A little to reply the reviews first, thank you so much. You guys are great. It's my first time writing and I thought it was interesting to read what all of you had to say.
To GSDfreedom: We know so little about Shiho, except she's like a little girl who had a crush on her senior, she's one year Yzak's junior and apparently nothing happened between them two whole years in between destiny and seed (Poor Yzak) So unless I can sculpture her character from scratch, I have no confidence that I can give an accurate depiction of their relationship.(Meant to be romantic) And Shiho...her looks are not fashioned in the manner of lead females. So I really don't know how leh...but I really want Yzak to have an episode that will reveal more about his character and hormonal response to someone of the opposite gender. And to join the ranks of the lead characters as a non-love virgin.
To Laura25: I'm glad we see eye to eye. I always thought its sad if the two of them cannot be on equal standing,(Sad for Athrun). To further their relationship, something must happen.
To Craze Izumi: Glad you like it and I'll write like a maniac just to update quickly aftermy A level exam is over. Promise!
To Genny Chan:I think so too, tell me more about what you would like in the future story. All opinions are valued.
On with the story...
Chapter 6: The ring
"I appreciate your understanding, Miss Lacus." Said the woman on screen, the Captain of Celsius. Lacus bowed slightly, replying with equal, if not more formality: "Thanks is unneeded. We all do what we can."
At the entrance of the Zaft space carrier that just docked, stood Shinn and Lunamaria. The duo moved out of the way as the medics pushed a medical capsule past them, Shinn noted that it was the same officer he saw lying in the same ward as him, still unconscious.
Meyrin quickly excused herself and got onboard, leaving the two of them at the quiet corner. "Shinn…" Luna began. "Don't say another word, I've decided."
"But…" she wanted to persuade him return with her, to the place called home to all coordinators. "They gave us full assurance that we will not be persecuted for our actions, there's no reason for us not to go back…"
"There's no reason to go back." He replied simply, looking away from Luna's pleading eyes. "I don't want to go back, not yet. Luna, I need time, I need time to forget…" he trailed off, not knowing how to tell her his feelings and what lead to his decision.
Luna watched the youth's solemn expression, which indicated he's having difficulty expressing himself. She bit her lip, knowing she couldn't change his mind now. She did something simple then, she planted a kiss on his cheek. The gesture surprised him, she looked into his crimson pupils and shyly whispered: "Come and look for me, okay?" and she lifted her pinky.
Shinn looked hesitant for a while; the moments seemed to drag into eternity as Luna was sure he was going to say no. Than at long last, he kissed her on the forehead and replied: "Okay." And slowly, he hooked his little finger around hers.
Meyrin sighed as she looked out of the shuttle window, wishing she was as lucky as her sister. The one person she wanted to personally say goodbye to…was Athrun.
All right, Lacus was nice and interesting and she liked pink as well, Kira was neat and gentlemanly. The other staff had a myriad of origin and was interesting to hear about their lives. But Athrun…Athrun was special.
She hadn't had a chance to speak to him about their departure and Luna's insistence on returning to PLANTs. He gave her a chance to see the world, to know what it feels like to be fighting for your own sense of justice. He was quiet in demeanor and reserved in his ways, but a fiery-spirit rests in his soul. Her head dropped to her chest, remembering the fact that she may never see him again.
"You're dumped too?" came a bass-tone voice from behind her. She turned to find a green uniform walking towards her, casually settling down on the seat beside her. He was lanky and had blonde hair. "How'd you know?" He laughed, his laughter resonating deep and low. "Because me too, care to share?"
The crew of the Eternal came and aligned themselves at the right side of the shuttle, each of them resplendent in their various uniforms. All of them saluted as the shuttle departed, especially Kira, whose life was saved by someone onboard that shuttle. The person had lapsed back into unconsciousness after a brief half an hour awake, Kira found it a little regrettable to be unable to thank Yzak personally but now it couldn't be helped. Athrun saluted heartily, four of his friends aboard this shuttle, now leaving him for home. The crew had agreed to perform this little ceremony upon Kira's request, backed by Athrun who was one step late in the suggestion.
He cast a glance sideways at Shinn beside him, who looked at the shuttle with the most peculiar longing in his eyes. Athrun understood, Shinn's decision was made out of his own will, to find a new place he might call home. A place where he can be at peace with himself, Orb was possibly such as place; that's was why he chose to stay on Eternal-which is heading for Orb and would re-enter the atmosphere tomorrow. They haven't spoken one-to-one since he came onboard, but Athrun was not about to hurry him. He figured that he would once he has sorted out his thoughts. Moreover, Athrun have had a lot to think about since seventy-two hours ago and haven't slept a wink since then. The captain of Celsius confided that she was supposed to take 'Someone named Athrun Zala' back to the PLANTs, for the high council wants to have an audience with him. He declined on the basis that he was still an Orb military personal, but in their conversation, they reached a mutual understanding that the council meant him harm and she has no interest in seeing one of her passengers silenced. He'll go to PLANTs, but later. He has something to settle first.
