My com doesn't like getting online so sorry for the near month wait. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Maryam - Not everyone died because of...well, they kinda did but...That's not what he meant...uh...-wondering how to say this so she wont give everything away- Well...He...wasn't able to save someone and...blames himself for it...And it effects him so much because...it's the only death he was there for...personally...Yea...I guess that works...-nod nod- Hope I didn't confuse you.

Kay guys, I know there isn't a lot of action right now. Next chapter is the chapter of Kira and Cagalli, and kinda Dearka's past. So you have that to look forward too. And also, a large turning point occurs in aproximately...well, chapter 13. But before that...action in chapter 11 and an important scene you may want to remember (if you plan on reading the sequel) at the end of chapter 12.

Chapter 9 - Jaded Necklace

Anyone who can tell me the meaning behind the title gets a hug! (I have nothing to give you really, but I'd like to see who's been paying attention)

'I wanted to be like him...

But it was as if a curse was hidden there...

Within the peace I could see...'

(Has anyone noticed his quips aren't all that...perky?)

-

It was a week of avoidance and Dearka's explanations before Kira could even see Dearka without blushing and walking in the opposite direction. Lacus found the misunderstanding quite funny. Athrun kept his mind off the matter by keeping himself busy.

Today, the day after Kira stopped blushing, Athrun stood on the upper deck, tying a rope around his waist. Cagalli walked up behind him.

"What are you doing?" she asked in her usual tone, with a bit of interest hidden in it.

"I-" he finished tying a knot. "-plan to learn to climb like Kira." he seemed pretty confident.

Bam!

"Ow! The hell?" Athrun held his head after having been hit so hard he fell down. He looked up at his attacker, Cagalli.

"You idiot. Kira's the only one I know that's ever been able to climb like that. You'll just end up killing yourself. And that would hurt Kira." she chided.

The was a pause as Athrun nursed his head and thought about what she'd said. Cagalli looked to the lower deck, where Kira was sitting and talking to Lacus with a small smile on his face. She frowned.

"Hey. You." she turned to Athrun. "Why are you still here?"

"Huh?" he blinked confusedly.

"Kira would let you leave at any time, and you know it. You're not locked up, being watched, or anything like that. So why haven't you left yet?"

Athrun stared at her with a somewhat surprised look on for a moment. He then blushed lightly and looked at the ground in what appeared to be embarrassment and...shame?

"I don't know..." he muttered.

Cagalli's eyes seemed to be searching for something that wasn't there.

-

The moonlight shown through a round window. It fell across a simple white bed and stopped on the drawn curtains around it. A figure sat with their head and upper body, and their arms, out of the moonlight. Their legs, not covered by the blanket, were bathed in the light.

His lavender eyes reflected, even in the dark of his little corner. He moved his right hand, laying on the bed, and brushed the surface of the necklace with his thumb.

Kira turned his head to the side, staring numbly at the necklace in the dark before he moved it slowly into the light. The light, silver chain rattled slightly as it lifted from the bed.

The necklace was a simple silver chain, with a gem on the end. It's green color shone in the moonlight and reminded him of Athrun's eyes.

The shine created by the moon on the gem shimmered and seemed to dance in place on the jade gem and Kira's eyes widened. In his mind, the white glare of the moon was red like fire...

He could hear the fires roaring, yells penetrated the air. Everything was moving so fast. He could hear them running, even though he couldn't see them. It was so loud. It was so loud!

He clasped his hand around the gem, blocking the shine and instantly the flames, sounds, and pains he had felt fled from his mind. Kira noticed now...that tears were running down his cheeks, glistening in the moonlight he hid from.

The brunette, young captain drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, holding the jaded necklace tightly yet carefully in his hand. Hiding his face in his arms, near silent sobs escaped him as he muttered softly.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." like a mantra.

Sorry for the shortness. The next chapter starts with a 10 year rewind and continues from there. Pretty long too.