On a white room inside the Zaft Main HQ a pale blonde girl slept on the middle of the room, her wrists and ankles red under the metal that binds her to the bed. Her breathing calm and peaceful without any trace of her trashing and screaming from pain and fear just sometime ago.

Shinn Asuka, a black haired ZAFT soldier stood beside the sleeping blonde. His red eyes gentle as he looked at the girls sleeping face. The doctor incharge of her just went out after announcing that if no proper treatment was given the girls system will collapse. Its already been a little over a week since she was brought into captivity after her bold endevour inside Zaft headquarters. She is an enemy. Yet he cant help but feel sympathy and helplessness as he looked at the girl.

"They go on about Coordinators being a mistake and a crime against nature, and then they create these?" Shinn can't help but allow himself to feel sorry for their prisoner.

Since the first time he visited her days ago, he always found himself back at this place, looking at the blonde struggle with her seizure through the glass that seperates the rooms. And when he turns around to leave, he will look back and would see her looking back at him. The same smile on her face. The same brightness in her eyes.

Why?

Now he stood inside the very room that held the girl. The doctors in charge left and only staffs remained so he was able to get inside the room. He was curious. He wanted to know. but seeing that she slept so soundly he contemplated wether to wake her or let her have the rest that she was deprived of because of her seizures. He thought of the latter, and now he just stood there looking at her figuring out what her answer would be. And thingking to himself why he saw his dead sister that day.

Athrun Zala became the Chairman of PLANTS at a very tender age of 16. After the war, the Plants Supreme Council believed that he is a perfect fit for the currently empty seat. With a little conflict of opinions inside the council. Athrun Zala was then proclaimed the new Chairman of Plants. At first he frantically declined the position being bestowed, shoved, upon him. How could the council elect someone outside their circle to take the position?Let alone a meer soldier.

Athrun believed that it was because of his fathers name that he became a prospect for it. His Father, Chairman Patrick Zala is what they call the Charismatic leader. Who else could fill in his seat other than one of his own?

Plants Chairman Patrick Zala in Athruns opinion was anything but Charismatic. His father believed that Coordinators are the superior beings. He believed that all the Naturals should be wiped out. When he changed from his passive self, Athrun did not know. He was already sent to the Moon Colony, Copernicus City, for Secondary school. There he met a very soft spoken Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne the only daughter of Plants Councilman Siegel Clyne. He felt he had met his best friend whom he had been seperated for ages. With only a short amount of time the three of them became inseperable. They enjoyed their time and company with each other blissfully.

One faithful day, a disaster struck that changed their lives. Junius Seven, a Plants Space Colony focused mainly on agriculture that helped Plants grow its own food was destroyed. A nuclear missilewas fired by a Blue Cosmos carrier near the colony and it blew into half killing hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. Including his mother, Leonore Zala and Lacus' father Councilman Seigel Clyne. The mass murder event was then called the Bloody Valentine. Athrun was devestated along with so many people who mourned for the loss. The event caused many changes on his surroundings, and him. The former busy streets of Copernicus City became a Ghost town. Familys from the neighborhood immediately evacuated, probably to go back to one of the Colonies of Plants. He himself was called back to Plants after the much anticipated announcement to fight back the Blue Cosmos.

"For Justice!" The people cried.

Justice. Justice for the lives lost, Justice to Lacus' kind father, Justice for his Lovely Mother. Yes. Athrun liked the Idea.

He met with his friends as he brought the news of his departure. He learned Lacus was to return to. To host the funeral for her father. Kira also stated that he was to go back to his hometown in Orb. Athrun was a little dissapointed that Kira would not side with Plants, He ofcourse is also a Coordinator. But did not judge him. If Kira wants to return in a neutral country, it was better as he would not be involved in the war that was to come. Athrun handed Kira a Robotic Bird he made to remember him by. A war is to happen and Kira lives on Earth. It would be a lie if they say they did not thought that the three of them may not cross paths again.

