Chapter 3

3 days till the dance.

Excitement built up as the days counted down to the dance. Students all over Tokyo-2 Junior High couldn't wait for the dance to arrive. Girls went all over the city in search of the perfect dress for the dance. Asuka, Hikari, and Rei were no exception. They went from store to store, dragging with them a rather disgruntled Sayoko with them.

"I don't see why your dragging me along.." muttered Sayoko.

"You're here to help us find a dress," replied Asuka, "Then, WE will help you find one."

"I don't need one."

Hikari looked over at Sayoko from the dress rack she was at. "Oh? What are you going to wear?"

"My goddess dress."

"But aren't you going to be wearing that all the time while you work?"

Sayoko fidgeted, "Well, yeah."

"The dress you wear should be special," replied Asuka, "so that every time you see it, you remember how much you enjoyed the dance."

"But I don't want to remember the dance." replied Sayoko, "I'm being forced to go."

Rei popped around the corner, holding a dress out. "So get a new dress anyway." said Rei with a smile. She then leaned in close and whispered into Sayoko's ear. "Since you hate the idea of a dance so much, you wear the dress once, then toss it away or hide it somewhere. That way, you will not be forced to remember this 'horrible' experience every time you wear your goddess dress."

Sayoko thought about that for a few seconds, "Good point." She then walked off in search of a dress.

Hikari and Asuka watched Sayoko for a moment before looking at Rei.

"How did you do that?" asked Asuka.

"Do what?" asked Rei.

"Get her to change her mind like that?" replied Hikari, " She's been griping at every store we've been to, refusing to even look at any of the dresses. How did you do it?"

"Easy actually, I just remembered what Misato told me about how she got Asuka to do something." Rei then smiled and quickly disappeared in the dress racks, leaving a fuming Asuka, and a giggling Hikari.

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The chamber was lit only by torch light. A figure moved around a bubbling cauldron, chanting and tossing in ingredients. Her chanting suddenly trailed off as if she had forgotten a word. The figure raced over to a nearby table and flipped through several pages.

"I don't know how Urd does this.." She mumbled, "Oh.here it is."

She went back to the cauldron and finished her chant. The cauldron glowed before emitting a blast and a cloud of smoke.

'cough cough' "Is it suppose to be this smoky?" the figure said out loud. She looked into the cauldron. Where the liquid once had been were now small spheres. She picked one up.

"Now to test it." She walked over to where two dogs sat chained by a wall. Both dogs wagged their tails happily as she approached. Ignoring the sense of nausea brought on by the dogs' affections, she dropped the sphere into a water dish. It dissipated quickly. She then pushed it towards one of the dogs.

"Ok..drink it."

The dog happily lapped up the water. The figure waited.

"Come on." she muttered, "I know I got it ri.." The figure leaped back as the dog snarled at her. Only the chain prevented her from losing an arm. It then turned and went after its friend.

"YES!! SUCCESS!" the figure began to dance until a chime was heard.

"Damn..I'm running late."

She vanished in a cloud of smoke.

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"Momma!"

A full grown Asuka ran down a corridor heading towards the door on the far end.

"Momma look at me!! I'm a pilot Momma!"

Asuka reached the door and opened it.

"Mom... Shinji?!"

In the room, Shinji stood on the bed, a rope tied around his neck.

"Good Bye Asuka.."

Asuka stared at Shinji, "WHAT?!?"

Sayoko stepped from the shadows. "He's mine now Asuka. All mine. And I'm taking him to heaven with me."

Sayoko pushed away the bed...allowing Shinji to fall.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Asuka sat up.

She looked around. She was in her room, laying in her bed. She quickly got up and ran across the hall, opening the door to Shinji's room. He lay there quietly snoring away. Asuka let out a sigh.

'Good....He's alright.' Asuka closed the door and sat on her bed and held her head in her hands.

'What the hell is going on?' thought Asuka, 'I haven't had that dream in a while. And why was Shinji and Sayoko there?'

Just outside her window, a pair of red eyes watched with glee.

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The day of the dance.

Misato's Apartment.

Touji, Shinji, and Kensuke waited out in the living room. Every once and a while they would glance at the clock.

