.

.

CHAPTER 2

Women fighting, training and running around the place. That was the picture anyone could see when arriving to that space in the Sanctuary. It was full of strong women, even some people said that some of them would be the next Golden Saint.

—You really need a mask.

The house was tiny, indeed, but was enough for someone like Shaina. She never needed so much things and now that June was there she helped her to keep the house in a perfect state. Her favourite place was her bedroom and the living room was special to relax after a day of training. That's why she and the other female saints were there; talking about their day and feeling happy in not being into a Holy War.

—But I don't think my master would like to see me with one. —Shiva answered when Shaina told her about the mask. —He says I need to follow the rules. Masks are only for woman.

—Oh, but look at them… —Shaina continued. —They still thinking we will hide our feminism with that. I still seeing June's breast.

The young lady just blushed a bit and laughed because of that.

—I get your point. And, to be honest, —Marin smiled, —how many times the saints had stop their fight with us just because we are ladies?

—Except Ikki. —June said. —He doesn't care that, he will always try to fight.

—I see… the jealous big brother has bother you? —Shiva asked lying on the pillows.

June just nodded and explained that once she was training with Shun, but he didn't really want to hurt her. She was indeed angry because of that, but Ikki saw an opportunity to show her he wasn't so happy with the relationship of his brother. Of course, the surprised one was the Phoenix Saint, who received a great attack with the whip of the female saint.

In that moment Shiva laughed. The other girls taught he maybe find funny the fact that Ikki didn't know how to react against the whip. But it wasn't because of that.

—So you have a whip and Shun has chains, isn't? —June innocently just nodded. —Oh, well, well…

—Don't be a pervert, Shiva. —Marin throw a pillow to the Peacock Saint.

—It is not my fault. I bet in the Andromeda's Island they had a lot of fun. —he smiled to June. —If I were Ikki, I would be totally furious because of that.

—I don't understand why. —June answered. —He should think I can use the whip with Shun to…

The laughed of Shiva and Shaina were so loud the young saint couldn't finish. She really couldn't understand the reason why it was so funny, she just wanted to say she could protect Shun.

While the other two were laughing, Shunrei was blushed. She totally knew why they were laughing about so just decided to interrupter their noise.

—But, Shiva, —she said smiling. —you should totally get a mask if you want to.

—Didn't you hear? Only the woman can use the masks… —he answered after calm down.

—You are a woman, aren't you? —Marin and Shaina were in silence while June smiled.

—Yes, is true. If you think and feel like one, then you are one. —she clapped her hands in a very happy way. —And too, in that way you can use your beautiful dresses and the other saints will not bother you. They will see you as the woman you are and not send you to see Shion.

—And you can come and visit Shaina all the time you want without worrying about the guards or the other female saints that doesn't know you. —Marin added.

For a moment the peacock Saint was in silence but smiling. He totally didn't expect that. He knew that those women and some other female saints didn't care about him being around or even understand him about feeling like one of them, but never expected they all would see him like one of them.

—Do you want something to drink? —he smiled getting up. —I will make some tea.

—I can help. —said June following the Peacock Saint.

Like some of them in the Sanctuary, didn't know how to react about those words of friendship. It wasn't normal between the saints being like that, the five heroes were indeed an exception and some of the golden Saints. Shiva grow up in that ambience, but he discovered that the female saints were in perfect harmony with their feelings and could say those things without worrying.

Marin was explaining that to Shunrei; there were always competing between them, indeed, being in that part of the Sanctuary wasn't so easy. But after a time the females in the Sanctuary realized the other saints didn't respect the reason of the masks. They were the same, they weren't just females and males, and they all were saints in a duty to protect their goddess. That's why they decided to be friends between them and protect each other from the stupid comments or actions of the male saints.

All the people outside would think they were hard to each other, but it was because they wanted to help between them and keep being stronger. Shunrei liked that idea, all of the female saints being like a group of friends and being even more organized than the other zone of the Sanctuary.

—And don't tell to anybody but… —Shaina smiled. —We are even stronger than those guys.

—Don't begging Shaina. —Marin said a bit serious. —Our brothers in arms are strong as we are. The only difference is in each one, it doesn't matter if they are males or if we are females.

Shaina just let some air going out of her mouth making a sound. She knew Marin was correct, but wouldn't say it in front of someone else.

While they were finishing talking about that, Shiva and June arrived with some little cups and a pot. They give each other some tea.

—Indeed you are great, girls. —Shunrei smiled before blow the hotness of the tea. —I would like to know how is being like you.

—Of course you do. —Shiva said to then laugh a bit. —I bet is boring don't have cosmos and just need to wait your boyfriend in a mountain.

