She could feel sunlight on her face. She opened her eyes and saw a figure before her. A smile appeared on her face.
"Morning," she said, rubbing her eyes. "What time is it?"
"It's about nine," he replied. "You want to call Tatsumi?"
"Why?" Saori asked, sitting up.
"To let him know that you are at my place," Seiya replied.
"I'm not a child, Seiya," Saori said. "Besides, I like to be here with you. I don't want hide it from Tatsumi."
"What about Julian?"
"Julian?" Saori laughed. "Trust me he doesn't care for me at all. In fact, I think he's...you know."
"He's what?" Seiya pressed.
"He's..." Blushing, Saori tried to look away before Seiya pulled her into a kiss. "He's not the right one for me. You are."
"You like my bed?" Seiya asked, stroking her long hair.
"Yes, it's comfortable enough but a little hard," Saori replied, burying her face into his neck. She certainly didn't want to marry a man who doesn't love her. Julian had pursued her for a long time since they were children, but he only did so for the Kido wealth. Tatsumi had suspected that she developed feelings toward Seiya, a boy her grandfather Mitsumasa Kido took in thirteen years ago. Saori and Seiya didn't get along as children. In fact, they fought so often that Mitsumasa Kido decided to send Seiya away to study in Greece. After Seiya returned from Athens, he and Saori continued to have tension between them; however, unexpectedly, love blossomed as well.
They had kept their relationship secretive, but Saori didn't want to anymore.
"Where have you been?" Tatsumi asked her after she returned. "I was so worried!"
"I was with Seiya," Saori told him without a hesitation.
"You were with Seiya?"
"Yes, Tatsumi," Saori replied. "It's not going to work out with Julian. If I choose to spend rest of my life with someone, I want it to be Seiya."
"Oujo-sama, I don't disagree with your choice regarding to Julian-sama," Tatsumi said. "Julian-sama hardly ever stayed at the same place longer than a month. He's traveling all over the world, and I know that's not the life you want. But Seiya?"
"I love him, Tatsumi," Saori said, goes to the window. "And he loves me too."
"Where is he now? Do you know?"
Since his return from Athens, Seiya had been staying in a small house by the dock. He liked to see sunrise and sunset by the water. His friend from orphanage Miho had been visiting him. Obviously she had feelings towards him, but Seiya's heart was Saori's.
"He went to the orphanage to talk to Miho," Saori replied, as she spotted Seiya at the mansion's gate. "We don't keep secrets from each other."
She smiled and ran out of the mansion. From the window, Tatsumi saw Saori jumped into Seiya's arms.
Seiya took out a small ring box from his pocket.
"This belonged to my mother," he said. "She had a small hand, like you."
"Will you move back into the mansion?" Saori asked.
"Yes, but we'll keep that house by the dock," Seiya said.
"Brother," Zeus, King of Olympus, sat before Hades, Ruler of Underworld. He had summoned Hades to Olympus on a friendly invite. The two brothers had wine and played chess.
"How is your new queen?" Hades asked, knowing full well Hera's jealousy towards Zeus' affairs with nymphs and mortals.
"How is yours?" Zeus asked.
"She is well," Hades replied. "She is happy, we are happy."
"How could she be happy without sunlight?" Zeus asked. "I thought she's the happiest when playing with flowers under the sun."
"I am her sunlight and she is mine," Hades said. "You don't understand love, brother. Metis had loved you, but you saw her as a threat. You believe that her child - your child - will defeat you and take your throne based on a senseless prophecy. Your real enemy is yourself, brother. You had killed father and took over his throne."
"Enough!" Zeus showed anger. "Where is my daughter?"
"Why do you care? She will never be a threat to you anymore," Hades said nonchalantly.
A car stopped before a small chapel.
Tatsumi stepped out with Seiya and opened the door for Saori, who was in a beautiful white dress. Instead of a big, publicized wedding, both wanted a small, private wedding, which Tatsumi supported.
The three walked into the chapel and a young man came before them.
"Can I help you?"
"Oh yes, we are here to wed," Seiya said.
"Then I can certainly help," the young man said. "You can call me Father Alone."