Finally, the pilots' meeting dragged back by three whole days is going to take place. The pilots, Mwu, Kira, Athrun made their way to the bridge. Lacus greeted them and announced: "That's all the pilots we share between Eternal and Archangel…Tomorrow we'll be reentering the atmosphere, and by 1625 exact, we should be docking at Orb. So I want all of us to look sharp, especially you three gentlemen who headed the assault. Miss Cagalli will be meeting up with you guys first to commemorate the victory. Any questions?"
"Yes, can you not be so formal?" laughed Mwu, Lacus smiled lightly.
"Why yes, but I have to keep telling myself I'm in the military. Okay, rest up then."
Athrun yawned as they proceeded back to the quarters they shared, Kira looked at him: "You haven't slept for the past two nights, right?" Athrun did a brief calculation: "Affirmative" He didn't realize why he was so tired till now. Kira raised an eyebrow; it was completely within Athrun's character to forget sleeping when he was busy with other stuff. "Well, sleep up tonight. You wouldn't want to face Cagalli with Panda eyes tomorrow; she'll be after my blood." Athrun smiled.
"…I almost forgot!" Kira exclaimed as he turned around and head for the other direction.
"Ki…Kira?"
"Go back first, I forgot something very important!" he shouted over his shoulders as he rushed off.
Athrun tossed his clothes in the disinfector and washed up quickly, changing into T-shirt and shorts. What else more comfy to wear to sleep…? He off the lights and allow himself to collapse onto the bed. Tired was an understatement, he was exhausted.
Shinn and Luna onboard the Eternal, Yzak getting hurt, Dearka all out to win Miriallia back, Meyrin leaving without saying goodbye. The whole chairman business and Lacus's confidence in him, the issues were weighing him down, but all together not as much as the relationship with Cagalli.
Throughout the two years they spent in Orb, they spent quality time with each other but their relationship was on a standstill. Because of the mutual understanding that now is not the time, both of them were burdened by too many responsibilities to allow their relationship to get in the way. Athrun had given her the ring at a rather inappropriate time, but it was meant to reassure her of his feeling towards her. It didn't change over the two years, and it wouldn't change no matter where he was, which side he was on. What he knew was…he didn't want her to get hurt… He couldn't even manage to tell her that, he was too busy blushing. Cagalli too, she even told him this isn't the way to give a girl her ring. Athrun thought that was rather odd, because unless you have done it before, how would you know how its done?
Through the hardest time when Orb was under the leadership of another, she kept the ring on, but after that, she took it off.
Athrun smiled to himself, he understood what Cagalli had meant to do. Call it the spend- more-time-together and you'll-know syndrome. She wanted him to return, to put it on for her properly this time… she want to make him promise to return safely this time. "No sacrificing yourself to save the world nonsense." were her exact words. Thinking made Athrun sleepier than even, he held on to the image of Cagalli berating him as he closed his eyes, allowing sleep to take him.
A knock on the door pulled him out of his light slumber; he dragged himself testily toward the door and opened it. Outside stood Shinn, the boy was wearing an Orb Jacket Kira had lend him and looked like he's been standing there for quite a while. He looked at Athrun straight in the eye and spoke in a low voice. "Can we talk?" Athrun was surprised, but he quickly stepped back to admit Shinn.
Kira glance happily at the note in his hand, Lacus had stuffed it into his palm the moment he stepped into the bridge. It said: "Meet me at the observatory." As the gate to the observatory slid open, he saw a pink object coming at him as high speed and instinctively raised his hand. A metal sphere the size of a tennis ball wedged into his palm a moment later. Athrun had briefly mentioned how to avoid being hit by excited Haros traveling at subsonic speeds. His verdict, "It works!" The owner of the mecha pet smiled, "Congrats for catching Mr Pink once again."
"Anything to avoid being smacked in the face every time I meet you…" He smiled back at her, seeing her made him smile genuinely every time. Her smile was highly infectious. Since the day she returned him the key to retrieve Freedom, he had been waiting for this day, where they could feel relaxed and just enjoy each other's presence. Throughout all this, there were many instances where he was on the verge of losing her. It only made him realize essentially how much he wanted to treasure her. Too much danger was posed in her returning to PLANTs, but would she want to return to Orb just because of that?
