Chapter 10

3:00pm, December 25

Tarikihongan Temple.

The wedding party and guests moved into the temple house for the reception. The Tea Room served as the main dining hall where Chef Hiro and his crew took over the entire space and laid out table upon table of both traditional Japanese fare and also some Western delicacies that he wanted to try out on his guests. And judging by the number of people who indulged in second and third helpings of the smorgasbord, Hiro's reputation was enhanced a hundred-fold. No doubt, he was going to be getting a lot of return business from the guests who buzzed and raved about the incredible variety and quality of the entrees, appetizers and desserts that he and his cooks worked so hard to produce.

Even Tamiya and Ootaki, who were known for ravaging buffets like Viking Berserkers were on their best behavior. After getting a stern reminder from Chihiro that such nonsense would not be tolerated at Keiichi and Belldandy's wedding, the two managed to act in a manner approaching civilized.

A room normally used for storage was cleared out and made into an impromptu dance floor and gathering spot where guests could dance the night away and try their luck at karaoke. As the day wore on, and the alcohol started to take its toll, the singing got progressively worse, as well as the dancing.

At the head table sat the guests of honor, Keiichi and his new bride, Belldandy. Before them sat a mountain of gifts and presents. He and Belldandy took turns opening presents to the delight of the guests who ooh-ed and ahh-ed each gift as it was presented. Some of the presents were household items sorely needed by the newlyweds, others were joke gifts that caused Keiichi no end of embarrassment. Belldandy, as usual, took the jokes in stride, enjoying each and every gift presented in her own special way.

The time had come for the honorary first dance for the bride and groom. Keiichi was never known as a great dancer. To say he had two left feet was a major understatement. It took more than a little coaxing by Belldandy to get him out on to the dance floor. He didn't want to spoil such a beautiful day by doing the awkward lurching that passed for his dancing, especially in front of Belldandy. But she reassured him that it didn't matter whether he could dance or not.

"Keiichi, I didn't marry you because of your dancing ability. I married you because I love you and want to spend the rest of my days with you. Now, please come out here and dance with me. It's all right. "

"O-okay, Belldandy." He stammered, as he and Bell walked to the center of the floor. The guests stood in a wide circle surrounding the couple as the music started. Keiichi put his arm around Bell's waist, as he held her other hand out to the side. His first steps were tentative and clumsy, but Belldandy whispered to him, "Keiichi, relax. I've got you. Just follow my lead."

She slowly and gently led Keiichi around the dance floor, skillfully doing it in a way that made it look like Keiichi was taking the lead. Silently encouraging her new husband through the Sacred Coupling. Keiichi started to relax, and soon his confidence was growing. Before long, he had felt completely at ease in Belldandy's arms. He looked into her eyes, as they danced around the room. He saw nothing but complete contentment. Belldandy was in her special place where she felt the unconditional love of her man. She noticed that Keiichi was looking at her, and she moved in closer, smiling. Her heart overflowing with joy. She laid her head on his shoulder, saying, "I love you, Keiichi. I just want to stay like this, with you, forever."

This was a signal for the rest of the wedding guests to join in. Keiichi looked over and saw Takano and Keima in an embrace as they expertly made their way along the floor. He had never seen his mother and father dance before, much less as well as they were twirling and spinning to the music.

Megumi grabbed her boyfriend, Hiro and pretty soon they were slow dancing on the floor, arms around each other, looking into each other's eyes. Speaking thoughts and words for them and them alone. Dancing to a rhythm and a tune that none but them could hear.

After watching his little sister, Keiichi quipped, "It looks like there will be another wedding in the Morisato family pretty soon. Meg seems to have found herself a keeper. At least she won't be mooching around the temple so often."

Belldandy laughed. "I think we'll still be seeing a lot of Megumi. She loves her big brother too much to leave him alone."

Kei had been dancing with Belldandy for about a half an hour when Urd came up to him.
"Keiichi. There's a telephone call for you. It sounds very important."

"Who is it, Urd."

