Maybe Angels

Author's Notes:

Disclaimers: No, I do not own Mobile Suit Gundam or the song 'Gotta Stay High'. Bandai, Sotsu Agency and Gregg Alexander of the New Radicals own them, respectively. No money was put in my fat little hand for writing this. I was poor when I started, and I probably will stay like that. Flames are welcome, as this spring is rather cold and so is my house.

A/N: Last chapter was deliciously fun. Especially the ending. Everyone agree? Good. Now, we are in the real part of the fic, and I plan on moving a lot faster than the other chapters have. Although, I promise you that they will slow down again in a little while. Hope you are enjoying this so far!

Dedication: To all my readers, who review, or don't. It's the words of encouragement and compliments that push me to get the next step or chapter out. Thank you everyone!

Symbols: *~*~* change in scene, POV, or time
*~~~* Minor change in scene or flashback
~ Blah ~ in-mind communication between Duo and Wufei

*~~~~~~~*
I saw your eyes
I had to run away
I fell too deep in love
There were no words to say
I just had to get high
One look inside
And I knew right away
I felt too much
I did not have the strength
I just ran to get high
But lover there's something about your pushing me
Pulling me
That's saying don't go away
I saw your eyes
Fell into yesterday
An only child
Until you let me stay
I had no one on my side
Too weak to stand
Too scared to love again
The damn has broke
My soul is spilling all over your hands
Take a look in my eyes
Lover
There's something about your pushing me
Pulling me
That's saying don't go away
Ain't never gonna be another
I see your eyes
I'll never run away
I fell too deep in love
Only five words to say
~Gotta Stay High by the New Radicals
*~~~~~~~*

*Gotta Stay High*

No sooner has those words left my mouth then I wished I had just said no. But, an angel cannot lie. That is what demons do, and it isn't until an angel falls that they are able to do such a thing. I had always prided myself on being the most honest of all of my companions, but at that time, I wished I could just tell him something else. Why, you ask. Because the boy started asking me all sort of questions, and I was near tears trying to answer him.

After a while, he fell silent and just watched me. His scrutinizing made me feel uneasy, but I sighed and dealt with it.

"So are you male as well?" he asked after a long time.

"What?" Never had a charge question my gender before.

"Well, Quatre always claimed that he was male, although he also said that he actually had no gender. Explain that to me," Wufei asked, his dark eyes locked on my face. I looked over his head and out of the window over his bed as the sun rose, casting a golden halo around his dark hair. The sight was too beautiful to be earthly.

"Angels, muses, God... We have no gender. We are sexless. I suppose we are actually androgynous, but that is beside the point. All Heavenly creatures pick a gender to mimic, though not totally. Quatre and I feel more comfortable mimicking males, as do a few of our friends, but we can change our form to be more pleasing." I stood, and changed into the form of a voluptuous Asian woman.

Wufei's eyes grew to the size of chicken eggs, and I stifled a very feminine giggle.

"Is this pleasing to you? Or perhaps you would prefer this?" I morphed into the size of a small Chinese dragon and perched upon his desk, blinking at him.

"You... you look just like our family's guardian," he whispered, the awe in his voice very evident.

"I know. Is this more satisfactory to you?" I asked, cocking my small reptilian head to get a better look at him.

"No, I think your original form is quite appropriate for you..." he said, eyes taking my small body in.

Smirking, I switched back to my original male form, feeling content when my long, thick braided hair came to rest against the back of my thighs. I was about to move to sit back in the desk chair when a strong hand stopped me, and deep, dark, and pulling velvet eyes peered into my own. I raised a hand to his chest, finding it oddly muscular, not that it was a bad thing, but the boy was only thirteen. I was about to push him away from me, but his face came level to my own, and his serious face grew even more intent.

"Wu... Wufei?" I whispered, unsure where I had gathered the strength to say anything.

"Your eyes... They're purple, almost like..." He stopped, pulling away a little. "Gems..." He started to chuckle, letting my arm go and walking back towards his bed. "Sorry. How cliché is that?"

As the air returned to my brain and other extremities, I almost fainted. One of the disadvantages to taking a somewhat human form while still retaining divine powers is that it can make one tired after using them. Not to mention the fact that I had had trouble with Wufei's eyes before this moment, and the attraction I felt for him quadrupled the moment he touched me and stared into my eyes.

"That's okay..." I said, trying to sound as if it was normal for Wufei to be that close to me. I quickly found the chair behind me, and sunk into it. "So, you are thirteen today. What is your family planning on doing to celebrate this day for you and your sister?"

"They are planning on announcing her prearranged marriage to my best friend," he snarled, lying flat on his back, looking at the ceiling. That gave me time to think without distraction.

"Is this not a good thing?"

"No," he growled. "Meiran... She does not want to think about the fact that she is female and that is what she has to do for the honour of our clan and family. I... I do not approve of our uncle's choice."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A few hours later, Wufei and I walked down the stairs of the family's house to the large kitchen, where the boy's aunt, Tao-Mee, was fixing breakfast. Xu, the twins' father, and Meiran were already sitting at the table, and I could see Hilde in the corner of the room, looking vaguely bored and apprehensive. I moved until I was standing next to her.

