Gomen, gomen! * bows low in apology * I've had such a time with life recently I've had no time to write! But I finally have a day off of work now, so I shall throw my all into finishing the story for you all! Thank you for your patience!

The day could not have gotten any more interesting, I swore to myself as I sat down at the table, surrounded by very loud, noisy gods while Kushinada wisely escaped into the kitchen. I wished I had an excuse to follow her, but it seemed I was destined to be the main attraction.

Takeru sat close to me, trying to shoo away the few gods who thought it was okay to invade any kind of personal space around me, mainly the two blondes, one with short shaggy hair and bright green eyes and the other with long, straigh flowing hair with very pretty blue eyes. The green-eyed one pushed right into my face, making me sputter.

"Ah, she's pretty, very pretty, Take-Take!" he exclaimed, his bright smile almost blinding me.

"Yes, you have good taste," the other added, hovering not as close as his friend, but still rather uncomfortable.

"Oi, would you give her some space?!" Takeru growled, shoving them both away and giving them a glare, but I could tell that he really didn't mean any harm to them by the soft look in those eyes.

"Oh, Ta-kun is protective of his lady~" a redhead with long braids purred, inching closer and staring at me. "Tell me, does this little mouse have a name?"

A mouse? I raised an eyebrow at him and crossed my arms, looking him right in the eye. "Dunno, does the snake have more than a honeyed tongue?"

I seemed to have surprised him, if the slight flicker in his eye was any indication. However, he just threw his head back and laughed delightedly. "I like her already!"

"...Loki, don't start anything," his green haired companion with a lightning bolt shaved into the side cautioned. His brass eyes looked at me, and he gave a respectful nod. "I'm Thor Megingjord."

I smiled at him, pleased to finally have a proper introduction from someone. "Manabe Yukino."

"Ah! I'm Apollon! Apollon Agana Bellea!" the hyper blonde exclaimed, waving his arm in the air from where he'd landed. The purple haired girl was beside him, sighing and shaking her head fondly.

"My name is Baldr Hringhorni," the blue-eyed blonde said, giving a slight bow.

"Loki Laevatain~" the redhead said, poking his tongue out in a playful manner.

"Uncle, introduce yourself too!" Dionysus urged a dark, broody looking male with wavy grey hair who was sitting beside him.

I peered curiously at the one exposed red eye he had, giving a smile as he sighed and mumbled, "Hades Aidoneus."

The only one left was the purple haired girl by Apollon then. When I turned my head to see her, she gave me a warm smile, her brown eyes happy. "I'm Kusanagi Yui."

I blinked, eyes widening as I recognized the name. "You're the weed Takeru talks about?"

A sputtering noise came from said god as the rest of them busted out into laughter, clearly amused by his reaction as well as Yui's ever so slight blush.

"Ah, it seems even with a girl of his own Ta-kun still remembers his days crushing on kitten~!" Loki exclaimed.

"Bastard, watch your mouth" the Sea god yelled, making a move to jump at the redhead. I put an arm on his shoulder and just shook my head when he looked at me.

"Not worth it," I mouthed, and he sighed and sat back down with a grumpy look on his face. I smiled at how cute he looked and patted his shoulder after he turned to human form.

Tsukito did the same as well, appearing more comfortable with the rest of them when also human. Izanagi glanced around, shrugged, and then did the same himself, which drew my attention when he turned into a wise looking village elder type with grey eyes full of tales to tell. Nayomi hovered by Tsukito, looking unsure of what to do as attention gravitated towards her.

"Ah, does Tsuki-Tsuki have a girlfriend too?" Apollon asked, head tilting in a puppyish manner.

"No way!/No," was the immediate response given at the same time by the Moon god and his human charge. And when they did that, every single person other than them just grinned.

"Awh, that's too bad~" Loki said, slinking up to her and leaning close, making her jump and blush as he murmured. "Does that mean I can take her?"

Tsukito reached over and tugged her away, frowning slightly at the intruding god. "Loki, please refrain from doing that. She'll be uncomfortable."

"Ah, posessive?" he chuckled, looking like a Cheshire cat.

