Chapter 2

Winter Solstice

All the next morning Urd couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following her. Walking through the alleyway she turned the corner, ducking into a passage waiting to pounce.

"It's almost time!" Mara cried sticking her head into the space surprising her.

"Mara don't do that!" Urd said coming out. "Time for what?"

"The Winter solstice of course! Are you going to come with us this year? It's going to be a party!"

"Oh I don't know. I was thinking maybe Tai and I would go off on our own for it this year," Urd replied.

"Oh you're no fun," she scowled. "Ever since you took up with that -," but then she stopped beginning to chuckle. "Oh I get it. Heh, heh, heh."

"Huh? What? I don't know what you're talking about" she said shrugging innocently.

"Oh my god! You aren't even going to tell him are you - you freak!"

"Oh it will be fine…" Urd said dismissively. Maybe we'll see you there," she said, her voice trailing off as she walked away down the alley.

"-And they call me twisted," Mara muttered watching her go.

. . .

"Tai, I was thinking maybe we should go someplace next weekend. Just the two of us."

"Really? Great. Is this to give them some space? Because Skuld will still be here."

"No, no. We need time alone too."

Belldandy looked up from the table. "What's this?"

"Tai and I were just thinking about going away on a trip."

Belldandy's eyes hinted concern. "Urd, do you really think that's a good idea? I mean - given the time of year and all."

"We're going to go south," she said sipping her tea. "I think the weather will be fine,"

"Well . . . it's just that historically a lot of things tend to happen around this time of year," she said trying to catch her attention. Takumi looked between them.

"Ah you worry too much Bell. We'll be fine. We're going to go someplace low key."

The disclosure seemed to do little to reassure her. "Yes, I'm not sure that's the issue . . ."

"Bell it'll be fine," Urd insisted pushing her out the door.

The days raced by as plans were made and before they knew it the day had arrived. "Alright guys we're off," Urd announced.

"Okay well we'll see you," Keiichi said taking hold of Belldandy's hand. "You're sure you won't take Skuld with you?" he asked for perhaps the third time. Beside him Skuld folded her arms frowning.

"I don't think it would be her kind of place," Urd replied throwing her bag over her shoulder. Bell smiled at them worriedly trying to think of something to say. "Well, okay . . . be safe Takumi," she said furrowing her brow.

"Safe?" he thought as together they entered the gateway.

"Holy cow, look at this place!" he said on their arrival.

"I know. It's great isn't it?"

He looked behind them, scanning the mountains of the volcanic terrain before returning his view to the lagoon that lay at their feet. "We're somewhere in the South Pacific," he guessed.

"French Polynesia," she replied as he eagerly dove into the waters, splashing around before bounding up the wooden gangway to explore the route to the over-water bungalow. "And all of this is ours?" he asked. "For the next little while anyway," she said following him in. "You see? You can swim whenever you want," she said pointing to the water entrance in the middle of their new living room.

"Fantastic. It's so blue," he said sitting down to watch the placid waters.

"I thought you were used to islands," she said sitting beside him. "Not ones like this," he replied. To his left he saw the hills fall away to a low-lying isthmus containing the inward-most branch of the lagoon. From there the ground rose once more, climbing sharply to a second volcanic peak as the island swept back toward them. He studied the calm waters that lay before him trying to detect any hint of wake. To the naked eye there seemed to be nothing in front of them, nothing but flat crystalline water. But he knew it was there, perhaps five miles away, the long low row of barrier reefs protecting them, turning this patch of open ocean into the tranquil lagoon before them. "Is this real?" he asked.

"It's real," Urd replied, leaning out the window to catch the sea breeze. "The sun's beginning to set. How about you go into town and see what you can rustle up?"

"Fair enough. How far would you say it is?"

"About two miles that way," she said pointing to the isthmus.

"Alright I won't be long. Don't start without me," he said unloading his pack.

"No need to worry about that," she muttered as she watched him leave.

. . .

By the time he found what he was looking for and returned the sun had already set. He walked up the dock to find it empty. "Urd? Urd?" he called looking at the moon rising over the water. There's something about this place, he thought listening to the strange music now drifting over the water,

See these eyes so green . . .

He entered the dark bungalow searching but found nothing. He looked out the windows checking the waters as behind him something slowly began to climb up from the sea.

I can stare for a thousand years,

He continued to search the lagoon as the creature silently pulled itself out of the water behind him.

Colder than the moon,

"Where in the heck could she - Whoa!" he said springing back upon catching sight of her. On the floor behind him he could see her now in the darkness, Urd on all fours continuing to slowly move toward him; her wet hair brushing the sides of her face as she moved forward in the darkness.