"How much longer are they going to be?" muttered Kensuke.

"Last time I asked Asuka that she said perfection takes time." replied Shinji.

"Well since Hikari is already perfect," said Touji with a grin, "it must be Asuka that's slowing them down."

Shinji glared at Touji, "Haha. I'll make sure to let her know that."

Touji's face paled while Kensuke laughed at his friends discomfort. Misato walked out into the living room.

"What's going on out here?" she asked.

Touji and Kensuke immediately stood up. "Nothing Misato!" both replied together.

"I could have sworn I heard laughter out here. You guys wouldn't be thinking of taking advantage of the girls now would you?"

"US?! No we'd never think of it!" replied Touji and Kensuke, staring at Misato.

Misato smiled while Shinji just rolled his eyes.

"Now now." said Misato, "Save it for the girls."

"Are they ready?" asked Shinji, "We have to go pick up Sayoko still."

"Impatient for your date with Asuka Shinji-kun?"

"Yes..er no..I mean..." Shinji shook his head, and reorganized his thoughts before he spoke again, "We're supposed to pick up Sayoko at her apartment in 5 minutes."

Misato got an evil gleam in her eyes, "So, You're in a hurry to meet Sayoko. You cheating on Asuka with her?"

"WHAT?!?! No!"

"He'd better not be." Came a voice from the hallway.

Shinji turned to see that Asuka, Rei and Hikari had finally emerged from Asuka's room. His jaw then hit the floor as he took in Asuka.

Seeing Shinji's reaction, Misato smiled, "Well, if he is, you just gave him a reason not to."

"What?" Touji and Kensuke, unable to see the girls from where they were sitting, moved over next to Shinji. Both gasped in shock as they took in the 3 girls.

"Wow." said a stunned Touji as he stared at Hikari. Hikari blushed under the attention her boyfriend was giving her.

The girls stepped out and spun around.

"So how do we look?" asked Rei, a small smile on her face.

"Kawaii!(cute)" replied Shinji, still staring at Asuka.

"Really?" asked Hikari as she walked up to Touji.

"You always do." replied Touji.

Kensuke walked over and took a close look at Asuka's hair, a confused look on his face.

"What do you think your doing stooge?" asked Asuka, glaring at Kensuke.

Kensuke stepped back, his inspection of Asuka's hair done. "I'm just trying to figure out how you hid your devil's horns."

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Sayoko and Skuld sat waiting in front of the TV.

"...."

Skuld glanced at Sayoko, "Stop that. You are going to the dance and you're going to enjoy yourself."

"WHY?" shouted Sayoko. "Why am I being forced to do this?"

"Because THAT is one of the reasons why you were sent back down here!" shouted Skuld. "You need to learn to socialize with mortals!"

"I already do that with Rei, Asuka, Shinji, and the others! Why is going to this dance so important?"

"Because I don't want you to miss your chance to have a good time like I did" shouted Skuld.

Sayoko stared at Skuld stunned. "What?"

Skuld was silent for a moment, then spoke, "When I was 13, I met a mortal named Sentaro. We spent a lot of time together, biking, going to movies and stuff. I liked him a lot, but I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

Skuld let out a sigh, "When your parents met, your father found out right away that your mother was a goddess. Sentaro didn't know that about me, he thought I was a normal girl." Skuld looked over at Sayoko, "I was afraid if he found out about me that things would change, for the worst. At that time, we were still trying to hide the fact we were goddesses from everyone."

"So what happened?"

"He asked me to a dance. Belldandy was so excited for me, so was Keiichi. Urd teased me as usual. I agreed. But as the day of the dance came closer, I began to become afraid, afraid I might do something to reveal what I was. So, I created a little 'accident'. I released a few bugs into Yggdrasil."

Sayoko's eyes widened. "You WHAT!?!?!"

"Nobody found out I did it until after. But as a Debugger, I was called up to handle it. I ended up missing the dance. We told Sentaro I had to fly home for a 'family emergency'. I promised I would go with him to the next dance.but..." Skuld began to choke up. "There would be no dance. Second Impact occurred. I found out a week later Sentaro was killed in one of the tidal waves that hit Japan. At the same time, they found out I had released the bugs. I was suspended for 3 months and ordered to stay out of heaven for that time." Skuld reached over and grabbed Sayoko's hand, "Even if you don't meet anyone there, I want you to have fun at the dance with your friends. Because I don't want you to go through the same regret I have."

