I do not own Gundam Seed.

Heya! Okay, a few points before I begun, ne?

1. A really sincere thanks to all those who had reviewed, you guys really really made my day! ( Tears brimming ) And to those who had just begun and had not reviewed please do remember that a review is a writer's best friend. ( Wink )

2. Once again, words in Italics are either thoughts of a certain person or memories of the past.

3. I would like to correct a mistake that I made previously, the generals I mentioned in the past chapter are actually Colonels, I apologize for that mistake.(Bows respectfully)

4. This is a short summary of what had happened:

Cagalli Yula Athha, caught up in the past, betrayed by the present.

Athrun Zala, bound by vows to the girl he married and by heart to the lover he left behind.

Kira Yamato, the avenger of his past with the wounded soul.

Roy Kilburn, the man who made a promise which he intends to hold.

Colonel Jonathan Anders, a coward through and through.

Colonel George Laws, a crafty old man who craves control.

5. And last but not least, any questions would be gladly answered as long as you ask.( smiles) So without further ado, I present to you...

Sakura

by : frost2light
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General Laws

" Stand by me Athrun. Please."

I watched with passionless eyes as the whole situation unfolded in the screens in front of me. I was sitting there listening to everything that had went on between the two spouses in the hidden room in my quarters, I smiled and thought to myself that this time Lady Luck had helped me clinch the moment. I basked a little while more in that glow of glee before pressing the button that would connect me instantly to that moronic General Anders. I waited impatiently for him to waddle to the phone and before he could say anything to me I had spoken.

" Send her now."

Cagalli

I did not want to move, I could not as my brain played the scenes from back then relentlessly. The slamming of the door, the disgust, Athrun leaving. Tears dripped down my face, pooling near my hands where I had slumped, back against the wall for support. I looked around the familiar surroundings, trying to remember what it was like to be happy, to feel Athrun's presence, but try as I might, I could not recall anything. Nothing. It was just a shell, a hollow space where I lived. Memories of the past streamed through but nothing was worth mentioning.

Look what you have got yourself into. The pretence is off, and what are you left with?

I laughed out loud, a tired, sad laugh with the tears still streaming down my face. I pushed myself further into the wall, as if to find comfort in the cold bricks and huddled with my knees to my chest.

You'll be okay.

Shut up!

Time will heal the wounds.

Have you tried cutting yourself with a knife? The wound hurts with bright red blood as evidence. But, have you scraped your skin before? There is no evidence, nothing to show that you are hurt but that wound hurts more than a cut. It's unseen but it's there. I feel like that now.

It'll heal with time.

Please shut up. Let me be for now. Just let me rest.

I curled further into myself and when the doorbell rang, I did not care about it. When the door splintered and crashed open, I just let it be.

Kira

"Athrun, look! It's the sun!" I whispered excitedly like a child to the boy beside me. He turned towards me, smiling and nodded. It was the first day of freedom, the war had ended and we were standing side by side, safe and sound.

" It's beautiful." He mumbled, totally awed by the rising of the sun, a beginning of a new day, a day with no war.

" Yes it is." I said aloud whilst in my heart I wished that I could add ' So are you'.

" Kid, wake up. Hey Kid."

I opened my eyes involuntarily, unwilling to end the dream that I was having, and rubbed my eyes groggily.

" Wha..at?" I mumbled and tried to focus in the pitch black darkness. " Where are we?"

" Kid! What's wrong with you? We have to hurry. We've spent too much time in one place. We have to move."

Only then did I remember that we were fugitives, runaways. My sleepiness and the dream vanished into the past, I was alert once again and looked around my surroundings warily. We were in a large field, where we had stopped for the night. It was cold, but it had to do. We could not risk staying anywhere in case someone noticed us and alerted the police. We had stopped for petrol along the way at a twenty four hour self service petrol kiosk. The man was sleepy and hardly paid much attention to us, for that we were grateful. We pooled our money resources together and managed to get a full tank and some provisions to last us for a few days. The money that we had did not come easy, we had bargained and bribed, challenged and won in Hoxworth for the last two years, it was not much, but it was enough.

