Ah! My Goddess: Mirrored Souls: Chapter 7: Promise
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We hope you enjoy reading our story!
This is Alternate Universe (AU), so Out of Character ( OOC ) is to be expected.

Gamera68: "Well, here it is, chapter 7 of 'Mirrored Souls'.

It picks up immediately after Belldandy and Keiichi return home from shopping."

*Update*

K1 X Bell: "Here is chapter 7 (edited) Woot, hurray, rainbows, and sunshine… yeah…that stuff."

Disclaimer:
We do not in any way own 'Ah! My Goddess' or any characters from the OVA, anime, manga or movie.

Rated T - English - Comfort, Romance and Comedy

After the happy couple returned home from their shopping excursion, Belldandy went about preparing lunch for Keiichi, as he had to be at his job by three o'clock PM.

Lunch consisted of hamburger steak along with a fresh salad topped by a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

"Wow, Bell. It looks amazing. Thanks for the meal!"

"Oh, you're very welcome Keiichi. I hope it is to your liking.", she gladly replied after hearing his compliment.

"Oh my Goddess, this is very delicious!", he replied in-between mouthfuls.

She had also prepared a fresh pot of Darjeeling Tea, using her brand new tea set, which they had purchased earlier.

After helping Belldandy clear the plates from the table, he got himself ready to go to work. He wanted to leave a bit early, as he had to make a quick stop before his eight hour shift.

Belldandy had also arranged a good-sized bento for him, with the leftover hamburger steak and salad from lunch. She also prepared a thermos of freshly made iced coffee.

"Hey Bell, I have to head off to work now, but I'll be home shortly after eleven... Here's my work number in case you need to contact me, but only if it's an emergency; my boss can be quite strict, and doesn't allow any personal phone calls during my shift."

"Okay, thank you Keiichi.", she happily replied, as she held the piece of paper with the number scribbled on it over her heart.

As she walked him towards the door, she was silently wishing to herself that he'd return home much sooner than that. It would be her first time alone since being reunited with him the night before.

"Have a good afternoon at work, Keiichi. And please don't over-exert yourself."

"Thank you, Bell. I'll do my best."

He turned towards her and gave her a firm hug.
She reciprocated his gesture by pulling him closer, kissing him on the lips; pouring all her feelings into it.

"May fortune smile upon you.", she whispered in his ear.

He felt tiny goosebumps race up and down his back from hearing her simple, yet effective spell.

He reluctantly released her, smiled and waved goodbye; as he walked briskly to retrieve his motorcycle from the shed behind the temple.

Belldandy leaned against the door as it closed.

'Come home soon, my love.' , she silently said to herself, as a single tear trickled down her pink cheek.

Much to Keiichi's surprise, there was barley any traffic whatsoever, considering it was a beautiful springtime Saturday afternoon.

Once he found his pre-determined destination, he quickly found a parking spot directly in front of the shop. He parked his Beemer, and rapidly ran inside said shop. He spotted immediately what he was searching for. After paying for his purchase, he placed it in his leather jacket's inside pocket for safe keeping until after work.

He inwardly smiled to himself, knowing that tonight would be very special for his one and only, Belldandy.

Upon arriving at the warehouse where he was employed, he was surprised yet once again, when he found out his boss was absent due to the flu. His replacement supervisor was much easier going than his often mean-spirited manager.

His work load was half the size than usual.

Keiichi had no idea that his current string of good luck was due to Belldandy's simple incantation, and not just a series of random coincidences.

During his break, Keiichi happily devoured Belldandy's love-filled bento. He was quite content the way things were going since Belldandy reappeared in his life.

The rest of his work shift went quite smoothly, and before he knew it, his job was finished for the remainder of the evening. It was only ten minutes before nine PM; two hours earlier than his usual quitting time. As an additional bonus, he would be paid for the full eight hour work day.

He arrived at home approximately twenty minutes later. He parked his Beemer in the shed behind the temple, and hastily walked towards the house. Sliding the door open, he removed his shoes, then slid the door closed, and locked it behind him.

"Belldandy! I'm ho - oooof!"
She glomped him quite hard, knocking themselves to the entrance-way floor below.

"Keiichi! Welcome home! I'm so happy to see you!", she bubbly replied, as she covered his face with soft, wet kisses.

"Hi, Bell. Miss me much?", he teased her.

"Yes, Keii. I did. I'm surprised to see you home so early, but I'm glad that you are.", she answered, as she helped him off the floor. She was smiling from ear to ear.

"Uh, yeah. I had a great day at work. I finished much earlier than expected, and I will still be paid for the full shift."

