Chapter 7

Fallow

In Takumi's opinion it was not like dreaming. But then it wasn't like prison either. The first thing he noticed was that he was leaning on his knees, sitting on the damp beach under grey overhead skies. He looked around but was uncertain as to where he was. He rose unsteadily looking at the sky, then the hills around him but could see no walls. It was cool here, but not impossibly so, pine trees - probably somewhere in the Pacific northwest he guessed. Do they really think placing me here will keep me from returning? But then, what did he really have to return to? Whatever was happening at Tariki Hongan Temple now he truly had no business with it, if indeed he had ever really had any at all. Food and shelter were a priority now he thought, but he found a few things climbing the costal hills over the next few hours. However as he did he began to realize that all was not quite what it appeared to be, for he saw no evidence here or in the distance of towns, or indeed people of any kind. The domain seemed vast and empty. Had Belldandy been here? Had she walked these empty hills? Or was the domain unique to each individual? The more he watched the endless ocean waves the more he considered it the latter.

At sunset he wrapped himself up building a fire, sitting down, realizing this was indeed prison. His own kind of living hell. Though his cell was large, he was alone. He holed up that first night in the most stable place he could find, the rock wall above providing protection from the elements, the break high enough above the damp sands of the beach below. But as he settled in now he knew his real challenge was only beginning. At first he busied himself with what Bell, Keiichi and Skuld might be doing, but soon even these thoughts grew dark. For Belldandy would now know what had occurred, and all that had transpired as a result. None of them would be anxious for his return. And it was this he had to deal with now. For he had time. Time to think about all he had pushed out of his mind. All his thoughts of Urd; and of Sora. For months grief ate away at him, nightmares too in all forms - of what he could have done, of what had really happened to them, of their judgment, awakening each time only to find they were no longer beside him and he was once again awake and alone on this barren coast. He cried out his regret knowing no one could see him. By now he knew he did not need to eat per se to survive; but caught what he could out of habit or comfort. Still he knew he was getting weaker. Something within him was dying.

In time he willed himself to try and forget, forget everything he was, everything which had occurred, everything causing him pain. wishing only to remain still. And so he moved less and less each day, huddled immobile like a part of the landscape around him. He remained like that for weeks, months, perhaps years it was so hard to tell in this place. He knew now the true hell was not fire, it was absence, the absence of all love.

And then one day there came some subtle change in the wind, moving slowly, almost imperceivably onshore from the depths of the great ocean. It took hold of something, like a wave rolling over deep in his brain. He began to walk, first inland then along the coast. His first excursions were tentative, returning to camp every day, then every few days until finally he set out, leaving forever. He began to move north in no particular path. Existence behind him he walked on, carrying only his most cherished memories, a form watching the world's changes, air rushing over the mountains to meet him, echoes of waves reflecting the movement of whales passing seaward, cold downdrafts ferrying seabirds as they swept over him by the thousands. And always he pushed forward. At the end of each day he stopped, listening upon the waves each night. But what was he listening for? Echoes from Tariki Hongan Temple? Words from his sensei? Urd's voice? Sora's? Even he did not know. He awoke one morning to find himself atop a ridge overlooking a vast cove below. There was something about it that made him hesitate. He climbed down the rock face wandering the tidal marks, and then he saw it. At first he could not believe his eyes. He bent low searching their direction. But they were there. Footprints. Footprints in the sand. He put his own foot beside it sizing it up. Yes it was slightly smaller, definitely female. Of course he had no way of knowing how long they might have been there but still, it made him feel less alone somehow. He began to wonder if he might have been wrong about the nature of the confine. Perhaps Belldandy had been here, walking this very beach and now, now he had found some remnant of - ! He froze looking up at the distant end of the cove. There on the cliffs above him stood a dark figure illuminated against the skyline. It was Urd! Even at this distance he was sure of it. She was standing alone on the edge of the cliff almost motionless searching the horizon.

He took off at a dead run toward the end of the cove. "Urd - URD!" he shouted. Approaching the figure seemed to notice him, only to disappear over the far wall. "No! Wait!" he cried tumbling into the sand. "I'm sorry - I'm sorry!" he said. "About everything, about everything I've done!"

It took him time to recover, and to breach the heights of the wall, but when he did she was nowhere to be seen. He searched the ground but could find no trace of her.

