FINALLY, Wufei and Phailin get married. Let's say our Wu-man has a few objections to some of the traditions.

You know what, I'm sick of giving background, so I'm not gonna do it any more. Anyone who wants it can read my previous chapters.

AC 206: The Change Time Brings (Part XI)

Vies, Vows and Valedictions

Wufei sat in the room, chin in his right hand as Phailin's grandmother bandaged his left. He was trying hard not to flinch. That poultice, whatever it was, hurt like hell. "How in the world did you manage to tear your hand up like this, Wufei?"

"Glass is sharp," he said.

"Ah." She pulled the bandage tight. "The creme I put on it will hurt for a few minutes, but it'll help with the pain and healing once it stops reacting with your skin and soaks in. I was looking for you all night. Where have you been?"

"The others dragged me off to a strippers' club for a bachelor party. Stupid Duo and his stupid Western traditions . . ."

"How much sleep did you get last night?"

"Oh, Trowa knocked me out about ten-thirty or so."

She shook her head. "My, my, those boys."

Wufei felt the stinging start to fade. "Thanks a lot. When am I supposed to get dressed up?"

Phailin's grandmother reached forward and tugged at the top button on his shirt. "Now."

"Wait a second!" He protested as she attempted to unclothe him. He tried to back away.

She rolled her eyes. "It's not like I've never seen a naked man before. Tradition says the women on your side of the family prepare you for the wedding, but since you don't have any here Phailin's entrusted you to me personally. Now stop complaining, I know what I'm doing."

Wufei grumbled as she forced him out of his pants. "For the record, I don't like this."

"No man ever likes another woman to see him in his natural state." She pinched his butt again. "Sometimes for good reason."

"Ow!"

She grabbed him. "Don't be such a baby. Why is it you weren't saying anything when I was fixing your hand? In the tub, honey."

She jerked him forward and he fell into the bathtub. "Ahh, hot!" he whimpered.

She returned from the adjoining curtain with towels, soap, shampoo, a sponge, a loofah and a bucket. "I just realized something. You don't even know my name, do you?"

"No."

"I'm Kamala. Many call me Khun Mae, Honorable Mother, but you don't have to, just as Phailin doesn't." She dumped a bucket full of water over his head and began to scrub shampoo into his hair.

Wufei relaxed in the steaming water, giving up the battle he knew he wouldn't win. "All right, Kamala, there's some questions I'd like to ask as long as we're here. . ." Wufei had a lot of things he needed explained about the wedding. In particular, when he'd actually see Phailin.

"As soon as you're both all dressed up. Feel lucky, boy. She's been up since dawn. You had three more hours of sleep."

"I will, then." Wufei shifted uncomfortably as she took the loofah to him. The scratching sensation felt very unnatural and the red color his skin turned was a little unnerving.

"All shiny," she said, satisfied at her work as she toweled him off. Wufei felt very violated at this point.

The fine silks, however, made up for it. It was a much more elaborate outfit than he was used to, but it was light and didn't drag. This'll work good if Chatalerm decides to show up, he thought. It was blue with gold accents.

"You look very handsome, Wufei," Kamala said as he studied himself in the nearest mirror.

"One problem." He said, holding up a finger.

"Yes?"

"Get me some hair gel."

She paused, about to leave her stool. "Oh, never mind, it's in the cabinet in front of you."

Wufei sighed with relief and smoothed down his hair. "There."

"I do admit it looks better like that."

"Why I wear it like this. Can I see Phailin now?"

"I'll go see if she's ready."

A few anxious minutes later, the cloth swished. "Wufei?"

He turned around from studying a family portrait. His eyebrows arched. She, too, was clad in fine silks of her best colors, red and black. They were draped elegantly over her, accentuating her curves and leaving her shoulders almost bare. Her skin shone, oiled, no doubt, and her hair was done up simply but beautifully. Numerous thin gold rings had been slipped around her slender wrists and around her neck. "Wow," he breathed.

She looked him up and down, a calculating smile on her face. "You, too."

He reached for her hand, and she stepped nearer to him. "I missed you last night," he told her, knowing it was true.

"Naw, I bet you had a great time at that bar."

"What? You know about that? Gah!" Wufei dropped her hand and turned around, embarrassed.

"Grandmother told me. Oh, Wufei, it's all right. Here, let me see your hand." She inspected the bandages carefully. "Will it be okay?"

