Chapter 21: Changes, Plans, and Artistic Talent
Keiichi awoke the next morning feeling great.
'It's probably because Belldandy said 'yes' to marrying me.'
As he made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth, Yuki was following close behind him, a mischievous smile on her face. When he got in, Yuki leaned against the wall next to the door, patiently waiting for his reaction to her wish.
"YYYAAAAHHHH!"
'Right on time.' Yuki thought smugly as she watched her uncle stumble out.
"Yuki…my face!"
"I notice Uncle Keiichi." Yuki giggled.
Keiichi now bore three blue crescent moons on his head and cheeks.
"What's the matter Keiichi?" Belldandy asked as she came to see what the commotion was.
"Belldandy…look!"
"Oh my, you've become a god. But how?"
Yuki immediately came to Belldandy's side, smiling like there was no tomorrow.
"You can thank me for this!"
"Huh? Yuki, what do you mean?" Keiichi inquired as he knelt down to Yuki's level.
"I called Grandpa and asked him for a single wish: to have Uncle Keiichi made into a god, second-class."
"Wha? Why?"
"Think of it as my wedding gift to you." Yuki snickered as she pinched Keiichi's cheek fondly.
"But how did you…?"
"I mentioned how much service you've performed for heaven, making it clear you were more than worthy for such a thing. Besides, Grandpa owed me for ignoring me for the last four years of my life." Yuki chuckled.
"I wonder how the others are going to react."
Well…
"Yuki! You little schemer! I'm so proud of you!" Urd gushed as she hugged Yuki tightly.
"Mama, I can't breathe!" Yuki squealed as she tried to remove herself from Urd's generous chest.
"I can't believe this! I'm not going to allow this!" Skuld screamed.
Yuki sighed as Urd let her go. Then she thought of something she was sure would calm down Skuld's fury.
"But Auntie Skuld…how am I going to get cousins to play with if Uncle Keiichi and Auntie Belldandy don't marry?"
"Cousins?"
"Yes…as in children." Yuki smiled.
"Children…Big Sis's kids." Skuld muttered, her brain taking in the indication of what marriage would mean for her sister.
"That's right Skuld, if Keiichi and Belldandy were to have children, you'd have nieces and nephews to spoil rotten." Urd smirked as Yuki grinned.
"You know what? I'm happy for them." Skuld stated.
'Now she's accepting it. Just had to mention she'd have more kids to spoil.'
Urd then turned to her daughter, noting the smug twinkle in her emerald eyes.
'Looks like she's turning into me after all.'
A little later, while Yuki was pretending to read one of her mother's potion books, she picked up the conversation of her uncle and aunt in the room behind her.
"I think we should plan for a spring wedding Belldandy. Besides, we need to think over what we want and accumulate the money we need for it."
"I agree Keiichi. But it doesn't matter to me as long as I have you."
"Belldandy…"
Yuki got up and left the couple be; she already had more plans forming in her little head.
'If they need more money for the wedding, I'll help them to get it.' Yuki thought as she made her way back to Urd's room.
The little goddess opened up her personal wardrobe, fumbling through the bottom for what she needed.
"Got it!"
Yuki pulled out a paint palette, a few paint brushes, and a little jar. She placed her items on the porch outside before rushing back in. Yuki struggled to push out the canvas stand she'd begged Urd to get her, but she managed to get it in place. She placed a small canvas in place before setting up her workspace.
"Now I'm ready." Yuki smiled as she dipped her rush in water before starting to mix colors on the palette.
With masterful strokes, Yuki's picture began to take shape, despite this was her first time attempting to paint. Urd soon noticed Yuki hard at work, the little goddess's tongue twisted as she worked diligently with great concentration.
"Hey there Sweetie, what are you doing?" Urd grinned as she walked up to her daughter.
"I'm trying to paint a picture to sell. Uncle Keiichi and Auntie Belldandy need the money."
