march

by julia bebop

this is going to be a many chaptered selection of march in my kids in america saga

1. Chapter 1

March

By Julia Macgregor

I was a listener in woods,

I was a gaze at stars,

I was unseeing among secrets,

I was silent in a wilderness,

I was conversational among many,

I was mind in the mead-hall,

I was fierce in the battlefield,

I was gentle in friendship,

I was a nurse to the sick,

I was weak toward the strengthless,

I was strong toward the powerful, *

(*Taken form the story of the Irish Race: A Popular History of Ireland, the poems Precepts of the Celtic Kings)

Somewhere a faceless voice said, "The Acadia dances with the red Demon."

School days were filled with quizzes, studies and hard times. Tecnhi and Keiichi were at their highest level of learning. Yet, despite living with a house full of ladies, the task of studying was easy. Serena, Mina, Lita, Rei and Ami were invited to the Three Lights concert in the neighboring town of Alliance. Haruka and Michiru went to an art show at the Salem Butler Art Museum. Ryoko, Washu and Kiyone went to their first American play at the Community Theater. Devon was acting in the same performance. Belldandy, Urd and Gina made a game for the little ones to play at Belldandy's classes. Rio was writing her short stories. Hotura and Reenie went in search of fair folk. Abby, Sasami and Skuld happened to follow wherever the other two went. Ayeka and Mihoshi were studying heavily for their English classes. Nick and Tracy were at a stand still with a new case of a missing person. Allen, Steve, and Jerry were reading Little men for their American Fiction class. Dusty was not doing so well on his math. Terri was trying to make Stephanie and Charlie stop their paper routes because they were wearing themselves out. Vachon, Arika and Alex were trying to figure out why both Lacriox and Devon were getting threatening letters in the mail. Nat had a rare day off. She took Nick to Kent State, Salem branch to hear a speaker give a lecture on black history. Armond came to the same lecture. Jakten was busy with a birth of baby dragons. He was now an adopted to the brood. Dr. Johnson was helping out some troubled teens with their fears of failing midterms. The group from Pittsburgh was getting use to modern day life in the early twenty-first century.

St. Patrick's day seemed miles away. In all reality, the day was just a week away. Jakten had invited the whole gang to Sweet Haven to study. Rio and Stephanie had to practice on their sword fighting. They were a bit lax on their training because they were going on with their friends. They needed to sharpen their skills.

A deck was in the back of the building. The snow had melted a little from the previous week's heat wave. Spring was trying to break through. The ground was soggy from the icy water. The trees were bear with brown tips with the merest hint of green. The deck was swept clean of the melted snow and ice. The double patio doors were unlocked.

There was a huge room that was cleared out for the practice. Washu had to finish her report when she saw Rio and Dusty sharpening Rio's sword. Washu bugged out when she asked, "What are you doing?"

Rio turned to see Washu standing in front of her Dusty. She smiled as she wiped a cloth full of oil on her sword. "I'm getting a work out in a tick or two!"

"What kind?" asked another voice?

"I have to fight Stephanie. Jakten needs us to stop goofing off."

"Yea!"

Rio saw Seiya, Mina and Belldandy coming into the room. It was Seiya who spoke to Rio. There was a surprised look on their faces. They asked Rio where to sit. There were no chairs to sit. Rio told them to take any part of the room as ling it wasn't the middle. She held the hilt of the sword in her hands.

There were people coming in Sweet Haven. The group was from Pittsburgh were radio personalities. Mister Eldrige was the station janitor and oldest radio actor. Eugeina Bremer was the organist. Mackie Bloom was a comedian. Mister Foley was the sound effects person. C.J. was the radio control operator. Gertie Reece was the station secretary. Jeffery Singer and Hillary Booth were the on again, off again radio couple. Maple la Marsh was the sexy radio actress. Scott Sherwood was the assistant manger. Betty Roberts was a writer for the different radio shows when the group was still in Pittsburgh. They were trying to fit in to a high tech living of the 21st century. They had some help from Lacriox on getting work from a local radio station.

Tenchi, Ayeka and Urd came in. Tenchi had to work on his math. He didn't want to do it. The math was getting to him. Ayeka had to write some poems for her English class. She was going to write about her love for Tenchi. Urd had to grade some papers. She was complaining about an unwanted teacher in the English department. She didn't want him there. He was still there with his strict ways. He was rude and bossy to the staff. Urd was at her wits end. She wanted to use a spell on him. Belldandy stopped her.

