Episode/Chapter 12 - The Dance in the Stars
It's a warm summer morning with a cool breeze drifting through the Morisato residence. The wind chime resonates its melodic tones with each catching flow as it passes throughout the temple. Keiichi and Belldandy are the only ones awake at this time. They are sitting in Keiichi's room on his futon. Having dealt with so many events within the past 3 1/2 years including the recall, Celestine, and the racing accident(see chapter/episode 6). Keiichi knew that he had to tell Belldandy those feelings that he never had a chance to express from his heart, those feelings that he hoped so much she shared as well.
"Belldandy, after everything we've been through, I can't help but still feel scared about us." Pauses and let out a breath. "I almost lost you twice. What if something else happens? I couldn't stand going through it again, seeing you hurt.because.you might not come back or want to come back, because of me."
"Don't say that, Kei. I want to do everything in my power to keep my promise to you. You haven't done anything wrong. Even if there wasn't a contract, I would still want to be here with you."
Keiichi took and held her hand close to his chest, gathering his courage within himself to look into her eyes and tell her those words for so long he wanted to say.
"Belldandy, there's something I want to tell you. If I don't say it now, I'm afraid that I'll never have the chance to."
"Yes, Keiichi?" she leans closer to him.
He looks down at their hands momentarily, then raises his head, looking with a touch of anxiety into her eyes. He had to say it now.
"Belldandy, I."
*********
"Keiichi! Keiichi, wake up! The guys are here!"
Megumi was furiously shaking him.
"Huhh?." he groaned.
"Yo, Morisato! We've got work to do! Let's go!" That was Tamiya alright, itching to get started early, as with every day for the past two weeks on the motorbike restoration project for an upcoming motor show they had been working on. Unfortunately, the project that taken a lot of time away from him and Belldandy, since they had barely seen each other.
Keiichi slowly crawled out of his futon, feeling the coldness of the floor as his face made contact with it. He manages to collect himself, eyes half closed still and staggers to the bathroom. While washing his face to wake himself up, he feels someone's hands touch the sides of his shoulders.
"Good morning." Belldandy smiled as she helped dry his face. "Another late night?"
"Yeah. It feels like this project's taking forever.Hey, Bell, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately."
"It's okay. I know how important this is for you guys and the club."
"I promise that I'll make it up to you."
"Oh, don't worry Kei. Really." She smiles at him. "Come on, I have breakfast ready for you."
At breakfast, Tamiya sits quietly eating, holding constant his serious expression.
"Whoa, Belldandy, this is really great!"
"Oh, thanks Ootaki! I'm glad you like it."
"Now, I see why Morisato always eats at home."
"That's right. I could never pass up one of her home cooked meals. Everything she makes is just perfect."
Keiichi glanced over at Belldandy as she was walking back towards the kitchen. Obviously, she had heard them since he caught her slightly blushing. Tamiya finishes.
"Well, let's get to work. Hey, Bell, thanks for breakfast."
"Of course, Tamiya."
"Okay. Let me go get my bike, and we'll be on our way." Keiichi stands up and scurries out the door.
Tamiya and Ootaki start to get up when Belldandy whispers to them.
"Hey, can you make sure he makes it back at 9:00 tonight?"
"Of course. We know the plan." Ootaki answers.
Keiichi walks back in, helmet in hand. "Okay, ready."
Belldandy walks up to Keiichi as Ootaki and Tamiya head out the door towards their bikes.
"Here, I made a lunch for you."
"Oh yeah, thanks Bell. Um, I'll see you tonight then?"
"Yeah, I'm going out shopping with the girls today."
"Okay. Well have fun then. Hopefully, Urd won't cause too much trouble this time."
"I heard that!" Urd's voice responds from her room.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her." She says with a wink.
They walk outside to the temple gates. Tamiya and Ootaki were ready to go.
He stopped for a moment feeling that he should say something else. In an impulsive move, he quickly leans in a kisses her on the cheek. He freezes momentarily, wondering why he had just done that.
"Uh, bye." He starts to walk towards his bike and stumbles, almost falling down the steps. Belldandy placed her hand on her cheek where he had just kissed her, standing there in a state of wonder and surprise. She watches him adoringly as he gets on his bike
"Bye."
As the guys drove away from the temple, Belldandy still stood there taking in the peck that Keiichi had just given her.
**********
Throughout the day, Keiichi, Tamiya, and Ootaki worked non-stop on the restoration project, going back and forth between the clubhouse and the store for parts.
