Blood. Everywhere. This was just sick, the last thing she saw was blood red everywhere, until black overwelmed her.
I know, my life has taken many turns with this war. I know that. But why does it always have to get worse? Hit me when I least expect it? Whoever is leading my life, let it end!
I know, I'm not usually not a freak for blood, since I've seen more than enough already in this life. But what I saw now ripped my heart twice over. Is that even possible? In my case, it has happened more than once. I stared down at the corpse of the one I never expected to lose this battle. The one who started it. My dear, sweat love.
Athrun.
I stood there, gasping in breaths with my hand over my mouth. Nothing else in the room made sense to me. "Athrun...Athrun...Athrun..." I started gagging from the scent and vomitted off to the side, my breaths gathering speed. I felt arms around me but felt too weak to even care. But then, suddenly, I felt my body heal. There was heat coming out the hands that held me. Something seemed to be calming me down. I didn't know what, and didn't know whether I should care. Suddenly, I was blind. I cried softly, reaching through wet puddles of blood to find where I was. But it was no use.
"Shh." Came a soothing voice. I tired not to cry, i tried so desperately I cried all over again. Then the voice came again, but I knew it wasn't directed at me. "Daisuke, we're going to have to leave here. Now. I'm sure once this scent is found, people are going to be...quite curious. We don't have much time. Hurry, you carry the girl." I was a little frightened, and tried to move away from the arms the had just let go of me. But it was only to be replaced by two more hands.
"Hello Cagalli." A voice whispered. I felt the tone of caring in his words, then for some reason I stopped sturggling and tried to reach out for that voice. Seaking some kind of sanity through all this.
"Help me.." I begged, through what little breath I had left. I felt the arms lift me into a bridal style hold.
"Shh, try to stay quiet. We're going to go past a lot of people, and you don't want us to be given away, now do you? It's ok, Cagalli. As long as I'm here you're safe. Stay calm and We'll help you. Ok? Now, put your arms around my neck and hold tight." I obeyed, holding onto him for my life. Because at that moment, he was all that I had to keep from leaving behind my sanity.
I heard the two of them whisper something to each other, and the next moment we were off. I felt so hopeless, so blind. Though, i was blind so that would make sense.
Then, the silence ended. The alarm sounded. Oh god. Now we went even faster, and i had no idea how the guy was even capable of moving with me on his back, yet alone charge! Though, his moves were so graceful and he held onto me tightly so that I'd not feel the bumps. Suddenly, things got much worse. Bullets. Shit. I felt them zoom! past us. "No!" I cried. The guy holding me soothed me by stroking me on my head. I was shaking. Not just for the sake of my life, but for his too. What if he got shot? We'd both be down in an instant.
"Shh, it's ok." He told me, as if noticing my fear and trembling hands even though we were rushing so fast. The bullets started dissapearing behind us and I noticed we were getting near the hangar from the sound of our footsteps. They seemed to be getting louder because of the hard floors. My hands clutched tightly at his uniform, not caring for the blood I speard on him.
Finally, we stopped. Though, my blindness didn't fade even as he put me down. When He was about to walk away to quickly do what ever he had to do, I reached out blindly and clutched what ever of him I could get my hands on. "Please," I said, my numb eyes tearing. "I'm scared." I felt his hand pat me on the head, but then he was gone, and I didn't know where I was. I felt so lost, as lost as I had ever felt in my life.
"Come on, Cagalli. It's alright, just follow my voice. We're almost out of here. Just follow, ok?" I knew who this was. Ausrin was the one who had killed Athrun, after all. I didn't know what to think, but the image of him holding out his hands next to mine and comparing them with his silken voice came back to me. I followed that beautiful angel voice of his, my heart rising with hope that I might make it out of here after all.
Even though I stumbled a few times, and might've crashed into some walls, I was confident in my steps. Each one leading me to... to where? Where was I going? Though, in truth, as long as Ausrin and Daisuke were there, I was sure things would be alright. I was broguht from my thoughts when I heard his voice again, this time a little closer. "I would carry you like Daisuke did, but I'm afraid I'm covered in blood." I nodded to the image of him in my mind, though I wasn't sure if he was looking at me or not.
