Oh my God ?

                          An Oh My Goddess FanFic

                                    by

                                Brett Handy

CHAPTER 3:

     Dawn was just breaking over the temple, turning the sky a
beautiful lavender colour.  The few wisps of clouds were a
shimmering silver and the outlook for the day was clear.

     I yawned mightily after having spent the night reading. 
I set down the heavy book, finally having finished it after
reading all night.  Glancing over at the remaining dozen or so
I despaired of ever getting through them.  It had been three
days since my arrival here at the temple, and I knew that my
time here was limited.  If I didn't return home soon, my
family would be freaking out - not only that, I had run out of
clean clothes.

     Laying down on the strange bed (which I now recognise as
being named a 'futon'), I went over the possibilities.  I must
have spent about three hours, just lying and thinking, before
Keiichi came to fetch me for breakfast.  "Morning Brett-san",
he greeted me cheerfully, "Bell-chan has made a wonderful
breakfast for us all".

     I nodded and got to me feet, noticing that he was much
better than yesterday.  "How's the arm?", I asked him, as we
made our way to the dining room.

     Keiichi grinned, "It's fixed now, Bell-chan healed it for
me last night", he said.

     I glanced at the cast on his arm, "Really?", I asked.

     Keiichi nodded again, "I'm only wearing the cast so that
people won't think it's strange that it healed overnight", he
explained.

     I nodded, accepting his explanation.  We sat down to a
delicious meal cooked by Belldandy - and I have to say her
cooking is at least as good as my mothers (who used to teach
cooking professionally).  I sat back contentedly, "That was
wonderful", I exclaimed.

     Everyone nodded their agreement, before the table was
cleared away.  As everyone split up to pursue their particular
days activities I followed Skuld back to her room.  I knocked
on the doorframe, "Excuse me Skuld?", I called, "may I talk to
you?".

     I got an affirmative grunt and took it to mean yes. 
Slipping up behind her I observed her for a moment before
talking, she was using her computer to log into some
complicated mainframe.  I sat down beside her to watch, her
fingers danced effortlessly over the keys (oh yes, this was
exactly what I had in mind).

     "Would you mind if I ask a personal question?", I
inquired.

     She gave me a short nod.

     "Have you done much hacking?", I asked, as
conversationally as possible.

     As expected this got her attention right away, "What!",
she cried, looking up.

     "Oh come on", I said, glancing at her system, "With that
kind of system you've probably been into the Pentagon's
computers".

     She snorted, "Piece of cake", she said, turning back to
her screen, "Its those big corporations that are a real
challenge".

     I nodded, "Well that being the case", I said carefully,
"Would you mind doing me a little favour?".

     Skuld looked up, "Such as??", she asked.

                                  ******

     I grabbed a chair to steady myself as Urd and I re-
appeared in my room.  I listened carefully, making sure that
everyone was out.  Hearing nothing I relaxed and threw my bag
onto the bed.

     "Just remember, you owe me for this", Urd said, fingering
her clothes.  She was dressed in a business suit, her hair
tied back in a respectable pony-tail.  "I can't understand why
I have to wear this get-up", she said, for the tenth time.

     I sighed, "I told you, if anyone asks, your from the
student exchange program, here to pick me up".

     She nodded, "Yeah I get it, but without any proof, how
are we supposed to convince anyone?', she asked.

     I smiled, "Leave that to me", I said confidently.

     Glancing around my room, I grabbed a fresh change of
clothes and headed in for a quick shower.  By the time I'd
gotten back downstairs, I found that half my stuff was already
packed.

     "Ahh, thanks Urd", I said, "But I can handle that".  She
had packed my stuff into a bunch of large boxes.  I frowned
slightly, not realising how much stuff I had accumulated over
the years.  Urd shrugged and sat back down in a chair.

     I went through my collection of books - realising that
there was *no* chance of bringing them all.  Settling on a few
of the best, I dumped them into another box.  It took me less
than half an hour to get everything ready, and it took Urd
less than a second to transport it all to my room in the
Temple.

     I sighed looking at the remains of my room, it had taken
me nearly three years of work to get it just right, "Oh well",
I thought, "It's only temporary".

     It was at this stage my (dare I use the phrase *little*,
she's about six foot two) sister, Jan, got back home.  "Where
have you been, Brett?", she asked worriedly, "Mum and Dad have
been worried sick".

     I nodded, "Sorry about that, I'll explain everything when 
they get home", I replied.  Jan was looking at Urd curiously,
"Who's this?", she asked.

     Urd smiled, "My name's Urd, I'm with the Japanese Student
Exchange Program", she said sticking out her hand.

     Jan's eyes widened, "Exchange program?", she said in a
confused tone, then she took a look at my room, noticing that
just about everything was missing.

     She turned to me in shock, "*your* moving out?", she
asked in a small voice.

