Chapter 4

When Keiichi walked out into the kitchen the next morning, Belldandy was sitting at the table in her robe, staring off into space. A cup of tea sat before the goddess, long since cold.

"Bell?" He asked.

Belldandy blinked and looked up at Keiichi.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said, "I hadn't realized what time it was. I'll get started on breakfast." Belldandy started to rise towards the kitchen.

Keiichi placed his hand on her shoulder and stopped her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Belldandy sighed and sat back down at the table.

"I asked Sayoko and Mana what happened to them in their world." She said sadly, "Now I wish I hadn't." She looked up at Keiichi, her eyes full of tears. "They've been through so much K! It was just horrible!"

Keiichi wrapped his arms around Belldandy.

"Is that why Mana works alongside Sayoko?" Keiichi asked.

"Somewhat." Belldandy said softly, "She's part mortal and from what I was told, has never really been what would be considered a proper Demon. But then everything in their world is so different from ours."

"What do you mean?"

"Their Mara left them alone after Sayoko was born." Belldandy said, "And their Hild saved Mana and raised her like a daughter. Why can't our world be like theirs?"

"Didn't their world also lose half the population of the earth?" Keiichi asked, "Would you really want that to happen here?"

Belldandy shook her head. "Of course not."

"There's nothing you can really do for them." Keiichi said, "Except to listen. Everything that has happened to them is in their past, and we can't change it. Regardless what has happened to them, they have over come it and put it behind them. They still carry the memories, but they have moved on, so you needn't worry about them."

Belldandy smiled at Keiichi. "How did you get to be so wise?"

Keiichi scratched his head as if in thought. "There was this Goddess I used to know years ago. I got it from her."

Belldandy narrowed her eyes slightly. "And what happened to this Goddess?"

Keiichi smiled before tipping Belldandy back slightly.

"I married her of course." He then kissed her deeply on the lips.

"Ewwww!"

Belldandy and Keiichi jumped and turned to see Young Sayoko holding her doll. Behind her was the older Sayoko and Mana.

"They're kissing." Young Sayoko said with a disgusted look on her face.

"Adults tend to do that." The Older Sayoko said.

"You do too?"

I uhh…..well…..you see….."

"She does kissing and a whole lot more." Mana said with a smirk.

"MANA!" Sayoko shouted, turning red. "There is a child present!"

"What other things does she do?" the young Sayoko asked.

"Gymnastics in her bed." Mana replied without hesitation. She then turned and walked into the living room.

"You shouldn't do Gymnastics in bed." Young Sayoko said, wagging her finger. "You could break it." She then followed Mana into the living room, leaving the Older Sayoko speechless. Belldandy and Keiichi stared at each other for a moment, then looked back at Sayoko.

"Gymnastics?" Belldandy asked curiously.

Sayoko turned redder, then glanced at Keiichi.

"Could you explain it to her? I have some Demon butt to kick." She turned and walked into the living room.

"Gymnastics?" Belldandy asked again, looking at Keiichi.

"Well, it's like this." Keiichi leaned forward and spoke softly in the Goddess' ear. Belldandy's face grew redder and redder and redder.

"Oh my." She said softly.

"Exactly."

A look came over Belldandy's face. "I'm not sure I understand. Could you show me later?"

"Ahhhh….." Keiichi's face now turned red. Then the first explosion was heard, followed by young Sayoko yelling about interrupting the Little Mermaid.

"Ah the joys of a quiet morning at home." Keiichi said with a sigh. "How I miss those days."

A very sleepy Skuld and Megumi walked into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Skuld asked.

"Yeah," Megumi added, "If she wasn't here I'd say it was a Skuld/Urd fight."

"Hey!" Skuld cried out indignantly.

"It is true." Belldandy said, "Or don't you remember the motorcycle incident?"

Skuld winced. Keiichi also stood up a bit straighter.

"Motorcycle." He said, "That's what we forgot." Keiichi turned and looked at Belldandy. "Chihiro asked me the other day if I would race for the Whirlwind."

