Author's Note: The rewrite for Chapter 12 is here!! WEEE!! Hope it was better than the original!!
Chapter 12
Burning Candles
Dripping rain down the windows…
A cold shiver through the apartment…
Sitting by the fireplace…
Crying his eyes out…
Tears speedily running down his cheeks…
His dark brown bangs hovering over his violet eyes…
The fire crackling and his head perks up…
A door slowly creaks open…
And his sister appears.
-----
On the plane back to Japan, Kira remembered the comical words of Mwu La Flaga coursing through his mind.
"Now, now, we're not shoving you out of the US and pretending we don't know anything. We're just saying you don't need to worry about it anymore!!" Mwu joked on the phone as Kira ran his hands through his hair.
"I know, but-"
"Enough with the buts, you and Lacus always insisting. It's getting annoying! I swear if you two weren't together…I'd say…."
"Say what?!" Kira blushed, luckily no one was around.
"Forget it, just tell Lacus both of you can go back home. I'm sure your girlfriend misses you, Yamato. Go play!" Mwu sneered.
"MWU!!" Kira yelled as he heard the dial tone and let the phone slip from his fingers. Sighing, he grumbled. "…unusually happy for such a busy man."
So here he was, ready and waiting to go to Japan. So many hours to go…yet it felt like so little time was passing. Lacus took a small glance at Kira, but then a sad thought came to her mind. Once they return, the fantasy that Lacus had been currently living in would now vanish. She slowly remembered what Kira had said to her just the night before they fell asleep. A tear slowly escaped her eye.
Tired from their little events, Kira pulled the covers over them and checked the clock. Lacus stared blankly at the ceiling.
"You know after we get back…we can never be like this, right?" Kira turned to her, she didn't even take a glance at him. She simply nodded. Kira sighed as he stroked her hair. "We have to look as if nothing happened…we have to just go back as …"
"…friends," Lacus groaned out. It was something she had heard many times especially when she talked to herself at night when she was a bit younger. "Fllay would get suspicious if we were being too friendly with each other, you can't forget that either, Kira."
"Lacus…I'd just like to say…"
"This
has been the best vacation ever," she laughed and Kira laughed
along with her.
"Right."
Lacus sniffed as she let another tear slip. Bringing her blanket over her, Lacus sniveled again like a little child. She didn't want to let Kira go at all. She wanted her vacation to continue. She was hoping that Kira would let Fllay go…but she wanted Fllay to be happy as well. She, in fact, respected Kira's decision. She wasn't mad at all for some reason. She was…almost…glad. Letting sleep take her, Kira's face immediately engulfed her dreams.
-----
Cagalli debated with herself on whether or not she should go pick up Kira and she turned to Athrun who was still hastily organizing Lacus' papers. He was almost finished, though, he was already near to the bottom of the trunk.
"He'll be calling in about thirty minutes…should we leave?" Cagalli tapped her fingers against the cold desk. The remembrance of Athrun and Kira's argument played within her mind.
"Whatever, don't really care, I have to finish this first. I heard that Fllay wanted to pick up, Kira, though. So we'll just be taking Lacus if I'm not mistaken," Athrun speedily grabbed three papers at a time and stacked them all in the same pile, not caring any longer, knowing he had enough to convince Kira that Fllay was not the one for him.
"You know what's funny, Athrun?" Cagalli leaned back against her chair and gazed at the pale yellow ceiling.
"Enlighten me," he said sarcastically.
"We don't want to accept Fllay … if she was to be made part of my family, I wouldn't accept her. If I think about it anymore, I haven't been very fair to the girl," she sat up, looking more intelligent then she would let on, and…she smiled. "Maybe we should give Fllay a chance. A chance to prove to us that she's worthy to Kira's love."
Athrun instantly dropped his papers and snapped his head around to face her. "You actually consider it?"
"What? You won't? That's not like you, Athrun."
"No, not that," he turned away and slowed his pace on filing the papers. "It's just that…usually, you wouldn't accept anyone who would approach Kira besides Lacus. It's nice to see that you've grown up even more over the years. It's either that or because you need to be calm for the baby," Athrun laughed. Cagalli bent over down to Athrun from her chair.
"And what exactly are you trying to imply, Athrun Zala?"
He chuckled as he stacked one last paper and reached full height. "Oh, nothing, Ms. Cagalli Yula Athha."
----
Running out of the airport, Kira twirled Fllay around as her red hair swirled around her as Lacus watched behind a pillar, her face shadowing her watery eyes. She sniffed as the press swarmed the joyous couple as they both stumbled into the car. The press soon disappeared and Lacus re-entered out into the open sun as she was welcomed with the light breeze of Japan once again. A car pulled up in front of her and there was Athrun and Cagalli giving her half smiles.
She laughed to herself. They must've seen her hiding behind the pillar.
Stepping into the car, she closed the door gently and greeted her friends with another false smile. "Nice to be back."
"It's nice to have you back," Athrun said staring into his mirror as he started the car and they were off.
----
Kira was sitting happily in the long black limo of Fllay Allster who was cuddling onto his arm and rubbing against it like a little kitty. She smiled at him with the brightest smile Kira had ever seen from her.
"I missed you sooooo much…"
"Really?" Kira laughed.
"Yes…it felt like a million years…"
"Fllay, you're starting to sound like those 70's movies where they get all dramatic and corny," Kira sighed. "What have you been eating?"
"Apparently nothing. Did you hear about my father while you were gone?" Fllay pouted. "He's dead."
