There's no time for us, There's no place for us
What is this thing that builds our dreams yet slips away from us
Who wants to live forever, Who wants to live forever....?
There's no chance for us, It's all decided for us
This world has only one sweet moment set aside for us
Who wants to live forever, Who wants to live forever?
Who dares to love forever?... When love must die
But touch my tears with your lips, Touch my world with your fingertips
And we can have forever, And we can love forever
Forever is our today
Who wants to live forever, Who wants to live forever?
Forever is our today... Who waits forever anyway?
Queen – Who wants to live forever?
Chapter 20
Misato blinked.
Then blinked again.
The last thing she remembered was extreme pain, and being in the Goddess' Apartment. Now she was looking up at a blue sky. A slight wind was blowing, and it tossed her purple hair in front of her eyes.
Purple?
Misato sat up and pulled a few strands in front of her eyes. No sign of the gray hair she should have after 60 years. Then she noticed something else. She was laying in a green pasture, just outside an enormous white wall. Further down, she could see a gate were thousands of people were lined up.
"Where am I?" she asked out loud.
"I'd like to know that too Misato."
Misato's eyes went wide. 'It can't be………' She turned and gasped.
"KAJI!" She leaped at her husband, knocking him flat on his back and smothering him with kisses. Kaji struggled to speak in between kisses.
"Gee…..Misato……I……didn't…….think…..I was gone……..that long."
Misato stopped kissing him and looked at his face, her tears splashing down on him.
"You were dead." She said, "I found your body at the apartment, 14 years ago."
Kaji stared at her. "I……I remember a demon…..then pain…….14 years?"
Misato nodded, then hugged him again.
"Geez Misato. Get a room and save the rest of us from seeing your lewd behavior."
Misato and Kaji turned to see Ritsuko, Maya, Aoba, and Hyuga. Also standing nearby was a young man who looked kind of like……
"Commander Fuyutsuki?!?"
Fuyutsuki smiled. "Yes it's me. Thought it's been years since I've looked like this."
"But you….." Misato looked at the others, "You're all dead." She frowned, "But that means………"
"We're in heaven." Everyone turned to see Keiichi walking up to them.
"Heaven?" asked Ritsuko.
"Yes." replied Keiichi. He looked around. "I saw it once through the eyes of a God named Celestine. First time I've been here to see it, though Belldandy told me you and Kaji saw it."
"I saw the inside of a building." replied Misato, "Nothing more."
"Where do we go from here?" asked Maya.
Keiichi looked over at the gate. "Belldandy told me once that if I ever found myself here to go to the gate, and ask for her, Peorth, or Urd." He smiled. "She said I'd better ask for her first or else."
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Camilla sighed.
"According to this, you cheated on your wife……." Camilla looked up at the man before her, "…….21 times."
"I uhh……..you see……...I uhhh……." The man stuttered, "I was on Jerry Springer once."
"Oh. Well in that case, you can join him." Camilla press a button and the man dropped through it into hell.
"Next!"
A small group lead by a brown haired man walked up. Camilla frowned at the group. Normal procedure had each mortal come up one by one.
"Name?" she asked.
"I would like to speak to the Goddess Belldandy, Class 0, Type 2, Unlimited." The man said.
Camilla stared at the man in surprise. Very few mortals knew that multiple gods existed, even fewer knew their names. No mortal should know a member of the Heavenly Council.
"She is not available to speak with you mortal." Camilla said, "What is your name?"
"Then can I speak to Goddess Peorth, or perhaps the Goddess Urd?"
Camilla stared at the mortal. "What you ask for is forbidden! What is your name……"
Something blurred past her and slammed into the mortal, knocking him down to the ground.
"KEIICHI!"
Keiichi blinked and found himself staring into the face of Peorth. "Peorth?"
"Of course it's me mon cher!" Peorth said with a smile. She then pouted. "Didn't you miss me?"
