Chapter 2
Sayoko woke up early as she always did. She stood up and stretched, letting out a loud yawn. With a wave of her hand, her nightgown vanished, to be replaced by jeans and a t-shirt. She then left the bedroom and headed for the outdoors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Kei moved quickly around the house, getting things together for his day at school. He rushed from one part of the room to another, his pace quickening as time moved forward. In the bathroom, Mizuho Kasumi hurried to fix her hair. The reason for their hurry?
They were running late.
It was Kei's day to leave the house early. Unfortunately, he got very little sleep the night before. Mizuho was partially responsible for that, however Kei knew it wasn't all her fault. After all, it took two to tango..or do what they were doing the night before.
"I'm leaving!" shouted Kei as he grabbed his bag and opened the door.
"Right behind you!" replied Mizuho as she raced out of the bathroom.
"I thought we were leaving separately?" asked Kei.
"We were." replied Mizuho, "But we're running way too late."
"But if they see us together...." began Kei.
"I'm driving. You're walking. I'll get there before you." Mizuho reached the door and opened it, stepping out and hurrying to her car. "You'd better get moving if you want to get there on time. It should be your highest priority."
"Yeah but.." Kei was about to continue his argument when he heard something drifting in on the breeze. Both he and Mizuho froze as the sound of someone singing in the distance reached their ears. As they listened to the song, both felt the tension leave their bodies, entering a state of pure relaxation.
"I guess I had better go." Kei said softly.
Mizuho grabbed him into a hug. "See after school."
Kei returned the hug, then hurried off towards then school, the beautiful song still floating through the air.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
40 minutes later.
Students were sitting in their class waiting for the arrival of their teacher.
"Dude, it was weird." said Hyosuke, "I was walking to school and I heard someone singing."
"I heard it too." said Kaede, "It was beautiful."
"Very relaxing." added Ichigo, "I almost fell asleep waiting for the train to pass."
"Who do you think it was?" asked Matagu.
"I don't know." replied Hyosuke, "But I'd love to find out."
The door to the class flew open, revealing a very exhausted Kei. He quickly moved to his seat and collapsed into it.
"What happened to you?" asked Koishi.
"I uhhh." Kei turned slightly red, "I woke up late. Had to run to get here on time."
"Did you hear the singing?"
"Uh yeah. What was that?"
Koishi shrugged. "We don't know. We were just talking about it."
"Maybe it was a witch." said Hyosuke.
"There are no such things as witches." stated Ichigo.
"How do you know pipsqueak? You said there weren't aliens or UFOs either."
Before Ichigo could respond, the teacher entered the class.
"Alright." The teacher began, "We will start were we left off yesterday with Second Impact."
The entire class let out a sigh and proceeded to fall asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Light filtered through the window into the bedroom. The room itself was a mess. Clothes were scattered around the room everywhere. Piles of empty food cartons lay scattered about the floor. A mountain of beer cans sat stacked up against the way. In the middle of the room lay the bed. A large lump lay protected underneath a layer of blankets. Next to the bed, an alarm clock silently told the time. 9:59am. It blinked to show 10:00am, and announced the time with a loud buzz. A hand burst out of the blankets and smacked the alarm clock across the room. The hand rested were it fell for several minutes, then it reached up and pulled the blankets out of the way to reveal a very tired Misato in her typical way too small t-shirt and short shorts. She stood up and slowly shuffled over to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror.
"Another day older Misato." She muttered to herself. "You should know enough to not drink that much." Misato then rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, after last night..."
Misato thought back to the previous night. She had asked Sayoko to tell her everything that she knew about the NERV deaths and SEELE. Now she wished she hadn't.
"Stop thinking about it Misato." She muttered at herself. She then frowned and looked at her reflection again. "And stop talking to yourself. Your acting like a fool." Misato turned and headed towards her door. "I need a beer."
She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and pulled out one of the ever-ready beer cans. She was about to open the can when she froze. She looked down at her feet. She then scanned the floor of the kitchen.
"What the?" Misato muttered. Usually when she opened the beer fridge, Pen Pen was right there to get a can. However he was nowhere in sight.
Misato walked out into the living room. There she found her missing penguin, as well as her house guest. Sayoko was sitting on the couch with her eyes closed, headphones over her ears, humming quietly along with the music. In her lap was a very happy Pen Pen. Sayoko's hand was scratching his back and every time she hit an itch, he let out a wark of joy. Misato leaned towards Sayoko. She could just make out the song playing over the headphones.
"...I'm looking for a place...searching for a face....is there anybody here I know...cause nothings going right....and every things a mess...and no one likes to be alone..."
Misato stood back up and walked back to the kitchen. She pulled the top off of her beer and downed the entire can.
"YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! !!!" she shouted. A loud crash from the living room soon followed. Misato peered around the corner to see the couch now on its back, and Sayoko laid out behind it with a stunned look on her face. Pen Pen had an equally stunned look as he sat on Sayoko's stomach staring at the goddess in surprise.
Misato smiled. "What's the matter with you? And since when do you listen to Avril Lavigne?"
Sayoko looked up and Misato and pulled the headphones off of her ears.
"I didn't think you were up yet, so I wasn't expecting the Beer Cheer." said Sayoko, "As to Avril, blame Hikari. She got me hooked on pre and post Second impact music."
