Tangled Fates

by Reflected Shadows

Masquerading as a ZAFT Coordinator pilot; Cagalli finds that she's not the only one with a big secret out there. which is harder to guard? Your identity or heart? Especially when assigned to an assassination team with Athrun Zala and the target is you. AU

12. Chapter 12

Ellooooo!

So just a little shout-out, I'm really excited to announce that my super-awesome friend made a fiction-press *jumps up and down in excitement*. She put up her fantasy/adventure/romance: "Heart of Flames" and it's really good! The style it's written in is also interesting =)

If you like that kind of stuff then highly suggest it to you: The link is: * .com/s/2938204/1/Heart_Of_Flames * (delete the extra space)

Hope you guys check it out =)

Anyway, replys are going to be as short as possible cause this chapter is pretty big *coughs*.

precious1421- thank you, and yeah, dancing3 no matter how bad a dance someone can be (like me) dancing is still pretty awesome

Azettafan- holy crap! THANK YOU! and if you want them to be together then this chapter miiight be what you were wishing for ;)

Cagallifan-...hahahahaha, well, i have a special shout out for you at the beginning of the first POV

Mwah Z- i did enjoy my weekend actually =D Seeing Taylor Swift live, eating junk with my friends and then staying up late till four in the morning. Happy moments in life. lalallala, lol

WritingKnightmare- Weeeelll...It didn't help that she was stressing over it for weeks before and then the day before the surgery I just 'happened' to send her the song 'If I Die Young'... Oddly enough she didn't find it as funny as I did X) And thanks for the editing advice- you're a genius, no joke! I have no idea how you can just pick that up (wish i had that skill!) lol

Saki-hime- weeeeell...about that... I had a reason for her toughing it out then that you'll realize in the start of this chapter hahahaha, annd doctors, well, she was afraid of blowing her cover and them finding out who she really is. We couldn't have that, could we?

XxWeixX- hah, I already pm'ed you. Thanks again though for your thoughts on the matter of SEED i will definitely take that into consideration if i write more into it. =) Thanks for reading.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR READING/REVIEWING AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY ANOTHER CHAPTER OF TANGLED FATES =)

*Disclaimer- I do not own Gundam Seed

Ps. My deep apologies for any OOCness, grammar/spelling and plot errors that might occur through out the chapter

ENJOY! =D

OOOOOO

This short POV is in dedication of Cagallifan who's review made me say "what the heck?" really loudly in the middle of a mall much to my friends mortification. (I was on my ipod) You made me laugh, and in exchange I hope this makes everyone smile- thanks for the inspirational reviews everyone =)

Everyone has daydreams =)

Cagalli POV

Earth… How could PLANT compare?

A bright, burning yellow sun shined down from a blue sky, warming the world in rays of light. It glittered off the blue sea that surrounded a small lonely isle that stood alone in the ocean; a small speck in a sea of blue. It was a perfect day- if incredibly hot- sea gulls darting in the air; in the distance dolphins could be seen hopping the waves with a merry chatter; and the palm trees that flecked the shores of the island fluttered in occasional wind.

The only two things that could be really considered off with the tropical paradise was shreds of metal that had been laid in a scrap pile out side of what seemed to be a sturdy little primitive home.

The metal was mangled and jagged in certain sections, glinting under the hot sun- the left over and useless remains of our past. The little house seemed to be constructed of bamboo, built partly into a rock side- the cave and rocks providing a sturdy base for the weaker shelter.

Well, welcome to my home.

I stood outside of my little home, surveying my private kingdom with pride. Five years had passed since me and the knight-of-my-heart had unintentionally crashed our mobile suits into this deserted an unknown tropical isle in the middle of an ocean. For a whole year we had struggled to make a living, hoping that someone would find us and save us. Salvaging what parts we could from our mobile suits. Competing with nature to survive and somehow, during the time when we were trying to stand with each other, we ended up falling for each other.

At first this place had seemed like some sort of divine punishment, an exile, our waterloo.

But now, my gaze traveling over what I call my 'front yard' I feel blessed.

Of course it's bad with the weather- no electricity to heat us when we're cold, no medicine, and everything is done from scratch. Yet, at the same time, this was our private world of worlds.

The beach surrounded by pristine, glass-clear sparkling water, the sand so soft bright, and perfect large shells like ornaments decorating the island's skin in a dazzling colorful array. Beautiful. Wonderful. Enchanting.

Everyday I am with the land in ways I was never with before. Growing what I can; finding what I can eat; building with my own two hands just for the sake of a roof over my head. My heart always pattering in my chest in the realization that this, this is me!

I follow the rules of nature, I learn to bide by them- fighting them is pointless, but letting them carry me in their ever-circling flow, it was exhilarating.

So this paradise of mine taught me many things- to be thankful for what I have- to be prepared no matter what- to love every moment just because it's there- to realize that some things are out of our control, but that's how it's supposed to be.

But the most important.

It taught me how to fall completely and irrevocably in love.

Again.

And Again.

And Again.

An endless cycle that restarts it's self every day from the moment I wake up and lay my eyes on the knight-of-my-heart to the last thought that crosses my mind at night.

How to find joy in the simplest gestures of holding hands to sweet lingering kisses to-

A blonde head bobbed up in the water ahead of me and I broke my train of thought to smile.

Well, as you've figured out, the other pilot and I obviously didn't go insane and cannibalistic in a crazy fight for survival.

I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the world and the important people in it. If I didn't miss my country and what it meant to me. I still light torches every night, make smoke-signals once a day in hope that someone might find us because… the world needs me…and my children need the world.

I haven't told the knight-of-my-heart yet- it's hard to concern over what could be going on when you're so blissfully in love. I could stay here forever with him and my children- they are my world and I will never need anything more then them in my life and I know he feels the same towards us.

However, and I'm sure he see's me do this, I often go out alone to sit on a small dock-like stretch of rocks when the ocean is calm and sit underneath the starry night sky, contemplating my life.

Parts of me long to return- they are so duty bound, so loyal and regal. I was born to be a princess, but for my country and not of my dreams. I am determined to return, even if I won't be accepted as a ruler of my country. At least I could find out how ORB is doing; at least I can bring my children to the world.

"Mama!" A blue-haired girl with blue eyes that had gold-amber flecks in it ran up to me, her small chubby hands filled to the brim with shells.

I smiled at her enthusiasm though a small part of me whispered sadly: Cagalli, you know collecting shells won't keep her happy forever…

"Baby, where's your sister?" I asked her, pulling her into my lap and kissing her forehead. She was four years old and a dream come true; just like her sister and her younger brother.

Love- it gives more then you could ever deserve.

My daughter fingered her collection of small shells in her chubby hands. "She's still swimming, Mama. Can we make a pretty necklace with this?"

My daughter has made a necklace every day for the past year, so many in fact that you would think that the ocean should be half-empty of them by now and yet still every morning there the sandy beach is, filled with more shells for her to collect and treasure. She loves her pretty things and collected them, giving them as gifts to the rest of her family. I never thought that any daughter of mine would be so girly ( I was never the type of child to be making daisy-crowns- more like a boy then a girl if anything). But I wouldn't trade her for anything.

"Mama, can I be a princess?"

"You're already a princess, honey." I told her, combing my fingers through her sea-blown hair, smoothing them down gently.

"A princess like you, Mama?"

The sun was starting to feel too hot. The glitter off the ocean to glaringly bright.

"An even better one!" I told her. "This is your kingdom!"

A smile split her cherub face and she nestled happily into my arms, content.

But how long would that last? Till she hit the age I was when I became independent and rebellious. (Don't we all?). When she wanted to explore, and learn, and love. Find her place in the world, where she belonged, where she fit the puzzle, filling a missing a hole and making the world more beautiful with every passing breath.

When she wanted to find her own beloved and have her own family, her own world with in her world.

"Cagalli," murmured a husky voice and I blinked in surprise as tan, muscular arms circled about me and my daughter, pulling me back against a warm chest. I turned my head up to kiss those familiar sweet lips that tasted like the sweetest and tangiest passion fruit of the mini jungle our kingdom held.

Those lips moved against mine, tasting me back equally and tugging at my bottom lip teasingly.

I paused to giggle, squinting to try and make out my knight's handsome features in the bright sunlight.

He smiled against my lips, resting his forehead against mine in a gesture of loving companionship.

"Did I ever tell you that I love you?" he murmured, his breath mixing with mine.

I blushed. Which was exactly what he wanted. He never grew tired of trying to make me blush. "Honestly," I said, feeling slightly out of breath. "I can't recall if ever." His right hand raised for a moment to cup my head, his thumb stroking my still-pink cheeks.

My daughter let out a sleepy yawn in my arms, her breaths becoming steadily slower.

"Really? Is that so?" he kissed the corner of my jaw and I closed my eyes, leaning against him. "Then I must show you." His mouth so warm and thrilling was letting me know exactly what he meant as he kissed my neck in a slow, heart-stopping way.

"This is low, not fair!- and not in front of the kids. Baka!"

I felt his lips stretch wide in a grin and he ducked his head against my shoulder, his own shaking with a low laugh. "I would never!" he protested.

"Tell that to your left hand cause it seems to be traveling under my shirt." I snapped back and he chortled, withdrawing the hand that had been innocently resting on the smooth skin of my hip under my home-made shirt.

"There. Gone. Better?" he asked.

"Did I ever tell you I love you?" I told him back, thunking my heads backwards to thump his shoulder.

"Is that why you sleep with me?" the knight of my heart asked wonderingly.

"Hey!"

Despite my squirming protests and promises to get him back, he cuddled me tightly to him and I struggled not to give into the laughter that was shaking my body.

