"Chiron...."
He stirred slightly in his sleep, brushing off the voice at first.
"Chiron, my beloved. Chiron...."
Sea-green eyes slid open slightly as he wondered who was calling him.
"Chiron, you must help me."
"I'm not Chiron anymore," he mumbled as he sat up, although he wasn't sure whether the movement was actually completed or not. His mind seemed to be caught between wakefulness and full unconsciousness.
Dark gray eyes stared into his, with a pleading expression. "Chiron, you are the only one who ever loved me. You must help me."
Dampness splashed onto his face. Somehow, he felt he should know the beautiful, petite face that looked into his with such a sorrowful expression, but he couldn't quite place the name. "Chiron, you must help me. You are the only one who ever loved me."
"Who are you?" he asked, but the girl was already retreating from his sight.
Something was poking at his forehead.
Jun's eyes fluttered, opening blearily. He still felt rather tired, with a pleasant ache still echoing through his body, like the kind after exercise. It was coupled with a rather awkward bruise on his hip from where he and Domani had fallen off the couch, which he hoped wouldn't be overly noticeable along the waistline or down the thigh.
Yellow eyes met his, and he started for a moment before recognizing the face. "Oh, it's you."
"You nothing!" Chiron huffed, glaring at him. "You come in OUR house like it's nothing and now you don't even remember my name!"
"Technically it's an apartment. I remember your name, Chiron," he reassured her. "Good morning."
She scowled, but was momentarily appeased by his recollection. "What are you doing in bed with Janus?"
"Er...." Jun didn't have a good answer for that, and decided the safest response was to go back to sleep.
"Don't fall back asleep!" she yelled at him.
Next to him in the bed, Domani rolled over, rubbing at his face. "What's all the noise so early in the morning."
"Janus, your fellow guardian is here," Jun told him lightly.
"Should've made sure to lock that damn gate...." he muttered.
"Jaaaanus," Chiron whined. "Why is this mortal here?"
"He got caught in the rain last night," Domani explained around a yawn. "He got very cold, so I had to warm him with my body."
"Oh." She seemed to accept that for a moment before jumping onto the bed. "I'll help!"
"Er, it's okay, he's already warm," Domani began.
Jun laughed, pulling the girl into his lap and giving her a hug. "Oh, you're very warm. I feel better already! You've revived me, oh great goddess Chiron."
She preened at the praise, jumping off the bed after he let her go. "Well, of course. I'm a very good goddess. Janus, I want breakfast!"
"How about you start some coffee for your fellow guardian," Domani grumbled sleepily.
"Okay!" She quickly abandoned the room to the two men.
Domani sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That girl's going to give me grays before I'm thirty. Oh, wait...."
Jun chuckled, giving the other man a kiss on the cheek. "I should run home for a change of clothes and a shower before I'm due for work. See you later?"
"All right. Have a good day, tell your parents hello for me," Domani told him gently.
After he had left, Domani took the time to put on some clothing of his own, moving out into the living room. Chiron had thoughtfully mopped up the spilled coffee from last night and had a cup of coffee ready for him. "Thank you, darling girl," the Italian praised her gratefully as he sat down, taking a deep drink.
Just then, a knock came at the door. "Sorry, no solicitations or loitering!" Chiron recited dutifully.
"If you don't open this door, I'm going to cry!" came a familiar voice from the other side.
Her face lit up as she ran to the door, hugging the newcomer. "Sol!"
Nikado returned the hug with one arm, pulling his shoes off with the other hand before stepping inside. His expression brightened as he took a sniff. "Coffee! You knew I was coming," he practically sang.
Domani chuckled as he drank from his own cup again. "Chiron, go fetch Nikado a cup of coffee, if you don't mind, dear."
"His name is Sol," she insisted before disappearing into the kitchen.
Nikado walked over to the Italian, taking a seat. "You look tired," Domani observed sympathetically.
He rubbed at his face. "Didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Well, how did it go?"
Domani looked into his cup, smiling softly. "That's good," Nikado said with a nod. "Whew. I was kind of worried about leaving the pair of you alone like that."
Chiron reappeared, handing Nikado a large cup. "Bless you, you wonderful, wonderful girl," he praised as he accepted it, taking in the aroma.
"Chiron," Domani said to her, "could you give Sol and I some time alone to talk?"
