Chapter 6
- The Goddess -

Three Weaver Sisters
Of Past, Present and Future
Healer, Maker and Protector
- The Prophecy of Ages

"I'm going out!" Kenshin exclaimed, slipping on his sandals. "Kaoru-dono, I'll be back in about an hour,"

"'kay!" Kaoru replied. "Have a good time!"

The front gate slammed shut, and Kenshin was gone.

"Finally!" exclaimed Kaoru as she heard the gate close. "He's gone!"

"He's completely clueless!" said Yahiko with glee. "I can't believe it,"

"We're here!" came a voice from the front gate.

"Ah! Inuyasha!" said Sano. "Glad to see ya here!"

"Our pleasure," said Kagome, as they made it to the main room. "We brought the gift!"

"And Sesshoumaru!" said Shippo, who had shape-shifted into the form of a young man a little older than Yahiko for the party. "Right, old

man?"

Sesshomaru nodded slightly, then flipped a little bit of his hair over his shoulder and out of his face.

"Please don't call me that,"

"Quit actin' so snobby, Niichan!" said Inuyasha, slapping him playfully on the back. "It's a party! No need to be up-tight!"

"I suppose..." Sesshoumaru grumbled.

"So, where did he go?" asked Kagome.

"I sent him off for some 'groceries'," Kaoru giggled. "He's so gullible, sometimes even I can't believe it!"

Sango laughed in reply. "I suppose so!"

"Guess who's here!" came a high-pitched voice from the door.

"Misao-chan!" said Kaoru, running towards the door and hugging the small teenager that was there. "How are you?"

"Fine!" the girl replied, then stepped aside and pointed at the people she deemed unfamiliar (namely Sesshoumaru). "Umm...who are

they?"

"Friends!" said Miroku, eagerly stepping forward and taking the girl's hands. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Makimachi Misao," the girl replied. "I'm a friend of Kenshin's from Kyoto. Who are you?"

"Miroku!" he replied cheerliy. "Misao, would you be-"

"Cut the crap, said Sango angrily, grabbing his ear. "He just wants you to bear his child. My name's Sango, by the way. Don't worry, I'll

make sure he won't pull anything,"

Misao laughed. "I don't need help, but thanks anyways. I've got Aoshi-sama. Right, Gramps?"

"Yee-haw! Sure do, Misao!" said an old man as he hopped beside her. "How're ya doin', Kaoru?"

"Very well, thanks for asking," Kaoru replied politely. "We're just waiting for everyone to arrive,"

"How was the trip?" Yahiko asked them as they sat down.

"Pretty good," Misao replied. "Who else is coming?"

"Megumi and Clow and...yeah," said Sano. "That's about it. It's a total suprise; Kenshin doesn't suspect a thing!"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," said Aoshi, sitting down and crossing his legs. "Battousai wouldn't be that gullible,"

He glanced at Inuyasha and the rest of the unfamiliar guests.

"You didn't answer Misao's question; who are you?"

"Oh! Well...we're friends from around town," said Inuyasha, hugging Sano around the neck. "You must be Shinomori Aoshi; Kenshin told

me a bit about you once,"

Aoshi stayed silent.

"Ah, nice to meet you!" said Misao. "It's a shame that the rest of us couldn't have come to meet you, but buisiness is buisiness, after all,"

"So true!" said Okina with a dashing smile. "So, when will Kenshin be back?"

"In about 50 minutes, I guess," Kaoru said. "We're still waiting for a few more guests,"

"Like me?" said a voice.

"Ah! You vixen!" gasped Kaoru, seeing the familiar doctor standing behind her. Everyone laughed. "How did you sneak up on me?"

"I was quiet, how else?" Megumi replied. "Nice to see you all,"

"Likewise," said Kaoru

"So, Kaoru-san," Megumi said. "Who else is coming?"

"Mr. Reed," said Kaoru. "And before you ask, Misao, he's a magician we're pretty good friends with. He absolutely insisted on coming,"

"Sure did," said Miroku with a sigh.

"A magician, you say?" said Megumi. "Of what sorts?"

"Oh, you'll see when he gets here," said Kaoru. "Now, we need to work together to get this party ready before Kenshin comes, okay?"

"Okay!"

-/-

45 minutes passed extremely quickly as decorations were put up and Kagome baked something called a "cake", which smelled delicious.

It was extremely hard for Yahiko and the other boys to resist not trying to sneak a taste. Finally, it was almost time for Kenshin to arrive.

The place looked beautiful, but Clow hadn't showed up yet.

"Ugh...where is he?" sighed Kagome. "Kenshin's almost here!"

The front gate opened, and everyone tensed up.

"It's Kenshin!" gasped Kaoru. "Quick, everyone hide!"

Within seconds, the front entrance was nearly empty, save Kaoru, who was waiting for the birthday boy to arrive. But suprisingly, a

rather tall silhouette came to the sliding door, and it opened to reveal...Clow!

"Clow?" said Kaoru, who jumped back a little in suprise.

"Sorry I'm late!" he said, scratching the back of his head. "Come on out, I can see you,"

"This is Clow?" said Misao, coming out of hiding.