Kira frowned as he began petting Fllay's head. "Unfortunately, yes. I should've been with you. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's fine. You're here now, that's what counts, right?" Fllay giggled halfheartedly but then her smile turned into a slightly evil grin. "With me only…" and she lowered her voice, "…and not with Lacus Clyne."
"Fllay?" Kira blinked as he looked toward her. "Did you say something?"
She looked up at him. "Nothing, Kira…"
----
The rode to Lacus' house had been completely silent since both Cagalli and Athrun knew she wasn't exactly feeling herself. They helped her with her bags as they made their way into the giant mansion past a few a stairs and they found Siegel Clyne in his high chair drinking coffee and reading the Sunday paper like the typical father. He grinned at his approaching daughter as he took another sip of his mug, put down his paper, and rushed toward her to give her a hug.
"How was the trip?" Siegel smiled. "My guess is everything went according to plan?"
Lacus nodded. "Yes, Kira's going home with Fllay now and Mwu says that he'll contact us if anything happens to pop up. Other than that, we're completely clean."
Siegel looked a bit disappointed as he saw Cagalli and Athrun come up behind her. "Uh, well…Lacus, what happened with Kira?"
"He's going home with Fllay," she replied with 'as a matter of fact' tone.
"But…didn't you … I mean … Athrun…" Siegel looked toward the blue-haired man and his wife but they both shook their heads. Athrun managed to mouth, "He's chosen Fllay."
Siegel frowned and looked toward his daughter who continued to smile. He placed a firm hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him innocently. "What is it?"
"He chose Fllay, I presume?" Siegel shrugged at Lacus who continued to smile, holding back what would've shown any pain at all. She nodded slowly and cringing slightly she sighed, her voice shaking.
"He said he'd call later."
Siegel sighed as he patted her shoulder. "Wonderful."
"He'd call to tell me why he had to be with Fllay and not me," Lacus laughed spreading a shocked look over the three other faces in the room. Athrun looked toward Cagalli who was absolutely furious! What the hell was wrong with her little brother?! She looked around for a phone when she saw Lacus moving toward the stairs.
"Lacus, come back here! I'm going to call –"
"Please leave them alone. Fllay's probably rejoicing with him at this very moment. I wish it not to be ruined," Lacus smiled at her as she dragged her stuff up the stairs and to her room.
"Don't use fancy talk with me, Lacus! GET-"
"Cagalli, I think that's enough," Athrun said, calming his anger. "I think maybe…Lacus is right."
"What?!" Cagalli shrieked as she swerved around to face him. "What are you talking about?!"
"Look, Lacus just wants…she'd …" Athrun scratched his head, unable to explain his thoughts and then Siegel looked toward him with a laugh. Athrun stared at him nervously. "Maybe you could…"
"She just wants Kira to be happy," Siegel laughed.
Cagalli stared at them both still slightly confused and angry. "Happy? Even if it means…she has to be…but…that's not …"
"It may not be fair, but that's what she wants. There's nothing else we can do about it," Athrun sighed heavily, holding Cagalli's shoulder. "If Lacus wants Kira to be happy even if it means she can't be happy. I guess that's the only way it can be if Kira chooses to stay this way. I just hope it won't come to that. Lacus has already suffered too much to suffer anymore."
"That little…" Cagalli stomped her foot on the marble floor and at that precise moment, the phone rang. Lacus was already in her room and she looked toward her bedside table and her eyes widened at the ringing phone.
"Kira," Lacus gasped out as she leaped for the phone as she heard a cry of 'Die' downstairs from Cagalli and picked it up. "Hello?"
"LACUS! GIVE ME THE DAMN PHONE!" Cagalli roared from below. Of course, she could just grab a phone from the downstairs but Siegel would not allow her to. She'd have to get Lacus off the phone first.
"L-Lacus…you're home already?" Kira laughed as he leaned back on the outside of the Allster walls.
Lacus smiled, "Yes. Athrun and Cagalli drove me."
Kira immediately jumped into a straight position. "H-How come they didn't say hi to me?"
"You just jumped in the car with Fllay, how were they supposed to? Not to mention all those reporters…" Lacus' voice slowly drawled out. "You didn't even give them a hi…neither did you give me a goodbye."
Kira scratched his head as he began staring up at the sky and went back into his leaning position on the wall. "I hope Cagalli isn't too mad…"
Lacus slowly peered out her door and saw Cagalli shaking Athrun dangerously as Siegel laughed at the two. "Uhh…well…not really…"
"I'll drop by there later, Fllay wants me to do something for her. How'd dinner sound?" Kira said as he stood up straight and began walking down the long path toward the front door of the mansion.
"But don't you have to have dinner with Fllay? After all, it is your first day back," Lacus said as she opened her luggage revealing several piles of folded clothes.
"Ah…right…would it be alright if I brought her along? She said she wanted to talk to your father."
Lacus hesitated before saying yes and sighed. "Alright. How does 7:30 sound?"
"Great, I'll tell Fllay."
"Okay, bye Kira."
"Bye."
----
A dancing fire that flickered as Lacus gazed at it, almost hypnotized by its soft scent filling her with a calm peace until she heard the doorbell ring and she looked up from her place at the dinner table. She looked toward her father, to the maids, and then to Cagalli and Athrun who looked at her with a bright smile as Athrun mouthed, "Good luck."
Breathing deeply, Lacus got out of her seat and walked toward the door and slowly opened it. She had told the maids to stay put as to simply welcome them and she would be the host, opening the door for herself.
"Welcome," Lacus said smiling brightly as she saw the Allster's head butler, the first one to be at the door. He smiled brightly back at Lacus.
