Shion felt warm, safe, and content as awareness slowly returned to him. There was a pair of arms wrapped around him. Shion could not explain why this simple gesture made him feel as protected as when his master would hold him like this. The arms shifted, pulling Shion a little closer. He could feel a calming cosmos emanating from the Saint holding him. A smaller cosmos entered the room, scrambling onto the bed and curling up in between Shion's arms.
"Master, when will Grand Master Shion wake up?" The child attempted to whisper, playing with Shion's hand. A gentle rumple and a soft laugh met Shion's ears. He was basking in the warmth and comfort the two cosmos were wrapping around him.
"Why don't you ask him yourself, Kiki?" The voice from the pass stated. Shion didn't want to move or or speak but the child started poking him. He hummed absent mindlessly to satisfy this Kiki. He was so close to falling asleep again.
"Grand Master Shion, are you going to wake up? I can't wait to get back to Jamir! Did you know that the last time I was training, I set it one fire-" Kiki was starting to bounce a bit. Shion tightened his arms around Kiki like the child was a teddy bear. Kiki sqealed but the other Saint's cosmos felt reminiscent, as if this Saint wished to have experienced the moment one more time.
"Shhhhhhh..." Shion whispered to Kiki before uncurling his cosmos to surround the two in the room. Kiki instantly calmed down. The Saint just shook their head as he eased Shion into a state of wakefulness.
"We need to meet with Lady Athena then we will figure out other things." The Saint's voice was gentle and soothing, as he lifted Shion from the bed effortlessly. Kiki had clung to Shion, giggling in delight. Shion opened his eyes for the first time since he had passed out in the pass. He had no energy, although he recognized the Aries Temple. He looked at the person carrying him, meeting gentle eyes of spring green. He was certain that this Saint truly was gentle as the eyes were a window to the soul. The purple hair wasn't anything new. Atlas had purple hair also. Kiki was red haired and as hyper as was to be expected from the Aries Saints in training. He just resigned himself to whatever was happening. After all, it was better than reporting failure to Grand Master Sage.
As if seeing the resignation in Shion's eyes, Mu raised an eyebrow as Kiki floated down to fetch the items that Mu had telepathically asked for. He entered the Aries Bath, feeling Shion tense. He gently placed him on a bench, undoing the bandages that almost completely covered Shion. He could tell that Shion was too exhausted to move due to the way Shion was completely supported by the way behind him.
"I am Mu of Aries, Master of Jamir. I understand that you must be on edge. This is not a trick on the mind or torture. I and my fellow Saints were sent to the pass by Lady Athena to clear it of dark specters. We found you there and brought you back to sanctuary. Lady Athena will be meeting with you soon. I know this must be awkward for you but I will be helping you to bath, dress, and rebandage your wounds." Mu finished removing the bandages as he spoke, looking into Shion's eyes. There was fear in those purple eyes. Mu thought about why there would be fear before a wave of anger, expertly hidden, rose within him, adding fuel to the fire of his need to protect Shion.
"I swear on the river Styx that I will do my absolute best to protect you and prevent anyone from hurting you, Shion. As much as humanly possible, I will do my best to not hurt you." Mu stated, watching the purple eyes widen in shock. Shion started crying, Mu wiping his tears away. Kiki had returned after Shion calmed a bit.
"Bath time! Bath time! Bath time!" Kiki sung as he put the supplies down, stripped, and jumped into the bath. Mu rolled his eyes fondly at Kiki's antics before quickly stripping both himself and Shion of clothes and placing Shion on a corner bench in the bath. He found the floating tray of soap, shampoo, and conditioner. He pulled Kiki over to him and made quick work of washing the kid's hair.
"Make sure to scrub behind your ears." He placed a kiss to the top of Kiki's head before moving over to Shion.
"Yes, Master!" Kiki's enthusiasm caused a small smile to bloom on Mu's face. Shion was watching, confused. Mu just smiled a little bigger at Shion.
"He's a reckless child, I tell you. Always getting into things he shouldn't be." Mu stated as he washed Shion's hair. Shion couldn't help but snort at that. His own master said that all the time to anyone who would listen. Mu couldn't help but tease Shion a little. "I assume that you are reckless as well?"
Shion nodded, relaxed with hands in his hair. The nails gently scratching at his scalp eased all the tention from his body. He didn't understand why he was a pile of goo when people touched his hair. Kiki had come over and asked if he could play with Shion's hair. Mu had stated it was fine as long as Kiki was gentle. As Kiki played with the green hair, Mu finished bathing Shion and himself. He helped Kiki dry off before focusing on Shion. Kiki had resumed playing with Shion's hair until Mu placed a shirt on the cuddly Saint. Shion only realized that he was dressed and bandaged at that moment.