DISCLAIMERS/NOTES:Go look at the past chapters. It's all there.
A/N: Dudes/Dudettes, Athrun and Cagalli NEVER separated! They never specified that they did. Besides, Athrun said that they didn't have to take it so fast and that he would wait for her before they left to space. Also, they had a pic of the official couples and they were KxL, AxC, and SxL. Although I prefer Shinn and Stellar than with Luna. She's too old for him.
REVIEWSFlame-user Laurena: Thanks! I like your name! It's swt! The SEED Supernova? Well, iono myself. That's why I asked.
caga2007: Oh yeah they're back together! My fics are ANTI- ANGST!
yuuri13: HEHEE! Thanks! I liked it too! Neo sooo kicks ass!
midnightgale: I like dat word, "I.N.T.E.N.S.E" HAHA! I love name calling too! Well, Cagalli is Kira's twin so I don't see why she isn't part Ultimate Coordinator and it does make sense doesn't it. You're right! It does benefit that she's part Coordinator and Natural and she's running a NEUTRAL country.
anonymous: Please put a name next time so I could address you properly. XD ... I think Cags should pilot a MS. I mean, GSD pissed me off big time when she didn't pilot one anymore.
CriticalEnigma: AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA!!! That's my favorite part of the whole chapter! And YES, you are right with the name calling! AHAHAHAH! The Blondie one was the real winner! AHAHAHAHHA! I was gonna have names for all the main characters, but I thought it was too long.
Jade Valentine: HEHE! Oh yeah, Cags is part Ultimate Coordinator! There's no way that she couldn't be one! Now she's part of the family! LOL! It was intense wasn't it? LOL!
naiyobi: WHA?!?!?! REALLY?! Have you watched the move, "The Exorcist?" It's a famous line! LOL! It just meant that Neo cured her of the whatever crap the scientists did to her.
Minatsuki: HEHEHEHE! My fics will ALWAYS end HAPPY! I don't like ANGST at all. I HATE them. ASUCAGA FOREVER BABY! There is no such thing as asumey. EWWWWWWWWWW! SHIVERS Awwwww! I'm glad you liked my story. ... I NOE! Damn, I'm listening to Westlife right now in class! Shane is sooooo HOT!
CagalliRocks: HAHAHAHAHAHA! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING! I love the part when Neo called them names! AHAHAHAHHAHA! You know what, I didn't realize that Athrun punched Shinn, but now that you mentioned it... I'm glad Cagalli beat the shit outta Athrun. Serves him right! ... Nah, it's all good. My parents are sometimes asses to me. Exactly! They should stop blaming me for shit. ... I'd gladly read your story! I just have to get out of this hell hole (class). I'll read it when i get home... or right now! LMAO!
SacredBlade: Neo is like a second Dearka. HAHA! But I wonder who's funnier?
asucagafan: WAT?! How could you think that was the end?! I'm hurt. LOL! Of course that's not the end! I don't end my fics like that!
Knives91: AHAHAHA! I'll keep that in mind.
Mage666: Really?! I thought my tension making sucks. I'm happy to noe that this story kept you hooked on.
Anime Luver7895: No no... I reply to all of my reviewers! I like to acknowledge everyone and that means you too. Thanks for reviewing!
mika-chan: AHAHA! I didn't even realize that it was like the movie until i re-read it. Dude! I think the EA was a cult from the beginning! They're CRAZAY! I feel ashamed to be a Natural. LMAO! Don't we all wish we're Coordinators. AWWW! I'm sorry that the chapter made you sad. -hug- It was kinda sad though. I imagined this as if it was an episode and you noe what, it made me cry too.
Hades.Throne.Heiress: AHAHA! Well, Neo is the type of guy who's like, "You didn't ask." LOL! Athrun deserves a broken hand! LOL!
AK-110: You noe what, I was just thinking of that idea. That would be really sweet! The Le Creuset Team all over except Kira is the new member! I can make those 4 bad-boys rage-a-holics. That would be sweet wouldn't it? Well, it depends on how the story goes.
Kim Stirling: I like that line. Except that there's one thing wrong. Athrun isn't going to be forgiven that easily. Well, in Kira's eyes. AHAHHA!
phoenixblaze07: HEHE! Thank you! Take it as if this is MY version of GSD.
Million Voices: OoO!NO WAY!!! OMG! I'm...I'm..I'm speechless! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm actually crying. I'm soooo happy to hear that this fic is ur fav on this site! I didn't think my fic was that good? OMG! I'm throwing you a trillion hugs and kisses! ... I think it would be awesome too if Stellar and Cags did a tag team. They almost look like each other and act the same! Oooo! A face off between those two would be murder! I like the idea! Maybe I'll make them do a tag team in later chapters. LMAO! The name callings are just to die for! LOL! ... Wouldn't it be cool if Stellar was Cags and Kira's long lost little sister? OHH!!! I smell a new fic! I haven't signed the Asucaga petition yet. Parents banded me from L.T. and cpu. That's why I haven't updated in a while. But I have something for all ASUCAGA lovers out there. Read my note at the end. You'll scream and cry like I did!
imuzuok: NO KIDDING CAGALLI ROCKS! She's the most kickass character ever! OH YEAH!
