Echoes of Humanity

A/N: I feel I should mention that dot-head teleportation follows the same rules as Anne MacAfee\'s teleportation. If you can picture it well enough, you can go there.

When they arrived back at Sanctuary, Mu and Shaka found that most of yesterday\'s guests, including the Bronze Saints, were already gone. Kiki was sitting on the edge of the Aries Temple, looking bored. When Mu appeared, he bounced to his feet.

“You\'re back.” He said happily, Mu nodded in greeting.

“Yes, we are.” The Aries Saint said. He looked at Kiki intently. “How did you do last night?”

Kiki laughed, a warm bubbly sound filled with amusement and understanding. “We didn\'t blow up the Aries temple, if that\'s what you\'re asking. We talked for a while, and then went to bed.”

Mu breathed a sigh of relief, although he seemed to be looking over his student\'s shoulders, as though trying to see for himself. Kiki looked at him for a moment, and then shook his head in a manner more suited to an older brother than a student.

“You can go look, if you don\'t trust me. But you won\'t find anything - I even picked up the bedrolls.”

Mu nodded, and walked towards the Aries temple. Shaka followed, waiting for a opportune moment to dismiss himself. Inside the Aries temple, Mu looked around for a few moments, taking note of the carefully rolled beds in the corner before turning to Kiki.

“You did well.” He said. Kiki bowed his head, although that might have been more to hide the amused smile on his face than any sort of respect.

Shaka cleared his throat, getting their attention. “I should go.” He said. “I\'m sure I need to clean the Virgo temple, and there are several other duties waiting for me today.”

Mu nodded. “I understand.” He said, then looked at the floor for a long moment. “Will I see you tonight?”

There was a long moment of silence while Shaka considered, then he nodded. “I would like that.” He said.

Knowing he couldn\'t hide the relief he felt, Mu tried to think of something to say while he alternated his gaze between Shaka and the floor.

A sound of surprise broke the silence, and both Saints turned to find Kiki staring hard at them, eyes wide.

“Mu?” He asked. The Aries Saint looked at him. “Do you want me to go home now?”

“If you like.” Mu said, surprised. Kiki grinned.

“Great. I\'ll just go get some of the leftovers from the party.” He laughed at the look on Mu\'s face. “Athena insisted that I do so before she left.”

“I understand.” Mu said, exchanging a small smile with Shaka over his student\'s head. “Just don\'t take more than a fair share.”

“I won\'t.” Kiki said. “Will I see you tonight?”

Mu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “I should probably stay a few nights here.”

“Yes sir.” Kiki replied. “I will wait for your instructions.”

Mu nodded, and Kiki began to leave. As he passed Shaka, however, the redhead slowed considerably, looking up at Shaka critically. “Don\'t take the part of him that belongs to me, okay?”

Shaka, too shocked to say anything, stared at the boy. Mu hissed.

“Kiki!” He snapped. The young man looked at his master with unabashed brashness.

“I know, loquacious, logorrheic, etcetera. In other words, I need to be quiet.” The young redhead said, running out the door before Mu could answer. He paused a final time just outside the Aries Temple. “I\'ll be waiting for my punishment!”

Shaka stared after the child. “What just happened?” He asked.

“I think,” The Aries Saint said hesitantly. “That my student just gave us his blessing?”

Shaka paused, thoughtful for a moment. “You two share a deep relationship, so I consider that a good thing.”

“Although I\'m not sure it is his place to make such judgments, I think that you\'re right.” Mu said. “I just don\'t know what he meant by the part that belongs to him.”

“It\'s alright.” Shaka said, “I do.” He smiled at the confusion on Mu\'s face. “He doesn\'t want to loose you. I can understand that.”

Mu looked away. “I need to get to work.” He said quietly. “Not in the least of things I need to do is look at the Caribbean training grounds. Apparently a tsunami swept through it, and Athena is wondering if it\'s worth repairing.”

Shaka nodded. “I understand.” He replied. “Tonight, then?”

Mu nodded. “Tonight.” He breathed the word with in wonder, not quite able to process it\'s meaning. Shaka looked at him for a long moment, then reached out and took his hand, squeezing his fingers slightly before he walked away.