     I nodded, "Its probably only for six months or so", I
replied, glancing at Urd suspiciously.

     Urd retained her pose of 'unconcerned official', relaxing
back in her chair.

     Jan was still quite shocked and grabbed me by the arm,
pulling me outside, "Excuse us", she said to Urd.

     She practically towed me upstairs, into the lounge room,
"Ok, tell me what your doing", she commanded.

     I shrugged, "I've been accepted into a student exchange
program", I explained (sweating slightly), "I'm moving to
Japan for a few months".

     Jan raised her eyebrows dubiously, "Oh, and when did you
enrol?", she asked.

     "Oh not long ago", I said, "I've got a place waiting for
me at the Nekgmi Institute of Technology".

     She sighed and sat down on a couch, "You've got to be
kidding", she said again, "*You* in Japan, you don't even
speak the language".

     I was struggling to maintain my composure, "Well look at
it this way", I said, attempting to lighten the mood, "At
least this means that *you* get my room".

     Her interest sparked up slightly (we've been fighting
over my room since I moved into it - but I'm bigger than she
is....), "Well, I hope you know what your doing", she said.

     I nodded and turned to go back down stairs, "Well, I've
got some things to do in the city", I said, "I'll be back
before dark".

     "Righto", Jan said, moving towards her own room
(undoubtable working out the best way to shift her stuff
downstairs).

                                  ******

     When I finally got out of the Japanese Embassy I found
Urd waiting for me in her regular clothes (that is to say she
was looking rather... Umm..  well - this is Urd, you get the
idea).  "How did you get all that?", she asked curiously.

     "Not important", I said, "We've only got one stop left
before we head back to my place".

     Urd sighed, "*another* place, we've already visited half
the buildings in the city", she complained, "I'm getting
hungry".

     I nodded, "Well I won't take too long..".

     Urd trudged along after me, (I neglected to tell her that
our next destination was across town...) and her complaints
dropped off after I promised to buy her lunch.  We took a
short cut through the Botanical Gardens and this seemed to
pick up her spirits a bit.  "Nice variety of plants", she
commented.

     I nodded, "Yeah I like coming here to relax sometimes", I
replied.

     We were just passing through the centre of the city, when
Urd spotted a restaurant that caught her eye.  "Well, let's
have lunch in here then", she said, grabbing my arm and
pulling me inside.

     It was only after sitting down at our table that I
realised exactly what restaurant we were at.  "God, please
don't let him be working here today", I thought to myself.

     "Hello, my name is Hubert and I'll be your waiter", came
a voice from behind be.  I shuddered slightly and turned
around, "Hello Hubert", I said.

     I don't think he could have been more shocked if I'd
grown an extra head.  He stood shock-still for a moment, then
he looked at Urd and back at me.  "Uh, hello Brett", he
replied, "Who's your friend?".

     I sighed, "This is Urd", I explained.

     Urd reached out her hand, "I'm with the Japanese Student
Exchange Program", she said.

     Hubert shook her hand slowly, "Exchange program??", he
asked.

     I kicked Urd under the table to silence her response,
"Yes, I've been accepted for a transfer to Japan and I'm
moving to there for six months", I explained.  After he had
recovered from the shock of *that* statement, he took our
orders and walked away to get our drinks.

     Urd was rubbing her shin, "What did you kick me for??",
she demanded in a whisper.

     I sighed, "You figure it out for yourself", I said,
"What's Hubert going to say now to my friends now???".  Seeing
her blank expression I continued, switching my voice to a poor
imitation of Hubert', "Oh I saw Brett and this knockout-
looking Babe in the city and he's moving to Japan with
her...".

     Urd nodded, "I see what you mean", she said.  Then she
thought for a moment, "You think I'm a knockout?", she asked.

     I blushed slightly, "Uhh, well", I said unintelligently.

     It was just at that moment that Hubert returned, "Here's
your drink Brett", he said placing it in front of me.  "And
one for the 'Knockout'", he said smiling at Urd (I think I
must have turned a bright crimson at that point).

     "I'll bring your meals over when they're ready", he said
turning and winking at me, "Enjoy yourselves".  The less said
about the rest of lunch, the better.

                                  ******

     A five minute walk later we were at my final destination
in Brisbane city.  Urd sighed again, looking at the large
flight of stairs in front of her, "You can wait here, if you
like", I offered, "I'm just going to say goodbye to a few
friends".

     Urd shook her head, "I've come this far, so I'm curious
to see what brought us so far out of our way", she replied.

     I shrugged and made my way upstairs.  Walking up into the
familiar club I looked around to see who was running the place
today.  Amazingly almost everyone I wanted to see was here, I
was surprised for a moment before realising that it was Friday
(that means there are several different RPGs playing at once).

     Ron (the owner/manager) spotted me and waved me over,
"Shove over a bit there, Brendon", he said to one player, "the
Captain's here now".