" Where are you planning to go?" I asked Roy.

" Where everything is going to start." He said enigmatically.

" What do you mean? I don't understand."

" We have to disguise ourselves, we are bound to be passing people soon and I don't want us landing ourselves back into prison. We look rather out of place, don't you think?"

I looked down at our uniforms and realised what Roy Kilburn was saying is true. It was one thing to appear in public as a guard but with blood splattered on the front, it was painting a bull's eye on ourselves.

" Where are we going to get clothes? We don't have any more money to get any and what's more, we can't just walk into a store without anyone noticing us."

" We'll be passing some farms soon. We'll improvise then." Roy said under his breath as he hot wired the jeep once again before setting it into reverse and driving away from the field. We were on the move once again.

Athrun

I looked at the people milling about me and I narrowed my eyes ominously. I wanted to shout at them to get out of my way but I couldn't get my brain to command my mouth to speak coherently. I had been drinking in a bar and was now officially stinking drunk. I tried to grab hold of something before I toppled over and sat down slumped in a heap by the roadside. I watched the cars zooming by, each of them having a destination to be and I laughed to myself. I wondered then what it was like to tempt death. I could just walk into the middle of the road and lay down there, any unsuspecting vehicle would not be able to see me in time and I would end up being road kill. I laughed to myself again and tried to get up in order to accomplish that thought but no sooner had I stood up, everything threatened to turn upside down and I fell back down unto the street. I shook my head to somewhat clear it and instead of making it better, everything seemed worse.

" Kuso." I cursed out loud, and this time laughter did not come, tears came instead. I could feel the wetness on my cheeks and I burrowed my head into my hands before curling up at the sidewalk. I had succumbed to my fear of choices and betrayed the one person who had so trusted me. I had chosen the path of no return.

Are you going to wallow in self pity Athrun?

Shut up.

I've been silent for too long, that is why you made that mistake.

I can't go back.

You are right. You can't, but you can go forward.

How?

Find out the truth of that mysterious woman, be there for Cagalli.

She lied to me.

She loves you.

I don't.

She is still your wife, you chose that path. Do not run away and leave her now. Settle the problems, do not run, you have been running for far too long.

The conscience I had been hiding for so long with excuses and lies finally asserted itself and as I looked at the midnight sky and wondered where Kira was, I vowed to myself then to correct the mistakes that I had done and for once be the man that I was supposed to be, for Kira, for Cagalli, for me.

Colonel Laws

" Anders my dear friend, we have finally achieved what we had planned for so long." I was in a jovial mood as I toasted the man standing beside me in the hidden room in my quarters.

" Yes, the plan had indeed gone without a hitch, Representative Athha was unexceptionally docile." Colonel Anders said.

" Docile is hardly the word Anders, she was positively catatonic."

" What happened?" Colonel Anders asked, curious.

" Let's just say she met a rather rough patch." I said smirking before grinning a wide Cheshire grin while my brain replayed the scenes that happened barely an hour ago.

The door smashed open to reveal the clone of Cagalli Yula Athha, her face in a feral expression. She glanced about the room warily, expecting resistance but was surprised that there was none. She had scouted the house a few times to get her bearings before this latest command and had indeed done her homework. There were no surveillance cameras as Cagalli had insisted that none was to be installed as she had so naively said once to Athrun that a home should be a home without any further explanation and ignoring all the arguments that Athrun had posed. The clone shook her head as she recalled those words, she had viewed all the videotapes of the two residents of this house that Colonel Laws had made during their stay. She stalked silently towards her clone and smirked down at her.

" You are weak." She had said to Cagalli and was rewarded with a blank stare.

" You." Was all Cagalli said before curling back into her foetal state and bothered the clone no more. The clone did what she had to do and was out of the house within minutes, completing the mission successfully with no margin of error.

" Colonel Laws, Laws!"

I hid my sigh of exasperation and looked up at Colonel Anders who had a concerned look on his face.

" What were you saying?" I asked, impatience in my voice.

" I was asking if the pawns are in place."

" Of course it is, do you think me a fool?"

" Would it succeed?"

" I know it will. The clone would take Cagalli's place and everything would be under our control."

