{Epilogue - Chapter 23 : Anata no Birthday - Your Birthday}

    "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...." A chorus of voice sang, one of which was Peorth's. They were at the Morisato's 'later' that day (remember it was midnight when Belldandy woke up?) after University, and everyone was clapping and singing for Uruz, since it happened to be her birthday. Well, nobody knew when her birthday was, but they made it the day They had found and adopted her, which turned out to be today. Freya had a bunch of her friends go rescue Uruz after the Almighty had sensed a very interesting and potential member of the Heavens in the Hells, and it turned out it wasn't a bad idea at all. Years after that had happened, this.
    Sitting at the table, Uruz was staring at the ice cream cake. It was huge. No, it was bigger than huge, it was... it was... tremendously humongous! (There's no such word in the dictionary, so don't look it up for the spelling.) Uruz and Skuld were both ogling over it. Uruz had changed her outfit almost immediately, saying that her old one was really uncomfortable and that she didn't like revealing so much. So now she had two white shoulder cloths (the kinds like Belldandy or Urd's) which wrapped around and came together at a short blouse that revealed only Uruz's midsection, that one was a light purple and had a white stripe running down its center. Two gold strings with a few capped amethyst dangled across the two cloths, and she wore a loin cloth that reached to her knees at the front and her ankles at the back, totally revealing the legs at the side up to the upper part of her thighs. The front cloth was tipped like her marking at the bottom and had a a light amethyst purple trim, and the back piece had two tails, also with the purple trim, and split up to her knees. She kept her old jewellery (which were her seals both in the past and present), and her old gloves and boots though, since she said she liked them.
    But other than that, everyone had a party hat on (Yes! Including Peorth!) and were gathered around a table with a really, really huge cake that they'd brought down from the Heavens. The four who were in on the secret, Megumi, Chihiro, Tamiya and Ootaki, were also there, singing. Ootaki seemed to be enjoying his party hats, he had worn several, as had Tamiya. Peorth looked absolutely disgusted with wearing hers. She nudged Urd, also singing happily, and whispered.
    "Can I take this stupid thing off my head now, Urd?" Peorth asked. Urd laughed once and wagged a finger at her.
    "You really want to upset your poor little adopted sis over there, Peorth?" Urd asked, suggestively. Peorth stared at her venemously, looked at Uruz, like a spoiled kid for her birthday, and sucked her breath in through her teeth, as if she were sucking her humiliation in too. Urd smiled and nodded.
    "Good thinking. Come on, have a beer with me."

    Somewhere, sometime during the party, someone pulled a party popper, and a few others joined in. Among the guests were Freya (who was taking to the idea of party hats rather well), a couple of Uruz and Skuld's friends from the Heavens (who were also taking to the idea of the hats rather well), the Almighty (who had, of course, created the idea of the party hats), Thor (who found the idea of party hats interesting), Mars (who had found it more sensible than some roman styles) and a few other... guests that had come down on the Almighty's 'invitation'. One of them hated the idea of party hats.
    "I hate party hats. Gimme a good old soldier's helmet anytime!" The God of Modern Warfare said as he sulked in a corner, dressed as a clown for the party. Everyone had openly supported that idea, especially Peorth when the Almighty had suggested it. Freya came over and sat down besides him. She had a small cup of cola in her hand. She'd never tasted this before, but it was great. Better than mead.
    "Come on, you sourpuss." Freya said, grabbing the God's hand and dragging him up. "Stop thinking about fighting all the time and watch Uruz blow out her candles."
    The God muttered something as he followed her.
    "She's not a small kid anymore. Why do I have to watch her blow out the candles? Why do I have to be the clown?"

    At a corner, Chihiro had cornered Belldandy and Keiichi with the help of Megumi, Tamiya and Ootaki. They were sipping colas from plastic cups and asking a few questions.
    "So, now that everything's done and over with, Belldandy, I expect I should be forgetting all this sometime or another?" Chihiro said. The three nodded.
    "Ara, ano...." Belldandy said, trailing off. "I don't see what harm letting you all remember this could do. You all did promise." She smiled as she said this. Megumi grinned.
    "Hey, cool! That means I can remember having that talk with Keiichan!" Megumi said, grinning like a wolf. Keiichi looked at her suspiciously.
    "You're not thinking of that, are you?" Keiichi asked, with a knife's edge in her voice. It was going to be another week or two before Keiichi was really back to normal, but at least the hair, eyes and voice were back to normal. Those markings were still there, but Keiichi could pass them off now as saying Belldandy insisted he try them on.
    Megumi grinned and tilted her head slightly.
    "Ma-y-be."
    Ootaki and Tamiya, on the other hand, did a high five and danced in a circle, singing with a "Ring around the Roses" nursery song tune.
    "We ain't gonna lose our memories! We ain't gonna lose our memories! La la la la!"
    Chihiro groaned and slapped her head.
    Then Keiichi remembered something. 'She' pulled Belldandy to one side, away from all the other milling guests.
    "Belldandy," Keiichi asked, still holding Belldandy's hand. "That night. When I woke up, I saw everything... everything so beautifully. It was so... I don't know, real." Keiichi whispered frantically, as if not saying it faster would've made her forget. Belldandy thought for a moment, then smiled.
    "That's because you had a touch of what I, and some of us, see, Keiichi-san. And I'm sure you'll truly see it too, someday." Belldandy said, smiling sweetly. She gave him a small peck, then another.
    "Now I know why you love this world so much."
    The pecks became a full kiss.