So warm… The sun was so bright above us. If there was one thing I missed it was AC!

Footsteps shifted the sand and I recognized the panting-sound of my second daughter, the blonde, running towards us.

"Mama!"

I tickled the knight-of-my-heart in the ribs, making his grip around me loosen slightly so that I could turn to face my approaching daughter.

"Heeey!" I called, lifting a hand to try and block out the sun which was becoming rather blinding, not to mention I could feel a layer of sweat growing on me. In a few minutes I was going to call a family swim cause it was getting hot!

By the time my eyes had adjusted all I could see was the enormous shell my daughter was holding up to me, filled to the brim with water. I had no idea how she had managed to carry it up all this way and I was proud of her strength. She was more like me then my other daughter.

"Look- water mirror!" she giggled and I smiled, humoring her by looking over the water though I doubted I would see a reflection.

But to my surprise, there was a perfect reflection of my surroundings…except for me. The house in the back ground, the palm trees and yet there was no reflection for me and I realized I had no idea what I looked like anymore.

That thought seemed to grip me with a burning intensity and it felt like heat waves from the sun were washing over me.

When did it get this hot?

Sweat trickled down my brow and I looked back, trying to see who my husband was. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn't see his face- the sun was too blinding.

"What's going on?" I cried, jumping to my feet in bewilderment, accidently dumping my other daughter who had been dozing on my lap, onto the ground.

"Mama?" my blonde daughter looked at me with the most familiar, beautiful green eyes that I knew better then my own. I struggled to put a name to them and yet no matter how much I tried I couldn't think of any of their names, nor who they were.

I barely knew who I was…

My bottom lip trembled and I swayed on my feet beneath the overwhelming hot sun, gasping for breath, feeling sick. Called by the temping cool sea I ran towards the beach, stumbling. Ignoring the surprised calls of my family as I leapt into the dancing waves, letting them wash over me, swallowing me up in their cool embrace.

But then, as I tried to return to the surface, I found that something was anchoring me down.

My air streamed from my mouth as I gasped in surprise, my eyes opening to be stung by the salt. I flailed madly and just when I was about to give up a hand grasped mine and pulled me from the ocean and into peaceful darkness.

OOOOO

It was in the middle of the night that Athrun had woken up. He didn't know what had made him become conscious; all he knew was that he couldn't get back to sleep. Not when his fellow room mate was moaning and muttering in her sleep.

He sat up, yawning irritably, looking in the general direction of where Akira would be sleeping. She was still wearing her uniform from the previous day. Yesterday, Athrun had come back into the room to find her fast asleep on the bed. He figured it was because she was tired (it wasn't like she ever seemed to get her sleep half the time.) so he had just brushed it off.

"Hnnnn." Akira twisted about in her wrinkled blankets and Athrun sighed again, reaching over to turn on his bedside light.

The light it emitted blinded him for a few seconds, making him blink repeatedly until his eyes had adjusted.

"Akira?" his eyes widened as he took in the blonde's fitfull expression as she lay in a twisted way on her bed, shifting restlessly. The light from the lamp glinted slightly off what seemed to be a sheen of sweat on her cream skin.

Feeling more awake, Athrun stood up, walking over to lean over Akira, worriedly. Hesitant, he lifted his hand to smooth back her bangs from her forehead, placing his hand flat on her skin.

It was hot!

Athrun yelped in surprise, withdrawing his hand as if stung. He had never felt someone's skin get so hot before! But why was it?

He remembered that when he was younger getting educated on sicknesses and how when Naturals caught one they tended to get incredibly hot.

But Coordinators were different- they were designed with more disease fighting cells to every sickness known to man and if Akira was sick that either meant that it was a disease either unheard or for some reason the antibodies weren't fighting. A sick Coordinator was a serious thing because if it was a new disease and on a small crowded ship, it could infect everyone!

"Akira, you need to come to the sickbay!" Athrun shook her lightly, starting to panic.

Akira groaned. "No…" she didn't seem to be responding to him, still caught in a web of sleep and dreams.

Athrun looked at her helplessly, unsure of what to do. It was dangerous for him to be there in case of getting sick- he knew he should fetch help yet at the same time Akira's expression every time he mentioned doctors or medical treatment made him hesitant. He had no idea why Akira hated those things but right now it mattered more that she was alive.

Coordinators died from sicknesses.

"I don't want you to die." Athrun whispered, trying to lift her up bridal style from the bed.

Akira jerked in his arms, her arms and legs moving wildly as if she was running and her elbow hit Athrun on the side of the head, making him let go with a yelp.

She fell back onto the bed with hardly a sound, small pants coming from her lightly parted lips.

Athrun rubbed his now-aching jaw, frowning slightly. "Stubborn idiot!" he snapped, though he knew that it wouldn't help. "You have until dawn to get better! Or else I'm taking you to the doctor!"

She didn't respond of course and Athrun sighed before walking towards the bathroom. She was hot and if Athrun was that hot he would want to be cooled down.

Filling a bowl full of ice water and getting a soft white rag, Athrun sat down carefully beside Akira, placing the bowl on the nightstand. He soaked the rag in the cold water then wrung it out before carefully smoothing it over Akira's forehead, hoping to have a positive reaction.

Akira didn't wake up as the icy rag touched her skin, but after a minuite or so, jerky movements slowed to slight twitches and her soft cries became small breaths of sound.

Athrun let out a long sigh in relief and on whim picked up Akira's warm hand, holding it in both of his. "I know I don't know who you are really…but I don't think I care anymore, Akira." His heart gave a warm flutter in his chest and though he knew it was out of conduct, he reached over Akira to grab an extra pillow, sliding it behind his back and leaning comfortably against the wall. He pulled his legs up onto the bed alongside's Akira's body before rewetting the rag. Akira's blonde-head came up to his stomach on her pillows.

Akira's first subconscious response to all of this was to grip his hand tighter and make an uneasy sound of relief that made Athrun smile slightly.

"You'll be alright." Athrun soothed, deciding firmly for the first time that he would trust Akira. She saved his life so he would trust her and perhaps come to love her.

He was a gentleman- he knew he couldn't betray Lacus.

However he was Athrun and right now everything in him was being attracted to an irresistible fiery-tempered blonde.

But what should he do? Stay true to his father's wishes or his own growing feelings for Akira? He had never felt this chaotic feeling before and now he felt like a man dying from dehydration and Akira was a fresh spring of water that he wanted to immerse himself in.

"Why you though?" he asked, one hand moving up to smooth Akira's damp hair. "What is it about you?"

As if in answer, Akira sighed, turning on her side she snuggled against Athrun's side. His eyebrows raised, his skin reddening slightly as she curled against his body with a small whimper.

Something warm and joyful bubbled up inside of him and Athrun – knowing full well the hell she would give to him for it later- slid one arm under her neck, catching her head in the crook of his arm.

Determined to stay up the whole night until her fever abated, Athrun relaxed against her.

Akira gave a small sigh and nuzzled against him, her tense shoulders drooping in exhaustion.

When had she become so…pretty to him? Not even that word was the right one to describe her- something with more meaning… Beautiful?

Perhaps…

No, interesting, unique, odd, exotic… There we go, Exotic from her head down to her toes. Her personality showed more and more with every passing day- changing the way she looked to him.

And she was becoming more and more beautiful every time he saw her. The soft sweet scent of her hair, the smooth, toned skin of her body, her more muscular yet-still feminine curves.

Lacus, Meer and so many others- how could they compare?

Akira was beautiful and Athrun smiled, feeling content that for now, she was at his side for this mission- no one else could hold sway on her heart for now. He didn't know why he was worrying or why he had let Uru's words effected him so much but seeing Akira so weak and hurting made him realize how much she had truly come to mean to him. And how much he wanted to mean something to her.

OOOOOOO

Cagalli POV

Before I had even opened my eyes I was aware of few things.

One: that I had had a dream which I couldn't remember.

Two: That my fever was starting to go downhill- not that was really saying much since I still felt clammy and dizzy even laying down.

Three: That there was something warm, actually pretty incredibly hot (temperature wise) along my body. Something that I was had become to comfortable against in my sleep.

I stayed dead-still feeling the steady movement of someone's chest rising and falling next to my head and I realized that their arm was wrapped around me, holding me close.

I took a deep breath and a warm, familiar scent flooded my nostrils, making my eyes jerk open in surprise.

I stared in shock at the sleeping blue-haired Coordinator whom I was nestled against. My mouth plunked open as I lost all train of thought at the simple overload of feelings racing through me.

I felt so, warm…so content nestled in his arms, his scent so heady and his steady breaths soothing and calming. For a moment…well no, a couple moments, I wanted to stay frozen in this second. I wanted to press my head back down against his torso, inhaling that strange fragrance he had and be aware of nothing more then his muscular arms around me, holding me close.

And then the smart side of my brain- the logical part- kicked in, my breathing quickened, my heart exploded into a frenzy of beats and my face took on the challenge of resembling a ripe, red, tomato.

"Z-Zala!" I yelped, sitting up so fast that the room spun for a moment.

Athrun didn't wake up and something slightly wet slid off my forehead, landing on my lap with a plop. I stared incredulously at the sight before me, my brain now fully revived from it's ludicrous dream-like state.

Athrun Zala, my Lieutenant, was laying across my bed, his back slightly propped up by some pillows and the wall, his hair tangled about his face and his thick lashes prominent against his cheeks.

"What the-" Noticing a basin half-full of water on the night stand and putting it together with the rag in my lap I fell quiet, touching my forehead. "You…kept me cool…" I murmured, my shoulders sagging. For a moment tears touched my eyes- I was truly touched.I hadn't been cared for in years like this and any normal soldier should report a sick-person to the medics right away- Athrun didn't know if he could catch this sickness or not! And instead…

I clutched the rag to me feeling confused, tired and slightly happy.

