Chapter Two: Getting Closer
"Relena!" the two came over to the large group of people standing on Angel Walk. "Hey all of ya!" she called and Heero blinked. "Duo? Trowa? Wufei? Quatre? What are all of *you* doing here?!" Duo laughed. "Don't be surprised. Catherine is Trowa's sister so she decided to bring him and all of us along as well." Catherine rolled her eyes before flinging her arms around Trowa and he picked her up so that she was riding on him piggyback style. "On brave steed!" she cried jokingly as she pointed forward over his shoulder. Duo grinned at the sight. "Not all the time you guys see each other is it?" the two shook their heads. "Well, let's go shopping!" cried Hilde, getting an impatient look in her eyes. Catherine got down and they all walked down the street to the huge mall. Relena's eyes widened as she tilted her head up… and up… and even higher until she almost tumbled over backwards before Heero caught her and held her steady. She scrambled up blushing. "That is *one* huge mall." Duo smirked. "You wait till you're inside."
Behind them, a girl with light blue hair and pale green eyes looked at them. Seeing the girl with the honey-blond hair, her eyes flashed a little with jealousy. If Ikiru were only mine… but instead he loves her and I will respect his decision… I guess this is one love that will never be…she didn't continue her thoughts but followed them into the mall. Zoii was really a very nice Arch Angel and hated war though she was bound to it by the color of her wings. Her pale blue hair flew back behind her shoulders like the wings that were presently hidden. She noticed a young man with black hair and dark blue eyes near her. Ikiru. But he never noticed her, his eyes were trained on the girl with the group of girls and guys around her. Zoii sighed again before concentrating hard on the group in front of her. She loved Ikiru… but she didn't want to go along with the horrible plan that he was making up…
Above the city in the clouds, a young man in a flaming chariot rode over the skies. Helios, the god of the sun was looking down at the scene while traveling his daily journey across the clouds. "Athena is with that poor Peace Angel." Shaking his head, he continued on with his journey still thinking of that day when they had been separated, the two souls that were tied together with a cord stronger than any knife, magical or not could ever truly sever.
Relena giggled helplessly as she was ushered into the changing room with a pile of dresses by a group of girls while the five guys stood just outside the changing room, Wufei rolling his eyes at being seen in a store for females. "Come on Relena! You'll look perfect!" encouraged Hilde as she pushed with all her might on the girl. "Oh fine." Said Relena giving up. She walked in and closed the door behind her. When it opened again, she twitched her shoulders nervously, "I don't know…" the guys' jaws fell open simultaneously.
Catherine smirked. "If it wasn't just the simple matter of *me* choosing that dress, this reaction should tell you something shouldn't it?" Relena giggled again and walked over to Heero tapping him lightly on the nose. He blinked before closing his mouth looking awkward. The other guys snapped out of it quickly and there was a slight flush in their cheeks. "See? I told you this was a winner!" cried Catherine. Relena looked down at herself in the dress. She had to admit, it *did* look nice on her. It was a formal long white dress with a slit in the side up to her thigh and hung on her shoulders by spaghetti straps. It was decorated with a row of medium-sized pink roses lining the top of the dress and at the waist, there was a golden chain with small golden links that were barely visible other than a small golden sloping line.
Relena smiled at the chain that was fashioned so artistically, but then frowned. "But I'll probably never wear it! It's a *formal* dress remember? How many places around here call for formal dresses?" Quatre stood up, "Well, there's the Spring Formal… that would call for a formal dress." Dorothy pounced on that idea, "Yes, that's it! You can wear it to the Formal." She smiled at Quatre secretly mouthing, 'Thank you!' to him. Relena threw up her hands. "Fine. You win again." Sally snorted slightly. "You know, whenever to tangle with Dorothy, she *always* wins." Dorothy glared at Sally. "Shuttup."
After they left the store, and plenty others since the girls insisted in going into almost *every* store and buying something, they soon had to stop at the food court. After eating a snack, Relena announced with a fiendish smile, "Now let's go shopping for the guys!: the other girls squealed in approvingly. "I have a better idea. Let's all buy something for someone of the opposite sex. Draw names!" called Hilde producing a piece of paper she fished out of her purse. The guys of course groaned again. "Remind me never to even *think* of shopping with you or your friends again." Said Trowa to his sister who simply ignored him. The names were drawn accordingly. (AN: You can probably already guess who got whom.) The girls simply drew the names of the guys and they would have to get something for each other. Relena got Heero. (They rigged the thing at that part) Sally got Wufei, Hilde got Duo, Catherine got Quatre, and Dorothy got Trowa.
They split up to go with their guy saying they would meet again in an hour. Relena dragged Heero to the clothing stores where *she* became the one pushing Heero into the changing room."Come *on* Heero! You put that shirt on or I'll tackle you and wrestle that thing on you." Heero laughed softly. "Fine. I'll try it on." He disappeared into the change room and returned out of the room after a moment. "It's just a shirt! Why do I have to try on a shirt?!" Relena gaped at him, he had barely put the shirt on, simply flung it on his shoulders over his blue jeans. "Because you look *hot* in it!" she flushed bright red as she said so. "I mean…" Heero laughed again, this time loud enough to make a few girls turn their heads and stare at the *extremely* cute guy. "And *you* look beautiful in your new dress. Match your statement enough?" Relena smiled. "I guess…"
She glanced at Heero in his shirt again. "I'm *so* getting you that shirt! My roommate will be a total heartthrob. Look!" she pointed to the three girls at one side of the store who were openly wide-mouthed, wide-eyed, and drooling. Heero smirked at them, turning away and Relena giggled at the girls totally swooning. "Ah!! He is *so* cute!" and "He looked over here!" and "I think I'm in love!"