"Get off of him Peorth." Urd had stepped out. "Belldandy won't be happy with you at all." She smiled at Misato and the others, then looked at Camilla. "These 8 are to be allowed in. Kami-sama's orders."
"But who are they?!"
"We for starters, that's Keiichi Morisato, husband of Belldandy."
Keiichi smiled. Camilla paled slightly.
"Oh well…..in that case….Welcome to Heaven." Camilla said with a forced smile.
Urd motioned from the group to follow her. She then grabbed Keiichi arm and pulled him up next to her.
"Got to keep Peorth off of you." Urd said with a smile.
"Thanks I think." said Keiichi.
"Belldandy will be back up here in a few days. She and Skuld are wrapping up all the little details of your burial."
"How is she?" asked Keiichi quietly.
Urd glanced at Keiichi. "She still a bit upset. But you'll be able to talk to her later on the phone. I've already set that up. We have a place up here for you two. She and Skuld will be moving everything up here as well."
"Never mind that. What about Sayoko?"
"I don't know where she is right now." Urd said quietly, "I do know that she does have her memories back."
"How did that happen exactly?" asked Keiichi.
Urd shrugged, "I don't know the exact specifics, but apparently she had some kind of contract with Kensuke Aida. After reviewing everything, at the time when Kensuke vanished there were two errors the Ultimate Force tried to correct. One worked, the second failed."
"So the first one brought back her memories?"
Urd nodded, "That's what I think now."
"What was the second?"
Urd shrugged, "We won't know unless we ask Sayoko, and she hasn't been real talkative lately."
They had reached the massive gate. The doors swung open, revealing several squads of Valkyries on guard duty. The group passed through the gate and then stared in awe of the site that met them.
"Welcome to your new home." Urd said softly.
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Several days later.
Rain poured down on the group that had gathered for Keiichi's funeral. On one side were friends, including some members of the old Nekomi Tech Auto Club. Also present were the Guardians and their families as well as several goddesses. Belldandy sat in a chair, with Skuld standing right behind her. Beside them was Megumi and her family.
Asuka listened as the speaker droned on about Keiichi life. She'd heard all of this before right from Keiichi and Belldandy. Asuka let out a sigh and looked around. She recognized a few people. Touji and Hikari had brought Kirika and Mereille. Mist, Cayla, and Lind were present as well, though few knew that they were from the heavens. Asuka also spotted a few Auto Club members she recognized. Her eyes narrow slightly as she spotted Aoshima in the crowd. Only one person was missing from the funeral.
Sayoko.
Asuka had tried to track her down, but hadn't been able to find her. Belldandy hadn't appeared to be all that worried.
"She'll turn up." was all she said.
The speaker stopped for a moment, then took another breathe and continued.
'Geez….is he a relative of that old school teacher?' Asuka took another look around. It was then she spotted the figure on a nearby hill overlooking the funeral. Asuka narrowed her eyes but she couldn't see who the person was. But she could sense the person. It was definitely a goddess. Asuka was about to go towards the figure when she saw another figure walking towards the first. The odd thing was that the rain seemed to be avoiding that one. Asuka's eyes widened when she realized who the second person was.
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The rain dripped off of Sayoko's head as she stood on the hill. Down below, her father was being buried. She felt Asuka reaching out to her, but did nothing to reply. The last several days had been rough. Sayoko hadn't been in top shape when she had gone after the demon. Now she was in worse shape. Several healing spells later, her arms still looked like they had been mummified. The bandages wrapped around them only added to the effect. Maybe the rain would do them some good.
"You are aware that things have been made to keep people dry."
"Didn't feel like it Grandpa." Sayoko said softly.
Kami-sama walked over and stood next to his granddaughter.
"Your mother is worried about you." Sayoko was silent. "I'm worried about you too."
Sayoko stared down at the funeral.
