Chapter 17: Discovering the Truth

My Love,

Nothing is considered more beautiful in the spring than cherry trees in bloom, so fragile looking and yet so strong. But I can't help but disagree with that assessment. For they fall in comparison to the beauty of your soul. I have longed to sit next to you, and say these sweet words in your ears, instead of writing them on paper.

But now I may…for the snow has melted, relieving the fresh spring grass, and soon the cherry blossoms will bloom again. No longer must we hide the feelings we hold for either other from the dark coldness of winter. The sun has destroyed the winter… and when it returns our love will burn bright enough to drive the darkness away.

So this White Day, I invite you on a leisurely stroll through MizugawaPark at two o'clock. I will be sitting at the wooden bench by the water fountain. Please my angel, make my dream come true.

Until we meet…

Your Secret Admirer

P.S. So that you know that it's me, I will give you a white rose.

My heart aches for you…

Your Secret Admirer

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"This is so exciting! You're going to find out who your secret admirer is today!"

"I know Skuld-chan. But I'm so nervous too… what if he doesn't like me as much in person?"

"He already knows you in person, remember?"

"Ah! That's right." Mayura perked up that the thought.

"But he's probably nervous that you won't like him Mayura-chan."

"Well, there are only so many people my secret admirer could be… ummm… well there's Kaitou-san, and Kotaro-kun, or maybe even Narugami-kun himself. Wouldn't that be funny?!" Mayura began to giggle.

"Oh… Loki-sama…" whispered Skuld.

"Did you say anything Skuld-chan?"

"No…" answered Skuld, as she shook her head. "Oh my! Look at the time! You have to start getting ready!"

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Skuld and Mayura stepped out of Mayura's room at one thirty in the afternoon feeling quiet pleased at their efforts. Mayura was wearing a loose knee length baby blue skirt and a white blouse. Over the blouse was a white single button sweater. Mayura had fixed her hair too, pulling the front edges behind her head and tying it off with a matching baby blue bow.

"Loki-san! Loki-san…!"

"He went out a little bit earlier today, Mayura-san. Is there anything you needed to tell him?" inquired Yamino.

"No… I was just going to tell Loki-san that I was leaving to see my secret admirer. Maybe he would have wished me luck. Well, see you later Yamino-san!"

"Good luck Mayura-san," replied Yamino as the front door shut behind her. "And good luck to you too… Loki-sama…"

"I'm afraid he's going to need it…" was Skuld's only response.

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It was a beautiful spring, and although it was only March, the slight breeze was warm. It was five minutes to two when Mayura arrived at Mizugawa Park. As Mayura walked towards the wooden bench by the water fountain, she noticed that someone was already sitting there, but she couldn't make out who it was.

"Mayura, what a pleasant surprise. Please sit down. Why are you here today?"

"I'm supposed to meet someone here at two o'clock. And you, Loki-san?"

"I was waiting for someone too."

"Was?" Mayura looked at Loki with curiosity.

Loki reached into his dress coat and pulled out a white rose. "I was waiting for my angel, but now she's here."

"I… I…" Mayura's eyes filled with tears. "Loki-san… we can't…"

"Why? I'm not a child anymore. Do you think I don't know what is inside my heart?"

"You're still so young Loki-san…"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I don't know what you're talking about Loki-san."

"Do you think I'm blind? Do you think I don't know about the way you look at me? Why do you continue to deny it?!" Loki stood up and looked down at Mayura.

"Because it's wrong!" stated Mayura as she too stood up.

"There's nothing wrong about it. I'm not the ten year old child you first met anymore Mayura! It's been over six years!"

"None of that matters Loki-san. I'm six years older than you! It's not allowed!"

"Who made that rule?! The only barriers between us are the ones in your thick head!"

That said, Loki tilted Mayura's head up and kissed her. Unable to command her body, Mayura kissed Loki back while her mind screamed for her to stop. Ending the kiss gently, Loki spun on his heels and left Mayura standing there dumbfounded. Several agonizing seconds passed before she collapsed to the ground and began to cry uncontrollably.

Author's Note: I'm not unemployed anymore! Yeah! Of course that means I won't be typing as fast… but you guys probably won't even notice that. (I do have quite a back long.)

To Manda-chan: Sent the translations to silentangel777hotmail.com. And you're definitely right. Mayura is confused about her feelings for Loki, and if she wasn't then… she is now. I left the Reiya/Freya transformation 'thing' out so that the reader can decided if Reiya grew up to look like Freya or if the two look completely different. Yes… as annoying as Freya could be, I don't think she would have taken it too badly… given she had six years to get used to it.

To LittleGreenWolf: This is predominately a story about Mayura and Loki, but I won't forget about the other gods/goddess either.

To Erinys: Well… just because Freya didn't give the theatrical performance of her life, doesn't mean that she has given up pouting over it. And of course this is hurting Mayura, although not as much as Loki I think. The reason why Mayura is acting like Loki a little bit… zip… muhaamamamudh…

To Bibliomaniac:
1. Except for special chapters, Loki's the only person we're going to hear thoughts from in this story. (This keeps the point of view consistent, although much harder to write.) In coming chapters Mayura will have several monologue type sections when her thoughts will be known however. In these chapters, Mayura's in so much denial that saying saying the only thing running through her head.
2. Mayura is good friends with Reiya… not always the other way around. Mayura probably missed the rivalry completely. Remember as far as she believes, Loki's not an option and she therefore wouldn't feel threatened by Reiya. And Reiya wouldn't brush of any help to get Loki.
3. Narugami's getting drunk because he doesn't have a girl. Poor Narugami!
4. What Heimdall does is low down and sneaky. That's all I'm going to say.