Chapter 21: The Calm Before the Storm

Ian was up earlier than usual, and he headed over to the house to get things started. Belldandy and Sayoko both heard movement in the kitchen and, after donning robes, went in to see what was going on. They found Ian preparing the corn beef and cabbage, and now he was frantically looking for something. By this point, Skuld had entered and said, "What are you looking for?"

"Do we have a slow cooker?" Ian asked, not looking over.

"Oh, I am afraid not," answered Belldandy, slightly disappointed.

"Well, do we have a large boiling pot?" he then asked, but before an answer could come, Skuld said, "Hey, I can have something for you lickety split!"

She started to run, but Ian grabbed her and said, "Uh…just keep it simple, okay…and big enough for that," pointing to the main ingredients on the counter. The bread incident stuck big in his mind, and he wanted to avoid disaster if he could. Before long, she came back with the pot, and Ian began. Belldandy then said, "Why are you starting so early?"

"Ah…that's the beauty of it!" answered Ian, "When you slow cook it like this, everything is flavored really well."

He added the salt and pepper and said, "Believe it or not, these are the only spices you need. As you go along through the day, you slowly add potatoes and carrots to it, and as it sits there all day, everything becomes flavored and tender. If it's done right, the meat practically melts in your mouth! However, I will need help with this. Because I have class today, I have to have someone add the carrots and potatoes as things go along."

Sayoko brightened and said, "I can do that!"

"Wow, you really enjoy this, don't you," responded Ian.

Sayoko flushed and said, "I actually feel filled."

As Ian gave her the times when to add what, Belldandy started breakfast, and they were all so glad that Sayoko was taking to her therapy, for the lack of a better term.

Megumi eventually arrived, uninvited as usual, (though always welcome,) now, not just for breakfast, but also to take Ian to class if he so wished. A clear friendship had formed by this point, though it was clear that Megumi wanted to see it go further. This boy, though seemingly sophisticated, was as blue collar as she was, and that was what attracted her to him. Everyone seemed to keep her at arm's length because she was indeed the cycle queen, and they felt themselves intimidated by this headstrong girl. This, sadly, had much to do with the mentality that persisted amongst some Japanese in that a woman was supposed to be no more than a mistress and maid, and that the man was supposed to be the strong one, calling all the shots. However, Ian was from a culture that did not look at women in this fashion for the most part, and he did not see her in the way that men here saw her. It even seemed to her that he appreciated her because of who she was. Thus, everyone wondered where this would go. The only worry was if Megumi would have to know the full truth of things. She came into the house, announcing, "Hi, big bro…Hi, Belldandy!"

Belldandy and Keiichi both warmly greeted her, and then Megumi caught the smell of both breakfast and dinner as she exclaimed, "Wow! This place smells great!"

She slid open the door and then looked confused as she said, "Hey, why all the loaves of bread?"

"Long story," answered Keiichi.

She then spied Sayoko who, by this point, had been lent some more clothes more fitting for housework, and Megumi stood shocked. "Um…is there something I should know?"

"It's therapy," answered Ian, "And that's all you need to know."

"Why not?" asked Megumi, "I can't…"

However, Ian cut in and said professionally, "This is analyst/analysand privilege. She came for help, and in order to help to the best effect, some things have to remain private information."

She was slightly annoyed at this, as if something they were keeping secret should not have been. She then went, "Hey, what's with the attitude?"

"Sorry," said Ian, "I didn't mean to sound like a jerk; it's just that, when it comes to things like this, and when someone specifically asks me for help, I take it seriously. It's not that I am trying to keep secrets from you, it's just that, in psychotherapy, which is what this is, to keep my analysand protected, I then must keep what we do a secret, save for those involved. Please forgive me…it's nothing personal."

She sighed and said, "Well, I suppose… It's just that…"

Sayoko, knowing that this was a part of finding herself, said, "I can't doubt that you have your suspicions, Megumi-san, and I can't blame you if you have any resentment to me. I did some cruel things, and my…how did you say it, Ian…my chickens have come home to roost. I have been very wrong and I ask your forgiveness. I know that this may not change your opinion of me, and I know I may never be able to make this right, but I ask your patience as I learn how to love and try to find myself."