Meanwhile, Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and Megumi were enjoying their day at the mall. Belldandy was looking for a dress for tonight. A special occasion that she had planned for her and Keiichi. Skuld was looking for some new clothes and a gift for Sentarou(*). Megumi was looking for new shoes. And Urd was trying on lingerie in one store, not looking for anything in particular. Belldandy walks in to find her. Urd had just stepped out of the dressing room.
"Hey, Bell, you should get this to show to Keiichi." Urd flashes a black lace outfit in front of Belldandy.
"Um, I don't know about that."
"About what?" Skuld was right behind Belldandy. Suddenly, she has a puzzled look on her face, staring at the outfit Urd was holding.
"Um, what is that?"
"What?.Oh that's right. You've never stuff like this before, have you?"
"No. But why would you wear that? It looks weird." Skuld replies as she continues to look over it.
"Oh really.Hmph. Well...you're too young to understand this anyways." Urd scoffs at Skuld.
"Whoa! Bell, are you buying this to."
Belldandy turns around. Megumi had just walked in and saw Urd holding the outfit in front of Belldandy. "Oh no. Not yet. He'd probably feel a little uncomfortable if he saw me wear this."
"Why not. He's seen you naked." (See chapter/episode 7)
Belldandy's eyes bug out and immediately turns back around. "Urd!!! Hey!!!"
"What?! That pervert! I should..." Skuld exlaims.
"Come on girls, let's go." Megumi says.
They continue walking together through the mall. Belldandy is looking at every window they pass hoping to find the perfect dress for tonight. Suddenly she stops and stares in awe at a shimmering blue and white evening gown displayed in one of the store windows.
"Oh, this is perfect."
********
Back at the clubhouse:
"Whew. We're finally almost finished." Keiichi barely had time to rest during the day, except to eat his lunch. He was starting to feel the effects of his non-stop day as he sat back for a moment and wiped the sweat with his arm across his forehead.
As the sun began to set, Keiichi looked at his watch. It was 7:30. He put the finishing touches on the bike he had been working on for the past week. He lies back on the ground and breathes a sigh of relief.
"Morisato, all done? Wonderful." Tamiya said.
Keiichi props himself back up. "Hey, you guys need help?
"No, we've got it. Go on home. We'll see you this weekend."
"Oh alright. Thanks guys."
"Have a good night Morisato." Ootaki tells him.
As Keiichi is riding his bike home, it's now dark outside. He could see some of the stars in the sky. A falling star graces its presence within Keiichi's view.
(To himself) "One wish of my heart's desire. I still remember that from over 3 years ago."
(Playback of their conversations in his mind) "I know my wish. I want you to be my girlfriend forever!"
"You have a good heart Keiichi Morisato. And it makes my heart happy that I was your wish."
"I'm happy that I made that wish."
Keiichi arrives home.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
The house is empty. He checks Belldandy's room to see if she had maybe been asleep. As he walks into his room, he notices a message card with a white bow ribbon on his desk. He approaches the desk and examines the card, at the same time noticing a tuxedo on his chair that Megumi had set for him.
"Hmm." He unties the bow and unfolds the card to what he already recognizes as Belldandy's handwriting.
"Keiichi, please meet me at the courtyard by the river at 9:00 tonight. I'll be waiting for you.Bell." She had a cute signature with a heart below her message.
"A chance for us to be alone for tonight?" He glances at his watch. "Well, I'd better get ready then."
He makes it to the location right on time. He walks down the steps of a beautiful botanical garden to a landing facing the river with a perfect view of the sky. Keiichi was all dressed up in his tuxedo.
"Belldandy! Belldandy?" he calls out as he approaches the center of the landing. Belldandy approaches from behind him and covers his eyes. She giggles.
"Bell?"
"Hi! Keep your eyes closed." She walks around to the front of him. "You look so handsome.Kei, I'm so glad that you made it here."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, of course. Keiichi, there's a place that I want to share with you tonight."
She places her arms around Keiichi's waist.
"Hold onto me, okay?"
Keiichi feeling a small amount of anxiety places his arms around her. A white light appears above them as Belldandy's angel wings sprout. As they begin to lift off, Keiichi could feel his feet no longer in contact with solid ground. He tensed up momentarily, then completely relaxed his entire body as Belldandy held on tighter to him. A few minutes later, Keiichi felt his feet touch solid ground again, although this time the ground felt different to his senses.
"Keep your eyes closed. No peeking." Belldandy lets go of him and walks around behind him a few steps away. She stops and turns around, facing towards Keiichi's back.
