Shades of Malice
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Oh! My Goddess fic work of fanfiction.
The characters belong to Kosuke Fujishima, Dark Horse, and so forth.
No money is being made off of this... as if I had enough confidence in my limited writing skills to think such.
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The sun's rays poured downward about the temple grounds as the laundry fluttered on the lines, given life by the gentle caress of the wind. Above the courtyard, a single bird chirped softly, heard through the near deafening silence. Yet, the silence was not to end as a single voice broke it.
"Sisters. I would like to speak to you both."
Urd, the goddess of the past turned away from the television program she was watching and to her younger sister. On the other side of the room, Skuld, goddess of the future, looked up from the schematics she had been working on for the past week to her older sister.
Though Belldandy appeared to be no different than normal, her gaze suggested something direly serious on her mind. They both knew what was to come from this.
*
Belldandy's voice was not terse. It couldn't be. However, the sheer weight of her words had completely bypassed their respective personalities and her reason and logic had thoroughly convinced them both within a few minutes.
"That is why I need you both to be gone for the time being. What I am about to do is very important and though I love you both dearly, I must see this through myself."
The elder goddess nodded, but felt compelled to ask, "Yes, but what about the Almighty? I'm sure he'd have some sort of objection to all of this."
The central goddess stared forward as though she was never addressed, but replied nonetheless, "I have made my request to Him a short while ago. I am still awaiting His answer."
"But, you may never get an answer. Besides, do you really think this is the right thing to do?" the youngest asked, the apprehension in her voice making her stance apparent.
The central goddess remained neutral, but replied in the affirmative.
"I believe it is time."
"But what if the answer is no?" the youngest pressed.
Belldandy closed her eyes, "Then I shall accept it as his will. I cannot go contrary to it."
"What I don't understand is why you think it's time?"
The younger opened her eyes once more, yet still did not make eye contact with her sisters, "It is congruent to my position in time. I believe that recent events have shaped fate to a favorable position and it is a good time as any to proceed."
The youngest and the eldest looked to each other, still having reservations about the whole situation. They were about to contend with their sister concerning the course of action when the phone rang.
All three of them turned as the ring broke the uneasy conversation between them. Belldandy turned to her sisters and implored them once more. Though still uncertain of the wisdom of their sister, they both relented and went to their respective modes of transportation.
Standing up, Belldandy walked over to the phone and answered it.
"Yes? Morisato residence."
"Greetings, child."
Belldandy, slowly relaxed and replied pleasantly, "Greetings to you as well, Almighty One."
"After much deliberation, I have come to a decision concerning your request."
"Yes, Father?"
"In most cases, I would have to deny it. However, upon knowing what can come from this, I will allow you to proceed. You may do as you see fit."
Belldandy smiled sadly, "You put more trust in me that I am worthy of."
"I can tell you have put much thought into this and know for a fact that you can do this effectively. That is why I place such trust in you. You know that already."
Belldandy's eyes closed and she whispered in reverence, "My thanks to you, Father."
"Proceed with caution, yet courage."
The phone went silent as the speaker on the other side cut the connection.
She hung up the phone and walked outside to collect the sheets. As she placed the last one inside, she turned to the sky and whispered, "Clouds are forming... could be rain."
*
Several hours passed in a blur of thought and possibilities. It was interrupted as she heard Keiichi's motorcycle settle and turn off. She turned to the side and smiled at the object of her affections stepping into the entranceway.
"Welcome home."
"Hi. You wouldn't believe what Tamiya and Otoki were trying to pull today."
"They tried to sell your motorcycle for parts again?"
"Yeah, they... wait a minute. How did you know about it?"
She chuckled slightly as she stood up, "It is not important, but there is something I need to speak to you about."
*
"You... you're serious, aren't you?"
Belldandy nodded once. She was looking directly into Keiichi's eyes, telling him indirectly that her proposition was not to be taken lightly.
"But, I mean, are you really sure? Think about whom you're talking about? My sister is not exactly the most believing."
