FANFIC: Truth or Dare
Title: Truth or Dare
Author: acexkeikai
Fandom: Saint Seiya.
Genre: Fanfic.
Characters: Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, Mu and Shaka (others are also mentionned)
Rating: PG-13 (for language and insinuations)
Disclaimer: Saint Seiya, its characters, places and themes belong to Masami Kurumada and Toei. No copyright infringement is intended.
Warning: some pairings might sound weird, they were developed during RP sessions with a friend.
Summary: The Bronzes play a game of Truth or Dare not knowing they've got eavesdroppers.
Truth or dare
"Aww come on Ikki, play with us!" a very soused Seiya dared his older friend.
"Hn..." Ikki snorted. "Playing Truth or Dare is so childish..." He took a sip of his own sake. it was late after Shun's birthday and they relaxed in an area of Sanctuary that was closer to the sea and away from the Temples. It was September 9th and Shun's 18th birthday. Ikki couldn't believed how much time had flown since they triumphed over Hades. Peace was something he wasn't used to so he still roamed the world in search of something he couldn't put his finger on. Besides, Sanctuary made him nervous.
"It's just for fun Ni-san..." Shun pleaded.
"yeah and don't worry." Shiryu added. "Seiya is getting drunk, so I doubt he will remember a thing."
"Hey!" Seiya yelled giving his best friend a small tap on his arm.
"No but others will remember..." Ikki sighed and looked at Shun and he was undone. Was he because he was feeling guilty about staying away from his brother for so long. "Okay move over..."
Hyoga and Shun scooted a little let his seat. They kept quiet about it but the older brother wasn't fooled. He knew he and Shun were involved, it showed too much in his sibling's eyes. Hyoga was one of the reasons He went away the year before, it was go away or pummel Hyoga... He choose to go away which proved to be the best answer. After thinking about it all those lonely nights, he realised he couldn't dictate to Shun what to do with his life. Since he felt so lost about his own.
Seiya served everyone another round of sake before they got into the game. Unknown to them, there was another present in the Olive groove. You could wonder if he was blind or concentrating because the blond had his eyes closed.
"Shaka?..." A familiar voice whispered behind him, nearly destroying Shaka's naturally calm and poised exterior.
"Mu!" He whispered back turning to face the Gold Saint of Aries. "would you stop doing things like that?"
Mu smirked, now Shaka knew where Kiki took the expression from. "I shall stop..." Mu started. "When you stop spying..."
"I am not spying!" Shaka vehemently whispered. "They all left so suddenly, I thought they were up to no good."
"Ah?... I thought maybe you were afraid one of them might vanish..." Mu had a cat's smile, he could tell he had cornered this mouse.
"I have no idea what you are talking about..." Shaka returned his gaze to the group. what were they saying?... Mu was making him miss what was amiss.
"Suuuuuure, you don't..." Mu also turned his attention to the group of 5 Bronzes who were playing. It seemed like a fun game since all participants took a sip of sake and they were all starting to be rather intoxicated and with lowered inhibitions as he could note that Shun and Hyoga were touching from time to time.
"Okay Shun... Your turn." He threw the dice in the air and they watched the number. "Lucky devil, it's Seiya's turn to ask a question..."
"Those dices are rigged." Ikki kidded.
"Okay Shhhhun" Seiya started. "Truth... or Dare! I hope you pick dare... we haven't had a dare yet!"
"In your dreams, Seiya!" Shun chuckled, making the brunette feel defeated. "Truth!"
"Awww jeez, what's the use of playing this game if no one takes the dare...." Seiya whined. "Okay... Who was your first kiss?"
In the Olive grove, Mu rolled his eyes. "wow that one is so obvious..."
"Will you shush... they'll hear us." Shaka spat.
Back at the clearing, Shun could feel his cheek heat up and it wasn't from the fire. "I..."
"Aha!" Seiya smiled triumphantly. "If you don't answer DARE! WHOHOO!!"
Shun then looked at Hyoga who smiled at him and nodded softly. "My first kiss was with Hyoga..."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? NO WAY!" Seiya wasn't happy. "Prove it!"
"We'll do better than that..." Hyoga said as he took Shun in his arms and dipped him for a kiss. You could hear a pin drop when he kissed him, no, rather you could hear the sound of Seiya's jaw as it hit the ground.
Shaka was surprised. "They are kissing?" he whispered.
"According to Camus they do a lot more than that...." Mu replied back.
"I had no idea..." Shaka looked at the two young men kissing, something inside him hurt a little.
Mu looked at his friend and sighed, if Shaka was the man closest to God, he certainly also was the most clueless in certain areas.
Shiryu coughed. "OK that's enough guys... err Guys?...." Shun and Hyoga pulled away from each other, blushing, Shun more than Hyoga.
"How long have you two?..." Seiya asked.
"I'd say about a year now... if it isn't more..." Ikki's low voice sounded clearly. "And don't worry, Hyoga... you have nothing to fear from me..." Hyoga had a huge sigh of relief. "BUT!... If you make Shun unhappy or make him cry..." He cracked his knuckles. "You better find yourself a pretty damn good hiding spot. And you Seiya, if you ask them to do something more than a kiss here on a Dare... You'll be counting your teeth when you wake up am I clear?"
Seiya bobbed his head fast and squealed. "Crystal..."
Shaka smiled, with all his harsh exterior, Ikki really had a soft heart. Why did this scene made him long so much? He even felt a little giddy, him, the Gold Saint of Virgo, at Ikki's protecting nature. But he turned an irritated gaze at Mu who was looking at him and chuckling. He was about to scold Mu when Shiryu said.