"If it helps, my hands also aren't exactly the most inocent of hands. They may apear to be, but I've held many weapons and pulled many triggers on men." I felt a small chuckle to my side, and noticed that I was caught up to him and that we had stopped moving for a moment. Was he staring at me? I blushed, not really sure what we were doing in this silence. Though, then i heard a small laugh coming from his side as he continued.
"You are just like I remember you, but so much better than I pictured you. And really, quite interesting as well." He paused for a moment, still walking though. "Daisuke thought so too when he saw you. But I guess you don't remember us at all. It makes sense though, you were the one that was sent over here at a young age after all. We had the honors of remembering you from pictures and places we'd gone to as children." I felt his hand hold mine, somewhat gentle and kind, as if we were old friends reunited. Which we were. Quilt washed over me like a tormendous wave. Though, his hands were warm, and a great comfort in my blindlyness. He must've wiped it off, too, because the blood was faint. "I missed you so much since then. Though, Daisuke had it worse. He didn't speak to anyone for six years, until finally in highschool he decided to let out a little.
"For me, it was different. It took me much longer to begin liking girls. In both manly and friendly ways. No one seemed to compare to you. You aren't like normal girls, quite unique and always true to yourself and happy. I can't help but feel sorry for you. You're too kind of a person. A great friend." I smiled, a little sad.
"I wish... that I remembered the two of you. It would've been so much nicer for you two to have a reuinion that counted, not one where only I get the familiar looks and happy smiles. It doesn't seem fair." He squeazed my hand softly.
"We are more than happy to have remembered you for that time, Cagalli. It's worth all this." I smiled sadly through the darkness still surounding my eyes. It was sad, what ever I looked at seemed so empty of life. No black and white to gide me. No color. Nothing. Just soft little noises. "We're almost at the aircraft. Try to be quiet. Daisuke needs us in this, and there are heavy consequences were we to fail. Now, are you ready? I'm going to hold your hand, but as soon as I get to one point where I cannot, you're going to have to follow the noises which I make." I squeazed his hand in answer. I was ready.
He charged as soon as my hand had made the slightest move. I slightly tumbled here and there, but kept the picture and Daisuke in my mind. I couldn't let him down. Then I thought of the two of them having remembered me for all those years. What were they doing here? Had they come here only to escape again? Why was I going with them? What was my reason in all of this?
My thoughts slipped to one point, then another, making my mind go insane. Nothing made sense, and right now wasn't the time to try to make it that way. I was slowing him down, i noticed that. Though, he kept on going and whenever I tripped helped me up again. We seemed to be going through a lot of boxes. How many, I don't know. All I know is that we were obviously already in the hanger. Even though i was blind, I had the feeling it was dark either way because Ausrin kept chaning his path. Though, he always caught on track again and started going faster.
As the minutes went by, i began fearing the part where he'd have to let go of me. What exactly made it that way? Why'd he have to let go of me? What am I going to have to expect? Though, i had no reason to ask those types of questions anymore, because in an instant, he let go. I paused for a second, frozen in shock. It had come too unexpectedly. I heard his footsteps grow fainter, and began to panick. Then another sound started. Though, it was nothing like though continuous footsteps. Click. Came a sound behind me. Then a gunshot.
I didn't really understand what was happening, because my body was still frozen in its state of shock. But when I felt the warm liquid run down my arm, I felt wide awake. Get out of here, Cagalli. Now. I nodded to myself, run. And there I went, as fast as the wind, listening to the echos bouncing off the walls, making sure I'd not crash into walls too much. Though, in my blind run, i noticed that I was getting faster at this. I felt like I could see again. Though, not literally. BUt my it was as if my feet could sense the next step I was to take. Finally, Cagalli was back.
I wasn't going to let this get to me. The old Cagalli would never do that. I was confident, not a cry baby. I had to get through this for them. Even without Ausrin's footsteps, I knew that I was heading the right way. After all, I've been through this hall quite a few times.
But even though that was true, when I felt the touch of warm arms around me, I nearly began crying with the joy of it. "You made it." Said Daisuke, not believing his own words. I smiled as he held me at arms length.
