G'day Everyone...


    Well here we go.. part nine :)  - I think most of you will like it.. 
although some people who've read it tend to think that the 
author is a complete Ba#tard - you'll find out why when you get around to 
reading it.. please no threats :)

    OK - well C&C is most welcome... - it's a beta version so be kind

                          An Oh My Goddess FanFic

                                Oh My God ?

                                    by 

                                Brett Handy

Chapter 9:

     The days leading up to Christmas were happy ones, once
Nekgmi had finished until the new year, I had plenty of free
time.  Most of it was spent with Okuda, we spent a lot of time
just walking around, or sitting in the park talking.  I'd have
to say that I considered Okuda my *closest* friend since leaving
home, which was pretty amazing since I hand only know him for a
little over a month.

     "Oh come on...", I said to Okuda, "It'll be nice and
relaxing".  It was two days before Christmas and I had found the
perfect place to occupy some of my time, a heated pool.  Perhaps
I should explain Christmas in Australia, it's hot, usually sunny
and the best place to be is at the beach.  I think I've been
swimming every Christmas day since I was about 2 years old, my
parents love the beach and I've yet to miss a Christmas there.

     "Swimming?", Okuda said again, he seemed quite disturbed for
some reason.

     "Yeah", I said, "What... can't swim?".

     He shook his head, "No.. but it's *winter*", he complained.

     I shrugged, "That's why we're going to a *heated* pool", I
said grinning.

     He frowned, "I'm not sure....", he began.

     "That's good", I said, "Cause I am.. it's traditional to
swim on Christmas".  It took a little more encouragement, but he
agreed to meet me at the pool.

     The complex that we went to was huge, easily the biggest
indoor swimming area that I'd ever seen (or read about).  The
heat that hit us as we walked inside was a welcome relief from
the chill outside, "Come on, let's get changed", I said, heading
for the change-rooms.

     He shook his head, "I changed at home, I'll wait outside",
he said.

     I grinned, "What?, shy?", I said, and then laughed at his
expression.  I shook my head, "I didn't realise how inhibited he
was", I thought to myself.  After a couple of minutes I got back
to the edge of the big pool, walking up behind Okuda I placed a
hand on his shoulder.

     "You *can* swim mate?", I asked again.

     At his nod, I grinned, "Good!", I said, and with that I picked
him up and threw him in at the deep end.  Admittedly Okuda was a
small guy, but I didn't expect him to be quite so light, he sailed
in a lovely arc ending in a muffled scream/splash.

     "BLUB... what did you do that for!", he demanded, treading
water.

     I dove into the water and swam up to him (I'm a pretty good
swimmer - after 18 years of swimming at Christmas - I'd either be
good or fish-bait), "Hey, that's another tradition", I said
grinning.

     He batted some water in my direction, "Well next time try
something new", he muttered.

     The rest of the afternoon went well, we used the wave pool for
some very limited surfing, mucked around on the slides and finally
just ended up relaxing in the big pool.  "I told you this would be
a good idea", I reminded him after we got out.

     He nodded, "Alright, that's *one* good idea you've had", he
said.

     I laughed, "Well, let's get back into our warm clothes", I
said, indicating my own board-shorts, "I don't really want to
freeze off anything important".

     He stopped mid step, "What's the problem?", I asked, noticing
his expression.

     He seemed to want to say something, but held back.  "Come on",
I said, "It's not like it makes much of a difference...".

     He nodded and began walking again.  I dunno what his problem
was, but he seemed to get over it, we bid a fond farewell to the
swimming pool (well I guess it should be complex.. it was rather
too impressive to be called a pool).

     There was one thing that disturbed me about the afternoon, I
noticed one particular guy studying use intently as we swam and
then again as we left the complex.  He was just under six feet tall
and was wearing a white polo shirt and Khakis pants.  I nudged
Okuda, "See that guy?", I asked him, indicating the fellow with a
nod.

     "Yeah?", he responded, still pre-occupied with something,
"what about him?".

     I shrugged, "Oh.. I was just wondering why he was following
us", I replied, "You don't own *him* money do you?".

     He frowned and examined the guy thoughtfully, "No, I don't
think I know him", he said, "But he seems familiar".

     "That's exactly the same feeling I got", I replied, then I
quickened the pace of my steps, "Let's see if we can leave him
behind".

     Okuda hurried to keep up, "What's wrong Brett?", he asked,
"Why are we leaving so quickly?".

     I brushed aside his questions, "Never mind, let's just say I
don't want to find out why he's following us", I explained.  I took
us on a round about trip back to NIT, hurrying, knowing that if
that fellow was a Demon, I would be hard pressed to defend not only
myself, but Okuda.

