Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Seiya characters!

Conflict

Feeling really tired after the long day, Aquarius Camus entered small hut at the boundary of the Sanctuary, the same hut that a few months ago Dohko and Shion showed him and his lover. He really liked this hut, so small, but so cozy and at the same time reminding him his own place on the cold land, Siberia. Oh, how many good memories he had about his house there. Memories about being teacher, memories about being almost a father. Memories about his Milo. He was glad they were able to live here, in such a nice place. Every time he was returning to this hut Camus felt almost completely refreshed, looking at familiar house with the scent of Milo everywhere.

He still had no idea how he managed to survive this day. He had so much to do, more than ever. Even if at the morning he thought he could spend his whole day in the library, his activities were quite different later. Of course after he woke up almost at the midday he hurried to the Aquarius Temple just to take another book he found very interesting. It was the really old scroll, probably from the beginnings of this millennium; the scroll about the really old Sanctuary, about the activities there, about the Saints and the reincarnation of Athena. Camus had no idea how he missed this treasure earlier, but he was glad he could read it. The French was still amazed how many specimens were lost in the next centuries. His own library was much smaller. He was just so angry at the next generations of the Saints, that they didn't take the proper care about all of these rare, wonderful books and scrolls. Yes, many of them were destroyed with this Holy War, but what about the other ones? Lost, just lost, probably destroyed by the time, because there was no one competent enough to take care of them.

Then Degel came, saying the Pope allowed him to look at the most precious books in the whole Holy Land, that only a few Saints could touch. He was so excited about it, that the scroll just fell into the oblivion just after hearing Degel's words. Camus already knew the content of Pope's library, he already spent there many days, searching, discovering and reading. But Pope Sage had another library. The 'forbidden area', where only the Pope, Athena and apparently Degel could enter. It wasn't a big chamber. Actually it was small, really small. It had only a three bookstands, where he could see a few old but in a good shape items. He spent there a few really wonderful hours, trying to read as much as he could do. When Camus was leaving the chamber, his eyes hurt so much after moving them quickly from the one edge of the page to the other, that he dreamed only to close them for another few hours and let them rest.

But when he left already the sacred hills with intention of resting in their small hut, two fighting Saints almost dragged him into the battle over so idiotic reason, that he was close of exploding. His arm got hurt a little – without the protection his Gold Cloth two seriously fighting, Silver Saints were able to wound him really easily, especially when he wasn't expecting an attack, his eyes were hurt and his head started to spin after reading so much.

It was already enough for him, so without waiting for the medical treatment of his arm, he left the place, heading actually nowhere.

And then, letting his legs to go by themselves, he entered the hill where in his times he loved to spend some free time. There was no apple tree there, only an empty space for now, that in the next decades will turn into really charming place. The future Aquarius couldn't help, but sat at the spot where he was usually standing, and breathing calmly, he observed the darkening sky. He loved to be there as much as in his hut in Siberia, he had many memories about this hill as well. Of course memories with Milo. He and Scorpio had there many good moments, many kisses, many caresses. A few times they even made love under the apple tree.

He was so overwhelmed by these nice and warm memories, that it was already late when Camus noticed how late it appeared to be. With a chuckle under his nose he left the hill, deciding that tomorrow he would bring here Milo as well.

And now he was inside his hut, feeling the tiredness of the whole, full of things, day. It took him only a short while to notice, that Milo wasn't there even at such a late hour. The bed looked empty, the chairs were empty. Every room was empty.

With a long sigh Camus sat at the bed, looking around the room. It wasn't the first time when Camus returned to the empty hut at this hour. Since a many days Milo could be found here really rarely, walking his own paths, almost not talking with Camus, returning long after the noon reached its culmination.

Camus couldn't understand this behavior. It was so unusual of the Scorpio to be like this. Even if he tried to be like always, being kind and cheerful, the Aquarius noticed, that there was no spirit in Milo's words. Their talks were short, ending after a shrug of Greek's shoulders. It was so unbelievable, that the first time Camus experienced that, he wasn't able to say even a single word.

But he could see that something troubled his lover this time. Since a few days Milo wasn't even trying to kiss him. He had almost cold attitude. He was mostly absent with his thoughts. Camus had no idea what he could do for his lover, what was inside his mind, troubling him so much. When he tried to ask about it, the answer was always: "Nothing". Only this one, single word.

Right now they weren't even seeing each other too often. Milo was leaving the hut long before Camus could to stand up from the bed, and he was returning when the French was already sleeping. During the days it was rare to meet with him, Camus had no idea where the Scorpio spent all this time. Maybe taking a walks, maybe at the training fields. But always out of Camus' eves.

It was something new in Milo's behavior. He never acted like that. Even when they were quarrelling, Milo had always something to say. So, what happened this time?

Could it really be because Camus was ignoring Milo? The Aquarius never wanted to do such a thing. Yes, maybe lately he had many things to do, but was he really ignoring his lover? Was he really sunk into this new life he had to live right now, that Milo lost the matter for him?

Actually since they appeared here it was Milo always seeking Camus' presence. It was him initiating their kisses, their talks. Oh, for Athena's name, they had so short talks, because Camus always felt 'tired', that right the feeling of guilty was burning him form the inside. Was it because of that? Was Milo behaving so thoughtfully and coldly to show him how the Scorpio felt lonely?

Did Milo really felt ignored?

Milo told him this a few times already. He tried to talk with Camus about it. And what he, Aquarius Camus was doing? Excusing himself with tiredness. Putting the blame on imagination of Milo.

Ugh, if… If he really was so cold for his beloved Milo… What he should do? Why he didn't even notice it himself? He loved Milo so much, and yet, how he could be like that? Making Milo to feel ignored? To be alone?

