Recap: after the battle with Zeus, the saints and Athena were sucked into a warp and found themselves back in Tokyo. This should have been fine. Only this was a different Tokyo. They were greeted by Saori's counterpart who brought them to the Kido Mansion to have some rest. To make things less confusing, they call their counterparts with the suffix '-san' at the end. Over a conversation, they discover that thought a lot of things are similar, a lot of things aren't exactly the same either. For example, their family ties. They discover that their mothers are, to their surprise and joy, alive and so they decided that they were going to pay them visit on the next day. **************** A SAINT SEIYA FANFICTION: ANOTHER REALITY Saint Seiya and all the characters in it are the legal possession of Masami Kurumada and the respective companies. Note 1: All character having their names in '...' are the characters from the dimension in which the saints and Saori landed in. Note 2: words in <...> signify thoughts. Chapter 1: East or West, Mother is the Best! A Path to Memories. *************** The next day. Shiryu peered at the rays of the sun shining through the window of his room. In a good mood, he got up and pulled the curtains, opening up the window panes. Then, staring at the clouds, he took a deep breath and stretched himself. Japan was cool in this season of spring. He liked spring. In fact, he liked each season for its particularities. Spring for its renewal, summer for its warmth, autumn for its colours and winter for its purity. He washed himself up, dressed himself and went downstairs cautiously, wondering if he was the first to have awaken. To his surprise, he found that Hyoga was already there, eating his breakfast quietly. He frowned. After last night, he would have thought Hyoga more...agitated. Not as calm as he was at present. Hyoga put down his glass of milk and turned and smiled at Shiryu. "Good morning Shiryu" he said "I see that you have risen early this morning." "Good morning Hyoga" Shiryu replied " I'm glad to see that you are feeling better this morning." Hyoga flashed a broad smile before saying sheepishly "Yah. Sorry if I frightened you all last night. Guess I couldn't take the shock." "It is only natural" Shiryu replied "You saw how I reacted last night didn't you?" Hyoga laughed good-naturedly "Wouldn't have missed that look on your face for the world!" Shiryu laughed out heartily. "Well, wouldn't have missed your shock for the world too!" he said. Hyoga grinned "I acted like I fool didn't I?" "Something like that!" Shiryu exclaimed. Both off them laughed. "Shiryu, the next time I faint?" Hyoga said after they stopped laughing. "Yes Hyoga?" "Be a pal and kick my butt to wake me up?" Shiryu laughed again, imagining the scene in his head and said "That's a promise Hyoga! Only don't you regret it!" "Don't worry I won't!" promised Hyoga "I solemnly promise this!" And with that, Hyoga finished his breakfast while Shiryu started his. *************** Not far away. Seiya stretched himself in his bed as he lazily opened his eyes. Drat that sunshine he thought. He tossed and turned, debating whether to go up or not before finally deciding to have an extra 5 minutes rest. He curled up again his bolster as he pulled his blanket further up. This bed felt so comfortable he thought in a yawn before slumbering back into a deep sleep.... "knock knock" Seiya opened his eyes. Darn he thought, couldn't a guy have some rest? was it to much to ask for 5 minutes extra? "Seiya?" Shiryu's voice was heard. Low, gentle and patient. But what Seiya wanted now was his 5 minutes extra sleep, and a voice, no matter how gentle or patient was not going to give him that. "Seiya?" Shiryu's voice came again, persistent. Seiya took his pillow and put it over his head, in the hope that he would not hear this voice again. His efforts were in vain. "Seiya?" Shiryu's voice started to sound impatient "Are you awake? Saori wants us all down and ready in half-an-hour!" Seiya opened his eyes and groaned. "Coming Shiryu!" he said yawning, "Just wait a sec." He dragged himself out of bed and groggily reached for the door knob. He wasn't very happy. Actually, he was in a foul mood. The door knob turned. "Hiya Shiryu" Seiya said reluctantly "Why can't Saori ever take a hike in the mornings?" Shiryu grinned at his friend's sorry sight. "Come on" he said taking one of Seiya's arm and pulling him towards the toilets "Go and wash yourself up. Maybe you'll feel better and more awake after this." "Mmmmmm..." said Seiya, still half-asleep. "Seiya..." said Shiryu sweetly "Don't you want to see your mother and sister afterwards hmm...?" "Mother? Sister?" Seiya asked opening his eyes suddenly "Afterwards?" "Yes, afterwards." promised Shiryu "that's why Saori wants us all down and awake. 