That night as he huddled by the largest fire he could build, he looked out to sea talking to himself bitterly. "Of course she has every right to be angry but to not even talk to me? Not even acknowledge my existence?" he protested forlornly.

He moved on the next morning, searching her out. Over the next few weeks he would spot her here and there, catching glimpses of her, always ahead of him, always beyond his grasp. His shouts and pleas to her were to no avail, her eyes turning blankly to him. Finally after some time she seemed to gravitate to a localized region, appearing now occasionally both in front and behind him. But by now he had learned. He knew he would never catch up. And so he stopped, abandoning the chase. He sat alone, despondent on the cliffs refusing to move. In time she did come closer. Several times he chased after her, but always with the same result. He tried pouring out his heart to her, when she was close enough. But even giving all his words, all his regret she still gave no reply. Eventually his mind turned to other thoughts. Why does she say nothing? Why is she alone? Even if she wanted to hurt me surely she would say something. An idea began to form. He was being toyed with. Why or by whom he did not know, but he was being toyed with. That wasn't Urd. It was some kind doppelganger, a pale shadow of her designed to torture him. She would not leave him here like this – no, how could he have thought it? And she wouldn't leave Sora. He should have seen that. He was getting slow.

No, this was something else. Entertainment for a purpose he could not guess. He sat on the beach staring out to sea growing angry, imagining their laughter in the heavens as his anger grew. Confronted with his lack of response the doppelganger drew closer trying to tease him into response. But he would not take the bait. He would no longer respond. The anger within him grew to monstrous dimensions. He seethed with hate. Do they think this is funny? The terrible loss and pain of my loved ones? Of everything I hold dear? How dare they! His frame began to tremble, his rage now uncontrollable blotting out everything else in his mind as he focused on the cage that held him. Toy with me here? I will tear it all down! I will tear it apart and destroy you ALL! he thought furiously throwing himself forward in a blind rage. He leaped like an animal charging the sea itself. And it worked. For the sea gave way as he clawed, charging over it like an animal over open ground.

He continued out of control, leaping to tear at the sky itself. And the sky did seem to give way, ripping open as the light gave way to darkness, the land below him falling away too as he fell, fell into nothingness, down, down into an immense pit of blackness below him, falling until at last he landed upon the solid floor. He reached his hands out scanning the floor of the dark interior of the chamber, moving sand to reveal the large groove carved directly into the iron mantle. Then he sensed it. He turned seeing above him a large pair of luminous eyes staring down at him. Violet eyes that sent a chill through him.

When finally he could again form what could be called rational thought, he found himself sitting alone on the beach; questions swimming through his mind:

Is Hild secretly running this prison? Does she want me dead? No, that doesn't make sense. If she'd wanted that she wouldn't have saved me that day. And I can't believe she would harm Sora or Urd. But why toy with me now? For he knew if he was honest, he had already been confined in this place for a long time. He knew years had passed. In fact why bother with me at all if she knows Urd and Sora are dead? And it was this which now gripped his mind. There is no way she would! The only reason she would bother with me is if she is somehow uncertain as where Urd and Sora are – perhaps thinking I might know something that could help contribute to her search. Of course it could be someone else, but who? If the leaders here wanted a question answered they would simply ask him . . . in one form or another. Still there were aspects that gave him pause, things that didn't make sense that he tried not to think about. Though he found in time he could temporarily disrupt aspects of his surroundings, he never had any additional contact from an outside entity, nor did he ever see the doppelganger again.

And yet whether by accident or design, his contact with the interloper had changed him. For some reason he no longer felt completely alone in this place. His patterns changed. He began to run, to swim, to strengthen himself. So too he began to practice the old ways more rigorously now, meditating on the lessons his teachers had taught him, going over every aspect in the expanse of time. And when he was strong enough, prepared enough . . . he began to think of her. Of course she had always been there – hovering out of sight in the back of his mind. But here under the spreading pines now he confronted her, on these shores he accepted his guilt and culpability fully. And though the pain of it at times felt as though it would kill him, it also gave him a fragment of what he was looking for; some true undistilled semblance of what their life was really like - in all its complexities. Only after a long time in that wilderness did he dare gaze upon the full extent of her impact on his life, the true dimensions of her reach over the vast emptiness that now lay within him. That fallow zone in which nothing - nothing of its kind would ever grow again. He opened his eyes beholding the endless sea, beginning to understand the empty lands around him. Still he comforted himself in the knowledge that it was a sign of the breadth of their adventure - though parts of him wondered if Urd would have described it the same way. Confronting the emptiness did however allow him to finally see, see clearly what he had hidden away for so long. He began to play over their life together in his mind, the features of her hair, where they had walked, her smile, the look of her sleeping face. In the places where he walked he now drew monuments to her, planted flowers in spots she would have liked and . . . in time - let his pain flow to the surface and out into the endless sea.

