A/N: Once again, I don't know this stuff first hand, but I tried to do my research.

Now, I realize many brides don't wear white, but there is an option for white silk, which symbolizes the end of her past life and the beginning of her new one.

As for the vows, I am SO not trying to write out the Japanese translation. :-P Most of you probably don't speak or read it, anyway, so please enjoy as is. ;-)

Now, I do realize the chapter is abnormally short, but I'm pretty sure the next one will run a little long, so it will even out. I think.

AND FINALLY, btw, a shout out to Katie Yuy who guessed the theme of this chapter. :-P You are SOOOOOOOO fired! ;-)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Relena stood at the upstairs window of the Japanese mansion, overlooking the small village. Behind her in the shadows, Heero sat in silence. His eyes were closed and his arms crossed flat over his chest to signify his inward thoughts.

The cherry blossoms in the trees below held Relena's smiling gaze; their scent burning into her memory. A Shinto wedding party marched between the trees, in silence. The thought brought a twinkle to her tiring eyes.

"Let's get married," she whispered.

Heero's eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the room before the focus darted to Relena's silhouette in the window. He gave no response, waiting for her to continue. After several seconds, he began to wonder if his otherwise talkative lover might have been thinking out loud.

Relena sighed as the procession faded from view. "I'm sure I can find an opening this week with a Shinto shrine," she finally continued.

She looked at Heero softly, but his face gave no indication of his thoughts. His stoic mask only made her smile deepen. She loved him.

"It's a small village. We'll have privacy."

Heero finally broke the staring contest with a blink, looking back into the darkness of the room. "The Vice Foreign Minister's wedding ceremony should be a public, Western display."

Relena's grin grew warmer. "Heero Yuy's wedding should be a quiet, private ceremony, holding to Shinto tradition."

"You deserve the pomp and circumstance," he retorted.

"And you deserve the quiet reverence."

Heero grunted, closing his eyes, again as he sank back into thought.

Relena leaned her head back against the frame of the window, allowing her mind to clear, as well. With a heavy sigh, she lifted herself and approached Heero, sinking into his lap without seeking permission. He adjusted his posture to accommodate her.

"I'll wear a Tsuno-kakushi," she whispered.

Heero's eyes shot open in curious surprise. The tsuno-kakushi was one of the options of Japanese bridal headwear. According to Japanese tradition, unlike the watabōshi, the tsuno-kakushi headpiece is made to cover the bride's horns of jealous, ego and selfishness, symbolizing submission and humility to the husband and his family.

Relena smirked mischievously.

"Do you realize what you're saying?" He growled.

Relena nodded.

"I don't have a mother for you to be jealous of."

"But I would still submit myself to you."

"That means if I have to save your ass, you obey my commands."

She nodded, again.

"And if I say you should start chemo—" His voice trailed off, but his eyes held her gaze with a seriousness.

Relena's grin finally faded, as she looked at him softly. She nodded, again. "We'll go home after this. I promise."

His eyes searched her.

"Promise me one thing, though," she continued.

He gave a nod, more urging her to continue that agreeing to any request.

"When we get home, let me see a fertility specialist before I start chemo? If I beat this—"

"When." His voice was solid when he interrupted her.

Relena gave him a puzzled look.

"When you beat this."

She smiled, again, for his sake. "—When I beat this, I still want to have children with you."

His gaze shifted slightly, looking over her shoulder.

Relena brought her hand up to his face, cupping his cheek. "You'll be a great father, Heero. You deserve that."

His dark blue orbs refocused on her.

"That's what I want for you," she said. "More than anything."

Heero brought his hand up to hers, holding her cool skin against him, as he let the silence envelop them. Several minutes of peaceful quiet passed between them before either spoke.

"Very well," he whispered.

Relena's face lit up with a glow from deep inside her. Her eyes sparkled like pools of joy.

"But," he continued. "When you beat this, the Vice Foreign Minister will receive the nuptial celebration she deserves. The cathedral. The rings. The reception. Everything."

