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Worth	By : Valisilwen Category: +S to Z > Saint Beast Views: 1336 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Saint Beast, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Worth
- 2-Confrontation
- 3-Attack
- 4-Almost Escape
- 5-Pain
- 6-Return
- 7-Explanation
- 8-Truth
- 9-Comfort
- 10-Love
- 11-End?
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Eight Hours Earlier, around 2 in the afternoon...

It was an absolutely beautiful day in heaven. Though, thinking back on it, that may be a bit redundant, seeing as everyday was beautiful in heaven. But for some reason, this day felt especially beautiful to Rei, which is why he found himself wandering in the maze-like gardens of Heaven's Palace.

Rei knew that soon the six Saint Beasts would gather together for an afternoon training session, but for now, he just wanted to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the day. Rei rarely got moments like these, where he could completely let his guard down and just relax. Even when he wasn't attending to his duties as a Saint Beast, Rei was always on the look out for trouble, especially when it came in the form of a certain small, cat-like blond angel who seemed to have made it his mission in life to catch Rei with his defenses down. Although Gai had yet to succeed in his quest, Rei knew all too well how determined the smallest Saint Beast was. Fortunately, Rei also knew that Gai and Gou had decided to get in a private sparring session before the group one, so Rei didn't have to worry about the little imp sneaking up on him.

Rei closed his golden eyes, listening contentedly to the beautiful songs of his beloved birds and relishing the feel of the soft breeze through his long violet hair. Really, the only thing that could make this moment more perfect was if Ruka were with him, but he knew that Ruka and Yuda had also elected to have a private sparring session before the group one, so that was out of the question. After a few minutes, Rei sighed in both contentment and resignation. He knew he should head back soon before Ruka and the others came looking for him, but he was reluctant to give up the pure bliss of this moment.

Suddenly Rei's eyes snapped open and he was instantly on alert when he heard voices coming from an area of the garden farther away from the palace. He didn't recognize the voices as that of any of his fellow Saint Beasts, which made his guard go up even further. Quietly, he slipped through the garden in the direction the voices were coming from.

When he got a little closer, Rei was able to recognize the voices, and he silently groaned to himself. Of all the angels in heaven, why did it have to be them? Shiva and Pandora, two angels that none of the Saint Beasts were particularly fond of, were standing in the garden and seemed to be arguing quietly. Rei heard Yuda's name somewhere in their conversation, so he assumed Shiva was their to see his obsession, Yuda, and Pandora had just tagged along. While Rei did not have anything against them personally, he did find both of them to be quite irritating in their own right.

Shiva had at one point been a candidate to be a Saint Beast, but for some reason unknown to Rei, Zeus had rejected him. Ever since Shiva had made no secret of his jealousy and hatred toward the Saint Beasts, all except Yuda, whom he followed around like a lost puppy.

Pandora was one of the priests who served Zeus and, while he never said anything that was outright threatening or insulting towards the Saint Beasts, he made very clear through hidden jabs and thinly veiled threats just how little he thought of all of them.

Well, at least they aren't a threat, Rei thought to himself, then thinking back, corrected himself. Well, at least not to my physical being, though I doubt my sanity will be in very good shape after talking with them. Realizing that he would, unfortunately, have to confront them eventually, Rei groaned again, this time out loud, and stood up from his crouch. Reminding himself that it was his home they were trespassing in, he steeled himself and walked confidently over to them, clearing his throat to make his presence known.

Both Shiva and Pandora jumped at the sound, apparently not having been aware of his presence until that moment. Shiva glared at him, a reaction Rei had been expecting, but Pandora just smiled that thin, blade-like smile of his that never failed to send chills down Rei's back. "Good afternoon, Suzaku no Rei-dono. To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"

Rei kept a decidedly neutral expression on his face. "I believe I should be asking you and Shiva that, Pandora. While I always welcome the pleasure of your company, I do believe you are both in my garden, and I would like to know what you are doing here."

Shiva sneered. "Don't act so high and mighty, Rei. This is only your garden is only yours because you, by some miracle, managed to become a Saint Beast. You are by no means my better, or even my equal, for that matter, so I do not answer to you."

Rei crossed his arms over his slender chest, trying to fight back the angry flush that was threatening to overtake his face. "I never thought I was your better, Shiva, nor have I ever claimed to be. However, regardless of you think, I am still a Saint Beast, and this is still my garden, which means I still have a right to know what you are doing here."