Watching the Virgo Saint\'s back, Mu wondered briefly why Shaka seemed so much more in control than he did. He wasn\'t sure it was fair. Yet, he realized suddenly, if he had not given in, they never would have reached the conclusion that they had on the cliffs.

Looking around briefly, Mu called the Aries Cloth to him, going through the list of things he had to do for the day. Athena had assured the Saints that the upper temple would be taken care of and that there was no need for them to try and clean it, so that left his normal duties, along with checking the training grounds. After a moments thought and some mental calculations to figure out the time of day at the training grounds, Mu decided that it would be most efficient for him to go there first. Closing his eyes, he called the image of the training grounds to him, concentrating hard to manage his teleportation to the mostly unfamiliar place.

***

Mu teleported back to Sanctuary feeling a bit frustrated. It was the second time he\'d had to leave, and the reason this time had been slightly inane, he thought. One of the Silver Saints had not seen himself having enough power to decide whether an orchard of slightly-damaged fruit was still worth buying. Mu wondered how the man had decided that Mu himself had the authority, let alone the knowledge, to make that decision. After an hour of bartering and conversation, it was decided that the would commission the orchards at half-price, since the food was obviously still mostly edible.

It was already dark, he realized as he looked around, and he had yet to take the bedrolls that the Bronze Saints had used back to the large wooden structure that served as Sanctuary\'s storage facility. Gathering up the beds, he closed his eyes, searching out Shaka. The Virgo Saint was present in Sanctuary, not far away. Briefly, Mu thought about calling to him, but decided against it. He would physically find Shaka when he had completed his tasks.

Having made that decision, he was surprised to find Shaka waiting for him, a few feet from the entrance to the Aries Temple.

“You\'re back.” The Virgo Saint said simply. Mu smiled slightly.

“I\'m back.” He replied. “Feeling a bit ill from having consumed probably fifty apples at the request of the orchard-master, but I am back.” He didn\'t add the rest of his sentiments to the list, but Shaka seemed to understand, even if he said nothing. Instead, the Virgo Saint nodded questioningly to the bedrolls he carried.

“I\'m taking them back to storage.” Mu said by way of reply. “I see no reason to leave them lying on the floor of the Aries Temple.”

Shaka nodded, and stepped forward, relieving Mu of two of the precariously balanced rolls. Mu smiled in thanks, and they silently made their way towards the storage shed.

Sliding open the door of the building, Mu waited a moment to let his eyes adjust to what little light their was, stepping inside cautiously.

To one without knowledge, the variation of supplies within the building would have seemed utterly random. A large pile of spare bedrolls lay next to spare lumber, half of which were sharply pointed sticks. Rocks, more wood, and huge empty vats lined the walls, and there was only a tiny path down the center that allowed access to the rear parts of the building. It was not so much storage as a magazine, containing all the supplies needed if it ever became necessary to use Sanctuary as a stronghold in battle.

Walking about halfway back, Mu tossed the bedrolls he carried on top of a pile of those that were still considered the most usable, those that had not been eaten by rats or fallen victim to mildew and mold. By the looks of some of the beds at the bottom of the pile, it seemed like they might need to be sorted again, soon. Turning to Shaka, he relieved the blond of the parcels he had taken, throwing them to the top as well. He breathed a sigh of relief. As far as he knew, this was the last thing he needed to do for the day, and it was time to rest. Beckoning to Shaka that he should lead the way, Mu followed the Virgo Saint back to the Aries Temple, stopping only to close and latch the door of the storage building.

Upon entering the Aries Temple, Mu immediately walked to the bedroom, pulling the door open and walking to the pitcher of water standing in one corner. He poured himself a glass, indicating to Shaka that he was welcome to some if he wished. He quickly but carefully removed the Aries Cloth, and then he sat on the edge of his bed, looking at Shaka blankly.

“Are you okay?” The Virgo Saint asked, his tone somewhere between amusement and concern. Mu shook his head.

“I\'ll be fine.” He said. “I just hope that I haven\'t cursed the Saints into having to eat pies for the next six months.”

“It was that bad?” Shaka asked, surprised.

“Farmers are some of the most persuasive, persistent people I know of.” Mu said. “He was determined to prove that the cutworms had not significantly altered his crop.”