"No, I just left an abusive relationship!" Nayomi spat, her hackles raising now that she was away from Loki.

"Loki, leave her alone," Baldr said, going over and urging him to sit back down. With a dejected sigh the prankster did as told, though his glances between me and Nayomi let me know that he was far from done in having fun teasing us and the brothers.

I sighed and shook my head, knowing that this was probably going to be a long night.

All the gods settled down at the table finally, throwing out a few questions to the two brothers, mostly along the lines of 'how've you been?' or 'why haven't you visited us?'

The conversation was almost back to normal, just borderline going to nostalgia territory for them when Hades, who had been looking at me, spoke up. "How did you two meet?"

I paused in sipping my tea, glancing to the blunette next to me as he did the same. I raised an eyebrow in question, wondering if it was alright. He gave a shrug, so I looked back at the man to speak.

"I actually had been going to the beach by the city I used to live in, and saw there was something off. I followed a trail that led me to a cave with a deep pool inside, just like the on in there." I nodded towards the pool room. "I started talking to myself about my day, and then he just appeared from it."

"I'd heard her voice coming from in there, and wanted to know how the hell a human had found the other side," Takeru said, adding his side. "I didn't know there'd be a jellyfish on the other side, though."

"Jellyfish?" Baldr echoed, looking confused as I glared at my boyfriend.

"Shut up, sea monkey! You were the one who was so rude to make me snap at you."

He scoffed and crossed his arms. "Why did I ever stay and listen to you jabber on about nothing for ten minutes again?"

We started going back and forth after that, telling our story by griping at each other more so than actually giving a description of how our relationship started. It just seemed to amuse the other gods, though, who either laughed out loud, chuckled, or just watched with silly smiles on their faces.

"Who was the one who lost the bet and had to sing on stage?" I smirked, remembering that moment with a sense of triumph.

"Whose the one who got pulled on stage to dance?" he countered, his amber eyes laughing.

"Okay you two, that's enough." Kushinada appeared then, having turned into her own human form. Dionysus' eyes were immediately drawn to the attractive woman, and everyone who saw that rolled their eyes at the realization that she would be flirted with very thoroughly by night's end. "Dinner's ready, if any of you are interested in eating tonight.

The wine-haired god spoke up, a lazy grin on his face. "Would the lovely lady also have dessert prepared? Though you're a feast for the eyes yourself."

The goddess flushed a little, looking startled at the pickup line for a few seconds before smirking. "Dessert will be made afterwards. Boys like you need to eat their real food first."

I had to cover my mouth with a hand to stop myself from snorting in laughter as Dionysus played like he'd been wounded. "My lady, I think your eyes must be mistaken if you see me as a boy. Shall I have a chance to prove to you that I'm a man?"

"In a thousand years, perhaps. Meantime, come eat so you can grow into a healthy adult." With that, she turned and went back into the kitchen, leaving the Greek God looking like he'd struck the perfect challenge.

I spoke up as everyone stood. "Dio, I don't think you want her. She's all venom and false smiles."

"On the surface, perhaps. All women have their secret sides, though," he said, eagerly following the goddess into the other room.

We all had a small laugh at that as we filed in, everyone eyeing the delicious feast before us with eager anticipation. Takeru, being the man of the house, pulled me and him to first in line, followed by Tsukito and Nayomi, then his father and Kushinada. The other gods just kind of fell into their own order after that, chatting happily while we all got our share. The atmosphere was joyful and full of friendly company, and I found myself sighing in content as we all sat and ate together.

Eating among the gods...who'd have thought, I said to myself, a silly grin playing on my lips.

After we all finished our food it seemed time for a nostalgia trip, all the gods chatting with Yui about their school days. I learned a lot that I hadn't known about Takeru, including his love of kendo and running in the mornings and nights. I learned of all their escapades and adventures during that one year, laughing and crying with them during all the ups and downs.

"I had heard he wore a dress during the play, but Tsukito as well?" I laughed, looking at the stoic Moon god. Nayomi was smirking beside him, looking like she'd struck gold as he calmly nodded.

"It was my mission," he commented, making me shake my head.

