Saint Seiya Confessions
Disclaimer: I don't own Saint Seiya or its characters or profit from this fanfiction.
Chapter Two: Sunrise Confessions
Eridanus Serene's Point of View
By: Lady Mochizuki
I'd just finished running my last errand for Lady Athena when I came across Mu, who had asked me to run a message to Shion for him. Of course, I did it for him because it gave me an excuse to visit Shion. I know I'd get into trouble for not returning from my last errand.
I'd rather face Excilbur any day of the week than face Pope Saga's wrath.
I returned to the Citadel of Athena when I heard Pope Saga say to me in a stern voice,
"Serene, where have you been, and why were you late returning from the errands Lady Athena had sent you on?"
I cringed slightly at his tone, bowed my head, and murmured, "I'm sorry, sir, but one of the other saints had asked if I could run an errand for them, and I did it knowing I'd get scoldings from you."
The Pope Saga only smiled, and Lady Athena and Kanon, who were there watching, said nothing.
"I can hardly blame you for having a helpful nature now, can I?" Pope Saga said in a dismissal tone.
I bowed politely. I left the Citadel and headed for the tenth house. I knew Master would be waiting for me along with my girls. I missed the good old days of being a trainee and driving my Master crazy. I live in the House of the Sea Goat with my Master and two dogs. I know I should move on my own, but for some reason, I haven't.
Lady Athena and Kanon watched as I left, and Kanon turned to his brother smiling.
"Yes?" was the simple reply.
"I think that young lady has a crush on you, or am I imagining it?"
Saga only laughed at that and said: "Not me, dear brother, but Pisces by the name of Aphrodite ."
Kanon only smiled, wondering if Aphrodite knew how the young lady felt about him and how Death Mask would react if he knew his boyfriend had a secret admirer.
"Serene keeps her feelings locked away from Shura and Death Mask. She doesn't want her feelings for Aphrodite ruining his friendship with Shura, nor does she want to come between Aphrodite's and Death Mask's relationship." Lady Athena whispered sadly as if she were reading Aiolos' thoughts.
"So she is suffering in silence." Gemini Kanon hummed with a sad smile on his lips.
Saga and Lady Athena both nodded.
I'm an orphan from France, but somehow Shaka found me, and he took care of me until I was seven. Then Master Shura took over from there. I believe I drove him crazy with my sass and sarcasm, but I knew he did care enough whenever Asterion would chase me through the Houses, and he would show up and protect me. I earned my Cloth. I fought and lost some of my battles and won some. Three years ago, I found three orphan female pups, and I willingly gave one to this little boy who lived in a hospital for terminally ill children. The nurses there took care of Daisy when the boy Raphael passed away.
At first, my Master wouldn't let me keep them until Asterion tried to attack me once without any reason, but the two pups defended me like wolves. Beta charges and spears Asterion, while Alpha circles and bites randomly. Asterion tried to attack them, but I fired off an Exilubur of my own, and that's when Master and Aiolia stepped in. I think I surprised my Master because I never get this vicious. Master, let me keep them. So I kept Alpha and Beta. I know weird names for dogs, but Alpha acts like an Alpha in a pack of wolves while her sister plays the part of a Beta. Now that the war is over and there is peace. I started to think of something that would keep me busy.
I'm the only Saint in the written history of Sanctuary who'll be attending college next Spring. I got Lady Athena's and now retired Pope Shion's permission first. I believe I surprised everyone, especially Master Shura, but I know he's proud of me.
I had just reached the exit of Aquarius when I heard a familiar bark, and the next thing I knew, I was on my back with a very excited Beta. I could hear Master Shura and Aiolia laughing like a couple of hyenas. Alpha just came over and sat beside us, waiting for her chance to greet me. You'd think I know better, hehe, my crazy darlings. I finally let up, and I hugged Alpha.
I just flicked Master Shura's forehead with a stern "Bad Boy!" while I told Alpha something in Spanish, and she sniffed Aiolia's crotch and growled. Aiolia automatically froze, and I just cackled wickedly and walked away, calling Alpha and Beta. I reached the House of the Sea-Goat, and I knew Master Shura had fed the girls, or they would have shown up at the Citadel looking for me. I quickly showered and threw on an orange pumpkin tank top and white shorts. I combed out my waist-length chocolate brown hair instead of putting it in its usual ponytail. I let my hair fall freely.
Together, we headed up to the twelfth house. I groaned inwardly and prayed I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of Aphrodite or Death Mask tonight.
Master Shura knocks on the door, and Aphrodite answers the door quietly. I saw Aiolos, Milo, Camus, Dohko, Shion, and Death Mask. I hid shyly behind my Master as we came in, and I sat beside Camus because he was close to the door while my Master sat beside Aiolos, Aiolia sat beside Dohko while Beta greeted the others, and Alpha sat down beside my feet.