     Finally we arrived at the Men's Dorm, where Okuda was staying. 
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow night at the Temple", I said in
farewell.

     He nodded, "Tomorrow.. bye 'mate'", he said, smiling slightly. 
I nodded and headed away from the dorms and for the nearest
isolated clock.  Hopefully a quick trip back to the Temple would
throw off our pursuer.

                                  ******

     "Damn, I lost him", Chia-Yao muttered to himself, the God of
Truth was not having a good day.  He straightened out his polo
shirt and took a seat on a bench.

     It had been several weeks since he had trailed Nilthar here
and he still had yet to *see* his nemesis.  He was sick and tired
of this surveillance job.  "Why can't I get a little action?", he
thought to himself, it had been three years since he had agreed to
accept a third category license and since then he had little to
show for it.

     "Even *Skuld* has gotten a permanent post on Earth", he
grumbled, "You'd think *I* could manage to come up with something
as interesting to do.. but no.. I've got to chase around a bunch of
misguided demons for the rest of my days...".

     He swept a hand through his thick grey hair and closed his
eyes for a minute.  Suddenly he felt a surge of power, looking
around quickly he pinpointed it as coming from the Dorms.  He
jumped to his feet, "Brett must have gone inside", he thought to
himself, but then he noticed that the spell seemed very precise and
well controlled, "Well that rules Brett out then", he muttered.

     Realising that he had been neglecting his duties he quickly
turned and headed for the Temple, "I think we've got another player
in the game", he thought to himself, "I hope whoever it is, is
friendly".

                                  ******

     Christmas eve finally arrived and I was busily wrapping up my
gift to Urd.  It had taken quite a bit of searching, but I finally
found something nice.  "I hope this goes well", I muttered as I
tied a bow neatly on top.

     Checking that I had everyone's gift sorted out I piled them up
on the bed.  I was a little depressed about not being able to spend
this Christmas with my family, I planned to visit for a few days in
the new year, but that wouldn't really replace Christmas.  Frowning
I checked my watch, "Okuda should have been here by now", I thought
to myself.

     I walked outside and looked around the courtyard, I spotted
Urd walking towards the gate, "Hey Urd!", I called, jumping down
the steps, "Where are you going?".

     She turned with a frown on her face, "I've got something
*important* to do tonight", she said, "Sorry I can't meet your
friend".

     I shook my head, "What's so important that it means you have
to miss Christmas with your family?", I asked.

     She shrugged, "Look, you wouldn't understand", she said, "If
I don't do this now I don't know when I'll get the chance again".

     And with that confusing comment, she walked out the gate and
down the street.  I looked after her, a little worried at her
words.  "Hey!", I called, "I got you a gift, so don't be too late".

     She just continued walking around the corner.  "That's weird",
I thought to myself, "I wonder if Belldandy know's what going on".

     I had just closed the gate and turned to walk inside, when a
knock echoed at the door.  "Your back?", I asked, flinging open the
gate, expecting to see Urd.

     "Ahhh.. no, I just got here", said a confused Okuda, who still
had a hand raised in mid-knock.

     "Sorry mate", I said, stepping back so he could walk in, "I
thought it was Urd".

     "Was that the lady who stalked past me?", he asked, "She
seemed in a hurry to get somewhere".

     I nodded, "Yup, that was probably her".

     "She's a knockout!", he said smiling.

     "That's exactly what my reaction was when I first saw her", I
replied, grinning.


     I turned and walked back up to the main house, Okuda was
looking around curiously at everything, "Nice place", he commented,
looking at the gardens.

     I nodded, "I've got no idea how they manage to keep it so
prefect", I admitted, "But I'd love to get the number of their
gardener".

     Okuda grinned, "I know what you mean", he said, "Everything I
touch turns brown".

     We headed inside and I took him in to introduce him to
Belldandy, Skuld and he already had met Keiichi.  "I'm very pleased
to meet you all at last", he said, bowing politely.

     Belldandy smiled, "I've heard quite a bit about you", she
said, after I introduced them.  Then she looked at him strangely,
"Have we met before?".

     Okuda smiled a little thinly, "No I think I'd remember meeting
anyone as beautiful as yourself", he said charmingly.

     Belldandy blushed slightly at the compliment, "Why thank you",
she said smiling.

     "And this is Skuld", I said, introducing the two of them.

     "Oh", he said eyeing her carefully, "This is the one who likes
to vanquish vicious ice-cream shops, single handedly?".

