I don't own Saint Seiya, or any of its characters, please do not sue me.
A Lifetime in Exchange for Seven Days
Chapter 7 (End)
" " Talking
' ' Thoughts
Morning
"Goddess, the peace is going to be a forever one... can we stop training now?" Milo suggested lazily as he looked at Saori making a cute face. It's now Sunday morning, Saori had came down to the meeting every morning and joined them for this meeting. She sat on the throne confidently with Saga standing beside her.
"Of course." Milo looked at her strangely, she agreed to it so easily. "I'll just send you to Antarctica then." She continued on, that angelic smile still on her face, but her eyes are pure mischief.
"I think I'll stick to the training then." Milo muttered and stepped back, Saori smiled funnily but said nothing. Beside her, Saga shook his head helplessly, Milo can be so....
"Goddess!" A breathless voice called out from the door way, everyone turned and looked at the guard, whom seemed to be scared standing in the same room as all the Gold Saints.
"What are you doing in here?" Deathmask asked first, playing with his fingers, sending him a long side glance. The guard tensed up immediately, scared that Deathmask will decide to throw him to the Underworld.
"Deathmask." Saori said softly, then turned to the guard at the door. "What is it?"
"Goddess... someone is waiting for you on the phone."
Saori raised her eyebrows, on the phone? How do these people find out where she is? "Who is it?"
"He said he's Mr. Okaity." The guard said carefully, his eyes still glancing back at Deathmask carefully.
Saori stood up from her chair shocked, her eyes wide, her face struck with horror. What is he doing calling her? Saga turned to her concerned, reaching our a hand, he touched her arm. "Goddess... are you all right?"
Saori turned to him then looked at the worried faces of her Gold Saints, she put on a smile and shook her head. "I'm fine, sorry... I was just surprised that he would call. Please excuse me, continue on the meeting." She said then walked down the stairs and past all the Gold Saints towards the guard that is still at the door way.
The Gold Saints turned back to Saga when the door shut behind Saori, they found Saga's eyes still glued to the door with a worried expression on his face, and seems to be in a world of his own. The Gold Saints glanced at each other before Kanon looked up at his brother again. "Saga!" Kanon called out loudly, jerking the Master of Sanctuary from his deep thoughts.
"Yes." Saga cleared his throat awkwardly and looked back at them. "Let's continue."
Office
"Thank you, you may take your leave now." Saori said to the guard, he just bowed to her and walked out quickly, nervous and excited that he actually got to talk to the Goddess. Saori looked after him, then looked back the phone that's off the hook. Sighing, she shut the door behind her and walked over to the phone. Reaching out a hand, she touched the receiver gingerly, then picked it up and held her breath for a second.
"Yes?"
"I just called to check up on you." No greeting, no nothing, he's so sure of himself that he knows it's her speaking.
"How do you it'd be me, I could have told someone else to hang up on this phone call." Saori said with a hint of annoyance in her voice, she hates and admires his confidence... or cockiness at the same time.
"I know you'd pick up this phone call." He said calmly, then she heard him take in a deep breath and spoke again. "I hope you haven't forgetten what date today is."
"Of course I remember." Saori said and walked over to the windows, over looking the large garden, credited to Aphrodite.
"I will pick you up at the time when the deal ends." He continued on, not bothering to tell her the time, knowing that she's smart enough to figure it out herself.
"Thank you." She said quietly, her eyes never leaving the garden, it seems as if she's not even breathing at all.
Then they were both silent, no one said anything, not knowing what to say to each other. Saori glanced at the phone in hand, wondering what he's doing right now. He's probably talking to her on the speaker, while doing his business report on the other hand. She then glanced out the window again, is this how their marriage will be like as well? Will the house be filled with silence... uncomfortable silence that neither of them knows how to break. Hopefully not.
"I... apologize for the inconvinience that happened a few days ago." It was him that broke the silence again, Saori looked at the phone surprised and a bit confused.
"What inconvinience?"
"The rumour that you wanted me to take care of... it was one of my relatives," he then paused, as if tasting that word to see if it's poisonius or not. "One of my relatives let it out, I apologize for that, and hope it didn't create any disturbance."
"No, it's okay, they didn't take it seriously anyways."
"Who would? After all, why would someone like you marry someone like me under normal circumstances?" He said, self-mockingly. She could almost picture that smile he always wears when talking about this. Saori frowned and looked at the phone sadly.
"Makoe...." She said quietly, the first time actually speaking his first name.
"I thought you didn't even know my name, I was worried that you were going to call me Mr. Okaity even on our wedding night." He said teasingly, playfulness in his voice. Saori was surprised to find that he can be non-serious at times as well.
