Tearing Off the Shadows

\"Arigatogozaimasu!!\" Mayura cried excitedly as she ran out of the tent that had been erected near the park. She had been walking along, considering many things. The biggest had been the test she\'d taken that day.

It hadn\'t been something for school. No. It had been something even more dear to her for it meant that her hopes had come true.

She looked down at the small stick that held a pink plus on it and felt herself flush with hope again. \'I\'m pregnant!!\' she thought excitedly as she rushed to find Loki and Heimdall. And if what the fortune teller had said was true...she was pregnant with twins! One for each of her beloved ones!!

She didn\'t see the cloaked figure watching her as she ran towards Loki\'s house. Heimdall had moved in with Loki not long after what happened and, though they still were wary of each other, the two gods had easily come together in love of her.

She felt her face flush happily as she thought of them and couldn\'t wait to tell them the good news!

She got near the house and bounced as she waved at Loki and Heimdall, running towards them. \"Loki-kun!! Heim-chan!!\" She cried, waving at them as she ran excitedly.

Sitting outside, Loki ignored the jabs Heimdall was throwing at him. He grinned, waving to Mayura at the distant sound of her voice.

Heimdall looked up from where he\'d been throwing pebbles at Loki. He waved back to her, and then resumed his hobby of irritating Loki. He wouldn\'t hurt the Trickster because of Mayura, but he could amuse himself with irritating the shit out of Loki.

Mayura giggled as she saw that Heimdall was being his usual self. Another strange occurrence had been that they hadn\'t reverted to their child forms. She didn\'t know why and never asked, but she was happy for they were happy.

She ran towards them and didn\'t really see the cloaked figure that now headed for her, on a collision course. She squeaked as she was bumped into slowly, and then jerked. Her eyes widened and she paled as the figure stepped away from her and continued on its way. She looked down at her chest to see a dagger sticking out, and then slowly fell forward.

\"MAYURA!!!\" Loki screamed, ignoring Heimdall and ran towards her when she started to fall. He\'d seen the figure move past her but hadn\'t thought anything of it.

\"Nani?\" Heimdall looked up, then gasped and ran after Loki, the two reaching her side moments later. Loki pulled her into his arms, tears filling his eyes. He touched the dagger that was in her chest.

Looking up at Loki, then at Heimdall, Mayura trembled. She felt so weak and tired suddenly. So cold...

\"Heim-chan...Loki-kun...I...\" She trembled as she reached up to them, her hands bloody from being around the dagger. She felt tears in her eyes and blinked. \"I feel so tired.\" She whispered softly.

\"Its okay, Mayura. We\'re going to save you.\" Loki reassured her, his eyes on Heimdall.

Heimdall nodded his hand around the dagger. \"Just relax, Mayura. This will hurt a little bit.\" He gripped the dagger, inching it out of her slowly. If only Freyr was there, or even Freya. They could have healed her...but maybe it wasn\'t too late.

Reaching up, Mayura stopped Heimdall, looking at him with a certainty. \"Iiee, Heim-chan. Don\'t move it.\" She whispered faintly, trembling. She smiled softly up at them suddenly and moved the hand down to her still flat stomach. \"I wanted...to tell you both. You\'re going to be fathers.\" She whispered faintly before her eyes grew dimmer.

\"What?\" Heimdall shook his head, staring at her in disbelief. \"No...Mayura!\"

\"Mayura!\" Loki said firmly, an edge of command in his voice. He wouldn\'t lose her, not like he\'d lost everyone else in his life. \"Mayura, fight it! Stay with us!\"

\"So tired. I\'ll be ok after a nap.\" Mayura whispered softly as she smiled lovingly up at them. \"Ai shiteru. I\'m so glad I could give thi this gift...my...loves...\" Her voice trailed off as her eyes slid shut. Her head lolled into Loki as her breath left her for the last time.

\"Mayura...no...NO!!\" Loki screamed, tears falling unheeded down his face. He clutched her tightly, sobbing incoherently. She couldn\'t be gone...what good was it being a god if you couldn\'t safe the ones you loved most?!

Heimdall shook his head violently, shaking. This was a hundred times worse than when he\'d lost his eye.

A soft chuckle floated over as the cloaked figure sat watching them from the wall around Loki\'s mansion. It fell back, revealing someone they didn\'t think to see again for a while.

\"Father!\" Heimdall snarled, looking up at the sight of the figure. He snarled, his eyes alight with anger and hatred. \"Why did you do this?! WHY?!!\"

\"To teach you that not all things last. But of course...to also teach you that everything can be taken away.\" Odin replied with a cruel smirk as he tossed a silver white strand of hair over his shoulder.

\"Bastard!! Isn\'t it enough you took my eye from me, but you have to take her as well?!\" Heimdall screamed, and then made a beeline for his father.

But he was stopped short when Loki grabbed Heimdall\'s arm, stopping him. His green eyes were filled with rage and sadness. He placed Mayura\'s body into Heimdall\'s hold, and then faced his blood-brother. \"Coward. You can\'t even face me on your own, can you? Not even now. You have to hurt the innocent.\"

\"Innocent?\" Odin laughed evilly before tossing his hair and grinning widely. \"Oh she was no innocent. You took care of that. Now that she is dead...my spell returns to you both.\" He grinned widely as they returned to their child forms.