He was not whole of course, nor particularly well-balanced. There were parts of his life he never thought about. Sora was never in his thoughts. For he could never let her come to the surface. The danger to his mind was just too great.

Still there was structure to his days now, he was growing stronger, and within him some purpose to his life. He began to think once more about the world he had left behind, and what he would do when he returned to it. For vengeance was not something he had forsaken, merely put aside until he was strong enough - until enough of him had returned. Oh the things he would do to those who had harmed his loved ones, he promised. Wherever they hid he would find them, and they would come to know the full meaning of pain and suffering. None would be spared the measure of his hate. I will get out he thought. I will get out. And when he did, he would find out what really happened to Urd; no matter whom he had to break. Even if it killed him. He would know - and in his view, set things right. He began to meditate, to train, to run harder than before. Where he had been lackadaisical now he was focused, working to build his skills. The rhythms of his life returned as he worked the circuit, an animal in its pen. But hate did not consume him. It was simply something that lived within him. And within the endless span of time before him there was time for other things too, time to remember, remember love that had touched him in all its forms, love that had changed him, love that had brought him to the place he was today. There were times not so different from this when they sat together on the beach, shoulder to shoulder whispering promises under the moonlight. He thought about Keiichi, Belldandy and Skuld too, hoping they were well.

Until at last one day many years later, after endless flights of days he felt a voice like warmth inside him, like an unseen hand on his shoulder. "Takumi?" asked the voice.

"Yes?" he answered dumbly to the voice inside his head.

"Do you know where you are?"

"Where I always am," he replied.

"Do you feel my hands?" asked the voice.

"I . . . ?" This is definitely something different, he thought. He had not conjured this voice in his head. His body felt strange.

"I'm getting something," he heard the voice say.

The world seemed disorienting now, his vision stabbed through with panes of light. "Is this. . . the real world?" he asked.

"All experience is real," another voice behind him said.

He turned looking for the source of the voice, finding it belonged to a woman in a uniform. Vague things he could remember about her, none of them terribly good. Yet something was different now. What was it? The scar, he thought watching as it ran through her left eyebrow. She doesn't seem to be much help. What was her name?

Takumi tried to focus. He could see there were two of them now as he bobbed against the wall. The place appeared bright. They seemed to be speaking, "Well his eyes are open - I think he's awake. "Do-you-know-us?" asked the more womanly of the two. The one with the scar . . .yes I think I remember her. She - was she the one who told me about Urd?

"A lot has happened since you've been away," Peorth said leaning down.

Leather - what was her name? Bands of leather and the one with the axe. Yes I remember, he thought. "Your name is . . . Peorth. And you . . ."

"She is Lind."

"Yes -," he said nodding.

"You have served your time and have been released. Where would you like to go?"

"Go? I want . . ." No this is the real world. In this world she is – I want - I want . . . no she's gone - the one that was my life, he thought. "I remember now," he said sadly. "It was some kind of -," he struggled to rise disoriented. "Take me to Keiichi Morisato." Yes, he will know what to do. It will be good to see him, to know everything worked itself out for them at least.

The goddesses looked at one another concerned. "You . . . do

understand where you are, don't you? You've been held here for 118 years."

For a moment he seemed puzzled at their response, "I don't care how long I've been . . . of course," he thought as the reality of it struck home. Now he understood. He shuffled away as though looking for a means of escape among the high walls. "You - couldn't even do that for them could you?" No, too much to ask for," he muttered bitterly staring at the walls.

"It wasn't our call Sato!" snapped Lind.

"I'll bet you give that answer a lot around here," he mused.

Lind took a step toward him but Peorth stopped her.

It was then Takumi gasped, the realization setting in. Belldandy! Oh no. . . She must be heartbroken. He didn't want to think about it. "Take me to see Belldandy!" he demanded.

In the deathly silence that followed he turned to see Lind and Peorth exchanging somber looks. Icy fingers of fear now began to close themselves around his chest. "Belldandy . . .