Suddenly Athrun turned over, his other arm catching me around in the movement as he shifted to lay flat and more comfortably on my bed. His arm was heavier then I had thought- and I was still weary and to my surprise he knocked me on my side, his arm wrappin snugly around my body.

"Eep!" I squeaked in surprise as his arm tightened around my body, pulling me closer to him in his sleep.

"Mmmm." He turned his face to mine, his head dipping forward slightly so that his forehead was grazing mine and I struggled not to explode with the burning sensation that was flooding my face.

His breath washed over my face- not exactly nice smelling in the morning but still causing the nerves in certain parts of my brain to short circuit.

Okay, Cagalli I said to myself, trying to breathe. You've been in worst case scenarios before…No freak, I take that back. You have never been in a deeper pile of crap in your whole freaking life! So breathe, you can get out of this. First- are your contacts still in from last night?

I hadn't taken them out yet which meant, yes, my eyes were incredibly sore but at least they were still purple.

My fists clenched and I hesitated, horrified by the other thought that crossed my mind. HOLY CRAP- do I even want to get out of this?

Something in me whimpered meekly and goosebumps ran up my arm, making me shiver.

Of course for some insane freak-ish reason that only made Athrun pull me closer with a content sigh.

I fidgeted, trying not to pant. "Listen, Athrun." I whispered softly. "You don't want this. Not me. You're engaged and you love your fiancé. Okay…Damn, you're probably dreaming of her right now- no wait. I mean, that's good! Yeah! Okay, so I'm not Lacus, so please let go with out waking up to embarrass me even more!"

Athrun only smiled beatifically in a way that only made my heart melt like butter in the microwave. If this kept up, all that would be left of me would be a red pile of goo. Not at all attractive in the slightest.

"In the name of all things that are normal- why does this only happen to me? Athrun! You can't do this to me!" I felt like my heart was swelling at all of the close contact. Sure it was as embarrassing as hell but parts of me – my girlish side, damn! I thought I had killed that ages ago!- was reacting in a rather peculiar way.

Making me feel as if I wanted to sink into this moment. Snuggle up against his warm, muscular chest and fall asleep, matching him breath for breath. Heart beat for heartbeat.

Yup, another day, another morning, another whole freaking lifetime that might work but not in my crappy one.

Athrun's face had come so close that his lashes were grazing my cheek, his parted lips brushing mine causing a feeling of electricity to snap between us.

"Ooooooh." I moaned slightly, feeling dizzy even lying down. "this is so noooot good."

My heart disagreed. This was veeeerrry good.

"Shut the hell up you useless-thinking organ!" I growled before an air of determination rose from me and I forced myself to wriggled out from under Athrun's arm

Once free I flopped backwards with a sigh of relief, my heart pounding a mile of minute. "Okay, this is not fair. This thing they call a 'crush' is so freaking not cool." I rolled over to bury my face into the blankets. "I hate myself." My muffled voice came out unexpectedly loudly cause the other body on the bed shifted again.

I scooted upwards at the disturbance, running my hands through my ratty hair, smoothing my wrinkled uniform and folding mylegs neatly beneath me.

Athrun let a yawn, his eyes flickering open slightly. "Mmmm…Akira?"

I flushed, noticing the dark bags under his eyes from a long night.

"A-Athrun." I stammered, looking down at my feet, feeling foolish in my rumpled suit, my messy hair and still sick-features.

"Do you feel better?"

My teeth worried into my bottom lip. Let's see…better… Well, my heart felt like it was going as fast as a humming bird's, my skin resembled a complimenting shade of pink (I hated that color!) and parts of me wanted to relish a moment that he probably didn't even remember.

Sure. I was freaking peachy.

Oh wait…he wasn't asking about that was he? Rag. Basin…Sickness… Right…right…

"Uhhhhm, yeah, in fact I do!" I forced a brilliant smile and then frowned. "But that doesn't excuse the fact that you slept next to me- Dumbass!" Knowing that I owed him big time for this but choosing now to go defensive, I crossed my arms and struggled to focus a steady glare on his weary face.

He sat up with another yawn, displaying a perfect set of white gleaming teeth.

"Sorry," he said a moment later, ducking his head so this hair hid his face from my curious gaze. "I didn't really mean to."

Oddly enough he didn't sound apologetic and was it my imagination or was their a slight smile tugging on the corner of his lips.

"Look me in the eye and say it!" I snapped, feeling flustered.

Athrun tensed and he raised his head, his face slightly red. "Honestly, I was only going to keep refreshing the rag!" he said half-heartedly, examining something over my shoulder.

I was half-tempted to ask him what was so vastly interesting about the blank wall behind me but considering that I was in no place to talk- it takes to two to cuddle after all and if my subconscious (which, I must say was pretty delirious) didn't enjoy last night then…I just don't know.

Hell, what do I know?

That I'm a princess of an enemy country. A spy and a Natural not to mention my life is currently being screwed by unfair amounts of karma.

Really- there are times when I truly hate my life.

And as if all of this shi-monga wasn't bad enough Athrun had to layer the salt into the wound.

Standing up, he said casually in a sleepy-voice. "Did you know that you talk in your sleep?"

The face I made must have been pretty amusing because Athrun stopped in mid-yawn to smirk at me.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa!" I waved my hands in a desperate 'stop' motion. "That's bull…what did I say?"

Athrun thought for a moment then said in the smuggest voice I had ever heard. (Hello, pot?- this is kettle…You're black).

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

In fact I would like to know, buster! "Please." I asked, trying the pleading approach.

Athrun shrugged in a 'no-can-do' way and I hissed, fighting back my head ache.

I stomped to my feet beside, him, glaring straight into his eyes. Well, straight as you can get with a minor tilt (he was only slightly taller then me after all). "Tell me, and no one will get hurt!" I snarled, raising a fist. Honestly, my heart was pounding in my chest as the hundreds of thoughts of mine that I could have said aloud flashed through my mind.

Please don't let this be my last memory of conversation.

Please don't let me have let slip something about ORB.

Then again, if I had said something like that in my sleep I would probably be in a cell, handcuffed and waiting to die.

Oh God, I hadn't even thought of the idea of me saying something about Athrun in my sleep.

"Never mind," I yelled, stomping away. "I'm taking a shower!" I did need one to wash the sweat off.

Just before I had slammed the door shut, Athrun's voice followed me in.

"If you faint in the shower do I have permission to…rescue you?" his voice sounded gloating and all my face was masked with horror.

My face went beet red. "Stay the hell away from me you pervert!" I screeched only to hear his laugh and realize that he had only been teasing me.

Sigh.

This was going to be a long day…

OOOOOOOO

Narrator POV

Aboard the Avenger (or Avenging Angel- I use both, sry)

Really…she didn't know how it had happened.

Well yeah… she sorta did…

It had all started:

Shiho Hahnenfus had always admired power and cunning…but when her commanding officer had assigned her below Yzak all respect for him went down the loo.

Seriously… Yzak? Come on!

Sitting next to a Lump on a couch across from her current nemesis all she could feel was disgruntlement. She was always the underdog compared to Yzak. She had worked hard to get to this good! She knew she was a fair-tempered, smart, strong person, but why Yzak? He flipped at the stupidest things!

"I have to follow orders from you…" she grumbled for the millionth time under her breath.

Yzak said calmly. "Wake up Dearka, will you?" his arms were crossed and he was gazing out of the Pilots lodge through a window into the mobile suit hangar.

"Eh?" Shiho raised an eyebrow and glanced at the 'Lump' formally known as Dearka Elsman. "But he looks so sweet when he's asleep! Plus he hasn't tried to grope me for ten minutes straight- I could get used to this." The satisfaction in her voice lent the idea that maybe Dearka simply 'falling asleep' wasn't all there was to the story.

Yzak sent her his usual irate expression, his body tense. "The silence is preferable." He admitted after a minute and Shiho snickered.

"Beside's," Shiho yawned, stretched her arms over her head. "It's not like anything is going on- our GUNDAMs are being repaired since the last skirmish and the ship has set course after the unidentified bogey. What is there to do?"

"Outside's groping people who need to learn to stop talking?" Yzak snapped. "Maybe you should go off and find out, eh?"

Shiho grinned despite herself, relaxing back against the couch feeling as if she deserved a 'job well done' sticker for annoying the silver-haired pilot. "You're too easy to mess with-" she chortled, wondering how much longer she could push him before he snapped.

Yzak's gave her an ugly look. "Shut it-woman!"

"Make me!"

And that was how they got to where they were now.

"So…now what?"

"Think he's dead?"

"I'm not really worried about him anymore…" Dearka said, observing the subject of their conversation from safely behind an overturned couch.

"I didn't mean for that to happen…" Shiho whispered back meekly.

"Hn! Like I would have done any different? Let's see- so he threw a pillow at you so you… threw my perfectly good body rather hard back at him…" Dearka raised an eyebrow and Shiho snorted.

"I woke you up didn't I? It was no reason for him to get so mad!"

"So then he threw his helmet at you… and you knocked over the couch trying to get off it backwards." Dearka rolled his eyes.

"There was no other escape route."

"And then I, being the great peacekeeper that I am, tried to settle things like a mature person."

"Mature person my ass! Speaking of which, get your hand off of mine!" Shiho elbowed Dearka not-so-nicely in the gut and he grunted, curling up in a defensive ball.

"Anyway, back to the list, then he slipped on the ground while trying to walk over and hit his head on the ground…" the blonde-haired ball finished.

