This story was so hard to just update this time! I feel bad that I took so long and you can easily tell that this chapter isn't as good but please don't flame it (not horribly anyways). I hope that this is somewhat satisfactory and I hope that it will come to a good ending for them. Anyways…I completely screwed over this story after chapter one so this chapter is really messed up and if something doesn't make sense, well then I guess you can shoot me dead. XP

Chapter 8

Auel woke up in the comfort of a large and soft bed, the blankets seeming to cling to his body. He sat up, rubbing the remains of sleep from his eyes. Suddenly he recalled that he didn't know where he was. He slipped out of the bed and looked around. The room was fairly large and simple. It was a red room with light beige carpet and the bed was white. The window onto the balcony was large and the curtains had black vines spiraling down for design. Auel then took in the attire he was wearing. It was a black long sleeved pajama shirt with black pants that were folded up at his heels. His bare feet padded softly across the carpet as he approached the door. Sticking his head out into the hall he glanced both ways. It was empty and quiet. He could hear a soft buzz of a T.V playing down to his left so he slipped into the hall and went in that direction.

He went down the stairs, feeling his way as the hallway was dark although it was day. The windows were all closed and the blinds pulled over and the doors closed. At the bottom of the stairs he looked down the hall and saw lights flashing from a T.V screen from the room beyond the open door. He went down and peered into the room. On the couch sat three people: the Goth, the red head and Athrun.

Auel slipped into the room. "Ah…What's going on?"

"Oh, you're awake?" The Goth twisted in his chair to look at the light blue haired boy. "Did you sleep well?" He asked lazily.

"Y….yes." Athrun gazed over and gave a soft smile. Auel shrugged absently, walking over so he stood behind Athrun. "Who are you?"

The Goth smiled, "Theo."

"Just call me Li." The red head waved, s smile plastered to his pretty face. "You've been out for quite a while. You two are free to stay as long as you'd like, we don't mind."

"I don't plan on staying long." Auel stated flatly. "There are still things I wish to do."

"Same goes for me but we'll stay until we're fully healed." Auel nodded to Athrun in agreement while the other two shrugged. Theo rose slightly and dragged himself so he sat on Li's lap. Li patted the now empty spot, indicating for Auel to sit. For the most of the day they relaxed, letting their bodies heal while Theo and Li made the meals and insisted that it was alright to just sit back in relax.

A few days passed and the News was what Athrun and Auel both watched mostly when they weren't helping with the cleaning of the house or amusing their hosts. LONE hadn't progressed too much. Without Athrun to control, their forces had no one to break through the opposing defenses. They no longer held many elements of surprise because they were watched closely by everyone. The Archangel also aided ORB against the small attacks that came one after the other, slowly trying to wear ORB down but not doing that much otherwise. It seemed odd since they came in so powerfully but now they were so laid back. It made the two blue haired boys wonder if they had some plan just waiting to be introduced. ZAFT on the other hand was well in the picture. They were going through a huge stage of recruiting and making attacks against LONE in large numbers but always falling back. LONE had large numbers but they were clustered whereas the EA and ZAFT had numerous numbers but weren't all together.

"I plan on returning to the Archangel." Athrun said to Auel after breakfast when the other two went out to their jobs. "Do you want to come with me?"

"No thanks." Auel said. He didn't feel obligated to stay with Athrun. He planned on going back to Unatos' state and going killing crazy. He would shoot anyone who interfered in his path to kill that bastard. But Unato probably wasn't there anymore. He'd have to find out where he would be and the perfect time to kill him.

"Well, the offer is always open."

"I guessed as much. Thank you, Athrun." He sighed and seated himself beside the coordinator. "I wish to find Unato. I plan to kill him."

"Easier said then done."

"I know but still…That is all I want." Athrun nodded as if understanding but he knew that the green eyed boy had his own objections. "Could you help me find him?"

"He'll be usually guarded and when he makes public announcements…that would be harder."

