People get lost all the time, especially if they are in a place they've never been too before. When that happens some people just look at their maps and try to find a way. Other people just wish themselves luck and follow the directions people indicate them too. Of course, all of this is possible only if you happen to have a map or if they are people around you. If they are none of these two, well, tough luck then. Good luck to you. Luckily, it doesn't really happen often...or so it seems. Unfortunately, in this particular case, it happened. Seiya, Hyoga, Ikki, Shiryu, Shun and Saori were lost. Very lost. And had been so for at least a few hours. That is ever since they got sucked into a sort of warp that appeared just after their defeating Zeus. And the fact that they were lost in a sort of transit zone between two dimensions didn't make things easier either. But well, one always has to look on the positive side. As Seiya said before he got whacked "Luckily Saori's glowing right guys? If not, we'd be in the dark. Kind of practical to have a goddess with a Cosmos to serve you as a light bulb." WHACK! Sigh. Ah well, some people never say the right words at the right time. Luckily for Seiya thought, at that very moment, a very small light was seen for away.... ****** A SAINT SEIYA FANFIC: ANOTHER DIMENSION Based on a story by Masami Kurumada. Saint Seiya and its characters are the property of Masami Kurumada and whatever other company has its rights. Note 1: names in '...' signify persons of the other dimension. The original charcaters have their names unchanged. This is just to differentiate the characters from their counterparts. :) Note 2: words in <...> express thoughts. Introduction: Doubles ****** Somewhere in underground Tokyo. "Have you confirmed what the computers have detected Tachi?" asked a voice looking at a big displayed screen. "Yes 'Saori-sama' " replied Tachi, a young scientist in his early thirties. "And...?" asked the voice again "this means?..." "Visitors are definitively coming this way" he replied "no question about that." "I thought you said that this was not a definitive possibility" Tachi nodded "I know that was what I said, it seemed so too for a time as they were wandering, but now, they seem to be definitively heading this way." "So when exactly are they reaching our world?" she enquired again. Tachi shrugged his shoulders. He had spent a long time, calculating, debating, and trying to know what kind of mysterious force was coming. He was tired, and his whole body showed it. "In about two hours" he replied tiredly. "And do you know how many of them are coming?" her voice came again, questioning, surprised that people other than those of the Foundation knew how to travel between dimensions. Especially people of a considerable amount of.... energy. "Probably six" came the reply "maybe more, maybe less, who knows?" "Place?" Tachi yawned again. He was going to need a break very soon. Perhaps a vacation, somewhere far away from civilization would do him good. He smiled to himself. He could always dream on he thought. Away from civilization was a tought thing to manage, especially if one worked with one of the two biggest corporations of the world. "Place?" came again the voice. Tachi turned and gazed a young purple-haired woman. It was hard to believe that one so young had such a high post. But it was understandable, seeing that after all her family was in the control of the Foundation. Tall, well formed, with her short hair reaching her chin, she looked younger than she really was. She certainly was more matured. Though she looked sterned at the moment, Tachi knew that she was not so. Of all the "big bosses" he ever worked with, he definitively prefered her. He wondered why. "Tachi?" He felt her hand rest on his shoulders. "You o.k?" Tachi took a second before realizing that he had been dreaming away. He winced before admonishing himself silently. He could have been in trouble for that simple fact. Quickly, he gave her the address of the place where the visitors were supposed to come from. He saw her relax a bit and smile at him. "It's o.k Tachi" she said, "I know you're pretty tired. Tell you what. Take a break, have a good rest. Go somewhere for a week's vacation or something like that o.k?" Tachi smiled wistfully "Wish I could 'Saori-sama', but you know how difficult it is to get a break, especially if you're a scientist working on THE project." 