"Thanks for having us, Ms. Clyne, especially on your first day back," the old man began as he slightly turned around. "Fllay! Kira! Hurry out of the car now!"
Lacus peered over his shoulder to see a very giggly Fllay and a bright red Kira. She cringed slightly and then brought back her painful smile. She looked toward the butler who had suddenly disappeared and then she looked back and saw that he was heading for his father and they were now talking casually as Athrun and Cagalli also made their way to him.
"Move aside, Lacus!!" Fllay hollered as she shoved her to the side and Kira came in behind her and laughed nervously at Lacus and then continued walking inside.
Fllay seemed…drunk. She had all the signs, she was loud…rowdy and damn right ten times snobbier than she usually was.
Kira made his way to Athrun and Cagalli and gave his sister a big hug while also receiving a weak punch in the stomach. He grunted as he looked up to Athrun who grinned widely at him.
"Hi to you, too," Kira managed to get out while trying to get his breath back.
"Don't even say hi to your own sister! I feel loved!" Cagalli glared playfully.
"Hey! You know I had…"
"A girlfriend, I know…" Cagalli sighed. She began to pretend to tear up. "My little brother's all grown up…I think I'm gonna cry!!"
"Cagalli!!" Kira puffed. Athrun laughed at the two.
"How was the trip, Kira?" he shrugged as they shook hands.
Kira smiled as he took a slight glance at Lacus who turned red and looked away as Kira looked back to Athrun who was staring at him suspiciously. "Fine."
"Did something go on…between you and …" Athrun coughed, "Eh-hem…"
Kira shook his head childishly. "What would give you that idea?"
"Nothing," Athrun said as he turned his head to the side and sat back in his chair next to Cagalli. Lacus also took her seat next to Athrun and as Kira was about to take a seat next to Kira, Fllay rushed into the scene and plopped into the chair blowing raspberry at Kira as he sighed and took the seat next to her. Fllay turned to Lacus and smirked at her. Lacus only smiled.
The butler laughed at her childish behavior and bowed his head apologetically toward Siegel.
"I'm sorry about the mistress, she mistakened the wine bottle for the apple cider in the car. She loves apple cider, you see," he shrugged.
Siegel smiled. "It's alright. I think we can all live with it. Right?" he took a glance at everyone and Athrun and Cagalli nodded, but as he looked toward Lacus, it seemed that she had lost her gaze into the candles again. "Lacus?"
"Huh, what? Oh, right, yes, of course," Lacus said recovering as quickly as she could.
"Lacus, is something the matter? Maybe you should go rest, we did just have a long flight," Kira said as he peered over at her.
Lacus shook her head at him. "I'm completely fine."
"But Lacus…" Kira started until Fllay swerved her drunken head at him and pointed a finger at him.
"LOOK! If the girl says she's okay, leave her alone! Got that?!" she hiccupped.
"R-Right," Kira laughed.
Lacus sighed heavily as she turned toward her empty plate. She looked up at her father. "Maybe I should turn in. I've lost my apetite all of a sudden."
"I hope it wasn't Fllay's fault, Ms. Clyne. I'm terribly sorry if it was," the butler said as he took a glance at his daughter who gave him a smug look.
"No, of course not. I just had a big snack awhile ago…and I'm a bit sleepy," Lacus laughed. "Well, then, Good night."
"Good night," the group chorused until Kira stared toward his plate and then back to Lacus. He was a bit hungry, but he couldn't just leave without having a proper conversation with her.
"I was wondering if I could borrow Kira for just a moment. I'd like to have a word with him before I take my leave," Lacus said politely as she stood at the bottom of the stairs.
"I'm sure you could tell everyone, just say it!" Fllay said as she slammed her elbow down onto the table.
"Actually, I have to say something as well," Kira began as he stared toward everyone. "If you wouldn't mind…"
"Of course, Kira," Siegel laughed. "Go ahead."
"Are you sure?"
"We'll be fine," Siegel waved him off. "We'll leave some food for you, don't worry."
"Thank you," Kira said as he slowly got out of his seat and followed Lacus up the stairs and to her room.
"It's probably just about the book," Siegel shrugged. "Nothing to worry about, dear Fllay."
Fllay glared at Lacus' back and continued to stare until the door closed behind them. "It better be."
-----
Lacus stood in the middle of her room, trying to remember what she had been rehearsing in the mirror for two hours when Kira grabbed her from behind and started tickling her sides.
"Stop being so serious!" Kira laughed as she began giggling madly.
"Get off! Get off!!" Lacus screamed as quietly as she could and she managed to pry herself out of his reach. "I was trying to tell you something! Honestly!!"
"All I did was tickle a bit! No harm done!" Kira laughed.
"Fine, fine, well…anyway…" Lacus sighed as she then looked back up at him. "Kira, the events that happened in San Francisco, we have already agreed to never mention those again, correct??"
Kira nodded. "Yes."
"But how are we supposed to forget everything that happened there?"
Kira's eyes widened. That' s right…how were they …
"I mean … Kira … you know how much I care about you …and I want us to still be friends with you … but I can't just look at you the same anymore…" Lacus bit her lip. "I just can't and I'm terribly sorry if this disturbs you … " Kira slowly stroked the side of her cheek as she turned away from his palm.
"KIRA! YOUR FOOD!!" Fllay shrieked as Kira nearly jumped at the sound of her voice. He looked back at the door and then returned to face Lacus who had turned around and was heading for her drawers.
