A/N: Sorry it took forever to finish. I left for Japan and thought my buddy would finish it off. And then it kept being put on the back burner to other stories that I had to get out of my head and onto paper.
However, I never forgot about you. In fact I tried to restart this fic up twice. It just wasn't coming to me. And I thought it wouldn't be fair to half ass the ending to a fic so many have enjoyed and waited patiently for the finish.
So without more excuses and blah blah blah- I give you the long awaited Ah My Goddess -Come What May- ending!
Enjoy,
Animefreak5483
Keiichi could only watch as Aoshima led Belldandy away and off to a waiting car. Looking down he chastised himself for even hoping of winning over such a... goddess. Aoshima was more of what she deserved, right? He was a popular, good looking man from a wealthy family. Aoshima could give her the lavish gifts and take her places that Keiichi could only dream of doing for her. He hated himself at that moment.
Not only did he feel inferior, but he was a coward that just let someone as wonderful as Belldandy be dragged along with a conceited snob like him. That was one of Aoshima's flaws- pure arrogance. It seemed to conflict with Belldandy... maybe they wouldn't work out...
Shaking it off, Keiichi felt drained. Moving over to the large tree that was nearby, he rested his back against it for support.
Letting the cool breeze take away his worries he couldn't help feel odd. He just couldn't get something out of his mind. If he had never met Belldandy before, how could he have known that ring was hers? Why did he feel connected to her even now? Why did he have dreams that felt so much like memories to the point he thought he was going crazy?
Everything about her was something that endeared her more into his heart. It wasn't just a physical thing; everything about the woman was like out of some dream. How could he be so infatuated and in love with a woman he just met?
Trying to block out all the images that were coming to him, Keiichi closed his eyes in hopes to calm both his mind and heart. Instead more visions came at him from all angels.
Belldandy cooking him breakfast, Belldandy laughing at something he said, Belldandy smiling and cheering him on in whatever he did, looking down on him as she woke him for another day of class and work, Belldandy singing to the birds and trees near an old shrine... Belldandy accepting that very same ring...
The flood of images kept coming and soon his head began to throb. Putting his hands on his temples, he tried to alleviate the pain that was there.
Then it clicked. Belldandy had made a promise to stay with him... something about a goddess helpline... they lived together in the shrine from his visions... Keiichi decided then and there, he would not give up. He didn't care if he wasn't worthy of her. He had to find her... he had to tell her what his heart and mind told him.
There was no way he was going to forget about her. They had faced the odds once before, their love had been tested and proven to be pure.
They came from different worlds, but they had been destined to be from the start.
Getting on his bike, he took off in the direction Aoshima had driven off- there were several places that they could have gone. But somehow he felt a strong connection with Belldandy and his heart led him onward.
"Isn't that cheating?" Skuld asked a smug looking Urd from the tree branch.
"My dear sister, what ever do you mean?"
"You told him where to go." Skuld looked worried "What if we get them into trouble?"
"Don't worry, I didn't tell him, I simply hinted at the location. You know how Keiichi is, besides, we don't have much time."
"You aren't telling me something... spill it."
"It'll only worry you more. Don't fret. They'll make it... they have to..."
Belldandy looked blankly out the window of the car. Aoshima had whisked her away before she could finish talking to Keiichi. Sitting in the car and thinking of what she had wanted to ask Mr. Morisato, she felt tired and almost drained.
Fiddling with the ring on her finger, Belldandy couldn't get Keiichi out of her mind. He had a warmth to him that made her happy. His love of life was also something refreshing. She felt alive when he was near… truly alive.
They had connected in such a short amount of time. She couldn't place the feeling that welled in her mind and heart as they had talked and spent time together. He truly was someone special.
Again a pain in her heart made her aware of the difference between the man she was with now and the man they had left on the street. He looked so sad as they had left… she didn't want it to be that way. Some deep feeling within wanted him to be happy.
And this ring… it was a mystery. The small band felt so familiar yet so foreign at the same time. There was nothing really outwardly special about it- it was a simple, gold ring. Looking down at the object on her mind, weird images flashed before her eyes. His smile… she was doing anything to see that smile- everyday she would be near him…
"My Belldandy, you sure are quiet right now. How about a small bite to eat? Driver, the pier please."
"I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something." She replied blushing a little.
"About what my dear? It looks to be bothering you. Is there anything I can do?" He said looking straight at the piece of jewelry on her finger… no doubt that was what was causing her silence. Aoshima was annoyed to say the least. 'How dare someone else occupy her thoughts, especially when we are on a date… what a pathetic gift from a pathetic loser like Morisato.' He thought.
"No…no, I'm fine. Really, it's nothing."
"Good." He nodded as the car came to a stop. "Now how about a nice picnic on the beach? We can watch the waves hit the beach from above on the slight bluff."