Relena almost laughed loud enough so that the whole store could hear her. Heero had to put his hand across her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Not a good thing to do." He cautioned teasingly as he nodded his head to the girls already getting over their swoon attack and were giving Relena speculative stares to analyze whether or not she was his girlfriend. Heero walked back into the change room to take off the shirt and to put on his own when Relena stopped him by calling, "I'm finding something else!" She could Heero's loud groan. "Oh come on… don't you like the things I pick? I'm not Catherine, but still…" she trailed off not knowing what to say. Heero opened the door slightly. "Hey, I'm being sarcastic. You've got great taste." He said to bring a smile back to her face. He shut the door while she went back into the store to find something else for him. "This is getting to be more fun than I first thought it was going to be… and I thought it would have been *really* fun."
One of the girls that had been in the corner sidled up to her, and cleared her throat. "So… um, are you like… *with* that guy?" Relena raised an eyebrow. "In what way?" the girl shrugged. "I don't know… any way?" Relena got a devilish glint in her eye. "Well… we sleep in the same room… does that answer something?" The girl's eyes shot wide open and her mouth dropped. "We're roommates." Supplied Relena quickly. The girl's eyes were now confused. "You mean down the road? But… they don't have co-ed dorms." Relena shrugged again. "There weren't any other rooms. He's single... I think." She continued to riffle her fingers through the racks of clothing. The girl grinned widely before walking away back to her friends. Relena could hear over her shoulder. "He's free! At least *she* said so." She could just feel the pointed finger at her back.
She picked up a few more shirts, and one pair of jeans and walked back to the change room. "Heero?" the door opened for her and she passed him the clothes. "Okay… one and a half days has gone by and you already know what size jeans I wear." Relena called over. "You mean I got it *right*?!" she asked in amazement. "In my whole career of two days since I remember after that amnesia thing I've never picked out a right size pair of jeans for anyone I know."
He reappeared in the doorway wearing what she had picked and in a state of déjà vu, her mouth dropped open again. Rolling his eyes, Heero did exactly what she had done earlier when she had come out of the change room wearing the white formal dress. He tapped her lightly on the nose. She blinked before snapping back to reality. "I swear, that any girl within eyesight is guaranteed to be yours if you want them to. Man am I good." Heero glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "Yeah right." Relena pouted, "You mean you don't think so? See those three who have been, *ahem* reading, that magazine page for the last few minutes, which cannot probably read a word since it's all upside down? Try them." Heero smirked again before seeing them glance up at him from behind the magazine. Staring straight at them, he winked with a smirk still on his lips and turned back to Relena. "Now listen." Instructed Relena. And sure enough, they could both hear the squealing start over once more.
Relena poked him in the shoulder. "Think I'm still wrong or do you need more proof?" Heero grinned slightly. "I don't need a rep that I don't want anytime soon. Come on. I've still got to find something for you." Relena smiled before grabbing the clothes and paying for them. After walking out the door, they could see out of the corner of their eyes, a familiar red-haired girl with green eyes. Heero groaned openly. "Oh great. Ririka alert." Relena glanced over his shoulder, and rolled her eyes. "At this rate, we'll probably never get back to the others in time." It was then that Poseidon decided to help the destined couple. Ririka was standing next to a large fountain in the center of the mall. He, being the god of the sea and of the water, made the water spray over the marble walls and onto the disguised Arch Angel. Getting too upset over the incident gave the couple time to make their escape from her prying eyes.
Not looking back, the two continued walking at a pace that just bordered on running. As soon as they had gotten far enough, Relena burst out laughing and had to lean on Heero's shoulder for support. "She's going to be *pretty* mad after this." Heero smirked at her before Relena could take a deep breath and stand firmly on her own feet. "Come on. We've not had a lot of time before our time's up." Relena nodded as they set out to find something.
They passed by a small store that had a display window of delicate glass figurines. Relena stopped to look at them, admiring the exquisite artistry of each detail. "Oh let's go inside!" Relena pulled Heero in through the door and a soft bell tinkled as they stepped in. The inside of the store was quite dark, but it was an interesting place full of jumbled paintings and figures and statues. Relena looked at one painting especially. "Oh… it's beautiful…" she breathed as she stared at the wondrous colors that made up the picture of two angels holding each other as they flew in the sky. "It's a very special painting."
Relena whirled around to face the lady in the corner. She had black hair that partially covered half of her face and reminded Relena of Hilde. "I can see that." Relena said as she looked again at the painting. The lady stood up and walked over looking at Relena closely. "You… have you ever heard of the Sky Kingdom?" Relena shook her head. "It was said to be a wonderful place… filled with angels with beautiful wings. But since the wings of the angels determine their fate, there is not total happiness. It is also said that one couple would break those rules and fall in love, creating a new time in the Sky Kingdom." Relena listened intently, as the old lady told the story. "Oh… I hope their love will remain the same no matter what… pure and untainted by the laws set against love and compassion." The lady smiled. "It's closer to you than you know… and the story… it just might be true." Relena smiled. "I hope it turns out to be… to be able to soar over the skies like a dove, how beautiful it would be." The woman smiled.