"No . . .!" he pleaded shaking his head.

"-Is no longer in this world," Lind replied.

From that moment everything began to move in slow motion for Takumi. Strange sounds echoed in his head. He knew not whether he was truly awake or sleeping. He seemed to be drifting, falling. It couldn't be true. But why would they lie? He felt unsteady. It must be a misunderstanding. . .

"What?" he said weakly

"I'm sorry," murmured Peorth. "So very sorry."

"That's not . . . it's not possible. I mean - she survived the explosion . . . it's not possible," he murmured absently."

"What is he talking about?" asked Lind.

"I don't know," replied Peorth. "It's possible he suffered more damage than we realized. I'm sorry you had to find out like this," Peorth said sympathetically. "But I'm afraid it's true."

Of course, he thought. She must have followed him into the void when Keiichi - when his time came. He looked at the light walls in front of him. The dizziness he felt would not go away. For he knew now everything was gone. Everything he had held onto . . . hoped for. All gone. He wished he could just return to the hole they had found him in. But of course he could not. He walked ahead of them blindly in silence, realizing he had no idea where he was going within the timeless corridors. Yet he no longer cared. For they were all gone now. All of them. Everyone he had ever known, ever cared about had been washed away by the sands of time.

"I don't care what happens anymore," he said. "About the heavens, demons; about any of it. Do what you will with me. If there is anyone in this world who yet knows the name of Takumi Sato let me look upon their face." He seemed suddenly old to Peorth; for indeed now he was.

She held out her hand encouraging. "Come -," she said

leading him slowly through the corridors of the Valkyrie

subsection Yggdrasil complex to the city below. "This way -," she said as they passed down a corridor open on one side to the river below. As they walked on approaching the small arched room he found himself actually becoming excited, hopeful at what he might see. But as he now entered looking at their faces he saw only strangers looking back. For him it was the final blow, knowledge that the past was truly gone. He turned away sadly, walking to where he did not know.

But though Takumi Sato had not recognized the faces before him the reverse was apparently not true. He heard the cup tumble from the girl's hands, crashing to the floor behind him as she flew forward. "Takumi? TAKUMI!" she screamed. He turned but the girl was already on him, throwing herself into his arms hugging him tightly. "IT IS YOU!" she sobbed.

He hugged her back confused. Yet there was something, something familiar about her – like the smell of water hyacinth after the rain, like the flowers that grew long ago along the riv- SKULD?!" He pulled her back looking at her more closely now. IT IS YOU! He could see it now. She had grown, taller and more beautiful but it was her alright. The girl he had known so long ago. He hugged her tightly, squeezing her like an island of recognition in an unfamiliar world.

The girl smiled pushing against him. " I knew one day they would let you go, that you would come back!" she said.

"Come, there is much I need to show you," she said wiping her tears, pulling him back into the room. "There are some people I want you to meet," she said taking his hand. "This is - um well, now that I think about it this will be a bit confusion but – this is Takumi," she said sheepishly introducing him to the young man.

"Uh . . . what?"

Takumi Mo-ri-sa-to," she whispered.

He looked at her puzzled. "You mean - Bell and Keiichi?"

She nodded. He could see it now. He smiled shaking the man's hand. "You have your father's good looks -," he observed. "And your mother's (how best to say it?) - strength," he said finally. The man nodded politely, before glancing briefly at Peorth and Lind in the outer hallway behind them. Something about it made Takumi suspect that he had inherited quite a bit from his parents. I must speak to him at the first opportunity,

he thought.

"And this -," Skuld now said as though she had kept the best for last, "is Sorano."

If she had expected him to smile, or even hint at recognition she was disappointed. Instead Takumi stepped back, scanning the room slowly as though considering it in some new light.

"Who?" he asked continuing to scan his surroundings.

"Um - your daughter," Skuld whispered concerned.

He smiled stepping back uneasy, his eyes checking those around him. "That was a nice touch -," he said to no one in particular. "I mean - aging up Skuld, not making her look too familiar. Yeah, it was a nice touch," he said growing angry.

"Takumi -," Skuld called out nervously.

"Morisato too. After all, what would I compare him to? Peorth was a good choice too as I never really knew her well. Nice try - almost perfect," he replied bitterly. "But whatever game you have planned you can end it now. Take me back to my cell, if indeed I ever left it."

"Takumi we're here," Skuld said trying to calm him.

