Improper Guardian

Chapter Thirty Five

By: Brenli

For perhaps the tenth time that day, blood came down like rain. No one paid much heed to any of this, however, for these days, each fighter had become much more interested in charging ahead and taking what lives they could before it was their turn to fall. Call it hopeless and sad… but this was what was left for the Rabbit Hunters. Never before had it been more obvious that a large percentage of their success had been due to the fact that they had once claimed Michael and his army of men as one of their own… now, it hit them like a slap in the face, or a sword through the heart, or a bullet in the head.

By now, their battles were routine, however negative they might have been. For in spite of the casualties the violent Queen Nemaelle had suffered from the Holy Blood battle, she had received a vast number of ruthless White Wing soldiers that made up for these numbers, and her people had been filled with even more bloodlust and anger for the friends and relatives and lovers they had lost. Now, the Rabbit Hunters were getting used to doing what they were forced to do: Protect their bases. One by one each base and hideout became part of the aptly-named Rabbit Territory… Rabbit Territory was growing. And now the Rabbit Hunters were hardly hunting at all. They were being hunted.

But maybe they should have seen this coming… all these cut up, shot up bodies… ground so bloody it was slippery… from the rising of the sun to the setting of it. Maybe they should have seen it, when they realized that suddenly, one little Rabbit girl wouldn't take the genocide, anymore. And maybe it really should have hit them when the news came out… Michael, the Angel born for War, was taking advantage of the clearing his contract and would be joining the Revolution AGAIN… for NEMA'S cause, this time.

Well, it certainly was hitting them, now, as the Rabbit Hunters fell before their opponents, both Rabbit and White Wing, now. Some, only wounded, were forced to watch as the carnage unfolded before them, ugly, gorey, frightening. Images they had seen and forced upon Improper Children now were mirrored on the bodies of Rabbit Hunters, and the wounded did nothing but watch. For there was nothing to do but watch. Maybe they deserved it.

Yes… there was nothing to do but watch as the Rabbits and White Wings took down the Hunters… and then finally… THEY came.

The Fiery Angel and the Violent Queen. That was what they were, now. A deadly and dangerous duo, and while they had spent a good deal fighting, they came together in the end, as they always did, for a splendid finale they liked to do. The wounded that were able to see watched on with hopeless eyes… two bloody figures, the Queen and the Angel, offering each other warm smiles in spite of the fresh bloodlust. And with a flourish of his hand, their base, once tall and proud, burst into flame, the windows shattering from the heat inside. And with a flourish of hers, their base became nothing more than debris lit on fire. And they each smiled and hugged.

And that was it. It became a sign, and the Rabbit Hunters took it for mercy. This meant the Rabbits and their White Wing allies were finished… they were going home. The wounded had a chance to heal and fight again.

But as the warriors finished off any leftover serious threats and left for their homes, the wounded Hunters could only lie there and stare at the sky. If they dared to smile, it was empty. Because the truth behind this so-called merciful end was that the Rabbits could afford to let the wounded live.

They were winning well enough.

And when the Violent Queen and the Fiery Angel returned to the place they called home, they washed up, ate heartily, and spoke of the possible maneuvers they could make next. Sometimes they celebrated, but this was only if they made a spectacular advancement in the war effort. This was one thing that Nema and Michael agreed on. While both were fond of parties, they would keep their heads clear enough to focus on the true win: getting Cheriour and his Rabbit Hunters to surrender.

But on this night, Michael decided he could afford to celebrate in the quiet of the war leaders' conference room. Why? Because today they had destroyed the base that Cheriour had run off to. He had overheard this from Rabbit Hunters urgently inquiring about his safety.

And, unfortunately, he was safe.

But now he was without a room and many of his personal belongings.

And for this, the great Archangel thought he could afford to sit back in the large and comfy chair with his feet propped up on it, drinking his wine straight from the bottle and staring up at the mapped out locations of the majority of the Rabbit Hunting bases.

"Michael, you're already drunk?"

He looked up at his violent and most treasured Queen, dressed in white and looking as otherworldly and beautiful as he could ever dream she'd be. "I'm not drunk YET."

"Yet." Nema smiled.

He merely returned the favor, took out a dagger and threw it at the map, watching it land right on the mark he wished it would hit. "One more down, Nema!"

"But how many more to go?"

"I don't think there are many. You've seen the numbers."

