Author: Chapter 12 is here. Thanks for the reviews by the way. We're nearing an end here.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.
Forever
Phase 12: Athrun
Kai and Nathalie spotted Jean and Cagalli on the beach. Kai quickly made a stop and jumped out of the car. Nathalie hurriedly followed him. As he was nearing them, he called out Cagalli's name. The princess turned her head and saw Kai. She stood and waved her hand at Kai. Suddenly he hugged Cagalli so tightly. She was so surprise. Jean noticed Nathalie's approach and greeted her. Kai faced Cagalli and stared into her brown eyes. She smiled at him and leaned her head against his chest.
"I'm sorry if I broke the promise." Cagalli told him. "I just wanted to..."
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry." Kai cut her off.
Kai gently brushed through her blonde hair. Cagalli felt so warm in his arms. Jean and Nathalie watched them from a close distance. Suddenly Jean's cell phone rang and she answered it. It was Kira informing her that he was coming. Jean panicked and approached Cagalli. She told the princess that Kira's coming. She pulled Kai away from her. Kai narrowed his eyes and swiped his hand from Jean. Nathalie placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Kai, Cagalli's brother is coming." Nathalie said. "He shouldn't see you with Cagalli like that."
Kai sighed and apologized to Jean. The green-eyed girl invited them to the beach house and told them to wait there. Kai, Nathalie, and Cagalli went inside while Jean waited for Kira. Jean was getting nervous about this. She stared at the sea as the wind blew her hair. She clenched her hands together and hoped that Cagalli will remember Athrun soon. She was worried about Kai too since he loves the princess. Cagalli is very grateful to him but she can't return his feelings. Kai very well knew that her heart belongs to Athrun but still he can't help being upset. Jean sighed at the thought of all that. Not a moment too soon, Kira arrived. The green-eyed girl saw that he was approaching. She saluted him.
"Where's Cagalli?" Kira asked.
"She's in the beach house." Jean replied. "Sir, two of my friends arrived just now and they're with her."
"Friends?" Kira spoke.
"They're the ones who took care of Cagalli when she had amnesia." Jean told him.
Kira wanted to meet Jean's friends. They walked towards the beach house. Cagalli peeked through the window and saw Kira and Jean. She hurriedly went outside and ran towards her brother. She suddenly hugged Kira. Nathalie and Kai came out, rushing towards their friend. Jean introduced them to the ultimate coordinator. Kira bowed his head and thanked them for taking care of his twin. Nathalie held out her hand and smiled at him. Kira gladly shook hands with her then with Kai. They all went inside to talk. They sat in the living room. Cagalli went into the kitchen to fix tea. Kira began asking Kai and Nathalie some questions about his sister.
"Where did you find Cagalli?" Kira asked.
"One of my men saved her from drowning." Nathalie answered. "Then he took her to my mansion."
"Later we found out that she had amnesia and decided to help her." Kai said.
Kai and Nathalie told Kira everything that has happened. From the time they went to PLANT and to ORB, they informed him everything he needed to know. Kira turned his attention to Jean. She told him a while ago that Cagalli had a major headache when she remembered Athrun. Kira was troubled by this. He figured that Cagalli hasn't completely regain memories yet. The princess overheard their conversation. Her eyes narrowed as she heard the name Athrun again. She shook her head and put on a good face. She walked in the living room and served tea to everyone. She sat down next to Kai and sipped her tea. Kira noticed Kai staring differently at Cagalli. They suddenly heard a car stopping nearby. Jean went outside to see who that was. As the driver stepped out of his vehicle, the green-eyed girl gasped in surprise to see who that was. It was Athrun. She quickly went back in and closed the door.
"Jean, what's wrong?" Nathalie asked.
Jean approached Kira and informed him about Athrun. Kira stood and grabbed Cagalli's arm. He pulled her up and took her to the backdoor. Cagalli struggled to break from his grip. Kai and Nathalie followed them while Jean stayed behind. Athrun walked up to the door and knocked. Jean quickly answered the door. The Justice pilot was surprise to see Jean. She saluted Athrun properly.
"Commander Zala, what brings you here?" Jean asked.
"Kira's parked his car near here so I decided to visit." Athrun replied. "Where is he?"
"Um...well you see..." Jean said.
"Athrun, what are you doing here?" Kira asked.
