Warning: This chapter may contain bits of character OOCness, angst, and melodrama, viewer (reader) discretion is advised (ie keep away from sharp, flammable, or otherwise dangerous, objects). You have been warned...

Phase III: Accusations

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Mwu's mind was spinning as it struggled to process this new information.

"My fiancé."

Fiancé. That single word hit him like a ton of bricks as his mind told him what it meant. And his heart sank at that realisation.

"W-Why didn't you tell me?" he whispered, struggling to keep his voice even.

She finally looked up, eyes troubled, "I-I was going to, but you looked so happy, and I, I couldn't…" she trailed off.

"Oh, so you were just going to let me find out for myself on your wedding day?" he asked sarcastically.

"I—" she tried to retort, but couldn't find the words. So instead, bit her lip and mumbled, "I'm sorry."

Silence passed between them, only broken by the occasional distant cries of a seagull as it flew towards the setting sun. They stood there, not looking at each other, each lost in their own thoughts, not sure what to do or say. What was one supposed to do or say in this situation?

"Why didn't you wait for me Murrue?" came his shaky voice. She couldn't help but catch an underlying accusing tone beneath the sadness and disappointment in those words.

She clenched and unclenched her fist. "How was I supposed to know you were going to come back? By all accounts, you were dead," she looked away.

"I know," he answered softly, trying hard, but failing, to bury how hurt he was feeling. "I just didn't think you'd get married so soon. I thought you'd at least wait a bit..."

"Wait? For what?" she asked bitterly, "For your ghost to come back to haunt me? Am I supposed to wither away my life in misery waiting in vain for you? You were the one who told me I shouldn't let the past stop me from looking for a future." Then she added almost as an afterthought, "Don't be so selfish Mwu."

"Selfish? Selfish!" his voice grew in volume, "I'm selfish? You have no right saying that. I almost died for you, and you call me selfish! If anything, you're the selfish one!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realised they were the wrong ones, as he saw her pale visibly and her thin frame shake slightly, and a gasp escaped her lips.

"Wait, that didn't come out right," he palmed his face as he tried to take back what he said. But it was too late. Her eyes flashed as she clenched her fists.

"Since when is wanting to move on and find happiness, wanting to live, selfish?" she asked coldly, voice even, her tone sending chills down his back.

Neither moved, and they couldn't look at each other. They were both tense and still as they waited, not wanting to be the one to speak next.

"I understand," Mwu finally stated in a quiet voice, "If that's the happiness you've chosen, then I have no right taking it away from you." He stepped forward, and for a moment, Murrue's heart quickened as she thought he was going to kiss her. But he didn't. Instead, he passed her and headed for the road. "Have a nice life."

Murrue gasped and straightened up at those words, uttered so emotionlessly. She whirled around and stared at his retreating back in shock.

"M…" Tears stung at her eyes as she almost called out his name, but for some reason, she couldn't. Perhaps it was due to that lump in her throat as she watched him walk away from her once again without so much as even a backward glance.

(...to be continued...)

AN: seems like I upset quite a few people last chap, and I don't suppose this is gonna help either... sorry... but just an "what if" idea I had that refuses to go away. I mean, you can't expect everything in life to go the way to want them to, and people sometimes say things without really meaning them (or thinking first)

But please don't get too upset and review (since I updated so soon)? (ie yell at me...)