Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Seiya characters!
Èvdomo epeisódio:
Alive!
The Aquarius Saint was standing in the middle of his Temple, looking quietly at his beloved Gold Cloth, placed on the huge podium. It was long time ago when he had the opportunity to wear it as an alive human. Now he could touch it again, felt these familiar convexities under his fingers, this warm energy in every of his cells, and smelt that metal scent. He could wear it any time he wanted, walk in the full armor around the Sanctuary, and he could be proud of this Cloth as he was long time ago.
He was alive again; all of them were revived thanks to their Goddess, Athena. They could breathe again, they could see again and they could be her Saints again. After all this time, covered by the impenetrable darkness it was so wonderful to see the light of the Living World. Even if he had to face his fellows as a traitor, it was worth to be alive one more time.
Camus was really surprised when Athena got him back to life; after all he allied with her the most dangerous enemy. And as a Hades' pawn he returned to Earth as a Specter along with others five fellows, for her head. At least all of Saint that was alive back then had to believe in this little theater. It was their stupid mistake, to accept the offer of the King of the Underworld; even if it was for the Athena's sake, Shion, he and their four other fellows shouldn't do that. Reviving Athena's Cloth could be done in a different way. Without the shame for the proud title of the Gold Saints.
But Athena forgave them all. She was just happy, that they could be alive again. For her, they just accomplished their duty: without considering the future consequences they tried to help her. Camus never was so happy like after hearing her words of the forgiveness; he could bet that Shion, Saga, Shura, Aphrodite and even Deathmask felt the same way as he. Although, meeting with Athena wasn't for Camus as hard as facing the two other Golden Saints. His fellow and his friend. One of them was killed by him, and the second one was betrayed in the worst way. Shaka and Milo.
Oh, how scared he was, standing in the front of them, trying to say something. But any word of the apologize couldn't went through his numb mouth; the inconceivable shame took over his body and mind making him not able to speak. And when Shaka opened his bright eyes in the color of the springs' sky, he thought, that his second life reached the end. After all, when Shaka was opening his eyes, no one had the hope of surviving.
But Shaka just smiled friendly to him, placing his slim hand of Camus' shoulder.
"Camus, don't be so scared of facing us. I forgave you long time ago," he said with the calm voice. "In the first place there wasn't anything to forgive. You fulfilled your duty as the Gold Saint of Athena."
Camus gulped quietly, moisturizing his dry throat.
"But Shaka… We killed you in the most shameful way…" finally he was able to speak.
"I don't mind, my friend. After all I was able to guard Athena in the Underworld. And don't think about it. Just forget about that awful Holy War, and live."
The Virgo Saint smiled one more time and walked away, leaving Camus with his friend, Milo of the Scorpio.
Even facing the King of the Underworld in person wouldn't be as terrible as being alone with his friend Milo. Camus lowered his head, not able to look at him, being aware, that any words could be say at that moment. Any words was able to apologize, any words was able to ask for forgiveness.
"Milo… I…" all the words silenced inside his mouth. What he should say to his only one friend he ever had?
The Scorpio sighed quietly, jump to him with shy smile, and hugged him tightly.
"Don't say anything, Camus. I know," he said warmly. "I know everything. And I'm sorry, that I didn't have the faith in you."
Camus blinked a few times, incredible surprised. It was wrong, Milo shouldn't apologize, he didn't do anything bad, and in fact it was him, Camus, who had done so awful thing. It was him, who betrayed the whole Sanctuary, their Goddess, and his friend. Not Milo.
"Milo, stop, you shouldn't…"
"Be quiet, my dear Camus. Everything will be better from now, so let's do what Shaka said. Just forget about the Holy War and live our new lives."
Camus nodded, affected, returning friend's hug, and trying to not cry.
It passed a few hours from their meeting, but Camus still could feel the warmth of Milo's arms round his cold body. He still could hear his words, so warm, filled with the happiness, relief, and love. The Scorpio was almost crying, saying 'Sorry' time after time, and hugging him, holding in his arms so tightly.