Heero could see something in the woman's eyes… but he couldn't tell what. Relena pointed to the painting, "How much is that?" she asked eagerly. Heero smiled then, "Hey, you're not the one paying for it are you?" he reminded her. Turning back to the woman, he asked. "How much is it?" The woman turned to the painting and then back at them. "Twenty dollars." taking it down and handing it carefully to Relena, she turned and walked into the back of the store. Relena looked at the painting again. "Would you mind if I hung it up in our room?" she asked Heero. He shrugged, "Like I said, no frills or potpourri. I don't mind the painting."
"You guys!" called a voice from behind them, "Sally!" cried Relena waving at her and Wufei. "Are you done?" They both nodded. Sally turned to the store that they had just exited and catching a glimpse of the woman inside, she blinked. "I'll be right back." She walked in the store. The woman inside wasn't surprised to see her and led her into the back of the store. "So, Noin, the stories are true. You *did* give up your wings to come to Earth." Sally said softly looking at her old friend. Noin leaned against the steel wall of the storeroom while Sally sat in a chair. Noin's hair fell into her face as Sally looked at the military-looking ex-Peace Angel. "How did you find out about Relena and Heero?" asked Sally, Noin shrugged. "I can't tell… yet."
Sally wanted to press her even more but decided against it as she noticed a look in Noin's eyes that she recognized from long ago. "I'd better get back to Relena and the others. Wish us luck, we need it. Ririka is *very* dangerous, ditz though she is, and Ikiru… he's dangerous. The other two will jump to do anything those two want them to do. And I'm afraid they want to break apart Heero and Relena." Noin nodded. "I can help… it'll take a little work, but I'm sure I can do something."
Sally stood up and exited the door. "I'll see you around… I missed you when you left." Noin smiled. "At least *someone* did." As Sally left the store, Noin looked out the window at the small group who had been joined by Dorothy, Hilde, Catherine, Duo, Quatre, and Trowa. "They've certainly become friends once more. May the gods hope these are the ones who are destined to change the path of the angels."
"Heero! What'd you get?!" asked Duo the instant he came in hearing range. "A shirt and a pair of jeans." Duo grinned. "Oh yeah? Hilde can sure shop!" he said grabbing the girl and slinging his arm across her shoulders in a friendly way. Hilde rolled her eyes but didn't move. "Um… Hilde? Sally? Dorothy? Catherine?" the whole group turned around, but the girl, Zoii, gestured to the girls with the names she had called over quietly. They went over cautiously since they knew she had volunteered to make the *task* more difficult." Zoii was silent for a moment. "This is hard to say… but I swear on the Oath of the Arch Angel (AN: An unbreakable oath) that I am telling you the truth. Ikira is planning something terrible and I don't want any part in it. I want to know if I can help you out…" The girls looked at in disbelief. "Are you saying you *want* Heero and Relena to get together?" Zoii nodded quickly before waving her hand frantically to tell them to quiet down a little. "Ikiru is watching the two… he has been all day and I've got to say… he's not very happy."
Zoii gasped suddenly. Lowering her head slightly so that her face wasn't visible, she murmured. "He's right behind you, but don't look!" The girls looked at each other uncomfortably. "I swore by the Oath of the Arch Angel remember? I can't break it no matter what." The girls nodded slowly. "Very well. What is Ikiru planning to do?" Zoii's eyes shone with unshed tears. "He's planning to make Relena something worse than a fallen angel… he's planning to make her a demon from the darkest pit of Tartarus." Dorothy gasped, and her already pale face grew even paler. She looked as if she was about to faint and wobbled unsteadily on her legs. Catherine had to hold her up, not trusting her trembling friend's legs. "What is it?" Dorothy managed to croak out, "I was once a demon… that is how I developed my love of war, but I was able to break free and become an angel… but not without a consequence. I had to lose the man I loved. He killed himself to save me and the demons took over his soul before destroying him completely."
Catherine's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell us that?!" Dorothy's eyes had tears in them, though they didn't fall. Zoii nodded. "I know… there is still a mystery surrounding this… but I will figure it out if I can." she glanced up again and seeing Ikiru's eyes flicker in her direction, she turned. "I've got to leave, but I'll see you again." Zoii quickly slipped into the surrounding crowd of the mall leaving the girls baffled. Dorothy immediately regained her composure and they walked back over to Relena and the guys. "Let's go now… there's something wrong around here." Relena gave them a strange glance, but nodded. "Sure… I don't mind." Duo pouted, "But I'm *hungry* and I want food!" he whined. Hilde rolled her eyes before nudging him hard in the stomach. "We can go out to eat at a restaurant. But like I said, it's time to leave the mall."