"I remember everything." She said softly, "Everything I did under her control. I tried to fight it, but she buried me even deeper. I couldn't do anything, just watch." She looked at Kami-sama. "I even have memories from after the Vaccination. I saw my father and mother crying over me, Asuka calling me a doll. Even Kensuke's face." Tears had begun to stream down Sayoko's face. "And then when I was back to normal, I tried to find Kensuke, only to find out he was dead. That demon took Kensuke from me!" Sayoko looked back at the funeral. "There has been a darkness in my soul ever since."
Kami-sama remained quiet.
"I accept whatever punishment you have for me." Sayoko said quietly, "I deserve it. For everything I did."
Kami-sama was quiet for several moments.
"There will be no punishment."
Sayoko blinked. "What?"
"No punishment." Kami-sama repeated, "The acts you performed while under the demons influence are not your fault. Your mother and I, along with a few others, persuaded the Council that your actions later were as a result of that demon influence."
"But………"
"I know you still feel guilty." Kami-sama said, "Hiding out from your friends and family won't help you to heal though."
"I just can't face them." Sayoko said softly.
"I know. Your mother and Aunt are leaving the surface to join your father in the heavens."
"I know that."
"I assume you are not staying in the apartment or moving in with the Ikaris."
"No."
"There is a house on Lake Kizaki that I believe your familiar with." Kami-sama smiled. "You'll have a roommate, but it will give you the space you need, while still keeping you around friends. And if anyone asks, officially you're there to keep an eye on the extra-terrestrials."
"But what about………"
"We have two new 1st Class Goddesses." Kami-sama said, "One is Cayla, the other, you knew as the demon Ceres."
Sayoko's eyes widened. "Demon? She's a goddess?"
Kami-sama nodded, "Probationary 1st Class of course, but a goddess none the less. They have been assigned under your mother."
Kami-sama looked over to see the funeral breaking up.
"Looks like it is time I left." He said, "Will you speak with your mother?"
"Not now…….." Sayoko said softly, "it's too soon. And I have someone else to see."
Kami-sama smiled. "Of course."
"Good bye Grandfather." Sayoko turned and walked away down the hill away from the funeral.
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Asuka watched as several people walked up to Belldandy and offered their condolences. She looked back to the hilltop where she had seen Sayoko and Kami-sama. Sayoko's form could be seen disappearing behind the hill. Kami-sama stood there watching the funeral disperse before vanishing.
"So she did make it."
Asuka glanced to her left to see Skuld standing next to her.
"Yeah, she made it." Asuka said, "Wish she would have stayed around. I need to speak to her."
"You still might get a chance." Skuld said, "After all, she's…….." Skuld's voice trailed off. "Oh hell." She muttered.
"What?"
"Look."
Aoshima was approaching Belldandy. Skuld immediately began to head towards her sister, Asuka right behind her.
"Miss Belldandy." Aoshima said, "You have my heartfelt condolences."
"I didn't think you had a heart."
Aoshima turned. "Ahh, Miss Skuld isn't it? I see your still as kind hearted as ever."
Skuld started at Aoshima, but was held back by Asuka.
"Such a fiery spirit." Aoshima said with a smile, "A pity it never helped you find someone to ease the loneliness of your life."
Skuld was about to reply when Belldandy moved between them.
"Aoshima." Belldandy said calmly, "Everytime we have met, I have tried to be civil and kind to you. Yet you have repeatedly insulted my husband, my daughter, and my entire family." Belldandy glared at Aoshima. "You could never measure up to my Keiichi. He is 5 times the man you'll ever be. And when you speak of loneliness, I'm sure you'll find out on your own. For when you pass on there will be no one here to mourn for you." Belldandy turned and walked off, followed by Asuka and Skuld, leaving a shocked Aoshima behind.
"I never thought I'd see the day." Skuld said with a smile.
"I agree." replied Asuka, "But I really need to find Sayoko."
Skuld glanced at Asuka and pointed in a direction. "She'll be at a grave over there."
Asuka frowned slightly, then recognition dawned on her. "Oh."
