JC: I'm getting so busy these days. College life isn't really a walk in a park. It's more like hell to me. Man, I hate it! I have to study and study, but I can still find some time to write stories. So for all the reviewers, I apologize for updating late and thank you for your reviews. I really appreciate them!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny.

Love Fulfilled

Phase 12: Discovery

They stepped into her room and found her sitting on the floor, trembling miserably. Her eyes were dull and stained with tears from weeping in pain and sadness.

For Kai, seeing the princess like that was excruciating. He has always seen her with a smile and a strong front. But now, he was seeing a different one, a different expression in which he found striking. "Princess Cagalli..." he murmured her name. "What should I do?"

"I thought you said you're going to cheer her up," Athrun said in a harsh tone. He walked over to Cagalli and patted her shoulder. "Kai is here to see you, Cagalli."

She raised her head and faced Athrun emotionlessly. "Huh? Kai?" she spoke softly. "What does he want?"

"He came here to see you, because he's worried about you."

"Is that so?" She slowly stood up with Athrun's help and turned her attention to Kai, still with depressed eyes. "Hey... there... Kai..."

"Princess... I... I..."

"Kai, if you don't have anything to say then don't say anything at all!" Cagalli suddenly blurted out. She was in no mood for anyone or anything. She just wanted to be alone to cry until the pain disappears.

"I'm sorry... It's just that... I came here to cheer you up."

"No one can cheer me up right now," she replied in a cold tone.

"I know you're sad about your brother, but how can we be sure that he's really dead?"

At this point, Athrun butted in. "Kai, stop saying those things!"

Yet, Kai didn't listen to Athrun and instead, he continued on. "Sure, there is a photograph to prove it, but that's not enough!"

"In that photograph, you can clearly see the Representative being shot with a gun and then falling into the sea. Nobody could've survived that fall and you do know HQ has already sent out search parties. Until now, they haven't found him."

"That's exactly my point! Since they haven't found the body, there's still a possibility that he's still alive."

"What if the killer took away his body?"

"Let me emphasize on the word IF. We're not even sure about that matter."

"Kai, you're sure are confident about your opinions there."

"Representative Yamato might still be alive and well as we speak." Kai approached Cagalli and placed both hands on her petite shoulders. He looked straight into her eyes with a smile. "Princess, do you really feel that your brother is dead?" he asked her.

Cagalli rolled her eyes away from him and brushed his hands away. "I don't know... I can't tell!" she shrieked as she rapidly shook her head. "Kira's gone and he's never coming back!"

"Princess, please calm down and listen to me. You have to clear your mind and heart. It's the only way you will be able to feel your brother."

Athrun placed a hand on her shoulder, making her turn back at him. He looked at her seriously, telling her to do what Kai was saying. And without any questions, she nodded her head. "I'll try..." She faced Kai again and sighed. "I hope you're right, Kai."

"There's no harm in trying," Kai said.

Military HQ

Jean was rushing towards the clinic, because she was already late for her shift. She knew she was going to be in big trouble again with her superior. She almost reached the said place when she saw Rey passed by. She noticed that he was looking a bit stiff and restless. Curiosity got the best of her, so she decided to check him out. "It's time for me to spy." She followed him into a lounge where he sat down on a couch to rest. She quickly hid herself behind a plant that was big enough to cover her from sight. She moved some of the leaves to get a clear view of Rey. "So he's the fiancé of Cagalli-san... That Rey guy is pretty cute..." she said without knowing that she was blushing.

After a while, another guy entered the lounge. Jean almost screeched when she realized the person was Gilbert Dullindal. "I'm going to be in big trouble if I'm caught." She shivered at the mere thought of it. "I have to stay quiet."

"Now that Representative Yamato is gone, ORB will be mine," Gil said.

Jean was alarmed by this. "ORB will be his... What does he mean by that?" Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"And it's all thanks to you, Rey..." the chairman continued.

It was getting interesting and frightening at the same time for Jean, but she wanted to hear more. She listened closely to the chairman's words, which led to the case of Kira's assassination.

"I killed Kira-sama, because I want to make Cagalli-san mine," Rey blurted out, glaring at the dark-haired man. "I didn't do it for you, Gil."

Jean clenched her fists hard after hearing that. "I can't believe Rey killed Kira-sama..." Her heart began whirling in rage. She wanted to go over to Rey and give him a piece of her mind. But she can't act recklessly. Still, she knew she had to tell this to Cagalli and to her older brother. She was about to sneak out when...

