In a Distant Time 2/? [Loki x Mayura] (MaLoRa)

[melrose_stormhaven]

Disclaimer: Hindi ko po pag-aari ang Matantei Loki Ragnarok (I do not own Matantei Loki Ragnarok). Wala po akong pera, maawa kayo sa akin (I have no money, please have mercy on me). XD

Free talk: Happy Birthday to ME and Naruto! Ahhh...the second chapter. Well, it's been a while. You'll get the answer on what myth was the two earlier chapters were based on.

This one is for Eri-chan, fellow Matantei Loki Ragnarok fan and Alien Okama.

Chapter II: Water, Water Everywhere

The trip towards the falls took no more than three hours, most of which Mayura spent gazing melancholically out of the window. Her ruby eyes didn't appear to see the beautiful misty mountain scenery in its autumn colors of red, orange, and yellow, or if she did, she ignored it.

Finally, their bus arrived. Students, even Mayura, pressed their faces against the windows as the bus drove through the tree-lined road. The maple, plum, and ginkgo trees were huge and massive, reaching out to the blue sky with their thick branches. They stood like ancient giant sentinels, silent and ethereal against the light morning mist. "Beautiful," Mayura breathed, finally snapping off her daze. Her voice filled with awe.

The bus stopped in a wide clearing that also served as a parking lot for visitors. As the students filed out of their bus, more trees greeted them. The ground was covered with crisp, multicolored leaves, crackling sharply as the students stepped on them. Not far from them, a narrow cobbled stone pathway led into a small ancient Shinto shrine.

Squealing in delight, Mayura whirled around, her blue skirt flaring slightly, her locks spreading out like a huge pink fan. "What a pretty place!" A light, cool breeze blew past her, causing the colorful leaves from the trees to fall and scatter.

"All right, please fall in line!" the students' homeroom teacher, Uzumaki-sensei, said in a loud voice. The students quickly obeyed him and fell in line. "Before we go to the falls, we must first pay our respects to the kami of the falls, so we'll stop by the shrine first.

As they walked under the tunnel of maple and plum trees, past the traditional curved gateway, the torii, then up the worn, grass-covered stone steps that led to the shrine, Koutarou turned to Mayura and asked, "You're a miko, aren't you? Do you know what kami is enshrined here?"

"Eh?" Mayura thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know."

Koutarou gave her a strange look. "How can you not know? Your father's a Shinto priest, isn't he? Moreover, you live in a shrine. You also love mysteries. Sometimes, I half-expect you to know all the Shinto pantheon of gods."

But I don't believe in gods, Mayura nearly said in reply, but instead, she glared at Koutarou. "Mou, Koutarou-kun!" She puffed her cheeks. "There are thousands of gods in Shinto. You can't memorize them all." So many of them, and yet none of them could save Mama...I stopped believing in gods then...until...

He said he was a god, Mayura said to herself, thinking of the young man with brown hair and green eyes that she met at the park, the one who said he was a god. She had been looking for the missing Loki when the young man appeared, offering help and comfort. As she was about to leave, he declared he was a god, and that he would grant her a wish.

I'd laughed then, and told him I didn't believe in Kami-sama. Yet, her head bowed in grief and desperation, Mayura wished and perhaps, just for that moment, believed. I got my wish. Loki-kun did come back. Does that mean that guy was a god? She's never seen the young man again after that, so there was no way she could know for sure.

"Oi, Daidouji, your mind's wandering again." Koutarou's teasing voice broke through Mayura's thoughts–that, and a sudden, prickling sensation at the nape of her neck.

"We're at the temple," Koutarou said. True enough, in front of them was the entrance to the shrine. Mayura looked about to see if the shrine's kannushi was around so she could ask him about the treasure, but she couldn't see any trace of the priest.

Shrugging, she picked up a handful of joss sticks from a jar, leaving a coin as payment. She removed her shoes, entered the shrine's sanctuary, and performed the traditional ritual of clapping and bowing as means of paying respect to the kami. After she finished praying, she tossed another coin at the offering box. She turned to leave.

Then she found herself face to face with an old bald man with bushy white brows and a long, thick white beard, so long that it touched the polished floor.

Mayura gasped and took a step back. Blinking, she noted with relief that the old man was the kannushi, judging from his clothing of loose white robes.

The old man smiled at her. "I'm sorry, child. Did I frighten you?" He spoke in soothing tones. "Forgive me if I had."

