Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Heero Yuy was kissing her.

It wasn't a gentle, anxious kiss, like she'd expect, or anything of questionable intent or trepidation; Heero Yuy was kissing her softly, deeply and passionately.

She finally fell back to the ground, seeking a breath long lost in the surreal turn of events. "Heero."

His hands released her, falling to her waist. He opened his eyes and looked into hers. His brows were knit. She read confusion with a lacing of hope.

"Marry me," she said quietly, before he could move to speak.

Heero stepped back, bringing his arms back to himself completely. "What?"

She flushed. Yes she was supposed to be wed in the morning, but he had just held her in his arms and kissed her. How could he not understand? What clarification was he seeking?

"Marry me?" She repeated her words again, clearly and slowly.

He lifted his head. His eyes were hard, now. The tenderness and curiosity she found there moments before was gone, like a shadow on the wind.

"You cannot ask me to do this," she hissed, feeling suddenly overwhelmed and defensive. "I've never even met this man."

He frowned and looked at the floor.

"Heero," she pleaded. "Tell me you don't love me?"

Finally his expression softened. "Relena." He moved back toward her, drawing his hand to her cheek. "I won't let you go back on your word."

Her eyes widened. "What?" She pushed back on him. "How could you say that?"

Heero sighed, lifting one eyebrow slightly. "I do love you."

Relena blinked.

"I love you and I will not allow you to go back on your word. You have made a commitment and you won't be able to live with yourself if you go back now."

Relena balled a fist against her chest protectively. She looked away, thinking. "You don't know what I can handle-"

She stopped herself. "Then we just go back to the way it was - act like the last year didn't happen? Like the last five minutes didn't happen?" Her light blue eyes blazed as they met his, but he remained sturdy and calm.

"There are four hundred and sixty-seven people living in this town. Over four hundred separate and full lives. And they are each counting on you to keep them together and to keep them safe. Would you really turn your back on them now? So soon after giving them hope?"

"But-"

"Would you?" He asked, again, cutting her off.

Relena huffed. Life had backed her into a corner. Or maybe she had done it to herself. Or maybe the Daimyo had. Regardless, Heero wasn't giving her much room to maneuver, either.

"What if he's awful?"

"I will protect you." His voice was emotionless, but she knew he was being sincere. Relena understood it was the only way he'd ever known to love her.

"I don't know him. I just have this paper, these details and facts and opinions. There's no face or voice or eyes. He has no soul to me, Heero. He's not real. And I cannot do this. I can't." Tears burned in the corners of her eyes. "I can't. Don't make me."

She leaned her head into his chest, letting the protest come free, crying in silence as something indescribable was ripped from deep within her very soul. She felt Heero cup the back of her head, pinning her to him as she released the objections. There was nothing more to say. There was so much in her mind her head began to ache.

She finally broke her own silence. "Just-" Relena hesitated. She couldn't argue any more. The day had already been too much, and she knew she'd resigned to finish this with a legal divorce. Everything was not okay, but she would work it out. She always did. "Don't leave me," she whispered.

"Never."

:::

Relena leaned on the window, looking into the artificially lit courtyard. The Daimyo hadn't been exaggerating at the busyness of this evening. Well into the night, people were still bustling in the manor, and the town was still mostly lit as people scurried through the streets below.

Heero finally emerged from the kitchen door, followed closely by a short and very frustrated looking older man.

Milliardo knocked behind her, and allowed himself in, but with the melancholy setting in, Relena never bothered to look back.

Below, Heero was intercepted by three separate people, one apparently asking an opinion, and two with papers for him to sign. Knowing how he preferred to keep to himself, and dread of management he tried to hide behind an impassive gaze, she felt a slight vindication in his misfortunes.

"You look like you've been crying," her brother commented, moving closer to her in hopes of getting more interaction.

Her cheeks were patchy and dry, and her eyes were bloodshot. There was no sense in even answering the inquiry.

He looked down, over her shoulder, at the bustle, below. "Don't do that to yourself," he warned in a quiet tone. The caution might have seemed abstract, but she knew he was referring to Heero's appearance.

"I'm not. He just came out."

Below, Airi Chiaki entered the yard. She bowed to Heero and received a curt nod in reply. The small man behind him finally calmed, listening to whatever the Lady of the house was explaining.

Relena felt herself flinch when Heero looked up at her. She remained stock still and refused to look away. He still seemed to be listening to Lady Chiaki, but she felt like he was peering into her soul. Even from this distance she could see that his eyes were soft and possibly apologetic, but she held the ice of her own glare in an iron fist.

"Have you talked to him about this situation?"

