Hello everyone. I'm sorry that my writing on the Don't Hate Me series is taking so long. One more week, i promise and my writing is back to normal. But, since i have been ignoring you all for so long, I decided to give you at least something to ponder over. I decided to write a One Shot angst thing based around the characters of Gundam Seed. I actually have no idea what I'm doing, so... bear with me, all right? Hope it doesnt turn out too bad. And, just a warning... the plot... yeah. there's SOME kind of plot, there always is, and I DID come up with one... somewhere in my drawers full of thoughts, however i know that it is not under any circumstances CLOSE to the actual plot of the show... for instance, Attha is still alive, and Athrun has already fought alongside Kira, yet returned to the ZAFT forces and so on... which didn't actually happen so...yeah

Disclaimer: No i don't own Gundam Seed, or it's characters and ideas so on and so forth, however if I do bring in some new character(s) they DO belong to me and you CANNOT touch them, I'll hunt you down and... well yeah, you get the point. Have a nice day. wink

War of the Titans

"I don't think this is a good idea. I really don't." Cagalli murmured softly. Her father sighed and rubbed his face, worn by her attitude. It was the weirdest feeling to know that his daughter had changed so drastically in the last month of war, that her usually annoyed angry glare had turned controlled, and ever more powerful.

She was conducting herself with restraint and it was more infuriating than before. Amazing what a teen can figure out to hurt you without actually breaking the rules.

"Cagalli, please... It's for Orb."

The blonde stared steadily at him for the longest moment, her eyes piercing into his being and he knew she didn't like him a whole lot at that moment. Didn't like him at all.

"I know. That's the 'only' reason why i'm doing this. But i also know that something is going to happen. You can't get anything good out of putting so many important people in one ship- I mean, good lord. We'll be the target of ALL the forces-" her voice was rising, loosing control. Her father sighed again, this time with relief. If only she would be herself again with him for just one minute-

Cagalli stopped, took a deep breath and shrugged. "But, I'll do it anyway. Pray that I don't die in there."

He looked down, worn. She had regained control again... "All right, Cagalli."

He closed the door as he left her room and stood outside for a moment, listening. About halfa minute of silence passed, and he was about to walk away when he heard the crash of soemthing shattering against the door and Cagalli's angry growls, controlled screams... heart breaking sobs.

Sighing once more, he walked away.

Kira stared at her, his eyes just a little wide in surprise. "I beg your pardon... Captain- but...why-"

"Why you?' she asked, rubbing her face. "Why you? Yes, i know it seems odd, Kira, but... and I'm sorry, God, you've no idea how sorry I am about this."

He glanced over at Commander La Flaga, asking for some help, or at least some explanation. La Flaga looked away, just like the captain. "What is it that I'm supposed to do?" Kira finally managed, looking between the two of them with a sense of defensiveness settling over his chest. He didn't understand... why would they send him to a ship full of political people...?

"You are there simply to keep the peace, and to take care of Miss Allster." La Flaga managed, after the long silence drew out.

Kira winced. "Fllay? Why must there be a bodyguard? Who else is to be there?" he muttered, withdrawing into himself for fear of showing his dislike.

Murre sighed. "The Orb Princess is to be there... but, I've not been informed of any bodyguard coming with her."

Kira frowned. "Orb princess... but, she's even more important than Fllay... is she not?" he questioned, unsure of how that sounded. It was nearly... rude.

"Yes, however the way the Orb leaders deal with things is not our problem. Ours is to protect our own. That is why we are letting you choose a few others from the crew to go along with you. hopefully some your age, we don't want things to look like we're over protecting."

Kira stared at her again, thinking, running through all the names. He knew Mir wanted to go somewhere, anywhere that wasn't the Archangel, at least for a few days... and if he took Mir, Sai would want to stay with her... even if Fllay was coming along.

He sighed. "Mir and Sai?" he managed after a moment of thought. La Flaga smirked widely at the captain. "I told you so. All right, go get ready." he added.

Kira turned and left, wondering how he had known, and why the cpatined would doubt things. Sighing he closed the door and slipped outside, silent as ever. This was going to be weird...