Mayura shook her head and flashed an embarrassed smile. "I-Iie. I was just startled. I wasn't frightened or anything."

"Ah. You are one of the students to visit the falls, yes?" the priest asked.

"Hai!" Then Mayura remembered something. "Anou...can you tell me something about the treasure?"

The old man frowned, brows knitting together. "Treasure? Ah, you mean the gold that people see in the bottom of the falls." When Mayura nodded, the priest shook his head. "Don't try to get it, child. If you do, terrible things will happen to you."

"Terrible things?"

The priest gestured at the shrine. "This shrine was built to appease the spirit of the kappa that lives in the falls. He is the owner of the gold. If you try to take it away, he will come after you. Sometimes, he also leaps out and drowns any unsuspecting person near the waterfall."

Mayura shivered. The priest smiled again, then fished something out his robe's sleeves. When he drew out his hand, he was holding a gold ring between his fingers. He then took Mayura's hand, and before Mayura could do anything, he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit.

Mayura felt a strange jolt. "What–what–"

The priest let go of her hand, still smiling. "This ring will keep you safe from the kappa, Mayura-chan."

Mayura inspected the ring. It looked like an ordinary gold band. "Really?" she asked.

The old man nodded gravely. "Of course." Then he grinned and held out his hand, palm up. "That will be 200 yen, please."

"EHHHH?!? Unfair! Sneaky!"

Her purse lighter, she left the shrine to join her classmates. As she descended the stone steps, she looked back sharply. "How did he know my name?" But the shrine was empty again, with no trace of the priest. "Fushigi Mystery," she whispered to herself before running towards her classmates.


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The path to the falls was, at first, steep and rocky, and then it would descent sharply, making it difficult to climb, but the awesome scenery made up for it. Trees and ferns clung to the sheer mountain walls, their bright leaves a sharp contrast to the black rocks. As they walked further, they could hear the falls' thundering grow louder and louder.

Mayura touched the ring on her finger, wondering if it really had any magical properties. She felt a brief jolt when she put it in, but maybe that was because the ring was so cold. Now, it was warm to touch.

"We're here!" one of her classmates shouted. Mayura looked up and turned to her right where the falls was. She let out a gasp of awe that was lost over the sound of falling water.

People also called Gin-no-Taki the 'Four-Step-Falls', because water did not fall from a single drop point. Water tumbled down from a high cliff, pooling on a step, then tumbled again to the next step. A wooden arch bridge over the final pool of water served as the observation deck. On the other shore was a small inn.

Mayura and her classmates rushed towards the bridge, gazing at the falls. Mayura giggled as she was sprayed with water. "It's so pretty!" she exclaimed. Sunlight poured from the skies and a tiny rainbow appeared over the final pool, just beside the waterfalls.

Oh, the treasure. Mayura leaned over and looked at the clear pool of water, looking for any signs of gold. There was none.

"Did you find your gold, Daidouji?" Koutarou asked, standing beside her.

Mayura shook her head. "Iie."

"Well, maybe it'll appear later. Come on, why don't we go to the inn and get something to eat."


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"LOKI! I swear, after this, I will KILL you!"

"Really, Narukami-kun. This was your idea, wasn't it?"

"YES! I mean, NO! WHY do I have to be the one to wear !"

"The color looks good on you, Narukami-kun. And besides, haven't you done this before?"

"TEME! How dare you say that to ME! You're lucky you can shift-shape!"

"Compose yourself, Narukami-kun. The students are coming."

"Damn it! Why didn't I get shape-changing abilities, too?"


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"Welcome," a young pretty woman dressed in a dark green kimono said. She stood by the store of the inn, head bowed.

Mayura stared at the woman and blinked. Mayura couldn't clearly see the woman's features as her long brown hair covered her face as she bowed, but she did seem to resemble someone she knew. She sounded like someone she knew, too.

"Daidouji, what are you doing?" Koutarou asked, giving her a strange look. "Let's go in."

"Eh?" She turned her gaze to Koutarou and smiled. "Sorry." Then, when they were past the woman, she whispered to him, "I thought she was familiar."

"Ohayou!" another familiar voice greeted. This time, there was no mistaking the owner of the voice. "Narugami-kun! What are you doing he–" Mayura paused and stared at Narugami. "What are you–why are you wearing that?" she demanded.