I put my hand on his shoulder in a gentle slap."Hardly, but I'm here. Though there's one more thing, we have to get out of here... now. Someone caught up to me and whoever it is they sure aren't happy. Though, how should I know? I'm blind, after all." Daisuke chuckled,
"Good point. I guess we do have to start getting ready to take off. Ausrin's in the front, he's waiting to hear news that you've made it." Before I could move too much, though, he reached for my arm. There we stood, silent. Then he let go and cleared his throat. "Continue on, then. I'll see you guys in a moment." I nodded, getting a hold of the darkness. I could slightly sense where has was, and also that he was staring at me as I walked out. It kind ofmade me blush, and when I walked into the other room Ausrin comfirmed it.
"What exactly did the two of you do in those ten seconds? You're as red as a tomato!" I sighed, sitting next to him.
"How should I know? I'm blind, remember?" He was silent, and I blushed, finally getting it. "Oh." He laughed, keeping silent. I treasured the silence, because it always gave me time to think things through a little. Right now was especially a time I needed, because I had so much going through my head that it kept mixing up with other ideas. Also, these two guys that have, supossedly, "kiddnapped" me are utterly beautiful. Not only that, but they were built fit and muscular. Their eyes shown out like the sun, and their smiles glowed. Something about then makes them seem so makebelieve. Their kindess and feelings seemed so endless and powerful, their very touch could make any girl blush just for the feel of compassion in that simple gesture. What hit me most of all, was that the only reason they had come here, in space, was because they had come to get me. Who would do that?
When Ausrin told me about the two not being able to compare me to other girls, i'd almost stared at him with an open mouth and asked him to repeat what he'd said. What's so special about Cagalli Yula Autha, that they'd risk their lives to come get me? What if their memory of me was a completely different person than I am now? What will the two think? Will I dissapoint their wonderful memories of the old me? What exactly was the old me? What did they expect of me beofre I came here? The fact that I didn't remember them meant I obviously didn't remmeber anything from that time. Besides, I couldn't just transform myself to act like I did back then. First off, I have no idea how to act that age because this was qutie a while ago, and second off I was completely happy with being me thank you.
I don't know when it happened, but while I was gathered in my thoughts like that my eyes slipped and I fell into a long needed sleep. Though, I didn't have any dreams because it was one of those times where you're just too tired to dream anything.
When I woke to two handsome guys on either side of me, intent in controlling the aircraft, I smiled. Though, I made sure not to make any sudden movements, just to have a little more time to gaze. Ausrin was one of those guys with enough muscle to notice that he works out about three times a week. He has a soft shade of blue eyes, his hair always seeming to hang slightly over in a little lock over his eyes. Though, it made his face seem calm, showinjg the gentleness that really was him.
Daisuke, though, was a whole other story. He always seemed fresh and ready to brighten the mood with hisa bold orange eyes. He had straight hair, the color brown. I wondered, for a moment, if he were a coordinator. What kind of natural could look so amazingly bright?Even Athrun was a coordinator, and he was the one who i fell in love with. Coordinators and Naturals were obviously not meant to co-exist. But that's not the real reason why i thought of it at that moment. a flash of what Ausrin had said about his coordinated hands, how they were so vile to the eyes of Naturals. I wondered for a second what I would've looked like, were I Natrual. Would I look like my real mother did? Or my real father?
I noticed that I had stopped staring at the two, now. I was so deep in thought. Then something struck me. I could see. My heart stopped. What had happened? Tears rolled off my eyes. Tears of relief. I had thought that I was doomed to be blind, but now I could see. Who wouldn't be happy? "Cagalli?" came a low voice, which I knew to be Ausrin. I quickly wiped my eyes.
"It's nothing." Then I saw Daisuke stand up, and kneel next to me. He waved a hand right in front of my eyes, and smiled at my reaction.
"You can see." He said, not quite believing it himself.
