It's a cold weather, and I feel like writing. Nah, why am I explaining myself? Enjoy reading if you can…

The Fatal Wound

I saw the amber flame

As it flickers slowly,

Dances like the waves

And flickers between my palms

Singe my wounded skin

I saw it as it faded

With my skin still burning

The scars have lost their pain

But the stitches still remain

She was running and he was chasing her along the golden fields of the forgotten summer. Her golden eyes sparkled like the sun above and his fingers stretched out to reach her skin. Her laughter echoed with the passing wind and her vision faded. He tried to hold on to the vision but like spilling water in between his hands, she went away… slowly, until she was gone.

He woke up. His eyes were sore from the tears, and he was seated in his car. Dawn starts to break from the purple sky but he didn't feel the promise of the forthcoming day.

His cell phone rang. His wife's number was on the screen.

"Lacus…"

"Where are you?" She sounded worried, and suspicious.

"I don't know," he answered.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

Silence.

"Kira, what's the matter?"

He took a deep breath. But his chest couldn't take in the air. It felt like sharp knives, stabbing his insides. He felt like bursting.

"I'll be home." He pressed the receiver and ended the call.

" I think you look better in green," Athrun said while scanning her figure on the mirror. She was standing behind him, wearing a blue empire cut dress.

"I like blue," Cagalli insisted.

"But you look better in green."

She bit her lower lip and paused for a while, imagining herself wearing the two dresses. She smiled, feeling a little satisfied with her decision.

"I'll wear green."

Don't be there,

Don't stand on my shadow

Stay far away

Where I couldn't see

Don't be here

When I long for the morning sun

I'll see beyond the gray sky

With my own eyes,

The dawning day will be mine

" I'm perfectly fine Dearka," Cagalli said. She was talking to her best friend on a long distance call.

" I heard about this guy named Athrun. Yzak told me he saw him when he dropped by your house."

" And, what did he say about him," she asked.

" He said… well he's hot. And sexy, and…"

"Stop it Dearka. Don't tell me Yzak has something for him."

"No honey! That fool is mine. He wouldn't dare look at other men," Dearka replied.

She laughed.

"Seriously, you're done with your brother?"

It took a while for her to answer. Her tone suddenly changed.

" I think so."

"You think?"

"Yeah, I think so… yeah."

"I don't know about that answer Cagalli. But then I just want you to be happy, whether it's because of the Athrun guy or with Kira."

"I am happy."

"Good."

When I fly and when I fall

Don't be there

Don't wait for me

At the end of the line

Don't reach out

I know I will be fine.

It's their daughter's first birthday. They named her Katherine. She was beautiful like her mom, and somehow got her dad's aura.

"I have invited Cagalli. It's been a long time since she visited us," Lacus said while preparing the cake for their daughter.

Kira pretended not to hear her. He was searching for the household bills on the table. That month, he was promoted as the company branch manager, and along with the promotion were the increase of his salary, and expenses. He had applied for an educational plan for their daughter, and insurance for himself in case anything happened. Life and accident insurance to be exact. He was planning his family's life, looking forward to the future, which he didn't expect to turn out as it did.

"Would you pick her up," his wife asked.

"Why would I do that?" He sounded irritated.

"Well because she's your sister," the former replied.

"She has a car."

"Fine. I just thought you'd be glad to see her."

He found the bills hidden under the tablemat. Got them and headed for his keys on the nearby drawer.

"I'll go." He pressed a light kiss on her lips.

She caught his hand as he began to move away.

" Be careful."

"Yeah."

He shut the door.

Cagalli was busy scanning the test papers of her students for the final exam.

"Are you coming to the party?" Athrun was with her on their usual afternoon coffee.

"Yes."

" Did he invited you?" he asked further.

"His wife invited me."

"I see."

" Want to go with me?" she offered.

"I don't think so," he replied.

"Why not?"

"I don't want you to show me around like I'm some kind of a trophy. I don't," he continued with a serious tone " want you to use me to make him jealous."

"Who gave you that absurd idea?" She was practically outraged with his blunt words.

"Don't fool yourself Cagalli," Athrun said.

"I am not…"

He shook his head.

She sighed and said, "I am done with him. How many times do I have to tell you this?"

His eyes weren't leaving hers.

"If so, then prove it."

The soft hum of the wind was heard between them. Silence.

Nobody ever stays on the same place

They leave as the song fades

But I won't if you won't tell me to

I'll stay when the sky falls

I'll stay when the sky falls.

The night is approaching. She was looking at her watch while inside her car.

She was having second thoughts about the party.

"I know I could find a thousand excuses," she told herself.

She stepped on the accelerator. Decided to go home instead. But as soon as she reached the highway, she found herself driving towards the opposite direction- away from home.

It took her about 20 minutes to reach the place. Wasn't that far.

A few minutes passed and she was still there inside her car, waiting.

She got outside and slowly approached the gate. Pressed the doorbell.

Few guests were invited to their daughter's party. Shinn, Luna, and Lacus' parents were the only ones who came.

They were having dinner when the sound of the doorbell was heard.

"I'll get it," Kira said as he stood.

She was waiting outside the gate, with her eyes on her feet, and her hands on her side.

