Disclaimer: Star Ocean: Till the End of Time does not belong to me. Belongs to Tri-Aace and Square-Enix.

Summary: Ties of bonding are needed in order to keep the truce alive. Nel and Albel are chosen to be arranged into marriage. Willingly they accept not exactly knowing what they got themselves into. Is their marriage fated for love or fated for hate? Could Albel's feelings for a certain brunette get in the way of the truce remaining intact?

Rating: M for Violence, Language, and Sexuality.

Illusion of the Heart

Chapter 2: Crown of Thorns

Nel and Albel where forced on a trip given by the gang. Standing at the space station at Tokyo, Japan the two just stared in wide eyed. The place was huge and there was so many people walking about in the space station. Cliff who held a suitcase over his shoulder laughed at the two wide eyed Elicoordians "That amazing?" he asked them. They just gave him a nod and went back to looking around at their surroundings.

At first they didn't want to go in fact Albel wanted to throw the tickets in Fayt's face. Of course it had to be Fayt for he held pleasure watching Fayt's expression turn cheery to pissed. Instead they where ordered by the Queen of Aquaria and the King of Airyglph to go. Leave it to those sneaky bastards to have it all planned out to make them go. Though now they where actually quite interested in this other world and how it worked.

Fayt lead them outside of the space station to get on a white bus. Albel nearly pulled out his crimson scourge at the sight of it "What is that thing?" he asked the blue haired boy.

"It's a bus it's kinda like a lum and pulled cart. We use it for transportation." Fayt said while pushing the warrior onto the bus. Albel grabbed onto the sides and tried to stop himself being thrown in by his rival.

"What are you doing maggot?"

Glaring a bit "Getting you on the bus that is what!" Fay said sternly while pushing him in. Albel finally gave in and fell in. He noticed a rather odd contraption sitting on a seat in front of a wheel.

"Hmp what is that pile of scrap metal?"

The robot with a bus driver hat on it's head looked towards Albel. It's red eyes glowing as if scanning Albel Nox "I am #1111" he said in a robotic voice.

"It talks?" Nel said while observing the odd device.

Maria shook her head "Yeah in Tokyo most jobs are taken by robots." she said. Though she didn't exactly expect Nel or Albel to understand what she was talking about. Taking a seat beside Mirage the bus ride of hell started. Albel nearly leaped onto his feet and waved his crimson scrouge at the sound of beeping cars. Cliff had to hold Albel back from trying to bust out from the window. Nel on the other hand remained sitting calmly looking out the window at the buildings and other new things.

As the bus stopped they arrived at a luxurious four star hotel called the Maple Leaf. "I'm impressed by you Fayt! You getting us rooms at such a fancy swanky place." he said as they entered the lobby.

"Well that is what happens when you save the world from being destroyed."

"Really? All I got was more work." Cliff sounded shocked.

Mirage gently nudged Cliff's right arm "That is because you accepted the duty of talking to the Federation." she said.

"Oh yeah."

Nel glimpsed around and noticed how colored coordinated it was. The walls where white and the curtains where a deep red. The ground was oddly a wooden surface with a shine that she could see her reflection. The furniture and chairs had red cushions to match the curtains. She also noticed a lot of people standing in line talking on odd objects.

Albel found himself looking at these young men dressed all the same. As if they where knights only they didn't look like knights but rather scrawny weaklings. He watched them push a large golden cart into a door that opened by itself and then closed by itself. He was watching closely at the elevator he didn't even notice Fayt standing in front of him waving a hand in his face. "Hey!" yelled a annoyed Fayt and Albel looked down to give him a look of what only in a cocky manner sort of way.

"Hurry up you'll be left behind." said Maria as she watched the two have a staring contest.

As they approached the elevator they had to wait for it was in use. Sophia looked around "Sometimes I hate when elevators have to hit so many floors." she said.

"To bad this place didn't have a transportation elevator." Cliff said while studying the area. In fact the hotel had a rather old design to it. Except for the employed robots that worked at the desk and gift shop area. A click sound was herd and all watched as the elevator opened it's doors letting a few people. Three young men walked out along with a young woman with long blonde hair and one single pink stripe.