She nodded and replaced Michael's dagger with a sharp pin tied off with a red ribbon, a mark showing they had cleared out another official and proudly standing base. "They do seem to be dwindling, aren't they?"

"We are DESTROYING them." Michael said with a grin. "Won't be long, Nema… We'll get HIM next. Then it'll all be over, and we'll throw a big party, you and I…! And it will last all week, and we'll make it a holiday…!"

Nema sighed in happiness and idly observed the dagger in her hands. "I think your wine is getting to you."

"Hey, I want to celebrate! We were so close to getting Cheriour, so fucking close…!" The wine swayed in its bottle as the War Angel swirled it in his hand. "… And I have good news."

"Oh?"

With this Michael laughed and beckoned Nema to come to him, and she settled in his lap, as they often did when they discussed… just about anything. "Nema, your dad finally likes me!"

Nema took the wine bottle from his hand and tossed him a warm smile. "Did he really say so?"

"It was yesterday, when I told you to sleep 'cause you were looking too tired, and I took care of everything for you. Remember when he visited, and asked why you weren't bloodied from the battle, and you told him what I did?" Michael grinned and ran his fingers through her ivory hair. "He came up to me, and you wanna know what he said?"

"What did he say?"

"He said, 'You're a good man, Michael. Keep taking care of her.'" And with this he gave a big and happy laugh, such as only things like love and wine could do to him. "So I deserve to get drunk! This is a happy occasion!"

And Nema settled against him and nuzzled her face against the tender spot where his neck met his shoulder. "It has been three months, and my father can't be mad at anyone forever."

"The best three months of my whole damn life!" Michael agreed, taking hold of the wine bottle, but allowing Nema to steal a sip before he took more for himself. "So where the Hell were you when I was born, huh? I'll bet my whole life would've been this fucking good if only you were around!"

"Red eyes and all?"

"Red eyes and all." Michael repeated, letting Nema take another sip of the wine. "Seriously, you and me, little angry and insane kids, blowing things up! Would've driven everyone mad, and it would've been the LIFE!"

"But this is fine, too, isn't it? It only took three months to get this all settled… my warriors now have no problems with your men. I have even seen some of the women flirting with your men… a lot of them seem to like Kamael, for some reason."

Michael laughed heartily. "Fucking hilarious. Kamael is completely oblivious to any of that, you know. I think he's a eunuch."

Nema laughed at this and took a final sip of wine, setting the bottle on the desk beside them. "Well that'll be a disappointment for many of those poor girls, won't it?" Her breath stopped in her throat as she felt Michael's hands fly up to cup her face.

"We're not gonna talk about disappointment today…" And he kissed her, like he now had the pleasure of doing for every day of these past three months. In spite of the freedom this red-haired Angel had been allowed to experience for this amount of time, each kiss he gave was not taken for granted, whether it was soft and in passing or hard and passionate. Right now it was very much the latter, and he liked it that way…

But he was never fond of being interrupted, and he had the misfortune of such a thing. It was not even a rude knock… it was an I-Child who had been selected as part of Nema's covert operation to reach Raziel, and, feeling that he was of special rank because of it, simply marched into the room with papers in his hand and a pen placed on his ear. "Nema-sama – Oh! Oh, I… I'm sorry!" He quickly bowed to clear his vision of the skirt hiked up too high, and placed the many papers on the desk. "Here are the things you asked for, Nema-sama."

"Oh, thank you!" She regarded him with a nod, and the I-Child quickly left, before Michael could decide to throw something at him.

"What the fuck is up with people marching in on every room we're in except the bedroom? This is a private room too, dammit! We could be making really big plans in here!" Michael fumed.

"All the decisions we make in here are things they'll hear eventually, though…" Nema reasoned and scanned over a group of papers that had been clipped together. She stopped, reread it, and flipped from the ending page to the front. "… Well that's weird…"

Michael looked down to find the name 'Cheriour' printed several times throughout the sentences on these sheets of paper. "What's that?"

"I wanted to find information on Cheriour regarding his history… But… the earliest records we've got are from around the time that Nyssa's Rebellion began… and considering his age, that would mean he was born with the body of a teenager."

"Angels aren't born that way."

"Well that's what these records imply, though… it's like he just… APPEARED." Nema flipped through the papers one more time and dropped them on the desk. "I'll need to look into that further…" And then she scooped up the second, much smaller group of papers.