Belldandy sighed. Knowing that this was to occur made it all the more harder to try and refute him.
"Nor were you until I came about."
Keiichi nearly reeled back when the full force of her words sunk in. However, upon a moment's reflection, he found her words to be true.
"I have something else to ask you, Keiichi."
"Yes?"
"How much do you know me and what I do? And I mean on a level that mere acquaintances would not."
He was about retort, but then found himself silenced once again. Other than what little information she disclosed to him at their initial meeting when she granted his wish, he knew nothing. Not her past, not her position, nor her work. Nothing.
She nodded, as though she were reading his mind, "That is correct. One thing you have figured out is that we prefer to be rather discreet about what we are in this world. Yet, another facet that you and most of humanity do not know is how discreet we keep ourselves."
"Ourselves? Are you saying that... there's more?"
Belldandy nodded; "How much do you believe we work to ensure mankind's survival and progression?"
"Uh... a bit?"
Belldandy shook her head, "No. The heavens work so closely on a level with humanity that it makes us impossible for mortals to see us at work."
"But wait, if that's so, why not just reveal yourselves? It would make things a bit easier."
"That it would. However, it would cease to give man reason to exist."
"What?!"
"Think for a moment. In spite of what the cynical believe, there is a reason that allows pain, anguish and misery. It is meant to prove mankind's worth. Whether mankind knows it or not, every act of character proves the time spent in his or her creation. And we help them reach that level, through something every human being is born with."
"What's that?"
In that instant, he heard a still, small voice whisper into his mind.
'Trust her.'
He looked around frantically to find the source of the voice and only found her smiling at him, pleased that he had heard it.
"What you heard is the tool given to mortality that gives man his chance to prove himself. It matters little whether it has a name or not. Sometimes they hear it and others they do not. But it is always still and small enough to be heard over the roaring of the world."
"Do I... listen to this voice?"
"Most of the time, yes. This one time I amplified it loud enough to let you hear it with your natural ears. Normally, it speaks to your heart and mind on how to better yourself."
She stood up to prepare to leave, allowing Keiichi the time to fully comprehend of the wisdom that she had just imparted to him. When she was about to step into her shoes, she heard him step up behind her.
"Um, Belldandy. Is there anything I can do to keep listening to that voice?"
Her smile grew and she embraced him warmly, "I will let you find out. I believe that you will know what to do." As an additional deposit of faith she had in him, she pecked his cheek and walked out.
"You must trust in me as I do in you."
*
As she left sight of Keiichi's home, the smile upon her face slowly dissolved.
She had lied to the one she loved most.
Though it was not a direct lie, she had simply withheld information concerning Megumi that Keiichi would have worried needlessly over. Regardless, it was a lie.
Belldandy knew that Megumi was under Mara's control several months ago. Coerced into being a disguise for the demon, Megumi was one of the few humans to experience true demonic possession. Mara had used her fear and doubt as a waypoint to enter and control.
The clouds gathered slowly in the sky and were colored in darker shades of gray.
Though Mara was indeed exorcised properly, there was a pressing matter of a follow-up visit to ensure no corruption had occurred due to the possession. If not treated properly, it could fester into a 'spiritual abscess' that could practically destroy Megumi's mind and heart, along with the body.
Noticing the clouds above, Belldandy began to worry. The weather was meant to be better than this, but these clouds had come in far too quickly for her comfort. Whether it was her inattention to the time or some other factor, time was becoming a much rarer commodity. Haste was becoming more necessary.
After stepping through a small water puddle, the central mark on her forehead expanded and began to glow. The droplets from the puddle started to slow down and eventually remained suspended in mid air. Only those in liege with the powers of heaven could see Belldandy moving at incredible speeds through the town to Megumi's apartment.
*
The thunder boomed in the sky as Belldandy finally reached the danchi that Megumi resided in. Regardless of the calm appearance of the building, she had misgivings already. Running through the doors, she dashed up the stairs to the fourth floor where Keiichi's sister lived.