"OK Ikki your turn..."
"Che... Must I?" Shaka's attention turned back to the five youths. Ikki was back at his gruffly expression again.
"We agreed..." Shiryu replied. "that everyone would get his turn... Come on Ikki, relax!"
"Ok...ok... I'll play but I'll throw the dice." He took the dice and threw it and once again.
"LUCKYYYY!" Seiya beamed, making victory signs.
"I don't believe this..." Ikki sweat dropped and sighed. "Ok... Truth and let's get it over with..."
"Why doesn't anyone take dare???? This is no fun." Seiya pouted, then he was deep in thought, what could he possibly ask Ikki? Then he beamed. "Ok... Ikki, Do you have a crush in Sanctuary and if yes, who is it?"
Ikki blinked, he wasn't expecting that question at all. He thought Seiya would ask how he felt about his brother's relationship. But as soon as the question touched his brain, his cheeks burned bright crimson. He was even redder than Shun if that was ever possible. It must have been a family trait the two brother shared.
At the same time, still hidden, Shaka unwittingly held his breath, waiting for the answer. But it was Seiya's voice that boomed.
"YOU ARE BLUSHING! YES, YOU ARE... So you DO have a crush here... don't deny it now!"
"BAKA!" Ikki replied angrily. "What kind of question is that????"
"It is a very legitimate question, Ikki and you have to answer it truthfully..." Shiryu was adamant about rules.
Shun was also curious, maybe his brother would stop his wanderings.
"Argh... you are all going to laugh..." Ikki was embarrassed, he looked away towards the orchard and Shaka ducked afraid he might see him.
"We won't... come on we're not children anymore..." Shiryu said, although all their eyes turned to Seiya.
"WHAT?"
"Ok... damn it's not easy..." Ikki stammered.
"If you don't say anything soon, it becomes a Challenge..." Shiryu calmly said.
Ikki clenched and unclenched his fists, he couldn't tell them. He didn't want to say it in the open like that. Maybe, if he ran away right now.. surely they were all too drunk to follow him.
Shaka watched, his heart thumping into his chest, why... am I feeling his nervousness?... No this is me, I am the one that's nervous. I don't understand, why is his answer so important?
"I... I can't..." Ikki hung his head low, Shaka felt his heart sink. Mu kept silent.
"Alright then..." Shiryu announced. "Ikki, don't you dare move! The rest... over here."
Hyoga, Shun, Shiryu and Seiya huddled together away from Ikki to discuss.
"Ok... we have think of a Challenge for Ikki..." Shiryu started.
"Don't punish him too hard, guys..." Shun pleaded. "It really seems like it's tearing him up." Shiryu and Hyoga nodded.
"Mmm you know... that might be why, he's always going away. He's in love with someone and he can't bring himself to say his feelings so he just leaves. That's his way of dealing with the problem, he doesn't see the person he's in love with so he feels better." They all turned to look at Seiya. "What? Did I say something stupid?"
"If you become a genius each time you get drunk, we should serve you sake more often." Hyoga kidded.
Ikki waited as Seiya seemed to get mad at Hyoga, they all looked at Ikki and huddled back together. Ikki couldn't hear what they were saying and he didn't like that, not one bit. Then their heads seem to bob in agreement and they broke up the formation and came back smiling at him. Ikki was really not liking this.
Shiryu cleared his throat. "Alright Ikki, we have found your challenge, it wasn't easy, but we all agreed with it..."
"I still say that making him drink the rest of his sake by way of his nose was funnier..."Seiya interrupted.
"Seiya!" the other three reprimanded. Shiryu spoke again.
"Ikki, we challenge you to do the following... You must seek out your crush, kiss your crush and persuade your crush to come back here with you."
Ikki was livid. "What..."
"what?" Shaka gasped and was hushed by Mu.
"You heard me, Ikki... You have one hour to go see your crush, confess and bring this person back here." They all looked at Ikki with a grim nod. They meant it.
"You're... kidding...right?" Ikki asked and his mind was screaming: Oh my god, he's going to kill me for sure now.
"We're not kidding Ni-san." Shun replied. Ikki's heart sank, even his brother had abandoned him.
"You have one hour, Ikki..." Shiryu watched as Ikki nodded and got up. Looking to the ground, he walked back to the Temples of Sanctuary.
Shun was worried. "The way he's walking... it's as though we sentenced him to death..."
"I'm sure it's going to be all right..." Hyoga put an arm around him to reassure him.
"well that's odd..." Seiya said, they all looked at him. "He's not going towards the direction of the woman's camp at all."
"Why do you find that odd?" Shiryu asked.
"Didn't Ikki love a girl called Esmeralda?... I was sure he would head for the women's camp..."
Shun blinked. "That's true..."
"Maybe we should take a wager... while we are waiting." Shiryu ventured.
****************
Shaka watched silently as he saw Ikki walk away from them. His heart felt heavy and he didn't understand why he was feeling so down. Ikki was about to meet with the person, he loved right? Why was he so concerned. Wasn't he above all those things? He turned his head and saw Mu looking at him, his foot stomping.
"Well... what are you waiting for?"
"I don't understand..." Shaka replied as Mu rolled his eyes and grabbed his arm.