Michael watched her face light up. "What is it…?"

Nema bounced twice in his lap. "Negotiations are complete! The Anima Mundi are going to let me in!" She slapped the papers back onto the desk and threw herself onto the Angel she was already on top of. "I'm going to meet Raziel!" She purred against him. "Official preparations start tomorrow…!" And then she couldn't resist poking his dragon-covered cheek. "I won the bet…!"

Michael scoffed. "Feh! You haven't won until Raziel says he'll put an end to your war!"

"You think he won't want to?"

"He might not!"

Nema smirked. "You're just a sore loser. He'll want to end this. It'll be easier on everyone! So, LOSER, what day shall you wear a top hat?"

"How 'bout we hold off on your dandy goth ideas?" Michael said quickly.

"… Oh, I know! I have a birthday coming up, soon!" She enjoyed watching his face go pale.

"But I can't do that, then!"

"Why not?" Nema pouted.

"Because…! I said so!" Michael mumbled. "Besides, you're not gonna have enough TIME!" He suddenly said with a grin. "Considering you need to make preparations for your covert operation ON TOP of battle plans and all the usual work…! HAH! YOU WON'T HAVE TIME FOR IT! Your birthday is the day after tomorrow!"

He watched his Queen glare at him, but by no means was she truly angry. "… I'll make you wear my mini-crown, then."

"NO! NEVER! I'LL DIE FIRST!"

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"… Cheriour-sama. You are safe."

The figure before this Rabbit Hunter said nothing as he sat upon the ground in a shabby little tent, reading over some paperwork.

"… It is assumed you would want to move into another base. Where are we to take you, Cheriour-sama?"

Again, nothing.

"Cheriour-sa –"

"She's going to lose."

"… Excuse me, Cheriour-sama?"

"She thinks she is doing so well… well, then, she may take away as many buildings and followers as she sees fit. But she will not win. I am still here."

"… Should I believe that we are to stay camped out here for the night, Cheriour-sama?"

And then Cheriour's blonde head snapped around to look over his shoulder. "Have I asked for your presense?" He asked placidly, as nearly all of his words were.

"… No… No, you have not. Please forgive me, Cheriour-sama."

But Cheriour was rarely one to forgive, and he brushed back his blonde bangs and said simply, "… No." And then he sent a single shot from a shining pistol into the Rabbit Hunter's chest.

The body flew back and out of the pathetic tent, and two Rabbit Hunters came to his aid, one cradling his neck and shoulders while the other pressed a hand over the bleeding wound.

"I can't…everything is… blurring together…" The wounded Hunter coughed up blood, got some in his eye. "I can't see…"

One Rabbit Hunter tried lifting his upper body, but the head merely rolled forth and moaned. "Are you sure you can't see?"

"I saw…"

"You see? What do you see?"

"… Red –" And then he said no more.

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"Nema, child!" The Queen heard a woman cry. "Your birthday? And you didn't tell me!"

Nema looked over her shoulder and beamed at who she saw. "And my surrogate Uncle never told you?"

Alexiel rolled her dark eyes and handed Nema a bundle wrapped in white cloth. "Men can't be trusted to tell women information as they always assume that women already know everything. But as it was, I had been making you a gift, anyway. So how old are you now?"

Nema began to undo the knot holding the fabric together. "Seventeen in Assiah's years."

"You're still so young…! I am too used to being around people who have lived at LEAST to 100 or so. I am so old…"

"But you look beautiful, anyway. Uncle Lucifer wouldn't allow you to get old even if that was an issue, you know. The lusty part of him wouldn't like it."

Alexiel laughed, light shining off the dark waves of her hair. "You flatter me. And another thing, Nema, dear. You should refrain from referring to Lucifer as your uncle. I hope that one day your relation to him will change."

Nema only arched a pale brow up at the Dark Queen and finished unwrapping her gift. And then her ruby eyes widened in glee.

It was a corset, constructed of white satin, brocaded with images of equally-white wisps of flower petals and falling feathers, laced with shining white ribbon and accented along its edges with dainty white lace. It was so much more beautiful than anything Nema could think of creating herself, and after remembering to breathe, she'd cooed, "This is wonderful… you made this?"

"You like it, then." Alexiel merely said. "You don't need to flatter me. That is a basic underbust corset pattern, isn't it? It's only the fabrics that make it seem so flashy."

"I'm not flattering you. This is almost store-bought quality…!"