Aphrodite smiles as he watches Beta greet Death Maskâmy ham. Milo was growled at and snapped at by Beta, but she allowed Camus to pet her. Beta settles down between The Old Tiger (Dohko) and The Old Lion (Shion)
"Hey, brownie, how is it working for Pope Saga?" Aphrodite teases me
I gave Aphrodite an icy glare for the ridiculous nickname "Brownie," but I hummed politely,
"Busy; I swear Pope Saga loves making me run all over Sanctuary."
My stomach decided to make itself known by growling loudly. Alpha and Beta sat up, looked at each other, and then looked at me like, "Okay, that wasn't us."
I blushed darkly as Death Mask entered the kitchen; he returned with a heaping plate of food on my lap, smiling at me. I ate silently, listening to them talk about things I was not interested in. I took a sip of Shura's wine. Aiolos, who was watching me, started to chuckle when he saw the face I made. Aphrodite wordlessly handed me a glass of fruit juice he'd always keep handy for me knowing I have no head for alcohol, and Aiolia started teasing me, calling me light-weight.
I gave Aiolia an icy glare, and my voice dripping with sarcasm,
"At least I can find my way home, unlike some drunken idiots I know."
Aiolia turned crimson red, and the matter dropped while Death Mask and Aiolos chuckled good-humouredly at my sass while Shura facepalmed.
Humph.
I started to eat again while they turned back to the conversation again. I ate everything on my plate. I listened to their plans for the rest of the night and rolled my eyes when I heard them say, "Karaoke bar." I knew that not one of them could carry a tune except myself and Shura.
I stood up, entered the kitchen, and placed my dishes in the sink. I returned and took everyone else's dishes and leftover food into the kitchen. I had just put away all the food when Aphrodite came in and pulled me back into the living room. I didn't pull away when he pulled me onto his lap, and I rested my head on his shoulder while Death Mask gave me a soft smile and murmured in my ear,
"Just leave it, Ren."
I grinned up at him and yawned sleepily.
Somewhere between them talking about battles and men, I fell asleep. Shura approached Death Mask, lifted me gently, and took me home with the girls following.
I woke up and knew it was too early for Master Shura to be home. No surprise there. I liked it whenever my Master wasn't home because he was out having fun, which he deserved after dealing with me all these years. I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't.
Ten minutes later, I gave up trying and decided to go for a walk. I left a note for Shura, and I took the girls with me. I knew if I didn't, Shura would kill me with Aiolos's help. I would get a two-hour lecture from Lady Athena and The Pope Saga.
I rather face Aiolos than Shaka.
I have a terrible crush on Aphrodite. I didn't want to come between his friendship with Shura and ruin it. And I certainly didn't want to go between his and Death Mask's relationship. So, I keep my distance and my feelings to myself. Although I knew Lady Athena, The Grand Pope, Gemini Kanon, my two grandpas, and Mu knew I was suffering.
The girls and I walked around for a while before I decided to walk to the training grounds. I headed to my favorite training spot in the Sanctuary with a roaring waterfall, a deep river, and a grove of olive trees. I dove into the water without realizing I wasn't alone until Alpha gave a warning growl, and Beta barked viciously at two shadowy figures on the river's opposite bank. I spotted the two lovers, quickly exited the water, and ran off with the girls.
I could hear Aphrodite yelling for me to come back while he and Death Mask gave chase. I ran faster along the ridge. I wasn't paying attention to where I was running, and the next thing I knew, I had fallen headfirst into the water below. I could hear the girls howling and Death Mask yelling. I could have sworn I heard another splash.
Death Mask pulls me up and swims with my limp body to the side of the river where Aphrodite waits with the girls. He quickly performed CPR. I coughed up the water from my lungs and began breathing normally. I still didn't open my eyes.
Aphrodite sent Beta to get Mu while he stood guard with Alpha. Death Mask laid my head on his lap gently as he whispered,
"Ren, why did you run from us? I know you have feelings for Aphrodite and are afraid of coming between our relationship. We shall talk about these things later when you're awake."
Death Mask kisses my forehead as Mu teleports us to The House of the White Ram, where Dohko and Shion are waiting with Mu and Kiki.
Mu looked gravely for a moment as he examined me and sighed in relief as he looked at Aphrodite and murmured.
"Ren will be fine, but she has a mild concussion which will probably make her very ill once she wakes up."
" Then Serene will use one of my guest rooms at the Citadel since my assistant lost her mind this morning and acted foolishly." The Pope Saga growls from the doorway.