"Yuki…I doubt anyone is going to…"
Urd stopped talking as she saw what Yuki was painting. It was a beautiful meadow with new spring blossoms, the trees swaying in the breeze. But it was the eight-legged horse running through gallantly that was the main thing. Yuki had never seen Sleipnir in person, but she'd gladly taken liberty on creating her vision of him. Pure white with a silver mane and tail, dark hooves carrying the powerful body, Yuki's imagination was quite interesting. All the intricate details truly made it seem like Sleipnir would jump off the canvas, fearsome yellow eyes staring out of the picture.
"How in the world did you make this Yuki?" Urd inquired as Yuki started to put away her paint supplies.
"I just did. Do you think anyone will buy it?"
"I'm sure someone will."
However, the people of the city of Nekomi couldn't believe that something that detailed had come from the strokes of a child.
"Not possible…a mere child couldn't have done this." Said an older gentlemen as he scrutinized Yuki's work.
"Indeed, surely you made this Miss." Said his wife to Urd.
"Nope…this is my daughter's art."
"Please, the child isn't even in school it looks like."
Yuki glared before she pulled out a blank canvas, fetching her paints and palette from her art bag. The little goddess immediately set to work, painting swiftly and expertly without blinking. In a matter of minutes, the canvas held a picture of a black wolf the size of a mountain, the forest it stood in dwarfed by its sheer mass.
"This is Fenrir, the giant wolf who is said to destroy humanity when the world shall end." Yuki grinned as she gave said beast the final details in its red eyes.
"Amazing…how in the world did you do this little girl?"
"I'm just talented I guess." Yuki giggled sweetly.
In just a matter of an hour, Yuki had created multiple pieces of art for the public, selling them quite cheaply, but the amount was quite sizeable since she sold a large amount of them.
"All right people, that's enough for today! If you want a Yuki original, keep an eye out for us!" Urd shouted over the crowd that had gathered around her daughter.
The people dispersed as Urd helped Yuki gather the art supplies, Yuki smiling broadly.
"We should have made more than enough to help Uncle Keiichi and Auntie Belldandy a bit."
"Tell me about it, and who knew you had such talent." Urd cooed as she rubbed Yuki's hair affectionately.
"Mama stop, you're embarrassing me." Yuki whined.
"Sorry, this is my privilege as a parent." Urd snickered as she started to noogie Yuki.
"Cut it out!"
"No way!"
"Wah!"
As soon as they got home, Yuki latched herself onto Belldandy, her hair completely messed up and frizzy.
"Auntie Belldandy! Mama's picking on me!"
"Oh calm down, I just do it because I love you." Urd smiled as she smoothed out Yuki's hair.
"Yeah right." Yuki giggled as Urd placed a kiss on her nose.
"I love you Yuki, you should know that." Urd grinned fondly.
Yuki snuggled up to Urd, making Belldndy smile as her elder sister lovingly patted Yuki's head.
"I know Mama. I'm just teasing." Yuki smirked.
As soon as they were at the table in the living room, Skuld decided to say what she honestly thought of Yuki's new want for messing in people's love lives.
"Nice going Urd…you've corrupted Yuki." Skuld frowned as she saw both mother and child give her the exact same playful smile.
"She's my baby girl…you should have known she'd starting taking after me sooner or later, Skuld." Urd chuckled.
"I would have preferred later."
"Auntie Belldandy, have you and Uncle Keiichi decided what to do for your wedding yet?" Yuki piped in, trying to break the tension.
"You're uncle and I have decided to have a Spring Wedding, but we're going to have to do it next year. We don't have much money at the moment."
"No problem! I made a few pictures in town today and sold them. This money is for you Auntie Belldandy." Yuki smiled as she placed the cash on the table.
"Thank you Yuki, this is very kind of you." Belldandy said sweetly, patting Yuki on the head.
"You're welcome. All that matters to me is your happiness."
Belldandy hugged Yuki close, a small tear slipping down her cheek.
"You're a wonderful niece Yuki…I don't know how to repay you."
Yuki wiped away the tear from her aunt's face before grinning broadly.
"You don't have to pay me back in money Auntie Belldandy."
"But there must be something you want."
"There is…I just want you and Uncle Keiichi to give me some cousins to play with. I want at least ten."
Keiichi had just entered the room when Yuki had said what she wanted as payment.
"Oh my…it might take a little time for Keiichi and I to do that." Belldandy laughed, a small blush on her cheeks.