"What?" Belldandy asked.

"The Whirlwind is sponsoring a cycle in an upcoming race." Keiichi explained, "And Chihiro asked if I would be the driver. She's already got the Motor Club and the Club Alumni helping out."

"I thought there was going to be no more races?" Belldandy asked.

"There wasn't supposed to be." Keiichi said, "But apparently Aoshima said something to Chihiro and set her off. So now there's a bet between Aoshima and Chihiro over the Whirlwind. If his team wins, he gets the Whirlwind."

"But that's Chihiro's joy!" Belldandy cried out, "She loves that shop!"

"And she feels real dumb about letting Aoshima get to her." Keiichi said, "That is why I'm going to race for her."

Belldandy nodded. "I understand. But then no more racing ok?"

Keiichi raised his right hand. "I promise. No more racing."

"A race eh?" Mara muttered quietly with a smirk.

One day later.

"We're going where?" Mana asked.

"Keiichi is going to be test driving a motorcycle that he'll race later this week." Belldandy said.

Sayoko was very excited. "He's going to race! Wahoo!"

Mana turned and gave Sayoko a look. "Why are you so happy?"

Sayoko glanced at Mana. "Because I never got to see Dad race except that one time when Asuka and I came here. Even then I didn't see the end."

"Why not?"

"Mara tried to hurt Keiichi." Belldandy said softly, "Sayoko held her off, but drained her power doing so."

"Do I have to go?" Mana asked, "I'm not really big on motorcycles."

"No, you don't have to go." Belldandy said, "I do need someone to watch over Sayoko. I'd prefer it would be Skuld, but she's busy trying to figure out the spell to get you home."

"Locked up in her room is she?" Sayoko said.

Belldandy nodded. "She'll be here at the Temple, but she won't be able to keep as close an eye on Sayoko as I'd like her too."

"Fortunately I have only one eye so I won't be distracted." Mana said with a slight smirk.

"That's rather sick Mana." Sayoko said.

"But true."

"You know I hate it when you joke like that."

"Sorry."

Motor Club Testing area.

Keiichi drove his motorcycle up towards the large trailer surrounded by people.

"HEY MORISATO!" Tamiya shouted, "YOU'RE LATE!"

"Sorry Sempei!" Keiichi replied, "But we had to make sure Sayoko was being watched. He stepped off the motorcycle, then helped Belldandy out of the sidecar. A second later a small figure leaped out of the sidecar and in a flash of smoke, the Older Sayoko appeared in her full sized form. Most of the team stepped back in awe.

"Who is that?" Sora Hesagawa asked, "She looks like she's Belldandy's mo.." Sora broke off as Keiichi slapped his hand over her mouth.

"Sorry." Keiichi said, taking his hand away, "But she's really sensitive about that."

"So who is she?"

Keiichi scratched his head as he looked back at the Goddess from the future.

"Well, you remember that one race where that other girl showed up looking like Belldandy, as well as a red head?"

"Yeah," Sora replied, "You said she was Belldandy's cousin and a friend."

"Well, that wasn't technically true." Keiichi said, "She's really a Goddess. A Goddess from another Universe."

Several of the club members oohhed.

"Just how far in the future is she from?" Sora asked.

"Well," Keiichi replied, "The first time was like twenty-five years."

"And now?"

"Closer to 500." Sayoko replied.

"WOW!" Sora replied, "I wish I could look this good when I get old."

Sayoko's eyes started to tear up slightly. Belldandy put an arm around her.

"It is a bit deeper then what Keiichi says." Belldandy said, "You see, her parents in the other universe, are Keiichi and myself."

"WHAT!" the entire club shouted.

"I am Sayoko Aida," Sayoko said, "Goddess Class 0, Type 2 Unlimited."

"You're married too?" Sora asked.

Sayoko nodded.

"Oh man."

"WELCOME TO NEKOMI!" Tamiya shouted as he grabbed Sayoko in a giant hug. "WITH YOU HERE WE"LL BE SURE OF VICTORY!"

