Part 23: With this Ring…
Hope laid on her futon, half asleep. "It seems all so sudden, now I have a little brother." She thought with a smile. "Kioshi Morisato…"
Recalling when she had brought Kioshi to his apartment three nights ago, it filled her heart with worry. Such a dismal looking building it was, and it was this environment that had Kioshi in the poor condition he was in now.
"This is my home… thanks for walking me here." Kioshi said, still holding onto Hope's hand.
"Kioshi, you shouldn't live in a place like this…" Hope said still staring at the building.
"It's better than the orphanage… sure my new Dad is tough sometimes but I don't wanna go back…" Kioshi said, tears welling in the corners of his eyes.
Hope looked down at him; her heart was hurting just as much. "Well." She snatched her hand up from his and glared at him from the corner of her eyes. "What makes you think I'm letting you stay here?"
"Huh?"
"You know my secret; I can't trust a five year old with such a big secret now can I?" She asked and knelt down to be eye to eye level with him. "I have to keep an eye on you, so from now on…" She smiled. "You're living with me."
Kioshi stared at her blankly. "…R…Really?"
"Yeah, forget this Akutagawa name and be Kioshi Morisato, my little brother, how does that sound?" She asked.
Kioshi quickly threw his arms around her and cheered. "I'm gonna live with you!"
"That's right!" Hope smiled and hugged him back.
"I couldn't just leave him there… I couldn't…" She thought and hugged onto her plush Gan-chan. "But… what if I made a mistake? What if living with me is even more dangerous than where he was?" Hope asked herself, remembering Sushee. "But… at least he'll be happier… Grandfather is taking care of everything so…"
"Onee-san?"
"Eh?" Hope sat up and saw Kioshi standing in her doorway with his blanket tight in his grasp.
"I can't sleep…"
"Scared?" Hope grinned.
"…Y… Yeah…" He nodded. "Aunt Urd's watching scary movies in the tea room and I can hear em' through my wall!"
Hope sweat dropped. "Yeah, Aunt Urd and her late night movies… well..." Hope motioned for him to come over. "You saw what I can do; I'll protect you from Abominable Snowmen to Werewolves."
Kioshi humbly walked into her room and closed her door, making sure hallway monsters, and then checking the closet for closet monsters and quickly jumped into Hope's bed.
"It's safe in here?" He asked again.
Hope nodded then looked down at Gan-chan. "Hold onto him, he'll protect you too, even when I'm not here." She smiled then handed her beloved Gan-chan to her new brother.
"Th… thank you Onee-san! Mm!" he hugged Gan-chan tight and smiled happily.
It brought a warm smile to Hope's face, but suddenly a pain ached in her chest and back. "Mmph…"
"What's wrong?" He looked up at her a bit startled.
"Kioshi, Ssh." Hope whispered and got out of the futon. Clenching her fist tightly in the air and drawing out the morphed Mjollnir hilt with the new shining blade. Slowly, she crept to her outside door and put her hand in its crevice.
"Onee-sama…" Kioshi whispered.
"YAGH!" Hope flung the door open, surely enough her senses were correct; a demon came lurking out of the forest.
"Your blood…" It hissed.
"At such a time of night, especially when I defeated one of your brethren a few days ago…" Hope growled. "BEGONE!!!"
"NO, NO WAIT!!"
"Huh?" Hope lowered her sword.
"It's me!" the demon yanked off its head, it was Mara!
"Mara! Whew… thank Grandfather…" Hope sighed in relief. "What are you doing out there?"
"One of Hild-sama's punishments…" Mara sobbed. "Don't mind me; I'm just going to sit out here in my monster suit for a while longer."
"Um… alright, would you like me to bring you some tea? A jacket?" Hope asked.
"No… I'm fine." Mara grumbled as she pulled the demon head back over her face.
"Um… okay, good night." Hope closed the door and looked back at the terrified Kioshi. "Don't worry; she's a friend of mine."
"You have scary friends Onee-san…" Kioshi trembled.
"Um…" Hope sweat dropped and nodded. "Yeah I do."
Mara listened then sighed. "That was close, I guess this wasn't such a bright idea!" she flung off her ugly demon costume and held out her hand that concealed the other cursed ring. "What sort of punishment does Hild have in store for Hope anyway? This thing cursed or something?" she thought until she was frightened by an earth rumbling snore.
"GNAAAAAWWWW….SHooooooo." Tyr, whom was still unconscious from the mallet incident was tied up and hanging from a tree for the demoness's safety.
"Almost like a punchin bag…" Mara thought. "I'll wait until morning…" She thought and clenched the ring in her fist.
"GNNNAAAAAAAAAAARGH… CAGH… COUGH…. SHOOooooooooooo..." Tyr snorted soundly as a snot bubble formed in his nose.
"If Hope ever marries you… that snoring should be punishment enough…" Mara cringed.
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW…."
The next morning…
Birds chirped their heavenly song; the sun's gentle rays outlined the forest canopy in red, as well as Mara's bagged eyelids.
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWW………..Shoooooooooo…"
"Heh… Ehehe…." Mara cackled in an insane way. "Sleep… Sleepy, sleepy… Mara sleep tight! BWHAAAHAHA!"
