Another chapter darling public, my apologies for missing my Wednesday deadline. Once more, all efforts go to a friend of mine, I only own the idea.
Daisuke studied his new master in shock. A tall, somewhat muscular man stood in front of him. His hair had been cut short and now hung around his ears in a curly style, but the dual-colored brown eyes gave him away. There was no mistaking it.
The master wore an equal expression of shock.
"D-Dakota!?"
Daisuke fought the urge to run up to the man and hug him.
"Well, they call me Daisuke now, but yes, Aiden. It's me."
Xander laughed.
"You two have already met. What are the odds of that?"
Daisuke eyed Aiden critically.
"I hope that doesn't mean he is going to go easy on me."
Xander snorted.
"Hardly. Aiden doesn't know the meaning of taking it easy."
Aiden's lip twitched in a small smile.
"Ignore him, Dakota. His brain doesn't match his size."
Xander's smile never left his face.
"Actually studies show that some of the smartest people have the smallest brains."
Aiden shook his head.
"As stirring as your medical knowledge is, Dakota and I must start training."
Though Aiden acted somewhat annoyed by Xander, Daisuke could tell by his master's relaxed posture and easy manner of speaking that the two were actually close friends. His thoughts went to Seiya, who no doubt was starting his own training now. Where had Seiya been sent? Would his master treat him properly?
For that matter, would they even both still be alive in six years?
Over a hundred children had been sent to train for Cloths. However, if Daisuke remembered his astrology, there were only eighty-eight constellations in the sky. Not only that, he had no way of knowing how many Cloths already had owners.
He had never been the greatest when it came to math, but one didn't have to be a mathematician to realize not everyone who had been sent out to train would be awarded a Cloth. What would happen to those who did not earn one?
A shiver went down Daisuke's spine.
Suddenly he felt a gush of cool air against his body, followed by a sharp pain in his side. Daisuke snapped out of his daze just in time to dodge the fist flying at his face.
Aiden had hit him. Purely out of instinct, Daisuke curled his little hand into a fist and struck back. The blow barely phased Aiden, however. The black-haired man merely lifted a hand to his reddened cheek.
"Not bad for someone who hasn't technically started his training yet."
Aiden's eyes were bright. He almost looked as though he were enjoying himself.
"Why did you do that? I wasn't paying attention."
Daisuke frowned in confusion.
Aiden fixed him with a penetrating stare.
"Lesson number one, Dakota. Never let your guard down. An enemy isn't going to just walk up to you and ask you if you're ready to fight."
He raked his fingers through his now short, black hair and said the words that would sit on Daisuke's heart and in his memory for years to come.
"Brute strength or speed in themselves are not enough to win a battle. In a fight between Saints, the one who burns his-or her-Cosmos the brightest is the one who wins."
Daisuke's training only intensified from the first day. His joints ached constantly and he often had bruises, but he pushed through everything Aiden threw at him without complaint.
Sometimes Xander would drop by to watch. Aiden had told him that Xander's abilities were unique as far as Saints' abilities went, but never gave any indication of what they might be.
The days were often long and grueling, the nights unbearable. Yet for all his work, it didn't feel like he was really getting anywhere. He would notice subtle changes - things that were previously heavy became lighter. He was faster and had more endurance, but he couldn't seem to summon his cosmos. He grew frustrated and angry with himself.
Then, one day, he was rewarded with fruit for all his labors. It started small - a tiny flicker of red cosmos became visible. Then he was able to fire the cosmo blasts. By the end of his third year of training, he had learned all the techniques his master was teaching him.
All he had to do now was perfect them. Make them come as easily as the golden bursts came from Aiden's hands.
That was when things went a little awry.
"Master, are you sure you should be up? I'm sure Xander can work with me."
Daisuke eyed Aiden in concern. His master's pale cheeks were flushed with high color and his voice sounded raw and scratchy.
"It's just a cold. Everyone gets them once in a while. Nothing to be worried about."
Daisuke wasn't sure about that, but Aiden was standing up. Surely he couldn't be THAT sick.
The pair left their cabin and warmed up, as usual.