"The one and only!" he said, cocking his head. "Nice to meet you, Ninja Misao,"

"Ninja?" giggled Misao. 'How did he know my name?' she thought.

"I hope you don't mind if we came along," said Nakuru, peeking from behind Clow's shoulder.

"Nakuru? Yukito!" said Kagome. "Sure! The more, the merrier!"

"Yay!" said Nakuru. "I think Kenshin's here now,"

"Kaoru-dono! I'm home!" said the voice of the rurouni in question.

"HIDE!" Kaoru screamed.

"More than happy to!" said Clow, producing a card from his robe. "ERASE!"

Within seconds, everyone except Kaoru was gone.

"Oh, wow..." she gasped, as the door slid open.

"Oh, did you do some cleaning today, Kaoru-san?" said Kenshin, dropping the rice and miso on the floor. "I've never seen the floors so

clean!"

"Oh...yeah..." said Kaoru, still a bit shocked at her guests' sudden disappearance; Clow's card had also "erased" the dirt and grime that

mere cleaning could not touch, making it sparkling clean.

"Why so quiet?" Kenshin asked.

"Umm...because...umm..."

Suddenly, the effect of the card wore off, because every appeared out of nowhere and shouted:

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KENSHIN!"

"Oroo...!" Kenshin gasped, looking at everyone around him. "How...?"

Clow proudly brandished his "Erase" card and waved it for all to see.

"Clow! I should have known!" Kenshin said. "Oh? Misao! Aoshi! Megumi!"

"We're all here!" said Misao, jumping on Kenshin and causing him to fall over. "So, the man with the baby-face is finally 30, huh?"

Kenshin chuckled a little.

"Please get off me, Misao-chan,"

"Sure, birthday-boy!" she replied, and sat on her haunches as he got back up.

"My goodness, all this for me?" he said. "Thank you all very much!"

"No problem!" said Kagome. "We have gifts and cake and everything!"

"Cake?"

"You'll see!" she said. "For now, we have presents and dinner!"

"Dinner? Oh my!" said Kenshin. "Where?"

-/-

Hours later, the party was seated at the Akabeko, which had been rented out for the day. Kenshin sat among his gifts, a big smile on his

face.

"Now, y'all have some fun. I'll take away th' plates when ya need it, y'hear?" said Tae, smiling.

"Okay, Tae!" said Kaoru. "Thanks a bunch!"

"So, why don't you open your presents, Kenshin?" said Shippo.

"I think I will," he replied, reaching for a package wrapped in blue paper. Tearing it open, he found a new pair of sandals.

"Oh! Who is this from?"

"Us!" said Misao, hugging Okina and Aoshi around the necks. "Hope you like it!"

"I do, thank you very much!" he replied, putting them aside and reaching for a red package.

"Oh! A new kimono!" he said, looking over the emerald-green fabric. "I really needed a new one!"

"That's...from me..." said Kaoru. "Since you always wear that...red one all the time, I thought you would want a change,"

"Thank you very much, Kaoru-dono. I love it," he said. smiling. "Oh! What's this?"

He tore open a small, neatly-wrapped square of green to find a book.

"That's from me," said Sesshoumaru. "I pulled a few strings and got the first copy of Sohma Gou's new novel,"

"Sohma Gou?" said Clow, arching an eyebrow. "I know that man; he's quite the author!"

"Oh, I've been wanting this," said Kenshin, looking over it fondly. "Thank you very much,"

"Sesshoumaru, I didn't know you got him a gift," said Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru simply looked away, although everyone knew that he was

smiling. "Oh, that's ours,"

Kenshin tore open the package that he was holding to find a beautiful silver pocket watch.

"Oh my goodness..." he said. "I..."

"Don't worry about it," said Inuyasha with a smile.

"Thank you!" said Kenshin. "Oh, what's this?"

He picked up a small package of strange-looking slips of paper.

"They're sutras," said Miroku. "Good for warding off bad luck and demons. I made them myself,"

"Thanks!" he replied rather sheepishly, holding up a tiny basket of packets. "And I'm guessing this is from you, Megumi?"

"Yes, it's a new formula I just came up with," she said. "It's cold medicine; works wonders,"

"Thanks," said Kenshin.

"Oh yeah, this is for you," said Sano, taking a tube out of his jacket and handing it to Kenshin. Opening it, it turned out to be a portrait of

the red-haired swordsman himself, made by Tsunan.

"I managed to convince him to do one last portrait; hope you like it,"

"Oh, it looks just like you!" said Megumi, leaning in to look. "Who's Tsunan?"

"Long story," said Kenshin. Then, Clow stood up.

"We'll need to go outside for my gift," he said. "Come on, I set it up outside,"

'I wonder what it is?' thought everyone but Clow and his servants as they went outside.

A grand old-fashioned camera was set up behind the restaurant in an ideal spot for portraits; right beneath a pair of beautiful trees.

"Come on, now. Everyone get together,"

"A photograph?" squeaked Sano. "Those things'll-"

"Suck the life out of you?" Clow finished helpfully. "No such thing. Go on, I'll help you out,"

They clustered together in a random order, and Clow sighed.

