next »

[whateverwinnie]

Awesome!!! <3
Can't wait for the next chapter!!! XD

[Plantress]

A/N: Dohko has a short chapter because most of his story was already told in Shion's chapter.  I'll reveal what Dohko's present to Shion is in the finally chapter.  It will fit in better there.

A Tiger's View

Dohko had never given much thought to Christmas.   Up in the mountains of Rozan, there was no reason to think of the holiday at all.   It had been just another day in winter.   But he didn’t mind that Athena had decided they would actually celebrate the day this year.   It was a nice change from what he was used to, and the reactions of some of the younger Saints when they heard they would have to shop for each other were just too funny.    He calmly took his piece of paper, and headed out with all others.

Inside his temple he checked who he had…and then wondered just what he would buy for Aiolos.    He was the youngest of all the Gold Saints, and Dohko hadn’t talked to him much.   The Sagittarius Saint seemed to prefer the company of the Bronze Saints to that of his fellow Gold Saints.    It will be a nice challenge,  the Libra Saint decided at last.   

He headed up toward the main temple the next morning.  Shion was still severing as Pope, but Athena had made it clear that he could leave if he felt like taking a vacation.  After over two hundred years of service, no one would even question him doing something  like that.   Yet he doubted if Shion had even thought of leaving Sanctuary.    That was why Dohko had decided to drag his friend down to Athens to buy an appropriate present for whoever he was playing Secrete Santa for.   Taking a break, even a short break would be good for Shion.

Convincing his friend to come with him took less time than the Libra Saint thought it would.   Shion seemed almost eager to go, which was a good thing.   The world had changed so much in the last two hundred years that there was much for them to discover.   

 Going down through the temples proved very amusing in and of itself.   He had seen Milo carrying that ladder on the way up through Scorpio, but he hadn’t paid any attention to it.    Dohko wondered how many people would actually fall for the mistletoe that the Scorpio Saint was hanging.   

Aioria’s reaction almost made him laugh out loud.  He was sure, even if Shion wasn’t, that the lion had Marin in his rooms.   He had used to the same thing when he was younger.   She had been the Cassiopeia Saint of his generation and very, very beautiful.   She had died along with all the other Saints from two hundred years ago.    He missed her still  but she was in the past now and he had realized long ago that he would have to live for the future.

In Taurus temple, Aldebaran was cooking something.   He sniffed the air, he knew that scent but he couldn’t remember what it was from. 

“What is that?”  He asked. 

“Gingerbread, I think.”  Shion said after a moments pause.  “I think it’s traditional to have gingerbread at Christmas..”

“Oh.”  Dohko looked in the direction of the Taurus Saint’s private rooms.  “I didn’t know Aldebaran could cook…”

“He’s suppose to be good at it.”  Shion replied as they exited the temple.   

They ran into Kiki midway down the stairs.  The little Aries-in-training was on his way up to ‘help’ Aldebaran.    Apparently he hadn’t bothered to tell his master where he was going because they found a worried Mu searching his temple. 

“By now he’s up at Taurus helping Aldebaran cook.”   Dohko said when the Aries Saint asked if they had seen his student.   Mu looked at him in surprise, then seemed to remember something and shook his head.   The Aries Saint muttered something, then headed out of his temple.    He and Shion exchanged an amused glanced before they headed down towards the city.

It was very crowded in the shopping district of Athens.   Sanctuary had such a small population that you didn’t have a problem like.   They were being stared at but it was actually good feeling once he realized the women who were staring considered them attractive.   It had been far to long since he had any of sort of attention like that and he enjoyed it.

Since Shion didn’t seem to know which way to go, he lead the way into several shops.   None of them had anything that Aiolos was would like.    Shion didn’t know what he was doing though, and was beginning to get annoyed with him.

“Who are you shopping for anyway Dohko?”  His oldest friend said after a while.

“Aiolos.”  Dohko admitted.  “And I’m in the same boat you are.  I just don’t know him well.”

“You know they Bronze Saints.  Get him something one of them would like.  He’s the same age they are.”  Shion pointed out. 

“That’s true.”  The Libra Saint said as he entered into yet another store.   This one was a hobby and game store that he though looked promising.   He headed off to search for something that would appeal to a teenager.

The first thing that stopped him didn’t have anything to do with Aiolos.  There was a row of picture frames on a shelf.  He had been meaning to buy one to finish Shion’s present and but he hadn’t been able to find one that would be suitable.   A simple dark wooden frame that would be perfect was right in front of him, and he took it, pleased.     

A few more minuets of searching and he found tiny remote controlled helicopter that could fit in the palm of his hand.   He decided to buy that for Aiolos.    It looked like something the young Gold Saint would enjoy.  On the way up to the register he grabbed a bottle of bubble solution for Kiki.   The boy hadn’t been included in the Secret Santa celebration and it wouldn’t be fair it he didn’t receive a present on Christmas Day just because of that.

Shion was already up in front paying for something.

“Did you find something for Aphrodite?”  He asked the ex-Aries Saint curiously as he tried to peer into the bag.

“No, just some things for Mu and Kiki.” His friend answered and deftly moved the bag out of his line of sight.   

As the exited the shop Dohko couldn’t help but smile.  He had managed to finish his mission, and could now help Shion complete his.   There was that shop he had seen earlier that had reminded him of the Pisces Saint….perhaps they could find something there.

********

Next chapter: Milo looks for a present for....Deathmask.

[Qubeley]

Here, the gold saints really don't know each other despite living in close proximity and working together. The neat thing about this is that this is plausible. I actually had to remember that there's nothing in the canon to say otherwise. This fic works as well as being cute. Keep up the good work.

So Dohko gets three posts for his present to Shion? It must be some impressive present.

Milo is going to be fun 

[Plantress]

A/N: And here's Milo's chapter.  This one was fun to write.

A Scorpion's Christmas

To Milo Christmas had only been a vague memory from that hazy time before he had come to Sanctuary.   Now though…Athena had actually decided to have a party for the holiday.   Even if Christmas wasn’t something they were suppose to be celebrating , this was going to be fun!   He liked the idea of the Secret Santa thing a lot too.  He couldn’t wait to see who he got to buy something for.   Not everyone shared his enthusiasm though, and he just knew Camus was going to hate this.    Ah well, it would so him some good to get out of his shell once in a while and have some fun.    Besides, wasn’t Christmas about love and tolerance and stuff like that?