" Won't Athrun suspect anything? He is after all her husband." Colonel Anders was still unconvinced.

" He won't, after what had happened, he will not be paying any attention to her at all." I smiled before continuing, " Besides that, the clone has been fully trained to act like Cagalli, sound like Cagalli and looks could fool anyone."

" I sincerely hope you are right. There is too much at stake. I wonder if I should…"

" Are you saying you want out now, Colonel Anders?" My voice was deceptively soft as my eyes narrowed dangerously as I continued to scrutinize Anders harshly. He visibly cringed at my gaze before stuttering.

" No..no…of course not. What are you thinking?"

I'm thinking I should eliminate you before you say something wrong.

" I should be asking you that question. Have you forgotten the things that you had said that night? You had said that you would give up anything and everything for your revenge of are you forsaking your sister now."

Anders face was florid and I could see his veins throbbing as he said " I will never forsake her! Her death will be avenged."

I had caught Anders and once again ensnared him in my web of deceit, he was so predictable. Many would think that he wanted power but in reality, Anders is and will always remain a simple man, he just wanted revenge for his dead sister. A sister he had clearly loved and revered, he had not accepted her death at all and had blamed the Athha family for her demise as she was sacrificed because of their stupid ideals. He had been crying by himself at the announcement of peace and the inauguration of Cagalli Yula Athha three months after the rebuilding efforts.

" Curse the Athha family! Why should they have survived when you died? It's not fair!" I heard him mumble and gurgle through his tears.

" Colonel Anders, is that you?" I had inquired politely.

" Who's there?" Anders straightened up perceptibly and straightened his clothing before confronting the intruder of his private world. He stiffened further when he found that intruder to be me. I was amused.

" What are you doing here alone?"

" Nothing, just getting some fresh air. It was stuffy inside." He said uncomfortably, aware that I had indeed heard him cry and the words that he had just said.

" Do not worry, Anders, I did not hear anything."

A moment of silence passed us by and I could see him trying to make up his mind about trusting me before he visibly relaxed and said " Thank you."

" I'm sorry about your loss. She would have been happy for the peace."

" What would you know?" He said bitterly, " How could she be happy? She's dead! Everything that she was, is and had yet to be ceased when that blasted debris took her life! What would she know!"

" What are you going to do about it? You can't bring her back no matter what you try to do." I was baiting him, trying him and I was pleasantly surprised when he answered.

" I don't care. I will avenge her, I will! Let them feel the pain of losing a loved one. Let them know how I feel."

" What are you planning to do?"

He deflated immediately at that question and I knew that he had nothing planned, he was all talk.

" I don't know." He said tiredly, disappointedly.

" I have a plan."

He looked at me with disbelieving eyes and I understood his suspicion. I was the model politician, someone who was the first to be there, loyal, smart and hugely popular with the other committee members and not someone who would plot someone's else demise. But that was after all in the past. I was that way because I had thought that by doing so, I would be next in line for the leadership in Orb but I had been too naïve in the past and since a young girl had came to power while I was left with nothing, I had vowed then to get it myself. I requested him to meet me secretly after the party and everything was set and put to motion. From that day onwards, he was the man I had recruited to use as my puppet. In the community, I was always the man who was feared and respected while his image, through me, was destroyed beyond tatters. It was the good cop, bad cop role play, not that he cared. He had no use for that at all, his heart was filled with hatred and revenge, unfortunately, there was one thing that proved cumbersome. His cowardice and his general apathy for peace.

" Colonel Anders, I was not questioning your loyalty about your sister, please do not misunderstand, I'm sure she knows that you are trying extremely hard to avenge her wrongful death."

" I'm just tired, Laws. What are you going to do about the real Representative?" Colonel Anders finally asked the important question.

" Well now, that is for me to know and for you to find out. Ask no more of it and I will tell you no lies."

" What is that supposed to mean?" Colonel Anders was flustered. He had not expected that kind of answer. " Are you planning to kill her?"

I shrugged." It depends on her use. The clone might be well trained, but we still need the real Cagalli in case something goes wrong, let's just say that she being alive is a back up plan."