Shaka smiled, hesitating for a moment before sitting on the bed next to Mu. “The magnificent Aries Saint, taken down by an ornery old man?”

Mu tried not to focus too much on the fact that Shaka had just, however inadvertently, called him magnificent. “I wouldn\'t be the first one.” He said. “I seem to recall several folk tales where such an event occurs.”

Shaka shook his head. “I find it odd that you\'re trying to compare yourself with a common legend.”

“Why?” Mu asked. “I figure there must be some reason that I was required to know all of them.”

“Allegories are powerful.” Shaka responded. “They have a tendency to touch people in ways that lectures cannot.”

“Mmm.” Mu agreed softly. “Yet I still have my favorites, simply for their content.”

“I as well.” Shaka said. He paused for a moment. “This is such a folly.”

There was a long silence, and Mu watched Shaka, waiting for the Virgo Saint to explain himself.

“I was waiting for you to continue.” Mu said quietly. Shaka nodded.

“I was just wondering if you perhaps found this a bit odd. We are adult men, warriors, no less, and we are sitting here discussing our favorite children\'s tales.”

Mu smiled. “I simply find it amazing that we still remember them enough to be able to discuss them.”

“Given that we will never have children of our own, it is not that important that we do.”

Mu paused, thoughtful for a moment. “These tales have endured for hundreds of years; forms of them have existed for thousands. There is obviously a reason for their continued existence and remembrance.”

“The ones that contain lessons are clear. Do you think there is also something to the ones that contain nothing more than a happy ending?”

Mu laughed softly. “Maybe the happy ending is the lesson.”

“They are so rare, almost certainly only a dream.”

Mu said nothing, looking at Shaka with the soft, yet somehow searching, expression that seemed special to the Aries Saint alone. After a moment Shaka sighed. “You\'re waiting for more, aren\'t you?”

“Am I?”

“I suppose I could say \'We all fight for the happy endings in those stories, so maybe they give us something to believe in.\' Would you believe that?” Shaka stopped talking for a few moments. “Maybe it doesn\'t sound so ridiculous.”

“It really doesn\'t. Otherwise every single one of us, including Athena, would have given up the fight long ago.”

“\'A dream is only a memory that has yet to occur.\'” Shaka said quietly. “You become more of a master everyday, Mu.”

“There are many kinds of master, Shaka. But if you are comparing me to my own, I will take that as a compliment.”

“If you promise you won\'t let it go to your head, you should know that it was meant as such.”

Mu looked at Shaka with surprise, then smiled, leaning his head cautiously against the Virgo Saint\'s shoulder.

“…thank you.” He said, closing his eyes for a second. He could feel Shaka scrutinizing him. It was unexpected when Shaka reached up, gently brushing the hair from out of his eyes.

After everything that they had gone through, and everything they had put themselves through, Mu was amazed at how easy it was to turn his head and kiss Shaka, the Virgo Saint meeting him halfway, arms coming up to encircle him firmly. Mu buried his face in the crook of Shaka\'s neck when the kiss ended, inhaling deeply. He tilted his head up, trailing kisses along the elegant jaw of the Virgo Saint. Shaka\'s head was still turned towards him, but the angle was somehow wrong. Carefully, Mu twisted, realizing to have what he wanted he was going to put them in the awkward position of having to straddle Shaka\'s legs. He hesitated, looking at the Virgo Saint for a long moment. Shaka remedied the problem by simply sliding backwards and twisting sideways, the result being that they both were half-lying on Mu\'s bed. Mu reached out half-blindly, seeking Shaka\'s hand from across the Virgo Saint\'s body. He bent forward again, kissing Shaka by instinct alone, since that was all he really had at his disposal, hesitating slightly before he allowed his body to cover Shaka\'s.

Mu quickly realized it when Shaka stilled underneath him. The Aries Saint pulled back, looking with concern at the odd expression on Shaka\'s face. “Is something wrong?” He asked, dreading the answer.

He was reassured, however, when a small smile danced at the corners of Shaka\'s mouth.

“I don\'t know why, but I want to get closer to you.” The Virgo Saint said quietly.

Mu looked up at Shaka, then to where their legs tangled on the bed, then up to where their hands grasped each other tightly over Shaka\'s chest. “Just how close are we going to get?”