Athrun frowned slightly. "What...? We're being sent in as representatives? Why us? My teams is not-"

"Your team should not be complaining." Le Creuset snapped. Athrun shut his mouth. "You and Miss Lacus Clyne will be the main representatives, your two team mates shall be body guards." the commander continued.

Athrun felt his stomach drop. "Lacus...? You're sending Lacus?"

"yes, we are. As it seems the Orb Kingdom is sending in their Princess and the Natural ship has decided to send in Miss Fllay Allster. It only seemed fit..."

Athrun's frown deepened. He didn't understand what was going on, nor what council it was that was supposed to discuss whatever problem had arrisen during the war, as far as he was aware, nothing had changed in the last few months..

"Who else is to be there?" he finally managed. The Commander shrugged. "What does it matter? You'll find out when you're there. Now go get your team ready to depart. you're leaving in half an hour, you shall meet miss Clyne at the ship."

Athrun's jaw tightened with slight dislike, but he nodded soluted and left, his whole body tingling with the anticipation of something dangerous. This was going to be different... Something was terribly wrong.

"Miss Clyne?"

The door opened, and the pink haired girl laying on the bed straightened up quickly, blinking mildly in surprise. "Yes..? Who's there?" she asked softly, pushing locks of pink out of her way.

"Uh, your father wishes to speak to you, Miss. he's on the communicator, line four." the servant standing awkwardly by the door muttered.

Lacus stared at him for a moment, reading his expression with care, before turning back to the communicator by the wall.

"All right, thank you."

She stood, and watched out of the corner of her eye as the servant nodded and left, closing the door behind him quietly.

She frowned slightly. Father had told her he was to be too busy to speak to her that day, he had apologized and assured he would speak to her later about getting Athrun to come home for a couple of days. It was very much unlike him to go through lengths to contact her suddenly while she was doing her studies... It just seemed out of the ordinary, and considering how things had been changing slowly into weirdly constructed plans for war of late, that was not a good thing...

These thoughts and many others flying through her young head, Lacus turned to the wall and pressed a button on the intercom-ish thing.

The screen flickered to life and her father's worn and sorrowful facecame into view. She froze. he had only worn that expression around her once, and that had been when her mother had...

"Father... whatever is the matter?"

Clyne looked carefully at the screen then looked away, as if he was ashamed. It was rare that a parent would be ashamed of his own daughter.

"Lacus... I have some rather... stressful, news."he said slowly, his wording more than a little careful. Something had to be wrong. "Father... Are you all right?"

"I'm sorry Lacus, I told them against it, but the choice in the end is yours and therefore i have to present you with this opportunity."

The girl frowned slightly, blinking through her locks of hair. "What are you talking about? I dont understand... There's an opportunity?"

Sighing her father began to explain, his voice tight, his expression annoyed. When the story had come out about the 'youth political council' Lacus allowed herself to cock her head and blink in surprise. "Me? They want to send ME? But father... My views of the ZAFT forces is not in sync with what they wish me to say... Are you sure?"

It seemed rather strange, that they should send her, of all people, the one person who had defied the forces of the coordinators to help the rebel Kira whom they wished to destroy for so long... the one person that had talked to Athrun and planted a seed of doubt in his mind...

WHy her?

"ALl right, I will go."

At first she had thought taht they night would be different from the day in the ship... then she had decided that perhaps they would not be in space, and that was what the final choice had been.

Though who's choice it was... that was left a mystery.

They were simply sailing, hovering over the sea, which seemed to expand to fill the entire world full of blue clear water.

Cagalli stood idly by, on the railing. She could feel the touch of the wind and the whisper of salt following it's trail, like a lover.

It kissed her face and ran long cool fingers through her blonde hair, which was shockingly in a decorative bun on her head. Threads of it fell around her face, framing her large eyes. She was dressed in a green dress, feeling awkward and more afraid that she would have if she had chosen her own outfit.

But, as it turned out, if she agreed to one thing, she agreed to it all. It only figured.

Footsteps caught her attention, heading in her direction. Forcing herself not to turn too quickly she looked back and froze, unable to stop that instant reaction in time.

Fllay walked towards her, dressed in a gown simular to her own, but red, matching her hair, it outlined her curves. Her hair was down, falling around her shoulders in thick waves.