Nearly crashing through the doors, Belldandy found her suspicions confirmed. Clothes, papers, and other odds and ends were strewn every where. Worse yet, Megumi was nowhere to be seen, but the draft she felt rushing through the apartment made her divine blood run cold.
She dashed through the apartment to the bedroom and just when the resident in question was ready to fall over the edge, the goddess grabbed her wrist and yanked her back inside.
"Let me go!" Megumi screamed repeatedly.
"I will not!" Belldandy said with a strained tone of finality, "I am not going to stand by and let you do this."
Megumi laughed sardonically, "Oh, sure you are. You got my spineless brother and your sisters. Who do I got? No one! Mom and Dad don't listen, my so-called friends don't listen, and neither does Keiichi."
Holding Megumi by the wrists, Belldandy already had an idea how much the younger Morisato had been affected. Belldandy had heard that Megumi had just left a relationship she had been into for several months, yet was not able to get the details due to the fact that the information was not very wide-spread. Now, it appeared that the recent event, in conjunction with the infection, was taking a much deeper toll.
"Just let me go. No one's going to bother. No one cares. They never did."
Noting the bitterness in her voice, the goddess's grip slackened and her tone softened, "You're wrong, Megumi. People do care and they always did."
"Easy for you to say. You got several people that care about you that give you the time. Even if one is that spineless prick I call my brother."
Belldandy shot to her feet in complete surprise. Her opened mouth soon closed and formed into a frown so deep that even Megumi, in her madness, took notice.
The goddess walked over to the balcony and slammed the door shut. Then she turned on Megumi bored into eyes with a piercing glare. The younger Morisato crawled back as if expecting a swift and severe punishment yet found nothing as the goddess sat down across from her. Everything from her posture to the controlled breathing of Belldandy made her appear majestic and powerful, so much that it frightened Megumi even more.
They both remained that way for a long and tense minute until the goddess's features softened a measure, "I will not hurt you, Megumi. Just as I care for my brother, I care for you as well. However, I will not stand idly by and allow you to slander the man I care for."
Megumi's tear streaked face also calmed down until she began to look to the floor in shame. "I... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
She repeated the phrase several more times as Belldandy quietly crawled over to her and before Megumi knew it, her head was being cradled on the goddess's shoulder. Her shoulder length hair stroked as though her own mother was hushing her to sleep after a scary moment.
"Do not worry, Megumi. I am here. I always was."
Blinking a few tears free, Megumi looked to her and asked between sniffs, "You were?"
The goddess nodded and said softly, "I can show you, if you wish."
"How... how can you do that?"
Setting Megumi against the wall, Belldandy stepped backward and stood in front of her. "Megumi, there has been something I have been hiding from you since we first met."
Belldandy then raised her head to the heavens and once more, the mark on her forehead expanded. Through the many layers of stone, wood, and wire, a singular beam of light pierced through and entered the marks on the goddess's forehead.
She looked down from the heavens and into Megumi's eyes.
"Megumi... I am a goddess of fate. Verthandi of the present."
The young woman looked around frantically for the source of the voice she heard in her head. Until a peculiar realization made her realize that Belldandy was the one who had spoke.
In addition, the goddess was now slightly hovering over the ground, her feet barely dangling over the surface of the tatami.
Though Megumi was rather surprised, though it paled in comparison to her introduction to Keiichi's dorm room. Curiously, the younger Morisato crawled over to the hovering Goddess and waved her hands beneath her feet and over hear head to make sure that it was not some sort of sick joke the other tenants were playing on her.
Scratching her head, Megumi sat once again in front of the goddess and marveled, "Either I'm missing something or you're telling the truth. And since you don't lie, I... I'm not even sure."
The goddess smiled pleasantly, "It was a bit of a shock to your brother as well. However, he too believed my words in time."
Sitting cross-legged, Megumi looked upward again, "Well, as neat as it all sounds, where did it all start? I'm still a bit confused."