'Saori'let a small laugh out. "Am I one of the bosses or what?" she grinned "Go take a small vacation, trust me, in 2 days, you'll get your permission." ****** In between two dimensions.... "Ouch!" exclaimed Hyoga "Seiya, it's the third time you've stepped on my foot. Do you really want to become an ice-Popsicle or what? Because that can be arranged you know..." "NO!" exclaimed Seiya, and then giving a pathetic look to Hyoga "Hyoga... my side really hurts you know...and I have bruises everywhere..." "Stop pretending Seiya" Ikki sniggered, they had been walking, or floating, Ikki was not very sure of this anymore, and they were all feeling very tired "you're cured. Tired, but cured." Seiya snorted "Pah, you don't look too tired to me Ikki." "That's because I don't complain" replied Ikki. "Niisan, Seiya, please stop" asked Shun "since we've been lost, you've never stop quarreling. I think I'm really getting tired about this you know." Seiya blushed, Ikki looked away, and they stopped talking. Suddenly, Shiryu shouted. "Look, a light! We must be reaching the end of this place!" True enough, a light that had appeared was shining brighter and brighter as they approached it. As before, once they were near to it, they felt a strange, yet familiar sensation. "Why do I have a feeling we've been through this before?" asked Seiya before he got in. "Shut up Seiya" replied Ikki pushing him forwards so he would be the first one to be sucked in the warp "And get in." "Hey!" exclaimed Seiya "Don't push me! Why don't *you* be the one to go in front of danger first this time?" "Because" replied Ikki smugly "*YOU'RE* the saint of HOPE, not me." "Aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhhh............" was the last thing Seiya said before he got shoved in by the strong arms of Ikki. ****** In another Tokyo, another Japan. "Is the place correct 'Tatsumi'?" A tall, bald-headed man looking somewhat slightly irritated stared for a few seconds at an elegant young lady before replying: "Yes 'Saori-sama', you have asked me twice that question already and for the last time, yes, this is the correct place, I couldn't possibly have got it wrong." 'Saori' snorted inwardly but ignored the insult. If insult it was. She didn't like Tatsumi one bit. He was too...infuriating. Devoted to her uncle, yes, but to much a boot-licker for her own personnal taste. He was devoted and loyal to her family, one could not deny this fact, but the way he served his uncle, much like that a slave, had the bad way of...irritating her. "'Saori-sama?'", 'Tatsumi's' voice reached her. 'Saori' snapped out of her dream. She had let herself go once again. Damn. She put her hand up and rubbed her eyes. She was starting to imagine things. Suddenly, she felt very tired...and very alone. "'Saori-sama'?" pressed 'Tatsumi's' voice again harder "'Saori-sama'?" 'Saori' suddenly locked her gaze into his, making him bow his head slightly downwards, to avoid contact with her eyes. He began to fiddle unconsciously with his fingers. He hated 'Saori's' intense stare, in these moments, he always felt she knew *everything* little weakness of his, and he didn't like that. He straightened his face, and looked at her impassively. "The sensors indicate that they should be reaching her any minute now 'Saori-sama'." She looked at him before replying "Thank you 'Tastumi'". ***************** A few moments later, what seemed to be a hole of bright light began to form itself. As it slowly grew bigger, one, two, three, four and finally five figures emerged. There faces were still blurred due to the bright light surrounding them. Saori-san could not see them, but she could hear their surprised gasps as they looked upon their surroundings. "It looks like Tokyo!" "Could we have reached home?" "Hey Seiya, you're stepping on my toe again!" "Ooops, sorry Hyoga!" And suddenly, a firm but commanding voice. "People, stop it please. Let us keep our cool and try to find what the situation is. Somehow, I have the feeling that we are far from home." "Are you sure of this Saori-san?" Saori-san? The young girl was slightly suprised when she heard this name. Was one of the visitors called Saori like her? Strange coincidence. The light started to fade away. 