"Oh! That's wonderful news, Keii. I hope you're hungry. I have dinner prepared for you. Or would you prefer to take a bath first?"

"Dinner sounds great, Bell. Thank you so much.", he answered, as they made their way to the tea room.

Belldandy's home-cooked meal comprised of fresh mahi-mahi, steamed mixed vegetables and brown rice, along with a giant chocolate cake for desert.

Keiichi was rendered incoherent, as he was shocked at the amount of food she had lovingly cooked for dinner.

"I hope that you enjoy what I prepared, Keiichi. I watched a 'TV show' about cooking today and took some notes. I hope you don't mind. I tried to keep myself occupied while you were at work, but I did miss you though...", she quietly explained, with a sudden hint of sadness in her voice.

"Belldandy...I - I don't know what else to say, except thank you very much. It looks simply amazing."

Her mood brightened considerably, after hearing his heart-felt compliment.

"Thank you Keiichi; hearing that makes me happy.", she softly replied as her face grew a light blush.

While the couple ate dinner, Belldandy's face glowed bright pink whenever Keiichi would glance in her direction. The dinnertime conversation consisted mostly of small talk. Keiichi talked about his current job, and his studies at Nekomi Tech.

Belldandy mentioned to him how much she learned just from watching cooking shows on the local TBS TV station. Her notebook was nearly one-quarter full of new recipes she was dying to try out.

After clearing the table, Keiichi retired to take a quick bath.

Once he was finished, he found Belldandy patiently awaiting his return in the tea room. She was going over her 'recipe notebook', planning on what to make tomorrow morning for breakfast.

"Belldandy."

"Ah! Yes, Keii.", she replied as she was somewhat startled, and deep in thought.

"Would you like to go for a walk? It's a beautiful evening tonight."

"Oh, yes. That sounds wonderful."

After retrieving their jackets, they wandered around the temple grounds, admiring the crisp night sky sparkling with hundreds of stars.

"So pretty.", Belldandy commented to the view above.

"Not as pretty as you, Belldandy."

She blushed madly upon hearing his heart-felt compliment, and held his hand tighter.

A short time after, Keiichi unexpectedly lead her to the clearing in the woods, just behind the temple grounds; the very same place he found her hiding in the forest - those many years ago.

Belldandy started getting misty-eyed, as she realized where they were.

"Keiichi...this is..."

"The place we first met as kids.", he finished her sentence.

She hugged him tighter than ever, not wanting to let him go, as all the happy childhood memories once again flooded her mind.

They both remained silent for a few minutes, just holding each other.

"Belldandy."

"Yes, Keiichi.", she replied as she released him from her 'Hug of Doom.'

"Do you remember our promise. Before you left?"

She silently shook her head yes in agreement.

"Well, I know it's late, but I have a present for you. But, before I give it to you, I just want to let you know once again how happy I am to see you after all these years. And I know it's kind of sudden, but there was something I wanted to ask you back then, but never had the chance to..."

Belldandy was puzzled somewhat at Keiichi's statement, wondering what he was referring to.

He then reached into his leather jacket's inside pocket, and retrieved a small black velvet box.

"Belldandy. I have always been in love with you since the time we met as children. And what I wanted to ask you back then, but never had the chance to ask you, since you had to erase my memory, is something I just have to say. But since your recent return, and our childhood memories being restored...I...Um...ah...ummmm...."

Keiichi started to lose his confidence, but regained it once anew, as Belldandy gently squeezed his hand.

"Keiichi...please continue. What is it that you want to say?", she lovingly asked, as she looked into his eyes, and smiled.

A few awkward moments passed, as he re-gathered his courage; and spoke once again.

"Belldandy. Will you b-be my girlfriend?", he sputtered out, as he opened the small velvet box, and presented it in front of her.

Belldandy was astonished at what was inside that simple, black velvet box.

It was the ring she fell in love with from the festival when she first met Keiichi, but made of pure sterling silver; with a small lavender amethyst adorning it.

Belldandy then recalled the promise he made to her, well over a decade ago.

She jumped into his open arms, then happily replied 'yes!'

He then placed the ring on her right ring finger, then proceeded to kiss her with all his might. Belldandy felt as though she were floating. For the first time since returning to Earth, her heart was over bursting with pure joy, and overwhelming love.

"Thank you Keiichi. Thank you! I love you so, so very much!" she lovingly replied, between tears of happiness.

After another short stroll around the woods, they eventually returned to the house.

The happy couple unanimously decided it was getting quite late.

Keiichi gave Belldandy an old white button-down dress shirt she could use to sleep in, since it was too big for him to ever wear.

She smiled and thanked him with a light hug and kiss, then wished him a good night's sleep.