"You are so dense!" Shaka wanted to make him let go of him but he felt a wave of dizziness. Last time, he had felt this was when Mu had teleported him. He opened his eyes and saw that they were back at his Temple. "You can thank me later..." Shaka was about to protest but the Aries Saint had disappeared. He teleported himself out of Shaka's Temple.
"IDIOT!" Shaka yelled only hearing his voice echo back in the dark Temple. He felt loneliness, he felt alone for the very first time since he had arrived in Sanctuary. Why now?... what had changed to make him feel so lonely? His temple was still the same, he was still the same too... Wasn't he?
Of course, he was, what is this nonsense coming from? I am Shaka, the Virgo Saint. I am the man they say is closest to God... Maybe that is the answer. I need to meditate and ask God. He was walking towards his meditating lotus when he heard it. Someone was taping on his door.
His heart started to pound again. I was just surprised, that is all. The tapping resounded again. Who could that be? it was so late... He shouldn't answer, serves whoever is knocking on my door at this hour. But even if his mind had formulated the plan to leave the one knocking on the door outside, his feet sprung to the door.
Shaka was standing at the door and another tapping, more hesitant was heard. He opened the door and gasped.
********************
Ikki was walking deep in thought, should he just forget about the whole thing? it was just a game after all. He briefly thought someone was calling him but he just marched on. Yes, walking always helped him think. what next? He couldn't possibly do what they asked. It was stupid and... he knew he would be met with rejection. after all, the one he felt so strongly to, couldn't possibly return the favor.
He didn't realise it at first that his walk was taking him directly to the place he didn't want to go. He nearly collided with the door. Baka, he told himself. He looked at the door, might as well do it and go back in shame... He would leave tomorrow at the crack of damn, never to return. He would miss Shun, he always did, which is why he always came back but... the fear of rejection always made him go back on the road. He sighed, it ends tonight. He lifted his hand and knocked softly.
No answer, he paused and knocked again. Still no answer, he was beginning to wonder if he was really there, he knocked again this time hesitantly and the door opened. He heard a gasp and looked up.
His eyes were such a light blue, it seem to shine in the moonlight and his hair, soft tendrils that floated away as the slight breeze, like strands of gold. He was so beautiful, in the moonlight. Ikki could no longer feel his legs, if he were to run away from the man now, he would buckle over.
Shaka looked at him. His frame just as imposing as ever, his cosmos was like a raging volcano full of fiery strength. Shaka could feel his cosmos touch his, he felt weak, but he held on. Ikki's cosmos was almost an attack but as Shaka held the uncertain gaze in front of him, he could see also how vulnerable Ikki was and how his violent cosmos was tempered with great love and loyalty.
Then he remembered, the game, what they had asked of him... And he was now here... with him. His heart skipped a beat, was that is then? what he felt, was it what he thought was foolish and unnecessary? Was it?...
"Shaka..." The Gold saint's attention returned to Ikki, whose voice he barely recognized. Soft, deep with a certain shyness attached to it, so like his brother. Shaka wondered just how many people would have been privileged to a moment like this?
"Y... yes Ikki?..." Shaka barely was able to talk, he could feel his breathing stuck in his throat. He felt submerged by something, something he had unwittingly fought against for so many years.
"Shaka... I need to tell you..." Ikki was breathless, they both moved towards the other. "Ki... Kimi o ai shiteru..." the confession was said in a whisper.
"Mai tumse pyar karta hu" Shaka breathed back. They both didn't understand the words that was said but the meaning remained. They both felt a weight being lifted from their weary bodies and a leap of faith was taken at that moment and their lips touched for the first time.
For Shaka, he felt engulfed in Ikki's fiery cosmos as their lips locked but he could feel his own cosmos, cool like quicksilver meld and counterbalancing the other cosmos. Shaka always felt like Love was the surrendering of his own self which is why he always was against it. He was afraid of loosing himself. He was wrong, in surrendering, his strength flowed back, his identity remained, it just expended to accept the other.
Ikki felt Shaka's Cosmos fight then caressing him, welcoming him as if he had finally come home. he felt tears in his eyes. Was this what he was looking for in the world? it was always there, waiting for him, welcoming him, soothing him. He felt his fiery cosmos, still raging Strong but tempered like a fine steel now. Shaka's cool cosmos was what he sought for so long.
Their kisses deepened and both lost the notion of time, all that mattered was this contact they had both denied for so long. Shaka reflected that, in the book Camus had lent him, all those author who tried to capture the moment he was living, failed miserably to convey what he felt. words weren't asked nor needed. All that mattered was the other.
***************
Shun fidgeted, the hour was almost over and there was no sign of his brother. He bit his lower lip and what if Ikki had left again? He felt a familiar arm around him.
"He didn't go away, I am sure of it... not on your birthday..." Hyoga reassured him.
"He sure is taking his sweet time..." Seiya puffed. "Maybe they are you know... doing it..."
"That would be a short courtship..." Shiryu replied, he was getting nervous too. Maybe they pissed off Ikki more than he thought they would have and now the Phoenix was long gone.
Seiya scratched his head. "So... did we figure out who is with yet?"
"Well we know it's not Camus and Milo..." Hyoga started.
"Yeah, like YOU should know right?... OW!" Seiya wasn't quick enough to dodge that hit.
"It's not Aphrodite, Shura nor Death Mask..." Shun continued.
"Nor Dohko and Shion... And I am pretty sure the Gemini twins aren't in the lot." Shura added.
"Not with the way, Eacus and Rhadamanthis are turning around Saga and Kanon... not by a long shot... And Mu... let's not forget Mu... some guys are lucky bastards..." Seiya mumbled.