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I see dark clouds out my window
I know the storm is coming any minute
And the thunder just confirms my fears
And I know the tears are in there
I'll be crying unable to stop
Look here comes the very first drop
'Cause every time it rains
I fall to pieces
So many memories the rain releases
I feel you... I taste you
I cannot forget
Every time it rains... I get wet
Darling I am still in love with you
As time passes by it just intensifies
I know I'll never be with you again
I'll never find another with that kindness in his eyes
I'll be trying unable to stop
Look here comes the very first drop
'Cause every time it rains
I fall to pieces
So many memories the rain releases
I feel you... I taste you
I cannot forget
Every time it rains... I get wet
On sunny days I'm all right
I walk in the light
And i try not to think about
The love I live without
But every time it rains
I fall to pieces
So many memories the rain releases
I feel you... I taste you
I cannot forget
Every time it rains... I get wet
'Cause every time it rains
I fall to pieces
So many memories the rain releases
I feel you... I taste you
I cannot forget
Every time it rains... I get wet
'Cause every time it rains
I fall to pieces
So many memories the rain releases
I feel you... I taste you
I cannot forget
Every time it rains... I get wet
Ace of Base – Everytime it rains
Sayoko walked up to the grave. It was the first time she had been to it. It was of course, empty. Kensuke's body had not and probably would never be found. The S2 Engine core had pulled everything within a certain distance into a Sea of Dirac, or whatever the NORN computers called it. According to the computers, nothing could escape from it, even taking into account Unit 01's escape from the 12th Angel.
Sayoko fell to her knees in front of the head stone. Her eyes filled with tears as she traced the letters of Kensuke's name. Her arm fell away as more tears streamed down her cheeks. Finally, unable to stop, she put her face in her hands as sobs racked her body. As she cried, she felt someone else's presence. Arm pulled her back up onto her knees and embraced her. Sayoko's wrapped her arms around the person and sobbed on their shoulder.
"He loved you." Sayoko recognized Asuka's voice. "He was so happy when he heard you were back. He blamed himself for losing you to the demon. He was so determined to get you back."
"I never……..told him." Sayoko sniffed.
"He knew, in a way." Asuka smiled, though Sayoko couldn't see it, "A little angel told him."
Sayoko smiled a bit. "I forgot about that."
Asuka slowly help Sayoko to her feet. "Are you going to be alright?"
"I don't know." Sayoko whispered, "I keep seeing him in my dreams." She looked at Asuka. "He'll always be a part of me. I'll never forget him."
Asuka nodded, then pulled an envelope from her coat. "I got a letter from Kensuke. He said I was to give this to you if he didn't make it, regardless if you had your memories back or not."
Sayoko took the letter. As her fingers touched the envelope, she felt Kensuke's presence on the paper. It was nice, pleasant, and warm. She stared at the envelope a long time. Asuka shifted slightly.
"You know…….we have room still at the apartment. If you want to you could move in with us."
"Thanks Asuka." Sayoko said softly, "But Grandpa has a place for me, out at Lake Kizaki."
Asuka raised an eyebrow. "Misato's?"
Sayoko nodded, "He said I'd have a roommate too."
"Who?"
"Don't know." Sayoko sighed, "Knowing Grandpa, it's probably Cayla."
Sayoko looked down at the letter, then put it in her pocket.
"Aren't you going to read that?" asked Asuka.
"Not now." Sayoko said softly, "Maybe later."
Asuka smiled and grabbed Sayoko's arm.
"You are coming back to the apartment with me," Asuka said firmly, "and you are going to stay at least tonight. You don't have to see your mom, hell you don't even have to speak with us. But you will get a nice warm meal and a warm bed to sleep on." Asuka then poke Sayoko in the side. "You need to gain weight. The anorexic look doesn't fit you."
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Morisato/Wishbringer Apartment
Two days later.
Belldandy, Skuld, Rei, Asuka, and Hikari stood in the living room of the apartment. All of the furniture, pictures, everything that showed that someone lived there was gone. Also gone was the aged look of Belldandy and Skuld. Both looked like they were once again in the low 20s.