"Okay, open your eyes."
As he slowly opened his eyes, before him was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. The stars and clouds within his vision extended as far as he could see. The ground beneath them was a solid gray marble that reflected the light of the moon and the stars above them. Pillars extending into the open sky and stone railings strung in ivy enclosed this place that had the look of a Greek temple, with the beauties of its architecture seemingly intact, and limitless vision of the night sky surrounding and the world below them. Taking a few steps to feel the ground he stood on, he realized that this was only a place that could only exist in dreams, or in Heaven. Keiichi slowly turns around. Standing before him was the essence of beauty that he had never imagined. Belldandy stood before his eyes in her shimmering, blue and white gown with satin sleeves that outlined her gracefulness and incredible beauty. Part of her hair was held together by a ribbon, while the rest flowed freely as it caressed her shoulders and her breasts. A sapphire necklace accented her soft white skin and red lips. Her shining blue eyes were fixed on Keiichi as she approached him, her dress drifting with every movement she made as she came closer to him.
"Bell.you look so.i...incredible. I....I uh" he managed to nervously produce from his mouth.
"He he....you look so handsome, Keiichi."
Music begins to resonate throughout the structure. Just the two of them. This was finally their chance. Belldandy extends her hand to him.
"May I have this dance, Keiichi?"
Keiichi smiles at her. "I would be honored, Miss Belldandy."
He takes her hand and begins to lead. Keiichi begins to feel his heart beat faster and harder in his chest. He knew that he wasn't much of a dancer and was expecting to trip all over the place or accidentally step on Belldandy's feet. As they began to move at the moderate tempo of the music, Keiichi realized that he wasn't the only one having problems. Belldandy was a little hesitant and stumbling with her movements since she hadn't been used to wearing the shoes that she had on. Eventually, they both just laughed at each others unfortunate situations. The music then changes to a slower romantic ballad. They try again to dance. Their movements flowed so naturally together as their eyes were fixed upon each other as they danced on throughout the night.
"Keiichi, I'm so happy that you're with me tonight."
"This place is so beautiful. What is this?"
"A few years ago, before I came to you, Peorth had brought a couple here one night. She was granting them one wish each."
"What were their wishes?"
"They found out that they couldn't be together, but they loved each other so much. One of them wished for one last night with their true love. I was with her when she brought them here together. Nothing that night could've torn them apart. It was something that they would both remember no matter what became of them."
"What did the other wish for?"
"The other wished that someday, no matter how long it took, that they would find each other again, and this time they would be together forever."
Keiichi immediately realized that this was almost exactly like their story.
"Bell?"
"I know that I can't promise that nothing could take me away from you, but I would do everything possible to stay with you, even if it meant giving up everything I ever knew being a goddess. I still so scared about losing you. I couldn't take it again."
Keiichi could see in her fearful eyes that she holding back her tears. He remembered his dream where he felt the exact same fears as she did in this moment. This was it. He had to tell her now. He closed his eyes and dipped his head slightly, gathering all of his courage, a tingling warmness that trickled to his chest and his throat. He raised his head and opened his eyes, looking deep into the sparkling blues of Belldandy's eyes. He takes Belldandy's hands and pulls her close to him.
"Belldandy, there's something I want to tell you. If I don't say it now, I may never have the chance to."
"Keiichi?"
She knew what he was about to say. Those three little words that she was longing to hear.
"Belldandy...I love you." he softly spoke to her.
Belldandy's eyes brightened as tears of happiness began to run down her cheeks. She immediately threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, Keiichi! I love you too!" she whispered into his ear.
They held each other in that moment endlessly. As they pulled away to look at each other, the music began once more. (Eyes on Me by Faye Wong **) This was the last song of their special night.
Keiichi with an inviting smile asks, "May I have this last dance with you?"
"It would be my pleasure, Kei."
Keiichi took her hand one more time and began to lead. As they danced one last time, both of them flashed back through their memories of the past 3 1/2 years. Everything that they had been through together had all led to this one night. A dream come true for both of them. They had now opened their hearts to each other on this very night. As their last song was near the end, Belldandy stopped and embraced Keiichi once again. When she withdrew from her embrace, Keiichi caressed her cheek, wiping her tears. In the final notes of the song, they both closed their eyes and although with a small amount of hesitation, their lips drew towards each other. As their lips touched, they were both taken in by a warm sensation flowing through both of them as they held each other tighter. Time had seemed to just stop for that one perfect kiss, one that they didn't want to end.
"Oh, Kei..."