"Wish you guys could have recorded that..." I muttered. I'd have paid good money to get a hold of that one.

"I'm glad no one did. That was embarrassing, getting beaten by that strange person in a blanket!" Takeru exclaimed, still perturbed by the incident.

I giggled, looking at him with soft eyes. His own returned the look, and he reached over to ruffle my hair. Loki, who had been quiet up till then, decided to ask something.

"So when are you two going to get to having kids?~"

I choked on the last piece of food I'd managed to swipe from someone, eyes widening as I coughed violently. Takeru did the same, only on air. I beat my chest to make the food go down, gasping for breath as I blushed red as a lobster as the god faced the prankster with a shocked look on his face while the others looked just as flabbergasted.

"Loki, that's not something you just ask!" Baldr chastised, though...was that a glimmer of interest in his blue eyes?

Izanagi leaned back, looking at us. "I was actually wondering about that as well..."

Takeru looked at the Emperor with eyes as wide as mine and a blush twice as deep. "O-oi, we only just found out we can stay together permanently! Kids aren't anywhere in the near future!"

"...I would like to see you two have children," Tsukito said calmly, Nayomi almost rolling on the floor next to him in laughter.

"Not you too!" I whined at the purple haired god, not liking the sudden interest everyone had on the subject. Even Kushinada had a strange look in her eyes!

Yui sent me a sympathetic look, and I figured that she'd gone through the same thing when she and Apollon had become a couple. I gave her a pleading look, to no avail as everyone started to bug us, much to Loki's mischievous delight.

Finally Takeru slammed his hands down on the table, making everyone shut up as he shouted. "We're not having kids until we get married, okay?!"

"Married?" I echoed, having been unaware till just then that I could blush even more than before.

"Ah, you want to do it in order?" Dionysus said, his arm draped over Kushinada casually while she tried to elbow him away.

"...I wish you happiness in this endeavor," Hades murmured, though his voice was barely heard over the cacophony of the others as they started up again.

By this time Nayomi was laughing so hard she actually had to leave the room to catch her breath, and I saw Tsukito follow her outside and mentally sighed in relief that there was one less person to tease us. I glanced around at the overly excited gods before me before shouting myself.

"Okay, enough! I need a moment to myself," I told Takeru, and he nodded as I stood up and walked toward the pool room, hearing the other gods finally start to calm down a little bit. I escaped into the dancing blue light of the room, feeling myself relax after all the excitement that had just happened. I stared down into the gently rippling water, entranced as it made its happy splashing sounds.

I heard light footsteps enter the room, and I looked up in surprise to see that it was Apollon's girl, Yui. She smiled at me softly and came to stand next to me, looking down into the pool as well.

"How do you deal with those guys? They're so hyper," I asked her, though I grinned as I spoke.

She giggled, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. "You get used to it, honestly. After half a year in school with them, it got easier and easier over time."

I nodded. "Being around Takeru for a while let me know what set him off and such. Plus his sweet side as well."

Those innocent brown eyes looked at me, and I turned my blue ones right back, watching as the light from around us illuminated her features. She was very cute, I had to admit, and just from talking with her a little bit I could see why she was chosen to be 'the human representative,' as the gods had said at one point.

"...I'm glad," she said at last, her voice soft. I tilted my head, wondering what she meant. "That he's finally found someone for him. When he knew I was in love with Apollon, he and the others looked so crushed..."

I half-grimaced, not needing details on how that sort of thing went. My hand found it's way to her shoulder, patting it comfortingly. "I'll take care of him, I promise. He'd yell at me if I neglected him anyway," I said, laughing.

Yui giggled as well, looking very happy as she turned to me. We were about the same height, I saw, though one of us may or may not have been taller by a centimeter or two. The girl held a hand out to me, smiling.

"If you need help with anything, just let me know okay? I need a break from the Greek Realm every once and a while."

I took her hand, squeezing it lightly. "I can see why. You have to deal with a hyper blonde every day. How do you manage?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

"W-well..." A light blush rose on her cheeks, and I grinned as she looked flustered.

"Sun boy's that good in bed?" I teased, and she sputtered and waved her hands in front of her.