" Where are you keeping her?"

" Like I said Anders, ask no more of it. Just play the stupid oaf that you are and you would be spared the details. I know that you don't want to hear it, so please do leave it at this." I had said in a tone that discouraged arguments. Anders looked positively scandalized but he said no more. He knew that I was right, he was a coward who wanted nothing to do that would taint his snow white hands, he would be the sidekick as long as the things that he was required to do was to his liking. He had a code of honour but no matter what he liked to think, he was as deep into this as I am, I was merely placating his conscience in order for him to function. A wise woman had once told me, that a good leader knows how to work his way around his subordinates weakness in order to get the best out of them. When I was young, I could not comprehend what she had told me, but now not only I fully understand what she had been saying I had been using this method on Anders and it was working like a charm. My mother had been the wise woman and I appreciated her advice more than ever now.

The mood in the room was tensed and I sighed inwardly. It was so hard to coddle a child. " Come now Anders, do not look so upset, let's drink to your sweet revenge. We aren't far from success now."

Anders managed a small smile but his forehead was still creased into a frown. He lifted his wine glass somewhat reluctantly and shivered when both of our glasses clicked together with a small 'chink' that resonated in the quiet room while the screens that depicted Athrun's cottage danced and flickered in the background. Anders had signed a deal with the devil.

Athrun

I came back to the cottage in the early hours of the morning, slightly more sober than before to find the wrecked front door. My blurred senses kicked back to life immediately by that sight and I dashed into the house calling Cagalli's name.

" Cagalli!" I shouted into the seemingly empty house. I rushed from room to room to find nobody and was breathing heavily by the time I reached the bathroom that was located at the back of the house.

" Cagalli!" I shouted again and tried the bathroom door, praying hard that she would be in there. I stood there stunned for a few moments when I realised that the door was locked and feared for the worse. My imagination showing me various pictures of Cagalli laying in a pool of blood, dead. I shook my head to clear it and forced myself to block out all of the incredibly heart stopping thoughts. I moved back a few steps in order for me to gain more leg room to kick down the door when the bathroom door swung open to reveal Cagalli.

" Cagalli!" The relief that I felt in seeing her safe and sound was beyond description but when I saw her swollen eyes and her tear stained cheeks, all feelings of relief flew out the window. I looked away and tried desperately to think of something to say.

" I'm so sorry." She whispered, her voice hoarse from the crying ." Don't leave me, Athrun" She pleaded, her hands by her side. She looked so much like a broken doll.

" I won't leave you, Cagalli. We will make things right." Courage that had escaped me for so long filled me and I raised my hand to draw her into my arms. It was the least that I could do. A simple hug that both of us needed. I was surprised when she tensed but concluded it was because of the confrontation earlier. She relaxed once she was sure that I would not hurt her and the both of us stood there, gathering comfort from the each other.

" Thank you." She whispered into my ear before closing her eyes and fainting in the doorway. I picked her up easily and carried her to her bedroom. I knew that she was exhausted by the events that had happened and I did not blame her, I was emotionally and physically drained too. I longed for a long hot bath to clear my head and to strategize on what I should do in the future. I had two things in mind, the first to find Kira's whereabouts while the second was to find the person who had harmed Cagalli.

Rest tonight.

I know.

Talk to Cagalli about what happened that day. There are missing parts and pieces that only she knows.

I know.

Get the information to prove Kira's innocence.

I know and thank you.

You are a weird guy. You are thanking yourself.

I smiled my first genuine smile for the first time in years at myself and felt slightly better. There would be a tomorrow for all of us, I know it would be hard but I know that somehow all of us would make it through, the war at Jachin Due had taught us that. While this was not a war that I was used to fighting but it was a war nonetheless as the objectives are the same, protect the ones I love. For that, I would be prepared. It would be a battle till the end.

Cagalli

I opened my eyes groggily, my head pounding and throbbing, only to find myself in the dark. I looked around me in terror, I had not been one for the dark and as I moved, a heavy clanking noise could be heard while my arms and legs felt heavy. I tried to reach one of my arms but found to my dismay that I could not. There was a coldness and a clanking sound that reminded me very much of chains. Realisation dawned upon me and I knew that that woman who had came after Athrun walked out was responsible for all these. She had my face and a part of me wondered what the hell was going on and where I was but the other part was too depressed and out of hope to think much about the whole incident.