Freyris: Yep! Yep! I got it! OMG! I LMAO really hard! Neo is always funny! HA! Well, he's second to Dearka. LOL! Yep! Cags is part Ultimate Coordinator and Natural. Well, Coordinators were Naturals to begin with. I HATE Dullandal and Jibril too! Expecially Dullandal! Pissed me off that he made Athrun do screwed up crap. The final battle was all over and it was a rush. I kinda fast forwarded a lot of parts cause the battle just didn't catch my eye.
ewngpwngh: I wished Athrun acted that way in the series too. You noe, I was trying to figure out how to give Athrun a harder time to have Cagalli's trust again, but I just couldn't find a way to incorporate it in the story. But if I find a gap, then I would write that part in. If not, then I'll do it in my future fics. Dude, Neo is the number one name caller! LMAO!
shikin: RAD!
fanficsfan11: Of course Athrun remembers their memories. If he didn't, then he doesn't deserve her. LOL! Neo, Dearka, and Yzak kicks ass!
katkat: Those lines make me LMAO soooo damn hard that I was sent to the psychiatric facility. AHAHAHA!
Inner Beauty of Destruction
Chapter TenIt had been about five hours since Neo "exorcized the demon." Of course after that statement of his, everyone gave him a pissed look. But in a way, it was kind of like Cagalli being possessed by a demon and Neo being the Exorcist.
Since her cure from a deadly experiment that almost took her life, everyone had been jumping for joy in the Archangel. Even Yzak! You could see Miriallia videocam the happy, hyper Yzak who was, by the way, hugging Shiho and jumping up and down. He is so going to get a major lifetime supply of teases from Dearka.
"Her vital signs are all good. Breathing rate and pressure are normal. I say it's like she was never injured at all," the Doctor said. "I'm going to see if I could make more of this medicine for future cases." With that said, the Doctor left.
The restraining straps were removed an hour after her come back. She was no longer struggling or throwing any tantrums. Her wounds had all healed and she looks as if she was never hurt at all. Except that she was still exhausted. Yep, the hyperactive, stubborn Princess is back in action! She's completely back to her normal self and things are now going to be back to order... … or is it?
Athrun hadn't left Cagalli's side ever since and neither had Kira or Lacus. They were just so happy that their Cagalli was back and alive. Their family is complete again with the addition of her being part Coordinator.
Athrun's hand was holding on to hers and she gave him an equal amount of squeeze. Their eyes hadn't left each other since. They both just couldn't get their eyes off each other. Well, anyone could understand why. I mean, being apart for months with not a real good explanation why was murder for these two. And now that they're finally together again and on the same side, they couldn't let each other go. Fearing that if they did, the past would repeat itself.
"Ummm… can you guys like stop oggling? You're making me jealous," smiled Neo.
Cagalli turned to face him and smiled at him. He smiled back.
"Neo, thank you."
"Uhh…heh…no problem. It was my fault to begin with. I should have never listened to them. Because of me, you ended up like this and did things against your will. I'm very sorry, Princess."
Neo was staring at the floor with guilt and shame. Murrue put a hand on his shoulder and he looked at her beautiful face. He knew who she was, but he just can't pinpoint why.
"No… This wasn't your fault."
Neo looked up with a confusing look.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You were only following orders. Besides, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have remembered anyone at all and I would've died. Because you cared so much for us, you did what you thought was right and I'm grateful."
"You…you remember everything?"
Cagalli nodded. "Of course I do. I remember you, Sting, Auel, Stellar and-"
Suddenly her eyes went wide like saucers and the color from her drained out. She began to shake and this terrified Athrun. Fearing that it was a relapse, Athrun cradled her into his chest and tried to calm her down.
"Cagalli! Cagalli what's wrong?"
Kira and Lacus were terrified also and Kira immediately demanded an answer from Neo.
"What's wrong with her?!"
"She…she…she remembers everything."
"What's that suppose to- Oh..."
Kira's sudden 'Oh' snapped into Lacus and Athrun's head and they now get what was going on.
Athrun tightened his hug on Cagalli as she continued to shake with fear and shock. She snapped at her state and pulled away.
"Show me," she demanded with her powerful voice.
"Cagalli…you need rest. How about-"
"I SAID I WANT TO SEE IT!"
Everyone looked at each other and Kira nodded at Athrun.
Athrun helped Cagalli up and led her out to the viewing deck with everyone else tagging behind.
There was absolute silence as they made their way to the viewing deck. As they were nearing closer, Cagalli stiffened and tightened her hold onto Athrun's clothes. Feeling her actions, Athrun also tightened his arms around Cagalli's waist.