'Saori-san' thought after seeing us yesterday so happy that we would want to see our "mothers" as soon as possible. She already called up a few of our mothers, you know so they wouldn't get too shocked and we are supposed to meet them." "Is your mother coming?" Seiya asked sleepily again. Shiryu shook his head "No. My mother is in China...with my little brother." "Let me guess, Rozan Peeks?" said Seiya yawning. "How did you know?" asked Shiryu. Seiya shrugged his shoulders. "Lucky guess, I guess." And with that, pulled by Shiryu, he went to the bathroom. But more willingly this time. ******************** Half-an-hour later, in the Kido Mansion living room. "Hurry up guys!" exclaimed Hyoga "We're going to be late!" Seiya, still in a foul mood muttered to himself "And he's the same guy that fainted last night because he found out he had a stepfather in this dimension. You'd think from his reaction that he wouldn't have wanted to go. Well, guess again." Shun looked at Hyoga with big eyes. "Is Hyoga o.k?" he asked to no one in particular. "Don't worry about Hyoga Shun" said Ikki ironically "I'm sure he's all right." 'Saori' entered the living room, accompanied by Saori. "She asks us to come down in half-an-hour and she's the one who's late." grumbled Seiya. Saori must have heard him, because everybody else did, but if she did, she ignored his remark. 'Saori' clasped her hands together. "Good morning everyone, I hope that you all had a pleasant sleep!" she exclaimed, looking with approval at the refreshed looks of the saints "I see that you all have changed into new clothes as I requested. Good." The saints looked down at the clothes they were wearing. "Whose clothes are we wearing anyway?" asked Shun, curious. "Why your counterpart's ones of course." said 'Saori' automatically "You *have* been sleeping in the rooms they normally would have occupied if they had stayed here you know." Everyone sighed. So *that's* why their clothes fitted them so perfectly and were all at their tastes! 'Saori' winked "You didn't think I had the time to buy any clothes for you right?" They smiled at 'her'. Funnily, Saori was not dressed in one of her usual white ball dresses but in a simple pale blue dress that fell to her knees. Asked why, she would have answered that she just wanted a change. But the truth was that 'Saori' had firmly refused to let her wear one, saying it was impractical and unsuited for an ordinary outing. So, for the first time in her life, Saori relented. 'Saori' looked at her watch. "It's almost time to go" she said "but before that any questions you want to ask?" "Yes, I have a question" said Shun "Won't our mothers be surprised that we are different, I mean we may look like our counterparts, but we are not them after all." 'Saori' smiled knowingly "I expected this question. But before I answer you, I must first say that as you know, I am in charge of a department in the corporation. In my department, I am also the head of a project that is in charge of experimenting with the possibility of other dimensions. So far, we have managed to create a machine that would permit travels within other dimensions." Everyone looked at her hopefully, waiting for the rest. "...unfortunately" she continued "this machine has not yet been perfected. So I can't send you all back home. But, as I was saying, few know of this project except for the family and the personnel working in this project." "Oh! So you mean since our mothers are family, they know about this project!" exclaimed Shun. "Yes, and as I told them you all were from another dimension, they are expecting you, and not their sons of this world." continued 'Saori'. The main door opened as 'Tastumi' came in. "The car is ready" he simply said. "Good." said 'Saori' "let's go." ******************* The car pulled in front of a large white house. "We have arrived" said 'Saori', not even looking."This house belongs to auntie Natassia, Hyoga's mother." Hyoga peered at this house. It was quite a big house, although smaller than the Kido mansion, but certainly friendlier-looking. "'Saori-san'" Hyoga asked "Will our counterparts be present at this meeting?" For a moment, 'Saori' looked at but embarrassed but she cleared her throat and said somewhat uneasily: "Ah...no. Actually, to tell you the truth, they are very busy at the moment." "Busy?" asked Saori. "Yes, they are attending some sort of conference on the economic situation and future investements plans in connection with market speculation. At least, that's what I *think* it is." "You're one of the *main* shareholders of the Foundation and you don't even *know* about that?" "Hey! Nobody ever said I had to be good in Economics! And I'm head of the Research Departement, *not* the Financial sector!" "Oh. That would explain a lot then. Let's go down." said Saori. 