"Hey – uh you . . .," he said cautiously, trying to draw her attention. "That's some - suit you've got on there. Is that even legal?" he smiled nervously. Urd gave no reply, simply continuing slinking toward him on all fours. It was then he noticed her slit-like like eyes, and something more, something disquieting that brought unease to his heart. He stepped back. "Urd?"

She continued forward saying nothing, looking up at him with a pitiless hunger as she approached.

'Cause it's been so long,

"You do know it's me right Urd? Urd?!" he said taking another step back.

And I've been putting out fire,

Something is definitely wrong, she's going strike! he thought.

- with GASOLINE!

Takumi sprinted away, but he was too slow for a demon of Urd's lineage.

. . .

In the shallows a small fish nudged himself forward. Sweeping his fins back and forth he watched his target excitedly, mesmerized by the morsel in front of him as his two companions held back hesitantly. Finally with a flick of his colorful scales he flew forward latching his mouth around the tantalizing treat.

"Hey I'm still using that - I think," Takumi replied shaking the small fish from his finger. Slowly he pulled his arm up from the waters, rolling over on the dock. Seeing the form in front of him he moved forward, pressing himself against the back and sheet in front of him. "Hey you," he whispered, moving his hands as the shoulders flexed sensuously under the sheets purring. "You were really - YAAA!" he cried as the form rolled over revealing Elegance's distinctive features. Quickly he dove beneath the nearest unclaimed sheet. "Urd?!"

"Right behind you baby -," she cooed as her arms reached up around him.

He turned to face her. "What – what happened last night?"

"What happened?" You - were a tiger," she said raising an eyebrow.

"I don't think that's what happened."

"Well maybe a bit of a tiger cub at first," she said stretching out beside him. "But once you got going -."

He shook his head. "I can't quite remember. I'm a bit fuzzy," he said trying to recall the evening as bits of imagery continued to flash through his head. "I remember you on the ground and then - "OH MY GOD!" he cried suddenly sitting up straight.

"What?" Urd said innocently.

He leaned down to her his voice no more than a whisper, "Urd I didn't do anything . . . err ungentlemanly-like to Elegance last night did I?" he asked fearfully.

"Oh Tai don't look so concerned - we're all friends here," she said looking past him as she and Elegance exchanged knowing glances. He reached down pulling the sheets around him more securely now, suddenly feeling rather exposed. Turning toward Urd Elegance suddenly gasped.

"What is it?!" he asked looking back at her thinking she had seen something in the lagoon. Urd too now gasped, seeing the sets of red claw marks across Takumi's back.

"Did you see it too Urd?!" he asked turning back before returning his gaze to the lagoon. "I don't see anything!"

"Oh it's out there a ways," Urd said as she and Elegance began exchanging rapid gestures behind Takumi's back regarding who was to blame. Seeing nothing he turned his attention back to them, only to see Elegance pantomiming what he could only assume was a lion mauling a zebra.

"Uh . . . you hungry Elegance?" he asked as the angel looked back flustered. However he was beginning to take note of the strange impressions in the sand at the front of the cottage. "What's all of this?" he asked dragging the sheet behind him as he went.

"What, that? Oh, who knows. Probably just some joggers," Urd replied quickly. "They're up here before the sun," she added trying to get in front of him.

"Really? Because there's only one set . . . and they start here," he said suspiciously scanning the beach. He looked down at the footprints comparing them to his own, following them from the dock until they ended in a much larger set of impressions farther down the beach. "Urd?"

"Yes hon . . ."

"Did you tackle me last night when I was, oh I don't know - trying to escape!"

"Of course not. What a question! How could you even think that?" she said as Elegance floated behind her.

"I see -," he replied studying the footsteps. "Then you must have been the one dragging me back!" he said pointing to the heel marks dug into the sand heading back toward the house.

"Oh Takumi, we're on vacation. Let's not spend time worrying about minor details like who assaulted whom. And in my defense, I'd point out those tracks only go about halfway back to the house," she smiled.

"Humph. I say we go for food. It looks like Elegance is getting hungrier."

"Good idea. Uh, just maybe put on a shirt. The sun's very intense here."

"I know what you mean. My back does feel kind of sore."

"Well you know - that's the tropics for you," she said biting her lip. Together they walked along the path through the undergrowth for about a mile until they reached the edge of town, strolling along the gathered fruit stands lining the road. As was his habit Takumi poked his nose from one stall to another curiously eyeing the fruits on hand. "Urd, you want one of these?" he asked holding up a large papaya.