"Go to her. It's what you wanted, right? To be with her?" Lacus said dully as she began picking out her pajamas.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind staying here for a bit," Kira said scratching his head.
"But you said—"
"Lacus, what I meant when I said that is…well…" Kira cleared his throat a bit and coughed and Lacus turned around to look at him. "I meant that I just…couldn't leave her alone. The day when I met her…she looked so vulnerable…and I couldn't allow that. After her father died…you can't just … let someone like her go out into the world without anyone to come back to. She's all alone, you have to understand that."
"So you're only being with her out of sympathy and pity, is that it? It's not exactly what I would call nice, Kira," Lacus said as she looked around for her brush.
"No, of course not! That's just mean!"
"Well, then what would you call what you're doing now?"
"Uhh…well…"
"Precisely."
"But Lacus…if I could…I would be with you…but Fllay…not after going through so much, I just can't…I can't throw her away to…to…Ssigh Argyle!"
Lacus turned around to him and stared at him hard. He froze in his spot. "Then that is what you call love, Kira Yamato. So go to your girlfriend and show her that you care!"
Seeing the pain he had placed in Lacus' sapphire eyes, Kira could barely turn around to leave. It was painful for him, too. So he didn't move at all.
"Didn't you hear me? I said LEAVE! GET OUT!" Lacus cried out as she marched her way toward him. "OUT!"
"No," Kira exhaled as he looked down at her.
"GET OUT!!" Lacus screamed.
"Damn it! NO!" Kira yelled out as he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her before she could yell for the maids.
----
"What's taking Kira and Lacus so long?" Fllay breathed out as she stared at the maids around the table.
"I've seen the report for Kira's story. It's quite confusing. It makes sense that they would take this long," Siegel lied with a nervous chuckle.
"His food's getting cold," Fllay sighed.
"They'll be back soon, Fllay," Cagalli said, trying to be as nice as possible.
"They better be…" Fllay sighed out again.
Athrun blinked at the movements and the reactions to the girl. She wasn't … as bad as he thought she was. Well, for now.
"Ms. Fllay, are you alright? Should we take our leave?" her butler said as his mustache ruffled.
Fllay looked toward him and then sat up straight. "No, no, never mind me."
----
Immediately, Lacus aimed for a slap right on the cheek but Kira caught her hand and she gasped lightly.
"You bastard," Lacus growled angrily through gritted teeth. "How dare you…"
"Why do things have to be like this, Lacus? Why can't we be friends again?"
"Because we can't! Not now!"
"Why? Because you said so?!" Kira glared.
"Ding! Ding! Ding! Bingo! What took you so long?" Lacus said crossing her arms.
"This is ridiculous!" Kira cried out, holding her firmly on the shoulders. "Lacus, we can still be friends. There was no contract we signed saying we couldn't."
Lacus looked behind him and away. She winced at the slight pain she was inflicting on herself as she pinched her wrist. Calming down and her adrenaline slowly dying, she looked up at him with the smile he knew best. "Fine."
Kira blinked at her. "That was fast."
Lacus laughed lightly. "I just feel like being kind all of a sudden. Alright."
Kira hugged her suddenly and Lacus hugged him back. "Great!"
Lacus laughed again. This was….the only way she could ever see Kira…her friend and nothing else.
----
To summarize all the horrible happenings that were to come next in this sad tale is that Kira changed, more than anyone expected. In fact, he forgot about his friends completely. He turned into…a male version of Fllay in other words. He was snobbish, inconsiderate, and downright selfish.
But besides the changes in Kira, there were other events…some expected while others were not.
Lacus had the worst surprise of her life.
She was pregnant.
Hiding it from the press and Kira was one of the most difficult jobs she had to undergo. She had to demote herself to a lower stature and hand Nicol Amarfi her job as executive as being one of her most trusted employees.
Athrun and Cagalli had their child and it was a boy named Tsubasa, rough and tough Cagalli, but sweet and cute like his father. Lacus called it the perfect combination for a boy.
But Lacus' child …her name was Erika and everyone thought it was a wonderful name. But the resemblance to Kira was almost too much for Lacus to bear.
Besides the surprise pregnancy, Lacus' father…Siegel Clyne passed away during that course of time. Well, the media called it passing away but in fact…he was assassinated. The killer only known to dear Lacus, who was unfortunate to witness it.
They say in a decade you can go through so much…but what if a simple four years could sum it all up?
Just go to Lacus Clyne. She's stuck with her own child, lost her love, lost her father, and lost her heart. Is there anything else she could lose?
Four Years Later
Another rainy day…
Does it ever shine on Japan anymore?
Does it ever shine?
Don't you wonder…
Will it ever shine?
Will a glimmer of sunlight reach Japan once more?
It had been so long since the citizens had felt the warmth of the sun upon their cheeks. Floods had been reported everywhere, the sewers were filled with water, and now engulfing the city. It did shine from time to time, but those few moments did not last for very long. There was a day when the water had been over four feet high and everyone was in boats as everywhere was closed. It was like work and school no longer existed.
And so the rain continued to pour.
Tip…tip…tip…
Raindrops on Lacus Clyne's office windows as she pressed her palm against the cool glass sighing heavily as she stared to the side of her at her beautiful Erika who now knew how to walk and talk. She turned around to her with a smile and brought her up in her arms swinging her around. Erika's hair now flew past her shoulders as Erika screamed, "Again! Again!" But Lacus knew better as she settled her back down and ran her hands through her soft dark brown hair. Her beautiful violet eyes stared back at her mother's sapphire eyes with glee as she clapped her hands together and reached for her mother's touch again.
