Chapter 49: Back

Loki stared at the setting sun intently. It was the day that Mayura's quest was to end, the day he would see her lovely face once more, the day he could hold her once more. Yet he was nervous. He had learned by unusual means that his wife had gone into an abandoned dwarven mine, and he knew what that meant—something really nasty had taken up residence within. Unusual methods? Well not everyone could speak squirrel.

"Hey Loki," announced Narugami thumping him on the shoulder, "why so glum?" He didn't get a response. "Hey Loki!" he said again, this time waving his hand in front of Loki's face. "Loki, you're wife is coming home today. You should be happy!" Again no response. "Alright, be like that. But mark my words Loki, Mayura-chan will return. And whether or not she's retrieved Bragi's stupid quill, she'll always be a goddess to me." Again hearing nothing from Loki, Narugami shook his head and turned to walk back to the tables of food four-eyes was setting up for Mayura's return party. But before he could leave, Loki grabbed his arm. Narugami turned back to stand next to his friend. "Any time Loki, any time." Together they watched the sun set.

Meanwhile Yamino watched the interaction between his father and the thunder god. He was glad that Narugami cared so much for his father, even though he was still nervous around his imposing strength. As much as he wanted to, Yamino knew that he couldn't help his father now. He needed the support of his peers. And although he was many things, a god wasn't one of them. Yamino was pulled out of his thoughts when someone talked to him.

"Yamino-kun..."

Yamino turned to his right to see who it was. "Urd-san! I didn't know... I mean I didn't see..." he answered flustered.

"I just came over to ask you if you needed any help setting up for Mayura's return party... Yamino-kun," she stated prettily.

«Yamino-kun... KUN!» "I... umm... I... what I mean is..." he stuttered, his face turning several shades of red. Urd continued to smile. "You… you can help me set out the plates if that would be alright Urd... chan."

She flashed him an even brighter smile if that was possible and gently brushed past him. "The plates are still in the house right?" Yamino was about to answer back when a fast flying pink pig landed between them.

"Yamato Nadeshiko is to return today Gillinbrusti!" shouted Freyr as he stepped up his pig and fell into Urd.

"Buhi buhi"

He stood up not even noticing. "Freyr is so happy. Even if this Freyr can not marry Yamato Nadeshiko, he will once again be able to gaze at the beauty of his Japanese rose. And I, Freyr, vow to never let a hurt befall her!" Yamino and Urd just stared at him speechless.

"Freyr! Why did you drag me here!" yelled an annoyed Heimdall who could finally make noise after being squished by Gillinbrusti.

"Because Heimdall, Freyr wants to have as many people possible here to welcome back Yamato Nadeshiko of course!" he gushed as flowers rained down behind him.

"Stop doing that! This is not a shoujo anime you moron! And get me untied from the underside of your flight challenged pig!" Heimdall screamed even louder than before, hoping that eventually the noise would reach through Freyr's think skull.

Heimdall's yelling seemed to have pulled Yamino out of his daze. He rushed over the other side of Heimdall and asked blushing slightly, "Urd-chan, are you okay?"

"Doesn't anyone hear me!"

"Mayu-chan!" cried out Loki, sinking to the ground. Within seconds, everyone was surrounding the shuttering god of chaos with worried expressions. Except for Heimdall, he was still tied to Gillinbrusti and therefore closer than he ever wanted to get to his mortal enemy if it didn't involve a plan to kill or at least completely humiliate him. But unfortunately he had to settle for crossing his arms and giving a scowl that would have made Vegeta proud.

But everyone else was too busy watching Loki to notice what Heimdall was doing, or that he was even there for that matter. Loki however wasn't paying attention to the gods around him. He was watching the glowing orb of light in front of him slowly materialize as the last rays of the sun slipped beneath the horizon. Plowing through the mass around him, Loki rushed towards the ever stronger globe of light, and hugged the shadowy figure within it. Tightening his embrace, the figure became more solid until he was once again holding his wife in his arms. "Mayu-chan... Mayu-chan... you've come back to me."

Mayura however tried in vain to push Loki away from her screaming, "I failed. Let go of me Loki. I failed."

Loki just pulled her tighter to him, burying his face into the crook of her neck. Softly, lovingly he answered her tearless sobs, "It's alright Mayu-chan. I love you and you've come back to me. That's all that matters." Mayura gave up her struggles and Loki loosened his hold upon her, drawing back so that they were an arm's length apart. His hands rested gently on her upper arms.

"I failed Loki," she whispered looking down

Loki lifted her chin with his hand. "You didn't fail Mayu-chan. You promised to come back and you did." Mayura was about to say something, but he placed a finger over her mouth, efficiently silencing her. "Tomorrow we'll discuss about your quest. Tonight we celebrate your return."

Heimdall watched the proceedings in disgust. Everyone was so worried about Loki's mortal lover that they failed to see his predicament. "Someone! Get me untied!" he fumed, but no one heard him.

The dams holding her tears finally broke and Mayura clung onto Loki for dear life. "I love you Loki, I love you," she chanted, her voice chocked with sobs.

Heimdall humphed again and moved around in his bonds before finding the most comfortable position he could find all things considered. He knew he was going to be stuck for quite a while. Gillinbrusti, exhausted from the long flight—Freyr had gone to the discount supermarket for the latest sales just before—crashed into the ground. Heimdall sighed as he once again fell into beautiful unconsciousness.

Author's Notes: Gomen, gomen. Two DBZ references in one MaLoki fic! Please don't throw rotten fruits and veggies at me. Veggies… oi! I know it should be Vejita, but I just can't force myself to write it that way.

To Lazy Cat: The Norns told Mayura to stay away from Jotunheim because she was going to meet Skroki. I know her journey takes six months and maybe it sounds a little rushed, but they did travel through four of the lands of Norse Mythology. Even though Jymir is fast, he isn't that fast. Most of the time was spent in boring traveling and stuff. Perhaps I should have written that in, but I thought the description of her tedious travel would slow the story down too much. Thanks for the reply!

To CupidiElf: Thankie!

To neko-chan: Thanks, it means a lot to me.