Finaly, the next chapter! Sorry about the long update!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or any other materials I may have used.
Cagalli
I love you
Is that ok?
Do you mind?
What will the others say?
What will you say?
I love you?
I wish…
Andrew Waltfelt had once been a great ZAFT war hero, winning many battles and awards, even earning himself the title of the Desert Tiger. But then for no reason at all, he disapeared, deserted. After that he had come to be known as the Deserting Tiger. Funny how the word deserter's root was desert. No one had ever heard of him since, he was a disgrace to thier cause. He was thought to be dead. And yet, here he was, standing right in front of Athrun.
« Deserter… » mumbled the younger man.
The older one stared back at him blankly.
« Oh, that, » he said cheerfully, « yeah, I guess I sorta got tired of fighting and blood. » It was as if what he had done meant nothing.
« You abandonned your contrymen, » spat Athrun, annoyed by his indifference.
« And? » asked Andy, « didn't you do the same thing? »
Athrun was slienced.
« I have my reasons for what I did, » mumbled the older man quietly, solemnly.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, Aisha entered, followed by an unusually shy Cagalli. Andy immeadiatly shook off his serious mood.
« Well, well, well, don't you clean up nicely, » he said, pulling her from behind his wife. Cagalli stood before them wearing an elegant blue dress of Aisha's that was too big for her and made her look childish, her hair was done up in a fancy ponytail, though most of it was already falling out. She was blushing and obviously uncomfortable, she was just waiting for the innkeeper and his wife to leave so she could change back into what Aisha had dubbed her rags. « You know, you really should dress up like this more often, you look cute. » said Andy playfully. Cagalli glared at him, but kept her parade of insults to herself.
« Hey don't start talking small talk just because a couple of ladies have entered the room! » she yelled and continued to glare at the innkeeper. She would've loved to kill him right then and there, but there were more important things to attend to.
Andrew looked imprerssed, he wasn't dealing with an ordinary girl.
« So you want to talk about the important stuff? » he asked mischeiviously, like a child.
« Yes! » Cagalli spat back impatiently, « don't patronize me! ». Athrun smiled. His features demonstrated the confusing and overwhelming pride he had for the renegade princess at that moment.
« Fine, » said Andrew, « dinner'll be ready real soon, how'bout you join us and we can discuss the important matters there, » he paused and then eyed Cagalli, « until then, I must say, you have wonderful eyes, something sincere about them. »
This time, the tomboy didn't hold back.
« WHY YOU!… »
They told her it was quick. That her father was dead before he could've possibly felt any pain. That didn't ease her's though. Lacus's mother had died at the begining of the war, ever since then, it had been just her and her father. They had supported one another and through thier love and devotion towards each other created thier own small utopia of peace in a world tainted by war. Now he was gone, and thier tiny paradise along with him. A terrible emptiness crept over the young woman, for the first time in her life, the full impact of war hit her. It was worse that what she had ever thought it to be, much worse. Now, more than ever, Lacus knew she had to help Kira bring peace and unity back to Orb. But not just yet, she told herself, right now, I need some time to cry.
After giving the innkeeper what Cagalli believed he deserved, the princess had gone on a rampage trying to find her rags, but they were nowher to be seen. Feeling somewhat guilty, Athtun had offered her some of his clothes, she had excepted them with a certain hesitation, not quite sure how to react to the whole sitution. Presently, they sat at the master's table, along with Andy and Aisha (who was not impressed by Cagalli's change of outfit, espcially after all the effort she had put into getting the girl to wear the stupid dress.)
« So, Miss Mayura, » began Andrew, « you do of course know your young lover is the Athrun Zala, » a devilish smiling was forming itself on his face.
« Yes, of course did he tell you otherwise? » asked Cagalli, not pleased by being asked such a stupid question.
« Well, actually, he did, » replied the innkeeper happily, « he called himeself Alex Dino, or something like that, » he glanced at Athrun, « he even claimed you were his brother, » he put a certain emphasis on the word brother.
« He what? » cried Cagalli, out of habit. Suddenly her mood darkened, « I thought you never lied, Athrun, » she whispered. The young man simply ate his meal quietly, not daring to look up.
« What was that? » asked Aisha, in the same curious tone the woman of court used when they asked questions that would lead to good gossip.
« Nothing important, » replied Cagalli, sounding surprisingly earnest. She looked to Andy, « I thought the whole point of having us here was so we could countinue discussing the more pressing matters at hand. »
« Firstly, we are simply going to discuss, and not countine discussing, the important stuff, » began the innkeeper, purposly testing the tomboy's patience, « and seccondly, I always find it nicer to begin a conversation with small-talk, you can learn alot about people during small-talk, if you listen that is. »
« Like what? » demanded the blonde girl. The conversation had become a battle of the wits between the Ex-desert tiger, and the runaway princess.