He pushed her to one aside. "Did any of you animals really think for one second I could forget the death of my own daughter?!"

The imposter jumped in front of Skuld her eyes flashing, "I don't really care what you believe old man. I am Sorano Sato!" she growled.

"Okay maybe her mother and I didn't really think that one out a lot in terms of naming," he admitted.

The girl snarled stepping up, but then he caught her glancing at Lind. "Oh do you take your instructions from her? Are you one of her agents?!" he snapped.

"I don't take instructions from anyone!"

"I can vouch for that," interjected Morisato.

Takumi turned on him. "You think this is funny?" he said.

The girl leapt between them. "Don't even think about it!"

"Hey jumpy, you seem to jump in front of a lot of people - rather like someone else I know. Maybe the two of you trained at the same place?"

"Maybe we did," she breathed, her eyes starting to turn. "The truth is I've got nothing to prove to you or anyone else! I don't care if you love me or not - if you've forgotten me or not!"

How dare they! he thought his anger flaring. How dare they try to use the image of my daughter for their game. I'll teach them not to play games! he thought, quickly catching the imposter by the throat as he bit down. The girl shrieked in surprise.

"WHAT THE -?! Faster than any could move Lind was in motion, slamming Takumi against the far wall with such force it would have shattered human flesh. She stood above him now her face white with rage, her fists trembling only barely able to contain herself, "If you ever touch her again – I will end you! Do you hear me?!" she roared leaving to attend to the girl. "Ten are you alright?" she said kneeling beside her.

"I'm okay," the girl replied holding her throat.

"Stop, you don't understand!" Skuld said coming between the pair and Takumi. "It's just – he's confused! He doesn't understand what's happening. He's been away a long time. Just give him a moment . . . Look!" she said.

Indeed something was happening. Takumi tried to stand against the wall looking unwell, making it only a few feet before collapsing. "See? He's starting to remember."

Skuld was right. For contact with the girl's demonic blood had begun to disseminate within him, connecting him to her thoughts, igniting long dim memories. Memories of the daughter he had never let himself grieve for, fearing it would destroy him. The totality of it now flowed over him and it was too much. "SORA!" he cried out to himself in pain.

Skuld put her shoulder to her, "You always wanted to know about your father. There he is. If you wish to truly know him, now is the time," she said.

The girl looked over at him uncertain.

"Ten – no," urged Lind.

But slowly the girl stood up, tentatively moving toward the figure as he lay against the wall. When she was near he reached taking hold of her, pulling her in. "Sorano!" he said holding her tight. "My lost little girl," he wept hugging her.

She put her head down cautiously next to his letting him hug her, not realizing until that moment how much she needed his love. There was something of his hold on her that felt like the warmth of the sun. A part of her hoped it would never end.

He looked at her, his eyes really seeing her now. Something in his smile filled her with confidence, causing her heart to glow as he put his hands to her head. Only a moment ago she had felt such fear and dread, and now . . . now she felt as though she had come to the end of a long journey.

Takumi smiled warmly stroking her hair, "Where - is your mother?" he asked hopefully.

"I - I don't know," she said shaking her head.

Sorano saw his face change, his eyes becoming more distant.

"I see," he replied. "And you know nothing as well?" he asked turning to Skuld.

"No. Nothing more than we learned that day," she replied.

Sorano looked over silently to Tai for support. 'So he was just searching for information on her.'

'Let's not judge the situation too quickly. Remember what mom and dad said about him,' Morisato echoed in her mind. 'He's bound to be a bit off after so much time away. Still I saw the embrace he gave you. I feel kind of jealous. So don't look so stressed. The old bird will see it and freak.'

She smiled. 'You're an idiot. Need proof? Look at what they decided to name you after! And I told you not to call her that!'

She heard him chuckling in her head. 'We knew already from inconsistencies in their stories it wasn't going to be pretty. Though it does give me some insights into you however. At least you can celebrate Father's Day now.

'You think there's really a card for what he is?'

They smiled together until she noticed Takumi staring at her.

'Oh crap! You think he can read our minds?!'

'I doubt it based on what mom and dad said about his history. She probably is though -,' Tai said drawing Sorano's gaze to Skuld, whose eyes were now narrowing on them. Takumi too was now watching.

"I think we can all agree we've had a rather long day," Skuld said leading Takumi out. "I think we will retire to our quarters now," Skuld said politely to Peorth and Lind.