What a strange name, Saori thought. At first glance, she saw this priest, Alone, a type of person with many skeletons in his closet. However, when he smiled at her, instantly she had a warm, familial feelings towards him.
"Come, my children," Father Alone said. "I wish you many years of happiness."
Ten years later...
In the forest, a ten year-old boy carried a bamboo basket on his shoulders and searched for herbs. It was his daily assignment from his father, who practiced medicine. His family had been helping the people in need with food and medical care. The boy had a deep love and respect for his father.
A rock flew at him and the boy caught it. He sensed another person nearby.
"Who's there?" He asked out loud.
Anther boy of his age emerged. "I'm lost."
"You are lost?" The first boy asked. He put down his basket and asked, "Where are you going? I can help you. I know this mountain."
"I was here with my father," the second boy replied. "We got separated."
"You hungry?" The first boy took out a bun from his basket. "My name is Ryuhou."
"I'm Kouga," the second boy said.
"Why don't you come to my house?" Ryuhou offered. "My father can help you. He knows many people."
"What does your father do?" Kouga asked.
"He's is a doctor," Ryuhou said. "And your father?"
"I don't know what he does," Kouga answered honestly. "We live in a big house."
The two boys walked out of the forest and arrived before a small house.
"Come on in," Ryuhou invited as Kouga followed. "Father, this is my friend Kouga. He's here with his father but he's lost."
Ryuhou's father, a tall man with long green hair, noticed Kouga's eyes. Those eyes were very familiar.
"Welcome Kouga," he said. "Make yourself a home."
For the next three days, Kouga stayed in Ryuhou's house. The two boys became inseparable.
"Your father will find you," Ryuhou assured Kouga. "My father and I always know how to find each other."
"Really?"
"Cosmo."
"Cosmo? What is that?"
Before Ryuhou could answer, they heard someone outside yelling Kouga's name.
"Kouga? Kouga where are you?"
"Dad!" Kouga ran out.
"Where have you been?" His father rebuked.
Ryuhou joined them with his father.
"Sorry for the trouble my son caused you," Kouga's father said. "Thanks for taking care of him. I'm Seiya by the way."
"Shiryu," Ryuhou's father replied and the two had a handshake. Despite Seiya not remembering him, Shiryu was happy to see Seiya. After Seiya went to the Underworld to find Saori, the Saints assumed that he suffered the inevitable fate of eternal punishment. However, at the same time, the Bronze Saints knew Seiya could make miracles. In fact, the Bronze Saints bet against the Gold Saints that Seiya can beat the odds. And they won, after reading about Seiya and Saori's marriage from the news. Apparently they were now two mortals without any memory of the past, but they are happy. Since Bronze Saints won the bet, as agreed, Shun was appointed as the new Pope of the Sanctuary instead of Leo Aiolia.
Seiya and Saori's union made the Bronze Saints realize that they are fortunate to live in peace rather than fight in battles. Shiryu married Shunrei with Libra Dohko's blessing and settled in Roshan. Hyoga went back to Siberia where he opened a bar. Ikki was still an absentee most of the time. Rest of the Bronze Saints, including Jabu, chose to stay in Sanctuary where Shun is now the Pope.
"Father, can we stay here for a few more days?" Kouga pleaded. He really liked Ryuhou.
"We have to go home, Kouga," Seiya said. "Your mother is waiting for us."
Ryuhou handed Kouga his address. "We can still be friends. We can write."
"Write?" Kouga questioned. "Not email?"
Seiya stopped Kouga before he could say more. "Yes, Ryuhou, Kouga will write. He needs to practice."
"Kouga, who's in charge? Your mom or dad?" Shiryu asked in amusement.
"My-"
"Let's go Kouga," Seiya said. "We are going to miss our flight."
The two father-and-sons bid each other goodbye.
"Kouga, remember to write!" Ryuhou shouted as Kouga walked away with Seiya.
Kouga looked back at Shiryu and pointed at Seiya. Dad is in charge.
Shiryu smiled; he had expected as much. He was content to see the friendship between Kouga and Ryuhou. He firmly believed that the Bronze Saints will be reunited again. Like what Libra Dohko had said, they weren't just friends, but brothers too.