"Ok, Dakota. I want you to gather your cosmo and fire your strongest blast at me" Aiden said once the warm-ups were complete.
"A-are you sure?" Daisuke asked, feeling a sudden protectiveness of his master. He did not want to hurt him.
"You are not as strong as I am. I can handle it. Do it, Dakota!"
Daisuke eyed Aiden. The black-haired man was drenched in sweat despite the cool dampness that hung in the air around them.
"Dakota! What are you hesitating for!?"
Daisuke sighed and did as he was told. He shut his eyes and pulled deep within himself, focusing inwardly on gathering his cosmos and forming the blasts of his attack. He released the blasts and opened his eyes.
Just as the blasts left his hands, Aiden collapsed on the ground. Unable to defend himself. Daisuke's blood pounded in his heart.
"Aiden!" He yelled.
He moved to try to get to Aiden's side and deflect the blasts.
Before he reached Aiden's side, he saw muscular arms stretch out. To Daisuke's shock, Xander completely absorbed his blasts.
Xander's eyes widened as Daisuke's energy flowed into him. He looked bewildered beyond belief.
Xander turned and fired Daisuke's energy away from Aiden. Daisuke stared in shock as the blast leveled a good portion of the surrounding area.
"X-Xander?" Daisuke stammered.
Xander offered a weak smile and knelt beside Aiden. He flipped the black-haired man onto his back.
"Is he ok?" Daisuke asked.
"He's going to live. He has a very high fever, though."
As he spoke, Xander pulled Aiden's armor off until he had exposed the chest. He rubbed his hands together and then proceeded to rest his left hand on Aiden's forehead and his right on Aiden's chest.
Daisuke was speechless as he saw a faint blue glow pour from the hand Xander had on Aiden's forehead. Black energy streamed out of Aiden's chest and was caught in Xander's right hand. After a few moments, no more black came out of Aiden's chest. Xander released his hold on his friend and stood up.
He then stretched his hand upward and shot a streak of black cosmos into the air.
No, not Cosmos. Aiden's sickness.
Aiden groaned and sat up, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"You pushed yourself too far again."
Xander spoke as though describing the weather.
"Ah. Thank you."
"Ummm... Daisuke? Can you go inside and get some water?"
Aiden looked perfectly fine, but Xander did look as though he could use something cold to drink. Daisuke nodded and headed back to the cabin.
He grabbed a pitcher of water and two mugs and set back to give his master and his friend the water. As he got closer, he realized Xander had sent him for water so they could discuss him.
Even more disturbing were the words that came out of Xander's mouth.
"I think Daisuke may be the boy the Fake Pope is looking for."
Daisuke dropped the mugs on the ground. The sound of shattering ceramic caused the men to turn around.
"Dakota!" Aiden gasped in concern.
"It's OK", Xander said in a calm voice. "I'm going to have to join in the training. We'll just have to alter his lessons."
Aiden and Daisuke both stared at the silver-haired man, waiting for him to continue.
"I'm going to start working with Daisuke myself. The False Pope uses a lot of illusion and mind-control abilities. I am going to train him how to block mental attacks."
The lessons began that very afternoon.
Before he knew it, his six years were over. He had completed his training and earned the title of Corona Borealis Saint. He was packing up and going home.
Aiden and Xander came to see him off. Aiden wore jeans and a green t-shirt, Xander was dressed in khaki-colored cargo pants and a black tank top. It was weird to see them in normal clothes after six years of training.
"Don't forget everything we taught you, Kid", Xander instructed.
Daisuke smirked.
"Believe me. I don't think I can ever forget this hell."
"Ah, it wasn't THAT bad."
Aiden cleared his throat. His eyes were bright, as though he were fighting not to cry.
"You did good, Dakota. Now you go home and show that sister of yours you survived."
He gave Daisuke a quick hug and pulled back. Xander shook his hand.
"Good luck. I have the feeling this won't be the last time we hear the name Daisuke Kido."
Daisuke smiled and picked up his Cloth box. He climbed aboard the little boat waiting for him. He gave a final wave to Aiden and Xander.
His gaze shifted heavenward.
"I'm going home"