"You've made me so happy, Bell. Now I know that I don't have to be afraid anymore. I'll always remember this."
"Me too." They stood motionless in each others arms.
She wraps her arms around his waist. "Okay, close your eyes again."
Keiichi placed his arms around her as the white glow appeared and her angel wings sprouted again. Keiichi felt so much comfort holding onto her that he began to fall asleep with his head partially buried in her breast. They began to lift off again. A few minutes later, they reached solid ground again. This time, she had already brought them home. Keiichi was still asleep in Belldandy's arms. It was 3:00 a.m.
"Keiichi? Oh, you poor thing. You've had such a long day. But thank you for tonight."
Belldandy helps Keiichi to his room, forgetting that her angel wings are still open. She lays him down onto his futon and covers him with his blanket. As she strokes her fingers across his forehead to sweep a lock of his hair, she kisses him on the forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my love."
Belldandy stands and retracts her wings as she begins to leave the room. She stops for a moment to look at him, sound asleep while reveling in their night together. She smiles and slowly closes the door.
********
The next morning, Keiichi is awakened by the warmth of the sun shining on him. As his senses gradually come to, he realizes that he's still dressed in his tuxedo. He gets up and stretches, taking in the warm glow of the morning sun. He feels someone's arms wrap around his shoulders and neck.
"Good morning."
Keiichi turns around with Belldandy's arms still around him.
"Hey, good morning." They gaze into each others eyes for a few moments. Keiichi puts his arms around her waist, pulling her into an embrace. A few seconds later she takes his hands and begins to lead him towards the kitchen.
"Come on, breakfast is ready."
"Oh, um let me change out of this first. I'm still in my tuxedo."
"He he. Of course. I'll see you out in a little bit."
As she begins to exit, Keiichi walks up to her stops her at the doorway.
"Hey, Bell?"
"Yes, Kei?"
He smiles at her."...Thank you for last night."
"Last night meant so much to me. Kei, just remember that I would do anything to stay with you because you mean so much to me."
"You mean so much to me too, Bell. I would do the same for you. I meant it back then, and I still mean it now. Please stay with me. Always?" She leans in and gives him a peck on the cheek.
"Always..." She turns away smiling and walks back towards the kitchen.
Keiichi changes into some more casual clothing. He notices near his futon a white feather lying at the base of the suns rays shining down on it. Picking up it, he realizes that it's from Belldandy's angel wings. Keiichi turns around and picks up the card on his desk that Belldandy had written. After looking at the message one more time, he closes it, tying the feather inside of the silky bow ribbon. He takes a glance at the picture of Belldandy and him together during their summer at the beach, placing the card together with it. He sighs and reminisces for a moment. Their relationship last night had taken a new step. One in which they opened their hearts to each other and had alleviated the biggest fears of their past 3 1/2 years together. They would remember this as their dance that they would never forget.
Keiichi opened his desk drawer and pulled out a black velvet box.
To himself: "Now I'm sure about this. This is what I want. But does she want the same thing?...Now's not yet the time. Hopefully soon." He smiles and places the box back into his desk. He takes one last glance towards his desk and the sun shining through his window as he closes the door behind him.
End of Chapter/Episode 12
Writer's notes:
All characters of Oh My Goddess! (c) Kosuke Fujishima and used without permission
* Unfortunately, I'm not very good at coming up with Japanese names. Sentarou as most of you is Skuld's love interest in the manga. However, my depiction of him will probably turn out differently that what is established in the manga storyline.
** Eyes on Me - For any of you that are active video game players, you may recognize the name of this song from the Squaresoft game Final Fantasy VIII. This song occurs when the hero who has just saved the girl he has been protecting the whole time, realizes that he's falling in love with her, which is something he had never felt until he met her, since he had previous shut out the world throughout his entire life. I thought that this would be a good song for this scene in my fanfic story.
This is my first draft and attempt at writing. Please review it or e-mail me your comments. I don't know if this is any good or not. Hopefully, you'll like it. Maybe some ideas or suggestions for cleanup or additional elements to add to the stories. These aren't in order, since some of them are a little more difficult for me to write, since I'm trying to stay with the established concepts and previous storyline aspects of the OAV and the movie. Here is the list of my chapters that I'll be writing:
The Great Race
Awkward Moments
The Anniversary
Urd's Past Tension
A Young Goddess's Crush
Girls Night Out
The Dance in the Stars
Past, Present, and Future
A Birthday Wish
15 The Match Made in Heaven (The Wedding)
It's a warm summer morning with a cool breeze drifting through the Morisato residence. The wind chime resonates its melodic tones with each catching flow as it passes throughout the temple. Keiichi and Belldandy are the only ones awake at this time. They are sitting in Keiichi's room on his futon. Having dealt with so many events within the past 3 1/2 years including the recall, Celestine, and the racing accident(see chapter/episode 6). Keiichi knew that he had to tell Belldandy those feelings that he never had a chance to express from his heart, those feelings that he hoped so much she shared as well.