She pouted, and Nikado reached out, ruffling her hair. "I promise I'll come play with you for a little while afterwards, okay?"
"Okay," she sighed reluctantly before vacating the room.
Domani regarded his cup for a long moment. "Nikado," he asked softly, "what happens after...when Jun...."
"Dies?" Nikado filled in. "Well, he dies. But he'll be reincarnated again. You just have to find him again."
"Will I be able to do that?" he murmured. "Now that he's not Chiron...."
Nikado chuckled and gave the other man a light tap in the back of the head. "Chiron and Janus have nothing to do with why you two keep seeking each other out. It's because you have feelings that extend past a single lifetime. Don't worry, you'll definitely find him again."
Domani nodded, comforted. "I suppose he won't remember this life, though."
"Maybe, maybe not," the older man replied with a shrug. "That mostly depends on him. I doubt he'd forget this one, though. Even my darling Ame-chan remembers things here and there," he added cheerfully.
The Italian stared at him for a moment. "You've been dating a human this entire time."
"Oops, my dirty little secret's out," Nikado laughed. "Don't tell the other gods, they'll make fun of me."
Domani grinned at that, feeling comforted that a god had a working relationship with a human. "Of course, you could always go back to being reincarnated as a human," Nikado remarked. "It's a lot of fun."
"I'd have to be sure Chiron was taken care of," Domani protested, but seemed to be seriously considering the idea.
"Well, there's time," Nikado reassured him. "It would hardly be done today or tomorrow, anyway. By me, I love coffee." He drained his cup.
"I could get you another cup," Domani offered.
"Nah, I'm good. Hopefully I can catch a nap or something later anyway."
The other man watched him for a moment. "...How is Jeanne doing?"
Nikado sighed, setting down the cup. "Well, she's not trying to kill herself anymore, so I guess that's an improvement. Corus is watching over her for the moment."
"...Oh," Domani managed in a small voice, staring at Nikado. "That's...good."
The older man leaned back on the couch, tucking his hands behind his head. "You know, Domani, I'm not excusing her actions, but try and put yourself in her shoes. How would you feel if Jun was in love with a woman and didn't so much as give you the time of day?"
Domani let out a soft sigh in response. "Juturna is not someone who yet knows how to love without being loved in response," Nikado stated seriously. "It's only natural that it would lead to despair. And despair breeds desperation, causes people to do things they wouldn't even consider normally."
Putting his own cup down, the Italian nodded absently. "I'll keep your words in mind."
Nikado looked over at the other man, then reached out with one hand, mussing the other's silver strands. "Don't look so dejected. A good thing happened to you. And besides...I think she needed to hear that, last night. She wouldn't have listened to reason alone. She needed to be shown. Now, I think, she can start to heal." He rose, giving Domani a pat on the shoulder. "I'm going to go give your charge a little quality time, and then hopefully get a little more rest. If you see Jun before I do, tell him hi for me."
"All right, I will."
"Did something good happen, Jun baby?"
He looked up from his bentou lunch, regarding her for a moment. "I guess you could say that. Why do you ask?"
Anko toyed with his long ponytail, winding it around her slim fingers. "You seem to be doing better from whatever was bothering you, but that's not the only thing."
"How so?"
"Mmm...." She thought about it. "Well, it's like we were drawing a bit more masculinity out of you today. I dunno, I guess it's like...the difference between a boy and a man. You have such a lovely boyish charm, but today, you were a man."
Jun chuckled at that. "Is that a bad thing?"
"Boys can't be boys forever," she quipped, leaning forward. "Say, Jun. Wanna go on a date sometime?"
He blinked at her, then gave her a pat on the head. "Sorry, Anko, I don't think we'd make a good couple."
She sighed forlornly, leaning back. "I guess you haven't grown up enough yet to appreciate the charms of a mature woman."
Jun laughed, patting her on the arm as he stood. "Going somewhere?" she asked.
"I thought since we were ahead of schedule today, I'd go ahead and run a couple of errands," he told her. "My cell got broken yesterday, so I need to get a new one and get the number transferred."
"Eek. Yeah, we'd better get that replaced as fast as possible," Anko agreed with a nod. "I'll let Mihail know."
