Endless Possibilities

Endless Possibilities

Author's Note: And through her naiveté…man bound and gagged the goddess. (To answer a question in a review, "Deus ex Vir" roughly means "God from Man")

Chapter 19

XxXxX

The child laid in a peaceful slumber, curled up near the flames. The Pit crackled and hummed, as always, but filled now with a new, more beautiful sound. Every gentle breath she took hung in the air like a soft and tender melody. Amidst the flames, the dark form watching her did so with a devout care. He watched every rise of her side, every hair that shifted, and every subtle twitch that shook her sleeping form. It was all he could do to remain at a distance; the demon wanted nothing more than to be with her.

"Red Child...there is so much for me to teach you," He murmured, closing his eyes and wearing a devious smile. There was so much to teach her, but just as much to learn from her. Though her transformation had been a quick process, he had felt a glimmer of what could be within the child. His dark extension tasted just the tip of the colossal iceberg of power lying in wait, repressed and ready to burst. His tongue still tingled, and his chest still raced.

"I must see you...all of you, child," Aku rose from his throne and paced the darkness, hands clasped behind his back in contemplation, "These two years you have lived, the world has felt but a tremor of your awesome might! But now, remade in the image of Aku, those PITIFUL shackles have been removed! And when the time comes...you shall show me all of your POWER! BA! HA! HA! HA! HA!" Aku stroked his beard, the wicked grin refusing to leave his face. As his flaming eyes fell on the child, he again imagined that sweet nectar, the overpowering taste of…limitless potential, the delicious wine that was her infinite power. A power that now belonged completely to Aku.

Blossom's face grew darker and a sneaky smile pulled at her lips. She curled up tighter and kept her eyes shut. Aku continued to pace the Pit behind her.

"I will admit your power in the beginning was INCREDIBLE! The speed to outrun the light of the Sun, the strength to CRUSH THE VERY PLANET ITSELF!" Blossom grinned, listening to the whistle of his arms flying through the air. She could almost see his wild gestures. Even the flames grew quieter as Aku lowered his voice, stroking his beard again. His fiery eyes fell on his new protégé.

"But...that was then, and much time has passed. All of your incredible power, held under tight control...what of it now?" Aku began to walk closer to the little girl, who shivered and struggled to ignore the budding giddiness in her stomach. Blossom could feel every word reaching into her soul, stroking her ego and caressing the core of her own power. Curiosity had set in; now she, too, wished to see just what she was capable of.

A dark shadow fell over the little girl, waving and shifting in the fire light. A trick cast by the moving flames, or was the demon truly changing? The little girl felt a sudden wave of fatigue wash over her. Even when her heart raced as the demon laid his hand on her side, Blossom began to drift back into a peaceful sleep. The first peaceful sleep she'd had in so long. She sighed happily and felt the demon tense up behind her.

Aku watched the tiny goddess, and his chest swelled with that indescribable feeling. Not at all unpleasant, he noted. He rubbed her side and smiled warmly. The accursed world outside could wait; his schemes and plans of world conquest had been on hold for so many years...why should he hurry now? The little girl snuggled closer to his touch and Aku felt his face grow warm.

XxXxX

"You don't know? What do you mean you don't know!? She's your sister, right?" Brick asked, his arms crossed in defiance. Truth be told, he was doing his best to resist the chilling fear now throbbing in his chest. He was fighting to ignore the stricken look in the green puff's eyes. His girly counterpart was gone? That made no sense; why would she run away? She was Little Miss Perfect. She was the leader, the favorite, the best student…he would have snickered, recalling how he'd messed with her his first day of class, but catching a glimpse of the Powerpuff Girls forced him to remain somber.

"I just…look I can't…you wouldn't! Ugh…" Buttercup trailed off, turning to Bubbles for support. Unfortunately, her blue-eyed sister was just as distraught as she was. The Rowdyruff Boys, Brick and Butch rather, became increasingly uneasy with their rivals' discontent. Boomer had taken to staring at the sky again, though his hand now rested on his cheek. Somewhere in the back of his mind.

"Boomer! We're going inside, c'mon!" Boomer blinked and snapped out of his revere, following Brick and Butch into the Powerpuff Girls' home. Just as they closed the door and stepped inside, Ms. Keane set the phone back on its cradle, sighing and giving the children a weary smile. The girls floated up to their guardian, while the Rowdyruff Boys stood awkwardly in the kitchen entryway.