"Well, now, don't be too shocked, really…! You have been a seamstress for far longer than I have!"

"I don't practice corsetry." Nema replied softly, running her hands down the firm seams. "… Is this steel-boned?"

A small and teasing smile crossed the Organic Angel's lips. "Would you be amused if I told you that the boning of your corset is made from the dulled-down blades of old and no longer used swords?"

And the Violent Queen did find this amusing. "You used things that spilled blood to form a corset that's as white as an innocent wedding dress? You and Uncle Lucifer are big fans of irony, aren't you?"

"Again, I remind you to refrain from calling him your Uncle. Much more fitting you think of him as a brother-in-law. If you understand what I am implying."

"What are you implying…?"

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"Oh, look who I have found, making a loner of himself. Is that intended to add to your impossibly mysterious persona?" The icy voice said mockingly, teasingly.

And the owner of this voice knew exactly how this other man would respond. Such was the natural gift of being a twin brother… however different they may have been in all other respects. "Fuck you! Nema's got a party going on, and she likes you and all! Go entertain her!"

"Oh, but she is being entertained enough with Alexiel and the gift she gave her. A beautiful corset. You will think Nema is gorgeous when she wears it for you."

Michael mumbled something, but Lucifer only caught the words, "always is." It was enough.

"And why isn't my dear little brother entertaining my little niece?"

"Because I don't NEED to! And she's not your damn niece! Stop calling her your niece!" The Fire Angel sent the Dark King several mental daggers.

As usual, Lucifer was not affected by the anger thrown at him. "She will be my niece until another event should cause that to change. Little Mika."

"DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT!" Michael quickly snapped. "You think because I'm with your so-called niece, it's okay to strike up conversations with me? You fucking tried to kill me because of her! You threatened to do so if I didn't stay away her! And now you're all… SMILES with me? Fuck you… brother."

But Lucifer only suppressed a quiet laugh. "Still so bitter with me. Aren't you?"

"I have lots of reasons to be bitter with you."

"Oh, but it was so long ago… All of that mess…"

"Shut up."

"I have told you before… that in many ways that was just fate. But it can change now, dear little brother. Prince of Light."

Michael tensed, but bit back the swear words he'd had lined up for his brother. "… Shut up." He repeated quietly.

And Lucifer decided that was enough, for now. The quiet admission was a progression, however small, and Lucifer wasn't going to assume that winning Michael's brotherly camaraderie was an easy process. "… Now, then. May I ask as to what my dear little brother has gotten my niece for her birthday?"

"I didn't GET her anything. I TOOK her somewhere."

"Oh? And where to?"

"Harajuku. Why?" Michael muttered quickly.

"That's rather brave and dangerous. Traveling there, during wartime."

But this made Michael grin. "It was great! All those fucking Rabbit Hunters chased us all the way there and through half of Tokyo, or damn near it! But we got 'em ALL, because we fucking rock!"

"Then Nema enjoyed your gift?"

"Feh! Yeah!" Michael's smirk lit up his features. "… We did that lot back when we were stuck down there. Every Sunday night."

"It was a weekly date." Lucifer smiled.

"It was a GAME." Michael was quick to reply. "It wasn't like I gave her flowers and we ate dinner in a fancy place and kicked some ass, and then finished it off with a kiss. Okay? I'm not that fluffy."

This time the Dark King let out a long laugh. "Only you could consider kicking ass in an otherwise normal date to be 'fluffy', as you so term it. Regardless, that is a thoughtful gift for her."

Michael only shrugged. After a pause he muttered, "… So aren't you gonna go talk to Nema?"

"I have already spoken with her, and I would like to speak with you."

Again, Michael paused. "… Yeah, well you've spoken."

"Goodness, that's cold of you."

"Well what the fuck do you NEED to talk to me about?" The Fire Angel snapped.

"Oh, just an uncle's concern for his niece."

"For the last fucking time, she's not your niece! If you call her that again, I'll kill you!"

"Will you?" Lucifer simply allowed his lips to curl into an icy sort of smile, one that told Michael he wasn't taking him seriously. "And if she is not my niece… what is she?"

"She's…" Michael shrugged again. "I don't know. That's a fucking weird question, anyway."

"… May I consider her my sister-in-law?"

"WHY IS EVERYBODY GOING OFF ABOUT THAT?" Michael snarled. "She's not your sister-in-law. Get over it."