"Hey, I'm not that bad at healing. Of course she can see. After all, I was the one that trained faster in the arts of healing. You should be ashamed, ever doubting me." Argued Ausrin. I only laughed, still trying to recover from the thought of sight. Daisuke wiped away my tears with a small cloth from his pocket. "Now now, you two little love birds, I need help steering this craft. I may be good at this, but not that good. Besides, Daisuke. Give the lady a little room to recover."
Daisuke sighed, getting up and heading for his seat up top. "Alright, father." I smiled, hiding my laugh. It was kind of true, the way Ausrin spoke seemed very much like a leader, and genuine at the same time. "But Cagalli, you really don't mind...do you?"
I blushed. "No, not really." Luckily I was partially hidden behind the chair, so neither of them could see my bright red face. "Actually, it reminds me a little of home." Ausrin chuckled.
"Yeah... home." When I looked over at him,and noticed he looked away instanly as if he didn't want me to see him right then. I noticed Daisuke seemed the same, though he just smiled for my sake.
"Hey, you too..." I said a little quietly, my voice sounding a little unwelcomed. I wrapped my arms around myself and whispered. "Don't leave me out of this..." Though, neither said anything. After that, things stayed quiet for a while after.
"Cagalli, wake up." I blinked my eyes open and noticed that we weren't flying anymore at all. We weren't even in the aircraft anymore, and everything around me looked exiotic. I scrambled out of the blankets that were covering me, and found myself only to be stopped by a tree right behind me. I stared, puzzled. I heard somene laugh and felt an arm around me, lifting me gently. "Nice going, Cagalli. And we haven't even gotten you in the forest." I heard another chuckle joining in with his, though it seemed a deeper chuckle.
"Daisuke, I thought i told you to take care of her, not throw her into the trees." I heard Ausrin call from a few feet away. He exagerated the thought by sighing. Daisuke sood, defensive. Though, he still held out a hand for me to get up. I took it, smiling. He blushed from the shame of his being clumsy. Though, he eventually let it go and smiled.
"Well alright then, Ausrin. Its not m fault if you waste your breath on someone like me. Oh, and by the way... you forgot to set aside your boxers. Cagalli, here, had to wake up to that in her face." I looked over to Ausrin who seemed to have frozen in place, his face as red as a tomato. I laughed and laughed even harder when I saw his face go redder. He turned around and kneeled to the ground to continue making the fire he had started.
"Sorry," he said, still not looking at me and rather consentrated on his fire. I smiled for his sake and patted his back.
I whispered softly in his ear. "He's lying, you know." Ausrin shot a look at me, and then at Daisuke. Then I noticed he was frowning now, his hands clenched.
"Ohoho! You are so dead, Daisuke!" Daisuke stood there a moment, not really sure what to do. Though when he saw Ausrin jump up after him, he burst off into the bushes, only to be followed by Ausrin's random stick he'd managed to pick up. Then a thought crossed me, these two guys were awfully good at making anything slip away. They could brighten up any mood. I smiled, shaking my head. It really was a wonder why the two would've missed me at some stage. And not like other girls? Wow. I blushed to myself and sat down, starting the little fire which Ausrin had abandoned earlier.
Daisuke.
"Ausrin? Is that you?" I stepped out of the bushes slowly. Of course it was him, I could sense his aura through out the whole forest. Well, not through the whole forest but enough to know for sure that this was him. And just to make sure...I put out my hands, one at top of the other, as far as they could stretch. "Forgive my strength, honor my duty, shine me your sight. Ability 24: White light!" A splash of white light stormed from my hands, blinding out the rest of the forest. "White Light" as it's called, is used to track down any oponents not close enough for sight, but also not far enough out of the range of where your sensing powers could stretch. My sensing power was 8.5, which guarenteed that I'd catch whoever had even dared to come this close.
I closed my eyes and let my power slowly seep through into a liquid mass. I stopped when I finally reached him complpetely. I smirked, so easy. I reached for the sword at my hip and charged right to the tree in which he'd hidden himself. Though, as expected he deflected the shot. I smirked at him. "Daisuke, really, i didn't mean for the two of us to actually get into a fight here. I just needed to think of a way we could escape for conversation. With Cagalli there things would seem rather odd."