He hummed slightly as he exited the temple with the other Gold Saints.   He was looking forward to his already, although he hoped he hadn’t drawn Camus.   He was already going to buy a present for the his friend, and it wouldn’t any fun to be Secret Santa for someone he knew so well.    At least he reached his temple and opened the paper excitedly.   He started it for a minuet unsure what to think.   Deathmask.   Well it he would be an interesting person to shop for at least…

“Who’d you get?”   A voice said out nowhere and Milo jumped.

“Would you stop doing that?”  The Scorpio Saint snapped recognizing the voice.  Kanon just grinned at him and tired to get a look at the piece of paper he was holding.

“So who has the misfortune of having you shopping for them?” 

“Here.”  Milo handed him the piece of paper by way of explanation.  Kanon took one look at it and burst out laughing.

“Better you than me.”  The older Saint said and slapped Milo on the back.  “I’ll pray that you don’t get killed on Christmas.”

“Thank you so much.”   Milo said acidly then looked back at the piece of paper.  Athena had said that they had to buy a present, but she hadn’t said they had to be serious about it…  “But you know….I could have a lot of fun with this.”

“If you have a death wish, go ahead.”  Kanon said and started to walk away. 

“Hey!”  Milo grabbed his friends arm.  “Who did you get?  It’s only fair if you tell me.” 

“Ummm….” Kanon checked his piece of paper. “Shura.”

“You have it easy then.”  Milo said releasing him.  “Saga knows him, right?”

“They did know each other.”  Kanon corrected.  “They haven’t exactly talked lately because of that…”

“Oh yeah…”

“I should still ask my brother though.”  The older Saint said.  “They were friends, no matter what happened.”     

“Good idea.”  Milo agreed and watched as Kanon headed down toward Gemini.   Then he headed toward his rooms, grinning as he though about the fun he could have with Deathmask’s present.   He wasn’t fond of the Crab, but then again Deathmask wasn’t exactly fond of him either.    This could be his chance to mess with the Cancer Saint without fear of revenge.    From Deathmask’s reaction earlier it was clear that he wasn’t happy about the secret Santa thing.   Milo doubted the Cancer Saint would be happy with any present that was bought for him, so he might as well make sure Deathmask at least remembered his present!

He was still deciding what sort of present to get Deathmask when a familiar cold Cosmo entered his temple.   

“Hey Camus!”  Milo said going out to meet his friend.   Then he stopped.   Camus only wore casual clothes when he couldn’t help it.  “What’s going on?”

“I’m getting this secret Santa thing out of the way now.”  The Aquarius Saint said looking very annoyed.  “I already have to go to a party, I don’t need this hanging over my head all week too.”

“You’re actually willingly going into town?”   Milo said amazed.  “Did you freeze over hell while you were down there?”

“Oh, very funny.”  Camus snapped.  “Now if you’ll let me through…”   

“Wait here for a sec, would you?”  Milo asked, thinking rapidly.   He had to go buy something for Deathmask anyway, and going into town with his best friend would be more fun than going by himself.  “I need to go change.”   So saying he headed toward his rooms and changed as quickly as he could.   He ran back out to where he had left Camus standing, but the Aquarius Saint wasn’t there anymore.    Milo swore and took off down the stairs, catching up to his friend right as Camus was about to enter Libra temple.   “I though I asked you to wait..”  Milo panted as he fell into step beside the Aquarius Saint.

“Did you really think I would?”

“No…but I had hoped that you would have decided to be nice to your best friend at Christmas time.”  Milo sighed.

“I’m a Saint, Milo.  I do not celebrate Christmas.   The only reason I’m doing this is because the goddess asked it of me.”

“But you’re still doing it.”  Milo said grinning.  “So who did you get?”

“Why do you want to know?  It has nothing to do with you.”

“Because I’m curious.  And I’ll keeping bugging you until you tell me.”   Camus sighed, knowing that it was true. 

“I drew Aldebaran.”  The Aquarius Saint said at last. 

“Huh, Aldebaran’s easy to shop for.”  Milo said.  “I drew Deathmask.”

“If you drew him, then why are you still smiling?”   Milo just grinned wider and Camus shook his head.   “Just don’t buy him anything that will get you killed.”

“You do care about me!  I knew it!” 

“Milo, can you be quiet for more than five seconds?” 

As the went through Gemini temple, Milo saw Saga watching them curiously.   The Scorpio Saint grinned mischievously, then opened his mouth to tell Saga that Camus actually wanted to go shopping.   But the Aquarius Saint must have sensed what he was about to do because he stepped backward onto the Scorpio Saint’s foot.  Hard.   Milo yelped.

“I don’t want this Secret Santa thing hanging over my head.”  Camus explained while he was distracted.  “I’m going to get it over with now.”      Saga nodded in understanding.

“Good luck.”  The elder Saint said to them.  Camus nodded.

“What was that for?”  Milo complained.  “That hurt!”

“Good!”

“Now that’s just plain mean!”

“Whoever said I had to be nice to you?” 


They had reached Aries temple by now.  Mu was standing watching them when they came in.  Milo grinned once again. “Hey Mu, guess what!”  He called before the Aquarius Saint could stop him  “Camus here” He clapped his friend on the back.  “is looking forward to the Secret Santa thing!”

“No, I’m not.”  Camus said irritably as he brushed the offending hand away.  “I just want to get this over and done with!”

“Suuuure.”  Milo grinned. 

“Well, have fun.”  Mu said also grinning.  Camus gave him an icy look, and Milo just laughed as the two Saints headed out.

It was crowed in the Athens shopping district.  Milo wove his way through the crowd, enjoying the occasional admiring looks he got and the atmosphere of this place.    Camus did agree with him and kept glaring at everyone,  which made people give both of them a wide berth.   Both Saints stopped and looked around at the shops surrounding them.   Milo grinned, then started to push Camus toward one particular shop.

“Why don’t we try in here Camus?”   The Scorpio Saint said grinning.

“Milo what are you…?”  Then the Aquarius Saint caught sight of a the shop.  “Milo…that’s a gift shop.  A tourist gift shop.”

“So?”  Milo opened the door and shoved Camus inside before could protest. 

“I am not buying any of this overpriced…junk.”  The Aquarius Saint looked around the shop…which had a sea theme complete with garish decorations.

“You should learn to relax a little Camus!”  Milo grabbed a Santa hat off a nearby display and dropped on his friends head.  “Come on, it’s Christmas!”   The Scorpio Saint headed off to look at some of the displays, catching the Santa hat Camus had thrown back at him and dropping it onto his own head.    He paused before a display of holiday shirts.    “Think Deathmask will like this?”   He said holding up a t-shirt with a smiling Santa-hat wearing  crab over the word  ’crabby’  on it.    Camus gave his friend a look.     