Everyone knew that this had to be hard for her to admit, but the fact that she was able to say this showed that there was indeed change taking place. Sayoko then bowed deeply, and Megumi said to Ian, "I don't know what you said to her, but if this is how you, as a student, handle this, I'd love to see you when you graduate!"

Megumi was not all huggy/touchy/feely, but she did so verbally, and in her own way, "Hey, it's cool! It's always great when you get a second chance. It's all water under the bridge now if you are willing to be a different person! You've got a clean slate with me."

Sayoko smiled and said, "Thank you: that does mean a lot."

Megumi gave a wink and a "thumbs-up," and they all sat to eat.

Everyone went their ways, and Skuld busied herself with not just cleaning her room, but putting together some fun activities for her guest. She even installed lights around the go-kart track for night driving, and for the race she hoped to have with everyone. Urd was amused at Skuld's activities, and how she was practically skipping and singing her way around, looking forward to that weekend. Urd now felt she had a chance to try to get Skuld to allow the fullest fulfillment of Belldandy's and Keiichi's contract as possible. As Skuld worked on tuning up all the go-karts, Urd came up, but Skuld did not look up as she said, "Banpei, could you hand me the gapper?"

Urd handed to her as she said, "Banpei is tending to chores, but I was wondering: don't you think that this is an awful lot of work for a weekend sleepover?"

"What do you care?" snapped Skuld, "I don't see YOU doing anything!"

"I didn't think I would have to," answered Urd, "It's your guest, after all."

Skuld did not know how to answer that, but she said, "Well…uh…you live here, too! You can help make him welcome, y'know!"

"Honestly, the way you are acting right now, well, I see much of Belldandy."

"Oh yeah? Well, I'll have you know… Wait…"

Skuld then suddenly brightened and said, "Do you really think so?"

Urd knew that hit home and answered, "Tell me: what is it about Sentaro that you like so much?"

Skuld brightened and said, "He's not a quitter, and he's fun to be around…"

"And…"

"Well…he had a great big heart…and…"

Urd just stared at Skuld with a smile, knowing that something was clicking in that mind of hers. Skuld then said quietly, "Well…I guess he just seems like someone who needs a goddess."

"Oh? Is that kind of like Keiichi?"

"Well, yeah, like…"

Skuld stopped suddenly, and she realized that she was just about to endorse and condone Belldandy's relationship, though she still felt a touch in the back of her head that her older sister was being stolen from her. Indeed, she had come a long way in allowing certain things to grow between the two, but she still did not like where it was going, even though the promise of a niece or nephew loomed in the future. However, for Urd, though it was unspoken, Skuld had as much said she endorsed the relationship! Skuld was coming to the stark reality of what she was, and what her destiny just might be: even that her being allowed to remain on the surface world was her father's will. Perhaps she was fated to meet Sentaro, and one day, make a contract with him! It may not be anything nearly as drastic as what her sister had, but if it happened to Belldandy, it could happen to her as well! He could just make a wish, and that would be that. Yet, HE could wish her to be at his side forever as well, and then where would she be? She was still a second-class license goddess, and limited at that, but her angel had finally come forth because of her love growing, and her magic ability increasing. Moreover, all this happened when she had first met him while she was trying to learn how to ride a bike. It forced her to consider two things: could a first class or a second class unlimited be in the future for her, (which would allow her to make contracts,) and could a contract with Sentaro loom in the near future. Yet, if that happened, and it was the same as Belldandy's contract, would she then be separated from Belldandy, or would she get to stay with her? Could any change in status, even if things had not happened the way they did, and her sister had never left heaven, cause her to be taken from her sister? She had somewhat already accepted that Keiichi was not to blame for things, but now she found it almost impossible to think that way, because now she realized that any number of things could have separated them. The bottom line was this: no matter what she wanted, fate would show that she was answerable to a higher power, and there were just some things you cannot control no matter how much you want things to happen a certain way. She had to face the facts: one day, she could end up called away from everyone she now knew and loved because of the will of her father. Worse, she now knew that, the more she fought against the inevitable, the more damage she could cause. There was something else that came to mind, and she asked Urd, "Big sis…could the way I've treated Keiichi be hurting me as a goddess?"

