LINGERING THOUGHTS

Chapter 1: Deep into my Soul – "So Far Away"

By: Empathic Soul

Disclaimer: Gundam Seed is not mine. This fiction is going to start as a friendship fiction and would depend on what happens as the story progresses. Couple as unknown—thereby warnings shall be done at the start of ever fiction. Please read at your own risk and review as well. Any review would be appreciated.

This fiction begins where the anime ends.

Some couples are not what they are supposed to be. I mean this is a continuation but slightly AU fiction. So there are alternative couplings so please bear with me! I would appreciate more reviews though! Please do help me as this story proceeds!

"This is just amazing, Mr. Yamato!" The doctor came in the room holding an envelope and pieces of paper.

He was currently reading the medical results of Kira's hospitalization. He did just have a blood test, an EEG, an MRI, and even some urinary sampling. Kira sat on the bed, currently placing on a white polo shirt. He eyed the doctor, confused on what he was trying to point out. He was still feeling a bit…off because of the injections and all those tests that he was forced to undergo. Of course, that's thanks to Lacus and Cagalli who forced him. He told them that he did not really need to have any more tests but they insisted that he have some. And of course, what can he really do against two women?

Nothing.

Kira swore that someday, women would rule the world.

The doctor stopped and sat on the chair directly opposite to Kira. He was still smiling, or rather, grinning widely while he read the results. The doctors sleek black hair, with too many gel making it look like it was ironed until it stayed there for utmost 30 years. It was…oozing with gel.

Kira sighed.

What did Lacus and Cagalli think in actually giving him a doctor whose gel was enough to make him nauseous? The scent of the gel was enough to rival the scent of this hospital. Even though Kira never spoke of it, he somehow did not feel at vibe with hospitals. It somehow made his stomach turn and feel a bit nervous if not anxious of the place. The white ceiling, the smell of medicine, and the incessant chatting of the nurses and doctors of non-important things, it all made him feel worse, if not at his worst. So at best, even WITH injuries, he tried to avoid hospitals.

Oh…

Kira did remember the doctor talking to him. So he refocused his eyes, bit down a groan, and forced himself not to roll his eyes in annoyance. He placed his smile on his face and relaxed slightly. He would not prefer that the doctor suddenly inform Lacus and Cagalli that he was still not well. So he managed to play what game he does best aside from piloting gundams and destroying everything in sight. He decided to play pretend. This time, his role is a good patient.

"What do you mean doctor?" Kira asked looking at the papers the doctor is currently reading, and then back to the expression on the doctor's face.

If Kira did not know it better, the doctor's expression was something close to amazement and bordering to actually interest. He did not know if that expression of interest was something that he would want to deal with. It was somehow the unnerving kind of interest. He did not know why, but he somehow felt in danger. The interest was something akin to speculation to fascination…similar to when you're fascinated in seeing the latest model of a car?

Ouch Stupid instincts… Kira mumbled to himself trying to regain control.

His attention was caught when the doctor replied to his question. He was also surprised when the doctor handed him the papers and saw his picture, a profile, and the results of his test. Well, to be honest, there was nothing that interesting or even that amazing with seeing the results of your blood test, urinary test, or even your MRI. He never bothered with such information…it's actually more like…

He never wanted to bother with THAT information.

He did the next best thing that he could do.

He sighed.

"I see doctor, so…I still don't get why is this causing you such…" Kira was carefully placing words in his sentence. He did not want to suddenly blurt out…so what the hell is so funny about this?

He is a coordinator therefore he should have a better immune system, a better cardiovascular system, and a better body in short. So what is amazing about this? Kira just could not get it at all. These were simply medical data and that's it. A bit different than the naturals, but that's because he is a coordinator right? So…what was so amazing with it?

He was cut off in his sentence and thoughts when the doctor took the results and flipped the page. He pointed at a certain graph, which appeared to him as nothing, but the doctor seems too engrossed and enthusiastic about it. He decided that he would just have to ride with it. He eyes the graph and noticed that its points are going on a straight upward direction, a positive relationship correlation, as that data in the bottom of the graph indicated. There was something written as well so he squinted his eyes to read.