I nodded and sighed, placing my sword back into its sheath. "Alright. Well, i was just hoping we culd have a little fun. Like old times, remember?" Ausrin's face remained emotionless. I chuckled, combing my hair back with my fingers. "I guess not."
Ausrin looked strait at me with a dark look, and it made me remember all over again who he was. A thought ran through my head, 'if looks could kill.' "Daisuke, this isn't the time to fool around with such things.We are never going to have 'old times' again. You should know that by now.Don't tell me your thoughts are still stranded in those memories...even if she has returned." I nodded, commiting myself to the seriousness of the situation.
"Alright, Ausrin, I'll play along. What is it you wanted to talk about?" When i saw Ausrin's change of aura, my heart started racing. Though, i held onto my calm and ragained myself not too easily.
"I'm afraid that... I haven't been recieving any messages lately..." My eyes grew wide, but then i dismissed the thought.
I took a breath, "That could always just mean that they've... decided to stick to being silent. I mean, they didn't expect us to be finnish this early." Ausrin turned towards me, his expression unreadable.
"If only you were right. But..." I sensed the silent tears hidden behind his eyes. "Daisuke, this could only mean that..." I put both hands on his shoulder.
"No. That's not true. We're going back, now. once we get there, everyone is going to be alright. It's fine. Don't jump to such conclusions." Ausrin smiled a sad smile, that revealed once again who he truly was, behind the mask he caried. "We're going to get through this."
Ausrin tensed for a second, looking away. "What about...Cagalli? Daisuke, if Cagalli gets injured... if anyone gets their hadns on her..." I nodded my understanding. Cagalli seemed so helpless. She had no idea what to expect, what was happening to her. She seemed so fragile, considering what awaited her. Cagalli was our only connetion to life. The only one who lived the way people are supposed to live. If was lost her, our lives would crumble.
"We have to head back, it's getting dark." As Ausrin turned around to start out, i stopped him by the shoulder. "Try to... be a little happy. Let yourself a little air, while you ahve the chance. This sparkle is only bound to go out. Enjoy it while it burns this stronly." Ausrin patted my back,
"Wise words, my friend."
Cagalli
As i saw two heads pop through the bushes, i couldn't help but laugh. "Hello you two. Dramatic entrance, much!" Daisuke chuckled, fully coming through the bushes. It was dark, and the light shone brightly trough his red eyes. When Ausrin noticed the fire, he smiled.
"Nice fire." Ausrin said, though he peeered around and added. "Only thing missing is food." Daisuke shook his head.
"Shame, Cagalli, you almost made me proud of you." Ipicked upa small pebal next to me, and through it over at his shoulder. "Ow!" He yelled, comforting his shoulder. Ausrin shook his head and sighed. I noticed the air had a little tension to it, but kept myself from mentioning it. The two had obviously done more than chase each other to their doom out there. It sounded like something harsh must've happened.
"Actually," Daisuke said, flinching as he moved his arm back to reach something in his bag. "Me and Ausrin went and got our own food, on our way back. We thought we'd still have to make a fire, but guess not!" He finally found what he was looking for, and held out three perfectly sized fish.
I frowned at him, "No wonder you two took ages. I thought this fire might go out before you two ever came back." Daisuke gave me a pouty look. I looked at the slimy fish and couldn't help but ask, "Who's the cook here?"
Both gave me strange looks, "You, of course." Daisuke finally said. My face went blank. I glared at the two.
"WELL THEN! We might as well starve. I've never even touched a fish in my life, let alone cook a meal out of it! It's not as if all girls have to be able to cook!" Daisuke gave a self- consious shrug. Then a question came to mind, "Wait, haven't you two done this before? I mean, you must've cooked something while you stayed in these parts." Ausrin lokoed at me with a small look of sadness.
Though, as usual, Daisuke spoke up. "Yeah... we used to have someone else along with us. A partner."
I tired to change the mood. "See? Then there was a guy who could cook!" Ausrin turned around and looked off into the dark sky, not being able to look further than the trees that shaded us from the stars.
Daisuke, his voice soft and gentle, answered. "Actually, Sarah was an amazing cook."