Yuki: The last chapter didn't get much review… but oh well, I don't think it was worth very much so now I have make up for everything. I hope this chapter would go for every AsuCaga fans liking!
Oh and by the way, which would guys like more, Athrun suffering or Cagalli? Because I can't decide who would get the next misfortune, hehehe, yes I'm evil but that's the only way to make the story interesting!
And sorry if Rey is out of character, I'm thinking now of it should have been Shinn then Rey but then I guess in the end of the story which is just one more chapter away… joke! Anyways, in the end maybe what happened to Rey will be solved!
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Kira smiled, "My sister has awoke and Athrun is with her right now, shall I tell your son about your arrival at the moment?"
Lenore smiled back, relieved "I believe it would be best if he could spend some time with the princess"
"Yes, I believe that would really help lighten up the situation" Kira chuckled lightly, followed by the melodious laughter of the Duchess.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"Of what is this dream about?" Athrun asked, intently watching the princess's dreamy face.
"Of five years ago Athrun," Cagalli looked at the said knight "I dreamt about it when I was about to let the darkness take me"
Athrun laced his fingers with Cagalli's, giving it a squeeze while looking at her, as if afraid that he would loose her at the moment. "What did you see?" he didn't trust the shaking of his voice yet he found strength in hope thinking that he was the one who let her open her eyes again.
"Do you remember, that day when you gave me your promise?" Cagalli asked with a small smile of her face as she felt their fingers intertwine.
"Of course" came the knight's respond "It was a day I cannot forget"
"It was that day that you promised to protect me" the blonde princess weakly giggled, "It was also the day I was furious with you" there was a pause "For joining the army"
"Yes, I remember that day clearly"
Cagalli closed her eyes, thinking back to the dream she just had. She could remember almost everything as if it just happened yesterday. Though how Athrun looked and sounded five years ago was already a bit blurred in her mind.
"Athrun Zala are you completely out of your mind!" the younger Cagalli yelled at the Athrun Zala of five years ago.
"Princess, I only did what I think would help you" came Athrun's reply, looking absolutely helpless against the anger of the princess.
"By joining the army?" Cagalli retorted harshly "What in heavens had my brother convinced you to do!" she sighed, frustrated
"It's not the King's fault," Athrun reasoned out "I had decided myself"
"Has your mother been informed with this?" the princess suddenly asked
Athrun was caught off guard with the question, "I was planning to tell her after you"
Cagalli sighed once again, "Why?" she asked, looking down, her question pertaining to his decision
Athrun looked at her, surprised with the sudden change of mood. "Cagalli, I have a lot of reasons"
"Tell me"
A sigh of defeat escaped Athrun's lips, "I want to protect Islie, and I want to protect the whole of Orb, my home"
"I want to make sure I protect you Princess"
Cagalli looked at Athrun, "Me?"
"Yes" Athrun shyly hugged the blonde girl "I'll protect you, forever"
"Don't" Cagalli sadly looked into the now soldier's emerald orbs "I don't want you to get hurt because of me" she started sniffing "No, not for me" slender arms went around Athrun's torso.
Athrun tightened his hold on the princess, a hue of red claiming his pale cheeks "Don't say that, I would gladly give my life away for you"
His words made Cagalli tear, "I promise Cagalli, I promise to protect you" he pledged, dropping a warm kiss on her cheek.
"Cagalli?" a voice pulled her from her thoughts
"Sorry, I was just thinking" the princess gave a wry smile to the knight
"No, if your tired you should go and sleep, I'll leave" Athrun said, readying himself to stand when the princess tightened her hold on his hand
"No, stay Athrun" she silently pleaded, convincing the knight to stay still beside her.
There was a moment of peaceful silence between the two, both just enjoying the company of each other.
"I'm glad you came back" Athrun whispered silently, his eyes closed as he rested his head of the headboard on the bed while Cagalli was settled comfortably on his lap, their hands still holding each other. "I was scared that I failed you"
His words made Cagalli smile yet cry. She knew he cared but was it all duty or the truth?
"You'll never," she spoke in a low voice "You won't loose me" Never
"I'm glad"
"Hn," she made a small sound of agreement. Is it all duty or something more?
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"She's what!" Rey yelled, his fist tightly clenched
"Calm down Rey" Dullindal, the emperor of Zaft, smiled slyly "Easy death would end our fun of watching your most hated person suffer don't you think?"
"But she doesn't deserve her life!" the angered blonde slammed his hands on his father's table "Every minute more that she lives in this world that suppose to be mother's paradise, and not a place where insects like her should be let free to roam around"
"I've been thinking my son" the emperor seemed oblivious to his son's anger "That knight who leads the squad that had defeated Shinn's, he seems to be quite attached to the princess"
"And you mean?"
