Reviews:

Asga: Read and find out what happens next….please.

Jenniferseedlover: Sorry if it's confusing. I hope that this chapter isn't too confusing as well.

MyouseiSeed: Uhm…you hate Shinn? Oops. Maybe you won't like this chapter too much. I'm not sure about love scenes. But…thinking There is something else. I'll get back to you on that.

Kamio Misuzu: Thank you. I like rawk.

Dust-in: Define your level of bad? Hehehe….don't worry. I tried to put in as much Shinn and Stellar fluff as I could. I hope it's enough.

A/N: Okay, this is it…CHAPTER 4…

Not much of an intro, but hey…

This is where the plot continues on and no more repeating of the same darn scene. Even though I personally like it. I really can't picture Shinn as someone who's caring, but at this point I so like him way more than Athrun. I will never give up my anger towards Athrun….NEVER!

So, the question that everyone is waiting for…Did Athrun really shot Stellar? Will Shinn suffer heartbreak? What will Cagalli do with her two bullets? Will this end happily ever after? Frankly, I really don't know…

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny. If I did, Athrun would have a deeper voice. Eh?

Chapter 4: Regrets and Promises

"DON'T SHOOT HER ATHRUN! DON'T SHOOT STELLAR!"

I must.

"Just watch my back"

Just two bullets…that's all I need…just two.

BANG.

Athrun stood where he was with his gun still raised. He was staring at the scene ahead of him feeling lost and unsure of what to do.

"Stellar…" Shinn breathed out her name calmly while still being contained by his fellow soldiers.

"Shinn?"

Shinn smiled. She was still alive right in front of his eyes. She was saved. She was fine and everything will be alright just as soon as he broke free, but more importantly she was alive. Shinn continued to stare at her oblivious to the scene playing out in front of him…

…while Athrun's eyes widen at the person who really pulled the trigger. "Cagalli…"

Standing in front of him was none other than Cagalli. She came dashing out of the forest with a gun in her hand and shot at the dirt in front of Athrun. Following her was Kira and a group of a dozen ORB soldiers, all with their hands raised with guns targeted at the ZAFT soldiers.

"Cagalli, we have them all surrounded. What is it that you plan on doing now?" Kira had stepped up to his sister asking her advice for their next plan of action.

"Just tell everyone to hold their ground. No one is to move unless I order them to. I'll deal with this myself." She gave out her orders without losing eye contact with Athrun with her gun aimed at his head.

"Right. Understood." Kira went his separate way making sure the soldiers knew what their orders were. And as he left, he made a side glance at Athrun.

"What do you think you're doing, Miss?"

Cagalli broke her gaze from Athrun and looked towards his superior.

"If I were you I'd keep quiet. You are in no position to be asking questions or giving orders."

The man glared at her.

"Besides, my business is not with you. So, do yourself a favor and don't interrupt."

As she said this, one of the ORB soldiers moved in closer to the superior and made sure to enforce Cagalli's threat by pointing the gun straight at his head.

"Cagalli…"

Cagalli looked at Athrun who has finally lowered his gun.

"What are you doing here? What is it that you're trying to accomplish here?"

"Simple. I'm trying to accomplish understanding between us. And I was trying to prevent you from making a major mistake by ruining the love between two others."

As she said this, Shinn finally realized Cagalli's presence.

"YOU! WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?"

Cagalli just stared at him while he tried to once more free himself to attack her.

"Calm down. I'm just trying to help."

"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! YOU ATHHA'S ARE NOTHING BUT TROUBLE!"

"Let him go."

The soldiers detaining him stared at her in disbelief. Who was she to order them?

"I said let him go or you'll regret it." She motioned to her backup to get ready to fire at the two soldiers.

They eyed the guns pointed at them and finally released Shinn from their grasps, roughly.

Once Shinn pushed himself up from the ground he began making his way towards Cagalli wanting to kill her.

BANG.

Shinn stopped in his tracks.

"I hope you weren't planning on attacking her after she just set you free?"

Shinn looked in the direction where the shot came from and glared at the perpetrator. He was staring hard into the eyes of Kira Yamato. He felt as if there was something about him that just make him want to lunged at him and strangle him. But he objected to that feeling. But what he didn't know was that he was staring eye to eye at the pilot of the Freedom Gundam, the pilot he vowed to get his revenge from.