Vowing again to himself to kill Loki after this, Narugami fought hard not to blush. He lost the fight. His face was beet red. "Ah, Daidouji...you see...."

"You're a guy, Narugami-kun. Why are you wearing a girly wig and–"

"The owner only hires women...and...well...I really needed the job...."

"Oh." Mayura couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Nice legs," Koutarou remarked with a laugh, eyeing Narugami with a glint in his eyes.

Narugami resisted the urge to bash Koutarou in the head with his bokken. He saw Mayura edging away from him. This is for Daidouji's safety. I'm doing this to protect her. I'm doing this for HONOR! Damn you, Loki! I will kill you! "I just hope no one else recognizes me." He shifted slightly. "So, what can I get you?"


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It was late afternoon. It was time to go for Mayura and her classmates. Some lingered at the falls, taking pictures. Mayura was on the shore, throwing pebbles, gazing at the water. She had watched all day, but the gold hadn't appeared.

As her eyes scanned the water, a sudden glint caught her eyes. What was that? she thought, walking closer until her feet was almost touching the water. Is that the gold? She crouched down and peered at the water's surface. There was the glint again. She leaned forward.

A hairy claw suddenly shot out of the water, grabbed Mayura's arm, and pulled her into the water.


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Narugami watched Mayura from the door of the now-empty inn, eyes alert. He jumped when a hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Damn! Loki, stop that!"

A full-grown male Loki grinned at him. Then, looking at Mayura tossing some pebbles into the water, he said in a serious voice, "Nothing happened. I don't feel any negative energy either."

"Yeah. Maybe I was being paranoid." Narugami sighed and turned around. "I'm tired. I'm going to change my clothes and–"

A sudden piercing scream and a loud splash stopped Narugami in his tracks. In a flash, he was running, his bokken on one hand. Loki was already near the shore, Lavaetain in hand, glowing with power.

"MAYURA!" Loki shouted as he ran. Something had grabbed Mayura and dragged her into the water. Even before the girl could scream, she went under.

When he reached the shore, with just the barest of pauses, he dived into the pool.

The pool was deep, the water shockingly cold. Loki fought the panic welling inside him and concentrated on looking for Mayura.

A flash of pink caught his eyes. Turning, he saw Mayura struggling with the grip of something hairy, then went limp. Shifting his position, he concentrated, aimed Lavaetain at the hairy claws, and released a jolt of power.

The jolt moved sluggishly in the water, but it had the desired effect. It hit the hands and it let go of Mayura. Moving rapidly, Loki grabbed Mayura before the claws could reclaim her. He wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. Loki then turned to the owner of the claws.

The claws' owner was a short creature that reminded Loki of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, though more hideous looking. It had a beak-like mouth, a clump of hair on its head topped by something shiny and hollow-looking. Loki pointed the crescent staff at the creature, let out another jolt that propelled them to the surface.

"Mayura!" Narugami shouted when he saw the pink head of hair break through the water. Beside her was Loki who was having a hard time treading through the pool. Narugami ran to them, then started when he saw something hairy trailing after them. "Watch out!" Then he hurled Mjornil at the creature, hitting it at the head. The creature growled and fell back, sinking into the water.

As soon as Loki reached shore, he checked Mayura's pulse, noting with relief that she was still alive, only unconscious. He laid her gently on the ground. Then he collapsed beside her, panting with exertion.

"What the hell was that?" Narugami demanded.

Loki took a deep breath, green eyes narrowing. He sensed something in the creature, but he didn't know what exactly he sensed, except that it wasn't good. "I don't know."

"Should we go after it?"

"No. I think it got the message. " He rose, then bent down to scoop Mayura into his arms, cradling her. "Let's take her to safety."


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What happened? Mayura thought dimly. Why do I feel so...hazy? And why does it seem like I'm swaying? She also felt heavy and wet, like she had fallen–

Her eyes snapped open as she remembered. Something hairy had pulled her into the pool, and before she could do anything, she was being dragged deeper into the waters. So much for the ring Kannushi-san gave me. It didn't protect me, she thought.

The swaying motion continued and she felt strong arms clamped around her. Suddenly afraid, she looked up slowly.

Mayura tried to gasp, but no sound came to her lips. The one holding her was the man she met at the park when Loki disappeared–the young man who claimed to be a god. Did he save me? she thought. She noticed that the young man was wet, too.