Lacus laughed as she stared out into the rain and picked up little Erika again. Pointing her fingers at the window, Erika giggled.
"Rain! Rain!" she yelped out.
"Yes, Erika, rain…and lots of it…" she sighed heavily as Erika tried to turn around and smiled again at her mother.
"Mommy! Mommy!" she pointed at Lacus with an open mouth as her small teeth showed. Lacus bent down her head and pressed her forehead against the three-year old and she shook her head as Erika followed, continuing to giggle.
They both laughed after as Lacus began swinging her around once again until her speaker phone went on.
"Ms. Clyne, your 3 o'clock is here," her new secretary said as Lacus walked over with Erika in her arms and pressed the red button.
"Send them in," she cleared her throat as she settled Erika on her desk. Even though it was unprofessional to keep a child at a probable important meeting, Lacus didn't have much of a choice. With all the years that Erika had stayed in Lacus' office, she knew how to behave.
So the door opened. And Kira Yamato entered…
----
You told me you would never come back
You told me we could never be more than friends
You told me
That you had to protect her
You told me
That we simply could not be together
----
Lacus widened her eyes as she saw him enter, her heart beat went a million times faster as she plopped in her chair with her hands folded on her desk. She did her best to not seem upset with him until Kira sat in front of her with a dignified look. Lacus could imagine how he had changed over the years. Fllay had changed him definitely. What surprised her the most was when he didn't react to Erika, but Erika reacted to him.
She turned around as he looked away from her little toy and her eyes widened in happiness as she somehow plopped off the desk and rounded about to Kira, jumping happily. She pointed at him wildly, so unlike her usual behavior.
"Mr. Yamato! Mr. Yamato!!" she jumped up and down giggling again and Kira smiled down at her as he picked her up.
"Yes, Erika, good," he chuckled as he rustled her hair and she puffed a face at him.
"Hey!! Mommy! Hair!!" she glared at Kira and jumped off him and stomped away as Lacus carried her back onto the desk. Lacus brought out a brush and immediately, Erika took it and stroked it down her hair.
"I see she likes to be well-groomed," Kira remarked as he turned his attention back to Lacus. "Shall we get down to business?"
Lacus ignored him as she settled her hands around Erika's hair. "Hold on, sweetie, let me fix it…" she curled the ends just like Erika liked it and straightened her dark brown bangs as Kira watched, uncomfortable when he was just being ignored. He tapped his fingers impatiently on his knee as Lacus and Erika continued to play, both laughing as Lacus high-fived her daughter as Erika swung her legs back and forth as she sat with her face invisible to Kira.
"Is she really your daughter?" he asked boredly with his head resting on his fist. Lacus gave him a slightly annoyed look.
"You care, why?" she tried to hold in her anger as much as she could, both sad and furious at Kira's neglection to the resemblance between Erika and himself. Lacus turned to a newspaper on her desk after making a remark to Kira and then looked up at him again. "So when are you and Fllay going to tie the knot? It has been over four years now," she remarked rudely as she folded her hands nearly snapping her fingers as her anger was beginning to make her blood boil.
Kira sighed, looking cocky…must've inherited it from Fllay as he stared up to the ceiling. "Ohh…I'm not so sure…she has been…difficult lately…so many meetings…always busy…I have bought a ring…oh, speaking of rings…" he sat up from his lazy position as he grabbed something out of his pocket.
It was silver, circular, and shiny. He threw it on her desk, the clanking brought Erika's attention as she stared amazed at it. Lacus raised an eyebrow. "It was a gift, Mr. Yamato, if I remember correctly."
Kira simply turned away and scoffed. "I don't want it anymore. You can have it back," he waved it off like a little brat.
With that Lacus swiped the silver ring and cleaned it, taking out a small string from her desk, she tied it for another necklace. Kira eyed her carefully from the corner of his eye.
"I already told you, I don't want it," he remarked again but she did not look at him. He looked so spiteful, sitting there like a rude moronic idiot who thought he was rich because he had a multi-millionaire girlfriend.
"Whoever said I was giving it to you?" she had a scowl on her face as she turned to Erika and her expression immediately changed to a happy smile. "Erika…" Erika continued to gaze at the ring. It intrigued her highly. "I have a present for you…" Lacus laughed as she placed it around her neck. "Do not lose it, alright?" Erika nodded as she played with the ring and continued to stare. Kira snickering was heard in the background as both Erika and Lacus gave him a stare.
"What's so funny, Mr. Yamato?" Lacus asked him rudely, disgusted.
"Look, Mr. Yamato! Mommy gave me a gift!"
"Delighted," he said unenthusiastically as Erika frowned and jumped off the desk to hide under it. Lacus worriedly peered her head under and Erika had her arms crossed with a sad puppy look.
"It's alright, Erika…don't worry. How about we get some pizza later?" Lacus smiled and Erika immediately brightened up.
"Pepp---pepp…peppazoni! No…peppa…pepp…" she struggled to say the words as Lacus laughed and patted her head.
"Pepperoni, Erika, say it, pepperoni."
"Pepps…peppurrrr…oneeee…" she fussed with the sounds as Kira looked at his watch.
"Can we hurry this up? I have somewhere to be," he gave a fake yawn. Lacus plopped back into her seat and slammed her fists down.
"Fine, what do you want?" she flared as Kira pulled out a manila folder from his sweater.
"Just read it over…print it…go have fun…I think it's not as good as my other ones…but well…must be another best seller, right?" he got up and skid his chair back as Lacus became even more spiteful of the man with every lasting second.
