Author's Notes: I suppose the only note I have is that I was inspired to create one more AMV that goes with this story. I love this song entitled 'Tong Hua' which translates to fairytale in Chinese. I subbed the AMV, so take a peek under Selendrina on YouTube if you like. I felt that it was a beautiful song that just fit nicely with the conclusion to this story.
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Chapter 23: How Quickly Time Goes
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Events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves they find their own order the continuous thread of revelation –Eudora Welty
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Two Days Ago
The kami looked back to see the smiling face of the pink haired mortal with captivating crimson eyes as she waved him goodbye from the porch of the house. He nodded his head in reply and left through the front gate, turning only to catch a glimpse of the mortal disappearing through the front door. The kami headed in the direction of his mansion, the collar of his red jacket up to ward off the wind's chill, his hands in his pockets as he rounded the corner.
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The mortal girl leaned against the front door with a smile on her face…
"Mayura?"
The mortal girl instinctively turned as her wrist was apprehended, "Hai, Loki-kun?"
Her eyes widened as he pulled her forward and leaned downward to capture her lips with his own, his free hand supporting her chin. It seemed as though she had just closed her eyes to respond to his kiss that she found the moment had already ended.
"It's nothing," informed the kami with a lighthearted smile as the girl before him blinked in confusion.
"Mou Loki-kun, you can't just—
The girl puffed out her cheeks in annoyance for he was already heading toward the front gate, her annoyance quickly faded as a smile appeared on her face and in good sport she waved.
Stupid smile
Stupid smile that only Loki could produce
Stupid blush that always accompanied stupid smile
The mortal merely shook her head in defeat, no matter; she'd get him back tomorrow. She unwrapped her light pink scarf from around her neck and unbuttoned her black jacket before hanging both on the coat rack next to the door.
"Mayura, is that you?"
"Hai!" replied the girl, hollering to the figure in the other room who was probably engrossed with some kind of supernatural work
"Ah good, good," came a hurried reply, "Papa was hoping that Mayura might make him some of her special soup on such a cold evening."
She couldn't help but roll her eyes; "Hai Papa, I'll start on the soup as soon as I make sure that neko-kun is alright," she informed walking past the closed door in the hallway.
The door quickly slid open as her father's head appeared, "Ah the neko that will only comes to Mayura."
"Mou Papa," came the young girl's voice from in the kitchen as she rummaged through the cupboards for something descent for her four legged companion, "I told you I found him outside, so he must be a stray."
"Hai, Mayura what wouldn't you take in?" her father questioned with a sigh, "Papa will await your wonderful soup."
The door was shut when the girl left the kitchen and headed toward her bedroom with a plate of food in hand. She slowly turned the knob of the door, careful not to drop anything; after all, grace was her middle name. With a smile on her face she opened the door to present the cat with a meal fit for, well, a cat.
"Neko-kun?" she questioned glancing around the room, "Mou, Neko-kun?" she left the doorway and headed for the bed, placing the plate on the comforter, and peering under the bed.
The bedroom door shut, startling the mortal girl who nearly smacked her head in the process, "Mou Papa, you—
Her eyes widened as she quickly stood at the sight of a tall and slender man with long silver hair and two mismatched eyes. The mortal girl opened her mouth to scream yet her attempt was ceased.
"My dear girl," began the stranger watching as the girl brought her hands to her throat, her coughs entering his ears as he walked past the mortal and casually took a seat on her bed, "I really can't have you ruining my plans, can I?" He smiled, his eyes creasing in the process, "No, of course not," he answered his own question in a carefree tone and an accompanying laugh, "I've worked so hard for this moment; everything has been timed perfectly and…"
The girl fell to her knees as he observed her state, "Oh I do apologize, here I am going on and you really have no idea what about." He sighed in contemplation for a moment before shrugging his shoulders, "It's rather amusing you see. Even I couldn't have predicted that Loki would find you of all beings. You did put a damper on my plans for a moment; however, once I realized the opportunity that I had been given, what better way to get my revenge? Loki took Baldur and I shall simply take you. A fair trade wouldn't you agree?"
He watched her eyes glazing over, her breathing labored, as he waved his hand in a calming manner, "I'm sure you would, if you could that is." He stood from his seat on the bed and knelt before the mortal girl, gently taking her chin in his hand and tilting her face upward, "It's a pity you don't recall my name," he stared into unfocused crimson eyes, "I'm Odin and you," he trailed off, letting her chin drop, "are the means to Loki's undoing."
The kami stopped at the sound of her form hitting the floor and shook his head with a sadistic smile on his face, "A pity in deed," his words lingered as his form vanished.
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Present Day
"I wish you would wake up, Mayura," whispered the kami at the mortal's bedside, "I need to know that whatever decision I make, that it is what's best for you."
