CHAPTER 20: KISSING THE PAIN GOODBYE

The Navy Officers who were trained in such circumstance tried to locate the other end of the rope. They found it tied in a pole. Verbal direction are no more necessary for they already know what to do. In a moment's time, they were pulling the rope. They pull and pull some more, every second counts.

"Be very careful in pulling the rope, it might break. Two lives would be wasted by then," the Captain said.

"What is it Dr. Edom? What is this commotion?" Chairman Zala said as he settled himself in the chair.

"Kira and Lacus, please do sit down," Dr. Edom said as he followed after them.

"I have an appointment in 15 minutes, whatever you want to say, say it now." Chairman Zala said as a matter of fact.

"Off course.. Off course. I must," Dr. Edom said as he calm himself.

Kira felt uneasy, as well as Lacus. They were clueless for the reason that they were summoned here together with two important people.

"First and foremost, who has the knowledge about the whereabouts of Athrun? I haven't seen him in a while, 11 moths to be specific."

"He went traveling. He bade his farewell to us before he left," Kira answered

"What?" Dr. Edom asked disappointed. "Why did you let him?" why did I let him handle this alone.

Kira and Lacus looked at each other, the feeling is worse compared to some minutes ago.

"Dr. Edom, what do you mean by your last question?" Lacus asked.

Dr. Edom almost forgot, they didn't know his situation. "Athrun" he sigh,he prepared for this moment "has a Gresom, a very rare disease. In fact he's life would only last for about two years. He had already consumed almost half of his time.I detected Gresom 11 months ago."

"Dr. Edom you're mistaken. Athrun is still kicking and very much like in a good condition before he left," Kira said disbelievingly.

"Gresom is a traitor disease. A person who have it will not experience any pain, any form of physical weakness or any sign of being sick. But—"

"But what?" Lacus asked as she locked eyes with the doctor.

"But it would act like a thief in the night, one day your brain would just stop functioning because the last stage had occurred and your heart would stop pumping blood. From there on, death follows," Dr. Edom said as he repeated what he had researched about the disease. "Silence death."

Lacus started to cry, "no, it can't be.. is not happening.."

Kira didn't notice that he was crying in silence, this is a mistake. I'm sure if you repeat the test, you'll find out that you're wrong. It is only a misdiagnosis.."

Dr. Edom nod, " I know it's hard to believe. I myself could no believe it either. But I tripled check the results and Athrun took the same test thrice, but the outcome are all the same, they yield to the same result."

Chairman Zala only remained stiff, not showing any emotion, any words of concern.

"However--" Dr. Edom begun.

"Is there a cure? Of any sort?" Chairman Zala as a matter of fact.His first statement throughout the conversation regarding Athrun.

"I'm afraid there's nothing I could do. No, the whole medicine could do nothing." Dr. Edom said with a tint of disappointment.

"This is impossible! Out technology had advances as far as I can remember. It's not yet late, I know we could find the cure, if we only look further," Kira said hoping.

"Yes, you said it yourself, everything advances, robotics, medicine and illnesses. Even Gresom had evolved. According to my research, a person who have Gresom had typically one year to live."

"One year?" Lacus repeated, "but you said a while ago that Athrun's have 2—"

"That's because he's a coordinator. His body is advanced; it possessed a stronger immunity than that of naturals. A natural would only last for a year. The actual life span of the virus is one year that is why when posessed by a coordinator's body, the diseae becomes contagious because the life span of the virus had doubled. But the condition is different with a natural, the virus would die with the natural. I'm not saying that he should infect a natural, but if he did infect one, the disease would stop from that person.However, the disease may continue if he infect a coordinator."

Kira and Lacus was overpowered by shock. Just then Chairman Zala stood and heads to the door.

"Wait Chairman Zala, aren't you worried. Your son is in grave danger, an inescapable disease," Dr. Edom called out.

"Let me ask you one question Dr. Edom. Why did you reveal this only now? You could had said it when you first found out so we could have done something."

Dr. Edom looked outside, " its his last request. He told me not to tell you but I just couldn't carry the burden myself."

"That is why I'm thanking you. I already knew about the disease, Athrun already told me. Only this time it has a name. Gresom."

"So Athrun already told you? That kid, I thought he's going to hide it," Dr. Edom uttered as he wiped the tears forming in the corner of his eyes.