"Belldandy, after everything we've been through, I can't help but still feel scared about us." Pauses and let out a breath. "I almost lost you twice. What if something else happens? I couldn't stand going through it again, seeing you hurt.because.you might not come back or want to come back, because of me."
"Don't say that, Kei. I want to do everything in my power to keep my promise to you. You haven't done anything wrong. Even if there wasn't a contract, I would still want to be here with you."
Keiichi took and held her hand close to his chest, gathering his courage within himself to look into her eyes and tell her those words for so long he wanted to say.
"Belldandy, there's something I want to tell you. If I don't say it now, I'm afraid that I'll never have the chance to."
"Yes, Keiichi?" she leans closer to him.
He looks down at their hands momentarily, then raises his head, looking with a touch of anxiety into her eyes. He had to say it now.
"Belldandy, I."
*********
"Keiichi! Keiichi, wake up! The guys are here!"
Megumi was furiously shaking him.
"Huhh?." he groaned.
"Yo, Morisato! We've got work to do! Let's go!" That was Tamiya alright, itching to get started early, as with every day for the past two weeks on the motorbike restoration project for an upcoming motor show they had been working on. Unfortunately, the project that taken a lot of time away from him and Belldandy, since they had barely seen each other.
Keiichi slowly crawled out of his futon, feeling the coldness of the floor as his face made contact with it. He manages to collect himself, eyes half closed still and staggers to the bathroom. While washing his face to wake himself up, he feels someone's hands touch the sides of his shoulders.
"Good morning." Belldandy smiled as she helped dry his face. "Another late night?"
"Yeah. It feels like this project's taking forever.Hey, Bell, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I haven't been around much lately."
"It's okay. I know how important this is for you guys and the club."
"I promise that I'll make it up to you."
"Oh, don't worry Kei. Really." She smiles at him. "Come on, I have breakfast ready for you."
At breakfast, Tamiya sits quietly eating, holding constant his serious expression.
"Whoa, Belldandy, this is really great!"
"Oh, thanks Ootaki! I'm glad you like it."
"Now, I see why Morisato always eats at home."
"That's right. I could never pass up one of her home cooked meals. Everything she makes is just perfect."
Keiichi glanced over at Belldandy as she was walking back towards the kitchen. Obviously, she had heard them since he caught her slightly blushing. Tamiya finishes.
"Well, let's get to work. Hey, Bell, thanks for breakfast."
"Of course, Tamiya."
"Okay. Let me go get my bike, and we'll be on our way." Keiichi stands up and scurries out the door.
Tamiya and Ootaki start to get up when Belldandy whispers to them.
"Hey, can you make sure he makes it back at 9:00 tonight?"
"Of course. We know the plan." Ootaki answers.
Keiichi walks back in, helmet in hand. "Okay, ready."
Belldandy walks up to Keiichi as Ootaki and Tamiya head out the door towards their bikes.
"Here, I made a lunch for you."
"Oh yeah, thanks Bell. Um, I'll see you tonight then?"
"Yeah, I'm going out shopping with the girls today."
"Okay. Well have fun then. Hopefully, Urd won't cause too much trouble this time."
"I heard that!" Urd's voice responds from her room.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on her." She says with a wink.
They walk outside to the temple gates. Tamiya and Ootaki were ready to go.
He stopped for a moment feeling that he should say something else. In an impulsive move, he quickly leans in a kisses her on the cheek. He freezes momentarily, wondering why he had just done that.
"Uh, bye." He starts to walk towards his bike and stumbles, almost falling down the steps. Belldandy placed her hand on her cheek where he had just kissed her, standing there in a state of wonder and surprise. She watches him adoringly as he gets on his bike
"Bye."
As the guys drove away from the temple, Belldandy still stood there taking in the peck that Keiichi had just given her.
**********
Throughout the day, Keiichi, Tamiya, and Ootaki worked non-stop on the restoration project, going back and forth between the clubhouse and the store for parts.