They exchanged a sigh, watching motionless Yzak's body which had started to float slightly.

"Well…at least it wasn't any of our faults!" Dearka proclaimed cheerfully in a rather innocent way and Shiho cocked her head.

"Wait a second- Dearka!"

Dearka paused half way out the door, a goofy grin on his face. "Yes, sweetums?"

"You spilled water yesterday and never picked it up- didn't you!" Shiho snarled, pointing a finger at an incriminating mug. She stood up, her fists clenched.

Dearka pulled a mock horrified expression. "LIES! You'll never be able to prove that ridiculous theory!"

Shiho bent over, swiping up the empty and cracked mug.

It was hand-made and for some reason the creator had felt the reason to decorate it with the words of : God's gift to Women.

"Yeah, I can't imagine who this could belong to." She rolled her eyes, her tone scathing and Dearka laughed.

And then someone groaned.

Dearka's mouth formed a round 'O' of horror. "He liveth!" he shrieked in a stage whisper.

Shiho tossed her brown hair over her shoulder and shoved past him. "He's your friend- deal."

Dearka, being the smooth canny man that he was, spun her neatly around in mid-step so that she was walking back towards the awakening Yzak. "Aw, but being his nurse-maid was never in the contract! Good luck, my dear sweet friend- hopefully you will return whole." He gave her one last shove before promptly ditching her to the crocodiles.

Shiho swallowed tightly, staring at Yzak's blinking eyes, waiting for the hell that would break loose.

"Hneh? Whaaa?" Yzak sat up, looking unusually bewildered.

"It was all Dearka's fault!" were the first words popping out of Shiho's mouth and even as she said them a plan was formed to get Dearka back. He may have left her in the lion's den but it was he who was going to have to deal with the lion.

Yzak flew upright, bristling. "What?" he screeched.

Shiho nodded empathetically. "Oh yes!" she said in the most angelic tone she could muster. "Turns out he was faking being asleep and he purposely spilled water there and then just as you were walking forward so that you would slip on it." She didn't bother trying to fill the gaping holes in that 'side of the story' because an angry Yzak was a simple Yzak.

Yzak's eyes narrowed and he stalked to the door, snarling.

Smirking to herself even as she felt her maturity sink, Shiho followed him. Oh, she wouldn't miss this moment for the world.

OO

"NOOOOO!"

Dearka's scream of horror could still be heard echoing through out the ship.

Shiho giggled despite her self. "Looks like 'God's gift to Women' is finding out just how gifted he is at cleaning."

Yzak calmly went on in his business, going over military papers, contracts and whatever else that could bore normal people to tears.

Nicole looked up in bewilderment from the music sheet he was working over across from him. "What's wrong with Dearka?" he asked.

Yzak shrugged but Shiho stepped in eagerly, delighted to share her tale of vengeance.

"Dearka got sent to clean the engine room and polish it!"

Nicol's eyebrows shot up. "Polish an engine room?" he repeated, gaping. "In which part of that sentence is the 'just kidding'?"

"The part where I say that 'it's possible'." Shiho sighed happily. "Polishing a greasy cramped engine room full of his worst nightmare- spiders… awww, sweet, sweet justice."

Yzak gave her a funny look and she amended hastily.

"For you of course, after all."

Nicol said nothing but he shook his head in disbelief. Even after being friends with them for years, he would never understand how Dearka and Shiho got along. Honestly, at times it seemed like it was a competition between the two to see who could be Yzak's closer friend, at other times it was the complete opposite.

From the moment Nicol had first met Athrun in a fencing tournament between their schools he had gotten a pretty good understanding of their gang.

Yzak was the angry, fitful one, bossy and always grinding at the bit when it came to Dearka and Shiho. The only one he respected was Athrun but Nicol got the idea that Yzak deep down really admired the blue-haired calm Coordinator.

Dearka the joking, go-happy one who didn't seem to have a care in the world outside of hanging with his friends, getting on Yzak's nerves, and fighting with Shiho.

Shiho, normally serious around others would get sarcastic and wickedly happy around her friends. It seemed at times that she really disliked Yzak, but more and more often, Nicol got the feeling that she adored him, and like a little kid, annoyed him to get his attention.

And then Athrun, the mature eye-rolling one of the group, the peace keeper and the audience to the comedy play they featured.

Athrun had been the one to introduce Nicol to the others who had welcomed the quiet, gentle and more sentimental boy readily into their little squad and since then they had all been inseparable friends. Serious, mature and straight-face to the public eye until they were around each other.

But the mayhem between Dearka and Shiho was getting worse as of late, Nicol had noticed. He figured it had something to do with Athrun not around to pacify Yzak and rein in the more excitable members of their crew.

It had been a shock when they had found out that Athrun would be going on his first mission separate from them. Not that that was wrong or unexpected but normally military Captains liked to keep the pilots that worked well together, together in battle. But apparently it had been a special request to draw Athrun away from them and now he was with that girl…

"Akira." He murmured, breaking whatever verbal-war that been taking place between Shiho and Yzak.

"You're so full of- eh?" Shiho paused in the middle of her sentence to glance at Nicol curiously. Everyone always stopped talking to listen to Nicol, always. He wasn't a chatter-box like Dearka, nor was he sullen like Yzak, but when he did talk it was always something that made them feel enlightened later just for hearing it- even if they didn't understand it.

"Akira, I was thinking about that pilot Athrun's working with."

"And what? That she could be one of us?" The way Shiho said 'us' meant clearly that she was referring to Yzak, Dearka, Nicol, Athrun and herself. "Well that's wonderful. I was wondering when I wouldn't be the only girl. I approve!" She grinned. "The only question is… will she be one of us as Athrun's friend or…" her eyebrows waggled slightly.

"What ridiculous crap are you spouting now?" Yzak demanded crossly and Shiho shot him an annoyed look.

"Beat it, Barbie!" she snapped. She was never going to let it go the fact that Yzak weighed less then her. She knew she wasn't fat but still, the injustice of the matter!

Yzak hissed. "Wench!"

"Tool!"

"Crone!"

"Guys- at least act like you're military pilots." Nicol broke in after a while- wondering how Athrun had managed to do it all these years.

Surprisingly enough it was Yzak who took the deep breath first and Nicol's eyes widened in astonishment as Yzak waved Shiho over to sit next to him.

"I was thinking of a new attack sequence cause we don't know how good the ship's anti-mobile suit defense system is." Yzak pointed to whatever had written down on the papers in front of him.

Looking mollified, Shiho sat next to him on the love-seat, a slight crooked smile to her lips as she leaned her head down next to Yzak's. Her hair was like a brown curtain, hiding her expression.

Realizing that Yzak was waiting for him to see it too, Nicol hopped up to join the pair of them by the coffee table.

A few minutes later Shiho nodded. "It looks good, though don't you think it would better to switch Dearka and Nicol. If you want power, then Dearka would better facing the front of the ship then trying to get under it. Nicol is the better one for stealth. He'll get to the belly of the ship a lot easier then the rest of us. In the front of the ship though he's just a sitting duck."

Yzak frowned, rubbing his jaw line. "You're right." He marveled and Shiho rolled her eyes.

"I've told this before, I'm always right- get used to it."

Nicol nodded. "Well, I don't know about that last statement, but you got a point with the other things. My GUNDAM has great stealth but it doesn't hold much for defense and offense."

"Wait, question!"

They paused to look at Shiho curiously.

"Are we totally sure that we should be destroying the ship?"

Yzak made a face but Nicol jumped in.

"Those are our orders." He confirmed.

Shiho frowned. "it just seems like a little sudden. It's not like the ship did anything to ZAFT."

"That we know of-" Yzak said coolly, shifting the papers back into order. "Remember there was reports of an ORB spy ship in PLANT."

"Ohhhh, yeah, I suppose."

"This might be that ship's mother ship." Yzak continued.

"So we shouldn't like…capture it and hold them hostage or something?" Shiho deflated.

"Getting soft?" Yzak smirked and that riled Shiho up in an instant.

"Nu-uh!" she slapped her hand on the table furiously. "I'm just being careful- I don't want to end up attacking the wrong people or something."

"All's fair in war." Nicol reminded them quietly.

Shiho's face darkened. "Junis Seven is the farthest thing from fair, Armandf." Her voice was cold, reminding them that she had lost her older brother in the terrorist attack.

She stomped to her feet and Nicol ducked his head in shame. He hadn't meant that…

"We can't fight fire with fire!" she said stiffly. "That's what I mean. The Earth Alliance killed billions of innocent people that day. I will never fall so low that I would do the same."

Yzak was quiet and for the first time ever, Nicol realized that Yzak knew and cared for Shiho a lot more then he let on. By being quiet he let Shiho talk with out distraction, and in such a respectable way that Shiho felt better. Felt like they weren't judging her but simply listening to her. There were no 'sentimental woman' or 'you're a soldier- get used to it or get out' comments and it made Shiho feel calmer.

"So you just want to let them walk all over us." Yzak said quietly in return a few minutes later breaking the silence.

Shiho glanced at him, wide-eyed, and then turned away. "I don't know…" she whispered. "I'm not a diplomat…I'm not my brother."

Nicol looked down at his clenched fists. That was time he had ever heard something about her brother outside of the fact that he had died in the Junis Seven attack.

Tahaki Hahnenfus was at a university studying to be a peaceful diplomat between the angry nations when he had died…

"So what do you want us to do?" Yzak looked up to meet Shiho's tired eyes.

They seemed to exchange some sort of silent conversation because a spark burst into life in her eyes and she straightened up, her chin raising.