"Of course I know your name, don't be silly." She rolled her eyes half-heartedly, then they grew silent again. Saori looked down at the floor, her eyes dimmed with regret. "I want to thank you for being so understanding, and for keeping our deal."
"I always keep my word." He replied confidently, like a business man, a very good business man.
"Agreed." She half whispered half mumbled, knowing that he still caught whatever she said with his ears. Looking up, she looked up at the cloudless sky, an idea popped into in her mind. "It's the perfect weather for a barbeque dinner tonight."
"Barbeque huh? Sounds good." He agreed.
Saori smiled and tilted her head, her mind drifting else where. "Definitely." She whispered and just looked up at the sky, as if enchanted by it.
She doesn't even know when he hung up, or when she put down the phone. She felt nothing when she was starring into the sky, pieces of memories from this week came back into her mind, not believing that everything is going to end today.
"Saori?" A quiet inquiry awoke her from her thoughts, she turned and saw Saga standing behind her, looking down at her with the same worried look in his eyes as ever when dealing with her.
"Saga... when did you come in? I didn't even hear you." Saori said a bit dazed, still don't know anything that happened from the time when she talked to Mr. Okaity to now.
"You were deep in thought, so I didn't want to bother you." Saori smiled but said nothing, her face still turned towards the sky. "Saori... are you worried about the foundation's financial reports?" He suddenly asked, Saori turned to him immediately, her eyes wide with a frown on her face.
"What are you talking about?"
"I must ask for your forgiveness on my rude actions. I took a look at the financial reports that the man from earlier brought for you. It seems like the foundation's business is growing worse day by day... however, I could not find any report on it for the past two years... could it be that..." Saga trailed off and looked at her questioningly, could it be that the foundation had gone bankrupt... if it has.... then what money is keeping them here right now?
Saori mentally breathed a sigh of relief to herself for tearing up the recent reports, she shouldn't leave those reports around so carelessly, she should be more careful the next time. Next time? Saori then smiled mockingly, who said that there'll be a next time.
"I agree, our foundation hasn't been at its best for a few years... but with our new strategy for the business market, our record has heightened again. Don't worry, I'm not doing anything illegal to keep this place running." Saori said reassuringly, her many years of business experience has taught her how to keep her emotions in check in front of everyone.
"And Mr. Okaity?" He asked, looking down at her. He noticed that her eyes dim every time when he mentions his name.
"He was just calling to check up on me, after all, he is my partner in the business field. I'm sure you've heard about that." She said confidently, not leaking one sign of what's going to happen next week. What's going to happen tomorrow.
"Of course." Saga nodded slowly, somehow, he still senses something wrong with this situation.
Saori then smiled and turned towards the sky again, the blue sky, cloudless. "Barbeque."
"What?" Saga looked at her surprised, a bit lost at the sudden change of subject.
"I want to have a barbeque dinner tonight... with all of you guys. Do you think that'll be okay?" Saori said and turned back to him with a bright smile, she really wants to enjoy her 'last moments' with all her Gold Saints.
Saga looked at her then smiled as well, his blue eyes dancing with laughter and happiness. "Of course, I'll go prepare for it right away." Saga said and began turning around, Saori looked at him and suddenly reached out to grasp his hand.
Saga paused and turned back to her questioningly, she bit her lips and then reached out and kissed him on the lips softly, still shy about whether she should do this or not. She felt Saga tense up under her lips, then a moment later she felt his lips responding to her, kissing her back. He moved his hand behind her neck, and his left hand is at her back, holding her close to him.
After a moment, Saga slowly pulled away from the kiss then fluttered open his eyes to look at her closed eyes and blushing face. "I need to go set up for the barbeque... we can continue... some time later... perhaps." Saori opened her eyes and looked up at him, surprised by his words. "And by the way, just to let you know, I think guys should take the initiative on these things." He just smiled and soothed her hair before turning and walking out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Saori raised her hand and touched her lips delicately, he had kissed her so tenderly before when they were in the movie theater... a moment ago, his kiss was feverish, almost burning her up. Sighing, she closed her eyes and turned to the windows again. He's finally opening up to her, accepting her as Saori Kido, ready to take her into his life... and....
She hasn't failed to notice the way he would look at her whenever they were alone, she knows that he's debating in his heart and mind. She knows that he is torn between duty and love, it's not every day that you wake up and realize that the virgin Goddess you're supposed to protect is in love with you, and vice versa.
However... why does life have to be so cruel, just as things are starting to turn to her side, time has to leave her hopeless. However, isn't this better? Pulling themselves out of this mess before it gets to deep and too thick to even pull themselves out.
Turning around, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and walked over to her desk, perhaps this is really better....