Meanwhile, Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and Megumi were enjoying their day at the mall. Belldandy was looking for a dress for tonight. A special occasion that she had planned for her and Keiichi. Skuld was looking for some new clothes and a gift for Sentarou(*). Megumi was looking for new shoes. And Urd was trying on lingerie in one store, not looking for anything in particular. Belldandy walks in to find her. Urd had just stepped out of the dressing room.
"Hey, Bell, you should get this to show to Keiichi." Urd flashes a black lace outfit in front of Belldandy.
"Um, I don't know about that."
"About what?" Skuld was right behind Belldandy. Suddenly, she has a puzzled look on her face, staring at the outfit Urd was holding.
"Um, what is that?"
"What?.Oh that's right. You've never stuff like this before, have you?"
"No. But why would you wear that? It looks weird." Skuld replies as she continues to look over it.
"Oh really.Hmph. Well...you're too young to understand this anyways." Urd scoffs at Skuld.
"Whoa! Bell, are you buying this to."
Belldandy turns around. Megumi had just walked in and saw Urd holding the outfit in front of Belldandy. "Oh no. Not yet. He'd probably feel a little uncomfortable if he saw me wear this."
"Why not. He's seen you naked." (See chapter/episode 7)
Belldandy's eyes bug out and immediately turns back around. "Urd!!! Hey!!!"
"What?! That pervert! I should..." Skuld exlaims.
"Come on girls, let's go." Megumi says.
They continue walking together through the mall. Belldandy is looking at every window they pass hoping to find the perfect dress for tonight. Suddenly she stops and stares in awe at a shimmering blue and white evening gown displayed in one of the store windows.
"Oh, this is perfect."
********
Back at the clubhouse:
"Whew. We're finally almost finished." Keiichi barely had time to rest during the day, except to eat his lunch. He was starting to feel the effects of his non-stop day as he sat back for a moment and wiped the sweat with his arm across his forehead.
As the sun began to set, Keiichi looked at his watch. It was 7:30. He put the finishing touches on the bike he had been working on for the past week. He lies back on the ground and breathes a sigh of relief.
"Morisato, all done? Wonderful." Tamiya said.
Keiichi props himself back up. "Hey, you guys need help?
"No, we've got it. Go on home. We'll see you this weekend."
"Oh alright. Thanks guys."
"Have a good night Morisato." Ootaki tells him.
As Keiichi is riding his bike home, it's now dark outside. He could see some of the stars in the sky. A falling star graces its presence within Keiichi's view.
(To himself) "One wish of my heart's desire. I still remember that from over 3 years ago."
(Playback of their conversations in his mind) "I know my wish. I want you to be my girlfriend forever!"
"You have a good heart Keiichi Morisato. And it makes my heart happy that I was your wish."
"I'm happy that I made that wish."
Keiichi arrives home.
"Hello? Anyone home?"
The house is empty. He checks Belldandy's room to see if she had maybe been asleep. As he walks into his room, he notices a message card with a white bow ribbon on his desk. He approaches the desk and examines the card, at the same time noticing a tuxedo on his chair that Megumi had set for him.
"Hmm." He unties the bow and unfolds the card to what he already recognizes as Belldandy's handwriting.
"Keiichi, please meet me at the courtyard by the river at 9:00 tonight. I'll be waiting for you.Bell." She had a cute signature with a heart below her message.
"A chance for us to be alone for tonight?" He glances at his watch. "Well, I'd better get ready then."
He makes it to the location right on time. He walks down the steps of a beautiful botanical garden to a landing facing the river with a perfect view of the sky. Keiichi was all dressed up in his tuxedo.
"Belldandy! Belldandy?" he calls out as he approaches the center of the landing. Belldandy approaches from behind him and covers his eyes. She giggles.
"Bell?"
"Hi! Keep your eyes closed." She walks around to the front of him. "You look so handsome.Kei, I'm so glad that you made it here."
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, of course. Keiichi, there's a place that I want to share with you tonight."
She places her arms around Keiichi's waist.
"Hold onto me, okay?"
Keiichi feeling a small amount of anxiety places his arms around her. A white light appears above them as Belldandy's angel wings sprout. As they begin to lift off, Keiichi could feel his feet no longer in contact with solid ground. He tensed up momentarily, then completely relaxed his entire body as Belldandy held on tighter to him. A few minutes later, Keiichi felt his feet touch solid ground again, although this time the ground felt different to his senses.
"Keep your eyes closed. No peeking." Belldandy lets go of him and walks around behind him a few steps away. She stops and turns around, facing towards Keiichi's back.