Milo but the shirt back and headed deeper into the store.   After ignoring Camus’s snort when he found a smiling crab plush toy that giggled when you squeezed it, Milo found his way into a small section that contained toys.   

“You can’t  be serious.”  Camus said flatly. 

“Hey, even I’m not that bad.”   Milo grabbed a superball out of one of the  bins and started to bounce it, watching it go higher and higher each time…until it came down on his foot.  “OUCH!”  Milo cursed as the ball headed toward the center of the store where it would have caused who-knows-what kind of damage, if Camus hadn’t snatched it out the air first.   

“You should grow up Milo.”   The Aquarius Saint said as he threw the ball back. 

“What fun would that be?”  Milo answered grinning.   He didn’t put the superball back though.   Kiki might like it too.      A few minuets  later the Scorpio Saint held up a pair of goggled-eyed crab slippers triumphantly.    “These are perfect!” 

“Are you done here?”  Camus said, resigned to the fact that Milo rarely ever took anything seriously.

“Yes.”

“Then I’m waiting outside.”  The Aquarius Saint had a headache from the warbling Christmas carols that were being played in the shop.  At least the song outside weren’t as loud and there was fresh air.

“Fine.”  Milo waited until he was sure that Camus was out of the shop, then grabbed the picture of the Aurora Borealis over an artic landscape he had notice earlier.   He had been wonder how he was going to distract his friend long enough for him to actually buy it, but thankfully hadn’t had to resort to some of the tactics he had thought of.

Once he was done he walked outside and smiled at Camus. 

“Well, I’m done.  Now it’s your turn!” 

“I know.”  The Aquarius Saint replied miserably.

*********

Next Chapter: Aiolos buys his present for Mu.

[whateverwinnie]

Good job!!! I really look forward to reading more!!! It's the first thing I read at work... XD
 
Yay!!! Wonder what's Aiolos gonna buy for Mu... <3

[Ananke]

I like that chapter the most ^__^, Milo is such a great guy!
And I hope after all,he'll survive this christmas .

[Plantress]

A/N: Aiolos's chapter.  I discovered that I can't seem to write Aiolos with out adding some angst, so I added something fun in to try and balance things out.   

A Sagittarius, Shopping and the Arcade

Christmas had never crossed Aiolos’s mind before.   He had heard of it of course, but it had never meant anything him.    It seemed to mean something to Athena though, or else she wouldn’t have decided to have a party on that exact date.    It would be fun, even if it meant he had to buy a present for one of the other Saints.   

He drew a name and went down with the other Gold Saints, wondering who he had gotten.   Even if he had drawn Aioira it wouldn’t be easy, not when there was a thirteen year gap between them.  But that was something he preferred not to think about.  At last he reached Sagittarius temple and opened his piece of paper.  He glanced at the name curiously.   So he had to buy a present for Mu then.   He had no idea what to get the Aries Saint, but he wasn’t overly worried about that.   There was bound to be something that would work down in Athens.  It was a big city with tons of shops.    The only problem was money.   The other Gold Saints rarely bought anything or went into town,  but he had been hanging out with Seiya and the bronze Saints lately.    They liked to go to movies, restaurants and other places that required money.    Aiolos knew he had been careful to save at least a little each time but he wasn’t sure it was going to be enough…  The Sagittarius Saint headed toward his room, and pulled out the box the kept his money in.  He was in the midst of counting it when he heard someone come in. 

“Aio,”  he said catching sight of his brother  “What’s the matter? You  look like you’ve seen a ghost.”     The Leo Saint came over and sat on the bed, then showed him the piece of paper he had drawn.   It amused Aiolos that he had drawn Mu and Aioria had drawn Shion, but he couldn’t help but feel his little brother was over reacting just a little.  He doubted Shion even cared about Christmas.   The Pope probably didn’t even care if he got a present or not, so he would be happy with what ever Aioria got him.   

“Don’t think about it so much.”   Aiolos smiled and clapped his brother on the back.  “It’s Shion.  It’ll be fine.   Now come and spar with me, maybe that’ll calm you down.  It’s been a while since we’ve actually fought against each other anyway.”

“You really want to get your butt kicked?” Aioria said grinning, worry momentarily forgotten. 

“You shouldn’t talk that way to your big brother.”  Aiolos said jumping up.  “I trained you, I know I can still beat you.”

“I’ve gotten better since then.”   Aioria grinned.  “You haven’t seen what I’ve come up with since you been….gone.”    Aiolos stopped smiling involuntarily, the weight of those thirteen lost years pressing down on him.

“I know” Said sadly, then he gave himself a mental shake and grinned again determined not to make Aioria worry about him..  “Race you to the training grounds?” 

“Only if you think you can actually be a challenge to me!”   Aiolos tired to forget about everything as he and Aioria ran down to the training grounds, then tried to loose himself in the sparring session that followed.   He did manage too push it to the back of his mind, but once he was alone in his temple, those feelings returned once again.

As glad as he was to be alive again, the Sagittarius Saint sometimes had to wonder if it would have been easier if he had remained dead.   Thirteen years was a long time and so much had changed.  All the Gold Saints he had known as children were adults now and even his younger brother was older than he was!   The now older Saints respected him, but it just wasn’t the same as before.   That sense of brotherhood that had bound the Gold Saints together when they were younger was gone.   It had disappeared during Saga’s reign, and despite the unity they had showed during  the war with Hades, most of the Gold Saints still stood part from each other.   

That was why he preferred to spend time with the Seiya and other bronze Saints.   Even if he wasn’t one of them, they still had that sense of…unity that the Gold Saints lacked.   Seiya at least accepted him without problems.     Aiolos shook himself to clear his head of such gloomy thoughts and headed off to bed.  He would think things through in the morning.

The secret Santa thing was the first thing on Aiolos’s mind when he woke up, and he realized that it might be a good idea to ask Shion about Mu.   The Pope wasn’t in the main temple though, and one of the servants said that he had left with Dohko earlier.   The Sagittarius Saint headed down toward the practice grounds.   Athena had gone somewhere with the bronze Saints after she had announced the Christmas party, and wasn’t back yet.     Going through Scorpio was amusing.   His brother was balancing a tall ladder and yelling something to Milo who was standing down below.   Since the both looked busy, and slightly annoyed with each other, Aiolos continued down rather than be dragged into whatever they were doing.   As he trained, Aiolos realized that it might not be such a good idea to ask Shion for help.   The Pope was missing the same thirteen years he was, and it might not be a good idea to remind him of that.