"What did you say?" Shiryu asked.
"Nothing..." Seiya blushed a bit.
"so..." Shun started again. " we are left with Aldebaran..." Much to Shun surprise everyone made a EEEEEW sound.
"Now that is a bit harsh..." a familiar person appeared in the middle of their circle. "Alde is a very gentle and compassionate soul."
"MU?!" The four Bronze Saints yelled out.
"I demand an apology for my friend. he has not done anything to merit such a bad statement." Mu seemed very cross. "And to think I came here because I thought you all would be worried about Ikki."
Shun jumped to his feet. "You know where Ni-san is? He hasn't left has he?"
Mu smiled at him. "No, he hasn't left but he's rather occupied at the moment..."
Shun blushed. "Already?"
"Judging from the distance of where you are and where in Sanctuary this happened... Yes, I guess you didn't feel the two cosmos unified...."
"Two..."
"cosmos..."
"unified..."
"Huh?"
Mu looked amused as the younger Bronzes looked at him. "Yes." He replied. "It happens when two saints of about equal powers are... intimate?... Although... I wonder if it isn't because they both denied their feelings for too long. It doesn't happen often, but you can be sure every Gold in Sanctuary are aware of the fact."
Shun was just horrified. "Does that mean that all the Golds knew what they were doing?"
Mu chuckled. "Ah no... we just felt their Cosmos unite and be one for a brief instant..."
"Whoa..." Seiya said. "I don't think I'd like everyone to know I just climaxed..."
"SEIYAAAA..." Hyoga scolded him, that time Seiya was faster.
"What? it's true..."
"hahaha!" Mu laughed. "It didn't happen at that instant... although with these two... you do have to wonder... no it happened when they both realised at the same time they were in love and their cosmos just reflected that state. A bit like claiming to the rest of the world, who could listen in, that they were together. So now we all know Ikki and Shaka are spoken for..."
"Oh... Then I think I like that better..." Shun said softly, relieved.
"Yeah... I wouldn't want to know each time when someone gets lucky... Like Shun and Hyoga..." This time Seiya wasn't quick enough to dodge, Hyoga, Shiryu AND Shun.
Mu laughed even more. "Are you kidding, if that was the case, all forms of relationships would be banned in Sanctuary. Because no one would ever be able to get any sleep..." The Bronze Saints couldn't help but agree with him.
"So now..." Mu then stated. "You should all go to bed... it's late and I don't think you'll see Ikki before.... I'd say tomorrow evening... Like I said they were both denied too long and they are currently making up for lost time. So Shun... no need to wait up for your brother tonight."
"Yes... I understand..." Shun blushed but had a smile on his face. He was happy for his brother.
"Yes... I guess this party has pretty much winded down..." Seiya yawned and stretched.
"Good Night you guys!" and Mu teleported himself back to Saga's Temple, only to find his lovers in bed and pretty well occupied. "Well you two haven't missed a beat..."
Eacus smiled and beckoned him to join them. "We had to keep each other occupied all that time you were gone."
"You could have waited..." Mu pouted a little.
"I think you have finished your mission, M. Cupid?" Saga brought the Aries Saint for a kiss.
"Yes... I have earned my little R and R..." Mu chuckled as hands got rid of his clothing and he was thus prepared for his own night of bliss.
********************
Hyoga walked with Shun. "You know... since Ikki isn't going to come back tonight... I thought, maybe you didn't want to sleep alone..."
Shun's only reply was a smile as they walked away.
A little further back, Seiya sighed. "Are we the only ones not getting laid?"
"I guess..." Shiryu replied when he was about to turn to his own small house Seiya called him up.
"hey... Shiryu... I a not sleepy... wanna play some cards?"
Shiryu considered. "Sure, why not?"
"Yatta... I still have one sake last at my place..."
Shiryu sweatdropped. "You're trying to get me drunk aren't you?"
Seiya smirked. "Maaaaaybeeee..."
**********************
The sun tickled his eyelids as the first thing he felt were nice fresh linens, he then smelled thick incense which hung in the air. He smiled. Ikki didn't mind any of those things, he felt it was right.
"Namaste Ikki..." Ikki turned his head to see Shaka lying next to him, just as gloriously naked as he was.
"Ohayo..." Without another word they instinctively snuggled together, both felt like they now belonged this way. Ikki raked his fingers through the fine spun gold of Shaka's hair. "Do you regret?..."
"Never... the only thing I regret is not opening my eyes before today..." Shaka admitted.
"Try looking at the world with the eyes given to you Shaka..." Ikki kidded him.
"Yes... I should do that more often now... When I am alone with you." Shaka always thought that loving someone meant he would forget himself and forget his teachings. But it was not, it was just an extension of what he already felt.
"I'm glad..." Ikki smiled, Shaka never seen Ikki smiled so much in all those years he saw him. "Are you hurt?..."
"I think I'll stay in bed a little while longer..." Shaka admitted, although the night was sweet, part of him was hurting.
"I'm sorry..." Ikki rose a little to kiss his cheek.
"Don't be... Last night, felt like a rebirth, my Phoenix..." Shaka pulled the younger man against him and brought him in for a long and sensual kiss.
"You take my breath away..." Ikki whispered.
"So do you..." The kiss could have easily evolved into something more strenuous but Shaka's body was still out of sorts. So they settled back in bed and rested against the other till sleep regained them again.
The End?