"I wouldn't count on it," she muttered angrily stuffing it to the bottom of her pile of papers. Kira turned around slightly to face her.
"Say something?"
"Of course not!" she shrieked out perkily as Kira slammed the door behind him shut and strutted down the hallway whistling with his hands in his pockets. All of Lacus' closest assistants knew the truth about Erika and glared at him with disgust and pity. Many mumbling remarks at him but he didn't seem to hear it. His head was in the clouds of stupidity.
----
Changing from person to person…
You are no longer you..
What
happened to you?
Tell me…
Why did you change?
----
"Hey, baby," Kira laughed as he gave Fllay a kiss on the cheek. She had grown taller over the years and she had an unusual liking for the color, dark red. They were in the comfort of their own home as Kira plopped on the couch as Fllay giggled happily, her hair still as long as ever as she twirled onto his lap and they began kissing uncontrollably. They recently had a new addition to their staff of maids…and you'll never guess who…
Yzak walked in on their make-out session as he glared at the two, also a little angry about Kira not knowing about Erika. He slammed the two pots in hand together and both Fllay and Kira were forced to stare at him.
How Yzak got this job was one of the worst days of his life … all he did was put something in the comments box when they asked what they thought of the boss …
"What the hell was that for?" Fllay flared at him, her red lips thinning to a red line. "Can't you see we're busy?!" she snapped at Yzak who was unmoved by her words.
"Sorry, ma'am," he coughed, "but you have thirteen messages and twelve important documents that came in," he coughed again, "Shouldn't you be going to check on them?" he coughed once more. Fllay crossed her eyes at him and scowled. She returned and looked sweetly at Kira.
"I'll be back," she kissed him again and trudged away, her red heels clacking against the white marble leaving little black marks. Yzak glared at the black marks. He had just cleaned those tile floors!!
"Couldn't you just of told her later?" Kira sighed as he looked out into space. Yzak swung to stare at the twenty-three year old writer.
"Sorry, but the offices told me that they were urgent," Yzak lied.
"Whatever, just go," Kira groaned as he stretched out his legs on the black leather couch with the back of his hand pressed against his forehead.
"Asshole," Yzak coughed as he turned away.
"Whatever you say," Kira turned on his side. Yzak stopped for a moment until Kira took another glance at him.
"What?" he asked annoyed.
"Why don't you go see your sister?" Yzak began walking away as Kira sat up abruptly. Yzak stopped feeling the stare of Kira as he turned back around. "You haven't gone to see them in ages."
"How do you know her?" Kira raised an eyebrow.
"I just know the husband," Yzak said as he walked away.
----
The untrue words
Words left unspoken
Words that shouldn't of been said
Words…
That should no longer matter.
----
The group had been enjoying a wonderful party for little Tsubasa as he was now turning five-years old. Many of Tsubasa's friends from daycare had come including family all-around.
"Hey! Hey!!!" Athrun hugged Lacus as she entered the room with party favors and presents in hand as Erika rushed inside to go play with her cousin. Lacus had told little Erika that she was related to the blue-haired, brown-eyed, frisky boy, but she would never tell Erika the reason why. But Lacus knew she would have to tell Erika the news when she would get older. But for now, Lacus wanted to enjoy her time with her Kira-look alike.
"Lacus," A firm hand was felt on Lacus' shoulder as she swerved around to face the familiar face of Cagalli Yula Athha, her hair nearly as long as Lacus. Cagalli smiled brightly at the pink-haired maiden.
Lacus hugged Cagalli and without words, they nodded at each other as they headed for the living room.
The room was filled with rushing children, screaming, and yelling. Although Erika was much quieter than most four-year olds. Cagalli laughed as she crossed her arms and glanced at Lacus.
"What have you been teaching that girl?! She should be running around as well! Look at these animals!" she said as she leaned to the side on the wall.
Lacus shrugged at her remark as she called Tsubasa over. "I just treated her the way my father treated me." With that sentence, the expression on Lacus' face immediately saddened and Cagalli knew precisely why. But before she could even speak, she watched as Lacus bent down to Tsubasa's height. "Happy Birthday, Tsu-Tsu," she rustled his hair and Tsubasa gave her a hug.
"Thank you, Auntie Lacus!" he laughed happily as he zoomed back across the room. The expression on Lacus' face was surprised and shocked as she took a strange look at Cagalli.
"You told him?!"
"Of course not!! I just told him to always call you auntie," Cagalli winked as she and Lacus crossed the room and sneaked upstairs unknowingly to Athrun. They both closed the door and sat down on the bed.
"How have you been holding up?" Cagalli smiled as she grabbed a folder from under the pillows. Lacus gritted her teeth, to tell Cagalli the truth, would just make her worry.
"Fine."
"Wrong. Truth, please," Cagalli glared as Lacus' defense of lies dissipated and her tears returned. She could not say anything as the tears slowly slid down her cheeks with no one saying a word. There was a long silence as her tears like out of nowhere continued to flow.
Another pause and Lacus finally spoke.
She grinned widely as she sniffed and laughed, "He's such an ass now." Cagalli blinked and pointed at Lacus surprised.
"You said ass…that's a first."
Lacus laughed again. "Well, he isn't exactly sweet."
"Can't disagree with you on that one."
"CAGALLI! Could you get the door? I'm busy!!!" Athrun's voice rang out through the house as Cagalli shook her head with a sigh and ran downstairs with Lacus behind her.
Without looking through the eyehole, she opened it and with a look of disgust she slammed it right back.
"That little … he dares show his face here?!" Cagalli growled as Lacus stared at her blankly, confused.