He stepped outside and approached the gate.

Opened it.

Her eyes met his… no words.

She looked away. So did he.

"May I come in," she said softly.

He nodded and stepped back. Closed the gate behind her.

She continued to walk towards the door. He spoke just as she turned the knob.

"Thank you."

She paused.

"Why?"

"For coming here."

"It's my niece's birthday," she said flatly.

"That's why I'm thanking you." His voice was cold and distant… the same as hers.

He guided her to the dining room. Lacus stood as she saw her.

"I thought you weren't coming," she beamed at Cagalli.

"Sorry I'm late, and I didn't have anything with me, not even a gift for my niece."

Lacus introduced her to the other guests.

"So you're Kira's sister. You look exactly like each other," Luna said.

"We're twins," Kira answered.

"I see you must be very close."

Cagalli reached for the wine. Sipped some from the transparent glass. On the other side of the table, in front of her was Shinn.

"I think they're close," Shinn said. He smiled, acknowledging Cagalli's glance.

"What do you do miss Cagalli?" Luna asked.

"I'm a teacher. A Physics professor."

"I see you two are such intelligent people. You're good in Physics, and Kira on computers," Mr. Clyne noted.

Cagalli felt awkward about Mr. Clyne's complement. She looked at Kira. He was looking at her too.

Dinner was over and everyone went to the living room for some refreshments. Kira was with Lacus in the kitchen.

"Cagalli's changed. She's thinner and looked more mature than before. It must be her work that's causing it," Lacus said while preparing the coffee.

"She perfectly fine," Kira said dully.

"Did you have a fight?"

"No, we didn't."

"Well I hope she has someone to take care of her. I mean, she's old enough to have a family."

Her words floated on his head. They almost burned his ear. He was staring at the cups as they fill themselves on the tray.

Cagalli was playing with Katherine. The little girl was seated on her lap.

"You're fond children don't you?" Shinn said as he approached her.

"Kind of…" she answered without looking.

"Kira is a nice guy. He was lucky though, to have Lacus." Shinn said those words as if he was swallowing a bucket of ice.

Cagalli looked at him.

"Your brother is very lucky," he continued. He sat beside her and there was silence between them. Luna got the camera and asked everyone to gather around.

"Smile!" Luna cheered behind the camera.

A family picture was taken of Kira, Lacus and Katherine.

Then, it was a picture of Kira and Lacus.

A group picture followed. When all seem to be satisfied, Luna suddenly requested.

" Could you two stand here for a sec?" Luna asked Kira.

"Me," Kira pointed to himself.

"Yes, and your sister."

Cagalli turned upon hearing this. They stared at each other for a while.

"Okay," Cagalli said. Kira didn't speak.

He went near her, standing close at her side. She pretended that everything was normal. That it was just like a simple picture taking back in when they were young.

"It looks like you hate each other," Luna commented. " A little close please. Then say cheese!"

The flash was almost blinding. It was as if time stopped and the two of them were left frozen on a forgotten moment. He placed his hand on her shoulder. His fingers were cold. She caught her breath. Everything happened in a single second that had disappeared soon after.

He moved away. She did the same.

"So, when will number two arrive?" Mr. Clyne asked.

"Number two?" Lacus looked confused.

"He's referring to Katherine's future sister or brother," Luna said.

"I want to have two grandchildren. Or you can have more!"

Lacus glimpsed at Kira. She wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered the same question. Kira grunted.

"It's already on the list… for next year I guess," Lacus said meaningfully.

Cagalli was standing farthest from the crowd. She was looking at Lacus and Katherine. Tears start to well up inside her. For a moment her eyes rested on Kira.

He is happy now. And this is the right thing to do…

The tears showed up and she wiped them off.

Kira saw it. His peripheral vision unfolded the truth.

Conversations continued and Cagalli found it hard to stay, with everything that she's feeling. She was being torn to pieces.

"Um, I have to go now," she said to Lacus. "Thanks for inviting me…"

She bid farewell to the other guests and to her niece. Then she bowed slowly in front of Kira.

"I'll go ahead," she said but her eyes were avoiding his.

Kira walked her outside, towards her car. They didn't speak to each other.

The night air was damp and salty. Much like the tears in her eyes.

She held the car keys and opened the car's door.

Kira was still there, watching her. She didn't go inside yet. She stood there, right in front of him.

"So… congratulations," she said. She tried to hide every bit of pain with a smile. His purple eyes were misty. He returned the gesture. Smiled too.

She reached out her hand to his. He did the same.

His long fingers touched hers. And that was all that's left. She pulled her hands back and went to the car. Drove as fast as she could.

"You're early. It's just eleven," Athrun said as he opened the door for her.

Cagalli glared at his green eyes, and suddenly, she broke down.

She cried on his arms without even saying the reason. He held her and remained quiet as she poured her sorrow on him.

"Make… me … forget," she sobbed.

He did just as she said. He lifted her and carried her to the couch.

His palm and fingers were warm as they rested on her bare skin. She held them like a painful memory with her eyes closed.

She laid there in the dark, covered with his naked self.

"You still feel cold?" he whispered to her ear.

She sighed.

"I don't feel the difference anymore."