JC: Thanks for the reviews. I made a really big change in Fllay's attitude in the previous chapter and I know it's not her thing. Seriously I don't like her much either. Will Fllay get the chance to apologize to Cagalli? Find out in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

Kai's feelings uncovered...

Fun Day at the beach...

Fllay will not be in this chapter

High School Life

Phase 17: Realizations

Finally, after three days locked up in the hospital, Cagalli finally got out of that place. She was so bored just lying down on bed- feeling so weak and useless. It was a beautiful Sunday morning so Cagalli decided to hold a picnic at the beach together with her friends. While waiting for the van to arrive, Cagalli waited by the gate in front of her house. She looked around to see if anything is coming but nothing. She crossed her arms and groaned in complaint. She wasn't use to waiting for something that long. She was standing there for half an hour already. Her patience was running out.

"Where are they?" She asked herself.

"Good Morning Cagalli!" a familiar voice called the blonde. Cagalli turned around to see who it was. She saw that it was Jean.

"Hi Jean, so are you all set?"

"Yeah!" said Jean, "I'm quite excited about this."

"Me too," added Cagalli, "Problem is that Lacus and the others haven't arrived yet..."

Suddenly they heard a vehicle approaching. Jean and Cagalli turned their attention to it. It was them- it was about time they arrive. The van pulled over in front of them. The door opened and Lacus came out to greet them.

"Good morning you two," started Lacus, "Were you waiting long?"

"Gee, what do you think?" Cagalli said.

"I'm sorry for the delay," replied Lacus, "We had to pick up someone."

"Who?" Jean questioned her.

"Hello there Jean and Cagalli..."

Cagalli could recognize that voice anywhere. She peeped inside the car. First she saw Kira in the driver's seat, and Athrun was seated behind him. Of course she gave him a nice greeting- but her attention got caught up with the person seated next to her boyfriend.

"Kai?"

"That's my name..." Kai said.

"I didn't know you were coming too." Cagalli told him.

"Well actually Lacus invited me..." Kai replied.

"That' great!" said Cagalli, "We're going to have so much fun at the beach."

Seeing Cagalli happily talking to Kai made Athrun a little bit jealous. He knew how Kai felt about Cagalli. He narrowed his eyes at him. Jean seemed to have noticed his reaction so...

"Um... why don't we all go in now?" Jean suggested. "We still have a long trip."

"You're right..." replied Cagalli, "I'm going to sit right next to Athrun"

While boarding the van, the blonde managed to trip herself causing her to fall on Athrun. She found herself in an awkward position- on top of him. Upon realizing it, both of them blushed like crazy but giggled after a while.

"Um... Cagalli... please get off of Athrun right now before I do something reckless." Kira warned.

"Sure no problem." Cagalli replied.

She quickly took her seat. She turned to Athrun and smiled. She placed her hand on top of his and deliberately leaned her head on his shoulder.

Kai took notice of this. The smile on his face was replaced by a frown. Sure, he already accepted the fact that he was only a friend to Cagalli but seeing her being so close to Athrun still troubles him.

"I still love Cagalli up to this point but what can I do to erase my love for her." Kai thought.

Without further due, Kira started the car and took off.

Beach

The group arrived at their destination. Cagalli and Athrun were the first to get off the van. Cagalli was so excited to see the beach again. She just loves it. The sea breeze and cool water always made her feel more relaxed. She removed her sandals and ran her feet through the water. She was like a little girl enjoying her time without any care in the world.

"Cagalli!" called Kira, "We still have some things to set!"

"Okay!" replied Cagalli.

Kai let out a deep sighed as he leaned on the van. He was really not himself today. Normally he would be telling jokes or leading a conversation but he didn't even have the mood to do so. He knew that it was because of Cagalli. Suddenly a hand reached for his shoulder- it was light and very warm. He turned to the owner of the hand which was Jean. She looked at him with a calm expression on her face. Her emerald green eyes were full of sincerity. With a smile, she told him to be glad- that he should be enjoying that day. Kai found it to be impossible but Jean assured him that he could if he tried. He turned to her and smiled. He nodded his head telling her that he was going to be fine.