     Skuld poked her tongue out at him, "Pleased to meet you to",
she said sarcastically.  Dinner was a little way off, so I decided
to show Okuda around a little, first stop was my room and I gave
him a quick tour of my library.  Next we visited Keiichi's auto
shop, getting a guided tour of each nut and bolt from it's owner. 
I decided to skip showing him my magical studies room, it might
have been a little much for him to handle.

     After a couple of hours Belldandy had an incredible dinner
prepared and we all consumed it with gusto.  I have to admit it was
great, even better than Belldandy's usual dinners, I sat back
contentedly.

     "That was incredible", Okuda exclaimed, "I don't think I've
tasted anything like that before".

     I nodded, "You've outdone yourself this time, Belldandy", I
said.

     "It's a pity Urd couldn't join us", Keiichi said, looking at
the empty place at the table.

     "Hey!", Skuld interjected, "speak for yourself... I like to
get a break now and then from her".

     "Why is that?", Okuda asked, frowning.

     "She's such a pain, always criticising me", Skuld said,
"Nothing's ever good enough for her...".

     I shook my head, "Skuld, I'm sure Urd has your best intentions
at heart", I said, "It's just that she doesn't have much subtly in
her".

     Okuda frowned, "Not subtle?", he asked, seeming a little
confused.

     Skuld laughed, "Oh don't worry", she said, smiling, "I know
big sister means well, it's just nice to have a break once in a
while".

                                  ******

{ Author's Note:

                 <...>  - These indicate telepathic messages}


     <NILTHAR!>, came Marller's telepathic cry, <Urd's not here>

     Nilthar frowned thoughtfully, <Are you sure>, he sent back.

     <OF COURSE I'M SURE>, she replied, <She's gone>

     "This complicates matters", he muttered to himself, <You must
locate her as soon as possible>, he sent.

     <OH EASY FOR YOU TO SAY>, she responded angrily, <Find her
yourself, I'm busy....>.

     Her link was suddenly cut and Nilthar ground his teeth in
frustration, "It's so hard to find *bad* help these days", he
muttered.  Jumping down from the tree he had hidden himself in, he
began walking quietly towards the Temple that Marller was suppose
to be watching, "If you want a job done *wrong*, you've got to do
it yourself", he grumbled.

                                  ******

     It was getting late and I was starting to worry about Urd.  We
had spent most of the evening talking about various things,
watching a little TV and just relaxing.

     "I wonder where Urd is?", I said aloud, voicing my concern.

     Belldandy nodded, "It's not like my Sister to miss dinner",
she said, "Did she say where she was going?".

     I shook my head and turned to Okuda, "Which way did she go
past you?", I asked.

     "Uhhh... err", he said, trying to remember, "Umm well she
walked off towards Nekgmi".

     I frowned, "Why on earth would she want to go there on
Christmas eve", I mused, "and that's a hell of a long walk".

     Okuda shrugged, "I dunno, she could have gone anywhere after
she went past me", he said, and then he looked at me with an impish
expression, "Have you decided to ask her out yet?", he asked.

     At this Belldandy looked up curiously and smiled, "Your going
to ask Urd out?", she asked.

     Skuld and Keiichi also looked at me curiously, I grinned a
little nervously, "Ahh yes.. I was...", I said.  I grabbed hold of
Okuda's arm, "Would you excuse us for a minute?", I asked everyone,
not waiting for an answer I pulled him bodily from the room.

     I stopped when we reached the veranda, turning, I looked him
straight in the eye, "What did you have to go and tell them that
for?", I asked angrily.

     He looked at me wide-eyed and spread his hands defensively, "I
thought they were your friends?", he said.

     I nodded, starting to get a little more in control, "They are
my friends", I replied, "But that doesn't mean that I share
*everything* with them".

     He frowned, "But I thought that you and Keiichi were good
friends?", he said, "You didn't tell him that you were thinking of
asking Urd out?".

     I shook my head, "Keiichi and I *are* good friends, but I
didn't tell him that", I explained, "I don't usually tell
*everyone* what I'm planning to do".

     He frowned, "But I thought that...", he began.

     I placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's ok mate", I said, "You
didn't know that about me, but I'm usually a private person, not
given to sharing my thoughts with everyone".

     He frowned, "But you told me?", he asked seeming a little
confused.

     I nodded, "That's cause your a friend that I have confidence
in to keep it quite", I replied, "Keiichi might have blurted it out
to Urd by accident and I certinally wouldn't have told Belldandy
and Skuld, I guess you could say I wouldn't feel comfortable
discussing my love life (or lack there of) with a girl".

     He nodded and looked at the floor, "I think I understand", he
replied quietly, "I'm sorry if I've betrayed your trust".

     I smiled, "Well that's alright", I said, "THIS TIME".  I
clapped him on the shoulder, "let's go back inside, it's almost
Christmas day".

