Chapter 9

"Morisato."

Keiichi froze at the voice. Then with a sigh of resignation, he sat the wrench down carefully on the floor of the shed and slowly turned around. Blocking the entrance were the Sempeis, Tamiya and Otaki. Behind them were the rest of the male members of the Motor Club.

"Umm…Hi guys." Keiichi said nervously.

"Morisato." Tamiya rumbled, "It is time for your final rite of passage before marriage!"

"Could I take a rain check?"

"Get him!"

"….I didn't think so…."

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Belldandy looked up from the dishes at the sounds of a commotion from outside. She walked over to the door in time to see the Motor Club carrying a bound and gagged Keiichi out of the shed over their shoulders.

"What's going on?" Belldandy asked.

"Club event Miss Belldandy." Otaki called out, "Mandatory for all Male members."

"We'll make sure he gets home after." Tamiya added.

"Oh." Belldandy smiled, "Well have fun." She then turned and reentered the house. Before she could get back to the kitchen, a voice spoke up from the living room.

"What was that about?"

Belldandy turned to face the voice. Skuld was seated in front of the TV, idly changing the channels.

"Keiichi was going out with the Motor Club." The elder goddess answered.

Skuld was on her feet in moments, the TV remote flying through the air.

"The Motor Club?!" Skuld repeated, "Keiichi left willingly with them?"

"Well they are his friends. Of course he'd go with them." Belldandy replied, "Though it was rather odd that they'd tie him up."

Skuld stared at her sister. "They tied him up?!"

"It kind of reminded me of that retreat they went to a few years back." Belldandy said wistfully, "Keiichi wasn't all that interested in going then either. But it turned out for the best." She then turned and reentered the kitchen.

Skuld stared blankly at the kitchen entrance for a moment before racing towards her room.

"Keiichi," she muttered to herself, "There are times I really do wonder what you see in my sister."

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"Gimmie another."

The bartender raised an eyebrow at the request, but in the end he poured the drink. He could never turn down a request from a lady.

Especially one that looked like her.

Urd swirled the drink about in her glass as she stared at the mirror on the other side of the bar.

The Urd in the mirror stared back.

It was her fourth drink in the past fifteen minutes, but she barely felt a buzz. And boy did she wished the buzz was there. But there were things that were halting her from doing so.

First was that damned mirror.

Well not the mirror directly, but the person that could use it to spy on her. Not that the person would intentionally do that. Urd smirked. The day Belldandy did that would be the same day that Urd gave up booze. No, Belldandy would watch from the mirror if only to make sure she was alright. She was the 'Good' sister after all.

The led to the second item: the brat.

Technically, they were equal in rank. But it was that little tag at the end of their title that separated them.

Urd, Goddess Second Class Limited.

Skuld, Goddess Second Class Limited.

Urd, limited because for all her power, she had control issues.

Skuld, limited because, for the most part, she had no powers.

Until recently.

Urd gulped down her drink and motioned to the bartender for a refill.

The brat had taken on Mara………and won.

Well, the brat AND Keiichi had taken on Mara and won. But then there were limits to what Keiichi could do.

Blasting Mara through a wall was a bit beyond him.

Urd turned her eyes down from the mirror to the glass before her. She could believe Skuld had the power now. She did send Urd hurtling down the hallway. Given the circumstances, blasting Mara was possible.

Urd rolled her eyes at the mirror again. Her eyes then narrowed as the reflection before her.

Speak of the devil.

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Mara winced as she sat down in the corner booth. She was still sore, both from the fight, and the aftermath.

Barbas was not a very forgiving Demon. Especially to those he considered failures.

Like herself.

Mara sighed as she leaned back in her seat, allowing herself to be obscured by the shadows, her other reason for choosing the corner. Other then the bartender, no one would pay her much attention.

"Well well well, just who do we have here?"

Mara let out a low groan.

Someone out there really had it in for her.

"What do you want Urd?" The Demoness grumbled.

Urd sat down across from her.

"Can't I have a drink with an old friend?" she asked.

Mara stared at Urd.

