The Irish woman pulled the hood further over her face, hiding her expression and tears from view, �I just don�t want you to see me yet.� He reached for the hood, �But Amber said your wounds are healed, what am I waiting for?� She shrank away, causing his hand to drop, �I don�t want you to see me like this!� A sob shook her and he understood, �I knew you were going to have scars, Jess. I knew when I couldn�t heal you. Why should that matter to me?� Muscles loosened slightly and Duo tossed off her hood before she could react. Two white streaks of flesh marred either side of her previously unblemished skin. He didn�t flinch, �I don�t see why you were hiding, you�re beautiful.�
She turned away, thinking that he was playing with her head. After all, how could he still love her if she was so disfigured? Soft fingers removed the sweatshirt and thin tee shirt beneath it. Duo�s rough lips lingered over both scars and flesh alike as he revealed them. They strayed to caress Jess�s mouth and tongue. She pulled away, �Why are you teasing me like this? I couldn�t possibly be desirable anymore. Not like this.� With a slightly hurt look, Duo traced the stripes on her exposed skin, �I wasn�t drawn to you because you were cute, which you are, but I was drawn to you because you are my soul mate and I was meant to find you. You are my match in life, both this one and the one beyond. If I were to leave you because you got a little scratched up, I would be a fool. Besides, you promised we would plan our wedding when you got home.�
Jess smiled, breaking her fear of rejection, �Good, then let�s get this thing planned.� The whole ordeal unfolded between lips and ears, once it had become too complex to remember it passed to paper. Feelings between the lovers stabilized and returned to their previous levels. �I want to have it on an obscure beach with bright blue waters. I don�t really care where, just something like that. Maybe we can find some kind of seaside chapel.� Her lover laughed softly, �If that�s what you want, I�m all for it. Then we don�t have to go anywhere for our honeymoon. The guests can all go home and we can stay.� Jess smiled at this idea, �So, Amber�s going to be my maid of honor, but who�s going to be your man?� Duo shrugged, �I was going to ask Trowa, but I guess I can�t unless he gets a new body real quick, being the last one was incinerated in his decent to hell. That happens to every new fallen though�anyway, I was thinking about a friend of mine that might be willing to come up for a few hours. Oh, and it�ll have to be a preacher from hell, cause otherwise, it�ll cause problems.� The striped girl curled into his lap, �Alright, I�ll leave you to that. I can�t wait to walk down that isle to your side�By the way, I meant to ask if you were going to invite any family members.�
A lengthy pause followed as Shinigami considered her question, �Well, most of my family is not that fond of me. I�m kind of like the white sheep in a black family. I started out so evil, I even started a few plaques and what not. I had that power once; the ability to create pestilence, but it was taken away from me because I �abused� it. I was pushing on the treaty between Heaven and Hell by killing too many mortals over Hell�s quota. I�m sure you�ve caught Heero calling me The Black Death every once in a while, that nickname stuck because I caused that breakout. That was what got my powers revoked. Anyway, that was the long way of saying, probably not. I might see if my grandfather wants to come, but I doubt it.� Duo halted his mouth and glanced around. A sudden surge of demonic energy was not a common thing in his room, especially if it wasn�t him.
An ebony poodle sporting three grinning head stepped from the death of darkness� closet, followed shortly by a well carried woman known only as the princess of darkness, �I hoped you would be less occupied today so we could get your appointment in. You seem to be feeling much better, Jess isn�t it?� The small young woman eyed her curiously, �Um, yes, thank you. Who might you be?� Satan smirked, �I�m here to change you into a demon, as was requested.� �She�s my aunt.� A killing glare only caused Duo to laugh, �She doesn�t like to be reminded that I�m related to her! Ow! Call your damn fluff of a dog off!� Letting the tri-headed creature have it�s fun for a few moments, she whistled and it came to her side, �Afraid of a little fluff of a dog? Anyway, it is pleasant to meet you. You seem to be reasonable enough, do tell me, how do you put up with him?� Both women chuckled at her dry humor as Duo sulked in the sound. �That�s not very funny��
Seriousness returned shortly, even though it left Shinigami feeling taunted. Jess bowed her head, �Well, let�s get going. Tell me what I need to do.� �Pull out your wings, I�ll be doing the rest.� The Irish woman did as she was told; exposing her barely healed wings to eyes that hadn�t seen them. The black tinted feathers were heavily mottled in places and she was embarrassed to reveal them before they�d filled in. Duo�s aunt made no comment, instead prepared for the change.
At the first word, the air around them grew heavy and difficult to breathe. The she-demon settled into a harsh tongued chant. Razor edged claws tore symbols in pilot seven�s already scarred flesh. Each sign disappearing without a trace as the claws moved to the next. Ebony auras shrouded the young girl�s angelic appendages, feathers raining to the floor as snow. Jess trembled at recollections of the past few months dragged up by each well of blood. Gentle arms folded around her waist; �It�s okay.� Duo�s comforting hold steadied her substantially, returned the necessary calm.
The last symbol glowed fiercely where it was placed on the freckled youth�s forehead. Talons emerged from the inky veil on her wings and the darkness was absorbed into brilliantly white demon leather. Pleased, the spell-caster stepped back to admire her work, �There, they should be turning black any second now.� The twitching things of flight remained a stark white. �Okay, maybe not.�
Silk and lace, flowers and pearls; Jess admired these things in the full-length mirror hanging from the pastel kaleidoscope that was a wall. She could hear the steady crash of waves just outside the window. Arriving on the powder fine beach had been quiet an ordeal. Initially, the first day had been more play than preparation. Swimming, sandcastles, and ice cream had occupied most of the morning.