Later
"Ah, we love you Saori, I love barbeques!" Kanon said as he grabbed a plate full of different types of food, from meat to vegetable and sat down on Saori's right side.
"You sound as if you haven't ate barbeque in ages." Milo looked at him funnily.
"Well... you see... barbeque and under water castles... they don't really live in the same world." Kanon said, recalling the long time he spent under water with Poseidon.
Saori looked at him and smiled softly, Julian... when is she ever going to see him again? Perhaps never.
"Here you go, Saori."
She looked up just in time to see Saga handing her a plate as well, with her favorite food on it, she smiled up at Saga. "Thanks." Then she tilted her head and noticed something. "Saga, wait."
He looked at her, pausing in his action to sit down. She grabbed her napkin and gently wiped at the corner of his mouth. "You're got something on you mouth." She wiped carefully and gently, as if afraid of hurting him.
Suddenly, her action stopped as she remembered the other Saints sitting around her. She pulled her hand back quickly and looked down at the table, glancing up at her Saints quickly, they all wore the same knowing smile on their faces. Saga cleared his throat awkwardly and took his seat next to Saori on her left side. She quickly lifted up her cup, pretending to drink while covering up her embarrassment.
"So... Saga, what kind of girls do you like?" Deathmask asked first, his voice dripping with a teasing tone.
"My brother likes girls that are confident, stern, powerful, kind, forgiving, nice, and preferably her name should start with s." Kanon followed up on Deathmask's plan and looked at Saori and Saga funnily. "So... talk about this 's' girl, did you share your first kiss with her?" He then winked and all the Gold Saints chuckled but said nothing.
Saori just rolled her eyes at Kanon and silently made sure that she gets back at him for this, then she glanced up at Saga quickly. He's just looking down at his food quietly, a smile on his face, not seeming to mind. "If you're so interested, why not share the story of your first kiss with us?" Saga retorted back, Kanon looked up at him surprised.
"My first kiss?" Kanon then raised his fork and tapped it against his lips. "To tell you the truth... I don't remember, probably some woman from some club." He said carelessly and shrugged easily, then he smiled mishieviously and looked at Aioria. "What about you? Leo boy."
Saori looked up at them funnily and helplessly at the same time... a bunch of grown man, and they're playing a childish game like this. Should she laugh? Or should she shake her head at this?
Aioria blushed, never thought the question would be directed at him, he glanced at everyone, then bowed his head down even further. Then he picked at his food and mumbled something about Marin and something about hospital, and shut up then.
"You're not fun, Aphrodite?" Kanon turned to, possibly the most beautiful Gold Saint out of all of them. Aphrodite looked up at him and blinked, then smiled and dabbed at his mouth.
"Oh please, is there any woman that's more beautiful than me?"
One sentence and everyone dropped onto the ground, look at him, he's so in love with himself, he probably doesn't even look at anyone else beside him. Saori just smiled at his comment, he's Aphrodite after all, you can't expect another answer from him. During this night, she felt she really got to know her Saints better, so much more better. Even though these silly games they play are beyond her league, but just watching them play around and joke around is enough for her.
The topics changed from kiss to clubs, to different women, to their sizes, to one night stands, to everything else, and finally to love. She just sat back and relaxed while watching her Saints in action. Sometimes, she really just want to live with them like this, like normal people, a big family, they're all her brothers.
Of course.... with one exception. She then glanced at Saga, watching as he laughed at something Milo said, then she smiled and turned back to the others again to find them starring at her hard. She blinked and set down her cup before blinking back at them. "What?"
"You were not listening, were you?" Milo asked with an eyebrow raised, Saori smiled and glanced down. "We were just asking who was the first person you loved."
Saori looked at him then tilted her head and smiled. "Who are you asking? Athena or Saori Kido?"
"Let's go with Athena first." Deathmask suggested, she glanced at him, never knew he'd join in on games like this.
"Athena.... um... the first person she loved... is probably... Zeus." She said, then looked at her Saints, their surprised and confused faces met hers. She laughed and ran a hand through her hair. "I don't know, the original Athena's feelings do not mingle with us... the reincarnations, so I cannot say for sure."
"Then... how about as Saori Kido?" Shaka asked quietly, she looked up at him. One with her eyes wide open, one with his eyes closed, she somehow can still see through him and know that he knows more than everyone else.
Saori leaned forward and put her chin on her laced fingers, her eyes somewhere else. "He might be judged as a sinful person because of his actions before, but..." She glanced down and then looked up at her saints again, a bright smile appeared on her face. "But, in my eyes, he is the perfect man in the universe."
Indeed, he is perfect in her eyes...