"What's wrong, Ms. Keane? Who was on the phone?" Bubbles asked when she realized that Buttercup was still flustered. Ms. Keane sighed and slid to her feet. She glanced at the clock and opted to start preparing supper-she would have to set a few more seats-and mentally preparing for the conversation to come.

"It was the Mayor, he said that he and Ms. Bellum would be stopping by soon," Something about the teacher's sluggish tone struck all the kids as odd.

The day had begun with a dream-like quality. It had quickly escalated into a nightmare. But now…now, somehow it felt worse. As if even the fight with Mojo was just a prelude to something far more sinister. Had this merely been a distraction? Just where had Blossom disappeared to? Mojo wanted to fight her…not the rest of them. These thoughts and many more, swirled in the young minds of the super-powered children.

"You can go play, if you'd like. Supper will be ready by the time the Mayor gets here," Ms. Keane said, turning to smile at the kids. Her smile faltered, becoming an almost tearful frown. They were just children…just little boys and little girls. But the looks they wore, looks of deep contemplation, looks of confusion, and looks of agony…these looks were more suited for individuals thrice their age. Even as the children floated out of the room, she could see that play was the furthest thing from their minds.

"Suffer the little children…" She mused, well aware of what the saying meant. More aware of how appropriate the incorrect meaning was now.

XxXxX

"So, you've awakened?" Aku asked, looking up from his throne just in time to see Blossom sitting up. She yawned-a sound most pleasing to the demon-and nodded, still staring at him in awestruck wonder. The demon's mind began to drift; his eyes merely watching the child climb to her feet and stretch with practiced poise, gracefully shaking out her long, red hair. They had much to discuss…

"You must have many questions for the great Aku," He stated, gesturing with the extravagant timber that she'd come to admire, "Ask them, and he will surely answer," Blossom smiled and nodded, hovering at eye level with the demon. He sat up, rigid, with his long fingers laced beneath his chin.

"Tell me everything," She said finally, catching the demon off guard. He blinked, but managed to keep his demeanor in check. Slowly he smiled and gestured for the child to take a seat at his side. With only a moment's hesitation, she sat on the armrest of his chair, staring up at him expectantly.

"You wish to know everything of Aku's plan? A very…broad question indeed, child," Blossom giggled and lowered her head, staring at the hot stone floor.

"Then...first, why didn't you just…attack us again? You knew our…knew that the Professor was gone. You knew we couldn't beat you…why not just come out and take over?" A far more manageable question, the Shogun of Sorrow noted thankfully. With a wave of his arm, several visions appeared in the fire surrounding them. Blossom turned to them studiously.

"Perhaps the first thing that…intrigued Aku was the simple fact, child, that you…survived." The vision showed the great black dragon standing over the fallen Powerpuff Girls. It shifted suddenly, showing the world through Aku's eyes. Though they lay unmoving, Blossom could now see their power already hard at work, repairing their bodies.

"A fatal blow that would have slain even the GREATEST OF HEROES, was a blow that these…Powerpuff Girls recovered from in mere hours," Aku continued, unconsciously resting his hand on Blossom's back. To her part, she unconsciously leaned into the touch.

"And so, Aku had to know more. He listened and learned of your origin. He saw himself within you, and thirsted to know more…what children were these? Children created by man who held the power of Aku himself! Surely these children deserved his careful study…"

"So you see, child, while Aku could have destroyed you, could have simply CRUSHED YOU WITH HIS POWERFUL HANDS…he would have been left forever unknowing of your true power…" Aku finished, shooing away the visions. Blossom turned and looked up at him, hand to her chin. Her lips quivered and a smile, tainted by a blush, broke out on her face. She turned away and her smile grew as a new vision formed in the flames.

Blossom launched herself at Aku, slamming her fist into his face. Aku chuckled softly and lifted his reptilian head up so that he and Blossom were eye to eye. Blossom shuddered. Aku inched ever closer, until she could feel his searing hot breath on her face. Aku narrowed his eyes, cocking his head.

"You cannot hope to defeat Aku, child," Blossom shivered and clenched her eyes shut, opening them once again to stare into his.. Aku grinned, baring his twisted fangs. Blossom half-closed her eyes and nervously leaned back from the monster. Aku sniffed. Blossom's breathing sped up, a few frightened tears working their way to her eyes, even if they were lost in the rain. Aku's tongue flicked out, passing over her bleeding cheek. Blossom gasped and pulled her hands to her mouth. Aku came even closer.

"So why…the others? Why Fuzzy? The robot and Princess?" she asked, watching the scene replay again and again. Aku found that he, too, was mesmerized by the vision playing before them. His chest tingled, and without a thought he tightened his hold on the child.