"That sounds lovely." Belldandy smiled and allowed her date to help her out of the car.
Before them was a beautiful scene. The sky was painted in colors of the coming dusk and the waves crashed against the shore in rhythm causing a serene ambiance.
"I have prepared a small picnic my dear, if you would be so kind as to join me. I know it's not a fancy restaurant, but I assure the food is catered by nothing but the best." He said smugly as he took her arm and led her to a spot already prepared.
Even after they sat down and began to eat, Belldandy couldn't help but return to her previous thoughts. The ring meant something to her once… why couldn't she remember?
"I think I know what the problem is…" Aoshima said breaking her from her trance once again. "I've been very considerate about it, but I think it's time you realize that you are my girl." With out warning, Aoshima grabbed Belldandy's hand and pulled the ring off her finger.
"My ring." Belldandy cried trying to get it back. Aoshima was too fast and soon he was standing and walking towards the waves.
"I'm going to get this out of your mind and out of your life. He's nothing but a poor loser." He said as he made to throw the ring in the water.
"No! Please, that ring is dear to me." Belldandy pleaded as she got up and ran after her date. "Please."
Aoshima didn't listen and pulled his arm back and tossed the ring into the waves. Belldandy's eyes went wide as she rushed past the man and began a frantic search.
"No… please…" She nearly cried as the waves crashed against her and seemed to only hinder her search. Soon her dress was soaked and she fell to her knees and cried. "Keiichi's ring…"
"I can get you many more… ones that are better." Aoshima replied as he entered the water and soon stood next to Belldandy. "Come my dear, you'll catch cold."
Belldandy however refused his offered hand, and stayed in the water. Aoshima began very angry at this and suddenly grabbed Belldandy by the arm. She was pulled to her feet and nearly dragged out of the water kicking and screaming.
"Let go! I can still find it… I need to find it…"
"Give it up! You have me." Aoshima told her not knowing what to say to the hysterical woman. Yet, for all the promises and things he said, Belldandy wasn't about to stop looking back to the waves that had claimed the precious ring.
Aoshima was at the end of his rope. He was annoyed beyond anything he had ever felt before. Here was arguably the most beautiful woman in the town and she was worried about a cheap ring that wasn't even worth either of their time. He had promised her new rings, new things that should make anyone forget about a poor college student, yet she persisted with that stupid ring.
He had enough… she needed to learn that her place was by his side. Raising his hand up, he decided to slap her out of her little delusion.
Belldandy saw the man with a painful grip on her arm ready himself to hit her. Closing her eyes, Belldandy did the only thing she thought she could do- prepare for the hit.
Time seemed to go in slow motion for her as she braced for the impact of the slap she was about to receive. As she waited a tear began to fall. Keiichi was always gentle; never pushing her to do anything she didn't want to do… he was supportive and caring…
The impact never came. She was aware of a loud slap sound ringing in her ear, but she never felt the added pain of a hand to the face… Aoshima's grasp on her hand let go suddenly with a gasp from Opening her eyes, Belldandy recognized the man who stood in front of her…
"Keiichi…" She breathed his name out with a hushed surprise.
"Don't you ever hit her!" Keiichi said standing as tall and intimidating as he could against the taller man.
"Ah, Mr. Morisato. Was there something I could do for you?"
"Belldandy, are you hurt? He didn't do anything to you did he?" Keiichi asked turning to see if Belldandy was safe. The tears in her eyes and the sad face nearly broke his heart. He never liked seeing her sad, upset or even the least bit unhappy.
"Excuse me! I do believe you are interrupting my date." Aoshima said thoroughly annoyed at the loss of control over the situation and frankly being ignored by the two.
"I'm fine." Belldandy forced out… she was trying to hold back the tears as she pulled her raw hand to her chest. Keiichi saw the red mark on her wrist where Aoshima had violently pulled her back from the water. Anger rose within him.
'How dare someone hurt her?' His mind and heart were preparing to battle. He would fight for this woman… for his Belldandy.
"Now, please leave and mind your own business." The rich man said wanting the other man to leave.
"It became my business the minute Belldandy became involved!" Keiichi said returning his attention to Aoshima.
The men began an all out fist fight, something that Belldandy had never expected someone as tender hearted as Keiichi to do… but here he was none the less, fighting for her.
As the fight progressed, it was clear who the real winner was going to be… No matter how much Keiichi wanted to win, he was out matched by the athletic build of the other man. Aoshima hit Keiichi hard in the stomach, and then proceeded to kick his feet out from under him. Keiichi tumbled to the ground with a groan.
"See? I am the one who deserves her. I have won her!" Aoshima said as he neared the fallen Keiichi ready to accent his point with a few last hits.
To his surprise Belldandy quickly shielded the groaning Keiichi with her body.
"Stop, please. Can't you see you're hurting him?" She cried looking up at Aoshima.
