A/N: Thank you for your support everyone! As stated in the category of this fanfic, this is romance/spiritual - praise God for that! And now, I pray God prepare you to see why. ^^ BTW, this is longer compared to the first chapter. I felt like letting you have a peek on where this is going already. Anyone who could guess the plot? It's a challenge, alright! ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed.


WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Summary: "For ten consecutive years I've liked you, and now you're telling me you're engaged!" Athrun almost choked in disbelief. Apparently, Cagalli Yula Attha has the perfect answer for that, "You jackass, in the eleven years that I've liked you, how could you not tell me this sooner? Why only now Athrun Zala? Why only now?" Why you ask? Simple. He's her bestfriend and he's been a coward. Is there still a way to make things right?


Present Age:

Athrun 22

Cagalli 21


Chapter Two

Cagalli's Return

Part II


"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Hebrews 21:22, NLV Translation


*~05-06, 5:00 pm, PLANTS International Airport, SkyJ258

SkyJ258, a plane that is destined to fly off to Orb at exactly 5:15 that afternoon, everything was all going perfectly well, the stewardess were giving really good service, the pilots more than ready and were excited to do their job, the passengers...ah, the passengers…

"I am not going to let you delay my flight any longer! Get lost Yuna!" whispered a certain blonde annoyed, while taking her arms away from the grasp of a purple haired man her age who was now kneeling beside her seat.

"Come on Cagalli, can't we talk this over?" he pleaded. It appeared that the blonde's attempt to settle the matter themselves was no longer an option as his voice was irritatingly loud for everyone to turn to them. Fortunately or not, for those who were watching, they actually find the scene quite entertaining, as if they were filming a movie, or much worse, a comedy.

"Sweetheart, no need to be stubborn now, I know you don't really like to leave… " me, he was about to continue but he changes his mind when he sensed the change in atmosphere.

"Sweet-" with clenched fist and gritted teeth, she turned to him glaring from annoyance now fury. Yuna Roman Seiran, one of the chief executives in the airport and Cagalli's stalker since childhood, instantly let go of her arms, fear seen in his teary eyes.

"What did you just call me?" she asked, her eyebrows in V-position narrowing directly at him.

"I-I-I-got-ta-go. See ya Cagalli! I'll be waiting when you get back!" he yelled, running quickly away from her, not really minding the hysterical looks of laughter the other passengers give his cowardice, or rather he was too occupied by his life and death situation to notice. Besides, if not for his identity as a Seiran, no would even bother see him as a respectful person, none the less, a man, meaning, he wouldn't even be allowed to be there. Cagalli in one certain view, just felt him pity and offered to be his friend when they were young, too bad, now she regrets the decision.

Seeing him gone, the blonde sighed in relief, and this time, try to put her thoughts together. Truth be told, they were many she has to be thinking about. Considering, she left Orb for six years and this was the only time she's ready to go back. Well, she needed to prepare herself.

"Finally." She said, half-smiling as she stared at the scenery outside her window. Now, she's leaving PLANTS, the place where she once would trade anything to go to.

*~flashback from four years ago in Orb University*~

It was 1 pm in the afternoon in Orb University's famous "Cherry Blossom Walk", a path known as the couple's favorite spot, right after lunch when everybody's busy preparing for the school festival. Athrun Zala, the number one school heartthrob, who also happened to be president of the Robotics Club, was walking to meet his friends in the lab when a familiar voice called out to him, one of the few female voices he'll dare say would be the exceptions of him staying and not running away to save his life (from fangirls mostly).

And when finally, he was face to face with her, only a foot away…

"Oy Athrun! You see this?" she said, panting though her excitement was so obvious he can't help but smile.

"What?" He asked, pretending not to care so much. He knows her so well he just love seeing her pissed.

"It's a plane ticket you idiot! I've finally gotten Dad's approval! I'm going to PLANTS to study!" Though this time, it didn't work out too well, and instead, left him almost speechless.

"Oh."

"What the! Aren't you happy for me? Dude, this has been my dream since elementary! Seriously, I'm so excited, I think I'm gonna puke!"

"..."