"I take it that you know about the announcement for the morning?" I asked in a quiet tone. No one but Hilde and myself would be able to hear us talk unless we allowed it.

"Yes, and Meiran is furious," she said in the same kind of tone, sighing heavily. "I have a feeling our first day will not be a good one."

"Mine already started with a death threat. How could it get any worse?" I asked, watching as Wufei and Meiran both stonily ate their meal while casting knowing glances at one another. All things ceased when Xu's older brother, Li, came in and took a spot at the other end of the table.

"So, Xu, the children's thirteenth year is now upon us. What have you planned for this occasion?" the man asked, a smug smile twisting his otherwise handsome face. In fact, the man looked like an older, more laid-back version of Wufei; when he wasn't being nasty, that is. And as far as I could tell from previous watchings, he was almost always nasty.

"I would rather not discuss this at the breakfast table, Li," their father said icily, looking at his children from the corner of his eye.

"Father, you should just say it," Meiran said, looking as if she could have happily murdered her reverent uncle. Xu fixed her with a piercing look that made the girl shrink a little in her chair. In fact, that look was enough to send a chill up *my* spine, and I was as far away from the table as was possible.

"This is my home, and we will talk about this *after* breakfast. Today is Saturday, so Wufei and I will be going to the library after the family talk," Xu said, partaking of the interesting meal before him once again. Meiran shot a look at Wufei, who shrugged, the confusion evident upon his face.

~ Did you not expect this, Wufei? ~ I asked him through the link that allowed us to speak without words. The boy startled, turned around to look at me with a slight glare, and mouthed, 'How are you doing that?' I gave him a big grin and moved my hands in a shooing fashion. ~ I am speaking to you in your mind. Relax. Just think it, and I will hear you. ~

~ How... Can you read my thoughts? ~ The confusion was evident in his inner voice, and I couldn't help but smirk.

~ Only if you are thinking in my direction. Otherwise, your mind is still your own. Didn't Quatre tell you this? ~

~ Evidently not, Duo. ~ A pause occurred where everything was silent, even the chatter between aunt and niece had ceased. ~ That cannot possibly be your real name. That is... much too... commonplace. ~

I mentally laughed to him. ~ No, that is not my real name, but if you want I will tell you. When you are older. ~

Wufei and I were brought back to the present by the sound of clattering dishes upon the table. I looked up to see that Xu and Li had stood up and were waiting for Wufei to follow. Silently, my charge stood and followed his father and uncle into another part of the house. I looked at Hilde, who was talking with Meiran mentally. The girl looked upset. No, she was keeping her fury under check, just like Hilde had said.

"She and Tao-Mee must clean the kitchen before joining the conversation. Although, this is a serious breach in their traditions, Xu is willing to listen to his children about the 'marriage proposal'," she told me before moving to comfort her charge. I followed my own into the large sitting room.

"Father," Wufei was saying as I entered, bowing at the waist and not looking at the man in front of him. "I must protest for my sister. This is too much. Takai is only a friend. Neither of them would be comfortable in this position."

"Wufei! Mind your place," Li snarled.

"Stay out of this, brother," Xu snapped, giving his brother a dirty look. "You and your wife are still only guests in my home, and these are *my* children." He looked at his son, who was still bowing. "Stand."

Wufei's dark eyes looked up at his father, his face impassive as he stood. ~ I hate that man, ~ he said to me, and I had to stifle a chuckle.

~ It's evident. ~

"Wufei, while I know about the relationship that you, your sister, Takai and Relena all share, this is about honour. You know as much as I do how important that is to our family," Xu said, sitting down on the large flowered couch behind him. "Although, if you or Meiran can give me an acceptable answer, I will tell Takai's father that I cannot allow this union."

Meiran ran into the room, her silky raven hair falling out of her ponytails. "Father, Relena has feelings for Takai," she said, bowing as deeply as Wufei had.

"That is not the point, Meiran," Tao-Mee said from behind her. "This is about the family's honour, and Takai's family, though Japanese, is very respectable. This is a good match."

Meiran's head snapped up and glared daggers at the older woman. "He is weak, and unsuitable to be my husband," she spat. "I will *not* be married to someone such as him."

Her uncle sprang from his seat on the couch, stalking across the room, and moving his hand as if to strike the girl. He only made it past the first three steps before Xu's hand snapped and connected with his brother's throat. "You will *not* hit my daughter. If you want to punish a child, have one of your own," he yelled. He then turned on his petulant daughter. "You are out of line. Return to your room until you are called for."

Meiran bowed once more with a muttered, "Yes, Father." She then left, and a white streak told me that Hilde was following her.

"Wufei, you will go collect your things. We are leaving shortly."

"Yes, Father," he said, turning on his heel and storming past his aunt to the stairs. ~ I cannot believe *him*! ~

~ Whom? ~

~ My uncle Li. Never before has he made a move as if to strike one of us before, but now! ~

~ Calm down, Wufei. Your father handled it quickly. ~

"Ah, yes, Father..." he sarcastically replied aloud, stopping his footsteps as he reached his sister's door. "Meiran?"

