Archangel

By K-chan^_^

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam and I don't own the characters from the book Archangel, Sharon Shinn does.

Rating: PG, swearing, sexual innuendos

Comments: Please

Note:  Hehe I love the book Archangel  by Sharon Shinn, so much that I decided to write a crossover fic with it ^-^ this is a crossover with Gundam Wing.  If you have read the book, this story takes place 20 years after the book ended, so as you can guess Gabriel's term as Archangel has come to an end.  If you haven't read the book, no matter you will still understand it so don't worry ^~^  Also here's a little warning:  I love Quatre-sama, but he gets ..mean.. and he is pretty OOC… give the fic a chance?  This is a 2xH, 1xR, 3xOC and 5xOC =)

Families in the story (to save me from explaining later)

In the Eyrie

Gabriel, current Archangel, leader of the host; an angel

Rachel, current Angelica; a mortal

Ayeka, their daughter; a mortal

Obadiah, an angel

Quatre and Trowa, his twin sons, also angels

Judith, annoying mortal woman

Relena and Hilde, her daughters, Relena an angel, Hilde a mortal

In Monteverde

Ariel, current leader of the host, an angel

Wufei, her son; an angel, future Archangel

In Cedar Hills

Nathan, leader of the host, Gabriel's brother; an angel

Magdalena, his wife; also an angel

Duo, their son; an angel

Heero, also their son, a mortal

Others

Milliardo/Zechs, rich merchant of Semorrah

Noin, his wife

Tralla, their daughter

Treize, a Manadavvi land owner

Lady Une, his wife

Dorothy, their daughter

Prologue

If you haven't read the book (which most of you haven't) They live in a place called Samaria and praise a god named Jovah.  The world is split into 3 continents, Gaza, which is governed by the Host of Monteverde. Bethel, which is governed by the Host of The Eyrie and Jordana, which is governed by the Host of Cedar Hills.  The whole world is ruled over by the Archangel, an angel that acts esentally like a king (or Queen if the Archangel is female) and the Angelica, which is a mortal woman (again or man).  Another thing you should know is that once a year the entire world gathers at one place (Plain of Sharon) to sing what is called the Gloria, to signify to the god that the world is still in harmony. If it is not sung then the god will destroy the Plain of Sharon first, then the River that divides Bethel and Jordana, then finally the entire world.   Angels are the foundation of the world.  They pray (fly into the stratosphere and sing a song to the god) for weather intercessions, cures for illnesses and other such stuff, they live in the three hosts.  Semmorah is an important river city on the river between Bethel and Jordana.  The Manadavvi are landowners/merchants that live near Monteverde.  Hmm.. I'm pretty sure that's all you would need to know…. Oh yeah, and singing (music) is an important part of Samarian life, there is A LOT of emphasis on having a good singing voice. And Velora is the city that serves the Eyrie.

Ayeka ran down one of the many stone corridors that made up the Eyrie.  She sighed in frustration, her dress was tripping her up and her bangs where in her face, and it didn't help that she was late for an important social event.  When she reached the great dining hall she burst through the doors accidentally, sliding on the stone floor.  Everyone stopped their conversation and looked at her.  Everyone meant people from all over.  Merchants from Semorrah, landowners of the Manadavvi and angels from all three hosts.  Ayeka looked up and saw all the people staring at her, she blushed and bowed her head.  "I'm very sorry for the interruption," she apologized in a quiet voice.

When she looked up she saw her father looking very displeased, so she apologized to him as well, "I apologize father, I slipped on the stone in the corridor."

She heard a snort from off to her side and sent a glare toward a young dark haired angel from Monteverde.  "I accept your apology, now take your seat."

"Yes father."  She replied walking gracefully to her seat.

When she sat down the angel beside her leaned and whispered in her ear, "that was quite the entrance lovely."

She turned her head and glanced at the smiling blond angel, she smiled a bit.  "You know me, always have to make an entrance."

He laughed.  "Did you really slip on the floor?" asked another young angel.

She turned her gaze to the green-eyed angel who sat on the other side of the blond one and scowled.  "Yes, stupid dress, stupid shoes."

The braided angel across from her laughed rather loud, "what?  Uncle Gabe wouldn't let you wear your regular pants and T-shirt?"

Ayeka glared at him.  "Why cousins, I did not realize you were here," she said sweetly.

"Hn, cut the act, its us your talking to."

Her glare turned into a smile.  "Ah, very true.  So tell me Heero have you seen Relena?"

He growled as his brother elbowed him, "yeah, she met us on the landing port, you should have seen it!  They got all mushy!  It was the first time I have ever seen him get soft about anything!"

"You have a death wish Duo."

The braided angel waved his hand and took a sip of wine, "when do I not?" that caused them all to laugh.

"Well Duo, we could tease you about a certain someone too."  Ayeka mocked.

"Yeah Duo, how is Hilde anyway?"

Duo flushed bright red, "Uh..um… well… Be quiet Quatre!  We all know-" Heero clamped a hand over Duo's mouth and flashed a glance over to where Gabriel was sitting.

"Shut up idiot!" he rasped releasing Duo.

Duo blinked.  "Oh yeah, sorry Q-man, thanks Heero.  Just don't know when to shut my mouth most of the time."

Quatre chuckled quietly. "It's all right Duo, no harm done."

Ayeka shifted in her seat.  "So people, how long are you staying?" she asked changing the subject.

Duo grinned.  "Well me'n Heero are staying for three weeks to train with Obadiah."

"Oh?  What is father teaching you?" asked Trowa.

"Oh I don't know, stuff about missions and voice training"

"I see."

He perked up. "Yep! And of course you have to set aside some time and all of us can go down to Velora!"

Ayeka smiled. "Of course wouldn't miss it for the world."

The five youths chatted and laughed over dinner.  When it came to a close and everyone was milling about reading to go leave to the singing, the group was about to leave when a low voice stopped them.  "That was quite the entrance woman."

They turned to see an angel from Monteverde, he had black hair and black eyes.  Ayeka disliked him and so was immediately on the defensive.  "That it was Angelo."

"Only you would embarrass your entire hold like that."

She narrowed her eyes, "what's that suppose to mean?  I did not embarrass my hold!  It was an accident, I slipped on the floor."

"Then perhaps next time you'll be on time and then you wont have to run," he taunted.

"Shut up."

"Temper, temper Angela…  You should not speak to the future Archangel like that."

Ayeka rolled her eyes, "bite me."

His face darkened with anger. "I told you!  Do not speak to me like that!  You are nothing more than a pathetic  mortal that can't even sing."  His tone was dark and mocking.

She blinked in surprise, who did he think he was?!  Talking to her like that!  So what if he was the Archangel-elect, she was the Archangel's daughter!  Her surprise turned to anger, her face flushed with the serge of adrenaline.  "Is that so?  Well let me tell you something you pompous prick!  You are nothing more than obstinate jackass, who has nothing better to do than gloat over others!  And let me tell you something else, my father is ten times the Archangel you will ever be!  You can't see past your own ego to see anybody else's problems!" she yelled back in his face.

He was about to reply, but Quatre slipped one of his wings between them and swept Ayeka away.  "Quatre!"

"Hush, dearest.  It is better that you don't patronize him.  He is to be the next Archangel," he said using his wing to trap her.

"He has 6 months."

Quatre laughed. "Yes, but you will still have to deal with him afterwards."

She sighed.  "You're right.  I pity the woman who has to be his Angelica."

He laughed harder and released her.  Ayeka lifted her chin and bowed to the dark eyed angel, "I am sorry Angelo, forgive me for my lack of discretion," she spoke with a sarcastic edge to her voice.

He glowered but nodded his head.

Duo decided it was up to him to break the tension, "so Wufei, whatcha been up to?"

Wufei turned and looked at the other angel, "I have been busy preparing for my accent."

Ayeka's throat became itchy and she coughed, in the quietness of the now empty room, it sounded like a sarcastic cough.  Heero and Quatre caught the look on Wufei's dark face and they each took one of Ayeka's arms and lead her out the door.  Trowa and Duo continued to talk to the angry Wufei as they too made there way out to the outside pavilion.

The next day Ayeka woke up to the bell being sounded on her door, she groaned "Yes? Who is it?"

"It's your father."

"Oh!" she exclaimed and jumped out of bed, and threw some cloths on.  She ran over to the door and opened it, stepping aside to let her father in.

"What can I do for you?" she asked politely waving to a chair.

Gabriel ignored the chair and turned to his daughter.  "Wufei was in a dark mood this morning."

Her eyebrow raised in interest.  "Yeah so?  When is he not in a dark mood?"

Gabriel sighed.  "Ok then, he's in an extra dark mood.  Did you say something to him last night?"

"What makes you think *I* said anything?"

"He was muttering about some insolent girl, and I only know one insolent girl."

Ayeka folded her arms over her chest, "I don't know what you are talking about," fire flashing in her eyes.