Finally they made it to the viewing deck. Some had already stopped walking as they gave space for Cagalli. Kira and Lacus were a step back away from Athrun and Cagalli.
Cagalli slowly let her hold go from Athrun and slowly approached the window. Her eyes wide like saucers, mouth open and body trembling. Her hands shaking as she slowly placed her palms against the glass. She gasped at the sight before her.
It was still night. The wind blew violently as the snow fell hard and danced with the wind. The snow had blanketed many scraps as you could see uneven surfaces and open faces of other objects. There was smoke still steaming into the air from a fallen gundam and you could see dark lumpy lines on the ground as they were, up close, bodies of fallen soldiers. A little speck of light could be seen from afar. Except that this kind of light was a flaming fire that is still burning of what used to be a building. There was a huge hector space of blackness of what used to be a town. To sum things all up, the entire area was destroyed and all what's left are lost innocent souls and ashes of what used to be alive.
"I…I did all of this?" trembled Cagalli.
Their silence was her answer.
"I…I..I-"
Cagalli fell to the ground as she cried. Athrun aided to her side and hugged her tightly as she cried into his chest. He held back his tears and so did the others as they watched the Princess cry. They wanted to cry but they couldn't.
Neo stepped forward, "No… it wasn't just you who did all of this."
Cagalli turned to look at him as she hiccupped and tears continuing to fall.
"It wasn't just you. We all had a part in this."
They were all dumbfounded at his statement except for Kira and Athrun as they knew what he meant.
Kira kneeled down to Cagalli and placed a hand on her head. "He's right. You weren't responsible for all of this. I too was part of this and so is everyone else in this room."
"NO! YOU'RE LYING! I KNOW THAT YOU STOPPED KILLING. YOU ONLY DISMANTLE THEM! DON'T LIE TO ME!"
"Cagalli, listen to your brother!" yelled Athrun. Cagalli eyed him this time. "I was part of this too. We all are."
This time Stellar and Shinn stepped up. "I did this too, Nee-san. Shinn too…" Stellar bent her head back to Shinn, "…right?"
"She's right, Cagalli. You weren't the only one who had a killer machine. Even Stellar admitted that she was part of this."
Everyone nodded.
"B..But I…" she flinched her face away from everyone, "… I know I did more than all of you combined. You saw it! I was out of control! You saw how I killed all of them with no mercy as I savored the moment! I even attacked Neo and Stellar!"
Faces were turned.
"And I'm supposed to be a Representative of Orb… Heh… I don't …I don't deserve-" Cagalli buried her face into her hands and cried again.
Lacus grabbed Cagalli's hands and held them in hers. Cagalli saw Lacus' face but closed them back as she couldn't face someone as innocent and a saint like her.
"Cagalli… even I was a part of this."
Her eyes shot open and she stared at Lacus shocked.
Lacus nodded, "It's true. Even though I did not pilot a gundam, I was the one who ordered to have Freedom and Justice made and I didn't stop Kira or Athrun from killing."
"Lacus…That was in the last war!"
"It's the same thing. I've killed many things like bugs. Killing is not necessary applied to a human being but also applies to nature. A person making a weapon and someone else using it to kill is still part of the killing. Isn't that right?"
"B..B..But-"
"Cagalli, sure you were brainwashed and did many things against your will, but you cannot take full responsibility for everything that happens. Just because you were part of something, doesn't mean that you are fully responsible for what's happened."
"Lacus is right. I mean, look at Dearka," said Miriallia.
"What?! What did I do?!"
"Lots of things that you spilled."
Dearka pondered a little and then it hit him.
"Oh…OH! Milly! You promised you wouldn't tell!"
Miriallia flashed him a smirk and everyone chuckled.
"Cagalli, you don't want to turn out like Athrun here do you?" pointed Kira.
"What?!" gasped Athrun, his face was priceless.
Kira continued, "I mean, he re-enlisted because he thought that it was his responsibility to clean up the mess from his late father. He blamed himself for all the things his father did. And did anything come out good when he left?" Kira stressed on the last word as he glared at the gulping Athrun. "No. Because he was a fool to realize that all his answers were in front of his face, his friends. But he was soooo stupid and went out on-his-own to deal with things by himself."
Athrun's bangs covered his face, "I get it."
"Do you? Maybe I should beat you up for causing us so much trouble."
"Uhh… that won't be necessary."
Cagalli chuckled at this. Kira smiled at her response. He made her smiled.
"Come on, Cagalli. Go get some rest. It's been a long day. Hey, Athrun?"
"Hmmm?"
"Would you be a good dumbass for once and please escort my sister to her quarters?"
"I..I..uhh…I…..sure."
"B..But"
"Don't worry. We'll fill you in later. Just please go get some rest. We still have unfinished business to deal with later, so don't go all softy on me."
Kira received a punch on the arm.
"There's my fiery sister….Oww!"