"I-it's more than just that!" she insisted, and I laughed.

"The lady doth protest too much!"

"Oi, what are you two doing in here?"

We both looked over as Takeru came in, his amber eyes glancing between the two of us and raising an eyebrow at the flustered Yui. I merely grinned and shrugged. "Just talking is all."

"Well, Apollon's about to have a heart attack looking for you, weed," he said, jerking his thumb to the area behind him where I vaguely heard the Sun God calling for Yui frantically.

She merely sighed and shook her head, looking back at me. "Talk to you soon, okay? Come for a visit as well."

"You got it," I said, nodding. Yui smiled and walked out, leaving me and Takeru alone in the room with just the sound of the water rippling happily.

The Sea god moved over to me, glancing down at the pool. "What are you doing, jellyfish?"

"Thinking, relaxing, little things," I answered, moving closer and leaning against him happily. His arm came around my side as he dropped a quick kiss on my forehead, eyes soft.

"What are you thinking about?" he murmured, and I blushed a little.

"How lucky I am to have met you."

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "I think I should be the one saying that to you."

I wrinkled my nose up at him, pretending to scowl. "You'd have been fine if you'd never met me. I'd still be the lonely girl on the outside yearning for a boy who wasn't ever worth my time or effort."

He sighed and shook his head. pulling me so that he could hug me from behind. I blushed as his strong arms held me close to his warm body, but I wasn't going to protest this. I turned my head back to smile at him, and he returned it as he pecked me on the lips.

"So...marriage before kids?"

It was his turn to have a pink stain on his cheeks, and he just shrugged. "I think we should just do it the right way."

"I'm not going to have to wait till we're married to have fun though, am I?" My grin turned coy, teasing him with a seductive tone.

Those arms tightened around me and he growled low in his throat, sending a pleasant shiver up my spine. "Careful what you wish for, Yukino..." he warned before kissing me again.

I returned it happily, a hand reaching up to tangle in his blue locks as I turned in his arms, eagerly pressing against him as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss. I felt a little thrill dash through my system as his hands started to smooth down my back, running over the fabric of my kimono as he got closer...

And then we were both shouting in shock as a bucket of ice cold water came out of nowhere and drenched us both thoroughly. We broke apart and sputtered, looking around for the culprit.

A familiar laugh from above our heads made us look up to see a certain Norse god of Fire hanging from the rafters, holding the incriminating bucket in his hands as he used his legs to stay put up there. I was mildly impressed with how strong those legs of his were to keep him up there, but Takeru on the other hand was brimming with rage.

"LOKI YOU LITTLE SHIT!" he bellowed, only to receive more laughter.

"Maybe that will cool you two lovers down! Ja ne~!" he crowed happily. flipping over, landing on the tatami mats and bolting out to the other room, Takeru following right behind him with murder in his gaze. I followed them as well, shivering from the water dripping off of me as the others still in the house looked after the two runaways with wide eyes.

"Wh-what happened?!" Yui asked from her position in Apollon's lap. He was hugging her tightly, clearly not letting her go far from his side anytime soon.

"Loki drenched us in ice water!" I hissed, not pleased with the prank at all. "I'm going to kill him!"

Nayomi busted out laughing, pointing at me in delight. "Oh gods, that's just perfect!"

I shot her a venomous glare and smirked. "Just wait for your turn, Nayomi. He's not the only one who can pull a prank."

"Bring it, sister!" she said with confidence, leaping to her feet and taking a battle stance. Tsukito glanced at her, looking a little disturbed.

"Nayomi, I can see your...underwear..."

With a squeal she sat back down, her face turning red as it was my turn to laugh. I could hear Takeru still chasing a laughing Loki around the cherry grove outside, and everyone moved to watch the scene, laughing all the while. Yui handed me a towel she'd found and I took it with a nod of thanks, drying my hair as I watched the two gods run around crazily. I felt myself smile in happiness, despite it all.

I finally belonged, not just somewhere but to someone. Someone that I could trust with my heart, my soul. A warmth bloomed in my chest, and I sighed in contentment, knowing that I was finally home.