Are you going to give up here?

Why are you still bothering me?

I have to. I'm what that is going to keep you alive.

What reason do I have to live?

Athrun was not your whole life Cagalli. You and I know it.

Shut up.

This is not you, stop wallowing in the dark, help your brother. Save yourself.

Why should I? Being in here is good.

Where are we?

What do I care?

I closed my eyes again to be surrounded by more darkness, I could hear water dripping and the chill in the air and I shivered.

We are imprisoned.

So?

Are you going let her win?

What's that to me?

Athrun is in danger. He will find out sooner or later and what would happen of him?

He can take care of himself. He won't go back to that house anyways.

You know he will.

He won't.

He will. Save him if not yourself.

I can't. It hurts too much to move.

You are a coward.

I know. Now please leave me alone.

Kira

" Are you ready?" I heard Roy Kilburn ask in low undertones.

" Yes."

" Just let me grab the clothes and you try to find whatever that can be useful for us okay?"

" Okay."

" Let's go."

We had shut off the engine and let the jeep roll over the grass near the farms to avoid detection and parked in between trees where even if people saw would think their eyes were playing tricks on them. I was thankful for the clouds that covered the bright moonlight and we crept out of the jeep, careful not to make a sound. It was early in the morning but the sun would be up soon and we had to hurry if we wanted to use the darkness as our cover.

We separated and went our own ways to accomplish what we had agreed earlier on. I looked at my surroundings and was struck by how peaceful, how normal it was. I wondered at that point whether would I ever be able to have this life again. The dream of peace that had prompted me to fight in the first place seemed so long ago, it was not fair that I had not the time to savour it before I was once again thrown into a place where the laughter and friendship of before ceased to be. I had fought not so long ago in order to protect, yet none had fought to protect me. I wanted to erase all those negative thoughts from my head and to believe that I had friends who would come and rescue me, but the three years in jail had made me bitter, cynical. People had thought me to be the angel, the protector, but I wished that someone would take that heavy load off my shoulders, at least for awhile. I was tired, I still am. I wanted to breathe, to fly free, just for a while, I wondered if that was too much to ask. Yet, instead of that, I was left alone and in the dark, suffering for the sins of others, I wished that I could turn back the time, to where I had a purpose to live on. The tears that I had cried had dried a long time ago, leaving a numb heart, a frozen part of me who wanted to live yet was still bound to the bitterness that I harboured. Is there a point of continuing?

Isn't finding out the truth worth living on?

I don't know. Is it? What does finding out the truth bring back?

Your innocence.

But that does not matter, does it?

Your sister is in danger. Have you forgotten about your promise to protect the ones that you love?

I know.

Don't give up. You know that Athrun did not want to betray you.

But he did.

Don't give up. There's always a tomorrow. Please.

Then give me a sign. Anything.

I looked sadly up into the dark sky as my inner selves debated and noticed the faint glow of the moonlight gleaming through the clouds. I worried about being seen but as I hurried to turn back into the shadows, I finally realised what I was standing below as that shaft of moonlight illuminated it.

" Hey kid, did you find anything? Here change into this." Roy Kilburn paused in mid whisper as he noticed my facial expression. " You are smiling." He said as if in awe.

I nodded and continued to do what he asked me to do.

" What happened?"

" Nothing." I continued smiling.

" What do you mean?" He asked suspiciously." Is everything alright?"

" Let's go." I said without explaining and walked back towards the jeep without a backward glance, leaving a puzzled Roy behind. However, the image of what I had saw was safely imprinted into my heart as it was the sign that I had asked for, proof that everything would be okay, that there is hope. It had happened once before, when Athrun and I had to say our goodbyes, I had made a wish under that particular tree, and the wish had come true. Now, as I walked away, I wished once again silently in my heart, under that sakura tree, that I would once again be reunited with the friend, companion and lover that I had missed so much. The sign of hope, a sakura tree.