"You're kidding right?"

"Aww come on." Urd said, "We've sat and had drinks socially before." The Goddess then shrugged. "Of course you had a scheme in the works, but still……."

Mara eyed Urd. "And just what do you have in mind?"

"Nothing." The Goddess said, "Tonight, I don't want to talk shop, no Yggdrasil, no Nidheg." She then smirked, "So how about them Giants?"

Mara blinked. "San Francisco?"

"No. Yomiuri."

"Are you actually trying to talk baseball with me Urd?"

Urd shrugged, "It isn't shop. So?"

"I'm more of a Hanshin Tigers fan."

Urd's eyes narrowed.

"You would be……"

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"Sit down!" Keiichi had barely heard the words before two very powerful hands had forced him back into his seat.

He'd been trying to escape the Motor Club ever since they'd arrived at the strip club. Unfortunately now that they had him, Tamiya and Otaki were very reluctant to let him out of their sight.

"I need to use the restroom." Keiichi stated.

"Well why didn't you say so?" Tamiya asked. He nodded towards Otaki and together they took hold of Keiichi's arms and carried him towards the restrooms.

Arriving there, Tamiya had gone inside first, verifying that there were no windows or other means to escape. He returned and gave Keiichi a slight shove into the restroom before closing the door. He and Otaki then took station on either side, waiting for their friends return.

Keiichi stared at the door a moment before walking up to the sink and staring into the mirror.

"Bell?" he called out softly, "Bell? Are you there?"

"What do you see in her?" came a slightly tinny voice.

Keiichi blinked and looked around.

"Down here!"

Keiichi looked down into the sink. There, reflecting back at him from the few remaining drops of water in the basin was Skuld.

"What do you mean what do I see in her?" He asked, slightly annoyed.

"In a moment," Skuld answered, "You mind?"

"Huh? Oh!" Keiichi turned on the sink, filling the basin. Then with a flash, Skuld appeared in the restroom.

The Young Goddess took a moment to look around, then scrunched her face up.

"Ewww, what is that smell?" she gagged.

"I don't think you want me to answer that." Keiichi said.

Skuld raised an eyebrow as she glanced at Keiichi.

"Right….. you ready to go? Or would you rather stay here?"

Keiichi wrapped his arms quickly around Skuld.

"You saved me! My Hero!!"

"Hey! Cut that out!"

Outside the restroom, Tamiya and Otaki glanced at each other.

"You hear that?" Otaki asked.

"Yeah." Tamiya turned and opened the restroom door. "Morisato?"

They received no answer.

The two entered and looked carefully around the restroom, yet they could find no sign of their friend.

"How does he do that?" Otaki asked.

Tamiya frowned for a moment, then his eyes widened in understanding.

"The Goddesses." He stated.

"Which one?" Otaki asked, "Miss Belldandy didn't have any problem with us taking him."

"Miss Urd wasn't there." Tamiya scratched his chin, "Even if she was, she'd go along with it. Remember what Hasegawa said."

"Lind was there too." Otaki added as an after thought.

Both frowned for a moment, then turned and said as one.

"SKULD!!!"

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"Have I told you 'thank you' yet?"

"Yes, repeatedly. But feel free to continue."

Skuld and Keiichi walked down the hall towards the living room. Reaching there, Skuld picked up the remote and began to flip through the channels.

"Think the Sempeis have figured it out yet?" Keiichi asked.

Skuld shrugged. "They aren't exactly stupid, just slow at times." She glanced back at Keiichi. "I think I can handle them."

"Handle who?" Belldandy asked as she entered the room. She then gave Keiichi a curious look. "Didn't you go off with the Motor Club?"

"I did." Keiichi answered, "But I wasn't all into the strip club idea."

Belldandy's eyes went wide, then narrowed.

"Oh." She said softly, "I see….." She turned and left the room. Moments later the sounds of loud chopping could be heard coming from the kitchen.

Keiichi and Skuld looked towards the kitchen, then turned and looked at each other.

"Suddenly I fear for the Sempeis." Keiichi whispered.