'Saori' onto held her hand "Actually, only Hyoga will be going down here." "Nanni?" asked Hyoga surprised. "but why?" "Explain yourself." said Ikki coldly. 'Saori' began fidgeting with her fingers nervously "you see, I thought it would be better, and more intimate if you all saw your own mothers by yourselves." <*THAT* and the fact that all their aunties had personnality problems when together.> she thought. Beads of sweat started forming on 'Saori'front as she remembered the last family reunion they had. It was either seeing them separated or die in the same room as them. And she wqas much too young to die. ********************** Both Hyoga and 'Saori' went up the steps at the same time. 'Saori' rang at the door and they both waited. The door was opened opened by a servant-girl. 'Saori' was seen waving her hand and dismissing her as she and Hyoga stepped in. They stepped into the house and Hyoga looked around him curiously. He was slightly nervous, which was normal while on the contrary 'Saori' seem to be perfectly at ease. The house was simple though elegant. Modest, yet classy. Hyoga's gaze was suddenly attracted to the portrait of a young lady, smiling happily while holding onto a bouquet of red roses. Her golden hair fell on her shoulders, enhancing her delicate features and her dress accented her thin frame and her tiny waist. Hyoga sighed wistfully. This was a portrait of his 'mother' when she was his age he thought. Even at such a young age, she was beautiful. But, unlike his own mother, the face smiling at him seemed to be truly happy and had no trace of unhappiness in there eyes. This was what must have been his mother like before she knew anything of the outside world, his mother carefree and without worries. Hyoga clung to the rosary beads, the last thing he had left of his mother, silently as he graved the portrait in his heart. He felt 'Saori' touch his arm gently. "Hyoga" she whispered "wait here a second, I'll go and tell 'auntie' we are here first o.k?" Hyoga nodded silently. He wanted this 'mother' of his in this dimension to know who he was and not to confuse him with her 'son'. He also needed some moment to prepare himself to see her. All his life, he thought, he had waited for this moment. 'Saori' led him to the living room and bade him to sit on one of the sofas. "Wait here" she said "I'll be back very soon." Hyoga sit himself comfortably as 'Saori' went upstairs. When she was out of his sight, he took a few of the picture frames on the small rounded table before him to have a better look at the pictures. He smiled at the first one which was a picture of himself, or rather his counterpart giving a slight kiss on his mother's cheek while handing to her the single rose he had picked from the garden. His hair was all messed up, he was flushing red and sweat could be seen on his forehead, in short, he was quite dirty. And yet, despite of this, the mother was smiling an illuminated smile at her son. It was one of those smiles that could just warm your heart no matter how cold it was. Hyoga looked at the picture with envy and stared at his counterpart's picture with a tinged of jealousy. "You'll never know" he whispered softly "how lucky you are to have her still. And even how more lucky you were never having to be forced to leave her sight." He gazed at the picture for a few more seconds before putting the frame down at the table. His eyes veiled as he stared at the second frame as he began to frown slightly. He lifted up the frame and began to curiously look at it through different angles, as if he did not know what to make of it. A closer observation to the photo revealed the picture of a happy family. There, sit on two chairs were his mother and a man he didn't know. Hyoga grunted. That was surely the stepfather 'Saori' was talking about. Straight and talk, with brown hair and piercing brown eyes, he could understand why his 'mother' remarried to him. This was the kind of man she would have chosen. Strong, but yet reassuring and gentle at the same time. On his 'mother's' lap was a little girl of about maybe 5. Hyoga smiled at her picture. With bright, sparkling eyes full of life, she was showing proudly her teeth as she flashed a dazzling with smile. He then looked at his counterpart. The face looked like him, but not the expression. 'He' seemed full of life, and joy. 