Misato smiled. "I knew I like that girl for some reason. So, what do you want to do today?"
Sayoko shrugged. "Whatever you want. Technically I'm just here to keep an eye on you."
"Then we're going swimming."
Sayoko frowned. "Swimming where?"
"Lake Kizaki. It's just up the road here."
"Won't the water be to cold?"
"Well I don't intend to actually swim." replied Misato, "Just get a tan." Misato then struck a sultry pose. "After all, with a body this good, I just have to show it off."
Sayoko shook her head. "A woman at your age....still acting like an immature teenager. Yeah, why not. I can read a book or something."
"Hey remember, you may only be young once, but you can be immature forever."
Sayoko got up and poked at a few of Misato's gray hairs. "Yeah but you're not young anymore."
Misato growled and leaped at Sayoko who floated straight up at the ceiling, then floated off towards the stairs.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!! I CAN'T FLY!!!!!" shouted Misato, "HEY COME BACK HERE!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"The next item up for discussion is the Rogue Demons." said Saturn, (Roman God) "Commander Mist has the report."
Mist, head of the Valkyries strode forward to stand before the council of heaven.
"My Lords and Ladies," began Mist, "Through the efforts of Heaven and Hell, we have identified all the demons that participated in the invasion of heaven. We have accounted for all of those who were killed in the resulting battles and now have an estimate at the current rogue demon numbers."
"And those number are?" asked Athena (Greek Goddess).
"Currently, we estimate that there are 253 demons that have gone Rogue."
"253 are one too many." muttered Thor (Norse God).
"I agree." replied Mist, "How ever I must stress that many of these demons are currently hiding and pose no threat currently."
"What about those that have been killing off the NERV mortals?" asked Fukurokuju. (Shinto God)
"Yes," added Athena, "What is being done to find the lost souls and those demons responsible?"
Mist let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, other then the trace of demon energy at the last two killings, we have nothing else to go on. The only other demon activity has been minor nuances: a car wreck here, a building fire there, power outages, a flood, earthquakes...the usually demon activity only this is not sanctioned by hell."
"What of the Commander Ryoji?" asked Parvati, (Hindu) "She is on the list that the Goddess Sayoko received from the intelligence mortal. If she is a target, steps should be taking to capture the demons who might harm her."
"Those steps have already been taken."
Everyone turned and looked at Kami-sama. He looked over the council.
"My grand daughter is currently with the Commander. She should be able to handle any demon that comes along."
"When do you plan to use the Guardians?" asked Anubis (Egyptian).
"When they are needed, I will call them forth." replied Kami-sama, "Until then, this meeting is over."
The council members stood and bowed, then left the room. Soon only Kami- sama remained along with one goddess.
"You were strangely quiet today daughter." Kami-sama said quietly, "And you know you can use your normal form here."
Belldandy smiled at her father. Do to the drastic difference between the gods and mortals (meaning gods don't age), Belldandy and her sisters had used their magic to disguise themselves, helping them to blend in with the mortals. Thus, Belldandy looked very much 60 years old. Her once golden brown hair was now completely white, and wrinkles lined her face.
"I've had a lot of other things on my mind lately, Father." said Belldandy, "In fact, I totally forgot to put on this disguise when I returned after the last meeting." Belldandy smiled, "I was mistaken for Sayoko by Skuld."
Kami-sama smiled at that. "She is her mother's daughter. But what is it that distracts you so?"
"It's Keiichi." Belldandy said quietly, "He hasn't been moving around as well as late. He's supposed to be going to the doctors today for a check- up." After spending 14 years inside of Evangelion Unit 04, Keiichi and Belldandy had emerged looking exactly as they had the day they had left. Unfortunately, it would not last. His body began to catch up with his age. Within 5 years, Keiichi's body was now the correct age, but it hadn't left him in good shape. He was prone to getting sick easily, as well as suffering from aches and pains more often.
Kami-sama sighed, "I know you want to help him, but he is 60 years old. You know as well as I that mortals can't live forever. Eventually, their bodies will fail them and there souls will leave the surface world. This is the way of things and it cannot be changed."
"I just wish I could ease his pain." said Belldandy quietly.
Kami-sama smiled. "Then be by his side and show him all the love you have for him. That will be enough until he arrives here. Now, go to him. You've stayed here long enough."
"Yes father."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sayoko looked around at the spot Misato had lead her to. It was a small stretch of sand located a few minutes walk from Misato's house along the shore of Lake Kizaki. Sayoko glanced over to see Misato laying out a towel she had pulled out of her bag on the sand. Sayoko was stunned when Misato stood up and removed her cover-up, revealing a dark blue one-piece bathing suit. Misato noticed Sayoko expression.
"If you've got it, flaunt it."
"Yeah...sure." muttered Sayoko.
Misato laid out on the towel. She looked up and Sayoko who was still standing there stunned.
"Well are you just gonna stand there? Sit already."
Sayoko took a quick look around her. Seeing no one else but them, she then waved her hand. A large umbrella appeared in the sand. Underneath it, a small folding chair had appeared as well. Sayoko removed her cover up to reveal a red bikini. She then sat down in the chair and looked back at Misato.
"Happy now?"
"I suppose." Misato then pointed. "What's that?"