     I shook my head, "Sorry Ron, I can't play Star Trek
today", I said smiling.

     Ron shrugged, "Oh well, looks like these poor boys will
have to go it alone", he said turning menacingly to the
players.

     I tapped him on the shoulder, "Can I have a word with
you?", I asked.

     He nodded, "Ok boys, take a break", he said, following me
over to his office.

     I quickly explained to him what was happening, that I
wouldn't be able to run any more gaming sessions until I got
back.  He was rather disappointed, "But I was looking forward
to Robotech this afternoon", he complained.

     I smiled, "Well get John to run the game", I suggested,
"He's been wanting to run one for a while".  After saying
goodbye to Ron, I moved around the room, bidding farewell to a
good bunch of mates.  

     Urd had remained silent for most of this, watching me
move around the room.  When I was finally ready to go I
suddenly realised that I *really* didn't want to.  "Don't
worry", she said, "I'm sure it won't be for too long".

     I nodded, "Well let's get back to my place then", I said.

     I won't even attempt to explain what happened when I
finally got to talk to my parents.  To sum it up: they
accepted it and I left.  It was harder than I thought, leaving
home (something that I'd only vaguely considered), but after a
few tearful goodbyes and promises to write, I finally got
going.

                                  ******

     I was sitting on the floor, unpacking my stuff, when I
heard a faint knock on the door.  "Come in", I said, clearing
the entry of empty boxed.

     Keiichi stuck his head in the door, "So how is
everything?", he asked.

     I shrugged, "Oh, I'm fine", I said, "Just getting my gear
unpacked".

     Keiichi sighed, "Well Urd seemed to think that you're a
little depressed", he said, sitting down across from me

     I sighed, "Well, who wouldn't be, I've only been overseas
once before", I explained, "Now I'm living in a foreign
country, I've had to leave all my friends and family
behind..."

     Keiichi nodded, "I thought so", he said, standing and
walking back to the door, "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make
lots of new friends here".  He was just about to close the
door when he added something that made me feel a *bit* better,
"You've already made four", he said.

     I nodded and continued to unpack, I was still a little
unsure of where I stood with the Goddesses, but I had the
feeling Keiichi would be a good friend.

                                  ******

     The meal that evening was great (as usual), and during
dinner I quizzed Keiichi on what he knew about the computer
course at NIT.

     Urd looked at me curiously, "I thought that was just a
cover so that your family wouldn't worry", she said.

     I nodded, "It was, but I'm also not going to give up my
studies", I explained.  Keiichi said that he would help me get
settled when the new semester started next week.

     I got to my feet when the meal had finished and pulled
out a heavy wad of bills, handing it to Keiichi.  "What's
this?", he asked, confused.

     I shrugged, "Since I am *actually* enrolled in the
Student exchange program, this is what I got given to cover
expenses for this semester", I explained.

     Keiichi swallowed slightly, "Uhh, what's the current
exchange rate?", he asked, looking at the Australian currency
I had handed him.

     "I dunno", I replied, "But there's about 7,000 dollars
there".

     Skuld whipped out a calculator, "That comes to... Half a
million yen".

     I shrugged again, "It's suppose to go on accommodation
and food", I explained, "Since I going to be staying here..."

     Keiichi just nodded silently, "Thank you Brett-san", he
said.

     I bowed slightly, "Thank *you* for letting me stay here",
I replied, making my way back to my room.

      My first week at the Temple passed quickly, Keiichi was
on a break from College, so we had plenty of time to talk and
he showed me some of the more interesting sites in the city. 
I must say I found Keiichi to be a *very* interesting guy,
according to the manuals that I'd been reading every night,
only certain people got picked to receive wishes (dunno how I
managed it...) and I'd say that Keiichi is a good person.

                                  ******

     "Now, by adding the correct amount of ground oyster
shell, we can increase the potency of the formula by almost
fifty percent", Urd explained, adding the selected ingredient.

     I had *finally* gotten through the manuals that Urd had
given me and she decided that I would be able to learn
something by watching her produce some of her simpler potions. 
She was sitting watching a boiling beaker of liquid, checking
it every now and then with a thermometer.  The last few days
had been almost impossible for me to get through.  I had
finished the books quickly (I *do* read rather quickly) and
Urd had been trying to teach me some spell-casting.

     My opinion of Urd had continued to go down in the last
few days, it seemed that everything I did was wrong.  I had
meticulously drawn out a pentagram in the front courtyard
(copying from one of the manuals) and when I had finally
finished Urd had insisted that I re-draw it under her
supervision.  If that wasn't bad enough - she had decided that
(after I had finished) she would re-draw it herself, showing
me where I went wrong.

     "So how much longer is this going to take?", I asked.  We
had been sitting over this mixture for nearly an hour and the
fumes were starting to get rather annoying.

