AN: Okay, so this is just an idea, not even an idea, it's the germ of an idea fermenting in my brain and begging to be written. Actually, it's kind of demanding. I haven't slept in about three days thanks to this little drabble boiling around in my head. Anyway, it's hopefully, eventually going to turn into a crossover, and if it does I'll move it over to the crossover section, but until then it stays where it is so I don't get people saying "I thought this was a crossover." -_-; Anyway, I've only seen the anime, and I'm trying to get the manga, but until then I rely on Wikipedia and various bookstores for my Loki knowledge. Also, I know that in the series Loki's wife was Spica, and she was one of his wives, but her only child was brutaly murdered by Odin to punish Loki, and since I might use that later, I wanted to use Fenrir and Yamino's 'real' mom, real being a relative term… pun intended, I think. ANYWAY, this takes place at the end of the anime. Mayura didn't go home after Hel kidnapped her, she stayed at the mansion until she woke up, and by then they were packing everything up and Loki was gone. Skippy Skippy to her yelling at Yamino and then running into Loki in the park and Voila! Also, I did the park scene from memory since I was writing this at work on my break and my phone doesn't get any service in the back. And as a final note, I changed Mayura's hair color since I am planning to make this a crossover with a live action I made her a strawberry blonde with reddish brown eyes, okay, so please don't flame me when I don't call her hair pink…Well, if you're still here after this ridiculously long note, I hope you enjoy the story, and I hope you will kindly review. Please?

Disclaimer: I sadly do not own Mythical Detective Loki, and the song at the end was written by the brilliant Mercedes Lackey for her Valdemar series and it's found on the Shadow Stalker CD Firebird Arts.

Prologue: Goodbye is Never Forever

"I'm a god." The tall young man smirked.

The strawberry blonde teen turned to smile sadly up at him. "I don't believe in God." She admitted sadly. "When I was little my mom got really sick, and I prayed to God every day not to take her away from me, but she still died. That's why I don't believe in God." She said turning to walk away.

"Wait!" The self-proclaimed deity yelped, reaching for her retreating back. She paused again. His hand fell as she turned to face him. He stood watching her, one hand held out clutching something like it was an offering, she his goddess, and he the humble supplicant.

"Yes?"

"Let me grant you a wish." He offered almost desperately.

The girl looked to her feet. "Bring Loki-kun back." She whispered keeping her eyes downcast. When he didn't answer she smiled sadly. "I knew god wasn't real."

"Mayura!" He called as she started to turn again. She paused one last time, a quizzical expression on her face. "I can't give you your friend back, but I can give you something to help you."

"Help me?" She blinked frowning in confusion.

"Close your eyes." The young god commanded. With a sigh she obeyed, but her eyes flew open again when he suddenly pulled her into a crushing, desperate embrace.

"K-Kami-sama?" She gasped.

"I'm sorry Mayura." He whispered, his lips tickling the top of her head where they moved against her hair. "I can't stay with you like you want me to, it's too dangerous for you… but I'll always be watching." She felt a gentle tug on her hair as the ruby comb was slipped into her tresses.

Then she fainted.

)()()()()()()()(

Daidoji-san opened the door quickly, sighing in relief at his daughter asleep in the stranger's arms. "Mayura-chan!" He gasped, drawing the stranger into their home and leading him towards the girl's room. The young man followed the priest quietly as he led him in and gestured for him to set her on her bed.

When she was tucked safely under the covers, Daidoji-san led his strange guest back out into the hallway. "How did you find her?" He demanded. "Who are you? I need to thank you properly."

"You asked me to bring her back to you." The strange man said softly. "I only did as you asked."

The old man frowned in thought, his eyes searching the young man in front of him. Finally his eyes widened. "L-Loki-kun? But… How?"

"It's a very long story, Daidoji-san, and even I don't remember all of it."

"But-"

"You knew I was different from the moment you met me." The tall god sighed. "Even if you couldn't understand, you knew."

"Did-does Mayura know?"

"No," Loki denied, "and I'd rather she never have to know."

"Who are you really?" Mayura's father demanded.

The god inhaled as if gathering his courage. "I am Loki; the dark god of thieves, murderers, and highway vagabonds; the immortal trickster of Asgard. I was banished to this world for a crime I don't even remember." He glanced at the sleeping girl in the room beyond the door. "When I came to this world I was so angry. I was determined to return to the world of the gods and get my revenge."

"But you changed." Daidoji said with confused surety.

"She changed me." The god agreed looking at the sleeping beauty. "She's so bright, so cheerful… I didn't want the anger I felt to touch her, so I began to let it go." He was quiet for a second before he sighed again. "It was my own daughter who took her from you." He confessed.