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAWW!"
She slowly creaked up her head to glare up at him, still sleeping happily like a little baby with a snore that even seven hours later still shook the earth. "..T… Tyr?"
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWW!!!"
She marched over to him and punched him in the face. "WAKEY WAKEY!!!"
"Ggkk…" He grumbled then glared at her through the only eye not paved inward with her fist. "Mara…"
"Sleep good, I bet you did… YOU SNORE LIKE A HORSE!!" She barked as she yanked her fist out of his face.
"That hurt… wait a sec…" his eyes widened. "Why am I tied up!?!"
"Ask Hild, this is all part of some punishment for Hope…" Mara growled.
"Untie me!!" Tyr struggled. "How could you even think of allowing something that sicko planned to happen to Hope!?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking…" Mara cackled. "Like with you out of the way… I can sleep."
Tyr stared at her blankly. "Is Mara in there?"
"AND NOW I CARRY OUT THE MISSION!" She roared and began marching off. "All work and no sleep make Mara a dull demon… all work…"
"She… She's finally lost it…" Tyr stared then noticed all the demented writing and drawings she had made on the forest floor. "Eeeep!"
"My, what a beautiful sunrise!" Belldandy commented as she finished preparing breakfast for her family.
"Um…"
"Hmm? Oh!" She looked over her shoulder and smiled to see Kioshi standing in the hall wearing a junior league Nekomi sweater and shorts. "Good Morning Mrs. Morisato, Belldandy ma'am."
She giggled at his cute shyness and knelt down. "Now Kioshi, you're a Morisato too now."
He blushed and nodded. "Momma."
"See Kioshi?" Hope appeared behind him and smiled happily. "You're so shy!"
"Yeah." He laughed slightly when Hope mussed his hair. "And Poppa is Poppa, Aunt Urd and Aunt Skuld are?"
"Aunt Urd and Auntie Skuld!" Kioshi quickly answered.
"Auntie Skuld!?" Skuld suddenly appeared behind him and caught him in a hug. "That is SO cute!"
"Hey, why am I just Aunt Urd?" Urd asked somewhat sadly.
"Because Auntie Skuld like's cute stuff. Onee-san told me so." Kioshi said.
"Oh…" Urd glanced over at Hope whom was smiling like a cat. "You're enjoying this a bit too much."
"He's so cute!" Hope giggled.
"Morning." Keiichi yawned.
"Morning, Poppa!" The siblings said in unison.
"Hey there you two!" Keiichi smiled and looked down at Kioshi, he did look a bit like he would be Belldandy and Keiichi's son, black hair and blue eyes, and a humble look on his face. "Hey I got an idea, to celebrate our new family member how about we all go on a chopper ride today?"
"Yeah!" Hope and Belldandy cheered happily.
"I'll get Banpei ready!" Skuld quickly chimed and ran outside to find her robot.
"I have a marathon coming on today so I'll sit this one out." Urd winked.
"Can I drive?" Kioshi asked.
"Not yet." Keiichi mussed his hair the same way Hope did. "But trust me, in no time flat you'll be tearing down the road just like your big sister and I."
"Really?" His eyes sparkled.
"You bet!" Hope nodded.
"GAAAGH!" Skuld shot back into the temple and slammed the door shut behind her.
"Skuld?" Belldandy stared at her in surprise. "Is something wrong?"
"HIYAA!" The door burst open; there stood the sleep deprived demon with twigs sticking out of her clothing and hair.
"Mara!" Hope gasped. "Look at you! Did you stay up in the forest all night!?"
"I GOT SOMETHIN TO SHOW YA!" Mara suddenly appeared in the shocked girl's face.
"Er… O…kay…" Hope inched away until Mara held up a silver ring.
"Pretty isn't it?"
"I… guess…"
"Tyr has one just like it…" Mara grinned. "He's getting engaged."
Suddenly Hope turned into a complete statue from shock.
"WHAT!?" Urd shoved Hope out of the way and got in Mara's face. "HE'S GETTING ENGAGED!? TO WHO!?!"
"I dunno… why doncha go and ask him?"
Hope stared at Mara blankly for a moment. "He's… engaged…"
"Oh my…" Belldandy gasped in shock and put her hand on her startled daughter's shoulder.
Mara for a moment came free of her tired dementia when she saw the heartbreak in the girl's eyes, until suddenly rage turned her blue eyes red.
"TYR!!!" She shouted and ran past Mara then outside.
"Onee-sama?" Kioshi stared curiously and looked to his family in question.
"EXCELLENT!" Mara laughed and dashed out after her.
"Hrrnng…" Tyr gave up struggling. "Damnit… what does Hild want with me…" He thought then decided that he'd hanged there long enough. "Guess I need to use my power every now and then…" Suddenly his eyes turned red, similar to that which Hope's eyes were. "RAAAH!" From his cry, fire burst out of the cocoon and he fell to the ground after flipping to his feet. "Henh!"
"TYR!!"
"Eh?" He looked over his shoulder and saw Hope staring at him with red eyes, and panting from running with all of her strength. "Are you okay? Mara didn't do anything to you did she!?" He asked as he dashed to her side and looked her over.