"I mean, Rey, would you want to make him eliminated…"
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"Yzak!" a voice called
"What?" the owner of the name asked impatiently as he caught the sight of his friend, Dearka Elthman, run down the halls as he waved at him.
"Now, now, no need to be grumpy" Dearka said, obviously annoying the man named Yzak Jule, the son of one of the top councilwomen of Zaft.
"Shut your trap Dearka and spill your business" Yzak snapped
Dearka sighed "You'll never attract that Shiho girl if you always act this way" the blonde bit the side of his cheek as Yzak's pale cheeks turned red.
"And who asked for your opinion?"
"Anyway, teasing you about this fact is not why I came to look for you" Dearka's face suddenly turned serious "I have news"
Yzak stopped his tracks and so did Dearka's "Shoot"
"We have new orders, to kill him"
Yzak's eyes widened "Kill him?" he almost sounded hesitant and unsure of why such task was given to him, a high commander general.
"Yes, to kill the man who saved us"
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"It seems that you have developed a certain liking towards the songstress" Lady Caridad commented as she watched his son wave goodbye to Lacus who was riding in a carriage back to the town, her eyes still red from crying.
"She's something mother" Kira softly said, walking back to the palace "Shall we have dinner mother?" he asked as they entered the palace.
"Yes, call the maid to set the table and I will inform Lenore of the early dinner" Caridad softly smiled as she walked off the other direction, to where the chamber of Lenore Zala.
Kira obeyed and headed towards the Kitchen where he found the kitchen head and instructed the aging lady about what his mother had told him.
"Dinner would be in a matter of minutes my lord" the woman said, a warm smile plastered on her tan face.
"Thank you" Kira said before walking away, thinking of visiting Athrun and Cagalli before returning to his own chambers.
His walk to the chamber where Athrun was with Cagalli was short yet still had time to make him think. His messengers still have not returned with information he yearned to have at hand, which made him very nervous. He had suspected that it was an attack from Zaft yet drawing to such immediate conclusions might lead to further misunderstandings, he knew.
He lifted a hand to knock on the door of the medical room once he got there. Receiving a sound of acknowledgement from Athrun when ha had knocked.
"Athrun" Kira smiled as he entered the room, "How's my sister?" he asked
Athrun had a smile on his face, "You should go and see for yourself Kira"
Kira chuckled, "This means that she is fine" he said, pertaining to Athrun's behavior.
Both men walked towards the bed where the blonde princess lay still "Hey there sister" Kira casually greeted
"Good day dear brother" the princess greeted back, rolling her eyes in the process
Kira chuckled at her childish actions, "It's great to have you back, you almost gave all of us a heart attack"
Cagalli gave a wry smile, "Sorry" she mumbled
Kira smiled and dropped a kiss on the cheek which Athrun had not kissed, her left one. "Don't worry about that, this is not your fault" Kira assured
"By the way, Athrun" he turned his attention to the knight standing beside him, "Your mother has arrived"
"Just now?" Athrun asked, his eyes showing anxiousness to see his mother
Kira shook his head "She arrived almost two hours ago, she just instructed me not to disturb you and my sister from whatever business you two were conducting here"
"Kira!" Cagalli yelled, her cheeks enflamed from the teasing she had received from her brother while Athrun resembled a boiling lobster.
Kira laughed, "I'm sorry, but one more thing"
"What!" Cagalli glared at her brother
"Dinner would be served soon" Kira turned to leave "I hope I didn't disturb you two" he teased as he left for his room.
"God, whatever did I do to that man to deserve this?" Cagalli questioned herself as she gave off a sigh and looked at Athrun "Would you like to visit your mother?" she asked, somehow already knowing the answer.
"I would like to visit her yet I cannot leave you here" Athrun answered
Cagalli frowned, Duty or Love?
"Fine, we'll visit together" she told him "Now help me get up from here"
"But Cagalli, you shouldn't walk yet" Athrun worriedly told her
"I'm no child Zala" she told him as she pushed herself into a sitting position "Are you going to help me or what?" she asked, half irritated with his hesitation to help her.
"Are you sure you can?" Athrun inquired "Or shall I carry you?" he asked in a serious manner
The red hue returned to Cagalli's cheeks "I- I can do it!" she stuttered, her irritation disappearing and replaced with embarrassment.
Athrun sighed in defeat yet again "Do tell me when you are tired" he told her before helping her stand.