"Oh monsieur, please do not handle my melons so roughly," cooed the woman beneath a large hat at the back of the stall.

"I know that voice," Takumi said stepping back.

"But of course -," she said removing her hat to reveal the queen of Demonkind.

"Ahhhh!"

"Tai, try to work on that - not screaming like a little girl I mean," Urd said.

"Such a reaction on greeting me! I who gave you life," Hild replied sweeping her hand down to transform her garb to into something more festive.

"Define - give," Takumi said stubbornly, only now observing the scattered members of her entourage present in the surrounding crowd. "Why did you follow us here?"

"Follow you here? Didn't Urd tell you? This area's a festival place for us this time of year."

"It is?!" he said turning to her.

"Well, I think you could more accurately call it a timeshare," Urd replied. "Still the island's nice. I have a lot of fond memories of my childhood here. More than I do of - other things," she said with a nudge of her head. "Now what is it you want?" she asked looking around.

"Isn't it enough for a mother to want to look in on her only daughter once in a while?" Hild asked innocently.

"Since it's you we're talking about – no. You may have technically given birth to me - though even that I'm still looking in to."

"That hurts," Hild pouted doing her best to look sad. "And after I came all this way to give you a gift for the solstice."

"Doubtful. Besides we don't want anything you've got," replied Takumi.

"Is that really how you feel my dearest? Because I was thinking of giving you my allocation at the pools of Arsemion."

"Really?!"said Urd coming forward.

"Uh-huh."

"Well I mean, why would you do that?"

"You mean beside the fact I'm extraordinarily generous?

Oh don't know, I suppose I want you to be happy - though I'm sure you'll turn that into some kind of crime against me as well," she said putting her hands in her pockets as they began to stroll with her minions in tow down the colorful aisles of the market. "As for the pools themselves - well I'm afraid they don't hold as much enchantment for me as they once did," she shrugged.

So the rumors are true, thought Urd.

"It's a trick. It's got to be some kind of trick," warned Takumi.

"Really? What kind of trick would that be?" Hild asked picking up a passion fruit, waving to the vendor before tossing it to one of her followers on the opposite aisle. "I require no trickery or help to take care of the two of you here if I wished. But as the solstice is supposed to be a time of peace among demons I thought it would be a nice gift. No tricks. I swear - by my own authority."

"Which means nothing," muttered Takumi.

"It's alright," assured Urd. "No self-respecting demon would commit such an act during the solstice. Besides if she swears it, it would be an insult to her own honor to break her word."

"I couldn't have said it better myself," Hild replied scooping up a coconut and pitching to a waiting demon neither of them had noticed. "You know well the beauty of the pools Urdy. It's up to you. For one night only of course. Use it or not as you see fit," she said taking a guava offered by one of the vendors.

Urd paused, looking wistfully over at the far side of the archipelago. "And you swear there's no unspoken trick, no harm done to either of us by accepting?"

"You have my solemn vow," Hild said raising her hand.

"In that case I accept, your generous gift," Urd replied bowing.

"Ah well, what can I do if I can't look out after my own daughter? Oh and Takumi dear, do be careful with that sun. You seem to be peeling a bit," she smiled.

"You can see under my shirt?"

"I can see a lot of things," she said waving to her daughter before disappearing into the crowd.

They stood together, side by side at the edge of the vendors. "Okay she's gone. Now we can take off before they actually try to kill us."

"They're not going to kill us. It's their festival time, it would be too much work. And remember the agreement about no future interference with Bell and Keiichi that Hild had to make? Well we're covered in that."

"You know that?"

"Uh-huh."

"Like you knew they would be here?"

"I knew. So what?

"I don't know, maybe tell me the next time we're dropping in on to a demon-filled island! And why are we accepting gifts from her. We can find our own place to take a bath on this island!"

"Well to be honest the parties are better. And as long as they leave us alone, who cares. Besides the pools of Arsemion are no common bath. And you heard her proclamation. Her gift comes with no strings attached."

"I'm not sure that's a thing in her world," he muttered.

"Relax - have a papaya. We need to go on a long romantic walk before I lose you to the lagoon."

The day was enjoyable enough, walking the dense jungle paths just the two of them, kissing behind the palms and generally enjoying themselves with Elegance keeping watch. However as evening approached Takumi was still having doubts about their sojourn across the bay. "I just don't see why -."

"Because you don't know anything. Look this place is famous. Famous even among the gods! Do you know how many notable liaisons have happened here? How many deities have - enjoyed the pools?"

"Umm, they clean it occasionally right?"

"Ha, ha. Look there across the bay. You see that point out beyond the rest of the lights? That's where we're going."