"Yes," she mumbled.

"And you're still going through with tomorrow's...event?"

"Yes."

"Hm." He folded his arms, leaning against the wall as he scrutinized her. "So Yuy was still on the side of the Chiakis, then?"

"They need me," she said with disdain and rolled her eyes.

"That sounds like it's some sort of sport they're playing." He shook his head in frustration. "I don't understand. I don't see why he's pushing so hard to convince you to do this. I've always believed he had your best interest at heart, but even in the scenario you've planned, your reputation will suffer. It's beneath him."

Relena groaned.

Heero turned his attention back to Airi. He nodded, saying something short to her. Again, the Lady bowed and turned to leave.

Relena began to relax since he'd refocused his attention, but something began to turn in her mind. Details connected and an epiphany clicked into place.

Relena's eyes flew open wide.

Below, Heero moved across the walkway toward the main building. The pestering man was still on his tail.

"Oh, my God," she whispered, falling back toward the door.

"What's wrong?" Milliardo asked, genuinely concerned at her demeanor.

"I-I have to go." She raised a hand, signaling him to stop. "Wait here."

Her brother ignored the request and followed her into the hall, but she moved much faster. Relena reached the stairs just before Heero and his attendant emerged below her. She could hear the voices, assuring herself that her guess had been right.

He was going into the village.

Her weight fell lightly on her adrenaline guided feet as he maneuvered toward the door below. He was in front of her, now, seemingly oblivious to anything beyond the rapping noise of the other man's continuous stream of words.

"-Yes," Heero said in a low, irritated tone. "I'll be sure-"

Relena's right foot came between them and her left knee hit the ground. "Lord Hayato," she called sharply.

Heero and the shorter man turned to face her but her eyes fell to the floor.

The air, itself, still between them.

The older man looked up at Heero and he nodded. "Go," he warned the man. "Now."

The submissive scurried away, and the swordsman was left with the Minister.

He looked to the top of the stairs where Milliardo leaned on the banister, evidently concerned and quite confused.

Heero sighed and lowered himself onto a knee beside her. "Stand up," he whispered. His voice was cold and hard.

She could feel her pulse vibrating in her throat. Relena's azure gaze met his midnight orbs. Slowly they rose, together, neither breaking the ferocity in their glares. Heero looked away, meeting Milliardo's stare.

The Prince turned and strode from the room. They were finally alone.

"You," Heero bit out as he faced her, again. "Do not not ever bow to me. You do not bow to anyone."

"Are you not Hayato Chiaki Isuma?"

Heero pressed his lips together. "I am." His voice was nearly inaudible.

Relena's shoulders dropped, overwhelmed with mixed feelings. She knew. She'd come to realize it, herself, as she watch the town elder, Lady Airi herself, pay him her respects. He was given headship of the village. She realized she should have known for days, but she at least knew, now. And yet she was infuriated at his words.

"You lied to me."

Heero let out a breath, turning and walking toward Daimyo Chiaki's private office. "I intentionally did not lie to you."

"But you did hide this from me?!"

He raised his hand and opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out. Instead, he pushed the door aside and ushered her in so they could speak in private. Heero made his way around the desk, sitting in the Daimyo's chair. On the table he placed his swords, keeping his hand on them as he looked up at her.

Still flushed with indignation, Relena turned from his focus.

"I was clearly and specifically asked not to discuss this with you."

Relena peered through the window. She could see the village below. The people moved in the distance like nocturnal ants, working away at dozens of tasks. "Daimyo Chiaki knows about us, doesn't he?" The exhaustion of the day left her tone flat.

"Yes," Heero answered.

"When?"

"When did he realize I was in love with you?"

"When did you know about this charade?"

Heero looked pensive. "After our discussion in the east wing. He took me aside, then."

"I don't understand. Why didn't he just tell me, then, and save us all the risk and frustration? I've seriously considered leaving this place, Heero. Do you realize that?"

Heero stood, navigating around the large desk. She no sooner looked back to him than his fingers wrapped around her wrist. He drew her hand up between them and pressed her gently backward until she was flush with the bookshelf. Still he moved closer, so she could feel his body pinning her in.

In spite of her drained state, Relena's body responded immediately to his proximity. Her heart raced and her eyes grew heavy. She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze as the adrenaline coursed through her hot veins. Everything else fell silent in her mind as it screamed for him to kiss her, again, like he'd done before.

"In the kitchen," he said.

Her eyes shot to his in surprise. He couldn't read her thoughts?

"You agreed to stay. That was your choice. Do you remember why?"