Cagalli cracked a smile. She got up with the help of Athrun and they both made their way to her room.
When they were out of earshot, Kira went back to their little group.
"Thank you, Neo."
"Why you thanking me for? I just pointed out what was right. Besides, the person who is really responsible for this tragedy is Dullandal, Jibril and me."
"Those two, yes, but you? No. You were only following orders and if it wasn't for you, Cagalli wouldn't be here."
"Eh…er…."
Kira chuckled but for a split second and he got down to serious business.
"We still have some things to discuss."
"Yeah."
Kira faced the other people. "I think we should head back to Orb."
"Wh..What?!" everyone blurted.
Murrue nodded, "I think we should head back too. Maybe we can find something there. Since it is confirmed that the Seirans has some connections with Lord Jibril."
"That's right. Maybe Kisaka found some information for us."
"Why don't you have him send it to you?" said Shinn.
Kira looked at him, "You still have lots to learn. If we had Kisaka do that, then we would risk not only the Archangel being found, but also Kisaka's life."
Shinn was lost.
"Is it traitor?" said Stellar.
"Yes. They would brand Kisaka as a traitor and who knows what they would do to him since Cagalli isn't there right now."
Shinn felt stupid and smacked himself on the face with is hand.
"When are we planning to leave?" asked Rey.
Neo stared at him and couldn't help but feel that he knew him.
"Tomorrow after we rest up and do a little bit more planning."
Everyone agreed.
"Yzak, Dearka, what about you two? What are you two going to do?" asked Lacus.
"I think we're going to head back to the PLANTS and keep an eye on the Chairman. I'm going to prepare and inform my troops on our plan. I don't want to see the end of Coordinators caused by the Chairman. When we get more information of his movements, I'll contact you guys immediately."
"That would be great Yzak, thank you."
"Anything for a dear friend."
Lacus gave him a smile and Yzak returned one back. He only smiles for someone close to him and seeing Yzak smile… is EXTREMELY RARE.
"What about you, Captain Talia?" asked Murrue.
Talia stared at her for a second and smiled with a nod. "I think we're going to follow the Archangel for now and go from there if that's okay with you?"
"Alright then."
"Uhhh…before we all retire to our nappy place, I need to do something."
Everyone looked at him with confusion.
"And what is that?" asked Murrue.
"Well, it's for Stellar. But it's back at the base. I'm asking for permission to go out for about two hours. Don't worry, I won't do anything or runway. I just have to do this."
Murrue though about it for a while and gave him a 'permission granted' nod.
"Thank you. Stellar, meet back here in an hour. Go get refreshed. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Alright, everyone go get rested and freshen up," commanded Kira and left to his quarters with Lacus.
The rest went to take showers, get something to eat and hanged around the ship.
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…Cagalli's Quarters…
Cagalli sat on the end at the edge of her bed as she was staring into space. Athrun had gotten her something to drink from the cafetaria and sat beside her.
"Cagalli, drink something."
"I'm not thirsty."
Athrun didn't push her to drink since he knows what she's going through. He placed the drinks on her table and sat back down beside her.
Athrun was about to say something until she started talking.
"Tell me… how badly did I fight?"
He was taken back at her question, but regained his composure.
"To be honest, you weren't a bad fighter at all. You were really… overpowering. Even Kira couldn't stop you."
"I didn't mean that. I meant, how badly did I mercilessly kill?"
"Cagalli…"
"Tell me, Athrun."
"… You were out of control."
Cagalli looked to the ground. She knew it. She knew that they were all pretending just to make her feel better. Suddenly, she felt strong arms wrapped around her.
"But it wasn't your fault."
"B..But I-"
Athrun turned her around and forced her to look at him.
"Look at me. It isn't your fault."
Those eyes. Those bold emerald eyes were staring straight into her fiery amber ones. There was something about his eyes that made her feel calm and warm inside. For some reason, she believes in what he was telling her. His gorgeous eyes were piercing through her doubts and disintegrated all her thoughts and feelings of being responsible for the battle. His eyes assured her that it truly was "not her fault."
He brushed a bang away from her eyes and caused her to blush like a little schoolgirl. He noticed it and smiled at her. Cagalli turned away but Athrun wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close till her back leaned against his chest. His actions caused her to flush even more that she made a tomato look in shame. But after a couple of seconds she slowly wrapped her hands on top of his and his head leaning on top of hers.
They stayed in that position for a while until Cagalli broke the silence.
"You never told me your reason."
Athrun looked at her and was lost.
"Why you went against us and why you didn't stop that impersonator from ruining Lacus' image."
Now he gets what she meant.
"I..er…I thought you guys were making the situation worst," Athrun looked down in shame.
"And?"
"And I thought that, since Lacus couldn't be found by the Chairman, it was alright for Meer to replace her for now and help keep the peace. I believed what the Chairman was doing was the right thing."
"You're an idiot!"
Uh-oh… she's back.
