Here it is, just as promised! Hope you like. :P Cookies for anyone who guesses the little girl's identity.

Picture of Innocence

CH2

Slowly the girl turned, and began to walk away. Each step was distinct and clear, the sounds echoed through the house. Step by step, the sound slowly faded. Several seconds passed before either of them dared to move.

Kira was the first to speak. "A-Athrun?" He whispered. Athrun's mind was in a state of panic; they were stuck in a nightmare. And whatever it was, it was after them. It was after Kira. What could they do? What could he do!

He swallowed, and put his fear aside. He had to be strong; for Kira's sake.

"…yeah…?"

Kira looked at him with wide eyes. "…S-she's after me, Athrun." His breathing became labored and erratic. "She's going.. She's going to kill me… I'm… I'm going to…"

"No, you're not!" Athrun put a hand on his shoulder. "W-we're going to get out of here in one piece, alright?" It was up to him to get them out… and it was his responsibility to keep that thing away from his friend. "…Come on, let's get going."

As if to reinforce his point, a loud bark echoed through the house. Instantly, set into motion, going through the ducts. His heartbeat seemed to speed up with every movement. They went faster and faster, seemingly a sort of unspoken concord between them. Then he saw it, the rays of shimmering light up ahead. It called to them, causing a single word to form in Athrun's mind; Freedom.

He pushed the rusted vent free, and they tumbled out onto the dusty floor. Athrun looked around quickly, discovering they had arrived in the attic. Kira looked around as well, and spotted the window. "…There!" Athrun grabbed the sheet off of the bed, while Kira tried the window. He fumbled with the lock clumsily, with sweat forming on his forehead. After one last try, it gave way. The window flew up, letting in a breeze along with rain.

It was their only chance. Just then, the window snapped shut. "Going somewhere?" A cheerful, childish voice rang out. They froze. "Now there… why would you ever want to leave? I wanted to play, Kira." Slowly, they turned to face the figure standing in front of the stairs. It was the girl.

She pouted. "Stay, Kira." Athrun clenched his fists.

"What do you want with Kira! What did he ever do to you!" She frowned, and her eyes narrowed.

"What did he do to me?" She took a step forward. "What did he do to me!" Suddenly, a strong wind filled the room, blowing her hair about like a wild mane, and sending dust twirling into the air. "He destroyed me!" She roared, and suddenly Kira flew backwards into the wall. "He killed me. He triggered the explosion!"

Slowly, Kira rose from the ground. "…I-it wasn't me! I didn't do anything!" Athrun ran over to him, checking to see if he was alright. "That's right! He hasn't done anything to you!"

She smirked. "What, trying to make me believe lies through repetition? How naughty…"

Athrun stepped directly in front of Kira, caught between being scared or angry. His eyes were almost full of tears, as he gathered every ounce of courage in order to protect his friend. "Don't hurt us!" He was begging, almost. "How long has it been! How long has it been since you died!"

"It was 2 years ago." Her voice was bitter. "I was trying to be nice. I was trying to make friends. But HE couldn't be nice!" Wind blew across the room once again.

"But I've would've been 11, and he would have been 10!" He cried desperately. Do you really think he could have done anything to you!"

"He is no ordinary person! He didn't want to be friends with me…. He was too HEARTLESS!" Kira flew across the room, hitting the wall hard.

He looked up from the ground, trembling violently. "I DIDN'T DO IT!"

Athrun took the girls arm, shaking it. His vision blurred, as tears rolled down his cheeks. But he didn't notice them. "He didn't! He didn't kill you! Why do you need to punish an innocent person!" This couldn't be happening… it was a nightmare… soon he was going to wake up. Kira would be just fine, and they would go play basketball together…

Slowly, Kira rose to his feet. He swayed, but stood his ground. "…it wasn't… me… I…" He paused to catch his breath. "…I didn't… do it…"

The girl clenched her fists, and shook of Athrun's hand. "I know it's him! He has the hair! The eyes!" The ground shook beneath their feet. "The skills that put him above everybody else!"

A hand flew through the air, hitting the girl's face. She stopped and blinked. Athrun brought his trembling hand back, looking at her through the tears. The girl turned and looked at him, eyes wide in shock.

"…L-listen to yourself! You're killing an innocent person!" He shouted.

"…but…" She looked down, blinking in confusion. It was only a glimpse, however. The fire came back to her eyes, and the resolve was there once more. "No! YOU'RE LYING!" She stomped her foot. "It HAS TO BE HIM!" Kira went flying once again, hitting the wall. He fell onto the ground, but didn't move.

Athrun's eyes widened. "KIRA!" He turned back to the girl. "It wasn't him! I promise! You're hurting the wrong person!" He looked down. Was it even doing any good…? Why wouldn't she listen to him! Didn't she know she was hurting an innocent! Athrun shut his eyes, dimly noticing an increase in tears. It… it was over… She was going to kill him… his best and only friend… and there was nothing he could do. "…I-it wasn't…"

The girl stopped, and looked at him curiously. "…It… It was him." She paused. "…wasn't it…?" Her gaze turned across the room to Kira's limp form. "…could it be…" She muttered to herself.

"He hasn't… killed anyone?" The girl looked to Athrun. He looked up at her and nodded. "…no one. Never in his life...!"

Her gaze went to her floor. "…perhaps…" Her eyes were wider, and her mouth was parted, as if in a trance. "…perhaps… I was wrong…" The cold, firm resolve of vengeance was gone. Only now, did she truly resemble the girl from the photograph. The picture of innocence. "…maybe… I am wrong…"

Slowly, she floated backwards, her hair and dress flowing as if in a wind. But there was none. Her image began to fade. "…I was wrong."

With that, she had disappeared entirely. Athrun took in a shaky breath, truly realizing what had happened. But then he remembered…

"Kira!" He ran over, crouching down beside him. "Kira! Wake up!" He shook him lightly. A soft moan came from Kira, and Athrun let out a sigh of relief.

"It's alright… she's gone." Kira slowly opened his eyes, and put a hand to the back of his head.

"…she's… gone..?" Athrun nodded.

"That's right… so let's get out of here."

Kira sat up, wincing slightly. "…I can't believe… it's over…"

Athrun shrugged. "Y-yeah… well… let's just leave before anything else comes out, alright? I wouldn't want to meet one of your chupicabras or werewolves…"

Kira nodded, and shakily climbed to his feet. They crossed over to the window, using the sheets to scale down to the ground. It had stopped raining.

Together, they ran across the hills as fast as they could, until reaching the tree from before. They sat down, taking a moment to think over what had happened, going over every detail.

After the silence, Kira spoke up. "Hey… Athrun?"

"Yeah?"

"...Thanks. For saving me, back there…"

Athrun smiled. "No problem."

"Oh, and one more thing… When you were talking to that ghost, you got our ages wrong… why would you be 11, while I'm 10? It just doesn't make sense…"

He looked downward, tugging at the grass a little.

"…and you're birthday's not until…" Kira paused, then blinked. Athrun looked down further.

"…my birthday's today."

A silence resumed once again, much less comfortable then before. Kira looked at him in shock, but Athrun didn't dare look up.

"…Athrun… I-I'm so sorry… I didn't mean… Oh man…"

"…No, it's alright." He looked up, with a smile on his face. "…I'm happy we both got out of there alive… and besides, I got the best gift a kid can ask for." Kira looked at him questioningly.

"Spending a day with my best friend."