"I'm fine, she'd… she'd never hurt me you know that but…" She looked at his hand, and there was the silver band on his finger. "…"
"This?" He looked at his hand with her.
"Tyr, it's not what it looks like… Hild forced you to marry someone didn't she!?" Hope asked urgently.
"No way! I'd rot in hell… I mean." He rubbed his head and smiled at her. "All I remember is that Mara clocked me and I woke up just a few minutes ago tied up and hanging upside-down. I don't even know where this ring came from!"
Hope's eyes turned back to blue and she sighed in relief. "Thank grandfather, for a minute there I thought I was going to have to go to hell and beat up some demon girl."
"You'd do that?" Tyr grinned.
"Well…" She looked down humbly.
Meanwhile Mara was watching the two, her crazed fatigue was fading away and she fawned over the two love birds. "That girl believed every word, she trusts him just as much as Bell trusts Kei." She looked at the ring in her hand again and scoffed at it. "I can't do it; it just wouldn't be right… but…" She looked back at them. "It is Hild-sama's orders… and a good type of evil."
"Anyway, how about I take that ring off your finger? It's sending chills down my spine." Hope asked as she held up her left hand.
"Go ahead, I was gonna ask you to anyway." He smiled and held his hand out to her.
"Now!" Mara turned chibi and cast a spell to slow down time; quickly she dashed to the scene and slid the other silver band onto Hope's ring finger. "Hehe! Now to see what happens!" She grinned and quickly kicked up to a tree branch.
"Well done Maa-chan!"
"Eh…EH!?" She panicked when she saw chibi Hild sitting on the same branch sipping on sake. "Hild-sama, what are you doing here!?"
"Well I want to watch! Hope's punishment starts now!" She snapped her fingers with a happy grin.
Time restored itself as Hope touched Tyr's ring.
"You know… this ring looks exactly like the one that Mara was holding on to…" Hope said.
"Really? I wonder why there was another…" The ring wouldn't budge.
"Tyr you've got chubby fingers." Hope looked up at him and giggled.
"Do not!" he pouted then realized the same ring was on her hand. "Hope! The other one!!"
"Eh?" Just as she noticed, their hands clasped together and a strange magnetic like force seemed to pull them together.
"What?" Hope blushed as she tried to resist.
"WHA…Mm!?" Their lips pressed together, making them both turn bright red as they heard wedding bells in their ears.
"What just happened?" Mara blushed.
"YEAH!" Hild jumped to her feet and started throwing rice out. "Congratulations! Congratulations!!"
"Muah!" Hope pulled back from the completely frozen Tyr and stared around. "That voice!"
Suddenly there was a puff of smoke, from which an elegantly sobbing Hild emerged. "Congratulations you two!!" She cheered as she hugged onto them.
"Fo… For what?" Tyr stared at her blankly.
"For getting married!" Hild announced and took a moment to observe their shocked faces. "Oh? Don't you know? That's what happens when two people wear the legendary rings of Beowulf, they are bound to each other until the day they die."
They both turned completely red, debatable if from anger or embarrassment.
"This is my lovely little punishment for that battle we had Hope." She said as she wiggled the teen's nose with her finger then stepped back.
"H…how is marrying us a punishment?" Tyr laughed. "This is the worst punishment I've ever heard of!"
"Oh… perhaps not for you but in due time she'll realize why for her." Hild smiled. "Enjoy yourselves." As quickly as she appeared, the demon queen was gone, leaving the newlyweds to stand there confused.
"…" Hope looked at her hand and stared up at Tyr.
"…" He stared at her for a moment then shook his head. "We're not really married yet…"
"Yet?" Hope blushed.
"Um… well…" He scratched the back of his head. "You want a formal wedding, right? Uh, girls think about this sorta thing since they were little, right? Well I'm going to make sure you get that sorta wedding someday." He glared at the ring. "We'll get these things off, I promise!'
Hope nodded with a smile. "But… how will we explain this to everyone?"
"Ah hell, I'm sure they'll understand!" He smiled happily.
Later…
"YOU'RE WHA!?!" Keiichi shouted, making the roof blast off the temple.
"Oh… My… Hauuh.." Belldandy fainted.
"Momma!" Hope stared in shock.
"Married!?" Urd asked. "Way to go!! The sooner the better that's what I always say!"
"It's too soon!" Skuld interrupted.
"Onee-san is married?" Kioshi asked quietly.
"No… not really Kioshi, a really mean demon is just playing a trick on me and my… friend." Hope tried to explain to her little brother.
"Friend?" Tyr stared at her in a hurt way.
"Ssh! He's only five…" Hope whispered.
"Oh…" He nodded.
"Oh…" Belldandy quickly came back to after Keiichi helped her sit up, she stared at Hope and Tyr for a moment then sighed, "I've heard tales of the rings of Beowulf, they were created long ago by the goddess of love in the times of the Vikings…"
"Oh! I remember now!" Skuld smiled. "They were created in a time when two kingdoms wanted to form an armistice by the marriage of both rulers' children. However, the prince and princess to marry were very stubborn and were fully against it!"
"That is until the goddess of love came along and tricked the two by presenting them with the rings. When they both put them on they instantly fell in love and were married." Belldandy finished. "I am not sure however… if the ring will work on those whom are already in love."