Jun made his way out of Solar Flare's building, wasting no time in tracking down the company the original cell phone had come from. They were able to replace the phone right away, but transferring the number would take a little time, so Jun wandered out with the new phone, replacing all the contacts he could recall.
Without even noticing, he had made his way back to the Tokyo Historical Research Centre, stepping inside as if he belonged. "Hello," he greeted the receptionist. "Is Professor Nikado in?"
She put down the book, fixing him with an even gaze. "Sorry, he called in today to say he couldn't come in. May I take a message?"
"No need, he managed to make it down after all. Jun!" Arms wrapped around him as Nikado gave him a hug, cuddling against him in an overly friendly manner. "Any other messages come for me, Ameko?"
"...Nothing at all," she replied icily, returning to the book.
Nikado grinned before leading Jun toward his office. "Come in, come in. Are you doing well now? Tell me how it went."
It was not entirely unlike the feeling of a fly being escorted into a web by a spider. "Did I make your secretary mad?"
"Not at all, I love to tease her. Want some tea? Coffee?" Nikado pushed aside some papers so Jun could have a seat.
"No thank you, I can't stay that long," Jun apologized. "Is Miss Lambert doing okay?"
"She'll be okay, I think," Nikado replied with a smile, flopping into his own chair. "I'll be watching over her."
"You seem to do that to a lot of people," Jun observed with a slight smile. "Watch over them, I mean."
"It's what lets me live," the other replied with a shrug. "So, how are things between you and Domani? Okay now?"
Jun blushed slightly, looking down at his hands in his lap. "Y-yeah, I think they are. I think it'll be okay now...it is okay, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"Being with...Janus."
Nikado raised his eyebrows. "Do you think there's something wrong with it?"
"No, but--"
"He doesn't, either," the historian continued with a shrug. "What else matters?"
Jun smiled at that. "I suppose you're right."
"I'm always right," the older man scoffed, "it just takes people a while to agree."
The model chuckled, rubbing at his neck. "Something else on your mind, Jun?" Nikado asked encouragingly.
"It's just...I guess I just feel so useless to Domani," he admitted after a moment. "Because I'm just a human."
"Domani doesn't need another god," Nikado remarked, leaning back in his chair and tucking his hands behind his head. "He has power enough on his own. Janus is, I'd say, the strongest guardian out there, and he could easily go toe to toe with a lot of major gods. What he needs is a human, to make sure he remembers how to be human. It's something a lot of gods have forgotten, I think."
Jun furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
"A god's body is immortal," Nikado explained, eyes closed. "Living so long, doing the same things in the same place, their spirits grow stagnant. They get...arrogant. Complacent. Jun, what do you think the difference between humans and gods are? Take away the immortality and the powers, and what's left?"
Thinking about it, he then shook his head, nothing coming to mind. "Memory is a tricky thing," the history mused quietly. "People forget what they don't like. That's often very easily forgotten, for a god."
Jun thought about that, pulling his knees up to his chest. "I'm sure that wouldn't happen to Domani. He's a strong person." He sighed. "I'm not. I don't have any power. All I seem to be able to do is be saved and make Domani worry about me."
Nikado gave his ponytail an idle tug. "Well, people gain a certain sort of strength from being protected, as well. But I have a feeling that wasn't what you were wanting." He chuckled. "Once people discover there's more, they always want it. If you didn't know about divine powers, what would you do?"
Jun stiffened. "It wouldn't be a problem then. It isn't anything from the normal world that's been putting us in danger."
"Jun," Nikado fixed him with a cool gaze, "flinging around a bunch of magic, in the end, solves nothing. It doesn't make the reasons for the conflict go away, and gods are just as human as anyone else. If you really want to become stronger, strengthen your heart. To the end where you no longer need to solve problems through using such abilities, that's where real strength lies."
"That's easier for you to say," Jun muttered.
Nikado rolled his eyes but didn't respond otherwise. "Anything else bothering you?"
"Actually..." Jun began slowly. "Nikado, do you know of any gods that have gray eyes and black hair? That are young girls?"
He sat up at that. "I can think of a few," he replied neutrally. "Why do you ask?"
"It's nothing, really," Jun admitted. "I had a strange dream last night, that's all. She was calling me Chiron, so I thought...."
"No, you're probably right," Nikado interrupted. "Most likely, she's a god. What was she saying?"