Nota Bene: if enough people want I can write what happened in some scenes ;) or even what happened after :)
Author: acexkeikai
Fandom: Saint Seiya.
Genre: Fanfic.
Characters: Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, Mu and Shaka (others are also mentionned)
Rating: PG-13 (for language and insinuations)
Disclaimer: Saint Seiya, its characters, places and themes belong to Masami Kurumada and Toei. No copyright infringement is intended.
Warning: some pairings might sound weird, they were developed during RP sessions with a friend.
Summary: The Bronzes play a game of Truth or Dare not knowing they've got eavesdroppers.
Truth or dare
"Aww come on Ikki, play with us!" a very soused Seiya dared his older friend.
"Hn..." Ikki snorted. "Playing Truth or Dare is so childish..." He took a sip of his own sake. it was late after Shun's birthday and they relaxed in an area of Sanctuary that was closer to the sea and away from the Temples. It was September 9th and Shun's 18th birthday. Ikki couldn't believed how much time had flown since they triumphed over Hades. Peace was something he wasn't used to so he still roamed the world in search of something he couldn't put his finger on. Besides, Sanctuary made him nervous.
"It's just for fun Ni-san..." Shun pleaded.
"yeah and don't worry." Shiryu added. "Seiya is getting drunk, so I doubt he will remember a thing."
"Hey!" Seiya yelled giving his best friend a small tap on his arm.
"No but others will remember..." Ikki sighed and looked at Shun and he was undone. Was he because he was feeling guilty about staying away from his brother for so long. "Okay move over..."
Hyoga and Shun scooted a little let his seat. They kept quiet about it but the older brother wasn't fooled. He knew he and Shun were involved, it showed too much in his sibling's eyes. Hyoga was one of the reasons He went away the year before, it was go away or pummel Hyoga... He choose to go away which proved to be the best answer. After thinking about it all those lonely nights, he realised he couldn't dictate to Shun what to do with his life. Since he felt so lost about his own.
Seiya served everyone another round of sake before they got into the game. Unknown to them, there was another present in the Olive groove. You could wonder if he was blind or concentrating because the blond had his eyes closed.
"Shaka?..." A familiar voice whispered behind him, nearly destroying Shaka's naturally calm and poised exterior.
"Mu!" He whispered back turning to face the Gold Saint of Aries. "would you stop doing things like that?"
Mu smirked, now Shaka knew where Kiki took the expression from. "I shall stop..." Mu started. "When you stop spying..."
"I am not spying!" Shaka vehemently whispered. "They all left so suddenly, I thought they were up to no good."
"Ah?... I thought maybe you were afraid one of them might vanish..." Mu had a cat's smile, he could tell he had cornered this mouse.
"I have no idea what you are talking about..." Shaka returned his gaze to the group. what were they saying?... Mu was making him miss what was amiss.
"Suuuuuure, you don't..." Mu also turned his attention to the group of 5 Bronzes who were playing. It seemed like a fun game since all participants took a sip of sake and they were all starting to be rather intoxicated and with lowered inhibitions as he could note that Shun and Hyoga were touching from time to time.
"Okay Shun... Your turn." He threw the dice in the air and they watched the number. "Lucky devil, it's Seiya's turn to ask a question..."
"Those dices are rigged." Ikki kidded.
"Okay Shhhhun" Seiya started. "Truth... or Dare! I hope you pick dare... we haven't had a dare yet!"
"In your dreams, Seiya!" Shun chuckled, making the brunette feel defeated. "Truth!"
"Awww jeez, what's the use of playing this game if no one takes the dare...." Seiya whined. "Okay... Who was your first kiss?"
In the Olive grove, Mu rolled his eyes. "wow that one is so obvious..."
"Will you shush... they'll hear us." Shaka spat.
Back at the clearing, Shun could feel his cheek heat up and it wasn't from the fire. "I..."
"Aha!" Seiya smiled triumphantly. "If you don't answer DARE! WHOHOO!!"
Shun then looked at Hyoga who smiled at him and nodded softly. "My first kiss was with Hyoga..."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? NO WAY!" Seiya wasn't happy. "Prove it!"
"We'll do better than that..." Hyoga said as he took Shun in his arms and dipped him for a kiss. You could hear a pin drop when he kissed him, no, rather you could hear the sound of Seiya's jaw as it hit the ground.
Shaka was surprised. "They are kissing?" he whispered.
"According to Camus they do a lot more than that...." Mu replied back.
"I had no idea..." Shaka looked at the two young men kissing, something inside him hurt a little.
Mu looked at his friend and sighed, if Shaka was the man closest to God, he certainly also was the most clueless in certain areas.
Shiryu coughed. "OK that's enough guys... err Guys?...." Shun and Hyoga pulled away from each other, blushing, Shun more than Hyoga.
"How long have you two?..." Seiya asked.
"I'd say about a year now... if it isn't more..." Ikki's low voice sounded clearly. "And don't worry, Hyoga... you have nothing to fear from me..." Hyoga had a huge sigh of relief. "BUT!... If you make Shun unhappy or make him cry..." He cracked his knuckles. "You better find yourself a pretty damn good hiding spot. And you Seiya, if you ask them to do something more than a kiss here on a Dare... You'll be counting your teeth when you wake up am I clear?"
Seiya bobbed his head fast and squealed. "Crystal..."
Shaka smiled, with all his harsh exterior, Ikki really had a soft heart. Why did this scene made him long so much? He even felt a little giddy, him, the Gold Saint of Virgo, at Ikki's protecting nature. But he turned an irritated gaze at Mu who was looking at him and chuckling. He was about to scold Mu when Shiryu said.