"ATHRUN!"

"Ah, yeah, well, don't vomit on the plane. They might throw you out. You don't really like heights, do you?"

"Athrun! Are you serious? I told you I'm finally going to live my dreams and you tell me to not vomit! Dude, if you're like that, I'm gonna get myself a new best friend!"

"Fine by me."

"ATHRUN!"

"Just kidding. Come here. Give your best friend a hug."

And just like that, after holding her in his arms, with unexplainable emotion overflowing in his heart that he would never dare admit, he let her go.

~*End of fashback~*

Now back in the plane, the blonde continued smiling to herself. She just recalled one of the most memorable moments in her life, it was both sad and happy, which was more, she didn't know. What's important now was she's finally coming back, and she can't help but wonder what have changed in her six years of stay in PLANTS. Will her friends in Orb, her home country, still be the same? Will they still be as welcoming as before? Will they still see her as a dude and treat her like one? Don't get her wrong, Cagalli Yula Attha, hated being mistaken as a guy, but when it comes to treatment, and teases, not that she'll mind if it comes from her group of friends, which as a matter of fact were composed of numerous boys and very few girls, and one to which the most special is her rival turned best friend, Athrun Zala.

She knew she changed, a lot, that's for sure. Especially with the encounter she had with a stranger that created an impact, for it changed her life, gave her something to hope for after realizing what she's missing, and this time around, she wants to make things right. She was determined, to really, really, live her dreams, the entire of them this time.

She remained in deep thought, not realizing the sound of the incoming footsteps towards her from the direction where Yuna have ran off to who knows where.

"Knock! Knock!" called a green curly haired bachelor her age in white shirt topped with red leather jacket and jeans, holding two cups of coffee. He, who happened to be staring only at her, and wasn't even minding the giggling girls just behind him.

And if Cagalli was getting more lost in her thinking, his voice was enough to bring her back to reality. Seeing his face made her relieved, and energetic.

"What took you so long? Didn't you know Yuna wouldn't stop nagging me whenever he finds me alone?" She glared at him only to have him chuckle in response.

"Hey, relax. I know that. Apparently I heard two or three talking about a wimp running away after a pretty blonde give him a glare for calling him sweetheart." a fact, truthful answer, to which she gave him another glare.

"Want come coffee?" he offered.

She instantly grabbed it and encouraged him to seat beside her.

"Why look so gloomy?" the green haired asked.

"I…I don't know. I'm excited to see them, but I'm just not so sure. Do you think everything's going to turn out fine? What if nothing changes in my return? What if he doesn't change his mind? What if he doesn't feel the same? What would that make me? I don't know if I can handle it." She sounded pleading, discouraged, desperate to hear his encouragement, with that little faith, that upon hearing them, her sudden fear will go away. He just listened to her, all the while she voiced out being discouraged. Just like before, he listened, and was ready to let her know of what he was one hundred percent sure.

Nicol Amarfi pulled her to face him, and holding her hands he said, "You changed. You really do. You're even more beautiful, more amazing. And now you know exactly what you want. I believe in you. He believes in you. Now, just trust God and let Him do the job for you, alright?"

She smiled. "How ironic…" she started, which made his eyebrow rose in confusion.

"Ironic?"

"…that my fiancé will encourage me to be with my…" she blushed, but continued anyway as this wasn't their first time having this kind of conversation, though she decided that a change of term would be good. "…with another man."

He just eyed her, a little surprised but calm as always.

"I don't actually encourage you to be with him. I just want you to be happy. If he turns out to be your destiny after all these, then okay. But if not, I can't be more assured than if I marry you."

