, like a burden for the next Athena. If she has the power, she really wants to erease all her memories of everyone, that way the next Athena will not have to carry her burden around forever.
Reaching the border of Sanctuary, she was surprised to see someone standing there. Walking closer, she realized that the person is no other than Saga, she stopped a few steps before him and they just looked at each other. He made the first move by walking towards her slowly, she stayed at the same spot and greeted him with a weary smile.
"Saori?" A soft question came out of his mouth, his eyes are gentle and kind.
"I'm tired." She said quietly, the golden ball's weight in her hands is heavier than she thought. Saga glanced at the ball then looked down, understanding everything.
Then... he turned around and squaded down with his back towards her. Saori looked at him confused, what is he doing? He glanced at her over his left shoulder and tilted his head. "Come on, climb on, I'll give you a 'ride' back."
"Saga, I don't think so." She shook her head immediately, touched at how far he's willing to go for her.
"You're tired aren't you? Climb on, I think I can manage to carry you."
Saori looked at his strong back, then looked at him. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, his arms lifted up her legs from underneath her knees. Carefully, he stood up and balanced her on his back before walking towards the inside of the Sanctuary. They walked in silence, he didn't press her into talking anymore, knowing that this must be an awkward situation for her... it's not that comfortable for him either. Having her this close to him is...
Suddenly, something wet and cool touched his neck, he turned his head, trying to get a closer look at Saori. She just buried her head into the part between his neck and shoulder, he knows that was her tear.
"Saori..."
"Father..." She started in a small voice, almost a whimper. "He left, he's gone. He won't come back ever again, he's gone forever." She continued on aimlessly, letting her tears fall down.
Saga turned his head back to the front again. She may go against Zeus's wishes most of the time, but deep in her heart, she still loves her father. If she didn't, why would she pledge her virginity to him, she was a good daughter... and would have been a great helper to Zeus if she didn't choose her ways like this.
He then felt her eyelashes brushing against his skin rapidly, he knows that she's trying to blink back all the tears that are threatening to fall. Soon, he felt cool drops onto his neck again, guess she gave up on that.
Not saying a word, he walked up the stairs that leads up to the grand palace, he gave her comfort by just being there with her. Saori closed her eyes tightly, the realization that she's never going to see her father again hit her real hard. No matter how hard she tried, the tears wouldn't stop, giving up on trying to control it, she just let them all out....
Father....
TBC....
Thanks for reading, please R&R.