DISCLAIMER: 'Resonance' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, SUNRISE and MBS. This work is non profited and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Unless specified, all materials in the web is work done by HERMIT JUNCTION. Please do not use without permission any text or artwork.

WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated R/M and may mild strong language, violence, cruelty, explicit adult content, rape, death and nudity unless otherwise stated. Please do not read if you are underage or maybe offended by such material. Spoilers for Gundam Seed.

NOTE: This fanfiction disregards the plotline of the original series' sequel Gundam Seed Destiny. Please go to gseedaftermath.hermitjunction. net for site hosting of this fic. For Dearka and Miriallia's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy I: Rebound'; for Rusty and Lain's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy II: Repercussion'.

Gseed Aftermath Trilogy III:
RESONANCE
a hermit junction project

Epilogue

Two Months Later / C.E. 76 February

Stepping out of the steamy bathroom, Cagalli Yula Attha sighed in relief while rubbing her damp blonde shoulder length hair. Closing the door to block out the noisy exhaust fan, she wrapped the towel around her chest and padded across the carpeted floor. Pursing her lips down at the bed with her hands on her hips, Cagalli shook her head at the man lying face down on the bed.

'Athrun.' Cagalli said softly. Sighing, she sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked his hair. Stiring slightly, he opened one eye. 'It's almost twelve.' Cagalli said, raising her eyebrows.

'It's noon?' Buring his face into the pillow briefly, Athrun groaned.

'You okay?' Cagalli asked. She raised her eyebrows slightly when Athrun shifted and rested himself on her lap, the sheets sliding down his bare back.

Athrun nodded, his arms hanging from her lap. 'Just a little tired.'

Cagalli turned him over and gave him a pinch in the nose. 'You're the one who went clubbing last night.'

Athrun's eyebrows furrowed. 'I wouldn't call that clubbing, we just went out for a few drinks and for your information, I didn't want to even go. Murdock was the one who forced me, saying something about stag night.'

Cagalli snorted. 'It's not even your stag night yet, we're not getting married until this weekend.'

Athrun sighed and sat up. 'You know the guys, they'll find any excuse.'

'And the fact that Dearka is here gives them an even bigger excuse.' Cagalli smirked. Kneeling on the bed, she started rubbing the side of Athrun's head. 'Feels better?'

Athrun nodded and grabbed her hands, pulling her towards his back all together. 'I suck at drinking don't I?'

Cagalli giggled and gave his earlobe a tug with her teeth. 'We still had sex last night, so I'm not really complaining too much.' Leaning closer, she wrapped one arm around his neck and breathed into his ear. 'Though I have to say I do enjoy it when you're drunk and out of control.' She gave the back of his ear a playful lick. 'Athrun.'

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Athrun turned his head. 'So you like it rough huh? Then maybe I should get a few boxes of beer on our wedding night.' He smirked and pulled her closer until their lips were inches from each other. 'What do you say we have a wild night Cagalli?' He licked her lips. 'Totally out of control.'

'Sounds good to me.' Cagalli murmured. Their lips were about to meet when the phone suddenly rang.

'Damn it.' Athrun cursed.

Cagalli laughed and gave him a peck on the lips. 'Be a good sport and save your energy for our wedding night.'

'Like I have a choice.' Athrun muttered. Standing up, he didn't even bother to put on his boxers that were lying on the floor beside his feet while Cagalli climbed over the bed and reached for the phone.

'Who was it?' Athrun asked from the opened bathroom, a toothbrush sticking from his mouth. 'If it's Dearka again I'm going to kill him.'

'It was just Mrs. Yamato from downstairs.' Cagalli replied, rolling her eyes. 'She was wondering if we'd like to come down for some brunch.'

'I'm starved.' Athrun declared after spitting the toothpaste into the sink. 'I need food.'

Cagalli frowned. 'You're going to catch a cold Athrun, at least put on some underwear.'

'I'm lazy.' Athrun grinned. With that, he closed the door and the next thing she knew, the shower was on.

When it was just the two of them behind closed doors, Athrun was more or less a big kid.

But who says I'm not either? Cagalli thought. Shaking her head, she dressed herself quickly.

'Athrun!' Cagalli knocked on the door slightly.

'Yeah?'