Sophia and Fayt gasped "The Crown of Thorns." they said in union.

The young girl smiled at them "Hiya there!" she winked at them. While walking past the group and Albel didn't really understand the outbreak but suddenly a bunch of screaming girls and boys filled the lobby. Nel found herself being shoved into a corner by some psychotic fan and she nearly fell but someone caught her. Glancing at the hand she traveled her gaze up to see a young man with black spiky hair and blue eyes.

"You alright?" he asked Nel.

Nel just shook her head yes while glancing at Maria who was pale in the face. She then looked back towards the young man "Yes thank you very much." she said to him.

"No problem I couldn't resist helping a dasmal in distress." he laughed.

"Jade come on!" said the young girl with the pink streak in her hair. She was standing at the entrance with the other group members along with security keeping the fans away.

Jade let go of Nel's hand "Hope to see you around." he said and then caught up with his group. Maria grabbed Nel's right arm and pulled her into the elevator which was on hold for them thanks to Cliff's efforts of sneaking out of a pack of horde fans.

"Your so lucky!" said Sophia as Maria gave a nod.

Nel gave a confused look "What are you talking about?" she asked the two girls.

"Even I wish I could had hold Jade's hand." Fayt told Nel while pressing the 8th floor button.

Albel smirked a bit "I bet that isn't all? Am I not right maggot?" he asked Fayt with a cocky smirk.

"Shut up!"

The elevator came to their floor and they all piled out. Cliff gave Nel her key and lead her to her room "Albel this way! You and Nel have a sweet!" he said with a chuckle. Then opened the door and shook his head "Damn I should visit later! You guys even have a Jacuzzi in this room." he said. Nel walked in and noticed there was only one bed meaning her and Albel would have to actually sleep together. Albel followed in and noticed this as well he wasn't exactly pleased with this.

Turning around he got a glimpse of Fayt and Sophia heading into their room. Which made his blood boil a bit and he sighed "You got to be kidding me. I have to share a room with this wench?" he said bitterly.

"Albel your married to her." Cliff said while resting his hand on Albel's shoulder. Nel sighed and ignored Albel's usual nicknames for her. She approached the balcony doors and opened them to stare out at the view.

Mirage then laughed "That reminds me you guys need clothes. Later I'll come back with Earthling clothes." she told Albel and Nel.

"I'm fine with what I got."

"You can't dress in a purple skirt around here, Albel." Cliff told him. Then he looked towards Mirage "Lets hit the mall?" he said to his friend. The two left and Albel was now alone to deal with Nel in his room. He noticed she was out on the balcony so he got some alone time to grieve about Fayt being in Sophia's room. Bah he shouldn't even care for he knew this was bound to happen to him later in life.

Nel rested her gaze at the garden that looked like a maze. She never seen such pretty flowers and a cherry blossom tree before. Sighing a bit she turned around facing the doors leading back to the room and stared at Albel who sat himself down on their bed "Albel.." she hated that look he was giving off. It was a cross from being painful and tormented was she really tormenting him with this marriage? Not that it was her fault it was the Queen and King's idea after all.

Usually she'd enjoy this for she was tormenting him but she felt ill inside. Walking back into their room she looked at him with a concerned look. Resting her hands on her hips she let out a sigh to get his attention "You seem moody?" she smiled.

"Bah of course I am moody. I have to stay in a room with you!"

Shaking her head "I should be moody as well. I wouldn't want to stay in a room with you myself." she told him. His crimson eyes glared at her and he got up from the bed with a growl uttering from him. He noticed she shrank back as he moved closer and couldn't help but feel amused by that. Even though they where married they both still felt the same way towards one another.

At least that is what he thought of course he was wrong he knew little of Nel's feelings towards him. Albel stood before the Aquarian and his glare had settled down on her face "Hmp then we both agree it would be wise we change rooms?" he said. Nel gave him a puzzled look though she knew it wasn't an option. Apparently this hotel did not come cheap and she should be even grateful that Fayt got them this room. Of course was Albel thinking of switching rooms with Fayt so he could be with Sophia?

"I would say yes. Though this is a gift. So I will enjoy it the most I can." Nel replied while walking towards the bed and sitting down on the edge.