"She said that I--Chiron--was the only one that loved her. That I needed to help her."
Nikado frowned, and opened his mouth to say something, when Jun continued. "She was crying."
"Crying?"
The model nodded. "I can't really explain it, but somehow I felt she was very lonely. Sad. Like she was in a place that was dark and cold." Nikado's expression was unreadable as he sat back again, thinking. "I don't know what to make of it."
"She'll probably contact you again," the historian said.
"What should I do?" Jun asked.
"What do you think you should do?" Nikado countered. "What's in your heart?"
"I don't know yet. I don't know what she wants of me. Is that going to be your answer?"
"Ah, now he catches on."
Jun wasn't sure whether to scowl or chuckle. "I need to get back to work. By the way, could I have your number again?"
"Sure, here you go."
After Jun had left, Nikado thought things over. There was only one god that could match that description, and he was pretty sure he knew what she wanted. He needed to discuss this with the other gods.
But first, he needed a nap....
It had certainly been a while since Elysium had been used as a meeting place for the gods, but for Corus, it was business as usual as he checked the eastern courtyard to be sure the flowering vines were in check. Favonius and Flora were the first to arrive, the woman greeting Corus with a kiss on the cheek before entering the courtyard with her husband.
Jeanne was already in attendance, seated at a spot around the round table. "You think you have a right to be in attendance?" Favonius commented coolly, picking a seat some distance from the other woman.
"As much as you," she replied coolly. "I was invited."
Favonius refrained from rolling his eyes. There was only one god dumb enough to do that, the same one who had signed the invitation. Most likely this was going to be some sort of family picnic.
Domani arrived next, with Chiron in tow, the girl bouncing around the courtyard and chattering eagerly to her adopted parent. Upon seeing him, Jeanne quickly looked away, finding the floor much more interesting. Remembering Nikado's words, Domani nodded to her politely as Chiron jumped into a seat. "Good day, Jeanne." She did not respond, avoiding eye contact as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
The one who had called the meeting was the last to arrive. Nikado arrived without fanfare, but his entrance was nonetheless noticeable. Instead of his usual human clothing, he was in the uniform that marked his position as Sol: a dazzling white uniform trimmed with silver and black, a half-cape over his right shoulder that was pinned with a five-pointed star. Domani was immediately suspicious and a little worried; even with Janus's memories, he couldn't recall Nikado ever acting in his official capacity. Glancing over at Flora and Favonius, he could tell they were surprised as well. Even Chiron seemed a little uncomfortable by the change in attitude from the usually jovial god.
He took a seat next to Jeanne. "Thank you all for coming," he said in an unusually solemn and quiet voice.
"What's this about, Sol?" Favonius asked, voice tinged with a little curiousity.
Nikado rested his chin on folded hands, regarding the table seriously for a moment. "I wanted to know what everyone's thoughts were on the possibility of unsealing Titania."
That got a definite reaction from the rest of the table. "Are you mad, man?" Favonius exclaimed, standing up. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard from you, and that's saying a lot."
"Sol," Domani said quietly. "What on earth are you thinking?"
Nikado's cool gaze shifted to Domani, and the guardian felt a little unsettled. "You are the one that sealed her, Janus. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this."
"My thoughts? I'm against it, of course!" Domani slammed a hand against the table. "Titania is little better than the monster she's sealed. She expects everyone to bow before her and worship and could easily kill anyone that refuses. I doubt even you could match her if she got loose again, Sol. Not to mention her obsession with Jun. Who knows what she'd do to him, or Chiron."
"I have to agree, Sol," Flora added. "She is dangerous enough for us. She would kidnap Jun again, and we would not be able to stop her. How could you even consider such a thing? You who is so protective of humans and Jun in particular."
"I have no intention of doing it myself, particularly if there is a consensus against it," Nikado replied with his eyes closed before looking to the woman next to him. "What do you think, Juturna?"
"I have no strong feelings either way," she replied with a shrug. "I'm only marginally involved."
He nodded, looking over to Chiron. The girl was squirming, not liking all the adult talk. "Chiron, honey," Nikado said to her in a gentle tone more like his usual, "do you understand?"
She nodded, paused, then shook her head. "You know who Titania is, right?" he encouraged.
"Titania isn't here," Chiron replied slowly. "She went away because bad things were happening. Was she a bad girl?"