He gently squeezed the hand within his, "I need you to wake up Mayura," he paused for a moment, "I never thought that I would feel this way for anyone…"
His eyes watched hers, "I'm annoying?" he asked in all seriousness with a hint of frustration, the smirk on his face having vanished.
"Hai," she responded, "very and I'm going home," she replied before turning on her heel and heading toward the door, once again in a fowl mood.
Mayura was soon halted as she felt a hand on her wrist and quickly turned around to face Kakusei Loki, who pressed her back up against the wall behind her, "I'm annoying? You walked out on me this morning," he informed, irritation evident on his features and in his voice, crimson meeting emerald orbs once more, as his left hand held her right wrist, his right hand leaning against the wall next to her.
"And I apologized," she replied clearly remorseful, and oblivious to their close proximity as her eyes watched his own and she began slowly drowning into the depths of them once more.
"Hai you did, after I found you with Koutarou who you felt was better suited to bring you home," he informed, his eyes searching her own for answers, as he stood in front of her, unable to find any flaw with her character.
"I went to the park and Koutarou-kun was there," she began only to determine that their conversation was pointless, "Mou, Loki, why are you being like this? Gomen that I walked out on you, and gomen for not waiting for you, but—
Her eyes widened and she could feel her breath hitch at his statement, "Do you even know what you're doing to me, Mayura?" he asked, leaning his weight onto his right hand, the hand on her wrist loosening, with his head bowed.
"Even now you don't understand what it is that you've done," remorsefully stated the kami, "I've let you ensnare my heart, Mayura."
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One Day Ago
The kami of thunder made his way toward the school—yes, school, it was like his own personal hell sometimes. What with the girls who rambled, the foreign exchange student that sometimes graced the classroom in an attempt to secure his future with his lovely Yamato Nadeshiko, and the peculiar mortal customs that plagued him in his everyday life. Times were certainly tough, working three or more jobs at a time, all to provide for he and his cat in their small living quarters, and of course, frequenting Loki's in attempt to find food. Certainly not the life the kami thought he would be living by now. And just whose fault was all of this anyways? That's right, it was his beloved father.
Strange, thought the kami, Why am I thinking of Odin at a time like this?
It wasn't until the kami heard a familiar voice from up ahead that he noted his whereabouts…
"Ramen Boy!"
The kami of thunder blinked at the sight of a grey haired old biddy at the gate of a familiar looking home. As realization dawned on him he quickened his pace until he was standing before her.
"Sensei, it's been a while," he greeted a broad smile, "I can't thank you again for those ten free dinners."
The little old biddy smiled but it did not reach her eyes, "I'm sorry that we aren't meeting on better terms my dear," she began with sadness in her voice.
The kami arched an eyebrow, noticing a small pink bag in her arms, "Sensei what's wrong?"
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The butler went upstairs to awaken his father from his slumber. It was more like raising the dead for his father enjoyed sleeping and would never come down to breakfast if it weren't for him. Surprisingly when he opened the door to his father's bedroom he found his father sitting upright in bed with a faraway look.
"Good morning Loki-sama," informed the butler as he happily pulled the curtains back inviting the sunshine into the dreary room and turned with a smile that soon faltered, "Loki-sama, is anything wrong?"
The kami's eyes shifted to meet the worried expression of his son and he smiled, "Just a bad dream."
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Skuld rubbed her eyes as she entered the parlor, "Good morning," her sentence did not continue as her gaze fell upon the solemn expression on her sisters' faces, "Urd? Verdandi? What's wrong?"
"There has been a shift," informed Urd, her hands securely around the cup of tea in hand, "A terrible shift."
"I was afraid this may happen," murmured Verdandi, "It seems that the fate of one mortal may be out of our control."
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"Loki!"
The kami of thunder's voice rang out as the front door nearly shook from the impact, "Loki!"
The kami of mischief arched an eyebrow at the urgency in his friend's voice, lowering his tea cup from his lips, "Naru—
There was something in the eyes of the kami of thunder as his chest heaved and he rested his palms on the dining room table's surface trying to catch his breath.
"Thor," began Loki, "What's wrong?"
"Loki," Thor tried to collect himself, noticing that his audience had gained three members, "I don't know how to say this…" he stumbled, searching for the words, "I was on my way to the school…"
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Earlier…
The once menacing little old biddy, did not look so as she stood before Narugami outside the gates of her granddaughter's home with a bag in hand, "It's my beloved granddaughter," she murmured, her hand trembling as it rose to cover her mouth.
Narugami hesitantly held out his hand and gently placed it on her shoulder, "Please, what has happened to Daidouji?"
The little old biddy found it in her to take hold of the hand that covered her shoulder and bitterly laugh, "You still refer to her by her surname. You silly child," she patted his hand, "My darling Mayura has been taken to the hospital."