"Your-But-You're eleven!"

Loki smiled sadly. "Do I look eleven?" He asked calmly.

Daidoji took in the young man before him. "Oh, uh, yeah." He conceded after a moment. "But why take Mayura?"

"She was jealous and angry with me." He answered shortly. "I'm sorry to say that even god's have our failings. You are a better father to your daughter than I ever was to mine."

"If she's jealous of Mayura, is my daughter really safe?" The older man asked cautiously.

"Yes. Hel will never touch her again."

"Can you be sure?"

Loki nodded sadly. "Daidoji-san, there's a reason I'm telling you all of this." He paused to make sure the mortal was listening to him. "My children and I are going back to Asgard."

"You have more children?" The old man almost yelped.

The Trickster nodded. "Jormungand and Fenrir. They need to be with their mother now. They are mourning the loss of their sister, and as much as we love Mayura, Hel is-was… dear to us."

"I'm sorry that saving my daughter cost you yours." The old man said wearily. "I know I could never hurt Mayura to save someone else."

"Hel was in the wrong." Loki said quietly. "We all knew it, and she had to be, dealt with before things got out of hand." He paused, watching Mayura. "Daidoji-san, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything."

"When Mayura wakes up she won't remember anything. As long as she wears the red comb I gave her she won't remember anything that happened while the gods were part of her life. I'd rather she doesn't remember. It would be unwise."

"I think my Mayura is stronger than you think." Daidoji said. "She would miss you, and she would be sad, but she's a strong girl."

"I know." Loki agreed. "And as long as she misses me, I will yearn to return to fill that ache in her. Gods do not belong on Misgard; our home is on Asgard.

"Very well." Daidoji agreed. "I don't understand, but I'll try to keep her from remembering."

"Thank you Daidoji-san." He smiled. "I would stay for her, if I didn't think it would tear the worlds apart."

"Why?"

Loki laughed sadly. "You have an amazing daughter, Daidoji-san." He answered. "She's done the one thing that half of the goddesses of Asgard can only dream of doing."

"What?" The old priest asked, half fearing the answer.

"She stole my heart. No one's ever stolen anything from me, and she stole the one thing I guard the most."

"But, you have three children. How can you say-"

"From an arranged marriage of convenience." Loki answered. "Angrboda married me to form an alliance at the command of… a very powerful god. I care for her, but I never loved her." His eyes darkened with sadness. "You'll forgive me, Daidoji-san. I need to be with my sons. This feud between the gods has cost them dearly, and it has been centuries since they were allowed to be near their mother. It's time they were reunited, even if the reunion is sad." He turned to leave, pausing only when he reached the end of the hallway. "Daidoji-san, I want you to know that even though Mayura doesn't believe in gods, I'll always listen to her prayers and answer them if I can."

The old man bowed as the god simply faded from sight. "Thank you, Kami Loki-Sama, for protecting my Mayura."

Shadow-Lover never seen by day,
Only deep in dreams do you appear.
Wisdom tells me I should turn away,
Love of mist and shadows all unclear.
Nothing can I hold of you but thought,
Shadow-Lover mist and twilight wrought.

Shadow-Lover comfort me in pain,
Love although I never see your face.
All who'd have me fear you speak in vain,
Never would I shrink from your embrace.
Shadow-Lover gentle is your hand,
Never could another understand.

Shadow-Lover soothe me when I mourn,
Mourn for who all who left me here alone,
When my grief is too much to be born,
When my burdens crushing great have grown.
Shadow-Lover I cannot forget,
Help me bear the burdens I have yet.

Shadow-Lover you alone can know
How I long to reach a point of peace,
How I fade with weariness and woe,
How I long for you to bring release.
Shadow-Lover court me in my dreams,
Bring the peace that suffering redeems.

Shadow-Lover from the shadows made,
Lead me into shadows once again.
Where you lead I cannot be afraid,
For with you I shall come home again.
In your arms I shall not fear the night.
Shadow-Lover lead me into light.

AN: Well, it's a start. And hopefully I'll be able to sleep now that I've started... then again maybe not. I have no idea where this is going, or how fast it will or won't update. I don't think it'll be a one shot though... Anyway, review and let me know what you think. Also, cookies if you can guess who the Shadow-Lover was really supposed to be :P And I mean in the original Valdamar series. I picked the song because parts of it reminded me of how Loki felt and parts made me think of Mayura. The songs at the end will probably change as the overall feel of each chapter changes. They will probably be one of the songs I was listening to as I wrote the chapter.