'Saori' squirmed her eyes as she looked at them. She gasped as she saw that these visitors were actually the spitting image of her -but with long hair- and of her uncles. After her initial surprise passed, a smile slowly formed on her lips. She saw visitors from other dimensions all the time. Why would she be supprised at seeing herself? Surely another version of herself existed in every dimension. In her heart, she thought that if there were other persons capable of travelling from dimensions to another, it certainly would be her and her family. She then walked quietly at the group of people who were still discussing with each other and smiled her warmest smile. One had to look welcoming and calm, if not for the sake of appearances, then because she did not want to frighten them. "Hrmm, excuse me.." she started a bit hesitantly. After all, what was one supposed to say to oneself? The girl looked and stared at her with suprise as the group stopped talking. Seiya looked at one Saori to another. "'Saori-san'?" "Yes?" both Saories. Seiya opened his mouth and stammered a "Hrmm...never mind." and sunk back into silence. After a somewhat awkward silence, this dimension's 'Saori' finally broke a smile as she offered her hand to her counterpart. "Hello," she said smiling "'Saori Kido', one of the heads of the Graud Foundation, pleased to meet you." "Hello," replied the Saori, Goddess Athena reincarnation "Saori Kido, *head* of the Graud Foundation, sole heiress of the late Mitsumasa Kido, pleased to meet you also." She then turned, and pointed at the four young men standing besides her. "And these are my companions" she continued "Seiya, Shiryu, Ikki, Hyoga and Shun." "Pleased to meet you" all of them said. This dimension's 'Saori' smiled, well they certainly looked friendlier and more normal than their counterparts. "Pleased to meet you too" she said." I understand that you must be feeling a bit confused with this world, and must be wondering where you are. If you would kindly follow me, I would be happy to answer any of your questions, and provide you with proper medical attention...and clothing." "I must apologize for our rather bizarre look" Saori explained "but we have just had a rough time in our world." "Please come this way then" 'Saori' replied "'Tatsumi' is waiting near the car." Near behind, Ikki sniggered, even in this dimension, the faithful butler was still present. ********** Near the car, 'Tastumi' bowed as he saw them and greeted them. If he was surprised, he didn't show it. "Please, Master Seiya, Master Shiryu, Master Ikki, Master Shun, Master Hyoga and Miss Saori, do step in the car". As he said that, he opened the door of what seemed to be a shining black Mercedes-Benz. In the car, 'Saori' looked at them. "Please" she said "I know that it may still seem strange for you, but do no worry, everything will be explained to you. As you mya have noticed, you are not in your universe anymore, or rather your dimension. Before I tell you more about this, would you mind telling me more about the place you came from, and how you ended up here? I can see at your surprised looks that you were not exactly expecting to be here." Saori smiled, knowing she could trust her instinctively "well you see, it all began when my grandfather was traveling in Greece and stumbled upon a young baby girl..." And the car continued moving... ********** Kido Mansion: When they reached the Kido mansion, 'Saori' showed them to their new rooms. Not much had changed, and the house was pretty much the same. In the evening, after they had showered and rest, they all went in the direction of the dining room. "Now" asked 'Saori' "before I start anything, do you have any questions you would like to ask?" Shiryu nodded "If, like you seem to say, we have our counterparts here, just as much as Saori has, then why have we not seen them yet?" 'Saori' smiled "My uncles rarely come home" she explained "as they all stay elsewhere. I'm the only one who still stays here after the death of grandpa." "Uncles?" Shun enquired. 'Saori' smiled again "You see, in this world, as in yours, corporations have taken control over the world you could say. As in your world, the Graud Foundation is one of the largest and most widespread. The other corporations that exist in your world also exist in ours, like for example the Solo Corporation. I would speculate that economically speaking, our worlds aren't that much different." Saori smiled at this fact. Even in this world, she thought, the company was still strong. 