"Live…I don't ever want to lose you…" the raw emotion in her voice and eyes was overwhelming and at the last moment she glanced at Nicol and added hastily, looking flustered. "Any of you. You guys… you're my family now and I'll always have your back."

(Older brother is an OC, but I just wanted him for the moment. I'm giving Shiho a sorta protective big-sister complex, which is why she always sorta has to look out for the underdogs and her friends. She can't help it =) And since the TV series never really gave her a personality…I guess she can't be OOC,, heheheh)

OOOOOOO

Narrator POV aboard the Harmony.

Seeing Kitalla cheerful had to be an omen.

Had to be!

The beatific grin on her face was terrifyingly wicked and Kira felt instantly sorry for who ever she was currently thinking about – though he was glad it wasn't him.

"Kira dear!" Kitalla swept up to him, singing and Kira suppressed a shudder of nausea. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty- she was gorgeous in a rather out-of-the-world, kick-ass, deadly way. It was just that a happy Kitalla just couldn't be a good thing.

"Why so gloomy?" Kitalla asked, slinging an arm around his shoulders like they were old chums.

"Why so cheerful? Who died to make you smile today?" Kira shot back.

Kitalla grinned brightly. "I asked you first."

An auburn haired-girl in front of them tripped, spilling her papers. "So-sorry." She stammered, leaning down to pick it up.

Kitalla hastily dropped down and Kira watched in amazement as the captain and the greencoat casually exchanged friendly words as if they got along well like this everyday.

"Thanks, Captain." The girl smiled, clutching her files to her before nodding once to Kira and trotting off down the hall way past them.

Kitalla resumed walking and after a moment Kira rejoined her.

"What was that? Your good deed for the day?"

Kitalla gave him a disgusted look. "A Captain must care about her crew, dolt."

Wow. Even her insults were nicer.

"And stop looking at me like that," She added grumpily, her arms crossing over her chest.

Ahead of them Yuna stepped out of his dorm, yawning. The purple-haired man had surprisingly joined in with work on ship rather eagerly. Kira was starting to wonder if Kitalla wasn't the only one he was misunderstanding.

The crew on the ship all seemed to revere Kitalla, no matter how sarcastic she was and after a while Kira was starting to get that there was a whole lot more to Kitalla's personality then her cold sadistic side. She was loyal to her crew and would give her life for any one of them.

And who knew? Maybe Yuna isn't a whiny, pathetic, self-centered coward.

And maybe Kitalla is really a big softie underneath.

"So I think I'm going to have to move to a roomier lodging. One perhaps with it's own Jacuzzi and heater." Yuna proposed thoughtfully, picking at something in his teeth.

"I'll call Hell to set up a reservation." Kitalla snarked with out batting an eye.

Right. Never mind.

"What did you just say, you whiny *insert mother dog*?" Yuna hissed.

Kitalla's eyes glittered darkly back at him and she raised her fist. "Call me that again and I'll make your stay in hell permanent!"

Kira sighed. Ever since they had gotten here, Kitalla and Yuna had been at each other's throats whenever they were in each other's company. He knew that sometimes friends were like that, but it was clear that these two were nothing near to being friends.

More like savage, rabid dogs yanking at their chains from opposite sides of the streets.

"Cool it guys! I need to ask Kitalla something." He at last broke in, frustrated.

The two of them paused in their verbal war to glare at him.

Close enough. "Kitalla,"

Kitalla turned her head away. "Captain," she corrected with a small sniff.

Kira closed his eyes for a heartbeat, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Captain," he grinded the word out and just like that Kitalla's face turned into sunshine, all smiles and sparkles.

"Yes?" she cooed sweetly and Yuna snorted.

"Are you still planning to try and retrieve Cagalli again today?

Yuna's eyes widened and he turned his head to listen.

"Uhuuuh." She smiled. "And perhaps kill off her fellow pilot cause he made a lot of repair work for me!" she raised her fist, glaring ahead of her as if the pilot in question was right in front of her. "How dare he put my precious baby out of commission for so long!"

Of course. Why wouldn't that make her happy…

Yuna and Kira shared a long look before Kira said.

"Listen, Kitalla,"

The raven-haired woman paused in her threats to glance at him, golden eyes wide. "Nani?" she asked.

"I know I said I would help out in the extra mobile suit."

Kitalla said nothing.

"But here's the thing…I sorta have an issue with trusting you with the fact that you're going to be picking up Cagalli the same way you got us. How can I be assured that you won't kill her while she's in your custody?"

Kitalla stared at him for a long moment then sighed, tossing her black hair back. "Fine…I don't normally do this but…" she held out her pinky extended to him as if it was a big deal and she was offering him the world on a platter for a free month trial. "I pink-promise not to kill Akira."

Kira gaped at her with her straight face and Yuna stumbled, choking slightly- the corners of her lips barely twitching upwards in her amusement.

"Not funny, Kitalla!" he snarled, batting her hand away and she sniggered, pulling her hand back to cross her arms behind her head.

Yuna shook his head in agreement with Kira's sentiment. "Childish." He muttered, ignoring the livid look Kitalla scorched him with.

"Well, anyway," Kitalla continued, all laughter gone. "I have my own pilots, Kira but I would prefer not to risk any more of my subordinates' lives in a charity case." Her voice was scathing but Kira understood her worry. "And, unbelievable as it may seem, the other pilot was hard enough for me to handle." She scowled darkly. "I need someone else at my back to distract the red GUNDAM while I pick up the extra cargo."

"But-" Kira began only to be interrupted by Yuna.

"I'll pilot the ZAKU and Kira can go on the Chaos with you. I'm not that bad of a pilot and it wont be that big of a deal if I die. It makes sense." He shrugged, sticking his hands into his pockets. "Plus having Kira there when you get Cagalli will help out a lot with… smoothing out… things."

Boy was that the understatement of the year.

Kitalla glanced at him, biting her lip then narrowed her eyes.

Kira stared, shocked, at Yuna before turning to Kitalla. She was the Captain after all.

Kitalla turned, walking away. "Fine. We'll do that. Come on. I want to leave now."

The two boys followed at a quick trot though staying a few feet behind the suddenly uncertain Captain.

Too say the least, Kitalla was irritated. She didn't like people rearranging her plans even if it was a help. Yeah, she was a control freak but she was a good one. And winning helped her stay on top of her game, funnily enough.

"Oh," Kitalla added as an after thought. "As I called the other Cagalli, Kimi-hime then I shall also call this one Akira Yamato. Until I find out which is the real one and which is the evil twin then they're both fake to me."

"Okay," Kira and Yuna said together. It was understandable what she said.

But Kitalla felt uneasy nevertheless. There was something that kept bugging her and bugging her. Like a missing piece she could find if she only put all the facts together.

Aw hell, she didn't even know what she was talking about anymore. What she did know was that things were getting a whole lot more interesting with every passing day.

She was starting to like it.

OOOOOOOO

Cagalli's POV

"Sorry sir for running out of the meeting earlier." Athrun apologized to the Captain while I leaned lightly onto the table for extra support as my headache started to come back.

The Captain swiveled about in his chair to look directly at me. "I heard what happened. How are we feeling, Akira?"

Akira? Who was Aki-?

Oh right, he means me. Experiencing a little 'out of brain' moment I hastily replied. "I'm feeling fine sir. I think I was having a belated nausea and nervous reaction from the fight." Athrun coughed and I struggled not to step on his foot, focusing my efforts on keeping myself from blushing.

Captain Schway eyed Athrun and me suspiciously for a moment before he glanced meaningfully at Athrun. "Good. I hope my pilots are in top shape for anything that might happen."

"Of course," and just like that, Athrun's words were like butter on a pan, greasing it down till it was slick. "We're all in peak condition." Athrun glared at me over his captain's shoulder and I kicked at his shin when the Captain turned away.

"You shouldn't even be here," Athrun hissed quietly to me as the Captain leaned over to rummage through his desk.

I dropped my voice as well, matching his tone. "I'm fine- shut up!"

The Captain straightened up and Athrun shot me a dirty look, expressing the words he dearly wanted to say.

"Also, Athrun."

Athrun straightened up as the Captain spun in his chair to address him.

"Sir?"

"Chairman Zala wished for me to tell you that if this mission is a success that you will be welcomed into FAITH." The Captain smiled at Athrun's and mine gaping expressions.

FAITH? Like…THE ZAFT FAITH? Only the top of the top got in that, and not even half the time! It was an honor to be in FAITH! An honor people had died for and now Athrun was getting it at the price of my head.

For a moment I felt miserable at that thought. Wonderful, butcher a princess and earn a free pass to GO- collect one million.

I swallowed tightly, trying not to feel hurt (I mean, I wasn't Cagalli to them) and left out (of course, the rookie doesn't get rewarded, nooooooo.).

"Sir," Athrun said then and when I looked up half-heartedly I was surprised to see that Athrun was frowning slightly.

What was his issue? He was going to be in FAITH!

"Didn't they issue a title or a FAITH badge to Yamato?"

My eyebrows shot up my forehead at the mention of moi. What was Athrun doing? He should be on his hands and knees kissing the Captain's shoes in gratefulness.

The Captain seemed to be thinking along the lines of me because his expression was troubled. "No. Only you. Your father was rather strict on that fact."

I know I shouldn't be feeling disappointed over the fact that I wasn't going to be rewarded for killing myself. (Har har.), but I felt down-graded. I couldn't succeed as a princess and now I couldn't even succeed as a Coordinator. I just didn't fit in anywhere. "It's no problem." I said quietly and Athrun glanced at me, his expression even more frustrated and angry. I really didn't know what his problem was.