Sayoko followed Misato's finger to the scar that marred Sayoko's skin on the side of her stomach, running from front to back.
"That's where the demon got me with his sword." said Sayoko quietly, "Because it was inflected by a demon blade, even with magical healing, I'll never be rid of it." Sayoko sighed, "It's a part of me now. I'm marked for life."
Misato's hand unconsciously moved her hand over her own scar. Sayoko saw the movement.
"Sorry, forgot about yours." Sayoko looked out over the lake. "Does it bother you to see it? Is that why you keep yours covered?"
Misato leaned back on the towel and looked up at the sky. "Only two people have seen my scar. Well two people who know me. Kaji, for obvious reasons, and Asuka. Asuka was curious about it, but then tried to hide the fact it bothered her. Kaji..." Misato was quiet for a moment, "He said it didn't matter....That I was a beautiful person, regardless the scar." Misato looked over at Sayoko. "Are you worried you won't find someone because of it?"
Sayoko was still staring off over the lake. "No...I may have already found someone...but I'm just...I don't know." Sayoko looked down. "It's kind of hard to explain."
Misato smiled, "Well we have plenty of time for you to try."
Sayoko smiled. "I wish it was that easy. He's a mortal."
"So your mom married a mortal."
"Yeah...she did." Sayoko looked up at the sky, "I think she's a strong person then I am though."
"How so?"
"My Dad has been getting sick a lot recently. Some of it because of his time in the Eva." Sayoko glanced over at Misato. "Mrs. Ikari went through the same thing, except it didn't affect her as much." She looked back out over the lake. "Dad was such an active person and to see him fall apart...." Sayoko closed her eyes. "I know eventually he will....move on to the heavens. So will Hikari, even you. I just...don't know how I'd be able to take it."
"Don't you think you mom's worried too?"
"Yeah, I suppose. But she doesn't show it. And whenever Skuld asks, she says she's fine."
"You thought about asking your mom?"
Sayoko looked at Misato. "Well..no."
"Try it. She might be more open with you."
Sayoko thought about that. "Maybe. We really haven't had a mother daughter talk since.."
"NOH!"
Sayoko turned her head and stared at the site before her. Standing between her and Misato was a small foot tall figure in a yellow suit. It had a circular face with two large eyes and a narrow mouth. A bright red inner tube floated around its waist. Misato was unfazed by the figures appearance.
"Oh hello." Misato said, "I was wondering when you were gonna pop up. Here." Misato reached into her bag and pulled out a box of Pocky. She opened it and handed the creature a piece.
"Noh!" the said creature happily, as it grabbed the Pocky stick and began to eat.
Sayoko looked at the creature, then at Misato, back to the creature, then back at Misato.
"What in the name of Kami-sama is that?"
"Oh that. That's Marie." said Misato happily.
"Marie?" Sayoko repeated, looking at the creature curiously.
"Yeah. He turned up about a year or so ago. At the same time as a UFO sighting."
Sayoko's eyes narrowed. "UFO?"
"Yeah, It was all in the news about a year ago." replied Misato, "Then a month or two later, Marie started to pop up."
Sayoko stared at Marie and remained quiet. Marie continued to happily eat his Pocky.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I still say witches exist!" shouted Hyosuke, "And I'm gonna prove it!"
It was now lunchtime. Hyosuke and the others remained inside to eat, as did a few other students.
"How are you going to prove it?" asked Ichigo.
"With the help of this!" Hyosuke held up a book entitled 'Witches: Myths and Legends'. "This books says that witches like to congregate in the forest where they commune with the spirits."
"Not really buying that right now." said Koishi.
"I'll prove it! Tonight, Matagu and I will go out in the woods and prove there are witches!"
"Huh?" Matagu stared at Hyosuke. "Why me? Why not Kei?"
Kei began to stutter. "Oh.I uh..you see.I uh..My Uncle has.uh..I have to help him you see.and uhh.busy you know."
Ichigo frowned at Kei. "You're what?"
"I uhh..that is.." Kei was starting to run ideas through his head when a stench hit his nose. He wasn't the only one.
"What is that smell?" Koishi asked as she pinched her nose shut.
"Oh man.." muttered Matagu, "Smells worse then the gym lockers at the end of the week."
"Someone open a window!" shouted one of the other students.
"Forget that." said Ichigo, "Everyone outside."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Outside, students and faculty gathered as the stench filled every nook and cranny of the school. The fire department arrived in case anyone passed out. A search of the school found the remains of a small stink bomb. The principal was not happy.
"Where is this smell coming from?" he asked the assembled faculty, "Cafeteria?"
"No way." replied one of the cooks, "We didn't even do any cooking. It's cold sandwich day."
"Maybe it was a student prank." suggested a teacher, "They have been getting a bit rowdy lately."
The principal sighed. "It will take a day or so for the smell to dissipate. The students will be sent home early today, and classes will be canceled tomorrow. Teacher will report in the afternoon. We need to discuss this..situation."
Across the way, Kei sat under a tree staring at the school.
"Kei?"
Kei turned slightly to look around the tree. Just as quickly he turned back.
"Yes sensei?"
Mizuho continued to look in the opposite direction. "School's being canceled for the rest of today and tomorrow. I'll be here a bit longer, and then I'll see you at home."
"Alright." replied Kei.