Without any tears shed. They parted days after the incident Athrun got back to his home. He did not even try to sought after his father as he immediately enrolled in Zaft Military hoping to aid those who seek justice like he does. There he met comrades with the same age as his and shares the same purpose as him. After a year he graduated at the top of his class. Because of his skills and capabilities he was assigned as a Red Coat soldier. One who fought on the frontlines. He was then assigned a team under the command of Commander Rau Le Creuset and its team leader. He does not know what to react when the members were Elsman, the Son of Councilman Tad Elsman,is somewhat a little aloof and narcisstic. Yzak Joule, Son of Councilwoman Ezalia Joule, is arrogant and impulsive not to mention extremely hostile towards Athrun for reasons he does not know. Nicol Amalfi, the son of Councilman Yuri Amalfi, is a polite and open minded fellow, Athrun got along with him quite well. Rusty Mckenzie is a cool, easy going fellow, He finds Rusty somewhat arrogant but they sometimes share traits and are comfortable with. Miguel Aiman a green coat soldier assigned at their team for support is a senior and Athrun looks up to him. Although there are always bickering and brawls on the team, they eventually grew to trust each other with their lives, And soon they were hailed as the team with the highest succes rate. They were now an Elite Team when they were given a mission, A mission he has doubts of taking, but still did because of Yzak's constatant nagging and Athrun's somewhat conclusion that the party involved is in the so the mission starts as they snuck in Morgenroete Inc. Facility in the Orb territory Colony Stationed in Space. The Heliopolis. Their Mission is to snuck in the facility and steal the Mobile Suits that in the reports were said to be made for the Earth Alliance. Along with the mission is to minimize casualties as they do not want to start a war with was all going according to plan. Until Rusty was killed in cold blood by an Earth Alliance soldier before he can board the Machine. Yzak and Miguel suddenly went into a frenzy, killing anyone on their path. While Athrun and Dearka tried to stop the two in vain. Nicol who was keeping watchalerted them that the Orb Military forces are outside and has the whole facility surrounded. It was a disaster. They destroyed the facility, they killed innocent soldiers and now they were in the mercy of the Orb forces. Athrun was at a loss. Failure is not an option for this but still it was. They were clearly outnumbered. Yzak who just stopped his killing spree yelled at him to think of a solution. It was pressure. Too much pressure. Whatever his decision will be would greatly affect Plants relation to Orb and it was in a negative way.

Athruns mind went blank when a voice came to his communication channel asking them to dismount the Mobile suits they were in. It was an all too familiar voice and without even thinking said the name that has not passed his lips for so long. Kira Yamato.

As soon as the voice in his communication said his name. Yzak fired his canon on the roof of the facility bringing his thoughts back.

They escaped the facility but was then soon engaged in combat with the Orb forces and then Earth Alliance. Athruns thoughts were unfocused while in battle. He just would not believe it. His best friend was fighting him and is inside a Mobile Suit similar to his own. There was no need for thingking as he accussed him immediately of siding with the enemy. The enemy of Coordinators.

Athrun kept asking Kira questions as they enaged in battle. Why was he a soldier? Hy was he siding with the enemy while he himself is a coordinator?

Kira asked him questions too. Why was he a Zaft Soldier? Why were they infiltrating Heliopolis?Questions were answered with more questions as Athrun continued to fight his friend. He saw from one of his screens that his fellow teamates were also engaged in battle. Horror filled Athruns eyes as he saw Yzak raise his cannon ready to fire again. Kira left his place and went straight to Yzak's Mobile Suit. The cannon was fired.

Athrun saw the air being sucked out of the colony as gravity and force pulled everything in its surrounding to the hole the canon left in its wake. Everything, trees, houses and blocks of ruined buildings were being pulled forcefully. Was this what it looks like when Junius Seven was destroyed? Before he can think on any further. The Moblie Suit that he was in was being held by another as they evaded the large debris that flew everywhere.

Athrun was not able to move. He has still yet to gain his footing from the shock of seeing that they were on the brink of destroying the whole colony. He then realized much to his initial shock that Kira, his supposed friend turned enemy is helping him. He noticed that Kira is leading them to the hole and as they neared it Kira threwAthrun's Machine through it not before saying that they will meet again.

Athrun tried to fly back inside the Colony to Kira. He has so many questions to ask but the force that pulled him was sdo great and before he knew it he was already drifting outside the colony in space. Nicol came to his side as they stared at the now ruined Colony. Looking back one last time, they left to the direction of Plants.

After the mission was declared somewhat a success He and his team were pronounced with great recognition. It was deemed succesful and everyone cheered. It seems that no one other than them even dwelled on the thought that they destroyed a colony or that two of their Members, Rusty and Miguel died. Their Commander said that it was a death with a cause. It was that happened was too much to handle. Even though it was a success, For him and his team, it was a failure. Rusty died, Miguel died. They killed so many people with that. He learned that his best friend is now on the enemy's side and they just destoyed the colony Kira was protecting. He was angry. Did they just made another Junius Seven?