Everyone looks up and sees how upset The Grand Pope is and the look of distress of dire concern etched on Lady Athena's face. Kanon is observing.
Death Mask gently lifts me, and he quietly follows The Grand Pope, Lady Athena, up to the Citadel with Kanon and the others following.
Wordlessly, Kanon walks beside Aphrodite and whispers,
"Ren will be fine. But the problem is her crush on you. Her instinct is to protect Shura and his friendship with you, and at the same time, Ren respects your relationship with Death Mask. My silly little river has fallen in love with both of you."
Aphrodite looks shocked at this and whispers,
" I honestly had no idea of her feelings for me. I just thought she was being courteous to me because of Shura. Silly girl, has she been worried about my friendship with Shura and my relationship with Death Mask? How long have you known this Kanon?"
Kanon smiles faintly and whispers,
" Lady Athena because Ren tells her things that she'll never tell Shura, let alone Shaka. I believe Shaka would have shipped her to India and kept her there. And last night, you pulled her out of your kitchen and onto your lap. Ren looked like she was in heaven. I do believe Death Mask knows. "
Aphrodite looks even more stunned.
Aphrodite nodded to Kanon and was about to walk over to Death Mask when Kanon caught his shoulder whispers,
"I'm not the only one who knows of her crush on you. Master Shion and Master Dohko know as well. Ren is well-loved by both Dohko and Shion, but between the two, Shion is wrapped around her little finger. Dohko and Shion treat her like a long-lost grandchild, so be careful where they're concerned regarding Ren. Mu will speak with Shaka once he arrives."
Aphrodite only nodded in response.
Pope Saga had Death Mask place Ren on the bed as Lady Athena ushered them out so the maids could get Ren out of her wet clothes and into something warm. Once that was done, the maids left the room quietly, and the males were allowed back in.
Shion covered her gently with the warm blankets, and he held her hand while Dohko stood beside him wordlessly. Lady Athena sat on the opposite, watching her sleep while Pope Saga paced like a very pissed-off lion.
Aphrodite pulls Death Mask out of the room when he sees Shion giving them both an icy glare and whispering,
"How long have you known about Ren's feelings for me, and why didn't you say something?"
Death Mask flushed slightly and whispered back,
"I figured it out at dinner last night and her running away from us this morning. I'm surprised you weren't even aware of Serene's feelings and her suffering because she worries about telling you and about our friendship with Shura. I do believe she looks up to him like an older brother. And out of respect for me, she keeps her distance from us."
It's Aphrodite's turn to blush as he peeks at the young woman sleeping and sighs heavily.
"Damn, this is such a mess. What are we going to do without frightening her? If we hurt her, I know two old men who would skin us alive while Shura would probably never speak to us again, and Shaka would do far worse to us than the others."
Death Mask holds Aphrodite closely while watching Serene sleep peacefully, and he wonders the same thing.
3:14 AM- The Private Guest Room of The Pope-
Death Mask watched from the doorway as the others stood close to the bed, paced the floor, or sat silently.
Shaka arrives with Mu finally. Shaka gives Aphrodite, Death Mask, and Shura a look that speaks volumes, sending chills down their spine as he rushes over to his "Monkey Princess."
Death Mask watches as Shaka gently pulls a strand of hair away from her cheek and kisses her forehead softly. The exchange reminds him of a father caring for his sick child. Aphrodite did mention Shaka was the one who found Serene on the streets of France and raised her as his child until she was six, and Shura took over raising her and training her as a Saint.
Mu sees the look of awe on his face and smiles softly,
"Shaka isn't as nearly as angry as you may think, but the father figures in him come out where Serene is concerned. Don't worry. He'll scold her as much as he will you and Aphrodite. Shura will get worse because he didn't notice her pain."
Death Mask nods his head as Mu continues,
"I got scolded before we arrived here for not helping Serene through this mess. In my defense, I suggested that Ren talks to Shura about her feelings for Aphrodite, and then they could speak with you both. Leave it to Ren to be as stubborn as a bull."
Death Mask smiles at this, and Mu looks over his shoulder and sees Shaka watching them as complex emotions dance across his face. Lady Athena calms her Virgo Saint by whispering to him softly. Shaka's facial expression went from distress to serene in 1.5 seconds flat.
Shura had been sitting on the floor most of the night with Aiolos. The Capricorn Saint didn't know what he could do for his little river. How could he be so blind not to see this?
"Shura, stop feeling sorry for yourself. You and I both know Ren is very good at keeping her secrets. This mess isn't anyone's fault, not even hers. Ren thought she was protecting you, Aphrodite, and Death Mask. As far as you and Aphrodite go, are you two going to be all right?" Aiolos hummed with a sad smile on his lips. He hates seeing his friend like this.
