Chapter 18

Driving Lessons

Kei and Belldandy heard Urd and Skuld as they made their way down the hall toward the room. Bell got up and slipped her shoes on as Kei did the same. She walked toward the mirror to check her hair and her appearance as Kei opened the door before Urd could even make the first knock.

Urd: "That was fast huh."

Kei: "We heard you two coming down the hall. Why all the noise?"

Skuld: "Nothing, we were just…talking."

Bell: "With all that giggling and carrying on?"

Urd: "Like she said. It's nothing really." Urd looked and Skuld and smiled, it was rare for Urd to keep Skuld's private matters to herself.

Bell: "So shall we go have dinner?"

Skuld: "I'm starving. Where are we going?"

Kei: "I thought we'd go to that western buffet place just down from here. Ok with you guys?"

Urd: "Sure. Sounds fine to me."
Skuld: "What's the surprise about?"

Bell: "After we've eaten Skuld. Don't be so impatient."

Skuld: "Ok. Ok. Let's go eat."

They left the front of the hotel, walking down the sidewalk to the restaurant, when a line of cars rode by. Mostly imports, Kei had noticed, and they all had seemed to be going to the restaurant that they were headed to. The parking lot had quickly become full of cars and people as they rank and filed into parking spaces and exited them to head into the establishment.

Kei: "Looks like the place is a local hangout or something. You guys still want to go?"

Bell: "Sure. We're almost there anyway."

Skuld: "I'm to hungry to think about another place to eat."

Urd: "You're always too hungry period."

Skuld: "Ha-ha. Funny Urd."

Bell: "Hmm. The name on the windscreen's read LaDrift?"

Kei: "Heheh. I think that's L-A Drift Bell."

Bell: "The cars remind me of home. Look some are even right hand drive Kei!"

Kei: "Apparently they're a drifting club."

Kei walked by a few very nice cars, admiring them as he went by.

Skuld: "I wonder where they drift around here?"

Kei: "I imagine back roads and such."
Urd: "Woah, look at the line to eat."

Skuld: "ooooh. I hope it doesn't take to long."

Bell: "Be patient you two. You act like you've never eaten before, hehe!"

They finally moved though the line and gotten their plates and paid, and slowly made their way to a free table near the large window in the front. They sat and ate as they talked about the things they did at Will and Regina's. The drinking game was brought up, Kei tried not to laugh about Skuld and her game rule that backfired. Bell was just happy that they had a good time and were making friends here so far. Although she was concerned about Skuld, she was reluctant to bring up Will in the conversation. Kei mentioned the note he'd gotten from Brad and Rachel for tomorrow.

Kei: "I don't exactly know what it's all about, but they only said that I could have Bell come with me, you aren't upset about that are you?"

Urd: "Of course not. Skuld and I can find plenty to do to stay occupied tomorrow. So you don't know yet what it's about huh?"

Kei: "No. I'm kinda concerned. More like nervous I guess. I hope it isn't something too difficult."

Bell: "I'm sure it will be fine Kei. Don't worry yourself too much."

Skuld spotted a soft serve ice cream machine nearby.

Skuld: "Um. I'll be back in a second."

Bell: "Okay Skuld."

Urd: "You'd think she'd outgrown that Bell. I mean, ice cream? Why couldn't she have a normal energy source?"

Bell: "Now Urd. You know it's not like she can just change it. It's very difficult to have one's energy source reconfigured."

Kei: "Wow. All this time, I never knew you could have it changed at all."

Bell: "Well. It's not something one would want to do unless it were absolutely necessary."

Kei: "Oh. I see."

Skuld had walked to a line of quite a few people waiting their turn at the machine. A tall thin Asian fellow was standing behind her, quietly admiring her figure and her outfit. Skuld didn't notice the fellow behind her when she turned and bumped into him softly.

Skuld: "Oh. I'm sorry. Excuse me for bumping you. I didn't see you back there."

Fellow: "Ah. It's ok. Don't worry about it. Say, what's your name?"

Skuld: "It's Skuld."

Fellow: "Skuld huh? That's an unusual name. But it sounds pretty."

Skuld: "Ah. Heh. I guess so. Thank you."
Fellow: "My Name is Taka. Nice to meet you Skuld."

Skuld: "Nice to meet you to."

Taka: "Say, you from around here. I mean you been here in the states long?"

Skuld: "Um. No. Only a couple of weeks. We just moved here. My sister and her husband and my oldest sister."

