As many of you know, real life is a bitch. I had this sucker outlined last October with a small start into Nov/Dec, and then January hit...
I can't recall being so busy at work, extending to home being too tired to want to do anything but browse the net... Not to mention other things at that time of year. For those in the know, my sisters wedding went well, thankfully.
And as for this chapter, this was suppossed to be a quick filler chapter before we got back has ended up again being more than what I thought it was going to turn out. Chapter 5's outline was 60 kb in size. Chapter 6 was less than 10!
Aye....
So, without further ado - Chapter 6.
Again, comments and criticism are welcome, and any help with grammer and/or spelling mistakes is very much appreciated.
Also, if you do not see the 'To Be Continued' and the Omake at the end, I haven't finished posting then.
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Disclaimer: Bleach is created by Tite Kubo and is distributed by Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha,Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Adult Swim, & Viz Media. Ah My Goddess is created by Kousuke Fujishima and is distributed by Kodansha, Afternoon Magazine, AIC, Tokyo Broadcast Station (TBS), Animeigo, Geneon, Dark Horse Manga, Media Blasters, ADV Films & FUNimation Entertainment. No infringement is intended. Characters created by Ghostface used with permission.
Blessings In Disguise
Book I: Be Careful What You Wish For
Chapter 6
-''Cause Making Up Is Hard To Do~'-
"Uhhhhh", Urd moaned as her vision cleared. With eyes forward, or upward in this case, she saw the roof slowly come into focus before stretching on her futon. She blinked a few times in an effort to wake up and all too soon the memories of the previous night came forth. Whatever rest she had just felt vanished as her blunder came to fore.
Looking around her she looked around the room she was in. It was a bit spacious, she noted, and cleaning it up shouldn't be too much of an issue, catching a bit of visible dust in the corners. There was closet space off to one side and the end of the room was another shouji door, open, and she could see a small area behind it along with a window. Idly she wondered what this had been for, originally. Though the room was spacious with another little section, it was rather bare, and looked to be for light storage. She grumbled as that could apply to herself at the moment.
"Well, we can't have that now", she said to herself, pushing her thoughts aside and bringing her into the now. After Belldandy and Isshin came in from their midnight outing and noticed Urd still awake both of them insisted they stay in one of the guest rooms of their home. After a quick cleaning and a futon dropped they had left her for the night.
Snorting as she remembered that this was going to be her home for the meantime she retook stock of the sizeable guestroom and began making plans for what was going to be her room. Nodding as the claim was made in her head she rose and stretched once more. She rubbed her back and yawned before exiting *her* room.
It was still somewhat early in the morning, from what she could tell. Further out into the living room area she could hear her sister and nieces telling Ichigo to have a good day and she paused, holding back and waited in the hallway as she soon heard the front door shut. She leaned back against the hallway and her head rolled back to come to rest against the cool wall and she closed her eyes.
Nieces...nephews...brother-in-law...
Again she could feel that empty feeling in the pit of her stomach begin to swell and squashed it as best she could. Hearing her sister in what was the kitchen Urd slowly moved onward. Reaching the kitchen entrance she turned and stared at what she saw.
In the kitchen both Belldandy and Yuzu were in aprons, both facing away from her near the sink at the counter while Karin was at the table, head on the table and was also facing away from her.
However what had made her pause was what she was hearing from both mother and daughter and was struck again at the similarities. Yuzu was standing on a stool, making it easier to move her upper body over the counter as she interacted with her mother. She had two eggs in hand and seemed to be slightly swaying back and forth in a type of rhythm, and noticed that Belldandy was doing the same thing.
It was then that she noticed that Belldandy was humming and her niece was singing.
"First we take an egg
And mix it up with love
We'll flavor it together
With blessings from above~"
The last line came mumbled from the table, but Urd stood there continuing to watch how eerily mother and daughter matched as they both stopped to giggle at each other. The giggling soon stopped as Yuzu gasped and Urd realized that it was because she had finally been noticed.
Urd resisted the urge to sigh as she caught the look on Yuzu's face and those all too familiar blue eyes.
"Neesan. Good morning", Belldandy greeted with a smile as she moved to clean her hands.
"Morning", Urd returned, raising an arm in greeting. As Urd stepped fully into the kitchen Belldandy closed the gap between them and hugged her. Momentarily surprised Urd returned the hug, giving her sister a bit of an extra squeeze.
After a moment Belldandy finally pulled away and addressed her. "You must be hungry, we'll have breakfast ready in a moment".
It was then that Urd caught the scent of the rest of breakfast being cooked and her stomach rumbled. "Thank you".
Belldandy smiled and turned back toward the counter. Turning to the table Urd caught a redfaced Karin giving a glare at her before quickly turning to the side, her ponytail whipping to come to rest over the girl's shoulder. Looking back to Yuzu the girl had turned away to resume work on breakfast, now noticeably closer to Belldandy. It was then that Yuzu turned back to glace at her. Giving a soft yelp at being caught she quickly turned her head back.
Urd did sigh this time and turned to walk toward the living room, missing the concerned glance Belldandy gave her. Sitting down on the sofa took the remote control for the tv and turned it on.
-CLICK-
"Miaka".
Tamahome".
"Miaka".
"Tamaho-"
-CLICK-
"Hey Goku! I got some great new training for you! You run as fast as you can into my car while I drive it!
"I dunno King Kai, wouldn't that kind of hurt-"
"Shuddup! Your power level will be hhuuUUGgggee".
"Ok".
-CLICK-
"Tsukune".
"Moka-san".
"Tsukune".
"Moka-"
-CLICK-
Urd sighed, taking several minutes to flip channels a few more times before coming along something that did interest her. Finally getting comfortable she brought her legs up and in. It was soon after she heard the phone ring and the footsteps of her sister as she answered it.
"Neesan", she heard her sister call after a moment. Turning, she saw Belldandy with the phone in her hand. Realizing it was for her, Urd got up and took the phone from her sister and answered, puzzled at who it might be.
"Neesan?", came Isshin's voice.
"Yes?", she answered, curious as to the call.
"Where are you?! You're supposed to have the early shift today!"
"Hah?"
"We're all very happy that you've been reunited with your sister, but that's not an excuse to miss work!"
Urd blinked.
"I'm expecting you in 15 minutes. Don't be late! Oh, give the phone back to Bell? Thank you"
Urd woodenly handed the phone back to Belldandy and after a quick mention of how she was doing bid her husband goodbye and hung up.
"Neesan", she began. "I'll have your breakfast and lunch ready for you in a moment". Seeing Urd stare at her she thought what could be the problem before she understood.
"Isshin's still understaffed at the clinic. Please understand Neesan. Though I may now be fully healed due to my reintegration with Yggsdrasil we still need to maintain appearances. I want to resume my place there but I still need to be here for Keiichi-", she trailed off as Urd rose her hand.
"Say no more", Urd responded and sighed, grimacing all the while before turning back to her room. It wasn't long until she too was out the door, hastily grabbing the boxed breakfast Belldandy had soon brought out.
Within the kitchen both Karin and Yuzu had listened to the conversation, both not having touched either of their breakfast. Hearing their aunt leave both let out a breath they didn't know they had been holding.
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As so the days rolled by.
Though it was not without it's interesting incidents....
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Tatsuki rolled her head back and forth, popping her neck as she walked towards the shrine which held Shi-ichi's home. Today would be the first day back at the dojo with Shi-ichi in some time, and Noriyuki sensei had been rather... interested in hearing Shi-ichi's explanation for some of the rumors that had floated his way from the other students.
She snorted at that, and snorted again as she couldn't shut them up in time. The way they talked about it made it seem like Shi-ichi went out for blood, not to mention his more recent exploits.
What the hell was going on? Yokomura's gang was completely taken out, and word had been that Shi-ichi did the damage, but how?
She turned the corner into the courtyard of Shi-ichi's home, lost in thought. 'There's no way Shi-ichi could do that, and without me? All of them at once? Not a chance'.
Reaching the front door she knocked twice. "Hello!", she called out. "May I come in?". Hearing the footsteps beyond the door she took a step back and prepared to greet whomever opened the door. Karin perhaps? Or maybe Shi-ichi's mom?
The door opened.
"Hell..ooo?", she gawked.
"Yo", came the reply with a wave from a woman she didn't know. A very beautiful woman, tanned skin with hair of a type she had only seen on television. "Welcome to the Kurosaki home. How can I help you?"
"Ah..well, uh...", Tatsuki mumbled, trying to take hold of the situation.
"Do I know you?", Urd asked, leaning forward and now taking a closer look, her eyes moving up and down before recognition set in. Before she could comment rapid footsteps could be heard coming from behind her.
"Tatsuki!", Ichigo's voice called out as he now attempted to quickly skirt around his aunt and get to Tatsuki before she had a chance to jump to conclusions. With his sports bag over his shoulder he made a quick sidestep to avoid hitting Urd. Now blocking Urd's view he was about to suggest that they both leave now so he could begin explaining things to her.
He unfortunately missed his aunt's peeved glare at his actions.
"Shi-ichi?", Tatsuki said, tilting her head at Ichigo and giving him a stare that all but screamed, 'who *is* this'?
Before he could say anything Urd's arms encircled his waist, one high at his chest and one to his lower abdomen and drew him close in an intimate hug. She then rested her chin on his shoulder, freezing him at the act.
