I Never Should Have Left
Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam SEED/Gundam SEED Destiny, because if I did there would be LOTS of changes. This is based off of the ending of the special edition IV and some images I saw. Takes place after the ending as Lacus Clyne and Cagalli Yula Athha going into their meetings.
AN: Thanks to everyone that loved Not All Pretend, I've gotten a lot of PMs about me writing another GSD story…so I figured why not. I hope you all enjoy, after seeing a few images and hearing "I Never Told You" by Colbie Caillat, I was inspired.
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Chapter One
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Kira Yamato, eighteen, wearing a white ZAFT Uniform showing his high rank in the ZAFT forces but most importantly how important he was to Chairwoman Lacus Clyne. He was part of her personal guard and he had his chance to get to know some of Athrun Zala's friends and comrades. Kira looked over to his right to see Athrun dressed in Orb's uniform still. He smirked, he hadn't gone back to see Kira's twin sister, the Head Representative of Orb, Cagalli Yula Athha. Kira shook his head and many of the older ZAFT soldiers were not aware of Kira and Lacus' relationship. When they had embraced their inner circle just smiled at the contact and embrace, they knew that he and Lacus were not only close but a couple. He was quite content with his relationship with her, they had gotten closer during the time there was peace for the two years. Then shortly after were they thrown back to the battle field.
Kira was the main concern of Lacus' heart but she was always happy to see him all in one piece. She was so quick to embrace him after every fight and also to support him. It was after the first war they decided they would pursue their relationship and he was ever grateful they did. She was something special and always would be. Kira pulled at his collar not being used to be in such a tight uniform but he was not going to leave Lacus' side, just like she always stood by his. He then saw his best friend looking at the very amulet that Cagalli had given him during the first war. He smiled, it was written on his face he was ready to go visit the fiery blonde back in Orb. He had yet to tell her he was going back and Kira chuckled getting Athrun's attention.
"What's so funny," Athrun asked with a confused look.
Kira shook his head, "You should just go and see her. She will be more than happy to see you." Kira saw the face, "She probably still has the ring…she probably thought you weren't going back."
"Does she know about you in that uniform," Athrun asked and Kira shrugged. "Knowing her crazy head, she probably thinks I would stay up here for Meyrin but…"
"Athrun, Lacus and I both know Cagalli is going to need you now more than ever. She won't be able to hold that head of hers high without you," Kira smiled and thought of his sister. "I saw her more than I thought I would in those two years she took over as Head Representative…and that was thanks to you. I probably would've seen her less if you weren't around."
Athrun chuckled, "If you let her, she would lock herself away to do paperwork. She carries such a burden on her shoulders but she hardly ever complained. She always thinks she has to carry the burden of the world on her own without the aid of anyone."
"That's the type of person she is, Cagalli will always put others before herself…even get pushed into a corner to marry someone she didn't love," Kira saw Athrun staring at him intensely. "Lacus and I knew we needed to interrupt that wedding. We knew Cagalli's heart wasn't there, she had been over ruled and no one was there to support her…and before you start thinking you shouldn't have gone off back to ZAFT…don't."
Athrun chuckled, "You know me too well…but you are right sometimes I wonder if I had just stayed or waited a little longer…maybe just maybe…then again the moment I left her side they saw an open opportunity to push her into a corner."
"The council knew that you were her rock," Kira sighed and still kept a smile on his face. "I'm sure right now she is either in a meeting or buried deep in paper work."
Athrun chuckled, "That sounds about right. I don't even think Kisaka has even told her about my rank and position."
Kira looked at him with slight worry, "She might hit you when she sees you…"
"Even if she did, I probably deserve it to a certain extent," Athrun said and played with the amulet in his hand. He looked at it intensely, "When I was on the Minerva, some of the ZAFT members asked me where I got this…I never really told them the whole story." Kira looked at the amulet, "She gave this to me after I thought I had killed you during the first war. She told me I was so messed up at the time I needed protection more than her. She also told me she didn't want to see anymore of her friends die…I thought for a moment what kind of crazy woman would say something like that."
"Cagalli is not a conventional person by any means, she still thinks she is the older one of us," Kira laughed. "She will probably argue that with me till the end of time if she could."