'I'm heading downstairs first!' Cagalli called.

'Yeah, right after you!' Athrun called back over the shower.

'Good morning Cagalli!' Lacus Clyne smiled as Cagalli walked down the stairs of the seaside mansion.

'Where's Athrun?' Mrs. Yamato asked as she set up the table.

'He's still upstairs.' Cagalli replied, helping out.

'Was he wasted?' Murdock Kojiro asked, entering the kitchen.

'No I was not.' Athrun replied for Cagalli, glaring at Murdock. 'But I was close.'

'Dude, you only had two beers.' Murdock chided.

Athrun rolled his eyes. 'Please.' He looked around. 'Where's Kira and the others?'

'Kira took them out.' Lacus replied with a gentle smile while some kids gathered around her. 'Yes, yes, food is almost ready.'

The day went on peacefully and when evening came, Cagalli and Athrun were found sitting at the porch table, papers and lists scattered all over the place.

'Cagalli.'

Looking up from the list she was scanning, Cagalli raised her eyebrows. 'Hmm?'

'You really think this is okay?' Athrun asked uncertainly.

Cagalli's eyebrows furrowed. 'What do you mean?'

'I mean we having the wedding here, a private wedding…' Athrun's voice trailed. 'It just seems…' He wanted a private wedding more than anything, but as head of country, it just didn't seem appropriate for Cagalli at all and Athrun was fully aware of that.

Before Cagalli could open her mouth, another voice rang from the door.

'You still have to ask that question Athrun?' Lacus asked gently, stepping into the porch with Kira Yamato behind her.

Athrun looked down. 'It's just…'

Cagalli smiled and placed one hand over his, squeezing it gently. 'You know I don't want to have a big wedding.'

Athrun sighed and took her hand in his. 'I know….'

'And the fact that you want to invite your friends…' Kira smiled.

Athrun smiled back. 'That's true.'

'You'll regret it for life if you don't invite them.' Cagalli said softly. 'I understand that and I'd be more than happy to just throw on a pair of jeans and marry at a rec center.'

Athrun laughed and reached out one hand, ruffling her hair. 'You definitely deserve more than a rec center.'

'Miriallia! Look!' A child's voice shouted from afar.

Turning, the four watched as one of the orphans dragged Miriallia by the hand down the beach.

'Come on Dearka!' he shouted. 'You suck!'

'What?' Dearka shrieked. 'Let go of Miriallia!'

'No way!' The boy stuck his tongue out and wrapped his short hands around Miriallia's waist.

'Why you little – ' Dearka made a dash, almost tripping over the sand while the boy screamed and let go of Miriallia.

Rolling his eyes Rusty threw up his arms as he walked up to them barefoot, his pants rolled up. 'You're sick Dearka, jealous of a boy that's half your age. No, one third of your age!'

'Dearka!' Miriallia screamed as he suddenly picked her up and threw her over his shoulders, sticking his tongue out at the boy.

'Dearka's taking her away!' The boy wailed, giving Rusty's pants a hard yank. 'Miriallia's my bride!'

Rusty made a grab for his waistline. 'Dude! They'll come off!'

'No way!' Dearka called back, turning around. 'She's mine!'

'Don't go breaking people apart Devon!' Another voice scolded.

'Yeah!' Dearka agreed, making a face over his shoulder as he walked up the porch.

'You're crazy Dearka!' Miriallia declared as he put her down.

'Shut up Alexis!' Devon cried.

'What?' Alexis screeched. Letting go of Lain's hand, she started chasing him down the beach, screaming his name.

'We'll let them beat each other up for the time being.' Lain decided, her shoes in one hand.

Rusty snorted and watched as Alexis tried to tag Devon. 'You think?'

'I swear that kid is into you.' Dearka scowled, crossing his arms.

Kira and Lacus laughed while Athrun shook her head.

'Believe me, he's going to have to do a lot to make Miriallia dump you.' Cagalli said warily, eyeing him.

'He's got security issues.' Rusty said dryly, eyeing the crowd on the porch as he took Lain's hand.

Dearka raised a fist. 'No I don't.'

'Yeah you do.' Another voice cut in.

'Yzak!' Standing up, Athrun walked down the porch steps to greet Yzak.