"So is this the girl you've mentioned, dear?", she whispered to him yet loud enough that Tatsuki could hear. Her lips were close to his ear, and her tone was sultry.
"Ga-gah-gah", Ichigo mumbled, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Eyes moving back to Tatsuki but not moving from her position Urd addressed her. "I'm sorry, but this boy's currently off the market". She smiled as the girl's face paled further.
'Oh, yes. You have it bad', she thought.
"Shi-shi-shi-SHI-ICHI!", Tatsuki screamed, snapping Ichigo out of his trance.
Ichigo twisted out of his aunt's hold and stood directly in front of Tatsuki, arms now raised in an attempt to calm the near hyperventilating girl. "Tatsuki, it ain't like that!", he nearly screamed. "She's my aunt!", he quickly spat out only to see her eyes narrow dangerously at his answer.
Her head dropped at his answer and he saw her ball her fists.
'Oh shit.'
"Tatsuki-chan! Hello", came Belldandy's voice, capturing everyone's attention and momentarily putting a cap on volcano ready to vent. Walking out the door she came up to Tatsuki, giving her a quick hug. Pulling back, she motioned to Urd. "I see you've met my sister. She's going to be staying with us for awhile".
Tatsuki blinked and looked back and forth between them, now suddenly unsure of herself as she realized that Shi-ichi could really now have been telling the truth. With that she soon found herself comparing the two. After a moment she ventured, "Sister, Mrs. Kurosaki?"
"Yes, my elder sister".
"I..uh, really? W-wow...", was what she could manage. Again taking a look at Urd she found herself concluding that she looked way too good to be older than Shi-ichi's mom.
Meanwhile Ichigo, now having said thanks to whatever deity had spared him was now more interested in getting a move on. "Tatsuki", he said getting her attention. Once gained, he motioned towards the gate with his head.
"Tatsuki-chan, could you wait a moment", Belldandy asked.
"Yes?", Tatsuki replied, returning her attention to Shi-ichi's mom.
"Will you be joining us again this year? We'd love to have you over."
"Hmm?", Tatsuki muttered confused before realizing what she meant. "Oh...OH. Yes, if it wouldn't be too much of a problem", she said, now blushing a bit.
Both Urd and Ichigo watched, confused at this turnaround.
"It's never a problem", Belldandy said. "Have you found anything yet?", Belldandy asked. Understanding what she meant, Tatsuki found herself discovering that the ground had an interesting viewpoint.
"No, uh, not yet. Hopefully soon", she said, resisting the urge to toe the ground.
"That's good."
"Tatsuki", Ichigo mentioned again. Turning her head to acknowledge him she turned back to Belldandy.
"I'm looking forward to it. Thank you so much Mrs Kurosaki". Bowing to his mother, she turned and joined Ichigo, both jogging off.
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"What was that about?", Ichigo asked as they exited the gate of the courtyard, legs pumping as both held a steady pace down the hill.
She turned to him and gave him a disbelieving look. "Don't be thick Shi-ichi, think about it for a moment".
Still jogging nothing came to mind. Sighing Tatsuki shook her head. "Our birthdays are coming up, genius. Your mom wants to have both of us together to share it again".
"Again?", Ichigo asked confused.
"Yeah, is there a problem", she asked, trying to hide a strange twist in her stomach as they continued on their pace.
"No, no problem", Ichigo mentioned, his eyes a bit glazed as his thoughts were now miles away. "So, uh, this year again, huh?"
"Seems like it", she smiled, though her lips not quite curving as they should have. Shi-ichi's answer sounded rather...distant.
Shaking her head to rid herself of those thoughts she then sped up a bit.
"Hey! Wait up!", Ichigo shouted, now pumping his legs faster to catch up to her. "What's up?", he asked once he was aside her again.
"Nothin', just can't wait to kick your ass in practice later", she said, speeding up once more.
"Hey! Wait up!", Ichigo yelled, speeding up again.
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-A few moments earlier-
"What was that about", Urd asked, watching them both take off.
"Hm?", Belldandy turned to look at her. "Oh, that's right. Both Ichigo and Tatsuki's birthdays are coming up; Ichigo on the 15th and Tatsuki on the 17th. Because they're so close it's more enjoyable to share them together."
Urd raised an eyebrow at Belldandy's choice of words but kept quiet as her sister continued.
"We've had them together for the last two years, and every so often since they've known each other."
"How long", Urd asked. Isshin had given her some info at the clinic when she offered to 'help' his son, now her nephew, but nothing complete.
"They've known each other since they were four". At that Urd did whistle, causing Belldandy to raise an eyebrow at her.
"So", Urd said ignoring her sister's questioning look and coming up to her. "Tell me what you have planned."
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"HI-YAH!"
"AGAIN!"
"HI-YAH!"
"AGAIN!"
And so it went, with Ichigo and a mass of other students letting out a strong kiai as they were midway through their sets. For Ichigo, the workout helped set aside his talk with Noriyuki-sensei.
After changing into his gi he had been called aside by his teacher. In his 60s, Kesuke Noriyuki stood only slightly shorter than his student, however his brown eyes were still sharp and had worn an expression that Ichigo's own scowl could not yet match. His salt and pepper colored moustache and goatee matched his hair, still full and flayed slightly at the sides it only helped enhance his glare.
Ichigo had walked out of his office slightly frayed himself as he had been grilled on what had happened recently. Somehow or another, word of his recent exploits had spread to the point of catching his teacher's ear, who had with no lack of interest had questioned him about it and the aftermath.
Satisfied, or at least giving the impression of being satisfied with Ichigo's hasty explanations he had given a quick congratulations on the new addition to his family and well wishes to his mother. He had let out a large breath as he exited, feeling far more worn out than he liked. Arguing with his father about this hadn't been nearly as exhausting.
As the students finished they then moved to sit in a U-Shape line up around the mat for sparring. Each student sat looking forward with their back straight and their arms resting in their lap.
"Arisawa! Kurosaki! You're up!", called out Noriyuki's assistant, Hibiki Morita. "Best of 5!", he proclaimed. Ichigo raised an eyebrow before turning to Tatsuki.
Tatsuki smiled, waiting for this chance. Hopping to her feet she practically skipped to her place at the center of the mat; all the while stretching her neck side to side and cracked her knuckles, grinning all the while. It was time to let out a little frustration at Shi-ichi for earlier, not to mention that little mishap in class awhile ago.
Ichigo rose and rolled his shoulders, eyeing Tatsuki as he walked to his place on the mat. A part of him felt rather strange doing this, not having had to fight Tatsuki in quite some time. The other part, the part of him that kept surprising him with the emotions and revelations in this new world felt within him his blood begin to burn at another chance to show Tatsuki who was on the top of the food chain. He blinked and shook his head at how forceful that second feeling caught him, the awkwardness rising within him.
Tatsuki was and is a great fighter in both memories. However, his dominant ones from his previous life remembered not wanting to fight her anymore, having once given in and sparred with her that had ended up with him tagging her good. After that he couldn't do it anymore, realizing he was growing and outpacing her.
'I'll take it easy', he thought, pushing down the familiar feeling of a fight brewing within him. Coming to a halt on his side of mat he calmly looked at Tatsuki as she took slight hops up and down before snapping into her stance.
Watching from the sidelines Noriyuki resisted the urge to roll his eyes as these two matched up again. However something had caught his eye before turning away to his office and he stopped. Studying Ichigo, he frowned as the boy took his stance. He stood there, calm, almost with a resigned look on his face where in the past he had normally returned Tatsuki's enthusiasm with equal fervor.
Tatsuki found her eyebrow twitching, also noticing the change in Shi-ichi as he took his stance. 'What the hell, Shi-ichi?', she thought, beginning to grow more irritated as Shi-ichi slowly began moving in his stance, keeping him loose. Suddenly the thoughts and rumors that the others had been talking about came to mind. 'Maybe there's some truth to them after all but that doesn't give you the right to act all cocky Shi-ichi'!
Ichigo blew out a breath as he began to focus on Tatsuki, noting in the back of his head that she seemed to be getting angry, but at what he couldn't tell. 'She'll probably take it out on me', he thought, opening and closing his fists, knuckles popping.
Holding position a little off to the side but between him and Tatsuki was Morita-sensei, arm now rising and pausing as it reached it's apex, as when he brought it down would signal the start of the match.
Tatsuki snorted as bounced back and forth, eyes completely focused in on Ichigo.
The students that sat at the side of the mat began to murmur. Watching Tatsuki and Ichigo had always been in some parts fun and in many ways frustrating. Fun because they always got a decent fight out of it and frustrating because it was a reminder that they still weren't at that level yet.
However...
However they could sense something was...
...different.
"FIGHT", Morita shouted bringing his arm down and quickly stepping back.
Tatsuki immediately dashed a few steps forward, throwing off several straight punches, putting Ichigo on the defensive. Quickly taking a step back in response Ichigo brought his arms up, deflecting a few of Tatsuki's punches.
Tatsuki continued to press her attack with a few more combinations directed to Ichigo's upper body and head area. Satisfied that she felt he would think she would continue to concentrate on his upper body she suddenly stopped in mid motion and Ichigo froze for a second with his arms up. Smirking she used this opportunity to grab his arms to hold them in position she drew her right leg back and quickly lunged forward shooting her knee up towards Ichigo's sternum.