"Ok Auntie." replied Sayoko.

Silence filled the room once again until Sayoko asked the question Skuld knew would come.

"Have you visited Sentaro in heaven?"

"No."

Sayoko looked at Skuld surprised, "Why not?!"

"Because I'm afraid of what he would say."

The doorbell went off at that moment. Skuld quickly stood up. "I'll get it." She quickly vanished into the entry hallway. Sayoko heard her Aunt open the door and greet her friends. They came out of the entryway and entered the living room. Sayoko stood up to show off her dress.

"How do I look?"

All three boys stared at her in awe.

"Kawaii!!" the 3 spoke in unison.

Asuka, Hikari, and Rei both gave small frowns. Asuka waved her hand in front of Shinji's face trying to get his attention.

"Hello? You in there?"

"Huh what?" Shinji turned and looked at Asuka's frowning face. "What did I do?"

Asuka turned and looked at Sayoko, "You're lucky that Hikari, Rei and I were there to help you find that dress, otherwise I might think you were trying to pick up our boyfriends!"

Sayoko blushed, "No..I wouldn't..How could you even think..."

Rei came up next to Sayoko, "She's teasing you."

"Right." Sayoko turned to Skuld, "Well, I guess we're off."

"Have fun." Skuld said quietly, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Sayoko grabbed her Aunt in a hug. (God's language) "Are you going to be alright?"

(God's Language)"I'll be fine" replied Skuld, returning the hug, "I think I'll work on Sigel."

"Alright."

As they headed towards the door, Skuld grabbed Rei and pulled her off to the side, "Do me a favor."

"Another one?" asked Rei.

"It's a small one." replied Skuld, "Make sure Sayoko has at least one dance with someone."

Rei's eyes widened, "THAT'S a small favor?"

"Please?"

"Alright," replied Rei, "I'll talk to Asuka, she can help."

"Thank you."

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As they walked towards the school, Sayoko noticed something odd about Kensuke. She leaned over to Rei.

"What happen to Kensuke? He's walking funny."

"He said something he shouldn't have to Asuka." replied Rei.

"Again? Hasn't he learned his lesson by now?"

"Apparently not."

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The dance was being held inside the school's gymnasium. Banners and streamers hung from the ceiling and the only illumination was on the dance floor in front of the DJ. Situated around the floor were tables for the students to sit at. The children were able to find a table all to themselves off to one side. The dance went on for several hours. During that time, Asuka and Shinji were on the dance floor, as were Touji and Hikari. Kensuke had vanished at some point, only to reappear with a camera, recording the event. Rei sat at the table with Sayoko. Several boys had come up and asked Sayoko and Rei for dances. Both girls turned down the offers. Finally, Sayoko turned and looked at Rei.

"You know you don't need to sit here on my account. You can go and have a good time."

"I will when you do." replied Rei.

Sayoko frowned, "I am having a good time."

"Could have fooled me."

"Excuse me."

Both girls looked up to see a boy standing in front of them. He spoke towards Sayoko.

"I was wondering if you'd be interested in dancing with me?"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Flim." The boy replied.

"Well Flim, I'm not really interested in dancing, But my friend Rei here would love to."

Rei leaned over and whispered into Sayoko's ear, "What do you think your doing?"

"I'm trying to get you have a good time." whispered Sayoko, "besides, he's kind of cute."

"But..."

Sayoko pushed Rei towards Flim. "Go dance Rei."

Rei frowned slightly at Sayoko, before turning to Flim, "I would be happy to dance with you."

Flim smiled and held out his hand, which Rei took, allowing herself to be lead to the dance floor. Sayoko let out a soft sigh and propped her head up with her arm as she watched the dancers.

Out on the dance floor, Asuka and Shinji watched as Rei danced about with her partner.

"She seems to be enjoying herself." remarked Asuka.