"And I prove another reason why you and I should be together- he cannot protect you."
"I don't need someone to protect me… I need someone who truly loves me."
"But I do." Aoshima said straightening his hair and clothes. When things were back in order, he looked over at Keiichi still shielded by Belldandy's small frame. "Pathetic. Your love isn't strong enough… come Belldandy. We're leaving."
Belldandy fought as hard as she could to break painful grasp of the man who was now dragging her away from where Keiichi fell.
"No! I don't want to… Keiichi! Please, let me go…" She fought, kicking and pulling with all her might.
"Stop!"
"Oh look, he's up." Aoshima turned for a moment to see Keiichi standing once again.
"Let her go."
"Orders now? Too bad you can't back them up with action."
"I can." Belldandy said as she swiftly kicked the man in the stomach causing his grasp to weaken. The unexpected hit was all she needed to break free. Stumbling in the sand of the beach, she made her way back to Keiichi.
"Get behind me Belldandy."
"Keiichi, you're hurt…"
"I'm fine. I need to do this. I am no longer a spineless loser… I will become the man that is worthy of your love… I remember all the good times we've had together… I know you remember them as well..."
"Keiichi?"
"I need to finish this." Keiichi said as he rolled up his sleeves once more.
With a speed no one knew he had, Keiichi ran for the smug looking man. Pulling his hand back in a fist, he let go of everything. A bright light engulfed the three on the beach as Keiichi's punch connected.
"Get 'em… now a left… ouch that's got to hurt… Go Keiichi!" Skuld cheered as the two sister goddesses watched the events take place on the beach.
"NO! Don't give up Keiichi! Get up!" The younger continued as they watched his fall and Belldandy intervening on his behalf. "Urd? Urd what do we do?"
"Don't worry. Older sister has it all worked out. Watch that last punch Aoshima… that should teach you not to mess with goddesses… let alone mess with my sister."
"What? What's going on? Urd?"
"Keiichi? Keiichi? Can you hear me… please Keiichi?" A frantic Belldandy cried as she hovered over his unconscious body on the beach. Tapping his face him gently, Belldandy tried to wake the man who had stood up for her… the man she cared for like no other.
Looking up from him, something in the ocean caught her eye. The glitter of a small object amongst the waves made her smile through worried tears.
The clear blue waters washed the item right up to her feet. Moving to grab it she couldn't help but tear up more. Placing the ring back on her finger things felt right again.
"I love you Keiichi Morisato… please open your eyes." She pleaded before lightly brushing her lips against his. She didn't expect his hand to reach up and cup her cheek as the kiss deepened with his reaction.
He had been drifting in a haze after that punch. However, he was quickly yanked from that when a feeling of pure joy came over him. Her lips… they were so soft, so sweet… and she was kissing him.
Not wanting to scare her or break the kiss, he could no longer lay there and do nothing. Reaching up, he cupped her cheek and put all his love into that kiss…
The kiss ended slowly, neither letting go of the other. Resting their foreheads together, they opened their eyes and saw the love deep with each other. Memories rushed back and it was like nothing had come between them… they had finally proven themselves once again.
"I have always loved you. From the moment you came through that wall… my very own personal goddess."
"I remember… I remember it all. Oh Keiichi! I missed you so much." She said as Keiichi wiped a few tears from her eyes.
"Me too. I love you Belldandy. I was such a coward… I almost ruined it for us twice now… I promise to become someone worthy of you… someone who can give you what you need… I want to make you happy."
"You already do Keiichi… I love you."
"What are they doing? Urd! Tell me! Why can't I see?" A whining Skuld cried as she tried to get her sister's hands off her eyes.
"Well, I think we should leave the two alone for now. They'll come home when it's out of their system. And finally things can go back to normal."
The older sister grabbed the youngest and they were off into the night's air.
"You did something back there didn't you?"
"Like what? Count on Keiichi finally becoming a man? I figured it was coming…"
"You liar. You better not get them in trouble. I don't want to go through this ever again. Twice is bad enough!" Skuld pouted. She knew all to well that light wasn't all from the two breaking the spell and getting their memories back… Urd had given a little to the mix. 'That jerk deserved it though…' She smiled as the two returned to the shrine.
"Ah, don't worry kiddo, there's bound to be more excitement in the future. I mean after they get married we'll have nieces and nephews to play with in no time… So say good bye to all your little gadgets while they are in once piece."
"My gadgets… n…nieces and nephews?" And with that Skuld fainted at the thought.
"Kids these days." Urd smiled looking up to the sky and silently thanking those involved for allowing her sister's happiness. 'You sure took your time you two… a few more hours and you would have been stuck without all your memories. But you would have made new ones I suppose… still. It was close.' She mused as she shut the door of the shrine on the past.
Only a bright future remained…