Realizing what she was doing he swiftly brought his own leg up to block, her knee crashing just below his. Both hissed at the sharp pain that coursed threw them at the impact. Tatsuki recovered first as she then dropped into a crouching position and with the leg she had attacked with shot out. With Ichigo still on one foot she twisted into a sweep, catching Ichigo behind his knee and he fell. As his body hit the bat she lunged to tag him in the upper body for the first point.
Ichigo landed with a thud that was dulled by the mat and brought in his arms and legs, blocking and catching Tatsuki's attack. With his foot at her stomach he pushed forward, tossing her off him. Kip-upping to his feet he saw Tatsuki rise with a snarl. Bringing his arms up he moved around her to a position closer to the center of the mat and waited.
Tatsuki was momentarily put off at this, normally he'd press his attack but opted to hang back and wait for her. 'Oh you are NOT thinking you are so high and mighty that you can hold back', she thought, anger taking hold. She then suddenly dashed toward him again using a different combination of punches, now putting an emphasis of speed.
Again he continued to block but she felt a bit of satisfaction as he began to weave side to side a bit but found her frustration quickly returning at his lack of counterattacking. With a quick combination she suddenly shot her fight fist out, passing his defenses causing him to weave to his right, her fist a few inches from his face. In that instant her hand opened with her palm open facing his face and with her body twisting her hand snapped towards his face and slapped him.
Ichigo's face snapped to the side as he staggered before quickly regaining his balance. He then brought a hand up to his stinging cheek and stared wide-eyed at Tatsuki who looked upon him furiously.
"Arisawa", yelled Morita. "One warning, to both of you", he bellowed. "One more and it ends, keep it clean!"
"I don't know what hell's gotten into you", she growled menacingly. "I don't know what's been happening recently to make you act like this, but dammit, you will NOT embarrass me like this here." She snapped into her stance again. "Now FIGHT ME!"
Ichigo rubbed his cheek, blinking. 'What...what the hell?', he thought. 'Tatsuki could get pissed off, yeah, but this?' The Tatsuki he remembered got plenty pissed when he wouldn't fight her anymore but she stewed silently. This one... This one was going to outright murder him if he didn't try.
'I'm better than she is', that voice in the back of his head chimed in again, and for the second time he felt within him the urge to prove it. To desperately prove it, he realized as he felt a wave of frustration wash over him.
Though he wouldn't say it it almost matched what his old man made him feel time to time.
He growled as he tried to force those feelings down again, things were-no, are different. They are. He brought himself into a stance once more and waited. He almost winced at seeing a very visible twitch from Tatsuki's eyebrow.
Once more Tatsuki rushed him with a flurry of punches aimed from his head to his chest once more. Again he blocked, now trying to move back and forth across the mat as she continued her attack. Suddenly she switched positions and he felt a stinging sensation in his shin and his balance fail him as he began to tilt towards his left. Quickly bringing her foot back she grabbed his arm and in one motion turned and threw him over her shoulder into the mat.
Ichigo had no time to think as the world spun before he felt the air being punched out of his lungs as he landed on his back. No chance to catch his breath as he felt her forearm bury itself in her chest before she stood up and stepped back, glaring at him all the while.
"Point, Arisawa!", Morita proclaimed.
Ichigo gasped for breath, coughing a few times as he laid stunned. His vision now refocusing he saw Tatsuki walking toward her side of the mat and glared at him over her shoulder. Getting up he walked back towards his side and Morita again stood close, arm again rising. He retook his stance and eyed Tatsuki a bit more warily.
"FIGHT!"
Taking the initiative this time he caught Tatsuki halfway through her charge, connecting with her shoulder to shoulder and using his weight to press her back. Quickly hopping on one foot backwards, almost skipping at that speed, she swiftly retook her stance as he began his own combination of punches, keeping them quick lest Tatsuki take hold of them once more.
Quickly he brought his leading foot up from an attempted sweep and he suddenly snapped forward, palm shooting out and nearly caught her in the face. So close was her last minute dodge he felt the sweat on her hair on his forearm as he nearly grazed her.
Blinking he nearly gasped that he almost hit her when he heard a loud kiai and his breath was forced out of his mouth again as he staggered back. Looking up he caught Tatsuki with her arm outstretched in a straight punch.
"Point, Arisawa!"
Rubbing his chest he looked at her once more, anew. The girl he knew was no slouch, but seeing her now, feeling what she was doing to him now brought it home again that things were different. The look she was giving him now was one he'd never seen her give him before and felt his stomach churn.
"Another loss, again", he heard someone mutter.
"Can't say I'm surprised", another commented almost disappointingly.
Taking a few more breaths he realized that he was on the verge of losing. 'AGAIN', something within him screamed, and that wave of frustration followed by embarrassment enveloped him once more. The girl that he almost hurt back home was now going to drive the point home that she was NOT the same girl with humiliating results.
He snorted, thinking about what just happened. Two quick points, and with one more he'd be toast. His lips curled as his current mood was beginning to match the echo of what his life once was in this world. 'I am not going down', he thought.
Taking his spot at the mat he came into another stance, this one a facing towards his opponent more and brought his arms up. Taking a deep breath he blew from his nose and focused on Tatsuki seriously.
Tatsuki kept the same stance as she had earlier, though there was a ghost a smile that flickered on her.
"FIGHT!"
Instead of charging one another this time both started to circle each other. Every few steps brought one closer to the other with the other slightly pulling back, keeping the distance between them equal. After the umpteenth time both stopped and stared.
Suddenly Ichigo charged forward and when in range snapped a few low kicks, causing Tatsuki to back off. With her nearing the edge of the mat he pressed on, having switched to punches which she blocked. Trying another tactic he again pressed forward, trying to get in close.
Throwing a right punch he continued moving forward as Tatsuki blocked and grabbed her gi near the top of her left shoulder. With his grip he pulled her toward him to throw her on her back as she had did him.
That had been the plan when suddenly she grabbed gi and hopped onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist and threw herself backward. Caught by surprise and the unexpected weight pulling him he had no choice but to follow through and roll.
His back hit the mat and he attempted to push his body into a roll when he stopped midway, Tatsuki's weight and grip holding on to him as she suddenly pulled backward. He was nearly pinned.
'NO!', he mentally panicked. He had severely underestimated her, even when thinking that he could take even her despite acknowledging the memories of the person he had been here. Pushing mightly against the mat, he suddenly broke her hold before she could score the final point and hopped to his feet and took a step or two back, gasping for breath at coming out of his pin.
Tatsuki snorted and grinned as she got up, the twinkle in her eyes telling him all he needed to know. With her forehead damp with a sheen of sweat she used her gi's forearm to wipe herself. With two wipes she pulled back into her stance.
'She's really, really good', Ichigo thought, somewhat admiringly now. 'Of course she is', he felt, again being reminded that through thick and thin here, she always had his back. For a second a vision of his father laughing at him came to him and he grimaced. He shook his head and snorted, now a bit angry at himself, not just for being on the verge of losing in an embarrassing way, but not giving his best friend any credit at the start. 'I'm sorry', he communicated to her mentally.
With that he charged forward again. She met him halfway again, throwing a kick which he block and twisted, causing her momentum to take her to far to the side when she regained control as that foot came down and twisted with another kick with her other foot. Ichigo dropped to the floor with both legs outstretched and slightly spread and suddenly scissored them.
Caught at the calf she tripped, grimacaing as her lower leg stun. She hit the mat facefirst next to Ichigo and felt an arm and elbow strike her exposed back.
"Point, Kurosaki!"
Getting up she breifly glared at him as she walked back to her part of the mat. Ichigo glared back at her, resuming his place. 'Can't think of her as a friend here. Can't think about holding back anymore, she's already pissed about that. I have to treat her as a real opponent'.
Holding his stance his eyes caught Tatsuki's and they held each other's gaze that was broken only with the arm of the Morita coming down, signaling the start.
"FIGHT!"
Both began circling each other again, mixing their direction up a few times to gauge how the other would react. Tatsuki then charged in, snapping her foot high with a swift kick to Ichigo's head. Ichigo brought up both arms in a block and sucked in a breath as his forearms stung from the quick hit.
With his vision blocked and arms high she closed the distance to his exposed stomach. She launched a straight punch forward when she saw his waist twist and stars filled her vision. "Wha-what the..", she mumbled as she blinked away the stars and realized that she was staring at the ceiling.
"Point, Kurosaki!"
There was a lot of murmuring among the students now. That had been different. Not in Ichigo scoring a point, but in that how swift that palm strike had come out and hit Tatsuki's forehead. Tatsuki was just delivering the blow to end the match when Ichigo hand suddenly twisted and his left arm snapped forward.
Tatsuki got up, rubbing her head. 'Ok, teach me for being cocky myself', she thought. She reran that last couple seconds in her mind and fought to keep a smile off her face. 'He finally took me seriously. No stupid countermove or safe but precise hit for a point, but a real strike against me'.
Ichigo on the other hand gulped. That last one had been all reflex, as at the last second he had experienced deja vu with his father trying the same thing and he had responsed accordingly. Remembering all too quickly that Tatsuki was not his father he pulled back just in time.
'I hope she's not pissed off about that', he thought as she saw her get up and head back to her place of the mat, rubbing her head. Waiting for her to turn around his mouth nearly dropped at seeing the last expression he was expecting.