« Many things, » replied the amused innkeeper, « for example, why did you change out of that lovly dress my wife so kindly let you wear? » Aisha beamed while Cagalli blushed.
« I looked stupid, » she said after a pause.
« Why would you say such a thing? I thought you looked cute… »
« You were mocking me, » interupted Cagalli.
« For some odd reason, I don't think you care much about how you look, » began Andrew, « I think it was the dress itself that annoyed you more than your appearence. Tell me, was it the couler that bothered you? »
Athrun looked up at him in surprise. The Tiger countined his speach.
« Or perhaps it was the dress itself that bothered you, perhaps you just don't like wearing that sort of clothing. »
Cagalli's eyes widened, giving the older man the right to place his money where his mouth was.
« You know, in that respect, you're quite like the current princess, » he said. He was quiet for a moment, as if trying to figure out the wisest words to use. « Actually, » he began, grinning, « I heard she's run away again. »
« Has the news gotten out so fast? » asked Cagalli, not taking the time to think. Athrun shot her a warning glance. The Desert Tiger began to laugh.
« I told you that you could learn alot from small talk princess, » he said.
After an enourmus amount of screaming, laughing, yelling, bragging and a little more screaming, Cagalli finaly calmed down and Andrew explained the current situation.
« …And I was just about to ask your friend, Mr. Zala if he wanted to join us when you came in, » he finnished. Now it was Athrun's turn to be surprised.
« You must know my loyalties belong to ZAFT, » began Athrun.
« Your loylaties are scattered all over the place kid, » interupted the innkeeper, « after all, weren't you just telling me that Miss Clyne is you fiance? Wouldn't that mean you have loyalties and duties to her as well? And then thier's you and your princess, you betrayed her and her court didn't you? You through aside your loyalties to them when you joined the ZAFT, I'm sure you'd have no problem doing that again.»
« It's not that simple… » said the younger man patheticly.
« And what of Orb? This country we live in that is slowly dying, don't we all have loyalties to it? Or are we all going to destroy it together? » There was an akward silence, as routine would have it, Cagalli broke it.
« You make it sound like loyalty is the one redeeming factor man has. But, with only loyalty, a person can often be mislead. If a person has no ideals, no morals, no friends, family or loved ones to protect, then loyalty is a waste. It's the same for Orb, if we all reamain loyal to a cause, and even if that cause is the right one, without pricipals, we'll never be able to rebuild this country. »
« Cagalli… » said Athrun stunned.
« Yes, that's true, but if you have no sense of loyalty, it is almost impossible for you to stick to those morals, » said Aisha testily.
« I wasn't saying that loyalty isn't important! » snapped Cagalli.
« No, you weren't, » replied the innkeeper, then he smiled, directing it towards the young princess, « your father taught you well, I see. »
At the mention of Uzumi, the table went quiet.
« He was a good person in the end, » mumbled Athrun. No one seemed to notice.
Suddenly, someone came barging through the inn. It was young man, most likly in his late twenties.
« Where's the master? Where is he? I need to speak to him immeadiatly! » he yelled violently. Outside, the rain came down furiously, the current scene could've easily been compared to one from an adventure novel.
« Relax DaCosta, I'm right here! » called Andy from the back. Athrun's head went up when he heard the name. The newcommer pushed his way through to the back.
« Sir, I have urgent news! » he said.
« I can see that, » replied the older man, « now would you care so much as to tell us what it is? »
« Not out here, » replied DaCosta. The Tiger got the message.
« Very well, follow me, » he said, directing the other to his office. He glanced at Athrun and Cagalli, « you coming? » he asked. The newcommer noticed them for the first time, and reconized them.
« But sir…! » he began.
« Don't worry, the already know, » said Andrew reasurringly, « we were just talking about it. »
« Sir! » cried DaCosta, « what if they told….? »
« She's the man in question's sister, » cut in the innkeeper, « I doubt she'll try to stop us from helping him. »
« But what about him? » coutinued the worried younger man, pointing to Athrun « after all, isn't he with…? »
« Ah, don't worry about him, » said Andy, once again inturpting the messenger, « he won't do any harm, I trust him. »
Though he didn't trust Athrun, DaCosta knew he had no choice but to let him listen. The Tiger wouldn't have it any other way. The four of them now sat in the innkeeper's office. All held a mug of coffee in thier hands and wore a troubled expession on thier face.