'He' was very happy with his existence. Hyoga could see it. Hyoga didn't have the time to look at the other pictures. As he put the family photo down, he heard sounds of lights footsteps coming towards the steps. He assumed a somewhat nonchalant pose. "Hyoga?" Hyoga turned around at 'Saori's' voice. "You can come up now, I'll show you the guest room your 'mother' will be receiving you in." Hyoga quickly jumped to his feet and said aloud "Coming!" He got up the stairs, and followed 'Saori'. They walks straight, and then turned left, and then straight, and then right. They then stopped at a door. 'Saori' knocked softly on it. "Auntie?" she asked "I brought Hyoga-san with me!" A few seconds passed before a gentle voice answered "Thank you 'Saori' dear, please let Hyoga enter himself." At these words, 'Saori' nudged Hyoga. "Go in" she said "A car will come and pick you back this evening at 6. If you want to go back early, just call the number I gave you and a car will come and bring you back to the Mansion." Hyoga nodded and looked at 'Saori' with deep, blue, bright eyes, shining with gratitude. "Thank you 'Saori-san'" he said. And at this, he turned the door knob slightly, pushed the door and entered into the room. 'Saori' sighed to herself in relief as she wiped her face. "One more, four to go" she said to herself and at this, went to the car. ***************** Hyoga entered the room. His gaze feel upon the face of a woman sitting in front of him. When he saw her, his heart leaped within him. His eyes had recognised the face. Despite the years, she was as beautiful as ever. She was remarkably well-preserved for her age, though fine rinkles could be seen here and there. But even this added to her beauty, she had aged, but had become wiser and more serene her face seemed to say. She smiled at him. Hyoga gulped. "Come closer here Hyoga" she gestured "Let me see if you really look like my little 'Hyoga'." Hyoga walked towards her slowly and sat in the chair next to her. For the next few seconds, 'mother' and son gazed at each other. 'Hyoga's mother' was the first one to break the silence. "You really do look like my 'Hyoga'..." she said pensively "...and yet, you are not him exactly. My heart sees the difference." Hyoga's heart broke as he heard this. For this woman, he would never be considered as her son. "I'm sorry to trouble you like this" he said "I guess I was looking for my mama in you. But though you both have the same face, I have to say the same. You may look like my mama, but you are not her. I fooled myself in thinking that you were, because I miss her so much. But now, I see that all of that was just an illusion." Hyoga got up. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time." "Wait a minute please." 'she' replied as Hyoga started walking towards to door, her face looking quite uncertain "Please come back." Hyoga turned and looked at her, surprised. "Please do not go away." 'she' said "Won't you tell me more about your mother? I heard from 'Saori' that she died when you were young. Is that right?" "Yes it is" replied Hyoga quietly "she drowned in Siberia when the ship she was in sank. Her body now repose in the deeps of the ocean, in the ship." "You must miss her a lot." 'she' said gently. Hyoga felt tears coming to his eyes. "More than she'll ever know" he replied. Suddenly 'Hyoga's mother' came near him and hugged him. Initially surprised, Hyoga felt reassured under 'her' gentle touch and starting hugging 'her' too. "Shhh...shhhh...." 'she' said, her heart filling with compassion "Cry with all your heart little one, it will lessen you pain." Hyoga felt oddly recomforted by her voice, so similar to the one that he loved and was grateful for this sign of friendship. After a moment, he broke off her motherly embrace and, wiping the last tears in his eyes he looked at her. "Thank you" he said "I guess I needed that." 'She' smiled, the awkwardness that was between them gone. "That is what a mother is for" she answered simply. "regardless of where you are from or who you are, to me you will always be my son. This way, I'll have two sons instead of one. And I'm glad." Hyoga smiled. Maybe this 'mother' was not so different from the mother he knew. A bond had been revealed between them, a bond that had always existed. A bond mysterious and true that transcended dimensions and had no logical explanation. People say that blood is thicker than water. Maybe this saying is true because at this very instant, they were nothing else but mother and son. They smiled in understanding at each other. Hyoga, because of the second chance he was given, and his 'mother', in the wise understanding that this was a son 'she' needed to nurture. And, with motherly instincts, 'she' knew that there was a void in his heart that needed to be filled. ************ Back in the car on the road. "So 'Saori-san', how was the meeting with Hyoga's 'mother'?" Shun asked as 'Saori' got back into the car. "Fine, fine" 'Saori' mumbled "I don't think there is any cause to worry about." "Good." Shun smiled "By the way, where are we going now?" "We are going to see..." 