She was grinning at him with what some would describe as a million watt smile as she hopped up and down, suddenly feeling energized. He blinked a few times when she then stuck her tongue out at him and pointed to where he was supposed to be.
'Maybe I tagged her too hard...', he thought. Getting back to his side he retook his stance and looked at her as she did likewise. She held his eyes and smiled again, and with realization he let out a snort and found himself smiling back at her. He'd seen the look on her face before but what was odd was why it was happening now and not after the match.
Ah well, it didn't matter. There was one more point to go, and he was determined to take it. No games, just show her that he could do it. His eyes opened slightly as he viewed Tatsuki. She was still hopping up and down, her bangs bouncing with each hop, beads of sweat flying from them as they snapped up and down. It was infectious as he felt the smile on his face widen and she suddenly tilted her head at him, still grinning.
'Wait, she isn't- aw hell, she is', he thought. 'Hell, why not', he thought, hopping up and down as well to rev himself up.
At the side Noriyuki watched both intently. He had noticed Ichigo's slight change in his fighting, but for what reasons he could not answer. The boy had also for some reason foolishly attempted to hold back against Arisawa, something he had never done before. It seemed only after Arisawa's two consecutive points he got his head out from whereever it was buried and gave a better showing. Curious to how it would end he caught Arisawa's head tilt and Kurosaki's smiled reply and resisted the sudden urge to palm his face and instead closed his eyes and sighed.
"FIGHT!"
Both Ichigo and Tatsuki, grinning at each other like madmen rushed each other with both fists reared.
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Ichigo waited outside the dojo, bag in hand and looked at his watch. Before he could complain about Tatsuki taking her time she suddenly walked out, still smiling but not quite as intense as it had been at the end of the match.
Stretching her arms forward she brought them back and looked at Ichigo. "Just remember it was one match, and you can't get cocky".
He rolled his eyes and began to walk away from the dojo with Tatsuki at his side. "The only reason you won", she continued, "was because your reach was longer". She emphasized that with a straight punch forward.
"Still", she said tilting her head up to look at him. "Just what were you thinking when you decided to sandbag me back there?"
He blew out a breath and grimaced, "Nothin'".
"Nothing my ass. You only woke up after I decided to beat the crap outta you".
"And I got back in it, I get it. It won't happen again, ok?"
"I hope not, those last minutes were fun. At least now I can look forward to you actually try to hit me".
They turned the corner into the street, the summer day starting to wind down. As they walked down the street Tatsuki looked up at Ichigo and recalled what happened earlier.
"Say, Shi-ichi?"
"Hmm"?
"What...what do you want for you're birthday?"
He was silent for a moment, realizing again how close his and her birthdays were. What did he want?
"To be honest, I don't know".
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow at him. "You sure? Last year you were talking non-stop about that game and I was certain you wanted another."
A game? Oh, that's right. That was fun, from what his alt's memories told him, but he didn't really feel into any games at the moment.
Tatsuki saw his eyes wander and snickered after a minute. "And Shi-ichi grows up before our eyes", she mocked, her hands turning upward and shoulders rising a bit in a I-don't-know gesture. "Yuuya'll be devastated to see his online buddy go".
Ichigo rolled his eyes and fought down a sudden urge to think of a game to go play. "What about you?", he asked, deflecting the question back at her.
"Me?"
"Yeah, what do you want"?
"What do I want", she repeated looking at him. After a moment of looking at him she turned away, fighting down her own sudden thoughts and blush. "Dunno", she said, looking away with a scowl.
"You dunno", he repeated.
"Yeah", she insisted.
"What", he mocked, suddenly remembering last year. "You don't want another set of-"
"SHUT UP!", she yelled, red as a tomato. "Not that I don't appreciate what your mom got for me, but I'll take a game any day".
"I dunno", Ichigo started again, liking the turnaround. "It's not like-"
"So that was your aunt this morning", Tatsuki blurted out, using the special move tactic Change-Topic-no-Jutsu.
Ichigo grinned for another moment, trying to hold down last year's memory and the look she had on her face.
"Well?", she demanded, trying to force down her embarrassment before she forced her fist down his throat.
Finally calming down and thinking over recent events Ichigo blew a breath. "Yeah, she is".
"I thought your mom was an only child. Why'd you never mention her before?"
"I didn't know about her", he replied honestly.
"And she's actually older than your mom?"
"Yeah. Wild, isn't it", he said. Though to be thoroughly honest 'wild' was far too tame a word.
"It's just...", she said, searching for the right word. "Weird", she finally said, shaking her head slightly. "And she looks so young too", she mouthed, remembering how pretty she was, just like his mother.
'Oh yeah', he thought with his eyes widening resigned, knowing the reason's for that.
"It's just so strange to hear about her now", Tatsuki continued. She looked downward for a moment in thought before bringing them back up. "Were there family problems?"
Ichigo looked at her oddly.
"Well", she said, catching his confusion. "They look so different. Maybe something happened with your grandpa..."
His eyebrows rose. Funny, he didn't really think about the difference until she pointed it out. 'Are all goddesses different like that', he wondered. There was something at the back of his head, something important, but he couldn't seem to remember. Something about what mom had said...
"It's just a thought", she suddenly said, concerned that he had gone quiet.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever it was, it doesn't really matter" he said. "She's going to be with us for awhile now".
"Really?"
"Yeah", he said, blowing out another breath knowing that he was responsible.
Tatsuki looked at him, concerned now at his change of mood. Looking ahead she smiled at what was coming up and took hold of his arm and pulled.
"Hey!?"
"C'mon, Shi-ichi. I let you have it easy today, but I won't give it to you easy here!", she said and then dragged him into the arcade.
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Karin gaped at what she saw and gulped. Her mom had asked her to get her aunt for dinner and after much hemming and hawing and stalling had finally relented.
What was going to be a swift open the door and shout to come to dinner run-by she had stood frozen as there was nothing left that remotely looked like the sparse room that had been there before.
She walked in, mesmerized by what she saw. The room was spectacularly clean now, with shelves and books and tables and all sorts of things that she had only glimpsed in some chemistry book, if she remembered right. The shelves and table were both wood with a clean finish, giving off a both new and lovingly used look.
There were some rugs on the floor now as well, and curtains at the window if she guessed right, however she just continued to gawk at the equipment on the table. She turned her gaze and noticed that the other shelves held many jars and bottles as well. This was beginning to look like an old movie she saw once.
"She's a witch", she murmured to herself. "She really is a witch", she said again in both wonder and dawning horror. She gazed downward and her thoughts turned to both her mother and aunt, two opposites if she ever knew one. Her mother's image appeared before her, smiling, calm, her angel-like wings outstretched to be balanced by Urd's snarling appearance, bat-like wings outstretched, her hair blowing in the wind, ready and all too willing to condemn all who-
"And just who gave you permission to enter", a voice said next to her ear and a finger chillingly caressed her face.
Karin screeched as she then snapped to life, twisting to the side and bolting, hampered only by her slip and fall to the ground. In an instant she was up and out the door, screaming for dear life.
Urd giggled to herself. That had been a little more fun that she thought. Though it would not help with the healing process between her and her nieces, she did need to drive it into them that playing in here was *not* a good thing.
And now that that was over other matters returned and she sighed. 'Just a birthday party', she lamented with a whine. After both Tatsuki and Ichigo left Bell had given her the details of the upcoming plans for them.
'How boring', she thought.
No fireworks, no grand music, no sex and most important of all, no booze. How was a growing boy to learn about the finer things in life? If this were Heaven at his age he'd-
"Neesan", Belldandy said from the door, slowly sliding it open.
Turning around she saw Belldandy enter and close the door. "Yes?"
"What happened with Karin?"
"I caught her in my room".
"You didn't need to scare her."
Urd sighed. "You know how dangerous my equipment and potions can be if in the wrong hands, Bell. If anything, she does know now to keep out now. Yuzu will too, if I guess right. It is for their own safety, after all".
"Still, you didn't need to do that quite like that".
Urd raised an eyebrow. To be honest, the glint in Karin's eyes from what little she had seen so far had reminded her of herself. Best to have nipped this in the bud. "Well, what's done is done", she said, brushing it off.
Looking at Belldandy again, she noticed her walking around, glancing about.
"Bell?"
"Hmm? Oh, I was just taking everything in, it really does look like your old room, doesn't it?"
"Not as big though", stating the obvious. "I only put up my best stuff".
"I see", Belldandy said, a small smile on her face as she continued to look around, slowly walking by each shelf and book, taking the time to touch and caress a few. Urd's good mood vanished, seeing the look of nostalgia on her sister's face. After a moment, Belldandy brought herself back to the present and walked to the door.
"Dinner is ready, and we don't want it to go cold".
"Of course", Urd replied. "Bell?"
Her sister turned.
"You know I didn't mean anything with Karin, but both the girls could be in trouble if they snuck in here when they're not supposed to. What I did was no different than what I do with Skuld.
"I know", she said, wistfully thinking of her other sister. "But you also realize that it'll be tougher on you with them, right?"
"It'll all work out, you'll see", she said, waving the concerns away.
"That's good to hear", Belldandy replied with a smile as they both walked out.
Urd smiled back but her thoughts turned towards their younger sister. Knowing Skuld she wouldn't stay behind for long.