"Thank you Jean." Kai said.

"No problem." Jean replied.

Lacus spread out the beach blanket on the sand while Cagalli placed the things on it. Athrun set up the umbrella and Kira readied his video cam. Kira started filming his pink haired girl who has yet to notice it.

"Lacus," called Kira, "smile for the camera."

And she did so... She has such a sweet smile, one of the qualities that Kira liked about her. She had the smile that could make you feel so calm and relaxed. Lacus waved a bit at the cam then she pointed a finger at Cagalli and Athrun who were having a moment. Kira decided to capture them- he sneaked up behind them which startled them.

"Kira!" yelled Cagalli who was now blushing, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I was just filming you guys." Kira said. "Is that bad?"

"Not when we were about to ki...Oh never mind!" Cagalli exclaimed.

Suddenly Lacus placed a hand on Cagalli's shoulder. The blonde turned to her pink-haired friend.

"We better go and change now Cagalli." Lacus told.

"You're right." Cagalli replied.

Cagalli and Lacus picked up their bags containing their bathing attire. Before heading to the changing room, Cagalli pulled Jean away from Kai since she needed to change as well. After a while, they came out wearing their bathing suits. They really caught the attention of the boys which nearly made them drool. Kira quickly turned his cam on and filmed them.

"Do we look okay to you guys?" Jean asked.

The boys all nodded in unison- without even saying anything. It seemed that they were still surprised on how sexy the girls were.

Shinn's house

Mayu was trying to study for a test but she couldn't concentrate since Shinn's music was so damn loud! Sure she could take him being annoying and overprotective all the time but she reached her limits. It was going too far. She stomped towards Shinn's door and banged madly. She even kicked the door several time to get her brother's attention. No luck! He still wouldn't open the door.

"Brother! Open the stinking door or you're going to get it this time!" Mayu shouted.

She was thinking of burning the door down until she heard the doorbell. Somebody was at the door but who could it be? She remembered her parents saying that they were going to be late. She went down the stairs and answered the door.

"Good Morning Mayu!" greeted Stellar.

The little Asuka smiled widely. She pulled Stellar right in. Without any hesitation she dragged Stellar up the stairs and brought her to Shinn's door. Stellar blinked several times- confused of Mayu's actions.

"What am I suppose to do here?" Stellar asked.

"Please tell my brother to tone down the music." Mayu replied. "I'm trying to study for a test tomorrow."

"Is that all? Okay I'll do it." Stellar said.

Stellar knocked on the door and called out Shinn's name. After 5 seconds, the door opened... Mayu was so shocked. Stellar didn't even knock loudly and yet Shinn heard it while she did all sort of things. She so wanted to kill Shinn at that very moment but since the volume was lessen she went back to her room.

Shinn blushed in front of Stellar. He stood in an awkward position while scratching his head. Stellar took his hand and placed it on her face. She closed her eyes as she felt the warmness of his hand. Shinn turned even redder this time. If Mayu seen him like this then she'll probably want to tape it and sell the video off to her classmates. Thankfully, she was in her room. He brought his attention back to Stellar. He let out a big smile. He slowly pulled Stellar into his embrace. After a while they broke from each other's arms- and faced each other...

"So Stellar," started Shinn, "What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to see you," replied Stellar, "besides I was getting bored at home, plus I don't have to go work today."

"I see then let's go out for a while." Shinn suggested.

"That will be great." Stellar said. "Let's go to the park! I love it there."

"Okay." Shinn replied.

Before leaving the house, Shinn told Mayu that he will be going out with Stellar. Surprisingly Mayu seemed happy since she had the house all to herself. She even pushed Shinn and Stellar out of the house- in a gently way of course.

"Well you guys have fun!" Mayu said and then she slammed the door.