« So, Siegal Clyne is dead? » asked Athrun, once the messenger finnished telling his tale.
« Yes, » replied the newcommer curtly, Andy may have trusted Zala, but he certainly didn't.
« Do we know who did it? » asked the Tiger.
« Blue Cosmos, though we don't know why. »
« But why him? » asked the older man, more to himself that to the others. Siegal Clyne had worked towards peace throughout the war, and even before it, he had always been much more accepting of naturals than the other ZAFT big wigs.
« Ms. Lacus will be postboning her…escapade for a short while, » countined DaCosta, « to mourn for her father. »
« That's only normal, » whispered Cagalli.
It was late when the four left the office. It had been decicded that the messenger would stay for the night, and that the next mourning, he and Andy would leave to join Lacus. The two others had decided to stay behind, neither of them to sure where to go from there. They had retreated to thier room, where Athrun had promtly fallen asleep. The princess though was still quite awake. Having nothing better to do, she stared at him.
He was obviously in a deep slumber, though he moved from time to time. His dark blue hair was scattered all over his face and pillow, it was increasingly becomming messier and messier. His eyelids were pressed shut tightly over those dark green eyes of his. Cagalli loved those eyes. She remembered Fllay once saying that the handsomest of men had blue eyes. But the princess thought otherwise, green was a much more interesting eye couler. If only Athrun's eyes were blue, perhaps then, they wouldn't be in this dilema. She coutinued to watch him. His experssion was serious, stern, hard, his body refelceted it. Was he having a nightmare? Or did he just always look like this when he slept? Cagalli countined to watch him, trying her best not to wake him. Athrun would never admit it, but he needed his sleep.
Suddenly, he was shaking rather violently. Not quite sure if it was the right thing to do, Cagalli, shook him awake. He opened his eyes and stared at her.
« What hapened? » he asked.
« You were acting weired, moving oddly, it didn't seem normal…or safe, so I woke you up, » she replied.
« I was having a nightmare, » said Athrun simply.
« About what? »
« I don't know, I can't remember, it's just, I always shake like that when I have nightmares. My mother was like this too. Most of the time, my aunts wouldn't let me in when it happened, but I did see her once. » He was quiet for a moment, « she called out to my father, then for some reason or another, she told him to stop, that he was hurting him, that's all I saw, I ran out of the room after that. »
« Oh, well at least it was just a nightmare, » said Cagalli.
« Nightmares can be scary… » he drifted off into his own thoughts, trying to remember his dream.
« Tell me, Athrun, do you remember anything about your father? »
« No, supposedly he lived with me and my mother when I was very young, but I have hardly any memories of that time. From what my aunts told me, we lived very comfortably at December Castle, but then my father left for combat…and never came back. Without him making money, we were forced to move to a much smaller house. It was a secluded place, really. Mother didn't take to it, she was always very sick… » once again he trailed back into his own thoughts.
« My father knew yours, » said Cagalli quietly. They were now both sitting on her bed, staring out the window. « There was a time when they were friends. »
« Really? » asked Athrun, « then why did he betray him? » his voice was not resentful, meerly curious.
Cagalli was quiet for awhile. She thought back to what her father had told her and Kira : Felix Zala had chosen him over his own son because he did not believe Patrick to be ready for the job. She sighed inwardly, the princess didn't really want to tell Athrun that.
« I don't think he betrayed him, » she said. She got up and walked over to the window. « Athrun, do you remeber our first meeting? »
« Yeah… » he said confused.
« Do you remember being presented to Cagalli Yula Attha, and not seeing her when she was right in front you? »
« Yeah, I also remember her punching me in the gut for that, » Athrun answered playfully.
« Those were good, peaceful times. »
« They weren't really peaceful, at least the gouvernment was already at war. »
« But they were peaceful for us, weren't they? Because we were children, and completly oblivious to those kinds of things. It would be nice if things could still be like that… »
« We'll never be able to back to that, we're no longer children. Even in there was no war, innocence never lasts that long. »
« And today, with this horrible war, innocence dosn't exsist. The children of today only see the misery and sadness of political confilct. They don't get to be kids. »
« I wish they could… »
« But, despite your efforts, you're not helping them, neither am I. »
« That's war for you, eh? Just another vicious circle. I wonder if it will ever end… »
« I think Lacus has the right idea. »
« Then why won't you join her? »
« I came out here to find you. There are things we need to do before we decide what we'll do with our lives. »
« Like what? »
« Talk. »
Athrun smiled. He had always thought that they wouldn't talk, that there would just use force and it would be over. There would be two losers. One would be dead, the other alive, but living in eternal grief and pain. He had always seen himself as the other one. But now they were going to talk, he liked this scenario much more than the ones that flew around in his head.