"OK Ikki your turn..."
"Che... Must I?" Shaka's attention turned back to the five youths. Ikki was back at his gruffly expression again.
"We agreed..." Shiryu replied. "that everyone would get his turn... Come on Ikki, relax!"
"Ok...ok... I'll play but I'll throw the dice." He took the dice and threw it and once again.
"LUCKYYYY!" Seiya beamed, making victory signs.
"I don't believe this..." Ikki sweat dropped and sighed. "Ok... Truth and let's get it over with..."
"Why doesn't anyone take dare???? This is no fun." Seiya pouted, then he was deep in thought, what could he possibly ask Ikki? Then he beamed. "Ok... Ikki, Do you have a crush in Sanctuary and if yes, who is it?"
Ikki blinked, he wasn't expecting that question at all. He thought Seiya would ask how he felt about his brother's relationship. But as soon as the question touched his brain, his cheeks burned bright crimson. He was even redder than Shun if that was ever possible. It must have been a family trait the two brother shared.
At the same time, still hidden, Shaka unwittingly held his breath, waiting for the answer. But it was Seiya's voice that boomed.
"YOU ARE BLUSHING! YES, YOU ARE... So you DO have a crush here... don't deny it now!"
"BAKA!" Ikki replied angrily. "What kind of question is that????"
"It is a very legitimate question, Ikki and you have to answer it truthfully..." Shiryu was adamant about rules.
Shun was also curious, maybe his brother would stop his wanderings.
"Argh... you are all going to laugh..." Ikki was embarrassed, he looked away towards the orchard and Shaka ducked afraid he might see him.
"We won't... come on we're not children anymore..." Shiryu said, although all their eyes turned to Seiya.
"WHAT?"
"Ok... damn it's not easy..." Ikki stammered.
"If you don't say anything soon, it becomes a Challenge..." Shiryu calmly said.
Ikki clenched and unclenched his fists, he couldn't tell them. He didn't want to say it in the open like that. Maybe, if he ran away right now.. surely they were all too drunk to follow him.
Shaka watched, his heart thumping into his chest, why... am I feeling his nervousness?... No this is me, I am the one that's nervous. I don't understand, why is his answer so important?
"I... I can't..." Ikki hung his head low, Shaka felt his heart sink. Mu kept silent.
"Alright then..." Shiryu announced. "Ikki, don't you dare move! The rest... over here."
Hyoga, Shun, Shiryu and Seiya huddled together away from Ikki to discuss.
"Ok... we have think of a Challenge for Ikki..." Shiryu started.
"Don't punish him too hard, guys..." Shun pleaded. "It really seems like it's tearing him up." Shiryu and Hyoga nodded.
"Mmm you know... that might be why, he's always going away. He's in love with someone and he can't bring himself to say his feelings so he just leaves. That's his way of dealing with the problem, he doesn't see the person he's in love with so he feels better." They all turned to look at Seiya. "What? Did I say something stupid?"
"If you become a genius each time you get drunk, we should serve you sake more often." Hyoga kidded.
Ikki waited as Seiya seemed to get mad at Hyoga, they all looked at Ikki and huddled back together. Ikki couldn't hear what they were saying and he didn't like that, not one bit. Then their heads seem to bob in agreement and they broke up the formation and came back smiling at him. Ikki was really not liking this.
Shiryu cleared his throat. "Alright Ikki, we have found your challenge, it wasn't easy, but we all agreed with it..."
"I still say that making him drink the rest of his sake by way of his nose was funnier..."Seiya interrupted.
"Seiya!" the other three reprimanded. Shiryu spoke again.
"Ikki, we challenge you to do the following... You must seek out your crush, kiss your crush and persuade your crush to come back here with you."
Ikki was livid. "What..."
"what?" Shaka gasped and was hushed by Mu.
"You heard me, Ikki... You have one hour to go see your crush, confess and bring this person back here." They all looked at Ikki with a grim nod. They meant it.
"You're... kidding...right?" Ikki asked and his mind was screaming: Oh my god, he's going to kill me for sure now.
"We're not kidding Ni-san." Shun replied. Ikki's heart sank, even his brother had abandoned him.
"You have one hour, Ikki..." Shiryu watched as Ikki nodded and got up. Looking to the ground, he walked back to the Temples of Sanctuary.
Shun was worried. "The way he's walking... it's as though we sentenced him to death..."
"I'm sure it's going to be all right..." Hyoga put an arm around him to reassure him.
"well that's odd..." Seiya said, they all looked at him. "He's not going towards the direction of the woman's camp at all."
"Why do you find that odd?" Shiryu asked.
"Didn't Ikki love a girl called Esmeralda?... I was sure he would head for the women's camp..."
Shun blinked. "That's true..."
"Maybe we should take a wager... while we are waiting." Shiryu ventured.
****************
Shaka watched silently as he saw Ikki walk away from them. His heart felt heavy and he didn't understand why he was feeling so down. Ikki was about to meet with the person, he loved right? Why was he so concerned. Wasn't he above all those things? He turned his head and saw Mu looking at him, his foot stomping.
"Well... what are you waiting for?"
"I don't understand..." Shaka replied as Mu rolled his eyes and grabbed his arm.
"You are so dense!" Shaka wanted to make him let go of him but he felt a wave of dizziness. Last time, he had felt this was when Mu had teleported him. He opened his eyes and saw that they were back at his Temple. "You can thank me later..." Shaka was about to protest but the Aries Saint had disappeared. He teleported himself out of Shaka's Temple.