"You should've known that when the Archangel and Kira made themselves noticed meant that there was a really good reason why they came out! You should've known that they knew something terrible was wrong that caused them to come out! And what the hell is wrong with you! How could you let someone who looks and acts like that tarnish Lacus' image?!"
"I..I don't know. I was-"
"A moron."
"…"
"What else?"
"…What do you want to know?"
"What do you think I should know?"
"Alright… I think that you should know everything I know and went through while I was 'away'."
"Go on."
"When I went to meet the Chairman, I was shockingly greeted by Meer who I thought was Lacus but knew that Lacus was down at Earth and so I knew that she was a fake. The Chairman and Meer told me boldly that Meer was a fake and was just taking her place for now. I was a fool to believe them. I should've known that Lacus would NEVER act or let alone dress like that and never would she encourage ZAFT to fight. The Chairman told me to use my power and help the PLANTS make a difference. He gave me the Savior, made me a member of FAITH and told me to join the Minerva. I took the Savior and made my way down to Earth to see you. They wouldn't let me through cause my codes didn't match which I assume that that crack-hole knew I was coming and changed my code so I couldn't come back and which I think you were on your wedding and which they almost shot me down."
Cagalli flinched at the reminder of the day that she ALMOST married that eggplant.
"And which I could've stopped if I knew about it and save you from that crack-hole. Thank god Kira saved you. Because I was an absent-minded 'moron' I went straight to the Minerva and was notified by Captain Talia that Kira crashed your wedding and which that news totally made my world turn. The thought of you marrying that bastard crushed me. But hearing Kira saving you from it was relieving. After that, I didn't pay too much thought about it since as long you were with Kira, I knew that you were safe. I went on with what I was supposed to do. Then we were told to meet the Chairman. When we got there, we talked and stuff and I was trying to get away from Meer. She thinks that she's the REAL Lacus Clyne and kept advancing towards me. Of course I pushed her away. I got drunk one night with Heine and when I woke up the next morning I found that Meer had snuck into my room and slept beside me."
Cagalli stiffened and turned swiftly to face him. Athrun waved his hands.
"No… no…no. Nothing happened. She said that, because Lacus was my fiancé, she did what she thought Lacus would do. I scolded at her and yet she played dumb. She tried to kiss me saying that I should kiss my fiancé but I pushed her away. Right now, she truly believes that she's the real thing and she won't give it up. The last time I met with the Chairman was when I lashed out at him and Meer and left with Yzak and Dearka. He wanted me to marry Lacus so I could be an example to the ZAFT soldiers. And that's what ignited my anger and that's when Yzak and Dearka intervened and threatened the Chairman and that's when I left with them."
"…I see. Is that all?"
"I think so."
Cagalli stared back to the ground. Hearing all of this from Athrun himself made her feel better but she couldn't get over what he told her about Meer. I mean who couldn't! Having a slutty whore advance to your man is pissing beyond pissing.
"So what about you?" asked Athrun, breaking her thoughts.
"Hmmm?"
"What do YOU think I should know?"
She knew what he meant and now it was her turn to tell him her story.
"…sigh… When you left, I was pressured and pushed into a wedding that I didn't want. The Council said that it's what's best for ORB and that the citizens of ORB wanted it. I thought that it was what my people wanted too, but I guess I was wrong. I just assumed that it was what they wanted so I went through with it. I sent Kira a letter and enclosed the ring you gave me. I didn't want them to take it and throw it away. I'm sure that Kira was pretty pissed and knew that what I was doing was wrong so that's why he came and saved me from an unhappy future. During the whole time I was getting prepared, all I thought about was you."
Athrun smiled at the last statement.
"I thought about the time when we first met, our first kiss, our vows to protect each other and our last kiss before you left for PLANTS. I cried. I cried endlessly at what was happening. I was praying for you to come and save me. But I guess I didn't pray hard enough."
Tears were falling as she continued on her story and it didn't go unnoticed by Athrun. He gave her a reassuring hug and wiped her tears with his thumbs.
"I can't forgive myself for what I did. That bastard knew about you and the ring. He said that it wasn't going to work because we were two different people. He said that the people of ORB wouldn't have accepted it. He even brought up that my father arranged me to marry him and that he knew that I wouldn't go against my father's wishes. I didn't believe him one bit about Coordinators and Naturals couldn't be together. Then why did I go through with the wedding? Because I was a fool for what he said about what my people wanted and about my father's wishes. I shouldn't have done this. My father never once trusted the Atlantic Federation and I signed a treaty with them? Heh… I'm a fool. I knew that Orb was a Neutral country and yet I signed a treaty with them because of what the Councils said and I was selfish. I was so worried about my own country that I didn't think about the other countries as long ORB didn't burn down again. Kira pointed that out to me. I didn't realize it till he said it. I should've never let them walk over me. This whole thing was my entire fault. If I didn't sign that thing, if I wasn't so weak, the PLANTS wouldn't have been an enemy of ORB. And then there was you."