Again Gabriel sighed.  "Aya, what did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Aya…" he said sternly.

She frowned.  "Fine, let's see I called him a pompous prick, and a obstinate jackass.  I told him that you are ten times the Archangel he will ever be and that his ego is so big that he can't see anybody else's problems."

Gabriel rubbed a hand over his eyes, he suddenly had a headache.   "Tell me you didn't."

"Okay, I didn't."

He groaned.  "Why?  Do you strive to make my life difficult?  I swear between you and your mother…"

"But Papa!  He said I was a pathetic mortal girl!"

"And what you say to him before that?"

"*cough*Biteme*cough*"

"What was that?"

"I told him to bite me," she replied quietly.

"Oh, you were really on a roll weren't you?"

She scowled.  "He was mocking me!  Papa, do realize how much I dislike him?"

Gabriel smiled, "You don't even know him Aya."

"He's so arrogant!  He always mocks people!  And talk about pushy!"

Her father laughed, "You know your mother used to think the same thing about me."

"She still does."

"Is that so?"

"Hehe, just kidding, got ya."  She winked.

He rolled his eyes.  "Haha, anyway, do me a favour?  Please don't insult him anymore.  The last Archangel didn't like me, I would like this one to at leased respect me."

"I'll try."

"Good, now because of your laziness you missed breakfast.  Your cousins and Obadiah's boys are looking for you and so are Relena and Hilde you better get going."

"Ok, later Papa!"

"Bye Aya."

Later Ayeka sat with Relena and Hilde in an open-air pastry shop in Velora, awaiting the arrival of the rest of their group.

"Isn't Duo the cutest thing you have ever seen?" asked Hilde, sighing dreamily.

"Nah, Heero's cuter," replied Relena.

"Eww…. They're both nasty." 

Hilde and Relena looked at Ayeka in mock horror.

"We're nasty?  Aya, I'm hurt!" came the voice of Duo behind them.

The girls spun around and saw the four boys standing there smirking.  Ayeka raised her eyebrow and waved to some chairs, "and you think I'm cute?"

Duo made a face, "you're my cousin!"

"My point exactly!" she laughed.

Quatre pulled a chair beside Ayeka, but before he sat down he whispered , "I think you're cute."

She giggled and pushed him into his seat.  She looked around and saw Duo and Heero had seated themselves beside the objects of their affections, while Trowa sat on her other side.  "So girlies happening today?" asked Duo ordering some rolls and wine.

"Nothing much," replied Relena.

"Me either, that's why we're hangin' with you!" exclaimed Hilde, smiling up at the handsome angel.

"Got a visit from Papa this morning."  Ayeka commented casually, sniffing the contents of Quatre's cup then sipping it.

Quatre smiled and took his cup from her grasp, "and what did he say?" he inquired avoiding her arms that were trying to get his cup.

She mock scowled at him.  "I'll tell you when you let me have a drink."

"Lovely, why don't you just order your own?"

"Cause yours tastes better."

Duo laughed, and Heero said, "So what did your father want?"

She glowed when Quatre surrendered his cup, after a sip or two she continued, "he came to talk to me about Wufei."

"Is that so?  What did he ask?"

She chuckled, "What I had said to him."

"How did he know you said something?" asked Relena following Ayeka's example and stealing a sip from Heero's cup.  He just smiled slightly when she stuck her tongue out at the bitter taste.

Ayeka laughed, so did Quatre, Trowa and Duo.  "Said he was muttering about an insolent girl.  Apparently he was in bad humour this morning at breakfast."

"That he was, which I can almost guarantee was a direct result of your bantering."

"Speaking of breakfast, I missed you there lovely," Quatre purred draping one of his wings across her shoulders.

She shrugged, "I was tired, bantering wears one out you know."  She shot a glare at Heero.

Quatre laughed softly.  "So it seems."

Hilde perked up, "So troops where to?"

"I want to get a few new things while I'm here, the shopping's better in Velora than it is in Cedar Hills." said Duo standing.

The others followed suit, "then shall we head to the bazaars?" suggested Hilde, taking Duo's arm.

"Let's go!"

The rest of the day was spent shopping and laughing.  Duo bought Hilde a charming little gold bracelet with a ruby interlay.  Heero bought Relena a blue silk scarf for her hair and Quatre -much to Ayeka's refusal, bought her a set of silver sapphire earrings.

"They suit your eyes dearest."

"Quatre, I do not need anymore little gifts from you.  As it is every time you go on a mission you bring me back a trinket of sorts," argued Ayeka as they walked toward the mountain that housed The Eyrie.

"Ah, but lovely, I know you love each and every one of them," Quatre drawled smiling.

"Yeah Aya, what are you complaining about?  I wish I had a handsome angel that brought me gifts every time he went away," said Hilde winking at her.

"Hey!  You do have a handsome angel bringing you gifts!  What is that on your wrist?" Duo complained.

"Hehe, I was just kidding Duo."

Duo grasped Hilde around the waist and swung her into his arms.  "Good, ready?"

Hilde giggled as they plunged into the air, heading for the landing port of the Eyrie.

"Well I guess we should follow, Heero are you going to fly with me or Trowa?" asked Relena.

"I trust you."

Relena nodded and picked Heero up and flung herself into the air. (An: angels have heightened strength)  Trowa wordlessly followed the others into the air.  "I believe you need an escort my dear lady.  Are you going to stop complaining about my gifts now?" asked Quatre as mischievous glint in his eye.

Ayeka smirked.  "I don't know, I suppose I should since it seems there is no other angels to take me and I was not born with wings on my back."

"Aye, your right fair Angela."  He swept his wings around her pulling her closer.

"Then I am sorry," she whispered leaning in to his embrace.

"Hey!  You two comin' or what?" called Duo from above.

Ayeka giggled and called back, "yep on our way!"  She put her arms around his neck and felt him lift her and cradle her against his chest, "Shall we?"

"I believe we shall."  He ascended toward the mountain.

When they landed at the port humans disentangled themselves from angels -much to their disappointment- and began to walk inside.

"Well that was a wonderful day, we shall have to do it more often," Relena commented softly.

"You said it Rele!  But for now we must be off."  Duo embraced Hilde.

"Yes I'm afraid we must too.  Mother will worry you know," replied Hilde rolling her eyes.

"Hmm… well I don't have anywhere to be, Quatre you wanna come sing with me in the recital rooms?" asked Ayeka.

Quatre smiled down at her, "Sure lovely, go on ahead, I'll meet you there."

"Alright, bye guys see ya later!" she waved and skipped down the hall.

As soon as she was out of earshot Duo turned to Quatre and said, "man, you got to be brave to sing with her.  She's totally tone deaf!  Funny cause she can play almost any instrument ever made-"

Quatre shrugged and replied, "things are not always what they seem."

Duo looked at him blankly.  "Come on Q-man, we have all heard her sing.  She is as flat as a pancake.  Though only Jovah knows how.  Both her parents have amazing voices."

Quatre smiled sleepily.  "Well, you will see wont you.  One can always learn.  Or perhaps she is letting you believe what you want to believe."

Heero, Relena, Hilde, Trowa and Duo frowned.  "Quatre, you are making no sense," said Heero bluntly.

Duo laughed then, "you know what they say, love is blind.  Maybe Q-man has a bad case of it."

Quatre just shook his head, turned and waved.  "I'll see you later," leaving the others to their confusion.

He soon reached the recital chamber where Ayeka was waiting.  He walked in and saw her sitting on the floor.  "What do you want to sing today?" she asked craning her neck to look at him.

"You know you really should tell someone other than me.  At leased your friends," he suggested turning the one chair in the room around and sitting on it backwards, letting his wings fan out behind him.

She frowned, "what are you talking about?"

He set his head on his folded arms and looked at her, "I mean that you can sing.  You know it troubles your father to no end that he sired a mortal that can't sing."

Ayeka scowled.  "Hn… is it so bad to not be able to sing?"

Quatre chuckled in response.  "Aye, it is lovely when you come from the parentage you do.  Both you parents have amazing voices.  But then that's not your problem is it?  Your voice is a very fine one, if only you'd share it with someone other than me."

She looked away. "What if I don't want to?"

"No one can make you, you know that."

"That's right, and I will sing when I want to sing!" she scowled stubbornly.

 He kept his lazy smile and reached down and touched the end of her nose with his finger.  "I believe you will, so now what did you want to sing?"

"How about this one?" she said pointing to an old sheet of paper.

"Suits me just fine, you start."

"Alright," she opened her mouth and started to sing the first verse.