"Go to her."

Shinn snapped out of him glaring contest. "Wha?"

"Go to her." Cagalli nudged her head in the direction of Stellar.

Shinn only stood there confused for a long period of time, but then followed directions and went to be by Stellar's side. He didn't lose eye contact with Cagalli until he knelt down to Stellar, when he was caught off-guard by her jumping at him and wrapping her arms around him. "SHINN!"

Athrun stared on in silence. He didn't understand what was going on and what Cagalli was trying to prove.

"Don't worry Stellar, I'll protect you."

Protect.

Athrun blinked. Is this about us?

"Cagalli…"

"Don't you dare say a word Athrun Zala or else I will shoot you. I had two bullets in this gun. I used one to stop you from shooting. The other will end your life."

"Are you really going to shoot me?"

"Do you even want to provoke me?"

Everyone was silent now, staring in confusion at the couple.

Is she really going to kill him? Kira was now standing beside Cagalli so that he could be near in case something went wrong, with his eyes moving back and forth between the two.

Cagalli took in a deep breath and smirked. "I bet you're wondering why I did what I've just done, huh?"

Athrun just stood in silence.

"I didn't want you to ruin the hope and love of two individuals that may hold the key to ending this war."

"The key?"

"Don't you see it Athrun? They may be enemies, but they still care for one another. They want to protect each other. Something that we once had but lost."

Stellar stopped choking Shinn to death with her hugs as she began to listen to Cagalli's speech.

"Have you forgotten Athrun? Have you forgotten what it was like to care for someone? To love that person?"

"Of course I haven't forgotten."

"Then why? Why can't you understand?" Cagalli tightened her grip on the gun.

"Cagalli…" Kira eyed the gun fearing that she will shoot any minute. As much as he wanted to put the blame on Athrun, he still didn't want his best friend to be killed.

"If you haven't forgotten then why must you continue to be our enemy? Why do you continue to make me feel like I'm the one at fault? Why do you try to keep away from me? Don't you understand that I'm just trying to keep the world at peace? But why must you continue to fight against me and break my heart?"

Tears were swelling up in her eyes.

Athrun was lost for words. He didn't know that Cagalli felt that way and was suffering on account of him. "C-Cagalli…you know that you and I hold different views on how to attain peace in this war."

"So, you're willing to just throw away everything that we had so you can have things done your way?"

"No, that's not it."

"THEN WHAT ATHRUN?"

"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT DAMMIT!"

Cagalli was taken aback by Athrun's sudden outburst. The same went for Athrun; he's usually able to control his temper.

He took a deep breath before continuing.

"I had to leave in order to fight for ZAFT. I was needed there."

"And you don't think that I…we needed you?"

"You were better off in the hands of that Yuuna."

"WHAT? WHAT MAKES YOU SAY A STUPID THING LIKE THAT? WHY ON EARTH WOULD I EVER BE BETTER OFF IN THE HANDS OF THAT-THAT JERK?"

Athrun stared hard and cold into her eyes. He replied to her question, but very soft and was barely audible. "Then why did you agreed to marry him?"

Kira's eyes widened. He had no idea that Athrun was going to bring something like that up. He eyed Cagalli through the corner of his eyes and noticed that she was trembling.

"Cagalli…" He placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her down.

Cagalli bowed her head down as tears slowly came from her eyes. She promised herself that she wasn't going to cry, but it just couldn't be helped. After a short moment, she looked to Kira and built up a small smile in order to alleviate his worry for her. She then looked back at Athrun with sorrow in her eyes.

"I'm sorry if you feel that way Athrun. Bitter jealousy just doesn't suit you."

Through the corner of her eyes she could see Shinn and Stellar still clinging to each other with their focus on them now. Seeing those two together made her feel happy inside.

Cagalli sighed. "Looking at those two I feel quite envious."

Athrun looked at Shinn and Stellar whom looked back with confusion written all over their faces.

"What are you getting at Athha?" Shinn glared at Cagalli.