Mizuho sat for a moment longer, then got up and began to inform the students milling about.
Across the school yard, sitting just out of view in the tree tops, two figures watched the scene.
"Unlimited power." muttered one, "The chance to cause havoc and chaos across the globe without worrying about the consequences...and you set off a stink bomb in a school."
"Shut-up." muttered the other.
"Seriously Ceres, I thought you were better then that."
Ceres glared at her companion. "Look. I was told we were going to have revenge against the children. Now I discover that all I'm needed for is little jobs that any 3rd class demon can do. I'm a 1st class demon! I should be doing more important things."
"Yeah.right." muttered the other, "Let's go."
Both demons vanished in flash of flames.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Later that night.
Sayoko stared at the ceiling of her room as she lay on the bed. Every few seconds, her stomach gurgled.
"Ooooohhhhh." She moaned, "I should never had agreed to let Misato cook."
Morning Bell, Sayoko's Angel, fluttered into the room carrying a glass of water with two foaming tablets.
"Thank you." Sayoko took a sip. Morning Bell flew in front of Sayoko and placed both hands on her hips, giving Sayoko a glare.
"I know, I should have know better. But Taro said her cooking was great and he missed it."
Morning Bell cocked her head to one side.
"I know she's his mother! But still..You'd think she'd learn to cook after..."
Sayoko and Morning Bell froze. Morning Bell then flew and vanished into Sayoko, while Sayoko sighed.
"Of course they would show up now."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"How did I let you rope me into this?" asked Matagu as he and Hyosuke walked through the forest.
"Because we men have to stick together against the girls." replied Hyosuke.
"Then why didn't you bring Kei along?"
"I think Kei has gone over to the enemy. I just don't know which enemy it is."
"You think it's Koishi?"
"No." Hyosuke moved over a fallen tree trunk. "Kaede told me Koishi admitted her feelings to Kei, but he turned her down. That means it's someone else."
"You think it's Ichigo?"
"The Class President? Are you kidding? Nah, Kei wouldn't go for the pipsqueak."
They were quiet for several more minutes.
"That book on witches.."
"Yeah?"
"What makes you think there's going to be witches in the woods?"
"Because that's where the witches in Salem practiced their arts."
"Where is Salem?"
"The United States."
Matagu stopped walking. "The United States? Where is Salem?"
"Uhhh Massachusetts I believe."
"Massachusetts is underwater isn't it?"
Hyosuke stopped and looked back at Matagu. "Only part of it."
"Well when are these witches supposed to have practiced in the woods?"
"The 1600s."
Matagu stared at Hyosuke. "Do you mean to say..that you dragged me out here..on the basis of something that happened in another country almost 400 years ago?"
"Yep."
"Hyosuke."
"Yes?"
"Ichigo is right. You're an idiot."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Ceres sat in the forest clearing, trying to get close enough to the fire to keep warm.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ceres looked up at her companion, Proserpine.
"Since when do you care?"
"I don't." Proserpine sat down across from Ceres. "But I'm curious."
"About what?"
"Well, I keep wondering when I'm finally going to see the vicious side of you everyone says is there."
Ceres looked down at the flames.
"Have you wonder why we're doing this?"
"Because it's fun."
"Not that." Ceres looked at her companion, "Here we are, Demons of the first rank, our sole purpose to bring misery and despair to the mortals of earth, and now we're following their orders. Don't you see anything wrong with that?"
"What else would we do?" replied Proserpine, "Drift aimlessly on the earth for the rest of eternity? Go back to hell where we will be treated as traitors and probably spend the rest of eternity being tortured? Or go to heaven and probably get killed by the Valkyries? Anyway you look at it, we're screwed."
"You got that right."
Ceres and Proserpine stared at each other in shock, then slowly turned to face the new arrival, a goddess in full battle armor. Thunder rumbled over head.
"Mind if I join you?" Sayoko asked. She then raised her hand and brought it down.
With a roar, a bolt of lightning blasted downward from the heavens, slamming into the ground between the two demons. The ground exploded, tossing both demons into the air.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"What do you mean I'm an idiot?" shouted Hyosuke, "Get back here Matagu!"
Matagu turned and stared at Hyosuke, "You hauled me out here based on something 400 years old!"
"But the movie...."
"IT WAS A MOVIE!" replied Matagu, "Witch Hunter Robin is a MOVIE! I thought you had some real proof."
Thunder rumbled over head.
"Great." muttered Matagu, "Now it's going to rain. This sucks you know that Hyo..."
He went silent as the night sky was lit up by a fireball and a loud explosion hit their ears.
"What the hell was that?" asked Matagu.
"Don't know but it came from that way." replied Hyosuke, "Com'on let's go see."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS!
The curtains on stage part to reveal Sayoko, now in a Detroit Red Wings jersey.
"Well, since the Cubs are not in the World Series, it's time to switch sports." Sayoko looks over the crowd. "Since the Detroit Lions absolutely suck..."
"SAYOKO!" comes Belldandy's voice from offstage.
"Well, they do! So, I have moved on to cheer for the Red Wings. Now, Next chapter: What will happen when Hyosuke and Matagu arrive on scene of the battle? Who are the demons working for and why? Will Sayoko and Kensuke finally go and..." Sayoko frowns. "hey wait a second.... URD!!!!"