When they walked out, the angels could hear something from within, a sound that only an angel could detect. "It's a calling!" gasped Dorothy as Relena suddenly stiffened and her eyes seemed to glaze over. "It's *really* time to go!" yelled Duo. "Heero, put your arm around Relena NOW!" stunned, Heero did as he was told and Relena seemed to grow limp, though there was something about her that glowed though only the angels could see it. Heero unconsciously held her tighter and she blinked once before seeming to snap herself back to reality. "Whoa… what was that?" Trowa grabbed them both with one hand and steered them down the road. "No time yet, let's get moving first." Heero still had his arm around Relena and they both didn't seem uncomfortable before they got to the restaurant.
It was night and the silver moon came out, Artemis was watching and smiling as she looked down at the two fallen angels. They are the ones… they are the ones who will show all of the angels that there is no law against love. She threw her bright beams over the city lighting up the shadows in a pearly light… She frowned as she noticed someone with red hair and green eyes look through the window and with pure hatred at the destined couple. I hope Aphrodite is right when she said that they will fall in love with their own strength… that girl would not simply stop even though she *knows* the gods are against her. Artemis could see the girl's aura surrounding her and it wasn't that of a pure angel… it was twisted, dark… evil.
Heero stared at the menu in his hands. "I cannot understand a word of this." Relena leaned over to look at the menu before rolling her eyes. "Heero, if you haven't noticed, you're reading the thing upside down." Heero blinked before there was a slight stain of red. "Oh…" There was a loud slam as someone opened the door and stalked in. The waiter who was leading people to the table (This is a Chinese restaurant okay?) stopped and stared openly at the young girl whose eyes were sparking and glowing with an inhuman quality. "Um, Miss? Is there something wrong with your eyes?" asked the waiter who was backing away slowly but steadily. "I. Am. Fine." The words came out hard and cold. Ririka could only look on in blind fury at the table where Heero was seated next to that… Cutting herself off, she took a deep breath. "Table for two." She said stiffly to the waiter who led her in the direction… but kept his distance.
Ririka stalked to her table, but her eyes were trained on Heero. Just looking at him made her soften slightly, his every movement intoxicated her, the simplest gesture could make her swoon. "Don't worry Heero. Soon there will be *no* differences between us and you will forget that pitiful Peace Angel *ever* existed." She muttered under her breath. The door opened again to reveal Kuwano, nervously looking around the room before spotting Ririka and going over. He could see her eyes looking straight in the direction of another table. He didn't even need to turn his head to know that Heero and Relena sat there. She could only be that concentrated on one person. One person that wasn't himself.
"Ririka." He murmured softly, his voice just loud enough to for her to hear. "Kuwano." Her voice held no expression. He slid into the seat opposite of her. She finally drew her eyes away from Heero and focused on Kuwano. "There must be *something* we can do! I mean, like, we've *got* to be meant to be! I mean like I *love* him." Kuwano winced, but Ririka didn't notice. "Ririka… I know how much he means to you and I'll do anything you want me to do that will help you." Ririka let out a small smile. "Thanks Kuwano…" looking over him, she had to admit, the violet hair that streamed down into a ponytail on his back and his blue eyes were very handsome… but she was in love with Heero. Looking back over to the other table, she caught the exact moment that Relena's head dropped onto Heero's shoulder in fatigue. Ririka clenched her palms into fists as Heero simply sat there never pushing Relena off. Heero turned to the guy next to him, Trowa, she remembered. She could see his lips forming the words, "Let's go now." And motioning to Relena.
"Let's go now." Said Heero softly as he motioned towards Relena. Trowa nodded. "You'll have to wake her though and we've got a while to walk." Heero looked at the sleeping girl next to him and there was something that resembled protectiveness. "It's all right. I'll carry her." Trowa nodded and they all stood up and left, Relena in Heero's arm and making a strange looking sight. "It's a good thing we were close to the door, you look ridiculous." Said Duo. Heero raised an eyebrow. Duo immediately shut up.
Back inside, Ririka looked like she would burn the whole restaurant down. Kuwano simply looked at her in calm amusement as she silently ranted and raved. "I think we should call it a night. We can't follow them all the time or else they'll know something's up. Besides, I'm sure Ikiru is watching them." Ririka nodding, her fists unclenching, only Kuwano could calm her down. "Fine. Let's go." Since their dorms were right beside each other, Kuwano and Ririka walked along silently together. "Don't you wish you could simply spread your wings and fly off to your destination again?" asked Kuwano, since he adored her wings, the absolute power that was visible in the black feathers.
Ririka sighed and nodded. "But my wings are not completely pure. Can you keep a secret?" Kuwano grasped her hand. "You can trust me with anything." She pulled her hand from his grasp but continued. "I am not completely an Angel. I was a total demon from Tartarus, and when I was ignorant of the beauty of the Sky Kingdom, I was able to charge against any enemy and destroy them, without a tear of sadness. It was only because I had grown too powerful that they tried to convert me into an angel. But I never truly transformed. I am still a demon at heart." For once, she didn't sound like a total ditz, and her green eyes were serious. Kuwano was shocked but he was bathed in a sort of bittersweet happiness, Heero may have stolen her heart, but he was her confidante. And he wouldn't betray her trust. They continued walking until they reached their dorms, Ririka disappeared into hers with a parting look of warning, but mixed with a little fear. "Don 't tell anyone of my secret." She begged him. "There is no need to even think that I would tell anyone." He replied softly. She gave him a weak smile and in that moment, he could see the demon, lurking inside her even when she was in control. It would always be there, waiting.