Extraordinary Immune system

Rejuvenating capacities of the muscles and the nerves are beyond normal

Healing capabilities above normal

He stopped. He looked to the doctor who was now grinning widely. Kira could not stop it now, but he raised his eyebrow feeling a bit awkward with the staring and at the same time, feeling anxious with the doctor's intense staring. It gets to him also…he was indeed, Human. Just a bit, different.

"Your results are far too amazing for words, Mr. Yamato." Kira grunted and sighed to himself. The doctor pulled back the papers and then lifted it up once more. It was another graph but this time he did not let Kira see it first.

I thought so…Kira thought to himself while listening to the doctor."I know. It's because I'm a coordinator."

He did not know when he finally accepted that, but somehow, he did not feel annoyed at being called a coordinator anymore. He was stupefied when the doctor shook his head wildly.

"What? Of course not! Don't insult your wonderful genes by merely saying you're a coordinator!" The doctor shook his head wildly.

I knew this doctor was nuts. Kira groaned. "What are you talking about? I'm a coordinator."

"NO you're not! Look at your results! These are not normal based on COORDINATOR standards. You're above them Mr. Yamato! You're like…"

The Ultimate Coordinator…Le Kreuze's voice echoed in his mind at the same time the doctor spoke.

"The Ultimate Coordinator!" The doctor exclaimed.

Kira did not know when his eyes went wide, but he was certain that he heard two different voices saying the exact same thing. It was like deja vu. He was gapping at the doctor and did not bother to talk anymore. He could not trust himself to continue talking it felt a bit awkward. He merely stared at the floor for a while and shrugged. He did not want to voice out any of his thoughts if there are any at all. It was a long awkward moment with the doctor still admiring the results and Kira staring into space when the door slid open.

Kira glanced to the side and noticed a pair of dark blue jeans paired with a maroon shirt and a pair of rubber shoes. Of course, this came with a person. Athrun stood there, his hands in his pockets as he smiled gently towards Kira. The other man simply gave another smile of his own and the new comer focused on the doctor.

"Say, Mr. Takeshi, is Kira done with his check-up?" Athrun asked extending his hand where Tori hopped down towards Kira's shoulders.

"Tori!" Kira smiled as the robotic bird nipped his ears a little as a sign of acknowledgement. If Kira did not know better, the robot had feelings. But then again, there isn't still enough technology to create machines with feelings, only machines with feelings similar to human feelings.

"Oh, Mr. Zalla! Yes, yes. Mr. Yamato is well and should be up and about and ready to go anywhere he wants. But do take extra precaution. It might be a bit difficult still." The doctor replied formally, his previous smile wiped away from his face upon Athrun's arrival.

Take extra precaution? Who is this man kidding? After he tells me that I'm some kind of…well…after verifying that I am some kind of Ultimate Coordinator, isn't it more apt that THEY take extra precaution around me? Kira furrowed his brow not showing Athrun and the doctor his inner turmoil and his annoyance. Well, Tori did notice as it tilted its head to the side.

Sometimes, I think Athrun made Tori to be an extension of me. He knows me better than anyone. Kira sighed as he pat Tori's head slightly.

"Well, that's excellent." Athrun's voice knocked Kira out of his reverie. "I shall be taking him now and getting him out of this place. He needs to eat someday."

Oh yeah…eat…one thing that Ultimate Coordinators need not really do. I can last for two days without nothing much to eat. HA! Kira grumbled under his breath and to his dismay Athrun noticed.

"Something wrong Kira?" Athrun asked looking slightly at the boy.

Think! Think! Exercise your abnormally quick brain! Force those brain cells to work!

"No. I was just wondering where we're eating." Kira smiled towards his best friend.

"Oh I see." Athrun returned the smile thinking between these lines. Two can play the game pretend Kira.

"Well, then we shall be off now doctor. Thank you." Kira bowed and turned to the doctor when the man in the white lab coat replied.

"I shall be seeing you soon, Mr. Yamato." Mr. Takeshi stated and Kira merely nodded his head before replying.

It was silence between the two of them as they stepped out of the room. Athrun was busy pondering on what Kira was feeling and Kira was busy pondering on what Athrun was feeling. Tori merely grunted in annoyance and continued to stay in place in Kira's shoulder counting the eggs before they hatch. It was easier than anticipating when the two would start talking.

"So, I finally got you out of that stuffy place." Athrun started, deciding to break the silence between them. "Somehow I figured that you don't like hospitals, or clinics."