Being Ace�s first time at the ocean, the whole experience had been dazzling. The wedding was put off for a day of vacation, but it was set up easily the next afternoon. Everything seemed surreal, causing the fluttering redhead to lose track of time. It was centuries ago that Amber had helped her get dressed and said that she would be called for in an hour. Minutes sometimes rushed by and sometimes crawled. The clock on the wall was dead and provided no aid in determining this. Jess exhaled a nervous sigh with a silly grin, ready for the door to open and a voice to call her name.
Duo chewed absently at one nail, adjusting his tie with the other hand. A faintly cynical voice cut from the shadows, �You look fabulous, do tell, that�s the occasion?� The demon glanced at the inky well, �It�s my wedding day, that�s why I called you.� Lucifer emerged from the unnatural darkness, �Married? Many of my grandchildren get married and divorced every day. Why should I come to yours?� A sharp snarl caused him to chuckle, �Yes, yes. I�m well aware that you�re marrying the other half of your soul. I�ve also become aware that your demon heritage isn�t very potent, as your first son was an angel. Slightly annoyed, pilot two shot him a nasty look, �That wasn�t my doing, she was changed and got pregnant while I was gone. It just happened that way, and it is mine!� The first fallen roared with laughter, wiping tears from the corners of his almond shaped eyes, �So defensive! That was great! So it�s yours, I can deal with that, the other will come.�
Duo cocked an eyebrow, but his question was dismissed with the wave of a pale hand. The black creature paced the room, �I�m glad you called though, I did want to be here.� �666-1869, how did you get them to run a phone like to hell? Some one you know, I suspect?� The crimson arch nodded briskly, �A friend of mine�so, how long until this sap ceremony begins?� Duo�s shaky sigh preceded his answer, �In a few minutes.�
A small blonde head poked into the room, interrupting their conversation. Ace�s wide blue eyes some how managed to grow wider, resembling a pair of sky-blue saucers, �Daddy?� Lucifer smiled at the youth, �Cute little thing, but definitely doesn�t look like you.� Duo grumbled at his continuous teasing, �Go find a seat!� The little boy in the door refused to enter until the darker presence was gone. Even then, he did so timidly. The demon picked up his tuxedo-clad son, �What�s up kid?� A bit more relaxed, the child grinned, �The guy in the black robes says it�s time for you to come out.� �Ah, the priest,� Duo slipped on his jacket and buttoned it, �Alright, now, what do you do when I ask for the rings?� Ace seemed to think hard for a few moments before something clicked, �I give you the round things!� �Good.�
The ceremony began, neither bride or groom scarcely dared to breathe. Planned for in advance, both allowed their wings to drape softly behind them. The preacher spoke the necessary words as Jess reached them. The death of darkness smiled at her; �Hard part�s done now.� What few guests there were retained a respective silence until the end. When all that was required was the rings and a kiss, Duo turned to Ace, �The rings please.� A broad, toothy, and strangely mischievous grin cut across his face; �I don�t have them!�
Snickers, chuckles, and all out laughter splintered the quiet room. Even pilot seven muffled several giggles. When Shinigami was done mentally cursing the games he taught his child, he coaxed the rings from him with several tricky questions. The wedding was concluded with no other mishaps.
Ace went home with Amber that night and the other guests disappeared at their own pace. Duo and Jess moved into the same suite to enjoy their weeklong honeymoon. By the time they returned home, a dark presence emitted from the young woman�s womb. The creature inside was the second necessary element in the greatest prophecy known to the history of things celestial, demonic, and mortal�
�Reading the scroll again Michael?� Startled, the high archangel nearly dropped the roll of papyrus, �Uriel�I was just looking over it. It�s half-complete now. Those boys will be the death of us all�� Uriel hiked the silk folds of her dress and slid gracefully into his denim clad lap, �So, it�s meant to happen and it will. I�m not afraid as long as I�m with you.� Michael replaced the prophecy on his heavy oak desk and wrapped a muscular grasp around her middle; �Things will fall into the places they�re meant to. At this point, I�ve been around long enough that the final sleep would be welcome.� The slender angel ran her perfectly delicate fingers through his tousled orange hair, �You haven�t groomed today, I take it something�s wrong?�
He tilted his chair back and put his combat-booted feet on the desk, spilling the young woman from his lap to his chest, �Read like a book, as usual�yes, I�m worried, about several things actually. I�m sure he�s very safe, but the young boy who is to surpass me is in easy reach of Lucifer. He�s even been in his presence a few times. Lucifer�s well aware that these kids are needed, but if he takes out our future leader�well. Needless to say, it would tilt things in his favor.� The amethyst arch continued to play aimlessly with his hair, �What else ails you, I know there�s more.�
Tender kisses on her eyelids tugged her lips into a playful smile. �There is. To be honest, I fear Poseidon�s actions when he returns from hell. He will go after Helios, and in his current strength, will easily destroy him. You are aware he would have been the highest arch if Rafael hadn�t gotten rid of him. Now that he�s completely fallen, he�s a danger.� Uriel nibbled softly at his lips, feeling the tension melt from his tightly corded muscles, �He�s not a danger to many, just the one�s who have wronged him. He will have realized his power again by the time he returns; Helios will receive no mercy. Should you send someone to intervene?� Michael shook his head and slid war callused fingers down the hallow of her back, �He must learn a lesson, and who better to learn from than the one he�s mistreated? It�ll turn out alright.� The topic was quickly forgotten as their mouths met, �Never mind, I�m done fretting.�
