All major characters (c) 1996 Kosuke Fujishima, meaning Urd, Skuld, Belldandy and K1 are not mine, just the situations they are thrown in.
A/N: This is my first shot at an AMG related fic. Although the story line follows fairly closely to the manga at the beginning, that is all that will be related to it.
Further notes that should be noted are that if you HAVE NOT read the manga past volume 19, you should NOT read this story, as it is a tangent off a major plot line in volumes 19 and 20, but involve different situations that didn't happen in the manga.
I honestly have no idea how long this fic will be, it depends on whether or not I believe it's finished.
honto: still reading but im kinda dissapointed that it went back to happy-go-lucky K!&Bell so easily
That sort of follows in the trend of the manga, don't you think? No matter the situation (ex: Lord of Terror, Ninja Masters, any events involving Mara, etc.), things for some reason always come out for the best for them both. Granted I knew people would be disappointed about what I wrote about, but I wasn't finished with my idea with Bell and Kei just yet. I have a few ideas for the next few chapters, but I'm not really sure how to word them.
Anyway, on with the show!
Happiness' End
End of Chapter 10:
Suddenly all faces seemed to darken, with Megumi as an exception.
"Mara…" everyone seemed to mutter at the same time.
"Doesn't she ever give up? She always gets foiled, and was foiled again," Skuld said. She was getting irritated at Mara's constant attacks on her family.
"Don't know kiddo, but it's time to give her a taste of her own medicine; Urd style," Urd had a sly grin on her face and began to think over a small plan she had developed to upset even the dirtiest and foulest of demons.
Only one emotion made them all sick: Love.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 11: Reconciliation Part II
It had been a week after everything had supposedly been resolved, but things seemed different at the temple. For one, Keiichi was more secluded and seemed rather fidgety than normal. The latter seemed to be expected, since he was put off work for a month due to his broken arm. In addition, he was not allowed back until the doctor had examined him and gave him the ok to start working with one hand without putting too much stress on the cast and his right arm.
Everyone seemed rather mystified that Keiichi would suddenly seclude himself though. He didn't seem like that kind of person, yet here it was. Whenever Belldandy had tried to sit and talk with him, he withdrew himself from any conversation and seemed like he was thinking or he zoned out. After that first night, he hadn't opened up to her again. Even Megumi couldn't get Keiichi to open up to her, which was a rarity in itself.
For all intents and purposes, it seemed like Keiichi was trying to readjust to everything that happened once again. It wasn't common, but had happened to him twice in less than a year and a half. He seemed reluctant to share any emotions at all, let alone trust. That was understandable. The one person whom he loved dearly had betrayed his emotions and trust on three occasions. He had tried to remind himself that it wasn't her fault, but it did little to calm his mind or quell his raging emotions.
He had rarely seen Urd or Skuld in the week that had passed. It seemed as though both were working together to form some semblance of a plan to counter Mara. They wanted payback for what had happened, but weren't sure about how to go about it.
Keiichi sighed and shook his head. A little over a year ago, his life was almost perfect. With the accident during the race against Hasegawa, things seemed to just fall out of alignment. First, it was them returning home for what they thought was two days, but ended up being a year and a month. Next, was the recent event that was still the focus of his mind. Keiichi could only wonder what would happen next. He hated avoiding everyone, but he didn't know how he felt anymore. His pleasant and almost naïve behavior of before was now mostly gone. He wondered if anyone could like him as he was now. When drastic things happen, the mood of a person or people involved is changed.
Keiichi shook his head, 'I need to talk to Belldandy about this after dinner…'
With that final thought, he stared at the wall and let his mind wander as it pleased.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Urd and Skuld were outside the temple wearing construction helmets and both viewing what looked like a blueprint.
"Alright, so you've got the sensors running on the back and left side of the temple already right?" asked Urd as she glanced over the plans.
"Yea, we just need to get the sensors in and activated around the front area here," she said pointing to an area on the blueprint, "and here," she said pointing to another area.
"Alright, after you get those in, we can put up a weak barrier that will notify us if anyone with powers as so much as steps a foot or flies within ten meters of the temple in any direction," Urd looked over the plans again. "After that, we can reinforce certain areas with Banpei and have mini-Banpei scouts in other areas as well." Skuld nodded.
"After this time next week, no one will be able to breathe inside this temple's property without us knowing about it!" Urd seemed rather eager to get everything done, which confused Skuld. Usually she was lazy and watched TV all day, but it seemed like she really wanted to get Mara back.
"Alright kiddo, let's do it to it!"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Keiichi had little of an appetite over the last week, which worried Belldandy. She was worried about his well being and what was wrong with him. She was also depressed at the fact that he wouldn't really talk to her, let alone stay in her presence for an extended period of time. Instead of being the open and honest man that he was before, Keiichi had built a sort of mental wall around himself, making him secluded and sneaky.