     Urd frowned, "Look, do you want to learn this or not?",
she snapped, "I don't particularly like having to teach you in
the first place".

     "My life had been fine until *you* showed up", I thought
to myself.  I had found that due to my change in 'status' the
goddesses couldn't read my mind anymore (and it had been a
*very* useful ability in the last few days).

     "Now having done that you must let it boil for precisely
two minutes, before adding some sulfate of ammonia", she
explained, reaching for an ingredient.

     I suddenly saw something very disturbing, a small grey
sphere had formed around the potion and it was rapidly
increasing in size.  It passed outwards, beyond the rooms
walls.  I frowned and then glanced over at Urd, who as about
to add the next ingredient.

     "No!", I shouted, slapping her hand away (and knocking
the vial to the floor).

     "What the hell are you doing???", she screamed at me.

     I ignored her for a moment, watching as the grey sphere
seemed to dissolve around us.  I breathed a sigh of relief,
"that was close", I thought.

     Meanwhile Urd was continuing to rant and rave (and I must
say some of the insults were rather colourful), I shook my
head at her, "You should check your ingredients more carefully
before you add them", I said, motioning to the empty vial on
the floor (it had 'nitric acid' marked on the side).

     This seemed to stop her for a moment (but only a moment),
"You were distracting me with all your comments", she
responded lamely.

     Now usually I can take a *lot* of abuse before becoming
upset, but the last few days had been quite enough.  I have no
recollection of exactly what insults I used (or what Urd used
in response), but I do know that it ended when Urd punched me
in the mouth, *hard*.

     I staggered back slightly, not really expecting her to
hit me.  From the look in her eyes, I don't think she was
expecting to hit me either.  I wiped away some blood from my
lower lip and my look must have scared her because she took a
few steps backwards.

     Getting control of myself once more, I turned and walked
from the room, "I think I'll talk to Belldandy about my
training from now on", I said coldly, "*you* no longer have to
trouble yourself".

     Not turning around I didn't see the sorrowful look in her
face, or the half-said apology she tried to make.  I didn't
even see her begin to cry silently as I closed the door behind
me.


                                  ******

     Something that none of us saw that night, was a pair of
shadowy figures, watching from just outside the temple
boundary.  "Well done, Marller...", said the first figure.

     Maraler nodded, "It was simple, Urd is such a hot head
anyway, it was a simple matter to get her that angry", she
said.

     "Soon he will be without a teacher and when we meet, I
will win", it continued.

     Maraler shrugged, "I'm happy to help, after all, he
ruined my plans to deal with Keiichi, but you still have to go
through with *your* end of the bargain, Nilthar", she said.

     Nilthar nodded, "Soon... After I have him, I will help
you with you three goddesses".

--------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER 4:

     I lay awake, staring at the ceiling.  My jaw ached
annoyingly, the cold-compress that I had gotten from Belldandy
had long-since warmed against my skin.  I could hear the three
Goddesses arguing a few rooms away, it sounded like Skuld and
Belldandy were scolding their sister rather harshly.

     I didn't really remember what I'd said to make her so
angry and I was starting to feel a little guilty about the
whole thing.  "Whatever I said must have been awful", I
thought to myself.  Resolving to apologise I slipped out of my
room and walked down the hall to where I could hear voices.

     "I'm telling you he's a complete looser, who has no place
learning anything from me!", shouted Urd.  I paused with my
hand on the door.

     "Well if he's such a looser", Belldandy replied softly,
"Why have you bothered to teach him at all?".

     "Hah!", Urd responded, "You *know* what will happen to me
if I go against orders again".

     I frowned and turned back to my room, nothing would be
gained by apologising to her.  I flopped back down on my bed
and picked up one of the three spellbooks that I'd borrowed
from Urd yesterday.  "I'll just have a look at these before I
give them back tomorrow", I thought, leafing through the many
spells listed.

     I paused when I came to a healing spell.  It was designed
for small, non-serious injuries.  I sat up and placed the book
in my lap, carefully running through the gestures and words a
few times.  "Well let's see if I've learnt anything", I
thought, beginning the spell.

     I felt the same charging of energy that I'd first
experienced when Belldandy had fixed the temple steps, but
this time *I* was the focus.  The rushing energy seemed to
fill me, and my right hand began to glow with a soft white
radiance.  With the completion of the spell I gingerly touched
my glowing hand to my jaw.

     A flash blinded me for a moment and I felt a sharp pain. 
Pulling away my hand quickly, I was surprised to notice that
my jaw was no longer sore.  I stood and walked over to the
mirror, examining where Urd had split my lip.  There was
nothing visible at all.

     "Well at least I'm not a complete failure", I thought. 
Lying back down, I continued to go through the spells.  I
paused once or twice at some of the more interesting ones. 
Finally I grew tired and decided that I'd learnt enough for
one day.