Aiolos decided to stop putting it off and actually head down into Athens the next day.   He headed down stairs that morning, and passed through Scorpio.  There was mistletoe everywhere.  At least it answered the question of what his brother and the Scorpio Saint had been doing yesterday.   Aioria wasn’t in his temple when he reached it, and Aiolos continued down slightly disappointed.    Aldebaran was baking again today, the smell was all over the temple.   The Sagittarius Saint debated on whether or not he should go see what the Taurus Saint was cooking, then reminded himself that he had something to do and headed down the temple steps.  He would visit Aldebaran when he came back from shopping.   

Aioria was in Aries temple when he walked in.

“Morning Aiolos.”  His brother said when he saw Aiolos. “What are you doing here?”

“Going out.”   Was his reply.  “You are too right?”  He asked, noting that Aioria was wearing casual clothes. “ Have you finally figured out what you’re going to get Shion?”

“No.”  Aioria said tensely and looked around.  “Mu’s not here and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet.”

“Maybe Mu’s shopping today?”  The Sagittarius suggested.   “Or he’s busy.”

“Then I guess I can’t go today.”  Aioria grumbled.  “Without help I’m not going to be able to find anything that Shion will like.” 

“Don’t talk like that!”  Aiolos said.  “I bet you’ll find something if you actually go down and look.   I’m going to go buy something for Mu now.   Why don’t you come with?   I’ll be bored by myself anyway, and even if you don’t find something you can always ask Mu for help when we get back.”

“I guess I could.”  Aioria sighed.   “Although I doubt I’ll find anything.  I still have no idea what Pope Shion likes!”    Aiolos just laughed at his brothers stubbornness and started down, sensing Aioria following him.

Athens was always crowed but Aiolos had never seen it as crowded as it was now.   He remembered someone mentioning that it always got crowded around Christmas but he hadn’t believed them.   The Sagittarius Saint was very careful to dodge around the people in the crowd, but Aioria wasn’t and he heard his brother curse a couple times when someone ran into him.

He let Aioria lead the way since his brother seemed so agitated about buying something for Shion.  After visiting several shops Aioria still hadn’t bought anything and was beginning to get upset.

“But aren’t you suppose to be shopping for Shion, and not the Pope?”  Aiolos  said wisely after Aioria complained  about not being able to find a present for the Pope.  Aioria just glared at him, then opened the door to the next shop.    It was some sort of craft store.   The Leo Saint hesitated.   

“Do you really think they’ll be anything here?” Aioria said uncertainly.  “There are flowers everywhere and I‘m not shopping for Aphrodite.”

“Just go in!”  Aiolos gave him a shove and the Leo Saint was forced into the shop.  Once side, Aiolos went off in the opposite direction from his brother.    He didn’t think Aioria wanted him looking over his shoulder while he searched.    After a while, Aioria came over to him holding a box.

“What do you think about this?”  Aioria showed him a window-sill herb garden kit.   Aiolos looked it over then grinned.

“Get it.”

“You think he’ll like it?”  Aioria said surprised. 

“Yeah.    At the least you did try to find something, and I’m sure that’s what Athena mean when she started this.  Shion will probably appreciate that too.”

“Hmmm…”  Aioria looked at the box…then headed up to pay for it.   Aiolos trailed along after him.  Outside Aioria looked over at his brother.  “Well I’m done.   Do you have any idea what you’re getting Mu?”

“Not really.”  Aiolos admitted.  “But that’s the fun part isn’t it?”   

“Says you.”  The Sagittarius Saint heard his brother mutter as they headed toward another shop farther down the street.   

On the way to a shop he had noticed, he paused in front of an arcade.  Seiya liked these places, although the others weren’t really fond of them, Shiryu called them a waste of money.   That didn’t stop the Pegasus Saint from dragging them to the arcade regularly though.   Suddenly he caught sight of one of the machines inside and grinned.

“ Why are you grinning like that ‘olos?”  Aioria said coming up beside him.  “I get worried when you started grinning like that….”     The Sagittarius Saint just smiled, then ducked inside.    He heard Aioria follow him inside.  “Why are we in an arcade?”

“To have fun!”  Aiolos called over his shoulder.   “Come on.”

“Why are you acting like such a  kid?”

“Because I am a kid?”  Aiolos said, grinning over his shoulder.  Then his smile faded.  Aioria looked startled.   “Aio, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” The Leo saint said but Aiolos could tell something was bothering his brother. 

“Over here!”  Aiolos said to distract him.  Aioria looked at the machine dubiously.

“What is that?”

“A dancing game.”

“And how does a dancing game work?”  Aioria walked around the machine curiously.

“There are arrows on the stage, see?  When the arrows come up on the screen you step on the matching arrows on the stage.  It’s simple!”

“If you say so..”  Aioria looked at him.  “How do you even know about this game though?”

“Seiya showed it to me a while go.”

“Why am I no surprised,”  Aioria sighed.  “Seiya has been corrupting you.”

“So?”  Aiolos ignored the remark and stepped onto the stage. “Want to try it?”

“Why would I?”

“Scared you can’t do it?” Aiolos grinned.

“Hey!”  Aioria scowled.  “I’m not scared of a machine!”

“Then get up here!”   Aioria gave him a look, but stepped up anyway. 

“Now what do I do!”

“Just wait for a second,”  Aiolos dug in his pockets for enough change.  This was going to be fun….!  He selected one of the easier songs because Aioria was a beginner.    Not that he would tell his brother that though.   Aioria wouldn’t believe he would need an easy song.

Then the music started.  Aiolos tried to concentrated on his own steps but he would mess up because he keep snickering watching his brother flail around.   Gold Saints could move at light speed but it didn’t help any here.  He had learned that the first time Seiya had challenged him.  Toward the end of the song the Leo Saint stumbled, almost falling off the stage.  Someone  in the arcade snickered at him and Aiolos started laughing.   

“Can we get out of here now?”  Aioria said, bright red from embarrassment as the song ended.  Aiolos snickered and nodded.  Aioria glared at him.   “I am never doing that again!”  The Leo Saint hissed once they were outside. 

“Sorry,” Aiolos said innocently.  “I just wanted to show you what it was like.”   Aioria grumbled something but Aiolos had caught sight of a store window.   The display looked interesting, so he darted inside.   Aioria hurried in after him.