Albel just stood in the place he was standing and looked towards her "There is no way we'll sleep together." he said with a nod.

"Then I'll sleep on the couch."

Albel sighed a bit and rest a hand on his forehead "If you wish. I really don't care where you sleep. You could sleep out on the balcony then I would feel less diseased with your presence." he sternly told her. Nel felt hurt but tried to hide it to the best she could she shouldn't even feel anything towards this man. He tried to kill her teammates and not to mention herself so why should she feel the way she did? Hiding it was hard for even if she put up the mask her eyes didn't lie what she was feeling right now.

"If that is what you wish. I'll sleep out on the balcony."

Albel tilt his head looking to her "Heh what your going to be a obedient?" he asked her with a laugh. It was unlike Nel to agree to something so quickly that sounded ridicules in the first place. Staring at her feature he noticed her emerald colored eyes looked sad which once again made him feel uncomfortable "Bah whatever sleep where you wish." he looks away from her. Nel sighed and started to check out their room.

When she approached the Jacuzzi she gave a confused look "What is this thing anyway? I know it's a bath but was it this jacuzzi Cliff was saying?" she asked Albel. Though she didn't really expect an answer from him.

"I don't know fool." he grumbled.

Nel sighed to herself and herd a knock at their door. Looking to Albel she knew he wasn't planning on getting up to answer it. So she went to the door and opened it to reveal Sophia looking angry. Nel's right eyebrow raised "What is wrong?" she asked the younger girl.

"Fayt! He blew me off to play video games! Ugh I swear his brain will rot!" she was dressed in a blue bikini that showed enough to say the least. It definitely caught Albel's attention that was sure his face turned red a bit. Nel looked at Sophia with a confused look wondering why she was hardly wearing anything. Was this an earthling outfit if that was the case she rather stay in her regular attire.

"Sophia why are you not dressed?" Nel asked with concern. She wondered if the girl got so fumed at Fayt she walked out half naked. At the right corner of her eye she noticed Albel could barely stand looking at Sophia. All red faced and looking as if he was about to get up to pounce the girl like an animal. Sophia smiled at Nel knowing the Aquarian had no clue what a bathing suit was.

Shaking her head "Nope this is a bathing suit. Girls wear them to go swimming. I wanted Fayt to come with me but he ditched me for video games." she sighed. Sophia watched as Nel studied her attire more and she couldn't help but let a giggle out "Hey you want to come with me to the pool once Cliff and Mirage come back with some clothes for you guys?" she asked.

"Sure I would like to see this pool." Nel gave a nod and looked towards Albel. He who was busy staring at Sophia's body didn't realize Nel giving him a glare now. She sighed a bit "Nox, Sophia asked us a question! She wants to know if you'd like to go see the pool once Mirage and Cliff come back?" she asked him.

"Huh? Oh yeah whatever." he looked away suddenly because he was caught in the act staring at Sophia. Though he wondered if Nel was the only one that noticed for he would get over that since he could careless what she thought about it. Sophia smiled at Nel and looked towards Albel who was now sulking.

Sophia then sighed a bit "I wonder if Fayt will join us? Hopefully he'll get bored but I doubt it. Since.." she looked down. Nel tilt her head and gave her a concerned look "Since he went to play video games with Maria. I hoped he'd go swimming with me but instead he ditched me for the video games with Maria!" she shouted. Albel looked at Sophia extremely amused now for he had a chance to gain the girl's affection if he played his moves right. Nel on the other hand just didn't get Fayt she thought he liked Sophia not Maria.

"Well I'm sure he just wanted to play video games not be with Maria." Nel tried to calm her down.

"Your right! He always chose video games over anything. Well I'm going back to my room when you guys get your new clothes come to our room." she smiled then walked out leaving the two alone. Nel sighed as she shut the door and looked towards Albel with a look that made him confused.

Albel looked to her and kept a light smirk on his face "Something wrong? You seem gloomed." he chuckled.

"Sorry I was a bit disgusted when I saw your tongue hanging out of your mouth like a friggan animal in heat." she snapped. Albel just started to laugh more and she felt herself burning up with anger.