"Pay dirt!" thought Urd, and she then said to Skuld, "I think that there was a time that father tolerated your…how shall we say…chaperoning your sister, because it could be that he wanted to be sure his daughter would be loved for who she was, and not because of some silly contract. However, there comes a point where that is only going to go so far. However, I think you can answer that question yourself. Tell me: what is it most of all that gives a goddess her most power?"

"Well, it's love, of course."

"If you show love, does that power increase?"

"Yes."

"You DO care for Keiichi—we've all seen it. You have played around with him as if he was your older brother, and that was long before you had your outing with him a couple of weeks ago. Yet, when you have moments where you still think he's stealing her, you stunt your growth as a goddess. However, what if someone wished the same contract on you? What would you do then?"

Skuld shook, because this was one of the very things that had made its way through her thoughts not a moment ago, and now she felt so transparent. Urd then said, "What would you do? He just may take you to the other side of the world. Then what would you do? You are close enough to adolescence for me to be able to say this: it's time to grow up, Wendy. Peter Pan is not coming back. There comes a time for you to grow up, little girl. As you do, you are going to find that life is not so clear-cut and simple. The older you get, the more confusing it can get. This can mean that there will be times where you have to do or accept things you don't like."

Skuld now just sat on a go-kart, her knees drawn up to her chest as she held them and rested her head on her knees. The world of the human was looking uglier by the moment, but she also realized that, if she were going to be what she was born to be, she would have to wade deep in the muck and mire of that ugliness. She was feeling a sickly sadness that all children sometimes feel when they watch their world of innocence be stripped from them one peel at a time. However, Urd was not doing this to be cruel, but she was trying to help both of her sisters in this thing, and she was not going to leave her in this state. She knelt beside Skuld and held her, saying, "This is why they call it 'growing pains' kiddo. The innocence of childhood eventually melts away. As the goddess of the future, you well know this."

"I just don't want to believe it."

"Like it or not, it's the way it is. Yet, whatever the case, you don't have to go through this alone. There are many around you that are willing to walk with you on your journey, but that depends on one thing: now that you know all this, what are you going to do with it?"

"I don't know."

Urd put her arms around Skuld and slowly rocked her back and forth, as she said, "I know one thing: let Sentaro into your heart as much as you can this weekend. You may find such a greater purpose to all this that you just might see these things in a whole new light."

"You think so?"

"What do you have to lose? Besides, if you do, I think you may just understand the deal between Belldandy and Keiichi, and you might not be so stingy with your sister."

"You really think so?"

"I do. In fact, you just might find that growing up is not so bad when you have someone you really care for at your side, growing with you."

Skuld embraced her sister, thanking her profusely, and she said, "Then, if that is to be, then let's get to it! I'm going to make this a weekend he'll never forget!"

"That's the spirit!" said Urd as she watched her sister dive into her work, except, this time, Urd's heart leaped as she watched Noble Scarlet emerge and aid her sister in the work, of which Urd took at as a sign that that Skuld was getting it.

Chibi-Hild and Thrymr were now making their way to the temple, not sure where to take things. Unlike the person from who she sprung, she expresses more of the spite the original Hild held against Belldandy's father. Everything about Belldandy reminded her of him, including how she looked. If she could cause her pain, it would make her feel good. However, things were different now. She had tried the same thing with Ian, considering his father was the same, but it backfired, and worse, it got Hagal's attention. Now she was going to be forced into an awkward alliance considering what was coming. It irked her no end, but, if it got her namesake back in control, so much the better. Yet, as she went, she heard an all too familiar voice say, "Well, this certainly is another fine mess you created!"

Because of whom it was, this did not surprise her at the sound of the voice, and she said, "Where are you?"

"I'm still in hiding for now," came the response, "I must be going crazy…I'm literally talking to myself."

"Lady Hild," said Chibi-Hild, "Why do you still hide?"

"Things haven't happened the way they need to," came the answer, "Besides, I have you to help."

"What do you need from me?"

"Certainly, you can see the opportunity to increase our shares in this, right?"

"Well, yes, but, Hagal wants to corner the market."

"True…and this we cannot allow, because, well, where would the fun be for us?"

