Disclaimer: I do not own Ah! My Goddess! The wonderful story of Belldandy and Keiichi belong to Kosuke Fujishima, whom has a wonderful gift and talent. I am simply writing this for your enjoyment, so don't sue me. If you don't like this story then don't read it, simple as that. I hope you do like it though! ^__^
A Love That Casts A Shadow
Chapter 2: A Storm's Victim
The day's light filtered through the window, giving Keiichi's room a golden look. He woke up just as the birds began chirping outside. Sitting up and stretching, Keiichi wondered if everything last night was a dream. To his embarrassment, Belldandy had seen him cry over a nightmare. He gazed out the window to analyze the beauty of fall. Judging by the sun's height in the sky, Keiichi knew he had slept in late. His mind pushed that aside and thought of what this new day would bring. It appeared just like any normal day; a clear sky holding no black mists of nightmares.
Urd popped out of nowhere, as usual, making Keiichi jump from his bed in shock. "I saw what happened last night, lover boy," she teased, coming closer with each word. "You should have more nightmares if that's what it takes for you two to get closer." She gave him a grin and slapped his back playfully before exiting.
Keiichi dressed himself; thoughts always targeted on Belldandy. She had held him last night! The thought sent red to his cheeks. They had been so close together, her body and his. He could have heard her heart beating. It was not out of love, however, but out of comfort. To Keiichi, there could be no other comfort.
Walking out, Keiichi recognized the wonderful aroma of Belldandy's cooking. A wonderful lunch would be awaiting his stomach. He ran to the kitchen, eager to satisfy his hunger.
"Good afternoon, Keiichi," Belldandy greeted him with her usual smile. "My, you've slept in late. It's almost dinner time, so I decided to make some brunch for you. Did you have a an easier time sleeping after the bad dream?"
"Yes, thank you," he made his response. Actually, he didn't realize he had slept after the dream, until he awoke. The food welcomed Keiichi to his seat across from Skuld. There, he noticed a grim look on her face. Bewilderment crossed his own. "Skuld, is anything wrong?"
Urd replied for her younger sister. "Skuld also had a nightmare last night. It appears, you broke Belldandy's heart by falling in love with another woman." She eyed him suspiciously.
The words took Keiichi by surprise. In his own dream, he recalled being with another woman. He felt nervousness flood over his emotions, as if the goddesses could see right through him. Taking a look at Belldandy, however, Keiichi was relieved to see her smile.
"Well, everyone gets bad dreams every now and then," she said while seating herself between Keiichi and Skuld.
After they all had their fill, Keiichi helped with the clean- up. "Belldandy?" He asked.
"Yes Keiichi?"
"I'm going to go out for a while, if that's okay with you," said Keiichi. "I'll pick up some more milk for you," he added upon seeing the empty bottle in the trash. He needed to get out of the house for a while, just to shake his memory of the nightmare. Fresh air would do him some good after all.
"Yes, of course it's okay," she laughed. "Thank you, Keiichi."
Keiichi did the dishes for Belldandy. Then, strapping his motorcycle helmet on, he left.
***********
About two hours later, Keiichi made up his mind to go home. He held no more money within his pockets and window shopping easily got him bored. Strolling around didn't sound all that thrilling either. Keiichi opened a small bag he held, and peered inside. He had spent his money to buy a locket for Belldandy. One where she could hold her favorite picture. On the cover of the golden heart was a blue diamond, to match the one on Belldandy. Good thing he made up his mind to go home. A storm had approached out of nowhere, dark, bellowing clouds drifted overhead. Thunder growled over the earth, as if Kami- Sama Himself was angry. Keiichi then received a piece of his nightmare when lightning flashed, leaving a zigzag streak against the darkness. The lightning itself appeared as claws�
'Everything was blackened against a swirling mist. Above, claws emerged, raking at the darkness�
Belldandy.'
Keiichi shook his head, trying to convince himself that it was only a nightmare. Despite his attempts of comfort, Keiichi wanted to get to Belldandy as fast as his bike could take him. The bad feeling felt like needles down his back. As is something was behind him, clawing.
Within seconds, the sky was pitch black. The winding streets were flooded with the many raindrops that fell. The storm itself kept getting worse, as if trying to flood the world once more. One would think that was going to happen if it were not for Kami- Sama's promise years ago. That wasn't important for Keiichi at the moment. He wanted to get home. With his headlights illuminating the ground before him, he sped off. Lightning etched the sky, leaving behind its flash even after vanishing. It also revealed a large puddle Keiichi had not noticed. The puddle turned out to be a missing part of the road filled with water. It caught hold of Keiichi's tire, sending him flying off the road. As for the motorcycle, it flipped over Keiichi's head before tumbling to the earth.
Mud slowed the bike as it rolled over a few times and came to a stop. Parts of it had flown everywhere, including the motor. They too, were trapped in the muck. In the meantime, Keiichi himself was tumbling over the mud. His helmet had been ripped off, leaving his jaw in pain. The violent thrashing caused many new pains in his body. Coming to a rest, he felt all of those pains, especially the gash in his forehead caused by a loose bolt from the motorcycle. His world seemed to never cease spinning.
Keiichi rolled onto his back, not daring to move just yet. He hadn't broken anything, but his bike. The constant pains were only the shouts of cuts and bruises. Watching the rain fall down, he laid there until the dizziness wore off. It must have been hours before he decided to move. A faint light was seen from the corner of his eye. Perhaps his headlights were still on. Finally sitting up, Keiichi saw the outline of his motor in the murky night. Knowing his headlights couldn't be working, Keiichi craned his neck to see what the light was. The light was actually a white outfit contrasting to the darkness. Dressed in that outfit, was a body. It lay on its side while the rain beat upon it.
Keiichi scrambled over to the body on all fours, not trusting his shaky legs to hold him upright. The outline of the figure held curves, indicating it to be female. She wore a white dress, exposing her shoulders just as Belldandy's does. In fact, it looked like Belldandy's dress, but tighter and without blue. It had red triangles on it where Belldandy had yellow. Blonde hair flowed freely down her back, but was spotted with mud.
'She has to be a goddess,' Keiichi thought. The red diamond, containing a circle in the center, and the two triangles below her eyes told him so. They were the markings of a goddess. Keiichi went pale. 'I've hit a goddess!' His mind screamed at him.
He carefully picked her up; relieved she was as light as a feather. On wobbly legs, Keiichi cautiously sauntered off for home. Puddles on the way soaked his shoes more than they already were. The rain itself sent chills through his bones. Keiichi held her closer, embracing the warmth of her body. Looking at her more closely, he saw her beauty. Ashamed to say, she was even as beautiful as Belldandy. Shock captured Keiichi, leaving him breathless as another fragment of the nightmare returned�
'He was holding her close, feeling her heart beat against his. His hands sought out every curve of her body. Yet, she wasn't Belldandy.'
Chapter 3
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