Loki\'s eyes flashed from green to red. An angry red aura surrounded him, his weapon appearing in his hand. He didn\'t care if he was in his true form or child; he would kill Odin for what he\'d done.

\"Do you really think you can defeat me, Loki?\" Odin whispered softly, an evil grin creasing his lips as he leaned his chin on his hand. He stood up and stretched, then jumped down lightly. \"Before I go back...here\'s something to make your day. You don\'t have to worry about their souls now! They are stuck in Niflheim!\" He cackled in mad glee before disappearing in a swirl of white fire.

Watching Odin disappear, Loki turned back to Heimdall. Odin hadn\'t won yet. He was forgetting something very important.

Loki wouldn\'t rest until he found Odin and killed him for what he\'d done. Turning from where Odin had been, he went to Heimdall, wrapping his arms around the purple-haired boy, both of them grieving over their lost beloved.


With the death of his daughter, Misao Daidouji had nearly gone mad. He\'d blamed Loki, who had taken the yelling and screaming in stride. He apologized, which had stopped Misao\'s tirade in mid-sentence. He\'d seen the anguish and horror on Loki\'s face and had said nothing more.

Now the family and friends of Mayura Daidouji stood in the local cemetery, waiting for her body to be put to rest.

Freya watched Misao, Loki and Heimdall carefully. Misao seemed to have resigned himself, his head bowed. Loki and Heimdall, however, were another matter.

They\'d begun to withdraw from everyone, even themselves. She was very worried about the both of them.

Freyr was standing next to Naragami, sobbing loudly as he bemoaned the loss of his beloved Yamato Nadesico. Narugami was standing silently though, his own temper squashed in his grief.

Skuld and Verdandi were standing next to Freya, quietly weeping. They\'d become good friends with Mayura before it had all changed.

Freya wrapped her arm around Skuld, trying to comfort the young Norn. Misao gave the eulogy in a solemn voice, and then watched as Mayura\'s casket was lowered into the ground.

\"Loki-sama!\" Yamino gave a soft exclamation moments later. Loki had watched the casket lower into the dirt, and then had collapsed.

Narugami was at Loki\'s side immediately along with Skuld, holding his friend up. He hugged Loki, whispering softly to him as the dirt began getting shoveled into the grave.

Heimdall trembled, his hands clenching into fists. He looked around him, and then abruptly flung himself into Freyr\'s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Loki trembled in his friend\'s arms, and then broke down sobbing. He buried his face in Narugami\'s chest, unable to stop his shaking.

Freyr stopped his lamenting immediately and held Heimdall gently, rubbing the other\'s back soothingly. Narugami did the same to Loki as Mayura\'s body wealeealed in the earth for eternity.

\"Let\'s go.\" Freya said softly, urging Yamino, Fenrir and Verdandi to take the lead. She looked at Loki and Heimdall, and then sighed sadly, shaking her head.

Verdandi nodded, then helped Skuld leave, while Freyr and Narugami picked up Loki and Heimdall, then headed back to the mansion.

It wasn\'t long after that they arrived back at Loki\'s mansion. Freya ushered them into Loki\'s study, where Yamino had already set up refreshments for everyone. He\'d even brought out some blankets and pillows for Loki and Heimdall.

Freyr and Narugami laid Loki and Heimdall out on the blankets while Skuld and Verdandi spoke with Freya and Urd about making sure someone stayith ith Misao. They knew that Loki and Heimdall would be watched, but Misao had just lost his only child.

Freya volunteered to watch over Misao. After all, she didn\'t have anyone to care for at the moment. Loki and Heimdall both had plenty of watchers, and she rather felt sorry for Mayura\'s father.

Verdandi also volunteered, wanting to be near Freya. She led the way out and the rest of the group set to trying and making sure that Loki and Heimdall stayed sane.

A few hours later, they had moved the two into a bedroom so they could rest.

Loki and Heimdall both curled up in bed, seeking warmth and reassurance from the other. They both fell asleep, curled up in each others arms. The long anger they\'d felt for each other had disappeared with Mayura\'s death. They needed each other’s support now in order to get through this, They couldn’t afford to hate one another.


Once left alone, Loki woke up. He looked around, and then looked down at Heimdall. He touched his friend\'s face, and then closed his eyes. He would avenge Mayura\'s death, no matter what it took. He would see that her killer paid the price.

He touched Heimdall\'s face, and then leaned down to kiss him softly. As he did so, a soft light surrounded the two boys. When it had gone, they had once again returned to their correct forms.

Heimdall looked up at Loki, then sobbed and buried his face in the other god\'s chest. Loki wrapped his arms around Heimdall, his own tears falling as he pulled Heimdall into his lap to rock him in their shared grief.

Loki rocked Heimdall back and forth, keeping him close. This was the very last thing he’d ever expected, to have Heimdall in his arms like this. They’d been enemies for so many centuries; it seemed odd to have him this close.