"Maybe it amplifies their love?" Urd grinned, until she saw the look on Keiichi's face.
"Is there anything we can do to get them off?" Tyr asked.
"There may be, but there never has been a case where a couple bound by the rings have broken free from its curse and removed them." Belldandy sighed.
Tyr got to his feet and sighed. "I'm sorry but I have to get back to Muspelhiem, I've been away for too long and besides." He looked down at Hope. "I need to find Hild and kick her ass!"
"No wait!" The three goddesses exclaimed.
"Huh?" He looked at them in shock.
"If you and Hope are separated, your desires to be together will grow dangerously strong." Skuld warned.
"Oh… what would I go insane or something?" Tyr laughed.
"Not… quite…" Belldandy blushed.
"EH!?" Hope and Tyr turned bright red.
"Huh?" Kioshi stared around blankly.
"Um, how about we go for that bike ride Kioshi?" Keiichi asked quickly.
"Without Onee-san and Momma?" He asked in a pouty way.
"Afraid so…" He sighed and looked at them. "This will give you all time to talk about this." He thought.
Hope quickly jumped up to her feet and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry Poppa, I really am." "It's okay, it's not like you ran off and got married!" He patted her on the back.
"Onee-san, since you're married does that mean that you'll be a Momma soon?" Kioshi asked.
"AH!?" Everyone in the room sweat dropped as she kneeled down to hug him.
"Well… not yet Kioshi, I'm not really married." Hope explained and patted him on the shoulders. "Now, you go have fun with Poppa okay?"
"I will!" He nodded and gave everyone a hug, but stopped before he got to Tyr.
He looked at the little boy for a moment. "Guess I'm somewhat your big brother now huh?" He asked.
"Um…" Kioshi stared at his right arm socket.
"Let's go!" Keiichi called to Kioshi with a smile as he walked out of the room.
"Okay!" Kioshi quickly ran out of the room and looked back at Hope one more time before closing the door behind him.
"Now…" Urd coughed. "The logical solution to this whole problem is for you two to move out and into your own apartment."
The room went silent.
"That was random." Skuld growled toothily at her.
"Really, Tyr can just stay here for a while." Hope said.
"Actually…" Tyr looked at her. "If we have to be together to not risk this curse, I need you to come to Muspelhiem with me."
Hope looked at him for a moment then looked down. "That… that's right, wait! School!" she panicked.
"I'm sure you can risk a few hours apart." Belldandy thought aloud. "But at Lunch and after school you must rush back to Muspelhiem as soon as possible."
She nodded, but then there was another problem. "I… I won't be able to come home."
The three looked down.
"That is true, but I'm sure that you will be able to find a way to break the curse." Belldandy said reassuringly.
"Oh Mom…" Hope sniffed as tears began to form in her eyes.
The three goddesses circled around her and did their best to comfort her.
Tyr looked at her worriedly, his heart sunk into his chest. "So this is the punishment…"
Keiichi sped down the road in his BMW with Kioshi sitting in the sidecar, his eyes filled with wonder.
"Faster Poppa!" Kioshi called out.
"Hah! You sure are a Morisato!" He smiled happily and revved the engines. "Maybe we can find an old bike frame and build you a motorcycle ground up just like Hope's Yamaha!" He called over the wind.
"Really!?" Kioshi asked.
"You bet! We'll go look in the scrap yard tomorrow! If we're lucky maybe we'll find a Honda or a Harley frame!"
"Onee-san can come help us look too!" Kioshi cheered happily.
"Yeah!" Keiichi answered, and then looked back out onto the road, his heart felt heavy for some reason. "I sure hope that she can…" He thought to himself.
*A fan author's worthless rant*
Yep, another shorty, but it is going to be continued in part 24 ;3 It's a lot better than the first one I had going around, kinda reminds me of the whole part 17 fiasco ^^;; It was just sorta hard to get it going… so sorry if this one stunk -_-;;
Anyhoo, this is a plot I've wanted to use for a long time because it'll give me the chance to play out the relationship between Hope and Tyr. Makes you wonder, how much resistance will there be between the daughter of Bell and Kei and the son of Peorth? *will not acknowledge Surt*
Surt: Grrr!
Get back in yo grave! XD
Aaand… where was Nauthiz and Akina during this? I dunno ^^ Hehe!
Nauthiz: Well, I was in heaven, I must return and deliver my reports so they can check on my status.
Akina: And I was still asleep when all this was going on ^^
Liz: Yeah, that sounds about right.
Akina: *glares knives*
Nauthiz: ???
Anyway, look forward to it :3. The next one just may be what you Hope and Tyr fans have been waiting for. OR, just another one of my insane hilarities X3
P.s. It could have been longer but I believe in typing only as much as there is needed ^^;; otherwise I'll end up typing a bunch of gibberish. V_V;; (Needs more experience)
*bows to Steel Angel Kurumi* those eps. are only like 10 or 15 minutes long each, perfect length X*3
See ya next time :3
P.s.s. I'm going to post a new drawing on the forums at www.belldandy.us of Hope in her Kioshi garb O_O;; *shock* if Jason won't get mad at me for not posting in the new art forum *i don't know how to get it to work X*D *
Hope laid on her futon, half asleep. "It seems all so sudden, now I have a little brother." She thought with a smile. "Kioshi Morisato…"
Recalling when she had brought Kioshi to his apartment three nights ago, it filled her heart with worry. Such a dismal looking building it was, and it was this environment that had Kioshi in the poor condition he was in now.
