Dear Athrun,

I hope you're in good condition when this letter reaches you. It's been two months since you've left, and things haven't changed here. They say that the war will be over. The emperor has ordered the retreat for the soldiers overseas and negotiations will take place soon. This is good news indeed! They might let you return home after the decree has been lifted…

The plum trees must have sensed your absence. The fruits have been pale, and the wine, sour. Whenever I feel lonely, I always think about you. How hard your life must be, and I can't bear the thought.

I have asked myself a lot of times. I have wondered, was it me that caused you to leave? Was it because of the marriage?

I don't want to cause you anymore inconvenience. If you decide not to marry me, then I'll return to my father. I know he'll understand. But if you want me to stay here and work for you then would appreciate it. Your aunt told me that I might be causing your confusion, that's why you left. I know it's too late now, but if you ever find a chance, please come back, even if it means the end of our engagement…

I just want you to come back.

Half-conscious and dehydrated, I walked until I've reached the outskirts of Sapporo. I could see dark smoke coming from the train station. Everywhere, the remnants of war were evident.

Blocks of concrete from torn buildings, tattered remains of houses, people with blank faces, searching of food, or for a dead loved one; the acrid smell of blood and gun powder.

It occurred to me that the Allies have taken full control of the city.

I tried to hide my identity from the foreign soldiers roaming around the place. I stayed within the ruins of a small shop. It used to be a book shop, but the books were all gone. The sign was blown away, and the whole place was filled with debris and ash.

Perhaps because of hunger and tiredness, that I lacked the sense of focus. My feet faltered as I tried to regain my posture and collapsed on a nearby concrete block. Among the debris of wood and broken glass, was a piece of stale bread. I grabbed it with my trembling hands. The bread had molds on it, but I didn't mind. I chewed and swallowed, like it was the most wonderful meal I've had.

I remained where I was for a while, but it felt like days for me. I fell asleep.

When I awoke, my head felt a little lighter. Somehow, I felt my wounds have stopped hurting. The hunger was gone too.

I immediately stood and left.

My goal was to reach the train station, and ride back to Tokyo. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I have come this far. I wouldn't waste any chances.

I have to go back.

It was her letter that kept my sanity. In two days, I've seen more blood that anyone can imagine. A comrade was dismembered in front of me. His skin, peeled off like an apple. He refused to die as a pilot, and somehow, chose his own death in the hands of a barbarian. If he hadn't been with me, I could have been the one who was tortured.

I kept on recalling the contents of Cagalli's letter. I have a picture it in my mind-her long, precise handwriting. I felt deep regret, for I had not sent my response.

Now, all I wanted is a train ride. My sole purpose is to be with her again, before this world around us crumble and burn to the ground. I knew about the impending peril that awaits Tokyo. I couldn't stay here any longer. The Allies will move, in a day or two.

By now, the remaining troupes at Osaka may still have the strength, but not for long. The enemies have already landed on our shores. The next target would be the capital, Tokyo.

It was late afternoon when I decided to head for the station. Stealthily, I made my way from one road to another, hiding whenever I see the enemy, and then walking further. Some people would notice me and perhaps think I'm one of the enemy soldiers. Most of the civilians I saw were survivors of the invasion. I knew the government ordered an evacuation prior to my dispatch for Otaru military base.

But then it was possible that the last wave of evacuees were trapped when the enemy forces came, and left with no choice but to stay.

So far, luck was on my side. I was able to reach the main road, and trace my way towards the train station.

When I arrived at the place, only one train was left intact. Majority of the people there were refugees from nearby towns, desperately trying to secure a ride. There were soldiers everywhere, but they didn't care much about the chaos going on amongst the people.

I had my shirt removed so people won't suspect my identity, as I moved past the swarm of people scrambling towards the train.

I saw an old lady, shoved aside by some townspeople and was trampled by the swarm of scurrying bodies.

All are in panic and confusion. The woman died instantly, perhaps of suffocation. Perhaps of hopelessness.

This is the path that I have chosen, I spoke to myself.

This is the society war has created.