Lucifer merely chuckled. "But only my dear Queen and I have ever referred to her as our sister-in-law."

"… So?"

"So I think you are acting particularly defensive for someone who doesn't want Nema to be considered my niece OR my sister-in-law."

"Well that's 'cause she's neither! Setsuna's not your brother, and Nema's not MY daughter, so she can't be your fucking niece! And she can't be your sister-in-law until- unless I marry her." Michael became preoccupied with the black sleeves of the shirt he more or less shared with Nema, now.

The air around him grew far too quiet… and when he dared to look up out of the corner of his eye, Michael saw Lucifer grinning. "… Oh, I never thought you would be capable to loving a lady so much." He spoke lightly, almost dreamily, and it disgusted Michael to see the ever-icy Devil himself speak in such a way.

"Just shut your mouth!" Michael hissed. "It's not any of your business who I love or how much I love that person!"

Lucifer ignored those words. "When are you going to ask for her hand in marriage?"

Michael stuttered. "… I… I didn't MEAN it like that, idiot! M-my… words slipped, that's all! It's not even a thought in my mind, that whole marriage thing!"

"But you do love her?"

"What of it?" Michael said defensively.

"And you would never wish to leave her, yes…? That idea… does it hurt you, at all? If for whatever reason you were at odds with Nema, you wouldn't let her go, would you? Or is my little brother's heart not that selfless… and would you let her go because it was easier on you… even if it hurt her?"

"YOU WILL NEVER SAY THAT SHIT TO ME AGAIN!" Michael yelled, "DON'T TALK LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH! YOU DON'T!"

"But you know that I have spent many years of my life following after Alexiel… because I could not let her go. Because I love her. I think… that in my own way… I do have an idea of the ways you may have felt during that rough patch you went through."

Michael said nothing.

"… And you love her?"

"I love her."

"And you would never wish to leave her."

"I'd try my fucking hardest to avoid it."

"… Then, my brother, why not marry the girl?"

Again, Michael was silent. After a long pause he muttered. "… You know we've only really been together for a few months, right?"

"You were together for longer than that… however twisted that time might have been, you see."

"… We can't get married."

"Oh, yes you can…!" Lucifer smirked.

"You know, I don't SEE any fucking weddings chapels around these parts! Seems like marriage is a little, you know, ILLEGAL."

"But I can always arrange for certain ceremonies down in Hell."

"I don't want to get married in Hell! I want to get married HERE!"

Now Lucifer said nothing, watching the look fall over Michael's face. Ever sly with trickery, the Dark King had drawn out the very innermost secret the Fire Angel currently held. "… I will keep my offer open, for you… my dear little brother."

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Nema blushed wildly. "Oh, I can't get married!"

"And why not? Every day I wish so much that you will become my sister-in-law…!" Alexiel smiled down at her.

"But you could just… THINK of me as your sister-in-law. That's enough for now, isn't it?"

"Not really." The Organic Angel said simply.

"… Well, marriage isn't important, you see."

"It isn't?"

"No. I am in love, and love's enough. I don't need rings and veils if the love is there."

"But you have thought about it, haven't you?" Alexiel smiled as the Queen paused. "Dressed in white, walking down the aisle… and he's looking at you with that face that just screams that he loves you, and he's proud of you, and he wants to be bound to you until he dies."

Nema couldn't really think of anything to say and began picking at the lacing of the white corset. "… That's a pretty picture…"

"Certainly it is."

"… It's not one I need. Even if… I like it."

"… Oh dear." Alexiel said softly. "I've made you feel bad."

"Oh, not at all!" Nema quickly shook her head. "… I have too much to consider before I decide to think of what I want for myself… that's all. I have a war to run, and a man I need to talk to, and I am currently trying to get started on a project for a memorial for all the warriors who were KIA. I have too many things to do… and love is enough, really. … Besides, Michael is not the type to be married."

"You don't think so?"

"No, not really."

"Does Lucifer seem like the type?"

Nema blinked at this plain question. "… Well, he IS married."

"But that doesn't mean that he seems to be the type. The truth is that I had never expected to be wed to the Dark King… he seemed much too cold, however much he may have been attracted to me, you see. But he sought me out quickly. We must have been married… No later than a month after we had been together without troubles."

"A month!"