"No, no, no. Kenshin, Kaoru, you go in the center. Then...Sano, you get back there with Sesshoumaru, and Inuyasha and Kagome, you

go to your right. Miroku, Sango, right next to them. Yes, that looks good,"

Soon, he had it perfect (at least in his opinion). Darting behind the rest of them , there was a flash of light (courtesy of Light) and they

were momentarily blinded.

"Woo...what was that?" said Inuyasha, stumbling a little.

"Light; I used her to illuminate the place so the picture will turn out a little better,"

"Oh, cool..." said Kagome, although she had no idea who Light was and was still a little dizzy.

"I'll have it developed tomorrow, so I'll give it to you then," said Clow.

"Thank you very much," said Kenshin with a smile.

"I moonlight as a photographer," Clow said with a smile. "You won't believe how few there are, and I don't charge a thing. So, shall we

go home for some cake?"

"Oh! I nearly forgot!" said Kagome. "Yes, let's go!"

"What's cake, anyways?" said Kenshin. "Is it good?"

"Yes!"

-/-

"Yum! This really is good!" said Kenshin later that night.

"Glad you like it!" said Kagome. "This was the first time I ever tried. How about the rest of you?"

Happy grunts and nods followed.

They sat together on the porch, watching stars and telling stories with mouths full of cake.

"Oh!" said Kenshin. "Look! A shooting star!"

A meteor streaked across the sky.

"Quick! Make a wish!" said Kaoru. Kenshin closed his eyes and wished hard.

"This one did,"

"Umm...Kenshin, something's going on," said Sano.

"What?"

"AIIIIIIEEEHHHH!"

What appeared to be another star began streaking towards them, sending bodies flying everyone upon it's landing. When the dust

cleared, a small girl sat on the porch, rubbing her head of black-and-white striped hair.

"Oweee..."

"What the he-? Who are you?" said Inuyasha, picking the girl up by her long hair.

"Ow ow ow ow! Let go, please!"

"What the heck is that?" said Sano, getting up and rubbing his head.

"Please, let me go! Oh, I'm in so much trouble..." said the girl, struggling to free herself from Inuyasha's grasp.

"You got a name, kid?" he asked, glaring at her. She gulped and nodded.

"My name is Belldandy, and I'm a goddess,"

There was silence as cocked eyebrows and confused faces abounded.

"Kid, be serious. A goddess?" said Inuyasha, looking at her skeptically. Belldandy nodded.

"Yes. I cannot lie,"

"Serious?" said Misao. "That's kinda hard to believe,"

"Waaaaah! Look out!" said Sango.

Another streak of light fell to the ground, causing Inuyasha to drop Belldandy, who quickly scurried away.

The sound of a baby crying filled the air.

"BELL! Where were you? Oh, you're in -so- much trouble," said another voice.

"Urd?" said Belldandy, who was perched over the edge of the porch.

"Yeah, it's me," said the voice, coming from a short, tan girl not much older than Bell with silver hair, holding a baby with dark hair that

was crying. "Why the heck did you leave?"

"I...I...Urd, I thought I could grant a wish! Balder dared me to!"

"Grant a wish? Are you insane?" said Urd. "Look at you! You can hardly perform spells as it is! And why in the seven hells would you

listen to Balder? He's an idiot!"

"I'm sorry..." said Bell. "Are you here to bring me home?"

"No!" Urd replied. "I came to find you! I have no idea how to get home!"

The baby in her arms cried again, and Urd sighed.

"What in the world is going on here?" said Kagome, pointing to the three.

"I'm sorry..." said Belldandy again. "I heard his wish, and I wanted to come down and see if I could grant it,"

"My wish?"

"Yes, wishes and prayers are heard all over Heaven," Urd said, sighing. "And Bell here wanted to see if she could do something about it,

'cause some idiot that we know up in Heaven with a penchant for daring people to do stuff dared her to give it up a bit,"

"I said I was sorry..." said Bell.

"Can you really do that?" said Sano, leaning in intently. Bell nodded.

"But I'm really not that good; I can hardly do anything,"

"That's for sure," Urd said. "Well, the least we can do is sit around a bit until someone comes to get us,"

"No need," said a voice. "I'm here to take you girls home,"

"Madam Hisui!" said Bell, running towards the beautiful woman who had suddenly appeared in the yard.

"This is waaay too weird..." said Shippo, falling over in his usual way. Hisui smiled at them.

"Thank you for taking care of the girls for me; we'll be leaving now,"

"Hold on a minute!" said Yahiko. "Kenshin made a wish, so shouldn't it be answered?"

Hisui laughed.

"I suppose," she said. "Let me see..."

She began to laugh.

"Your wish has already come true," she said. "I guess I can offer you my blessings,"

"Wha-?" said everyone (including Kenshin).

"Oh, really?" Belldandy said. "That's wonderful!"

She smiled and giggled.

"I wish for happiness for all of you!"

"Yeah, yeah. Can we go home now?" Urd groaned.

"Yes, of course," Hisui said. "Goodbye! I leave with my blessing,"

With that, they were gone, leaving the party guests alone with their cake.

- Next -
The Cursed One