It was seemed like the stage was set.

Rio was donning on a cloak. While Dusty went to the CD player. He fished through a pile of CD until he found Rush's 'Moving Pictures'.

Stephanie came into the room, wearing the sort of cloak as Rio was. Steve and Terri came into the room. They were talking about missing our playing soccer because of their schedules. Then, they talked about work, school and the proposed hospital addition.

Jakten was the last to show up. He had his weather beaten hilt strapped to his side. He didn't were his hair up in a ponytail. Instead his black hair flowed down his back. His cloak was strapped to his neck. He walked up slowly to his two students. He told them to take opposite ends of the room. They did what they were told.

There was a hush which on the group. Rio and Stephanie waited until Jakten told them to draw swords.

Then, the fight began. The girl darted toward each other. Swords clashed in a swarm of fire-metal. There was wind encircling the girls. It cloaked and clung to the fighters' bodies. The fighters were tight and lean. It seemed like two professional dancers instead of two sword fighters.

Now Rio was pinned to the wall. She had only one chance. It was where she kicked Stephanie in the knees. Then, Rio dropped and rolled with her swords pressed to her chest. She was out of Stephanie's way. Stephanie was bent double, trying to keep from falling.

Jakten drew his sword out. Rio had to be quick on her stance. There was no more room for error. He was going to take on his best student.

Rio stood up for instant. She had her sword raised it height. She didn't want to fight anyone who was better than her.

They clashed rigorously as the room got over heated. The sound of swords smashing in primitive combat was a sight being compare. Rio twisted and turned as Jakten thrust and parried. Jakten was finally brought out the animal warrior in Rio. He was now being cornered. He felt the cold glass against his back. He realized it was the doors. Blindly, Jakten fished for the door clutch. A sharp click, Jakten slammed the door opened. He darted out of the room. She had to follow him.

Outside the battle was starting to over heat. The swords were now on fire with souls singing in their hands. Everyone slowly moved to the opened doors. They were supposed to see such a match.

Rio felt out numbered by her teacher. There was no room for error or escape. Rio fought hard. He grunted loudly as he stooped a little to avoid Rio's moves, "No more fancy hand tricks."

Trying to comprehend what her teacher was saying, Rio gasped undertaking a lung of full air, "Wha?"

"No room for your cheeky ways!" Jakten's eyes flashed in cold reprimand.

"Oh, yea. . .Master!" Rio was following in his lead. She gave a couple of quick thrusts before darting away from her teacher. There had to be something to stop Jakten.

Their fighting continued to the ground. It didn't help matters as they slopped thought the muddy ground. Rio saw out corner of her eye three earthenware jugs. They were standing next to a tool shed. The shed was off to the side, just a few feet away from the deck. Rio had to think fast. She jumped into the air. She remained there for a minute as a last minute as a last ditch effort.

The spectators as Rio seemed to float effortlessly. With her kinetic powers, Rio commanded the jugs to move. She raised her hands for more power. Then jugs heavy with watched inched up until they were above the shed roof. Then, crack! The jugs spilt into thousands of pieces. They danced in the cold air. Then, Rio called out with a loud cry, "PHOENIX COME ALIVE!"

Each tiny fragment seemed to spark and glow with yellow light like the sun. Rio spun her left hand in the air. Taking careful aim, Rio threw her left hand in the direction of her teacher. The flaming hot fragments flew towards Jakten.

Jakten shield his face with his right hand extendented. He felt the flaming fragments encircled his body.

Then, out if nowhere Rio was ensnared in a sneak attack. A man dressed in black caught her off guard. Who was he? He had a sword that was much quicker than Jakten.

After a couple of minutes, Jakten felt the cold of the day coming back to him. Then, there stood another man also dressed in the gothic colour. He had short strawberry blond hair done up in spikes. He took out a Ferrara form his steel hilt with his hand. He flicked his left wrist. He was channeling Jakten to a duel. Jakten was a disadvantage with his 16th century rapier in his hand. He had to pour everything into what he had got in this battle.