"Relena!" the two came over to the large group of people standing on Angel Walk. "Hey all of ya!" she called and Heero blinked. "Duo? Trowa? Wufei? Quatre? What are all of *you* doing here?!" Duo laughed. "Don't be surprised. Catherine is Trowa's sister so she decided to bring him and all of us along as well." Catherine rolled her eyes before flinging her arms around Trowa and he picked her up so that she was riding on him piggyback style. "On brave steed!" she cried jokingly as she pointed forward over his shoulder. Duo grinned at the sight. "Not all the time you guys see each other is it?" the two shook their heads. "Well, let's go shopping!" cried Hilde, getting an impatient look in her eyes. Catherine got down and they all walked down the street to the huge mall. Relena's eyes widened as she tilted her head up… and up… and even higher until she almost tumbled over backwards before Heero caught her and held her steady. She scrambled up blushing. "That is *one* huge mall." Duo smirked. "You wait till you're inside."
Behind them, a girl with light blue hair and pale green eyes looked at them. Seeing the girl with the honey-blond hair, her eyes flashed a little with jealousy. If Ikiru were only mine… but instead he loves her and I will respect his decision… I guess this is one love that will never be…she didn't continue her thoughts but followed them into the mall. Zoii was really a very nice Arch Angel and hated war though she was bound to it by the color of her wings. Her pale blue hair flew back behind her shoulders like the wings that were presently hidden. She noticed a young man with black hair and dark blue eyes near her. Ikiru. But he never noticed her, his eyes were trained on the girl with the group of girls and guys around her. Zoii sighed again before concentrating hard on the group in front of her. She loved Ikiru… but she didn't want to go along with the horrible plan that he was making up…
Above the city in the clouds, a young man in a flaming chariot rode over the skies. Helios, the god of the sun was looking down at the scene while traveling his daily journey across the clouds. "Athena is with that poor Peace Angel." Shaking his head, he continued on with his journey still thinking of that day when they had been separated, the two souls that were tied together with a cord stronger than any knife, magical or not could ever truly sever.
Relena giggled helplessly as she was ushered into the changing room with a pile of dresses by a group of girls while the five guys stood just outside the changing room, Wufei rolling his eyes at being seen in a store for females. "Come on Relena! You'll look perfect!" encouraged Hilde as she pushed with all her might on the girl. "Oh fine." Said Relena giving up. She walked in and closed the door behind her. When it opened again, she twitched her shoulders nervously, "I don't know…" the guys' jaws fell open simultaneously.
Catherine smirked. "If it wasn't just the simple matter of *me* choosing that dress, this reaction should tell you something shouldn't it?" Relena giggled again and walked over to Heero tapping him lightly on the nose. He blinked before closing his mouth looking awkward. The other guys snapped out of it quickly and there was a slight flush in their cheeks. "See? I told you this was a winner!" cried Catherine. Relena looked down at herself in the dress. She had to admit, it *did* look nice on her. It was a formal long white dress with a slit in the side up to her thigh and hung on her shoulders by spaghetti straps. It was decorated with a row of medium-sized pink roses lining the top of the dress and at the waist, there was a golden chain with small golden links that were barely visible other than a small golden sloping line.
Relena smiled at the chain that was fashioned so artistically, but then frowned. "But I'll probably never wear it! It's a *formal* dress remember? How many places around here call for formal dresses?" Quatre stood up, "Well, there's the Spring Formal… that would call for a formal dress." Dorothy pounced on that idea, "Yes, that's it! You can wear it to the Formal." She smiled at Quatre secretly mouthing, 'Thank you!' to him. Relena threw up her hands. "Fine. You win again." Sally snorted slightly. "You know, whenever to tangle with Dorothy, she *always* wins." Dorothy glared at Sally. "Shuttup."
After they left the store, and plenty others since the girls insisted in going into almost *every* store and buying something, they soon had to stop at the food court. After eating a snack, Relena announced with a fiendish smile, "Now let's go shopping for the guys!: the other girls squealed in approvingly. "I have a better idea. Let's all buy something for someone of the opposite sex. Draw names!" called Hilde producing a piece of paper she fished out of her purse. The guys of course groaned again. "Remind me never to even *think* of shopping with you or your friends again." Said Trowa to his sister who simply ignored him. The names were drawn accordingly. (AN: You can probably already guess who got whom.) The girls simply drew the names of the guys and they would have to get something for each other. Relena got Heero. (They rigged the thing at that part) Sally got Wufei, Hilde got Duo, Catherine got Quatre, and Dorothy got Trowa.
They split up to go with their guy saying they would meet again in an hour. Relena dragged Heero to the clothing stores where *she* became the one pushing Heero into the changing room."Come *on* Heero! You put that shirt on or I'll tackle you and wrestle that thing on you." Heero laughed softly. "Fine. I'll try it on." He disappeared into the change room and returned out of the room after a moment. "It's just a shirt! Why do I have to try on a shirt?!" Relena gaped at him, he had barely put the shirt on, simply flung it on his shoulders over his blue jeans. "Because you look *hot* in it!" she flushed bright red as she said so. "I mean…" Heero laughed again, this time loud enough to make a few girls turn their heads and stare at the *extremely* cute guy. "And *you* look beautiful in your new dress. Match your statement enough?" Relena smiled. "I guess…"
She glanced at Heero in his shirt again. "I'm *so* getting you that shirt! My roommate will be a total heartthrob. Look!" she pointed to the three girls at one side of the store who were openly wide-mouthed, wide-eyed, and drooling. Heero smirked at them, turning away and Relena giggled at the girls totally swooning. "Ah!! He is *so* cute!" and "He looked over here!" and "I think I'm in love!"