Shinn and Stellar looked at each other confusingly. They blinked several times and then they giggled a bit. Stellar kind off admires Mayu- she's even a little jealous of Shinn since he had a little sister while she doesn't even have siblings of her own. She wished she had one. Shinn thought of the opposite thing... He felt so unlucky to be a big brother but he has to admit that it has some advantages. Mayu wasn't really a menace, actually she's actually sweet and nice that's why Shinn is sometimes protective of her but sometimes she's so annoying! No matter what the reason or excuse was, Stellar still thinks it's nice to have a sibling.

Stellar started pulling Shinn's arm like a little girl who wanted to go to the amusement park. Stellar held onto his arms hugging it like a teddy bear. Shinn turned red again as he noticed that his arm was near her chest. He could feel a lump in his throat. He wanted to remove his arm but Stellar seemed to be comfortable with it. They walked towards the park cheerfully.

Beach

Lacus, Cagalli, Jean, and Athrun and Kai were all playing beach volley ball. It was girls vs. boys, two against three. So far the girls were leading... The boys were having a hard time because Cagalli was good at the sport but they were not about to give up. Kai asked Kira to join them so it will be a fair play but Kira just wanted to film them.

"You can do it guys!" Kira cheered.

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one who is playing here." Athrun and Kai said in unison.

"Come on guys show us what you got!" Cagalli said.

It was Athrun's turn to serve. He positioned himself in one spot. He grabbed the ball and tossed it high and then he struck the ball. The ball flew over to the other side. Lacus managed to hit and the ball went to Jean. Jean pushed the ball upwards. Cagalli jumped high and spiked! In an instant, the ball went over to the other side and hit the sand hard. Lacus and Jean cheered happily for Cagalli because they won! Kai and Athrun deeply sighed- they just lost to girls.

"Wow!" gasped Kira, "I can't believe you..."

"Zip it Yamato! It was just a game." Kai said.

"Then why do you sound like you want to cry." Kira teased.

"No I do not!" Kai shouted.

"Stop it you two and let's eat!" Cagalli said.

"Okay!" Kai replied.

Lacus spread the food all over the beach blanket. There were fruits, cake, sandwiches, rice balls, doughnuts and hotdogs, and they were all prepared by the pink princess herself. Kira was stuffing his mouth with the rice balls. It was really delicious.

"This is really good Lacus. You're really a good cook!" Kira complimented.

"I'm glad you like it." Lacus said.

"Lacus used to make me Lunch when we we're still in Middle School." Cagalli told. "I always look forward to it."

"Really... Then can you make me lunch next time?" Kira asked.

Lacus simply nodded her head. Of course she would, anything to please Kira... He immediately grabbed her hands. He grinned widely- thanking her at the same time.

Cagalli moved closer to Athrun. She pulled him closer so she could whisper into his ear.

"Kira is acting a bit weird." Cagalli said.

Athrun glanced over at his best friend. Cagalli was right in saying weird but he knew why Kira was like that.

"It's because he's just happy that's all. He's happy to be with Lacus." Athrun told her.

"I see." Cagalli replied.

Jean was silently eating her hotdog while staring at the sea. It was a beautiful sight. She admired the sea. Unexpectedly, Kai sat down beside her.

"Amazing isn't it?" Kai asked.

"Huh?" said Jean, "Um... yeah the sea is really amazing."

"Jean, can you come with me over there?" Kai asked as he pointed at the cliff.

"Sure let's go." Jean replied.

Kai smiled. He grasped Jean's hand and pulled her upwards to help her stand up. Jean's emerald green eyes met his blue ones... Suddenly an uncertain feeling rose in her heart. Her cheeks turned red as he stared at him more. When she snapped back into reality, she immediately turned away from him.

"What's the matter Jean?" Kai asked her.

"It's nothing!" lied Jean, "Come on let's go!"