Shaka paused for a moment, thinking. “I suppose we\'ll keep going forward until it becomes uncomfortable .” He replied carefully.

Mu contemplated the words briefly, then smiled and bent down, kissing the Virgo Saint deeply. “I might be able to accept that.” He said.

Mu hesitated for only a second before straddling Shaka\'s legs. He hoped that the short conversation between them had counted as permission to do so, and paused for only a second more before he unbelted the sash that kept Shaka\'s top together. Slowly and carefully, he pushed the fabric back, wondering why he was so eager to see a body whose structure he could easily guess. Shaka\'s hand gripped his shoulder tightly as he continued.

When he had pushed the jacket off, Mu pulled back for a second to admire the near-perfect body that was laid out beneath him for a few moments before he leaned forward and pressed his mouth to Shaka\'s, a short but intense kiss filled with a promise that Mu hoped he could keep. Slowly, he began to map the body of the Virgo Saint with his mouth, from the blonde\'s closed eyelids to his neck. After a moments hesitation he continued down, feeling and hearing Shaka as the blond shivered and gasped beneath him. One particularly loud gasp got his attention, and Mu sat up. Shaka\'s head was tilted back, slightly glazed eyes staring at the ceiling in wonder. Mu smiled, taking in the picture, and came to the leisurely realization that he wanted to see more of the Virgo Saint. He slid between Shaka\'s legs, moving down until he was near the foot of the bed, and untied string that kept Shaka\'s pants on. Slowly, he slid the loose leggings down over Shaka\'s legs, exposing the Virgo Saint\'s body and the slowly hardening shaft between his legs. As he admired the beautiful body beneath him with growing desire, Mu suddenly realized just how intense the moment had become. When Mu shifted, running his palms over the blonde\'s legs, Shaka was tense under his hands, and the Virgo Saint\'s gaze kept alternating between the ceiling and Mu, as though he couldn\'t quite decide where to look. Mu felt his blood quicken as he studied the beautiful creature spread out beneath him, and he closed his eyes for a moment, harnessing his rapidly spiraling emotions. Then, with deliberate determination, he opened them, watching Shaka intently as he wrapped his hand around the Virgo Saint\'s penis.

Shaka gasped, his hand reaching out and grasping Mu\'s wrist tightly, as though to stop him, but a second later it dropped back to the bed, palm spread wide against the mattress.

Mu smiled slightly and bent down, trailing kisses over Shaka\'s chest as he began to move his hand, he felt the Virgo Saint jerking under him, and increased his efforts, determined. His free hand sought out Shaka\'s, holding it tightly as he attempted to put a thousand anatomy lessons to a use that he\'d never even thought of.

“Mu.” The Virgo Saint bit out the word, tone tinged with something that seemed almost like panic.

Mu looked up at the Virgo Saint, unsure. Shaka\'s breath was coming quickly and unevenly, his chest heaving under each breath. He had been reduced to wanton terms, and Mu felt guilt wash over him. He had no wish to reduce Shaka to anything, just to build him up to levels neither of them had reached before. His hand stilled on Shaka\'s shaft, and he started to let go, only to have Shaka grab his hand, holding it there. Mu looked at the Virgo Saint, confused.

“Don\'t let me be the only one like this.” Shaka said quietly, but firmly. Mu\'s brow furrowed in confusion, then his eyes widened as he realized the difference in power their positions granted. For all their fear and innocence, Shaka was still a proud being, who prided himself on being in control at all times. Mu pulled back.

“I\'m sorry.” He said, only to find Shaka shaking his head.

“Don\'t be. Just remedy it.” Shaka said, but it was the Virgo Saint who sat up, untying the belt of Mu\'s robe, pushing the fabric down his shoulders and off of his body. Mu helped him with his leggings and underwear. Completely undressed, the two Saints stared at each other for a long moment. Shaka reached out, and Mu went to him, bodies caressing each other along every inch of their skin. Then they were kissing again, and almost everything was okay as they began to learn each other\'s bodies as they had learned each other\'s hearts. Hands slid across skin that was slowly becoming slick as their body temperatures rose. Quiet groans filled the air as their touches became more intimate, emotions and sensations rising until both reached a peak, ending in a physical climax that left both Saints searching for breath and coherency.