"We've done our cold time, you and I

Fought off the raging of this northern sky

And heaven knows I wanna compare the ocean to your eyes

Baby lets fly…"

Quatre so caught up in her beautiful alto he almost missed his entrance,

"Doin' hard time, day to day

 Huddled beneath this winter sun all frozen grey

You lose your freedom, while you watch the season slip away

But not today…"

Then their voices melded together in a pretty harmony,

"Livin in the darkness, baby

Comin' all undone

Been a cruel December, now we're prayin' for the sun

By the time the storm rolls in, we could be long gone

Baby lets get lost, till the days get long

Just you and I…"

When the song ended, Quatre smiled, "Ah, it is a crime that you hide such a beautiful voice."

"Please, don't start again, I have my reasons."

"I'm sure you do lovely," they sang until late that night.

Let's just say Wufei did not have such a wonderful time.  After he left The Eyrie with his mother, he got home and was face with petty landowner's squabbles.  That girl Ayeka had not put him a very good mood to begin with, so the landowners felt the repercussions of that.

"Son, what has got you angry this time?" asked Ariel as she watch the terrified farmers exit the hold.

Wufei grunted at her.  "What make you think I am mad?"

Ariel smiled, "I know you well enough.  You were angry when you left the Eyrie, tell me what has you upset?"

He scowled.  "That stupid girl."

She looked surprised, "you mean Gabriel's daughter?"

"That's the one."

"But what did she do that would have you so angry that your send the landowners running in fear?" she laughed softly.

He spun on his mother.  "She had the audacity to insult me!  The next Archangel!  She has no respect for authority."

"Does she not?  I think she is a sweet girl."

He scowled again.  "You would, you're a woman.  You all think alike."

Ariel's soft smile turned into a scowl.  "Wufei, I don't know where you get such things from.  But you better get them out of your mind pretty quick because in case you have forgotten you have a wife to find.  Do you plan on waiting till the last second to find her?"

He turned away, "I will find the woman soon enough."

It was actually 4 months before he could get away to visit the oracle to seek his bride.  He landed and strode in demanding attention.

"Acolyte!  I need to speak to the oracle!  It is important!" he shouted.

"Now child there is no need to shout," an aging woman reprimanded, coming through the door.  "I trust you have finally come to seen my advice about your Angelica.  What is it with Archangels and waiting till the last second?  Gabriel before you waited till 6 months before the Gloria to seek his bride.  And you, you wait till 2 months before!  Have you no sense of urgency boy?" the oracle scolded.

"Jezebel, I do not have the time nor the patience to deal with your scolding, any woman would be proud to be my Angelica.  Do you know who is to be my wife?" he demanded impatiently.

The oracle snorted.  "Aye I do, I cannot say what Jovah was thinking choosing an Archangel that is only 20, and choosing an Angelica that is even younger!  Oh… I don't know any more."

"What are you going on about old woman?"

Jezebel chuckled, "your Angelica is three years your junior."

Wufei's eye's widened.  "What?!  She is seventeen!  Sweet mercy of Jovah!  Am I cursed?"

She laughed, "I do not, my dear boy believe so.  I know your Angelica, she is a sweet girl."

"You know her?  Then tell me, what is her name?"

"Patience, dear boy, is a virtue.  You seek the current Archangels daughter, Ayeka daughter of Gabriel and Rachel."

Wufei felt as if he was hit in the stomach a very large bolder, Ayeka?  That mouthy girl that annoyed him to no end?  Oh lord, Jovah is not so merciful after all.  "Ayeka?  That is the sweet girl you speak of?  She is a troublesome brat!  Jovah, she can't even sing!" he raged.

"Maybe she is hiding something."

He scowled, "this could not get any worse."

"Well at leased you know where she is and don't have to look for her.  Though I can say she will not be to thrilled with this either.  She dislikes you, you know."

Wufei sulked.  "I realized that, the last time we met she called me a obstinate jackass."

The oracle snorted in suppressed laughter.  "Well then Angelo, I'd say you have your work cut out for you."

He had planned on going strait from the oracle to find his bride, but now he thought he would take the round about way and take his time in getting to the Eyrie.  Why me?  he thought Why does Jovah taunt me so? he growled out loud, and would have hit something if there was anything to hit this high in the stratosphere.  He flew for a few hours until he saw the mountain that housed the Eyrie.  When he landed the mortal woman Judith greeted him, the one woman he disliked more than anyone else.

"Oh Angelo!  We were not expecting you!  What brings you here?" she purred in her annoyingly high voice.

Wufei scowled, her daughters were not bad but she was beyond irritating, "I am here on business."

She smiled sweetly.  "Then you have business with the Archangel?"

He rolled his eyes, must get out of here fast before she leeches on to me.  "Yes, now if you would excuse me I must be off," he bowed and walked in the opposite direction, his great wings making a swooshing sound in the air.

The next person he ran into was the current Angelica.  "Wufei?  Hello, it is good to see you."

Wufei turned and bowed to Rachel.  "Angela, good to see you too."

Rachel smiled, "will you join us for dinner?  It is to be served right now.  We have some guests, one more would be welcome."

"Well you see I'm-"

"What ever it is you have come for I'm sure you can tell us over dinner, come along," she interrupted grabbing his arm and dragging him down the hall.

"Hn…"

Ayeka looked at her cousin with a scowl.  "Duo, what are you doing here?"

Duo laughed.  "Come, don't tell me you are not happy to see me!" he said holding out his arms.

"I am not happy to see you."  Her scowling mouth lifting a bit at the corners.

He pouted and pulled her into a tight embrace.   "Aww, you don't mean that Aya, who could not miss the greatness that is me?"

She rolled her eyes.  "Did I not see you like three weeks ago?  I am much more happy to see Heero," she pulled out of Duo's embrace and hugged her other cousin.

"Now I am really hurt, I mean Heero over me?  He so antisocial!"

"That's the point, he doesn't go on and on like you do."  She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Duo snorted.  "Fine then, I'll go find someone I know that will be happy to see me."

"Like Hilde?"

He growled and stalked away to a different table.

"So Heero, what brings you here?"

Heero shrugged. "Visiting mostly."

"Relena…?" she teased.

He growled and pounced, but she was a bit faster than he was she jumped and started running, giggling the whole way.  He chased her round in a circle until she made a break for the door.  Unfortunately the door opened at that moment and Ayeka slammed into the someone that had walked through, sending both of the to the floor.  "Ouch!  I am so sorry!" she apologized, struggling to get up, which was impossible since the person's wings were entangled around her.   Wings?… Please let it be Quatre…please, she thought silently praying.

"Stop squirming girl!  You're making it worse!" the voice commanded from underneath her.

Ayeka froze, she knew that voice, please not him, anyone but him, she opened one eye and looked down.  As soon as she saw the person's face she shut her eye immediately, damn!  She opened both eyes this time.  She blushed.  "Wufei…"

He didn't answer, just scowled and grunted.

Heero meanwhile had stayed watching this situation with mild amusement, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his grinning brother.  "You know you've done it now Heero."

"What do you mean?"

"He'll kill her for sure this time."

"Hmm."

They looked down and the two were still tangled on the floor.

Ayeka started to move again, "Woman!  I told you to stop moving!" Wufei growled.

"Well how else am I suppose to get up?!"

"Grr… Just wait a few seconds!"

"Fine!"

Wufei growled and mumbled some incoherent words.  Finally he was able to untangle his wings.

Papa told me not to insult him…Papa told me not to insult him…she repeated in her head as she felt him start to move.

He got up, but instead of just dropping her on the floor in front of him, as he normally would have done, he wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her up with him.

"Next time watch where you're running," he scolded gruffly, still holding her waist.

She looked up at him in confusion.  What she expected to see in his eyes was anger, instead she saw something odd, something she couldn't place, like he was fighting something back with anger.

 "I-I'm sorry, it was an accident." she stuttered, trying to back away.

Wufei glared at the tiny woman, and released her.  "Hn…"

She scrambled away, she didn't fear him, but she didn't particularly want to feel his wrath.  There is something odd about him today, like he was hiding something.  And he was being almost…nice.  The thought was so absurd to her that she shook her head violently and went to find her seat.  As soon as she sat down her cousins and Hilde joined her.

"Wow, I thought for sure he was going to kill you, but he didn't even yell!" said Duo surprised, pulling a seat out for Hilde.

"Yeah, I though so too," she replied staring down at her empty plate.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have chased you," apologized Heero roughly.

Ayeka looked up and smiled at him.  "It's alright Heero, no harm done."

"I may have caused more problems between you and Wufei."

She shook her head.  "What problems can you cause that don't already exist?  Honestly, I think he's acting weird.  I mean it was like he was barely even angry."

Duo frowned, "Really?  That is odd."

"Well I wonder why he's here.  He's not one to just drop by unannounced unless he has a reason," interjected Hilde.

"Your right, but I don't know."

After the little 'accident' Rachel led Wufei over to the main table to sit with Gabriel and herself.  "Are you alright Wufei?  She hit you pretty hard," asked Rachel concerned.

"I am fine," he replied, his voice still held its gruff tone.

"Ah, Wufei, how are you?  Come sit and tell me why you're here," said Gabriel motioning to the chair on his left, while Rachel sat in the chair on his right.

