Significant Other

Chapter Six- The problem of Distance

Kira slowly opened his eyes as someone gently shook him awake. He was tired. More so then usual. Whether that was a good or bad thing, he hadn't a clue. Shifting to be able to see who was waking him he groaned as the light pouring in from the windows hit his face. His head still hurt and he felt slightly cold with only one blanket. The hand removed itself from his shoulder and, as though reading his thoughts, draped another blanket over him.

"Thanks." He whispered and his sister put a hand on his forehead before giving him an apologetic look.

"Sorry for waking you. I thought you should know that I'm going out. I have my cell with me. If you feel sick or anything you call me." He nodded and watched as she stood, edging around the coffee table.

"Where are you going?" He asked as she picked up her bag. Not a purse. She refused to own or carry anything around with her that was called a purse. She glanced at him.

"I have to stop by the pharmacy to get your medicine. I'm also thinking of checking in on Yzak. Maybe get a bite to eat. I'll try not to be gone long." He nodded, drifting off once more. He was really tired.


Athrun took a seat next to Yzak's bed, shrugging off his jacket as he did so. He had heard Yzak hadn't seen the one who had shot him. This had surprised him, but when he thought about it he supposed the shooter wouldn't have wanted to be seen. After getting himself comfortable in his seat he took out a book and silently began to read. Two, perhaps three, pages later the door to the room opened and Athrun was startled to see Cagalli entering.

"Cagalli?"

"Oh. Hey Athrun." He closed his book, placing it on Yzak's bed as Cagalli grabbed a seat from the corner of the room and moved it next to his. She seemed drained and he noted the bags under her eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concerned. She closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair and shaking her head.

"I don't know what to do anymore Athrun. It seems at times he's getting better then, just like that, he's gotten worse again. This morning he looked so…" She twirled her hand in a dramatic motion as she searched for the word. "Dead." She paled slightly at her own word but continued in a soft voice. "He looked so dead this morning…" She shrugged to herself; obviously confused "I thought he was getting better." Athrun watched in horror as she began to do something he'd never seen her do before. She cried. "I don't know what to do anymore Athrun. I don't know! I don't know. I don't want to lose my brother. He's my only family I have. I don't w-want t-to." She shook her head as she buried it into her hands, her shoulders shaking. Athrun patted her back awkwardly before getting out of his seat and wrapping his arms around her.

"You're not going to lose him." He whispered soothingly "He's going to get better… He's been looking better lately hasn't he?" Cagalli nodded then looked up at him, tears still falling from her eyes, and he looked down at her. She cleared her throat, averting her gaze and blushing slightly. Straightening, she knitted her hands on her lap and stared at the door as though transfixed.

"I thought he was. He's become very good at hiding his pain. What if he's getting worse and not telling me? What if he's…" Athrun sighed, standing.

"Now you're just letting your imagination get the better of you. I'm willing to bet it's because you haven't gotten enough sleep." She glared at him.

"I'm afraid to go to sleep Athrun. I'm afraid that he'll get worse and I'll be too out of it to do anything." Athrun stared down at her, still standing. His mind had already formulated a plan and he cleared his throat, gaining her attention.

"How about I come over for the day and look after him? That way, you can get some sleep." Cagalli stared up at him in disbelief.

"I can't let you spend your day doing that."

"I want to. Y-your… I mean, he's my best friend." She snorted at him but then smiled.

"Thank you."


Lacus knew her father would have a fit if he saw what she was doing at the moment. But for once in her life she didn't care what he thought. Her mind was elsewhere and she sang, ignoring the fact that she was seated on her balcony railing. She sang with all her passion, hoping that somehow her song would reach Kira. It was a cold morning and she could see her breath, but nevertheless she began her song again. She had had a nightmare about him last night. In her nightmare he had died. And in it he had died because of her.
Kira wrapped the blankets tighter around himself as he awoke due to a rather weak coughing fit. He didn't know if he was getting better or if the illness had finally taken its toll and had worn him down so badly that he hadn't even the strength to fight it anymore. Seeing his reflection in the black television screen in front of him he glared and turned away. He wasn't proud of himself at the moment. Cagalli was always at his side taking care of him instead of participating in sports and going out. His friends were always stopping by or phoning to see how he was and, in Athrun's case, actually running errands when Cagalli was too busy to do them herself. He had become useless and merely a burden.

"If I get better." He softly whispered to himself. "I'll make it up to all of you. I promise." He blinked as he heard something but it soon vanished. He could've sworn that he had heard Lacus singing.


Yzak opened one eye as Athrun left, giving him a brief pat on the leg. Cagalli stood by the door, holding it open and waiting patiently for him.

"Don't forget to take your damn book, Zala." He grated out, lifting the paperback up. Athrun turned, startled at first, but sighed saying thanks.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, leaning in.

"I'm on a shitload of drugs, I'm fine. You two go. God knows that that nurse will come and embarrass me the way she did when Dearka was here. Damn her." Athrun straightened, scratching his head.