He nudged me in what I supposed was supposed to be a comforting manner with his shoe but I just forced a weak smile. "Congrats, Lieutenant. You really earned it."

Athrun stared at me hard a moment longer then saluted the Captain. "Tell my father I am grateful." He began and I coughed. He didn't sound grateful. "But I must take my leave."

The Captain raised an eyebrow but nodded and Athrun hurriedly left the room leaving me standing there awkwardly by myself.

"Er," I flushed slightly under the Captain's penetrating stare. "Nice shoes." I forced out weakly and the Captain raised his other eyebrow.

"Right, um, well, I'll just go…see what's up with Zala." I squeaked out before saluting and scurrying out of the room as fast as possible, trying to find Athrun.

Ten minutes later I found him in the Pilots Lodge gazing out into the hangar at our GUNDAMs.

"Zala?" I asked tentatively. Hey, he had been there all the times when I needed someone at my back. The least I could do was be there for him. And… odd as it may seem… but I wanted to be there for him. Not because I felt like I owed him (though I did) but because…it felt right… standing next to him, fighting besides him, talking with him, dancing with him…holding him...

He didn't answer.

"Athrun?" I tried again and he let out a long sigh.

"Akira…"

I came up beside him to lean against the window sill, trying not to pressure him by keeping my gaze away.

"That had to be the most fatherly thing my father has ever done for me."

I glanced at him, wondering if he meant it as Patrick Zala wanted to flood Athrun with rewards or something.

But the expression on Athrun's face said it was a whole lot more.

I knew he didn't want to tell me. I knew that, for whatever reason, he was angry and upset.

So what did I do?

I did what felt right.

I slid one arm around his waist and leaned against his stiff body, letting my head plunk sideways on his trembling shoulders. A blush colored my cheeks and I kept my eyes trained on the Huntress.

And I held him.

OOOOOOOOOO

Narrator POV aboard the Demi-god.

Athrun was furious with his father. He knew it was rude storming out of the Captain's office the way he did but he was shaking with anger and who knew what he would say if he wasn't careful.

But really… how could his father do this?

Being welcomed into FAITH, HAH! Yeah, right! It wasn't an honor, not one that Athrun deserved. There were pilots out there who did way more- risked way more then Athrun ever did who didn't even get rewarded with a FAITH badge. No… this was a form of protection.

Those of FAITH were also considered ambassadors and…untouchables. If he became a member of FAITH, then ORB wouldn't be able to publicly bring him to justice (by counsel or assassination) for the death of their beloved princess. Because, in ZAFTs' eyes, Athrun would be the nearest thing to holy as a member of FAITH.

Untouchable.

But somebody had to be responsible for the death of Cagalli Yula Attha. And that was why Patrick Zala had carefully planned out there only being two pilots aboard the Demi-god.

Now it all made sense.

Of course, it was supposed to be an easy mission yet an extra pilot would have always been helpful. But no, why would his father enforce only two?

Athrun stalked into the pilot's lodge, snarling. "Because he didn't want to have to sacrifice too many pilots, nor did he want to just hand out FAITH badges."

He paced in a circle before walking over to the window, slamming it with his fist, making the glass quiver.

At the beginning of the mission his father had suggested that he take a rookie pilot in the first place.

'For educational purposes' his father had said but no…

Akira was the sacrificial lamb. With out a FAITH status to protect her then ZAFT would gladly give her up to ORB for execution in exchange for the death of their princess. Akira was sent on a mission that was rather way over her head in the first place, only to die in the end so that Athrun would escape all national punishment.

Even if it was under ZAFT's orders, only one of them needed to pay.

This was his father's way of protecting him. Athrun had waited for years for his father to give him some sort of fatherly attention, but hell, not like this. Not with Akira's life.

How could his father do this? Because Akira was a rookie? She wasn't useful?

For a moment, Athrun felt like there was a lump in his throat a bitter burn in his eyes. It just wasn't fair for Akira.

I have to complete the mission… But… I don't want Akira to die… What do I do? Betray my father or betray Akira? His heart twisted painfully in his chest and he pressed his forehead against the cool glass.

Even the Captain had realized what Chairman Zala was up to. The look of shock and sorrow in his eyes had said it all.

And yet… to them it still didn't matter. Orders were orders. Soldiers died all the time. And Akira was just another sacrificial pawn to get closer to the king.

"Not to me…" Athrun whispered under his breath.

But what was he supposed to do?

What would his mother tell him to do?

"Zala?"

Akira's voice made him jerk his head up in surprise and he bit his lip angrily as she called him by his last name. He refused to answer.

Footsteps crept closer and when Akira spoke again, her voice was only a few feet away. "Athrun…"

Athrun let out a weary sigh. It was almost as if she was pleading with him and for a moment it felt like he was the one holding the gun to her head. After all, she would be dying so that Athrun, the son of the head of the council, could live.

"Akira." What should he say? Should he say anything? He couldn't even bare to turn and look her in the eye. To gaze into those grief-hardened watchful purple eyes, head cocked to the side, with the knowledge of how it ended for Akira.

At last he said, voice trembling slightly. "That had to be the most fatherly thing my father has done for me." Saying just that hurt. Hurt because the way his father knew nothing about him; knew nothing about what made him happy only made the imagined knife in his chest all the sharper.

Well, he was sure his father saw it as a blessing on Athrun. Also as two birds with one stone. He made Athrun happy with a FAITH status and it was convenient and easy to give up a rookie pilot.

He didn't even ask Athrun, nor forewarn him.

But even if he had… it wouldn't have changed a thing… I would've…I would've still ended up falling…for…her…

He felt like he was breaking down. Like he was screaming but no one could hear him. No one would help him. And just when his heart was about to plummet a warm, slim arm snaked around him, a blonde head sighed softly as it leaned against his shoulder.

Athrun froze at the comfort Akira spread through him. It reminded him of how it felt when he was little and his mother would help him go back to sleep after a night mare. The feeling of reassurance and that as long as Akira was at his side everything…everything would be okay.

Akira couldn't possibly have done more for him right then and Athrun turned to face, her, pulling her to face him as well.

Her gaze was curious, watching his green eyes carefully.

And suddenly Athrun felt bad for all the assumptions he had made about Akira. All of the suspicions – no matter how strange and justly based- he had nurtured to the blonde pilot. She had already saved his life, risking her own, he couldn't ask for more then that.

And yet he was still being forced to take more.

"Akira…" he whispered, trying to find the words. Knowing he couldn't explain what had happened but still desperate for an answer or something that would convince him that some how the two of them would complete this mission and stay alive.

Akira blinked her large purple eyes and she dropped her hand from his side.

How could he say sorry? How could he apologize to her? How could he make it up to her?

He couldn't… He simply couldn't. There was nothing he could do that would make this all better. He couldn't petition to his father- Patrick Zala wouldn't listen. He couldn't tell Akira to leave the mission early- it wouldn't work. He couldn't protect her from ORB and ZAFT if they demanded her to give herself up as the murderer of Cagalli Yula Attha.

But there had to be something he could do! He was her lieutenant! Damn it! He was the person she was supposed to be able to depend on and he couldn't even save her from himself.

He would live. And she would die… along with his heart.

"Shhhh,shhh,"

Athrun blinked in surprise as Akira pulled him to her, making him lean down so that she could press the side of his head against her soft chest.

He even forgot to blush in the moment of shock and despair.

"Shhh, shhh…" Akira murmured, stroking his hair gently.

For a moment he wanted to sink into that warmth, listening to the sound of her heart beats, steady in a world of chaos.

But instead he pulled himself away, angrily to Akira's stunned expression. Once again, he was the one being babied.

Dammit! For once in his life he wanted something else outside of following orders and being good for his father and he didn't know how to get it.

"Athrun?" Akira asked, bewildered.

His father wouldn't have approved of what he had done next. Oh hell, what was he thinking? His father would have been furious if he knew!

Athrun was always the perfect gentleman, the perfect fiancé, the perfect soldier and the perfect son. But how could he be perfect when he couldn't even save the life of someone who was becoming so important to him?

His father would have an answer for that. One where Akira didn't matter.

But his mother…

"Follow your heart, Athrun. That will always be the truest path." His mother's words echoed in his head, gentle and wise like always.

So Athrun did.

He spun about to face Akira letting all of his conflicted emotions show on his face as he cupped her cheek with one hand, the other threading it's self into the her hair before pulling her face to him and pressing his lips against hers.

A torrent of emotions flooded through him despite the small bewildered gasp Akira made.

The feeling of her soft, sweet-tasting lips - stilled with stunned silence- against his made him close his eyes and sink into an overwhelming flood of longing and warmth.

Akira squirmed at first in protest but as he moved his lips against hers she became still and after a few heartbeats returned his pleading touch in a tentative way that made Athrun's heart soar while at the same time bleed in his chest.

Her hands pressed flat against his chest as if she was going to push him away but she only clutched him closer.

He felt like he was only leading her on. But he wanted this so bad. He wanted her so bad.

Kissing Akira was like standing in bright sunshine. She filled his mind with light and the taste was so sweet.

Akira shivered slightly against him and he released the back of her head to slide his hand down her back to the small of her spine, clutching her close. Her smell, the pressure of her lips against his, the feeling of her body…it intoxicated him.

This… this was how things were meant to be.

And he never wanted to let it go.

Stay… stay with me…

OOOOOO

Cagalli POV

I had always prided myself in the ability to react on thought, to be ready for anything.

But for some reason… this was an exception.

As he crushed his lips against mind, my heart was racing in my chest and I gasped a small sound in shock before freezing up.

He held one side of my face gently in one hand, his left hand had slid up my neck to cup the back of my head, his fingers weaving into my hair.

