Well, here's the second chapter. I'll try to keep the pace faster. I'm still not yet sure how this will turn out. Anyway, thank you for the reviews.

Disclaimer:....-.- I don't own Gundam SEED and the usual stuff.

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Gundam SEED: Afterwards

Chapter 2

How Reality and Fancy Fairy Tales Do Not Mix

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The Peace Conference was the breaking point by which Naturals and Coordinators would test if they could co-exist with each other. The bottom line of it was, if everyone could not come to an agreement with anyone right then and there, what more if one race tried to fit the other into their own definition of a peaceful world?

People had waited for so long for this moment to come. Now that it was there, Cagalli was not sure how matters would turn out. She just had to hold her breath.

Cagalli hoped that their tiny, luminous flame would not only hold out long enough but burn even more brighter in the welling up darkness; that the negative feelings wallowing in the deep would just sink down.

The young leader of Orb snapped out of her reverie. It had only been a few minutes into the meeting and her attention was already swayed by her wandering thoughts. Cagalli blamed it on her strange quirk of being a poor listener when the topic was motivating and vice versa. That was because, when she sympathized a lot with what was being said, she tended to muse a lot about it herself.

Cagalli threw a glance at Athrun's direction. He was standing behind her, listening very intently. He's probably used to these things. She thought. Well, if Athrun can do it, I can too.

The youth soon found herself being pulled into the flow of conversation.

"I believe that there is no room for tyranny, envy, and greed in this new world we are trying to build," Gilbert Dullindal was saying. "These things have only become the root cause of this incessant war. And the nuclear weapons, these so-called keys, by which we thought would end the war, they have been mistakes we should never have committed."

The murmur of assent was heard amidst the delegates of different nations. Cagalli felt glad that everyone was already realizing his follies. But, wait. Things were too good to be true. There were always a few who would oppose. Cagalli was searching for them now.

"So, you're saying that we should follow the example of neutral countries such as Orb?" said someone out of blue.

It was a harmless question. But these kinds of questions often lead to....Cagalli did not want to think about it. She could be wrong. Everyone turned his/her eyes on this antagonist.

He was a hazel-eyed, raven-haired person who looked as young as Cagalli, Athrun, and not to mention, Yzak, who was sitting a few seats away from President Dullindal. All the rest stared at him as if they were wondering why a young man like him was there. Certainly, there were other young people present there aside from him. But, they were not ones to try drawing attention to themselves.

"What I'm saying is, should Naturals and Coordinators live a life of mixed culture just like Orb?" rephrased the man. Then, he added with a sarcastic smile, "Can mankind do it?"

A stillness hung in the air as the question hit point blank, snaking into the minds of the listeners.

"Personally, I think it would be impossible, what with the differences and all," he drawled on.

Somehow, Athrun felt that this provocation might incite strong responses from Cagalli. And he was right.

"It's not impossible," came Cagalli's voice, ringing clear in the vastness of silence. It seemed to hold some power of its own.

The raven-haired man scanned the faces, looking for his brave challenger. His eyes fell on a golden-haired female with defiant flame-colored eyes. Cagalli.

"This Peace Convention is proof of it," continued Cagalli, locking eyes with the former.

"May I ask who you are, Miss?"

"Is it any of your business to know?"

"You should be happy that I'm actually regarding you, Miss, because I don't usually pay attention to unimportant people." Cagalli imagined him saying this. But what he actually said was, and with a smirk even, "It's not a crime to know, is it?"

Cagalli's hackles rose. Underneath the table, she was clenching her fists. Athrun stirred ever so slightly, ready to do/say anything to placate the easily excitable lady.

".....Cagalli Yula Athha..." Cagalli managed to tell him through gritted teeth. If there was one thing she hated, it was revealing her identity.

The man placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands, studying Cagalli with renewed interest. "Athha huh? You must be the heir of the late Prime Minister Athha."

The mere mention of the name of Athha was enough to reawaken the dormancy amongst the people inside the conference hall. Inaudible whispers were exchanged; glances were made Cagalli's way.

Gilbert Dullindal's only reaction was a whimsical smile at this development of their Peace Convention. He kept silent.

As for Athrun, he was worrying a lot about Cagalli.

And in Cagalli's shoes, the teenager was trying hard to restrain herself.

The representatives were arguing a bit now, mostly dropping in 'Orb', 'ZAFT', neutrality, and the likes into the discussion. The comments mainly came from the black-haired man. Still, he was bludgeoning his radical opinions, which seemingly (and sharply) pointed a lot to neutral countries, especially Orb. No one knew why.