"Well, give my best to Lacus. I wanted to wait until she was out of her meeting but rebuilding ZAFT and the PLANTS will be a heavy task…but then again that's what she has you for," Athrun smiled and stood up. "Don't take too long to marry her…"
Kira looked at Athrun with a blush on his cheeks, "We're still young after all…we are still eighteen…seems hardly the time to get married."
"The way you two are attached at the hip, I'm surprised you two aren't already married," Athrun chuckled. "But, I think you are right I should get back to Orb…my new duties await me."
"I'm sure Colonel Kisaka is more than happy to give his position to you," Kira stood and shook his best friend's hand. "And I'm very sure, that a certain sister of mine will be more than ecstatic to see you and to have you around her again twenty four seven."
"Don't call me complaining that she is complaining about me," Athrun said and walked away. Kira just waved at his friend and saw Lacus coming out of the meeting room. Lacus came up to him and hugged him. Kira returned the hug warmly as they both watched their friend go to the elevator.
"I take it, he is going home to Cagalli," Lacus said softly and Kira nodded. "I am happy for him; Cagalli shall be pleased to see him."
"After she punches him," Kira got a nudge from Lacus. He looked down at his strawberry princess. "She will be very happy to see him. She said hello by the way and that even though you two are both political leaders that you still need to visit her."
"So you told her about you staying here," Lacus asked and got a nod from her boyfriend. "She wasn't upset?"
"She was upset that I didn't tell her sooner," Kira chuckled. "You know how Cagalli is…"
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"Cagalli…" Colonel Ledonir Kisaka knocked on Cagalli's office door. He sighed heavily knowing that she probably was busy reading several new documents from her earlier meeting. He opened the door sure enough there was at her desk reading over the countless of documents placed on her desk. She was able to be more firm in her personal thoughts and values; she was upholding her father's beliefs. Even though he was never her biological father, he raised her well as his own. Kisaka walked over to the young Head Representative who didn't even make a motion she heard her guardian walk into the room. Granted the girl was now eighteen and no longer needed him in such a role but he still felt that Cagalli needed to be looked after. When she was younger she was notorious for running off and exploring the world.
He tapped her desk and Cagalli looked up with a start, her amber eyes looking at the older tanned man. He smirked, "About time you heard me…"
"Oh, sorry…been reading over the new documents and some construction proposals," Cagalli smiled and stood up. She was still wearing her maroon attire council getup. She had taken off her jacket and it was hanging off of some chair in her office. Kisaka had to admit his little girl had grown up a little bit but she carried too much on her small shoulders. The only time he felt like she wasn't overly burdened was when Athrun had offered to be her personal bodyguard under the alias of Alex Dino.
"You need to stop over working yourself already," Kisaka shook his head. "Anyway…you need to greet the official coming back from the PLANTs."
"Huh," Cagalli looked at the older man confused. "None of the council members went to the PLANTS, only Kira is up there and he is in a ZAFT uniform."
"Oh," Kisaka arched his eyebrow. "You mean to tell me, you didn't know that we sent an official up there to make sure Kira Yamato was delivered to Chairwoman Lacus Clyne?"
Cagalli pouted, "What are you talking about?" Kisaka made no notion in telling her the whole story, "Ugh, fine…when does his shuttle land?"
"That's better! You should get ready and change into your formal military wear," Kisaka pointed out and Cagalli glared at him. She was not happy on where this was going and knew that the older man had something up his sleeve. She sighed showing that she gave in, "That's my girl. Now, hurry up he should be here soon enough."
"Fine…Fine…" Cagalli grumbled and stood up. "What rank is this guy anyway?"
"An admiral…"
"Wait, I know all of the admirals and none of them went to the PLANTs," Cagalli looked at her former guardian suspiciously. "What are you not telling me?"