—Shiva… —Marin said giving him a terrible look.

—But is true. —he continued pointing to Shunrei. —Being a normal woman, a damsel in distress.

The Eagle saint tried to make him shut up, but he was convinced that Shunrei was just a useless person, the only weak woman in the room. She didn't say anything but got up from the pillows and moved to the door. All the other girls didn't know the reason.

—Please, follow me. —Shunrei said finally. —I want to show you something.

The female saints didn't know the reason but they followed her with masks in hands, except for Shiva of course. Shunrei was in silence while they moved towards a guard. He was exactly in one of the threes, resting a bit under the shadow.

The Eagle and Ophiuchus saints knew him. A useless man that always like to bother them, he was still hitting over June but she wouldn't pay any attention. He smiled when Shunrei came close.

—What do you need? —he asked.

For a moment Marin and Shaina, with theirs masks on, gave another step. If he liked to bother them, what he would try with someone without cosmos like Shunrei?

—I want to show something to my friends. —she said happy without knowing him. —So I would know if you can help me and try to fight me.

They are were in silence, especially him. But again, a laugh began. It wasn't Shiva this time but the guard, in fact the Peacock Saint was more curious about that so he didn't want to scoff about it.

The Chinese girl was now in silence, she quite didn't understand why the guard was laughing.

—Oh, that would be my pleasure. —he said finally. —But let's make this better.

He come close in a way that even Shiva put himself in guard to attack if he tried something.

—How? —Shunrei asked a bit nervous.

—If I win, give me a little kiss, darling.

The girls were astonished and angry, but Shunrei smiled and accepted. They couldn't believe it. At least, they thought, he didn't have cosmos. He was one of those guards that finished in the Sanctuary for some reason.

The man smiled and removed his helmet to see how Shunrei was standing in from with both hands holding and smiling so innocent. Indeed that kiss would be great. That's why he didn't wait too long when he moved to throw a punch towards Shunrei.

Her expression changed, her attack defence position was so fast that the punch moved to another direction because the move of her hand. The guard almost fall down to the floor but then a fast quick made him go back to his initial place. He hit the three very hard that even some leaves fell down. The other girls were surprised by this. Everything went fast, not like they could fight but indeed Shunrei was faster than a common human and her movements were strong.

—Doll, don't do that. —the man wasn't so happy now. —I bet you want the kiss too.

She was now in a fight position, waiting. Her arms were straight, one of her feet was in front to have a great balance and even her face didn't look like the innocent Shunrei of always.

—Then come for it. —Shunrei said.

The guard moved again to try to fight her. But it was impossible. Shunrei moved fast as she could, dodged every single attack and even hit his body strong enough to make him groan on pain. June began to clap and jump being happy to see that, while the other three didn't know how to react. Again, the guard felt down close to the three and Shunrei looked very calm.

—Well, he deserves all that. —Shaina said.

—Shut up, you bitch.

He was so angry he didn't know what he said… and to who he said that.

—What did you said, stupid? —Shaina gave a step but Marin stopped her.

—He is now Shunrei battle, don't interfere.

—Is this guy who bothers you, June? —Shunrei asked without removing her sight to the guard.

—Oh yes, he is…

That was enough for Shunrei. She promised to her friend it would finish soon. Of course, thanks to this the man took his weapon and moved towards Shunrei. He was angry and couldn't think how everything would finish soon. He wouldn't like to show weakness in front of the other guards and some recruits that heard the fight began some minutes ago.

He ran the fast he could but Shunrei just turned around and dodged the weapon to then break it in two pieces with her bare hands, then just jump and throw a kick directly to his chest. It was strong enough to make him fall and didn't even tried to get up.

Some recruits clap and other guards laughed, especially when the girl fixed her dress and smiled innocently giving a little reverence.

—Thank you, I hope I didn't brake one of your bones.

The female saints were astonished, except June who was smiling and happy to see Shunrei like that. She, the Chinese girl, come close to the Peacock Saint, who was serious.

—What do you think now, Shiva? Am I still a damsel in distress?

—Of course not but… I think once Deathmask and other Saints attacked you. —he said crossing his arms. —Why didn't you defend yourself?

—Oh well, —Shunrei took his arm to walk back home. —I'm a normal woman without cosmos, but I'm not stupid. I know they would kill me if I try something.

—That's true. —Shiva said while they both began to walk.

But as they were walking, June, Marin and Shaina was seeing how some guards helped the other one that couldn't get up from the floor. They never thought in that; Shunrei was with Dohko and Shiryu all the time, of course she would know martial arts. Now imagine how would be her life with a bit of cosmos…