4. Leaving for Kohua - Cagalli and the Orange Pendant
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"Fiance'!?!" Kira and Cagalli were both in shock at the princess's words.
"Oh yeah...I remember, you ran away from your wedding...Why?" Cagalli asked. Lacus had a discouraged look.
"That...Well...I do love Athrun...Don't get me wrong, he's a nice person...but..." Lacus looked down wandering what else to say. "I love him...but not enough to marry him. I know that bethrothal was for the good of my father's people. It's...I think when anyone should get married, it should be for love not from force..."
Lacus's words deeply soothed Kira's heart. Those words speak the truth. That is what marriage is for. Cagalli didn't think that was the case. she would've gotten married by force;however, after thinking it over for a while, Cagalli knew that Lacus had done the right thing.
"That is my reason. Now I'm scared to return back to Arminia cause I know everyone will be disappointed in me. I don't want that..." the young princess almost burst into tears if it wasn't for Kira's words.
"No, I'm sure they'll be glad to see you. If you tell Athrun and your father your reason, I'm sure they'll understand. If they can't, then they'll have to go through me to even get close to you," Kira smiled and inched closer to the princess. Lacus blushed and her eyes twinkled. Again Cagalli spied something in them.
"Love...What is the meaning of that feeling...Why do I suddenly feel jealous when he's with her..." Cagalli thought. She knew that was jealousy swallowing her up. She really wanted to wrap her arms around the young boy and never let him go. But that probably wasn't possible. Cagalli frowned.
"Cagalli? What's wrong?" Kira asked her after noticing Cagalli's frown.
"Oh...Nothing...But what should we do? I can't keep her here," said Cagalli. Lacus had a look of despair and stood up.
"Can I go change? I think I came up with something," said Lacus pointing to the door. Cagalli gave her a light green dress about knee length and told Lacus to change in a different room. In a few minutes, the princess returned without makeup and the fixed hair. Her pink hair flowed in waves and shone when light was on it. Lacus stood quite next to Kira and smiled at him. Kira smiled friendly at her.
"So...I was thinking...If we could go to Kohua, where Athrun is...I'm sure he'll be less disappointed than my father," Lacus suggested.
"Good idea...but how far is it from here?" Kira asked. Cagalli brought out a scroll from under her desk and opened it revealing a map.
"It's here," Cagalli pointed to a red dot on the paper. "It doesn't seem far, maybe...a three day walk?" Cagalli guessed.
"Three days...that's just right...Arminia might take weeks if we walk. And we could probably get a vehicle in Kohua. They have all the latest technologies..." Lacus replied.
"Then let's do it!" Kira was quite excited. While Kira was looking at the map with joy, Lacus took a closer look at him.
"He looks familiar...yet I've never met him...Or have I?" as the princess was thinking she imagined the face of a three year old boy she used to play with before a savage attack by Honisians. Ever since that incident, Lacus never thought she would see him. All she could remember about the boy was his bright eyes. She couldn't remember the color. Lacus bowed her head and stared at Kira.
"So...Should we go?" Lacus asked after snapping out of her daydreaming.
"I'll go asked Father if it's okay if I leave..." Cagalli left the room leaving the two alone. She march on to her father's room with some disappointment. Why was that?
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Kira couldn't open his mouth and speak because of his shyness. All he did was take a single glance at her and looked away.
"Um...Kira? I wanted to ask you..." Lacus paused for a bit.
"What is it?" Kira answered softly.
"Do you remeber...a terrible fire...or an explosion?" Lacus said looking at the window.
"No...Why do you ask, Princess..." Kira looked quite shocked.
"Call me Lacus...Anyways...I know it isn't a proper thing to ask, I'm sorry..." Lacus could've cried at that point at knowing the fact that that toddler might've died.
"No...It's okay, Lacus," Kira stood next to her and wiped a single tear that trickled down her eye. "Don't cry. Pretty girls like you don't look good when they're crying." Kira stopped at what he just said. He called her "pretty". This fact made the two blush. And Lacus moved closer to Kira's body and wanted to hug him. Instead, their faces were getting nearer to each other...
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Meanwhile...Cagalli was able to get permission from Uzumi, her father. Though he was grieved and became gloomy at his daughter's desicion. He knew all Cagalli wanted was adventure. That's what his little tomboy always wished for. And know this was her chance. Uzumi did not want to stop Cagalli in her tracks even if this might be the last time he'll see her. Cagalli was responsible and braver than any girl; Uzumi knew that. True, Cagalli was a great fighter and a possessor of the "Midori Kaji" a magical art that emits green fire.
Cagalli felt tears on her cheeks and wiped them off. She should've at least hugged Uzumi. Cagalli entered the room, and at the exact moment prevented Kira and Lacus from sharing a sudden kiss. Cagalli saw this and just ignored it.
"We can go..." Cagalli said solemly. Kira and Lacus backed away from each other.
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Soon it was time to leave and Cagalli only brought her metal sword with its strap. The sword was no longer than Cagalli's arm. Lacus had a short white wand with her. Kira had no weapon at all. Lacus was a possessor of the "Sakura no Hana" magic. This magic was psychic and usually had cherry blossom petals as the key signature moves. Cagalli left green sparks every time she was to slash her sword. Before setting off, Cagalli turned back and wanted to see her father.
"Otosama!!!! Otosama!!!!!!!" yelled Cagalli entering the large village castle. The young warrior made it to her father's room and tightly wrapped her arms around him.
"Otosama...Don't forget me..." Cagalli said crying in Uzumi's arms.
"I won't...Cagalli. You remind me of your mother. She was always determined and ready for anything. She died during the war with Honisia. Here, Cagalli. It's your mother's necklace." Uzumi handed a necklace with an orange neckalce to Cagalli. Cagalli put it on and kissed her father's cheek efore she left for good. Kira and Lacus waited outside for her. The two noticed Cagalli's pendant around her neck. All three kids left and headed towards Kohua.
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Okay, don't think I'm making Cagalli misserable. I'm not trying to either. Cagalli wants adventure and has to face the consequences of that certain desire. Though it's tough, Cagalli will then realize her awful ways and change her life. As for Kira and Lacus, a surprising event will occur in the next chapter. I hoped you liked it:)