Sayoko woke up early as she always did. She stood up and stretched, letting out a loud yawn. With a wave of her hand, her nightgown vanished, to be replaced by jeans and a t-shirt. She then left the bedroom and headed for the outdoors.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Kei moved quickly around the house, getting things together for his day at school. He rushed from one part of the room to another, his pace quickening as time moved forward. In the bathroom, Mizuho Kasumi hurried to fix her hair. The reason for their hurry?
They were running late.
It was Kei's day to leave the house early. Unfortunately, he got very little sleep the night before. Mizuho was partially responsible for that, however Kei knew it wasn't all her fault. After all, it took two to tango..or do what they were doing the night before.
"I'm leaving!" shouted Kei as he grabbed his bag and opened the door.
"Right behind you!" replied Mizuho as she raced out of the bathroom.
"I thought we were leaving separately?" asked Kei.
"We were." replied Mizuho, "But we're running way too late."
"But if they see us together...." began Kei.
"I'm driving. You're walking. I'll get there before you." Mizuho reached the door and opened it, stepping out and hurrying to her car. "You'd better get moving if you want to get there on time. It should be your highest priority."
"Yeah but.." Kei was about to continue his argument when he heard something drifting in on the breeze. Both he and Mizuho froze as the sound of someone singing in the distance reached their ears. As they listened to the song, both felt the tension leave their bodies, entering a state of pure relaxation.
"I guess I had better go." Kei said softly.
Mizuho grabbed him into a hug. "See after school."
Kei returned the hug, then hurried off towards then school, the beautiful song still floating through the air.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
40 minutes later.
Students were sitting in their class waiting for the arrival of their teacher.
"Dude, it was weird." said Hyosuke, "I was walking to school and I heard someone singing."
"I heard it too." said Kaede, "It was beautiful."
"Very relaxing." added Ichigo, "I almost fell asleep waiting for the train to pass."
"Who do you think it was?" asked Matagu.
"I don't know." replied Hyosuke, "But I'd love to find out."
The door to the class flew open, revealing a very exhausted Kei. He quickly moved to his seat and collapsed into it.
"What happened to you?" asked Koishi.
"I uhhh." Kei turned slightly red, "I woke up late. Had to run to get here on time."
"Did you hear the singing?"
"Uh yeah. What was that?"
Koishi shrugged. "We don't know. We were just talking about it."
"Maybe it was a witch." said Hyosuke.
"There are no such things as witches." stated Ichigo.
"How do you know pipsqueak? You said there weren't aliens or UFOs either."
Before Ichigo could respond, the teacher entered the class.
"Alright." The teacher began, "We will start were we left off yesterday with Second Impact."
The entire class let out a sigh and proceeded to fall asleep.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Light filtered through the window into the bedroom. The room itself was a mess. Clothes were scattered around the room everywhere. Piles of empty food cartons lay scattered about the floor. A mountain of beer cans sat stacked up against the way. In the middle of the room lay the bed. A large lump lay protected underneath a layer of blankets. Next to the bed, an alarm clock silently told the time. 9:59am. It blinked to show 10:00am, and announced the time with a loud buzz. A hand burst out of the blankets and smacked the alarm clock across the room. The hand rested were it fell for several minutes, then it reached up and pulled the blankets out of the way to reveal a very tired Misato in her typical way too small t-shirt and short shorts. She stood up and slowly shuffled over to the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror.
"Another day older Misato." She muttered to herself. "You should know enough to not drink that much." Misato then rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, after last night..."
Misato thought back to the previous night. She had asked Sayoko to tell her everything that she knew about the NERV deaths and SEELE. Now she wished she hadn't.
"Stop thinking about it Misato." She muttered at herself. She then frowned and looked at her reflection again. "And stop talking to yourself. Your acting like a fool." Misato turned and headed towards her door. "I need a beer."
She walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and pulled out one of the ever-ready beer cans. She was about to open the can when she froze. She looked down at her feet. She then scanned the floor of the kitchen.
"What the?" Misato muttered. Usually when she opened the beer fridge, Pen Pen was right there to get a can. However he was nowhere in sight.
Misato walked out into the living room. There she found her missing penguin, as well as her house guest. Sayoko was sitting on the couch with her eyes closed, headphones over her ears, humming quietly along with the music. In her lap was a very happy Pen Pen. Sayoko's hand was scratching his back and every time she hit an itch, he let out a wark of joy. Misato leaned towards Sayoko. She could just make out the song playing over the headphones.
"...I'm looking for a place...searching for a face....is there anybody here I know...cause nothings going right....and every things a mess...and no one likes to be alone..."
Misato stood back up and walked back to the kitchen. She pulled the top off of her beer and downed the entire can.
"YYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! !!!" she shouted. A loud crash from the living room soon followed. Misato peered around the corner to see the couch now on its back, and Sayoko laid out behind it with a stunned look on her face. Pen Pen had an equally stunned look as he sat on Sayoko's stomach staring at the goddess in surprise.
Misato smiled. "What's the matter with you? And since when do you listen to Avril Lavigne?"
Sayoko looked up and Misato and pulled the headphones off of her ears.
"I didn't think you were up yet, so I wasn't expecting the Beer Cheer." said Sayoko, "As to Avril, blame Hikari. She got me hooked on pre and post Second impact music."