Our war.

I drew a deep breath and moved forward. I have to reach Tokyo, and this train will lead me there, I told myself.

Someone shouted at me.

"You!"

I ignored the call and continued forward.

But the voice called out once more. I walked faster hoping to avoid the impending encounter with an enemy soldier.

I turned and saw a tall man behind me. He grabbed me and asked if I'm a soldier.

I denied, but didn't look at his eyes. I pretended to look dumb.

He pointed his revolver against the gash on my forehead.

He suddenly shifted his language, from Japanese to English.

"You plan to escape eh? You scared huh? Wanna go home to your mama? Well shithead, you're gonna die here with your friends" he mockingly said.

I understood him. But I pretended to be confused.

Escape.

Yes I plan to escape, you bastard! - My mind shouted.

I plan to save the woman I love from monsters like you…

And so I have realized my own thoughts…

The woman I love.

Not even the most insulting words can deter me. But at that moment, I knew I have to concede. Perhaps if I beg him, he'd let me go.

I knelt and spoke softly.

"Please let me go sir… I need to be with my wife."

The man laughed. He adjusted the barrel of his gun and spoke once more.

"You started this shit and now you're begging me? Do you know what happened to us when we got here? I LEFT MY WIFE AND KIDS! I'm so happy with my life, in MY country, and then this war comes along, suddenly I woke up on this shitty island hunting shitheads like you. And now you're asking me to let you go?"

I didn't speak anymore, for somehow I was able to understand him.

We brought this misery amongst ourselves. All I thought was my escape, but the reality of the situation is bigger. Bigger than my own personal endeavor.

He grabbed my shoulder and hauled me towards the station's office.

My feet were so heavy, that I felt myself crawling away from the train. I walked away farther and farther from the only chance I had.

When we reached the office, he pushed me towards the corner and I slammed against the glass panel.

My shoulder began to bleed, after being stabbed by the protruding debris of broken glass.

Another man came in and asked.

"What's this?"

The other man told him that I'm an additional prisoner.

"Why don't you just kill him? We have too many prisoners in this camp," the other man said.

"He begged me Dearka."

"He what?"

"Begged me. He wanted to go back to his wife."

The other man gave me a slight glance, and then he laughed out loud.

"I thought you guys are die hard fanatics! You kill yourselves for your Emperor right? "

He spoke in English. I answered.

"I am an enlisted civilian. Please sir, I know that our country has lost the war. I just want to go back and see if my wife is safe. This is a cowardly act, I know, but I have no choice. I simply don't want to waste my life away without even…" I couldn't finish my words.

I wasn't thinking rationally, coherently. I was desperate.

"Then I won't let you die yet," the man named Dearka said. "But you won't go home either. You're a prisoner now, until your government issues a complete surrender, and until I receive orders on how to dispatch prisoners like you.

I felt another sense of pain. My shoulders are bleeding heavily. Perhaps my captives realized that I'm already close to death that's why they wouldn't waste a bullet on me.

"Instead, I think you'll be useful," Dearka said.

Afterwards, he instructed the other man to call the nurse. From the way he spoke, I guessed he's the commander of the group who took over the train station, or perhaps the whole town. I wasn't sure.

Another feeling of nausea came over me, and I felt like being taken into a separate room. It smelled of antiseptic and phenol.

The sense of desperation took over me once more. I imagined the train station. I'm riding the train towards Cagalli. She'd be waiting for me back in Tokyo. I'd see her waiving hand, and her face.

The slightly troubled look on her face and her faint smile...

My shoulders were shivering.

I heard a woman's voice.

"Are you feeling pain? Is it painful?"

I opened my eyes. It was a western woman, with a red-colored hair. She had on a professional look of a person tending over a sick: A plastered look of concern on her small face.

"The stitches are painful," she said. "Just don't move so we can avoid too much bleeding."

I closed my eyes and remained quiet.

AN: Chapter 3 is inspired by One Less Bell to Answer/ A House is not a Home (Glee Cast version) :P. (I got 13 rounds of the same song, playing all over again). ..