Kisaka kept on strolling down the hallway and Cagalli was chasing after him. She couldn't change until she got home but Kisaka was just walking away without a care in the world. Which only added to her frustration of being left out of the loop; a loop that her former guardian made…Cagalli grumbled as the Orb officers watched in amusement as some of Cagalli's fire seemed to be returning to the proud Orb princess. Cagalli slightly stomping her feet as she made her way after Kisaka, he only motioned for her to get into the limo waiting for her at the main entrance of the building. She only sighed and got into the limo. He told the driver to take her home and wait for her to change then bring her to the landing bay. Cagalli only crossed her arms not liking this one bit and Kisaka only laughed at the girl.
Cagalli just watched out the window as she watched the scenery change. It was hard to believe how people seemed to be only in a matter of days did the second war end. She smiled; it was all worth the effort to see people so happy and going about their lives happily. She then sighed, she wasn't really happy at least not yet anyway…she was missing something…in her case someone. She looked down at her barren left hand and sighed. It was her decision to put the ring away because she knew that he had already chosen another. Cagalli shook her head and decided it was for the best. She had already asked someone to keep an eye on him while he was up in space and at the PLANTS. Her own brother was now a Commander of the ZAFT forces but more correctly, Chairwoman Lacus Clyne's personal body guard. She chuckled, it would be near impossible to separate those two.
They had reached the Athha manor and Cagalli sighed. She would allow her guardian to boss her around this one time, even though she knew he would probably get the best of her more in the future. She quickly went in as a few of the maids bowed and Cagalli sighed. No matter how many times she told them they would never listen. They still treated her like a princess and grumbled as she went up to her room. Myrna was already in her room smiling, she had her military uniform ready on her bed.
"What's going on," Cagalli asked confused.
"Colonel Kisaka asked me to get this ready for you," Myrna had helped raise the tomboyish girl and tried her might to make her dress like a lady. She had grown to love the young woman like her own and was proud to say she still was with the young woman. Cagalli sighed and smiled, she was always grateful to the woman no matter how many times they argued. Cagalli began disrobing herself of the attire she was wearing.
"Say, Myrna…"
"What is it?"
"Do you know of this admiral Kisaka is making me greet," Cagalli asked and Myrna smiled at her. "You do know…who is it? I know almost every high ranking officer in Orb…how is it I don't know who went to take Kira up to PLANT?"
"Now, now…don't worry about that right now…you need to hurry up or you'll make a bad impression on being late," Myrna said in her motherly tone. Cagalli groaned and did what she was told. She changed the pants first. She left the white undershirt on until Myrna took it off of her leaving Cagalli in her pale green bra.
"Myrna…" Cagalli whined and Myrna handed her a simple white spaghetti strap. "Why are you making me change?"
"Oh, just in case…"
Cagalli rolled her eyes and not understanding what she meant. She put on the top she was being given. She then put on her red turtle neck shirt that went underneath. Then Myrna helped her put on her military jacket and Cagalli sighed. Myrna quickly went to fix Cagalli's growing blonde locks and brushing out a few tangles that probably got created in her hair from running around all day. Myrna than gave her nod of approval as Cagalli walked back down the stairs. She saw Kisaka had come to pick her up and crossed her arms.
"So care to tell me who the hell I am greeting at the landing bay," Cagalli asked as she made it down the stairs.
"Don't worry about it, besides it's your job to be politically polite," Kisaka teased and ushered the girl out the door. Myrna was at the top of the stairs smiling brightly and Kisaka nodded with his own smile. They were in the back of the limo and Cagalli was upset. She didn't want to go and greet some old huffed up admiral that she didn't know or some young hot shot that just got promoted. She groaned and saw Kisaka handing her an object she was sure she had hidden. "You might want to wear this…"
"Where…where…"
"Just trust me," Kisaka said and made Cagalli put the ring on. "You can't always pick your country over your own happiness Cagalli…I figured your father would've taught you that."
Cagalli looked at the ring back on her left ring finger. She sighed as her thoughts began to drift back off to a certain midnight haired and green eyed man who captured her heart. She sighed and played with the ring a bit, she didn't want to see it so soon considering she hadn't heard what he was up to. The last she saw him was on the Archangel going off for the final battle and her watching them go off. She sighed again as a few tears were brimming her eyes, when did she become such a teary eyed cry baby? She shook it off and gently rubbed them away but it wasn't missed by Kisaka. He was smiling though knowing she will more than likely be shedding those tears again in a moment.
