Rosary

Shaka was only five when he received his rosary from the monks in India. He was told, that he had the duty of treasuring it, that it was not simply a tool used whilst meditating nor a weapon used in battles. It was the symbol of his virtue, the indication of his being the incarnation of the great Gautama Buddha.

The reminder of his responsibility.

.

The first time Shaka had his beads held by someone else, was when he was seven, just three weeks after he came to the Sanctuary. It was a cold autumn afternoon, when he was wandering around the training ground, trying to find some peace, there he saw a small lavender-haired boy, the boy with the terrible flute playing, to his impression. But on contrary to his thought, today that boy was not playing the flute nor did he climb onto the highest pillar like usual. He just sat quietly beside a huge rock, hiding his face behind his knees.

For a few seconds, Shaka did think that his harsh comment on the other day had upset the boy, but then to his memory, in the end the Aries showed no sign of discontent, and on the following days he was still happy and smiling. So why?

Before he could think twice, he already found himself approaching the other boy. The boy, Mu, noticed his presence. He looked up at him briefly then quickly rubbed off the tears in his eyes while trying to fight against his sobs.

'Are you alright?' Shaka asked awkwardly. It would be weird if he did not say anything in this situation.

'Mu is fine.' The boy answered quietly.

'Okay...' The blond boy was about to give up on the conversation when he notice a bleeding wound on the boy's forehead. And it must not be from training, for Shaka took part in today training and Mu was perfectly fine during then.

'Are you hurt, Mu?' He asked again, this time calling the boy directly by his name.

Mu was startle a bit at the sound of his name, but then, he shook his head and said. 'Mu is fine, is fine...' The last words were nearly inaudible as he cried again, not out loud, but definitely made him unable to talk.

Shaka was, for the first tine, totally confused. He did not think of any wise words for the situation and could just simply sat down next to Mu and looked at him anxiously.

'I want... to go... home.' Mu said between his sobs. 'I don't have... anyone... here.'

'Isn't your master the Pope?'

'Master must not know.' Mu shook his head violently as he heard the mention of Shion. 'Mu must not disappoint master.'

Shaka did not say anything after, instead he took some time to observe Mu. The wound on his forehead, probably was caused by the kids in the village nearby, Shaka knew they did not like the young Gold Saints, and moreover, all the Saints were strictly prohibited from harming the civilians.

Then, after several minutes of considering, Shaka took out his rosary and hand it to Mu.

'Here I lend you this.' He said. 'It's a prayer beads, it can bring you good fortune if you're sincere.'

His words did get Mu's attention. The Aries boy looked at him with curiosity and astonishment. He did not take the beads right away, instead, shyly asked. 'Then can I occasionally come back home if I'm sincere?'

'Of course, great Buddha can hear your every word.' Shaka confirmed confidently.

Mu still hesitated a bit but he took the rosary at the end. Holding the beads in his hand, he no longer cried. 'Thank you.' He said, smiling.

And Shaka, found himself smiling too as he saw the bright expression of the Aries.

.

The second time, Shaka did not give away his beads intentionally, but actually he forgot it at the Aries temple, when he was busy taking care of Mu as he was sick. The Virgo had run a long way from the Sanctuary to the market downtown to get some dumplings for his ill friend. It was raining that day, and by the time he came back to his own temple after making sure Mu had got better, he also got sick.

Normally, he just needed to eat some hot soup then meditate for a while and everything would get better. He always recovered quickly. But as the rosary was nowhere to be found, and for being under the irritating symptoms of the disease, Shaka became panic. Just when the blond was running around with a boiling fever and nearly fainted, Mu showed up with his beads in his hand and helped him get to the bed.

'I knew Shaka would be worried if the rosary was lost.' Mu said as he placed a cool towel on Shaka's forehead.

'Thank you.' The Virgo murmured tiredly. He reached out his hand, but instead of the beads, he held onto Mu's tightly.

'Does Shaka want something to eat?' The Tibetan boy asked.

'No, nothing, just...' Shaka muttered interruptedly then fell to sleep, his hand still held on Mu's.

Several hours later, when he woke up, he immediately felt better as if nothing was wrong. Looking at the side of his bed, the blond found his little friend sleeping peacefully. And they still held hands, during all this time.

On the table next to the bed, the rosary was nearly forgotten.

.

The third time, Shaka was sure the prayer beads had been made into dust along with his body when Shura, Saga and Camus launched the Athena Exclamation at him. And later as he was desperately trying to destroy the Wailing Wall, he was willing to sacrifice his own body again when he heard the voice of Dohko.

And came along with him, were Aiolia, Milo and Mu.

'Here Shaka, I return to you the rosary you lent me. You cannot die before all the beads change colors.' Mu said playfully as he handed over the beads to Shaka.

Obviously Shaka had not lent it to Mu, he did not even know that the beads still existed. As he reached out to take the string, the tips of his fingers touched Mu's. The warmth and softness of his skin immediately calmed him down. And the source of his power, was now not from the beads but from that simple touch.

.

Even until now, every time Shaka held the rosary, or simply just by looking at it, what firstly came to his mind was not how well should he use it, nor how pious he should be to deserve it, but the memories he had had with Mu ever since their childhood.

He could no longer be called a Buddhist monk or an enlightened being as he now did not have the desire of reaching Nirvana anymore. He too had given up on the title "The man closest to God", for now there was someone in this life that he treasured more than anything, and for that person, he was willing to give up his divinity to live and die like an ordinary man.

'And it could only be you, my sweet Mu.'

Only you

Only you

Only you


[Happy birthday to you, my beautiful Mu.]

A/N: Thank you, everyone that has joined me in this countdown. I deeply appreciate your support and wish you a happy Mu's birthday.