"I am well Archangel, and you?"

"I am well, so all ready for the Gloria in two months?" Gabriel asked as the food was served.

Wufei glanced at the table that Ayeka had sat herself at, "as ready as I am ever going to be."

"We have not gotten any word on your Angelica, have you not gone to the oracle yet?" inquired Gabriel.

Wufei turned his glance back to the Archangel.  "I went today."

Gabriel smiled.  "Oh?  Well who is she?  A Manadavvi?  A Jordana farmer?  What?"

"Actually, that is the reason I am here."

Surprise crossed the dark haired archangels face.  "What do you mean?  She's lives in The Eyrie?"

Wufei looked down at his plate.  "You could say that."

"Well surly she not an angel?"

He snorted, the very thought of the mahogany haired girl as an angel made him want to laugh out loud.  "No.  Not an angel."

"Well boy, out with it.  Someone in my hold is your Angelica, now who?" said Gabriel gesturing with his hand.

"Your daughter."

Gabriel stopped, and Rachel choked.  "Excuse me?" he demanded quietly.

Wufei sighed and looked at the Archangel and the Angelica.  "My Angelica is Ayeka, daughter of Gabriel and Rachel."

"But she is only seventeen!" exclaimed Rachel frantically.

"I am only twenty."

A frown made its way across Gabriels face.   "This is strange, never has Jovah chosen an Archangel or Angelica that was related to the current Archangel, puts too much power in one family."

"He has never chosen an Archangel so young either," Wufei pointed out.

"But Aya!  By Jovah… She can't even sing!"

Wufei waved his hand impatiently, did he not already know these things?  "All these things I know.  She cannot sing, she is young, we dislike each other… all are obstacles."

Gabriel sighed,.  "Jovah chooses for reasons.  It is her voice he wants to hear, may it be flat and unharmonic.  It matters not that you dislike each other, he chose her for you with reason, and I can guess the reason."

Wufei scowled, and just what did that mean?  Gabriel continued, "well then, I guess we had better tell her.  Your wedding must be soon."

"Gabriel, Wufei, when you tell her, try to be gentle about it.  She is young, and I have a feeling it will break her heart," pleaded Rachel gently, thinking of the blond angel that her daughter is inseparable from.

"Surely marrying me is not that bad."

She smiled.  "No, it is not marrying you.  But marrying in general.  Remember, she is seventeen and not ready for marriage."

The two angels approached the table where Ayeka and her cousins sat.  They stopped across from where Ayeka and Heero sat.  "Angelos," greeted Heero.

Duo spun around in his seat, "Heya Uncle Gabe!"

Gabriel grimaced, "hello Duo, Heero."

"Hello Papa, is there something I can help you with?" she heard herself say.  Oh man, I hope this isn't about the door incident… I'm in for it now…  her eyes flicked back and forth between her father and the dark eyed Monteverde angel.

"As a matter a fact there is, well it is more something Wufei has to talk to you about." He patted the younger angel beside him on the back.

Wufei grunted.  "It's about my Angelica."

Ayeka looked confused, "what?  You need me to help find her?  She is one of my servants that you need permission to take?"

Gabriel chuckled, while Wufei scowled in irritation.  "No, it's not like that."

She tilted her head to the side, "then what is it?  If you haven't noticed I'm kinda in the middle of eating here."

Duo sniggered, earning glares from Wufei and Heero.  "Well, woman…" he started not quite sure how to say it, her mother said gentle right? he sighed mentally.  "My Angelica… is…"

"Yeess" she prompted.

"You."

Her eyes widened, as she gasped.  Her heart started beating a million times a second.  Her hands flew to her head, This cannot be happening…Him?!  I have to marry him?!  I was supposed to marry Quatre!  Her eyes drifted closed then she whispered, "me?"

Gabriel smiled sympathetically at his daughter. "Yes Aya."

Tears had forced themselves out the corners of her eyes.  "BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR ANGELICA!" she screamed then fled out of the room, leaving the entire dining hall staring after her.

They all turned to face the current Angelica when she said, "I thought I told you gentle."

"We were gentle," Gabriel frowned slightly embarrassed.

Wufei was so angry he could not see strait, how dare she refuse him right in front of everyone!  His anger did not go unnoticed.  "Wufei, do not be too angry."

"How can I not be angry?!" he snapped.

Rachel laughed softly and went off to find her daughter, leaving Wufei to stare incredulously at her back.  He felt a hand land on his back.  "They are alike those two," Gabriel sighed wistfully, looking at the door.

"What?"

Gabriel looked down at Wufei, and motioned him to sit, they sat at the table with Heero, Duo and Hilde.  "Have you ever heard the story of how I found Rachel?"

Wufei raised his eyebrow, nodding his head in thanks when Hilde poured him a glass of wine. "I cannot say that I have."

Gabriel appeared amused.  "Well, I thought everyone heard that story!   First I found her in the kitchens of Semmorah, a slave you know," Wufei looked at him in surprise.  "Yes, and much like yourself I figured any woman would be happy to be my Angelica, honoured that the god chose her.  Rachel was not.  She was willing to become a bondservant before becoming Angelica!  Needless to say I was as mad as you are now.  I dragged her back to The Eyie."

"She hated you?"

He smiled.  "No, I think Rachel had been angry for so long that it was used as a mask to cover her real feelings.  True she was angry, and with good cause for nothing in her life was ever her choice."

"What does any of this have to do with Ayeka?" asked Wufei impatiently.

"Well Ayeka is a great deal like her mother, but a great deal like me.  She knows that she must marry you, that it is her duty.  But like her mother she will make a big deal about it."

"Swell."  Wufei's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"They say that Jovah chooses Angelicas that humble their Archangels, maybe that's why she was chosen for you.  I have never seen any other woman stand up to you."

"I do not need to be humbled."

The Archangel's brow quirked.  "Do you not?  I think Jovah begs to differ."

Ayeka raced through the different corridors, not watching where she was going.  All she new was that she was to marry some pompous ass, whom she hardly knew and hardly liked.  She kept running, in desperate search of her room.  Suddenly she collided with something, and she was sent to the floor.  "What's the rush lovely?" asked someone standing over her.

Ayeka looked up at the handsome blond angel and her tears were renewed.  She bowed her head and sobbed.  Quatre frowned.  "Aya, whatever is the matter love?  I have never seen you so upset, tell me what is it?" he quietly wrapped his arms around her and tried to comfort her.

She tried to pull out of his grasped, she whispered so softly he almost couldn't hear it, "Wufei…"

Quatre scowled.  "Dearest, what has that arrogant jerk said to you that has you so upset?  I will have to have words with him," he said holding her tighter.

"Quatre it is not like that at all," Rachel's voice was tender as she and Obadiah walked up.

Quatre flushed bright red, they had been caught.  His father saw this and laughed a hardy laugh.  "Don't worry lad, me and the Angelica have known for awhile about your little affair."

"And you're not mad?"

Rachel smiled, "How could we be mad?  Actually we were thrilled, that our children would find happiness with each other," her smiled turned to a frown, "but that has all changed now."

"What do you mean?"

Rachel walked over and knelt by her crying daughter, "come Aya, lets get you back to your room."

Ayeka sniffled in response, but pulled out of Quatre's embrace and into her mothers.  The two women walked down the hallway and out of sight.

"Papa, will you tell me what's going on?" asked Quatre bring himself to his feet.

"Well there is no sense in trying to lie to you to save you from broken heart, for you will find out sooner or later.  Ayeka has been betrothed to Wufei… she is to be the next Angelica," Obadiah said sadly.

Tears welled up in Quatre's eyes.  "Angelica?  To him?…  It's not fair Papa it's not fair!"

Obadiah embraced his son lightly.  "No it isn't son, there are many things wrong with this choice.  They are both young, they dislike each other, she cannot sing."

Quatre pulled away and looked at his father, all feeling in his body gone.  "No, that is where you are wrong.  Father if I tell you something will you swear you will tell no other soul?"

"Of course."

Quatre looked away and turned his back to the other angel.  "She can sing, she sings better than both her parents combined."

Obadiah frowned in thought.  "You have heard her?  But why would she keep such a thing a secret?"

"We sing together for hours sometimes.  I have no idea why she hides her voice, whenever I ask her about it she always says she has her reasons."

"You love her don't you?"

"Yes I do.  But I suppose that doesn't matter anymore."  With that bitter tone Quatre walked down the hall away from his father.

Two weeks later Ayeka sat in her room refusing to do anything.  She would not raise a hand to aid this wedding.  The two weeks had gone slowly for Ayeka.  She saw her future husband only once, when he stopped by her room to inform her that after the wedding she would be moving to Monteverde.  This had made her furious, and resulted in a fight, but as her father had pointed out, this was the god's choice, and one does not gainsay the god.  A knock at her door brought her out of her revery, "come in" she called.