Taka: "Oh, sounds cool. Say if you ain't doing nothing later, you 'ought to come to the club meet. I belong to the L-A Drift. We're having a get together after everybody eats. Whatdaya say?"

Skuld: "Well, I really can't. I have something important to do with my family tonight, sorry."

Taka: "Ah, that's ok. No problem. Can I get your number? Maybe we can go out and have fun sometime?"

Skuld: "Well." (Skuld never thought twice about not giving him the number at the hotel, it didn't seem to be a problem) "Okay, here you go. Nice to meet you. I have to go now."

Taka: "SWEET! Thanks. Talk to ya later! Bye Skuld!"

Skuld: "Bye, Taka."

Skuld walked back to the table with a confused look on her face.

Urd: "What the hell took so long Skuld? You have to churn the ice cream yourself?"

Skuld: "No. Someone was talking to me, ok?"

Urd: "T-talking to you?"

Skuld: "Yes. Some people are nice you know."

Bell: "That's nice Skuld. Who was it that you were talking to?"

Skuld: "He said his name was Taka. He belongs to that car club outside."
Bell: "Well that's nice Skuld. See. Urd. It pays to be nice to people sometimes huh?"

Urd: "Yeah yeah. Whatever. I thought you liked Will, Skuld?"

Skuld: "Huh? Who said anything about not liking him?"

Kei couldn't believe she admitted to liking a guy, other than Sentaro.

Urd: "I dunno. Maybe Will won't like you flirting around with other guys."

Skuld: "Urd, I wasn't flirting with anybody, keep your opinions to yourself."
Urd: "Fine. Maybe I'll tell Will you wanna see other people your own age."

Skuld: "You BITCH! You better not say anything to him, you, you always try to start something don't you!"

Urd: "Now NOW. That's not nice to call me a Bi.."

Bell Screamed.

Bell: "BOTH OF YOU STOP IT RIGHT NOW!"

Everyone stopped and looked at Bell. Bell only blushed and apologized to everyone she disturbed. Kei only slouched down in his seat at the word Bitch. He knew what was coming.

Bell: "Skuld, dear. Don't call your sister that again. UNDERSTAND? Else I might have to use the old human tradition and WASH your mouth out with SOAP! Is that clear, dear?"

Skuld: "………………….."

Urd: "See what you get for ca.."

Bell: "Urd? SHUT UP! Don't open that mouth of yours yet. You are older than both of us, you should act accordingly. I know you tease and joke with each other but I'll NOT have THAT kind of thing going on HERE is that clear? We're all adults here. Skuld is not a child anymore, therefore I don't treat her like one except in cases like this, and you act in the same manner? I don't understand you two sometimes. One minute, you love each other to death. You giggle like school girls coming down the hall, the next you're calling each other derogatory words. I love you both, but please stop all of this unnecessary arguing please?"

Skuld got up and left the table, not saying a word to anyone. This made Belldandy pretty furious, Urd could see that Skuld walking away from her was the wrong thing to do right now. Urd could see that Bell was enraged from the disrespect she had just thrust upon Belldandy. Skuld walked right out the front door, and back toward the hotel.

Urd: "Well, wasn't that just spiffy."

Kei: "ah..Bell? Are you ready to g.."

Bell: "NO! I am NOT ready to GO! I came here to tell them of our surprise and DAMMIT that's what I'm going to DO!"

Urd was thrown back in her seat from the words Bell projected at Kei. Kei was only stunned. He couldn't speak, he was afraid to. Bell had never, EVER raised her voice in that manner while speaking to him. Other people, she had. But not to her love, her soulmate, her husband? Belldandy was very distraught over the fact that she had just chewed out the person that loved her most. She carefully sat back down, and slowed her breathing. Her face was still bright red from her rage and her rising blood pressure. Kei only gently laid his hand on hers and the other one on her arm rubbing it gently to try and calm her down, when she fell into Kei's chest crying. Apologizing faster than he could hear her speak.

Kei: "It's ok Bell. I know it's been really stressful. It has been on everyone, please don't be upset with Urd and Skuld so much. It only gets you more upset. Please Bell. Let's just go home and get some rest."

Bell: "O-ok. Keiichi. I'm so sorry. I've ruined everything tonight."

Kei: "No you haven't. We're trying to tackle things to fast. Let's slow down and relax huh? Is that ok with you?"

Bell: "Ok Keiichi. I-I love you soo much."

Kei: "I love you too, Bell."