Rio was being cornered once again. This time the opponent was demanding of everything last drop of strength that Rio owned. She had to take steps in order to fight her foe. She flipped the sword in order for the handle to be at the need instead of the tip. She slammed the hilt against the face. The man yowled and covered his eyes with a free hand. She tried to hide in the shed. She was chased in and out in a blinding pace. The sweat was pouring down her face. Somehow she dropped her sword. She thought of hiding in a tree. She was wrong. He had same power of flight. There had to be another weapon. She saw a large limb, which was lying on the shed floor. She bent down grab up the limb.

The man was so close. He stood outside of the shed. He smelt the flowery body that Rio used. He kicked the door open. With one hand, he grabbed the limb and pulled her out. She tried to arc forward. It was no use. She felt the weight of the limb growing heavier as he jerked the limb away from Rio. Rio cried out as she landed face down on the dirt. She weakly stood up and spat. He towered over the girl. He snared softly, "Little child . . .how long have you been with Master Jakten!"

Rio's voice became defensive as she spoke, "What gives the right to know who I am!"

The man snorted in disgust, "You are the Lady Rio Winter-Haven Lyonstone. The first high and holy child of the Sand-sun Kingdom of Acardia!"

"What?" she spat in between short gasps. Who was strange man?

"Do you remember. . .little one?" He asked a little dismayed.

She frantically tried to remember. He was going to job her mind. "Little one. . .I'm a teacher from years ago. I'm Richelieu Dunkirk."

"I don't remember you!" Rio slowly shook her head. She felt a cold chill creeping in her soul.

"Then, let me remind you!" he purred darkly. He raised his sword up to Rio's neck. Then, she gasped.

"I can't believe you call this a nick," Katelena huffed. She blew a stray lock of her blond curls away from her face. She was holding a washcloth to Rio's neck. She had made a pollutes of herbs. She told Rio to hold the cloth up to her neck until the bleeding had stopped. She was quietly contemplating actions. She winced as she gently placed the cloth up her wound.

The spiky blond was introduced as Rupert Dunkirk. He was first cousin to Richelieu. Richelieu was talking to Jakten in the hallway. Jakten didn't like the sneak attack from two former guards who belong to the high and holy king of the Sunsand Kingdom. Rupert hovered over the small group that sat around the table. Serena and Darien stood at one end of the room. Ayeka and Tenchi sat next to Rio and Dusty. Urd and Gina sat on the floor. Stephanie and Terri sat on the other side of the table across from Dusty and Rio.

There was a hushed quiet until Jakten started in with, "You can't be teaching missy here. She hates violence and hate!"

"There is a war coming out of the depths of the Troll Kingdom," Richelieu ruptured as his poison bubbled towards the mistake of letting a little girl fight. Then, he stormed out of the room.

Katelena's gray eyes narrowed. She counted on him for many years to her. He as a teacher he was too harsh. Richelieu's tactics were also used. Brute strength over the use of the mind sparked the two at the same time. Katelena folded her over her chest. She said, "We all knew there is a war going on. You can't push these young ones over the top!"

Rupert wheedled in a gingery voice, "But they still need more learning!"

Jakten walked into the room. His eyes were cold. He walked over to see how Rio was holding up. He asked in River Folk tongue to Katelena what matter was the nick. She told him it wasn't that deep, but it would leave a slight scar. Rio looked up at Jakten and Katelena had to disgust the unexpected visit of the two former guards with Rio's Uncle Anthony over the phone.

The others were quietly busy with homework.

Days had past. The young people welcomed the normal day-to-day routine. There was a slight shift in which Belldandy wasn't going to predict until it was too late.

Belldandy was taking out the trash. She was very pleased with herself in having a very clean house. She took pride in doing her work well. She was excited about finishing up her early childhood classes. She had start doing the evening meal before Keiichi, Urd and Skuld came home.

A warm breeze past Belldandy. She hoped that spring was coming. She didn't mind the winter. Yet, seeing new things growing was her favorite past time. Then, a voice whispered in her ears. "Belldandy!"

She gasped.

"Belldandy," it repeated.

It sounded strange. It sounded like one of the angels what she knew when she worked on the Goddess Hotline. Was it a message form the Almighty?

"Belldandy!"

Belldandy glanced quickly, turning sharply trying to find who was calling her.

"Belldandy," a voice said.