"This is my home… thanks for walking me here." Kioshi said, still holding onto Hope's hand.
"Kioshi, you shouldn't live in a place like this…" Hope said still staring at the building.
"It's better than the orphanage… sure my new Dad is tough sometimes but I don't wanna go back…" Kioshi said, tears welling in the corners of his eyes.
Hope looked down at him; her heart was hurting just as much. "Well." She snatched her hand up from his and glared at him from the corner of her eyes. "What makes you think I'm letting you stay here?"
"Huh?"
"You know my secret; I can't trust a five year old with such a big secret now can I?" She asked and knelt down to be eye to eye level with him. "I have to keep an eye on you, so from now on…" She smiled. "You're living with me."
Kioshi stared at her blankly. "…R…Really?"
"Yeah, forget this Akutagawa name and be Kioshi Morisato, my little brother, how does that sound?" She asked.
Kioshi quickly threw his arms around her and cheered. "I'm gonna live with you!"
"That's right!" Hope smiled and hugged him back.
"I couldn't just leave him there… I couldn't…" She thought and hugged onto her plush Gan-chan. "But… what if I made a mistake? What if living with me is even more dangerous than where he was?" Hope asked herself, remembering Sushee. "But… at least he'll be happier… Grandfather is taking care of everything so…"
"Onee-san?"
"Eh?" Hope sat up and saw Kioshi standing in her doorway with his blanket tight in his grasp.
"I can't sleep…"
"Scared?" Hope grinned.
"…Y… Yeah…" He nodded. "Aunt Urd's watching scary movies in the tea room and I can hear em' through my wall!"
Hope sweat dropped. "Yeah, Aunt Urd and her late night movies… well..." Hope motioned for him to come over. "You saw what I can do; I'll protect you from Abominable Snowmen to Werewolves."
Kioshi humbly walked into her room and closed her door, making sure hallway monsters, and then checking the closet for closet monsters and quickly jumped into Hope's bed.
"It's safe in here?" He asked again.
Hope nodded then looked down at Gan-chan. "Hold onto him, he'll protect you too, even when I'm not here." She smiled then handed her beloved Gan-chan to her new brother.
"Th… thank you Onee-san! Mm!" he hugged Gan-chan tight and smiled happily.
It brought a warm smile to Hope's face, but suddenly a pain ached in her chest and back. "Mmph…"
"What's wrong?" He looked up at her a bit startled.
"Kioshi, Ssh." Hope whispered and got out of the futon. Clenching her fist tightly in the air and drawing out the morphed Mjollnir hilt with the new shining blade. Slowly, she crept to her outside door and put her hand in its crevice.
"Onee-sama…" Kioshi whispered.
"YAGH!" Hope flung the door open, surely enough her senses were correct; a demon came lurking out of the forest.
"Your blood…" It hissed.
"At such a time of night, especially when I defeated one of your brethren a few days ago…" Hope growled. "BEGONE!!!"
"NO, NO WAIT!!"
"Huh?" Hope lowered her sword.
"It's me!" the demon yanked off its head, it was Mara!
"Mara! Whew… thank Grandfather…" Hope sighed in relief. "What are you doing out there?"
"One of Hild-sama's punishments…" Mara sobbed. "Don't mind me; I'm just going to sit out here in my monster suit for a while longer."
"Um… alright, would you like me to bring you some tea? A jacket?" Hope asked.
"No… I'm fine." Mara grumbled as she pulled the demon head back over her face.
"Um… okay, good night." Hope closed the door and looked back at the terrified Kioshi. "Don't worry; she's a friend of mine."
"You have scary friends Onee-san…" Kioshi trembled.
"Um…" Hope sweat dropped and nodded. "Yeah I do."
Mara listened then sighed. "That was close, I guess this wasn't such a bright idea!" she flung off her ugly demon costume and held out her hand that concealed the other cursed ring. "What sort of punishment does Hild have in store for Hope anyway? This thing cursed or something?" she thought until she was frightened by an earth rumbling snore.
"GNAAAAAWWWW….SHooooooo." Tyr, whom was still unconscious from the mallet incident was tied up and hanging from a tree for the demoness's safety.
"Almost like a punchin bag…" Mara thought. "I'll wait until morning…" She thought and clenched the ring in her fist.
"GNNNAAAAAAAAAAARGH… CAGH… COUGH…. SHOOooooooooooo..." Tyr snorted soundly as a snot bubble formed in his nose.
"If Hope ever marries you… that snoring should be punishment enough…" Mara cringed.
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW…."
The next morning…
Birds chirped their heavenly song; the sun's gentle rays outlined the forest canopy in red, as well as Mara's bagged eyelids.
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWW………..Shoooooooooo…"
"Heh… Ehehe…." Mara cackled in an insane way. "Sleep… Sleepy, sleepy… Mara sleep tight! BWHAAAHAHA!"
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAWW!"