Jean sighed in relief that he came back but she wondered where Cagalli and her friends were. Kira whispered to her that they're hiding in a cave near the house. She excused herself and immediately went out at the back. She saw the cave near the Cliffside. She went into the cave and saw her friends sitting on rocks. Jean joined them and sat down beside Nathalie.
"Why do we have to hide here?" Cagalli asked. "Where's Kira?
"He's back at the house, entertaining a guest." Jean replied.
She looked around the cave and remembered a familiar scene. She thought about the blue-haired pilot again. They met on an island and stayed in cave as they waited for someone to rescue them. She looked seriously at Jean. She asked Jean about Athrun but the green-eyed girl hesitated to answer her. Kai placed his hands on her shoulders. Cagalli glanced at him.
"Don't force Jean... I'm sure you'll be able to remember him." Kai said.
"But Athrun... I feel that he's someone very important to me." Cagalli replied.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Cagalli's cheeks turned red. Nathalie and Jean were a bit surprised. Jean wanted to break them apart but her friend stopped her. Nathalie pulled her out of the cave so they have some time alone. Kai wanted to tell Cagalli how he felt about her even though she will never love him. As they faced each other, Kai smiled at her red cheeks. He brushed through her hair and gently rubbed her cheeks. Cagalli just stared at him.
"Cagalli, I love you." Kai confessed.
"What! Kai, tell me you're joking." Cagalli said.
"Would I joke about something like that?" Kai told her.
"I'm sorry... I like you Kai but only as a friend." Cagalli told him.
Kai knew that she would say that but it didn't matter to him. He leaned forward to kiss her. Cagalli immediately turned her head away. She gently pushed Kai away and she removed his arms around her. She weakly smiled at him.
"I'm really sorry." Cagalli spoke.
"Forgive me also..." Kai said.
Cagalli held out her hand. Kai glanced up and saw her smile. He smiled as well and grabbed her hand. She pulled him up and shook his hand.
"Thank you for understanding." Cagalli said.
"Cagalli..." Kai called. "I'm so glad to have met you."
As she heard those words, a familiar scene strokes her head. She saw herself in a battleship along its hallways. She was with the blue-haired coordinator.
Flashback
The coordinator pulled her closer to him and hugged her. Cagalli blushed furiously and her heart pounded madly. He was very warm and gentle. She felt rather comfortable in his arms.
"I'm so glad to have met you." He spoke.
They faced each other. The pilot promised that he will protect her and then he kissed her.
END
Cagalli's POV
Athrun Zala, son the supreme council chairman Patrick Zala. He's a soldier of ZAFT and piloted one of the stolen units, the GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam. He fulfilled his mission in destroying the Strike. He was reassigned to Special Forces and to a new unit, the ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam. He participated in the war at Yakin Due alongside with the Freedom, Strike, Strike Rouge, and the Buster.
Norman POV
After hearing her talk about Athrun, Jean felt worried. Cagalli asked her to take her to Athrun. She wanted see him again but Jean knew that she hasn't fully recovered. Jean tried to calm the princess. Cagalli suddenly ran off and headed towards the beach house. Kai managed to catch up to her and grabbed her by the waist. Cagalli demanded to release her but Kai held on her tightly. Jean grabbed her arms and glared at her. Cagalli stopped resisting and sighed. The green-eyed girl apologized to her and smiled at her. The princess stared deeply into her eyes and suddenly saw Athrun. Her head started to hurt. She fell to her knees as she felt her head in pain. Kai knelt down and pulled her towards him. She started crying in his chest. Nathalie approached Jean and told her to inform Kira about this but Jean reminded her that Athrun was still there. Even so, Nathalie insisted so the green-eyed girl went into the house. She found Kira and Athrun talking in the living room.
"Mr. Yamato..." She called. "It's..."
"What is it?" Kira asked.
Jean couldn't answer him because Athrun was there. Kira sensed that something bad must've have happened. Jean felt the urge the tell him but she hesitated. Kira stood and ran off outside. Athrun wondered what's going on. As Cagalli saw her brother approaching she ran to him. She cried so heavily. Kira rubbed her head as he comforted her. Cagalli faced Kira and started telling him about Athrun. Kira was surprised by this. Kai and Nathalie informed him that she fully recovered her memories. At that moment, Athrun and Jean came out.