Belldandy's eyes met with the eyes of the angel, Holy Bell. Holy Bell was the angel, which served under Belldandy when she was back in the Goddess Hotline. The angel floated in front of her goddess. Belldandy's moth became dry and her stomach was tying up in knots. She asked the angel, "Holy Bell. . .What are you doing here?"

"The Almighty has pressing work to be done back home," Holy Bell said with a merciful smile.

"The Almighty?" Belldandy questioned her angel with astonished eyes. She raised her hands up to her chest in a praying pose. She didn't want to leave Keeichi or her sisters. Yet, when the Almighty needed workers, Belldandy was the first to serve.

Holy Bell held out her hand. "Come. We have to get started."

Then, Belldandy felt a spark past her fingers as she merely touched the angel's hand. This was not right. That feeling shouldn't have brought. Belldandy recoiled. "No. . .I'm going to go and see Urd!" Belldandy said in a hesitated voice.

"Are you sure?" A dark smile curved across Holy Bell's mouth.

Then, Belldandy realized who it was really was. She said a little coldly, "Are you there, Mara?"

"What?" the angel asked a little surprised.

"No. . . tricks, Mara. I know you are in there!"

The angel started to laugh. Then, a cloud of mist wrapped around her body. Belldandy jumped back. She watched as the angel took form and Mara now standing in front of her. Belldandy knew deep down what could befall her. How many times did Mara have warned her? Now this was happening. Mara was dressed in black leather and fur, which clung to her as a second skin. Her blond hair lay around the collar of her coat. "I couldn't help it!" Mara sneered.

"I don't like it when you are tricking or the others," Belldandy pleaded in a hurt tone.

"I'm playing you until you crack. It's like a cat playing with a mouse," Mara declared as her eyes flashed evilly.

"Why?" Belldandy demanded in her most gentle of voices. Tears were rolling down her face. "Do you hate me so?"

Belldandy always wanted to know the reason behind Mara's hate of the Goddesses.

"Do you want to why?" Mara asked. She turned her head away. She could feel Bell dandy's mild heartfelt love for others picking her skin. It was a cold shower, a thing that Mara hated. Then, she spat, "I hate what you stand for! The purity, goodness and innocents. Those things, which makes you a Goddess!"

"I can't help it. I was born that way. The Almighty wanted it so," Belldandy said softly.

The wind began to blow a little. Belldandy watched as Mara turned to face her once again. Mara was out of place in this house. Both the Goddess and the Demon stared at each other before Mara disappeared. Mara had to leave. The purity surrounding Belldandy was starting to smother Mara.

Belldandy was scared. Was Mara telling the truth? Or was it the retelling of Bell dandy's life story. Belldandy went to the garage to find a broom. She thought a little bit of sweeping would do her some good.

Little did Belldandy know, she was being watched by a pair of eyes from a window?

The Goddess house and the Salem High School were sitting parallel of each other. There was a fifty feet space from the high school to the property line. Mister Allingham's classroom was across from the Goddesses' back yard.

Mister Allingham was teaching a class. He impressed upon his students the idea of great poems. He was losing ground. Seiya and Ryoko were keeping their senses on full alert. An eerie feeling crept into their souls. There was something about this teacher. Seiya thought Mister Allingham was working for Galaxia. While Ryoko thought the teacher was working for Yugi.

Mister Allingham was standing in front of his desk, as he began to talk. He explained how poems were written by some of the greatest English authors. Then, he began to walk around the room. He said in a clear, soft voice when he came to the back of the classroom, "There is one poems that you should remember if you don't remember this class. It's called 'The Lamb', by William Blake."

Then, he turned his head to the window. He saw Belldandy through the dead leafless scrub bordering the yard, sweeping. Then, he spoke in the same voice he was giving the lecture, "Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and a bid thee feed, By the stream and o've the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, wooly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales, rejoice? Little Lamb, who made thee? Dost though knew who made thee? Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, Little Lamb, I'll tell thee: He is called by thy name, For he calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild: He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name. Little Lamb, God bless thee! Little Lamb, God bless thee!"

As he finished the poem, he gazed at the unknowing Belldandy. There was a brooding disturbance in him. Allingham's soul was churning up thoughts of the past. He thought to himself. He reelected on his dead wife which bore a striking identical assembled to Belldandy. He said to himself in a mere breath, "I found you dear, Heather. My sweet child how many years has it been?"