The car came to a stop and Kisaka climbed out first. He watched as Cagalli slide over and got out of the limo. Indeed Kisaka was right; there were all the council members at the front with a line of high ranking officials behind them. She sighed, she had to be here because all of them where there. She made her way to the front as she was supposed to be there waiting. She watched as the air craft made contact with the ground and Cagalli inwardly groaned knowing she could be doing paperwork right about now.
Kisaka smirked as the door opened and who came out caught Cagalli completely off guard. Kisaka saluted the young admiral, "Welcome home, Admiral Zala…I hope that your trip fared well."
"Please, you don't have to address me by that title," Athrun chuckled nervously. "After all, we've known each other for quite some time." Athrun saluted back and smiled as other officials greeted him. Cagalli was still in her spot as tears were slowly pouring out of her eyes. She couldn't believe…he was back…he was standing there in an Orb military uniform. He was talking to everyone as if he had no intention of leaving. The crowd of people all made a clear path between Athrun and Cagalli. Athrun just smiled at her and Cagalli's feet took off and she launched herself into him. Athrun welcomed the embrace and wrapped his arms around her as he buried his face into her shoulder much like how she was doing to him.
Kisaka smiled as the other military officials, some of the council members didn't know what to say or think. Most of them were aware of their relationship to begin with and others had no opinion. Most of them were not taken by surprise at the sudden show of affection from the Head Representative; it was freshening to see some emotion from the young woman. She was crying into his shoulder of tears of happiness knowing that there was a chance she would not see him again. Kisaka cleared his throat, "Admiral Zala, Representative Athha, as much as I love seeing your touching reunion with each other…I think we should head back to the parliament building. I am pretty sure Admiral Zala would like to settle his things back in the manor."
Cagalli blushed as she slowly backed out of her embrace with Athrun. Athrun looked over at the older man and smiled. "As much as I would like to retire to my quarters, I would like to get to work as quickly as possible. I am sure; Head Representative Athha wouldn't mind handing over all of the military duties over to me."
"Huh…what…wait?" Cagalli looked confused as a few of the men in their company chuckled. She was completely out of the loop, "You're my new head of military?" Athrun nodded, "When? I thought that position was still open?"
Athrun chuckled, "Why don't we head to the parliament building and I'll fill you in."
Cagalli didn't say a word as Athrun picked up his suitcase that was sitting on the ground. He had let it drop to the ground after Cagalli started running towards him. Cagalli was still completely dumbfounded as Athrun gently guided her to the limo. Kisaka smiled at his handy work; soon things will be back to the way it was and hopefully for the better.
Athrun and Cagalli sat next to each other and the girl was confused. She had a million questions to ask and none of them seemed to leave her lips. She was hopeless lost and wanted to get some answers from the man next to her, he however was content in just observing her and taking her image to imprint in his mind once again. He would wait until she asked him a question before telling her how he ended up as her new head of military affairs. Athrun noticed her fiddling with the ring he gave her on hand; he smiled…Kisaka probably made her put it back on. I'm glad he did…I probably need to ask her why she took it off in the first place. I guess that will have to wait as well as she lost in thought.
Athrun reached out to her and gently placed stray strands behind her hair getting her attention. She looked at him still with confusion of the situation at hand, "Kisaka offered me the position right before we left to go up to PLANTs and Kira encouraged me to take the position."
"But, he didn't tell me anything…you never mentioned…"
"When did we have time to talk Cagalli, you were always tied down by meetings and your responsibilities," Athrun said softly caressing her cheek. "So…that's how I ended up with this position…after all Kisaka told me I would be seeing a lot more of you with this position."
Cagalli arched her eyebrow, "He did…did he…sneaky old man."
Athrun chuckled, "We probably still need to talk don't we…"
Cagalli then glared at him with her typical Cagalli glare and fire. He smirked, how he had missed her fire. "Now you listen here, if I remembered right you LEFT me first…now that whole marriage to the idiot was after being pressured by the whole council and you weren't here to protect me from that! Then there was that other Lacus…and then ugh! Don't even get me started you pompous ass!"