'Saori' looked at her, guessing her thought and continued "But, in this world, there is no such things as reincarnations of ancient gods or saints. These are considered as legends and mythes." "But you mentioned that your 'uncles' were in control of the Foundation. Am I to assume then that your grandfather did not leave you the entire company?" asked Shiryu again. "Why would grandpa leave everything to an adopted child if he had heirs of his own to leave it too?" she asked, puzzled. "Heirs?" Saori enquired. "But of course" 'Saori' replied naturally " his sons, my uncles." "And err, how many are they?" asked Hyoga. "The good answer would be how many *were* they" 'Saori' said "And the good answer would be about a hundred." "Were?" asked Seiya "Why were?" "Well uncle..." 'Saori' started out, before realising her mistake and apologising sheepishly "Ooops, gomen nasai Seiya-san." Seiya grinned and retorted while shooting a look at Saori "It's o.k, guess it's nice to know I'm an uncle somewhere and that at least I'm treated with respect here." Saori shot an angry glare at Seiya, but kept quiet. Sensing some tension, 'Saori' hastened to continue "My grandpa had about 100 children in all, most of them from different wives. I see that it may look quite strange to you, but in this world, it is a necessary custom." Ikki choked on his drink. "A *necessary* custom?!!" he asked disbelieving. "Necessary" 'Saori' reaffirmed "Of course, only among the head of the big companies." "EXCUSE ME?!!" shouted Hyoga incredulously " I know this may sound a bit stupid but WHY EXACTLY?!!!" 'Saori' sighed "You obviously do no understand this world. Nor it's custom. A man has financial empire. He takes a legal wife, and the child born of it automatically become heir. However, this man has ...secondary wives, to bear other children so that if any thing happens there will always be someone. What is more, with a company as big as this one, one person is not sufficient to be the head. So, at the death of the man, his children though under the control of the legal heir manage some areas of the company. So that every high post remains so to speak in the family." "THIS...is...simply...PROPOSTEROUS!" exclaimed Hyoga. "Proposterous?" 'Saori' said, slightly surprised "I guess this could be one of the adjectives you could use to qualify this custom if you are not accustomed to its principle. But this only happens in the families in control of large corporations like this." "Hyoga" said Saori calmly "you cannot judge one's way of thinking if you do not understand it. You must not be so quick, or so blunt in your judgement." "But don't you find this just incredible?" retorted Hyoga. "Maybe" replied Saori "But I'm not judging anything." "I agree with Saori" said Seiya "but I have to agree with Hyoga. To bear children just to ensure a heir and to make sure the company never falls in the hand of stranger seems completely unbelievable!" "It does not really" replied Shun thoughfully "We have had some exemples like this in our world too." "Shun is right" Shiryu replied "look at the ancient Chinese emperors for exemple, all they wanted was a male heir for their trone." "Yes, but to make a whole lot of children just for a personnal goal, isn't this a bit unfeeling and cruel?" said Hyoga. "Yah, it's like a factory specialized in children making!" exclaimed Seiya "What are children considered like, if not objects?" "What our dear *brother* seems to forget" replied Ikki sniggering, "is that the same thing happened in our world. Look at our dear *father* did *he* think of us when he fathered more than a *hundred* of us?" Seiya opened his mouth but said nothing. Hyoga fidgeted about. The rest looked at each other uneasily, not knowing what to say. "Ikki, you must not be too quick in judging grandfather" Saori finally replied "I think that he loved you all also, and that he knew what he was doing. It was to train you and prepare you." Ikki's mouth twisted. "Of course" he said ironically "that was the best solution and the best training one could get. Of course, it had to be done." "Ikki, it was for the good of humanity, and I think you know that perfectly" said Saori calmly. Ikki locked his gaze into hers coldly. "That's a lame excuse don't you think?" "The cause was just." "But were the means justifiable?" Saori said nothing for a while. "No." she said finally in a small voice "And you all suffered from it." "Niisan" Shun said gently, slightly touching Ikki's shoulder "don't rake up the past please?" "Shun." answered Ikki, his eyes softening "You are right. What the old man has done is past and is not worthy of being mentioned in front of everyone." He winced slightly and said to himself determinely. "...but I will never forgive him for this." The others did not appear hear him. And with that, Ikki sunk into a more-than-deadly kind of silence. He crossed his arms, and just started staring at the conversation...not that he had taken an active part in it before of course. "So 'Saori-san' " asked Shiryu, trying to break the tension a bit " Why did you use the past tense when talking about your aunties and uncles?" 