"Destiny, e?" She smiled dreamily, looking away from his gaze. He let go of her hands and smiled too, focusing on his drink. When did she even start believing in that word? Before, when all she did was chase after her best friend, his back was all she could see. And if ever he turns around to look at her, she can't tell if he even actually feels like she's a girl, before, because now she's a woman, and as Nicol said, she knew it too, Cagalli Yula Attha changed a lot. She's positive her best friend will realize it the very moment he sees her. Before, she wouldn't even go near a boutique, but now, she's even wearing a pink dress a few inches below her knee, topped with dirty white sweater, and mind you, she's now comfortable wearing high heels, even very pointed ones. After learning and experiencing so many in PLANTS, just like being chased by so many suitors (not that she doesn't experience this in Orb), getting to study in the world's famous PLANTS Engineering University and being one of the top students, and more, but let's not forget one of the most important, her encounter with a lady and the realization of her own worth. A normal conversation, murmuring of few words, and yet it created an impact so big she felt like a different person. Because of that, she feels more than ready to take on a new challenge. She didn't learn to hold onto that SOMEONE just so she would fail. She holds on to HIM because she dreams.

And then she remembered the very words that came out from the mouth of that lady she met who introduced her to HIM…

*~WORD*~

One day in autumn in a secluded Green House of PLANTS Engineering University, she was sat in a bench when a hooded lady asked if she could sit beside her, to which she automatically nodded. The stranger introduced herself as an exchange student, and she began talking about her work, how she feels as of the moment, and more, making Cagalli see her as an interesting person. She told her she just felt like she needed a talk, and hearing this, Cagalli was a little surprised thinking that her expression must have revealed all her worries as of the moment. Cagalli told her about her dream, of why she left Orb in the first place, then without mentioning any name, she told her of her best friend who also happened to be the guy she's interested in, only that it's hopeless because he's always looking the other way. The two, in that short moment, narrated their own stories, talked about so many, and in the point that reminded her of Athrun, her new found friend introduced a new topic to which Cagalli couldn't help but feel thankful for.

"What kind of destiny do you want?"

"Destiny?"

The girl giggled at her reaction, a face that showed a combination of shock and curiosity. Surely she knew what it meant but wasn't so sure if she was referring to her definition of the word, or if she was, she's wondering why she's being asked of it.

"You know of Adam and Eve right?"

"From the Bible?" Now this surprised her, she knew the girl was some sort of a worker from a Christian orphanage. But now she's a little bit confused as to why they were talking about this.

"Yes." With the blonde's silence, she continued…"In Genesis, the serpent tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, and she did. Now Adam, still hasn't eaten the fruit. He still had a chance to save Eve, to bring her back to God, but apparently he didn't."

"What's this got to do with my destiny?"

The girl smiled charmingly. "God gave Eve to Adam, in other words, God gave Adam his destiny. They were together already, but even then, Adam fell to sin with Eve when he ate the forbidden fruit. He wasn't able to save her destiny. He found her, they were together, but then when obstacle came, he wasn't able to save her. They were sent out from the Garden of Eden. They were already in the best place, but because of sin, they lost it."

"Now fortunately for us, the second Adam came."

"Second Adam?"

"Yup."

"Who?"

"Jesus." She smiled, obvious that the next lines were her favorite part. "By dying in the cross, by experiencing what we humans experience, by being crucified, He saved us. Much to the enemy's dismay, Jesus fought for us. Why do you think He did that?"

Cagalli smiled in realization, tears forming in her eyes though she managed to wipe them off before they fall to her cheeks.

"Because He wanted to fight for His destiny. He wanted to fight for you and me. Now if it's me, I also like a destiny, a man that is able to fight for me. And I in return, would like to see myself fighting for him as well."

~*End of WORD~*

Cagalli, now smiling as she stared in the window, feeling the movement of the airplane now departing from PLANTS, can't help but sigh dreamily.

"God, I want someone, someone who'll be able to fight for me."

To summarize her prayers, we have this…"…for my already handsome and intelligent best friend, Athrun Zala, to be able to fight for me. If he's able, praise God! If he's not, praise God. Either way, I trust God with my destiny. As his best friend, at the very least, I feel like I have to help him."

'So now the question is, Athrun, are you he, are you my destiny?'


A/N: Okay, let's leave it at that for now. No way am I letting Athrun have the girl unless he already deserves her. And yes, Athrun will be seeing her finally in the next chapter. So do tell, what do you guys think? This time, I think I'll ask for AT LEAST double of the reviews I got for the first chapter before I post the second one. Fair enough, right? So, will you help?^^