Belldandy nodded, expecting her questions, "There is a way how I can show you everything much more easily than words can. However..." she turned away slightly before gathering the courage to continue, "You must allow me to 'share' your body temporarily."
Megumi blinked several times, more confused than shocked.
"Do you remember a woman with white hair, a pair of marks on her forehead and a vicious snarl on her lips?"
Megumi nodded, the memory of that woman appearing out of the smoke and speaking some odd language and practically assaulting her was not something she forgot easy. Though what she did was not entirely clear, for after the woman attacked, she passed out and found herself waking up in her apartment.
"The woman was a demon that possessed you. I believe that it has left an infection in your mind or soul and it must be repaired. What I intend to do is along those same lines, however with this one important difference. The other woman used your fear to control you. I, on the other hand, must be allowed in before I can do anything. You have to trust me to allow my entry."
The goddess knelt down on the floor and patiently awaited Megumi's decision.
Upon knowing what the other woman done, Megumi felt rather apprehensive about letting it happen again. Though the concept was far beyond anything she had ever heard of before, the way Belldandy talked about it made her words true.
The recent events had made life tough enough, besides, what was one more ordeal to endure to Megumi. She nodded and whispered, "Go ahead."
The goddess crawled once more over to Megumi and placed her forehead against the younger Morisato's. The central mark on Belldandy's forehead glowed once more and in a flash of blinding light, she was gone, leaving Megumi alone and unconscious with the blue marks that Belldandy had on her face.
*
Drifting through the various layers of Megumi's psyche and soul, Belldandy checked thoroughly to ensure that the infection was found. It had been far too long since she had done this, so it was taking much longer that she had hoped or expected.
Silently berating herself for not seeing it sooner, she descended several more layers, not finding a thing. However, it did not surprise Belldandy that a standard search would lead to anything, considering that Mara was quite notorious for keeping her corruption well hidden.
Yet, no matter how well the demoness hid her tracks, she and any other of the heavens would be more than able to find them.
Soon enough, she noticed the first signs of decay of Megumi's reason. The way they were arranged almost made them unnoticeable by the untrained eye, but Belldandy's was too good to be fooled. Even at this level of expertise, no one could hide anything like this from her.
The signs were woven into a pattern that started its way deeper and deeper into the heart. As more layers were passed, the goddess noted with relief that the corruption was not as prevalent as she previously though.
However, that still left her with misgivings. There could be a greater corruption in the core, waiting for any sort of healing agent to prevent the repair. It could block pleasant memories, choke the happiness, and literally starve the soul of its much-needed nourishment.
Blinking, the goddess discovered that barriers were being erected as she got closer to the core. Belldandy's presence was known. It would take more than a few simple mental barriers to stop her. With a wave of her hand, the goddess easily dispersed the walls and with a small frown, discovered her suspicions confirmed.
In a large sphere of diminishing light, stood a semi-ethereal apparition of Mara on what looked like a marble colored floor in the center of the sphere. Attached to the apparition's foot, a trail of ethereal matter floated outward and around a decrepit tree and towards what appeared to be a much younger Megumi.
The younger Megumi was weeping, being drained of her life and personality and would inevitably be replaced by Mara... or at least, that would be an initial analysis. The form of the core, though still human shaped, had various chunks of matter missing, though she still seemed to move as though she were whole.
With a neutral gaze, Belldandy hovered several meters from where Mara stood. The demon's locked sneer made the atmosphere much colder as Belldandy spoke calmly; "It does not surprise me to see you doing this to her."
Not changing her stance a bit, Mara snorted, "I have my own right. The right to my survival."
Belldandy remained neutral as her retort brought forth the truth; "The right to commit spiritual murder, you mean. What makes it even worse is that your creator is not even around to give you proper substance to leave Megumi be."
Mara blinked in shocked, knowing that the goddess knew the truth.
"I have known Mara to commit to horrid things to torment the world of men, but I cannot deny that this is a new low, even for her."