Right now he was remembering all these stupid words he was saying to Milo. About his lover being a little childish. Ugh, how stupid he was!

If it was the case… If Milo felt deeply alone and ignored by his lover… There was no way he could leave that. He had to talk with Milo tonight, talk with him and understand everything. And apologize .

He sat at the chair, lighting a candle and intending to wait for Milo and talk with him instantly. He had and wanted to do that, there was no other way.

He couldn't let it be the way it was…

Milo quietly entered the hut, trying to not wake up his lover. He was a little tired already and he wanted only to sleep right now. So, without any hesitation he rushed to the bed and it took him a long while to notice a slight glimmer on the table.

He looked at this direction and chuckled lightly.

The already small candle was illuminating the silhouette of his lover, Camus, who resting his arms and head against the table, feel asleep.

Was his lover waiting for him this night? Did he want to see him, to talk with him? Was that the reason he was sleeping at the table right now?

With a gently smile, he delicately took his lover into his arms, and he removed the Saint to the bed. Camus didn't even make a sound, sleeping just like a baby.

"Camus."

The nice sound of his name, name told by his lover reached his consciousness in the land of the dreams. But was it a part of the dream, or it just came from the reality…? It was sounding from so far away, that he could believe, these words came from just his imagination, and this voice was inside his head.

"Camus, wake up."

A warm hand grabbed his shoulder and shook him strongly. Camus opened slowly his eyes and still half asleep he looked inside the bright eyes of his lover. Milo was looking at him clearly amused.

"Yes, that's right. Wake up, Camus."

The French blinked a few times, trying to remember where he was, because the ceiling above his head wasn't the ceiling of his Temple. Not even of his hut. It took him a long while to remember that he and Milo were currently in the Sanctuary from over two hundred years ago.

After a few minutes he was able to stand up from the bed and think the way he usually did. He was prepared to meet another day. He only hoped it wouldn't be so strange like the yesterday's one.

He remembered that yesterday his arm got hurt in stupid fight between two Silver Saints. The place he got hit pulsed from the slight pain. He looked there and saw that someone already took care of the wound.

"I noticed you were hurt, so I treated you, Camus," said Milo softly.

Camus frowned. He looked at his lover and saw it. Something that was missing and he didn't notice it earlier. Passion. There was no passion in Milo's voice. It was a voice the Scorpio usually used for his fellows, even underlings. But it wasn't the voice Camus used to hear from Milo.

Oh, right, last night he waited for Milo to talk with him. But it seemed he just feel asleep before his lover returned. So it was the best time to start their talk.

He already opened his mouth, but Milo was faster:

"We should be going. Lady Athena expects us," said the Scorpio, looking through the window. It was so strange for him to be in the same hut as Camus. Since a few days he felt awkward in the presence of his lover; after all he betrayed him kissing Degel. He betrayed Camus' feelings with the current Aquarius, someone who looked almost the same. What he should do in this situation? For these past few days he tried to avoid his lover, try to think over their situation, over his feelings and French's behavior. But it was so hard. He still loved Camus pretty much, but something was stubbornly drawing him to Degel all the time. He felt confused. He had no idea how he could deal with it. He wanted to be with both of them, because both of them were special. Camus was special and Degel was special. But right now his lover acted like he didn't love Milo anymore.

"Huh? She's expecting us? Why?" asked Camus almost instantly forgetting about his worries. It was the first time when Lady Athena wanted to see them.

"And why do you think, Camus? Probably she wants to tell us, how we could return to our times…"

Camus blinked a few times. Oh, right. He forgot that Pope Sage and Lady Athena were searching for the way to send them back. A few Saints already were sent to look for these Avengers of Nemesis. No one of course allowed them two to search on their own. Not without any Clothes, especially if it could be dangerous. Only the Gold Saints were involved in this mission.

Camus felt so excited about the new life he could live right now, that the matter of sending him and Milo was completely forgotten. He had so much to do every day, so many things to see, hear and experience, that it got lost in all these wonderful moments. Many times he was telling himself that it could wait. That with reading all these books he could even find a clue. But the truth was that he wasn't searching for that clue. He just pushed back the thought about returning. It was so interesting to be here, that deeply inside his mind he didn't want to return. Not yet.

And to tell the truth, hearing why Lady Athena wanted to see him and Milo… He just felt disappointed. That it came so soon. That he and his beloved one had to return to their times just after a few months only, leaving so many things undiscovered. There was so many things to do, he wanted to see much more. It wasn't the case only of the libraries existing in these times, but also it was the case about people and their activities. Lately a few Saints discovered another hidden cave with many valuable things inside and he really wanted to go there with Degel and explore. He had no chance to talk with Albafica for long than short "Good Morning", he still didn't met face to face the Gold Saint of Virgo, who really rarely was showing himself out of his Temple. Of course, he missed a little his times and his other fellows, he missed the talks with Saga and with the Pope. He missed his disciple, Hyoga. But there were many interesting things, and he really didn't want to leave them so soon. Not now.

"But it doesn't mean there is a way back, Camus…" murmured Milo as if he was able to read in Camus' mind.

The French gulped. And what if there was no way back? If they would be stuck here forever? Yes, there were many things he wanted to do in these times, but what if they would never be able to return? Could he just accept it? Was he able to accommodate to this situation completely? And what about Milo? How he would feel being so far away from his friends and from his fellows for the rest of their lives? And what about the Holy War? It was most likely they would die in this war, without their Gold Clothes, protecting their bodies. Would Pope Sage allow them to fight by their side?

There were so many questions. He didn't want to return yet, but he surely wanted to have any way to go back.