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I can't recall being so busy at work, extending to home being too tired to want to do anything but browse the net... Not to mention other things at that time of year. For those in the know, my sisters wedding went well, thankfully.
And as for this chapter, this was suppossed to be a quick filler chapter before we got back has ended up again being more than what I thought it was going to turn out. Chapter 5's outline was 60 kb in size. Chapter 6 was less than 10!
Aye....
So, without further ado - Chapter 6.
Again, comments and criticism are welcome, and any help with grammer and/or spelling mistakes is very much appreciated.
Also, if you do not see the 'To Be Continued' and the Omake at the end, I haven't finished posting then.
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Disclaimer: Bleach is created by Tite Kubo and is distributed by Weekly Shonen Jump, Shueisha,Studio Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Adult Swim, & Viz Media. Ah My Goddess is created by Kousuke Fujishima and is distributed by Kodansha, Afternoon Magazine, AIC, Tokyo Broadcast Station (TBS), Animeigo, Geneon, Dark Horse Manga, Media Blasters, ADV Films & FUNimation Entertainment. No infringement is intended. Characters created by Ghostface used with permission.
Blessings In Disguise
Book I: Be Careful What You Wish For
Chapter 6
-''Cause Making Up Is Hard To Do~'-
"Uhhhhh", Urd moaned as her vision cleared. With eyes forward, or upward in this case, she saw the roof slowly come into focus before stretching on her futon. She blinked a few times in an effort to wake up and all too soon the memories of the previous night came forth. Whatever rest she had just felt vanished as her blunder came to fore.
Looking around her she looked around the room she was in. It was a bit spacious, she noted, and cleaning it up shouldn't be too much of an issue, catching a bit of visible dust in the corners. There was closet space off to one side and the end of the room was another shouji door, open, and she could see a small area behind it along with a window. Idly she wondered what this had been for, originally. Though the room was spacious with another little section, it was rather bare, and looked to be for light storage. She grumbled as that could apply to herself at the moment.
"Well, we can't have that now", she said to herself, pushing her thoughts aside and bringing her into the now. After Belldandy and Isshin came in from their midnight outing and noticed Urd still awake both of them insisted they stay in one of the guest rooms of their home. After a quick cleaning and a futon dropped they had left her for the night.
Snorting as she remembered that this was going to be her home for the meantime she retook stock of the sizeable guestroom and began making plans for what was going to be her room. Nodding as the claim was made in her head she rose and stretched once more. She rubbed her back and yawned before exiting *her* room.
It was still somewhat early in the morning, from what she could tell. Further out into the living room area she could hear her sister and nieces telling Ichigo to have a good day and she paused, holding back and waited in the hallway as she soon heard the front door shut. She leaned back against the hallway and her head rolled back to come to rest against the cool wall and she closed her eyes.
Nieces...nephews...brother-in-law...
Again she could feel that empty feeling in the pit of her stomach begin to swell and squashed it as best she could. Hearing her sister in what was the kitchen Urd slowly moved onward. Reaching the kitchen entrance she turned and stared at what she saw.
In the kitchen both Belldandy and Yuzu were in aprons, both facing away from her near the sink at the counter while Karin was at the table, head on the table and was also facing away from her.
However what had made her pause was what she was hearing from both mother and daughter and was struck again at the similarities. Yuzu was standing on a stool, making it easier to move her upper body over the counter as she interacted with her mother. She had two eggs in hand and seemed to be slightly swaying back and forth in a type of rhythm, and noticed that Belldandy was doing the same thing.
It was then that she noticed that Belldandy was humming and her niece was singing.
"First we take an egg
And mix it up with love
We'll flavor it together
With blessings from above~"
The last line came mumbled from the table, but Urd stood there continuing to watch how eerily mother and daughter matched as they both stopped to giggle at each other. The giggling soon stopped as Yuzu gasped and Urd realized that it was because she had finally been noticed.
Urd resisted the urge to sigh as she caught the look on Yuzu's face and those all too familiar blue eyes.
"Neesan. Good morning", Belldandy greeted with a smile as she moved to clean her hands.
"Morning", Urd returned, raising an arm in greeting. As Urd stepped fully into the kitchen Belldandy closed the gap between them and hugged her. Momentarily surprised Urd returned the hug, giving her sister a bit of an extra squeeze.
After a moment Belldandy finally pulled away and addressed her. "You must be hungry, we'll have breakfast ready in a moment".
It was then that Urd caught the scent of the rest of breakfast being cooked and her stomach rumbled. "Thank you".
Belldandy smiled and turned back toward the counter. Turning to the table Urd caught a redfaced Karin giving a glare at her before quickly turning to the side, her ponytail whipping to come to rest over the girl's shoulder. Looking back to Yuzu the girl had turned away to resume work on breakfast, now noticeably closer to Belldandy. It was then that Yuzu turned back to glace at her. Giving a soft yelp at being caught she quickly turned her head back.
Urd did sigh this time and turned to walk toward the living room, missing the concerned glance Belldandy gave her. Sitting down on the sofa took the remote control for the tv and turned it on.
-CLICK-
"Miaka".
Tamahome".
"Miaka".
"Tamaho-"
-CLICK-
"Hey Goku! I got some great new training for you! You run as fast as you can into my car while I drive it!
"I dunno King Kai, wouldn't that kind of hurt-"
"Shuddup! Your power level will be hhuuUUGgggee".
"Ok".
-CLICK-
"Tsukune".
"Moka-san".
"Tsukune".
"Moka-"
-CLICK-
Urd sighed, taking several minutes to flip channels a few more times before coming along something that did interest her. Finally getting comfortable she brought her legs up and in. It was soon after she heard the phone ring and the footsteps of her sister as she answered it.
"Neesan", she heard her sister call after a moment. Turning, she saw Belldandy with the phone in her hand. Realizing it was for her, Urd got up and took the phone from her sister and answered, puzzled at who it might be.
"Neesan?", came Isshin's voice.
"Yes?", she answered, curious as to the call.
"Where are you?! You're supposed to have the early shift today!"
"Hah?"
"We're all very happy that you've been reunited with your sister, but that's not an excuse to miss work!"
Urd blinked.
"I'm expecting you in 15 minutes. Don't be late! Oh, give the phone back to Bell? Thank you"
Urd woodenly handed the phone back to Belldandy and after a quick mention of how she was doing bid her husband goodbye and hung up.
"Neesan", she began. "I'll have your breakfast and lunch ready for you in a moment". Seeing Urd stare at her she thought what could be the problem before she understood.
"Isshin's still understaffed at the clinic. Please understand Neesan. Though I may now be fully healed due to my reintegration with Yggsdrasil we still need to maintain appearances. I want to resume my place there but I still need to be here for Keiichi-", she trailed off as Urd rose her hand.
"Say no more", Urd responded and sighed, grimacing all the while before turning back to her room. It wasn't long until she too was out the door, hastily grabbing the boxed breakfast Belldandy had soon brought out.
Within the kitchen both Karin and Yuzu had listened to the conversation, both not having touched either of their breakfast. Hearing their aunt leave both let out a breath they didn't know they had been holding.
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As so the days rolled by.
Though it was not without it's interesting incidents....
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Tatsuki rolled her head back and forth, popping her neck as she walked towards the shrine which held Shi-ichi's home. Today would be the first day back at the dojo with Shi-ichi in some time, and Noriyuki sensei had been rather... interested in hearing Shi-ichi's explanation for some of the rumors that had floated his way from the other students.
She snorted at that, and snorted again as she couldn't shut them up in time. The way they talked about it made it seem like Shi-ichi went out for blood, not to mention his more recent exploits.
What the hell was going on? Yokomura's gang was completely taken out, and word had been that Shi-ichi did the damage, but how?
She turned the corner into the courtyard of Shi-ichi's home, lost in thought. 'There's no way Shi-ichi could do that, and without me? All of them at once? Not a chance'.
Reaching the front door she knocked twice. "Hello!", she called out. "May I come in?". Hearing the footsteps beyond the door she took a step back and prepared to greet whomever opened the door. Karin perhaps? Or maybe Shi-ichi's mom?
The door opened.
"Hell..ooo?", she gawked.
"Yo", came the reply with a wave from a woman she didn't know. A very beautiful woman, tanned skin with hair of a type she had only seen on television. "Welcome to the Kurosaki home. How can I help you?"
"Ah..well, uh...", Tatsuki mumbled, trying to take hold of the situation.
"Do I know you?", Urd asked, leaning forward and now taking a closer look, her eyes moving up and down before recognition set in. Before she could comment rapid footsteps could be heard coming from behind her.
"Tatsuki!", Ichigo's voice called out as he now attempted to quickly skirt around his aunt and get to Tatsuki before she had a chance to jump to conclusions. With his sports bag over his shoulder he made a quick sidestep to avoid hitting Urd. Now blocking Urd's view he was about to suggest that they both leave now so he could begin explaining things to her.
He unfortunately missed his aunt's peeved glare at his actions.
"Shi-ichi?", Tatsuki said, tilting her head at Ichigo and giving him a stare that all but screamed, 'who *is* this'?
Before he could say anything Urd's arms encircled his waist, one high at his chest and one to his lower abdomen and drew him close in an intimate hug. She then rested her chin on his shoulder, freezing him at the act.