Skuld only nodded her head vigorously.

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"I really wonder about those two." Urd said wistfully.

Mara stared blankly at the Goddess.

"If Keiichi is banging the kid there's hope for him yet."

"No!" Urd snapped, slamming her glass down. "That's disgusting and even you have to agree K-boy isn't like that."

"True." Mara waved her hand, "But what do you mean?"

"When the brat got down here she, she didn't like Keiichi." Urd explained, "Even went so far as to try and drive them apart. She calmed down some after meeting Sentaro, but she still tried to keep them separated."

"So what?" Mara grumbled, swirling her glass about, "The kid don't like the mortal getting so close to her 'Onee-sama'."

"But that's changed." Urd leaned forward, "The brat and Keiichi get along very well now. As I'm sure you noticed."

Mara grumbled something under her breath and rubbed her head. "He's got a good swing. Kid surprised me too."

"From what I get, they talked." Urd explained. She continued as Mara took a drink. "Before that race. I don't know what they talked about, but shortly after I found out Keiichi and Belldandy were sleeping together."

"PHBBTTT!!!" Urd leaned to the side, avoiding the spray coming from the demon's mouth.

"They WHAT!?!?!" Mara spluttered, "Are you….?

Urd shrugged, "I honestly don't know cause when I tried to look the brat blasted me down the hall."

"She on her way to being a First Class?" Mara regretted saying it the moment the words left her mouth. Urd's face was suddenly one of fury.

"There is no way in hell that brat is going to become a First Class before me!" She hissed. She then rose to her feet and stormed out of the bar.

Mara stared at the retreating form of the Goddess. She then leaned back further into the darkness of the booth, thoughts on how to exploit this apparent disharmony in the Goddesses of fate sisterhood.

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Skuld watched silently as the Motor Club put up the wedding decorations under the watchful eyes of Belldandy. Tamiya and Otaki had 'volunteered' the services of the club after Belldandy had gone to see them regarding Keiichi's party.

Oh to have been a fly on the wall to that discussion.

"She is not leaving anything to chance is she?"

Skuld turned her head slightly towards Keiichi.

"After everything you two have been through, do you blame her?" she asked.

A small smile appeared on Keiichi's face.

"No." he answered, "Guess I can't." He then chuckled as Tamiya and Otaki had begun to argue about how a decoration was supposed to be hung, only to fall silent as an eyebrow rose on Belldandy's forehead. "I don't think Belldandy will let them forget that little discussion anytime soon." "He glanced at Skuld. "They say anything to you?"

"Tamiya started to." Skuld replied, "But I gave him 'the look' and he ended up asking about motorcycles."

Keiichi frowned. "'The look'?"

Skuld's eyes suddenly went wide and watery as her lower lip stuck out and visibly quivered. Keiichi suddenly felt rather guilty and felt the need to make Skuld happy, anything to drive that look from her face.

Just as quickly, Skuld's face returned to normal.

"That 'look'." She stated.

Keiichi stared at the young Goddess for a moment.

"I'll remember that look the next time you really want me to get you a computer gadget or magazine."

"What!?" Skuld gasped, "But….but….but…. you asked and I was just showing you and……"

"Skuld." Keiichi cut her off. "I was kidding."

"Meanie."

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Lind chuckled as the mortal stuck his tongue out at Skuld. The antics of these two had brought her much amusement in her time on the planet, something her life had been lacking until recently. The mortal himself was instrumental in allowing both of her Angels to be released at the same time, all because of trust. It was that trust that allowed Keiichi to use Cool Mint, one of her angels. The fact he could even hold an angel within him, and use it successfully spoke volumes of Keiichi.

Lind openly laughed as Skuld, taking exception to Keiichi sticking his tongue at her, began to chase him around the Temple grounds. Unlike in times past however, both mortal and goddess were laughing, a sign of just how much the relationship had changed between the two. Even Belldandy took notice and allowed a small smile to appear on her face.