"Ha! As if my 'master' had the brain power to even try doing something like this. No, I'm going to show that bitch that she can't just dump me off like some piece of garbage."
Belldandy's lips formed into a straight line as she replied, "I would prefer you leave Megumi out of your personal vendetta. She is innocent and has done nothing to deserve this."
"News flash, lap dog, she wouldn't have been the first. Countless people get used, abused, and killed for things they never deserved in the first place. It doesn't make her any different from the faceless masses."
A small frown formed on the goddess's lips as she countered, "That is where you are wrong. By fate's decree, she was never meant to suffer like this. So, I am willing to come to an agreement, which will leave us both satisfied. I doubt you would receive such an offer from most others of my kind."
"No deal! My master never trusted your kind and I don't dare since you consider me less than she is."
The goddess's eye narrowed dangerously, "I will not ask again. Leave Megumi in peace."
The demon's shadow started laughing. It developed into a riotous bellowing that echoed throughout the void.
"You?! Threaten someone?! I may not know everything, but what I do know about you is that you couldn't hurt a fly!"
The goddess remained quiet and closed her eyes. It appeared that the shadow would never listen to words. Then again, demons hardly ever did. With a sigh, the goddess came to a choice that she hoped she would never make.
"Do you now?" Belldandy said casually.
"Oh, is the puppy going to bite me?" the shadow sneered again.
The goddess opened her eyes and locked them onto the demon's, "You claim to know me. I would imagine you coming to that conclusion, considering how I behave regularly."
The goddess's voice remained as calm as when she started when she waved her hand across her left ear, causing an obsidian colored earring to appear, "What you have seen is who I am... however, it is not all of me. In fact, when compared to all that I am, you know nothing."
The demon's gaze remained locked on that obsidian earring, quicker and quicker its ethereal heart beat as Belldandy reached for it. It knew the white one, which seal that kept the goddess's powers in check, yet this one was a complete and total unknown.
It could be anything.
Then again, the concept of gods sealing up their worse halves, releasing them periodically to satisfy their darker appetites, was not a new one.
Could it be that the immaculate Belldandy had such a nature?
It could not be possible... could it?
The goddess reached up with her left hand and clasped the earring gently, ready to remove it. Seeing her reach for the earring made the shadow reach forward and scream upon impulse.
"Wait! I'm convinced! I'll let the girl go! I'll do whatever you say! ANYTHING!"
All time stopped as Belldandy's eyes and voice turned cold, "You have made your choice... all choices have consequences... and now, you must face the consequences of you choice!"
In one instant, Belldandy removed the earring and dropped it...
In a second instant, the demon saw the earring fall to the floor and shatter...
In a final instant, the demon saw nothing where Belldandy once was and screamed in horror as oblivion engulfed it.
*
The goddess of the present sighed as she placed the earring back on. It was never pleasant to go through such an ordeal, but it could not be helped.
However, now that the source of the corruption was gone, the healing and repair could begin. However, though in the sphere, Megumi was no where to be found.
She turned around and within seconds, everything changed from the sphere in the middle of a void into a grassy field in the middle of a massive valley. In the middle of the valley, a single large tree spread its branches for miles around.
"The healing has started..." she whispered, gazing in wonder at the tree above her. The place she was in now could be best described as a figurative representation for Megumi. Since every mortal was different, everything around could represent some sort of random or evident influence in her life.
Shaking her head, Belldandy returned to the task at hand. Sensing the core of the younger Morisato at the base of the tree, she wades through the knee length grass until she reached the trunk.
"Megumi! Where are you?" the goddess called, but no answer came.
Climbing around the roots of the tree, she noticed a bit of movement beneath a set of leaves directly in front of her. Moving towards it, the small shape of Megumi's core scrambled from beneath the leaves and under a large branch, one that was too small for Belldandy to crawl through.
"Go 'way!" the young Megumi cried between sniffs.
Belldandy's face turned sad as she sat on a root just across from Megumi, "Why? Do you think I will hurt you?"