Urd: "It's all my fault. I'll go apologize to Skuld."

Bell and Kei just looked at her and nodded.

Urd went back to the hotel. Kei and Belldandy arrived not far behind her. Urd went up to her and Skuld's room. Skuld was already in bed, crying to herself softly. Urd sat next to her quietly when…

Skuld: "Please just leave me alone Urd."

Urd: "No. I have to say it."

Skuld: "No you don't. Just forget it."

Urd: "No I have to."

Skuld buried her face in the pillow. But her ears were wide open.

Urd: "Skuld. I'm sorry I upset you. I wasn't thinking that you'd take what I said to heart. I'd never tell Will anything you wouldn't want me to tell him. Please forgive me."

Skuld was quiet for a few moments, she sat up and gave Urd a hug.

Skuld: "I know that. I didn't mean to call you a, you know. It's just that you do things to make me so mad all the time."

Urd: "I'll start treating you like I'm supposed to. But I'm still going to mess with you, heheh."

Skuld: "Ok. Deal."

Urd: "One question though."

Skuld: "What?"

Urd: "I've never EVER seen Bell that mad in my life. Better expect the worst."

Skuld: "I know. I'm in big trouble."

About that time, Bell and Kei reached their room. Bell stopped and told Kei to go in. She wanted to check on Urd and Skuld. He nodded and he kissed her and then went inside. Bell stopped just short of the door. Almost grabbing the handle to open it, when she felt that same feeling tingle in her fingers. She opened the door. Urd was standing next to Skuld's bed, and they were still talking. Bell never spoke a word. She didn't appear to be enraged, from the look on her face, but as she thought about Skuld walking away in such disrespect for her, it steadily grew by the second.

Skuld saw Bell and quietly got up from her bed and walked toward her carefully. Holding out her arms expecting her to embrace her and hug her lovingly. But what came next, Urd will never forget the rest of her days, as well as Skuld too.

Her arms outstretched she smiled just a little at Bell to relieve the tension…

CRACK. Bell's hand sharply crossed the soft cheek and chin of her youngest sister, sending her reeling to the floor on her knees in disbelief. A perfect handprint of all five fingers was forming on her now tingling and swelling cheek, Urd simply stood nearby with her mouth wide open. Bell, her hand swelling from the shock of impact on her sister's face, stood quietly staring at her hand. She couldn't fathom how it came to this. Bell had never been violent to her sisters before. But then, they never disrespected her in this way either. Skuld was crying now, trying to stifle the pain. She never experienced physical pain this way before, she could feel her cheek swelling and her heart racing. Belldandy simply fell to the floor on her knees, crying, while trying to apologize for striking her that way. Urd helped them both to the bed, where Bell grabbed Skuld and hugged her, both of them crying and telling each other how sorry they were. After a few moments, they regained some of their composure, and started talking in a calm manner to each other.

Skuld: "I'm so sorry sis. I-I didn't mean to be so disrespectful."

Bell: "sniff I. Skuld I had no reason to strike you like that. There must be something, something wrong with me?"

Urd: "You hold things in too much Bell. It's ok. Let's not get that way again ok? That really scared me."

Skuld: "Scared yOu? Hehe. Wha-what about me?"

Bell: "I'm so sorry Skuld. I Love you!"

Skuld: "I love you too Bell!"

Urd: "What were you going to tell us after dinner Bell?"

Bell: "Oh, yes I forgot. Kei and I found a house. And we bought it!"

Skuld: "Really! That's terrific!"

Urd: "Yeah. Where is it though?"

Bell: "It's only a half mile from Will and Regina's."

Urd: "Took my advice huh?"

Bell: "Actually, no. It just happened to be on our list to look at, and, well, we loved it!"

Skuld: "Can we see it tomorrow?"

Bell: "Sure if Regina will take you two tomorrow, I'll give you the key to get in."

Urd: "Great. Can we choose rooms?"

Bell: "Yes, but the master bedroom is mine and Kei's ok?"

Skuld: "Understood."

Bell: "Now you both get some rest. I'll see you before we go in the morning."

Skuld: "Ok sis."

Urd: "Yes, Bell. Goodnight."

Bell kissed Skuld on the cheek she struck, and gave her a hug, and waved goodnight to Urd and left back to her and Kei's room.