"The pink creature's heart, so filled with greed and gluttony…it made the perfect vessel for Aku's power. It was already a strong creature, but with the power of Aku, it was made into one that could…drive you, child," The vision abruptly changed. Both frowned; Blossom drew closer to Aku, who almost willed the vision to return. Instead, he allowed it to change; now showing the dark form of Fuzzy Lumpkins. A puppet controlled by its unholy puppet master. The fight played out, and in the end the Powerpuff Girls proved victorious. Aku chuckled softly.

"This fight…the first Aku had seen of you in your prime. It greatly impressed Aku, especially with you, child," Blossom swelled with pride, stifling a jubilant giggle. As the image of Fuzzy faded, to be replaced by the Robo Jojo, Aku also felt himself swelling with pride. His hold on the little girl had become…possessive and jealous. The way she rested her head against his side, the way she shivered whenever he lightly caressed her back, everything about the child…he shuddered and shook his head, focusing again on the vision.

"Why the Robo Jojo?" Blossom asked, for no reason other than to hear his explanation. Aku smiled and held out his hand, the vision seeming to rest in his hand.

"Your conquest of the pink creature proved to Aku that more...drastic measures were to be taken if he wanted to truly see your power. What better than a machine you could not defeat?" Blossom nodded, her gaze transfixed on the vision of her battle with the robot. A scream rang out and the two watched Buttercup fall out of the sky.

"Aku was most impressed to see you face the machine yourself...knowing that your power was not enough to destroy it," The vision of Blossom shot from the ground, tearing through the weak spot on the Robo Jojo's back. As the robot began to explode, the real Blossom looked up at Aku, filled with curiosity.

"Why did you leave that one spot weak? You could have covered it with part of yourself or...something, anything to keep it from being a weakness," Aku turned to her with a thoughtful glance.

"Perhaps...but you would have found a way to overcome the machine no matter how Aku prepared, wouldn't you, child?" Blossom blushed and turned away smiling. Aku smiled and nodded, resting his hand on her head. For some reason she shivered.

"All things have a weakness...even the invincible and immortal Aku," Aku sat up and watched as the vision began to change once more, "Your strength and resourcefulness...Aku wished to see it put to a true test. The machine was not the necessary trial for revealing your FULL POWER."

Blossom knew what was coming next, and bristled in fury. When she faced the vision, she watched as Princess was overcome with Aku's power, creating her black armor. Aku's grin darkened; he turned his red eyes on the child. Before the anger had been a fearful emotion, now she drew great strength from it. The child grew more powerful as her hatred deepened.

"Why her?" The snipped question only further excited Aku. He had almost feared she would resist accepting her new, unbridled emotions.

"The battle with the machine proved to Aku that...you were his greatest threat. And so, Aku searched the world for one who would be best suited in battling you!" Aku clenched his fist and grinned as the vision began to play out the battle between Blossom and Princess.

"None hated you more than this child...and this hate is what fueled the power Aku gave her," Aku looked down at the child, his eyes narrowing. Blossom stared at the vision, watched her own torture and humiliation, her eyes unblinking. With every vicious blow, she tensed. With every cutting jeer, she grit her teeth. With every scream that came from her own lips, her growl grew louder. Aku kept his expression blank, but his chest was throbbing, blazing to life. The child's power was pouring from her in waves so great that the now glowing child in the vision was a meager flicker by comparison. Aku quickly cleared his throat and presented the vision to Blossom.

"Imagine Aku's...amazement to see that through all this you had held your power back, child," Beneath his touch, her body was like an unbreakable metal giving off a heat greater than the sun itself. Her eyes remained unblinking, watching the vision with a poisonous glare. As the vision of Blossom knocked Princess out, Aku froze hearing the real Blossom whisper under her breath. She pulled her knees to her chest and looked up at him, speaking clearly now.

"Why the Rowdyruff Boys then? Why not...just..." She lowered her head, her rage dissipating. The Powerpuff girl swallowed and turned to face him. Aku felt the blazing cracks in his form heating up, his chest stinging painfully.

"Why didn't you just talk to me?" For all of his power, the demon wasn't sure how to respond. It wouldn't do to admit that he had been afraid. A god trembled before no one, least of all a potential disciple. All the same he was stricken by the heartbroken tone of the child's voice.

"You...were not yet ready for Aku," He replied in a low, but confident voice. Blossom frowned and looked away. Thankfully she didn't press the issue, Aku was sure he couldn't lie to her again. Already, the pain in his chest was so great that he feared it would tear him in half.