Belldandy knew that he was just trying to cope with what had happened, but that didn't ease her feelings. As she approached his room with a small lunch, she lightly knocked on the door. She soon opened it and went inside, looking at Keiichi as she placed his lunch on the drafting desk in his room.
"Keiichi-san? Lunch is here for you," she said rather quietly.
She noticed a slight nod and a mumbled, "Thanks Belldandy," before she left. She hated seeing him like that, but there was nothing she could do. She sighed sadly and quickly left him alone. As she shut the door, she hoped that he would snap out of his trance soon.
'I wonder if Nee-san and Skuld are done with the preparations,' she thought as she walked out the front door.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the hours passed, things fell into a rhythm that had been considered normal over the past week at the temple. Urd and Skuld only picked up a quick dinner before returning to their work on setting up the sensors around the perimeter of the temple. They wanted to get it done as soon as possible so that the three goddesses could put up a weak energy barrier that would alert them to any person with a magical presence.
Belldandy was getting ready to take a small tray that held Keiichi's dinner on it to his room when she heard a hint of movement behind her.
She quickly turned to see the man she still loved with all her being slowly walking to the table. He looked a bit weary, but determined about something. She was surprised to say the least, he rarely came out of his seclusion, let alone when it meant being alone with her. She knew how he felt, but couldn't help but feel depressed and guilty over the entire matter.
She continued watching him until he slowly came and sat down at the table across from her. He sighed quietly and looked straight at Belldandy.
"Belldandy…we need to talk."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Alright kiddo, let's call it a day," said Urd as she looked at how far they had progressed. So far, they were able to cover half of the side of the temple that still needed scanners. At this pace, tomorrow they could finish the side completely. After another four or five days, everything would be set to trap Mara.
"Alright Urd, I'll set Banpei to scout the front end of the temple since there aren't any scanners there yet. I can set him on rounds to look over the other unguarded side as well if it's needed." Although they had originally thought Banpei was a piece of junk, the occupants of the house grew used to his constant watch and appreciated what he did for them.
"Why just Banpei? Why not Sigel too?" Urd asked her sister.
"She still takes things too seriously and ends up damaging herself, I have to repair her further before she can run more efficiently."
"Whatever, let's get some rest."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What is it Keiichi-san?" Belldandy was very surprised. He wanted to talk to her? But something inside her gave her a sinking feeling.
"Do you…do you like it here Belldandy?"
"Yes, I love being here with you and my sisters, why?"
"I can't help but think that I'm forcing you to be here and you don't really want to…" Keiichi sighed again and looked at her, "I just don't know anymore Belldandy…"
"What are you saying Keiichi-san? Are you saying you don't want me here?" Belldandy was tearing up as she looked at him, "You're taking back what you said after what happened?"
"No Belldandy…I still want you to be here with me, but I can't help but think that this is a burden on you…you deserve so much better than this pathetic and menial life style that I've thrown you into."
Belldandy seemed to straighten a little and become a bit rigid, "No! You will not demean yourself as others have done so to you! I've told you before that I don't care about this life style or what you can or can't give me. I just want to be with you Keiichi-san…as long as I can."
Keiichi seemed a bit relieved, but still continued on, "But Belldandy…what of all your friends and family in the heavens? I'm sure you'd rather be with them instead of down here."
Belldandy shook her head fiercely, "No, my family is here, and you are here. I do miss the heavens, but I love this place just as much. It is my new home, where I belong now."
Those words struck a chord in Keiichi's memory. He suddenly remembered the last time any of them had seen Mara. She had thought she had succeeded in getting Belldandy to return home by controlling Sayoko and telling her to "go home" to "where she belonged." Keiichi, too, had thought she had succeeded, but returned home only to have Belldandy greet him at the door as usual. He was overjoyed that she had not returned to the heavens and that she considered this her new home.
Keiichi briefly grinned at the memory and looked back at Belldandy, who seemed puzzled.
"So there really is nothing more that you could want from being here? Even if it is dull and boring?"
"Nothing is dull or boring with you, Keiichi-san. I enjoy every moment we spend together, you always make me happy."
Keiichi sighed again and hung his head, "Except for now…I'm sorry I brought this up Belldandy, it's done nothing but hurt you further…"
Belldandy stood and moved next to him. She slowly wrapped her arms around his midsection and pulled him into a light embrace, "I can understand your feelings, Keiichi-san. Please do not be upset with yourself, I am not upset at you. As long as you wish me to remain by your side, I shall be here for you."
Keiichi truly smiled for the first time in a week. "Thank you," he whispered as he pulled her into an embrace as best he could with one arm.
Urd and Skuld stood at the door, looking at the two. Both smiled at the scene. Keiichi had finally opened back up to Belldandy and apologized for everything. Belldandy had restated her promise to Keiichi, which she meant to keep with all her heart.
Things were finally looking up in the temple. Not only had the two love birds made up, but soon a plan to pay Mara back for what she did would be ready.