'You made it.' Rusty said flatly. 'After disappearing for two months, you finally decide to show yourself to the world Jule.'

'I'm with you on that Rusty.' Dearka said, snarling at Yzak. 'Where the hell have you gone?'

Yzak shrugged, his hands in his pockets. 'Just chilling. Wouldn't miss my nemesis' wedding.' He raised his eyebrows while taking out the invitation.

'So you're Yzak Jule?' Kira asked.

'So I am.' Yzak narrowed his eyes slightly. 'I've heard of you, Kira Yamato.'

'You are not going to start a scene.' Dearka declared, hopping down the stairs.

Yzak rolled his eyes. 'Grow up.'

'Yeah.' Rusty snared. 'You need to grow up Dearka.' Dearka just glared at him in response.

'Where's Shiho?' Lain asked, eyeing his left hand. 'I see you two got married.'

'What?' Dearka yelped.

Rusty rolled his eyes. 'You should have seen that coming.'

Yzak just shrugged. 'So I did.'

'I am of no importance at all.' Dearka declared, gritting his teeth.

'Can't say I'm not sorry for you.' Miriallia said, giving him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

'What's with the secrecy Yzak?' Athrun asked.

Yzak shook his head. 'Wasn't secrecy, it's just… too much happened last year, I needed a break from everything.'

'Except for Shiho.' Dearka muttered. At that, Miriallia nudged him in the ribs.

Yzak just smiled. 'Yeah, except for her.'

'I'll get some more tea.' Kira said while Cagalli nodded. 'You want to come with me Lacus?'

'Lacus?'

Looking up, Shiho turned around at a singing voice. Widening her eyes, she watched as Lacus Clyne walked down the long dock, her hair flying in the warm breeze.

'Are you Geherin's sister?' Lacus asked gently, stopping in front of her.

Shiho nodded. 'You're Lacus Clyne, my sister's friend.'

Lacus smiled. 'Your sister will be proud of you.'

Closing her eyes briefly, Shiho looked up and stared at the sky. 'I know.'

Seeing Yzak walk down to them, Lacus give him a nod and watched as he walked to Shiho, taking her hand into his gently.

'Can't believe he beat me.' Athrun muttered as Lacus walked back to them.

Cagalli hit him in the shoulder. 'Are you blaming me?'

'I won't dare.' Athrun murmured, giving her a kiss on the forehead.

'Who'd think that Yzak could beat you in nothing but marriage.' Dearka joked.

'Don't worry, there's still Dearka around to make you feel better.' Rusty smirked. At that, Athrun shook his head and shot a glance at Dearka.

'Ouch, hitting me where it hurts.' Dearka sneered sarcastically.

'For God's sake.' Lain rolled her eyes and turned, starting her way back to the house.

'You need to grow up Dearka.' Miriallia declared, pulling him away.

'If you would just marry me, then I'd probably grow up.' Dearka shot back as he let her pull him down the beach.

'We'll see about that.' Was all Miriallia said, blushing slightly.

'Really?' Dearka's eyes lit up.

'Rusty! Rusty! Devon hit me!' Alexis wailed, throwing her arms around Rusty's legs.

'I so did not!' Devon declared, rubbing his eye, sand all over his head.

Alexis stuck her tongue out at him. 'Yes you did!'

'Don't listen to him Rusty!' Devon pulled him by the left hand.

'You shut up!' Alexis pulled him by the right hand.

'Little help Mrs. MacKenzie!' Rusty called weakly.

Athrun laughed. 'Never knew you were popular among kids.'

Rusty shrugged as the two kids made a move to drag him across the beach. 'What can I say? I have natural charisma or I wouldn't have won Mrs. MacKenzie's heart.'

'Shut up Rusty!' Lain shouted from a far. 'I heard that!'

'Well it's true!' Rusty called back while Alexis and Devon giggled. 'You're head over heels in love with me! Admit it!'

'Shut up!' Lain made a face over her shoulders and broke into a run while the two kids followed suit, dragging Rusty with them.

'Let's go.' Kira smiled down at Lacus who nodded.

Along the long shoreline, they made it back to the house in groups before the sun set completely, waiting for the next day to come, another day of excitement.

Another story to begin.

End GSEED Aftermath Trilogy Series