Athrun just smiled only adding to Cagalli's frustration of the young man who pulled her into a hug, "Like I said we still need to talk…and we both need to get things off of our chest."
"Hmph…"
"Admiral, Representative…we've arrived at the parliament building…"
Cagalli opened her side door and marched out. Athrun sighed; she went from happy to seeing him to absolutely upset about seeing him. Then again if her mood didn't change she wouldn't be Cagalli after all. She was different…that was for sure and he wouldn't change her for the world. He sighed and thanked the driver as he took his suit case and exited the limo. He saw Kisaka smirking and Athrun groaned. "Did you think you can win her over that easily?"
Athrun shook his head, "I was surprised she even hugged me…but I guess there are a lot of things we never had a chance to talk about."
Kisaka nodded, "She'll cool off and you won't have to worry. But at least she didn't throw that ring back at you…"
"That's very true; I'm surprised she's wearing it…"
"Stubborn girl loves you, it didn't take long for her to put it back on after I handed it to her," Kisaka chuckled and walked in with the young admiral. "Today's meeting is pretty much officially introducing you to the council and military staff with your title. Cagalli will hand you over all of the military documents for you to review."
"First day on the job and I'm already being handed over paperwork," Athrun chuckled. "I almost envy Kira…"
Kisaka chuckled, "Kira will more than likely have his hands full with watching over Lacus since she tends to be a little reckless at times."
"I will agree to that," Athrun nodded and saw men saluting him. "This will take some getting used to."
"Even when you were Alex Dino, you were a well-respected man…now that you are going under your true name and their leader…they can't help but respect you." Athrun smiled weakly, "As far as your relationship with Cagalli goes…I suggest you two keep it quiet once you guys reconcile officially." Athrun looked up at the older man confused and Kisaka chuckled, "I'm saying this because I know you two will reconcile and having your relationship private for a little while won't kill you guys…"
Athrun nodded, "I guess first this meeting and then Cagalli…"
"You'll be attending many more meetings, I'll keep you updated as much as I can when they are and such…"
"Thank you."
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Kira and Lacus were enjoying a nice dinner after a day of endless meetings. Lacus smiled warmly as Kira placed a hand over hers, "What's the matter?"
"I was wondering if Athrun made it to Orb alright," Lacus told him sincerely.
"He called to let me know he landed safely and soon as he landed he was ushered off to a meeting," Kira chuckled. "He will be quite busy from here on out, but at least this time he can back up Cagalli being that he holds a seat now in the council."
"He's also the voice for Orb's military now, as well?"
"Yes," Kira nodded as he took a drink from his glass. They were still in their uniforms, "He will be staying at the Athha manor just like he use to even though I think he had his own quarters when he was Alex."
Lacus giggled, "He hardly ever stayed there I image considering he was with Cagalli all of the time."
"Yes, but he will be seeing her much more than that now," Kira pointed out. "He will be attending all of those meetings with the council and then he has meetings with the military officials to deal with now. I heard from Kisaka they've accepted him with open arms."
"It doesn't surprise me, Athrun is a good man and very noble and honorable one at that," Lacus chimed at her boyfriend's best friend. "Did you get to do anything while I was in the meetings?"
"Lacus, I'm supposed to attend all of those meetings with you," Kira chuckled. "Yzak, Dearka, and Shiho made it a point though to show me around at one point."
"I heard Miriallia is here as well, I heard she and Dearka were speaking again," Lacus smiled. "It would be good for them to at least be friends even though they had a brief romantic relationship."
"From the sound of it, Dearka is pursuing that relationship again, Mir pretty much being a freelance photographer is able to venture between PLANTs and Earth," Kira smiled as one of her Haros was jumping up and down. Kira chuckled, "They even tried to get me to wear my commander's hat…it felt a bit awkward wearing it…"
"But you looked awfully handsome in it," Lacus winked and Kira smiled. He caressed her cheek, "How long before we hear about Athrun and Cagalli?"
Kira shrugged, "Knowing Cagalli she's being stubborn."
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Uh oh, what does Cagalli have up her sleeve? No way she is going to forgive Athrun that easily! See you next time!