It kept haunting him. More so when he is alone and left thingking. So he decided to go off on his day off. Athrun found himself driving through the streets of Aparillus One to the Clyne is one of his best friends along Kira and cared for them both. It came as an initial shock when his father suddenly announced that he is to be wed to Lacus in the future. It is not that he did not want to. Of course Lacus is wise, dignified, gentle, beautiful, well off and a very famous Ideal woman. But Lacus is his best friend, He loved her like family. But with the death of her father, Lacus was now alone with no family. So he decided to be one.

As he visited the Pink songstress. They talked about their current lives and their erncounters. The conversation then drifted to the past. Athrun thought it was appropriate to tell Lacus about his encounter with their best friend Kira. It confused him that Lacus just smiled at the is she smiling when their bestfriend is sided with the enemy? Why was she not shocked? Upset?

"Who is the enemy?" She said as they continue to drink the tea that was served to them. Athrun immediately dropped the topic.

As Athrun was about to leave He looked at Lacus one last time. She really did not change even after what happened in the Bloody Valentine Tragedy where many people of their own kind, Even her one and only family. Instead she helped people through her singing. She sang for the people who died, for the people who fight to protect, for what they believed in and for the people who fought and struggled to live. People listened to her, accepted her voice as it made its way through their hearts. They believed in her. They placed their trust in her every word. Her voice was like the light they longed to see, the peace they longed to grasp. She was so trusted by the people that it would not be surprising that they would believe her more than their own Chairman.

Maybe that is why his father engaged him to her. The Chairman might have wanted to get a hold of her and what great means other than to bind him to his own son? Athrun does not know what to expect from his father anymore. They have not met in a long time.

Soon after they were sent to the newly built Carpentaria Base on Earth to aid them as Earth Alliance has decided to make the base on Earth as their target. Athrun and his team kept fighting everyday. He can't even be bothered to count the endless number of people who died, spouses widowed, children orphaned and parents, childless. He followed orders diligently believing that it would one day bring an end to the war. When the war escalated further when the neutral nations, Orb Union and the Kingdom of Scandanavia were declared as an adversary by Plants, he was forced to believe otherwise.

Will this war ever stop?

It was obvious that he was not the only one contemplating on that. He can see the look on his team member's eyes. They were tired, in pain and confused. How many more mobile suits should they destroy? How many more homes should they take away? How many more lives should they kill? It was never ending.

During their stay, they were given another top class mission. And that is to spy Orb headquarters. They snuck in with the help of some Coordinators residing in the Nation. They were able to pose as technical engineers on Orb union Military Headquarters Kaguya Island.

As he and his team were evaluating the facilities of the base, a familiar object suddenly caught his eye as it flew above his head and straight to the figure sitting not too far from them. He was wearing the same technical engineer uniform as them. He stopped typing on the keybords of his laptop as the flying mechanical bird landed on his shoulder.

Athrun felt panic as he realized who the owner of the bird was. He tried to hide his eyes with his cap as he continued to walk ahead with his teamates but then stopped when he felt a sudden weight on his shoulder. He looked at the bird and then to the owner who was now walking closer to him. Agitation would be an understatement as to what he felt that moment. Sure he wanted to talk to meet or just have a talk with him, but not there, not where he was on a mission. As the person walked inching his way to him Athrun thought there was no turning back. He would just have to do this. He did not want to cause any misunderstandings with his comrades so he announced for them to go ahead as he will just return the bird and immediately left the group.

It was as if they were strangers to each other. He did not realized when his fascade infront of Kira broke as he suddenly started lashing out at him. It was a good thing that they went to a secluded area before having their talk as Kira returned his words with equal intensity. His friend claimed that he will fight anyone who wish to continue to bring about War, be it Natural or Coordinator. Athrun was angry, more like dissapointed. How can his friend protect the ones that scowled their race and even fight against his own. Did he not see how Naturals want all the Coordinators to be exterminated? How about Junius Seven? Kira is a Coordinator and he should be fighting by their side. His side. The talk became a heated arguement as they continued to reason each other out yet was only met by dissapointment with one another. It was going to another level until a staff member suddenly called Kira and the talk ended quite aburptly. He left leaving a very angry and confused Athrun behind. "I'm fighting to protect the future" The brunnette said to him as he stopped walking away, but did not look back. "What's your reason?"His reason? For the people who died. For the people who were wronged. For his homeland, for his race, for his mother. For Justice. Is that reason not enough?