                                  ******

     I was standing in a large park, looking down at Urd's
blasted body.  She was lying in a small crater a few meters
in front of me, her dress was charred and burnt, blood was
trickling from the corner of her mouth.  In the distance I
could see a dark figure, it was a woman, I recognised her from
the race track, when Keiichi had his accident.

     And most surprisingly of all I saw *myself*, I was
standing slightly in front of Urd, and I didn't look happy.  
Then I noticed that there were some changes present in that
other 'me', he was wearing clothing that shimmered a light-
blue in the moonlight and seemed to move with a life of it's
own.  For a moment I had the sickening feeling that *I* had
done this to Urd, but then I saw another figure emerging from
the trees.  He was dressed in a *very* dark shade of blue
clothing, and was advancing towards the other 'me'.

     My double shouted a few words at him and he answered in a
slimy voice.  I couldn't understand the exact words, they
seemed to be slightly blurred.  A second later, a huge ball of
fire, raced from the stranger's hand, racing straight at Urd
and my double.

     I cried out, watching the fireball engulf Urd and the
other me, but a moment later I saw that they were both
unharmed, a shimmering shield had formed around them,
protecting them from the flames.  My double smiled grimly and
advanced towards the other man, raising his arms and chanting
some kind of spell.  Bolts of force ripped into the strange
man, forcing him backwards, eventually he turned and fled.

     I watched as my double turned and walked slowly back to
Urd, he seemed to be quite exhausted.  I watched silently as
he fell to his knees beside Urd, crying.

                                  ******

     Waking up in a sweat, I sat bolt upright.  I looked
around the room, it was still night and according to the clock
somewhere slightly after midnight.  Shivering I pulled the
covers up against the chill of night and rolled over.  The
dream had been particularly vivid and most distressing.

     I flicked on the light and picked up one of the
spellbooks, flicking through the pages I found the two spells
that I'd seen myself use.  On impulse I grabbed a pen and
scribbled down the spell procedures into my notepad.  I turned
off the light and rolled over trying to get back to sleep.

                                  ******

     I walked into a restaurant and looked around, I
recognised the restaurant as one not too far from the Temple,
Keiichi and I had walked passed it on one of his 'guided
tours'.  He had commented that Belldandy loved eating there
and he took her to it often.

     I wondered what I was doing here.  Walking around the
room at random I spotted the familiar figure of Urd, she was
sitting at one of the tables.  I walked over to her quickly,
"Umm, Hi Urd", I said.

     She seemed not to hear me.  I moved my hand in front of
her face, but she took no notice.  I was about to try and
shake her arm when someone familiar walked into the
restaurant.  It was me again.  My double was dressed in quite
'up-market' clothes (usually I wear jeans and a t-shirt unless
something important's happening), and he walked straight over
to Urd's table, smiling at her.

     I frowned, my double and Urd seemed to be getting along
quite well, the chatted for a while and had a nice meal.  I
followed them as they left the restaurant watching as they
walked along.  They were holding hands.  I frowned there was
no way I'd be seen anywhere near Urd at the moment, this was
most unusual.

     I warily followed them back to the temple, noticing that
they didn't relinquish the 'hand-lock' until they walked
inside.  Slightly (did I say 'slightly', make that *bloody*)
confused I slumped down on the step.  Looking around I noticed
that the night was warm and clear.  I sat and looked at the
stars (as I like to do on occasion), wondering what on earth
had caused such a drastic change in my and Urd's relationship.

                                  ******

     "Brett-san!", called Keiichi.

     I opened one eye, "Yes??", I mumbled.

     Keiichi frowned, "If we don't get a move on you'll miss
your first class", he said.

     This brought me wide awake quickly, today I was suppose
to start at NIT.  Jumping up quickly and muttering apologies I
grabbed for some clothes.

     Seeing that he'd gotten my attention, Keiichi left me to
change and went to warm up the motorcycle.  Shivering slightly
against the cold, I put on a warmer jacket.  The weather was
was something that took me by surprise at first.  Everyone
knows that the seasons are reversed when you cross the
Equator, but to actually experience it was something else.  It
had been late spring when I left Australia (just starting to
get *really* hot) and now here in Japan it was almost winter. 
Somehow I felt cheated, I'd missed summer this year.

     Flinging a pack full of books on my shoulder, I raced out
to find Keiichi.  Belldandy tried to force some breakfast on
me, but I shook my head, "That's ok", I said, "I don't usually
eat breakfast anyway".

     It was only when I saw our transportation that I began to
have second thoughts on attenting NIT.  Now Keiichi's
motorcycle might be fine for him and Belldandy, but have you
ever tried to fit a six foot six Australian into a side car?? 
bet you haven't.  We must have looked ridiculous, me with my
knees up round my ears and Keiichi madly leaning to the side,
to keep from tipping us over.  I resolved to ask Belldandy
about how to transport around, if (I added after we narrowly
missing a light pole) we ever get home.