"So is this the girl you've mentioned, dear?", she whispered to him yet loud enough that Tatsuki could hear. Her lips were close to his ear, and her tone was sultry.
"Ga-gah-gah", Ichigo mumbled, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Eyes moving back to Tatsuki but not moving from her position Urd addressed her. "I'm sorry, but this boy's currently off the market". She smiled as the girl's face paled further.
'Oh, yes. You have it bad', she thought.
"Shi-shi-shi-SHI-ICHI!", Tatsuki screamed, snapping Ichigo out of his trance.
Ichigo twisted out of his aunt's hold and stood directly in front of Tatsuki, arms now raised in an attempt to calm the near hyperventilating girl. "Tatsuki, it ain't like that!", he nearly screamed. "She's my aunt!", he quickly spat out only to see her eyes narrow dangerously at his answer.
Her head dropped at his answer and he saw her ball her fists.
'Oh shit.'
"Tatsuki-chan! Hello", came Belldandy's voice, capturing everyone's attention and momentarily putting a cap on volcano ready to vent. Walking out the door she came up to Tatsuki, giving her a quick hug. Pulling back, she motioned to Urd. "I see you've met my sister. She's going to be staying with us for awhile".
Tatsuki blinked and looked back and forth between them, now suddenly unsure of herself as she realized that Shi-ichi could really now have been telling the truth. With that she soon found herself comparing the two. After a moment she ventured, "Sister, Mrs. Kurosaki?"
"Yes, my elder sister".
"I..uh, really? W-wow...", was what she could manage. Again taking a look at Urd she found herself concluding that she looked way too good to be older than Shi-ichi's mom.
Meanwhile Ichigo, now having said thanks to whatever deity had spared him was now more interested in getting a move on. "Tatsuki", he said getting her attention. Once gained, he motioned towards the gate with his head.
"Tatsuki-chan, could you wait a moment", Belldandy asked.
"Yes?", Tatsuki replied, returning her attention to Shi-ichi's mom.
"Will you be joining us again this year? We'd love to have you over."
"Hmm?", Tatsuki muttered confused before realizing what she meant. "Oh...OH. Yes, if it wouldn't be too much of a problem", she said, now blushing a bit.
Both Urd and Ichigo watched, confused at this turnaround.
"It's never a problem", Belldandy said. "Have you found anything yet?", Belldandy asked. Understanding what she meant, Tatsuki found herself discovering that the ground had an interesting viewpoint.
"No, uh, not yet. Hopefully soon", she said, resisting the urge to toe the ground.
"That's good."
"Tatsuki", Ichigo mentioned again. Turning her head to acknowledge him she turned back to Belldandy.
"I'm looking forward to it. Thank you so much Mrs Kurosaki". Bowing to his mother, she turned and joined Ichigo, both jogging off.
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"What was that about?", Ichigo asked as they exited the gate of the courtyard, legs pumping as both held a steady pace down the hill.
She turned to him and gave him a disbelieving look. "Don't be thick Shi-ichi, think about it for a moment".
Still jogging nothing came to mind. Sighing Tatsuki shook her head. "Our birthdays are coming up, genius. Your mom wants to have both of us together to share it again".
"Again?", Ichigo asked confused.
"Yeah, is there a problem", she asked, trying to hide a strange twist in her stomach as they continued on their pace.
"No, no problem", Ichigo mentioned, his eyes a bit glazed as his thoughts were now miles away. "So, uh, this year again, huh?"
"Seems like it", she smiled, though her lips not quite curving as they should have. Shi-ichi's answer sounded rather...distant.
Shaking her head to rid herself of those thoughts she then sped up a bit.
"Hey! Wait up!", Ichigo shouted, now pumping his legs faster to catch up to her. "What's up?", he asked once he was aside her again.
"Nothin', just can't wait to kick your ass in practice later", she said, speeding up once more.
"Hey! Wait up!", Ichigo yelled, speeding up again.
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-A few moments earlier-
"What was that about", Urd asked, watching them both take off.
"Hm?", Belldandy turned to look at her. "Oh, that's right. Both Ichigo and Tatsuki's birthdays are coming up; Ichigo on the 15th and Tatsuki on the 17th. Because they're so close it's more enjoyable to share them together."
Urd raised an eyebrow at Belldandy's choice of words but kept quiet as her sister continued.
"We've had them together for the last two years, and every so often since they've known each other."
"How long", Urd asked. Isshin had given her some info at the clinic when she offered to 'help' his son, now her nephew, but nothing complete.
"They've known each other since they were four". At that Urd did whistle, causing Belldandy to raise an eyebrow at her.
"So", Urd said ignoring her sister's questioning look and coming up to her. "Tell me what you have planned."
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"HI-YAH!"
"AGAIN!"
"HI-YAH!"
"AGAIN!"
And so it went, with Ichigo and a mass of other students letting out a strong kiai as they were midway through their sets. For Ichigo, the workout helped set aside his talk with Noriyuki-sensei.
After changing into his gi he had been called aside by his teacher. In his 60s, Kesuke Noriyuki stood only slightly shorter than his student, however his brown eyes were still sharp and had worn an expression that Ichigo's own scowl could not yet match. His salt and pepper colored moustache and goatee matched his hair, still full and flayed slightly at the sides it only helped enhance his glare.
Ichigo had walked out of his office slightly frayed himself as he had been grilled on what had happened recently. Somehow or another, word of his recent exploits had spread to the point of catching his teacher's ear, who had with no lack of interest had questioned him about it and the aftermath.
Satisfied, or at least giving the impression of being satisfied with Ichigo's hasty explanations he had given a quick congratulations on the new addition to his family and well wishes to his mother. He had let out a large breath as he exited, feeling far more worn out than he liked. Arguing with his father about this hadn't been nearly as exhausting.
As the students finished they then moved to sit in a U-Shape line up around the mat for sparring. Each student sat looking forward with their back straight and their arms resting in their lap.
"Arisawa! Kurosaki! You're up!", called out Noriyuki's assistant, Hibiki Morita. "Best of 5!", he proclaimed. Ichigo raised an eyebrow before turning to Tatsuki.
Tatsuki smiled, waiting for this chance. Hopping to her feet she practically skipped to her place at the center of the mat; all the while stretching her neck side to side and cracked her knuckles, grinning all the while. It was time to let out a little frustration at Shi-ichi for earlier, not to mention that little mishap in class awhile ago.
Ichigo rose and rolled his shoulders, eyeing Tatsuki as he walked to his place on the mat. A part of him felt rather strange doing this, not having had to fight Tatsuki in quite some time. The other part, the part of him that kept surprising him with the emotions and revelations in this new world felt within him his blood begin to burn at another chance to show Tatsuki who was on the top of the food chain. He blinked and shook his head at how forceful that second feeling caught him, the awkwardness rising within him.
Tatsuki was and is a great fighter in both memories. However, his dominant ones from his previous life remembered not wanting to fight her anymore, having once given in and sparred with her that had ended up with him tagging her good. After that he couldn't do it anymore, realizing he was growing and outpacing her.
'I'll take it easy', he thought, pushing down the familiar feeling of a fight brewing within him. Coming to a halt on his side of mat he calmly looked at Tatsuki as she took slight hops up and down before snapping into her stance.
Watching from the sidelines Noriyuki resisted the urge to roll his eyes as these two matched up again. However something had caught his eye before turning away to his office and he stopped. Studying Ichigo, he frowned as the boy took his stance. He stood there, calm, almost with a resigned look on his face where in the past he had normally returned Tatsuki's enthusiasm with equal fervor.
Tatsuki found her eyebrow twitching, also noticing the change in Shi-ichi as he took his stance. 'What the hell, Shi-ichi?', she thought, beginning to grow more irritated as Shi-ichi slowly began moving in his stance, keeping him loose. Suddenly the thoughts and rumors that the others had been talking about came to mind. 'Maybe there's some truth to them after all but that doesn't give you the right to act all cocky Shi-ichi'!
Ichigo blew out a breath as he began to focus on Tatsuki, noting in the back of his head that she seemed to be getting angry, but at what he couldn't tell. 'She'll probably take it out on me', he thought, opening and closing his fists, knuckles popping.
Holding position a little off to the side but between him and Tatsuki was Morita-sensei, arm now rising and pausing as it reached it's apex, as when he brought it down would signal the start of the match.
Tatsuki snorted as bounced back and forth, eyes completely focused in on Ichigo.
The students that sat at the side of the mat began to murmur. Watching Tatsuki and Ichigo had always been in some parts fun and in many ways frustrating. Fun because they always got a decent fight out of it and frustrating because it was a reminder that they still weren't at that level yet.
However...
However they could sense something was...
...different.
"FIGHT", Morita shouted bringing his arm down and quickly stepping back.
Tatsuki immediately dashed a few steps forward, throwing off several straight punches, putting Ichigo on the defensive. Quickly taking a step back in response Ichigo brought his arms up, deflecting a few of Tatsuki's punches.
Tatsuki continued to press her attack with a few more combinations directed to Ichigo's upper body and head area. Satisfied that she felt he would think she would continue to concentrate on his upper body she suddenly stopped in mid motion and Ichigo froze for a second with his arms up. Smirking she used this opportunity to grab his arms to hold them in position she drew her right leg back and quickly lunged forward shooting her knee up towards Ichigo's sternum.