"I'm sorry Yzak. I'll come by and visit you later." Cagalli nodded, saying she would as well.

"I can hardly wait." He mumbled sarcastically and Athrun gave a short laugh, shaking his head.

"Good to see you're still the same grouch."

"Bug off, Zala."

"Sure, Sure. See ya." Yzak looked away but smiled slightly as they left.


"Lacus?" Cagalli froze as she approached the front steps and Athrun stopped, nearly running into her. The pink haired girl was carrying a large box with a plate of cookies resting upon it. She jumped upon hearing her name and quickly turned, giving them a bright smile.

"Hello. I'm truly sorry for intruding like this but I brought over some things that I thought might help Kira." Cagalli smiled at her and took the cookies, which had been resting on the top of the box. Lacus shifted the brown box in her arms so she could look around it. "Those are to help calm a stomach. They also taste wonderful with green tea. I made them after my maid scolded me for sitting outside in the cold morning air." Cagalli gave her a grateful look.

"Thank you Lacus. Is the box heavy?" Cagalli's eyes shifted to the blue haired boy before Lacus even had a chance to answer. "Athrun!"

"I'll take that for you Lacus." Athrun muttered, getting the hint. Lacus shook her head, moving out of the way as Cagalli went to open the front door.

"No, that's quite alright. I've got it." Athrun looked at it, trying to judge whether or not she was telling the truth.

"What's in it?" he asked. Lacus brought the box closer to herself and frowned.

"It's for Kira." He blinked, and then raised a hand in defense.

"I wasn't implying anything. I know it's for Kira, I was just curious." Lacus suddenly yawned, shaking her head as though clearing it.

"Sorry Athrun. It's a surprise." She walked inside and Athrun followed her, closing the door behind him as he entered. Lacus slipped out of her shoes and followed Cagalli as she entered the living room where Kira rested.


Kira had been trying to get the phone without moving from the couch, but it was becoming a futile effort. His arm wasn't long enough to reach it from where it lay on the coffee table. Every once and while he'd retract his arm when it became tired or cold then try again a few minutes later. Coughing slightly, he leaned forward a bit but his fingertips pushed it further away. Suddenly a hand grabbed it and gave it to him. He took it, very pleased.

"Who are you phoning?" The person asked and he coughed again, trying to focus on the numbers to dial.

"Cagalli." He muttered, stopping to try and remember exactly what the number was. "Is it on speed dial?" He felt a hand touch his forehead and he turned away from it. "Your hand is cold." He said as he tried to dial the number.

"Why are you phoning?" The person asked kneeling by him, he paused trying to remember the exact reason.

"I was feeling hot." He said slowly "Then I couldn't breathe. But I'm fine now." He dropped the phone to the floor and coughed, closing his eyes. "I don't need to call now."

"Kira… w-what's my name?" The person asked and he let out a long breath, not opening his eyes as he started to drift off.

"Your name? It's…ahh… I don't remember."


Cagalli's eyes widened when he didn't acknowledge that she was there. Then she felt tears prick the corners of her eyes when he didn't remember her name. He was burning with a terrible fever again and it was causing him to act oddly once more. He was getting worse again. Taking a deep breath, she picked up the phone that he had dropped and quickly dialed a number. Athrun and Lacus stood nearby silent.

"Athrun, Lacus. Look after him while I talk to Dr. Parker. I'm going to reschedule Kira's appointment. He should've been better by now." They nodded and Lacus put the box that she had been carrying down.


Lacus peered at Kira's sleeping form and, after a moment, spoke.

"My mother was ill with a terrible sickness a couple of years back. When she got better they sent her home only for her to get sick again. She kept getting sick and her health never did improve." Athrun gave her a sad look and Lacus took a seat next to Kira on the ground. "She died. The ultimate cause was that her immune system never had a chance to recover from the first terrible illness she had been afflicted with. She kept getting sick afterwards with unrelated bugs and flu's, which weakened her further until one day she simply couldn't fight the common cold." Lacus put a hand on Kira's face. "I wonder if Kira's going through a similar ordeal." Athrun took a seat on a recliner and rubbed his temples.

"That would make sense. It would explain the inconsistent symptoms." Lacus dragged the box she had brought with her over to her side and opened it. Athrun peered curiously and blinked when Lacus brought out a book.

"This book is titled 'The Problem of Distance.'" Lacus said as she opened it and shifted herself on the floor. She glanced at Athrun and smiled explaining. "I read to my mother when she was ill. She said it helped her through the tough times. This book was her favorite." Athrun nodded, understanding and leaned back into the chair, listening as she began to read.


Thanks to my younger sister who goes through my chapters to ensure that they're near perfection! Also thank you for the reviews they've helped considerably! Thank you for reading! And don't worry. This story still has a long ways to go. I do realize that there hasn't been a lot of Kira and Lacus moments but things will soon start happening. By the way I wasn't feeling 100 percent when I wrote this so forgive me for any errors.