"Yeah," replied Shinji, "To bad we can't say the same for Sayoko."

Asuka glanced back at the table to see Sayoko, still sitting in the exact same place since she arrived.

"She hasn't even moved! What's wrong with her?"

"I'm not sure." replied Shinji.

"Well I am going to find out!" Asuka started to head towards Sayoko when Shinji grabbed her and pulled her back into his arms. Asuka glared at Shinji, "What do you think you doing?"

Shinji began to lead her over towards Rei. "Yelling at Sayoko is not going to help anyone. Let's ask Rei."

When they got within talking distance, Shinji called out to Rei, he then motioned her to follow him. He then led Asuka off the floor. Rei joined them moments later.

"What's up?" she asked.

"What is wrong with Sayoko?" Shinji asked, looking over at the young Goddess who was now on the opposite side of the dance floor.

"I'm not really sure." replied Rei, "She's been turning down all requests to dance."

"Still?" Asuka turned and looked back at the Goddess. "We need to do something!"

"I believe her Aunt was expecting this. Skuld-sama asked me to make sure that Sayoko had at least one dance with someone."

"One dance hmmm?" a smile began to creep across her face. "I think we should find a boy and force her to dance with him."

Rei looked at Asuka, "You want Sayoko to dance with someone against her wishes?"

"No.she has to go willingly."

"But who are you going to find to dance with her that she won't turn down?" asked Shinji.

Asuka turned and smiled in his direction. Shinji found Rei also looking in his direction.

"But.but.but.I'm YOUR date."

"It's just one dance." replied Asuka.

"Sayoko will definitely not turn you down." said Rei, "She cares for you as a friend and won't wish to hurt your feelings."

"But.." said Shinji.

"Shinji," began Asuka, "This is Sayoko we're talking about. She knows we're dating. She wouldn't do anything."

"But..."

"Shinji, I trust you."

"But."

"Please Shinji." Asuka gave Shinji 'the look'. "Do this."

Shinji let out a sigh, "Alright..I'll do it."

Sayoko continued to sit and watch the dance. Motion off to the side caught her eye. She turned to see Asuka, Rei, and Shinji heading straight towards her. Asuka and Rei moved to either side, while Shinji walked right up to her. He then held out his right hand.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked Sayoko.

Sayoko stared at Shinji. "You're kidding right?"

Shinji remained quiet, so Sayoko looked to Asuka, "He is kidding right?"

"No, he's not."

Sayoko paled slightly, "But he's your boyfriend. It wouldn't be right for me to."

"Sayoko." Sayoko turned to face Shinji. "Asuka doesn't mind. This will only be a dance between friends."

Sayoko turned back to Asuka. Asuka nodded her head. "Go on."

Sayoko slowly took Shinji's hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. Shinji then placed his left hand on her side, while she placed her right hand on his shoulder. They then began to move with the music. A small smile appeared on Sayoko's face. Seeing this, Shinji smiled.

"Well at least you starting to have a good time."

"I was doing alright sitting there." replied Sayoko, "You didn't have to do this."

"Yes I did. I saw a good friend of mine looking unhappy and alone. Now she's looking much happier."

Sayoko's smile got a bit bigger. "Thank you Shinji."

Back at the side of the dance floor, Asuka and Rei watched by the punch bowl as Shinji and Sayoko danced about.

Asuka drained her glass and quickly poured herself another. "It's really starting to get warm in here." She commented.

Rei look at Asuka funny, "I think its just you."

They both returned to watching Shinji and Sayoko. Unnoticed by either of them, something dropped into Asuka's punch. The punch glowed red for a second, before returning to normal.

"They looked good together." remarked Rei, after sipping her punch.

Asuka lower the glass of punch after taking a sip and glared at Rei, "Watch it Wondergirl. He's still mine."

Rei glared back, "I know that. And you didn't have to call me that!"

Asuka's face softened, "Sorry Rei..I didn't mean to call you that. It just slipped."

Rei looked back at Shinji and Sayoko. "Are you sure your ok with that?"

"I trust him Rei, I really do." replied Asuka as she watched the pair dance, "But part of me is afraid I'll lose him." Her hand began to squeeze the plastic punch cup.