Doubt. That is something that is not needed in the battlefield but it was now something that he now carries. And because of it, he was not able to carry himself like how he did before. It became a strain on his skills and supposed stellar performance on the battlefield and it did not go unnoticed by his superiors and comrades. Soon it became apparent that he was not mentally fit to fight anymore.

It was doubt that made him unintentionally let his guard down. His machine was struck down while they were in battle with the Earth Alliance somewhere on the pacific. If Nicol did not aid him at that time, he might already be labeled as KIA.

Due to his poor performance at that time. His superiors asked him to take a break for the meantime to clear his mind. He accepted without qualms. Why not? He hesitated to give the final blow. He hesitated to kill. And that action alone woudl've cost him his life and the life of his comrades. It was a trecherous act as a soldier who vowed his life for his race, for Plants. It was unthinkable to even think about sparing the life of the enemy.

"Who is the enemy?" He heard Lacus once said.

Yzak was appointed team leader during his absence. Athrun could not agree more. Despite his extreme stubborness and ridiculously short temper, Yzak has the qualities of a Leader. Athrun does not doubt his abilities to lead his team. At least Yzak will not stray from the goal.

Preparations were made for him to take leave from the front lines. A vacation as Dearka called it, is not a bad idea. After everything was ready he was already inside the shuttle heading towards Plants. Back to his home.

As he unpacked his things, which were very little he then recieved an invitation from Lacus on her upcoming Concert later that week. He promised her at one time that he will go if his time allowed him. And currently he has no other plans other that report directly to the Chairman and the Supreme Council that he has arrived back at Plants. It was a perfect time to go to one of her concerts. Then a question popped into his mind. The invitation came the day he arrived at Plants. How did she know he was back that day? The thought was short lived as Athrun concluded that she might have heard it from someone with military access. She is the famous Lacus Clyne.

The week passed by quietly. He immersed himself to what relaxation and calmness the environment gave. No one would have known that there is War happening in diffeent parts of the Earth and Space at that time. The only thing that reminded him that they were still on a conflicted era was the regular updates he recieved from his Commander about the teams' mission and status so as not to leave him ignorant when he comes back to his post and the News. Other than that everything was just peaceful. He knew it was a makeshift peace he was currently living but still. Then he thought about Kira and his question before they parted. "I'm fighting to protect the future. What's your reason?"

Was this not what he is fighting for?

Days passed quietly for Athrun but on the day of Lacus' Concert an unexpected tragedy strikes. The News was suddenly flooded by the betrayal of the Pink Songstress from PLANTS as she was charged for helping a spy then was seen hijacking one of ZAFT Military Ships. As soon as the news was announced Athrun was already out the door and racing towards the Clyne Mansion.

No one greeted him as he went inside the house he knew so well. He cringed at the sight infront of him. The inside was the picture of horror. Everything inside was a mess, the furnitures were wrecked and the walls have traces of bullets being fired, but it was deserted. He immediately left as soon as he was positive that no one, not even a corpse was inside the mansion. He boarded his car and drove to the place where he guessed the Pink haired songstress was.

He stopped outside the grand establishment where he was suppose to be later that day. He walked inside, ignoring that the place was deserted. And as he opened the massive doors that led to the empty concert hall. Music immediately filled him and the soothing and smooth voice that he had heard so many times before and so many people adored, rang in his ears. It was a voice that would make anyone feel calm and tranquil. But the gravity of the moment did not left walked placidly at the red carpet leading to the stage, his eyes never leaving the singing girl that sat in the middle of the stage, eyes closed. When he stood near her, she stopped singing and flinched at the sudden deafening silence that fell all around the wide empty hall.

His eyes still on her, questioning as she stood up gently brushing her blue ornate dress that he guessed was her supposed costume for that day, then looked at him like any other ordinary day. Athrun was confused, angry and he unconciously raised his gun and pointed at her. He questioned her, voiced out his concerns about the matter, how foolish her actions were. She questioned him also. About his reasons to fight. His resolution.

"Who is the enemy?"