Shura just nodded and leaned his head on Aiolos's shoulder,
"Yeah, we're good as long he keeps his promise where my little river is concerned."
Aiolos nodded and, with his best friend, resumed their watch on their little river.
Meanwhile, Shaka is composed enough to talk with Aphrodite in the hallway while Death Mask and Mu listen.
"I am not angry with either of you, just worried sick about my Monkey Princess," Shaka said, "Whatever you two decide to do about her feelings, just make sure she doesn't get hurt by whatever you three decide, or everyone will shudder how you both met your end!."
Aphrodite and Death Mask nodded in agreement, knowing that Shaka was dead serious.
5:57 AM
I woke up with a sudden pain in my head, making me feel ill, so I rushed into the bathroom and threw up violently. Shion came in, held my hair out of my face, and gently held my head. I wanted to pull away from him, but I could not do so.
My "grandpa" lifted me gently, carried me, and very gently sat me on his lap as he sat down on the bed while Dohko sat on the chair closest to the bed with a warm smile.
"I believe, young lady, you just added forty years to our life when we heard you went for a walk and got hurt." scolded Dohko.
" My girl, what were you thinking walking around at night?" scolded Shion. "Now you've got a bump on your head because you were "Chicken Little" about your feelings for Aphrodite?"
I frowned sadly.
"Shion didn't mean to make you sad, my little river, but those two men sitting in the hallway are confused and hurt by all this. The two men would do anything to make you happy if you had been upfront about your feelings for Aphrodite, and Death Mask feels the same way as he does." Lady Athena chimed in from the other side of the bed.
Pope Saga, who had stopped pacing long ago, had fallen asleep at the end of the bed.
"I should've locked you in a closet with Aphrodite and not let you both out until you confess your feelings for him. So, will you keep sitting there or talking to them? Don't worry about Shura and Aphrodite. They had to hash things out." Pope Saga said, opening one eye and looking directly at me.
I pulled abruptly from Grandpa Shion and rushed to the bathroom with Death Mask close behind me.
Pope Saga had connected their minds so Aphrodite and Death Mask could hear everything. I threw again while Death Mask held my hair away from my face. I looked up there were Mu and Aphrodite in the doorway. Mu rushed over and examined me gravely.
Mu looked up at me, he kissed my cheek tenderly, and he scolded me softly,
"Ren, you'll be fine, but if you ever feel restless again, come and see Aldebaran or me. No more walking around late at night. Aldebaran is worried sick, and he said he'll scold you later."
I smiled and giggled at this.
Lady Athena sees how much the two men who needed answers were watching you. Saga very forcibly ushers everyone out, including a growling Alpha, and he locks the three of us in the room.
"I will not open this door until I am sure this mess is cleared up; you three hear me," Pope Saga growls from the other side of the door.
I stared at the door, then back at Aphrodite and Death Mask, and sighed.
I came out of the bathroom with the two of them following me. I sat beside the fireplace as the two men came close by. We sat in silence, just listening to the crackling of wood.
"Hey Ren, how long have you been crushing on me.?" Aphrodite croon.
I blushed darkly and looked at the floor. I started fidgeting with my sleeves and sighed.
" I was thirteen when I started crushing on you, but then I was brokenhearted when I learned you had passed on to the next world."
Aphrodite made a soft noise as he urged me on.
" Lady Athena brought you all back to life when I saw you again. My heart began to fall for you again. I couldn't help how I felt or why. I knew I loved you, but then I got scared that I might be the reason you and the idiot master of mine would stop talking. Then at your birthday party, I saw you two together, and I knew I couldn't do anything more than love you both from afar. But Fate always seems to be pushing me toward you both."
Death Mask raises an eyebrow and smiles softly while Aphrodite shakes his head in disbelief and hugs you softly.
"We would have made room for you, Ren, because Death Mask here likes you. I adore your stubborn and helpful nature."
I blushed darker and hid my face in my hands.
"Now, now, none of that, Milady?" Death Mask whispers and takes my hand away from my face.
I looked over at Death Mask and smiled shyly. Aphrodite hugs me from behind and whispers in my ear,
"Death Mask and I decided to keep you if you have us."
I gave off a happy squeak and hugged Death Mask, who smiled.
"I will take that as a yes," Death Mask said, laughing.
Aphrodite pulled me onto his lap, and Death Mask laid his head on my lap, laughing happily as the morning sun rose on our happy little group.
Later that morning, Pope Saga unlocked the door, and he found us sleeping peacefully on the vast bed. Pope Saga smiles happily and gently closes the door.
The End of this Chapter!