She slowly creaked up her head to glare up at him, still sleeping happily like a little baby with a snore that even seven hours later still shook the earth. "..T… Tyr?"
"GNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWW!!!"
She marched over to him and punched him in the face. "WAKEY WAKEY!!!"
"Ggkk…" He grumbled then glared at her through the only eye not paved inward with her fist. "Mara…"
"Sleep good, I bet you did… YOU SNORE LIKE A HORSE!!" She barked as she yanked her fist out of his face.
"That hurt… wait a sec…" his eyes widened. "Why am I tied up!?!"
"Ask Hild, this is all part of some punishment for Hope…" Mara growled.
"Untie me!!" Tyr struggled. "How could you even think of allowing something that sicko planned to happen to Hope!?"
"I've been doing a lot of thinking…" Mara cackled. "Like with you out of the way… I can sleep."
Tyr stared at her blankly. "Is Mara in there?"
"AND NOW I CARRY OUT THE MISSION!" She roared and began marching off. "All work and no sleep make Mara a dull demon… all work…"
"She… She's finally lost it…" Tyr stared then noticed all the demented writing and drawings she had made on the forest floor. "Eeeep!"
"My, what a beautiful sunrise!" Belldandy commented as she finished preparing breakfast for her family.
"Um…"
"Hmm? Oh!" She looked over her shoulder and smiled to see Kioshi standing in the hall wearing a junior league Nekomi sweater and shorts. "Good Morning Mrs. Morisato, Belldandy ma'am."
She giggled at his cute shyness and knelt down. "Now Kioshi, you're a Morisato too now."
He blushed and nodded. "Momma."
"See Kioshi?" Hope appeared behind him and smiled happily. "You're so shy!"
"Yeah." He laughed slightly when Hope mussed his hair. "And Poppa is Poppa, Aunt Urd and Aunt Skuld are?"
"Aunt Urd and Auntie Skuld!" Kioshi quickly answered.
"Auntie Skuld!?" Skuld suddenly appeared behind him and caught him in a hug. "That is SO cute!"
"Hey, why am I just Aunt Urd?" Urd asked somewhat sadly.
"Because Auntie Skuld like's cute stuff. Onee-san told me so." Kioshi said.
"Oh…" Urd glanced over at Hope whom was smiling like a cat. "You're enjoying this a bit too much."
"He's so cute!" Hope giggled.
"Morning." Keiichi yawned.
"Morning, Poppa!" The siblings said in unison.
"Hey there you two!" Keiichi smiled and looked down at Kioshi, he did look a bit like he would be Belldandy and Keiichi's son, black hair and blue eyes, and a humble look on his face. "Hey I got an idea, to celebrate our new family member how about we all go on a chopper ride today?"
"Yeah!" Hope and Belldandy cheered happily.
"I'll get Banpei ready!" Skuld quickly chimed and ran outside to find her robot.
"I have a marathon coming on today so I'll sit this one out." Urd winked.
"Can I drive?" Kioshi asked.
"Not yet." Keiichi mussed his hair the same way Hope did. "But trust me, in no time flat you'll be tearing down the road just like your big sister and I."
"Really?" His eyes sparkled.
"You bet!" Hope nodded.
"GAAAGH!" Skuld shot back into the temple and slammed the door shut behind her.
"Skuld?" Belldandy stared at her in surprise. "Is something wrong?"
"HIYAA!" The door burst open; there stood the sleep deprived demon with twigs sticking out of her clothing and hair.
"Mara!" Hope gasped. "Look at you! Did you stay up in the forest all night!?"
"I GOT SOMETHIN TO SHOW YA!" Mara suddenly appeared in the shocked girl's face.
"Er… O…kay…" Hope inched away until Mara held up a silver ring.
"Pretty isn't it?"
"I… guess…"
"Tyr has one just like it…" Mara grinned. "He's getting engaged."
Suddenly Hope turned into a complete statue from shock.
"WHAT!?" Urd shoved Hope out of the way and got in Mara's face. "HE'S GETTING ENGAGED!? TO WHO!?!"
"I dunno… why doncha go and ask him?"
Hope stared at Mara blankly for a moment. "He's… engaged…"
"Oh my…" Belldandy gasped in shock and put her hand on her startled daughter's shoulder.
Mara for a moment came free of her tired dementia when she saw the heartbreak in the girl's eyes, until suddenly rage turned her blue eyes red.
"TYR!!!" She shouted and ran past Mara then outside.
"Onee-sama?" Kioshi stared curiously and looked to his family in question.
"EXCELLENT!" Mara laughed and dashed out after her.
"Hrrnng…" Tyr gave up struggling. "Damnit… what does Hild want with me…" He thought then decided that he'd hanged there long enough. "Guess I need to use my power every now and then…" Suddenly his eyes turned red, similar to that which Hope's eyes were. "RAAAH!" From his cry, fire burst out of the cocoon and he fell to the ground after flipping to his feet. "Henh!"
"TYR!!"
"Eh?" He looked over his shoulder and saw Hope staring at him with red eyes, and panting from running with all of her strength. "Are you okay? Mara didn't do anything to you did she!?" He asked as he dashed to her side and looked her over.