The next morning, Bell awoke early and got up to shower and find something to wear for the day. She knew it would be hot outside today, not that the heat bothered her, mind you. But she wanted to wear something appropriate, so she selected a short mini skirt and a sleeveless style shirt, with some nice flat shoes. She tied up much of her long, beautiful light hazel hair. She noticed the sun was lightening her hair. She wondered if Keiichi even noticed or disliked it. It was barely daylight outside, she walked out onto the balcony outside, the air was cool. But that would change with the sunrise. It would soon turn hot about midday. She elected not to tell Kei about her conflict in the room last night. It was still weighing heavy on her mind. A soft pair of arms wrapped around her as she looked out onto the city below. She knew those wonderful arms, along with the rest of his wonderful self.

Bell: "Kei?"

Kei: "Yes Sweetheart."

Bell: "I love you."

Kei just smiled and kissed her cheek.

Kei: "I love you too."

Bell: "Do I look ok dressed like this?"

Kei looked her up and down, with a little smirk on his face.

Bell: "What does that mean?"

Kei: "I like it. I think you look..um."

Bell: "Um what?"

Kei: "I think you look really sexy in that."

Bell: "Good. Then I like to wear it!"

Kei laughed and gave her a warm hug and a kiss as they sat and watched the sun rising in the haze of smog over the town.

Brad and Rachel sat quietly in the lobby waiting for Kei and Bell to arrive. Brad was listening to a cd player and Rachel reading one of the women's magazines from the lobby table.

Kei: "Hey Brad. Rachel. How are you two this morning?"

Rachel: "Hi Kei. Hi Bell. I'm fine."

Brad looked up, not hearing them at first, he looked ahead of himself, down at a nice pretty pair of feet, and worked his way up those beautiful, sexy legs that almost seemed to move into the rest of a natural body until the fabric of a skirt blocked his view but not his thoughts, which continued all the way up a slim waist and nice breasts to a smiling Belldandy, that waved at him with that beautiful smile, that completely blew his train of thought while he turned off his Cd player.

Brad: "Ah-ahhhh. Hi Bell! Hi,Hi-ya Kei!"

Rachel noticed what Brad had done before speaking to them, she whispered in his ear.

(Rachel)"That's pretty sick of you Bradley..poor Belldandy probably didn't know what to think of you, looking at her like a rabid dog."

(Brad)"Hey, I swear I didn't know it was her till I saw her face. She hasn't worn any revealing clothing since she's been here. Jeez, I'm sorry. But I am male and she is hot."

(Rachel)"Keep it to yourself then.."

(Brad)"OkOK. Jeez!"

Brad: "So um. Are you two ready to go?"

Kei: "Sure thing. But what are we going to do exactly?"

Rachel: "You get a crash course in NHRA racing today Keiichi Morrisato!"

Bell: "Oh my! This sounds like fun Keiichi!"

Brad: "We'll tell you more on the way. We've got about a two hour ride. Ya'll ready?"

Bell: "Ready! Right Kei?"
Kei: "Yeah let's go!"

Rachel: "All aboard! Hehehe!"

They all drove and talked on their way to the track. The subject of racing was the most talked about. Keiichi and Bell talked about their exploits with racing various contraptions that they made in the motor club at school back home. Brad and Rachel only smiled when they heard Kei had some experience racing so far. They didn't want to give the big reason away until they got to the track.

As they pulled in the gate director showed them to the RPT corral where all the racers of different classes gathered and they got out of the car. Kei noticed all of the different cars and rails, or dragsters as most called them. He stood ogling at all the different cars with RPT's paint scheme on them, Brad showed them to the Pro Stock area.

Brad: "Keiichi Morrisato, this is Tom Bowman. He's the director of Our Pro Stock program. He's also the crew chief. Tom, this is Keiichi. He's the new R&D engineer. He's done quite a bit of racing from what I hear too."

Tom: "Oh really? Good that will come in handy today. And who is this pretty lady?"

Kei: "This is my wife Belldandy."

Bell: "It's very nice to meet you sir. (bows)"

Tom: "Oh that's right, (bows) I forgot you were from Japan."

Bell: "It's alright. I'm sorry about that. It's such a habit."

Tom: "No I find that kind of thing refreshing. So Kei? Is it?"

Kei: "Yes, Kei is just fine sir."

Tom: "Please. You don't have to call me sir. Anyway, how would you like to drive the Pro Stock car this weekend? I had a driver, but he's out sick with food poisoning, and he won't be back till the race weekend after next. So I have no driver for this weekend. Whatdaya say?"