Night
The two of them walked down the lone hall way that leads to her room, she walked along side with him, her head bowed during the whole time. If it wasn't for Saga that stopped in front of her room, she would have totally missed it and walked on. Saga then turned and faced her, she still has her face down, looking at the ground beneath her.
"What's wrong? Still embarrassed by Kanon's game?" Saga deep voice rang out, Saori looked up at him and gave him a slow smile. The expression on her face telling him that she agreed with him. Saga smiled as well, and touched her face softly, she immediately glanced else where, feeling as if her cheeks are burning.
Leaning down, he kissed her forehead softly, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his lips on her forehead. Then he pulled away slightly and pressed his lips against her lips, she tilted up her head and met him in their kiss. This is the last time... definitely the last time. This time, it was her that pulled away, she looked up at him and bit her bottom lip softly.
"Saga... even though guys are supposed to take the initiative... does that mean girls can never take the initiative?" She asked, looking up at him with an innocent face. He blinked and then laughed at her question, leave it up to her to think of something bizzare.
"It's getting late, you should go in now." Saga said and patted the top of her head softly, nodding towards her room.
"No." Saori shook her head and then looked at Saga pleadingly. "You always see me entering my room, you always see my backview... and my back isn't very pretty. This time, I want to see your backview! I'm sure it'll be the perfect backview." She said playfully and smiled at Saga sweetly.
Saga nodded and leaned down to brush his lips over her forehead for the last time before turning around. "Good night." He then slowly made his way towards the staircase that leads downstairs. Saori looked after him intently, her gaze never leaving his back.
He really has the perfect backview, strong and confident... but every bit of him telling her that he's in love with her, that he's happy to be with her, that he wants to stay by her forever. Saori then looked down and closed her eyes, for the first time since she got here, she cried... cried for the both of them.
Later
Standing in front of his door, she wondered if this is such a good idea after all. Looking down at the ground, she considered her options... well, she really doesn't have too much options anyways... so.... sighing, she looked up at the closed door then determination entered her eyes. Reaching out, she grasped the door handle, feeling the cold metal object in her hand. Then tilted her head she turned it quietly and slowly opened the door.
Walking into the room, she was greeted by darkness, looking around, getting used to the darkness, she saw the bed that's on the other side of the room. Looking at it for a moment she walked over slowly and carefully, not wanting to wake him up. Standing next to the bed, she softly fingered his long blue hair.
He's lying on his side, just as her finger brushed his cheek he mumbled something then flipped onto his back, the blanket falling a bit during the process. Glancing down, she pulled the blanket back up to his chin, so he sleeps topless. Their faces inches away from each other, she studied his face... still cannot believe someone like him could be in love with her.
Love.
That simple word, that complicated emotion.
Tracing an imaginary line from his hairline to his lips, she made the process painfully slow and her finger lingered at his lips. Those lips that she just kissed moment ago, the same lips that would form the smile that she loves so much... everything... is gone, everything is out of the windows. Sighing, she closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his for the last time.
He's lying on his back, she's half lying on top of him, half sitting on the bed, with their lips locked together. Doesn't this count as a romantic picture? Or is this the tragic picture that spells the word 'goodbye'?
Pulling back, she touched his lips softly, looking down at him with regret in her eyes.
"I love you."
With a swirl of her dress, she turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her quietly, she made her way out of the palace with nothing in hand. Walking out of the door, the two guards are on the ground sleeping soundly, even a thunder storm wouldn't be able to wake them up. Tuning down her cosmos, she walked down the long stairs slowly, passing each temple, she looked at them fondly then moved on.
Shaka... with that little spell she placed in his drink... he should sleep right through till the morning. She glanced up at the Virgo Temple then smiled thinly. Sorry... it was the only way.
Stepping down onto the solid ground, she picked up her head and saw a black limo waiting for her at the entrance of Santuary. Walking over slowly, suited men got of the car and bowed to her, then he got out from the other end. She stopped and they looked at each other, then he glanced down and gave her a smile.
"It's good to see you again Saori." He said quietly, and then walked over and Saori turned to face him. "I hope you had a good time during the last week." He then reached forward and opened the door for her, Saori looked at him and then got in without a word. She knows this is impolite, but she really doesn't have the heart to deal with all of this right now.
He closed the door after her and went around the car again, getting in next to her in the spacious limo. He shut the door, and as if that was the cue for the driver, the car hummed softly as the driver turned on the engine. He glanced over at her, she is looking outside the window at the grand palace of Sanctuary, he didn't say anything, she didn't say anything either.
Then the car moved, slowly at first, the grand palace is slowly disappearing within her sight until it faded away completely before her eyes, no longer within her reach.
Good-bye Sanctuary...
Good-bye Saga....
TBC....
The epilogue is coming up, thanks for reading, please R&R.