She moved her mouth hoping to answer, but there were no words.

"Why did you agree to this in the first place, before you knew I was involved?"

"I-" Was he interrogating her? His posture and tone were intimate and gentle, but his words were uncomfortable. They were making her angry and defensive. Why did she feel so intimidated?

She realized his voice was playing over and over in her mind. ...Four hundred and sixty-seven people…

Of course. He wasn't angry. He wanted her to remember.

"-People," she stammered.

The corner of Heero's lip turned up in a slight grin. People.

"Tomorrow," he said just under his breath, as he leaned in. His lips tickled her ears with each word, and his hand fell from her wrist to her hip slipping painfully slowly toward her rear. "I'm going to touch you."

Her stomach lurched.

"And the day after that," he continued, and turned his lips in more, so she felt sure he'd pull the lobe of her ear against his teeth with the next word. "and the day after that."

Relena shivered.

Suddenly, he straightened, pulling himself back. Just as abruptly, she felt the cold rush in, leaving her feeling vulnerable and more than a little embarrassed.

"But eventually," he continued, turning his back to her and moving back to his seat. "you're going to be used to it. And one day you will decide you don't want me to touch you."

Relena shook her head to argue, but he cut her off.

"That's the way people are, Relena. We get tired of each other. It happens to everyone." He sunk down, into the chair, still eying her. "As the Daimyo, I need to know that on that day you will put the people before yourself."

Relena collapsed in the guest seat. "So...you made sure I'd do that, now?"

"My...Grandfather made sure, yes." She could see that the word felt strange on his lips.

Relena let out a breath, carefully laying out her thoughts, memories, and emotions in her mind.

"In the kitchen," she asked. "You kissed me. You thought I knew? You thought he'd told me?"

Heero's gaze moved to the weapons between them. "I was...disappointed," he frowned.

Relena closed her eyes and tucked her feet underneath her. She understood why he'd accepted her, then. Why he'd held her passionately for a moment, before she exposed her ignorance with the proposal. It must have been hard, she realized, to push her away again at that point.

She thought of the changes that seemed to have taken place. "You've been so busy tonight."

Heero nodded.

"He's already made you executor?"

"The Daimyo needs rest."

"Has something happened?" Her eyes met his.

Heero pressed his lips together for a moment and then explained. "He's aged well, but he's fading. He doesn't feel he can continue to manage the household much longer."

"We're out of time," she said.

Heero didn't answer her directly. Instead, he reached up and touched the blades, resting his fingers on the smaller one which had won him the battle earlier that evening. "The wakizashi is the Daimyo's weapon. It is a blade carried only by the Samurai class."

She found herself staring more at his hand than the decorative sheath.

"There's only the one in the village."

Relena blinked. "That's why Suguru was more offended by the weapon than the life altering injury," she realized.

Heero frowned. "Jinsuke should be in surgery in Tokyo within the hour. He and Sonomi were escorted down there as soon as he was returned to the village. The state will handle the rest."

Relena leaned back in her seat. "I'm sorry about all of this."

Heero raised one eyebrow, studying her. "This situation is not your fault."

"You warned me," she answered.

"I didn't warn you about this. I thought he was planning to manipulate you, but I didn't imagine he'd be this extreme."

Relena breathed deeply, looking at her hands. "Now what?"

"Now you get some rest."

She nodded, rising to her feet. Heero slipped his weapons back onto his waist and went to the door where his bride was waiting. He put one hand on the latch behind her, but before he opened it, he leaned in to steal one soft kiss.

Relena smiled. It felt natural and real, and completely unrushed.

When the exit opened, Relena saw Lady Airi Chiaki descending the stairs. She silently bowed as she passed the elderly woman. Behind her, Relena heard Yuy clear his throat. You do not bow to anyone, remembered him saying. Relena smirked and continued on without looking back.

Airi quietly approached her estranged grandson, adjusting the shoulders of his kimono. "You look so handsome."

He closed one hand over hers, looking at her calmly.

Airi looked up at Relena as she faded from sight. "She'll sleep better tonight knowing you're the one she'll marry, tomorrow."

Heero's face dropped, but she smiled even brighter. "Oh, I have secrets, too, Hayato. And yours is safe with me."

-fin-

A/N: Thank you, everyone, for reading, and especially for your encouraging reviews. I hope you enjoyed it, and I kind of hope you guys think it's worth reading again. That's the best compliment. ^_^

And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Stormy Monday for beta'ing me! You're the best. ^_^

And congratulations to everyone that figured it out. I really tried to distract you, I did, but there was really only ever one end to this tale. Maybe next time. ; )