Athrun looked at the back of the person who filled his thoughts a lot. He could see her golden head drooping down, her back in a slouched position. Her hands were still clenched tightly.

She must be very mad now. Athrun was thinking.

He decided to approach Chairman Dullindal. Stooping down a little, he said into his ear, "Sir, may I have permission to take Ca...I mean, Prime Minister Athha out?"

Gilbert glanced up at the bent over figure. "And why is that?"

Athrun hesitated for a while. "I have known her to get temperamental over such talks...." he said carefully.

Gilbert smiled warmheartedly. "Athrun Zala, there is no need to ask permission from me. You are free to do as you want."

"I-I just felt that it was formal to let you know." Athrun did know that he was free to do as he wanted. But he did not like to abuse his privileges, let alone exercise them. His powers, if he allowed himself to think that way, were (frighteningly) almost on par with the highest office in the government. Why it came to be like that Athrun kept to himself.

Pushing those things aside, Athrun walked over to Cagalli. Even while his face was already level to hers, she did not seem to notice the blue-haired coordinator.

"Cagalli, let's go."

Cagalli lost the stormy mood she had been bottling up and turned to Athrun with a dazed look. "Huh?" was all she could say, incomprehension written all over her face.

"Let's go out. Come on!" With that, Athrun held onto her bare elbow, tugging her up. And before Cagalli could even react, her bodyguards were already moving in.

"It's alright, you guys," Cagalli blurted out to the bodyguards, putting up her palms. Then, turning back to Athrun, she hissed, "what are you doing? We're in the middle of a conference!"

"That's okay," persisted Athrun. "Now, haul yourself up."

Cagalli, after some thought, finally complied. With a gesture, she signaled her bodyguards to stay put. The two teenagers quietly left the conference hall.

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"Are you sure it's okay to leave just like that?" Cagalli kept on asking Athrun.

"Of course," was Athrun's two-word answer, furnishing it with one of his rare smiles.

It was as if time had stopped at that moment. Cagalli found herself going soft in the inside. Awkwardly turning away from him, she felt the blood creeping up to her face. I hate it when he smiles like that...

"Cagalli?" Athrun peered at her questioningly.

"Y-yes?"

"Is there anything wrong?"

"N-nothing!" Cagalli started walking briskly, but was stopped by Athrun, as he told her, "Wait! You're going back to the conference hall?"

Cagalli blinked. Again, she gave Athrun a confused stare. "Huh?"

"That corridor leads to the conference room," Athrun explained.

"Oh! Sorry!"

Athrun laughed and Cagalli glowered at him as she backtracked her way.

"What's so funny?" Cagalli raised an eyebrow at Athrun, putting her hands on her hips. It was one of those times again when Athrun would suddenly laugh out after Cagalli did things. And no matter how much Cagalli tried to cajole the reason out of him, Athrun was always able to elude her.

Cagalli sighed heavily. It was her way of saying 'I give up'.

They continued walking, with Cagalli having no idea where Athrun was leading her. The conference hall was far behind now.

"That guy pisses me off," Cagalli said at random.

Athrun did not have to ask whom Cagalli was referring to. "He seems to enjoy doing it," Athrun pointed out.

"Who is he anyway?"

"I don't know. All I know is, there are still a few of his type around."

Cagalli paused. "Then, this peace is wrong."

"What part of it?"

"The part wherein there has to be antagonists...." Cagalli trailed off, staring down at her hands.

Athrun looked at Cagalli with sympathy. "It's just like you said. There are antagonists. That means, life can never really be a fairy tale ending in 'happily ever after'. There will always be people who take pleasure in trampling the wishes of others. They are unavoidable. That's why we have to protect our beliefs and hope they will see things our way."

"....someday?" Cagalli hazarded tentatively but hopefully.

"Yes, someday."

"You really are a mature person, Athrun," commented Cagalli, eyes lighting up with admiration. She smiled at him.

This time, it was Athrun's turn to be stunned. He turned red in the face.

Cagalli suddenly became mindful of the time. She had been following in his wake when she touched his shoulder gently. "Athrun," she called out to him. "I'm fine now. I think it's time we should go back to the convention."

"Are you sure? I was planning to take you to the lounge. "

"No, you don't have to. But, thank you anyway."

"You're welcome," Athrun said.

As the two of them turned back, they were surprised to see two of Cagalli's thickset bodyguards standing there, very casually.

to be continued...