Athrun's eyes widened.
"When we met you at sunset, you totally bagged on us. I mean, I was really worried about you and you just started blaming us for interfering with something that didn't concern us? I was totally hurt. And that you didn't believe that Lacus was almost assassinated by the Special Op Force from ZAFT. How could you? Lacus is your friend and you didn't believe us about anything we were telling you?! You should've known damn well that anytime we talk about Lacus, it's the truth! No one lies about her!"
Cagalli pushed away from him with anger.
"I couldn't believe what you said to us. You didn't believe your friends because you believed the 'Chairman would never have done that,' right? Why do you think he had that imposter with him?! I hated you for that."
Athrun's face turned shock and sad. 'I hated you for that.' Those words were like a mantra in his head.
"You made me cry for so long. But of all the crying I've done, I could never hate you. I just couldn't."
"Cagalli…" he called as he once again cradled her towards him. He stroked her hair as she continued to cry into his chest. All the things she said and he heard made him feel extremely guilty. If he hadn't left for PLANTS, she wouldn't have to suffer this whole thing. She would have never signed that treaty and would have never agreed to wed the bastard. Kira was right, she was crying all because of him.
"You probably hate me now."
"Cagalli…" he drew her face up to face her, "… I could never hate you, ever."
"But-"
"It wasn't your fault. You were pressured and pushed around. If I didn't leave, none of this would've happened."
"…"
"I should be the one to be hated. I didn't believe in my own friends, but worst of all… I didn't believe you and I didn't protect you. Because of me, I almost lost you. When we all thought that you were dead, I…I just couldn't…"
"Athrun…" she whispered. Cagalli placed a hand on his cheek.
He covered hers, "I know I couldn't keep my promise about protecting you before, but this time, I'm going to protect you for real. I'm not going to let you out of my sight from now on. And this is a promise I'm surely going to keep. We're going to stop this war together and when it's over, I'm gonna make sure you and I walk the golden road down the aisle."
Cagalli hugged him tightly and he returned the hug. The moment was cut short when Cagalli pushed away and slapped him HARD across the face.
SLAP!
"What makes you think I'm forgiving you this easily?"
Athrun was left speechless as he touched his left cheek that was throbbing red. Not once had it crossed his mind that he was forgiven or not let alone, think that she would smack him really hard.
"If you thought that I was gonna let you go that easily. HA! Guess again! You're going to have to prove yourself for my forgiveness and trust after all that crap you put me through. And I'm not going to go soft on you not one bit."
"…I…Uhh…"
Cagalli smirked at him.
The great Athrun Zala was stuck. He usually gets his way in almost everything, but this time, he has to work hard to prove his worthiness. Just when he thought the moment he was having with his Princess was getting better, she had to wake him with a slap. But it didn't matter. He's so love sick with Cagalli that he's willing to do anything for her. And he did deserve the slap.
After what seemed like forever, Athrun chuckled. "If I have to work my ass off for you to gain trust in me again and your forgiveness, then bring it on! I'll take on anything! Anything for you, my Princess," as he kissed her cheek.
Cagalli blushed like a mad tomato gone wrong again. 'Damn! Why does he always do that?!" she thought.
"You said we shared our last kiss…" he propped Cagalli up against him, "… well, we didn't because our last kiss won't be for a long time."
As quickly as he said it, he captured her lips to his and it brought back all different kinds of sensations. Cagalli stiffened for his sudden action but then relaxed and melted into the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck, ran one hand through his silky blue hair and deepened the kiss. Athrun pressed her closer and that deepened their kiss even more. He placed one of his hands on her cheek and one on her waist. The kiss was getting intense and it passed the passionate department by a long shot, but because of the laws of nature, they both needed air and parted their lips.
Their foreheads leaned against each other and their noses touching as they breathed. It's been such a long time since they last kissed and this was probably their first time sharing a kiss that intense.
"I missed tasting your lips."
Cagalli blushed madly.
"Cagalli…I love you."
Cagalli looked right into his eyes the moment he said those three words. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy as she smiled and hugged him tightly.
"I love you."
Athrun's heart skipped a beat. For a second there, he thought she didn't feel the same way. But he was just being an ass. Of course she loves him!
He hugged her tightly and they pulled away to bring themselves to another kiss. The only difference was that this kiss was deepened even more with more passion than before. He licked her lips when he kissed her and she parted for him to explore and taste every part of her mouth. Their tongues clashed in battle with each other and that build their passion for each other even more. They held each other closer as they kissed that unknown to them both, their Orb uniforms were found decorating Cagalli's room floor.
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…In the halls of the Archangel…
"I wonder where Athrun is."
She walked to her destination: Athrun's room. How she knew where it was? Well, she wasn't a CIC officer or a Coordinator for nothing.
She stood in front of his room and took in a deep breath and pressed the intercom button.
"Ummm… Athrun, are you in there?"
No response.