"Kira?" Athrun spoke.
The ultimate coordinator faced him and showed his sister. Athrun gasped as he saw Cagalli. He froze and stayed silent for a while. Cagalli slowly walked towards him. Athrun smiled and suddenly broke into tears. He ran towards her and hugged her. Cagalli cried as well. Kai turned his back at them as it pains him to see Cagalli with Athrun. Nathalie knew how he felt right now. A tear fell from Jean's eyes and she quickly wiped it with her finger. Athrun and Cagalli faced each other.
"I'm so glad that you're alive and well." Athrun said.
Lacus and Milly arrived. Kira encountered them and invited them inside. Cagalli greeted them both. Milly burst into tears as she saw Cagalli. She immediately hugged her. After that they all sat down, as Nathalie and Kai told them the whole story. When it was getting late, the two ZAFT soldiers decided to leave and go back to the base. Cagalli talked to them before they got on the car.
"Thanks for everything." Cagalli told them.
"No problem. We're really going to miss you." Nathalie said.
Kai banged his fist on the side of the car. Cagalli approached him and placed her hand on his shoulder. She smiled at him and bowed her head. Kai tilted her head with his finger. He made her look at him. He leaned and placed a kiss on her right cheek. He once again told her that he loves her and got on the car. Nathalie got on as well and waved her hand at Cagalli. Kai started the car and took off. Cagalli watches them as they disappeared from sight. She held her right cheek and sighed. Suddenly someone grabbed her by the waist. Cagalli turned her head to see that it was Athrun. She leaned her head on his chest. Athrun pointed at the setting sun. The view was amazing. It's been a long time since she was the sunset. She lifted his hand and placed it on her face. She closed her eyes as she felt warm. Athrun saw that she was still wearing the engagement ring. He was relief to see that. Cagalli slowly opened her eyes and looked honestly at Athrun.
"I love you Athrun." Cagalli said.
"I love you too." Athrun said.
Athrun kissed her on the lips. Cagalli closed her eyes again and deepened the kiss. Kira and Lacus happened to see them from a certain distance. Kira held Lacus' hand as they watched the sunset. Milly and Jean was inside the beach house. The natural was currently apologizing to Jean for what she did back in the base. Jean told her that it was okay. She watched the couples through the window.
Jean's POV
Miss Cagalli has gone through a lot of hardships. I admire her now more than ever. She's strong, brave, and determined. She's a war hero who piloted the Strike Rouge in the battle at Yakin Due. She became the head representative of ORB following her father's ideals. Along side with Commander Athrun Zala who bowed to protect her. After all that has happen, it makes me feel so glad to see them both together again. No matter what trials Destiny throws at them, they're always ready to overcome it. Makes me wonder, if they haven't met on that island would they still meet? If fate wants them to be together, then they will surely meet.
END
After a week, Cagalli has returned to ORB and continued her job as the head representative. Athrun stayed by her side as her personal bodyguard. Jean was promoted to Ensign and was given special mobile suit training with Kira as her instructor. Nathalie and Kai were now assigned to Minerva at the PLANTS. Stellar has returned to Shinn. Lacus took care of the children at the orphanage. Everyone went back to their normal lives.
One night, Cagalli was walking around the garden. She gazed around her surroundings. She sat down on a bench and stared up at the starry skies. Suddenly someone covered her eyes. She felt his hand and knew who he was. She removed his hand and turned to see him. Athrun smiled and sat down beside her. Cagalli played with his hair a bit by twirling it around her finger. She gently stroked his hair and then she leaned her head on his shoulder. Athrun held her head and stared up the sky. He looked down at her hand and saw the ring. He lifted Cagalli's hand and stared at the ring. He turned his look at the princess. She blushed a bit and quickly placed a kiss on his lips. Athrun wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. They broke to catch some breathe.
"When I thought you were dead, my heart felt it was going to break." Athrun told her. "I blamed myself for not protecting you."
"It's not your fault Athrun." Cagalli said.
"Cagalli..." Athrun spoke. "I don't want to ever lose you again."
END
Author: End of chapter. Please don't forget to review and no flaming. Next chapter will be updated soon. I'll introduce two new characters in the next story. One character has blonde hair and green eyes, and she's a girl while the other one is a boy with blue-eyes and brown hair. Guess? Characters are created by me.