Ok, I've got this idea, it won't go away, and it seems to develop 
whenever I try to ignore it.

*********************************************************************
   There was a lot of noise coming from the old temple.  In and of 
itself, that wouldn't have been very unusual.  Ever since Urd and Skuld 
and moved in with Keiichi and Belldandy, there had been many occassions 
when the tranquil evenings were disturbed by the sounds of hammering, or 
fighting, or roaring engines.

   This cause of the noise, however, was very unusual.

   Keiichi and Belldandy were arguing.  Most couples argue, from time to 
time, but when a couple is bound by the Ultimate Force, arguments can be 
a very, very bad thing.

   "Damn.  What's all the yammering about?"  Urd asked, surprised at the 
hurt tones the young lovers used when speaking to each other.

   Belldandy turned to her older sister.  "Keiichi and I were watching 
the news again," she said, as if that would explain everything.

   To Urd, at least, it did.  The young mortal had been having... fits, 
she supposed she should call them, for the last month or so, whenever he 
heard about another disaster, or another crime.  "So, what was it this 
time?"

   "An earthquake.  Five hundred seventy-five dead, over two thousand 
homeless.  One hundred eighty-three of the dead were children, most of 
them patients at a hospital wing that collapsed,"  Belldandy answered, 
her eyes lightly misted over.

   "I just want to know *why*,"  Keiichi spat, for what seemed like the 
seventh time in the lsat few weeks.  "Why does Kami-sama put so many of 
us through all this!?"

   Belldandy, now on the verge of tears, faced Keiichi again.  "I keep 
telling you, He has his reasons.  You just need a little faith that 
these things are necessary."

   Keiichi cut her off, savagely.  "That's.  Not.  Good.  Enough."  He 
shot the words out like bullets, and to Belldandy it felt like they 
lodged in her heart.

   Keiichi looked at her, and his anger melted.  His shoulders slumped, 
as if he had just deflated.  "Oh, forget it.  You guys wouldn't eget it, 
anyway.  I...I'm gonna order out for dinner," he muttered, turning 
towards the phone.

   Just as he finished dialing, Skuld came storming in, armed with a 
mallet.  "How dare you yell at my sister that way!?" she shouted, 
swinging the hammer down in a vicious arc.

   Keiichi dodged, and the phone went crashing to the floor as the cord 
knocked the shelf's contents--three books, an old camera and a 
walkman--spilling behind the couch.

   Keiichi turned on the newest arrival, and she pulled back a little 
from the anger she saw in his face.  He visibly struggled to retain his 
self-control.  Everyone was so drawn into this little drama that they 
failed to notice the faint glow from behind the couch.

   "I...It just frustrates me how little you three understand about our 
lives," he said, calming again.  Reching for the phone, he continued, "I 
just wish the three of you understood what it's like to be mortal."

   All the occupants of the room were knocked over by the burst of 
energy that shot up from behind the couch and seemed to pass right 
through the ceiling.  At its base, a beautiful woman stood, the column 
of light and thunder emanating from her forehead.

   As the light show died down, the woman looked at the temple's 
residents.  "Your wish has been granted," Peorth said, having the grace 
to look a little sheepish.

**********************************************************************

Coming no time soon (unless I get another bout of writer's block on 
Illuminations)!

What it means....
An Oh, My Goddess! fanfic
by Freemage

Comments, advice, death threats?

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