"Ayeka, are you ready?"

"Hardly."

Rachel walked in and saw her daughter still in her bed cloths and her short hair in disaray.  "Aya, why aren't you dressed?"

"I will not raise a hand to aid this wedding." she replied staring strait ahead.

Rachel chuckled.  "I anticipated this so I called Relena and Hilde to come help me.  You are exactly like how I was at my wedding."

"Yours had a happy ending, mine will not."

Her mother came over and pulled her up off the chair she sat on and pushed her into the water room.  "We shall see won't we?"

Relena and Hilde arrived shortly after that.  They washed her and dressed her, did her hair and make up.  Her dress was a flowing gown of pale blue silk, with sliver embroidery and small sapphire inlays on the collar and waist, it had no sleeves.  Her short hair was brushed neatly in place and a crown of white orchids graced her forehead.  Her hands were covered in delicate gloves also set with silver and sapphires.  But instead of her normal sapphire braclets of the Eyrie, she was forced to wear the emerald pattern of her husband's hold and family.

"Mom, can I ask where in the world did you get a outfit like this last moment?" asked Ayeka looking at herself in the mirror.

"It wasn't last minute, I have been preparing this dress for years."

Ayeka's head snapped towards her mother.  "Years?  You knew I was going to marry the pompous ass?"

Rachel, Relena and Hilde glanced at each other, shaking their heads.  "No love, I was just making it for you wedding in general.  Actually I started it when Quatre started courting you.  Now come, you mustn't say such things about your future husband."

"Hn… tell me again why I have to wear the emerald braclets?"

Rachel sighed, "because, Wufei agreed to have the wedding here, in respect to you and your father.  But to show that you are his you must wear his bracelets."

"But emeralds are so ugly compared to sapphires!" she whined.

"Ayeka!  Stop this whining now!  I have let you away with all this nonsense because I know what you are going through.  But I got through it and so will you.  Buck up!" commanded Rachel sternly.

"Besides Aya, maybe it won't be as bad as you think," said Relena kindly.

"Not as bad?!  How can you say that?!  I am being forced to marry a man I don't love, a man I barely even know!  While the man I do love watches, his heart and mine breaking!  That is not justice!" raged Ayeka.

"Daughter, nothing in life is ever justice.  Have you seen Quatre since that night?"

Ayeka bowed her head.  "No, I avoided him and he avoided me.  We didn't know what to say to each other."

Rachel sighed.  "Well then, there is nothing left to say.  Come along it is time to go."

The four women walked calmly down the different corridors, one of them a little more reluctant than the others.  When they reached the large open plateau, where all the large social events at The Eyrie took place, Ayeka was pushed out with out a word of warning.  Her eyes grew wide and she started to panic.  Sure she had been to the Gloria's, which about 5,000 people went to, and there were only about 400 here but so many people in such a small space was just about too much for her.  It didn't help that when she was pushed out into the light everyone quieted down and looked at her.  She flushed beat red and hung her head, not sure of what to do.  All of a sudden an image of green, gold and black appeared at her side.  "Well you clean up nicely.  Maybe even fit to be my Angelica, and I must say the humble thing does you credit," mocked a voice low enough so only she could hear.

Ayeka turned her head and glared at the Monteverde angel.  "I have said it once and I will say it again, bite me," she replied in an equally quiet voice.

He smirked and straitened up. "Well I see you have not learned respect in the last two weeks, not that I expected you to," he retorted. no longer trying to hide his voice.

She snorted, "it's not like you were around to teach me."

Wufei frowned and looked down at the petit but fiery girl.  What did she mean by that? He was about to reply when the low singing of the angels started signalling their walk down the aisle.  They both made there way slowly, passing first by the servants, then by the commoners and finally by the important mortals and angels.  Ayeka glanced to her side, what she saw caused her sob out loud, she quickly shook her head and reverted it back toward the front, tears in her eyes.  What she saw was at the very edge of the crowd stood a once shining blond angel.  Though dressed in his finest, he still looked ragged and worn.  His eyes were swollen and red, his hair limp and hanging and his cloths hung of his now abnormally slender frame.  But what caused Ayeka to sob was what was in his eyes.  A mixture of sadness, anger, pain, regret and… love.  It was too much for her.

Wufei looked down when he felt, rather than heard, the girl beside him sob.  She was looking strait ahead, her eyes focused forward, but she could not hide the tears that slid down her cheeks, though she did try to mask the pain in her eyes.  He looked up and off to her side, looking for what might have caused this sudden change in mood.  He was about to give up when something caught his eye.  The angel Quatre stood in the shadows, his eyes red and swollen, like he had been crying.  Wufei narrowed his eyes, he knew his soon to be wife was friends with the Eyrie angel, but was this what had made her sob so violently?  He looked back down at her, then with a gentlness he didn't know he had in him, he reached down and slide his hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.  Her head snapped toward him, eyes narrowed in suspicion, he shrugged and nodded forward, they had reached the oracle.

"Ah children, it is a happy day that we share today.  You know my dear," An old man took Ayeka's hands, "I did this for your father, twenty years ago."

She bowed her head in response, but was surprised when the oracle pulled her in and hugged her, whispering in her ear.  "Oh my child, I am sorry for you.  It looks like your life will be as your mothers was, and that you're just as pleased about it as she was."

Ayeka pulled back from him and smiled slightly, this man was the grandfather she never had.  The old oracle was there when she felt that she couldn't talk to anyone else.  "I will be fine," she whispered back.

The oracle Josiah smiled and replied, "I know you will.  For you are strong like your mother, and Wufei is a good man, whether you choose to believe it or not."

All she did in reply was snort slightly.  Mean while Wufei stood by and watched the girl and the oracle converse, he was mildly amused, what ever it was the two were talking about, he wasn't suppose to know.

Josiah held out his hands to the angel, who took them and bowed slightly.  "Hello, good angel and Archangel elect.  I congratulate you on your wedding day, and on Jovah's choice in brides."

"I'm sure he wouldn't agree with you," Ayeka muttered under her breath.

Wufei smirked down at her then looked back at the oracle, he heard what she said.  "I thank you,  Jovah's choice was kind indeed."

Josiah laughed.  "Well, lets get this started shall we?"

The pair nodded and the wedding started.  It was about two hours long, with a ritual wedding mass sung by the angels at the end.

Hours later, after the supper and other such stuff, came the real festivities.  Singing, dancing, drinking and other such games went on as comrades and friends partied together.  Ayeka stood off to the side, now changed out of the showy wedding gown into a less formal black skirt and light blue tummy top, and a red bandana, tied in her hair.  This was not how she envisioned her wedding day to be like.  For one, she had always dreamed of being happy, and she was far from that.  Anger welled inside of her, why couldn't she be one of the normal girls who got to choose their husbands?  No…. she had to be betrothed and married to a jerk!   Gah!  It made her very angry.  She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes, she did not care what was going on around her, that her friends were celebrating HER wedding day.  She growled in irritation, traitors… all of them, she thought to herself.  She heard a shuffle of wings beside her, she was about to turn and tell whoever it was to go back where they came from, when she opened her eyes and saw who it was that stood beside her.

"It is your wedding day, I expected you to be overflowing with joy," his voice was bitter and full of anger.

Ayeka grimaced in pain, how hurt that voice sounded.  Damn him didn't he know that it hurt her too?  "Oh yes, overflowing.  Gee what a swell life I have… married to a pompous ass.  You more then anyone should have known how much I dislike him."

The person beside her snorted in disgust, "sure, that's why you ran off and married him."

Ayeka rounded on the blond angel.  "That is the cruellest thing you have ever said," she ground out, tears welling in her eyes.  "Damn it!  I love you!  I had no choice but to marry him!" she continued in hushed tones, to avoid drawing attention to their argument.

"Oh yes you love me, I'm sure.  If you loved me you would have disobeyed the god and ran off with me!"

Aya was horrified.  "What has gotten into you?!  Disobeyed the god?  And what?  Have the entire world destroyed because of our selfish love?  Quatre I thought you had more sense then that," she finished shaking her head.

Quatre narrowed his eyes.  "And I thought you loved me," he countered in a cold uncharacteristic voice.

She blinked, trying desperately to hold back the tears, "wha-?"

"You heard me.  All this time, four years I courted you, I thought you loved me.  But it was all an act, you were using me for your own purposes," he growled.

"By Jovah… what has gotten into you?  You are not the Quatre I love."  She was near sobbing.

He smiled a bitter smile.  "Of course not, because you never loved me."  He turned and started to walk away. But before he was too far he paused and said, "oh and Ayeka, if I were you I would go change, don't want to disgrace the new husband now do we?  You look like an angel seeker." And with that he disappeared into the throng of people.