                                  ******

     I un-jammed myself from the Motorcycle and straightened
out with some help from Keiichi.  "If we'd had to travel for
another five minutes, I'd be a pretzel", I groaned, stretching
my legs.

     Keiichi grinned, "If we'd had to travel for another five
minutes, *I'd* have had to replace the bearings on that
wheel", he commented.

     "Very funny", I said, taking a long look around.

     The campus was quite nice, although a little smaller than
what I was used to.  Everything seemed to be packed into a
tight area, with only a little space for the grass and trees
(my preferred study habitat) that I was so used to back home.

     Keiichi indicated that I should follow him.  I nodded and
trailed along behind him.  There were a *lot* more students
than I was used to, everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get
some place.  Keiichi dodged around people, who seemed to take
little note of his presence.  While *I* on the other hand,
attracted a bit more of a response.  I've noticed that people
tend to get out of the way, when you out-weigh them by two to
one and tower over them.

     I walked into the auto-club, smiling as I recognised
Tamiya and Ootaki.  The shop was packed with people, Keiichi
immediately squeezed his way over to talk to his friends.  I
moved through the crowd a little more awkwardly, apologising
as I went.

     "Morisato, good to see you up and around again!", said
Tamiya, grabbing him up in a affectionate hug.

     I greeted the pair a just a *little* less
enthusiastically.  "How's tricks?", I asked.

     The two of them became serious all over a sudden, "We
have not found out what happened to Keiichi's bike", Tamiya
said, frowning.

     Ootaki nodded, "There is no evidence of sabotage and we
can't find anything else wrong", he commented.

     I frowned, "Well the parts that Keiichi-san used to make
up the fuel-injector seemed a little old", I surmised, "It
*could* have just been an accident"

     Keiichi nodded, "The parts were old", he said, "But
usually a broken fuel injector won't cause the bike to
explode".

     I shrugged, "Well you guys are the mechanics", I said, "I
wouldn't know a fuel injector from a muffler".

                                  ******

     Excusing myself from the three friends I decided to get
to my lecture room a little early.  I walked slowly across the
campus, not in any real rush.  I decided to sit down for a few
minutes and just relax, I was still a little disorienatated
after last night's dreams.

     I was minding my own business watching the ebb and flow
of student-kind, when I felt a tap on my arm.  Startled I
glanced over beside me to see a young dark-haired lady sitting
there.  I smiled in greeting, "Hello there", I said (attemping
to be polite).

     "I said: 'are you a friend of Keiichi-san's?'", the girl
said (obviously repeating a previously asked question).

     I nodded, "Yes, I'm staying with him while studying
here", I responded.

     A caculating look seemed to cross her face and her brown
eyes flashed maliciously.  I smiled a little nervously, "Oh,
do you know Keiichi-san too??, Miss ??", I asked, fishing for
a name.

     Suddenly the strange look dissapeared, replaced with an
enourmous (and rather beautiful) smile.  "Oh, forgive me for
not intoducing myself sooner", she said, her voice dripping
honey, "My name's Sayoko".

     I nodded, "Nice to meet you, my name's Brett", I said.

     "Brett-san!", came a voice from behind me.  Turning I saw
Keiichi's sister waving and walking towards me.

     "Good morning", I replied as she stopped in front of me.

     I glanced back at Sayoko, she was examining Megumi with
distaste.  When I looked at Megumi again, she too was not
looking very happy.  I stood, "I take it you know each
other?", I asked.  The two nodded silently.

     After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Megumi
grabbed my arm, pulling me towards one of the buildings,
"Well, we've got the same lecture this morning, so come on or
we'll be late", she said.

     I smiled apologetically at Sayoko, "Sorry!", I said as we
walked around a corner out of sight.

     I felt myself pushed up against a wall, Megumi looked up
at me squarely, "And what were you doing with her?", she
asked.

     I frowned, "Why, what's wrong with her?", I asked.

     Megumi looked confused for a moment and then stepped
back, "Oh, that's right you don't know", she said.

     I was begining to get confused, "Well?", I asked.

     She took a step back and motioned me to walk beside her,
"Well you see, Sayoko has this thing for my brother.....", she
started to explain.

                                  ******

     By the time we got to the room, Megumi had filled me in
on some of the more exotic ways that Sayoko had tried to get
Keiichi away from Belldandy.

     "I don't believe this girl", I said disbelieveing,
"Doesn't she take 'no' for an answer?".

     Megumi smiled slightly, "No!", she answered.

     We took our seats in the lecture room (it was
considerable larger than what I was accustomed too, with
*lots* more students attending.

     About half-way though the lecture I leaned over to
Megumi, "What does fifteenth century culture have to do with
computers?", I asked her.