"That's okay, I can be patient." Yuki chirped as she went up to Keiichi.
She hugged him around his legs before grinning at him.
"You'll do that for me, right Uncle Keiichi?"
"Well…I uh…um…"
"If you don't answer me now I'm asking for double." Yuki smirked deviously at him.
'It's official…Yuki's become an Urd in miniature!' "Right…will do."
"Good, and just for that I'm cutting the deal in half. Five cousins in exchange for my services, very cheap if you ask me."
Urd was stifling her laughter as she watched her daughter at work; her girl had definitely become quite devious and clever in just a short amount of time.
'She is my daughter, of course she'd become a master of manipulation!' "All right Yuki, quit messing with your uncle. I don't think he can take much more of your mischief."
"You call this mischief?" He sighed.
"But you love me anyway Uncle Keiichi." Yuki smiled innocently.
"Yeah…I do." He chuckled as he kissed her on the forehead.
"So…have you two decided on the theme of your wedding? The guest list? Where to hold it?" Urd inquired as Yuki plopped down in her lap.
"We were thinking the church where Belldandy and I first admitted our feelings." Keiichi smiled as he took hold of Belldandy's hand, her engagement ring sparkling in the light. (Referring to episode 19 of season one).
"And just a few of our closest friends. We're still discussing theme." Belldandy added.
"What about the flowers? And your wedding rings?" Skuld questioned as Yuki messed around with her bangs.
"We might just ask Peorth to do the flowers for us. As for the rings…" Keiichi smiled as he stared at Yuki, "we'd like Yuki to make them for us."
"Huh?" Yuki asked, completely caught off guard.
"We think you're powerful enough to do this, and it seems you've already shown talent for design." Belldandy smiled.
"Really? You think I can do it?" Yuki asked nervously, not really confident in her powers; her natural talents and intelligence were a different story when compared to her powers.
"Of course…think of this as a test to see how much you've improved." Belldandy smiled.
"I haven't improved." Yuki frowned sadly.
"Doubting yourself won't do anything but prevent you from reaching your true potential." Keiichi said comfortingly.
"Come on Yuki, I know you can do this." Skuld grinned as she gave Yuki the victory sign.
Yuki looked at them unsurely; as stated before she was confident about her smarts and natural talents, but she severely lacked confidence when it came to her powers over the earth. She then felt her mother's hand on her shoulder, causing her to tilt her head back and gaze at Urd.
"I believe in you Yuki. I know in my heart you are more than capable of this." Urd smiled as she traced Yuki's forehead symbol.
The little goddess grinned before she turned to her aunt and uncle.
"All right, I'll do it."
"That's my girl!" Urd exclaimed as she smothered Yuki.
"Mama! Let me go, I can't breathe!"
"No way Honey. Mama's not letting go until you gain some self-confidence." Urd snickered as Yuki struggled to free herself.
"Uncle Keiichi! Auntie Skuld! Auntie Belldandy! Help me!"
They all just laughed at Yuki's predicament. Later that night, Yuki was doodling in her sketchbook, humming quietly to herself. Urd came into the room, ready for bed when she saw her daughter at work.
"What are drawing this time, huh?"
"I've been making designs for Uncle Keiichi and Auntie Belldand's wedding rings. And I've also been drawing this." Yuki chirped as she turned the sketchbook to Urd.
On the left page were a few crossed out designs for rings, but the right page made Urd's heart melt. It was a sketch of their family, much like the one Urd had received during Yuki's first Christmas. The only main difference was that Yuki had drawn her current self next to Urd, and it was Belldandy holding a bundle next to Keiichi.
"And what is this?"
"My dreams for the future Mama."
Urd hugged Yuki lovingly before closing the sketchbook.
"That is a wonderful dream for the future Yuki, but now it's time for bed." Urd grinned as she put Yuki in her futon.
"Okay Mama, good night."
"Good night Yuki, sweet dreams."
"You too Mama."
As Yuki settled down into her futon, Shadow and her dragon tucked under arm, one thought suddenly entered her mind.
'How is Grandma going to react?'
Dragonlover71491: Good question Yuki…a real good question. See you next chap folks!