How could it happen? A few days ago he was the traitor, the pawn of Hades, trying to kill their Goddess, Athena. But now everything turned back to normal, all Saints killed during the war were alive again, enjoying the second chance they got. They could fulfill their duty again; they could breathe, talk, laugh and walk. He could do all these things as well, with his friend, Milo on his side. Then why he felt uneasiness? After all he, Shion and other 'traitors' were forgiven by friends, fellows and by Athena. So why?
Camus was touching slightly his Gold Cloth of the Aquarius, when he felt muscular, warm arms, encircling him gently. The head of his friend, Milo pressed against his, Scorpio's face was hidden in his aquamarine hair.
"Milo, what is wrong?" asked Camus, placing his hand on Milo's arm.
"Nothing. I just felt, that I have to hug you right now."
Camus sighed. Their personality didn't change a bit, even if Camus had the hope, that his friend became more mature because of all these traumatic experiences.
"Camus, I'm so happy, that you are here, alive," whispered Milo into his friend's ear. "It was so hard to live without you. I felt, like my heart was gonna tear apart."
"Milo, don't be silly."
Oh, Goddess, why he said that? He should say something encouraging to his friend, not words of the pity.
"Someone has to be silly, since you have no emotions," murmured Milo with pain in his voice. "Are you even happy to see me?"
"Milo, what are you talking about? Of course I'm happy!"
"It doesn't feel like that. You are here, with your usual cold expression on your face, and talking to me like I'm just the stupid, lost kid."
Camus closed his eyes with the shame. Of course, Milo was right. When he thought about it, he always treated his friend as a big kid. Always scolding him for his action, always acting like a strict parent.
"I don't even feel like I'm the friend for you." Milo freed him from his arms. "When you appeared as the Hades' pawn I realized, that I don't know you." Camus turned around to facethe Scorpio, looking inside the bright, blue eyes, now filled with the pain, angry and sadness. "You never talk with me about you, I don't know what your most precious dream is, and I don't know your thoughts. Even if we seem to be friends!"
"Milo, calm down, you are…"
"Oh, let me guess. I'm imagining something, right? Of course, Milo always do stupid things, he is always silly just like some big, immature kid!"
Camus never saw him like that. His eyes were almost furious and wild, like that reckless, cheerful Milo disappeared.
"Oh, I give up. I'm too tired of that!"
"Milo…"
Milo turned around quickly, and without looking at Camus, just left the Aquarius Temple.
The aquamarine haired Saint couldn't move, looking at the floor with the shame. Milo was right. They weren't the real friends. Of course, the Scorpio always considered himself as a Camus' friend, but in fact it wasn't working like that from the side of the Aquarius Saint. Now, the cold, young man realized that. He never was 'friend' for Milo.
He sighed heavy.
"Oh, yes Milo. I know," he whispered to himself. "It is hard to be friend for someone like me."
The young Saint took a few deep breaths, refraining himself from crying loudly, and then he turned around, leaving his Temple as well. In silence he headed to the Pope Chamber, making some really hard decision.
"Oh, no problem, Aquarius Camus," said the Pope Shion, looking at his subordinate. "But why so sudden? You were just revived!"
"It wasn't sudden, Pope. I was thinking about it recently, long before the Holy War, so if you don't have for me any other orders, then I would be glad to fulfill my idea."
"No, I don't have any special orders for you, Camus. Take your time, then."
"But may I have a favor? I would be really glad if you could not tell anyone about it."
"I thin that you have good reason, if you ask for that. I won't tell anyone, you may be sure."
"Thanks a lot, Pope."
The Aquarius Camus bowedbefore him and left silently. He passed through the Pisces Temple, saluting Aphrodite, and quickly approached his own Temple. He looked at everything he had there with the sad smile and then he caught his Cloth. He should go immediately if he didn't want to be late.