The two then went quiet. As they watched, the sounds of the conversations around them reached their ears.

"Do you see that?"

"Yeah, I can't believe it!"

"Dammit, Ikari always gets the girls!"

"She turned me down but she'll dance with him?!"

"oooo That Sayoko.She got the hottest guy here!"

As Asuka heard the comments, her grip on the cup began to slowly tighten.

Over the floor, sitting on a rafter, a small foot high figure watched the dance far below her.

"Good. it's working. That potion should really spice things up." She then turned to where Sayoko and Shinji were dancing.

"Awwww, How sweet. But that's too far apart!"

The figure waved her hand in the air.

Back on the floor, another couple bumped into Sayoko, causing her to get much closer to Shinji.

"Oh." Sayoko found herself in Shinji's arms. Both began to blush slightly.

"Sorry." mumbled the couple who bumped them.

Sayoko and Shinji were both frozen slightly in place. Shinji felt a warm feeling running through his body, much like the time Sayoko hugged him. For a few moments, Shinji forgot all about his problems and for a second, Asuka. Sayoko also felt something. Her heart began to beat a bit quicker.

'What's happening to me?' Sayoko shook her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm sorry Shinji." Sayoko started to take a step back.

"Oh ho ho. We can't have that!" the figure in the rafters waved her hand again.

Another couple came towards them, this time bumping into Shinji. Shinji flew forward and started to fall. On instinct, he tried to regain his balance be gabbing something. Unfortunately, that something was Sayoko. Even more unfortunately, as his arms went around her, his hand grabbed her a bit lower then he intended. Sayoko's face flushed beet red in embarrassment. Shinji's face was just as red. Off to the side, Rei stared in shock at the pair. Next to her, the sound of breaking plastic and liquid hitting the floor could be heard as Asuka shattered the cup in her hands.

In her mind, the dream repeated.

"He's mine now Asuka." said Sayoko, "All mine. And I'm taking him to heaven with me."

Asuka's faced turned dark red in anger. She immediately headed towards the couple. Rei tried to get in front of her.

"Asuka wait! There has to be an explanation for.." Rei went silent as Asuka pushed her out of the way.

"Move it!" Asuka walked directly to Shinji and Sayoko. She shoved Sayoko hard, sending the goddess to the floor. "Just what the hell do you think your doing!?"

"I.I.I.I didn't.I wouldn't.." Sayoko thoughts were still jumbled as she stared at Asuka's angry face.

"It was an accident."

Asuka whirled about and stared at her boyfriend. "An accident!?! Grabbing her ass was an accident?!?"

All around them, dancers stopped to watch the spectacle. Noticing the unwanted attention Shinji spoke again.

"Asuka, people are staring. Can we talk about this outside?" He tried to gentle move her towards the exit. Asuka shrugged off his hands.

"Don't touch me dammit! I can't believe you! I trusted you!"

Sayoko had gotten back on her feet, "Asuka, please I didn't..." Sayoko was silenced as Asuka backhanded her. Sayoko was sent flying towards the edge of the dance floor, several feet away.

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD FROM YOU!" Asuka then turned and stormed towards the exit. Shinji stared at Asuka's retreating form, down to Sayoko, then back to Asuka.

"Go."

Shinji looked back down to Sayoko. She looked up at him, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth and from her nose. "Go to her."

Shinji immediately raced after his girlfriend. Sayoko sat up on the dance floor and began to stare down at the floor, everyone else in the gym staring at her after Asuka and Shinji had left.

"Alright shows over!" shouted Hikari using her old Class Rep voice as she walked up next to Sayoko, Touji and Rei right behind her. "Go back to what you were doing. The DJ began playing music again. Soon people resumed dancing. Rei knelt down next to Sayoko's seated form.

"Sayoko are you alright?"

Sayoko continued to look at the floor, "I don't know Rei. I.just..want to go home."

Nearby on the floor, the discarded punch seemed to flare for a second, before vanishing.

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Author's notes: I'm glad I wrote this a bit ago. I have been studying so much that I haven't written a thing. But the studying is paying off.

1 test passed and out of the way 2 more to go.