    After blowing out the candle, Uruz was busy slicing the cake up into dozens of smaller portions to distribute amongst the group when she suddenly remembered something. She went up to the Almighty, happily dressed in casual clothes, and handed Him a piece of cake on a paper plate.
    "Father," Uruz asked as the Almighty created a fork in midair and ate the cake with it. He looked at her. He was wearing a cap, which covered some of His face. Actually, Uruz thought He looked like a very handsome lifeguard or baseball player, but she held her tongue there.
    "Who was the wish supposed to be for?" She asked. "It was definitely not Keiichi's."
    The Almighty scratched His chin, then looked around. He pointed in the direction of Keiichi's group. Uruz peered over there, and saw Tamiya.
    "See that big man over there with the moustache and the muscles? He's the one. Go ahead, you've had your birthday wish, let him have his own wish."
    Uruz blinked.
    "Tamiya?" Uruz thought aloud. The Almighty nodded.
    "Yep, him."

    Uruz bounced up to the group of mortals (and one Goddess) who were sitting around and meeting some of Skuld and Uruz's friends. At the sight of The Birthday Goddess, they made way. Keiichi was looking at Uruz as Uruz kept that grin plastered to her face. She was looking at Keiichi.
    "Not going to ask me to make a wish now are you, Uruz?" Keiichi asked. Uruz shook her head and grinned again. Belldandy, Megumi and Chihiro were looking on interestedly. Chihiro looked at Megumi.
    "Who do you think the wish is for?" Chihiro whispered to Megumi. She shrugged.
    "Dunno, but I hope it's me!"
    Uruz went up to Tamiya. Everyone's eyes bulged. Ootaki's glasses were pushed from his face, Keiichi fell backwards and over the chair, and Chihiro's mouth fell into her cake with a *splut*. Tamiya was looking at Uruz.
    "Hey, what can I do for you!?" Tamiya asked in his usual loud voice. He obviously didn't know what was going on. Uruz smiled.
    "You have one wish to make, Tamiya-san." Uruz said in a childish, cutish voice. Keiichi stared at Belldandy, and she stared back. They had every reason in the world to believe what Tamiya wanted. However, what he wanted might have some objections.
    "Aho? A wish? For real??" Tamiya said, scratching his chin. Uruz nodded. She knew this one was a little slow witted, so she wouldn't grant anything until he was sure. Keiichi closed his eyes and started a short prayer, even though he could've just walked right up to the Almighty and told Him face to Face.

*     *     *

    Elsewhere in the world, a small bottle was floating in the middle of the sea, wailing useless "Help Me!"s as passing ships, both cruise liners and oil tankers, cruised by it, rocking it in massive waves. Inside, Senbee was wearing a snorkelling mask, breathing tube, and was in his swimming bermudas. Every once in a while he'd float to the surface and yell for help, but nobody heard him. And everytime a wave rocked his bottle, Senbee would be sent bouncing all over the bottle walls. His perfectly good soda water was becoming saline (salty), and his good skin was being wrinkled like a grape's from this unusual liquid.
    Senbee known should never have made Miss Mara angry... He thought forlornly. Senbee already floating for a week!

*     *     *

    Elsewhere in the world at the same time, a few men were lying, floored by heavy blows to the abdomen and groin, beneath a wooden table occupied by one whitish-blonde woman wearing some rather tight leather clothes and downing her fouth bottle of vodka. The bartender watched her carefully as bubbles of air replaced most of the vodka in the bottle in a single sitting, wiping clean his mugs. There were a few other patrons in the bar, but most of them ignored Mara for reasons that were obvious. Mara looked at the clock on the wall, obviously drunk. She hiccuped once, excused herself (unbelievable, but true), and did some quick calculations.
    "Hm.... *hiccup* It'sh.... already bin she-van oursh shinsh I daam-ped Shenbee... into de shea? I... think he can wait.... for another few... daysh. Bartender!"