"Who?" she blinked as she approached the door and re-opened it. Turning around to see who it was…she choked and without knowing it herself, she slapped him.
"What the hell was that for?!" the voice raged as Kira entered the room while rubbing his cheek.
"Cagalli, who is it?!" Athrun rushed in wiping his hands with a white towel in hand. Athrun immediately scowled. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"What? No welcome for your brother-in-law?" Kira said as he stared around the house. "So this is where you live now…" he looked back at Athrun and Cagalli. "How come I wasn't invited?"
"Why would you want to come anyway? You're too busy with Fllay!" Cagalli snapped, ready to blow.
Kira walked inside, looking around until Erika came rushing over to him. "Hi, Mr. Yamato!!" she giggled as she danced around him. Athrun and Cagalli took a stare over to Lacus ad she shrugged. Cagalli and Athrun then looked at each other, Erika seemed to have a strange liking for Kira, a man she barely knew.
"Hi, Erika," Kira bent down uncomfortably as Erika took out something from her jean pocket and handed Kira a piece of chocolate.
"Welcome to the party!! You want to meet my cousin? It's his birthday!!" she giggled again as she grabbed Kira by the arm and dragged him to the playroom.
"Cousin?" he drawled as he took a slight glance at Lacus who turned away. Cagalli rushed inside to make sure nothing would happen as Athrun stayed behind for Lacus.
"You know he can find out now right? You did tell Erika to call Cagalli, auntie."
"I know…and right now I'm regretting that," she looked up again and reminded herself of the promise she made. She rushed into the room. "ERIKA! Let's go! Mommy has to work!"
"Aww…but mommy, I wanted to introduce Mr. Yamato to Tsu-Tsu! Please??" Erika rushed inside, still dragging Kira around with her who looked beyond worn out by the little rascal.
"No, we're going home," she gathered her things and motioned Erika to come over. Erika looked so confused.
"But usually mommy is happy to see Mr. Yamato…does mommy not like Mr. Yamato anymore?" Erika frowned as she let go of Kira who stood up tiredly until he noticed the look on Lacus' face. His old self was slowly returning…it was all in Lacus…
Lacus gritted her teeth as she bent down to Erika who came over and in a quiet voice she spoke to her daughter. "It's not that I don't like Mr. Yamato…" she took a small stare at Kira who widened his eyes at her as she looked at Erika again. "You'll understand when you get older, alright?"
"No…I want to know, tell her," Kira ordered as he bent down to hear. Lacus took Erika by the hand and Erika obediently followed until Athrun stepped in.
"Hold on, Lacus…we haven't even blown the cake yet, Tsu-Tsu would be disappointed if Erika wasn't there," Athrun approached her cautiously as Lacus gave him a solemn look and looked down at Erika was giving puppy eyes and then turned to Cagalli.
"You taught her, didn't you?" Lacus sighed. Cagalli winked. "Fine, go ahead, Erika."
Erika leaped up for joy and began dragging Kira to the room once again. Jumping up and down, she pulled Tsu-Tsu away from his friends.
His blue hair had become filled with party streamers and his white blouse was covered in chocolate milk stains. His brown eyes blinked at Kira's violet ones. "Who's this?" he blinked again as he stared at Erika who was smiling happily.
"His name is Kira Yamato! But mommy tells me to call him Mr. Yamato!" Erika laughed.
"Actually, Erika, you can just call me Kira if you want," he scratched his head as Erika nodded.
"Kira, this is my cousin, Tsu-Tsu! He's turning five! I'll be turning five too…we're only seven months apart!!" she twirled around as Tsubasa glared at her.
"Stop being so girly!!" he remarked with a waving finger.
"Eh? Why? Tsubasa acts like a girl sometimes!! Like that when you wore my ribbons, remember?"
"That's because mommy made me!" Tsubasa retaliated with a waving finger.
Erika crossed her arms. "Yeah, right! You liked it!" She then turned to Kira. "Don't you think?"
Tsubasa stepped in front of Erika angrily. "Don't listen to him!! HE'S MEAN!! I've seen his pictures and whenever mommy looks at him, she always—"
"Okay, that's enough, children!!!" Cagalli tugged Tsubasa by the shirt and brought him to the other side of the room as she looked down on Erika. "You too, Erika, let's go. It's cake time!"
The children screamed to the other side of the room as Tsubasa continued to stare angrily at Kira who backed away to the far corner of the room until Erika chased him and made him come over and pushed him next to Lacus. "Stand next to mommy, Kira!" she giggled as she rushed to sit next to her cousin. Lacus watched her daughter as she uncomfortably rubbed one arm. Being next to Kira felt still a bit awkward.
"Who are her parents?" Kira asked as he watched Cagalli light the five candles. Lacus stared toward the cake as well.
"No one knows…"
"Are you sure?" he took a glance at her.
"Yes," Lacus answered simply as they began to sing the happy birthday song.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were the real mother."
Lacus controlled herself from reacting as the song ended and everyone clapped.
"She's very much like you…and…she has a strange liking to me."
"You just intrigue her, that's all," Lacus sighed as Tsu-Tsu dove his face into the cake and Erika scolded him with a light punch to the shoulder.
"Okay, presents!!" Cagalli called out as Athrun held the camera and watched Tsubasa open each present one by one until he was finished.
"Why does she call Tsubasa her cousin if they're not related?" Kira asked blankly as pieces of wrapping paper fell to his feet and Tsubasa crossed his arms.
"Where's your present, Erika?!" he glared as she giggled. Erika took something out of her pocket and handed it to him.