Kira was tired. The day had been full of meetings and preparations for upcomming events, such as his father's official funeral, his coranation, and upcomming battles. It had all gone by so quickly that he barly remebered any of it. He sighed. Presently, he sat in his father's study, the same place where he had died, no been killed. Not wanting to think about it, he opened a drawer. It was filled with old bits and pieces of paper, letters. Curiostiy took over him and he pulled them out. He looked at the first one.
My dearest Via, June 28
You are making a mistake. Ulen is not the man he says he is. Please break your engagement, it is for your own benifit.
Forever yours, Uzumi.
Kira stared at it in counfusion. Who the hell was Via? Even when it was forbidden to talk about them, scadoulas people were a common topic of conversation. The new king had heard all thier stories, yet, not once did the name Via, come up. Neither did Ulen. He looked at the next one.
Dearest Via, August 6
You didn't listen to my warning and married him. I hope you two are happy together, I hope he will never betray you. For that is all I can do now, hope.
Forever yours, Uzumi
Kira was beginig to wonder, who was this woman his father seemed so fond of? But it didn't really affect him untill he came across one specific letter.
Dear Via, May 30
I came to see them today, your children. You weren't there but Ulen kindly let me in. They are quite something, I can tell you that. That little girl, Cagalli, she is already as stubborn as you once were. I can only imagine what sort of woman she'll be, what sort of men she'll court. As for the boy, Kira, he will be a fine young man one day. Though I am sure his abilities will test and curse him more than they will bless him. I must say, I've grown quite attatched to both of them. I pray they will live full lives.
Forever yours, UzumiThere had been a small personal statement written at the bottom of the page, but it had been crossed out.
Cagalli and Athrun had locked eyes now.
« Why did you switch sides? » she asked.
« I don't know anymor, » he answered sadly, « I'd like to think my reason was noble, that is was a brave thing to do, but all the reasons I come up with seem like cheap heroisum crap. »
Cagalli chuckled.
« You sound just like father, » she said.
They were silent.
« I'm sorry, about that, if it makes you feel any better, I didn't want it to happen. »
« Yeah, that does make me feel better. »
« So, how's Kira? »
« He's still the same, a bit more stressed, confused as always. »
« Has he found anyone? »
« He get's along quite well with Lady Fllay, I don't like her though. »
« You're overprotective. »
« Kira neesd protecting, that girl isn't good for him. If she ever found out he was a coordinator… »
« You know? »
« Yeah, he told me, before I left… »
« So, he knows too? and yet, he's fighting against his brotherin? War can do such horrible things to people, fighting can be such a curse. »
« Nobody knows what they're fighting for anymore.That's the curse. »
« Part of it, when you fight, you kill, that's another part. »
« And then there's the monster. »
« The SEED monster, he's the one who created the curse. »
« What makes you so sure it's a he? »
« Does that really matter? »
« No, it dosn't. But thank you, for the other day. »
« You've already thanked me. »
« I'm doing it again. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't helped me…why though? »
« Hatred had taken over you, I could't bear to see you like that. »
« I wonder why nobody killed us, we were such an easy target… »
« The gods were feeling sorry for cursing us, so they protected us. »
« I don't belive in gods, or destiny. A man's life is affected by the choices he makes and nothing. Definetly not some sort of higher power. »
« So, you're saying that all those soldiers choose not to kill us? »
« I don't know what I'm saying… »
« Cagalli, you should get some sleep, you're still recovering from your illness. »
« I'm fine. »
« Please Cagalli, you need your rest. »
« Oh, allright, but only if you get some too. »
« Very well. »
They were silent as both of them got into thier beds (or matress, in Athrun's case.)
« Athrun? » asked Cagalli, after a moment, « why did you lie? »
« To protect you, » he answered quietly.
« But you never lie? Why? »
« Lying dosn't lead to anything. I tried to hide our identeties, but we were both found out in the end. »
They were both quiet for what seemed like ages.
« I lie alot, » said Cagalli, finaly.
« What was that? »
« I lie alot, » she repeated, « like that time when you asked me if I still loved you, I lied then. »
« Oh really? » asked Athrun curiously, hopefully, « so then, what was the truth? »
« I love you, Athrun Zala. »
The young coordinator felt joyus. He arose from his bed and looked down upon the princess, his princess.
« I love you too, Cagalli Yula Attha. »
But instead of returning the smile Athrun was wearing, she frowned.
« Are you sure? » she asked.
« What do you mean? » he asked back in surprise.