Then my brain started screaming.

This is bad! This is really bad! Okay, you're the princess of ORB and a Natural. He's the chairman of ZAFT's son, a Coordinator, engaged and not to mention your freaking executioner! You shouldn't be doing this, Cagalli!

Right. Absolutely right.

Besides, he can't like you! You can't like him! Get over it!

Of course, but why…why was he kissing me? Could he…

The tear in my heart began to grow as the two parts of me, the Princess, duty bound and strong began to pull away from me…

I wanted to be both… But the world said no.

Choose!

I squirmed – rather pathetically- against Athrun's strong hold but as he began moving his lips so persuasively against mine I held back a whimper and…

I want this… my heart whispered in the middle of all the chaos in my mind.

I gave in.

Did I make my choice when I returned the kiss?

My hands moved up of their own accord to press against the hard planes of his muscular chest and a shiver ran down my spine.

And then I simply let myself do the one thing I hadn't since Kira's death. I let myself feel.

Feel the pounding of Athrun's heart. Feeling the heat blazing at every touch. The minty, chocolaty taste of Athrun's lips. Let myself sink into a state of bliss as Athrun's hand slid down my spine to press flat against the small of my back, holding me closer till our chests were pressed against each others.

It was so wrong. That was a no-brainer.

So why did it feel so right?

I needed air. I needed to think.

I needed to make a choice.

ORB or Athrun?

My heart was crying, my brain was in a constant roar and all I wanted to do was sink into Athrun's arms and forget the world, forget my fears and simply forget everything but him.

I can't love him. I can't love him. I can't love him.

Yet, I was starting to…

However ORB was my country and suddenly that thought seemed overwhelming. My people were waiting for me to return to them. To lead them when my father died in the path of peace. They were waiting for me with open hearts and here I was being selfish. I wanted to return but I wanted Athrun. I was being silly; the choice was obvious so why did it hurt so much to make the right one?

The right answer.

How do you say good bye in a kiss with out being heard?

And then the ship alarm went off, blaring through out the ship.

We broke apart gasping, staring at each other in shock. My lips felt bruised and I licked them, my gaze never leaving Athrun's wide green eyes.

"Ah-Athrun?" I whispered, trying to make sense of what happened. Why had he kissed me? It didn't make sense?

Why I had kissed him back- that was never going to make sense.

Athrun said nothing even though I desperately wished he would tell me what was going on between him and his father that would make him just flip the gourd like that.

He was freaking engaged!

Athrun squeezed his eyes tightly, his blue hair dipping down to cover his face slightly. "I'm sorry, Akira." He choked out. "I'm sorry!"

A chill ran down my spine. "Sorry? Sorry for what?" I asked, reaching out a hand to his.

He pulled his back, shaking his head wordlessly with out opening his eyes.

Sorry for kissing me?

A knife plunged into my heart and I gaped at him. I wished I wasn't feeling so much turmoil that I could possibly figure something out. Something to say or do.

The alarm blared again.

"Oh damn…" I mumbled. "Athrun! Athrun, we need to suit up!"

For a second it seemed like Athrun hadn't heard me but then, with agonizing slowness, he opened his eyes, gazing at me unhappily.

We needed to figure this out other wise things would just get awkward. Hell, things were already awkward thanks to his smooth timing.

I guess that just left it to the girl to fix up the little silence problem. What a gentleman. "Hey," I snapped my fingers in his face. "Dumbass!"

Athrun blinked. I bet he had never had a girl call him that right after being kissed.

"We need to get in our GUNDAMs right now!"

Shaking his head as if he was drunk, Athrun straightened up and walked over silently to his locker.

I stared after him for a moment, licking my lips one last time before hurrying to my own locker.

A few minutes later we stood outside our GUNDAMs ready.

Since we were a fair distance apart, I figured this would be a moment to lay something on his conscience. "Hey, Athrun."

Athrun glanced at me, his expression unreadable.

"Were you just messing with me?" I demanded. "Cause I swear I'll kick your ass if that's the case."

Athrun looked so miserable. "I can't tell you everything… Akira." He said so quietly that I had to strain to hear him.

Great. Thanks. Could he be anymore helpful?

Be nice, my heart chided, reminding me of how I felt. I was letting my confusion and anger at myself be directed at him. It wasn't fair to him. I was betraying him after all in the end with my secret.

"Why did you kiss me?" I called at last, just as they were signaling us to get in and launch.

They were opening up the wind-suctions just then and when Athrun called back his words were swept away in the noise.

"WHAT?" it sounded faintly like.

"WHY DID YOU KISS ME?"

Hey, I had the right to know, at least. Even if it was only going to cause more pain…I just…wanted…to know…

Athrun's mouth moved but I couldn't hear anything and at last he gave up, shrugging and stepping into his cock pit.

Oh duh. We could talk about this in our GUNDAMs.

Oh wait. Not good idea, use brain, Cagalli. Do you really want to be thinking about…that while you're trying to kill a psychotic pilot who killed your best friend?

Yup. That made things a little grim.

The two of us launched- neither of us opening up a chat- ( why do things have to be so damn awkward? Oh…right…anyway…) and we spiraled off into the starry galaxy to confront our enemy.

Wait. I lied.

Enemies. Plural.

Two to be exact. Our long lost friend, the Chaos and a newer model ZAKU.

I gritted my teeth, narrowing my eyes. The business with Athrun would have to wait. I had already made up my mind anyway. Despite…everything… I loved my country… and they had already sacrificed so much to rescue me.

I'm the one who should be sorry, Athrun. I'm the one with secrets.

OOOOOOOO

Narrator POV

-I'll distract the red GUNDAM!- Yuna told Kitalla and Kira over the com link. –good luck.-

"Luck? Pffft!" Kitalla snorted, her gaze already set on her prey. "Keep it, you're going to need it. That stupid pilot is definitely hard to beat."

Yuna frowned in the video link but merely exited it.

Kitalla glanced back at Kira who was crouching on the ground for balance.

"Stand up! Be a man." She chuckled to herself under her breath.

"Did you say something?" Kira snapped, his insult-radar going off.

"I said, 'that's a good idea to hold on to the ground'."

"Hnn!" he snorted.

"Listen, I'm going to do the ole' round'em up trick I did on you and Yuna. When I do that, cut open her cock pit with a device from beneath the ground there and pull her out." She nodded with the back of her head in the direction of a removable panel in the metal ground where she stored tools and weapons.

"Okay." Kira responded and Kitalla turned her mind back to the evading GUNDAM before her.

It broke into a pretty out-right fight.

Kira trying to keep the red GUNDAM at bay – though it was hard when he was outclassed machine-type wise- while Kitalla was trying to snare the quick-reacting Huntress.

Brilliant colors of energy-shots blazed through the darkness as the mobile suits whirled about eachother, dodging, striking and shooting.

"I'm getting sick of this," Kitalla snarled after ten minutes of useless warring.

-I hate to be a downer, but this mobile suit's battery is running out –Kira's voice was only slightly laced with panic.

Kitalla glanced at her own. Dammit. These stupid things only run so long in full out use like this!

"Time to wrap it up." And then her expression became rather deadly.

OOOOO

Cagalli POV

I was sweating in my seat as I spun about the Chaos. I was surprised that the pilot was only attacking me. The smart thing to do would have been to put strong pilot against strong pilot with them against Athrun and me against the ZAKU.

Yet, it wasn't even like they were attacking me. Sure they had made some cuts at me. Slammed me, sliced my sword arm off but they had yet to entirely try and rip me to pieces like they had to Athrun.

It made no sense! Not that much in my life did, but at least the enemies could be understandable! Was that too much to ask?

Suddenly the Chaos disappeared from view.

"Crap!" I whispered, spinning about, feeling out in the open.

-Akira!- Athrun's voice erupted from the speakers, nearly scaring me. –behind you-

Oh…

Something slammed me from behind and instantly I struggled to move my legs- but to no avail. They were trapped.

I swung my gun arm about furiously only to have that seized in a dragon's jaw. The Huntress trembled at the force of power that rippled through her as the arm was grinded and teared loose.

Then the screen went black.

"What the hell?" I yelped, my hands flying over the controls.

My camera's were still working but it was if they were all covered up and with out sight I was blind.

It was the same tactic that had killed Kira. And now the Chaos had returned to claim it's second prize.

-AKIRA!- Athrun yelled, panic in his voice. – hold on!-

I felt like replying to him "Hold on? What? Are you stupid? This ain't no damn monkey-bar, idiot!" but instead took the meaning behind his words. I was shaking, plain shaking.

I couldn't move. I couldn't escape. I was trapped and the funeral march was starting to play.

Honestly, you would think I would be in hysterics. I guess too much has happened to me in the past while to honestly shock me. I didn't want to die- who did? Yet… though my heart was pounding in my chest, I felt…calm.

And I hated it.

I wanted to get out and help Athrun. I wanted to do something! I didn't like feeling so weak and powerless so there had to be answer!

"Athrun, I'm a dead duck." I said softly, even as an idea occurred to me.

-Shut the hell up, Akira!- Athrun roared back. –I'm gonna save you!- he sounded strangely desperate.

"And what, turn your back on your opponent? Not on my watch, bucko!" I snarled before relaxing. Hey, it was my last moments on earth, I could already hear the metal of my GUNDAM crunching and grinding.

"Listen, I have an idea. I can self-destruct and blow up the Chaos." Even to me the words sounded flat.

For a moment there was only silence then there was a low oath.

-You will NOT do that! I'm going to get you out of there, okay?-

A tear ran down my cheek before I could stop it.

Looks like I wouldn't even get a choice anyway.