'Saori' shook her head sadly and said "As I said before, this is a necessary custom. Shocking perhaps.." she quickly shot a glance in the direction of Hyoga and Seiya "but necessary. You see, the world my grandpa lived in at the time was one of complete uncertainty. Political turmoil, wars everywhere, corruption, danger, violence, terrorist attacks, not to mention the fact that my grandfather had a considerable number of ennemies wanting to take control of *his* company. Of all the uncles and aunties that I ever had, I only know a bit more than 10 of them. The survivers of this period. The rest just died either in wars, or attacks directed at grandfather, or simply died of the big epidemic." "But that's more than 80 children!" exclaimed Shun. 'Saori' took a sad expression "Most of them died of the epidemic. At that time, no cure could be found. A third of the population died just like that." "And now?" asked Saori, curious. "Oh, a cure has be found of course" 'Saori' quickly added "Luckily too. After that traumatic period, the governements being incapable of looking after the people, the big corporations did everything. And now, we live in peaceful world..." <...controlled of course by the corporations,> thought Ikki to himself. pondered Shiryu, "'Saori-san'" asked Hyoga hesitatingly... "Yes Hyoga-kun?" "You said that a few of your aunties and uncles survived. In that case, did our counterparts survive in this dimension?" Everyone looked at 'Saori' curious at her answer. "Well..." she started "obviously, at least one of your counterparts exist here. I'm the living proof it." Saori smiled. "But, to satisfy your curiosity Hyoga-san, yes, all of your counterparts survived." She stopped a while to observe a certain expression of relief on all of their faces. "In fact..." she said as her gaze, suddenly becoming cold , fell on Seiya "uncle Seiya, being the legal heir with auntie Seika and..." "Seika?!" Seiya exclaimed happily "Then Oneechan is alive in this world! This means I can see her!" 'Saori' nodded "Auntie Seika is a very nice person. She and uncle Seiya are the heads of the whole Graude Foundation. Every uncle and auntie are under them." Saori cursed under her breath. She was under *Seiya* in this dimension?!! Boy this was going to be funny for her. She just hoped Seiya wouldn't become *too* big-headed. After all she thought, *she* was the boss in *their* dimension. Seiya was jumping up and down, completely excited and overhappy at this news. The others were laughing at him, happy at his joy. "And he complained he was tired just a few hours ago." Hyoga said, laughing out loud. 'Saori' just stared at him, perplex. Wanting to add more to his joy, she suddenly said "Seiya, I'm sure your sister will be pleased to meet you tomorrow, though she will definitively be surprised. I'm sure auntie Inoue will be happy to meet you too." Seiya stopped jumping, surprised "auntie Inoue?" he asked. "Why yes..." replied 'Saori' puzzled "auntie Inoue...your...mother..." Seiya looked at her with wide eyes "My...*mother*?" he said hesitatingly, seeming not to understand. "Yes, your mother" answered back 'Saori' and continued, hoping to ring a bell "You must have a *mother* to be born right?" "My mother?!!" said Seiya disbelievingly, the news suddenly starting to sink in "I have a mother?!!" He thought for a while before exclaiming "I have a MOTHER!!! Guys!!! Shiryu!! Hyoga!! Shun!!! Ikki!! I have a MOTHER!!" Everyone smiled at his joy. "I HAVE A MOTHER!!!" kept repeating Seiya "Not only have I found back Oneechan, but I HAVE A MOTHER!!! A MOTHER!!!" Hyoga got up and looked at 'Saori' hesitatingly before asking. "'Saori-san' that's the question I wanted to ask you. Is..., is... my mother alive in this dimension?" "But of course!" 'Saori' exclaimed, wondering interiorly if what she just said was wise, and hoping she wouldn't get into too much trouble "All of you mothers are alive!" Hyoga sunk back to his chair, a great relief over coming him. Tears started coming slowly into his eyes before he started saying, his words half-chocked by his sobs "Mamma...Mamma...is *alive* ! All my life I have dreamnt this dream, hoping that one day...*sob* ...that I could... *sob*...that my mamma...mamma is ALIVE!!! 