"EEP!" Sayoko squeaked as she struggled in the hug.

"Tamiya."

The giant man turned and looked down at Belldandy.

"Eh?"

"Sayoko does require air."

"Oh."

Mana sighed as Hercules played on the TV.

"Haven't you ever heard of a good book?" she asked.

Young Sayoko turned and blinked at Mana.

"Momma reads to me." She said.

"Ever hear of Dr Seuss? Or Harry Potter?"

Young Sayoko looked at Mana. "I know about Harry Potter."

"Well how about I read you Dr Seuss?"

"Ok."

Mana waved her hand a book appeared. "Can you read that?"

"One fish Two fish."

"That's right." Mana said, a smile appearing on her face. "Now……" The Demoness' voice trailed off as she felt something. Something very familiar.

"Sayoko." Mana said, "I want you to stay right here and look at the book. If you hear anything bad, run to Skuld, understand?"

"Yes Mana."

Mana turned and walked outside. She then turned and headed towards the entrance to the temple. Just on the sidewalk outside the temple complex stood a blond haired demon.

"Hild told me there was a renegade Demon." Mara said as Mana stopped just inside the entrance. "But I couldn't believe that someone would be that stupid."

"Not stupid." Mana said, "Just more enlightened."

"Care to enlighten me?"

"It would take half the earth's population dead," Mana said, "as well as the return of the old messengers of god before you'd understand."

Mara shivered slightly at the mention of the messengers.

"It doesn't matter though." Mana said, "Even then I'd doubt that you could understand. You're much too different from the one I know."

Mara looked at Mana confused. "What one?"

Mana just smiled.

Mara shook her head. "Whatever. So basically it comes to this. I want you to join me and kidnap that brat."

"Not going to do it." Mana said with her arms crossed.

"Thought so." Mara said with a smirk, "So I have something that ought to change your mind."

"Like?"

"You'll find out." Mara replied as she vanished in a fireball.

Mana muttered and started to walk back to the temple.

"What could she do to….." Mana's eyes widened and she grabbed her communicator.

"SAYOKO COME IN!"

"Mana?"

"Sayoko listen, where's Keiichi?"

"Daddy's not here."

"WHAT!" Mana stared at the communicator in shock.

"Are you coming back to read me One Fish Two Fish now?"

Mana stared at the communicator, then ran inside to see young Sayoko holding the communicator that should have been in the older Sayoko's hands.

"Oh hell." Mana muttered. She then grabbed Sayoko into her arms and ran down the hall.

"SKULD!"

Keiichi raced around the small course the motor club had set up. Each lap he was taking faster and faster.

"He's doing good." Otaki said, looking at a stop watch.

"Very good." added Tamiya.

Chihiro sighed, "I'm glad. I feel so stupid for getting suckered into that bet with Aoshima."

"Don't feel too bad." Sayoko said from where she sat, "Aoshima is slime."

Chihiro looked back over at the Goddess. "How is he in your Universe?"

"Last time I saw him was when my Father passed away." Sayoko said, "My Mom told him off."

Chihiro looked over at Belldandy who was staring at Sayoko, shocked.

"I did?" Belldandy asked.

"Yep." Sayoko replied, "Aunt Sayoko said that was the most depressed she'd ever seen him."

"Wait wait wait." Chihiro said, "Aunt Sayoko? As in Sayoko Mishima?"

Sayoko nodded. "She was who I was named after."

"Ugh." Chihiro said, "I hate that woman."

"She's always causing problems for Miss Belldandy." Tamiya added.

"She calls me a witch." Belldandy stated, "But she hasn't bothered me since Sayoko was born."

"Talk to her." Sayoko said, "She really is nice to know. Mom considered her a good friend."

"We'll see." Belldandy said, "I'm not sure if she'd……"

ONEE-SAMA!

Belldandy winced slightly and grabbed her head.

What is it Skuld?

Mana just ran into Mara! Skuld replied, Mara is planning something to show Mana she's on the wrong side.

Belldandy frowned. Everyone else backed away from her slightly.