*     *     *

    As Tamiya was asking for his wish, which was pretty clear cut, Uruz nodded and giggled. Looking around, she noticed Peorth wasn't around, which was too bad, since this would be the first wish she'd be granting as a Goddess First Class. But everyone had, at the Almighty's request, stopped partying and were all watching Uruz. Freya smiled.
    It's too bad... she thought. I was hoping she'd call me mother too. But she smiled with pride, not disappointment. Her little girl was already growing up, and she had accomplished much more than was expected of her. Fingering the beautiful white lily Uruz had given her from a small lily patch Uruz had actually grown by herself, Freya felt Uruz deserved this little privilege.
    Tamiya finished his wish, and Uruz nodded. Raising her head, she slowly floated above the ground. Someone thought to shield the ice cream cake first, those things made an awful mess when half melted and splattered all over the room. A wise move. A small glow appeared around her, and the room darkened in contrast. Then her markings flared blue, and the laser went into the Heavens. This time, there was no delay, no feedback, no explosion. Uruz experienced for herself true joy. It showed, she was smiling unconsciously, and even though she looked like she couldn't smile any more, everyone got the impression she was doing just that. There was a small tornado, and the party hats on, and those nearest to, her were whipped off (much to Tamiya and Ootaki's dismay, apparently) and joined the rest of the smaller debris in the whirling mass. Everyone watched though, they were watching Uruz's crowning moment. Her clothes whipped around her, and her waist flaps fluttered just so that they tantalized a lusty watcher, but revealed, little. Then it was done, and Uruz settled to the ground. She grinned.
    "Your wish has been approved." Uruz said, with the words that Keiichi remembered Belldandy speaking once so long ago. She smiled, and clapped. Everyone joined in in a huge wave of clapping. Then she asked.
    "Where's Peorth?"
    Someone yelled over the crowd.
    "I think I saw her leaving with Urd!"
    Peorth looked at Keiichi and Belldandy, and smiled.
    "As the first True Goddess/Mortal pairing in the history of humankind, I'd like to ask the two of you to link hands and hold them up."
    Belldandy and Keiichi looked at each other. They blinked. Megumi cheered and clapped, and the other mortals cheered them on. Keiichi looked nervously to her side and saw a few simmering faces, all male. They were really unhappy. Keiichi swallowed and sweated. Uruz noticed. She looked sternly at those opposed and put her knuckles on her hips.
    "Those of you who aren't happy can either get out now, or I can beat you out, or you shut up."
    The faces became part of the crowd once more. Uruz smiled and nodded. She looked back to the two.
    "If you so please?"
    The two looked at each other again, and nodded. The held their hands together and raised it. Uruz looked through the space formed by their hands, and it suddenly glowed. Keiichi and Belldandy gasped, and nearly broke the hold, but kept it still. Uruz looked behind her, saw Freay nodding, and dived through it.

*     *     *

    Suddenly, the door to Urd's room glowed. Peorth looked at it irritatedly. That was Uruz, she guessed. Probably come to check in on her, and what a bummer that was. She'd finally gotten rid of that ridiculous hat too. She looked at Urd. Both hiccuped at the same time. Uruz popped her head through the glowing doorway first, looked between Urd and Peorth. She smiled.
    "Peorth one-sama! There's someone waiting for you outside!" She said, then giggled. Peorth blinked.
    "Whasshit?" She asked, slurring. She'd drank one too many liquors. Uruz's hands came through the doorway, then the rest of her followed. The doorway stopped glowing. She grabbed Peorth's hand and pulled her up.
    "Come on, find out! It's a surprise!" Uruz said, making no effort to conceal her excitemeny. Peorth looked at Urd.
    "Go on... out, Peorth..." Urd said drunkenly, raising a glass to her. "Here's to your surprise, and I'll be waiting. There's... lots more where that came from!" She said, and fell over laughing at some drunk joke. Peorth nodded and walked out a little unsteadily with Uruz helping her along. Outside, she saw a whole sea of faces staring at her.
    "What'sh... going on?" Peorth asked. She was more than a little tipsy, but she liked it that way. For now.
    Uruz grinned.
    "It's a surprise, as I said. Don't worry, one-sama! You'll like it!" Uruz said, grinning cheekily. She was hugging Peorth's arm now as she led Peorth through the sea of faces, which parted before them. Peorth looked around, and tried to stand up straight as she walked, but the room spun if she tried. She was intruiged though. There was something about the way they were looking at her....
    "Oh, all right..." Peorth said, and followed Uruz to the end of the crowd. It led to the small corner near the television set, where a small table sat, and someone sat on it. Keiichi and Belldandy were standing to a corner, while Ootaki and Chihiro were on the other. Uruz ran over and sat on Tamiya's lap, and she was grinning. So was Tamiya. Peorth blinked. Her world suddenly started becoming a little clearer.
    "What'sch.... going on?" Peorth said. She had this horrible hunch... She burped once, and excused herself.
    "Oh, Tamiya-san here's just wished for something...." Uruz said, chuckling. She was going to love this. And she told Peorth.