"Thank you" Cagalli muttered as she felt Athrun's arm securely around her waist while his other hand was holding her hand to steady her. "For everything"
Athrun looked at her, she had her gaze on the carpeted floor and her body felt warm against him, after all that had happened, all he could do was smile "All my pleasure" he told her as they started walking to the dinning room, the princess's cotton dress sometimes making her loose her balance because it was too long. "Careful"
When they had reached their destination, they saw everyone already present and waiting for only the two of them.
"Come, sit" Lady Caridad told the two new comers, smiling brightly at her daughter who was being accompanied by Athrun to her seat beside Kira. As Cagalli was already seated, Athrun went to his seat beside his mother who was seating across Lady Caridad.
"Good Evening mother" Athrun greeted before taking his seat, kissing his mother's cheek as he did.
Lenore smiled, "Good evening my son, it seems that you and the princess has been taking time getting here"
Athrun turned red "Mother, she is injured and so we had to walk slower" he reasoned out
"Is that so?" Caridad smiled innocently to Athrun who was looking intently at the gold lining of his plate.
Both Lenore and Caridad soon laughed at the poor knight and the princess and not long after, Kira also joined the laughter.
"I'm glad that Cagalli is alright" Lenore looked at the princess ,after everyone settled down, who shyly nodded. "I had been worried about your welfare dear, and you too Athrun"
"I've been safe and healthy mother, there is no need for you to worry about me" came Athrun's respond
"I am glad to hear that, though just after the fiercest battle in the history of our land, I could not help but worry" Lenore smiled sadly
"But Athrun's words are true Lady Lenore," Kira told the Duchess of Islie "My sister had personally taken care of him after the battle" he pointed out
Cagalli cursed in her mind as the red hue of her cheeks never seem to fade away.
Caridad giggled more, "At last, the food has arrived" she said, looking at the maids who were pilling in with silverware in their hands containing their dinner.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"Would you be alright with this?" a brunette asked her superior casually
"Yes Shiho, for the last time I will tell you that I am perfectly fine with the orders given to me" Yzak answered, already starting to get irritated.
Shiho sighed "If you say so"
"In any case, I am in no position not to abide with the orders given to me" Yzak sighed.
"Well then, be careful" Shiho gave a shy kiss on Yzak's head "Because all I can do now is wait for you here"
"Don't worry about it, I'll come back" Yzak gave a rare small smile "Promise"
XOXOXOXOXOXO
The night breeze blew softly, making the end of the songstress' dress dance with the wind as she stood at the end of the shore of the nearby sea.
She was starting to fall in love she knew, just after a few days of being in his company, Lacus was falling in love with the king.
She sighed softly, she was a common singer while he was Orb's king, would she have a chance in his heart? She wanted to know. After what had happened to the princess, it seemed that she had really gotten close to the family, something that maybe every other woman wished for.
She closed her eyes and remembered how his smile would warm up her heart, how it would make the pits of her stomach tie into a knot and how he wanted to make her jump in happiness.
Now she was sure that she was in love, would the world even allow this? Love between a commoner and a king? She wanted a chance, she wanted to be with Kira. She wanted to be selfish, just this once. She wanted to be with him.
Lacus sighed again. Was this even possible?
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"This time, I will come after you, you will let her suffer, in your own hands, with the love you say you posses for her" a voice said bitterly
"Now, now, let's not be too cruel, killing him in front of her would be enough" another voice spoke
"Or let me just kill her, for my master's happiness, for…"
END
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Yuki: Oh no! What's going to happen? Is this chapter ok? Long enough? I'm starting to think people don't read any more. Why the early update? Because I want to make sure that readers wouldn't have to wait too long, it's a in the middle of the year resolution. So I hope this chapter is going to make you all happy!
Did I erase way to much fluff for your liking? Just tell me and I'd add more XD
Please review! Yes, I sound like a pathetic animal who is begging for food, but do review!
What to look out for in the next chapter:
"What happened here!" Kira demanded
"She was stabbed"
"Again!"
"Your highness, this has been found in the chamber"
"Zaft?"
"Tighten the security!"
"I shouldn't have left her tonight, I should have stayed and killed that man"
"We never knew this would happen Athrun"
"I almost lost her again, I won't let it happen again"
"Yzak, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, but before this, I have to get her"
"Shiho?"
"I won't leave her here"
"Caridad, calm down, she would be alright"
"I will ask some of my spies to hunt for the man responsible for this"
"This is a piece of Zaft's flag, could it really be?"
"I can't kill him, Dearka"
"What would we do then?"
"We?"
"You think I can kill him too!"
"This is… the emperor's"
"Great job, Lunamaria"
"I want to tell you something"
"Duty or Love?"
"Answer me!"
"If it's so, then better if I won't live under your lies Athrun"
So stay tuned for the next chapter of Untainted Love!