She smirked. "You should consider yourself lucky that you can be able to cherish this moment with her. Whatever you two feel for one another, I encourage you to not let it go."

"I encourage you to mind your own business." Shinn looked away, but Cagalli noticed a rosy color appearing on his cheeks.

Stellar looked from Cagalli to Shinn and back. She smiled at Cagalli and then leaned her head against Shinn's chest. "Shinn will protect Stellar won't he?"

Shinn was blushing even more. "Uh…yeah, don't worry. I will protect you." He tightened his hold on her.

Cagalli beamed. But the smile was quickly wiped from her face once she looked at Athrun. "I don't suppose you have any regrets Athrun?"

Athrun wasn't looking at her, but rather at the ground. He just stood there in silence.

Cagalli continued anyway. "Well, I regret letting you go without telling you how I really feel about you. But none of that really matters now does it?" She smiled. But it was rather emotionless.

She looked at Shinn who was staring back at her as well. "I know that you don't trust me and hold grudges against my family and its beliefs, but you really have no choice now if you value her life."

Shinn glanced at Stellar. No matter how much they love each other, no matter how hard he'll try to protect, she was still an enemy and staying here would only put her in severe danger. He sighed. She's right.

"We can take her to safety, but she'll have to leave with us in my Strike Rouge. If you value her life, then you will trust me. Are you willing to do this?"

Shinn stayed silence for a while considering if he should give in to Cagalli's demands in order to ensure Stellar's safety. Surely he can let down his petty hatred in order to protect the one he cares for. "Fine. I agree to your terms Athha. But you must be sure that she will remain safe."

"Promise."

Cagalli motioned for three of her soldiers to move forward. "I want you to escort those two to where the Strike Rouge is and wait for me there."

"Yes ma'am." They saluted and motioned for Shinn and Stellar to follow them.

As he led Stellar in the path of the soldiers, Shinn glanced over to Athrun and then Cagalli. He had no clue what was going on between the two, but he really didn't care. He just gave Cagalli a final glare signaling that he will surely kill her if anything, and he means ANYTHING happens to Stellar.

Cagalli stood and watch as Shinn and Stellar were being taken away. She then turned to Kira, who immediately went to her side. "I want you to signal the soldiers to prepare to leave, but not to let their guard down."

"Right." Kira began to walk away in order to give the command. He stopped a short ways off and peered over his shoulder. "Please don't do anything rash Cagalli." And he continued on his way.

Looking back at Athrun, she noticed him staring deep into her eyes looking for understanding. And she wished that he understood. But then she didn't understand much herself. For instance, why did he leave her in the first place? Did he really care for her? Will he ever come back to her? She didn't know. And maybe she will never know.

"I'm sorry Athrun. I'm really am sorry that it couldn't work out. But just know that I will never stop caring for you. I just can't wait for you. At least not until this war is over." Tears began to stream down her face. "Just know that…that if I was to shoot you. I would have shot myself as well." Then she slowly backed away with her gun still pointing at him. Once she reached a good distance she turned on her heels and ran without looking back.

Athrun stared. And he stared until the words finally hit him.

"I guess this means goodbye Athrun." Kira stood in front of him and slightly bowed his head before following after Cagalli signaling the soldiers to fall back.

They're both gone.

"Sir, what do we do now?" One of the ZAFT soldiers questioned the superior on their next move.

Everything's gone.

"Do you think that I'm just going to sit here and let those damn naturals get away that easily?"

"Then what do we do sir?"

She's gone.

"Shoot 'em."

The soldiers lifted their guns and began to either aim or pursue the ORB soldiers as they fled.

"Shoot 'em all and don't let that princess wanna-be escape."

"Yes, sir!"

"WAIT!"

Athrun came from his stupor. If it was the last thing he will do, then the least he could do was to help Cagalli escape. "Commander, sir, don't you think this is too much?"

"What are you implying at Zala?"

"They didn't cause any harm to us. So, we should pay them back by letting them go free."

"Are you nuts?"

"I know I'm stepping out of jurisdiction sir, but please let them go for now."

His superior thought it over. He really didn't want to miss at a chance like this, but Zala was right and it wasn't right to attack if no harm was done. "Fine. Recall the troops and let's head back to base."