-AKIRA! Please don't do this!- Athrun pleaded, changing tatics.

"See ya, Athrun." I said quietly before turning off the com-link, cutting off his hoarse yell and leaving me in darkness…silence.

It was like being in a coffin and I was the one who had nailed the lid shut.

This sucked. I've had a lot of sucky things happen to me in life, but dying like this… It had to reach the top of 'totally sucky moments in my life'.

No time to think. I had all of my short life to do that. Now was the time to be ready and say. "Yes"

I pulled open the self destruction code-bracket, and took a deep breath.

Ready? My mind asked.

Are you ready?

I let out a shaky breath. "I'm ready…"

One kiss.

The end.

Good bye.

OOOOOOO

Narrator POV, on the Chaos.

"Anyday now, Kira." Kitalla snapped, watching the fight between Yuna and Athrun, feeing her nerves prickle. She wanted to jump in and help but she couldn't.

Honestly though, she was still amazed with how Yuna was fighting. She couldn't figure him out. One second he was a (multiple word answer) and then the next he was like a whole other guy.

So weird.

"I'm doing it! Jeeze, what has your panties in a bunch?" Kira snapped, the urgency in the situation making him riled.

"Weeeell, it's not just the fact that Yuna has already lost one leg and an arm…" Kitalla drawled. "But if your Akira decides to activate the Huntress's self-destruct sequence to blow the both of us to smithereens then we're screwed."

Kira hissed a breath. Time was of the essence.

OOOOOOO

Cagalli POV

I wonder… would Kira be on the other side waiting for me?

I dialed in the code, setting the thing for a minute and just as the detonation was set I closed my eyes, ignoring all the sound, and relaxing back into my seat. For those last few seconds I was going to fantasize about a better world. A world where Athrun and I were together in ORB, I was still the princess and I was leading the world to peace. Everyone was peaceful. Everyone was loving. Everything was perfect.

"Goodbye." I murmured and I braced myself for the pain of leaving this world.

And then I heard a voice. An angel's voice calling me to heaven.

"Cagalli?"

I was in darkness and I opened my eyes in amazement to see Kira standing over me.

Wow… It had been so quick and painless. How was that even possible? And wow… pilot uniforms must be a trend in heaven or something because Kira was wearing a black one and tears were floating inside his helmet.

But I didn't even care anymore about anything as I climbed towards my familiar friend, tears in my eyes. I was dead but Kira… He was right there… Right in front of me!

"Kira,I'm so sorry!" were the first words popping out of my mouth, and the tears ran down my cheeks.

"Damn, you did activate the self-destruct." Kira bit his lip, looking past me and I blinked in confusion.

"Huh?"

A voice past him in the darkness (God?) snarled out, "Why don't you just sit and stare some more, Kira!" Nope not, God. "Asses and elbows, now MOVE!" continued the harsh, female sounding voice.

Kira blinked his amethyst eyes and before I could say a word, grabbed me and hauled me up into what seemed like thin air.

"Close the hatch so I can crush this stupid pathetic copycat." Hissed a person that was illuminated by her screen. I couldn't see her face and I floundered about on the floor as the world around me vibrated.

What was going on?

Then the machine twisted and I was flung to the side against Kira and with a horrible screech of metal I felt whatever I was in, tighten.

Then things began to fall into place and my eyes went wide.

It was like an overload into my mind- I didn't know what to think first.

"Kira…" I whispered and Kira looked back at me, beaming, tears in his own eyes.

"Kira… we're not dead are we?"

He chuckled, hugging me to him as tightly as he could. For a moment, it reminded me of Athrun and my heart twisted in my chest.

"No, Cags, we're very much alive." He murmured, happiness in his voice.

I turned to stare at him in disbelief, the engines around me thrumming. "You're alive." Then I really began to bawl.

And Kira simply held me in his gentle, privacy-respecting way. Giving just enough.

I loved him so much it hurt but as I felt his embrace-which I had always thought nothing in the world could compare to- I realized that while Kira just gave enough to me, Athrun had giving everything and more in a single heartbeat.

"Athrun!" I cried, jumping to my feet shakily and stumbling up to the pilot's seat.

"Watch it, Roadkill!" snarled the pilot, batting at me with one hand.

"Who are you?" I gasped as I tried to seek out the tell-tale red gleam of Athrun's GUNDAM in the darkness of space.

"I'm your fairy god mother," she replied sarcastically. "Now shut it so I can focus on killing that little buggar!"

Who?

Then I realized who she was stalking up to.

"Athrun!" I cried at the sight of my lieutenant fighting against the ZAKU.

The Chaos's pilot was going in for a kill.

"Oh yes!" sang the woman happily.

That is until I completely shoved her off the seat with all my strength- ignoring Kira's yelp and her screech of surprise. I slid into her seat, placing my hands flat on the panels. I knew where her mother ship was- it's hull gleamed ahead of us and with out further ado I thought to the Chaos.

It was like having a conversation. With the Huntress it was just ordering a hunk of metal around, but the moment I touched my palm to the panel it was like electricity snapped between me and the GUNDAM and I wasn't in my body anymore. I was in the Chaos's. Scratch that. I was the Chaos.

I could feel each gear shifting, knob turning, screw tightening. Every mechanical sinew tightening and relaxing. I could feel my wings, my claws and my tail.

I felt powerful.

And at the same moment.

I felt small.

The Chaos hummed with joyous energy but at the same time I could imagine the people who had died at the hands of this machine. And I hated the pilot.

Chaos. I whispered. Home. Go home.

I didn't know if it would understand me- it was a dumb machine and I was too tired, too confused and stressed and stunned to trying and figure things out.

How fast? The machine seemed to ask back to my mind and I shut out all the noise of Kira and the pilot fighting.

As fast as possible. As fast as sound. As fast as light.

Is that all?

I thought for a moment, wondering if I was insane for conversing. No. Grab the ZAKU…please. Grab it and then…go home… Take us back to your home.

I gasped as I felt the engines through out the machine surge to life and grow in a symphony of sound and energy.

And then I had to watch as the red-gleam of the Aegis grew smaller and smaller and the Harmony grew bigger and bigger. I had to hear the bickering and screaming of my supposed-to-be dead best friend and the pilot.

I had to feel the pain of my two sides, the Princess Cagalli Yula Attha (aka, Akira) and just plain old me, Cags, tear apart like my heart stepping on separate sides of the line between the right thing to do and what I was beginning to long for.

I knew I had made my choice, I knew that sooner or later I would leave Athrun behind to embrace…my world. But why so soon? Why now?

I didn't want this to hurt so much. I didn't want my heart to be ripped apart like this.

One half belonging to my father, Kira, my country and my people.

The other to the people I got to know while I lived alone in ZAFT. People who seemed to contradict the 'evil Coordinator'. Dearka and Yzak. Shiho, Lacus and Nicol… and…and…

Tears built up in my eyes again.

I was being silly but…

I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to process everything. It hurt my brain. It hurt my heart. Athrun was gone. Kira was alive. I didn't know if I was in a better place then I was before.

And all I wanted to do was curl up and cry.

Like the lightest breeze, a few words flew across my thoughts before my hands slid limply off the panels.

Shhhh… rest, small one. All will be alright.

For a moment I thought it was a memory of my mother, and then I wondered if maybe the Chaos was the most brilliant machine ever invented.

But it didn't matter because it was all too much. My fever was coming back, my stomach hurt and my heart was torn between misery and joy.

I didn't want to think so I didn't.

I had made my choice and now…I needed to let go of everything that hurt so that I could follow the path I had chosen. I had to let go of Athrun.

I curled up in the seat, tucked my head into my knees and let the purring-thrum of the machines- like a lullaby- sing me to sleep.

Please read me=3

AHHHHH! So much has happened! I felt like I might have crammed too much into one chapter but this was like a huge one that I really wanted to write and breaking it into two just didn't seem right.

Well, I hope everyone liked it. I was trying to get something in there for everyone. Some humor (okay, that was crap). Some romance/friendship (we'll work on that…) Some action (pfft! No comment!) And some conflict/pain/angst (why does this seem the be the only thing I'm ever good at writing? *face palm*)

Anyhoo, since I took time to write such a ginormous chapter (not to mention I am now behind in my school because of this *cries*) I beg of you dear readers to leave a kindly note, or a question or even a flame.

Oh, right, wanted to explain this.

The whole thing going on with the Avenging Angel I threw in, even though I was afraid it might be boring as a sorta time-out and a little goofiness between some friends.

I was going to have some Archangel but the chapter kinda got huge somehow with out me noticing… Plus I've sorta have drawn a crappy mind block concerning them (SORRY!)

And also, I apologize for the rush in the romance department. I just really wanted to get something in there before… you know…the end of the chapter *laughs flatly* And also the kiss *sighs* I thought was important. It wasn't just Athrun acting out..

Wait…. I lied it was completely Athrun acting out. He was confused, and desperate and hurt and he thought he was going to be the reason for Akira's death. (Oh wait…he still will, nvm)

Not that it matters what I think- I just talk too much. But it matters what you guys think! SO PLEASE REVIEW.

Gosh, I hate sounding like a beggar (Alms! Alms for the poor! Hee hee) but, I put a lot work into this and I would love to hear all of your thoughts on this chapter.

Thanks so much for reading!

I hope you enjoyed another chapter of Tangled Fates!

Your Tired but happy writer

-Azetta

Ps…So…the dream at the beginning …. It was also sorta a peace offering for the crappy parts of the chapter and…um… the fact that I don't know if I'll be able to update next week (and if I do the chapter will probably be short or lame or just both…). Sorry =)

HAVE A GREAT um…. DAY!