There was a hodge-podge of stuff in the store, from candles and statues, to music and posters.  Aiolos was looking through  things interestedly when he found several table top fountains. 

“Does this look like something Mu would like?”  He asked Aioria who was standing nearby. 

“I think so.”  His brother said looking at it. 

“Good.”  Aiolos said, then grabbed one that was made up of an orb on top of a pile of small stones, then quickly headed up to pay for it.   He had already bought Aioria a shirt with a picture of a lion on it early when his brother had been distracted, so he was set.

“Are we done now?”  Aioria asked when they were outside.

“Yeah.  We can go home now.”

“Finally!”

*********

Next Chapter: Shura goes shopping for Milo

[Valora]

I love these stories.  I can't wait to see what is the reactions of everyone when they get their presents.

[Plantress]

Christmas for a Goat

Shura had some memories of Christmas from his childhood before Sanctuary.  Blurred impressions of a Christmas tree, presents, and someone dressed up like Santa Clause were all that was there though.   Those memories hadn’t had an affect on his life….at least until today.   He didn’t know why Athena thought that it would be a good idea to throw a Christmas party.   On reflection he realized he didn’t need to know all of her reasons, just that he had to go to the party she was so excited about.   Well, go to the party and buy  a present for another Gold Saint.   It could have been worse he guessed, and at least he had a few days to get ready.   

After they had drawn their slips of paper, Athena left the room.   They all exited after that, heading down to their temples.   Although it was annoying that Capricorn was one of the temples farthest from the training grounds,  it was one of the ones closer to the main temple so for once he had a lesser distance to walk.   He heard the others passing through on their way down as he headed toward his rooms and dismissed his Cloth.     The Capricorn Saint opened his piece of paper curiously…then stared at it.   Why in Athena’s name had he drawn Milo?    He had nothing in common with the Scorpio Saint!   But he was stuck with it now.     At least he hadn’t drawn Deathmask.   He had no idea what he would have bought for the Cancer Saint.

After he had spent some time worrying and trying to think of something that would suit the Scorpio Saint, Shura headed down to the training grounds to clear his head.   Aioria and Aiolos were already there.  He wondered why they were training so hard.     He headed back up to his temple that night, still blank about Milo’s present.    There was the smell of baking drifting through Taurus temple and he paused to wonder what Aldebaran was up to before he went the rest of the way up.   

By the next morning he still hadn’t thought of anything to give Milo.   He decided to make a list of the things that he knew the Scorpio Saint liked to see if anything jumped out at him.   Shura knew that the younger Saint liked women, playing pranks on other unsuspecting Saints, drinking, and his pet scorpions….but that was about all he knew of the Scorpio Saint.   Milo might have been one of the most social of the Gold Saints, but he reveled very little of his true personality.    Not surprising really, they all had their own burdens to carry, ones they didn’t wish  others to know about.   Well, Camus might know about Milo’s secrets but the Aquarius Saint would never ever betray his friend.   

Shura had though about asking Camus for help, but that had seemed a little like cheating to him.  He was capable of figuring this out on his own and would do so.   After staring at his list for at least ten minuets, with no ideas jumping out at him, the Capricorn Saint decided to take a break.   Maybe doing something would help him come up with a good idea.   Milo was just so different from him it was hard to think of anything that the other Saint would like.   

Passing through Scorpio temple was strange.  Milo had Christmas carols blaring from a  speaker he had hidden somewhere, and the Scorpio Saint himself was standing next to a ladder arguing with Aioria.   He wondered if this was another one of Milo’s pranks or if the Scorpio Saint was doing something else, but decided to ignore it for now.   He headed down toward the training grounds, wondering about what he could get Milo….then was hailed as he passed through Taurus.

“Shura!”  Aldebaran called from the doorway of his rooms.  “Are you doing anything right now?”

“Not really.  I was just on my way to the training ground but that can wait.”  The Capricorn Saint said curiously.  Everyone knew that the Taurus Saint had been making something in his kitchen since Athena’s announcement but no one seemed to know that it was.   That was odd now that Shura thought about it.   Aldebaran let anyone come and visit him, and he tended to encourage people to stay so there was no reason for it to be such a secret.

“Then could you come and give me a hand with something?”  Aldebaran asked. 

“Sure.”  Shura nodded and started toward the door…only to have Aldebaran grab his arm and yanked him inside.

“Good!”  The Taurus Saint boomed as he dragged the smaller Capricorn Saint over to the kitchen.   Shura had only a glimpse of chaotic mix of finished cookies and baking ingredients before Aldebaran shoved a plateful of the finished cookies under his nose.

“Can you tell me how these taste?”  The Taurus Saint said looking anxious.   Shura took one nervously, then noticed that Kiki was in the kitchen too, watching him with almost the same expression as the Taurus Saint.   Shura swallowed then hesitantly took a small bite of the gingerbread man.   His eyes widened.

“This is good!”  He exclaimed.  Aldebaran beamed and Kiki cheered. 

“See?”  The little boy said.  “I told you they’ll like your present!” 

“Present?”  Shura said curiously. 

“That’s a secret!”  Aldebaran said grinning.  “Now I have to get started on it, and I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise for you!”      Two minuets later Shura found himself standing out in the middle of the Taurus temple with a small bag of cookies, with Aldebaran slamming the door to the kitchen behind him.   The Capricorn Saint shook his head, then continued on down, nibbling on cookies the whole time.

Despite wracking his brains by the next day Shura still hadn’t thought of a gift for Milo and he was beginning to get worried.  Try as he might he couldn’t think of anything  and he spent the whole day wonder what he was going to do.    He though about going up and asking Camus for advice one or twice but each time the thought of not being able to such a simple task himself stung his pride.

Shura was staring at his list in desperation when he suddenly remembered a conversation he had overheard between Aioria and Milo the other day.  Milo had been saying he needed a bigger tank to keep all his pet scorpions in but hadn’t gotten one yet.    The Capricorn Saint collapsed back against his chair in relief.   He hadn’t heard Milo say anything about buying a new tank yet and he was sure he would have heard about it if he had.    For some reason that Shura could not figure out, the Scorpio Saint delighted in dragging Camus down to see his pets whenever he did something knew with them, even though  he had to know that the Aquarius Saint hated them.  Since Capricorn was one of the temples between Scorpio and Aquarius, Shura always heard all about Milo’s little ‘pets’.