     She shrugged, "About as much as it has to do with
mechanical engineering", she replied, "But *everyone* has to
do some of this kind of thing".  I shuddered, it was one thing
to study for a single goal, but to have all this other stuff
thrown in was a *real* pain.

     Finally the lecture was over and I suggested to Megumi
that we have lunch.  She seemed surprised at the offer, but
accepted readily enough.  I'll say one thing, if the rooms
were bigger, the caffetira was enourmous (and I'd have tosay
the food was a darn sight better too).  We sat and had an
enjoyable conversation, Megumi was certinally as knowledgable
as her brother about engines.

     We had just finished eating when Keiichi arrived, "Hello
Sis", he said, "And Brett-san, did you have a nice lunch?".

     I nodded, "Have you 'petrol-heads' worked out what
happened to your bike?", I asked.

     Keiichi shrugged, "Nope, we still can't find a reason for
it", he said, sitting down beside me.

     Megumi frowned, "Well at least you wern't hurt badly",
she said.

     Keiichi nodded, "It was lucky that Brett-san was there",
he replied.

     I groaned internally, I hadn't told anyone but Keiichi
and the Goddesses about me pulling him from the doomed bike. 
Tamiya and Ootaki obviously hadn't said anything either,
judging by the reaction on Megumi's face.

     "The Bike exploded?", she said incrediosuly, listening to
Keiichi's explanation, "I thought you were just thrown off".

     Keiichi nodded, "Well Brett-san pulled me off before I
could get seriously hurt", he explained, "But we still can't
find a reason for the explosion".

     Megumi thought for a moment, "Well would you mind if I
took a look a them?", she asked.

     Keiichi shrugged, "I guess it couldn't hurt", he replied. 

     Megumi immedately stood, "Well, let's go", she said, "the
sooner I have a look at it, the sooner I can work out the
problem".

     Keiichi looked at me apologetically, "Sorry for
interrupting your lunch", he said.

     I smiled and stood, "That's alright", I said, "We were
finished anyway".

     The three of us walked out, splitting up as we reached
the exit, "I'll see you for that study session tomorrow?", I
asked Megumi.

     She smiled, "Of course", she said, "I'll look forward to
it".

     I decided to go and sit outside for a while, it was a
sunny (if a little cold) day and I prefer the outdoors. 
Whistling a litte tune I walked to where I saw some other
people sitting on the grass studying.  It had been a good
morning, I'd found a study partner who was not only smart, but
pleasent to look at and be around.

                                   *****

     The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, my afternoon
class was a little more interesting and I was starting to feel
more comfortable with the large lectures.  I met Keiichi later
that afternoon, he was standing talking with a young lady that
I didn't recoginise.

     "Keiichi-san!", I called, walking up to him, "How was
your afternoon lectures?", I asked.

     Keiichi shrugged, "Oh, not much different than normal",
he replied.

     I smiled at the young lady, "G'day, I'm Brett", I said,
introducing myself.

     She smiled a little nervously, "Yes, I know, Keiichi-
sempai has told me all about you", she replied, "My names's
Sora Hasegawa".

     I nodded, "Pleased to meet you, Sora-san", I said, then I
turned to Keiichi, "Are you finished for the afternoon?".

     He nodded, "Yes, I was just about to come looking for
you", he responded, then he grinned, "Ready to become a
pretzel again?".

     I sighed, "When we get home, I'm going to ask Belldandy
about some 'alternate' transportation", I said.

     He frowned, "Oh, you can do that?", he asked.

     I shrugged, "I don't know until I try", I said.

     Sora was watching our conversation and listening closely
(I don't know exactly what she made of it....), "Brett-san",
she said, "I know a few people who are in the market to sell
their cars, I'm sure they would charge you a reasonable
price".

     I smiled, "Thanks for the offer", I said, "But I have
this feeling that most japanese cars would be almost
uncomfortable for me as the side-car".

{Author's note:  It's true, there are only a few types of car
that I can drive comfortably and none of them are made in
Japan}

                                  ******

     I groaned as Keiichi helped me up the front stairs and
gingerly sat down on the step.  "Did anyone ever tell you that
you should be bigger?", I asked Keiichi.

     He winced slightly, "All the time", he replied.

     I frowned and stretched, "They were lying", I groaned.    
 
     He grinned and headed inside.  I rolled my shoulders,
trying to get the stiffness out of them.

     I turned sharply as the front door slid open suddenly,
"What the hell is this?", demanded an angry Urd, she was
holding the collected textbooks/spellbooks that I'd borrowed
from her the previous week.

     I frowned, "What are any of the missing?", I asked.

     She shook her head, "No, but what are they doing outside
my room?", she asked again.

     I shrugged, "I didn't have time to give them to you
personally", I said.

     She frowned, "So you were serious when you said that you
didn't want me for a teacher anymore?", she asked.