There was one sour face, though she remained just out of view in the shadows of the porch. Urd attitude had darkened recently in regards to her youngest sister. Where as before there had been light hearted teasing, now more hurtful comments had begun to slip in. Not even Belldandy had been spared. Keiichi and Lind had seemed to be the only ones spared Urd's tongue.

The only theory anyone had was Keiichi's: Urd was jealous.

Urd, the eldest sister, had had several relationships in the past. All had failed.

Belldandy, the middle sister, had found her true love with a simple phone call.

Skuld, the youngest, seemed to be having a good relationship as well with Sentaro, despite their constant denials.

Lind let out a sigh. After tomorrow, everything would change.

"Salut."

Lind glanced over as Peorth moved beside her.

"You're here early." Lind muttered, looking back to the others.

"Peut-être." Peorth replied, "and then again I might be on time."

Lind frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?"

The Goddess of Forever nodded to where Urd was standing in the shadows.

"You think Skuld and her will survive being alone together when K and Belldandy leave for their Honeymoon?"

"I'll still be here." Lind pointed out.

"But you haven't been around those two as much as I have." Peorth smirked, "I'm a calming influence on them."

Lind snorted. "I think your influence is hardly calming."

Peorth frowned at the fighting Goddess. "Where did you get that idea from?"

"Keiichi mostly."

"Pourquoi dirait-il telles choses?" Peorth muttered.

"He didn't." Lind stated, "I 'read' between the lines, so to speak."

Peorth scowled.

The two remained silent for a few moments, then Peorth spoke again.

"I did have another reason for coming. I brought your trainee."

Lind turned and looked at Peorth confused.

"Trainee?"

"Trainee, student, apprentice," Peorth nodded to the side, "I was told to bring her to you."

Lind looked to where Peorth had indicated. Standing just out of view of the others was a Goddess. She appeared to be in her late teens and wore red and white robes. She had blond hair with a few purple streaks running through it.

"Selene, Goddess Second Class Special Duty Limited." Peorth stated, motioning the new Goddess to join them. "Until Belldandy and Keiichi return from their Honeymoon, you'll be training her here at the Temple."

"Right." Lind turned to Selene, "Do you have any idea what your about to get yourself into?"

"Yes." Selene stated, "And I asked to be trained by the best. Apparently, that is you."

"Oooo this is going to be fun." Peorth snickered as Lind frowned.

It was around this time that Keiichi noticed the new arrival. He slowly came to a stop and stared. Within seconds, Skuld slammed into his back, sending them both to the ground.

"Got you!" Skuld shouted.

"Skuld?" came Keiichi's voice from under her, "Who is that?"

"Who is…?" Skuld looked up and spotted the new Goddess. "Another one?"

"Six…" Keiichi murmured, "What am I? A Goddess magnet?"

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The Next Day

Belldandy sat before a mirror, staring at her reflection.

Today was it. The moment she had been waiting for so long.

Her wedding to Keiichi.

A few had been surprised when she'd chosen a traditional Japanese wedding, but no one could deny how beautiful she looked in the kimono.

Now if they could just get through the day without Mara, Aoshima, and Sayoko trying to ruin everything, it would be perfect.

"I wouldn't worry about that."

Belldandy turned her head to see Kami-sama standing in the doorway.

"Father!" Belldandy moved to bow before him, but was stopped by a hand.

"I think we can forgo that today." Kami-sama said with a smile. "You look beautiful my Belldandy."

Belldandy smiled. "Thank you Father."

"Shinto hmm?" Kami-sama smiled as Belldandy started to explain, but he waved her off. "I don't have any issues with that. I believe the saying is 'When in Rome….', but don't even think of telling Saturn I said that." He added with a wink.

Belldandy let out a laugh and wrapped her father in a hug, one he graciously returned.

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Mara sat on a rooftop that was nearly on the other side of Nekomi from the temple. The closest she could get to the temple this day was by the binoculars she was currently using to watch the wedding.

Not even the Queen would dare get nearer.

It wasn't the presence of the Goddesses, now numbering ten or so (Belldandy did have other friends in the Heavens) nor the several Gods present. Nor was it the presence of several dozen Valkyire, including their Commander and second Command.