"He's not in his room. Where could he be?"
Meyrin continued to walk along the halls when she suddenly thought she heard something. Something that no one wants to hear unless they were really perverted. She stopped in front of a door that wasn't far from Athrun's room and listened to the sounds of what appears to be moans. She looked up.
"This…this is Miss. Cagalli's room."
She stared at her door for a while and then it hit her.
"Athrun was escorting Miss. Cagalli to her room! That was an hour ago!"
"…Athrun…"
"Huh?!"
Meyrin leaned her ear to the door and-
"… moan…"
Meyrin gasped as she threw her hands to her mouth.
"This couldn't be happening? No. Can it? There's no way! He can't… but…no…NO! "
Meyrin ran. She ran to where ever her legs could take her as long it was away from…them.
She kept on running when she bumped into someone and almost fell but someone caught her. Meyrin looked up and saw that it was Luna.
"Geez, Mey watch where you're going."
"Uhh… Sorry, Nee-san."
Sensing something was wrong in her, Luna asked.
"Mey, what's wrong?"
"N..Nothing! I…I was just getting some exercise, you know! Lazing around lately had me gaining some weight!"
Luna didn't buy that one bit. She knew something was wrong but didn't want to push her so she kept quiet.
"Luna, where are you going?"
"Oh! Hehe! Since Shinn is going with that Neo guy back to their old base, I thought I would tag along."
"Why?"
"I don't know. But Rey wanted to go too so…yeah."
"Oh."
"You wanna come?"
"Of course!"
Neo, Shinn, Stellar and Rey had just walked by.
"So, you guys ready to go?"
"Yep! We are! Oh! If you don't mind, can my sister come along?"
"Of course! The more the merrier!"
"This isn't the time to be all merry especially since you're now an ex-EA soldier."
"Sheesh! Relax, Goldie Locks. I was just trying to lighten up the mood. You should try some of it sometime, you'll like it."
Rey's left eye twitched and was going to argue back but didn't. "Psh! Whatever."
"Anyways, alright everyone! Let's get going!"
"WAIT!"
They all froze on their track when they heard a yell. They turned behind them and it was Dearka, Yzak, Miriallia and Kira.
"I want to come along!"
"What?! Milly, you can't!"
"Shut up, Elseman! I can if I want to!"
"But… "
"Kira thinks it's okay! Don't ya, Kira."
"Uhhh… yeah."
"But, Kira!"
"Don't worry, Dearka. He seems like a trusted man. Besides, I trust him."
Neo smirked at Kira and mouthed a 'thank you.'
"See! I told you Kira lets me!"
"…sigh…. Fine. But I have to come with you."
"What?! Why?!"
"Because, I don't want anything to happen to you, that's why. Besides, I don't know how the buildings condition is and I don't want anything to collapse on you. I'll never forgive myself if anything were to fall on you."
"Dearka…"
"Elsman! We are leaving tonight back to the PLANTS! Are you forgetting about that?!"
"Yzak, for once, could you just shut up and let me do something for myself. Besides, you have Hahnenfuss to keep company."
"ELSMAN!"
"Hehehe… works everytime. Yzak, please, as my best friend, let me go?"
Yzak thought really hard and I mean REALLY HARD.
"…sigh… fine."
"Thanks man."
"But, you have to be back in 3 hours or I'm leaving without you."
"Don't worry. If ya do leave, I don't mind staying here keeping 'someone' company."
"ELSMAN!"
"Hehehe! Kidding."
"Alright, let's stop wasting time! Let's go everyone!"
"HAI!"
… One hour and a half later…
"Wow! I can't believe it's still intact. The inside is still …well…okay."
"Can you just lead us to wherever your suppose to show this girl."
"Man, you are such a party pooper. Loosen up and smell the roses for once. You do know what roses are, right?"
"…hmph!…"
"Hehehe… oh! Here we are!"
They all stopped walking and stood in front of a silver, metal door.
Neo walked to Stellar who was clinging onto Shinn. He kneeled to her height and patted her head.
"Stellar, do you remember Sting leaving you and your sister saying that he had to do something?"
"…yes."
"Well, Sting thought about this for a while when Auel…died. He wanted to do something special for you so you don't have to be sad. And this…this is what he did for you. Are you ready to see it?"
Stellar was confused and it took her a while before she nodded.
Neo smiled and checked if the system was still up and running. Apparently it was, but barely. There was just enough power to punch in some codes and the door swish opened.
It was pitch dark until Neo pressed a button. Then suddenly, the lights illuminated the room as if there were a thousand candles. But these lights weren't just those regular white lights. They were glow lights in different colors.
The room was full of the glow lights. There were transparent scarves around walls and some suspended in air. They were also in different colors. There were two tanks of colorful fishes on each side of the room. The bubble sounds coming from them made the people in the room feel like they were in an aquarium.