An hour later a skiff dropped them off at the shore and they began their climb up from the main road. "Nice and isolated. Looks like a good place for a double homicide."

"Oh be quiet. Just let your eyes adjust to the darkness. Do you see it? The path?"

He leaned forward. He did detect something. A subtle glow winding its way up the side of the verdant volcanic mountain. And above them, effervescent fumes rising in the distance.

"I take it the uninvited don't use this path?"

"The uninvited can't see it," she said leading the way. Several hundred feet up she finally put her hands over the edge. She turned back as he saw the soft features of her face looking down at him from above in the glow. "These are the pools," she said disappearing over the top. "And you've never seen anything like them," she echoed.

He followed her over the lip and took in her meaning. The 'pools' appeared to be a series of interconnecting domains, each of different size and depth flowing one into the other, drawing down and up at different levels, carved out of the rock either naturally or by some subtle craft he could not tell. In total he guessed its length covered some 50 meters or so, perhaps half that in wide. But these were simply details. The thing which really amazed him was its surface, every corner and curve, every wall and floor was smooth and yet not, polished but with a texture that reminded him of flowstone. The waters too seemed strange. The pools seemed to effervesce with a dim light that came and went in the clouds of rising moisture but he could not perceive their source. Yet it was the water itself which amazed him most of all. Its temperature seemed to be perfect, warmer or cooler, whatever he desired as he moved through the pools suffusing his body with a deeply satisfying feeling of relaxation. In fact, after shedding his clothes he lay in the waters for several minutes before remembering he was not there alone. "Urd? Urd?!" He wandered out to the outer edge of the pool, restrained in by a solid volcanic wall flowing as the rest, the mountain dropping away allowing him to see in spectacular fashion the bay with the lights of the town in the distance, its festival already underway. He pushed away from the wall swimming through the pools, returning to search for Urd through the labyrinth.

"Hey you . . ."

He looked up seeing her now through the mist. He had of course always thought of her as beautiful. But somehow here in the pools, somehow she appeared even more beautiful, even more alluring, moving through the waters. She stood still, her hair hanging down loose to her waist, giving him a look that made her seem shy yet at the same time made him consider what men might do to give up their souls. No longer able to contain himself he dove under the water, rising beside her as she splashed around him. "You see what I mean?" she asked.

"It's incredible," he agreed.

She sank down into the water to her shoulders warming herself, "Some famous couples have spent time here."
"Really? Like who?"

"Well it's said that Bell's parents become a couple here."

"You're not saying that . . ."

"That's the rumor."

He laughed shaking his head. "Well I definitely see the party potential of this place.

"Did you see that bay?"

"I did, I was looking at it a minute ago," he said swimming close her, now definitely more interested in playing with her than searching the surrounding scenery. She reached out for his hands under the water, their fingers intertwining as he drew her to him. "I love you," Urd whispered with all sincerity putting her arms over his shoulders.

"Is everything okay Indigo?" he replied hugging her. "I mean seeing your mother today and all?"

"Yeah. Everything's okay," she nodded. They waded and swam together in the pools for the next hour, moving through warm waters to the more remote corners that felt very far away from the world they knew. Takumi leaned back on a shelf immersed in the water as Urd pushed up against him. Reaching up she picked fruit from a low-lying branch over the pools, tasting it as they looked up at the stars.

"Is this what it is was like when the world was young?" he asked moving his hands beneath the water enjoying himself amid the steam and the heady smell of the jungle.

"Who knows," replied Urd, dimly aware of music coming from across the bay. "Perhaps the world was never truly young, for there are always problems to solve. The best we can hope is to take momentary breaks from it."

Miles beyond them down in the town the festival was in full swing. Hild moved among the revelers, each giving her signs of friendship as she walked through the crowd in the nighttime air with her entourage amid the music. It must have gone on like that for almost an hour before there came a sudden loud bang.

The sound of the explosion roused the lovers from their idyll making their way to the outer wall. "What was that?"

"It sounded like it came from the town," Urd said searching the bay.

"Do they usually blow stuff up?" he asked.

"I don't remember them doing a lot of that, but then I was pretty young and into my own stuff," she said folding her arms over the wall.

Groups of demons converged on Hild's position from all sides. Yet by the time they arrived all seemed sorted. "No harm done," she said waving them off easily as Mara and a number of other first-class demons appeared. They stood back socializing for a few moments before nodding and dispersing back into the crowd. But Mara noticed Hild's key guardians did not seem nearly so pleasantly disposed. Marek's eyes in particular scanned the tree line, and she saw Idunn moving from rooftop to rooftop. She watched them for another moment before being pulled back to the party by one of her drunken companions.