Ayeka gasped, as new tears welled up in her eyes, she flung herself away from the wall and started to run through the crowd, trying to find an exit.  She faintly heard someone calling her name, but paid no attention and kept pushing blindly through the mob of people.  She was stopped when someone stepped in front of her and grasped her by the shoulders, shaking her gently.  "Ayeka!  Woman!  What is wrong with you?  Answer me!" called the voice.

Ayeka looked up stiffly into the face of her new husband, who gazed down at her sternly.  Her face contorted with pain and she collapsed against his chest, sobbing her eyes out.  Wufei looked confused at the woman who was now crying on his chest, getting his shirt all wet.  He flushed in embarrassment.  "Woman!  What is wrong with you?" he repeated a little more harshly.

Ayeka shook her head and mumbled something he couldn't understand.  She buried herself deeper into his chest, clinging to his formal vest she sobbed and sobbed, muttering incoherent sentences here and there.  Wufei, who wanted to avoid further embarrassment, cautiously wrapped his arms around her, then brought his wings around to shield them from view.  "Ayeka, tell me, what is wrong with you?" he demanded quietly.

"He-he-he…" she stuttered, but erupted in another round of sobs.

"He what?"

"He-"

"Wufei."  Wufei unfolded his wings to see a grave Trowa standing there.

"What?"

Trowa had seen the scene with Quatre and knew what was going on.  But even he didn't know what was going on inside the mind of his twin.  The pain of loss must have been too much for him.  "The party can go on with out you two.  I would advise you to take her back to your room now."

"But what will people think?"

Trowa smiled softly.  "The same thing they will think if you leave in a few hours, now go."

Wufei nodded and tried to get Aya to walk but found that an impossible task so his picked her up and started walking toward the nearby exit.  "Oh and Wufei?" called Trowa.  Wufei turned, "be kind with her, I think she has been hurt pretty badly."  Wufei frowned, then nodded and continued on his way.

Trowa shook his head and looked over to see his brother glaring in his direction  brother, what is going on in your head?

Wufei carried the sobbing woman through the various halls and corridors that lead to their new bedchamber.  When he reached the room he kicked the door open with his foot and strode in through the doorway.  He placed her gently on the bed and tried to back away, but she held on firmly, refusing to let him go.  His patience was wearing thin so he pried her hands of his vest then stepped back.  She looked around through swollen eyes and realized where they were.  She panicked, "No!  Oh god please no…" she yelped trying back up on the bed.

He raised his eyebrow and looked at her quizzically.  "Calm down woman, nothings going to happen."

She sighed a breath of relief, but the remembered the events that had just taken place and started to cry again, this time throwing herself onto a pillow.

Wufei stared at the sobbing girl, and contemplated just leaving and going back to the party, he sighed, he couldn't just leave her, no matter how much he wanted to.  "Are you going to tell me what's going on?" he asked sitting down on the side of the bed.

"....."

He pulled a hand over his eyes in irritation, women why did they have to be so difficult?  "Woman, my patience is wearing thin.  Now tell me what is wrong with you."

"I-I- cant"

"Why not?"

"Cause... he.... he" her voice trembled until she couldn't go on and a fresh batch of tears sprang forth and she let out a wail.

Wufei winced at the sound, finally he growled, "I have had enough of this.  If all your going to do is cry then you might as well go to bed!  Get up and get into your bed cloths!"

Ayeka sniffled and looked startled up at the dark eye-ed angel, then slowly nodded and go up.  She shuffled over to where the servants had put some cloths.  When she unfolded them she almost gagged, was this some sort of sick joke?  "I-I cant where these..." she stammered.

He frowned, "Why not?"

She blushed.  "Cause...uh...well…" coughing she tried to explain, "they're...um...uh..."

"Spit it out."

"Um… Women's bed cloths…"

Wufei raised an eyebrow.  "So?  How is that a problem?"

Ayeka, with her back turned shuffled nervously.  "Well… you see… they're not ...um... how you say...uh proper…"   She turned and revealed a navy blue, almost see through neglige.  "Its lingerie."

Wufei's eyes grew large and his face flushed crimson, he put a hand over his nose, and he ran into the water room.  Ayeka stared after him, all of a sudden she started to giggle quietly, who would have thought that such things would affect the Archangel elect like this?  Wufei came back in holding a towel over his nose, frowning at her.  "And just what is so funny?" he demanded.

"Noth *snort*ing"

He growled, "would you stop laughing?!"

She giggled some more.  "Sure... I should go put this on," she said turning to head to the water room.

He stepped in front of her.  "I most certainly think not, I'll find you something to wear," he said brusquely, turning to his things.

She giggled even harder and flopped down on the bed to wait.  Finally Wufei turned around and handed her some kind of tank top.  She looked at it and shrugged.   She walked to the water room and changed.  She came out a few minutes later and found him in shorts and a tank top, like the one he gave her.  On her the shirt hung down to her knees and the front hung down to just above the cleavage.  On him the shirt fit perfectly, loose where it was suppose to be and tight where it was suppose to be.  "We sharing the bed?" she asked.

He looked up, "I'm not sleeping on the floor."

"Well neither am I."

Wufei rolled his eyes.  "Whatever."  Ignoring her completely he crawled into the massive bed.

Ayeka crawled onto the other side trying to avoid his wings, damn he took up the whole bed!  It was a good thing she was small.  "Goodnight."

"Goodnight woman." 

The next morning Ayeka woke up alone.  She looked out the room's only window and cringed, it was still dark.  Where was Wufei?  She shivered, "damn, why is it so cold in here?" she asked the silence.

"It's not cold in here."

Ayeka shrieked and jumped a little, turning to see Wufei come out of the water room, his black hair damp and hanging loose around his face.  He was smirking.

It was then that Ayeka realized that he was wearing no shirt, just a pair of formal trousers.  She blushed and turned away.  Wufei's smirk grew.  "Now don't go having a nose bleed or anything," he said casually, walking over to the closet that held his clothing.  He pulled out a flying vest and put it on.

She turned back and glared at him.  "If I remember correctly it was you that had a nose bleed at the sight of women's intimate clothing, besides its not like I haven't seen it before," she sneered.

Wufei's curiosity grew.  He looked at her, her face still flushed and her eyes glinting with playful anger.  His eyes flashed with mischief.  "Oh?  Seen it all have we little Angela?"

Her glare intensified.  "Who you calling little?  What do you mean by all?"

Wufei laughed at her naivety and walked over to stand in front of her, showing his superior height.  "Ah, you see, you are tiny, in frame and in height.  But don't worry what you lack in height and build you make up for in temper and mouth."

Her face scrunched into a scowl.  "Well then, Jovah sacrificed brains for brawn in your case huh?"

"Are you calling me stupid?"

"If the shoe fits, wear it."

"WOMAN…"

They were interrupted by the door chime sounding, Wufei stalked over to the door and jerked it open, "What?!"

A servant girl shuddered in fright.  "Uh… Angelo… the angelica sent these clothing for the mistress to wear.  She said all her clothing is packed."

Wufei looked down at the pile of clothing that the young girl held out, then took them from her.  "Thank you, I'm sure my wife will appreciate them," deliberately emphasizing the word wife.

"Yes'ir," the girl scurried away down the hall.

He turned and closed the door, to find Ayeka glaring at him.  "Here is your clothing woman," he said holding the clothing out in front of him.

She snatched them away from him.  "Thank you husband," she replied, "What time is it anyway?" walking over and placing the clothing on the chest at the foot of the bed.

"About 7:30."

Ayeka looked at him like he had grown two heads, "7:30?  AM!  Oh dear lord, I'm going back to bed."  She pulled back the quilt to crawl back in.

"Oh no your not.  We have to host a breakfast for all the guests, in about an hour so you are going to get dressed."

She waved him away and climbed up onto the bed.  "Why don't you host it, your going to be the Archangel not me.  Its too early."

"You have to be there, it's your farewell breakfast as well.  Plus you have to receive all the wedding gifts.  So go bathe," he demanded, watching the little woman crawl onto the bed.

"Nope, sorry.  Must sleep now."

"That's it!  You ARE going to bathe NOW!"  With that he picked her up and slung her over his shoulder heading for the water room.

She yelped and struggled, pounding her fists in to his back.  "Put me down this instant!"

He ignored her and walked into the water room.  "I want to sleep!"

"Well try to sleep in this!" he said dropping her into the pool of water.

She screamed bloody murder as soon as her body came in contact with the ice-cold water. "FUCK YOU!!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.

"My my, what a dirty mouth we have."

Ayeka was about to get up and show him just how dirty her mouth could get, but then she remembered just what she was wearing.  If she had gotten up with out thinking the tank top would have stuck to her like glue, leaving nothing to the imagination.  So she bit her tongue and sunk deeper into the water, shivering.

"Still want to sleep?" he asked smirking.

She grumbled under her breath, "turn on the heater...."

"What was that?"

"I said turn on the heater."

He looked down her, "and what's the magic word?"

Oh he was going to pay for this, pay dearly.  "Please."