"...What did you do to them? They just...acted like regular kids..." The Red Child seemed to grow warmer, and refused to look at Aku. He stroked his beard, looking into the vision that appeared in the flames.

"The wicked children...they were made in your image, yet lacked the capacity to ever be more than mere nuisance to your awesome might. Aku gave them his power, which allowed them to begin to grow. In time, they were meant to become your greatest foes. Powerful enough that you would be forced to unleash EVERY OUNCE of your AWESOME power!" Blossom bit her lip. They were still jerks...but they were anything but foes. Almost sensing her thoughts, Aku sighed and crossed his arms, glaring at the vision. It now showed Aku retrieving his power from the boys.

"They could not fulfill Aku's purposes, so he took back that which he gave them...returning them to what they once were," Blossom perked up at this, turning to her companion. He was staring into the distance, he didn't notice her incredulous look. Blossom put her mitt to her mouth and turned to the vision.

"..." She started to speak, but froze in embarrassment when a loud rumble drowned out her voice. Flaming eyebrows raised, Aku slowly looked down at Blossom, who was staring at her stomach, her cheeks dark and hot. The two sat in tense silence, until another rumble was heard. Blossom grew darker still, an impressive feat.

"Child...do you hunger?" Blossom slowly nodded, refusing to look at him. Aku chuckled and rose to his feet, stroking his beard. A god though she was, she was still plagued by certain mortal needs. He turned to her and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Come child! Aku shall provide you with a DELICIOUS MEAL!" Blossom flew into the air excitedly, grabbing his outstretched hand. As they vanished from the Pit of Hate, Aku recalled, with a dark grin, what the Red Child had whispered earlier:

"I should have killed her,"

XxXxX

Night had fallen on the city of Townsville, a veil of darkness covering the hard-at-work construction crews. The showdown with Mojo Jojo had wracked the city worse than even the oldest citizens could remember. In the scant few minutes it took for the Powerpuff Girls to show up on the scene, several casualties had already been claimed; the list of fatalities was still growing. The more spiritual of the townies saw the fight as an ill omen. The more observant of the citizens; however, were concerned with a far more pressing question...just where was

"Mr. Mayor! Thank you, we're so glad you could make it! I just finished setting the table for supper!" Ms. Keane chirped, stepping aside to allow the city's leader entry. The Mayor scuttled inside, a blissfully ignorant look on his face like always. Ms. Sara Bellum stopped in the door and turned to Ms. Keane with a sigh.

"Cassandra...I'm very sorry that we've come by so late," Ms. Keane giggled and shut the door, touching her old friend's shoulder as they strolled into the kitchen where the children-and Mayor-were waiting

"Sara...don't worry so much, it's fine! It's nice to see you again," Ms. Bellum smiled at the school teacher and took her seat next to the Mayor, the three adults across from the five children. Ms. Bellum laced her fingers and leaned forward on the table.

"You did a very good job today. We're all very proud of you," Ms. Keane smiled as she took her seat. Sara was never one for pleasantries, always straight to business. Buttercup blushed and looked at Bubbles.

"Heh...thanks...it was...tough," Bubbles nodded, grabbing Buttercup's hand and Butch's-he was the nearest Rowdyruff boy to her.

"Yeah! If it wasn't for the Rowdyruff Boys and Buttercup we'd have lost! They were all so brave!" The heroes in question all nervously averted their gazes, unable to look at each other, let alone the adults. The Mayor piped up, taking a sip of the apple juice sat before him.

"Mm! This is exquisite, Ms. Keane! You kids were hot-stuff out there! Why, I was cheering for you the whole time! Wasn't I Ms. Bellum?" The red-haired secretary leaned back in her chair, rolling her eyes.

"He was hiding behind his wife in the corner of our bunker," The Mayor beamed and nodded.

"That's right! And I was cheering!"

"No, Mr. Mayor, you were crying," The Mayor paused and played with his mustache.

"Well, no need to argue semantics Ms. Bellum! The point is we owe these fine youngsters a debt of gratitude!" The kids beamed, though Ms. Bellum couldn't help looking incredulously at the Rowdyruff Boys.

"I am curious though...why did you boys decide to help the girls?" Ms. Keane started to respond, but Brick cut her off with a shrug and an accusatory mitt aimed at Butch.