Fllay was pretty... in a dirty way most of the time. CAgalli turned all the way around and leaned her back idly on the railing of the ship, facing her. Having your back to someoen you dont trust isn't smart.

"Good evening, Fllay."

THe red head held her gaze for a long time, and Cagalli could practically feel the venom pouring from her heart. She was a bitter person, it was so obvious, and it made her a little sick to see her that way... to see anyone that way.

"Why do you bother to pretend to be my friend?" Fllay asked bluntly, her voice controlled, sweet and welcoming, the words were not.

Cagalli sighed, feeling just a bit worn. She had figured this would eventually come out into the open, she had never liked Fllay and she had let her know, though she had hoped that the popular Miss ALlster would keep her mouth politely shut on the matter... at least until later, after the meal of introduction.

IT only figured she should not.

"I wasn't aware that I was to do otherwise." she forced herself to spit out, though several violent ideas plagued her mind.

"You like Kira." FLlay stated. Cagalli cocked an eyebrow, grinding her teeth in the process. "I do not."

"Liar."

"Shut up, you insolent little..." Cagalli stopped, finding herself heading towards FLlay, who had shifted in slight surprise. She wasnt worth it at all... coward that she was.

"Never mind..." THe blonde murmured.

Fllay smirked, bitter amusement brimming her eyes. "You do."

Silently, Cagalli moved towards her and leaned in, her face inches away. "I actually love him, unlike you... but not the kind of love you seem to think, though... i don't think you know what that is anyway. He is... very much like my brother, one i never had. ANd for that reason, i hope that he realizes how worthless you are."

She whispered it into her ear, then pulled back far enough to hold her gaze, eyes flashing. "It's going to be a long couple of weeks. You'd better be careful at how you play this survival game."

Promptly she walked away, leaving Fllay alone on the dock, seething with angry frightened fury that she was simply too weak to express as she wanted...

"Athrun..." Lacus murmured.

Athrun blinked mildly at her, wishing he could come up with something to say, something to keep that slightly defensive look from crossing her eyes as it did the moment she saw him.

He didn't blame her in the least, and yet how he wished it could go away... Though, at the same time.

/DO i want it all to go back?...no./

"Hello, Lacus..." he replied, standing awkwardly. His team stood behind him, Yzak brimming with hollow bitter amusement, Dearka looking grim... Mir was on the ship... It was affecting him. Somehow Athrun had connected some of the events that occured together and realized the reason for Dearka's sudden change.

Yzak however was too dense to see anything let alone an emotional bond. He was still being silent and snobby toward both of them as a reply to their before actions.

Lacus sighed, not wanting to let the rest of the awkward silence go on. She shifted, feeling a bit tight in her clothes, wondering if perhaps she should have considered not wearing a dress this once...

She looked down after a moment. "Athrun, I know what you've done since we last spoke... I got a message from Cagalli Attha... and Kira."

Yzak stood sharply. "I can't stand to be in a room for of idiots. I'm leaving." he stomped out, wishing he could slam doors shut on his way out, however it quietly and controlably shut behind him as he left.

Dearka nodded at Athrun, sighing. "Yeah, yeah... I'm going." he muttered and started after him, glancing one time at Lacus before leaving.

Lacus blinked slightly, not confused but worried and looked back at Athrun. "I am sorry that we have not spoken for such a long time. A lot of things have changed since then... Some taht you havent been informed of." she hesitated a moment, wondering how he would take the decision she had made. He had been so angry the last time they had spoken...

He had held a gun at her... threatened to pull the trigger.

THis was not going to go anywhere, there were some things you could not forget, some emotions that did not want to go back.

"I'm breaking the engagement."

Athrun somehow was not surprised.

"Kira!"

Sai walked towards him rapidly, his stride obviously stiff. Something was bothering him, his whole body was saying so.

Kira slowed and nodded at him weakly, finding it a bit uneasy that everyone was seen around the ship dressed in ordinary clothes... there wasn't a uniform anywhere, it was unnerving. Wrong, even.

"Sai..? What's the matter?"

"Mir! I lost her, we bumped into some bastard ZAFT bodyguard and she ran because of some idiot remark he said ... I didn't catch waht it was, but it broke her... and while i argued I saw Dearka run by as well- god, you have to help me find her."