'Saori-san', I am most grateful for you for having brought this news to me!! This is the *happiest* day of my life!! Mamma is alive!!!" 'Saori' looked at them curiously. she thought. Shun then looked at her questioningly. 'Saori' nodded again "Yes Shun. Uncle Shun and Uncle Ikki's mother is alive too in this world." Shun looked at her, a pure expression of rapture overcoming him. Even Ikki seemed affected by this news. "What..what is her name then?" he enquired in a raspy sort of voice, with a quiver. "Mari..." 'Saori-san' continued smiling "Mari-obaasan..." "Mari..." muttered Shun slowly, not daring to pronounce this word on his lips "Arigato 'Saori-san.'" 'Saori' then looked at the other Saori for a while. The other Saori smiled, as if she already knew the answer. "It's alright 'Saori'" Saori said, her face expresioneless "we both are orphans. In your world as well as in mine. And I think we both already know that. My friends here are orphans in our world and have never known their mother...with the exception of Hyoga, who lost his mother quite young. That is why as you can see...they are all very happy and excited." "I see." said 'Saori' smiling "it is understandable then I guess. But all my aunties will be surprised at this fact! Not to worry thought, knowing them, a meeting should be no problem." "One thing puzzles me thought" said Saori "why did they have the same children and the same husband in both worlds" 'Saori' shrugged her shoulders "Who knows? Fate? Destiny? Perhaps both." Suddenly, her gaze fell on Shiryu. She looked at him uneasily. Where had she seen him before? It was funny she didn't remember him. But, strangely enough, she seemed to know him from somewhere... She suddenly let a small cry of surprise out as she remembered who he was and tried to surpress a laughter that was starting to form itself in her throat. Then, with a big grin on her face, she turned towards him. "Shiryu-san?" asked 'Saori'"aren't you going to ask me if your mother is alive?" Shiryu looked at her for a while, impassive at the noise surrounding him. "I do not know wheter the answer would please me. That is why I daren't ask of you." "Well," replied 'Saori'"you mother too is alive Shiryu-san." She thought she saw Shiryu hold his breath for a while. Boy was his mother going to be surprised when she sees him she thought. She continued talking. "Of course, auntie is Chinese. She's a very strong and determined woman you know. She's been living in China for quite a while now, but she regularly comes to visit once a month." Shiryu said to himself. "What is her name then?" he finally asked. "Xian An" 'Saori-san' said. Shiryu thought for a while, and said nothing. "You do know that you have a brother too right?" 'Saori' suddenly asked. Why? She didn't know. Shiryu suddenly started coughing. "A....BROTHER?!!!" he said, half-choking on his saliva "I have a BROTHER?!!!!" 'Saori' smiled to herself. If he was acting like this now at this news, he was going to be in for a shock when he sees his mother...and his counterpart. "Yup. A little brother, about 3 years younger than you." The others appeared to have heard this news because they suddenly stopped talking. "Hey Shiryu! Congratulations! You have a brother!" exclaimed Seiya, thumping on his back. This stopped Shiryu from coughing. "What was my brother's name again?" he said, completly overwhelemed by what was happening to him. "He has a more Chinese name then you I find" said 'Saori-san' grinning "ZhenLong. Written with the "Zhen" of truth and the "Long" of dragon." Suddenly, Seiya started bursting out laughing. "True Dragon?!!" he exclaimed "this is hilarious!! Oh! Wait a sec! This is priceless! Even in another dimension, your sign still follows your family everywhere!!" "Seiya, this is no time to laugh" said Shiryu irritatly. "I do not even *see* what's so funny in this matter." Seiya wiped the tears that had formed in his eyes. "Sorry Shiryu" he said trying to surpress a giggle that somehow turned into a cough "I just find this name so appropriate and so uncanny that's all!" 'Saori' coughed a bit to get some attention. "I guess this would not be the appropriate time for you to digest another piece of news would it?" she said hopefully. They all stopped at once. "Don't *tell* me I have *another* brother?!!" exclaimed Shiryu. 'Saori-san' coughed uneasily "No". They all heaved a sigh of relief. "...not you." she continued slowly " him." They all looked at the person her finger was pointing at. Hyoga. Hyoga's face became red of surprise as he asked disbelievingly "Me?" 