"We were just watching, but then Butch decided 'Oh I need to be a hero' and ran of to save his," Brick snickered, grinning evilly at his brother, "to save his girlfriend!" Brick bust out laughing while Butch turned several shades of red-from the typical tomato red to a less common post office red.

"Sh-She's not my girlfriend!" Butch turned to look at Bubbles, who grinned and waved. He quickly turned away, face steaming. Ms. Bellum looked at Ms. Keane.

"Haven't they been in your class for the last...week or so?" Ms. Keane nodded, taking on her school persona.

"Yes, they have been with us for the last two weeks. And I have been very impressed with their performance! Brick tied for the highest score on our history exam yesterday," Brick perked up, eyes wide.

"I...I did?" Ms. Keane smiled and nodded.

"Yes, you and Buttercup both got perfect scores!" Brick's lips trembled and a broad grin spread across his face. He threw his hands up and let out a victorious "Whoop!" before realizing how he was acting. He quickly shoved his hands in his pockets and blushed.

'There were only two perfect scores?' Ms. Bellum thought curiously, leaning back in contemplation. The Mayor rubbed his chin and looked around the table. He pointed at each of the children then turned to his secretary.

"Ms. Bellum...I can't help but feel we are missing someone...Professor Utonium perhaps?" Ms. Bellum looked across the table, immediately noticing Blossom's absence. Ms. Keane wilted under the penetrating stare that was now cast in her direction.

"Blossom isn't here," Boomer said, answering the unasked question. Ms. Keane bit her lip and looked down, unable to meet her friend's wide-eyed look of shock. The Mayor snapped his fingers.

"I've got it! Blossom is missing!" He declared proudly. The silence that followed seemed to paralyze all those present. Even the Mayor felt a sense of foreboding in the air. Seeing that no one else would speak up, Ms. Bellum cleared her throat.

"...Where...is Blossom?" Unconsciously, every eye fell on Buttercup. The green puff kept her eyes as low as her voice.

"I don't know...she just..." Buttercup trailed off. Ms. Bellum folded her hands in her lap, trying to smother her worry in professionalism.

"Then tell us what you do know," Buttercup looked up at the secretary, and swallowed the lump in her throat. The image of Blossom's haunted eyes flashed in her mind. Buttercup sighed and nodded.

"This morning...I heard a noise and woke up...and I saw her sneaking out of our room...I uh...I stopped her and asked her what she was doing but..." Buttercup shook her head, turning to Bubbles for support. The blue puff smiled and held her sister's hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. Buttercup nodded and sighed.

"She said...she was leaving to...find herself...she looked really scared. And really...I think she was in pain. She told me not to follow her...and she said that I couldn't bring her back, even if I went looking for her,"

"And now...I don't know where she is...or if she's ever coming back..." Buttercup swallowed the growing lump in her throat and squeezed her sister's hand tightly. Ms. Keane reached out, rubbing the little girl's back, just as she had that morning.

"She ran away?" Ms. Bellum asked, unable to believe that the pink puff would ever do such a thing. Buttercup slowly nodded, ashamed. Bubbles frowned and look down.

"It's not the first time..." She mumbled. Ms. Bellum pondered this, while Ms. Keane continued her silent comfort. The Rowdyruff Boys had become strangely somber, and, in a strange twist of fate, none had become more thoughtful than Boomer. He touched his cheek again, eyes distant and unfocused as a dream...a memory began to light up like a movie on a screen. A memory of Blossom, just two days ago.

XxXxX

"Boomer? Boomer! Are you paying attention?" Boomer blinked and looked back at Blossom, who was staring at him with an annoyed glare. He grinned sheepishly and scratched his messy hair. Her hair wasn't messy like his...it was always nice. It smelled good too.

"Uh...I guess not...what were we talking about?" Blossom sighed and rested her cheek on her mitt, fixing the ruff with the same irate stare. Boomer swallowed and looked at his paper. They were on problem five.

"Problem...five?" Blossom slowly smiled and nodded, sitting upright. As she came closer, Boomer got another brief sniff of her hair. It was hard not to, she had so much of it. And she was sitting nice and close to him.

"That's right...now-Boomer! Pay attention-if you look here, you'll see that Billy has two apples so...let's draw this here..." Boomer leaned closer, blowing the loose strands of red hair tickling his face. He watched intently as his tutor meticulously drew a very well-proportioned and detailed stick figure, labeled Billy, with two, just as detailed, apples above him. Blossom looked up at Boomer, raising her eyebrow. Boomer smiled and nodded.