« By saying that, by saying I love you, you're pledging loyalties to me. What that excuse of an innkeeper said is true though, your loyalties are scattered all over the place. Who says you won't abandon your loyalties to me? »
Athrun did not even think about his answer.
« I will never abandon my loyalties to you because, starting tonight, my only loyalties belong to you Cagalli. And I will follow wherever you go, do whatever you say, and always, always be true. »
Cagalli smiled then, and it was a brilliant smile.
« The same goes for me, » she whispered. She would of said more, but she became to preoccupied with Athrun's lips.
Despite his lack of sleep, the young coordinator woke up early, feeling energetic. He was next to Cagalli, who was still sleeping. Once they broke apart from thier kiss, they had just held one another untill they fell asleep. Slowly he got up. Not quite sure what to do, he left to see if the innkeeper had gone yet. He hadn't. Andy sat at the entrance, taking his mourning coffee. He noticed Athrun and signaled for him to come over. It was almost as if he had been waiting for him.
« Hey kid, » he said, « how was your night? »
« It was…something » replied the kid. The innkeeper nodded.
« Can I tell you something? » he asked.
« Sure, I don't see why not, » answered Athrun, confused.
« You remember me telling you I had my reasons, for deserting, that is. » Athrun nodded. « Well, I thought about it, and I came to the conclusion that you might profit from it if I told you them. » Athrun looked at the man in shock.
« Why? » he asked.
« After I deserted, I began to see the world in a different way. At first I hated myself for what I had done, but after awhile, I realised I was better off not fighting, and I was glad I left. »
Funny how the young coordinator found it rather easy to relate to the older one.
« I was even grateful to that man, » countinued Andy.
« Who? » asked the blue haired boy.
« I'm not sure, but, about four years ago, when Aisha and I weren't yet married, we were secertly seeing each other. Unfortunatly, someone found out, someone who wasn't with ZAFT. They kidnapped her and told me that if I ever wanted to see her alive again, I would have to give up my position in the army. And so I deserted. Me and Aisha were married some time later nad I've never been happier. »
« And why do you think this will help me? » asked Athrun. The Tiger smiled.
« You never know… » he said playfully.
DaCosta apeared. He looked from Andy to Athrun to Andy again.
« We must be leaving sir, » he said.
« Very well, » said Andrew, getting up to leave, he looked at the younger man for a moment. « I mannaged to dig up an old dress of Aisha's, it should fit your princess quite nicely, » he said, winking.
After Cagalli had woken up and had her breakfeast, Athrun spent about half an hour coaxing her into the dress. Finaly, she agreed to wear it. Now, they had gone out for the day and were exploring thier surroundings. They had been walking for awhile when they spotted what looked like a waterfall.
« Race ya there! » the princess yelled with delight.
Both began running. At first, the were equal, but soon, Athrun became tired. I should've slept more last night, he cursed. And then ,without meaning to, he tripped. Cagalli immeadiatly stopped her racing and went to him.
« Are you ok? » she asked.
« Yeah, » he answered, « I'm fine. »
Gingerly, she helped him up and they both went to sit near the waterfall. The surroundings were beautiful. Crisp, white-blue water came down intensly from the waterfall. The trees were in full bloom, though still wet from the nights rainfall. Without warning, Cagalli slipped something around Athrun's neck. It was her necklace.
« It'll protect you, » she mumbled, « you seem to get into alot of trouble. »
« Thanks, » he said, he took something out of his pocket, his mother's wedding ring. Ever since her death, he had carried it on her. But now it was time to let go. He slipped it onto Cagalli's finger. « Cagalli Yula Attha, will you marry me? » he asked.
The tomboy's eyes grew large.
« …yes, » was all she mannaged to say.
« Here? » asked Athrun.
« You mean right now? » retorted the princess.
« Yes, » replied the coordinator.
Cagalli thought about. The idea had taken her by surprise, but she liked it.
« Very well, » she said. « Will you, Athrun Zala, son of Patrick and Leonore Zala, take me Cagalli Yula Attha, Daughter of Uzumi Nara Attha and no mother, as your loyal and passionate wife? »
« I will, I do, » replied Athrun happily, « and will you, Cagalli Yula Attha, daughter of Uzumi Nara Attha and no mother, take me, Atrun Zala, son of Patrick and Leonore Zala, as your loyal and passionate husband? »
« Of course, » replied Cagalli.
They kissed.
Athrun
I don't care what they say
I don't care what you say
I am happy like this
You are happy like this
We are joyful this way
We will always be together
And loyal, primarly to each other.
And that's it! Reviw please! PLEASE!