"I'm fine, she'd… she'd never hurt me you know that but…" She looked at his hand, and there was the silver band on his finger. "…"
"This?" He looked at his hand with her.
"Tyr, it's not what it looks like… Hild forced you to marry someone didn't she!?" Hope asked urgently.
"No way! I'd rot in hell… I mean." He rubbed his head and smiled at her. "All I remember is that Mara clocked me and I woke up just a few minutes ago tied up and hanging upside-down. I don't even know where this ring came from!"
Hope's eyes turned back to blue and she sighed in relief. "Thank grandfather, for a minute there I thought I was going to have to go to hell and beat up some demon girl."
"You'd do that?" Tyr grinned.
"Well…" She looked down humbly.
Meanwhile Mara was watching the two, her crazed fatigue was fading away and she fawned over the two love birds. "That girl believed every word, she trusts him just as much as Bell trusts Kei." She looked at the ring in her hand again and scoffed at it. "I can't do it; it just wouldn't be right… but…" She looked back at them. "It is Hild-sama's orders… and a good type of evil."
"Anyway, how about I take that ring off your finger? It's sending chills down my spine." Hope asked as she held up her left hand.
"Go ahead, I was gonna ask you to anyway." He smiled and held his hand out to her.
"Now!" Mara turned chibi and cast a spell to slow down time; quickly she dashed to the scene and slid the other silver band onto Hope's ring finger. "Hehe! Now to see what happens!" She grinned and quickly kicked up to a tree branch.
"Well done Maa-chan!"
"Eh…EH!?" She panicked when she saw chibi Hild sitting on the same branch sipping on sake. "Hild-sama, what are you doing here!?"
"Well I want to watch! Hope's punishment starts now!" She snapped her fingers with a happy grin.
Time restored itself as Hope touched Tyr's ring.
"You know… this ring looks exactly like the one that Mara was holding on to…" Hope said.
"Really? I wonder why there was another…" The ring wouldn't budge.
"Tyr you've got chubby fingers." Hope looked up at him and giggled.
"Do not!" he pouted then realized the same ring was on her hand. "Hope! The other one!!"
"Eh?" Just as she noticed, their hands clasped together and a strange magnetic like force seemed to pull them together.
"What?" Hope blushed as she tried to resist.
"WHA…Mm!?" Their lips pressed together, making them both turn bright red as they heard wedding bells in their ears.
"What just happened?" Mara blushed.
"YEAH!" Hild jumped to her feet and started throwing rice out. "Congratulations! Congratulations!!"
"Muah!" Hope pulled back from the completely frozen Tyr and stared around. "That voice!"
Suddenly there was a puff of smoke, from which an elegantly sobbing Hild emerged. "Congratulations you two!!" She cheered as she hugged onto them.
"Fo… For what?" Tyr stared at her blankly.
"For getting married!" Hild announced and took a moment to observe their shocked faces. "Oh? Don't you know? That's what happens when two people wear the legendary rings of Beowulf, they are bound to each other until the day they die."
They both turned completely red, debatable if from anger or embarrassment.
"This is my lovely little punishment for that battle we had Hope." She said as she wiggled the teen's nose with her finger then stepped back.
"H…how is marrying us a punishment?" Tyr laughed. "This is the worst punishment I've ever heard of!"
"Oh… perhaps not for you but in due time she'll realize why for her." Hild smiled. "Enjoy yourselves." As quickly as she appeared, the demon queen was gone, leaving the newlyweds to stand there confused.
"…" Hope looked at her hand and stared up at Tyr.
"…" He stared at her for a moment then shook his head. "We're not really married yet…"
"Yet?" Hope blushed.
"Um… well…" He scratched the back of his head. "You want a formal wedding, right? Uh, girls think about this sorta thing since they were little, right? Well I'm going to make sure you get that sorta wedding someday." He glared at the ring. "We'll get these things off, I promise!'
Hope nodded with a smile. "But… how will we explain this to everyone?"
"Ah hell, I'm sure they'll understand!" He smiled happily.
Later…
"YOU'RE WHA!?!" Keiichi shouted, making the roof blast off the temple.
"Oh… My… Hauuh.." Belldandy fainted.
"Momma!" Hope stared in shock.
"Married!?" Urd asked. "Way to go!! The sooner the better that's what I always say!"
"It's too soon!" Skuld interrupted.
"Onee-san is married?" Kioshi asked quietly.
"No… not really Kioshi, a really mean demon is just playing a trick on me and my… friend." Hope tried to explain to her little brother.
"Friend?" Tyr stared at her in a hurt way.
"Ssh! He's only five…" Hope whispered.
"Oh…" He nodded.
"Oh…" Belldandy quickly came back to after Keiichi helped her sit up, she stared at Hope and Tyr for a moment then sighed, "I've heard tales of the rings of Beowulf, they were created long ago by the goddess of love in the times of the Vikings…"
"Oh! I remember now!" Skuld smiled. "They were created in a time when two kingdoms wanted to form an armistice by the marriage of both rulers' children. However, the prince and princess to marry were very stubborn and were fully against it!"
"That is until the goddess of love came along and tricked the two by presenting them with the rings. When they both put them on they instantly fell in love and were married." Belldandy finished. "I am not sure however… if the ring will work on those whom are already in love."