    Another blast rocked the town, but this time, it had a voice and spoke intelligibly.

    "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-" *deep breath* "-OOOOOOOOOOOooo-oooooo-ooooo-ooooo!!!!!"

* * The End * *

(Curtains close. A sign appears : "More credits and afterword")
(Uruz hops onto set) "Hiya! Great to see you still here!" *giggle* *takes a quick bow*

"Well, I'd like to thank Mr. Kosuke Fujishima for creating this wonderful series, Aa! Megamisama!, which without, I wouldn't have been created by the Goddessfan!" *grins*
(Uruz grabs a mike)
"And! I'd like to thank all the Goddessfan's friends, such as Katsuyuki of the Phoenix Rising (http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Field/4557) for reading this fic, Ryo of the Ah! My Goddess fanfic archive (http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/1427) for putting it there, the Goddessfan for writing it, all the fast food restaurants visited in the attempt to get inspiration for the story, everyone who read this, Peorth one-sama for putting up with me during the production of this story-"

(Peorth yells from off stage)
"I'd better be well paid for this! Some of these extras are really hentaiiiii!!!" (perverted)
*smack*

(Uruz grins nervously and sweats)
"Erm, yes, erm, where was I? Oh, people to thank! Well, I think I'm done there. But before I leave you to the Goddessfan, I'll just leave a gentle reminder. This story was authored by the Goddessfan, based on Ah! My Goddess by Kosuke Fujishima. The author claims no right to the ownership of anything in this fanfic except me and the story ideas. And you know the rest. No copyright infringements, no money, blah blah blah... ok, gotta go! Bye!"

(Uruz waves and hops off the stage. A fellow in a hooded black cape walks up.)
*ahem* "This thing on? Yes, thank you. I'd just like to leave with an afterword." *deep breath*
    "Hi! I'm sure after reading this fic, you must've felt it was a little to serious and/or dark to be an Ah! My Goddess fic. I guess it's my writing style. I tried to make it as touching as possible without doing the obviously thought of and repeated scenes between Keiichi and Belldandy, all while trying to fit a new character into the story. I'm not sure if I got Peorth's attitudes and characteristics right, there isn't too much about her I could refer to.
I'm not too sure about the public service system in Japan, so I'm not sure about bus routes and everything. As for the conductor part, I'm assuming they use the traditional conductor method rather than ticket dispensing systems. I'm not ever sure about Japan's geography, so don't flame me or anything about this fic, ok?
Also, I had been wondering (before Peorth came around) about adding a new Goddess although I didn't have any interest in writing a fanfic about AMG! yet. I was glad I waited, because it turned out I liked Peorth a lot and decided to remodel some parts of the Goddess around Uruz. I hope I made her convincing and touching. ^^U
In case you found some names familiar, "Anata no Birthday" (originally sung by Belldandy), "Fortune Smiled on You" (Urd) and "Namida no Imi" (Belldandy) were some of the 1997 Goddess Singles collection of songs.
"Boku to ikiru koto ga kimi no shiawase" has two versions : Belldandy's catchy version in the 1993 Goddess Singles collection, or Keiichi's touching version in the Ah! My Goddess Best Vocal Collection/Original Soundtrack Vol.2 Super. "Megami wa Utau" was sung by Belldandy in the 1993 Goddess Singles collection.
And if you don't know by now, Tooma Yumi and Inoue Kikuko are the voice actors of Urd and Belldandy, respectively. (Shame on you!)
Thank you again."

(Figure walks off stage)

(Belldandy comes on stage with one last thing to say.)

"Comments? Constructive criticisms? Questions? Em@il the author @ goddessfan@hotmail.com or ranmafan@hotmail.com! Arigatou gozaimasu, and have a good day!"

Fic started 5th April 1999.
Still waiting for book 19! ^_^
Finished May 4th, nearly 1 entire month later!

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