"A month." Alexiel merely repeated. "So you see, it doesn't matter if he doesn't seem like the type. It only matters if the love is there. And you said it yourself. The love is there." Her dark eyes lifted to the I-Child standing before them. "Yes?"

"… Most of the guests have gone home now, so I thought it would be all right to bring this to you… Nema-sama." The I-Child gave Nema a box that was not even wrapped… A dark, worn music box, it seemed to be, small enough to hold only a few pictures or letters, not much more.

"… A present?" Nema asked, glad that at least for now, the strange and touchy subject had been averted.

"In a way… We found this among the things we had taken out of Lilliel's room."

"… Oh."

"We thought it fitting to bring it to you, as there seems to be a letter for you inside it."

"… Oh?" Nema repeated, this time with the tones of curiosity. And Alexiel shooed the I-Child away as Nema opened the box and let the strange, soft melody begin to play. It was melancholic and made Nema feel lonely, and yet the little song made her feel hopeful as well. "… I remember this song…"

"This is an old song… I remember listening to it often, when I was much younger… it is a song about purity, yet I couldn't help but think it was a sad song, regardless." Alexiel nodded.

"… Rujiel sometimes let this play for Lilliel overnight… it helped her sleep better." And with this Nema stood, holding the corset and the music box against her.

"Does the birthday girl want to read the letter in private?" Alexiel smiled in understanding and nodded again. "Be on your way… sister-in-law."

Nema shook her head, but she smiled, nonetheless. "Marriage… is going to wait. … Thank you for the gift."

"You're welcome." With this the Organic Angel watched Nema leave, the soft music trailing behind her and lingering in Alexiel's ears. So Nema didn't believe Michael was the type to want marriage… Well, that was logical enough, but logic and love were two very different things. And though Nema claimed that she did not need a ceremony to bind her to her Fiery Angel, it had been apparent that she did still enjoy the idea. Alexiel wondered if Nema did take the time to dream of a wedding… well, then she hoped that if Nema stepped down the aisle, she would be wearing the corset Alexiel had made. She had meant for it to be a part of a bridal outfit… though she had not told Nema this.

"And where is Nema, now?" The familiar, cool voice inquired of her.

And Alexiel looked up at her Dark King, smiling as she watched his little brother trudging along behind him with a scowl on his face and an absorbed look in his blue-green eyes. "She received a present that she wished to look at in private."

"Did she enjoy the corset?"

Alexiel was prepared for this question. "She appreciates the corset. However, she does not believe that there will be a proper occasion during which she may wear it."

"Oh, really?"

"I do believe that she wants to wear the corset very badly, however."

Lucifer smiled and nodded. "I see."

Michael watched as the pair nodded at each other, and was no fool. He realized, rather quickly, that they were speaking in some kind of code they had prepared before they came to Nema's little party. "Hey, why don't you fucking stop meddling!" He snapped and rushed off.

"… Are we pushing this too much?" Alexiel asked as she took Lucifer's hand.

"We are pushing it just enough." He said smoothly, brushed a kiss over her hand and brought her to her feet.

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Dear diary,

Today I saw Rujiel talking with Nyssa again. I think Rujiel still really really likes her, but everybody knows that Nyssa's not the same anymore. I would say that she's nuts, but Nema told me not to say those things about her. I asked her why, and I still remember what Nema said:

"Life and love are two very cruel things. They do unimaginable things to people and can cause enough pain to destroy the spirit. It doesn't matter if you believe that Nyssa's stories about Cheriour are the truth or are delusions she makes for herself. If they are true, then Nyssa deserves to state the truth, because that is all that's left for her. And if she really is just lying to herself, then we owe it to her to not treat her like she is pathetic. She isn't. She's stronger than you think, because both life and love twisted her into who she is now, and she's still breathing. So many would have killed themselves by now."

Yup, I remember it word for word. I always remember the things Nema says. She reminds me of mother. Mother never yelled at me or anything, but she always taught me a lot, and that's what Nema does, too. I miss mother. Rujiel says I should stop trying to get him to ask Nema to marry him, because all I want is a mother replacement. I don't think that's true, though. I do want mother back and all, but I just think that Nema would be a great older sister, and I think she's good for him. I think Rujiel should try to move on and stop wanting Nyssa so bad. I think that it would stop making him so sad.