But what could Mara do?

Mana thinks she'd hurt Keiichi. Skuld replied.

Belldandy paled, then turned to Sayoko.

"Do you sense anything?"

"Hmm?"

"Like Mara?"

"MARA!" Everyone turned around and looked at the Goddess. Sayoko stared at Belldandy. "What makes you think Mara is around?"

"Mana thinks she's going to come here."

"Why would……" Sayoko began to say before a slight chill went over her. She immediately turned and looked around. "You feel that?"

"Just the wind." Tamiya said from where he was standing.

"No it was something else." Sayoko said. "I…."

"OH HELL!" Tamiya and Otaki shouted.

Everyone turned and watching in horror as the motorcycle hit something in the pavement, bucking the bike and sending Keiichi flying into the air.

"AHHH!" Belldandy shouted. She quickly began to chant.

Keiichi tumbled through the air then slammed down hard into the pavement, tumbling across the ground.

"KEIICHI!" Belldandy screamed, "WHY DIDN'T THE SPELL WORK!"

Sayoko's mind spun. She turned around and watched as Motor Club members as well as some other students ran to where Keiichi lay. Then she spotted Mara off in the crowd.

"MARA!" Sayoko shouted.

Belldandy turned and spotted Mara as well. So did several of the club members, they immediately ran at the Demoness. Mara gave a slight wave, then vanished into the crowd, the club members just behind her.

Sayoko and Belldandy ran to where Keiichi lay. More students had arrived, as did several professors.

"You know you won't be able to heal him." Sayoko said softly, "Not with this many people around who've seen the accident."

"I can at least make sure he's not dead." Belldandy replied, tears falling from her eyes.

Belldandy reached her husbands side and knelt down beside him.

"K?" she said softly.

"I'm fine." Keiichi replied, his voice strained, "I think I broke my arm and leg though."

"Someone call an ambulance!" a person in the crowd shouted.

"I'm sorry." Belldandy said to Keiichi softly, "I tried to help you but I failed."

Keiichi pulled Belldandy towards him with his good arm. "I know you would have helped if you could."

"It was Mara." Sayoko said softly on Keiichi's other side.

"Ah." Keiichi said, leaning back slightly. He then glanced at Belldandy. "Like the time that truck exploded?"

Belldandy nodded.

"No one is possessed are they?"

Belldandy and Sayoko both shook their heads.

"Mara ran off with part of the club chasing her." Sayoko said.

"They won't catch her." Keiichi said as an ambulance pulled up.

The paramedics got out and quickly assessed Keiichi's situation, they then gently lifted him onto a gurney and carried him onto the ambulance, with Belldandy right behind them. Chihiro and Sayoko walked over to were the bike lay. Chihiro poked at the bike.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this." She said softly. "Damn that Aoshima."

"As much as I hate to say it, he's not at fault here." Sayoko said, "Blame Mara."

"But Keiichi wouldn't have ridden the bike without me making that stupid bet." Chihiro said.

"Things happen." Sayoko said. "Now lets get this mess cleaned up and then get to the hospital. Along the way we can pick up their Sayoko. She'll want to see her Daddy."

"Well Mr. Morisato." The Doctor said as he finished looking over the medical charts, "It seems as if you have a goddess looking over your shoulder." Both Keiichi and Belldandy paled slightly. "You're extremely lucky that you got away with a bruised arm and a broken leg." The Doctor looked up from the chart. "You should be able to leave here in a day. Though once home you must remain in bed or in a wheelchair for another week or two, then we'll move you up to crutches."

"Alright Doctor." Keiichi said.

"For now, just rest. And I'll be back around in awhile." The Doctor turned and walked out of the room.

"I'm soo sorry Keiichi." Belldandy said, "I should have been able to help you."

"It's Mara's fault Bell," Keiichi said, "You said it yourself, your powers were blocked."

"I should at least heal you."

"And have the Doctors wonder what happened?" Keiichi shook his head. "No Bell, we have to let me heal the usual way."

"Hello?"