"Feels fine right now. I'll be able to fight with it."

"Chatalerm hasn't been seen for the past two days. You'd better be careful. He might try and sneak up on you."

"I'll be with you."

She hugged him, careful not to smear her makeup. "That makes it all worth it, right?"

"Of course."

She sat on her grandmother's stool. "Let's stay in here for a while. Technically, we're not even supposed to be in the village right now, but we had to make allowances this time since all the spare houses are being used."

"When is all this gonna start?" Wufei asked, walking around behind her and slipping his arms around her waist.

She laughed. "Your impatience!" The village will be gathered in an hour, now that it's been confirmed that we're ready to do this."

"Are you?" Wufei held her tightly.

"Aren't you?"

"I damn well hope so, because I'm doing it."

"Me too." She squeezed his hand. "I didn't think I'd be this nervous."

"Me neither."

They didn't speak after that for a long while, each lost in their own joyful thoughts. It begins, thought Wufei. My life's forever changed from this day. I never thought I'd be doing this.

"They're in here," they heard Kamala outside. She poked her head in. "Wufei, your friend wants to talk to you."

Wufei sighed. "Go," Phailin told him. He went.

Heero took him by the arm and led him aside into a niche. "Wufei . . . I just wanted to say, y'know, good luck."

"Is Relena making you do this?" Wufei asked. He seemed very awkward.

"No. It's just hard for me to play this pour-my-heart-out act. I just wanted to say that I think you're making a good choice. I've been hearing some doubts expressed around the village and, well, I don't agree, frankly. Phailin seems very happy with you, and I've no doubt she'd be stomping your remains into the ground if you were treating her bad. Anyway, er, I just wanted to say that if you ever need advice or anything, you can trust me. I wouldn't necessarily count on Duo, but I'm reliable."

Wufei nodded, although inwardly he felt better. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Marriage is so incredibly different." Heero continued suddenly. "I used to think that living with Relena was pretty much the same as being married to her, but it isn't, trust me. There's no way to describe that feeling. Relena's been bugging me about having a ceremony now. I think she's a bit jealous of you and Phailin. That's all I wanted to say, really."

"I appreciate it, Heero." Wufei looked at him. He noticed his hair had actually been combed. "We'll see you later."

"Sure thing." Heero trotted off.

Wufei went back inside. "The last thing I ever expected from him was an offer of advice," Wufei told Phailin quietly once her grandmother had left.

She stroked his cheek. "Heero seems like a very sweet man. It doesn't surprise me a whole lot. He may be paranoid, but that doesn't make him a cruel person. You should take him up on it if you need to."

"I didn't say I wouldn't. It's just that everyone's been acting so different lately."

"Are you sure it isn't just you?" She laughed at the look on his face. "Everyone else thinks you've been acting strange."

* * *

The wedding ceremonies were much more informal than Western weddings. Only the bride and groom were dressed up, and the general atmosphere was one of lazy excitement. The food was laid out buffet-style, anyone wandering by just stuck a hand out and ate some. Wufei and Phailin knelt together, heads bowed. The village slowly gathered, sitting on the ground. The vows would be taken by their own ministration. Phailin had written them up. They would say them in her language and in English; Wufei had spent hours with her, rehearsing pronunciation. He wanted this to be perfect.

Phailin was praying silently. He could see her lips moving, whispering her hopes and dreams to Buddha. It was in her tongue, but Wufei recognized some of it. "Don't let him die," she whispered. "Don't let me lose him now. I love him."

Wufei squeezed her hand. "We've come too far for that."

Everyone was gathered. Phailin, still bowing her head, said. "I suppose it's time to start." She let go of his hands and began to survey the people. Her close family and Wufei's, her grandparents, mother and brothers; Heero, Relena, Akiko, Duo, Sophie, Quatre and Trowa were his, more than even Wufei knew. She smiled and felt a sigh pass through the crowd.

"Before we begin," she said "I would like to—"

"Give him up?" Chatalerm stood up. He, too, was dressed to be married. "He cannot be your husband, Phailin, or you have broken the law."

"What law would that be, Chatalerm?"

"You are still betrothed to me, Phailin! Phailin, a man has not fought me for you. Phailin, you are mine!" A murmur spread through the crowd.