"I don't plan on having it easy." Auel felt so determined. He didn't care about his own life as he knew it would soon end. He was running out of needles and injection fluids to keep his body right. And he had no one left to help him with that. He planned on dying and joining Sting in the path beyond life. That night he and Athrun left the house which had been their home for 2 and a half weeks, thanking the two thoroughly for their help, giving their house one thorough clean as a last Thank-you. Auel would go with Athrun to the Archangel until they found the perfect opportunity to attack Unato. Auel already knew what he would do. In a public presentation where LONE would advertise their side to the world Auel would go and somehow kill him then. It wasn't often that someone would kill another so publicly, especially since it seemed a low blow in the eyes of anyone but Auel didn't care how despicable it looked. He wanted the man dead and didn't care who or how many saw, or how brutal it would be. He would do it publicly as a statement saying that Unato deserved to die and brought it all upon himself in the end.

He figured Athrun knew that he wanted to kill the large man publicly but again Athrun kept himself quiet. In a way he knew Athrun would want the same thing because of the torture he had been put through. Yet Athrun would not go with him and Auel wouldn't allow it. He would do it alone. He would probably die trying.

Auel and Athrun sat at a bench in an empty park. It was old and in the need of many repairs. A car pulled up to the curb before them and stepping out was a brunette with a soft face and glowing eyes.

"Athrun!" He cried, running over to them and enveloping him in his arms.

"Good to see you too, Kira." Athruns eyes slid shut as he returned the embrace.

Lovers. Auel knew that was what they were and he longed for that again with Sting. Pulling back Athrun indicated Auel.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kira Yamato of the Archangel. I pilot the Freedom." They shook hands and Auel introduced himself with no where near as much enthusiasm. He didn't know how Athrun had gotten hold of the Archangel and he didn't question it. It didn't matter. Not much mattered.

Getting on the Archangel felt odd. He was so use to not being on a battle ship that it felt almost awkward to be on one again. Auel didn't care though. It was a welcoming feeling as everything else was. Auel was given a room near Athrun, although he doubted Athrun would be alone at night. Especially tonight. Auel showered, dressing in a casual white shirt and black pants provided by Kira. Days went by where nothing happened, no battles, no announcements, until finally, eight days later Unato was to make an announcement that evening about…blah blah blah. Auel didn't listen to that much information except the location and who was there, not why. But each night previous, Auel lay awake, listening to nothing in particular but thinking of Sting. He knew he shouldn't, because it only made him depressed but his mind always wandered there and he couldn't help but get the feeling of slitting his wrist and joining him. Not yet. His mind reasoned. Not until he had killed Unato.

He was informed that he was able to take out a Gundam that they had made and Auel could use it as he pleased. It wasn't anything special. And Auel knew he could do a lot of damage with it. Whether he would get close enough was the problem. Going out in the Gundam was thrilling for Auel. He didn't realize how much he missed it until he was in a suit again. The power beneath him was exhilarating and the view wide. He approached the building fast, shooting as soon as it came in range of his guns' limit. Alarms sounded and mobile suits launched to face him but Auel felt that they were no match and easily demolished them. He had never felt so alive in such a long time and his skills seemed almost perfect. Each shot hitting its mark, each dodge an easy and swift motion and quickly he advanced on the building of his destination. He knew there'd be casualties but he knew he didn't have time to think about that. His sanity was dwindling on its edge and he needed only a few more moments until he has accomplished his goal.

He switched to the double scythe and landed atop the building. He sliced through it, killing who knows how many. And in the corner of his screen he saw him. Unato coming out the side and rushing for a helicopter but he would be too slow. The mobile suits trying to fight off Auel weren't nearly as good and he swept past them, slicing them in half and then the helicopter was gone with an explosion not nearly as large as any of the mobile suits. Unato was executed and so were many others and this thought overwhelmed the light blue haired boy and he felt his nerves going numb. He had killed so many without much thought but he did achieve his goal but at what price? Many would stop following him. Many wouldn't be killed by this one man who led it all. LONE had no leader, and Auel was to thank for that.

…

Athrun watched, horrified as Unatos' speech about how a Natural world without Extended's and Coordinators would be the perfect world, was interrupted. The connection fuzzed in and out and utter chaos erupted on the screen. Athrun switched channels and on the news, from a safe distance, was just as much chaos. Mobile suits soared and were destroyed as a new Gundam swept through the area, finally landing and destroying half of the broadcasting building before going and destroying a helicopter before it was able to escape. Then the Gundam seemed to cease its slaughter, pulling back and retreating. Many suits pursued, all belonging to LONE, whites, yellows and blues streaking forward. Athrun prayed that Auel would just escape quickly but something told him different.