Kira smiled. "Yeah, I really don't like those places. So, okay, for your pleasure, thank you Mr. Zalla."

"You're welcome, Mr. Yamato." Athrun made a mock bow and proceeded to walk towards their destination—the cafeteria. "So, have you thought of what to eat?"

"Eat?" Kira raised a brow and looked at Athrun who was merely smirking at him. "Oh yeah…well, I was wondering if there is any pizza around here. I mean Italian, any Italian food would be nice."

"Hm, I know a place about a kilometer away from here. Cagalli took me there two days ago after we landed. She told me that it's the best pizza place." Athrun sighed.

"So is it?" Kira asked looking at Athrun expectantly.

"I ended up wondering if that was indeed the best!" Athrun shook his head. "I would have made better pizza!"

"Okay, that speaks a lot." Kira snickered.

"Hey! What was that supposed to mean? I, Athrun Zalla, can cook or make pizza anytime I want!" Athrun placed his hands on his hips.

"Suure, when you buy ready-made pizzas and merely place them in the oven." Kira made a waving sign using his hands appearing to dismiss the argument playfully.

"Of course not! I can make one and right now, I have decided to make you eat, pizza extraordinaire Athrun Zalla style!" Athrun grabbed Kira's arm and proceed to push him to his car heading towards their temporary house (mansion to most people) where they decided to share along with the two other pilots, Dearka and Yzak.

"The world is ending." Kira joked and Athrun merely locked the door with a playful pout and proceeded to the driver's seat and set his plan into action.

OPERATION: Pizza Making!

Cagalli stood there by the garden of their mansion watching as the trucks and huge robots rebuild the destroyed cities. Currently they are residing in one of the colonies of Orb. Panama, Orb, and other cities are being renovated and the World Bank has given enough financial support to reconstruct railways, bridges, and other infrastructures. But, somehow, Cagalli still felt awkward. Currently, the talk is still who would be the president of the Earth Federation and the PLANT. It was obvious that Lacus Clyne would be the leader of PLANT. Everyone there is vying for her running as President. Lacus seems interested enough. As for her, she's being held as second in rank into leading the Earth Federation, next to Ms. Ramius.

Polls have also included Kira Yamato as president of the Earth Federation and Athrun Zalla as president of PLANT. But she highly doubts their interest in these fields. She could see it now: Kira laughing at her and Athrun ignoring her. So she decided that it might be left in Lacus and her hands to lead the sectors. But, she was not yet ready.

You have a brother.

Don't worry.

You are not alone...

Somehow, when she knew that Kira was her brother, she felt relief. Because it only meant that Kira can take over the role of ruling the country for her. She had to admit that Kira is more than capable and more suitable for the job instead of her. She's what, a tomboy, rowdy, unfeminine…anything a princess isn't—not that Kira is anything a prince is. But seriously, who wouldn't obey anyone who could point a gundam's weapon at you?

Cagalli bit her lip. That was wrong. She shouldn't see her brother in such a way. Even though Kira could manage to kill people that were war they were talking about. He wanted to protect the people that he cared for. He wanted to see them alive. It was not as if he was enjoying seeing the people suffer like that.

Bad, bad Cagalli! She scolded herself.

She went back to her original thoughts on the election. The only problem with the possible election of Lacus and her would be the important people in their lives. Athrun and Kira would have to decide where they would be staying. Would they be separated again? How about Millialia and Dearka and their blossoming friendship? Would they be separated? How about Yzak who somehow managed to unwind a little bit more? There are a lot of things that would have to be decided on and she's already feeling the onset of a migraine.

She failed to notice a person appear behind her. It was only a surprise to her to see the man that she was observing for the past few days. The man who caught her attention ever since the day they met in the desert.

"So, what has been bothering you Lady Cagalli?" Sai asked with a formal smile. Of course, it's characterized as formal because it does not withhold any other emotion aside from respect to higher authority.

Cagalli scoffed. "Nothing. I was merely doing a little observing on how the cities are being rebuilt."

"I see." Sai whispered.

"So what brings you here?" Cagalli asked casually, her formal demeanor betrayed with the tone of her voice.

Sai laughed. "I was merely observing the cities being rebuilt as well."

Cagalli knew when she was being mocked. Her face contorted to an angry expression followed by irritation. Her fists formed into knuckles and prepared a speech that she was willing to give, never mind the volume of her voice, to whoever is trying to mock her. She was about to give Sai a piece of her mind when the other spoke again.