"I don't get it."

"Many things are working to my favor right now, and I want things to run their course, to a certain extent. You see, first of all, that silly daughter of mine still owes me, and her helping to cut down the power and ego of that witch Hagal, who had the audacity to think she could seal ME away of all people, and put her into a place where I can exact what is needed for revenge. This will be their repayment."

"Then, what do you want from us?"

"Hang back and watch. Let some of our shares increase, and then, when it seems that there is an even state in the fight, where Belldandy and her posse are gaining the upper hand, come in and help. However, if it gets that bad, I'm stepping in myself."

"When is this going to happen?"

"Sooner than you think."

Chibi-Hild now knew her mission, and she knew the first target would be the temple, no doubt. It was time to get there and watch.

In Niflheim, the armies were readying. Halval was gearing up her Shadow Fighters, ready to make their foe fight on her battleground, and Hrungnir was gearing up her robot army, ready to get the best of Skuld once and for all. She would show her who the better techno-mage was. There were other warrior demons, ready for the fight, and now they all stood before Hagal as she announced, "The time for our ascendancy has come! The Almighty has had his way for far too long! Now, he shall pay for all the years of his use and manipulation of us!"

Cheers followed this from her force. The truth was, not everyone in Niflheim wanted this, but they were too afraid to cross Hagal…save for one, and she now slipped away, ready to make up for what she had done not weeks earlier. Meanwhile, Hagal continued her rant, "Far too long, Hild had played the game of the doublet system, not concerned about what was best for us, acting all weak against the one whom she should have smote for his treachery against her. She has shown you to be fools and weak against the heavenly host, and now it is time to show them you are not pushovers, that you are not the shills and stooges for them! From now on, we shall make them answer to US! The biggest revenge will be when Hagal wrenches that Keiichi Morisato from the hands of that namby-pamby goddess named Belldandy! To defeat her would be the icing on the cake—like flying the finger at the Almighty himself. I cannot say all of you will be returning, but once we defeat the only obstacles in our way, your sacrifice will be memorialized for all eternity, and the surface world will bow at our feet, serving us, as it should have been all along. He is too weak to make them his servants, as they should be. We shall show him how it is done! Let us now march forward! Let nothing stop you!"

With that, they began a slow ascent to the surface to savor the moment, and to keep the surface off guard as to when the worst would come.

Ian ducked out of his hockey club so he could get back in time to put the finishing touches on things, and Megumi was more than happy to help. She hollered back to him as they rode, "So, what are you cooking anyway?"

"A New England Broiled Dinner," he answered, "Corn beef and cabbage slow cooked throughout the day, potatoes and carrots added gradually, and the flavor everything gets is fantastic!"

Megumi took the chance and said, "You know, you're a pretty okay guy!"

Now, Megumi decided to take the temperature of the situation and she reached back to her hip where Ian's hand was and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Ian felt a rush of emotions, and Megumi knew she had caused some definite stirring considering his close proximity to her. She wanted to ask, "Is that a pen in your pocket, or are you just glad to be here?" but she thought better of it. If she had just merely said it, he would have just taken it in stride and taken it with not much thought. However, her squeeze of his hand…well…no girl had ever been like that with him before, hence his reaction. How else was he supposed to react, though how to consciously react was escaping Ian at that moment. Megumi felt his hands tremble on her waist as well, and these two sensations of his body reacting was all she needed to know. She then thought, "Okay, boy, I have you now!"

They pulled in just as a minivan was offloading its passenger. Belldandy and Skuld were there to greet him, while his mother gave him some last minute instructions and a quick kiss. She then watched them go in, and then she saw Ian and Megumi approaching. She introduced herself to them, and as they talked, she was happy to learn that there would be many people around. Ian then said, "Hey, we have a fun weekend planned!"

"I hope so," she answered, "I love the way my son has been beaming these past few days. Things have been going so much better for him since he met Skuld. I think she's the best thing that ever happened to him. It's like she came out of the blue!"

All Ian could think was, "Lady, you have no idea!"

