A/N: I didn't have much time for writing this week, so instead of working on a longer project, I choice one that has a usually short chapter length...that, and it get's a little depressing that Hild is no longer in ADR, and I really like Hild as a character, so it just sucks greatly.

Chapter 10

Belldandy enjoyed the castle more than she likely should have. It had little to do with the splendor and refinery that came expected of the place. Rather, it was because of the quiet joys found within the walls. The safety gave her something she couldn't quite describe. It wasn't exactly warmth...but it wasn't entirely sadness either.

When she wasn't busy grieving the loss of Keiichi, or wondering about what difficulty she would encounter next, she took even greater solace in Hild's protection. The feeling of the woman beside her during those times, seemed to simply fit.

True, the demons avoided her unless Hild ordered otherwise. She didn't mind that many didn't give her the time of day. As lonely as it might have seemed, Belldandy didn't really want a lot of company. She craved peace of mind. Hild provided that. Anything else that could be assumed of their relationship revolved around that agreement.

But…love?

As a goddess, the term left much to be desired. Yet, those of the underworld didn't love the selfsame as the heavens. Regardless of how Belldandy might have felt, the truth remained the same. She needed Hild. It was a very sobering thought. One that brought Belldandy great difficulty.

That she had become so dependent on another, a demon at that, was irksome. Yet, depend on Hild she had, and without question that dependency had become a vice. Now, it was one she would not willingly give up.

Still, dependency was not love, and would never be such a term praised by the heavens…and yet, even that term didn't feel right.

As Belldandy wandered about the castle court yard, she was surprised to find Mara overseeing the safety of the children who played not too far away, though she looked bored while doing so. With a breath, she neared the golden haired demon. "A wonderful day, is it not?"

A snort was all that she was gifted. Mara was a demon of bluster, and thus, spoke very few words when unprovoked. Still, she inclined her head only slightly, giving the goddess her attention.

For a while, they stood together quietly. Then a thought came to mind. "Mara…what do you suppose love is?" Belldandy finally felt the distinct urge to ask a demon of her opinion. Although as she stood there waiting for an answer, she thought she just might be cackled at.

"Love?" The demon groused, as if the term was one she'd never heard of in her entire life.

"Yes, love." Belldandy nodded, deciding that Mara wouldn't brush aside her question outright. She took a seat beside Mara on the bench. "As a demon, what do you suppose it is?"

"Stupid." Mara bit out dryly. "Only morons think about that."

"But how do demons think of it?" Belldandy pressed. "Surely there is something…a common way that your people come to understand it."

"And you want to know?" Mara said, lifting a bored eyebrow.

"Yes, of course." Belldandy beamed, only to watch as Mara huffed an unhappy breath.

"Love….uh, well…it comes with a territory." Mara said slowly, scratching her head as if she were confused. "Stronger demons are more sought after than weaker demons….vain demons are more able to attract a partner than those who are not so vain…but love is more a bonus than a rule." Again, Mara tasted a word. "Love is something bond mates share, I suppose." She shrugged. "I'm not bonded, so I wouldn't know."

"Ah, I think I understand." Belldandy told her with a nod, but Mara didn't seem moved. "Then, was there ever a time that you wished to be bonded with another?"

"What the hell kind of question is that?!" Mara bellowed, a blush coming to her face as she grit her teeth, trying to control her temper. "Stay out of trouble, goddess." The words were forced between her dangerously glinting teeth as she fought down her embarrassment.

"It was merely a question." Belldandy said softly, holding her hands up in a surrendering way. "Please, I truly meant no harm by it."

"Yet you ask one as brash as Mara…" An unusual voice came, and so with it, a void so dark that the demon within could not be seen. "Strange little pet, aren't you?" The void cloaked woman then gazed at Mara. "Our Daimakaicho has called for you. Lady Urd is going to need an escort back up to the surface."

"Shouldn't you be the one doing it?" Mara growled, but the woman within the void didn't move, as if she wasn't at all bothered by such a retort.

"The children have class." The void then turned its attention back to Belldandy. "Answers are best sought by your master, goddess…I would not seek them out in one such as Mara."

…

Hild drummed her fingers on the armrest of her throne, gnawing uneasily at her lower lip. It was time to consider the contract in all of its glory, or rather, the lack of one she had made. A century was long enough to grant kindness to an immortal. Soon questions among her people would find her ears. Even as it stood, murmurs echoed about her interest in the goddess, her people confused about her true intentions.

Hild knew she shouldn't be surprised. Gossip happened every day, and Belldandy was indeed a good bit of eye candy.

"I will not let it be said, that I haven't considered my position." Hild breathed quietly, whilst contemplating her options. She lifted her gaze to the goddess in question. "Or that I have forgotten the one founding principle of demonic nature." It was time to make a choice, and it had to be one that was bold enough to make a statement. "I'm tired of child's play, so you have two options."

"I'm all ears." Belldandy said with a smile, looking up from some knitting she was doing.

"We force the heavens to understand the contract we have between us." Hild replied sternly. "Write a more iron clad agreement. One that is set in stone…or you return to the outskirts of heavens without any further help from me."

"I knew from the start that the unclear terms of our contract would lead to trouble." Belldandy said quietly. "If anything, I shall do something to rectify this situation. Surely if I call the heavens, they would be willing to take note of the situation."

"You are an interesting little goddess." Hild murmured, considering that. "Yet, keeping such faith in them is an idiotic hope at best."

"I agree, it's unwise to be hopeful that the heavens would see things my way." Belldandy admitted. "I understand that, but, to give up so easily is not something I can do."

"Keeping a goddess in these parts brings all sorts of complications." Hild explained as she stood from her throne. "Not to mention, the declaration you made to Urd. Frankly, it was nothing short of troublesome."

"I am unable to lie, you know this. If I could have said something else to lesson such a burden, I would have." Belldandy said in way of an apology, hoping it would be enough. "I do not have the selfsame luxuries that she is afforded, and I do not want them." She swallowed hard. "If the people I care about become unable to accept what I have to say, and least I know I have not lead them astray…that the words I spoke would never be something that would deceive them."

"Is that so?" Hild let a bitter smile fall across her face. "I will allow you to know just one thing then." She reached out, grabbing the goddess, pressing her firmly onto the nearby wall. What the movement lacked in finesse, it gained with abrupt shock. "I don't mind deception…but if you insist on the truth, here it is. If I were you, I would run away while you still can."