Echoes of Humanity

Shaka took a deep breath, both physically and mentally. Looking down at the rapt and fascinated faces of the trainees, and even a few Saints, who had suddenly decided that they wanted his opinion on meditation and how it increased battle strength, he came to the realization that he never wanted a student of his own. Upon returning to the party, he had received a warm and grateful smile from the goddess, which had been appreciated. Afterwards, however, he had been accosted by one of the trainees from Andromeda Island. The boy had seemed to think that it would be simple for Shaka to answer the question about what his greatest strength as a Gold Saint was, and the blond had soon found himself surrounded by half a dozen young adults who seemed truly fascinated by what he had to say. He felt a pressure forming between his eyes, the first time he could remember having a true headache since his childhood. He took another sip of his newest drink, this one purple in color, and wondered if perhaps the sugar was at least partially to blame.

Movement along the back wall caught his eye, and Shaka looked up hopefully. If it was Mu, he was going over there, regardless of his earlier wish of avoidance. At least the Aries Saint wouldn’t try to claw his way into his head. Maybe his heart….Shaka shook his head, killing the thought before it could be completed. He could not hide from his disappointment when Milo emerged, looking around briefly before locating Aiolia and the two girls that the Leo Saint was speaking with. Strolling over to them, the Scorpio Saint joined the conversation without hesitation. Shaka had no idea how he did it. Shaka thought of a few more things to say to the students who were still looking at him adoringly, and after a few minutes more Aldebaran appeared. Shaka started forward, thinking that the Taurus Saint was at the very least sane, but the big man instantly made his way towards Athena, waiting calmly at her side until she turned to him, beginning a conversation between them. Shaka took another deep breath. He would be fine, he told himself. The party couldn’t last that much longer and it really wasn’t that bad. He looked back at the young men surrounding him, and struggled to keep a conversation up, genuinely hoping that he was telling them something that they could make use of. It didn’t have to be profound, he just hoped that it would be useful.

Finally Mu emerged and, as Shaka tried to excuse himself from the children who had somehow become his fans in the past few minutes, Athena took notice of the Aries Saint and glanced around the room quickly. Then she walked to the center of the hall, holding her glass high and waiting for a moment while the room fell silent, every Saint oriented on their goddess and what she had to say.

“I just wanted to thank you for putting up with all of this.” She said, when silence reigned. “I realize it has been very stressful on some of you, and that I have asked many among you to step away from duties you had been previously assigned. You have been tolerant, and I hope that you have found something, at least, worth taking away from this gathering.” She paused, and a collective noise of agreement passed through the Saints, most of them taking a knee, causing Saori to shift uncomfortably.

“Please rise.” She said. “Actually, I’m afraid I’ve made a mistake – I make them all the time, in fact – and forgot that many of you would need beds for the night. There are not enough guest quarters in Sanctuary so…” She trailed off, looking around hopefully.

Mu was, predictably, the first to step forward. “I can offer both my bed and the Aries Temple, as it is a simple enough task for me to return to Tibet.”

Saori nodded. Looking at the other Gold Saints, Shaka paused for a few seconds, communication passing between them. Slowly, he stepped forward.
“We are all willing to allow use of our temples, Goddess. It is not any trouble.” He said, the others nodding in agreement. Saori nodded, relieved.

“Thank you. If everyone houses three guests and we put five in the Aries Temple, I think that we can fit everyone easily.” She said. Around him, Shaka heard several people, all trainees, murmuring about why she just didn’t have them stay in the empty temples. Each was hushed quickly by the nearest Saint, all of whom understood perfectly well the tragic sanctity that now filled those temples.

Saori waited a moment, and then spoke “You may go whenever you like. Please try to figure out who will be sleeping where before you leave, however.”

Instantly Shaka found three of the young men, two trainees and their Silver Saint master, with whom he had been speaking with looking at him hopefully. He smiled in what he hoped was a kind manner, and nodded to them. “I guess that was easy.” He said to them, carefully keeping his tone inviting. They bowed their heads, and then walked away, chattering excitedly. Shaka sighed. It seemed as though the night was never going to end, even with Athena’s permission to leave.

“Shaka?” The question came from behind him, quiet and inquiring. He turned to see Mu, in the same place as him for the first time the entire evening. A wave of relief washed over Shaka, even as he checked the walls of his emotions carefully. Before anything else could be said, however, Mu was intercepted by his student, the young redhead bouncing up to the Aries Saint, talking quickly. Mu blinked.

“Repeat what you just said. Slowly.”

Kiki nodded quickly. “Well, Shiryu and Shun and Seiya and Hyoga are all going to be staying in the Aries Temple, they’ve decided, and I was wondering if I could, uh, please stay with them instead of going back?”

Mu took a deep breath, obviously steeling himself to disappoint the young boy. “Kiki, this is not supposed to be a slumber party. I’m sure the Bronze Saints need their rest.” His voice was stern, not leaving room for argument. Kiki deflated sadly.

“It truly isn’t a problem if he wants to stay with us.” Seiya said, speaking up for Kiki from several feet away. “He’s kind of fun to have around.”

Shaka almost grinned at the look on Mu’s face, especially in contrast to his student’s, which had brightened considerably. “I…” The Aries Saint began, only to be interrupted again.

“Seiya is right.” Shiryu spoke up from next to the Pegasus Saint. Shaka couldn’t help but notice that the Dragon Saint was still favoring the leg that had nearly been removed by Shura, leaning slightly on Seiya as he spoke. “We do like his company. I promise he has neither set up nor manipulated us in any way.”

Mu sighed. “I guess it won’t hurt if you stay the night. If I get the slightest word that you’ve misbehaved, though….” He trailed off, letting the threat remain unfinished. Kiki understood perfectly.

“Sure. Uh, Thanks!” He added, then ran off, leaving Mu shaking his head. Shaka was grateful that someone, at least, was as confused as he was.

“You look concerned.” He said. Mu looked at him.

“Of course I’m concerned. Saints or not, I just gave four teenagers and a young child permission to spend the night in the Aries Temple.” He looked so upset that Shaka had to stifle a laugh.

“At least you don’t have to think of conversation.” He said, thinking of what he was going to say to the suddenly smitten youths who were going to be in the Virgo Temple. “I seem to have fans.”

Mu did laugh. “I’m sure you deserve them.” He said, looking at Shaka with an expression that led the Virgo Saint to think that maybe Mu himself was a fan.

Shaka didn’t say anything, just looked at the backs of the students who were going to be sleeping on his bed and the floor of the Virgo Temple. “I need to go for a moment.” He said suddenly. “I not sure how much more of this I can take, and yet I must endure until tomorrow.”

Mu looked at him with concern “I understand. I imagine you’ll have an hour or two’s rest if you leave now.”

“I can only hope.” Shaka said, turning to make his way towards the doorway. He could actually feel the pull from Mu, as the Aries Saint continued to gaze at him even as he walked away. He had a feeling that he would be seeing Mu before he ever saw his guests.

He was worried when he realized that he actually wanted the Aries Saint to follow him.