As if he sensed she was awake and looking at him, he glanced down at her. Mayura froze as he leaned closer, kissed her softly on the forehead, and told her to go to sleep.

Mayura opened her mouth to say something, but a strange languor overcame her. Her eyelids drooped shut, and soon, she was asleep.


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"It seemed like you had a very interesting field trip, Mayura-san," Yamino remarked as he handed her a cup of tea. Mayura was in Loki's house the day after her field trip, telling them what had happened at the falls. She didn't tell them about the young man, though.

Mayura nodded. "I told you there was something mysterious there! It was interesting. Of course, Papa got mad because I got my clothes wet. I'm lucky I didn't catch cold and oh–" she stopped and turned to Loki, who was sitting on the couch, looking miserable and flushed. "I'm sorry Loki-kun. I forgot you have a cold. You're lucky you weren't at my field trip. You would have gotten wet."

Loki only sniffled in reply. Then he coughed. Then he sniffed again and blew his nose.

Mayura stared at Loki for a moment. Loki caught her gaze and was disturbed when Mayura looked away. The girl then stood up.

"Well, I should be going home! Ja, everyone." Then she went over to Loki, leaned over, and kissed him gently on his forehead. "Go to sleep early, Loki-kun. You need rest." She playfully ruffled his hair. "Get well soon, ne? We can't have the detective sick. It's no fun working without Loki-kun!" Waving at them, she left.


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She stirred into wakefulness at the touch, warmth flooding her senses. She had been cold for so long, she had forgotten warmth. The darkness that surrounded her crept away, slowly but steadily giving way to light.

It was only a matter of time.

T.B.C.

Free talk, part 2: My longest chapter YET!I hope I didn't make Loki OOC here. I told you Loki would redeem himself! He did come to the rescue, and got wet and a cold (gods can get sick, too, you know!) in the process as well. However, he did get a great reward, ne?

And oh, I'll leave to your imagination what Narugami was wearing. Let's just say it was short, and showed a lot of leg. Oh, did I get Loki's weapon's name right?

Kappa: Japanese water demon. Likes to drown people and play mischief. I hope I got the description right.

Mayura: I loved the part near the end of the anime when she declared she didn't believe in god, but wished anyway. That was a big leap of faith for Mayura, I think. I don't think Mayura's ditzy. She's just impulsive and hyper, but when she sits to think, she's a smart girl.

Shinto (Way of the Gods): Shinto's kind of a weird religion (at least for me). A kannushi is a Shinto priest, by the way. There was an estimated 8 million kami in the Shinto pantheon. Whoa.

Narugami and his bokken: I'm assuming Thor's bokken can do the same thing as mythical Mjornil. He can call it back, so no problem hurling it at anyone.

Loki, shape-changing, and water: Loki has the ability to shift-shape. Remember, he more or less have recovered his powers after Hel went back to...um, her hall...not really sure if Hel died. In the manga, she didn't...but in the anime... Yes, Loki does not like water. That's why he didn't swim in the lake in the series.

The falls: The falls Mayura and her class saw is based on an actual falls in Japan, Fukuroda no Taki. As far as I've researched, it is one of the three celebrated falls in Japan. I've taken the liberty of um...borrowing some descriptions of the falls from the Internet so again, please don't sue me! By the way, Gin-no-Taki means, literally, '(Water) Fall(s) of Gold', I think. Heh. My Japanese sucks.

Next chapter: Who was the one who stirred into wakefulness? Heimdall is back...and with a plan! Can you say...apples? Freyr joins the fun, too!

Thanks for reading!

[bookworm]

Yeah!!!! Finally!!!! This chap was good!!!! I can't wait for the next one, Melrose. Can't wait!!!!

[wicked]

I've finally gotten around to reading this!!! I think this is my first real MaLoki fic I've read. ^___^ I want more now! More Loki! More Mayura!!! More everyone!!!

Love the homeroom teacher's name by the way. ~_^ And poor poor Narugami. *huggles Thor* Poor thing!!!

I do hope you're working your butt off on the next chapter because I seriously want more of this fic. Good job Melrose!!!

~Wicked

[melrose_stormhaven]

Yes, I'm working my butt off on the third chapter. Thanks for the reviews, everyone! :huggles:

Heh, I was going through the early stages of my Naruto obsessionwhen I was writing this fic...so that's why Uzumaki-sensei's there! XD