"I was sent here to ask you if you could answer the questions the press sent through mail." Sai interrupted feeling a bit unnerved when the expressions in her face started to show irritation and anger. It was better to finish his business or else he might not make it out alive.

"Questions?" Cagalli raised her eyebrow. Sai fidgeted a little and smiled towards her as he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. Cagalli eyed his movements a little conveying her curiosity towards the small piece of paper.

"Actually only one question. The rest was answered by your advisers anyway so I doubt if there is any need for any further questioning---" Sai smiled gently. "Can I ask though?"

"Okay, go ahead. Let's see what question would surprise me and actually trigger such anxiousness from a person like you." Cagalli crossed her arms over her chest making Sai laugh at her antics.

"If I really did not see you with the president of Orb, I wouldn't know that you're the princess." Sai muttered.

"Oh, shut up and ask already." Cagalli hit him slightly in the arm.

"Okay, okay…here goes…are you engaged with Athrun Zalla?" Sai asked a sudden flash of unknown emotion went through his eyes and vanished as quickly as it came.

Cagalli stared.

And stared even harder…

And still stared even more…

Sai gulped.

And of course, Cagalli went into a fit of laughter. She was holding her stomach as she tried to suppress her laughter. It was Sai's turn to stare. It was weird because he did not know the reason why she was laughing in the first place he presumed it was because of his question. But what was so funny about asking if she was engaged with Athrun Zalla?

Cagalli finally managed to stop her laugher and looked at Sai with teary eyes. She wiped as a tear escaped from her eyes. Her cheeks flushed with mirth and her mouth still opening and closing as she gasped for air slightly. Sai had to look away.

"So sorry for laughing. It's just that, it was so funny!" Cagalli continued to laugh and Sai looked at her.

"I still don't understand what's funny? You and Athrun has been the talk of the town along with Kira and Lacus." Sai crossed his arms over his chest.

"I know. I still don't get what Kira and Lacus' status is, but me and Athrun we're just friends." Cagalli calmed down although a few restrained giggles. "What we were was just a spur of the loneliness moment. But nothing more…"

"I don't know if your answer has political overtones." Sai shook his head.

"Of course not. I just don't feel anything except brotherly love towards Athrun. I'm not interested in being more, especially now that I have so many things to attend to." She finally stopped laughing and looked at Sai. "May I now ask a question?"

"Sure." Sai nodded.

"Where did this question come from?" Cagalli inquired looking curiously towards Sai. "It's just amazing that Athrun wasn't the one asked."

Sai kept his peace and suddenly looked at his watch. "Oh no! I'm late! I still have a dinner out with my parents today! I'm sorry!"

"Oh…" Cagalli held a disappointed glance but looked away. "Okay, take care and greet your parents for me."

Sai nodded and walked through the door. Cagalli was still staring into space or what seemed to others as the construction site just a few kilometers ahead. Her breath was uneven as if she was still nervous of something, as if she just came out of a very difficult situation. But what was so difficult with talking to Kira's friend, as her brother placed it, THEIR friend? Sai stood there by the door waiting for the automatic opening after he typed in the code. When it slid open, he paused and slightly turned his head to the side.

"Good Day, Lady…" Sai politely wanted to greet when he was surprised to see the princess looking at him. Her hair dancing with the wind and her eyes twinkling as the light glistened upon the windows of her soul. He paused to hear what she wanted to say.

"Cagalli…" Cagalli interrupted turning around just in time to see Sai look at her.

A smile…

A smile in both their faces as a gush of warm air blew to their direction gently ruffling Cagalli's uniform and her hair along with it. Sai bowed and smiled at her—his first expression of her being a tomboy melting quickly as he continued to gaze at her feminine form highlighted by the sun and the blowing wind. He gulped and merely smiled even wider. He was not allowed to have thoughts about her...as such…she's

One: Kira's twin sister.

Two: Athrun's supposed to be Girlfriend, although now disproved

Three: She's going to be the President of the Earth Federation.

There is no way in hell.

"Good day, Cagalli." He whispered and stepped out of the room.

TBC

Please Read and Review!

Okay one couple in the making! Haha! I bet I'm the first one to think of such! It's interesting for me! Hope it's interesting for you too! Just give it a try!