. . .

The next week passed blessedly for Urd and Takumi filled with long scenic walks, afternoon dives in the lagoon and romantic dinners spent under the stars; with a few interruptions from Urd's demonic colleagues. Generally they seemed pleasant enough at least under the present circumstances, and from them Takumi learned many things about Urd's past and childhood he did not know before. Despite the interruptions, he enjoyed seeing Urd's mischievous smile as she relaxed among her childhood friends. Too quickly the idyllic days on the island passed and they soon found themselves back at Tariki Hongan Temple. Or at least Takumi did. Upon their return, Urd and Mara decided to go off into town for 'supplies', so that they might speak in detail about their recent adventures for the next few hours. And so it fell to Takumi to sort their gear out. Returning to the temple in the afternoon he saw a small woman approaching him on the road as though she had been waiting for an opportunity. He waved happily until she stepped forward chastising him for several minutes. Helplessly he looked on as she continued finally excusing himself.

"Yes, thank you, thank you," he nodded, "- old lady whose language I apparently do not speak very well," he murmured climbing the stairs. Reaching the top of the steps he did notice something, music (rather rhythmic music) coming from the temple. "Is that what she was complaining about?" he approached the open doors cautiously, "Well let's see what the old - Oh my god!"

For a moment Takumi thought the heat had finally gotten to him. For it must be a mirage. He was sure he had never seen Belldandy like this before. With her back turned she continued working feverishly as her body (her hips at least anyway) swayed to the music as she polished the statues in what he could only assume were someone else's shorts. In his defense his mind simply acknowledged that her movements were not terribly dissimilar to aspects of pole dancing. So buried was she in her work that she did not hear him come up the steps, and he could not quite bring himself interrupt her. Behind her the music continued to play:

The winds of fortune, don´t blow the same,

She had to get out, and make a change,

She had a kid now, but much too young,

That baby's daddy's, out having fun - he says I'm on a roll . . .'

All at once she swept up from under the railing jumping as she saw him standing behind her. They both stood awkwardly now staring at one another. "Um yeah Bell, sorry.

I just heard the music and came to see what was going on.

I wasn't just standing behind you or anything. In fact I think I only just got here! Did I mention I only just got here?"

"Oh. Well I'm giving the temple a good rubbing," she replied.

"Of course that's what you were doing. And there nothing wrong with that," he said to no one in particular.

"Are you alright Mr. Sato?" she asked leaning closer. "You look flushed."

"No I'm fine, I'm good. Just tired from the trip," he said looking to his left and right to see if he was being set up.

She smiled back at him politely, the kind of smile that made him feel weak. "You're probably wondering why I'm dressed like this. I didn't want to get my clothes soiled so I changed. These shorts, they don't fit very well," she admitted tugging them up once more.

I did not just see her hipbones . . .

"You see they're Keiichi's . . ."

"Uh-huh. Can't you make clothes?"

"Well, I thought it would be more fun to wear his."

"Yeah . . . fun," he said trying to think of something to say.

"Sorry I'm kind of sweaty," she said leaning closer. "It's kind of hot out today."

Do not think about what she smells like . . .

"I must be a bit dirty.

Boy I hope she cannot read thoughts . . .

She looked at him wrinkling her nose. "I'm wondering about something -."

"Bell I have to grab my nuts!" he shouted suddenly.

They both stood silently as Takumi looked back horrified.

"I mean my nuts -. He stopped once more gathering himself.

"I mean, I-have-to-go-get-some-parts for-the-motorcycle," he said red-faced.

"Oh. Well if you see Keiichi can you tell him I'm looking for him?" she asked looking around.

"Will do," he replied.

He had readied the bike and was preparing to leave when Keiichi came up the alley. "You're back."

"I am anyway. Urd's still in town with Mara. Anybody's guess what she'll be like when she gets home."

"But it went alright?"

"As normal as anything involving a goddess can be. The place turned out to be a kind of demon timeshare, but they left us alone. Oh and speaking of being left alone, Belldandy wanted me to tell you she's looking for you."

"Oh, okay," he said with what Takumi sensed was the slightest twinge of fear in his eyes. Uh, Takumi?"

"Yessss?"

"Is she - worse than yesterday?"

"I don't know, I wasn't here yesterday," he smiled evilly. "But if I were to guess I would say – yeah. She's out in the temple you can't miss her, she's the one wearing cut-offs."

Keiichi looked in the direction of the temple weakly. "Oh alright then."

"Good luck Keiichi," he said riding off in search of Urd.