'Saori' nodded. "You, Hyoga-kun." "I have a brother too?" asked Hyoga disbelieving. 'Saori' shook her head. "Not a brother. A sister. Actually, a half-sister would be more appropriate to describe the nature of this matter." "I have a *half-sister*?" stammered Hyoga in disbelief "But I'm the eldest, and mamma certainly never had anyone else before me! Heck, I didn't even know she had had a husband already!" 'Saori' coughed again slightly "Not older half-sister Hyoga. Younger half-sister. Your mother remarried at the death of grandpa about 7 years ago. Your half-sister Natasha is 6 this year. She's very cute and adorable, and has big blue eyes just like you." "But...if mamma remarried..." sputered Hyoga, barely comprehending, " that means... that means..." "That means you have a stepfather Hyoga-kun" added 'Saori' "I'm sure you'll like uncle Nikolas, he's a very nice man." "Mama? Remarried? NO! It's not possible! How could she get remarried!" And with that, Hyoga fainted on the floor. Saori sighed and crossed her hands. "You'd think he wouldn't take it so seriously" she said. "After all, this is not our world." continued Shiryu "so even if we are us, we are still different." "I'm sorry he reacted like that" said 'Saori' "I wouldn't have told him that if I knew. I should have waited until you were all more accustomed to this world." "It wasn't your fault 'Saori-san'" said Shun "I guess Hyoga was overjoyed at the idea that his mother was alived. That's why he didn't take the fact that he had a stepfather very well." 'Saori' thought for a moment. "Maybe you are right. But I'm sure he'll like uncle Nikolas very much. He's really a very nice person you know, and he helped auntie Natassia a lot." "Well I think that's enough emotions for one day" said Saori suddenly "We'd better go and rest now. Seiya, Shiryu, could you bring Hyoga to his room please?" "I think Saori is right" said 'Saori' "I'm sorry for the emotions I caused. I'll make you visit tomorrow." "No more surprises right?" asked Seiya hopefully. 'Saori' flashed a big smile. "That depends on your definition of a surprise!" she said. ******** 'Saori' reached her room just in time to hear the telephone ring. She smiled as she knew who it was calling and quickly picked up the phone. "Moshi moshi" she said smiling. "Good evening dear." said a low sounding voice. "Missed me?" 'Saori's' smile grew even wider as she sat on the chair. "Missed you?" she said, pretending to be surprise "Who are you?" "Who am I?" asked the man's voice playing her game "You don't even recognise the voice of your dear husband? I'm shocked." "Only shocked?" 'Saori' laughed cheekily "I thought you'd be hurt too." The voice laughed. "You hurt my pride Sa-chan." he said. "I'm wounded at the heart. Deeply wounded." "Oh, poor thing." "Aren't I?" They both laughed. "Why did you call?" 'Saori' asked. "I missed the sound of your voice dearest. You know how beautiful your voice sounds to my ears." 'Saori' giggled like a schoolgirl. "I should really cut that sweet tongue of yours some day. But apart from that, give me the real reason why you called." "I told you that already" he replied. "because I missed you..." "And..." 'Saori' continued. "...and because I wanted to know what came out of the warp today. Did an objet you sent come back again?" 'Saori's' voice became serious. "Who would be a more appropriate question." she said. "Then who?" he asked back. "Guess who." "I don't know...an ugly version of your mother-in-law?" 'Saori' giggled again. "Will you stop making me laugh? This is serious you know. A version of myself, from another dimension came through that warp..." "Really?" he said cutting her and saying jokingly "This should be interesting for me..." "Don't you even dare think any dirty thoughts" she warned him half-seriously, half-jokingly "but she's not the only the one. Seiya, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki and even Shiryu counterparts were with her." "Your uncles?" "Yup." "What's the problem? I thought you liked your uncles." "I'm not saying there is *any* problem , I'm just saying I'm a bit shocked by the whole thing, that's all." "Will you make them met your uncles?" 'Saori' grinned broadly. "That, dearest, is the best part of the whole thing. They are meeting their 'mothers' too." "How are they going to take the shock?" "Oh I told them already. They were shocked. See, they are orphans and have never met their mothers." "I was talking about the aunties, Sa-chan." "Oh." said Saori pondering "it should be o.k. I called them a few hours ago, since they knew about the project, they accepted the situation quite well...except for Stasia obaasan. She accepted, but was a bit uneasy I think." "It's not surprising considering the fact that she's a real mother-hen." "Come on!" 