"Okay, open your eyes."
As he slowly opened his eyes, before him was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. The stars and clouds within his vision extended as far as he could see. The ground beneath them was a solid gray marble that reflected the light of the moon and the stars above them. Pillars extending into the open sky and stone railings strung in ivy enclosed this place that had the look of a Greek temple, with the beauties of its architecture seemingly intact, and limitless vision of the night sky surrounding and the world below them. Taking a few steps to feel the ground he stood on, he realized that this was only a place that could only exist in dreams, or in Heaven. Keiichi slowly turns around. Standing before him was the essence of beauty that he had never imagined. Belldandy stood before his eyes in her shimmering, blue and white gown with satin sleeves that outlined her gracefulness and incredible beauty. Part of her hair was held together by a ribbon, while the rest flowed freely as it caressed her shoulders and her breasts. A sapphire necklace accented her soft white skin and red lips. Her shining blue eyes were fixed on Keiichi as she approached him, her dress drifting with every movement she made as she came closer to him.
"Bell.you look so.i...incredible. I....I uh" he managed to nervously produce from his mouth.
"He he....you look so handsome, Keiichi."
Music begins to resonate throughout the structure. Just the two of them. This was finally their chance. Belldandy extends her hand to him.
"May I have this dance, Keiichi?"
Keiichi smiles at her. "I would be honored, Miss Belldandy."
He takes her hand and begins to lead. Keiichi begins to feel his heart beat faster and harder in his chest. He knew that he wasn't much of a dancer and was expecting to trip all over the place or accidentally step on Belldandy's feet. As they began to move at the moderate tempo of the music, Keiichi realized that he wasn't the only one having problems. Belldandy was a little hesitant and stumbling with her movements since she hadn't been used to wearing the shoes that she had on. Eventually, they both just laughed at each others unfortunate situations. The music then changes to a slower romantic ballad. They try again to dance. Their movements flowed so naturally together as their eyes were fixed upon each other as they danced on throughout the night.
"Keiichi, I'm so happy that you're with me tonight."
"This place is so beautiful. What is this?"
"A few years ago, before I came to you, Peorth had brought a couple here one night. She was granting them one wish each."
"What were their wishes?"
"They found out that they couldn't be together, but they loved each other so much. One of them wished for one last night with their true love. I was with her when she brought them here together. Nothing that night could've torn them apart. It was something that they would both remember no matter what became of them."
"What did the other wish for?"
"The other wished that someday, no matter how long it took, that they would find each other again, and this time they would be together forever."
Keiichi immediately realized that this was almost exactly like their story.
"Bell?"
"I know that I can't promise that nothing could take me away from you, but I would do everything possible to stay with you, even if it meant giving up everything I ever knew being a goddess. I still so scared about losing you. I couldn't take it again."
Keiichi could see in her fearful eyes that she holding back her tears. He remembered his dream where he felt the exact same fears as she did in this moment. This was it. He had to tell her now. He closed his eyes and dipped his head slightly, gathering all of his courage, a tingling warmness that trickled to his chest and his throat. He raised his head and opened his eyes, looking deep into the sparkling blues of Belldandy's eyes. He takes Belldandy's hands and pulls her close to him.
"Belldandy, there's something I want to tell you. If I don't say it now, I may never have the chance to."
"Keiichi?"
She knew what he was about to say. Those three little words that she was longing to hear.
"Belldandy...I love you." he softly spoke to her.
Belldandy's eyes brightened as tears of happiness began to run down her cheeks. She immediately threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"Oh, Keiichi! I love you too!" she whispered into his ear.
They held each other in that moment endlessly. As they pulled away to look at each other, the music began once more. (Eyes on Me by Faye Wong **) This was the last song of their special night.
Keiichi with an inviting smile asks, "May I have this last dance with you?"
"It would be my pleasure, Kei."
Keiichi took her hand one more time and began to lead. As they danced one last time, both of them flashed back through their memories of the past 3 1/2 years. Everything that they had been through together had all led to this one night. A dream come true for both of them. They had now opened their hearts to each other on this very night. As their last song was near the end, Belldandy stopped and embraced Keiichi once again. When she withdrew from her embrace, Keiichi caressed her cheek, wiping her tears. In the final notes of the song, they both closed their eyes and although with a small amount of hesitation, their lips drew towards each other. As their lips touched, they were both taken in by a warm sensation flowing through both of them as they held each other tighter. Time had seemed to just stop for that one perfect kiss, one that they didn't want to end.
