Masquerade

Chapter 2

(Athrun's POV)

Catching Cagalli as she fell, I quickly fell down to the ground, supporting her body against mine. Just moments ago we were dancing and laughing and having a good time. Then seconds later a shot was heard from our side and Cagalli weakly fell into my arms. Gently I turned her body over, so she was facing the ceiling,

However, I soon regretted it when I felt a liquid substance. She was shot in the back.

People yelled, while others were screaming frantically. I heard Kira and the others try to calm everyone.

Then I heard people yelling that the princess was shot. While others yelled she was dead.

Finally someone shouted to call the paramedics.

Facing her quickly I noticed her eyes half open and half close. "Cagalli!" I shouted, "You have to stay awake!"

Opening her eyes slowly, she smiled at me sorrowfully. "Athrun," she whispered quietly.

"Shhh," I responded worriedly, "You have to save your energy."

Trying to lift her hand up, I quickly grabbed hold of it. "Promise me something Athrun," Cagalli faintly asked.

"What is it?" I asked carefully.

"If anything happens to me," she started but stopped when I shouted no critically

"Don't you dare you say it Cagalli," I whispered harshly.

Smiling slightly, she continued, "If I die, you have to promise me that you will live your live and find someone who can love you as much as I did."

"Yet you are not going to die. I won't let you die on me," I said while trembling.

"Then promise me," she meekly answered back.

"Athrun, the paramedics are almost here," Kira shouted. "Everyone else, check for any others who are injured."

A second shot was heard, with after waves of screams.

Covering her body to mine, I heard guards shouting to contain the gun. "You hear that Cagalli. Help is almost here. Just hang on," I responded, holding her hand tightly.

Smiling sadly at me she repeated once again, "Promise me Athrun Zala."

Staring at her for a moment I nodded. "I promise, however nothing is going to happen. I'm not going to lose you."

Squeezing my hand slightly she whispered softly, "Thank you Athrun. Remember I will always be with you."

Feeling tears slip down my face, she spoke one last time. "I love you Athrun Zala."

"I love you too, Cagalli Yula Attha," I responded strongly. Smiling she slowly started to close her eyes. Staring in horror I kept repeating out loud to keep her eyes open. Yet it was futile.

"You cannot die on me Cagalli. You just can't!" I shouted.

Feeling someone push me out the way, a group of paramedics were around her in a second.

Watching her being lift into the stretcher, I felt someone lightly tap my shoulder. Turning around I faced Kira. He too carried tears within his eyes.

"Come on, lets follow them," he said quietly then stopped as he stared at me. "Athrun, don't give up hope. My sister will make it. She just has to."

Giving Kira a tight hug, I nodded in agreement. "All the years I known her, she hasn't given up once. Let's hope she doesn't start now," I whispered into his ear.

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(Athrun's POV)

Watching people leaving the gravesite, I turned to face it once more. Why has hatred grown so much that people must kill others? War has been terminated, yet people aren't satisfied with the results. Why must people be so foolish? A life is too precious to waste. It never matters who the person is.

Noticing Kira from the corner of my eye, he walked quietly to the grave and bend slowly to place a single rose on the coffin. Then as quickly as he bend he was back up on his feet. Turning to face me, he smiled sadly and walk over to Lacus.

Noticing that everyone had paid their respects, I slowly walked over and bend down. Holding the single red rose in the air, I thought about the masquerade and the events afterwards. Then gently, I placed the rose down and whispered softly, "You will always be in my thoughts for what you have done."

Getting up, I walked straight to the car, not bothering once to look back,

Once I reached the car, I opened the door and slid into the seat. Signing out loud, I leaned into the seat.

"How was it?" a voice asked.

Turning to my side, I smiled sadly. "Let me think about it. I just went to your ex-assassin's funeral. You know, the one that almost took you away from me eternally." Hearing her laugh, I faced Cagalli directly and frowned. "It's not funny."

Watching her golden orbs stare at me she smiled. "I know it's not. But I was surprised you wanted to come here to begin with."

"It was something I had to do. I mean he killed himself right after police had him in custody. He almost took something important away from me."

Watching her come close, she leaned in and balanced herself against my forehead. Our lips were only centimeters apart. "No matter what, I would never leave you Athrun. If I were to die that day, you should have known that I would forever be in your heart and watch over you."

Taking her hands into mine, I looked at her. "Yet I would never forgive myself."

Closing the area between our lips, she parted after a moment later. "Then I would have had to hunt you in your dreams."

Smiling at her childish attitude, I responded, "I wouldn't have minded that." Slapping me on the arm slightly, she smiled happily. Leaning into her lips once more, we kissed again. "Yet I would prefer you to be alive when you hunt my dreams."

"Me too," she responded then paused for a second and smiled. "Then again, I wouldn't want to hunt you with that horrible mask."

Lifting my eyebrow up at her, I smirked slightly. "What is up with people and those masks? They aren't that bad."

Watching her reach down under the seat, she pulled out a white mask. Placing it over her face, she turned to stare at me. "Now tell me what you personally think."

Staring at her for a long minute I grinned. "Maybe I do prefer you without the mask." Using both my hands, I took the mask off.

"Next time we are invited to a masquerade, please remind me to decline the offer," she responded.

Laughing gently, I nodded my head in agreement. "Maybe I should have gone to the strip club next time with Dearka and Yzak."

Watching her eyes become large and then quickly narrow she said low and dangerously, "You wouldn't dare."

Lifting my eyebrow at her I answered, "Maybe I would." Then smiling dangerously I added, "If you volunteer to be my entertainment."

"ATHRUN ZALA!" she shrieked while bouncing on top of me.

Lying against the door, we stared at each other for a moment and smiled. Lifting my hand up, I gently wiped away the hair that had placed itself in front of her face.

Staring intensely at me, she leaned in and placed a passionate kiss. Lifting her face up, she whispered quietly into my ear, "I love you Athrun Zala."

Holding her close, I smiled sweetly. "I too, love you Cagalli Yula Attha."

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Author's Notes

Okay finally got around to finishing this shot fic. Yeah I'm sorry about how short it ended up being. If I knew that, then I wouldn't have made it a 2-chapter story but just a one shot thing. So I apologize for that.

I want to say thank you for those who reviewed the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed the ending!