Last Chapter I swear to my own death…. Whenever that is… I would like to thank Tears OF Stardust, who helped wright most of this chapter because she wanted to and I couldn't end it right. I warn you now, get the box of tissues ready, you'll need them, atlas I do, because I cry each time I read it. Hehe onward!

Part Four: The Slave

Galaxy quickly scaled the stairs to her apartment; her heart pounding faster in her chest the further she got. Duo, Heero, and Relena were scouring the streets, looking for Stardust. Galaxy had snuck off quietly, and now she stood outside her apartment door.

Pulse racing. Palms slick with sweat, Galaxy slowly twisted the brass doorknob and let is slowly swing open.

Sitting on the sofa was Stardust, eyes all blood-shot and another, the Maintainer.

If Galaxy and Stardust's wings were a shade of sliver, than his was a shade of gold. If they were the moons, then he was the sun. A Maintainer's duty is to watch over the angels, and they must look the part.

He had short black hair; but not so short that it didn't ruffle in the wind. He had brown, soulful eyes and very fair skin. He was slightly tall, about six foot two, with a slight build.

Galaxy watched the way he looked at Stardust and felt her heart break in two. It was obvious that he loved her, but Maintainer/Angel relationships were frowned upon.

"Hi, " Galaxy said in a soft whisper brushing the loose locks of hair behind her ears.

"Where were you?" the Maintainer spoke coldly, "Do you have any idea how much you exposure you have caused. You should have left with Stardust." His eyes glared at Galaxy.

"I didn't" She said back. Stardust's eyes widened. You never, ever talk back to a Maintainer, it was unheard of. Maintainers held massive powers and disrespecting them was a no no.

"What did you say?" he said in disbelief.

" I said I didn't, get it?" Galaxy mocked.

"Rainecloud, please, I'm sure she didn't mean it," Stardust pleaded, trying to keep Galaxy on Maintainer's good side. He softened his gaze as he turned back to Stardust. Not many knew about his past his Maintainer's status; not even enough to know his real name.

"Whether she meant it or not," he started slowly, choosing his words carefully," She still exposed herself far more than what she should have."

"But it no longer matters," Stardust said softly, folding her hand in her lap. The Maintainer shot her a saddened look as though her very feelings were reflected on to him. He lightly placed his hand on her shoulder; meaning for it to look as if he were only reassuring her, but Galaxy knew that he meant much more.

"What do you mean 'it no longer matters'?" Galaxy asked slightly confused.

Rainecloud sighed, then looked Galaxy straight in the eye and said: " You're through here, Galaxy. Both of you are. You came here to stop the God of Death, and you've done so. Now it's time for you to come home."

"Go…Home?" Galaxy took a step back, almost as though she had been slapped in the face.

Unbeknowest to all there, Duo (who had noticed Galaxy had wandered off) was standing just outside the doorway. He was, however, out of sight and for once silent to all those in the room, making it a convenient vantage point.

"No," Galaxy said after a brief pause, "I'm not going back."

Rainecloud just stared at her, thunderstruck. Stardust leaned forward slightly from her position on the sofa.

"It's him, isn't it?" was all that she said. It was all that she needed to say.

"I love him." Galaxy felt hot tears prick her eyes and a dryness in her throat. "And I'm not going back."

Rainecloud recovered from his momentary shock and then shot Galaxy a look of pure arrogance. "Whether you like it or not, you're coming home with us. It's your duty as an angel!"

"What if I no longer want to be an angel?" Galaxy shot back before she ran into the small kitchen adjacent to the main living area.

Galaxy frantically pulled open drawers until she found what she was looking for a stainless steal butcher knife.

Suddenly, a tiny hand clamped on to Galaxy's wrist trying to wrestle the knife away. They struggled for a few minuets until Galaxy smashed her elbow squarely into Stardust's stomach.

She fell to the ground, having the wind knocked out of her. Rainecloud rushed to her side, fearing that she might have been overly hurt.

Galaxy shot them a sadden look. She wasn't going to stop doing, but she was sorry that she had hurt Stardust in the process.

Galaxy firmly gripped the handle of the knife in her hand and slowly brought it the blade right under the spot where her wings connected with her back. Shutting her eyes tightly and gritting her teeth, Galaxy moved the knife upward in a fast, fluid motion.

There was no pain; only an intense feeling off vertigo as Galaxy felt the familiar weight of her wings fall off her back. She turned slightly watch them hit the floor, then disintegrate.

Galaxy the turned her attention to Stardust and Rainecloud. It looked as though they were made of sand; blowing away from their feet up. They were going home.

Rainecloud disappeared first, not a granule of his being remaining.

Stardust was only a head now, and a brief smile flashed across her pale lips. "Farewell, sister." were the last words she uttered before vanishing completely.

Galaxy wouldn't forget those words until the end of time.

La Fin

That's it, I'm done now. Stay tuned to the sequel to The Slave, called "The Angel"