Skuld sniffed. "Boy this brings back memories." Skuld walked over and stood just in the hallway facing the living room. "I remember standing on this spot with Sayoko 30 years ago after we left the temple, looking at this empty apartment."
"Lots of memories." Belldandy said quietly. She then looked over at Skuld. "This was where my daughter grew up, first went to school, her first dance………….."
Skuld walked over and hugged her sister. "Sorry, I didn't mean to…….."
Belldandy sniffed and returned the hug. "It's alright. You did a wonderful job." She took in a deep breathe. "I'm going to miss the surface. I've been down here almost 40 years."
"27 years."
Belldandy looked don't at Skuld. "What?"
"I've been here 39 years." Skuld said, "You've been down here only 27."
"How do you figure that?"
"The years in the Eva don't count."
"Sure they do. I was still on the surface."
"Alright fine." Skuld threw her arms up in the air.
"Regardless how long we were here," Belldandy glanced at her sister, "I'm going to miss it."
"You know you can still visit." said Asuka.
"Yeah," added Rei, "We have plenty of room."
Belldandy smiled, "I'll remember that. Oh…..I almost forgot." She handed a key over to Hikari. "Here."
Hikari frowned and looked at the key. "What's this?"
"You're still in temporary housing right?"
Hikari nodded, "Yeah. They don't know when the apartment will be fixed, and we can't find any vacant apartments in the…….." Hikari's eyes widened. "You can't be serious."
"For obvious reasons, we won't be here." said Skuld as she walked back over. "And you guys do need an apartment."
"I don't know what to say." Hikari grabbed Belldandy and Skuld in a hug. "Thank you. I don't know how we can repay you."
"Just be there for my daughter," Belldandy said, "and I'll consider us even."
Belldandy and Skuld then stepped back. A circle of light formed below them and they vanished. Hikari, Rei, and Asuka stood there quietly for several moments.
"Where is Sayoko anyway?" Hikari asked Asuka, "Rei said you saw her at the funeral."
"She's been at our apartment since then." Asuka said.
"WHAT!?!?"
"It's true." Rei said.
"Why didn't you tell me?!?" asked Hikari.
"Sayoko didn't want anyone to know." Asuka said, "Even Shinji and Yui didn't know she was there."
"She stayed in my room." Rei said, "She just………she's not the same Hikari. That demon deserves everything she got."
"Where is Sayoko now?"
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Lake Kizaki
Sayoko hefted her bag onto her shoulder and stepped off the train. She looked around and walked off the platform. Behind her, Pen Pen the Penguin followed.
"WARK!"
Sayoko stopped and looked down at Pen Pen.
"Sorry." She said. She reached over and scooped him up into her arms. She then turned and continued walking along the road.
"Hey there!"
Sayoko stopped and turned. A convertible had stopped next to her. Sitting inside was…….
"Mizuho?"
Mizuho Kasumi smiled, "Heard you were coming back. Need a lift?"
"Sure."
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Sayoko stepped out of the car, then helped Pen Pen out. She looked at the house. It hadn't really changed externally since Misato died.
"How long you going to be here?" asked Mizuho.
Sayoko pulled out her bag from the car.
"I don't know." She said, "Officially, Grandpa said I'm here to watch you and Maho, make sure you don't screw up the earth."
"Hey!"
Sayoko smiled, "So as long as you're here, I guess I am too."
Mizuho smiled, "It'll be nice to talk to someone else without all the secrecy." Mizuho started to leave. "Call sometime. Kei and I would love to have you for dinner."
"I'll remember."
Sayoko waved as Mizuho vanished down the road. She then walked up to the house and pulled out the key given to her. She then opened the door, and after Pen Pen had walked in, entered her new home. The furniture was still exactly how Misato had left it. Sayoko had taken a few more steps into the house when she felt something. Before she could react, something cold pressed itself up against her head and there was a loud click as the safety was turned off.
"Who are you?" came a voice in halting Japanese.
"Sayoko Morisato." The goddess replied.