The soldiers began falling back and Athrun let out a sigh of relief. At least he was able to protect her that time.

"Zala! I said let's head back now!"

Athrun began to turn to leave the scene that will never leave his memories. He stopped for a second and looked towards the direction that Cagalli headed off to a moment ago. He wanted to smile at the memory of her, but couldn't. There was only one thing that haunted his mind.

"I don't suppose you have any regrets Athrun?"

"But I do have regrets Cagalli. I regret…" He lowered his head and closed his eyes.

"Where is that Athha?" Shinn was waiting impatiently by the Strike Rouge that he damaged a while ago in battle. But it was still able to fly.

"Shinn?"

Shinn looked down at Stellar. She looked worry and that worried him…a lot.

"What is it Stellar? Is something bothering you?"

She shook her head no. Then she paused.

"Well, Stellar hope that nothing happened to that girl." She mumbled.

Shinn didn't reply. He could care less about what happens to Cagalli. But unfortunately, she was his reassurance for Stellar's safety. "Yeah, me too."

"Me too what?"

The voice startled him. He looked around until he spotted Cagalli coming from the depths of the forest.

"Were you actually worried about me?"

Shinn frowned. "I could care less what happens to you."

Cagalli shrugged. "Either way, you need me."

Shinn 'humphed'.

As Cagalli made her way to her mobile suit, she turned back and reached her hand towards Stellar. "Come with me."

Stellar was hesitant to take her hand and looked to Shinn for guidance.

Shinn just nodded and pushed her a little in Cagalli's direction. "Go with her. She'll make sure that you will be okay."

"Is Shinn sure?"

Shinn looked at Cagalli who grinned back at him and nodded her head.

"I'm sure."

Stellar wore a huge grin on her face as she leaped towards Shinn and hugged him. "Stellar will never forget you, Shinn. Will Shinn forget Stellar?'

"No, never." Shinn smiled.

"Good." She leaned back and then kissed him on the cheek. "Bye Shinn. Please don't get hurt." Shinn blushed.

Stellar released her hold on Shinn and walked towards Cagalli who put her in the cockpit of her Strike Rouge. Before she closed the cockpit, she looked down at Shinn.

"I guess this means goodbye."

Shinn only stared. He hated to admit it, but he owed her one for helping him out. And he was grateful for it. "Sure. Just keep your promise and make sure that nothing happens to her."

Cagalli smiled. "I promise." And she closed the cockpit.

As Shinn stood there waiting for the mobile suits to make their departure, he glanced over to the entrance to the forest. Standing there was Kira Yamato gazing over at him. Shinn just couldn't figure out why he had this urge of familiarity around him that just made him want to attack him. But how could he attack him?

Kira was standing as calm as ever by the forest watching the scene roll out in front of him. Looking at Shinn, he knew that he was the pilot of the Impulse Gundam and wondered how such a sensitive soul could fight so vicious. I guess war just works that way with us.

Shinn stared on as Kira walked away to who knows where and was reverted to watching the Strike Rouge make it's leave. He watched as it soars into the air and left the island behind.

I hope to see you again someday Stellar. Until then, please stay alive.

As these words ran through his mind, he noticed the Freedom making its departure from somewhere on the island not too from where he stood. But for some odd reason, it didn't faze him one bit. He only stared.

A/N: Wow! That was longer than I thought. I guess I'm satisfied with what I have written down and I hope that you are too. Well, I'm not fully satisfied with how I ended the conversation between Cagalli and Athrun but it's a start. I couldn't really figure out what Cagalli might really say to Athrun, but who cares. I hope I made it good enough to hold some kind of interest.

Again reviews are welcomed and I appreciate those that were already reviewing in the first place.

I'm not completely sure how I will go about in the next chapter. I may skip ahead some months and just end the war, since I am not focused on that. But I'm still thinking about it.--

I may not be able to update anytime soon. My school is taking back the laptops on Monday and I don't have internet service at home. By the time I'll be able to get to a computer with internet would be like 2 weeks from now. Even then, I'd still have to come up with something to write. So, it might take a month. Sorry….I hope you won't get seriously mad at me and be patient.--