Then he felt himself fingering the trigger. Her question that had haunted him even in the midst of the batttlefield. Why was it that whenever she was the one talking he always believe her? Her words made his resolve waver. Her reasons made him doubt.

And doubt is something uneeded in a war.

"What is it that your fighting for? Is it for glory? For honor? because of your fathers orders?" her eyes soften " or for your mother?"

Athrun found his grip on the gun losening. His whole body shaking because of the whirl of emotions clashing inside. He closed his eyes and saw his mothers face but she was not smiling. Silent tears were falling from her eyes. Athrun forced his eyes open, shaken by the image. His mother was supposed to be smiling at him. He was doing everything he can for the colony. For Lacus's father. For the innocent people who died in Junius Seven. For her.

"For Justice." he whispered.

Lacus' smile left her face and was replaced by seriousness. Then she resumed her steps towards him. Placing her self infront of him, the tip of his gun directly pointed at her chest. He steped back, feeling his body, his resolve shaking, but still did not lower his gun.

"Then if you see me as an enemy that will be a hindrance to your justice then shoot me now, Athrun Zala soldier of ZAFT."

It was unfair. She was unfair. She knows he will never do anything to hurt her. As much as he want's her to shut up to stop her from making him doubt everything, he cannot, will not, cause her harm. This girl was his light in this dark, wretched place he threw himself in. The girl he will marry in the future. His bestfriend. Athrun lowered his gun completely. His head hung low. His mind a complete mess. Was his resolve that shallow?

Lacus walked past him. And he turned around. "Wait. What are you going to do now?"

She looked back at him. Her face adorned by a smile again. "I want to put an end to this whole mess. I want everyone to see that these senseless sacrifices needs to stop. That this is not the way to achieve what we have longed for. So that this makeshift peace would one day turn into reality."

"Where are you going? You do know that the whole PLANTS are after you, charged for treason for helping a spy. Only death awaits you if you stay here any longer."

Lacus looked surprised but then regained her smile. "Oh no. I did not help a spy. I only gave Kira a newer, better sword. Because I believe that now is the time where he will need it the most."

That made Athrun frantic. She gave their latest technology to an Orb soldier. To Kira. She has been in contact with him all along. He suddenly boambarded her with questions and his voice rising with every single word that escaped his lips.

Lacus giggled making him stop with his outrage, looking at her like she has lost her mind, then suddenly she reached out to him. "Would you like to come with me? We would certainly need your strength. Kira and I."

"I'm fighting to protect our future. What's yours?"

'Who is the enemy?"

He had doubts. But when she reached out her hand to him. Every doubt vanished.

And he did not regret giving his hand to her. For whenever he closed his eyes he would see her. Tears were still running down from her eyes but his mother even if it was faint, was smiling again.

Cagalli awoke feeling her whole body aching and heavy, her lips dry and her throat sore. She willed her eyes open only to be shut again as the light seeping to her eyes made her already painful head throb more. She breathed in and counted to three, before opening her eyes again. She slowly raised her tired hands to massage her throbbing head only to feel the soreness of her body again letting her hand drop beside her then closing her eyes again.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired." She answered forcing her body to move and lay on her side, trying to get comfortable. "Can you get me some water, Kira."

Then she heard the shifting of the chair as he stood up then promptly sitting again on the chair. "Here ya go."

"Thanks." Cagalli forced herself to sit up before taking the glass then taking huge gulps from it. Relishing the coolness of the water in her throat. She handed the empty glass back to the person looking at the giver of the glass with half lidded eyes while wiping her mouth. Then her memory and awareness started to return. He smiled at her noticing that her eyes slowly growing wide.

"K..Kira!" she screamed. "W..what..."

Kira raised his hand. "Hi, Sis."

Cagalli gaped at him. Shocked as to how her brother who was supposed to be on earth suddenly beside her. She tried to fish her memory, isn't she supposed to be in a cell or something? No words left her mouth as she continued to stare at her brother wide eyed. She checked out her hands trying to see if she was cuffed which confused her that she was not, before raising her head and looking at her new surrounding. It was still color white and contains absolutely nothing other than a chair, a table and a door which she guessed is the comfort room. Her shock immediately left her as her eyes fell on the person leaning on the wall behind Kira, noticing that he wore a glare that holds nothing but hostility. She glared at him and she felt herself tense up the moment he opened his mouth.

"Shouldn't you be explaining things to that naive outlaw now, Kira." Athrun said, not breaking eye contact with the blonde.