"Uh huh, two apples," He repeated. Blossom smiled and nodded in return. He liked it when she smiled, it looked a lot prettier than when she was angry. Blossom was scary when she was angry...Boomer still remembered the day when she got real angry and beat up Princess Morebucks.

"Very good...now Sally has three apples," Boomer leaned in closer, trying to get a better look. Of the drawing too, but he really just wanted to see Blossom. She bit her tongue when she drew pictures, leaning close and focusing on every minor detail, every pencil stroke. He breathed in again, smelling her hair once more. He sighed contentedly and looked at the paper. A new figure, Sally, had been added, with three apples around her.

"See? Now...the question is, how many apples do Sally and Billy have together...how would you find out, Boomer?" Boomer put his mitt to his chin and narrowed his eyes in deep concentration. Blossom sat up, watching him with a small smile.

"Uh...you...add...them?" He finally stated, uncertainly. Blossom nodded and grinned.

"That's right! Now what do you get when you have two apples and add three apples?" Boomer resumed his thinking pose. Two apples...and three apples...he looked at his mitt, counting to himself. He could hear Blossom giggling, trying to stifle it. Boomer blinked and slowly turned to face her, uncertain.

"...Fi...five apples?" Blossom beamed and nodded, handing the pencil back to Boomer.

"Good job! That's the last problem!" Boomer grinned and quickly scribbled his answer in the provided blank. He paused, looking up and watching Blossom put her books back in her backpack. She looked sad, he thought.

"Blossom...what's wrong?" He asked. Excited as he was to be done...he wasn't ready to leave yet. His tutor turned back, with a noticeable look of sadness on her face. Even though she was smiling...even Boomer could tell.

"It's...nothing, listen. Boomer I um...you don't have to keep coming here with me," Boomer blinked in confusion.

"Huh? But you said..." Blossom shook her head.

"I know but...I know this isn't fun and...if you don't want to anymore...I won't make you. We'll just work at school," Boomer looked down at his completed homework paper. If he didn't come to study with Blossom he could play with his brothers.

"But...I like it when you teach me stuff," He said plainly. Blossom blinked in shock and a wary smile broke out on her face.

"R-Really...? You like coming here?" Boomer nodded, wearing his typical dopey smile.

"Yeah, it's kinda fun," Blossom smiled and her face turned red. Boomer blinked, wondering what he had said. The pink puff giggled and looked at him, speaking in a low, hopeful voice.

"So...you'll come back tomorrow?" Boomer looked up, trying to remember what tomorrow was. Friday?

"Uh...yeah! I'll be here," Blossom grinned and her cheeks turned a bit pinker. Without warning, she leaned forward and gave Boomer a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks Boomer...I'll see you tomorrow," Boomer sat in shock, watching Blossom quickly snatch her backpack and hurry out of the library.

And the next day...Boomer forgot...

XxXxX

Blossom looked around in awe, barely able to contain her excitement. She had traveled a lot, but somehow traveling in her new body made her feel so much more...alive. The restaurant was not at all fancy, nor was it particularly large. But, for a small local restaurant in Japan, it was a wonderland.

The Powerpuff girl turned to look at her companion, who sat across from her perusing the menu. She smiled and leaned forward on her hands, face heating up. The morning light coming in through the window was almost...romantic in the way it lit up the room. Gentle, comforting music drifted through the air and capped off the mood. Blossom sighed, drawing a confused look from Aku.

"Is something wrong child? Do you know what you will be having?" Blossom laughed sheepishly and picked up her menu, quickly hiding behind it.

"I'm fine...just...yawning," Aku frowned in confusion, returning to his menu. The child's face had seemed darker. Her voice had seemed almost wistful. Safely hidden behind her menu, Blossom observed the families seated around them. More importantly, she observed the couples and parents seated around them.

Her gaze drifted from couple to couple, her heart fluttering and her smile growing. Blossom peeked over her menu, once again studying her savior. His powerful body, fluffy red beard...his flaming eyebrows. She stifled another sigh and set her menu down. Blossom swallowed and bit her lip. Just what was it she felt for the demon...for the other god?

He had not only saved her life, he had told her the truth...had revealed just who she really was. He had offered her a home. He was now giving her a meal...anything she desired. Perhaps he was an evil, unrepentant demon, but was that the only difference between them? If she was a god...and he was more powerful than her...

Blossom looked up at him, just as he set down his menu. Aku's eyes widened, caught off guard by the sight of his admirer. The two stared at each other in silence, ignoring the waitress as she approached. Blossom dared to...hypothesize an answer to her dilemma.

'Is this...could it be...love?'