"WHAT?" she yelled from behind the wooden obstacle before flinging it open. "Oh, it is you, brother."

"Will..."

"Leave me. Father will be angry if he finds out that you were speaking to me while I am being exiled," she said bitterly. "Besides, Tao-Mee will find a way to get me out. She has before."

"I understand," he said before giving her a short hug and leaving. ~ He will pay for this. This is unjust. ~

~ Wufei, this is about your family's honour. Is that not important? ~

~ Not enough. ~

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Wufei returned to the sitting room fifteen minutes after he had been dismissed, his jacket on, reading glasses in a pocket, and shoes on his surprisingly small, slender feet.

"Come," was all that his father said to him before leaving the house through the garage door. I moved with Wufei as he followed his father, casting a scathing look to his uncle upon his exit. They moved silently to the car, got in, and drove away from the house. "They are moving out," Xu said once they were several miles away.

"What?"

"They are leaving. I never wanted Li there, but Meiran needed Tao-Mee's womanly influence growing up after your mother died. As you and your sister are all but adults now, I see no reason for them to continue staying in my home."

"Father, he has gone too far," Wufei said slowly, looking out of the window.

"I agree. From now on, when I have to leave town on business, you will be staying with Takai's family, and your sister will stay with the Peacecrafts. That is my final decision."

"Why are you telling me this?" Wufei asked, finally looking at his father since they got in the car. My position from the back seat allowed me to see the slight smile that crept over Xu's face.

"You are my son, but more importantly, you are smarter than Li. Therefore, I have more respect for you. My brother has always been a heel, and will die one. He has no concept of honour, and I will not allow him to influence you and your sister any longer."

"Father..." Wufei started, but was cut off.

"Peace, Wufei. You ask too many questions. Just like your mother," he replied, a pained expression crossing the older man's face. "Just be silent for a change. We are not going to the library, as I told Li. We are going to find them a house."

"Then you are serious?"

"Of course, boy! Now, be silent," Xu replied fondly, removing one hand from the steering wheel of the car and placing it on Wufei's shoulder.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A huge row occurred when Xu told his brother that he and his wife were to leave. Even from the Meiran's room, Hilde, Wufei, Meiran, and myself could hear all of the horrible things that were being said by Li to Xu.

"You are not fit to be a parent. Neither was your wife. That is why the Gods punished her and you had to ask us to come and live here," Li raged, his deep voice carrying so well that I did not have to strain to hear him.

"You dishonour our parents. You are out of line. Now, get out of my house," Xu yelled back.

I comforted Wufei the best that I could, without overstepping my boundaries as an angel. I wrapped my wings around his form, carefully caressing the exposed skin of his toned arms. I could see Hilde doing the same thing with Meiran. I ran through my mind all the things I could talk to my charge to keep him occupied, and from thinking about the argument going on underneath him. A sudden movement out of the corner of my eye told me that the twins were holding hands in support, and I suppressed my aura even more, willing Meiran *not* to see me. It seemed to work.

~ Can you still see me, Wufei? ~ I asked.

~ Yes, but I know that Meiran cannot see you, just as I cannot see her angel. ~ I was about to say something, when his free hand was held behind his back in a stop sign. ~ I do not presume to claim any sort of special treatment from God, or whomever. If I have two angels, it would stand to reason that at least my sister would have them as well. Seeing as how the only people in this room to my senses are you, Meiran, and myself, I must not be able to see her angel. It is that simple. ~

~ Has anyone ever told you that you are too logical for your own good? ~

A warm chuckle was sent my way. ~ Quatre seemed to think I was too smart for him as well. I am a scholar, and my father encourages it. It makes him happy, and my mother wanted it. It is that simple. ~

I couldn't resist laughing. ~ You're becoming repetitive. I would think that as a scholar, you would have a more vast vocabulary. ~

~ To quote Relena: bite me, moron. ~

I snickered out loud, which earned me a reproachful look from Hilde. I shrugged and smiled at her, and eventually, she went back to her conversation with Meiran. ~ So, my fine comedian, tell me, how did you get a name that means fifth? ~

~ It is a long story, but I will tell you the short version. I am named after my mother's father. Apparently, my great-grandparents tried to have children many times, and after their third child died only minutes after birth, my great-grandfather refused to think of names for his children. The fourth child, a girl, was called Si until she lived past two years. My grandfather was the fifth child, or Wu, and when he reached two years, they changed his name to Wufei. ~

~ Interesting. I like the name though... But I suppose your great-grandparents found it hard to lose that many children... ~

I would have continued on that train of thought, but a sudden crash and a dull thud resounded throughout the house. We were all on our feet, racing down the stairs before any of us could think about what had happened. When we reached the sitting room, Tao-Mee was lying on the floor, a small trickle of blood coming from her mouth, Xu was running out the front door, yelling for someone to call an ambulance, and Li was nowhere to be found.

Wufei and I exchanged worried glances before we moved to check the fallen woman, and Meiran was carefully dialing the emergency number, while Hilde looked as if she were going to cry as she comforted Meiran. Tao-Mee didn't have a pulse...

TBC...