As they went in, Megumi took more of a chance, considering that he didn't run from her screaming when they had stopped, and she put her arm around his waist while she took his hand and put it on her shoulder. She acted as if this was normal, and did so just to be sure that Ian felt comfortable with the whole thing. Yet, Keiichi saw this, and he began to wonder about her intentions. He went by an ecstatic Skuld who was now going over everything that they were going to do, and said, "Megumi, can I have a word with you?"

She said to Ian, "I'll be there shortly," and pulled him down to give his cheek a quick peck. Ian stood for a few moments, all red and in a touch of shock, and then seemed to float to the house. The way she was acting made him feel that she was relaxed around him, and made him feel confident around her. She wasn't like others who acted as if they were interested, and then cast him aside once they had gotten from him what they wanted. In fact, those girls never made him feel wanted. His new sisters made him feel that way, but this was different. He practically danced his way to the kitchen, singing, "I've just seen a face; I can't forget the time or place where we just met…"

"What's up," asked Megumi as she bounced her way over.

"What are you doing?" asked Keiichi with a suspicious look.

"Whadday mean?"

"Well, I know you've shown you like the guy and all, but, what's with this 'touchy/feely' and peck on the cheek thing all of a sudden? You sure are moving fast."

"Well, unlike you…I can tell when someone's ready for what. He's shy, and I like that: I can loosen him up in time."

Keiichi was becoming a touch cross as he said, "Look, it's different with Belldandy and me…"

"How so? You know, Keiichi, the way you two are going…if you keep the flint in one draw and the steel in the other, you aren't going to spark much of a fire."

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?"

"I mean, you haven't married her yet, and that's shocking to me. I'm surprised you two haven't struck the fire yet."

Keiichi turned red, remembering "that night" where, though only in a mental way, they had done things they had always wanted to do outwardly, but feared all kinds of bad things if they had done so when things were not in the right place. However, Megumi saw this, and she said, "Sooooooooooooo…things finally been getting hot between you two?"

Considering what had happened, there was no easy way to explain it. He just turned redder, trying not to get a nosebleed and not succeeding. "Aha!" she exclaimed, "So you HAVE been getting it on!"

"Megumi!" he yelled, but she cut in before he could go on a tirade, acting as if he was not even angry or embarrassed, and said, "Well, it's about time, you two. I mean, you are both adults, after all, and what's so embarrassing about that? I'm surprised you two aren't married yet, like I said before."

She started to walk away and he tried, all flustered, to say, "Hey, this isn't about me…" but she just said, "Hey, you're secret is safe with me. The folks don't have to know. Besides, I'm a grown-up now too, so, please, don't try to nursemaid me. I know what I am doing, and I don't need you to act like how Skuld acts around you."

She then smiled and said, "See you at dinner," and entered the house. Keiichi just stared at the house at a loss, and he realized he WAS acting like Skuld. However, it was not that he feared losing his sister—that had been long left behind in childhood. However, his reasons for her not wanting to get too close to Ian were because, well, he was what he was. His situation was different and unique. Yet, could it be that she could find love in someone like him? He then saw Skuld and Sentaro getting close again, and then he had to figure that it could happen, and why not. He just was not sure how to tell Megumi about the truth, because if he told her the wrong way, he knew they would lock him away as a nut. How could he tell her into what she was getting herself?

After giving Sentaro the grand tour, (showing him all the changes around,) as well as showing him all her latest projects, it was finally time for supper. Ian began to portion it out while Belldandy warmed up some of the bread. However, instead of chopsticks, Ian had forks, spoons, and knives laid out. They all looked at him oddly, and he said, "When I went to an oriental restaurant in the states, I always used chopsticks. This is an all-American dish, so I figured that using that would be the same thing…I guess."

They all chuckled at this, and, after giving thanks in the way the Japanese typically do, they dove in. What made them impressed was how easily the meat flaked off, and how tender it was when eaten. The only spices had been salt and pepper, but that was all it seemed to need. Even the carrots tasted good as the slow roast had flavored them and softened them up just right. Everyone was digging in like crazy and Belldandy asked, "Where did you learn to make this? This is wonderful!"

"It was my grandmother's recipe," answered Ian, "She would make this a few times a year when all her children would come to visit. It's not just that it's a great recipe, but her tender loving care made it even better!"

