Chapter Three – M "Maria"

"Athrun, are you sure he lives in a place like this?" Nicole spoke in utter disbelief as both boys stood in front of the dark alley in the city.

"Believe it or not. He does." Athrun paused before he spoke again, "Shh…did you hear that?"

The green haired boy stood in silence as he pricked his ear and searched for the sound that Athrun was referring to. Few moments after worth of listening to the dark silence, Nicole heard it for himself. It was faint but still audible. He almost couldn't believe the contradiction that such light and elegant voice would linger in such a dark unknown place. Nicol was in a stance. He was taken in by the beautiful voice and was almost left behind by Athrun, who was impatient to meet his angel. Nicol realized the distance that Athrun had left him and hurried towards his friend before his back vanished into the darkness.

'Maria, there is someone I should love'
'Every person who has ever been hurt'
'As I look around, everyone busily hurries on by'
'I noticed this year too'
'The signs of winter have come very soon'

Athrun remembered, very vividly, their first encounter with each other. He remembered of how the faint voice grew closer and clearer as he moved deeper into the darkness. Everything was so surreal but yet he knew that this was not a dream. The situation was exactly like the previous. It felt like déjà vu. Like how his heart would beat faster when he traveled down the steps and how the dark alley would slowly widen as he travel further in.

And then, he saw him. His Kira.

'Maria, there is someone I should love'
'At times I feel very lonely'
'But my needs are all filled'
'By the person I should love'

His angel sat on one of the rocks as he sang with his eyes closed. His attire still had that similar design. Strangely enough, he was alone. Athrun crept towards Kira slowly so that he wouldn't interrupt his singing. Nicol whispered Athrun's name, with the intentions to ask him why he was behaving like that. Athrun just ignored Nicole as he crept closer, trying his best to minimize the crumbling noises from below his shoes.

'Maria, everyone is crying'
'Maria, I want to believe'
'Maria, I'm praying now
'That this is my final love'
'Beginnings come at random'
'But endings always have a reason'

But of course, Athrun's attempt was useless, as he couldn't quite see his way, much less avoid stepping on the rubble beneath him. Their presence was made known to Kira by the crumbling noises of their footsteps. The young songster slowly opened his eyes when he felt someone nearing him. He turned his head to the direction in which the random crumbling came from and saw a familiar face amongst the blackness.

"Ah, sorry. For disturbing you again…" Athrun said.

Athrun approached Kira, leaving Nicole behind to witness the reunion. Kira gasped in disbelief when he saw the face of that hooded stranger he had met just a day ago. He had thought that he would never see him again. Athrun took the other boy's hands slowly and smiled as he placed Kira's hands on his own chest, thus bringing the both of them in closer proximity. Kira smiled shyly as he looked away from Athrun's eyes.

"It's alright. I was just singing about…you." Kira replied as he lowered his face, slightly embarrassed. His cheeks were almost red.

Kira noticed that Athrun had brought a friend along. He lifted his face to look at the green-haired boy who stood not so far away from them.

"I see you've brought a friend today." Kira looked up at Athrun and smiled, tilting his head slightly. Athrun's jaw dropped, when he realised that he had forgotten his friend. Athrun quickly made up to his temporary amnesia by introducing his friend to Kira.

"Ah, Kira. This is Nicole. And Nicole, this is Kira."

"Hi, Kira." Nicole warmly gave his hand for a shake.

"Pleasure to meet you." Kira smiled in reply.

After chatting for a while, the boys sat around quietly as Kira sang another song. It was more of a mini stage, except that it didn't have proper lighting and props. Their only source of light came from the sunrays, which entered through the broken rooftop. Athrun felt that something else was amiss. That's right, it was the lack of audience. If only Kira could sing in public and have himself his very own performance, he would go rich in no time. Most of all, Kira would be famous.

'Such a great talent wasted… only because of my father.' Athrun thought as he listened to the harmony of Kira's voice.

The two applauded as soon as the songster ended his crooning. Time surely flies and it was almost noon. Nicole just remembered that the both of them must get back to the castle before Miguel returns.

"Hey, Athrun. I think we have to leave."

"What? What time is it?"

"It's almost in the afternoon. Miguel and the others might be on their way back."