A quick glance at the clock showed that it was later than the Capricorn Saint had though it was.  He decided that he would head out first thing in the morning.   

The Capricorn Saint was used to raising early and had not trouble getting up the next morning.  Milo was apparently still asleep when he passed through the temple since there was no Christmas music blaring.   There was however a massive amount of mistletoe everywhere.   He shook his head in confusion about what the Scorpio Saint was thinking and continued down.

Athens in the Christmas seasons was confusing and crowded.   The Capricorn Saint wove his way through the streets carefully wondering why so many people were up this early.  Since he didn’t know where a pet store was, he stopped and looked in the windows of any store that looked promising, but had yet to find anything.    He was turning a corner when he saw a head of familiar blonde hair.   For a second what he had seen didn’t register, then he froze and turned around.    At first he wasn’t sure of what he was seeing since Shaka was the least likely Saint that he could think of to actually be shopping.    Then he noticed how stressed the other Saint was.   Shaka never looked stressed, even in the midst of battle.   Shura made his way over to the other Saint.
“Shaka?”  He called out.  The Virgo Saint stopped and turned toward him.

“Shura, what are you doing here?” 

“Probably the same thing you are.”  Shura said warily, nothing how agitated the other Saint seemed. “Are you alright though?  You look a  little ……pale.”

“I’m fine.”  Shaka said.  “I just haven’t been to this area before, so I don’t know where to start.”   

“….I  would just picked some place and go in.”  Shura said honestly and looked at the blonde Saint worriedly.   He didn’t seem very well at all.  “You sure you’re alright?”

 “I’m perfectly fine.”  Shaka said sharply.  He turned and headed toward one of the smaller shops.  Shura hesitated for a second, then shrugged and continued on his own quest.   He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible too.

He finally found a pet shop on one of the other streets and went inside.  It was only when he was in the store that he realized didn’t know how big Milo’s tank was.   Shura just bough the biggest one he could find to be sure.  It was awkward to carry, but not that hard.   Shura headed back toward Sanctuary, feeling only slightly relieved.   He had found Milo’s present, but he still had to go to that party.


*******

Camus finds a present for Aldebaran.

[garuda]

Shura's present for Milo = the best and most surprising among all so far 

[Plantress]

A/N: Writing annoyed Camus is fun!  And I kept listening to the song 'Greatest Time of the Year' while I was writing this...

The Icicle VS Christmas

Camus was beginning to wonder what he had done to deserve this sort of punishment.   He did not want to go to a party.   He did not want to buy a present.   But due to the fact that it was Athena who had decided that all the Gold Saints would participate in those Christmas related activities, he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.   There were several other Gold Saints, like Milo, who looked positively excited about this.   Silently the Aquarius Saint agreed whole heartedly with Deathmask, something that he had not though possible before.   

After Athena left he headed down to his temple grateful that it was so close.   He went straight to his rooms and shut the door, not wanting to deal with anyone, even Milo at the moment.   Christmas….at least Hyoga was probably happy about this.  The boy had never shut up about it when winter rolled around, and never listened when he had patiently explained to him many times that Saints didn’t celebrate Christmas.   Although now that Athena was here that rule seemed to have flown out the window. 

“I suppose I had better get his over with.”  The Aquarius Saint muttered as he looked at the piece of paper in his hand.  He opened it then sighed.   Aldebaran wasn’t the worst Saint he could have gotten, but it was still annoying.     He would have to go down in to Athens at some point, he realized.   No matter how much he wished to avoid it, the trip in to town would be necessary.   The Aquarius Saint realized that he could spend several days avoiding going to Athens, then rush down at the last minuet to try and find something for the Taurus Saint, or go now and get it over with.   

He changed into his casual clothes.  It was better to get this over with now.   There was already that party on Christmas Day.   He didn’t want to have to worry about both things at once. 

The trip down went smoothly until he reached Scorpio.  Milo was there and Camus just knew he would he happy about this.   The party and the Secret Santa were things that the Scorpio Saint would enjoy immensely.   Camus just wished that Milo wouldn’t try to get him to enjoy them too.

“Hey Camus!”  Was his friend’s greeting.  Milo gave him a curious look when he noticed the causal clothes. “What’s going on?”

“I’m getting this secret Santa thing out of the way now.”  He said still annoyed about being forced to go shopping. “I already have to go to a party, I don’t need this hanging over my head all week too.”

“You’re actually willingly going into town?”   Milo said amazed.  “Did you freeze over hell while you were down there?”

“Oh, very funny.”  Camus snapped.  “Now if you’ll let me through…”   

“Wait here for a sec, would you? I need to go change.” Milo said quickly then ran toward his rooms.   The Aquarius Saint shook his head and continued down the stairs.  He hadn’t wanted Milo to come along because his friend would feel the need to try and cheer him up even though he did not want to be cheered up.  But now that Milo had decided to come Camus knew that there would be nothing he could do to stop Milo from following him.   At least he could try to keep the Scorpio Saint out of trouble.

Milo managed to catch up with him just before he entered Libra, complaining about him not waiting.   Then he demanded to know who he had drawn for the secret Santa.  Since he knew that Milo could and would follow through on his threat to annoying him, he decided not to fight with him about it.

“I I drew Aldebaran.”  Camus told his friend. 

“Huh, Aldebaran’s easy to shop for.”  Milo said.  “I drew Deathmask.”     

Camus wondered what mischievously evil force had decided that Milo should shop for Deathmask.  The grin on Milo’s face was enough to convince the Aquarius Saint that he didn’t want to know what Milo was planning to get the Cancer Saint.  At least he doubted Deathmask would actually try and hurt Milo in front of Athena….but then again it was Deathmask they were talking about.   Anything was possible with him.   

By then they had reached Gemini.  Years of knowing Milo made Camus aware that the Scorpio Saint would try something when they saw Saga standing there.   He stopped his friend by stepping backwards on to his foot.   At least while he as complaining about that he wasn’t saying anything weird.   After he explained to Saga what he was doing, Camus continued down.  He was used to Milo’s complaints anyway, so he  simply ignored them as they walked, answering his friend without really thinking about.   

He wasn’t fast enough when they reach Aries though.   

“Hey Mu, guess what!”  Milo said before he could stop him. “Camus here” The Scorpio Saint clapped a on his back.  “is looking forward to the Secret Santa thing!”

“No, I’m not.”  He said irritably as he brushed Milo’s hand away.  “I just want to get this over and done with!”

“Suuuure.”  Milo grinned. 