"I made a bedtime story for you and mommy said that she'd sing a song for you," Erika clapped her hands together as she handed the piece of parchment to Cagalli. Athrun pulled the camera away from his face as he took a glance at Lacus and pointed the camera toward her.
"Come on, Lacus, sing!" he laughed. Lacus shook her hands.
"No, no, I was just kidding…why not just read Erika's bedtime story?" Lacus said uncomfortably until Kira pushed her back.
"Sing…you promised…" Kira grinned widely as Lacus lowered her shoulders in defeat as she sat in a chair and the kids surrounded her with Tsubasa and Erika on her lap.
She cleared her throat and closed her eyes, pretending no one was there and she began to sing.
A birthday comes only once a year…
Erika clapped her hands together at her mother's voice as she yelled aloud, "I know this song!!" Cagalli leaned her head on Athrun's shoulder as Lacus smiled on the camera.
"Then sing-a-long!" Tsubasa ordered as Erika blushed and the kids cheered. She looked up at her mother and Lacus nodded at her.
Singing…the children soon found themselves quiet. Kira seemed even more interested than they did.
Every year
You take away a fear
Every year
You get a year older
Every year
You get bolder
Every year
You get louder
Every year
You get taller
Every year
You get a little wiser
As you stuff your face with cake
Don't you ever wonder
How long did it take to bake?
As you play with your best friend
Don't you ever wonder
Will it ever end?
Oh, but you're much too young…
Oh, but you're much too young…
Lacus knew she hadn't sung the best she did, but the kids crowded around her happily trying to jump on her until Athrun and Cagalli got out of their sleep state and pried them all off her with Erika and Tsubasa still on her lap.
"So, how about that bedtime story?" Lacus laughed as Erika shook her hands in front of her mother.
"But my writing isn't that good yet, mommy! It'll probably just make everyone laugh!!" Erika resented as she looked around.
"No! This is my party! We will hear it!!"
"She writes stories?" Kira questioned as he stopped himself from swaying side-to-side.
"Yes, she loves writing a lot…just like you, ne, Kira? She wants to be a writer, too," Lacus laughed as Cagalli handed her the piece of parchment and she began to read. Kira blinked twice when he noticed the features of Erika.
He looked at her eyes.
Violet.
He looked at her hair.
Dark brown.
He looked at her skin.
Pale.
He thought of her talents.
Singing.
Writing.
Realization hit him.
"She couldn't possibly…she couldn't be…" he stuttered, unable to comprehend what was going throughout his mind at that very moment until the story ended, moments later and all the children were asleep including Tsubasa and Erika.
As Lacus settled the children in their places, she peered over at Athrun and Cagalli who slept comfortably on the couch, exhausted. Lacus laughed as she found Kira, staring at her…those puppy dog eyes…
"You'd better be getting back to Fllay now, yes?" she implied as she helped him toward the door. "We'll be fine here, I'm helping clean up."
"Lacus, wait…" he stared at her and grabbed her by the shoulders. Lacus stared up into his eyes frightened. "Look me in the eye and tell me that Erika isn't my daughter."
She gasped. How could he… "No, she is not your daughter."
He exited and exhaled.
Closing and opening his eyes, he leaned back on the door and whispered quietly to himself. "She is. I just know it."
Lacus turned away from the door as she heard his footsteps become distant to her eyes and then to the starting of the car. She stared downward to the floor. "He knows."
"Knows what, mommy?" Erika yawned as she entered the room, rubbing her eyes. Lacus smiled at her and bent down to her height, rubbing her cheek and staring at her proudly. Erika stretched out her arms and stared at her mother confused. "What does Mr. Yamato know?"
Lacus hugged her, near the brink of tears. "The truth," and with that she clutched her daughter tightly and broke out sobbing. Muttering angrily, she continued to hold Erika tightly. "He knows now …he knows!!" she cried out, startling Cagalli and Athrun in their sleep. But they continued to sleep ignoring the sound. It had been a long day for them.
Lacus slowly pulled away, facing her daughter as Erika stared at her worriedly. "Why is mommy crying? Why is mommy sad? Did Erika do something bad?"
Lacus shook her head and cleared some hair behind Erika's ear. "No, Erika has been a very good girl."
"Then why is mommy crying? Should Erika cry, too?"
Lacus laughed lightly at how cute her daughter had come to be. "No, then you would make me sad."
"But mommy is already sad … I don't like seeing mommy said," Erika frowned, touching Lacus' shoulders. "I like mommy smiling. Smiling like when she looks at pictures from before. Pictures with Mr. Yamato."
Lacus widened her eyes with a light gasp as Erika continued. "Mommy smiles like she can't stop smiling like her face is going to hurt like when Uncle Athrun got me that bike for Christmas."
Lacus stared at her daughter as she nearly broke out crying again. She sniffed as she continued to smile, beginning to reminisce again as she stared upon Erika's violet eyes that resembled Kira's so much. "Don't worry, Erika, I'll be fine."
"Are you sure you don't want me to get Uncle Athrun to buy you a bike so that you will smile?"
"No, no, I'll be fine. I promise."
----
Within a child
Her heart awoken to feelings
That had vanished long ago
Within herself
The person she knew long ago
Returned to his self
What the future holds
Is now in the hands
Of a 4-year old child
----
Author's Note: I hope the rewrite somehow redeemed this chapter. As some of you can see, I kept the four years part and simply edited the beginning/middle. I hope it was enjoyable. It was, in fact, longer than the original. Teehee!!
----