     He smiled a little sadly, "Alright", he said, starting to
follow me in quietly.  He still seemed to be a bit upset.

     "Hey!", I said, trying to lighten the mood, "Let's leave the
depression thing until Urd turns me down".

     He shook his head, "Sometimes I don't think Urd is good enough
for you", he said, turning and walking inside.

     I frowned at that statement, he had never even met her.  But
when we got back inside I decided to leave it be.

                                  ******

     "Where the hell is Urd?", thought Chia-Yao, "I would have
expected her to be here tonight".

     He was lying face down in the roof of the temple, looking at
the gathering from above.  His face was phased through the wood
ceiling, allowing him to observe without notice.  Brett and Okuda
(there was something strange about that one), had just returned
from outside and had sat back down.

     Chia-Yao smiled, "So Brett's looking to take out Urd?", he
thought, "Well at least he has good taste in women".  Chia-Yao had
never really gotten along with Urd, she always seemed to look down
on him whenever they had an argument.  "And then there was the time
that she used me as a test subject for one of her potions", he
thought, shuddering at the memory.

     He looked a Skuld thoughtfully, "Well she's come along since
I last saw her", he thought, "Looks like she'll turn out to be a
nice looking young woman".  He grinned thinking of all the times he
had called her 'bug' - she had absolutely hated that nickname.  "If
only I could talk to them all again", he muttered quietly.

                                  ******

     The clock struck midnight, "Present time!", said Skuld
enthusiastically, clapping her hands.

     I grinned at her, "Usually *we* wait until morning", I said.

     "But it's Christmas *now*, so we can open them *now*", she
pouted.

     Belldandy smiled tolerantly, "Alright Skuld..", she said, "But
only just this once".


     "Here you go!", I said, handing her an envelope, I also handed
Belldandy and envelope, "That's for both you and Keiichi".

     Skuld looked at it and frowned, "That's it?", she asked.

     Belldandy frowned at her, "Skuld!", she said, "You're being
rude again".

     I grinned, "Open it", I insisted.

     Skuld huffed and opened it carefully, revealing a card, "Have
a look on the inside", I suggested.

     She opened the card and a small piece of plastic fell out,
"What's this?", she asked bending and picking it up.

     After a moment she finally read what was on the card and her
eyes went wide, "Is this a joke?", she asked, breathlessly.

     I shook my head, "Nope, it's valid for one year", I replied,
"All the ice cream you can eat".

     I don't think I *ever* gotten such a reaction to a gift, Skuld
practically bounced off the walls with glee.  She held the card to
her chest possessively, "Thank you.. Thank you...", she repeated.

     I grinned again, "If you don't like it we can always return
it", I suggested.

     She looked shocked and held the card closer, "Don't you dare",
she said.  I had just turned to Okuda when she gave me a quick peck
on the cheek, "Thanks Brett", she said happily.

     I nodded, "Well Okuda and I both picked it out", I replied,
"Oh and speaking of Okuda...".  I passed him a small gift-wrapped
box, "This is for you".

     He smiled and opened it quickly, what it revealed was a small
computer-like device.  "What is it?", he asked, turning it over in
his hands.

     "Well remember when you told me you keep messing up
experiments cause you get the wrong measurements?", I asked, at his
nod I continued, "Well you can program that with about 200
different mixtures and it will tell you how much item to add and
when".

     He looked at it with respect, "I could have used this years
ago", he said, "Thank you".

     I nodded, "That's alright", I said smiling, "you've been such
a good friend that I'm happy to give it to you".

     He grinned a little sickly, "Ahh.. yeah.. well", he began.

     "Brett-san!", called Keiichi from the other side of the room,
"What is this?!?".

     I walked over and examined the tickets and documents that he
was holding up, "That's your Christmas present", I replied.

     "But... When..", he began.

     Belldandy smiled, "Thank you Brett", she said, "I'm sure we
*both* will enjoy it".

     I grinned, "So long as you like the beach", I replied.

     Skuld was about to burst, "What are you talking about?", she
demanded, not being able to see what the tickets were for.

     "Brett has organised a small trip for us", Belldandy
explained.

     "Where are we going?", Skuld asked, confused.

     Keiichi spoke up, "I'm afraid that the tickets are only for
myself and Belldandy", he explained, "and I have no idea how he
afforded it".

     I shrugged, "It wasn't *that* expensive", I replied, "I can
drop the two of you off and that saves on air-fares".

     Skuld was frowning, "Where are you two going?", she asked.

     "Well the place is called 'Day Dream Island'", Belldandy said,
"It sounds very nice".