Upon retiring to his bedroom - which was directly across the hall from Belldandy's - he found it quite difficult to fall asleep; he was just way too excited.

Keiichi finally had his first girlfriend ever.

Sure, she was a goddess, but she was also his childhood friend and very first love. He just laid in his futon, grinning like an fool. He reflected on just how much his life had changed over the course of the past two days.

Keiichi still couldn't get over the fact he was living with Belldandy.

'She's right across the hallway from me. I hope she finds her happiness someday, but us being together has made me happier than I could ever imagine. I know she loves me as much as I love her, but is it enough to keep her from being sad? Well, I did promise her that I'd be there for her, no matter what. I just want Bell to find what she's looking for; after everything she went through - she really deserves it - I'll just have to do my best...', Keiichi silently thought to himself.

His train of thought was abruptly interrupted by a light tapping on his bedroom door.

"Ah! Yes!", he hastily replied, as he quickly sprang up from his futon bed.

"Keiichi..."

"What is it, Bell?"

"Ah Keiichi, are you still awake? Do you have a moment?"

"Uh, yes Bell. Come in please."

She proceeded to slowly slide his door open, wearing only the white shirt he gave her a short while ago, which came down to just above her knees.

He noticed that her hair wasn't in a ponytail, and it came down past her slender waist.

Belldandy was hugging the pillow Keiichi gave to her across her chest, and had her face buried in it.

After sliding the door behind herself closed; she just stood there, and began to fidget nervously.

"Excuse me, Keii. I'm sorry to disturb you..."

"It's okay, Bell. Is there something wrong?", he inquired out of genuine concern.

"Ah yes. My room is pitch dark...", she softly replied.

"Well, it is night time." He said slowly, wondering what she was getting at.

"T-that's true...b-but it's not only just that...i-it's too dark...ah...Do you get lonely when you're by yourself, in a very dark place?"

Now, Keiichi was getting worried. Was Belldandy afraid of the dark?

She was clearly distressed.

Belldandy didn't want to tell him the real reason. It would make him worry even more. It was part of her punishment when she returned to Heaven after sealing his memories away as a child.

And after having her memories sealed away as well.

"You do, don't you?", she nervously stated.

Keiichi finally came to a rapid conclusion, deciding not to press the issue any further.

"Is it that you're afraid of being alone in the dark?"

Belldandy was starting to sniffle, as she had tears forming in the corner of her eyes.

"Yes, Keiichi. I am. But tonight...with the ring, and ah...I'm now your girlfriend, and we're living together in the same house, and ah...would it be okay if I...slept in here with you too? I don't want to be alone tonight.", she boldly confessed, as she began to gently sob.

"I-I don't w-want to *snifff* trouble you...Keii...and I promise I w-won't bother y-your s-sleep...so p-please, Keiichi...please let...me..."

"Belldandy. It's okay. You can sleep in here with me...I don't want to see you sad...so it's fine.", as he motioned for her to come closer.

She dried her tear-stained cheeks with the long sleeves of her night-shirt.

"Thank you, Keiichi.", she replied as she slowly made her way across his partly-darkened bedroom.

She then plopped her pillow onto his futon, as he scooted over to the right-hand side to make room for her. Keiichi was somewhat caught off guard as she openly decided to sleep with him in the very same futon bed.

Okay, now he was kind of nervous. He had thought she would just go and get her own futon.

"Feeling better now, Bell?"

"Yes, Keiichi. Thank you."

"Well, good night, Bell.", he quickly replied, as he laid back down and pulled the covers over themselves.

"Good night, Keii."

He turned his back to her as he suddenly blushed bright red, unsure of how to react to this sudden development.

Belldandy slowly wrapped her right arm over him, and pulled herself closer to him. He began to get more nervous, as he could feel the heat from her body penetrate their nightwear.

Keiichi's heart rate skyrocketed, realizing just how close she was.

She then gently exhaled on his neck, resulting in Keiichi getting a major case of goose bumps.

"Keii...are you feeling alright? She could see his aura flaring a bunch of different colors before settling on a bright orange color. 'He's very stressed about something… is it me?.'

She sadly replied, as she started to get up.

"Bell. Please wait. It's not that. It's just that...well, um, how do I put this? I've never slept next to a woman in my entire life, and well the truth of the matter is...I'm not sure how to react to all this so suddenly. Ah! Wait! Don't get the wrong idea, though. It's just that, well, you're very beautiful, and a very attractive woman. Ah! What the hell am I saying?", he stated, as he starts to get rather flustered, and began to fumble his words.

"You think I'm beautiful, Keii?", she embarrassingly replied.