Kira froze slightly, tension crossing over his features. THis was the one thing he had been worried about. There were still some representatives and bodyguards on board that he had not met... People that had strict views, that would fight each other and hurt each other at any given chance.

"All right, Sai, come on."

The sobs were louder than she had expected... She muffled them and soon her tears were pouring silently down her face, leaving her in complete darkness, unbroken cold sad peace...

Had she held a weapon that idiot would have died... She hadn't felt anger of that sort in a long time. it had mainly been silence and sadness for a while... Because even Dearka had tried to understand, had tried to help, despite not wanting any of that help.

But now...maybe she should have told Kira that she didn't want to go... that it wasn't a good idea.

/But i did want to come... not long ago.../

"Mir?"

She sighed, running her fingers through the tears that had fallen to the ground, wiping them away. The shadows ate them up. She just realized at that moment that she was in the hanger, ships and other vessels decorated the area.

"What do you want Dearka...?"

She could see him out of the corner of her eye, looking down at her. There was an odd vibe of uncertainty about him of late... or at least since the last time she had seen him. She'd never admit it, even to herself, but she had memorized each feeling and feature of him.

It was a subconcious addiction.

"I...I came to see if you were okay." he said, his voice quiet. He crouched down beside her, his face suddenly at her level. Mir turned away sharply, feeling the sting of tears in the back of her eyes again.

"I'm fine."

"...no."

She turned to look at him sharply, tears pouring down and all. He'd never said that before. "What?"

"You're not fine at all." he stated again, calmly looking at her, though his jaw was tight, like he felt something he didn't really want to express.

She turned away again, to look at the opposing wall. "What does it matter. The answer was enough for you before."

"Well... maybe the same lie doesnt work forever."he retorted, though it was a gentle reply, intended in peace.

"There's nothing you can do." she hissed, suddenly feeling bitter again, pain welling inside as usual. He sat down beside her, though she could feel that he was taken aback.

"THen, I'll just sit here and do nothing." he stated weakly. She began to cry again, the tears silent, as she looked at him. WAnting him to just leave, leave her to rot in her pain... and yet...

SIlently she wrapped her arms around her knees and cried, not caring that he was sitting right beside her, just a breath away.

After a long while... she felt arms around her. she couldn't figure if it was her imagination... a dream of someone she had loved and had left... or maybe... it was someone she didn't dare think would touch her.

Let alone, care.

The doorto the sitting area opened. Athrun looked up from a book he had been silently pretending to read, though his thoughts had been too insistant to push aside and had returned again and again to the conversation he had had with his fiance... or... had been fiance.

The fact that he was now... 'free' scared him a bit. Though, not as much as the thought that he had labelled this sudden change as 'freedom' considering he had never known to be enslaved.

These thoughts came to a sudden stop as his eyes took a moment to take in who had walked in the door.

She was on the other side of a rather large room, full of people who were walking and talking and reading, therefore it was not a surprise that she didn't at that moment realize he was literally staring at her.

Though, heaven and hell knew he wished she would recognize him at that moment.

She was wearing a simple dress, her hair was in a simple style and her face was simply oulined in simple, gentle tones that looked nearly natural, so much that he didn't realize at all that she was wearing any make up at all.

THough, had he known that she was, it wouldn't have made a difference, the fact that she was wearing a dress alone left him stunned, shocked... though in a wonderfully pleasureable way.

"...oh..." he finally breathed.

Cagalli looked around, her posture a bit less tomboyish, more dignified... uncertain. He could read it on her face. There was a definite change. He wasnt quite sure of what it was, but it was there.

Several people spoke to her, boys for the most part. She blinked at them as she walked towards the book shelves, as if trying to figure what it was they wanted.

It was tempting, to get up and tell them all to bloody sod off, but Athrun refused to become like them. Protective over someone he knew he didn't exactly owe protection to...

Suddenly he blinked and realized she was looking at him, past several boys who were blocking her way. WHat does one do when something like that happens, anyway?

He sighed and stood. Damn male ego...

Quietly he walked towards her, wondering what in gods name he could say at that moment. THey had never really said something like. "Hi how are you...?"

It just seemed... odd.

However, the situation sorted itself out quite nicely.