Wufei smiled and walked over to the wall and flicked a switch, all of a sudden the stove in the corner of the room started to pour hot water into the pool.  He walked back over and squatted down in front of her.  "Now what do you say?" he asked condescendingly.

She moved over to him and brought her face within inches of his and replied, "I still say fuck you!"  She grabbed the front of his vest and pulled him into the still cold water.                                                                                                                       

He sailed head first into the cold water and came up sputtering, his wings flailing everywhere.  Ayeka moved away laughing.  "Not so funny when it happens to you eh?"

He growled while he righted him self in the water.  "Woman!  You have ruined my outfit!" he shouted indignantly, advancing on her, eyes narrowed.

Ayeka giggled.  "What outfit?"

He growled and lunged at her, she squeaked and tried to move but the water adhered her movement and he caught her.  He pushed her head under the water for a few seconds then let her up.  She coughed and gasped.  "So you want to play that game eh?" she splashed him in the face and jumped on him, trying to force his head under the water.  He laughed and pushed her away.  "Weak woman."  She growled and was about to pounce again but they heard a cough and a snicker and looked up to see, Duo, Heero, Rachel, Trowa and Gabriel standing in the doorway.

The two in the water froze, Ayeka turned bright red.  "Having fun?" asked Gabriel trying to hide the humour in his voice.

"Hehe yeah looks like you two are having a blast," snickered Duo.

Wufei scowled.  "What are you doing here?" he demanded.

Rachel smiled down at the pair.  "We heard Aya scream so we came running."

Ayeka by now had gotten over her mortification, "well... I had good reason to scream!"

"And what was that Aya?  By the way your lips look a little blue," Duo noticed pointing to her lips.

"That's why I screamed idiot, this fool over here," she waved at Wufei, "dropped me into the pool that was ice cold."

"Tell them why I dropped you in here in the first place."

Her head snapped towards him.  "Cause you were being an ass?"

He glared back at her.  "Watch your mouth woman!"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

Gabriel sensing an argument quickly interfered.  "Ayeka, why did he drop you in the water, not that it matters, you are his wife and he can do what he wants, we're just curious."

Ayeka grumbled, and Wufei prompted, "yes tell them why you are in here with your bed cloths on and why it was cold."

She glared.  "Fine then, I wanted to go back to sleep."

"But you have a breakfast to host in like 40 minutes."

"So?"

Heero raised his eyebrow.  "Then you were being difficult?  You deserved being dropped in there."

Ayeka stared at her cousin.  "Thank you cousin, I'm glad I have your support."

He shrugged in response.  "So anyway, that doesn't explain why your in to pool too Wufei."

Wufei growled, while Ayeka smirked.  "Its called sweet justice Duo, sweet justice," she laughed.

"I don't see how me getting wet is justice, I see it as an injustice," he complained crawling out of the pool.

Trowa handed him a towel, and Wufei nodded in thanks.  "Woman, hurry up and bathe then get dressed."  He commanded glaring down at the water.

"Yes drill sergeant," she saluted mockingly.

Wufei rolled his eyes.  "I'll be back to give you your clothing." 

He and the others, except Rachel, walked out.  Rachel walked over and closed the door, then turned and walked toward the pool.  "Come now, lets get you out of that shirt and bathed."

Ayeka shrugged and pulled the shirt over her head and handed it to her mother, Rachel analyzed it.  "Why were you wearing this?  Isn't it Wufei's?"

"Yeah, the bed cloths the servants left were......... inappropriate," she replied reaching for the shampoo.

"How so?"

She paused and looked at her mother.  "You mean you don't know?  They left lingerie."

Rachel looked stunned for a second, then burst out laughing.  "Oh I bet that went over well."

Ayeka grinned as she leaned back and rinsed the soap out of her hair, "oh yeah, gave Wufei a nose bleed."

"You have got to be kidding."

"Nope, he had to run in here to grab a towel.  He then deemed it inappropriate for me to wear it and gave me one of his shirts."

The older woman shook her head.  "Men, act all tough, but really are huge wimps."

"You said it."

"So you and Wufei seem like your getting along better," commented Rachel.

Ayeka looked at her mother sceptically.  "As apposed to what?  We have spent a grand total of a half hour alone with each other our whole lives.  If you don't count sleeping.  I don't know him very well, and what I do know about him is… well not very pleasant."

"So your saying you don't hate him?"

"Yes, but don't like him either, he's too arrogant." Ayeka's face twisted in disgust and Rachel laughed.

"You will soon learn that all men are arrogant.  Being Angelica will put you into the lot of them."

"Lucky me."

"Say, I saw Quatre last night."

Ayeka stopped moving, her head lowered and she responded quietly, "yeah, what's your point?"

"He looked upset," Rachel said kindly.

"I'm sure he was," the bitterness creeping into her voice.   Ayeka got out of the pool, taking the towel from her mother.

Rachel frowned.  She wrapped the towel around herself.  "Let's just say he said some things that we both are going to regret."

Before Rachel could reply, a knock sounded on the door, and Wufei called out, "here are your clothing woman."

Ayeka walked over to the door and opened it slightly thrusting her hand out and taking the cloths, muttering a thank you before shutting the door again.

Outside the door Wufei frowned, he had heard the conversation about the angel Quatre.  Was it him that had caused Ayeka to be so unhappy yesterday? He shook his head and vowed to find out.

Trowa opened the door to the room that he shared with his brother, and saw Quatre still laying in bed asleep.  He walked over and nudged the blond angel.  "Quatre, you have to get up."

"I don't want to, go away Trowa."

"Get up Quatre."

"Why?"

"Because we have to go to the breakfast for Ayeka and Wufei, its her farewell breakfast."

Quatre opened his eyes and glared at his twin.  "Do you delight in tormenting me about her?"

Trowa frowned.  "I am not tormenting you."

He sat up.  "Yes you are!  The very fact that you wake me up to ask me to go torments me!"

"Is that why you said those things to her last night?" Trowa asked quietly.

Quatre gasped, then turned away.  "I don't know what you're talking about," he denied.

"An angel seeker?  Really Quatre..."

The blond angel rounded on his brother.  "And what do you know about it Trowa?!  Huh?  Have you ever had your heart ripped out?"

Trowa shook his head.  "No, but I am in love Quatre.  And I know I could never say those things to the one I love."

"Well tell me this brother.  Did your little river merchants daughter go off and marry someone else?!  No!  Does she flaunt herself and new husband in front of you?  No!  So shut up because you don't know what the hell your talking about!"  Quatre yelled, turning is back on Trowa.

"Your right, Tralla did not do that, but if she was in the same position that Aya is in, I would not be angry at her, for it would not have been her fault."

Quatre turned his head and narrowed his eyes at the other angel.  "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that it wasn't her fault.  The god chose her."

"She could have disobeyed him!"

Trowa's eyes widened, and he backed away slowly, such blasphemy!   How could his brother say such things?  Trowa was stopped when a hand landed on his shoulder, he looked up to see his father standing behind him.  "Leave him be Trowa, he is irrational."

"I am not, I am being perfectly logical!"

Obadiah shook his head sadly.  "I'm going to guess you said that same thing to Ayeka."

Quatre shrugged.  "What else did you say Quatre?"

The boy refused to answer, and just lay back down on his bed.  Obadiah turned to Trowa.  "He said she looked like an angel seeker and said that she never loved him because she wouldn't disobey the god and run away with him."

Obadaih's eye's widened and he turned to the younger twin.  "Quatre!  What the hell was going on in your head?!"

"I do not have to explain myself to you."

The father reached down and grabbed the angel by the front of his shirt.  "You sure as hell do!  Ayeka is like a daughter to me and I am very close to her mother, she deserved to be at leased a little happy on her wedding day."

"That includes not having to be carried out of her own reception sobbing, by her new husband.  Whom doesn't even know what's going on," added Trowa.

Quatre shook off his father's hand tears welling in his eyes.  "I WANTED HER TO FEEL THE PAIN I WAS GOING THROUGH!" he screamed.

Obadiah's eyes softened.  "You know she is."

"NO!  She sat there all happy, she held his hand as they walked to the oracle.  She is happier in love with him!" he cried as he broke down sobbing.

Trowa and Obadiah knelt down beside the sobbing boy.  "Come now Quatre, you know that's not true.  You saw how she reacted when she found out about her betrothel.  She was a wreck.  Her heart is just as broken as yours."

"That's why she went running to him."

"You cannot give her such unfair tests and expect her to pass."

"She didn't run to him, Quatre.  He blocked her path," explained Trowa.

"Come now boy, dry your eyes and get dressed, you know you have to go say goodbye, if only by going."

"Whatever."

Ayeka walked calmly into the great dining hall, she looked around for familiar faces but found none near by.  All of a sudden her new husband materialized by her side.  "Well took you long enough woman," he chided, looking down at her from the corner of his eye.