It was odd, but wonderful. He had to thank Mayura for what she’d done for them. Only Mayura had been able to break through the grief and pain Loki and Heimdall shared, bringing them closer together.

“We must avenge her death.” Heimdall said fiercely, looking up at Loki. His eyes were wide and filled with sorrow and rage.

“Hai, we will. We will avenge her…her and our children.” Loki choked out, and then hugged Heimdall tightly. They held each other for what seemed like an eternity before pulling back. They stood as one, heading downstairs. They entered Loki’s study, glad that it was deserted.

Loki pulled out the Brisings’ Necklace and handed it to Heimdall. It glowed, surrounding the two gods. In a flash of light, they were gone, returning to their home. Returning to Asgard.


\"Well...well...well. Looks like the prodigal children have come back.\" Odin\'s voice was filled with malice as he sat on his throne, watching them in amusement. Behind him stood Baldur, watching them just as intently.

Loki took a step forward, gazing at Odin from where he sat on Hildskjalf. His eyes traveled from his blood-brother, over to Baldur with a frown. \"Do you wish Ragnarok so soon, brother? I had not thought you were the kind to tempt fate so readily, especially when it means your death.\"

\"Who says it shall happen and what makes you think I shall die?\" Odin asked with a smirk that was strangely mirrored by Baldur.

\"Oh, I don\'t know Father...perhaps because Fenris wishes to tear your throat out.\" Heimdall said, his eyes flashing angrily. He didn\'t even notice the look on his brother\'s face.

But Loki did. He narrowed his eyes, watching Baldur closely.

\"Oh and that terrifies me so. Oh look at me tremble!\" Odin said cruelly before laughing. He tilted his head, again mirrored by Baldur. \"I am curious as to how you broke my spell a second time.\" He said in amusement.

\"We don\'t have to tell you anything!\" Heimdall snarled, the gloves on his hands dropping to reveal long sharp claws.

Loki placed a restraining hand on Heimdall, his eyes, not on Odin, but on Baldur. \"It was fairly easy to break, considering an amateur was performing the incantation.\"

Baldur straightened stiffly in insult, mirrored by Odin. \"I beg your pardon?!\" Odin boomed out, standing enraged.

Heimdall took a step back, arching an eyebrow upwards. He looked over at Loki, who smirked.

Loki took a step forward, a nasty smirk on his face. \"You heard me. A child could have performed that spell better than you did! If that\'s the extent of your powers, then no wonder you will die so easily.\"

\"You shall pay for that, Loki.\" Odin snarled out as he brought his hand up. A swirling column of white fire shot out, combined with a light blue beam that didn\'t come from him. Baldur\'s eyes smoldered as he watched them.

\"I don\'t think so...Baldur.\" Loki closed his eyes, bringing up his weapon. Laevatein glowed, blocking the beams of power, sending them crashing into the walls on either side of them.

But a single ball of energy shot through and hit Loki, sending him flying. A laugh echoed out, but it wasn\'t Odin.

Odin slowly collapsed to his side, eyes wide and unseeing as Baldur stepped forward. \"Odin may be easy, but I am not, Loki.\" He said in amusement.

\"Oh, but you are.\" Loki said through gritted teeth. He staggered to his feet, placing his hand on his bleeding shoulder. \"Oh, but you are, Baldur. You\'re a coward. Who else but a coward works through others instead of attacking me himself?\"

Spreading his hands as he smirked evilly, the other god just watched Loki. \"I am here, am I not? Besides...I had a plan. If you three killed each other, then there would be no one to stop me from taking over Asgard and then Midgard.\"

\"Of course there would, brother. You forget the other gods.\" Heimdall said, strangely standing protectively over Loki. \"Do you really think They\'d all lie down and let you take over? I seriously doubt Thor would stand for it.\"

Snorting, Baldur shook his head in utter amusement. \"Thor? He is a weak minded fool, much like Freyr and Freya. They shall fall easily under my sway. I already got rid of any other obstacles...\" He smirked as he trailed off, looking at his nails.

\"What obstacles?\" Loki growled, his eyes narrowed dangerously. He was starting to get very pissed off right about now.

Leaning in a bit, Baldur\'s grin grew smug and evil. \"Why, your little mortal...and her sons.\"

Snarling, Loki reached out and scratched Baldur\'s face viciously.

The image of Baldur blurred and faded as laughter floated around them. \"Really, Loki. Did you think I\'d be that easy?\" Baldur\'s voice was filled with dark amusement.

\"Don\'t think this is over, Baldur. I will have your head for this.\" Loki snarled, looking around in anger. He would see that Baldur suffered for what he\'d done.

Laughter echoed around them. \"I think not Loki. Why not play with my little minions while I go and get ready to take over the world.\" Baldur\'s voice said with a nasty chuckle before several monsters suddenly appeared and attacked.

Snarling, Heimdall attacked the creatures head on. Hawk wings sprouted from his back, aiding him in his flight. He clawed the creatures, dismembering them in his rage.

But more kept popping up. The skies darkened slowly, evidence of a storm of immense proportions swirling around them as Baldur set his final plans into motion.