"It is certain her spirit was with you today!" answered Belldandy, "Only, please, tell me the recipe, for I would love to try my hand at it. I certainly see your tender loving care brought things out in this."

Ian smiled and said, "That's the most important ingredient!"

By the way everyone was enjoying it, it was certain there would be no leftovers. However, all the while, Megumi was pouring out Ian's drink, putting servings on his plate, and doting over him. Skuld caught the hint and started to do the same for Sentaro, much to his embarrassment. Yet, for Keiichi, it was not so fun. It was not that he would not want his sister to have someone, it was, "Why him?"

Urd, however, did not miss this, and made it a point to talk to Keiichi after dinner.

Once the dishes were tended to, everyone went to the back at the fire pit, prepared to get that going, but Urd pulled Keiichi aside, and said, "Keiichi, I couldn't help but notice that you were on edge all dinner. What's wrong?"

He rubbed the back of his neck and said, "Well, I'm sure you've seen the way Megumi has been around Ian, right?"

"Yes," she answered, "I think that is sweet! It's about time that girl found someone."

"Yes…no…wait! Hold on! I mean, yeah, it is okay if she finds someone for herself and all, but, well, do you think Ian is a good idea?"

"Why not? How about you and Belldandy?"

"That's different! You know how we came together."

"Oh, and would you want it any other way?"

That caught him, and all he could do is hang his head and say, "No…I wouldn't."

Urd rubbed his back and said, "Keiichi, love and heartache works the same for us as it does for you, and sometimes, to learn to love better, we have to get burned time from time."

"Well, I mean, I love Belldandy, and I have told her and shown her on several occasions, yet, there were complications in getting established…"

"Which is no different you than for anyone else, except that yours had a unique ways of presenting themselves. I also bet you would not trade that for the world either."

He sighed and said, "No, I wouldn't."

"Well then… Let them run their course as yours has run. There may be pain, but, if it is meant to be, they will get through it, and if there are special moments to come, then, please, don't deny them that as well."

Now he just sighed and laughed, realizing just how silly he had been. Part of his sister growing up was also letting her be roughed up a touch as well. Maybe the demons and their upping of their shares of misfortune by allowing things to happen actually benefit by making people strong. Who knows? It was time for her to face those things, knowing that she had a demigod by her side to get her through those times of misfortune. That was when a banjo was heard as Ian began to play some fast bluegrass, and Urd said, "Come on, Belldandy is waiting."

When they got back there, everyone was around the fire and either singing their favorite songs if Ian knew them, aided by Banpei as band back up, or Ian singing. "What was that first song, Ian?" asked Megumi.

"That was Rocky Top," said Ian, "That's called bluegrass music. How about some other folk music? Hmm… Let's see… How about 'Iko Iko'?"

"Oh, that was an old school song!" said Urd, "Hit it!"

As the drums started and Ian played, Urd started off, "My grandma and your grandma, sitting by the fire; my grandma said to your grandma, 'I'm gonna set your flag on fire!'"

Skuld jumped in with, "Talkin' bout…Hey now, hey now…Iko Iko an nay…"

Belldandy then jumped in harmony with the others and started to sing, "Jockomo feena ah an nay, Jockomo feena nay!"

The rhythm was getting to them, and they started to do a dance that went with it as they started the song again, and they were all in harmonies. Before long, everyone was dancing around the fire as if they were Native Americans having a party out on the prairie. This went on for about 20 minutes, and then Ian said, "Banpei, give me some reggae rhythms, nice and paced."

With that, he started in on One Love, and that started everyone to dancing in that style, followed by Three Little Birds. Soon, Ian went to some slower songs, and everyone was sitting and watching the fire as he sang. What got to them the most was when Ian went into Donovan's Catch the Wind. Urd was thinking about past loves, and how that Troubadour would have loved that night. Belldandy and Keiichi were intertwined, and Skuld was not even concerned as she was now displaying the same kind of elementary school bashfulness that is puppy love of which Urd often teased Keiichi about when around Belldandy. Megumi, however, was getting a touch tired, and she lay down, her head on his thigh as he sang the song. The romance in the air was so thick that you could have walked on it, yet, none of them realized that all this was, in reality, was the calm before the storm.

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