"IDIOT!" Shaka yelled only hearing his voice echo back in the dark Temple. He felt loneliness, he felt alone for the very first time since he had arrived in Sanctuary. Why now?... what had changed to make him feel so lonely? His temple was still the same, he was still the same too... Wasn't he?
Of course, he was, what is this nonsense coming from? I am Shaka, the Virgo Saint. I am the man they say is closest to God... Maybe that is the answer. I need to meditate and ask God. He was walking towards his meditating lotus when he heard it. Someone was taping on his door.
His heart started to pound again. I was just surprised, that is all. The tapping resounded again. Who could that be? it was so late... He shouldn't answer, serves whoever is knocking on my door at this hour. But even if his mind had formulated the plan to leave the one knocking on the door outside, his feet sprung to the door.
Shaka was standing at the door and another tapping, more hesitant was heard. He opened the door and gasped.
********************
Ikki was walking deep in thought, should he just forget about the whole thing? it was just a game after all. He briefly thought someone was calling him but he just marched on. Yes, walking always helped him think. what next? He couldn't possibly do what they asked. It was stupid and... he knew he would be met with rejection. after all, the one he felt so strongly to, couldn't possibly return the favor.
He didn't realise it at first that his walk was taking him directly to the place he didn't want to go. He nearly collided with the door. Baka, he told himself. He looked at the door, might as well do it and go back in shame... He would leave tomorrow at the crack of damn, never to return. He would miss Shun, he always did, which is why he always came back but... the fear of rejection always made him go back on the road. He sighed, it ends tonight. He lifted his hand and knocked softly.
No answer, he paused and knocked again. Still no answer, he was beginning to wonder if he was really there, he knocked again this time hesitantly and the door opened. He heard a gasp and looked up.
His eyes were such a light blue, it seem to shine in the moonlight and his hair, soft tendrils that floated away as the slight breeze, like strands of gold. He was so beautiful, in the moonlight. Ikki could no longer feel his legs, if he were to run away from the man now, he would buckle over.
Shaka looked at him. His frame just as imposing as ever, his cosmos was like a raging volcano full of fiery strength. Shaka could feel his cosmos touch his, he felt weak, but he held on. Ikki's cosmos was almost an attack but as Shaka held the uncertain gaze in front of him, he could see also how vulnerable Ikki was and how his violent cosmos was tempered with great love and loyalty.
Then he remembered, the game, what they had asked of him... And he was now here... with him. His heart skipped a beat, was that is then? what he felt, was it what he thought was foolish and unnecessary? Was it?...
"Shaka..." The Gold saint's attention returned to Ikki, whose voice he barely recognized. Soft, deep with a certain shyness attached to it, so like his brother. Shaka wondered just how many people would have been privileged to a moment like this?
"Y... yes Ikki?..." Shaka barely was able to talk, he could feel his breathing stuck in his throat. He felt submerged by something, something he had unwittingly fought against for so many years.
"Shaka... I need to tell you..." Ikki was breathless, they both moved towards the other. "Ki... Kimi o ai shiteru..." the confession was said in a whisper.
"Mai tumse pyar karta hu" Shaka breathed back. They both didn't understand the words that was said but the meaning remained. They both felt a weight being lifted from their weary bodies and a leap of faith was taken at that moment and their lips touched for the first time.
For Shaka, he felt engulfed in Ikki's fiery cosmos as their lips locked but he could feel his own cosmos, cool like quicksilver meld and counterbalancing the other cosmos. Shaka always felt like Love was the surrendering of his own self which is why he always was against it. He was afraid of loosing himself. He was wrong, in surrendering, his strength flowed back, his identity remained, it just expended to accept the other.
Ikki felt Shaka's Cosmos fight then caressing him, welcoming him as if he had finally come home. he felt tears in his eyes. Was this what he was looking for in the world? it was always there, waiting for him, welcoming him, soothing him. He felt his fiery cosmos, still raging Strong but tempered like a fine steel now. Shaka's cool cosmos was what he sought for so long.
Their kisses deepened and both lost the notion of time, all that mattered was this contact they had both denied for so long. Shaka reflected that, in the book Camus had lent him, all those author who tried to capture the moment he was living, failed miserably to convey what he felt. words weren't asked nor needed. All that mattered was the other.
***************
Shun fidgeted, the hour was almost over and there was no sign of his brother. He bit his lower lip and what if Ikki had left again? He felt a familiar arm around him.
"He didn't go away, I am sure of it... not on your birthday..." Hyoga reassured him.
"He sure is taking his sweet time..." Seiya puffed. "Maybe they are you know... doing it..."
"That would be a short courtship..." Shiryu replied, he was getting nervous too. Maybe they pissed off Ikki more than he thought they would have and now the Phoenix was long gone.
Seiya scratched his head. "So... did we figure out who is with yet?"
"Well we know it's not Camus and Milo..." Hyoga started.
"Yeah, like YOU should know right?... OW!" Seiya wasn't quick enough to dodge that hit.
"It's not Aphrodite, Shura nor Death Mask..." Shun continued.
"Nor Dohko and Shion... And I am pretty sure the Gemini twins aren't in the lot." Shura added.
"Not with the way, Eacus and Rhadamanthis are turning around Saga and Kanon... not by a long shot... And Mu... let's not forget Mu... some guys are lucky bastards..." Seiya mumbled.