"Bite me"

He smiled a little, "Fond of those words are we?"

"As fond of them as you are of me," she answered shortly.

Wufei frowned and stepped in front of her.  "What is that suppose to mean?"

"Whatever you want it to mean."

His anger flared, but he gritted his teeth and replied simply, "well your in a fine mood all of a sudden."

She shrugged and looked past him, he noticed this and turned to see what she was staring at, the angel Quatre.  He turned back and looked back down at her to see her face grimaced as if she was in pain, and her eyes closed.  He frowned in confusion, what was going on between those two?  "Woman what were you looking at?"

Predictably she lied.  "Nothing, I thought I saw Heero and Duo over there."

He scowled.  "You are lying, you were looking at the angel Quatre."

Ayeka flushed red.  "Well if you knew why did you ask?" she snapped bitterly.

"Why did you lie?" he replied trying to keep his voice calm.

She turned away.  "It doesn't matter, come we must greet the guests at your little party." She walked away to greet the nearest people.

Wufei stared after her in complete confusion, something was definitely wrong with the situation, if she wont answer, maybe he will, he mused to himself then followed her to greet the guests.

After they ate, Wufei stood and addressed all their guests.  "Thank you attending our wedding, and I thank you for all the gifts you have bestowed on my new wife.  To all those of the Eyrie, I thank you for caring for and watching my Angelica all these years, I'm sure it will be hard for you to see her go."  He bowed formally, then concluded, "my Angela, would you like to say goodbye?" he extended his hand to her, she took and stood.

She stood dwarfed by his size for a few moments then spoke, "my good people.  For 17 years you have watched me grow, or grew with me.  It is not my wish to leave, but what must be done must be done.  I wish you to know that I love you all."

She heard a snort of disgust and looked around to identify the source, the blond angel sat there, a defiant glare in his eyes.  "Oh yes Angela, tell us about how you love us so," he said with disgust.

Her eyes filled with tears, she shook them away, she glared back.  Everyone else looked on with utter confusion.  "Angel Quatre, you have something to say to me?" she replied just as disgustedly.

He stood.  "You already know what I have to say, I do not need to say it," the venom apparent in his voice.

Ayeka flinched.  "Why?  Why do you do this, and in front of everyone… on my wedding day and on my farewell day?"

"You caused me pain-"

"Quatre stop this!" interrupted Obadiah, looking panicked.

Wufei looked between the two, what was going on?

"NO!  I will not stop anything!  She will pay!" Quatre burst out breaking free from the table.

She looked on, then walked over to him and stood in front of him, head bent, "Sapete che li ho amati."(You know I loved you) she said quietly in the nomadic tongue.(Edori.. don't worry about it)  Rachel's face softened, she was the only one besides Quatre that understood the words.

"Cercatore di angelo, li odio."(Whore, I hate you.)  He replied in the same tongue.

Rachel gasped, then got angry.  Ayeka just looked up calmly and the brought back her fist and punched him in the face.  He staggered back clutching his face.  She spat on him.  "Bastard, you're not worthy of the wings that grace your back.  May Johva curse you!"

"Woman!" exclaimed Wufei, a horrified look crossing his face.

She spun and looked at him, anguish filled her face, she looked back at Quatre then back to Wufei, she looked panicked, like a deer caught in headlights.  "I'm sorry everyone, goodbye."  She fled the room.

Wufei stared after her, he would follow, but first he was getting some answers.

"What did you say to her boy?" demanded Obadiah angrily.

"I said what she needed to hear," Quatre replied.

"Which would be?"

"You do not need to know."  Quatre turned to walk away but an angry Angelica stopped him.

"How dare you!  She gave you her heart and you called her a whore!  Ungrateful bastard!" steamed Rachel.

Trowa's eyes went wide. "You called her a whore?  Again?"

"That's why she went running from the reception last night, he called her an angel seeker," explained Trowa, his voice dropping flat.

"Then it is your fault, she was hysterical," accused a low voice.

The group turned and saw the Archangel elect standing there, a scowl on his face.  "I had a feeling it had something to do with you.  When we were walking down the aisle, she sobbed, she was looking at something at the back of the crowd, I searched where she was looking and saw a dishevelled blond angel.  I didn't think much of it at the time.  Then there was the whole reception thing, when I had to carry her out.  Then this morning I over heard, the Angelica and her talking about you.  She sounded bitter and hurt.  Now this, what exactly was the nature of your relationship?"

Quatre narrowed his eyes and glared at the dark angel.  "I do not have to explain anything to the likes of you."

Wufei's eyes darkened, his dislike of this angel was growing rapidly.  "When it has to do with my wife, you do have to explain."

"YOUR WIFE?!!  SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY WIFE!! SHE HATES YOU!" Quatre screamed at the taller angel.

Wufei blinked in surprise, he didn't think the blond -usually meek angel, had it in him to yell, but when he processed what he had said it made him angry.  So their relationship was of that kind.  All this is jealousy?  What did he say to her?  "What did you say to her?"

Quatre looked indignant.  "She chose you, she could have forgot the god and ran away with me.  But no!  She chose you!  She is a lying whore!  She said she loved me..."  He broke down crying, sinking to his knees and sobbing into his hands.

Wufei looked down in disgust.  "You called her a whore?  She is among the most irritating things on this planet, but she does not deserve that title.  You should respect her.  She gave away her own selfishness for this world.  I knew she didn't care for me, but I did not realize she hated me.  Marriages a lot of times are just in name only, you know that a lot of spouses have other lovers," he said calmly.  "If she wished it our marriage could be one of those marriages."

Quatre looked up, and regarded the other angel.  He looked disturbed, why?  "Don't look so upset, you have no right, you stole from me the one thing that made me happy!"

Wufei looked up from the ground and into Quatre's eyes.  "And I would give her back to you if it made her happy.  But I don't think it would now, warning angel Quatre, do not cross my Angela again.  For if you do you will face my wrath."

"I am not afraid of you, you pompous ass. "

This personal attack made Wufei angry, he clenched his fists in a struggle not to hit the insolent angel, he was about to speak, but a soft voice stopped him.  "Wufei."

He looked towards the doorway and saw his wife, her eyes were rimmed with red and she looked tired.  Ayeka walked slowly over to him and took his arm.  "Come on, I want to go to my new home.  He's not worth the effort," she said quietly.

He looked at her, saw the pleading look in her eyes and nodded.  "Come on," he turned and led her toward the door.  Ayeka stopped him for a second to say, "have a nice life Quatre, I hope you're happy," then they disappeared through the door.

Quatre once again broke down crying.

Wufei was flying through the air towards Monteverde, keeping low so not to freeze the girl sleeping in his arms.  His face lost a bit of its hardness at the thought of her, he was confused.  She was annoying, mouthy, bossy, arrogant, and she didn't listen to him at all, yet, she had managed to make her way into his locked away emotions in the very short time they had been together.  It frustrated him, he didn't want this burden, but was forced by oath, and the god to accept it, and now, he found himself, in the short time, becoming attached to it.

"Wufei?" a voice startled him into almost dropping her.

She screamed and clung to his neck tightly.  "What is the matter with you?" she demanded softly.

He clutched and steadied her.  "I'm sorry, you startled me.  I thought you were asleep."

She sighed.  "It's alright."

He blinked, she wasn't even mad?  "Is something the matter?" he asked cautiously.

"Wufei, would you really make our marriage in name only?"

The question surprised him.  He didn't think she had heard him say that.  "If you wanted I would."

Ayeka sighed and leaned her head against his chest. "Why? Why would you care what I wanted?"

"Woman, of course I care what you want.  Contrary to your belief I am not a cold hearted bastard."

She gasped and looked up at him sharply.  "I do not think you are a cold hearted bastard."

He looked down at her a glimpse of sadness in his dark eyes.  "Don't you?  I realize now that you hate me."

She frowned, hate him?  Hate was a very strong word for someone you barely knew.  "I don't hate you, I don't even know you."

"But you dislike me."

"I wouldn't say that."

Wufei looked at her wearily.  "Your logic confuses me."

She sighed and tried to explain.  "You see I don't think its you I dislike, but what you do."

"What do I do that displeases you?" he asked slightly amused.

Ayeka frowned at his tone, he was playing with her again.  "You know very well what you do, but if you want me to spell it out for you I will.  You expect things your way or the highway.  You think that you are always right, you act like you are the gods gift to everyone... You're pushy..."

He looked at her blankly for a few moments then started to laugh.  "Have you noticed that you are like that too woman?"

"I am not arrogant!"

"You're saying that I'm arrogant?  I thought it was my actions that you disliked?"

She paused, then sputtered.  "Oh, why does it matter anyway?"

"I suppose it doesn't"

"Fine then... I'm going back to sleep."

"Fine."

Ayeka drifted off to sleep, while Wufei watched her for the corner of his eyes.  He smiled, she was a challenge, and he liked that.