There was another click and the gun came away from her head. She turned to see the blond haired vampire from the SEELE base.
"Celes Victoria." Sayoko said softly.
"They said I'd have a roommate here." Celes said, speaking English now, "I just never expected a goddess."
"Makes sense to me. You've been a vampire for how long? And fighting your more……..darker urges." Sayoko shrugged, "I guess Grandpa thought you could help me."
Celes put the gun away. "Let's talk then."
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Pen Pen wondered into the kitchen as the two woman talked. Everything was still right about where Misato had left it. Even the three refrigerators. Pen Pen smiled. One was his home, the other held food. The third, the third held the beer.
Pen Pen waddled up to the beer fridge and opened the door. Instead of beer, strange bags of a red fluid hung inside. Pen Pen looked at them curiously.
'A+. Must be some new kind of juice drink.' Pen Pen grabbed a package and looked it over. 'Hmmm even has a straw on it……..'
Pen Pen put the straw to his beak and took a big sip.
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"WAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!'
THUD!
Sayoko and Celes looked at each other then ran to the kitchen. Pen Pen lay on his back, twitching. A red substance dribbled from his mouth. On the floor was the bag, more red fluid oozing out from the straw.
"Is that……." Sayoko started to ask.
Celes nodded. "When I came in, most of the food was rotten. So I tossed it. And since I don't drink beer………"
"Wark….." came a pitiful cry.
Sayoko looked down at Pen Pen.
"Don't worry Pen, I'll find you beer. You'll just have to remember which fridge is the beer, and which is the blood alright?"
"Wark……"
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That night.
Sayoko sat in her new room. It was set up pretty much like the old room, all of her things from the apartment had been moved here.
Apparently Kami-sama had also informed her mother and Skuld where she would be. Sayoko had finished unpacking her bag when she noticed something odd. On her dresser were the usual pictures. Her and Aunt Skuld, her parents, one of her and all the pilots with Misato, and another one with all of her friends. But there was a new one, a rather nice picture of Kensuke with a chain hanging off of it and a note leaning against it. Sayoko grabbed the note and opened it.
Remember, we're always there for you, and we love you. Hold on to this for me.
Your mother,
Belldandy
Sayoko looked back at the chain and lifted it. On the end was her mother's Christmas ring from so many years ago. Sayoko smiled, lay down, and went to sleep.
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Your body's warm
But you are not
You give a little
Not a lot
You coup your love
Until we kiss
You're all I want
But not like this
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
Your body gives
But then holds back
The sun is bright
The sky is black
Can only be another sign
I cannot keep what isn't mine
You left and it lingers on
But you, you were almost gone
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
I cannot tell if you mean what you say
You say it so loud, but you sound far away
Maybe I had just a glimpse of your soul
Or was that your shadow I saw on the wall
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
No, no, no
It's only your shadow
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
It's only your shadow
Kensuke and Sayoko danced across the floor. Circled around them were family and friends, cheering them on.
"Come on Kensuke!" shouted Touji, "Kiss her!"
'Yeah stooge!" shouted Asuka, "Show us some action!"
Kensuke smiled and gently held Sayoko's chin in his hand and moved his lips towards hers. Sayoko closed her eyes and moved forward to meet him. After nearly falling over, Sayoko opened her eyes and looked around. The room was now empty. Kensuke still stood there, only he was slowly fading from sight.
"Ken!" she shouted.
"Good bye Sayoko." Kensuke whispered softly.
"NOOOO KENSUKE!!!!!'
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Sayoko woke up in a cold sweat. She looked around. She was still in her room, her blankets tossed off the side of her bed. Sayoko rubbed her eyes and sighed. She had forgotten the last time she had had a peaceful nights sleep. Now her only company at night were nightmares.
Moonlight came through the window and lit up the pictures on her dresser. Most of them just reflected the glare from the moon, only Kensuke's could be seen clearly. She stood up and picked up the picture. She then curled back up on her bed, clutching the picture to her chest and cried.