Kira hid a smile, confident that she would. Actually, he had a few tricks up his sleeves... On Moon base Corpenius, Kira went shopping too. He and Athrun knew the place like the back of their hands having studied there for seven whole years. He bought an item that he never thought he would buy, and had been carrying it around ever since, waiting for a chance to pass it to its rightful owner. Only Athrun saw it, but didn't say anything except: "I think she'll like it." Kira blushed, anticipating the tricky part's arrival. He reached into his back pocket as he faced Lacus, looking into her deep blue eyes, the tips of his ears glowing red hot now. With his right hand, he lifted gently Lacus's left hand and slot the circular object onto her fourth finger. He heard Lacus gasp softly, but was too afraid to dare himself to look at Lacus's current expression. Instead, he focused on the depths on the sapphire center piece of the jewel, and those brave words rolled off his tongue: "Lacus…will you…" He paused, lifted his gaze and looked shyly ay Lacus straight in her eyes, he heart pounding in his ears.
"Will you …marry me?"
Cagalli couldn't concentrate on the document in front of her, every time she tried, images of the blue hair youth lying motionless, broken in space would flash past the back of her mind. Causing a sting to her eyes, where tears started flowing. She reached into her drawers, looking for tissue. But her fingers brushed across a smooth, cool, polished surface of piece of metal.
Realizing what it was, she gingerly reached in and picked up the ring. It was beautiful, moonlight reflecting off its highly polished surface at every possible angle. It was as shiny as it was on the day he gave it to her. Cagalli slipped it onto her finger, suddenly remembering the moment when Athrun did the same. Remembering the excitement she kept hidden in her heart and the sensation of first owning a ring, a pledge from someone special. His awkward gesture left Cagalli delirious, but then, she just couldn't find the right words to tell him. The words that came out were equally awkward. "That's not the way to give a girl a ring!"
Cagalli gritted her teeth.
Memories…is that all she has left of him now? What if he took her words another way? What if he thought taking off the ring meant that Cagalli no longer cherished their relationship? What if he perished in space…not knowing her true feelings towards him… Unable to hold back any longer, she slammed her fist on the table and shouted: "Athrun, you idiot!" as tears stream down her face.
The idiot in question sneezed, Shinn halted in mid-sentence. They duo was talking about Rey and other stuff, stuff they missed out on in the middle of the battle. "Cold?" Shinn ask, raising an eyebrow. "No…" his former commander replied. "It's okay, what was it you were saying about Rey and Dulliundal?" The conversation carried on for the next three hours, Shinn needing the clear up issues to ensure he has an accurate assessment of his situation and to convince himself that the decision he made was the right one. There was indeed nothing left for him in returning to ZAFT. He needed as much information as he can to decide what to do now, Athrun was such a source. Though he was a little guilty about treating his tired former commander as such, his need to know outweigh that consideration. Athrun was patient, patching up queries and sharing suggestion where he could. Shinn was surprised that he didn't even think of punching Athrun once through the dialogue session. At the end of it, he could feel as if he was at peace with himself again. He could decide to do the correct thing now… the best for both him and Destiny. The captain of Celsius closed both eyes upon that request, because the communications aboard Destiny was destroyed by Infinite Justice, Minerva will lose Destiny's signal mid-way through. So Zaft cannot confirm whether the Destiny was destroyed or indeed on board the Archangel, she left giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Athrun suggested one last thing: "Shinn…" "Yes?" "Do you like children?" Shinn was flabbergasted, why would Athrun ask such a ridiculous question all of a sudden? Unless he thought Shinn would make a good nanny.
What an insult.
He thought, anger flaring up in him. He clenched his fist, ready to punish him for the next offending sentence. But what he said surprised Shinn: "Wanna visit an orphanage run by Kira and Lacus? Its in Orb."
"Oh…" Shinn stuttered; a little embarrassed that he grossly misunderstood Athrun. "Okay, I supposed so." He replied quickly, wanting to leave to hide his embarrassment but stopped in his tracks. Turning around to face his former commander who is in T-shirt and shorts, he told him: "I can't imagine you as Chairman…"
"I can't too" he replied quietly.
"I want you to be."
Shinn left quickly, his sudden proclamation leaving Athrun speechless. After a while, he shrugged and lay down on the bed once again, checking the time. 0654…there goes the third night without sleep, he rubbed his eyes and sluggishly pulled the blanket over him, three days of fatigue catching up with him. As he laid in the warmth and comfort of the mattress, he the thoughts
Kira isn't back yet…must be with Lacus…Me…Chairman huh… just like father. Ring…gotta find Cagalli tomorrow…… whirled in his head as he drifted off to sleep.
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That's that, please review to tell me your views about Kira and Lacus, Cagalli and Athrun. Dearka and whosoever. Mwu and Murrue are fixed ready…Up coming romance and more action. Thank you for your kind reviews!