"Oh, Kei..."
"You've made me so happy, Bell. Now I know that I don't have to be afraid anymore. I'll always remember this."
"Me too." They stood motionless in each others arms.
She wraps her arms around his waist. "Okay, close your eyes again."
Keiichi placed his arms around her as the white glow appeared and her angel wings sprouted again. Keiichi felt so much comfort holding onto her that he began to fall asleep with his head partially buried in her breast. They began to lift off again. A few minutes later, they reached solid ground again. This time, she had already brought them home. Keiichi was still asleep in Belldandy's arms. It was 3:00 a.m.
"Keiichi? Oh, you poor thing. You've had such a long day. But thank you for tonight."
Belldandy helps Keiichi to his room, forgetting that her angel wings are still open. She lays him down onto his futon and covers him with his blanket. As she strokes her fingers across his forehead to sweep a lock of his hair, she kisses him on the forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my love."
Belldandy stands and retracts her wings as she begins to leave the room. She stops for a moment to look at him, sound asleep while reveling in their night together. She smiles and slowly closes the door.
********
The next morning, Keiichi is awakened by the warmth of the sun shining on him. As his senses gradually come to, he realizes that he's still dressed in his tuxedo. He gets up and stretches, taking in the warm glow of the morning sun. He feels someone's arms wrap around his shoulders and neck.
"Good morning."
Keiichi turns around with Belldandy's arms still around him.
"Hey, good morning." They gaze into each others eyes for a few moments. Keiichi puts his arms around her waist, pulling her into an embrace. A few seconds later she takes his hands and begins to lead him towards the kitchen.
"Come on, breakfast is ready."
"Oh, um let me change out of this first. I'm still in my tuxedo."
"He he. Of course. I'll see you out in a little bit."
As she begins to exit, Keiichi walks up to her stops her at the doorway.
"Hey, Bell?"
"Yes, Kei?"
He smiles at her."...Thank you for last night."
"Last night meant so much to me. Kei, just remember that I would do anything to stay with you because you mean so much to me."
"You mean so much to me too, Bell. I would do the same for you. I meant it back then, and I still mean it now. Please stay with me. Always?" She leans in and gives him a peck on the cheek.
"Always..." She turns away smiling and walks back towards the kitchen.
Keiichi changes into some more casual clothing. He notices near his futon a white feather lying at the base of the suns rays shining down on it. Picking up it, he realizes that it's from Belldandy's angel wings. Keiichi turns around and picks up the card on his desk that Belldandy had written. After looking at the message one more time, he closes it, tying the feather inside of the silky bow ribbon. He takes a glance at the picture of Belldandy and him together during their summer at the beach, placing the card together with it. He sighs and reminisces for a moment. Their relationship last night had taken a new step. One in which they opened their hearts to each other and had alleviated the biggest fears of their past 3 1/2 years together. They would remember this as their dance that they would never forget.
Keiichi opened his desk drawer and pulled out a black velvet box.
To himself: "Now I'm sure about this. This is what I want. But does she want the same thing?...Now's not yet the time. Hopefully soon." He smiles and places the box back into his desk. He takes one last glance towards his desk and the sun shining through his window as he closes the door behind him.
End of Chapter/Episode 12
Writer's notes:
All characters of Oh My Goddess! (c) Kosuke Fujishima and used without permission
* Unfortunately, I'm not very good at coming up with Japanese names. Sentarou as most of you is Skuld's love interest in the manga. However, my depiction of him will probably turn out differently that what is established in the manga storyline.
** Eyes on Me - For any of you that are active video game players, you may recognize the name of this song from the Squaresoft game Final Fantasy VIII. This song occurs when the hero who has just saved the girl he has been protecting the whole time, realizes that he's falling in love with her, which is something he had never felt until he met her, since he had previous shut out the world throughout his entire life. I thought that this would be a good song for this scene in my fanfic story.
This is my first draft and attempt at writing. Please review it or e-mail me your comments. I don't know if this is any good or not. Hopefully, you'll like it. Maybe some ideas or suggestions for cleanup or additional elements to add to the stories. These aren't in order, since some of them are a little more difficult for me to write, since I'm trying to stay with the established concepts and previous storyline aspects of the OAV and the movie. Here is the list of my chapters that I'll be writing:
The Great Race
Awkward Moments
The Anniversary
Urd's Past Tension
A Young Goddess's Crush
Girls Night Out
The Dance in the Stars
Past, Present, and Future
A Birthday Wish
15 The Match Made in Heaven (The Wedding)