After she laid back down next to him, he continued:

"Well, yeah. You are without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I've ever met, Bell. But please don't get the wrong idea, it's just...it's just that right now I'm an absolute nervous wreck. You're the first girlfriend I've ever had, and of course I love you very much, and I've been laying down here, thinking of all the moments we've shared, in such a short amount of time since you literally 'popped' into my life, to grant me of all people a wish. And my wish was for you to find your happiness, but here I am, the one who is now happy. Having someone like you in my life has made me the happiest I have ever been. Thank you, Bell. Thank you so much..."

Keiichi, unable to hold his feelings inside any longer, a few tears escaped his eyes.

Belldandy quickly sat up and turned to face him.

Her heart immediately went out to him; and gently pulled him into her loving embrace, then attempted to sing a song to heal his broken heart.

He then laid his head in her ample bosom, not wanting to let her go; lest she disappear from his life again. He wouldn't be able to face that type of sorrow ever again.

"Keiichi, you have told me that you will always be there for me. And now it's my turn." Leaning in closer to him, she whispered softy in his ear.

"If you need a shoulder to cry on, I promise I won't tell anyone."

He held on for a few more seconds trying to prevent the impending flood that was his emotions, but with her comforting words, the dam finally broke.

Several years of absolute torment, heartache and pain tore throughout his fractured soul.

She continued to comfort Keiichi, and console him for quite some time.

Roughly fourty-five minutes later, Keiichi's tears finally ceased.
Once she helped him dry his face and cheeks, she lovingly held his hands in her own, and finally spoke.

"My dear Keiichi. Just as you are here for me, I shall be here for you as well. I love you very much, and you don't have to be lonely anymore. I truly love you, with all my heart and soul. When I am near you, holding your hand or just thinking of you, my chest tightens; and the desire for me to be closer to you overcomes me. And when you hold me in your arms, or kiss me, that desire for me to be closer to you, causes the feelings I carry for you to increase exponentially. I want you to be happy as well, my love. You deserve it just as much. Just having you in my life helps the loneliness I had for such a long time, seem like a distant bad memory. Your warm kindness and unbridled compassion and sincerity for my well-being, has made me very happy. I am so blessed to have you in my life Keiichi."

After Belldandy's heart-felt declaration, he finally looked in her lovely cobalt blue eyes, held her face gently in his hands, then kissed her once more. She yet again returned his love, with more passion than ever.

After releasing her from their kiss, he had a chance to speak.

"Thank you, Bell. I feel much better now. I love you so much. And I must admit, since you've come back into my life, I do feel better; and not so alone anymore. Please stay with me, Bell. And, um...you can sleep in here with me from now on...if you'd like...to..."

"You're very welcome, my Keiichi. I'd be more than happy to on both counts.", she happily replied as she glomped him, and pulled him into the fluffy futon bed.

As they laid down for the last time, they just held each other for a while, dreaming of what the future may hold. After a few moments of awkward silence, Keiichi had something else to say.

"Hey, Bell?"

"Mmmm...yes?"

"I was wondering...um...would you like to go on a d-d-date tomorrow?"

"What is a 'date' Keiichi?"

"Well, it's when a boyfriend and girlfriend go out and have some sort of fun activity planned. Something like going to the movies or um...have a picnic in a park, or maybe an amusement park...or go to the beach...something we can do, just the two of us together."

"Yes, that sounds wonderful. I'd love to."

"Thank you, Bell...then tomorrow we'll have our first date."

"And thank you, Keiichi. Let's try to get some sleep now. I'm very much looking forward to our 'date' tomorrow. Good night, my love."

She then gave him a good night kiss.

Keiichi blushed lightly, as Belldandy let out an approving moan.

"Good night, Bell."

A few moments later, the happy couple fell sound asleep, still holding each other throughout the remainder of the night.

They both dreamed of happier times together.

A/N:

Gamera68: "Wow, 4 hours. And SEVERAL additional revisions. Good thing I was up half the night due once again to insomnia, as I had this chapter already planned out. I hope that you enjoyed it. I tried to keep it light and fluffy. Even though I somewhat hinted at a very dark time in Belldandy's past. I won't give anything else away at this moment, so please don't flood my inbox with questions asking me what the heck it could be.

And if you so happen to figure it out, please no spoilers in the comments. Thank you! That issue will be resolved in the future. Thank you once again for your continued support. Feedback is always welcome. Next chapter, Bell and Keii will have their very first date! "

*Update April 12, 2013*

K1 X Bell: "Well here is the updated version of chapter 7… Hurray. Due to Gamera wanting me to keep certain elements of the story I couldn't change it as much as I'd liked too, but hey. 'Spilled milk and all that.'"