"Although I'm not so sure you really killed him..." Gil said.

"What do you mean?" asked Rey.

"His body wasn't found. There is still a possibility..."

"He is dead! The strong current must've washed his body away!"

"Hmmm... You've got a point there..."

Rey stood up and walked towards the door. Before taking his leave, he told Gil, "Leave me alone for now, Gil!"

"You haven't changed a bit, Rey," Gil muttered, grinning with pleasure.

As the chairman left the room, Jean came out of hiding. She pulled out her cell phone from her pocket and contacted Athrun. When Athrun answered the phone, she immediately informed him to meet her at the Cliffside.

"Have you found something about the representative?" asked Athrun.

"Yeah, I have. Please be there, ASAP!" she demanded.

From the sound of her voice, Athrun could tell that his sister was pretty anxious and serious.

Beach House

It had been two days since Kira resided in the home of the infamous Captain of the Archangel Ship. He was starting to like living there, because it was very peaceful. He was seated on a chair near an open window as he watched the sea. It brought him happiness and serenity. "I wonder how ORB is doing without me..." he said as his thoughts shifted to his country. He wanted to go back home, but with his weak condition he couldn't. He touched his chest that was wrapped in bandages. The bullet nearly missed his heart and that was the reason why he survived. "I almost got killed. Why did Rey..." He believed Rey was only forced to do it. From what he had observed, Rey seemed afraid when he pulled the trigger. He wondered if Rey was only forced to kill him.

The door slowly creaked opened as Murrue Ramius walked in, bringing a tray of snacks and tea with her. "Kira-sama, let's have some snacks," she said.

"Please don't call me that," he said with a sigh. "There's no need for formalities here."

"I'll just call you Kira-kun, is that okay?"

"That's much better to hear."

"Tell me something, have you decided to go back to the parliament house?"

"I can't go back yet, because my life is still at risk."

"I understand. But how about your sister? I'm sure she's very sad right now."

"I know, but Cagalli is strong. I'm sure she can handle this." Even thought Kira said that, he was still worried about her. But he knew that Miriallia and Athrun would take care of her until he returns. "Please wait for me, Cagalli," he muttered softly.

Hangar

Shinn, Dearka and Yzak were at the hangar, checking out the mobile suits. At least two of them were, because one of them was busy searching for a certain girl.

"Where is she?" Dearka asked as his eyes wandered around the place.

Yzak got rather annoyed at him. He lightly hit his head and yelled at him, "What the hell are you doing?! I thought we're here to observe the MS and not to look for girls!" He folded his arms and stared angrily at his blonde friend.

Dearka rubbed his head before answering. "I'm looking for Miriallia Hawe... I didn't get to see her last time on my day off."

"Miriallia Hawe, who is she?" Shinn asked.

"She's the girl of my dreams."

Shinn and Yzak sighed. It was no surprise for them, since they knew Dearka was a certified playboy.

"So what does she look like?" Shinn said.

"She's really cute. She has short brown hair and aqua eyes. I think she's the CIC officer assigned to the Archangel Ship."

"I see..." replied Shinn, who seemed to have noticed a girl that matched Dearka's descriptions well. "Is that the girl you're talking about?" He pointed a finger out at a certain direction.

Immediately Dearka turned to the direction where Shinn was pointing. And when he saw the girl of his dreams, his lips curved into one big goofy smile. "That's her! That's really her!" he shouted. He approached Miriallia in a blink of an eye, much to Shinn's and Yzak's surprise, and greeted her. "Good morning, Hawe-san!"

Miriallia looked at him, taking note that he was a ZAFT soldier because of his uniform. She saluted him properly as a form of courtesy. "Good morning. You must be one of the bodyguards of Rey Za Burrel."

Dearka nodded. "That's correct. I'm Dearka Elthman. I am very pleased to meet you, Miriallia Hawe."

"How did you know my name?"

"Um... Somebody told me... Yeah, that's right!"

"Okay, well... what do you want from me?"

"I was wondering if you would... um... well you see... I kind of..."

"Look, I still have some things to take care of, so please excuse me..." She slightly bowed her head and walked away from him.

"Wait a second," he said, grabbing her arm at the same time. When Miriallia turned back at him, he found tears in her eyes. "You're crying..."

Miriallia swiped her arm away and ran out of sight, leaving Dearka in a state of shock.

To be continued...

JC: The end of chapter 12. Honestly, I don't know how to start with the next chapter. I'm going to read other fanfics to get more ideas into my head. Until then, please be patient with me. Please review and no flaming!