Realizing what she was doing he swiftly brought his own leg up to block, her knee crashing just below his. Both hissed at the sharp pain that coursed threw them at the impact. Tatsuki recovered first as she then dropped into a crouching position and with the leg she had attacked with shot out. With Ichigo still on one foot she twisted into a sweep, catching Ichigo behind his knee and he fell. As his body hit the bat she lunged to tag him in the upper body for the first point.
Ichigo landed with a thud that was dulled by the mat and brought in his arms and legs, blocking and catching Tatsuki's attack. With his foot at her stomach he pushed forward, tossing her off him. Kip-upping to his feet he saw Tatsuki rise with a snarl. Bringing his arms up he moved around her to a position closer to the center of the mat and waited.
Tatsuki was momentarily put off at this, normally he'd press his attack but opted to hang back and wait for her. 'Oh you are NOT thinking you are so high and mighty that you can hold back', she thought, anger taking hold. She then suddenly dashed toward him again using a different combination of punches, now putting an emphasis of speed.
Again he continued to block but she felt a bit of satisfaction as he began to weave side to side a bit but found her frustration quickly returning at his lack of counterattacking. With a quick combination she suddenly shot her fight fist out, passing his defenses causing him to weave to his right, her fist a few inches from his face. In that instant her hand opened with her palm open facing his face and with her body twisting her hand snapped towards his face and slapped him.
Ichigo's face snapped to the side as he staggered before quickly regaining his balance. He then brought a hand up to his stinging cheek and stared wide-eyed at Tatsuki who looked upon him furiously.
"Arisawa", yelled Morita. "One warning, to both of you", he bellowed. "One more and it ends, keep it clean!"
"I don't know what hell's gotten into you", she growled menacingly. "I don't know what's been happening recently to make you act like this, but dammit, you will NOT embarrass me like this here." She snapped into her stance again. "Now FIGHT ME!"
Ichigo rubbed his cheek, blinking. 'What...what the hell?', he thought. 'Tatsuki could get pissed off, yeah, but this?' The Tatsuki he remembered got plenty pissed when he wouldn't fight her anymore but she stewed silently. This one... This one was going to outright murder him if he didn't try.
'I'm better than she is', that voice in the back of his head chimed in again, and for the second time he felt within him the urge to prove it. To desperately prove it, he realized as he felt a wave of frustration wash over him.
Though he wouldn't say it it almost matched what his old man made him feel time to time.
He growled as he tried to force those feelings down again, things were-no, are different. They are. He brought himself into a stance once more and waited. He almost winced at seeing a very visible twitch from Tatsuki's eyebrow.
Once more Tatsuki rushed him with a flurry of punches aimed from his head to his chest once more. Again he blocked, now trying to move back and forth across the mat as she continued her attack. Suddenly she switched positions and he felt a stinging sensation in his shin and his balance fail him as he began to tilt towards his left. Quickly bringing her foot back she grabbed his arm and in one motion turned and threw him over her shoulder into the mat.
Ichigo had no time to think as the world spun before he felt the air being punched out of his lungs as he landed on his back. No chance to catch his breath as he felt her forearm bury itself in her chest before she stood up and stepped back, glaring at him all the while.
"Point, Arisawa!", Morita proclaimed.
Ichigo gasped for breath, coughing a few times as he laid stunned. His vision now refocusing he saw Tatsuki walking toward her side of the mat and glared at him over her shoulder. Getting up he walked back towards his side and Morita again stood close, arm again rising. He retook his stance and eyed Tatsuki a bit more warily.
"FIGHT!"
Taking the initiative this time he caught Tatsuki halfway through her charge, connecting with her shoulder to shoulder and using his weight to press her back. Quickly hopping on one foot backwards, almost skipping at that speed, she swiftly retook her stance as he began his own combination of punches, keeping them quick lest Tatsuki take hold of them once more.
Quickly he brought his leading foot up from an attempted sweep and he suddenly snapped forward, palm shooting out and nearly caught her in the face. So close was her last minute dodge he felt the sweat on her hair on his forearm as he nearly grazed her.
Blinking he nearly gasped that he almost hit her when he heard a loud kiai and his breath was forced out of his mouth again as he staggered back. Looking up he caught Tatsuki with her arm outstretched in a straight punch.
"Point, Arisawa!"
Rubbing his chest he looked at her once more, anew. The girl he knew was no slouch, but seeing her now, feeling what she was doing to him now brought it home again that things were different. The look she was giving him now was one he'd never seen her give him before and felt his stomach churn.
"Another loss, again", he heard someone mutter.
"Can't say I'm surprised", another commented almost disappointingly.
Taking a few more breaths he realized that he was on the verge of losing. 'AGAIN', something within him screamed, and that wave of frustration followed by embarrassment enveloped him once more. The girl that he almost hurt back home was now going to drive the point home that she was NOT the same girl with humiliating results.
He snorted, thinking about what just happened. Two quick points, and with one more he'd be toast. His lips curled as his current mood was beginning to match the echo of what his life once was in this world. 'I am not going down', he thought.
Taking his spot at the mat he came into another stance, this one a facing towards his opponent more and brought his arms up. Taking a deep breath he blew from his nose and focused on Tatsuki seriously.
Tatsuki kept the same stance as she had earlier, though there was a ghost a smile that flickered on her.
"FIGHT!"
Instead of charging one another this time both started to circle each other. Every few steps brought one closer to the other with the other slightly pulling back, keeping the distance between them equal. After the umpteenth time both stopped and stared.
Suddenly Ichigo charged forward and when in range snapped a few low kicks, causing Tatsuki to back off. With her nearing the edge of the mat he pressed on, having switched to punches which she blocked. Trying another tactic he again pressed forward, trying to get in close.
Throwing a right punch he continued moving forward as Tatsuki blocked and grabbed her gi near the top of her left shoulder. With his grip he pulled her toward him to throw her on her back as she had did him.
That had been the plan when suddenly she grabbed gi and hopped onto him, wrapping her legs around his waist and threw herself backward. Caught by surprise and the unexpected weight pulling him he had no choice but to follow through and roll.
His back hit the mat and he attempted to push his body into a roll when he stopped midway, Tatsuki's weight and grip holding on to him as she suddenly pulled backward. He was nearly pinned.
'NO!', he mentally panicked. He had severely underestimated her, even when thinking that he could take even her despite acknowledging the memories of the person he had been here. Pushing mightly against the mat, he suddenly broke her hold before she could score the final point and hopped to his feet and took a step or two back, gasping for breath at coming out of his pin.
Tatsuki snorted and grinned as she got up, the twinkle in her eyes telling him all he needed to know. With her forehead damp with a sheen of sweat she used her gi's forearm to wipe herself. With two wipes she pulled back into her stance.
'She's really, really good', Ichigo thought, somewhat admiringly now. 'Of course she is', he felt, again being reminded that through thick and thin here, she always had his back. For a second a vision of his father laughing at him came to him and he grimaced. He shook his head and snorted, now a bit angry at himself, not just for being on the verge of losing in an embarrassing way, but not giving his best friend any credit at the start. 'I'm sorry', he communicated to her mentally.
With that he charged forward again. She met him halfway again, throwing a kick which he block and twisted, causing her momentum to take her to far to the side when she regained control as that foot came down and twisted with another kick with her other foot. Ichigo dropped to the floor with both legs outstretched and slightly spread and suddenly scissored them.
Caught at the calf she tripped, grimacaing as her lower leg stun. She hit the mat facefirst next to Ichigo and felt an arm and elbow strike her exposed back.
"Point, Kurosaki!"
Getting up she breifly glared at him as she walked back to her part of the mat. Ichigo glared back at her, resuming his place. 'Can't think of her as a friend here. Can't think about holding back anymore, she's already pissed about that. I have to treat her as a real opponent'.
Holding his stance his eyes caught Tatsuki's and they held each other's gaze that was broken only with the arm of the Morita coming down, signaling the start.
"FIGHT!"
Both began circling each other again, mixing their direction up a few times to gauge how the other would react. Tatsuki then charged in, snapping her foot high with a swift kick to Ichigo's head. Ichigo brought up both arms in a block and sucked in a breath as his forearms stung from the quick hit.
With his vision blocked and arms high she closed the distance to his exposed stomach. She launched a straight punch forward when she saw his waist twist and stars filled her vision. "Wha-what the..", she mumbled as she blinked away the stars and realized that she was staring at the ceiling.
"Point, Kurosaki!"
There was a lot of murmuring among the students now. That had been different. Not in Ichigo scoring a point, but in that how swift that palm strike had come out and hit Tatsuki's forehead. Tatsuki was just delivering the blow to end the match when Ichigo hand suddenly twisted and his left arm snapped forward.
Tatsuki got up, rubbing her head. 'Ok, teach me for being cocky myself', she thought. She reran that last couple seconds in her mind and fought to keep a smile off her face. 'He finally took me seriously. No stupid countermove or safe but precise hit for a point, but a real strike against me'.
Ichigo on the other hand gulped. That last one had been all reflex, as at the last second he had experienced deja vu with his father trying the same thing and he had responsed accordingly. Remembering all too quickly that Tatsuki was not his father he pulled back just in time.
'I hope she's not pissed off about that', he thought as she saw her get up and head back to her place of the mat, rubbing her head. Waiting for her to turn around his mouth nearly dropped at seeing the last expression he was expecting.