"Will you get out of my way, I am not interested!" Her voice wasnt as harsh and self centered as it had sounded the first time he had heard her, when her anger had been raw.

That was the change. It was like a puzzle piece falling into place. There were still many to go, however.

"You're the Princess of Orb, though... aren't you? Come on, just answer my question!" The boys around her began to laugh, and smirk, amused by the stubborness of one of their party who seemed determined to get a nice sentence from the Princess.

Cagalli had other plans. "I swear... if you don't move I will make sure you burn in hell-"

"Princess... are you all right?" Athrun found himself saying. The group turned to look at him, along with Cagalli, who to his surprise turned a tiny bit red shrugged and nodded, while lowering her gaze to the floor.

"As always." she mumbled.

That was enough to get the others to back off so fast you'd have thought Athrun had laser vision... though his glare could have easily passed the test at that moment.

Cagalli sighed, rubbing her arm a bit with either anxiety or uncertainty. "That... was a bit annoying." she admitted, blinking at him through her hair.

Athrun smiled weakly and shrugged. "If I'm not mistaken, men have that effect on women a lot."

SHe smirked slightly, loosening up enough to look at him. "Correct."

A little voice in his head sighed in relieve. One point for him.

"I didn't really expect you here... to be honest." She began slowly, walking along side of him as they headed to where he had been sitting and had left his book. He shrugged slightly. "Well... neither did I. However, we were sent despite common logic."

Cagalli looked towards the shelf to her right as she walked, scanning the titles but not seeing any.

"We?"

Athrun worried for a moment, unsure of what to say. If he said he was with Lacus, she would get the wrong idea, however telling her straight out that they were no longer engaged was out of the question, and lying wouldn't work, because he'd end up in a room with both girls in thereeventually... bother it all.

"Um... yes, my team, and Miss Clyne."

To his surprise, Cagalli turned to look at him, happily. "Oh really? Lacus is here? Thank god... I thought I'd be the only sane mind in the council."

He stumbled for a bit, wondering what her reaction meant to him, but decided to ignore it. "well... I'm glad to hear that you didn't think I was part of the council until a few minutes ago then." he smirked. Cagalli laughed. "I never said I thought you sane, though." she pointed out.

Athrun smiled weakly, a bit confused... no, scratch that, he was completely screwed over at that moment. One emotion then a thousand seemed to have taken refuge in his body and he was stuck, trying to house them all. It wasn't working very well.

"I heard that Kira and Fllay Allster are here..." Athrun murmured, changing the subject to things that didn't require so much emotional processing.

It backfired on him a bit, but it was better than the alternative.

"Oh yes... I've already had a 'conversation' with Fllay." Cagalli muttered, her voice going quite flat and annoyed in comparison to how she had been speaking before. Athrun blinked slightly. "What's the matter?"

CAgalli let out a soft breath. "I'm not sure I'm the one to tell you. Fllay and Kira are something that seems to be an unspeakable right now. Perhaps you should talk to Kira about it. It's best that you're not caught off guard when the debates begin at the council tomorrow morning... or at dinner tonight actually." she replied, trying to think ahead as best as possible.

Athrun frowned slightly. "What do you mean, caught unaware?" he asked, confused by the clear hate that seemed to seep right out of cagalli's body at that moment. He hadn't been aware that she could dislike something so badly.

"Let's just say that Fllay will certainly attempt to attack Lacus, and me."

THis made Athrun stop sharply. "You...? WHy you?"

Cagalli laughed lightly at his reaction, though she was a tad surprised by it... surprised in a worried way. "WHy Lacus is what i'd expect you to ask me, not me... What does it matter if she attacks me?"

"Well, i'm just... surprised, I thought you two were mainly on the same side."

"She's more Earth Alliance than anything, I'm all orb, there's nothing that we agree on, expect our dislike for each other." Cagalli replied, her voice quiet and controlled.

Athrun could tell she had extremely strong feelings hidden in those words. "Why does she hate you?" he asked rather bluntly, wanting to know. he was aware of why Fllay would hate Lacus... Lacus had been taken by kira, he had been dense enough not to know that until about half an hour ago, but Fllay probably had found out a long time ago.

However... the connection between Cagalli and Kira which was Flay's only sore spot seemed vague...