'Saori' exclaimed "auntie Stasia is nice! She's very protective of her son because he keeps having his heart broken all the time!" "Well" he remarked "If 'Hyoga' didn't keep flirting all the time and having so many changes of heart, maybe he wouldn't *be* heart-broken nearly so often. I have never seen so a Casanova in my life I tell you!" "Oh?" asked 'Saori' surprised "How about you before you married me?" The voice seemed embarrassed. 'Saori' thought smiling widely. She continued in a light kind of voice. "Besides" she said "You're wrong. He's not heart-broken when he breaks up with a girl..." she remarked silently to herself. "...It's just that he hates to see them cry" continued the voice for her as he said this for the hundredth time. I know, I know." 'Saori' laughed. "How my little Mi-chan by the way? She's been naughty again?" "That's putting it a bit lightly isn't it?" "Oh pooh. You're a great father and she adores you. What's more, *you* were the one who insisted she go with you to Greece." The voice sighed. "Yes, yes I know. I'm wondering if I shouldn't have left her with you. She keeps asking about you, you know." "Well tell her her momma loves her too." "I will. Got to go now. Love you dearest." "Love you too. And oh... 'Julian'?" "Yes dear?" "About Shiryu?" "You mean the counterpart?" "Mm-hum. You're gonna have the shock of your life." "Why?" "You'll see when you come back" said 'Saori' conspiratorily "And by the looks of it, Shiryu will be the one who will get the most of the shock." "Which one?" "Both" Saori said flatly. And with that, the telephone was put down. *************** Author's notes, to be read only if wanted: Phew! finished the introduction. Are you actually *reading* what I'm writing here? Aww.. that's so sweet of you :)! Actually, in all the Saint Seiya fanfics I read (totally cool!), I never came across a fanfic where the author wrote at the end or commented on what he/she read. Well, maybe just in one. Why then am I writing?! Coz I thought it would be fun! Seriously, I read a lot of Ranma 1/2 fanfics on the Net (yes I like Ranma 1/2) and most of the authors write at the end. I like it personnally because I find it fun to see what the author actually thinks. Maybe you don't but never mind. :) I'm a bit new at these fanfic things, so please excuse my errors. I also don't know the Saint Seiya storyline that well, so if you spot anything wrong, please write to me and I'll try change it the best that I can. Also, I chose the manga version where they are all *brothers*. It's kinda important for my fanfic so please don't flame me for it! :) Before anything else, about the timeline of this story, this fanfic takes place a few years after the battle with Hades, I'd say about 6 to 7 years later, and after a battle with Zeus. I know there was no battle with Zeus, but I needed something to strat my fanfic with. O.k, let's just say taht in my own personnal version of the Saint Seiya storyline, there *is* a sort of "final" battle against Zeus. K? :) It's not really a serious fanfic, no angst in here or anything. Before anyone asks, there will be no battle or combat scenes or Athena kidnapping (don't you get tired when she needs to be rescued?) or whatever. The reason for this is simple (actually there is more than 1 reason): 1)It's in another dimension so there are no foes. (so that rules out Athena kidnappings...) 2)Idon't really like to write battle scenes. I like to read them, but not write them (I'm a bit lame at this.) 3)The battles are really cool! (in the Anime), so it's really nice to watch in when you're young (actually that's the reason I started watching it when I was 7), but we don't see a lot of the Saints in their normal lives. I mean, c'mon, they can't fight 365 days a year right? Can't they have a life? :) Lastly, I know the introduction was a bit long, and not really funny, but this is supposed to be a fun fanfic! (fun, not parodic. You didn't find it funny? Bah!). It gets better later (I hope). If not, thanks for reading my fanfic, and staying at my babbling, and for sticking in with me here. I'd really like to have comments (good AND bad)so don't hesitate and write for everything and anything, even not Saint Seiya! Ja.