"I can't help but feel your jealous? I mean your not exactly as pretty as Sophia so you should be jealous. In fact you're a tomboy not even my type." he continued on. Nel sighed and just walked out of the room back towards the balcony. She tried to escape from his comments of course she couldn't deny they hurt. Sure she wasn't exactly beautiful in a princess sense but she didn't think she was that unattractive. Albel watched her walk out on to the balcony and gave a light smirk "Maggot just because where married doesn't mean I lust or even need to look at you in that way a loving person does."he said in a cutting way.

Nel gripped the bars on the balcony and stared down "I know." she then looked back towards the room "Don't you think I know that? I know you hate me and have no desire being with me! How many times do I have to hear it?" she yelled.

Cliff who didn't bother to knock walked in with bags and Mirage as well had bags. Albel was about to say something witty at Nel until he noticed the two Klausians standing in their room "Where back with some nice clothes." he said while throwing some bags on Albel's lap. Mirage walked out towards the balcony and noticed Nel's form shaking a bit.

"You alright Nel?"

Nel look towards Mirage and smiled "Yes I'm fine. Oh you bought us clothes. Thank you very much." she said as she was handed the bags.

Cliff smiled while holding one back up to Albel "Hurry and get this on were all going to go down to the pool." he said. The Airyglphian raised a eyebrow and took the bag while fishing out black swimming trunks.

"You have one too." Mirage smiled at Nel while she dug in the back. She pulled out a two piece and it was silver. Mirage couldn't help but giggle when she blushed a bit "Cliff picked it out and he is a real pervert so what do you expect?" she smiled.

Nel just shook her head "No it's alright. I'm thankful anyways." she said. Mirage and Cliff left them alone to get dressed. Nel walked in to the bathroom finding it the only private place in the room she started to put on the bikini she was given. She managed to put on the bottom part but the top was a big mystery. The strings in the back were starting to provide much of pain then Luther's battle. When she got done fighting with the strings and managed to tie it she stared at her reflection in a huge mirror on the one right side of the wall "Oh apris this is too revealing." she looked down in embarrassment.

Albel had no problem with putting on the black trunks but he was a bit annoyed with the new prostatic hand he was given. Parting with his claw was hard and staring at a fake hand was even worse. Nel now tried to gain courage to walk out of the bathroom like this she could only imagine how she'll feel when lots of other eyes saw her. Walking out she noticed Albel staring at his new prostatic hand "That was nice of them to get you a prostatic hand." she said. Albel sighed and looked up to see a red headed vixen that possibly couldn't be Nel.

"Bah I feel naked without it." he grinned while getting up. He approached her and his eyes scanned her from head to toe. Nel narrowed her eyes and folded her arms in front of her chest. He laughed a bit "Nice but not nice like Sophia's bathing wear." he smirked.

Nel glared and then grabbed a towel near a cabinet "Quit comparing me to Sophia! I'm not her and never will be." she groaned walking towards the door.

"I know. Which is too bad for you."

Sighing she walked out of the room and wrapped the towel around her waist. She noticed Cliff and Mirage standing in the hallway. Cliff was about to lean in and kiss Mirage but stopped when he saw Nel "Damn you look hot." he laughed then got elbowed in the stomach by Mirage.

"Ahem?"

Cliff shook his head "Sorry I was just complimenting her." he said to Mirage. Then put arm around her "Don't worry I still think your #1 when it comes to hotness." he said with a smirk.

Nel laughed and watched Albel walk out with a smug look on his face. Probably getting excited about seeing Sophia again? She thought in her head then looked at Mirage "Where are the rest?" she asked.

"Fayt and Sophia are now down at the pool. Maria decided she rather stay in her room then go swimming." she said with a sigh.

"Well lets go down." Cliff said and started to lead them towards the elevator. Once they got out of it they approached double doors and lots of voices from the other side could be herd. When Albel and Nel walked in they gave a confused look.

"Is this a bathhouse maggot?"

"No it's a pool. The water is not warm but cold."Cliff answered Albel.

"Ah so it's to cool off from the heat?" Nel asked and received a nod from Cliff. They headed towards the pool side and noticed Fayt sitting on a white wooden chair. He looked up with a smile as the group approached them.