"Wait Chairman Zala," Kira now called out, "aren't we going to find Athrun?"

"Do what you must," Chairman Zala said as he walked out of the room. Athrun, you told me you're going to find your self… that is why you left and that is why I permitted you even if you are sick beyond cure. I now put my trust to your friends.

"Oh no!" Lacus exclaimed," Cagalli, she doesn't know yet."

The brown-haired guy gave Cagalli a blanket while a navy officer gave Athrun one. It was cold, the wind making it colder. They were lucky that both of them covered their nose when they hit the water. The splashing did hurt them but after a few seconds they were being pulled up from the cold water.

Although a little dizzy, Athrun went to Cagalli but only to scold her, " what are you thinking? You could have drowned to death!"

"What do you care? Damn! You told me to get lost hadn't you? Besides, I'm a great swimmer, you could ask anybody from Orb," she said as she walked away. The brown-haired guy followed her.

"Are you all right Princess?" he asked as he went beside her.

"Stop calling me Princess! I don't even know.." Cagalli think again, he did try to save her, "err remember you."

Athrun could only watch her stormed away. The feeling's funny he thought. He did it to her some few months' back and now she's doing it to him. Walking away from him, but he knew what to do. He must not follow her in any way so he went to the opposite direction and walk away.

Three days after the incidence, Athrun saw Cagalli and the guy sitting inside the premiere café of the liner. He turned to walk away but decided against it. The man is familiar to him so he sat near the table to hear their conversation.

The guy saw Athrun settled near them so he arouse Cagalli's consciousness, he said in a low tone, "Athrun, 2 o'clock."

Cagalli steal a glimpse, Athrun is ordering something. She then turned around to talked to the guy. "So Shinn, where are you going?"

Shinn? Now Athrun remembered. Small world.

Shinn hold Cagalli's hand that was resting in the table across him. He made it sure that Athrun is looking.

"What are you doing?" Cagalli asked in a tone only loud enough for Shinn to hear.

"I think he went inside to watch us"' Shinn answered fighting back his smile. "Let us give him something to be jealous of. If he don't love you, he'll ignore it but if he walk away, it only means that he loves you."

"Think so?" Cagalli asked as she answered back with a sweet smile.

This did not escape the eyes of Athrun, especially the exchange of smiles. That was fast, he thought. He sips his tea for some more, left the bill and head outside.

When he was gone, Shinn and Cagalli burst out laughing.

"Now, follow him. This is your chance." Shinn said behind his smiles.

"What do you mean?" Cagalli asked bewildered.

"You told me that he left you without telling the reason. You have to find out what is the reason, you have reached this far."

As Cagalli watches Shinn, she could see Heine's face. They were saying the same. Fight for your love. Follow him.

"He'll be heading to his suit in a minute now," Shinn continued.

"How did you know?" Cagalli asked as she listens carefully.

"I followed him for you. Athrun is very self-contained now. He's very different from the Athrun I met in summer. He won't talk to people when he's outside or whenever he's on the deck. That is his favorite part of the ship, he always go there," Shinn paused and looked at her directly. "He only talks to you, that must mean something."

Cagalli remained in her seat.

"Go Cagalli! Tell you what; I don't really expect that you'll continue your romance here. I mean, when you stood from the class and announced to every one that you are indeed the Princes of Orb, I was so surprised."

"Shinn-"Cagalli could only say.

"But when Athrun followed after you, I thought everything had been settled between you. I mean hey, Plant is a long long way from Orb and this could not be. Yet afterreturning to class, I saw that Athrun's face had a different radiance. I understood immediately what happen."

"Oh Shinn, please."

"But here we are again, only this time, you are the one following him. But what the hell--" Shinn paused to watch her, " if you really love him, you have to do everything to show it."

Cagalli had heard enough and stood up, " thanks Shinn! I'm glad I encountered you on this ride. Say my regard to Stellar," she then walked outside.

But then she didn't have enough courage to follow Athrun. She doesn'twant another bloody encounter with him because she's running short of words to attack him.

After three hours, Shinn is one of the passengers who left the ship. He found himself on the port where he saw Stellar waving at him. "Good luck Cagalli," he uttered before going to her she stood.