     I nodded, "It *is* very nice", I decided to explain, seeing
that everyone didn't know what or where 'Day Dream Island' was,
"It's a smallish island in what's known as the Whitsundays, a group
of islands in the Great Barrier Reef.  I've been there and it's a
*very* nice place".

     Skuld looked a little petulant, "But why can't we all go?",
she asked.

     I frowned at her, "You think I could afford both the Ice-cream
pass and a trip for all of us.. it was either getting you that.. or
you could go along with Belldandy and Keiichi", I said.

     She held the pass protectively in her hand, "That's alright",
she said quickly, "I'm happy to stay here".

     I smiled at Keiichi and Belldandy who were looking at each
other carefully, when Skuld left to get her presents for us I
whispered to them, "The room I ordered has two beds", they looked
a little shocked at my suggestion, I shrugged innocently, "I'm sure
you can change that if you want....".

     Before they had a chance to reply Skuld walked back into the
room and handed me a box.  "Open it", she said, smiling happily.

     I frowned and pulled it open, what was inside was about the
same size as a paperback book, it had a glowing dial that pointed
straight ahead and a series of buttons on the bottom, "Uhh it's
great Skuld", I said, not really knowing what to think.

     She frowned, "Oh here", she said, picking it up, "Since Urd
seems to have forgotten to teach you to detect magic, I fixed this
thing up".

     I hushed her slightly, glancing over at Okuda, who seemed to
caught up in his own thoughts to overhear anything.  "How does it
work?", I asked quietly.

     She glanced at Okuda and then whispered back, "You turn this
dial like this to detect active spells....", she began, turning the
indicated dial.  Then she stopped and frowned at the device.

     She thumped it on the side and turned the dial again,
"Something must be wrong with this", she muttered.

     "What?", I asked looking at the arrow, it was turning as Skuld
moved, rather like a compass.  Belldandy got up and walked over,
"It something wrong?", she asked.

     Skuld looked around the room, "Someone's using magic nearby",
she whispered to her sister, "Nothing real big.. only just
noticeable".

     I frowned, "Where's it coming from?", I asked, wondering if
the Demons were about to attack.

     Belldandy and Skuld exchanged glances and then Belldandy
turned her back on Okuda and began gesturing and quietly reciting
a spell.  Okuda still didn't seem very happy, he was examining the
little computer I had given him.

     After a moment Belldandy finished her spell and looked around
the room, "It's him", she hissed, point at Okuda. 

     By now he had realised that we were all looking at him and he
stood uncomfortably, "What's wrong?", he asked nervously.  Then he
noticed the device Skuld had in her hand, "NO!", he said suddenly,
"You didn't give him that stupid detector of yours...".

     Skuld and Belldandy stood in front of me, carefully raising
their hands in preparation of a spell.  I was shocked, "Okuda.. how
would you know...", I said slowly.

     Belldandy looked at him sternly, "Unless you get rid of that
disguise spell right now, I'm going to...", she began.

     Okuda raised his hands, "No need for that", he said quietly,
"I'll do it myself".

     He looked at me sadly, "I'm sorry for betraying your trust
Brett", he said and then began to chant and gesture.

     A shimmering spread for him body, the air around him shimmered
like waves of heat.  As he continued to chant his voice became
higher and his body became slimmer and more feminine after a few
more moments he (make that *she*) stopped chanting and a silence
filled the room.

     I stood shocked, open mouthed and very shaken.  "How could you
do something like this?", I said carefully, trying to keep my
emotions under control.

                                  ******

     Another person who was not taking Okuda's transformation too
well was the guest in the ceiling.  "How the hell did I miss
that?", he thought to himself.  "I gotta get a new detection
spell", he muttered, missing such an important detail would almost
be enough to get him kicked out of the Security Daemons.

                                  ******

Author's Note:

     Ahhh the old 'cliffhanger ending' - something that I do quite
a bit in my FanFics :)

     So what's going on with Okuda??  Anyone want to know more??? 
Ahh well you'll have to wait till I write part 10 :) - I could be
*really* mean and leave it for a month or two..... but I'm not a
mean person :) so I'll only leave it for a week :).. I've got to
get some more of my other Fics written.. sorry all.. but that's the
way it goes...

-----Brett  (11/12/95)



---------------------------------------------------------------------
Address: darkwnd@sv.net.au   WWW page: http://www.sv.net.au/~darkwnd

Kane: "Master, the other children tease me..."
Old Master: "Have you learnt nothing from my teachings, Grasshopper?"
Kane: "What do you mean master?"
Old Master: "Well can you not beat the Sh#T out of them???"

  -----Fast Forward (1990)
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