Kira looked at his sister, from the looks of it, she was ready to jump out of the bed anytime soon. He placed a hand on his sister before shaking his head. "Stop that. I don't want you two at each others throats, not until you hear me out."

She shifted her eyes to the brunette. Her glare still intact. "What's the meaning of this? What are you doing here?" She said demanding. Lifting her hand, pointing at her target. "What is he doing here?"

"Cagalli, stop pointing."Kira said, softly placing his hand over Cagalli's extended one, gently pushing it back down. "Listen to me."

Cagalli shifted her glare to Athrun. Her mission would end if she killed the Chairman of Plants. Who is only a few meters away from her. Her mission played in her mind not hearing a thing about her brothers pleas to hear him out.

Kira was worried. Cagalli would not listen to him and Athrun did not make things any easier as he continued to uphold the glaring contest they had, provoking her more by giving a try-it-if-you-can look. He placed both his hands on the blondes shoulders, shaking her, forcing her to look at him.

"Listen to me!" he said a little to forcefully. Cagalli did not flinch at the sudden rise of his tone only looked at him.

"Explain."

"Give me your full attention."

"I'm listening." she stressed shifting her eyes to the chairman. Watching his every move like he will suddenly pull out a gun and shoot her at point blank.

"Your full attention." he said his voice coming out forcefully. Cagalli did not answer him.

Kira stirred and looked at the person behind him. Nodding his head. Athrun noticed it giving another glare at the blonde before pushing himself of the wall and walking out of the door. Kira looked at the blonde who was now glaring daggers at the door where the chairman walked out.

"Cagalli, you know if you keep that up, your gonna look like an old lady despite only being eighteen."

Cagalli scowled. "Like I care. Now speak up."

Kira inhaled looking the blonde straight in the eye. "I have a favor to ask of you."

Cagalli arched a brow. A favor? at this time? "What the hell are you talking about? More importantly, what's going on here? What are you doing here? What is he doing here? Should'nt you be explaining things first? "

"I did, but you just won't listen."

"Well now I'm all ears. Spill."

"Promise me you'll agree to my request first."

Cagalli growled. "What is it?!"

"Promise me you'll agree."

"Wha...Fine! Fine!" She threw both hands in the air. "I promise that I'll reluctantly agree to whatever your request is. Happy now?!"

Kira lowered his head. "I want you to forget your mission."

Cagalli rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about? You know I can't leave missions just hanging. I'll have to loose my head first before that happens. We've already talked about this."

"I know, but..just...I want you to stay hidden here in Plants. Don't leave here. Don't show yourself to others. Don't leave any traces that your here."

Cagalli stared at Kira wierdly. "What's going on Kira?"

Kira sighed before telling her everything that had transpired between him and Athrun, telling her every detail and his connections to the chairman in the past. She listened attentively not daring to blink. When he told her that he had given information to the chairman in exchange for her confinement, she jumped but did not say anything as Kira shook his head and continuing his explanation. Cagalli gripped the sheets guessing what her brothers intentions are for doing that kind of thing. When he finished, they both fell silent. Cagalli let out the breath that she had been holding up before raising her head and looking at the brunet.

She really did not know what to say as she continued to look at her brother who was intently staring at the bed sheets, seemingly afraid to look at his sister's eyes. Cagalli knew what he was doing, he has told her his plans before, but she always laughs it off, ending the thought immediatey, and all of those plans thought of has been tried by Kira several times only to be totaled by Cagalli even before it started. And it continued, and it became frustrating but she never kicked up a fuss about it for too long since she was sure it was for her. But this was the first time she had been unaware of his plans, and this has been the first time that has been seen in effect. And Cagalli knew that it has to stop or else he will be endangering not only her life but his future as well.

"Kira." she said, softly. "Are you doing this for me?"

Kira was silent a moment looking straight into Cagalli's eyes. "I can't take this anymore. I've been waiting Cagalli. I've always been waiting for the time when you will come back. And seeing as it is. I doubt you ever will unless one of us do something."

"This is unnecessary. You should stop this and all of your other plans." she held out her hand to place it on top of Kira's closed ones. "I'm already here, by your side. So don't do this anymore."

Kira shook his head lightly. "No, your not. And unless you completely break your ties from them, you never will. Don't you see, what I truly want, what I'm still waiting for, is for you to break free from them. For you to have your own life, not just an experiment, but as a human by the name of Cagalli. My sister."