"You'll find out, when you talk to him."

"What does THAT mean?"

"Urd, this isn't one of your silly pranks, is it?"

Urd looked slightly offended by Keiichi's remark. "No, Keiichi. This is definitely not a prank, and the person on the line is not one that you should keep waiting. He asked specifically for you, so I'd hop to it, if you know what's good for you!"

Keiichi was still thinking that Urd was pulling his leg as he picked up the receiver.

"Who ever this is" Keiichi said with a touch of irritation, "I'm kind of busy right now, so please make it quick."

A deep majestic voice rumbled.

"Keiichi Morisato."

"Who is this?"

"This is Kami-sama."

"THE Kami-sama? The Ruler of Heaven? The Almighty One?"

"I am known by those names, among others."

Realizing who he was talking to, Keiichi reflexively stood at attention, spine rigid.

"Y-yes, Kami-sama? I'm sorry, I hope I didn't offend you." Keiichi apologized.

"No matter, Keiichi. No offense taken. I understand that my contacting you by telephone is a bit unusual. I apologize if I am calling at an inconvenient time."

"No, no problem at all." Keiichi said nervously. "Um, if you need to speak to Belldandy, please hold and I'll get her for you."

"No, Keiichi. It is not Belldandy that I need to speak to, it is you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me about something?"

"What makes you think that I am angry with you?" Kami-sama said, slightly puzzled.

"When people in authority over me call, I have a bad habit of thinking that I did something wrong."

"Rest assured, Keiichi." Kami-sama said gently. "You have done nothing wrong. If anything, I have some very important matters to discuss with you. In person."

"In p-person?"

"Yes, Keiichi. What I must tell you cannot be discussed over such a primitive and unsecured device like a telephone. I will need to speak to you and Belldandy in person, in Heaven. I have been notified by Lind that you and Belldandy are now married."

"Yes, sir. We just got married a little while ago. Is there a problem?"

"No, Not at all, Keiichi. Please understand, while I am somewhat familiar with the concept, we in Heaven do not have such an institution as marriage. In fact, Belldandy is the first goddess on record to marry an Earthling. And hopefully, not the last" A pause. "I am told that marriage is a very important occasion on Earth."

"It's one of the most important things an Earth man and woman can do."

"I believe the correct protocol is to congratulate a newly married couple on their wedding?"

"You are correct, Kami-sama."

"Well then, Let me congratulate you on this grand occasion. I trust that I am putting Belldandy in good hands?"

"Definitely, Kami-sama. I would never let any harm come to Belldandy."

"Your recent actions in terms of how you dealt with Hild have led me believe that your words and commitment to Belldandy are true My confidence and trust in you is very high."

"About that. I'm sorry I cast Lava Wind Barrage. I didn't know that spell was on the Restricted List."

"Do not worry about that incident. Who do you think allowed you to override Yggdrasil's programming against casting that sort of spell in the first place?"

" That was you?"

"Very much so. Belldandy is one of our shining stars, as well as a Norn. Her protection is paramount to the very existence of Heaven and the universe. By the way, The way you used Hild's power against her to free Belldandy from that energy cage was very innovative. A touch unorthodox, but very effective. You are to be commended."

"Thank you, Kami-sama."

"I will be needing to speak with you regarding the matters I mentioned as soon as possible. Can you and Belldandy come to Heaven and meet with me within three Earth Days?"

"We were going to spend our honeymoon in Heaven anyway, so it would be no problem for us to meet with you."

"Very good. That reminds me. About what you two did up on Windsong Ridge?"

Keiichi gulped. "You know about that?"

"I am Kami-sama, Keiichi. I know everything. Do not worry. Everyone does that up on Windsong Ridge." Kami-sama's chuckle unnerved Keiichi for a moment. "I shall see you in three Earth days, and make sure that you do not bring Urd and Skuld with you. As Second Class Goddesses, they aren't cleared to hear about what we have to discuss. Goodbye, Keiichi Morisato."