"Maybe it amplifies their love?" Urd grinned, until she saw the look on Keiichi's face.
"Is there anything we can do to get them off?" Tyr asked.
"There may be, but there never has been a case where a couple bound by the rings have broken free from its curse and removed them." Belldandy sighed.
Tyr got to his feet and sighed. "I'm sorry but I have to get back to Muspelhiem, I've been away for too long and besides." He looked down at Hope. "I need to find Hild and kick her ass!"
"No wait!" The three goddesses exclaimed.
"Huh?" He looked at them in shock.
"If you and Hope are separated, your desires to be together will grow dangerously strong." Skuld warned.
"Oh… what would I go insane or something?" Tyr laughed.
"Not… quite…" Belldandy blushed.
"EH!?" Hope and Tyr turned bright red.
"Huh?" Kioshi stared around blankly.
"Um, how about we go for that bike ride Kioshi?" Keiichi asked quickly.
"Without Onee-san and Momma?" He asked in a pouty way.
"Afraid so…" He sighed and looked at them. "This will give you all time to talk about this." He thought.
Hope quickly jumped up to her feet and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry Poppa, I really am." "It's okay, it's not like you ran off and got married!" He patted her on the back.
"Onee-san, since you're married does that mean that you'll be a Momma soon?" Kioshi asked.
"AH!?" Everyone in the room sweat dropped as she kneeled down to hug him.
"Well… not yet Kioshi, I'm not really married." Hope explained and patted him on the shoulders. "Now, you go have fun with Poppa okay?"
"I will!" He nodded and gave everyone a hug, but stopped before he got to Tyr.
He looked at the little boy for a moment. "Guess I'm somewhat your big brother now huh?" He asked.
"Um…" Kioshi stared at his right arm socket.
"Let's go!" Keiichi called to Kioshi with a smile as he walked out of the room.
"Okay!" Kioshi quickly ran out of the room and looked back at Hope one more time before closing the door behind him.
"Now…" Urd coughed. "The logical solution to this whole problem is for you two to move out and into your own apartment."
The room went silent.
"That was random." Skuld growled toothily at her.
"Really, Tyr can just stay here for a while." Hope said.
"Actually…" Tyr looked at her. "If we have to be together to not risk this curse, I need you to come to Muspelhiem with me."
Hope looked at him for a moment then looked down. "That… that's right, wait! School!" she panicked.
"I'm sure you can risk a few hours apart." Belldandy thought aloud. "But at Lunch and after school you must rush back to Muspelhiem as soon as possible."
She nodded, but then there was another problem. "I… I won't be able to come home."
The three looked down.
"That is true, but I'm sure that you will be able to find a way to break the curse." Belldandy said reassuringly.
"Oh Mom…" Hope sniffed as tears began to form in her eyes.
The three goddesses circled around her and did their best to comfort her.
Tyr looked at her worriedly, his heart sunk into his chest. "So this is the punishment…"
Keiichi sped down the road in his BMW with Kioshi sitting in the sidecar, his eyes filled with wonder.
"Faster Poppa!" Kioshi called out.
"Hah! You sure are a Morisato!" He smiled happily and revved the engines. "Maybe we can find an old bike frame and build you a motorcycle ground up just like Hope's Yamaha!" He called over the wind.
"Really!?" Kioshi asked.
"You bet! We'll go look in the scrap yard tomorrow! If we're lucky maybe we'll find a Honda or a Harley frame!"
"Onee-san can come help us look too!" Kioshi cheered happily.
"Yeah!" Keiichi answered, and then looked back out onto the road, his heart felt heavy for some reason. "I sure hope that she can…" He thought to himself.
*A fan author's worthless rant*
Yep, another shorty, but it is going to be continued in part 24 ;3 It's a lot better than the first one I had going around, kinda reminds me of the whole part 17 fiasco ^^;; It was just sorta hard to get it going… so sorry if this one stunk -_-;;
Anyhoo, this is a plot I've wanted to use for a long time because it'll give me the chance to play out the relationship between Hope and Tyr. Makes you wonder, how much resistance will there be between the daughter of Bell and Kei and the son of Peorth? *will not acknowledge Surt*
Surt: Grrr!
Get back in yo grave! XD
Aaand… where was Nauthiz and Akina during this? I dunno ^^ Hehe!
Nauthiz: Well, I was in heaven, I must return and deliver my reports so they can check on my status.
Akina: And I was still asleep when all this was going on ^^
Liz: Yeah, that sounds about right.
Akina: *glares knives*
Nauthiz: ???
Anyway, look forward to it :3. The next one just may be what you Hope and Tyr fans have been waiting for. OR, just another one of my insane hilarities X3
P.s. It could have been longer but I believe in typing only as much as there is needed ^^;; otherwise I'll end up typing a bunch of gibberish. V_V;; (Needs more experience)
*bows to Steel Angel Kurumi* those eps. are only like 10 or 15 minutes long each, perfect length X*3
See ya next time :3
P.s.s. I'm going to post a new drawing on the forums at www.belldandy.us of Hope in her Kioshi garb O_O;; *shock* if Jason won't get mad at me for not posting in the new art forum *i don't know how to get it to work X*D *