To Ghaidin
Surprise
Being on Khan Island had probably been the best decision he had made in a long time. It not only calmed him down, it also made him feel alive—despite the fact that sometimes, he had the feeling that there was something missing. Perhaps it was the volcano what made me him feel fine, he did not know for sure, Ikki only ackowledged that being there simply felt good.
As usual, Helen had ben takin care of him. She had silently come and gone, always trying not to interrupt him and ever caring for him. That was somehng that embarrased him. Only Esmeralda had ever showed a sign of affection to him, when she looked after him back on the Devil’s Island. There was no evil in him anymore, thoug his secluded life continued as it usually did.
For that reason, he found it troublesome to have a birthday present in his hands. Shun had left it in his room at the mansion once, with a note saying that he should open it on his birthday only, and it was August 17th already. The man had doubted back then and was doing it again. He was not even sure why he had taken the big package with him on the first place. What was inside the box that had made Shun give it to him so many months in advance? Ikki coul not help it and smiled. Shun had told him a while ago he was determined not to let him go and was doing what he had said. Shun was now a part of him of those solitary moments he always enjoyed for himself.
He finally made up his mind and opened the gift. It was a carved wooden box. Ikki had to recognise his marvel when he had finally torn the fine wrapper paper apart and discovered it. The top of it had a Phoenix on it; it was the delicate other four figures that were on each corner what moved him deeply. The protectors of his brother and friends were surrounding him. He smirked. Only Shun would have thought of something that deep.
Ikki had always believed Shun’s heart was his biggest treasure. The sensation of the wood under his fingers was soft and pleasant. He thought of the care the carpenter might have had when carving it, and even imagined Shun had done it himself.
He finally opened the wooden box, after many seconds hesitating. He knew many of the things he found in there. In fact, he had believed them all lost long ago. The small blanket which he used to cover Shun with. The old football ball they used to play with at the orphanage. Even an old frame with her parents smiling at him on it. It was however, the last thing in there what finally made his eyes blur because of the tears overflooding them. This frame was covered by a piece of paper; it was an old picture, one in which the five of them were. Shiryu, Hyoga, Seiya, Shun, and himself; all smiling, posing as if knowing what the future had in store for them.
Ikki let her body rest against the bed’s headend and smiled. The man put the picture next to him and opened the folded piece of paper that had been attached to it.
“Dear Ikki,” the letter began, “since you’ve decided to be away on your b-day, we thought it’d be nice if instead of being you here, we were with you wherever you were. We turned Japan upside down, but we could finally find these things we sent you; these are things we value from our childhood together with you, and we’re sure, you also treasure those memories.
Happy birthday, brother.
Love,
Shun, Shiryu, Hyoga and Seiya.”
He had not helped it and noticed he’d been crying while he was reading. Those guys would never stop amazing him.
“Ikki, breakfast is ready.” Helen said in a moment she entered in the room, just to notice him engrossed on the things before him, “Ikki?”
Phoenix looked at her and cleaned his face. He did not want her to see his tear-streaked face, though it was too late already.
“Helen, would you do something for me?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Take care of the house for me, I need to leave.”
“But Ikki, today…”
“I know, that’s why I’m spending the day with my brothers. There’s a football match we haven’t finished.” He responded grinning.
Ariadne, October 10, 2006