"Hey."

Mirage looked around "Where is Sophia?" she asked.

"Oh! She is swimming." he laughed a bit pointing towards the deep end. Sophia was sitting on a pink tube and looked at them giving them a wave.

Nel placed her towel down on one of the chairs and approached the pool. She noticed there was a lot of kids on the one side. So the water must be more shallow and Sophia was in the deeper end "Hmm.." she studied it a bit. Albel took a seat next to Fayt and noticed most of the women hear sported a bikini. He couldn't help but laugh when the men where trailing their eyes on all the women.

The spunky girl from earlier walked in to the pool drawing a lot of attention "Hey don't let me stop your fun. Please continue." she laughed as she was followed by three men which one of them was Jade. Two built men walked in after them and sat stood by the group that seemed popular around here.

"Rumi do you think it would be okay if I jumped in for a bit?" a younger boy asked he had black hair with blue highlights. The other was a bit older long he had long blonde hair and had a pair of black shades.

Rumi smiled a bit and started to laugh "Yeah that was the idea! To relax and all until we had to practice for the concert." she said. Then noticed all the males in the room waiting for her to remove her robe. She laughed a bit and walked towards the deep side of the pool throwing it aside sending cat calls towards her way.

"Wow Rumi!" Sophia said while staring up from her float. She winked and jumped in to the water. Lyaco the younger member went in the shallow water first to get adjusted to the water he wasn't as crazy as Rumi. Sei stretched out on a chair and started to read a magazine he was close to Fayt. Fayt could barely hold himself from jumping Sei and asking him tons of questions.

Albel didn't get the big deal of this so he just stared at Sophia who now was playing a game with Rumi. Nel sat down on the edge of the pool so her bare feet was dipped in to the cold water and as if she could feel eyes she glanced back to notice Jade. Jade only smiled and approached her "Hello my dasmal in distress." he said.

"I wish you wouldn't call me that."

Blinking his blue eyes a bit "Huh really? Most of my female fans would die over that." he laughed a bit nervous. Nel gave a sigh and looked towards Rumi who was splashing Sophia with water.

"I'm not a fan." she admitted.

Jade laughed "Yeah you don't look like around her." he said while poking her red ruin on her arm. Nel smacked his hand away and got up from the ground giving him a glare.

"Don't touch me ever!" she said then walked back towards Fayt and Albel. Jade gave a confused look for he wasn't use to this. Usually a girl would be all over him the very minute he touched her with his hand. He sighed and just got in the pool to mess around with Rumi.

Albel smirked as Nel sat down in a chair beside him "Hm having fun with Jade maggot?" he asked her. Nel just glared at him and wrapped the towel around her so she didn't feel like a magnet to the men.

"No I don't like that sort of attention."

Mirage watched as Cliff went to do a cannon ball and sighed "He such a child at times. Yet that is why I love him." she smiled to herself. He jumped in and everyone near the pool side got hit with a splash.

Fayt's right eye twitch when his portalable game system got wet "Cliff! You almost destroyed my precious game system!" he snapped.

Sophia fumed "Well maybe you should put that down and come play with us!" she yelled from the pool.

"Yeah sugar come play with us." Rumi said with a wink and Fayt automatically got up from his chair to jump in the water.

Nel smiled as she watched them play and she looked towards Albel "Why don't you join them? I'm sure it'll be fun since you'll be able to play around with Sophia." she stated. Albel gave a glare towards her way and then shook his head.

"I don't wish to swim. Plus with that maggot Fayt inside the pool I'll only tempt to commit murder by drowning him. Even though I could put it as a excuse of forgetting to let him come up for some air. Maybe you rather see me give Jade that treatment? To show I care and give a damn what he does to you." he laughed a bit.

The crimson haired woman sighed "I really don't care what you do!" then got up and walked out of the pool room.

TBC

Calamity: Wow thanks for the reviews. I apologize for I have not updated in a while! Sorry if Nel is too out of character I'm trying not to make her. Also no worries I do not plan to have OOC/Canon so don't hope on Nel/Jade. Well I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and please review!