Misato smiled. "I knew I like that girl for some reason. So, what do you want to do today?"
Sayoko shrugged. "Whatever you want. Technically I'm just here to keep an eye on you."
"Then we're going swimming."
Sayoko frowned. "Swimming where?"
"Lake Kizaki. It's just up the road here."
"Won't the water be to cold?"
"Well I don't intend to actually swim." replied Misato, "Just get a tan." Misato then struck a sultry pose. "After all, with a body this good, I just have to show it off."
Sayoko shook her head. "A woman at your age....still acting like an immature teenager. Yeah, why not. I can read a book or something."
"Hey remember, you may only be young once, but you can be immature forever."
Sayoko got up and poked at a few of Misato's gray hairs. "Yeah but you're not young anymore."
Misato growled and leaped at Sayoko who floated straight up at the ceiling, then floated off towards the stairs.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!! I CAN'T FLY!!!!!" shouted Misato, "HEY COME BACK HERE!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"The next item up for discussion is the Rogue Demons." said Saturn, (Roman God) "Commander Mist has the report."
Mist, head of the Valkyries strode forward to stand before the council of heaven.
"My Lords and Ladies," began Mist, "Through the efforts of Heaven and Hell, we have identified all the demons that participated in the invasion of heaven. We have accounted for all of those who were killed in the resulting battles and now have an estimate at the current rogue demon numbers."
"And those number are?" asked Athena (Greek Goddess).
"Currently, we estimate that there are 253 demons that have gone Rogue."
"253 are one too many." muttered Thor (Norse God).
"I agree." replied Mist, "How ever I must stress that many of these demons are currently hiding and pose no threat currently."
"What about those that have been killing off the NERV mortals?" asked Fukurokuju. (Shinto God)
"Yes," added Athena, "What is being done to find the lost souls and those demons responsible?"
Mist let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, other then the trace of demon energy at the last two killings, we have nothing else to go on. The only other demon activity has been minor nuances: a car wreck here, a building fire there, power outages, a flood, earthquakes...the usually demon activity only this is not sanctioned by hell."
"What of the Commander Ryoji?" asked Parvati, (Hindu) "She is on the list that the Goddess Sayoko received from the intelligence mortal. If she is a target, steps should be taking to capture the demons who might harm her."
"Those steps have already been taken."
Everyone turned and looked at Kami-sama. He looked over the council.
"My grand daughter is currently with the Commander. She should be able to handle any demon that comes along."
"When do you plan to use the Guardians?" asked Anubis (Egyptian).
"When they are needed, I will call them forth." replied Kami-sama, "Until then, this meeting is over."
The council members stood and bowed, then left the room. Soon only Kami- sama remained along with one goddess.
"You were strangely quiet today daughter." Kami-sama said quietly, "And you know you can use your normal form here."
Belldandy smiled at her father. Do to the drastic difference between the gods and mortals (meaning gods don't age), Belldandy and her sisters had used their magic to disguise themselves, helping them to blend in with the mortals. Thus, Belldandy looked very much 60 years old. Her once golden brown hair was now completely white, and wrinkles lined her face.
"I've had a lot of other things on my mind lately, Father." said Belldandy, "In fact, I totally forgot to put on this disguise when I returned after the last meeting." Belldandy smiled, "I was mistaken for Sayoko by Skuld."
Kami-sama smiled at that. "She is her mother's daughter. But what is it that distracts you so?"
"It's Keiichi." Belldandy said quietly, "He hasn't been moving around as well as late. He's supposed to be going to the doctors today for a check- up." After spending 14 years inside of Evangelion Unit 04, Keiichi and Belldandy had emerged looking exactly as they had the day they had left. Unfortunately, it would not last. His body began to catch up with his age. Within 5 years, Keiichi's body was now the correct age, but it hadn't left him in good shape. He was prone to getting sick easily, as well as suffering from aches and pains more often.
Kami-sama sighed, "I know you want to help him, but he is 60 years old. You know as well as I that mortals can't live forever. Eventually, their bodies will fail them and there souls will leave the surface world. This is the way of things and it cannot be changed."
"I just wish I could ease his pain." said Belldandy quietly.
Kami-sama smiled. "Then be by his side and show him all the love you have for him. That will be enough until he arrives here. Now, go to him. You've stayed here long enough."
"Yes father."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sayoko looked around at the spot Misato had lead her to. It was a small stretch of sand located a few minutes walk from Misato's house along the shore of Lake Kizaki. Sayoko glanced over to see Misato laying out a towel she had pulled out of her bag on the sand. Sayoko was stunned when Misato stood up and removed her cover-up, revealing a dark blue one-piece bathing suit. Misato noticed Sayoko expression.
"If you've got it, flaunt it."
"Yeah...sure." muttered Sayoko.
Misato laid out on the towel. She looked up and Sayoko who was still standing there stunned.
"Well are you just gonna stand there? Sit already."
Sayoko took a quick look around her. Seeing no one else but them, she then waved her hand. A large umbrella appeared in the sand. Underneath it, a small folding chair had appeared as well. Sayoko removed her cover up to reveal a red bikini. She then sat down in the chair and looked back at Misato.
"Happy now?"
"I suppose." Misato then pointed. "What's that?"