Big beanie pillows, in her favorite colors, lie all around the room and flowers in every corner. There were silver stars suspended by fish string and they twinkled with the lights. The room not only felt like an aquarium, but the setting was like a room of a gypsy. It was all just speechless.
Stellar gazed the room in awe. She walked around and looked at every inch of the room. Burning the scene into her mind. She laid on one of the beanie pillows then she got up and admired the fishes in the tank.
Miriallia had a video camera with her and recorded every millimeter of the scene before her. Dearka looked at her and thought, 'so that's what was in her bag.'
"This…this is amazing!" said Shinn.
Luna and Meyrin just nodded as they too were mesmerized by the sight.
Stellar continued to gaze speechless when something caught her eye.
It was a rectangle package wrapped in a metallic pink paper with a huge bow tie and a card with it.
She opened the card, read it and cried.
Shinn ran to her worriedly upon hearing her cry.
"Stellar!" he ran to her and she threw herself on him and he hugged back. "…Stellar."
Neo took the card from Stellar and read aloud:
Stellar,
Isn't this beautiful? I thought you would like it so I did this just for you. When I saw how sad you were when Auel died, I couldn't bare to see you like that. So I thought that I do something for you to cheer you up. I hope you like what you see. It took me a while to get all these things but I got them! Of course with the help of Neo. Hehehe!
Stellar, I don't want to see you sad anymore, okay? And neither does Auel. Live your life in the happiest way as possible. When the war is over, I want you to live your life to the fullest! No more fears of the "D" word, okay? I want you to promise me that you live a happy life no matter what! Can you do that? Of course you can! Cause you're my baby sister. I know you could do it!
Love always, your Big Brother, Sting.
P.S. No matter what happens, we're always watching over you.
Miriallia let a tear drop and Dearka placed an arm around shoulders. Luna and Meyin teared a little as well.
Neo sat beside Stellar and held her hand and called her to look at him. She turned away from Shinn and stared at Neo with tears.
"Stellar, no more crying, okay? Sting and Auel doesn't want to see you sad."
Stellar nodded, trying to hold back her tears.
Neo held the wrapped present, "Stellar, would you like to see what's in here?"
Stellar wiped her last tears away and nodded. She grabbed her present and unwrapped it carefully, saving the paper and big bow. She removed the tissue paper and pulled out her gift and gasped.
It was a beautifully decorated light blue dress with a very unique pattern embroidered on the edges. Stellar ran her fingers on the dress' fabric. It was soft like satin.
Neo smiled at her until his watch began to beep.
"Oup! It's time to go. Stellar, are you ready to go?"
Stellar eyed him and nodded and got up. Shinn helped her up and didn't once let his hands go from her waist. He made sure that they didn't forget any part of the present.
Everyone was out the door with Stellar and Shinn being the last on the train. She stopped and looked at the room one last time before walking away.
The doors slowly swish closed and the room preserved until one day the facility will give way and preserve the memories within.
It didn't take long for the group to get back to the Archangel. Kira and Yzak waited for them at the entrance. Kira told the crew to get some rest as they have a big day tomorrow. Shinn accompanied Stellar to the cafeteria as she must be famished and the Hawke sisters followed.
Kira, Lacus, Murrue, Talia, Neo, Yzak and Dearka were in the control room discussing their plans. It was a long three hours of planning, but they finally came up with one.
Yzak and Dearka took their leave. Well, more like Yzak and Shiho dragging Dearka from his collar. He didn't want to leave Miriallia even though she already assured him that she'll be alright. It's not as if the crew of the Archangel is going to do anything to her. Because Dearka wouldn't leave, Miriallia promised him something and that lighten Dearka's face with a million candles. Finally, Yzak, Shiho and Dearka departed to PLANTS.
The rest of the crews and occupancies in the Archangel were in their own quarters and waited for tomorrow where challenges and unexpectencies are awaiting for their arrival.
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A/N: Hohoho! I'd bet all of you were waiting for that part ehh?! HA! I noe I was! Alrighty then! NO FLAMBES!
It's funny. I was watching GS and GSD on YTV and it just happens that I'm getting the refreshed info and using it as I write my fic. Just like the part where Kira pointed out that Cagalli wasn't thinking properly that her country was more important and it didn't matter about other countries as long hers didn't burn down. Man, the dubbed version was clearer on the info.
And OMFG! They did make it known that Meyrin had a thing for Athrun! The episode when he joins the Minerva, Meyrin was like, "Oh! I'll take you to the Captain…" but Luna buds in and takes him instead. Then later, you see Meyrin on the computer and pulled out a profile on Athrun and studied it. Then that means that she did FAKE her fall and Athrun offered to escort her to whatever. SON OF A BITCH! That pissed me off big time.
BUT! Cagalli and Athrun never separated. They're still together! How do I know? I HAVE PROOF! Check out my profile and there's a link there that would make all of you guys cry with joy and erase all your angst! Go on! Ya know you want to check it out. Enjoy it like I have! –smiley face-