Narugami normally would have passed this off as being Mayura's sense of grace, or more like, lack thereof. However, something in the old woman's voice told him otherwise and he was forced to remember another time.
"Oi, Daidouji, you look really tired today," commented Narugami as they both carried their book bags after finishing the last class of the day.
"…Hai…" she began, giving him a small smile, "Cheerleading has started up again and I guess that I haven't been sleeping very well…besides…I feel like I've been…"
He stopped walking and turned to find that she had stopped a little ways back, "Daidouji?"
She let out a small cough before continuing on, "Gomen, I feel like I've been fighting off a cold…"
Narugami sighed, "You better go home and get some rest, you won't be able to help me with my new job tomorrow if you don't," he explained a grin.
Mayura was about to protest but felt her eyes growing heavy, "…Naru…gami…"
He turned to find her falling forward and quickly caught her before she could hit the floor.
"Please tell me, is Daidouji ill again?"
The old woman looked up to find a sincere face and brown eyes full of concern and she felt the tears start to fall, "Oh, my dear boy she—
Narugami quickly took hold of her arm to steady her, "Please, let's return to the grounds and find a place to sit and talk."
The once strong appearing woman was weak her body ridden with sorrow as she allowed for him to show her back inside the grounds and took a seat on a bench. Narugami watched as she placed her hand over her chest and took a moment to catch her breath, her words caught him off guard but he quickly followed.
"Do you have time to listen to an old woman's tale?" she questioned, her wise blue eyes studying his face as she took hold of his hand and smiled.
"Of course," replied the kami of thunder, quickly covering her hand with his to steady her trembling hand.
"You see," she began her story a faraway look in her eyes, "a long time ago my son, Misao, fell in love. She was very beautiful and she possessed this astounding heart. It was her love and enthusiasm for life that captivated my son. In all my years, I have never seen a man look at a woman the way my boy looked at her. Everything about her was intriguing, you see," she paused, squeezing his hand in emphasis, "she had this way about her, she always knew the right thing to say to anyone she met. She drew people to her like a moth to a flame, holding the most sincere of emotions behind those crimson eyes. And one day, my son got up the nerve, with a little prodding from his mother, of course," she paused with a smile and watched as the boy smiled in return, "to ask her to marry him. Oh it was a beautiful wedding and they were truly happy as all couples are on such a day. And then miraculously after a few years of praying to the gods they were graced with a miracle. And that miracle grew surrounded by love."
The kami of thunder watched as the old woman sighed sadly, "It was such a joyous five years, and it was as though nothing could alter their world. And then something changed in my son's wife, she was still as happy, but she did not appear to be well. In just a matter of weeks we were faced with the horrid truth that my daughter-in-law was dying. I have never seen a man so grief stricken, my son was so lost at the thought of losing his twin soul."
"Twin soul?" questioned Narugami in amazement.
"Hai, my dear," replied the old woman, "we are merely not complete until we have found the other being to possess the second half of our soul."
"So your son's wife was that second half?" questioned Narugami in thought, "She completed his soul."
"Exactly," she murmured, nodding her head in response, "The doctor's informed my son that there was nothing that could be done for his wife and to cherish the moments that remained. My son brought their child every day to the hospital where his wife would read to her child and tell the child to always be good and remember mother's words. And then one day while reading to her child, my daughter-in-law merely closed her eyes and left this world."
"That is a sad tale," commented the kami of thunder, patting her hand in comfort.
"Hai," murmured the old woman, "and now my son must endure this same pain once again," her blue eyes filled up with tears, "for my beloved granddaughter is said to succumb to the same fate as her mother."
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The teacup shattered to the floor as the noise rang out in the now quiet room following the end of the kami's tale. The butler hesitantly held out his hand toward his father, moving his lips, yet his voice betrayed him as no sound came forth. The black pup seated in one of the table's chairs could not bring himself to move, his eyes locked on his father's unmoving form. The shinigami was still and for once a troubled expression had graced its features. The messenger merely turned his head to the side, he couldn't bring himself to try and look at his friend who had just received such devastating news.
It was as if the kami of mischief had forgotten to breathe—as if all the air within his lungs had been knocked with one calculating and venom laced blow. He pushed his chair away from the table and stood in movements so quick that it had taken the others by surprise. The kami resembled a bewildered animal as his breathing became labored and he quickly exited the room without as much as a glance to any of the other household occupants.
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The mortal girl's tired father hadn't slept the previous night, not after finding his daughter's still form on her bedroom floor. He didn't know how long she had been lying there, he had been so wrapped up in his work, and he just didn't know how any of this had happened. He was informed by the doctor that his daughter's health had deteriorated so substantially, that no one could have foreseen this shift. How could he have been so oblivious? Weren't there usually signs? Hadn't there been signs with his wife? How could he say goodbye to his daughter too?