Wufei stood as well, his eyes hard, full of fire. "Don't use her name. You have no right to use that power over my woman!"

"Ah, then you know of that, Chang? She has taught her little plaything well." Chatalerm laughed. "Yet I still hear that you cannot defeat her in combat!"

"It is true, yet you yourself have never been able to beat her, either. Doesn't legend tell us that the more virtuous fighter wins?"

"We'll see who is the more virtuous. You vie me, Chang, and it is a challenge I endeavor to accept!"

Wufei spread his arms, mocking the man. "Take your best shot."

"I intend to. Ha!" Chatalerm approached at an easy walk, assuming an en-guard position. He had a sword.

"You would dare not attack an unarmed man." Wufei surveyed the weapon carefully. Though the blade shone, it was in poor condition.

From under the rug, Phailin drew Wufei's katana. She tossed it in the air from behind and Wufei caught it without looking. "That's better. Thank you, my love."

The remark set off something inside Chatalerm. With a ferocious shout, he charged. Wufei dodged easily. "You have to learn to be more graceful than that, tut!"

Angry, Chatalerm swung again, missing Wufei's rat-tail by mere centimeters. His accuracy was astoundingly nonexistent. They sparred, and Wufei found that his concentration was not taxed. He kept a careful eye, however. The man could be playing games.

Indeed he was. He laughed again. "You're not fooled, are you, Chang? Perhaps we should stop feigning, eh?"

"Indeed," Wufei agreed, and struck hard. Chatalerm's blade shattered. The end buried itself in the soft earth.

He staggered back, openmouthed, and found Wufei's steel at his throat. The shorter man glared at him, not even breathing hard. "I can kill you here and now," he said, his voice deadly.

"Then do it. I've embarrassed myself. I deserve to die. Kill me!" Chatalerm was almost pleading.

"There are children here. What would they think of me?" Wufei drew back his sword and sent it flying— it stood, quivering, beside his spot on the carpet next to his fiancee. Phailin reached for it, but then stopped herself.

"If you do not kill me, I will continue to fight," Chatalerm growled. His hand lashed out.

Wufei blocked it. The blow was strong, but too slow. He made a fast punch to the stomach, burying sharp knuckles into Chatalerm's abdominal muscles.

The man gasped and tried to kick, but Wufei was already ahead of him. Every step Chatalerm took was blocked, every move anticipated by Wufei. The routine was familiar; it was the same one Phailin had used the first time they'd met. Only this time, Wufei knew the fatal flaw.

Chatalerm bent low to duck a high kick from Wufei, and was knocked flat when he brought his ankle down on his shoulder. The routine left the shoulders exposed.

Chatalerm lay on the ground, panting. "Kill me!" he cried, his voice hoarse.

"No, your defeat has been punishment enough," Wufei said. "Stand up, man!"

He refused. "I cannot . . . stand to look you in the face, Chang. As I pilot I respected you. As a fighter I underestimated you. I can't . . . stand being wrong. Kill me, please. I have nothing here. Phailin is yours. You're worthy after all . . ."

"Stop being melodramatic, Chatalerm." Phailin said. "Stand up and look Wufei in the face. Stand up now or I will go over there and help you!"

Chatalerm slowly rose to his feet, swaying slightly. "How can I ever be whole without you, my sapphire?"

"You don't love me, Chatalerm, you never did. You hated me. You despised me. You loathed my intelligence, my wit, my talent. It was a body you loved, not a person. Stand up and tell Wufei he can marry me. Do it now!"

Head bowed, he swallowed. "Chang, she's yours. I won't try and take her again."

Wufei nodded. "I thank you. Please, now, sit and watch us be wed."

Chatalerm collapsed onto the ground, head in his hands. The village spread back into the circle they had cleared for the fight. Just like that, he was accepted again. His concession made everything honorable. Wufei had known it would. He wished no ill on the man, he just wanted him out of his hair about Phailin.

Phailin reached up and smoothed down his hair. "Now, where did we leave off?"

He took her hand and knelt once again, this time beside his sword rather than on top of it. It was a rather convenient symbol. "Right about here," he said.

A hush fell over the assembled village once again. Slowly, clearly, they began to recite in Phailin's language, and then in English.

"Let us be foresworn to be faithful."

"Let us be happy with ourselves."

"Let us be loving unto each other."

"Let us dwell not upon past mistakes."