Relena almost laughed loud enough so that the whole store could hear her. Heero had to put his hand across her mouth to stifle her giggles. "Not a good thing to do." He cautioned teasingly as he nodded his head to the girls already getting over their swoon attack and were giving Relena speculative stares to analyze whether or not she was his girlfriend. Heero walked back into the change room to take off the shirt and to put on his own when Relena stopped him by calling, "I'm finding something else!" She could Heero's loud groan. "Oh come on… don't you like the things I pick? I'm not Catherine, but still…" she trailed off not knowing what to say. Heero opened the door slightly. "Hey, I'm being sarcastic. You've got great taste." He said to bring a smile back to her face. He shut the door while she went back into the store to find something else for him. "This is getting to be more fun than I first thought it was going to be… and I thought it would have been *really* fun."
One of the girls that had been in the corner sidled up to her, and cleared her throat. "So… um, are you like… *with* that guy?" Relena raised an eyebrow. "In what way?" the girl shrugged. "I don't know… any way?" Relena got a devilish glint in her eye. "Well… we sleep in the same room… does that answer something?" The girl's eyes shot wide open and her mouth dropped. "We're roommates." Supplied Relena quickly. The girl's eyes were now confused. "You mean down the road? But… they don't have co-ed dorms." Relena shrugged again. "There weren't any other rooms. He's single... I think." She continued to riffle her fingers through the racks of clothing. The girl grinned widely before walking away back to her friends. Relena could hear over her shoulder. "He's free! At least *she* said so." She could just feel the pointed finger at her back.
She picked up a few more shirts, and one pair of jeans and walked back to the change room. "Heero?" the door opened for her and she passed him the clothes. "Okay… one and a half days has gone by and you already know what size jeans I wear." Relena called over. "You mean I got it *right*?!" she asked in amazement. "In my whole career of two days since I remember after that amnesia thing I've never picked out a right size pair of jeans for anyone I know."
He reappeared in the doorway wearing what she had picked and in a state of déjà vu, her mouth dropped open again. Rolling his eyes, Heero did exactly what she had done earlier when she had come out of the change room wearing the white formal dress. He tapped her lightly on the nose. She blinked before snapping back to reality. "I swear, that any girl within eyesight is guaranteed to be yours if you want them to. Man am I good." Heero glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, "Yeah right." Relena pouted, "You mean you don't think so? See those three who have been, *ahem* reading, that magazine page for the last few minutes, which cannot probably read a word since it's all upside down? Try them." Heero smirked again before seeing them glance up at him from behind the magazine. Staring straight at them, he winked with a smirk still on his lips and turned back to Relena. "Now listen." Instructed Relena. And sure enough, they could both hear the squealing start over once more.
Relena poked him in the shoulder. "Think I'm still wrong or do you need more proof?" Heero grinned slightly. "I don't need a rep that I don't want anytime soon. Come on. I've still got to find something for you." Relena smiled before grabbing the clothes and paying for them. After walking out the door, they could see out of the corner of their eyes, a familiar red-haired girl with green eyes. Heero groaned openly. "Oh great. Ririka alert." Relena glanced over his shoulder, and rolled her eyes. "At this rate, we'll probably never get back to the others in time." It was then that Poseidon decided to help the destined couple. Ririka was standing next to a large fountain in the center of the mall. He, being the god of the sea and of the water, made the water spray over the marble walls and onto the disguised Arch Angel. Getting too upset over the incident gave the couple time to make their escape from her prying eyes.
Not looking back, the two continued walking at a pace that just bordered on running. As soon as they had gotten far enough, Relena burst out laughing and had to lean on Heero's shoulder for support. "She's going to be *pretty* mad after this." Heero smirked at her before Relena could take a deep breath and stand firmly on her own feet. "Come on. We've not had a lot of time before our time's up." Relena nodded as they set out to find something.
They passed by a small store that had a display window of delicate glass figurines. Relena stopped to look at them, admiring the exquisite artistry of each detail. "Oh let's go inside!" Relena pulled Heero in through the door and a soft bell tinkled as they stepped in. The inside of the store was quite dark, but it was an interesting place full of jumbled paintings and figures and statues. Relena looked at one painting especially. "Oh… it's beautiful…" she breathed as she stared at the wondrous colors that made up the picture of two angels holding each other as they flew in the sky. "It's a very special painting."
Relena whirled around to face the lady in the corner. She had black hair that partially covered half of her face and reminded Relena of Hilde. "I can see that." Relena said as she looked again at the painting. The lady stood up and walked over looking at Relena closely. "You… have you ever heard of the Sky Kingdom?" Relena shook her head. "It was said to be a wonderful place… filled with angels with beautiful wings. But since the wings of the angels determine their fate, there is not total happiness. It is also said that one couple would break those rules and fall in love, creating a new time in the Sky Kingdom." Relena listened intently, as the old lady told the story. "Oh… I hope their love will remain the same no matter what… pure and untainted by the laws set against love and compassion." The lady smiled. "It's closer to you than you know… and the story… it just might be true." Relena smiled. "I hope it turns out to be… to be able to soar over the skies like a dove, how beautiful it would be." The woman smiled.