It was because of Him.

He probably knew she was watching, she'd actually seen him looking her way several times. But she had done nothing, thus he would not act.

She turned her gaze to Urd.

The Eldest Norn was smiling, but Mara knew that it was only for show. She'd met Urd several times in the past few weeks, always at the table in the corner of the bar. Each time Urd would drink heavily, venting and letting a few things slip that she normally would have kept silent on. The result was that Mara had reached the same conclusion that Keiichi had: Urd was jealous.

Being a Demon, Mara used those fears of Urd and subtly reinforced them. Thus tensions that might normally have relaxed in time were continuing to simmer. Each time they met at the bar, Mara raised the temperature just a bit more. While it would be some time before the boiling point would be reached, it would also not be noticed until it was too late.

Mara let out a cackle.

The wait would be worth it to see the look on Belldandy's face when Urd finally erupted, shattering their little 'family'.

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Mist watched again as Kami-sama's gaze drifted from the wedding to look off toward the city.

"Milord?" she asked softly. "What is it?"

"I'm not entirely sure." Kami-sama frowned, then looked to Mist. "The Demoness is still in Nekomi is she not?"

Mist started to rise. "I can go and…"

Kami-sama shook his head and motioned the Valkyrie Commander back down.

"No, " he said, "We won't interrupt their day. Belldandy has desired this and I won't darken it."

"And if the Demoness does?" Mist asked.

Kami-sama looked to where Belldandy and Keiichi stood before the Shinto Priest, both dressed in Tradition Japanese wedding Kimonos.

"The Demon won't do anything this day." Kami-sama stated.

"And tomorrow?" Mist asked.

Kami-sama took in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

"There will always be Darkness," he finally said, "And it will always be in conflict with the light." He then turned to Mist, "Whatever this Demoness is plotting, it will eventually make itself known, and we will do what we always have done." He then turned back. "This day, we celebrate." A thoughtful look then came over his face as the ceremony ended and the couple turned to face friends and family. "And let's make sure Thor doesn't get too carried away this time?"

"Yes sir."

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"Oceanic Airlines Flight 1516, now boarding at gate 23."

Belldandy briefly glanced up as she listened to the P.A. announcement before returning her gaze to the magazine in her lap. The magazine was one of those touristy types, full of articles covering various tourist spots in countries. This particular one covered Northern Europe.

It had been a surprise to both Keiichi and herself when his parents had presented them with a honeymoon in Europe. The couple had planned on staying within Japan. Belldandy still wasn't quite sure how his parents had picked Europe of all places. No one, not Keiichi, herself, her sister, or anyone in the Motor Club had told Keiichi's parents just who their son was marrying. Then there was the fact that the area of Europe they were flying to was once Norse country. Maybe her Father had something to do with it.

Either way, Keiichi didn't seem to mind.

Belldandy glanced to her right. Keiichi was dozing in the seat beside her. Belldandy blushed as she remembered just why Keiichi was so tired. They'd stayed awake late the night before, and this time it wasn't from talking.

When they had left for the airport this morning, Skuld couldn't look either of them in the face without blushing. Urd, for the first time in a while, was her normal self and just walked around with a smirk on her face. When questioned , Urd's response had left Belldandy thoroughly embarrassed.

'Look into a Soundproofing spell sister dear.' The Eldest Norn had said, 'It's been confirmed you're a screamer.'

Urd had even gone so far as to greet Keiichi with a 'Hey stud!'.

Thankfully, Lind and Selene had said nothing.

'Though,' as Belldandy thought about it, 'Lind did give me a rather envious look."

"Nippon Airways Flight 4815 to Stockholm, is now ready to begin the pre-boarding process……."

Belldandy gave Keiichi a light nudge.

"K," she said softly, "That's our flight."

Keiichi stretched and let out a yawn. He then looked at his wife and smiled.

"Well Mrs. Morisato," he said, "Are you ready to tour Europe?"

"I've been ready forever Mr. Morisato." Belldandy replied with her own smile.