Athrun turned his face to Kira. He didn't want to leave him. And he could tell that Kira felt the same way too when he saw Kira looking downcast. Athrun wanted to remain close to his newfound happiness. He didn't want to return to his cold prison and face his uncaring father again.

"Don't worry. You'd better return home."

That's right. Up to this point, Kira was still unaware of Athrun's true identity. But Athrun had promised himself to make things known to Kira one way or the other before it gets complicated. He wants Kira to fully understand how he feels for him. It is a decisive moment for Athrun as he thought about how his father or even, the kingdom would look at him once they found out that the prince had fell in love with none other than a forbidden songster. But he knew that he does not want to give Kira up just because of that. In fact, it was this songster who had gave him hope and light to his sober reality. A songster is just a title but despite all that, Kira was just another person all the same. Athrun could not understand why his father would rule with such discrimination. In Athrun's perspective, everyone is equal. And he couldn't understand why his father had forbade a beautiful art such as singing.

"Nicole." He said. "You go on first. I'll catch up with you later."

Nicole's eyes widened upon hearing Athrun's decision. He opened his mouth to protest when Athrun gave him a stare to silence him. The last thing Athrun wanted was for Kira to know of his true identity. He was afraid that Kira might object to their relationship, once he finds out that Athrun's the prince belonging to a kingdom which had placed a price on the heads of anyone who dares to sing in the city grounds. Athrun did not want these titles to ruin their relationship. Nicole understood immediately what Athrun fears were and nodded in renounce.

Nicole knew the jeopardy that Athrun would be in if he returned later than Miguel did. But at the same time, he knew it would be futile to force Athrun away from Kira. As much as he wished for Athrun's safety, he can't bear to part his dear friend from his happiness.

"Alright. But you better be back soon."

"I will."

With that, Nicole grabbed his cape and led himself out of the alley.

Athrun could see a smile returning to Kira's face. He seemed delighted, knowing that Athrun didn't have to leave just yet. But behind that smile, was a slight glimpse of guilt. Kira didn't mean to be selfish. From what it had appeared to be, the boy had a home to return to and a family to take care of. And from the looks of it, Athrun must go home on a stipulated time. Kira was curious why Athrun had broken the stipulation and did not return with Nicole.

"So, tell me." Kira said, "Why didn't you want to go back?"

His voice was almost as soft as a whisper. There was a glint of concern in it too. He slowly wrapped his arm around Athrun's and leaned closer to him. Athrun moved to face him and placed his hands on the other boy's cheeks, caressing it gently.

"Because…" he said, "I felt…that some part of me is missing."

Athrun found himself stammering a little. He felt strange to be reciting such words to someone he had just met. But somehow, he felt a connection between Kira and himself. It was like joining together two pieces of a broken stone; it fits perfectly into each other, forming one complete mass.

On the other hand, Kira had felt the same way too. He could also feel that connection when they first met. It was like as if they were born to be with each other. Two hearts, one love, Kira knew exactly what Athrun meant. He slowly raised his arms and laid his dainty finger on Athrun's warm lips.

"Kira…"

Athrun leaned forward, closing up the proximity between both their faces. Their lips were just a few inches apart. He hesitated at first, afraid that his actions might hurt the songster. Nevertheless, it's always polite to ask.

"May I?"

Kira gave his reply by lounging forward, wrapping his arms around his neck and crushing Athrun's lips with his. Athrun was in deep shock, as he did not expect this to happen at all. But soon, he realized that Kira had accepted his feelings wholeheartedly and wished to take things a level higher, as much as he did. With that in mind, he finally closed his eyes and slid his arms to the back of his lover, pulling Kira's slim body closer to his and accepting the kiss. After a moment of joint lips, Kira pulled away and pressed his lips lightly against Athrun's ear, whispering softly.

"I am your other piece, Athrun…"

Athrun flushed and smiled upon hearing those words. They were so sweet. Never in his life had anyone voiced out such words to him. He never had any love this sincere for as long as he could remember. Athrun felt a sting in his eyes as a lump gathered in his throat. There was just no other way he could express his feelings right now. The tears that gathered in the rim of his eyes threatened to fall. The prince, who had put up a strong front all this while, broke down in tears as he tightened his embrace on his precious love. Never had Athrun felt so fragile before

Note: Ayumi Hamasaki performed the song "M"