"What did you say?" Shiryu asked.
"Nothing..." Seiya blushed a bit.
"so..." Shun started again. " we are left with Aldebaran..." Much to Shun surprise everyone made a EEEEEW sound.
"Now that is a bit harsh..." a familiar person appeared in the middle of their circle. "Alde is a very gentle and compassionate soul."
"MU?!" The four Bronze Saints yelled out.
"I demand an apology for my friend. he has not done anything to merit such a bad statement." Mu seemed very cross. "And to think I came here because I thought you all would be worried about Ikki."
Shun jumped to his feet. "You know where Ni-san is? He hasn't left has he?"
Mu smiled at him. "No, he hasn't left but he's rather occupied at the moment..."
Shun blushed. "Already?"
"Judging from the distance of where you are and where in Sanctuary this happened... Yes, I guess you didn't feel the two cosmos unified...."
"Two..."
"cosmos..."
"unified..."
"Huh?"
Mu looked amused as the younger Bronzes looked at him. "Yes." He replied. "It happens when two saints of about equal powers are... intimate?... Although... I wonder if it isn't because they both denied their feelings for too long. It doesn't happen often, but you can be sure every Gold in Sanctuary are aware of the fact."
Shun was just horrified. "Does that mean that all the Golds knew what they were doing?"
Mu chuckled. "Ah no... we just felt their Cosmos unite and be one for a brief instant..."
"Whoa..." Seiya said. "I don't think I'd like everyone to know I just climaxed..."
"SEIYAAAA..." Hyoga scolded him, that time Seiya was faster.
"What? it's true..."
"hahaha!" Mu laughed. "It didn't happen at that instant... although with these two... you do have to wonder... no it happened when they both realised at the same time they were in love and their cosmos just reflected that state. A bit like claiming to the rest of the world, who could listen in, that they were together. So now we all know Ikki and Shaka are spoken for..."
"Oh... Then I think I like that better..." Shun said softly, relieved.
"Yeah... I wouldn't want to know each time when someone gets lucky... Like Shun and Hyoga..." This time Seiya wasn't quick enough to dodge, Hyoga, Shiryu AND Shun.
Mu laughed even more. "Are you kidding, if that was the case, all forms of relationships would be banned in Sanctuary. Because no one would ever be able to get any sleep..." The Bronze Saints couldn't help but agree with him.
"So now..." Mu then stated. "You should all go to bed... it's late and I don't think you'll see Ikki before.... I'd say tomorrow evening... Like I said they were both denied too long and they are currently making up for lost time. So Shun... no need to wait up for your brother tonight."
"Yes... I understand..." Shun blushed but had a smile on his face. He was happy for his brother.
"Yes... I guess this party has pretty much winded down..." Seiya yawned and stretched.
"Good Night you guys!" and Mu teleported himself back to Saga's Temple, only to find his lovers in bed and pretty well occupied. "Well you two haven't missed a beat..."
Eacus smiled and beckoned him to join them. "We had to keep each other occupied all that time you were gone."
"You could have waited..." Mu pouted a little.
"I think you have finished your mission, M. Cupid?" Saga brought the Aries Saint for a kiss.
"Yes... I have earned my little R and R..." Mu chuckled as hands got rid of his clothing and he was thus prepared for his own night of bliss.
********************
Hyoga walked with Shun. "You know... since Ikki isn't going to come back tonight... I thought, maybe you didn't want to sleep alone..."
Shun's only reply was a smile as they walked away.
A little further back, Seiya sighed. "Are we the only ones not getting laid?"
"I guess..." Shiryu replied when he was about to turn to his own small house Seiya called him up.
"hey... Shiryu... I a not sleepy... wanna play some cards?"
Shiryu considered. "Sure, why not?"
"Yatta... I still have one sake last at my place..."
Shiryu sweatdropped. "You're trying to get me drunk aren't you?"
Seiya smirked. "Maaaaaybeeee..."
**********************
The sun tickled his eyelids as the first thing he felt were nice fresh linens, he then smelled thick incense which hung in the air. He smiled. Ikki didn't mind any of those things, he felt it was right.
"Namaste Ikki..." Ikki turned his head to see Shaka lying next to him, just as gloriously naked as he was.
"Ohayo..." Without another word they instinctively snuggled together, both felt like they now belonged this way. Ikki raked his fingers through the fine spun gold of Shaka's hair. "Do you regret?..."
"Never... the only thing I regret is not opening my eyes before today..." Shaka admitted.
"Try looking at the world with the eyes given to you Shaka..." Ikki kidded him.
"Yes... I should do that more often now... When I am alone with you." Shaka always thought that loving someone meant he would forget himself and forget his teachings. But it was not, it was just an extension of what he already felt.
"I'm glad..." Ikki smiled, Shaka never seen Ikki smiled so much in all those years he saw him. "Are you hurt?..."
"I think I'll stay in bed a little while longer..." Shaka admitted, although the night was sweet, part of him was hurting.
"I'm sorry..." Ikki rose a little to kiss his cheek.
"Don't be... Last night, felt like a rebirth, my Phoenix..." Shaka pulled the younger man against him and brought him in for a long and sensual kiss.
"You take my breath away..." Ikki whispered.
"So do you..." The kiss could have easily evolved into something more strenuous but Shaka's body was still out of sorts. So they settled back in bed and rested against the other till sleep regained them again.
The End?
Nota Bene: if enough people want I can write what happened in some scenes ;) or even what happened after :)