"Of course," Lind replied, putting an arm around Sorano as she passed. "Are you okay?" she whispered.

"I'm okay," she nodded.

"Call me if you want to talk about anything later," she said.

"He's really my father?" Sorano asked.

"He is," Lind replied without further comment.

"I look forward to our next meeting - goddess," Takumi said to Peorth as he passed.

Skuld kept them together, herding them down the busy corridors stretching around the exteriors of the buildings, traveling up and down several levels over spectacular scenery as they walked toward the western part of the city. Several times they had to pause, going back to retrieve Takumi who had stopped to look in awe at the vistas of huge trees and strange flowering vines growing both below and above him from the surrounding structures and circular causeways. When they arrived at the set of multilayered apartments projecting from the rock wall rising from the valley floor, Takumi once again stopped to take it all in. "I can see why you live here!" he said approaching the glass walls from across the causeway; happy for the high rock to finally shield him from the bright sunlight. As Skuld crossed, someone shouted to her from their balcony below. "Hey Skuld, what are you doing up there?!"

Skuld leaned over the stone railing causing Takumi to recoil, forgetting she could levitate. "Chrono! Ex! You know who this guy is?!" she said proudly holding him over the edge like a pet.

They looked up squinting. "Hey, it's that guy!" they shouted.

"It is!" she replied.

"So glad we did that!" Takumi said hauling himself back to the center of the walkway. He entered the upper dwelling still feeling unsteady. "Guys if you don't mind, can I take a shower? And not because you almost threw me off that bridge. You do have showers here, right?"

"Uh yeah, clean water is kind of important here you know," said Sora.

"-Especially if you're one of the neighbors hoping Miss Au Natural here doesn't close the curtains," added Tai.

"That was one time!" shouted Sora.

Her father looked over at her unimpressed.

"I'll guide you," Skuld said leading him toward the back as Sora and Tai began chasing each other, "Making me look bad!"

As soon as they were alone Takumi muttered, "I assume they don't have anything useful to add to my inquiry about Urd?"

"You mean Peorth and Lind? No. We don't know anything more about what happened than the day you left."

"Well there's always tomorrow for answers," he growled.

"Just don't start trouble okay?" she said passing him towels.

"A lot has happened. You need to be careful. I'll explain later."

"You know me Skuld," he replied letting the cold water pour down over him.

"Yes, I do," she sighed quietly watching him.

Sora was waiting for her upon her return. "So what's the deal between the commander and my father Oba-san?" she asked.

"Ah, it's complicated Sora. Lind tried to kill him once - or so I heard. But then she was the one who brought him back to the temple when he actually died. So they're kind of even."

"WHAT?" Sora shouted.

"But I know we buried him, I did the work on the headstone."

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah it was a long time ago - before your mom and dad really hooked up . . . at least I think it was. When were you born again? Anyway I'm sure it was after he got cooked saving me, but before he was Hild's toy in the underworld, so. . ."

"What was life at Tariki Hongan Temple like in the old days! Has he ever NOT almost died?"

"Eh – no, not really. Actually come to think of it, they all kind of seemed to be in trouble most of the time. The important thing is I was usually there to save them."

"Wow it's good you were there Oba-san," Sora observed.

"Good indeed -," Takumi said reappearing from the shadows. "You forgot to mention how you saved Belldandy and took out two Valkyries on your own when you were 12."

"I was 15!" Skuld shouted.

"WHAT?" cried Sora and Tai together.

As evening settled in Takumi seemed content to spend his time outside, watching the city from the bridge, fascinated by the night's view from their vantage point. "The really nice part is to the north," Sora said behind him. He turned to find both the younger members of the Morisato household on the bridge. "Looks pretty good to me," he replied trying get his head around all of the breathtaking architecture.

Skuld's call finally brought them in. As they all sat together on the floor now, each became acutely aware that it was the first time they all had a chance to really see each other clearly.

"So . . . the two of you grew up at Tariki Hongan Temple?" Takumi asked finally.

"Yes," Sora and Tai replied.

"Please tell me it was bliss," he said glancing at Skuld.

"Most of the time. Though sometimes it did get a little windy around there."

"Like when?"

"Like when Keiichi did one too many favors for Sayoko, or I always knew winds were coming when I heard the words 'he's your son'.

"Hey!" complained Tai.