"But, Shiva-san does bring up an interesting point, Rei-dono," Pandora cut in, his icy tone still holding on to its thin pretense of politeness. "How exactly did one such as yourself manage to become a Saint Beast?"

Rei, caught off-guard by the question, stuttered back, "W-What do mean?"

Pandora's blade-like smile grew wider. "Please, do not misunderstand, Rei-dono. I mean you no disrespect. I just find it puzzling that one such as yourself managed to qualify for Saint Beast-hood. While you do possess some measure of strength, you can't compare in terms of physical stature with Gou, Yuda, or Ruka. And, though you are quite studious in your own right, you can't really measure up in terms of intellect to Shin. As for your angelic powers, though at times quite formidable, they rather pale in comparison to those of Gai's Earth shaking abilities. Really, if I recall correctly, you would not have even made it to the top of the summit during the original trial if it weren't for Ruka-dono," Pandora paused and gave Rei a pitying look. "Looking at the situation logically, Rei-dono, while your strengths are noteworthy, it would seem as though you would be nothing but a burden to you comrades in actual combat. Which brings us back to our original question. How exactly did you manage to become a Saint Beast?"

Rei just stood there in shock, trying to absorb everything Pandora just said. While Rei was loathe to admit it, he could not deny that everything Pandora had said was true. Was he truly a burden to his friends, to Ruka? Was he constantly putting them in danger because of his own weaknesses? He could already remember the multiple occasions where Ruka had put himself in danger to protect him, was it because he knew Rei was too weak to protect himself? Pandora had a valid point. Why had he appointed a Saint Beast, and why had he never realized how strange it was before?

"Rei!" The sound of an all too familiar voice calling his name shook Rei out of his contemplation, but could not chase away the doubt that now clouded his mind. He turned and saw Ruka walking towards him, followed closely by Yuda, Shin, Gou and Gai. Ruka walked right up to Rei, anxiety clearly visible on his handsome face. "Rei, are you alright? You didn't show up for our group training session. It's not like you to be late, so we got worried and came looking for you."

Rei's eyes widened. Ruka had just unknowingly confirmed all the thoughts that were going through his head. So his weakness did cause everyone to worry, especially Ruka! He was nothing but a burden to them! It took everything Rei had not to further show his weakness by letting go of the tears that were threatening to fall.

Meanwhile Yuda's eyes narrowed as he noticed Shiva and Pandora. He quickly stepped around Ruka and Rei and stood in directly in front of Shiva and Pandora. "What, may I ask, are the two of you doing at Heaven's Palace. I don't recall Zeus sending any orders warranting such a visit, nor do I believe you were invited here by any of us."

Shiva was at a loss for words as he cowered in front of an angry Yuda, and Pandora seemed to be fumbling for an excuse. Obviously, the two had not planned on being confronted by the rest of the Saint Beasts. But before the two could dig themselves into an even deeper hole, Rei spoke up.

"I'm sorry, Yuda, they are here on my account," Everyone, including Shiva and Pandora, turned to Rei in surprise. "Pandora came here to remind me of an errand, about which I had previously forgotten, and which I must unfortunately attend to now. I asked Shiva here to take my place in the training session, so you would not be one person short." Rei paused, looking down at the ground. He never had been a good liar. "I'm very sorry, please excuse my thoughtlessness."

Everyone was silent for a moment, apparently still quite surprised, until Gai broke the silence with, "Aw, man. Today was the day I was finally gonna get the better of you, Rei! Way to ruin my fun."

Everyone chuckled at Gai's disappointed outburst and Gou ruffled his hair affectionately. Seeming to accept Rei's excuse, everyone started to make their way back toward Heaven's Palace, Shiva and Pandora included. Only Rei and Ruka hung back, Ruka still looking Rei with anxiety and more than a little suspicion. "Rei, are you sure you're alright?" he said, reaching out to put a hand on Rei's shoulder.

Rei flinched back from the touch, not wanting Ruka to read his thoughts and catch him in his lie. Ruka looked at him in shock but lowered his hand. "Thank you for your concern, Ruka, but I truly am alright. Now if you'll please excuse me, I have that...errand to attend to," and with that Rei spread his shining golden wings and took off into the air.
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Worth