'she' said as 'she' looked at Seiya. Seiya gulped. "...'Seiya's' mother." "Will oneechan be with her?" Seiya asked hopefully. "No. Sorry." answered 'Saori' as she looked at Seiya's disappointed face "but Seika-san is currently not in Japan." "She is not?" asked Seiya surprised "Why?" 'Saori' smiled. "She doesn't live in Japan anymore." Everybody looked at her. "Huh?" was the only word that come out of their mouth. "Since she got married last month." "She got MARRIED?!" cried out Seiya, more than surprised. "To WHO?" "'Julian's' cousin. Nice guy. Honest. Rich. Powerful." "WHAT?!" Seiya exclaimed. "She married him because he was *rich* and *powerful* ?!" 'Saori' frowned at these words. "Didn't you hear the first part?" she asked "She didn't marry him for his money, she married him because he was nice and a childhood friend. Why would she marry *anyone* for their money?" "Oh." Seiya blushed at this. "Sorry." But 'Saori' was not finished yet. "Take me for example" she continued saying "I didn't marry Julian because he was rich, powerful or handsome. I married him because we loved each other." "You married WHO?!!" they all exclaimed together. Saori looked speecheless at her counterpart for an instant. "'Saori-san'" she finally said regaining her speech "You are married?" 'Saori' feigned surprise. "Oh I'm sorry did I forget to mention that to you?" "Is it my imagination or she tends to forget to mention things a lot?" remarked Ikki. 'Saori' started laughing. "I've been married for two years already." she said, and holding up her hands she continued " see this ring?" "You say you've married 'Julian'?" asked Ikki, whose mind was starting to see the amusing side of the situation. "That's right." A little smile appeared on Ikki's lips. "Who do we know?" he asked "Who is rich, and powerful and whose first name is 'Julian'?" The saints thought for a while and, as light dawned on them, their face expressed even more shock. And Saori's even more. "You don't mean to say?..." said Shun hesitatingly, "Coud it be..." wondered Shiryu uncertainly, "It couldn't be could it?..." venture Seiya prudently, "I wouldn't have married..." said Saori "I meant to say, you couldn't have married...." "JULIAN SOLO?!!!" they exclaimed? thought Ikki as his smile got wider. Saori leaned against the seat, dumbstruck. "I MARRIED JULIAN?!" she said slowly, the truth starting to sink it "That...that..." "Casanova?" said Seiya hopefully. "Don Juan?" asked Shiryu. "Romeo?" continued Shun. "Two-timing man" said Ikki firmly "and playboy who wears his heart on his sleeve, who can't make up his mind, who..." "O.k, o.k, I get the idea already!" snapped Saori suddenly. Then, turning to her counterpart she asked. "What on earth possessed you to marry this guy?!!" she said in disbelief. 'Saori' looked at her amused. "Is that what he is in your world?" "You mean he's not a womanizer?" "NO! Of course not!" 'Saori' said, smiling "Not with me around." said Seiya smiling. "But, but, but..." said Saori "Now stop this Saori-san" said 'Saori', still smiling, but more coldly this time "he's my husband, not yours, so what is between him and me is not of your concern. We may look alike, but you are not me and vice-versa. 'Julian' is very nice, I'm very happy with him, and that's enough." Saori suddenly looked ashamed at her reaction, as if she was a kid being pointed out that she had done wrong by someone, and she did not like that at all. "Gomen 'Saori-san'" she said apologetically "Gomen." "But 'Saori-san' how old are you?" asked Shun. "Just 19, I will be 20 soon." she said "why?" "Isn't that a bit young?" asked Shun uncertainly. "I mean, you married quite young right?" 'Saori' nodded, smiling. "I married two years ago, my little daughter Mi-chan, is a year old." "Her pet name is Mi-chan?" asked Shiryu. "Yes, short form from Mio". "She must be lovely" said Shun. 'Saori's' face illuminated. "Yes" she said enthusiastically "she's the prettiest baby I have ever seen...but I guess every parent must say the same thing!" "Talking about parents" said Seiya "I think we have arrived." "Think you can make it?" teased Shiryu. Seiya shrugged his shoulders in a I-don't-care kind of fashion. "Ah! Nothing is ever too big for the Pegasus Saint, not even his counterpart's mother. I'm curious, not nervous." "Well I would be if I were you" said Shun "Oh c'mon Shun, I admit I had the jitters this morning, but for what? After all, she's not really like my mother is she? But I'd be curious to see how she could have been thought, and what she looks like." thought 'Saori'