     I shrugged again, "Look", I said, trying to be
reasonable, "You don't *really* want to teach me, so this
makes it easier on both of us".

     I stood and walked inside, "This way it's not your fault
and the decision rests with me", I said, walking towards my
room.

     I noticed Belldandy walking into the kitchen, "Excuse me,
Belldandy?", I asked.

     She turned around, "Yes, Brett-san?", she replied.

     "I was just wondering..." I began.  What followed was a
detailed explanation on the travelling ability of Gods and
Goddesses.

                                  ******

     It was nearly dinner time, before Belldandy had finished
explaining things to me, she had cooked while we talked, so I
had the pleaseure of watching her prepare our meal.  "So what
your saying is that I *don't* get to choose the medium for
travel", I said.

     She nodded, "That's right, each God or Goddess has their
travel medium chosen for them, every one is listed in the
database of the main computer, up in heaven", she explained.

     I frowned, "So how am I suppose to find out *my*
traveling medium", I asked, "Or do I even have one?".

     She shook a pinch on spice into the meal she was
preparing, "There we go, dinner's ready", she said.

     I tapped her on the shoulder, "How??", I asked.

     She smiled a little nervously, "Well you and your teacher
will have to visit heaven's computer centre", she said.

     I nodded, "Well, are you doing anything after dinner?", I
asked.

     Belldandy turned back to the meal, "I'm sorry Brett-san,
but I can't take you", she said.

     "Why?", I asked, a little confused.

     "Well, Urd and I had a little discussion last night and
we concluded it with a request that *I* be allowed to teach
you", she said a little nervously, "But, well, the request was
refused".

     I did a double-take, "What??", I said, "I've still gotta
have Urd teach me?".

     Belldandy nodded, "Well yes, Urd has been assigned to be
your teacher", she said, "Can you help me carry this out?".

     I nodded absently, picking up a couple of plates,
carrying them out to the table, I sat down and started eating
silently, not even noticing when Keiichi, Skuld and Urd
arrived.

     Keiichi noticed my vacant look, "What's wrong Brett-
san?", he asked, "Something wrong with the meal?".

     I shook my head, "No, Belldandy's dinner is perfect as
always", I replied, still eating.

     I finished my meal and turned to Urd, "Can I talk to
you?", I asked.

     She frowned and took another sip of her Sake, "Alright,
what did you want to talk about", she replied.  At this point,
Belldandy hustled Keiichi and dragged Skuld into the kitchen
to help her wash up.

     I sighed, "According to Belldandy, we've got no choice in
this matter", I said.

     Urd nodded, "Yes, my sister is usually correct", she
replied, pouring herself another cup.

     I sat and thought for a while, "Well, I realise that you
don't really like me very much", I said, "But I'm sure that we
can get along enough for me to learn the basics".

     She nodded absently, "I'm sure..", she said, lisping
slightly.

     "Well, once I've learn't the basics, with a bit of luck
I'll be able to continue by myself", I continued, "That way
you won't have to put up with me for long".

     She nodded unsteadily, "Whatever you say... Brett", she
said, slumping to the table.

     I jumped forward, checking her breathing and pulse, I
shook my head, "Some people don't know when to quit", I
thought, looking at the empty Sake bottle.

     Sighing, I picked her up gently, and poked my head in the
kitchen, "How much did she drink?", I asked.


     Belldandy shrugged, "I don't know', she said, "Why don't
you take her to her room, Brett-san and we'll working things
out in the morning", she said.

     I nodded, "Alright", I responded.

     Carrying her down the corridor easily, I reached her room
and threw open the door.  I'd never been in Urd's room before
and I have to say that the decore took me slightly by
surprise.  It was not flashy or extravagent (which was what I
was expecting), but rather relaxed and comfortable.

     I carried her over to the bed and layed her down gently,
pushing an open book off the bed.  She startled in her sleep
slightly, and muttered something about 'stupid mortal', which
I assumed by which she ment me.  Frowning slightly I picked up
the book, and glanced at the cover.  It was a romance novel by
the look of things, some silly story about an ilicit
relationship between a teacher and his student.

     I shook my head, what a load of garbage.  It surprised me
to learn that Urd was somwhat of a romantic, but remembering
what I know of her, I'd have to say that any guy that she sets
her sights on had better watch out.

     I pulled the covers up over her and walked back towards
my room, hopefully by tomorrow, she would be sober enough to
take me up to visit heaven.  I shook myself, "Heaven!", I
thought, what business did *I* have visiting heaven.  Shaking
my head I lay down on my bed, wondering what tomorrow would be
like.

--------------------------------------------------------------



**************************************************
            E-Mail: darkwnd@sv.net.au
   Web Page: http://www.ozanime.com/darkwind

  "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

                             -Albert Einstein
**************************************************