Kei: "ME? A Pro Stock Car? I-I dunno. I've never driven anything like that before."

Bell: "I'm sure you can Kei. It can't be much different than the races we've had before."

Kei: "I don't know about that Bell. (he points to the inside of the car)"

Bell: "Sure. Umm. Well, it seems complicated. But you learn fast Kei!"

Kei: "I guess I could try it at least."

Tom: "Hahaha! That's the spirit! Now. You don't have too much to worry about, but keeping the car straight, and shifting when you got to. Other wise.. BOOM!"

Kei with Bell: "umm. Boom?"

Tom: "You can blow a motor if you forget to shift. It's not easy to do it anyway, but it can happen."
Kei: "Great. First time I race a car for RPT, and I could cost them thousands of dollars. phew"

Bell: "You'll do fine I'm sure Kei. At least try it, ok?"

Kei: "So what exactly do I need to do?"

Tom: "Come with me a while to the simulator trailer, and I'll get you acquainted. You're welcome too, Mrs. Morrisato."

Bell: "Please just call me Belldandy."

Brad and Rachel smiled and went about their business for a while. They figured they had a couple of hours to do whatever they liked, before Kei had live runs to make.

Brad went to the concession trailer to visit the track angels. The track angels were RPT's driver assistants, they wore skimpy outfits and had terrific figures and shiny smiles. Basically they acted as models, for the company. Similar to the import scene models of the day. Rachel went to see a long time friend who raced his Neon for the company in the IDRA division. She liked the fellow quite a bit, although it always stayed on the friendship side of a relationship.

After a couple of hours passed they returned to the trailer where they found Kei and Bell outside talking to Tom, as he handed Kei his outfit to wear while driving the car. Kei was excited, but nervous at the same time. Bell was constantly reassuring him he'd do just fine.

Brad: "So you ready big guy?"

Rachel: "I bet you do just fine."

Tom: "Just remember Kei. Always watch the Tach and the end of the track, as soon as you lose sight of the big timer board, let off, push in the clutch, hit the chute handle and brake to a stop, and coast around to the right of the end return board there."

Kei: "Ok, I got it."

Tom: "If you feel uncomfortable for any reason let off and coast or lose the gear and drive to the end of the track, and you can try again ok?"

Kei: "Sure thing."

Belldandy walked up before Kei put on his helmet in the car and gave him a good luck kiss. That always made Keiichi relax. He was really glad they let Bell come here with him.

Bell: "Good Luck Kei. You'll do just great."

Kei gave Bell a thumbs up as the crew pushed his car to the starting area.

Kei steered the car to the left lane, Tom gave him the signal to start the car. The crewman hit the battery switch on the rear bumper to "on" and the car instantly had power. Kei hit the start button and the 1,000+ horse big block roared to life. Tom signaled for him to check his gauges. He did so. And gave the thumbs up. Tom motioned along side him to just through the water box, as he exited, he placed the car in second, released the clutch as he gassed it and did his long burnout to just past the 60 foot mark of the starting line. He brought it to a stop, as Tom ran out to the front of the car to guide him back in his newly laid rubber on the track. Tom directed Kei back to just beyond the staging lights and checked the roof escape and and hood pins, and signaled for him to stage. He pulled up to the first light as the amber lit on the top of the xmas tree. He carefully rolled forward, remembering that he had only .400 sec after the yellows flash to leave the line. He just wanted to make sure he didn't break anything. The second amber lit up he instantly raised the rpm to the first line on the tach like Tom said, all the yellows flashed as he dropped the clutch and hit the gas the car shot out of the starting line like a bat out of hell, Kei never had anything this responsive before, before he could blink the needle hit red, he shifted, "damn" he thought, "to much already." The next time, he saw the lite on the tach blink , he shifted again, and again, and again. Till he was just past the time board he threw the clutch in and coasted, hit the chute and killed the engine and started braking. He was elated by the feel of the car, it really didn't take much to steer it down the track, but it did take a lot of concentration just to make the run. He did okay his first time out. His reaction time sucked. But that was to be expected. They would make many more runs this week to get it down pat. He'd be plenty ready for most of the competition this weekend. Tom could tell this guy was a winner. He'd do ok, with a little work and a little luck. Of course he didn't know about his built in luck charm. Belldandy smiled and ran over to him when he got out of the car, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a victory kiss. The fact that there was no real victory yet never deterred her from it. Every accomplishment he made was a victory to her in her mind.

Next Chapter

Pretty in Pink?