Cagalli was staring at the ceiling of her suit, reflecting on Shinn's word, he doesn't talk to people. He only talks to you. That must mean something.

Finally, she stood, refreshed her self with a warm shower and decided that tonight, she's going to confront Athrun and she will have his reason.

Athrun had just finished dinner when he decided to go in the front deck. Right timing, billions of stars spread across the black-lit canopy. Simple things are beautiful.

Then he saw a falling star, he doesn't believe in wishes but it couldn't hurt him if he try to make one wish. He whispered, "I hope Cagalli would stay away from me, that she would not going to find out I have a disease."

Somewhere on the back of the deck, someone had also made a wish, " I hope Athrun would tell me everything." After which, she closed her eyes to pray.

Since Athrun was located at the front deck, he decided to go to the back of the deck to avoid the people. Upon reaching the end, he saw a silhouette going near him or maybe to the exit where he had emerged. To his surprise, it was Cagalli.

Are you following me, crazy blond?" he asked.

"Actually, I was. I tried to wait at your suit but you were taking that long to return so I decided to go out. The gods are with me though, because you are only here."

"I don't believe you," Athrun stared at her.

"Then don't," she stared at him. "Algae eyes!"

Athrun chuckled, she called her algae eyes for the third time now. Another falling star, then another one, now two until a shower could be seen.

This time, a wish would be fulfilled.

"So tell me, have you found someone new to replace me?" Cagalli asked trying another aspect of their relationship.

"Stop being foolish! You're the one who had found someone new," Athrun answered with sarcasm. "So what's the real score between you and Shinn?"

So he was really jealous, "nothing… were friends, his next to Heine I guess."

"Really?"

"Hell yes!" Cagalli sigh. " Heine told me that I should follow you while Shinn told me to find the reason you walked away. But your stubbornness, yes you! You re the stubborn one, not me! Now tell me, what is your reason? I want to know," Cagalli said as she locked his eyes into hers.

"You want to know? Fine! I'm going to tell you everything so listen carefully," Athrun shifted his gaze. He found his voice and he started speaking, " I am..." He stops, he decided to withdraw but his conscience told him to move on, "..am sick, with an incurable disease."

Cagalli didn't buy it, "couldn't you think of something better to get rid of me? Now you're telling me that you are—"

"Yes I am," Athrun said and walked passed her.

Cagalli turned around to face him, sadness overcame her, she said slowly," why are you taking the suffering alone? Athrun, I will always be at your side. Have you forgotten that?"

"I haven't, that is why I'm avoiding you because this diseases is contagious, I don't want to---" Athrun hadn't finished his statement as he felt her lips pressed against him. Cagalli held his lips. He thought he could only kiss her in his dreams. Athrun tried to pull away but he just couldn't, instead he kissed her back. Passionately. He wanted the kiss so badly.

When he returned to his senses, he pulled away, " Cagalli stop it! I already told you, this disease is contagious through direct contact," he said as tears begun dripping from his eyes. He is crying for her.

"I know, you already told me but I couldn't bear to see that you're suffering alone. I don't want that to happen. If holding and kissing you will be the only way to show that you are not alone, I am willing to give it to you," Cagalli was now crying. The moon illuminated her tears shining from her eyes as it falls down.

Athrun went to her and wipe her tears with his hand, "I'm sorry Cagalli, so sorry to put you in pain. But I could not bear to see you struggling your life with the same disease because I was being selfish and so I decided to avoid you. To make you forget me." Athrun said as he embraced Cagalli. He was overcome by his feelings for her.

"I was afraid, so afraid, you'll end up like me. And I couldn't tell you," he said beneath his breath. Cagalli responded with a warm hug.

They just stood there until showers of falling stars started to brighten the sky. The time had stop for them.

When they parted, Cagalli said to him, "I just hate to see that we're over. It's plain to see we're over. There's so much left undone."

"I thought by cutting the common ground between us, you'll just let me continue my life since there's nothing to start from. The world has come between us, our live had come between us but I'm glad you're here."

"And will always be." Cagalli answered with a sweet smile.

Back at the control room, officers are panicking, as technical errors remained unsolved. The ship will sink in the next few hours.

am i going too fast with the story? let me know.. by the way, thanks for RxR

-shadOwCLite