It was the truly sunny day, with the big, fluffy clouds on the bright blue sky – sight rare at that time of the year. Even the birds seemed to be noisiest than day before, singing everywhere around the Sanctuary. But there was someone, who wasn't in the mood to singing, and looking above his head. Milo, the Saint of the Scorpio woke up with the really awful mood. Yesterday he did the worst thing he could: without any real reason he had quarrel with his best friend, Camus. He didn't even allow him to say something! And the worst of all… He said that he is tired of him! How could he?
Sometimes he was so stupid! Camus had to feel terrible to face Athena just after his revival, and he, Milo just accused him for emotionless! The Scorpio cursed himself for that. Oh, Goddess, Camus was right, sometimes he was acting like the big kid.
Milo got dressed as fast as he could, and run to the Aquarius Temple intending to say 'Sorry' and hug him tightly. He was sure that Camus would forgive him; after all, the aquamarine-haired Saint was reasonable.
But the Scorpio didn't found him inside the Aquarius Temple, the whole building was empty. It surprised him a little bit since Camus always was sleeping much longer that him. Then where he was right now?
Then he heard a few steps behind him, so he turned around with the smile.
"I was searching you, Ca…"
Milo looked inside the big, green eyes of Mu.
"Oh, it's you. I thought it was Camus."
"You seem disappointed," Mu chuckled friendly.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mind to be rude for you. I just have to tell something important to Camus."
"I think you won't be able to do that for a while."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Mu?"
"It seems like you don't know. I thought that he told you something. I saw him yesterday evening near in the Athens; he was heading to the airport. He had his Cloth, and small luggage. So I think he just left for some mission."
"Mission? Mu, don't be stupid, Pope won't send him for a mission just after our revival!"
"Then maybe he just left the Sanctuary? Or maybe he took some free time for vacation? You really don't know anything?"
Milo shook his head.
"You know, Mu, yesterday… We had a quarrel."
Mu thought about it.
"Yes, he seemed sadder when I saw him yesterday. But Milo, are you thinking that he just left the whole Sanctuary just because of that? He isn't that kind of person. He has to have his own reasons to do that."
"I hope so…" murmured Milo with the uneasiness in his heart.
"Let's go to the Pope. If Camus left the Sanctuary, then Pope Shion has to know the reasons."
"Oh, that's right! After all Camus had to get permission for leaving the Holy Land."
And then they headed to the Pope Chamber together. Milo was calmer, expecting short answer for his question.
Not much later the man with the long, straight hair stopped in the front of a small, wooden hut, located in a secluded corner of Siberia. Short day was heading to its end; soon this hut would be surrounded by the dark night. No one even knew, that he returned here; after all, the nearest house was many miles away from there.
Camus looked at the grey sky, covered by the layer of the clouds, and after a while he entered his hut.
It passed many months when he was there the last time, but almost nothing changed. The Aquarius Saint could see some signs that a few times his disciple, Hyoga was there. He sighed with the resignation. He said it many times to him to leave everything on their places, but it seemed that young Cygnus was deaf for that kind of lessons.
Camus put his Gold Cloth near the fireplace, then threw his luggage onto the couch and went out of his hut. He took a huge breath of Siberian air, that almost frozen his lungs. It was like these days, when he still had his two disciples, the days were short, the air was cold and the sky above them was covered by the gray clouds. But now he didn't have disciples, he was completely alone. And any Milo would come here to cheer him up, because Milo wasn't even aware, that he left the Sanctuary.
Camus really believed that it was the right decision to disappear from the Milo's life. Now the Scorpio could live happily without so hopeless friend like him. Oh, yes, it was hard for Camus to do that; after all, Milo was someone important for him. But as long as he couldn't be the good friend for blue-haired Saint, then he should just get out of Milo's sight. It was worth his sacrifice, because now Milo could gain much more reliable friends that would show him how important he was for them.
So now… Milo would be happy.