“Well, have fun.”  Mu said also grinning.  Camus gave the other Saint an icy look, and Milo just laughed as they headed down the stairs.

Two minuets after they had reached the shopping district, Camus was certain that of all holidays he hated Christmas the most.  The lights, decorations and music were annoying but those didn’t compared to the indignity of being crowded like this.  He glared at anyone who got to close to him, feeling annoyed with the crowds and life in general right now. 

“Why don’t we try in here Camus?”   Milo said suddenly and started pushing him somewhere

“Milo what are you…?”  Then the Aquarius Saint caught sight of a the shop.  “Milo…that’s a gift shop.  A tourist gift shop.”

“So?”  Milo opened the door and shoved him inside before he could protest. 

“I am not buying any of this overpriced…junk.”  The Aquarius Saint looked around the shop…which had a sea theme complete with garish decorations.

Then Milo shoved a Santa had on his head and set off into the shop.  Camus threw the hat back at him, feeling slightly annoyed when his friend just caught it and but it on, then started his search for the most ridiculous present he could find in the shop.    He had no clue why Milo though it would be a good idea to mess with Deathmask, but choose to ignore it.   If Milo had a death wish then it wasn’t his place to interfere.   

At least Milo decided on a pair of goggle-eyed crab slippers.   

“Are you done here?” Camus couldn’t help asking.

“Yes.”

“Then I’m waiting outside.”  He wondered why Christmas seemed to involved playing the same songs over and over  and over again until the listener got a head ache.   Maybe it was some strange form of torture to punish those who waited until the week before Christmas to do their shopping.   Outside the music was muted and there was fresh air, which did help some with the headache he was developing.   It was still crowded though, and he thought he might have scared several people away from the shop when he glared at them.   

Milo came out of the shop at last with a bag, looking far to cheerful for someone who had just been shopping.

“Well, I’m done.  Now it’s your turn!” 

“I know.”  The Aquarius Saint replied miserably.

“You look like you’re preparing for another Holy War.”  Milo said sounding amused.

“I would rather face another Holy War.”  Camus muttered under his breath.

“Come one, it’s not that bad!”

“Yes. It. Is.”  The Aquarius Saint snapped and headed down the street, wonder how people could actually enjoy this holiday.   All the shops seemed to have some sort of sign advertising a holiday sale near it, but he ignored most of them.   Milo didn’t though.   The Scorpio Saint abruptly grabbed his arm and dragged him over to a store window. 

“Look!”  Milo pointed gleefully.  “That’s mistletoe!”     Camus looked at the green sprigs.

“So?”   

“It’s mistletoe Camus!  You can’t have Christmas without mistletoe!”

“Yes you can.  I think most people do.   You just want to trap someone, probably Marin or Shaina underneath it.  Which is a very bad idea Milo.”

“Why is that?”  Milo grinned.   Camus sighed.

“Aioria will start a thousand days war with you if he finds out you’re going after Marin and I don’t want to listen to Shiana screaming at you for going after her again either.”

“But see this is Christmas and mistletoe.  It’s different.  It doesn’t mean anything.”  Milo grinned.  “Besides, I wonder what our dear Lion will look like if I manage to catch him and Marin under the mistletoe.  Think he’ll die from embarrassment?”

“Milo…”  Camus shook his head as he followed the Scorpio Saint into the shop.  There would be no changing his friends mind now, at least not by using logic  and common sense.   While Milo went off to ask about buying his mistletoe,  the Aquarius Saint looked through the shop.   When his friend returned with another bag and a grin on his face Camus sighed.   This did not bode will for Sanctuary.   “Just be careful that Aphrodite doesn’t catch you under the mistletoe Milo.”      The Scorpio Saint went pale.

“Don’t joke about stuff like that!”  He said horrified.   Camus chuckled, a little of his good humor restored.  That had vanished a few minuets later after he had been pushed around by the crowds outside.   He wondered why people like Milo didn’t seem to be bothered by it.   The Scorpio Saint must have noticed that he was getting stressed since he hadn’t said anything annoying in the past minuet or so.

“Look over there Camus.”  The Scorpio said at last.   Camus looked irritably, expecting to see another one of those annoyingly decorated tourist traps.  Instead he saw a bookstore.

Bookstores were good.  They were quiet and probably not as crowded as the other shops.   Camus headed over to it.    He slipped inside and felt himself  relax a little away from the pressure of the crowds.    Milo looked at him in concern.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”  Camus said and straightened up.  Aldebaran had been baking lately.  Maybe he should get the Taurus Saint a cookbook.   Those at least were easy to find.    There was a book on making gourmet good that he though Aldebaran would like, so be picked that one.   He might have looked for a different book, but there were two girls in that aisle that kept staring at him and giggling.  He found them very, very irritating. 

After a quick checked to make sure that Milo was absorbed in a magazine (what he was looking at Camus did not want to know, although he could make a good guess what it was), the Aquarius Saint picked up a book on scorpions that he knew Milo didn’t have.      It was only after he had paid for the books that he tapped Milo on the shoulder. 

“Find anything?”  His friend asked.

“Yes.”   Camus held up his bag.  “Now lets get back.  I don’t want to spend another moment drowning in this Christmas cheer.”

“You still have the party….”

“Do. Not. Remind. Me.”   Camus growled.   Milo laughed.

“You’ll survive it.”

“Maybe.”  Was all the Aquarius Saint said as the headed back toward Sanctuary.

*******

Next chapter:  Aphrodite goes shopping for Dohko.

[whateverwinnie]

 
Lovely chapter!!! Now I can't wait to find out what Aphro will buy for Dohko... XD

[Shaina [シャイナ]]

All chapters up to this are not online on my website: http://stayka.homelinux.net/seiya/st-other.html#ssanta

[Plantress]

A/N: Finally the last of the Saint chapters!  Only two chapters left in this fic now.

Of Fishes and Christmas

Aphrodite groaned, then slammed his elbow into Deathmask’s gut to stop the Cancer Saint from cursing anymore.   Of course the Cancer Saint was going to protest, Athena herself must have known that!    But there wasn’t much you do about Deathmask, Aphrodite knew that first hand.   About the best thing you could do was let the Cancer Saint react and try to convince him that killing someone was not the best course of action….

The Pisces Saint took the last slip of paper from the bowl and returned his place feeling a little anxious about the Secret Santa thing.   He was actually looking forward to the party, and he liked shopping but wasn’t used to shopping for anybody but himself.    About the only other person he had bought something for in the past few years was Deathmask.   It would be a lot more of a challenge to find a present for someone else.   