That's one of the first things I liked about Nema. She makes him happy. He smiles a lot after spending the day with her… of course, then he has to visit Nyssa, and then he comes back looking lonely. He always visits Nyssa before he goes to bed. I don't know if Nema knows that. I kinda want to tell her, but then she might think Rujiel is doing bad things and he's not, because I see it. He just wishes her goodnight and and she just kinda nods at him. I think even if he wanted to do bad things, Nyssa wouldn't let him 'cause she's always too lonely to really think about that.

Rujiel says that Nyssa was a lot like Nema before the Rebellion. I don't really see how that's possible, but I wasn't alive back then, so I guess I wouldn't know. If Nyssa was like Nema, then it would be fine if Rujiel asked her to marry him. But then I would feel bad for Nema, 'cause I think she would be very lonely. You know what? I think Nema is lonely all the time, even with Rujiel around. Sometimes when no one's really paying attention to her she gets this look on her face like she's thinking about someone else. I heard that before she came to Heaven she'd been in love with her Guardian Angel, but then he became a Rabbit Hunter and broke her heart. Boy, that isn't very nice at all. The White Wings just keep hurting everyone around me and I don't like it. Not one bit. I heard somewhere that her Guardian Angel was Michael-sama. That would be really weird…! I always thought Michael-sama was very scary. They say that he hates everyone, especially girls, so I have no idea how he ever fell in love with Nema. But if even HE managed to like her, even for just a little bit, that must be saying something about Nema, right? That's almost like a real romantic dream, isn't it? I want to be like Nema when I grow up, and fall in love with a "bad guy" like she did. I don't want my heart broken or anything, but I think it would be really cool to make a "bad guy" become a "good guy" 'cause he loved me so much. I think that would make me feel very special. I bet Nema felt special.

… Three pages. Lilliel had torn three pages out of her diary and put them in this music box.

Nema couldn't really figure out why these three pages had been put into the envelope with her name on it, other than Lilliel thought these pages about Nema were too personal for her diary and had labeled the envelope with her name because this entry was about her. Yes, it was about Rujiel and Nyssa, too, and even a little bit about MICHAEL, but most of it was about Nema. How Lilliel had looked up to Nema, and adored Nema, and wanted to be Nema.

It frightened her how the idle thoughts of this little girl were so true to what had been going on around her. Rujiel HAD still loved Nyssa. And Nema HAD sometimes slipped into lonely and idle daydreams about Michael. And Lilliel had somehow even fathomed the truth about her relationship with Michael… how Nema had been able to bring out the kinder parts of the ruthless Angel Michael was well-known for being.

Nema hadn't felt the tears that had begun to flow down her face until she saw one hit the final page, just above Michael's name. That innocent and yet incredibly intuitive little girl… Nema had adored her, too. Nema had grown to love her like a little sister, that was true. Though she had never thought of marrying Rujiel, that kinship with Lilliel had been quickly formed. And really, Nema was sure that if life had played out differently for Nyssa, and she had married Rujiel, Nema would still have developed that kind of bond with that curly-haired, pink-eyed girl.

And suddenly Nema found herself wishing that Rujiel had married Nyssa… For she was sure that if only life could have displayed just a little more mercy… they would have been a truly beautiful and inseparable couple.

Couples. Marriage. Now, even in Lilliel's diary entry, that word was springing up to greet the Violent Queen.

Did she want to get married? One day. Nema was in no hurry. With so much on her plate, she couldn't afford to think of marriage…

And when the war was done? If she had won?

She was still in no hurry. Even without the war to keep her busy, she would, without a doubt, have to wait for Michael to come around. … Well, she wasn't sure if Michael ever would come around to that kind of idea. It hardly seemed to be something Michael would want… and if that was the case, Nema would give that up for him.

… She instantly hated the way the words had formed in her head, and sniffled back her tears. It made it seem so negative, somehow… giving up marriage because Michael didn't seem to be the type for it…

"Ah, Hell… She made you CRY? That's it. I'll fucking kill 'em…"

Nema immediately smiled and laughed, her voice a little broken. "No…" She turned and showed the man who had entered her room the papers in her hand. "It's a letter… from Lilliel."

Nema watched the features on Michael's face soften slightly as he nodded. "… That little girl."

"Rujiel's little sister." Nema nodded with him, and then put the pages back in the envelope. "… Something she wrote in her diary a while ago… about how she looked up to me."