"Like that one girlfriend of yours -," Sora continued. "Mom never actually called her a trollop, but I remember she made Keiichi give you 'the talk' about what constitutes a nice girl."

"Oh yeah? Well what about your 'band trip'?"

"Oh I remember that!" Skuld said as Sora began to blush. "I came in just when Belldandy was saying – now I'm not going to ask what went on during the trip but-"

"I am!" scowled Takumi.

"Oh come on! It's hard to measure up to her standards. You know what I want to know? Was Belldandy really such a paragon of virtue when she was young?"

"I'm sorry to tell you she absolutely was," replied Takumi.

"You see?" snickered Skuld.

"Uh-huh," Sora replied suspiciously. And Skuld?"

"Whenever I saw her she was always very proper with boys," Takumi replied, happy she did not have his awareness of dates.

"Humph! And Mom?"

"-It's getting kind of late, you probably want us to turn in don't you Skuld?"

"That sounds about right. I'll make up a place for you in the -."

"I'll be fine here," Takumi replied curling up on the couch.

"Are you sure?"

"I've slept outside on the ground for the past 118 years. At least in my mind - which is sort of the same thing. I'll be fine."

"Okay," Skuld said laying out the sheets. "Remember what we talked about."

"Of course," he replied. "Hey Skuld . . ."

"What?"

"You grew up - just the way Belldandy said you would," he whispered closing his eyes. She stood in the doorway smiling at the back of his head as she dimmed the lights.

That night Takumi caught what sleep he could. But early in the morning he arose, silently slipping out the front door. A quick search of the outer wall in the dim light revealed that in lieu of proper ID he would have to climb down to his target. A nerve-wracking prospect to be sure, but the volcanic rock composing the wall was solid, with good hand holds. He made his way down to the lower balcony quickly. There he waited for his target to arise. When she did an hour later, he had only one question for her, "Where do I find Lady Peorth?"

As she did every morning, Peorth walked to work on one of Yggdrasil's main concourses. This morning however after feeding the birds she paused, electing instead to detour to the park, walking on until she was in the heart of its wooded depths. She wandered until she found her favorite secluded spot beside the pond. Crawling up on the large flat stone she sat, going over it all in her mind once more. The previous day's events had stirred her up, made her think of things she preferred not to. It had begun when she got home. 'When are you going to get serious and start a family?' her mother had asked.

'Oh Mom, it's too soon for that,' she replied holding the phone. 'To be with someone like that you have to -. She thought about Keiichi and Belldandy. She thought about all of it . . . thought about the last time she had held Keiichi Morisato's aging hand. 'Peorth, you need to let go now.' She looked down into the pool, confused as to why she could not see the surface clearly; only then realizing she was crying. Still it was good. Good to remember. Perhaps now they -.

"Hello Peorth," said the voice from the other side of the pond.

"Mr. Sato!" she replied quickly turning away.

"Indeed," he said emerging from the trees. "Sorry to intrude. I - just wanted to thank you for all your kindness in everything you have done. It could not have been achieved without you."

"I wouldn't say that," she replied demurely.

"Truly it was you who gave them their happiness," he said.

"Well, I just -," her tears began once more.

"I'm sure it was a complicated decision. I won't pretend I understand all that was involved."

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," she said rising.

"In any case, we are all very grateful. And I don't wish to be a further burden. Which brings me to another matter. Now that I am . . . well out of this society's care, I assume I can return to the surface world? That's what your kind call it, isn't it?"

"Certainly. In fact only yesterday we were discussing -."

"How to get rid of me?"

"Well I don't think we would have put it like that exactly . . ."

"But given the concern, can you send me back? As I wouldn't want to cause any undue disruption, perhaps you can put me down toward the edge of town?"

He caught her glancing at him suspiciously as he followed her back onto the main concourse. "And of course feel free to tell Skuld where I've gone - when you get the chance," he added quickly. "Though I suppose they could use a break from me after my performance yesterday," he added casually

"Don't worry too much about that, you had a lot to adjust to," she said guiding him to the platform. "This will put where you want to be at the edge of town."

"Thank you, Lady Peorth, he said bowing. A moment later he was gone.

"Where is it he went?" asked the voice behind her.

"Augh! What are you doing? Are you following me?!"

"No. I - just happened to get some information on where he would be," replied Lind.

"He asked to be put down at the edge of town," said Peorth. "But the truth is there's only one place he would be going."