Kami-sama rang off the line. Keiichi's mind was a whirlwind of questions and speculation. What was so important that Kami-sama would want to speak with him and Belldandy in person? He stewed and ruminated over the Divine One's words as he returned back to the head table. Belldandy was sitting down at the head table, chatting pleasantly with guests.

"Keiichi, who was that on the phone?" Bell asked.

"Walk with me, Bell."

Belldandy stood and walked with Keiichi out of the room, arm in arm.

"That was Kami-sama." Keiichi said with concern.

"The Almighty One?" Bell said, her voice quavering.

"Yes. He has very important business to discuss with us in Heaven. We'll need to meet with him in three days."

"Hmm. That is very interesting. I wonder what it is he wants to speak with us about?"

"He didn't say. I guess we'll find out when we get there. And he said that we have to come alone, Urd and Skuld can't come with us."

Belldandy's face brightened. "Well, the good part is that we'll have some time to ourselves before seeing Kami-sama. Even Urd and Skuld aren't foolish enough to violate an order from him."

Even Keiichi had to laugh at that observation. "Kami-sama said that they aren't cleared to hear about what he has to say to us."

When Keiichi said that, Bell's mind went back to what Lind had said before she left to return to Heaven. She wondered whether there was a connection between what the Warrior Goddess had said regarding her return being an Iridium-level secret and what Keiichi had just told her.

"Well, Keiichi." Belldandy said. "We will find out what it is Kami-sama wants with us soon enough. But for now, we have a reception to preside over, and later tonight, there is something that I read in one of those wedding magazines concerning the consummation of a marriage?"

The way Belldandy finished her sentence and the gleam that appeared in her eye as she said it told Keiichi that he was in for a very long night indeed. And he didn't mind that one bit.

Chapter 11

8:30am December 26

Keiichi's Bedroom

The alarm went off as Keiichi emerged from of his slumber. He looked over to his left and saw his bride Belldandy laying beside him. Her long hair spilled over her face as she slept peacefully.

The reception was a success. The party lasted until well after midnight. It looked like everyone was having a lot of fun. Tamiya and Ootaki made a sizable dent in the food and booze, but still managed to behave themselves reasonably well, for them.

Hasegawa was still over the moon due to the dress. With a confidence that had never been seen in the insecure girl before, she had danced with every guy in the hall, and managed to give her phone number to a few of them. Chihiro and Urd parked themselves at the bar and watched the party unfold before them with a detached boredom, being women who had seen it all, and did most of it. Skuld was still sulking after not being allowed to give her objection to Keiichi and Belldandy's wedding. But a couple of pints of premium ice cream chased her blues away.

Kei and Bell sat at the head table receiving congratulations and adulation from all the guests. For a while, Keiichi still couldn't believe that he and Belldandy were actually married. He couldn't believe his good luck in snagging such a perfect woman. Sometimes he wondered whether the last four years were a big elaborate dream, and that he'd wake up in his tiny bedroom back in the Nekomi Tech men's dorm, with Tamiya and Ootaki bellowing at him to rise and shine. But then he looked at the Goddess lying beside him, knowing that this perfect woman, this unlimited Goddess was really his wife, his lover, and most of all, his friend. It was no dream, all too real.

The two finally got to bed around 2 am, and immediately got to work consummating their marriage. Belldandy learned a few new tricks from that wedding magazine she read, and after all was said and done, Keiichi once again was grateful that he was a God now, because if she had tried some of what she learned on him while he was human...let's just say there wouldn't be enough left of him to put in a coffee cup. Because he was a God, Keiichi was experiencing the fullness of Belldandy's passion. She didn't hold back when they first made love, and she certainly wasn't now that they were married. If anything, Belldandy was even more eager to show Keiichi the depths of her love and desire for him. Because the union that was created in Heaven now had legitimacy on Earth. Everyone of their friends now knew that Keiichi and Belldandy were now two who had become one.