Belldandy and Keiichi turned and looked towards the door. There standing in the doorway was Sayoko Mishima. Belldandy's face darkened slightly.

"I heard about the accident." Sayoko said, "Do either of you need anything?"

"No," Keiichi said, "I'm fine."

Sayoko looked at Belldandy. "How about you?"

"Why do you suddenly care what I want?" Belldandy said.

Sayoko winced slightly. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to…."

"DADDY!"

A small blur raced into the room and leaped up to hug Keiichi.

"Easy Yoko." Belldandy said, "Daddy is hurt and you must be careful."

Sayoko immediately curled up on Keiichi's uninjured side and hugged her father. Keiichi wrapped his arm around his little girl and leaned his head on top of hers.

"How did you get here Munchkin?" he asked.

"Auntie Skuld brought us by the bathroom!" Sayoko replied.

A second later Megumi and Skuld entered the room, breathing heavily.

"Yoko." Skuld said wheezing, "We told you not to run."

"I wanted to see Daddy!"

The mortal Sayoko smiled at the scene before her.

"That's so adorable."

Belldandy turned and glared at Sayoko, who notice this, but continued on.

"If you need someone to watch her, I'd gladly……"

"Why would I let her go anywhere near you." Belldandy said coldly, "You'd give her to Mara in a second."

Sayoko took a step back. "I would never think of that."

"Wouldn't you?"

Sayoko bowed her head. "Alright then. I can see when I'm not wanted."

Sayoko turned and left the room.

"That was rather cold Bell." Keiichi said softly.

"He has a point Onee-sama." Skuld said softly.

Belldandy's expression lightened slightly.

"Speaking of watching Yoko," Belldandy said, changing the subject. "Where is Mana?"

"She and Sayoko are hanging back in the waiting area." Megumi said.

"They both feel guilty about what happened." Skuld added.

"Guilty?" Keiichi asked curious.

"Well," Skuld said, "Mana feels guilty for not stopping Mara at the temple, and she also feels like Hild is punishing her through you."

"Sayoko feels bad because she didn't help you at the track." Megumi said.

Keiichi sighed, "It's not Mana's fault about Mara, Hild has been after Yoko for sometime. And as for Sayoko, I seem to remember that overlapping spells are bad."

"Ugh," Skuld muttered putting a hand over her face, "Don't remind me."

Belldandy stood up.

"I'll go and get them." She said, "and let them know we don't blame them."

Belldandy left the room and headed down the hall towards the waiting area. As she rounded the corner, she froze. Standing in front of Mana and Sayoko was the mortal Sayoko. The three seemed to be chatting pleasantly, which caused Belldandy to feel annoyed. Mana noticed Belldandy and said something because the other two turned and looked at her. The mortal Sayoko said something, then turned and walked away. The Goddess Sayoko turned and gave Belldandy a glare. The two goddesses glared at each other, Belldandy slowly approaching. Mana looked between the two, nervous about what was occurring between the two.

"Remember, you're in a hospital." Mana whispered to Sayoko.

"Why were you talking to her of all people?" Belldandy said angrily.

"Because I know the Sayoko from my universe," Sayoko said, "And from what I saw of this one, she seeks forgiveness for her past."

"She doesn't deserve…."

"'It is the duty of a Goddess to forgive those who seek it.' Or did I get that lesson wrong?"

Belldandy took a step back as if she had been slapped. Sayoko took a step forward.

"Maybe you are different from my Mother." Sayoko said, "She gave Sayoko a chance, why can't you?" Sayoko then turned and walked off down the hallway.

Mana looked off at her friend, then back at Belldandy. She gave a slight bow.

"Please forgive her, she….."

"….was right."

Mana looked up at the goddess. Tears formed in the goddess' eyes as she watched Sayoko walk away.

"It is my duty," Belldandy said softly, "And I failed."

"Excellent Mara." Hild said from her throne, "You have done well."

Hild then leaned back in her throne and looked upwards.

"Soon," she said softly, "soon the half-breed will be mine, and all of heaven on it's knees before me."