"And by selling me off to Plants do you think I would regain that? Let's face it Kira, this is who I am now, and unless I die I will never get that freedom." she squeezed his hand "And whatever I do I can't go back to being just Cagalli. You keep on telling me that were twins and I hanged on to your words, but it's not enough. I don't even know if I really am your sister."

And with that Kira slapped her. "Don't you dare say that! You.."

"What proof's do you have huh?! I don't remember a single thing about what my life was before I became their toy, before you found me on that godforsaken place! I don't know what I'm supposed to go back to. You said we were seperated since birth and you've never even seen me before so what proof do you have that I'm really her?!"

"You are my sister! That is the only proof that you'll ever need!"

"Even if you are saying the truth. I don't know how or what to go back. So unless you provide me with a solid ground that I once had a past, a childhood, then we should just drop this." she said, nonchalantly placing the back of her hand to her reddening cheek that moments ago was in contact with Kira's hand. It did not hurt that much. Not as much as this conversation they're having.

"Your just scared. Scared that if you try, your hopes of having a past would be destroyed completely and that your thoughts of being nothing but their property is the actual one. That you would live a life without nothing to look forward to, that you will experience nothing but pain and that you'd be left alone thingking about that all over again." Kira held her cheek forcing her to look at him. His eyes bearing all the confidence as he said his words. "I know. That you are my sister. That you had a childhood, a family, a past. And certainly a future that you would create with your own. Just, try it. Try and see first."

Cagalli shook her head, holding back the tears that are forming in her eyes. Kira is making everything difficult for her. If he already knows what she is scared of, then he should stop what he is planning. If everything that she feared of suddenly became true. Then what? What would be left of her? Would she still be able to open her eyes and not succumb to the grim that always embraced her whenever she closed her eyes. That if she opened her eyes, she would see the nightmares that haunts her and realize that she never got out from the dark, miserable hole they threw her in.

That when her fear became a reality she would not be able to hold on to the name of Cagalli anymore.

"No!No!No!" she shook her head more forcefully. Her tears running down her cheeks as the feeling of the thought should everything fail became apparent. She pleaded. Desprate to stop what she felt was the inevitable if he pushed through with this."Don't do this to me Kira! I'm fine! It's fine! We don't need to do this! Just stay by my side!Th..That's all!"

Kira flinched. Shocked that this blonde who cried next to none, was letting her tears run freely not even bothering to wipe them. He was shocked more that she would not even entertain the thought of having freedom, a life. And hurt, suddenly realizing that her fears on the thought had been much more than what he imagined them to be. He hung his head low, dissapointed at himself for taking lightly her feelings on this matter. But he needs to push through. She needs to understand, accept that this cannot go on anymore. To make her realize that she does have a past, and not just some fabricated words that came out from his lips. And that she will have a future if she just tried to take a step towards it. That someday she can attain her freedom.

"Cagalli..." he said softly, as if afraid that she might just run away, if he's not carefull. "Do you remember what I've said to you the first time we met?"

Cagalli quieted then nodded slowly. Of course she remembered. The first time she was saved from her nightmares. The first time someone responded to her soundless cries. The first time she had seen the light. The first time she knew Kira.

The brunette smiled moving to sit on the bed and wrapping his arms securely around the shaking blonde stroking her hair before closing his eyes. "I will never let anything bad happen to you. From now on you will never be alone." he said the words that he had uttered when he broke into the facility where she was kept two years ago. And surely enough, he will say it all over again if she needs to be assured that he will never break those words. "I will save you."

Cagalli closed her eyes. It was a memory that she was never afraid of remembering. She can still hear the same calm and soothing heartbeat of the very first person who held her and made her feel calm. The warm feeling he gave her as he embraced her cold, lifeless frame. The care and softness that his eyes held as he looked directly at her stone cold ones. The sound of his voice that held nothing but gentleness and absolute sincerety that made her realize that at last, someone came for her.

"Do you trust me?"

Cagalli relaxed. The tiredness her body felt a while ago suddenly coming back. Her head throbbed still but was immediately soothed as Kira slowly stroked her hair. Her heart calm as she listened to his heartbeat. Just like in the past where he took her out of the hell hole. And she believed with her whole being that even the nightmares and the fears will never be able to change her answer, no matter how many times he asked of it.

"Yes."

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Till then!