He held his head in his hands gathering up the courage to go to her hospital room. He couldn't—no—he wouldn't let her know that she was…he couldn't bring himself to continue the thought. He had already informed his daughter's doctor and the nurses that under no circumstances would she be made aware of her fate. His daughter would be happy no matter what. He slowly stood and crossed the hallway into his daughter's room and mustered up all the strength he had…
"Mayura," began her father, a weak smile on his face as he stood over her bed, "Papa has sent grandmother to get some of your belongings. I thought that you may want Panda-chan and some of those dresses that you enjoy so much and of course that hair clip Papa always sees you wearing," he glanced down at her weary form, the monitors beeping in the background as tired crimson orbs watched his face. He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "Papa knows that when Mayura is feeling better she will be decorating this room for Christmas so Papa is going out to buy some—
The doting father's eyes widened as his daughter gently took hold of his hand and smiled weakly, "It's alright, Papa."
"No, I won't hear of it," her father replied, shaking his head at the idea, "I'm going to get all of those Christmas lights and figurines that Mayura loves—
"Papa," interrupted the girl, squeezing her father's hand and watching him stress to think of other ideas.
"Do you want music Mayura?" he continued onward, "Papa can get you some of those Christmas carols you enjoy so much."
"No Papa," she struggled to gain his attention, "I don't need any of those things."
"It's settled," proclaimed her father, making a mental list, "Music, lights, figurines—
"Papa," her voice was strong and determined as she watched his eyes meet hers, "I'm not going to be decorating this year," she held his hand tightly, "Papa," her voice was soft and her eyes full of understanding, "It's alright. I know."
Her father shook his head and laughed, "Mayura, if you keep delaying Papa he will never get back with the decorations."
She struggled to hold onto his hand, her crimson eyes, those same eyes that her mother had, boring into his, "Papa, I know. I know that I'm dying."
"What is Mayura talking about?" her father's façade was starting to break, "Mayura is young and she's going to be just fine and—
"No, no I'm not," she struggled to form the words, tears in her eyes, her voice no more than a whisper; "I'm not Papa. I'm dying."
"Mayura needs sleep. Mayura isn't making any sense at the moment," her father stated with an accompanying laugh, "Mayura is going to be fine."
Her crimson eyes bore into his, "Papa has never lied to me," she watched as his breath appeared to be caught in his lungs, "Please don't lie to me, Papa."
And with that all of the pain that the man had been concealing leaked through as though a dam had been broken and he fell to his knees. His body wracked with sobs, his head bowed, their hands still holding one another's, as she silently rubbed his head in a comforting manner.
In the doorway stood the unmoving form of the kami of mischief having witnessed the entirety of the scene before him unfold…
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"He will come to us," murmured Urd, her eyes unfocused as she spoke.
"Loki-sama?" questioned Skuld, glancing between her siblings.
"Hai," replied Verdandi, "He will come to us for answers."
"And what is it that we will tell him?" Skuld asked anxiously, "That Odin took the mortal's fate into his own hands?"
There was silence at the table for a brief moment all lost in their own thoughts.
"If we tell Loki-sama," began Urd.
"Then he may meet Odin before the destined day," continued Verdandi, "Yet he may already be on that path."
"We cannot tell him!" cried Skuld, panic on her features, "We just cannot."
Urd and Verdandi's gazes shifted toward their sister.
"We must be in complete agreement," stated Urd.
"I will agree to Skuld's request, for now," informed Verdandi, "However, we will tell Loki-sama of Odin's role should the time come that all of our fates may be impacted."
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Present Day
The kami felt a hand upon his and lifted his head to find the most beautiful pair of crimson eyes studying his face. He felt as though his actions were clumsy as he pushed back her hair and rubbed her head, his eyes taking in every part of her as she silently watched him.
"Mayura," he whispered in disbelief, at a loss for words.
She merely smiled in response and whispered, "Loki-kun."
It was humorous to find the kami so scattered, yet at the same time, it was disheartening to the mortal that she were the cause. He was surveying her as though she were a porcelain doll that may break under the slightest touch. It wasn't a hard feat since he was already sitting, yet she slowly sat up, and her arms wrapped securely around his frame as pulled him to her until his chin rested on her shoulder. The kami awkwardly caught himself, the palm of his hand finding a spot on the mattress while his free arm wrapped around her shoulders.
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The clock chimed midnight as three sisters sat in silence in the darkened parlor.
"Twenty-four hours and fate may be altered," informed Urd as she addressed the silent two at the table, "How will the sands sift through the hour glass I wonder?"
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Alright that's a wrap for this chapter. Please review.