"You will! Just like the other one did! You grown ups are all bad!" the younger Megumi wailed before crawling backward deeper into the roots.
Though it was Belldandy�s nature to correct, she could not deny the harsh partial-truth in her words. Many people lied, cheated, and manipulated the world them to their own likes at the expense of others; to make it worse, Belldandy felt herself as no exception.
Still saddened by Megumi's lack of trust, Belldandy remained seated on the root and stared into the hole, hoping that Megumi would come out. However, it seemed that if she were to come out, it would have to be on her own terms.
"Megumi... you know that I would never hurt you. I never did and I never would."
Crawling to the entrance, Megumi peeked through the hole and stared at Belldandy with frightened eyes.
"But you did... you took my brother from me... now I'm all alone."
Belldandy gasped in horrid realization. She never bothered to check on how Keiichi and his sister behaved in relation to each other before she arrived. Now, Belldandy had reason to believe that Megumi�s misery was due to her interference.
Though she did seal Keiichi�s memory concerning the goddess he had befriended, it had left him changed. Changed slightly, but enough so that he never played with his sister anymore. Leaving Megumi alone.
Only now, did Belldandy understand why Mara had been able to possess Megumi so easily.
Since Belldandy had chosen to watch over the Morisato family, she noticed that Megumi was often the target of much ridicule among her peers. Simply because she chose to wear her hair much shorter than the other girls, they had mercilessly teased and tormented her. The other girls often jeered her, saying that she would grow up to be a boy. Though the goddess had been there in secret, comforting her with gentle words, Belldandy never knew the true reason why Megumi's sorrow ran so deep.
Though most adults would not think anything of it, it was the beginning of much of Megumi's social problems. So, she immersed herself in mechanics, like her brother, to at least try and attain some sense of normalcy. It seemed to work.
The mental stability, though a bit fragile, she had attained from her new hobby had left her on a path that would have lead her to some peace of mind...
...until now.
Falling to her knees, Belldandy looked to Megumi's saddened eyes and found herself unable to look, "Megumi... I'm so sorry... I never knew." She leaned against the trunk, feeling that all she had done was made problems worse when all she wanted to do was help.
Peeking through the hole, the young Megumi noticed Belldandy�s sorrow and apology. She wanted to hate the goddess for what she did, yet, she could not. She was able to get rid of that shadow that hurt her, but she was still scared.
Gathering her courage, the core of Megumi crawled out and very timidly walked over to Belldandy�s kneeling form. Keeping her arms near her, she leaned over to look at the goddess in the eye. Wiping away the tears he had, Megumi whispered, �I�m sorry I made you sad.�
Finally looking up to the child-like core, the goddess smiled a bit and offered her hand, �Can you ever forgive me?�
The core still held her arms close, but nodded as she asked in return, �Will you promise not to hurt me?�
The smile on the goddess�s face warmed, �I promise. As long as I live, I will never hurt you. But that does not mean that others will not.�
In spite of Belldandy�s warning, the core walked up and wrapped her arms around the goddess�s neck. The core knew the dangers all too well, but the promise Belldandy made seemed to make the risk more than worth the investment.
Seeing the core of Megumi so willing to forgive, made the heavy weight on the goddess�s shoulders much lighter. In a way, Belldandy wasn�t surprised to see Megumi do this. The younger Morisato, though troubled at times, had a much more forgiving heart than most, which was one of the reasons why the goddess loved her so.
Wrapping her own arms around the child�s small frame, Belldandy whispered several words in the language of the heavens, causing the mark on her forehead to expand once more and glow. From her form, an iridescent light emerged and slowly gathered and restored Megumi�s core.
When the goddess let go, the core now appeared as she did in the present, no longer held by the scars of the past.
The core looked at her hands and then up to the goddess and smiled in appreciation. She was about to say something when Belldandy hushed her, turned to the heavens and in a flash of blinding light, ascended.