The Archangel came up to stand beside her as she sat in her chair, facing the music box that she put on her windowsill, letting the soft notes flow out into the air, haunting, sad, uplifting, all at once. He watched her cross her arms on the smooth wood of this window in her new room, above ground for once, and rested her pale chin on her equally pale arms. And she seemed to drift, even though he was standing next to her, losing herself in some daydream… probably about Lilliel and Rujiel and that green-eyed I-Child that was named Nyssa. And that was fine, however removed from that life Michael may have been. Nema had told him of all three of them before… of the mess that was her relationship with Rujiel, and the awkward alliance she'd briefly shared with Nyssa, and even of her sisterly bond with Lilliel. And Michael was not a part of any of that, but that was something he had brought on himself. At least Nema was honest enough to share with him the events of her life while they had gone through their own elaborate mess. And then she began to softly sing with the melody in the air, though she did not know the words, and merely supplied each note with a 'la'. Michael wanted to laugh at her. And then he did, but Nema only kept singing and flipped him off. And then he merely returned the favor, and neither were truly offended.

It was hard to be offended by her, now. Michael realized he loved her too much for that to happen, though he could act plenty annoyed, and he could still pick a fight with her at nearly any moment and she would readily comply. And that, of course, was another reason why he loved her. "… This is an old song…" He commented after they had smirked at each other long enough.

"That's what everyone keeps telling me…"

"Something about purity…"

"That's what I hear, too." Nema sighed and propped her chin on her arms again. "… Alexiel made me a corset."

"I heard."

"… It's over there." Nema motioned with a slight jerk of her snowy head. Michael turned and crossed the room, stopping at the vanity to see the white and softly shining corset. He observed the seams, the lace, the brocaded satin, the soft ribbons, and the firm boning, though these weren't things he was actually interested in. This was a corset made with marriage in mind. THAT was something Michael couldn't shake out of his head.

"… I love you."

Michael blinked and tensed. Nema was infamous for surprise 'I love you's. Sometimes she said them while they were training… and what was sad was that it was actually a very good trick of hers. It got him every time. It got him right now, even. "… Love you." He replied after a pause.

"I love you a lot."

Well, that was new… "Ditto."

He looked over his shoulder to see that she has sat up and was toying with the edges of the music box that continued to play, though it was finally starting to slow down. "I'll love you no matter what. I don't care if… I don't know, whatever happens or whatever doesn't happen. No matter what. I'd give up things if that meant that at least you'd still love me."

It wasn't like Nema to really be this wordy unless something was troubling her, and Michael knew what it was. Damn those two meddling fools and their damn ideas…! "I know Alexiel talked to you."

This time Nema tensed. "… She's so Hellbent on things. I mean, it's not any of their business, right?"

"Right! That's what I'm saying!" Michael agreed heartily. "Her and Lucifer, they should just knock it off!"

"Yeah, exactly!" Moonlight washed down her hair and she nodded rapidly. "Why do they care what we have planned?"

"Yeah!" Michael's voice rose. "If we get married it's not gonna be because THEY said so! It's because I'll ask you, 'Hey, wanna get married?' and then you'd either say no –"

"Or yes!" They said in unison.

"Yeah!" Michael gave one firm nod.

"… Yeah." Nema nodded with him. She listened to him kick off his boots and fall onto their bed.

"I'll tell 'em. They're making us all… stressed out. We can't be stressed out. We've got a war to win."

Nema made a big show of yawning and nodding, burying her face in her arms.

"Nema."

"… Yeah?"

"I love you."

The music box played two more notes before it finally stopped, and Nema closed it and brought it with her as she got ready for bed, saying nothing until she was pressed against his frame. "… No matter what."

Some time in the middle of the night, Michael finally stirred. He'd never fallen asleep, but he'd watched Nema fall deep into whatever dreams awaited her, clinging onto him like she always did… really, it was almost desperate they way she held on. Like she needed to feel permanently bound to him…

He shook the damned idea from his head and reached over her and began winding up the music box, and then he opened it and let the melody fill his ears. And he fell asleep that way, with that strange, sad and happy song washing away all those words and that damned idea from his head.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

AUTHORESS NOTE: So… much… working…! They've given me many more hours in light of our coworkers quitting… And often times I come home and I end up passing out and leaving the Impyness in my head… Which is a horrible thing, I know. Regardless, I've gone along and finally finished this chapter! It's so long, isn't it? Well, that's fine. Maybe that makes up for how long it took to get this done… I hope so!