Athena left, and so did all the Gold Saints.   Grateful for once that he lived closest to the main temple, Aphrodite went to his rooms and checked his piece of paper.   Then closed his eyes and sighed.   He had gotten Dohko.   One of the oldest and most respected Saints in Sanctuary.    The Libra Saint also happened to be the person that Aphrodite had talked to the least.   Aside from greetings whenever Dohko passed through his temple, the Pisces Saint hadn’t said anything to the older Saint, let alone  had a decent conversation with him.

He did know some things about the Libra Saint but he wasn’t sure if a few facts would be enough to enable him to choose a present.   Idly he wondered which Saint had the misfortune of having Deathmask shopping for him.  He very much doubted that Deathmask would do anything about the secret Santa idea.   Tomorrow he would go and see if he could get the Cancer Saint to participate.   But he would let the other Saint cool off for today.   There was no telling what would happen if he tired to talk to the Cancer saint now. 

Going down through the temples the next day let him see that Milo at least was enjoying this.   The Scorpio Saint was decorating his temple with multiple sprigs of mistletoe.  Aphrodite wondered how he had managed to convince Aioria to help him and where he had gotten the Christmas music that was echoing through out the temple.     It was surprising that Scorpio Saint didn’t have a headache from it yet.

Cancer temple was surprisingly quiet.   Aphrodite poked his head into Deathmask’s rooms when he realized the Saint wasn’t in the main portion of his temple.   The Pisces Saint frowned at the mess he saw on the other side of the half open door.

“Please don’t tell me you got drunk.”  He said as he walked and nudged one of the bottles lying on the floor with his foot. Deathmask just glared at him from were he was picking more bottles up. “Wasn’t that a little extreme?”

“No.”   Deathmask growled in reply.  “If I forgot who I drew then I wouldn’t have to find a present for them anymore!”

“So you’d tell Athena that you couldn’t participate because you got to drunk to remember who you were suppose to buy a present for?”

“Yeah.   Not like I care what she thinks of me anyway.”  Deathmask said.  “Besides, it’s not like she could do anything about it.”

“She might figure out a way to find out who you had.”   Aphrodite pointed out.  “She is a goddess after all.”

“I don’t care.”  Deathmask snapped.  “I’m not going to buy a present for the damn lion, and I am not going to that damn party!” 

“It’s Athena wish.”

“Screw Athena than!”

Aphrodite paled. “Do you want to get thrown in Cape Surion?” 

“I’ll lock myself in if it means avoiding that damn Christmas party.”     

Aphrodite sighed and shook his head at the Cancer Saint, wondering what was going through his friends head.   “It’s just a party Deathmask.”

“One I don’t want to go to.”  The Cancer Saint growled.   “Once I get dragged up there I’m going to get drunk off my ass and try to forget about everything.”    Aphrodite shuddered slightly when he thought of the damage a drunk Deathmask would cause.   The Cancer Saint was already unpopular with the other Saints and if he managed to upset Lady Athena…. or worse if he managed to something that embarrassed all the Gold Saints it would be very, very bad.   Aphrodite knew that there was nothing he could do or say now that would stop Deathmask.  He would just have to make sure that the Cancer Saint didn’t do anything  stupid on the day of the party.

“Do what you want!”  Aphrodite settled on saying for now.  “But try not to do something that will get the rest of us in trouble too.”

“Why should I care?”  He heard Deathmask say, but he just shook his head and walked out.   He wanted to check on his roses.   There was that one bush that didn’t seem to be taking the slightly colder weather well and he was worried about that.  Working in his garden helped him relax after the confrontation with Deathmask, and he spent the rest of the day there.   He liked spending time with his flowers, he found their beauty very soothing. 

Over the next two days the Christmas spirit seemed to invade Sanctuary.   Aphrodite thought it was amusing, although Deathmask didn’t share is opinion.    Most of the rest of the inhabitants had heard about what was going on and would not stop talking about it.   Aphrodite knew the guards were planning on having their own Christmas party and the few lesser Saints who hadn’t been invited were feeling slightly jealous.   

It was then that the Pisces Saint glanced at the calendar and realized that the next day was Christmas Eve, and that he had better get his shopping done before then.   He changed into his casual clothes  quickly, realizing that it would still be a incredibly chaotic down in the city.  It would have been better if he had gone earlier but he had completely lost track of the days! 

Passing through Scorpio on his way down Aphrodite saw Milo…but the Scorpio Saint went pale and ducked behind a pillar before he could say anything.   The Pisces Saint only gave a passing thought to what he was doing before he continued down.   Most of the other Saints barely spared him a glace.   Taurus was full of a tantalizing smell, but there was a note pinned on the door lead to Aldebaran’s rooms that had a bunch of things like ’Secret Project’,  ’Keep Out!’  and ’Don’t peek’ written on it.   Aphrodite knew that the larger Saint was making something but only wondered about it for about a second before he hurried down into the city itself.

It was a zoo in the shopping district.  Aphrodite paused in the swirling crowds and wondered what he should get for Dohko.   He hadn’t actually thought about that part yet and now he was regretting at least not trying to come up with something for the elder Saint.    A sign on a clothing store caught his eye and he paused.    Although it wasn’t his original intention…but it would be nice to have some more festive clothes to wear to the party and was long as he was here anyway why couldn’t he buy something nice for himself too? 

Inside he headed straight to the racks that held some of the more appealing bargains.   After going through most of the racks he frowned.   There was nothing here in his size!   Well nothing in this section anyway.  Those other clothes weren’t on sale which was why he had avoided them at first but he really did need a new outfit.   Suddenly he noticed a white hoodie with a  tiger on it near the back of the store.   For a second he hesitated then headed over to it.  He wasn’t sure if Dohko actually wore clothes like this.   But….it would look good on the older Saint and wasn’t that all that mattered?    Aphrodite took it, then turned back to the rest of the store.     There was till that cute shirt he had seen and he really needed a new outfit.

It would be hours before the Pisces Saint returned to Sanctuary, carrying  several bags.

**********

Next Chapter:  It's Christmas Eve and the Gold Saints are decorating for the party....

[Qubeley]

You know I like Dite being cosmopolitan when it comes to fashion. Also, I like that you made him a reasonable guy. Dite is also one of the few goldies without doubt in willfully participating in the event.

You've come a long way, actually. Good to see you're almost finished with the idea that started in chat.