Jean dragged him without even looking at him. She bowed her head so she Kai couldn't see her blush. Now the question remained in her head, "Do I like him?"... She could feel her heart pounding madly. Uneasiness overwhelmed her emotions, she just didn't know why. Every time she took one short glance at Kai her face would just flare up. What was happening to her? Even though she won't admit it, she was attracted to Kai. She was very silent around him- never said a word from their walk to the Cliffside. It was beginning to annoy Kai since he hated silence so he started blabbering about his school, friends, but as he continued on his conversation led to Cagalli. When he uttered her name, he quickly shut up... He really didn't mean to bring her up. Kai has yet to erase Cagalli completely in his heart.

"Kai?" Jean broke the silence.

He turned his head at her and smiled frankly. His blue eyes neared to tears that were full of sadness, pain and sorrow. He tried to hold it back. He couldn't let a girl like Jean see him cry.

"Kai, is everything ok?" Jean asked.

"I... I'm fine..." Kai replied in a pitch sound.

No, he wasn't all right. He was in pain. Jean could see that all. She never realized how Kai loved Cagalli. He loved her totally that's why he's so broken-hearted. Feeling concern, Jean placed a hand on his shoulder. Kai faced her and saw her calm face and emerald green eyes. Bad time... her eyes just reminded him of Athrun, the man that Cagalli loved... Tears started flowing down for the fact he couldn't contain it no longer. It was excruciating. But Jean wanted to help him, to cheer him up again, and to bring him back to his old self again. So she pulled him closer to her. She wrapped him in his arms. Kai's eyes widened in surprise- he didn't quite anticipated that.

"Jean... you..." Kai mumbled.

"Let it all out Kai," said Jean, "it will make you feel better. So cry as much as you want."

Their eyes met again. Jean sincerely looked at him with a smile and a calm expression. Her green eyes were full of compassion. She brushed through his brown hair and enjoyed playing some strands. It made Kai even more miserable. There she was trying to cheer him up and he couldn't even say anything. She was being so kind to him. He could feel a warm vibe coming from her. All of the sudden, he hugged her so tightly. Now Jean was the surprised one but it was understandable.

"You're so emotional... I can't believe you can cry like this..." Jean whispered in his ear.

"I... I'm sorry... and..." murmured Kai, "thank you..."

"No problem," replied Jean, "I'm glad that I was able to help."

Jean felt rather happy to be hugged by Kai like that. She came to fully realize that she has feelings for him- a deep and sincere feeling of love.

Cagalli was running away from Athrun who was trying his best to catch her. As expected from a trained runner, Cagalli wasn't an easy catch. She ran towards the water. Athrun followed her closely. He was about to reach her until she suddenly dive into the water. Cagalli emerged from behind him and quickly went to shore. Athrun sighed because he failed again. Athrun started walking back but he tripped on a stone and fell. SPLASH! Cagalli laughed out loud at him. The way he fell it was hilarious. But when she was at it, Athrun took the chance to surprise attack her. When he neared her, he quickly pulled her towards him but both of them lose their balance, thus, falling into the shallow part of the water. Cagalli was now on top of Athrun with both hands on his chest. They stared each other for a while as their cheeks turned red.

"You're the cutest girl I've ever seen," complimented Athrun.

"Eh? Well I..." Cagalli murmured.

"I love you so much."

"Athrun..."

Athrun seated himself while placing his arms around Cagalli's waist. Pulling her closer, his lips slowly met hers.

Kira and Lacus managed to see this. Kira felt happy but he seemed to have a little jealousy part. It kind of pissed him off.

"I want to go over there and pull Cagalli away." Kira sarcastically said.

"Kira, don't you dare do that," told Lacus, "they're having a very sweet moment."

"I know it's just that whenever I see Cagalli with Athrun, I feel..."

Before he could say anything, his lips got sealed by Lacus' kiss. Kira slowly closed his eyes. He deepened the kiss even more. They enjoyed every second of it.

To be continued...

JC: I'm glad I was able to finish this. I'm having hard time to find the right words to use. Tell me what you think so review... and I don't want FLAMES!

Fllay will apologized to Cagalli in the next chapter