*
Rubbing her head, Megumi mumbled and sat up. Looking about her apartment, she noticed that most of the debris she scattered about was cleaned up and the sound of running water came from the kitchen.
Standing, she stumbled a bit, remembering all too well of the ordeal she had just been through. She realized that she never got a chance to thank Belldandy for what she did. Using the wall, she moved slowly to the kitchen to find the woman in question cleaning the last few dishes Megumi had failed to take care of herself.
�You�re awake.�
�How long was I out?�
�About an hour and a half. It took me half that time to be able to repair the damage.�
Blinking, Megumi looked to her and then maneuvered herself into a chair, �really?�
Turning from the sink, the goddess nodded and turned off the water, �I do not suppose that I need to explain everything again.�
The younger Morisato shook her head, �No, I still remember pretty clearly what happened. Though it�s still kind of hard to swallow at first.�
The goddess smiled pleasantly, �Take your time. Not everyone learns how to believe in an instant.�
�Thanks. It all seems a bit heavy to take it all in at once. Also, I�m kind of surprised that you�d trust me with information like this,� she said, referring to the understanding that Belldandy and her sisters were goddesses.
The goddess nodded and placed a cup of warm tea on the counter for Megumi to take, �I would never have told you if I did not believe you worthy of that knowledge.�
She accepted the cup and took a sip before staring into the leaves for a short while, �Our lives must be pretty mundane. When it�s compared to what you have to do, I mean.�
Taking a cup for herself, Belldandy took the chair across from her, �Some would say that, but I do not.� She sighed quietly, letting the warmth from the cup spread into her hands, �Before I came to this earth to meet your brother again, most of my time was spent on research and study. Mostly to prepare myself for what sort of interactions between mortality and spirits. Some of the things you would call dull and boring are actually a pleasant change for me. After all, what�s the use of knowledge if you do not use it?�
Megumi held back a snort, �How deep.�
Belldandy chuckled, �Forgive me, but I still have much to learn. I still sometimes wonder if I am saying things right.�
Her companion waved it off, �Trust me, if you know the basics, you don�t need to get in the slang. It sounds dorky enough as it is.�
�Again, forgive me if it sounds presumptuous, but I sometimes have to catch myself before I accidentally use masculine words when I want to use feminine. It does get confusing sometimes.�
Megumi smiled, �It�s just strange, that�s all. And speaking of masculine, what exactly is it about my brother that you like so much? He doesn�t seem like the type that would attract a lot of attention, especially from a goddess. No offense intended.�
Belldandy smiled as she looked up from the tea leaves, �None taken. One of the reasons why I prefer him is because of the fact that he�s soft-spoken a good portion of the time. He�s learned to think things through more and not act so much on impulse when we first met. Because of that, he�s very thoughtful.
A mischievous smile formed on Megumi�s lips, �And there�s nothing about him that annoys you?�
�I am well aware of his faults. However, I do not go about discussing them so covertly,� the goddess said politely, but curtly.
�Let me guess, you wish he�d help out more with the cleaning and cooking, right? You wouldn�t be the first, I�ll tell you that right now. A lot of the girls in my class complain about the same thing. They don�t try to hide it too well, so I get an earful whether I like it or not.�
The sigh Belldandy made only confirmed Megumi�s suspicion and it a short and hearty laugh out of the latter.
The laughter died down a bit as the thought of Belldandy�s and Keiichi�s relationship, �Do you suppose, there�s someone out there for me?�
Finishing her drink, Belldandy placed the cup down and appeared pensive for a moment before answering, �I cannot say. The future is something that is not very open to me. But what I do know is that patience will reward you. It did for me. The right one for you may come as a frog or you may have to go out and find him yourself.�
She looked up to Megumi and smiled warmly, �And with a goddess of fate and trustworthy friends watching over you, I would not worry about it too much.�
�Must be nice to have friends to talk with. The closest things I got are the guys in the motor club. Don�t get me wrong, they�re nice and all, but I wonder if I�d be doing better with the foreign exchange student I made friends with, but then again, I haven�t heard much from her lately.�
�I would not worry for your friend, Victoria. She is doing fine, all things considered.�
Megumi nodded in appreciation and understanding, then took a final sip from her cup before taking both cups to the sink and washing them. �Thank you,� she whispered beneath the sound of the water.