She was grinning at him with what some would describe as a million watt smile as she hopped up and down, suddenly feeling energized. He blinked a few times when she then stuck her tongue out at him and pointed to where he was supposed to be.
'Maybe I tagged her too hard...', he thought. Getting back to his side he retook his stance and looked at her as she did likewise. She held his eyes and smiled again, and with realization he let out a snort and found himself smiling back at her. He'd seen the look on her face before but what was odd was why it was happening now and not after the match.
Ah well, it didn't matter. There was one more point to go, and he was determined to take it. No games, just show her that he could do it. His eyes opened slightly as he viewed Tatsuki. She was still hopping up and down, her bangs bouncing with each hop, beads of sweat flying from them as they snapped up and down. It was infectious as he felt the smile on his face widen and she suddenly tilted her head at him, still grinning.
'Wait, she isn't- aw hell, she is', he thought. 'Hell, why not', he thought, hopping up and down as well to rev himself up.
At the side Noriyuki watched both intently. He had noticed Ichigo's slight change in his fighting, but for what reasons he could not answer. The boy had also for some reason foolishly attempted to hold back against Arisawa, something he had never done before. It seemed only after Arisawa's two consecutive points he got his head out from whereever it was buried and gave a better showing. Curious to how it would end he caught Arisawa's head tilt and Kurosaki's smiled reply and resisted the sudden urge to palm his face and instead closed his eyes and sighed.
"FIGHT!"
Both Ichigo and Tatsuki, grinning at each other like madmen rushed each other with both fists reared.
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Ichigo waited outside the dojo, bag in hand and looked at his watch. Before he could complain about Tatsuki taking her time she suddenly walked out, still smiling but not quite as intense as it had been at the end of the match.
Stretching her arms forward she brought them back and looked at Ichigo. "Just remember it was one match, and you can't get cocky".
He rolled his eyes and began to walk away from the dojo with Tatsuki at his side. "The only reason you won", she continued, "was because your reach was longer". She emphasized that with a straight punch forward.
"Still", she said tilting her head up to look at him. "Just what were you thinking when you decided to sandbag me back there?"
He blew out a breath and grimaced, "Nothin'".
"Nothing my ass. You only woke up after I decided to beat the crap outta you".
"And I got back in it, I get it. It won't happen again, ok?"
"I hope not, those last minutes were fun. At least now I can look forward to you actually try to hit me".
They turned the corner into the street, the summer day starting to wind down. As they walked down the street Tatsuki looked up at Ichigo and recalled what happened earlier.
"Say, Shi-ichi?"
"Hmm"?
"What...what do you want for you're birthday?"
He was silent for a moment, realizing again how close his and her birthdays were. What did he want?
"To be honest, I don't know".
Tatsuki raised an eyebrow at him. "You sure? Last year you were talking non-stop about that game and I was certain you wanted another."
A game? Oh, that's right. That was fun, from what his alt's memories told him, but he didn't really feel into any games at the moment.
Tatsuki saw his eyes wander and snickered after a minute. "And Shi-ichi grows up before our eyes", she mocked, her hands turning upward and shoulders rising a bit in a I-don't-know gesture. "Yuuya'll be devastated to see his online buddy go".
Ichigo rolled his eyes and fought down a sudden urge to think of a game to go play. "What about you?", he asked, deflecting the question back at her.
"Me?"
"Yeah, what do you want"?
"What do I want", she repeated looking at him. After a moment of looking at him she turned away, fighting down her own sudden thoughts and blush. "Dunno", she said, looking away with a scowl.
"You dunno", he repeated.
"Yeah", she insisted.
"What", he mocked, suddenly remembering last year. "You don't want another set of-"
"SHUT UP!", she yelled, red as a tomato. "Not that I don't appreciate what your mom got for me, but I'll take a game any day".
"I dunno", Ichigo started again, liking the turnaround. "It's not like-"
"So that was your aunt this morning", Tatsuki blurted out, using the special move tactic Change-Topic-no-Jutsu.
Ichigo grinned for another moment, trying to hold down last year's memory and the look she had on her face.
"Well?", she demanded, trying to force down her embarrassment before she forced her fist down his throat.
Finally calming down and thinking over recent events Ichigo blew a breath. "Yeah, she is".
"I thought your mom was an only child. Why'd you never mention her before?"
"I didn't know about her", he replied honestly.
"And she's actually older than your mom?"
"Yeah. Wild, isn't it", he said. Though to be thoroughly honest 'wild' was far too tame a word.
"It's just...", she said, searching for the right word. "Weird", she finally said, shaking her head slightly. "And she looks so young too", she mouthed, remembering how pretty she was, just like his mother.
'Oh yeah', he thought with his eyes widening resigned, knowing the reason's for that.
"It's just so strange to hear about her now", Tatsuki continued. She looked downward for a moment in thought before bringing them back up. "Were there family problems?"
Ichigo looked at her oddly.
"Well", she said, catching his confusion. "They look so different. Maybe something happened with your grandpa..."
His eyebrows rose. Funny, he didn't really think about the difference until she pointed it out. 'Are all goddesses different like that', he wondered. There was something at the back of his head, something important, but he couldn't seem to remember. Something about what mom had said...
"It's just a thought", she suddenly said, concerned that he had gone quiet.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever it was, it doesn't really matter" he said. "She's going to be with us for awhile now".
"Really?"
"Yeah", he said, blowing out another breath knowing that he was responsible.
Tatsuki looked at him, concerned now at his change of mood. Looking ahead she smiled at what was coming up and took hold of his arm and pulled.
"Hey!?"
"C'mon, Shi-ichi. I let you have it easy today, but I won't give it to you easy here!", she said and then dragged him into the arcade.
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Karin gaped at what she saw and gulped. Her mom had asked her to get her aunt for dinner and after much hemming and hawing and stalling had finally relented.
What was going to be a swift open the door and shout to come to dinner run-by she had stood frozen as there was nothing left that remotely looked like the sparse room that had been there before.
She walked in, mesmerized by what she saw. The room was spectacularly clean now, with shelves and books and tables and all sorts of things that she had only glimpsed in some chemistry book, if she remembered right. The shelves and table were both wood with a clean finish, giving off a both new and lovingly used look.
There were some rugs on the floor now as well, and curtains at the window if she guessed right, however she just continued to gawk at the equipment on the table. She turned her gaze and noticed that the other shelves held many jars and bottles as well. This was beginning to look like an old movie she saw once.
"She's a witch", she murmured to herself. "She really is a witch", she said again in both wonder and dawning horror. She gazed downward and her thoughts turned to both her mother and aunt, two opposites if she ever knew one. Her mother's image appeared before her, smiling, calm, her angel-like wings outstretched to be balanced by Urd's snarling appearance, bat-like wings outstretched, her hair blowing in the wind, ready and all too willing to condemn all who-
"And just who gave you permission to enter", a voice said next to her ear and a finger chillingly caressed her face.
Karin screeched as she then snapped to life, twisting to the side and bolting, hampered only by her slip and fall to the ground. In an instant she was up and out the door, screaming for dear life.
Urd giggled to herself. That had been a little more fun that she thought. Though it would not help with the healing process between her and her nieces, she did need to drive it into them that playing in here was *not* a good thing.
And now that that was over other matters returned and she sighed. 'Just a birthday party', she lamented with a whine. After both Tatsuki and Ichigo left Bell had given her the details of the upcoming plans for them.
'How boring', she thought.
No fireworks, no grand music, no sex and most important of all, no booze. How was a growing boy to learn about the finer things in life? If this were Heaven at his age he'd-
"Neesan", Belldandy said from the door, slowly sliding it open.
Turning around she saw Belldandy enter and close the door. "Yes?"
"What happened with Karin?"
"I caught her in my room".
"You didn't need to scare her."
Urd sighed. "You know how dangerous my equipment and potions can be if in the wrong hands, Bell. If anything, she does know now to keep out now. Yuzu will too, if I guess right. It is for their own safety, after all".
"Still, you didn't need to do that quite like that".
Urd raised an eyebrow. To be honest, the glint in Karin's eyes from what little she had seen so far had reminded her of herself. Best to have nipped this in the bud. "Well, what's done is done", she said, brushing it off.
Looking at Belldandy again, she noticed her walking around, glancing about.
"Bell?"
"Hmm? Oh, I was just taking everything in, it really does look like your old room, doesn't it?"
"Not as big though", stating the obvious. "I only put up my best stuff".
"I see", Belldandy said, a small smile on her face as she continued to look around, slowly walking by each shelf and book, taking the time to touch and caress a few. Urd's good mood vanished, seeing the look of nostalgia on her sister's face. After a moment, Belldandy brought herself back to the present and walked to the door.
"Dinner is ready, and we don't want it to go cold".
"Of course", Urd replied. "Bell?"
Her sister turned.
"You know I didn't mean anything with Karin, but both the girls could be in trouble if they snuck in here when they're not supposed to. What I did was no different than what I do with Skuld.
"I know", she said, wistfully thinking of her other sister. "But you also realize that it'll be tougher on you with them, right?"
"It'll all work out, you'll see", she said, waving the concerns away.
"That's good to hear", Belldandy replied with a smile as they both walked out.
Urd smiled back but her thoughts turned towards their younger sister. Knowing Skuld she wouldn't stay behind for long.
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