Relena shook her head vigorously, showing teeth with a childlike grin. "Hundreds of people you've never met," she jested. "I promise."

Heero finally let go of her hand, sighing. "Go have your fun," he said softly.

The princess practically hopped off of his lap and ran to the door. "I'll be back in a few hours," she called back as she disappeared into the spring air.

Heero shook his head with a ghost of a smile haunting his lips. He brought his hands back over his chest and leaned back, closing his eyes in thought.

:::

When Heero arrived to the dressing room the day of the ceremony, Relena was mostly in a traditional white kimono, with elaborate cross stitching to create a sakura design throughout. Her face was carefully painted a lighter white than her natural porcelain skin, and her hair was pinned up in a traditional Japanese style, decorated with fine combs and good luck charms. She smiled at her groom silently, allowing her body to be pushed and pulled by the quiet assistants. Heero's face was stern, but his eyes seemed lighter than before when he looked at her. He was happy in the moment.

The last hour passed quickly as the helpers layered him into his own black garments, wrapping the montsuki kimono with a ceremonial apron as one of the finishing touches. When he turned back to his bride, she wore the traditional headpiece, the tsuno-kakushi atop her head, a fan in her hand and a silk scarf intricately tied about her waist.

Heero walked beside his bride to the temple, followed by few witnesses who came to honor the couple—none of which truly knew them. Throughout the cleansing ceremony, he couldn't take his eyes off of her. When the shrine maiden poured their sake, Heero slowly took three sips for good luck, and Relena followed suit. She was surprised when, in the middle of the traditional Japanese way, he took her left hand and presented her with a new, simple diamond ring. She gave him a teasing, crooked smile, answered with the slightest amusement in his own eyes.

As he read his vows, Relena's breath caught at the sound of fluent Japanese on his lips.

"This woman, I marry
No matter what the health situation is
I will love this person
Respect this person
Console this person
Help this person
Until death
Protecting fidelity
I swear."

Following her husband's lead in the final act, Relena took a set of twigs of the Sakaki tree and offered them to the Kami as the ceremony came to a close. Heero held an umbrella between them as they made their way from the shrine, finally—happily—married.

:::

Heero sat straight up in bed when the ringing hit his ears. The night was nearly over, the blackness engulfing the Japanese building.

"What?" He growled as he accepted the call.

"Yo, Buddy. Did I wake you?"

Heero looked over at his wife, who was still sleeping soundly. "No," he lied.

"Hey," Duo's grating voice continued. "You still with Lena?"

"Yeah."

"You seen the news?"

Prussian blue eyes flashed, suddenly much more awake than they had been. "What?"

"They're saying Relena's sick, dude."

He gave no response as he processed the information.

"Wufei's working frantically to do damage control, but with her on vacation, no one's gonna go for it. Relena's going to have to make a statement."

"Sick how?"

"They're saying it's cancer, dude."

:::

Pagan looked genuinely surprised when he opened the manor door to find Relena and Heero standing there, looking unusually refreshed. Being privy to the secrets of his mistress, Pagan knew that she had been sick, but she looked truly healthier after her time away.

"Madame," he greeted, taking the bags from Heero. "Shall I ready a room for Master Yuy?"

Relena stopped, looking back at Pagan without an answer for a long second. "No," she said with a quiet smile. "My husband will be staying with me, thank you."

Raising an eyebrow only slightly in surprise, Pagan straightened his posture and bowed. "I see."

Heero stepped forward, touching Relena's arm gently. "Why don't you go run yourself a bath," he suggested.

Relena thanked him and excused herself to the upstairs. Heero released a breath as she disappeared from sight. He'd have to explain to her tonight that the public had heard about the sickness, and she wouldn't be pleased.

When Heero turned to face Pagan his eyes were hot and serious. "Relena will be having a birthday celebration, this year. Please see that each of her closest friends and family attend. I want them here by breakfast on April 7th. Can you help me with that?"

Pagan nodded, again. "This is it, then?" He asked.

"Yeah," Heero answered softly, turning and ascending the stairwell behind his wife.