Athrun was joined by Kira, who panted in his ear as he wrapped his arms around Athrun. "I came as soon as I heard what was on. Did you know this is what he'd do?"

Athrun nodded, speechless. A beep on their screen caught their attention. It was from the main commands. They accepted. Ramius told them Auel was on the line and wished to speak with Athrun.

…

Auel connected with the Archangel, refusing to answer anything but only asked to speak with Athrun. It took only a few moments before he was connected to another line and Athrun was visible through the small monitor, Kira moving beside him. "I wanted to thank you. You've done so much and I just killed so many but LONE should back off now. Their leader is gone and I don't know how it was so easy."

Athrun nodded. "Auel, what are you planning on doing?"

Auel just smiled. The remaining forces of LONE were all here now, at least those in the city and they had him surrounded. He flew up, the rest following like flies. "Thank you Athrun. I regret nothing and neither should you. Live long, live with Kira. You two make a nice couple."

Athrun blushed but then something seemed to strike him and he shot forward, sudden shock and unwanted understanding across his face. "Auel, don't!" He screamed but he was powerless to do anything.

"I don't have anything to live for. What I want isn't here. Good bye." Auel felt a single, cold tear slip from his soft eyes as he cut the line. Quickly, he punched in the self-detonation code and the countdown started up, red lights flashing. Auel sat back, running his fingers through his sweaty hair and cried. It wasn't sad but tears for joy as he could finally rest. His body felt like it was shutting down by itself and it wasn't because of the situation. Being an Extended had its prices and he no longer needed what life offered. Because what he wanted, who he wanted, was already taken away from him.

As he felt the Gundam shaking and attacks getting closer and more direct, his Gundam exploded, destroying the many suits surrounding him and knocking the farther ones back so they smashed into the ground and exploded there.

…

The Archangel was full of life, people running about, and screaming messages, panic on their faces. Athrun couldn't help but cry, slamming his fist against the screen where Auels' face was moment ago. Kira rubbed his back, trying to soothe him as Athrun let out his frustration at the loss of a friend. The next few days were hectic as the world tried to count the losses of lives, calculate the total damage and figure out LONE's position. A representative had informed a few days after, that LONE would be no more, and that those a part of it were either returning to their families or going through therapy.

The war seems to have come to a stop thanks to Auels' one attack and assassination of LONE's leader that many have wanted to stop this war by compromising with each other. Odd and most unlikely but it happened.

The Archangel landed in ORB and Kira and Athrun stayed at Lacus' home. She was more than happy to support them and their relationship and loved it when they stayed. They were always affectionate with each other, and very open with it. Athrun had gotten over Auels death and trying his best to live as freely with Kira as he could.

"Kira?"

"Yeah?"

"I want to visit the grave." Kira nodded. A grave had been made for Auel, even though no body was in it. They had put things in it that they thought resembled Auel. A thorn rose being one. They drove there in silence, both thinking of whatever crossed their minds. Athrun remember Auel, the stubborn blue haired boy that had a reckless spirit. At the white grave, Athrun placed a bouquet of roses down, whispering his wish for Auels' happiness wherever he was now. They stayed there a while, enjoying the soft breeze and the setting sun.

"Let's go." Kira said, guiding Athrun lightly by the arm. Athrun obliged, linking arms with his lover. Returning to the car, they put on the latest Orgy (yes-I love that band! I highly recommend them) and sang the whole way home. Entering the pitch dark house, they wondered where Lacus was. They quickly found a note saying she was going out to Ramius and Mwu's house and spending the night there. She'd be back by lunch the following day.

"Great, house alone just for us." Kira purred into Athruns ear, hand slipping under the blue haired boys' chest, rubbing small circles on his stomach. Athrun couldn't help but grin at Kira's implication. Of course…he would willingly go along with it. Anything for Kira.

…

Well there you go! A short chapter but this story is pissing me off! it's taking way too long and I keep getting writers block. Next chapter should be the last and it's probably just a pwp chapter. So, how'd this turn out? Please review. Shoot me if you'd like.