"Keep us brave, to confront our fears."

"Keep us bold, to save one another."

"Keep us from taking sides."

"Keep us from taking immoral thoughts."

"Let us believe in the greatest truths."

"Let us not tell, lest the other believe a lie."

"Let us celebrate, never mourn."

"Let us keep each other beyond this world."

"Let us be blessed, let us be blessed,

for everything comes with time."

The last line they said together, passionately, and looked into each other's eyes. Wufei couldn't stop staring into those chocolate-brown orbs, long after the applause had died. The village sat impatiently, waiting for something to be said.

"We're done," Phailin said, looking away from her husband. "I think it's time for the celebration."

They cheered.

~~@[~*~]@~~

Wufei was a little way away from the others, standing alone looking up into the sky. The stars were out behind a full moon. You could see millions of them, standing away from the firelight.

Phailin slipped her arms around his waist. "It's a beautiful night."

"Perfect for wedding." Wufei looked down at her. "I was just thinking that I'm going to have to say goodbye to being lonely with them."

"What are you babbling?"

"The stars . . . were always my company when I was alone. I've told you this before. But now . . . I guess I'm never going to need them again."

Phailin looked up into the sky. I'm going to be watching for him a lot, she realized. "Maybe looking to the stars will help us stay together," she whispered. "What do you say, Wufei."

"Sounds good." Wufei. He yawned. "Think it's about time to go to bed?"

"I don't see why not." They made their way down the empty streets to Phailin's house, maintained during her long absence. Laughing, she pulled him into bed.

Something hissed. "Ow! There's a damn cat it here!"

Puzzled, Phailin flipped on the light. Wufei was nursing a bleeding arm, an orange-on-white tomcat hissing at him, back arched and hair on end.

"That's grandma's cat. Oh, no . . ." She looked under the mattress. "There's rice under here . . ."

"Rice?"

Phailin grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck and tossed him outside. "It's an old tradition. Cat in the bedroom and rice under the mattress to ensure fertility . . . there's probably coins around here somewhere, for happiness . . ."

Wufei smacked his forehead, exasperated. "Is there anything else I should know about, besides your grandmother scrubbing the skin off me and the stupid cat on the bed?"

"Not that I can think of. I didn't think they still did this . . . it's never talked about. I'm sorry, Wufei. I didn't think they'd be playing these tricks on you."

Wufei looked at his arm. "It's not too deep. Turn off the lights. I guess we'll just have to live with it . . ."

Phailin reached over him and hit the switch on the wall behind him. "It's not that bad, really, just a little frustrating. Grandma loves to play tricks."

"I noticed." Wufei kissed her.

~~@[~*~]@~~

Trowa came back to the base from his morning jog to find Duo in Deathscythe-RB, cursing. He hadn't cut or bruised himself, or even broken anything. The colonies wanted the gundams back in action.

Wufei was throwing a fit. "I'm not. They know I just got married."

"And you think they care? Get a clue, Wufei, they're gonna tear you and Phailin apart any way they can," Heero said, none too happy himself. Relena was nearing the end of the second trimester, and he wanted to be there with her. "But isn't this just as important?"

"No! I don't care!" Wufei slammed his fist against the wall.

Phailin had been listening at the door, and she was angry. She stalked into the room, glaring at him. "Get your priorities straight, Chang. You're going to risk people's lives so you can spend a few more days with me?"

Wufei yelped as if he'd been struck. He took one look at his wife and changed his mind. "N-n-no."

"Good. When will you be leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Then we can spend today together. What's the problem?"

"No problem," Wufei muttered.

"Good. Shall we?"

Alone, Heero shook his head and went to go find Relena and Akiko. Saying goodbye is hard, the reflected upon having to tell them he'd be going away again. Even if it is only for a little while. No wonder "valediction" sounded like such a hostile word.

*************************************

P. S. Valediction is bidding someone goodbye. I love having a dictionary nearby. (I'm so pathetic.)

So the gundam boys are off again, this time for a few months. The colonies, however, are getting more and more hostile. They stop on their way home to refuel at a nearby colony and Duo disappears. Has the memory of Hilde's death finally driven him mad? This story contains a little philosophy on why I killed Hilde, just in case you want to read it. It's kinda sappy. So, the next chapter of AC 206: The Change Time Brings: "Reflections".