"Yes, she was," Nikado agreed softly. "She was being punished. Do you think she should be allowed to come back now?"
Chiron considered the question, childlike face scrunched up in concentration, and then she nodded. "You have won the approval of a child, Sol," Favonius remarked. "Congratulations."
Nikado shot him a look that was surprisingly icy. "Well, there's still time," he murmured, mostly to himself as he stood. "I do not wish to seek approval or disapproval at this time; I merely wished to hear your opinions. Thank you for speaking with me honestly." He excused himself with a bow, turning and leaving with the same solemnness he had arrived with.
Flora shook her head slightly. "What on earth was that about?"
Domani sighed, standing. "Who knows. Only he really knows what's on that agenda of his."
"Should we keep an eye on him?" Favonius wondered. "In case he tries something?"
"He said he isn't going to unseal Titania," Domani answered with a shake of his head. "He can't lie."
"He said he wasn't going to do it himself," Favonius corrected. "Not lying is not the same as not being deceptive."
"That's true," the Italian admitted, "but I don't think he would be so forthcoming if he intended to be deceptive. I suppose we'll have to wait until he informs us more clearly of his thoughts. He didn't even say he wanted her unsealed, himself."
"Then what was the point of this exercise? Come, Flora, let's return to Themis," Favonius stated, turning to his wife.
Outside the courtyard, Corus glanced up as Nikado exited the meeting area by himself. "Leaving already, Sol?"
Nikado turned to the winter god, regarding him for a moment. "Corus, I wish to ask a favor of you, if I may," he began slowly.
"Speak, and I shall consider it," the other replied.
"In the case that Titania was to break free of her seal...those that are here in Elysium at the time, could you prevent them from coming to Themis?" he asked. "It would not be safe for them."
Corus was silent for a long moment, hooded face revealing nothing. "I shall take your words into consideration," he replied at last in a noncommittal tone.
"I appreciate it," Nikado replied sincerely. "I have a few errands to run on Earth, but I'll be back soon."
"I await your return."
Nikado brought himself back to Earth, back into the familiar small apartment he had to himself. Tugging on his ponytail all the way to the bathroom, he began running the water for a hot bath. The clothing was discarded carelessly outside the bathing area, and only bothered with a bare rinse for the sake of cleanliness before entering the deep Japanese tub.
Letting his long hair fall loose over his shoulders, Nikado settled into the tub with a sigh, looking up at nothing in particular. Things were always moving, as long as they involved people, he reflected silently to himself. Well, things would fall into place soon enough; he supposed everything left was up to people and the fates.
Somehow, Jun felt that he should know the girl's name, but it wouldn't come to him. "Chiron, you must help me."
"What do you want me to do?" he shouted into the thick blackness around him. "Where are you? I don't understand."
The ground seemed to shift under him, but it wasn't so much a physical movement as light finally filling the area. He was surrounded by black glass, the faint silhouettes of bodies visible here and there. And in the center of them all rose a black slab with a girl's body preserved inside, glowing runes visible on its surface.
Jun gasped in surprise, stumbling forward through the jutting glass, hissing as he caught his hand on a sharp edge. "Who did this to you?" he whispered, putting his hands against the cool glass.
There wasn't a verbal response, but the very sensation of anger filled the air like an oppressive heat. "Chiron, you must help me," the girl said without moving as the temperature dropped back down.
"I'm not Chiron anymore," Jun told her sadly, pressing his face against the slab. "I don't have the power. Let me talk to Janus, he can--"
The heat suddenly returned, wind whipping around as well. "No! He may not come. Only you. You are the only one who loves me, Chiron."
He put an arm to his face protectively, unable to speak in the heat and wind. "This is only an image. Next time, I will bring you here," she told him, letting the wind and heat die. "You can help me. Will you come, Chiron?"
He paused, then nodded. Even if he couldn't remember who she was, it didn't seem fair to leave someone locked up in glass like that. "I don't know what I can do, but I'll try."
"Chiron." She spoke his name with a tone of love and happiness, and then he was awake in his bed.
Jun blinked, trying to remember the dream he had just had. He was certain he had just woken up, but already he couldn't recall any detail, and somehow he felt it was important. After a moment, he settled down to go back to sleep. Somehow, he had a feeling it would come again.