Sayoko followed Misato's finger to the scar that marred Sayoko's skin on the side of her stomach, running from front to back.
"That's where the demon got me with his sword." said Sayoko quietly, "Because it was inflected by a demon blade, even with magical healing, I'll never be rid of it." Sayoko sighed, "It's a part of me now. I'm marked for life."
Misato's hand unconsciously moved her hand over her own scar. Sayoko saw the movement.
"Sorry, forgot about yours." Sayoko looked out over the lake. "Does it bother you to see it? Is that why you keep yours covered?"
Misato leaned back on the towel and looked up at the sky. "Only two people have seen my scar. Well two people who know me. Kaji, for obvious reasons, and Asuka. Asuka was curious about it, but then tried to hide the fact it bothered her. Kaji..." Misato was quiet for a moment, "He said it didn't matter....That I was a beautiful person, regardless the scar." Misato looked over at Sayoko. "Are you worried you won't find someone because of it?"
Sayoko was still staring off over the lake. "No...I may have already found someone...but I'm just...I don't know." Sayoko looked down. "It's kind of hard to explain."
Misato smiled, "Well we have plenty of time for you to try."
Sayoko smiled. "I wish it was that easy. He's a mortal."
"So your mom married a mortal."
"Yeah...she did." Sayoko looked up at the sky, "I think she's a strong person then I am though."
"How so?"
"My Dad has been getting sick a lot recently. Some of it because of his time in the Eva." Sayoko glanced over at Misato. "Mrs. Ikari went through the same thing, except it didn't affect her as much." She looked back out over the lake. "Dad was such an active person and to see him fall apart...." Sayoko closed her eyes. "I know eventually he will....move on to the heavens. So will Hikari, even you. I just...don't know how I'd be able to take it."
"Don't you think you mom's worried too?"
"Yeah, I suppose. But she doesn't show it. And whenever Skuld asks, she says she's fine."
"You thought about asking your mom?"
Sayoko looked at Misato. "Well..no."
"Try it. She might be more open with you."
Sayoko thought about that. "Maybe. We really haven't had a mother daughter talk since.."
"NOH!"
Sayoko turned her head and stared at the site before her. Standing between her and Misato was a small foot tall figure in a yellow suit. It had a circular face with two large eyes and a narrow mouth. A bright red inner tube floated around its waist. Misato was unfazed by the figures appearance.
"Oh hello." Misato said, "I was wondering when you were gonna pop up. Here." Misato reached into her bag and pulled out a box of Pocky. She opened it and handed the creature a piece.
"Noh!" the said creature happily, as it grabbed the Pocky stick and began to eat.
Sayoko looked at the creature, then at Misato, back to the creature, then back at Misato.
"What in the name of Kami-sama is that?"
"Oh that. That's Marie." said Misato happily.
"Marie?" Sayoko repeated, looking at the creature curiously.
"Yeah. He turned up about a year or so ago. At the same time as a UFO sighting."
Sayoko's eyes narrowed. "UFO?"
"Yeah, It was all in the news about a year ago." replied Misato, "Then a month or two later, Marie started to pop up."
Sayoko stared at Marie and remained quiet. Marie continued to happily eat his Pocky.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"I still say witches exist!" shouted Hyosuke, "And I'm gonna prove it!"
It was now lunchtime. Hyosuke and the others remained inside to eat, as did a few other students.
"How are you going to prove it?" asked Ichigo.
"With the help of this!" Hyosuke held up a book entitled 'Witches: Myths and Legends'. "This books says that witches like to congregate in the forest where they commune with the spirits."
"Not really buying that right now." said Koishi.
"I'll prove it! Tonight, Matagu and I will go out in the woods and prove there are witches!"
"Huh?" Matagu stared at Hyosuke. "Why me? Why not Kei?"
Kei began to stutter. "Oh.I uh..you see.I uh..My Uncle has.uh..I have to help him you see.and uhh.busy you know."
Ichigo frowned at Kei. "You're what?"
"I uhh..that is.." Kei was starting to run ideas through his head when a stench hit his nose. He wasn't the only one.
"What is that smell?" Koishi asked as she pinched her nose shut.
"Oh man.." muttered Matagu, "Smells worse then the gym lockers at the end of the week."
"Someone open a window!" shouted one of the other students.
"Forget that." said Ichigo, "Everyone outside."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Outside, students and faculty gathered as the stench filled every nook and cranny of the school. The fire department arrived in case anyone passed out. A search of the school found the remains of a small stink bomb. The principal was not happy.
"Where is this smell coming from?" he asked the assembled faculty, "Cafeteria?"
"No way." replied one of the cooks, "We didn't even do any cooking. It's cold sandwich day."
"Maybe it was a student prank." suggested a teacher, "They have been getting a bit rowdy lately."
The principal sighed. "It will take a day or so for the smell to dissipate. The students will be sent home early today, and classes will be canceled tomorrow. Teacher will report in the afternoon. We need to discuss this..situation."
Across the way, Kei sat under a tree staring at the school.
"Kei?"
Kei turned slightly to look around the tree. Just as quickly he turned back.
"Yes sensei?"
Mizuho continued to look in the opposite direction. "School's being canceled for the rest of today and tomorrow. I'll be here a bit longer, and then I'll see you at home."
"Alright." replied Kei.