Heero could see something in the woman's eyes… but he couldn't tell what. Relena pointed to the painting, "How much is that?" she asked eagerly. Heero smiled then, "Hey, you're not the one paying for it are you?" he reminded her. Turning back to the woman, he asked. "How much is it?" The woman turned to the painting and then back at them. "Twenty dollars." taking it down and handing it carefully to Relena, she turned and walked into the back of the store. Relena looked at the painting again. "Would you mind if I hung it up in our room?" she asked Heero. He shrugged, "Like I said, no frills or potpourri. I don't mind the painting."
"You guys!" called a voice from behind them, "Sally!" cried Relena waving at her and Wufei. "Are you done?" They both nodded. Sally turned to the store that they had just exited and catching a glimpse of the woman inside, she blinked. "I'll be right back." She walked in the store. The woman inside wasn't surprised to see her and led her into the back of the store. "So, Noin, the stories are true. You *did* give up your wings to come to Earth." Sally said softly looking at her old friend. Noin leaned against the steel wall of the storeroom while Sally sat in a chair. Noin's hair fell into her face as Sally looked at the military-looking ex-Peace Angel. "How did you find out about Relena and Heero?" asked Sally, Noin shrugged. "I can't tell… yet."
Sally wanted to press her even more but decided against it as she noticed a look in Noin's eyes that she recognized from long ago. "I'd better get back to Relena and the others. Wish us luck, we need it. Ririka is *very* dangerous, ditz though she is, and Ikiru… he's dangerous. The other two will jump to do anything those two want them to do. And I'm afraid they want to break apart Heero and Relena." Noin nodded. "I can help… it'll take a little work, but I'm sure I can do something."
Sally stood up and exited the door. "I'll see you around… I missed you when you left." Noin smiled. "At least *someone* did." As Sally left the store, Noin looked out the window at the small group who had been joined by Dorothy, Hilde, Catherine, Duo, Quatre, and Trowa. "They've certainly become friends once more. May the gods hope these are the ones who are destined to change the path of the angels."
"Heero! What'd you get?!" asked Duo the instant he came in hearing range. "A shirt and a pair of jeans." Duo grinned. "Oh yeah? Hilde can sure shop!" he said grabbing the girl and slinging his arm across her shoulders in a friendly way. Hilde rolled her eyes but didn't move. "Um… Hilde? Sally? Dorothy? Catherine?" the whole group turned around, but the girl, Zoii, gestured to the girls with the names she had called over quietly. They went over cautiously since they knew she had volunteered to make the *task* more difficult." Zoii was silent for a moment. "This is hard to say… but I swear on the Oath of the Arch Angel (AN: An unbreakable oath) that I am telling you the truth. Ikira is planning something terrible and I don't want any part in it. I want to know if I can help you out…" The girls looked at in disbelief. "Are you saying you *want* Heero and Relena to get together?" Zoii nodded quickly before waving her hand frantically to tell them to quiet down a little. "Ikiru is watching the two… he has been all day and I've got to say… he's not very happy."
Zoii gasped suddenly. Lowering her head slightly so that her face wasn't visible, she murmured. "He's right behind you, but don't look!" The girls looked at each other uncomfortably. "I swore by the Oath of the Arch Angel remember? I can't break it no matter what." The girls nodded slowly. "Very well. What is Ikiru planning to do?" Zoii's eyes shone with unshed tears. "He's planning to make Relena something worse than a fallen angel… he's planning to make her a demon from the darkest pit of Tartarus." Dorothy gasped, and her already pale face grew even paler. She looked as if she was about to faint and wobbled unsteadily on her legs. Catherine had to hold her up, not trusting her trembling friend's legs. "What is it?" Dorothy managed to croak out, "I was once a demon… that is how I developed my love of war, but I was able to break free and become an angel… but not without a consequence. I had to lose the man I loved. He killed himself to save me and the demons took over his soul before destroying him completely."
Catherine's eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell us that?!" Dorothy's eyes had tears in them, though they didn't fall. Zoii nodded. "I know… there is still a mystery surrounding this… but I will figure it out if I can." she glanced up again and seeing Ikiru's eyes flicker in her direction, she turned. "I've got to leave, but I'll see you again." Zoii quickly slipped into the surrounding crowd of the mall leaving the girls baffled. Dorothy immediately regained her composure and they walked back over to Relena and the guys. "Let's go now… there's something wrong around here." Relena gave them a strange glance, but nodded. "Sure… I don't mind." Duo pouted, "But I'm *hungry* and I want food!" he whined. Hilde rolled her eyes before nudging him hard in the stomach. "We can go out to eat at a restaurant. But like I said, it's time to leave the mall."
