"Tatsumi, take him to the hospital! He needs to be treated now!" Mitsumasa Kido ordered.
Six year old Saori watched as Jabu was taken to the hospital. "But grandfather, he's not even hurt."
"Not yet, but soon he will," Mitsumasa explained. "His adrenaline is high and thus cannot feel any pain. He will feel it after his adrenaline goes down. You shouldn't have done that, Saori, making him your horse. You are much more fortunate that he is. These boys will have more pain and suffering to endure down the road."
Wearing a long sleeve stylish jacket to hide her scars, Saori faced reporters. The tournament had to be put on a halt, if not an end.
"Miss Kido, can you explain what happened?"
"Is it true that the Gold Cloth is stolen as part of vengeance?"
"Is it true that the Saints were abused during their training?"
The questions came to Saori endlessly. She stayed silent, feeling the pain from her arm and her hip. During her fight against the Dark Phoenix, a laceration was sustained on her right arm. For that moment, she did thought the end was going to come. The image of Gold Saint Sagittarius flashed before her eyes. Her grandfather had told her the story of the Gold Saint Sagittarius who died to protect Goddess Athena and that he was a brave, honorable warrior. "Whenever you are in danger, he's your guardian angel."
But there was no Gold Saint Sagittarius, but Pegasus Seiya who came to her rescue - and not before pushing her out of the way. Saori landed on the floor. Like her grandfather had said before, her adrenaline was high so she felt no pain. Now that her adrenaline was back to normal, she found pain on her arm and hip. Of course, before eyes of many, she could not show it.
"Phoenix did not come to seek vengeance," she said to the reporters. "Yes, the Galaxy Tournament is currently on halt. People have been hurt. We need time to heal. Phoenix is a madman who had stolen the Gold Cloth with his own agenda. He has no reason to seek vengeance. I grew up in this mansion and saw my grandfather adopted these orphan boys, Phoenix among them. He provided them a roof over their head and food to fill their stomach. Training is hard and at time it can be viewed as abusive. However, my grandfather never abused anyone. If there is anyone, then it'd be me. Once, when I was six, I made these boys my horse. I assume we all have been children and bratty. I'm also safe to assume that none of you will break into someone's house to seek vengeance for something done to you when you were six."
The reporters tried to hold back their laughs.
Saori rose and walked out. Every step was hard and painful - thanks to Seiya.
"Saori-san," the doctor examined her arm. "The scar will heal, but it will take time."
"And my hips?"
"Bruises," the doctor replied. "I cannot prescribe you pain medication with your current weight."
"That's not necessary," she shook her head. "I don't need it."
"Saori-san, you need to gain some weight."
"We had this conversation before," Saori said carelessly. "I have other things to handle."
She left the hospital and Tatsumi took her back to the mansion.
Jabu had told her what happened at the arena. He was battling Shun when Ikki appeared, donning the Phoenix cloth, and interrupted the battle. Shun was overjoyed to see his older brother again, completely unaware what a monster he turned out to be. Both Jabu and Shun received his blows. Wolf Nachi jumped into the battle, insisting Ikki is his opponent. No one knew exactly what Ikki did to Nachi. Right now, Wolf Natchi was in a comatose stage. Phoenix Ikki did not come alone. He brought a team of Black Phoenix and took the Sagittarius Gold Cloth with them; and one of them sneaked into Saori's room to assassinate her. Hyoga, Shun, Shiryu, and Seiya ran after the Black Phoenixes and retrieved back pieces of the Gold Cloth though not all of them.
Of the ten Saints who returned - one was in a coma; one was in depression; one was on his way out; and one was a dangerous enemy to them all.
Seeing the pieces of Gold Cloth, or what was left of it, Saori was saddened.
"Ojou-sama, should we call the police?"
"Call the police?" Saori laughed. "You honestly think the police can handle Ikki and his team of terrorists?"
"So we are going to let Ikki get away with it?"
"Tatsumi, my grandfather had stated that the Gold Cloth belongs to the Saint who wins the Galaxy tournament. Based on what Jabu told me, it is obvious that Ikki is the strongest of them all. I am not concerned with him taking away the Gold Cloth. I am only afraid what he is going to do with it."
Her words caused a stir among the Saints.
"Saori-san, I know a place that can fix the Cloth," Shiryu said. "I'll take the Pegasus and Dragon Cloths to have them repaired."
"Very well," Saori nodded.
Before she could say anything else, she heard a dog bark. The dog ran to Saori and wagged his tail.
"What is this?" Saori asked.
Seiya came in with a smirk. "This is Hayate. Miho found him and raised him at the orphanage. He can help us find Ikki."
"By how?"
"By smell," Seiya said. He took a piece of the Gold Cloth and brought it to Hayate's nose. "The Gold Cloth should have Ikki's scents."
"Fine then, if you know what you are doing," Saori said though she thought it's ridiculous.
"Alright Hayate, let's go find Ikki!"
Saori looked at Shun. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Shun said but his eyes showed sadness.
"Go for a walk," Saori suggested. Everyone needed to cool down. Shiryu went to get the Cloths repaired; Jabu went to the hospital to check on Nachi; Seiya went to chase after Ikki; and Shun needed time for himself.
When the night fell, Saori went to her grandfather's study. His portrait was huge and majestic before her eyes. He had been passed away for three years and left his wealth and legacy to her.
She closed her eyes and recalled her the day he passed away.
"Tatsumi," Mitsumasa Kido said. "What does Julian want?"
"Mr. Julian Solo wants to see ojou-sama."
"That boy is in over his head," Mitsumasa Kido chuckled. "When is he ever going to understand that my wealth is not going to be bestowed to him?"
"Perhaps it is not a bad idea," Tatsumi said. "It can keep the wealth in the family."
"Saori will have a hard future," Mitsumasa Kido said.
Saori opened her eyes and didn't want to reminisce any further. It was the last time she heard her grandfather spoken. After his conversation with Tatsumi, she rode with him and the car ran into a fatal accident. Saori had recovered but Mitsumasa didn't.