Today, the couple would leave on their honeymoon. Keiichi apologized to Chihiro for taking off again during an important time in Whirlwind's busy season, but Chihiro would have none of it. Pressing a thick envelope into his hand, the spicy mechanic said, "Keiichi, if you don't take time off to have fun with that new bride of yours, I will fire you. I can handle things here at the shop for a while. There will be plenty of work for you and Belldandy when you get back. Now go away, and have a good time." Keiichi didn't need to be told twice.

He and Belldandy packed a few belongings and strapped them to the sidecar of the motorcycle. Where they were going, they didn't need what they were packing, it was all a show. Keiichi knew that Urd and Skuld would find out where they were going and would ruin any chance of the newlyweds having some much desired time alone, so prior to the wedding, he got some brochures of a popular traditional Japanese inn in the southern part of Japan around Nagasaki, and casually laid them around the temple especially in areas where Urd and Skuld would surely find them. He also dropped in conversation the name of the inn when the two were around. As Belldandy was a First Class Goddess and forbidden to tell lies, Keiichi did all the talking, because the ban did not extend to Gods. After saying good-bye to the sisters, he and Belldandy departed the temple and headed south in the direction of the supposed love nest. Once they had traveled far enough, they dropped the bike off at an out of the way location, summoned the Gate and left for Heaven.

As predicted, Urd and Skuld fully intended to crash Kei and Bell's honeymoon. They headed to the inn in question only to find a very surprised and somewhat perturbed innkeeper who insisted that a couple matching Keiichi and Belldandy's description had certainly not arrived, and wasn't expected, and would they please leave because they were disturbing the other guests.

"Why the nerve of that Keiichi!" Skuld said angrily. "He led us on a wild goose chase, just because he didn't want us tagging along. I bet I know where he took Big Sis."

"Oh, I know exactly where they went, Skuld." Urd said with a sly smile. "I saw through that lame charade from the very beginning. They're up in Heaven."

"How do you know, Urd?"

"Keiichi received a phone call yesterday from Kami-sama."

Skuld stammered. "The Almighty One?"

"The Big Man himself." Urd responded.

"What did he want with Keiichi?"

"He wouldn't tell me, but I'm sure that it's something pretty big. Kami-sama just doesn't call people out of the blue unless it's very important."

"Urd, if you knew that this whole inn thing was a decoy, why are we here?"

Urd didn't miss a beat. "Because it was a good opportunity to get away from the temple for a while and take a nice long trip."

Skuld wasn't having it. "Yeah, right Urd. You're lying again."

"How do you know I'm lying?"Urd said indignantly.

"Because your lips are moving." Skuld laughed.

"Skuld, be glad that I'm in a good mood. Because the next time you mouth off, Banpei will be in a million little tiny pieces, and even you won't be able to put him back together again."

"You wouldn't..."

"Try me." Urd said evilly.

"So. Are we going to follow them and see what they are up to?"

"I dunno. We should respect their privacy and give them some time alone together. On the other hand, I really want to know what it is that Kami-sama wants with Keiichi."

Skuld thought for a moment. "I might be of some use here. Remember when I said that I had installed back doors all over Yggdrasil?"

Urd said warily. "Why am I not going to like what I am about to hear?"

Skuld was undeterred. "I can hack into Yggdrasil and eavesdrop on Kami-sama's private conference room."

"You wouldn't..."

"Try me." said Skuld a smug look on her face.

Urd patted Skuld on the head and said admiringly, "I taught you well, little Skuld. You might be of some use yet."

Skuld calmly removed Urd's hand from her head and said, "You didn't teach me anything, Urd, and I'm more useful than you think. Let's get back to the temple, so I can set up."

Urd looked around the Inn and said, "We have plenty of time, Skuld. While we're here, I'm in the mood for a nice hot soothing bath. Wanna join me?"

"Can we send the bill to Keiichi for trying to put one over on us?"

"Of course. We'll live it up for a couple of days and charge it to Keiichi. He must of gotten a ton of money from the guests at the reception. He can easily afford to spring for a nice time at a traditional Japanese inn for us."

Both sisters laughed nastily as they checked into the inn.