When they walked out, the angels could hear something from within, a sound that only an angel could detect. "It's a calling!" gasped Dorothy as Relena suddenly stiffened and her eyes seemed to glaze over. "It's *really* time to go!" yelled Duo. "Heero, put your arm around Relena NOW!" stunned, Heero did as he was told and Relena seemed to grow limp, though there was something about her that glowed though only the angels could see it. Heero unconsciously held her tighter and she blinked once before seeming to snap herself back to reality. "Whoa… what was that?" Trowa grabbed them both with one hand and steered them down the road. "No time yet, let's get moving first." Heero still had his arm around Relena and they both didn't seem uncomfortable before they got to the restaurant.
It was night and the silver moon came out, Artemis was watching and smiling as she looked down at the two fallen angels. They are the ones… they are the ones who will show all of the angels that there is no law against love. She threw her bright beams over the city lighting up the shadows in a pearly light… She frowned as she noticed someone with red hair and green eyes look through the window and with pure hatred at the destined couple. I hope Aphrodite is right when she said that they will fall in love with their own strength… that girl would not simply stop even though she *knows* the gods are against her. Artemis could see the girl's aura surrounding her and it wasn't that of a pure angel… it was twisted, dark… evil.
Heero stared at the menu in his hands. "I cannot understand a word of this." Relena leaned over to look at the menu before rolling her eyes. "Heero, if you haven't noticed, you're reading the thing upside down." Heero blinked before there was a slight stain of red. "Oh…" There was a loud slam as someone opened the door and stalked in. The waiter who was leading people to the table (This is a Chinese restaurant okay?) stopped and stared openly at the young girl whose eyes were sparking and glowing with an inhuman quality. "Um, Miss? Is there something wrong with your eyes?" asked the waiter who was backing away slowly but steadily. "I. Am. Fine." The words came out hard and cold. Ririka could only look on in blind fury at the table where Heero was seated next to that… Cutting herself off, she took a deep breath. "Table for two." She said stiffly to the waiter who led her in the direction… but kept his distance.
Ririka stalked to her table, but her eyes were trained on Heero. Just looking at him made her soften slightly, his every movement intoxicated her, the simplest gesture could make her swoon. "Don't worry Heero. Soon there will be *no* differences between us and you will forget that pitiful Peace Angel *ever* existed." She muttered under her breath. The door opened again to reveal Kuwano, nervously looking around the room before spotting Ririka and going over. He could see her eyes looking straight in the direction of another table. He didn't even need to turn his head to know that Heero and Relena sat there. She could only be that concentrated on one person. One person that wasn't himself.
"Ririka." He murmured softly, his voice just loud enough to for her to hear. "Kuwano." Her voice held no expression. He slid into the seat opposite of her. She finally drew her eyes away from Heero and focused on Kuwano. "There must be *something* we can do! I mean, like, we've *got* to be meant to be! I mean like I *love* him." Kuwano winced, but Ririka didn't notice. "Ririka… I know how much he means to you and I'll do anything you want me to do that will help you." Ririka let out a small smile. "Thanks Kuwano…" looking over him, she had to admit, the violet hair that streamed down into a ponytail on his back and his blue eyes were very handsome… but she was in love with Heero. Looking back over to the other table, she caught the exact moment that Relena's head dropped onto Heero's shoulder in fatigue. Ririka clenched her palms into fists as Heero simply sat there never pushing Relena off. Heero turned to the guy next to him, Trowa, she remembered. She could see his lips forming the words, "Let's go now." And motioning to Relena.
"Let's go now." Said Heero softly as he motioned towards Relena. Trowa nodded. "You'll have to wake her though and we've got a while to walk." Heero looked at the sleeping girl next to him and there was something that resembled protectiveness. "It's all right. I'll carry her." Trowa nodded and they all stood up and left, Relena in Heero's arm and making a strange looking sight. "It's a good thing we were close to the door, you look ridiculous." Said Duo. Heero raised an eyebrow. Duo immediately shut up.
Back inside, Ririka looked like she would burn the whole restaurant down. Kuwano simply looked at her in calm amusement as she silently ranted and raved. "I think we should call it a night. We can't follow them all the time or else they'll know something's up. Besides, I'm sure Ikiru is watching them." Ririka nodding, her fists unclenching, only Kuwano could calm her down. "Fine. Let's go." Since their dorms were right beside each other, Kuwano and Ririka walked along silently together. "Don't you wish you could simply spread your wings and fly off to your destination again?" asked Kuwano, since he adored her wings, the absolute power that was visible in the black feathers.
Ririka sighed and nodded. "But my wings are not completely pure. Can you keep a secret?" Kuwano grasped her hand. "You can trust me with anything." She pulled her hand from his grasp but continued. "I am not completely an Angel. I was a total demon from Tartarus, and when I was ignorant of the beauty of the Sky Kingdom, I was able to charge against any enemy and destroy them, without a tear of sadness. It was only because I had grown too powerful that they tried to convert me into an angel. But I never truly transformed. I am still a demon at heart." For once, she didn't sound like a total ditz, and her green eyes were serious. Kuwano was shocked but he was bathed in a sort of bittersweet happiness, Heero may have stolen her heart, but he was her confidante. And he wouldn't betray her trust. They continued walking until they reached their dorms, Ririka disappeared into hers with a parting look of warning, but mixed with a little fear. "Don 't tell anyone of my secret." She begged him. "There is no need to even think that I would tell anyone." He replied softly. She gave him a weak smile and in that moment, he could see the demon, lurking inside her even when she was in control. It would always be there, waiting.