"Because I love Kira enough to care that he not be with that insolent self centered whore that's why she hates me." Cagalli stated, looking down with a frown on her face. "She hates the fact that I know what she is."

Athrun stared at her, wondering for a moment what kind of love she meant... was it possible she didn't know about Lacus and Kira...?

"I see." he finally managed, feeling pained. Gods, two rejections all in one day...

He couldn't take a whole lot more of this.

He looked up to find Cagalli staring at him in thought, her expression threw him off, again. There was worry on her face.

"Athrun... are you okay... I'm not sure why but i just...noticed that you werent yourself for a second." she mumbled, looking away as he looked up, her cheeks growing pink.

Wow, either she was a puzzle beyond comprehension or he was just...blind.

"No... I'm all right." he managed. "Though... I think i have a headache."

Cagalli turned to look back at him again, smiling weakly. "My fault?"

Gods, she was so adorable..."Never."

And the little voice in his head said. "liar."

(ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I think it's gonna force its way into a story! Noooooooo, this was meant to be a one shot- gah, darn it all, i should know better than to try short things. It never works for me...)

"Mir? Mir are you-"

Kira stopped, finding Fllay in his way suddenly. "Fllay... hi." he muttered, and tried side stepping. She stepped in his way. "you've been avoiding me since i got back from the ZAFT force ship... why?" she stated. Kira frowned and looked at her steadily, rather disturbed by her choice of colors. Great, take on the color of blood at a youth council for war.

"Look, not now Fllay, we'll talk about this later, I need to find Mir..." as soon as he said that he wished he hadnt.

Her eyes narrowed. "So... Mir is suddenly more important than I am?" she whispered, her voice was that of a weak hurt girl. Her posture said otherwise. She was ticked.

Kira fell back slightly, wanting with all his heart to avoid an argument, right in the middle of the halls as well.

"No- well, y-no... look, Fllay, I'm really stressed right now, just gimme a few minutes and we'll discuss this, all right?" he stuttered, catching himself before saying something a bit dense. he felt sick though, watching her begin to pace in front of him.

"I'll find Mir." Fllay stated, and turned away, starting down the hall. Kira froze, blinking... it took him a whole ten seconds to snap out of it.

"What? Fllay? No... don't it's all right-" he started, kicking himself for dragging Mir into it. "Why? WHy cant i go look for my friend too?" Fllay snapped, turning around sharply.

Kira frowned slightly, feeling impatient all of a sudden. "Since when is Mir your friend, Fllay? Last time you two ended up on the ground in a heap with a gun, if i recall Sai-"

"SAi is an idiot! He's a liar too, that's why i chose YOU Kira, dont you understand-" she began to move towards him, putting a hand on his arm lightly. Kira drew back sharply before giving himself the time to think twice.

"Stop it Fllay. I ended this a long time a go, I thought you understood."

SHe stiffened, looking past him ignoring what she had said. Kira looked over his shoulder cautiously and froze, letting out a soft breath.

"...Lacus.."

The pink haired girl shifted her weight slightly, rubbing an arm in slight uncertainty. "Oh... I'm sorry if I'm intruding-" she began softly, looking past Kira at Fllay, as if she were the only one that could be feeling the intrusion.

Fllay fumed silently. "We're actually discussing something, it'd be nice to have some privacy." she grumbled.

Kira frowned. "I don't want to talk about this, Fllay. Not now..." He turned around, leaving her behind as he walked towards Lacus.

"I didn't know you were here already..." he began slowly, taking her by the elbow and leading her away from Fllay as fast as he could.

Fllay stood there, gasping for breath for the longest time, her whole body shaking with fury she hadnt felt even for the Cagalli up on deck.

Lacus glanced slightly over her shoulder as they turned the corner and couldn't help but pity the girl. Despite it, her attention focused on Kira quickly.

"I got here about two hours ago..." she admitted softly, forcing him to stop. "You seem so stressed..." she added, finding herself reaching up to touch his face.

Kira let out a surprised gasp -

Oh but i am evil! i haven't been able to type up all the things that i wrote while i was laying in bed last night, SEVEN pages, people grin

So, anyway... when i get a computer again i shall post it all. all righty? guess it did turn out into a story.,...drat. bye all