Belldandy smiled and stood up, turned towards the door and made her way to the entrance. She placed her shoes back on and was about to exit the door when Megumi�s voice called her back in momentarily.
�Oh, I was wondering... you said that you were always with me.�
The goddess nodded, �The time your peers said that you would grow up to be a boy, you ran home and locked yourself in your room. Though it hurt for a while, I believe that you simply needed someone to just be there, and so I was.�
Remembering the feeling that had calmed a younger Megumi, she smiled and whispered, �Thanks, again.�
*
Walking back towards the temple, she figured her sisters would be back and the usual chaos would be resuming within a matter of hours. Regardless, the goddess steeled herself with renewed patience that would make many jealous.
Opening the doors, she ascended the steps and found to her surprise that her sisters were actually conversing on a civil level. �Will wonders never cease...� she thought amazed. She had gotten so used to them fighting on a constant basis that to see them speak to each other was a marvel in it of itself.
Well, it was surely not to last, for some things would never change. So, she figured it would be best to start dinner, in spite of the fact that it was already nightfall.
Removing her shoes, she stepped into the entryway to find the pleasant smell of warm food. Blinking, she walked into the main room to find Keiichi hastily arranging a simple meal for the two of them. By the looks of it, he was trying to prepare a bowl of mabodofu with rice and vegetables, a light salad, and a simple soup.
�Keiichi, did you make all this?�
Though a bit startled by her sudden appearance, he nodded, �Most of it, yeah. I was able to convince Skuld to help me a bit with the mabodofu.�
Taking his hands with hers, she smiled, �What brought this all on?�
�Well, I was thinking a bit about what you said to me earlier. About how you trust in me and all. So I figured that I�d do something like this a bit more. It�s not much, I admit, but it�s something.�
Her smile grew as she leaned over and kissed him. Though he was a bit shocked at her sudden boldness, he kissed her back. She reached up and held his cheek as the kiss ended.
�Thank you Keiichi. That was very sweet of you.�
He blushed slightly, but regained his composure in record time, �Thanks. So, ready to eat?�
She nodded and walked with him towards the table. By the appearance, Keiichi had done remarkably well for his first time in creating a meal. It wasn�t perfect, but the fact that he had done his best made it all the more delicious to her. With any luck, maybe they could make the next meal like this, together.
The End
Author�s notes:
In all honesty, I�m not sure where this came from. It should be noted, however that much of the inspirational credit goes to DB Sommer and Chris Jones, both good authors and swell guys. Thanks to DB for his fic �the Visitors�, for showing just how obsessively crazy our favorite goddess can get when pushed far enough. Then, Chris Jones for �Thirteen Days� (which I hope he continues with a bit more of the younger Morisato in it.) which gives me a bit of an idea how K1 acts.
However, because of the obvious lack of Megumi based-fics on the net and the fact that she�s a minor character in the manga, I really didn�t have much to go on. So, I�m hoping I got the characterization right.
A short note on the side; whatever notions of love between Megumi and Belldandy mentioned in the fic is platonic, but you good folks know that already. Kinda like Ceasar loved Brutus... before the latter turned the former into a kabob, but that�s beside the point.
The characterization leads me to another worry of mine; I�m worried that this fic has either Belldandy too OOC or the fic itself is too preachy like Kenshin is. Or both for that matter. Henceforth, the request that anyone out there that has an idea on how to improve on this story idea is more than welcome to share.
If you have to hurt my gargantuan ego to help me make this fic better, go ahead. I can take the heat... really!
On another side note: Mucho thanks to Rose and Zorknot from the FFML Mirc for taking a look at this monstrosity when it was in its beta stages.
-Christian
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