Disclaimer: I don't want to say this again. I don't own, y'hear!

Hiya everybody! Right, this chapter is kinda angsty fluff, hope ya don't mind. And could someone tell me if I do OK fluff. I don't do it that often. And another thing, Athrun may be a bit OOC. I kinda need to have him yell and cry a bit. Hope no-one minds. Anyways, on with the story.

Chapter 7: Who are you?

Sai's arms once again closed around the ZAFT pilot. And once again, Athrun didn't fight him off. Just glared bitterly in Kira's general direction. The boy in question was suddenly looking arkward. He laughed nervously.

'You look as bad as you did when you feel out of the tree that time,' he muttered. Athrun stiffened in Sai's arms. 'I only feel out of that tree because you decided that the branch was strong enough to hold both of us. You were lucky my father didn't kill you,' he spat back. Kira stiffened as well. And then he attempted to smile.

'Yeah, guess you're right. He was pretty mad.' Athrun laughed, the sound cold and bitter. 'If you think he was mad then, you should see him now. You made him so disappointed in me, you know that? I got some lecture for not destroying Strike. I think he thought I was a coward, and maybe I was. Maybe he was right in his disappointment. Maybe I was wrong, but that didn't stop it hurting. You're so lucky Kira...you don't know how much it hurts to see the person you want to protect glare at you as if you've caused them eternal shame.'

He stopped, suddenly looking so much smaller. 'You don't know how much it hurts to not get a chance to explain because that person is your superiour and can tell you to shut up, knowing you'll have to obey. You don't know what it's like to be second best to your race, even though you're that person's son. You don't know, and you'll never have to. Because you've got a home and loving parents to go back to. You have friends. You are not really part of the conflict that is causing so many families to become broken. You don't know what it's like to live in constant fear that your family and friends will be killed for no other reason then they're slightly different. You don't live in fear of a repeat Bloody Valentine. You have natural parents and natural friends who'll vouch for you in any situation. All I can do is take the blows. You abandoned your race, Kira, and you abandoned me. Keep your pretty life, and play the hero all you want, but don't expect to be forgiven.'

Kira stood, frozen in place. To stunned to speak, he simply gaped like a fish out of water, tears filling his eyes. Athrun Zala had never sounded so cold, never so broken. Hysterical, yes, angry, yes, upset, yes. But never so...so...so shattered. Athrun remained where he was, head resting against Sai's chest, a single tear sliding down his face, cutting a pale streak through the blood. He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to cry.

'A...Athrun I...' He cut his sentance short as Athrun's eyes rolled and Sai staggered back as Athrun's full weight fell on him. Murre darted forward, Mu behind her. Kira simply watched, his apology still on his lips. Sai left the two older soldiers to care for Athrun, and walked up to him.

'Kira...he...well...he's had a rough few days,' Sai mummbled, pushing his glasses back up his nose. Milly appeared behind him, nodding. Kira shrugged, and tried to smile. Milly wasn't having any, and wound her arms around his neck in a tight hug. 'He may be upset and angry, but a lot of what he said was uncalled for,' the girl whispered, 'He's looking at it from a totally onesided point of view.' Kira hugged her back, tears sliding freely down his face.

'I know, Milly. But what if he was being truthful? What if his father is being like that? Uncle Patrick can get really angry somtimes. And in our youth, we'd get into all sorts of trouble. And Uncle Patrick flew at him. He never cried though, he used to say I cried enough for both of us. But the scary thing is, Athrun and Uncle Patrick were also really close. Uncle Patrick didn't abuse him...just wanted him to be a good kid. If he really is abusing his position and not giving Athrun a chance to explain...' Milly tightened her hold on him, and whispered for him to calm down, that Athrun was exaggerating because he was upset. And Kira really tried to believe her.

Mu had never quite seen a reunion like that one. Athrun groaned softly as they went up a step and the stretcher bounced slightly. He sighed, disgusted by the abuse his army had done to a child. Only one pale streak cut through the maroon coloured blood. One streak, one tear. Kira would probably cry more then enough later. He sighed again, at least Kira took the time to cry. This boy had been at this game to long, and used up his tears before hand.

Murre walked beside him, watching the prisoner with widened eyes. And, dispite everything, he smiled. She looked adorable when shocked. She was beautiful anyway, but more so now. And without thinking much about his actions, he slipped a comforting arm around her shoulder. She glanced up at him, and placed her hand above his, leaning in against his shoulder. He smiled. Hey, and all it took was a severally fucked up enemy soldier.

Milly and Sai lead Kira back onto the ship, and to his room. And there, sitting on the bed, was Birdy. Tears leaked down his face once more at the sight of the friendship token. Milly gave his shoulder a squeeze and left. Sai turned as well, but stopped.

'Your friend, Athrun, h...he's nice. A little...well...a little unhinged...but nice.' Kira stared at his friend, birdy hopping around on his shoulder. He had only known Sai for just over a year, but he could tell that meant a lot more then "nice".

'Sai...' he whispered, stunned.

Yzak stared at Dearka, stunned. 'What is this?' he breathed. The blonde boy turned to face him, a grim smile played around his face. I tried to contact the Legged Ship, to see what they were doing. It was a battle, and they were retreating. Call it impulse, but all I got was a bunch of paniced words, and this...'

Yzak listened closly to the transmission, and in the midst of the panic and static, he heard his own name being yelled. He turned to his friend, stunned.

'You're kidding!'

Yes, yes, I know, another short chapter. I really shout try to make them longer, but I just can't. Oh, and the Uncle Patrick thing, I just feel since he and Athrun were so close, he wouldn't call him Mr Zala. Yeah, that's just me. Anywho, watcha all think?