Mizuho sat for a moment longer, then got up and began to inform the students milling about.
Across the school yard, sitting just out of view in the tree tops, two figures watched the scene.
"Unlimited power." muttered one, "The chance to cause havoc and chaos across the globe without worrying about the consequences...and you set off a stink bomb in a school."
"Shut-up." muttered the other.
"Seriously Ceres, I thought you were better then that."
Ceres glared at her companion. "Look. I was told we were going to have revenge against the children. Now I discover that all I'm needed for is little jobs that any 3rd class demon can do. I'm a 1st class demon! I should be doing more important things."
"Yeah.right." muttered the other, "Let's go."
Both demons vanished in flash of flames.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Later that night.
Sayoko stared at the ceiling of her room as she lay on the bed. Every few seconds, her stomach gurgled.
"Ooooohhhhh." She moaned, "I should never had agreed to let Misato cook."
Morning Bell, Sayoko's Angel, fluttered into the room carrying a glass of water with two foaming tablets.
"Thank you." Sayoko took a sip. Morning Bell flew in front of Sayoko and placed both hands on her hips, giving Sayoko a glare.
"I know, I should have know better. But Taro said her cooking was great and he missed it."
Morning Bell cocked her head to one side.
"I know she's his mother! But still..You'd think she'd learn to cook after..."
Sayoko and Morning Bell froze. Morning Bell then flew and vanished into Sayoko, while Sayoko sighed.
"Of course they would show up now."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"How did I let you rope me into this?" asked Matagu as he and Hyosuke walked through the forest.
"Because we men have to stick together against the girls." replied Hyosuke.
"Then why didn't you bring Kei along?"
"I think Kei has gone over to the enemy. I just don't know which enemy it is."
"You think it's Koishi?"
"No." Hyosuke moved over a fallen tree trunk. "Kaede told me Koishi admitted her feelings to Kei, but he turned her down. That means it's someone else."
"You think it's Ichigo?"
"The Class President? Are you kidding? Nah, Kei wouldn't go for the pipsqueak."
They were quiet for several more minutes.
"That book on witches.."
"Yeah?"
"What makes you think there's going to be witches in the woods?"
"Because that's where the witches in Salem practiced their arts."
"Where is Salem?"
"The United States."
Matagu stopped walking. "The United States? Where is Salem?"
"Uhhh Massachusetts I believe."
"Massachusetts is underwater isn't it?"
Hyosuke stopped and looked back at Matagu. "Only part of it."
"Well when are these witches supposed to have practiced in the woods?"
"The 1600s."
Matagu stared at Hyosuke. "Do you mean to say..that you dragged me out here..on the basis of something that happened in another country almost 400 years ago?"
"Yep."
"Hyosuke."
"Yes?"
"Ichigo is right. You're an idiot."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Ceres sat in the forest clearing, trying to get close enough to the fire to keep warm.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ceres looked up at her companion, Proserpine.
"Since when do you care?"
"I don't." Proserpine sat down across from Ceres. "But I'm curious."
"About what?"
"Well, I keep wondering when I'm finally going to see the vicious side of you everyone says is there."
Ceres looked down at the flames.
"Have you wonder why we're doing this?"
"Because it's fun."
"Not that." Ceres looked at her companion, "Here we are, Demons of the first rank, our sole purpose to bring misery and despair to the mortals of earth, and now we're following their orders. Don't you see anything wrong with that?"
"What else would we do?" replied Proserpine, "Drift aimlessly on the earth for the rest of eternity? Go back to hell where we will be treated as traitors and probably spend the rest of eternity being tortured? Or go to heaven and probably get killed by the Valkyries? Anyway you look at it, we're screwed."
"You got that right."
Ceres and Proserpine stared at each other in shock, then slowly turned to face the new arrival, a goddess in full battle armor. Thunder rumbled over head.
"Mind if I join you?" Sayoko asked. She then raised her hand and brought it down.
With a roar, a bolt of lightning blasted downward from the heavens, slamming into the ground between the two demons. The ground exploded, tossing both demons into the air.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
"What do you mean I'm an idiot?" shouted Hyosuke, "Get back here Matagu!"
Matagu turned and stared at Hyosuke, "You hauled me out here based on something 400 years old!"
"But the movie...."
"IT WAS A MOVIE!" replied Matagu, "Witch Hunter Robin is a MOVIE! I thought you had some real proof."
Thunder rumbled over head.
"Great." muttered Matagu, "Now it's going to rain. This sucks you know that Hyo..."
He went silent as the night sky was lit up by a fireball and a loud explosion hit their ears.
"What the hell was that?" asked Matagu.
"Don't know but it came from that way." replied Hyosuke, "Com'on let's go see."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS!
The curtains on stage part to reveal Sayoko, now in a Detroit Red Wings jersey.
"Well, since the Cubs are not in the World Series, it's time to switch sports." Sayoko looks over the crowd. "Since the Detroit Lions absolutely suck..."
"SAYOKO!" comes Belldandy's voice from offstage.
"Well, they do! So, I have moved on to cheer for the Red Wings. Now, Next chapter: What will happen when Hyosuke and Matagu arrive on scene of the battle? Who are the demons working for and why? Will Sayoko and Kensuke finally go and..." Sayoko frowns. "hey wait a second.... URD!!!!"