Life Without You

I grieve for the leaves that have fallen

For the sky that was painted with sorrow

For the life that I have to go through

For the day I would live without you…

For two days, no one ever saw Cagalli. She locked herself in her room, and never spoke to anyone.

Time was never a friend. It always has its way of bringing torture to anyone that goes under its spell.

Kira was one of its slaves. For two days, he hasn't had a decent sleep. Refused to eat any. Always waiting for her to come out of her room.

It was the second day without Cagalli in sight. Kira decided to get the keys and check if she's doing fine. This was the third time that he thought of doing this, but he always hesitates. Always holding back what he wanted to do…

Half-past five- it's already sunset. Her doors were still closed. Within twelve hours, he waited for them to open. Standing like a fool for fifteen minutes… with his feet already itching, wanting to go inside.

He decided to open her door.

The keys screeched as they slide against the lock.

He stepped inside…

It's like he'd gone to another place. It was dead silent. He could almost hear his heartbeat.

Troubled.

"Cagalli…" he said with a weak voice.

He went further inside.

There she was, curled into a tight ball with her eyes locked at a distance he couldn't measure.

He sat by the bed and took a deep breath. Reached out and stroke her hair.

"I… I'm sorry."

No reply.

Tears were hurting Kira's eyes.

For minutes they were silent. Then she rose and faced him. Her eyes were almost shut, and she looked very pale.

"Why… did he do it?" she almost whispered.

Her golden brown eyes were filled with guilt and pain. Kira looked at them. He was looking at her, the way he did when she was still sick.

His eyes, filled with unrequited love.

"Because…"

"Because he loves you…"

"… Very much, that he willingly died to save you."

His tears were flowing and he couldn't hold them back. He was crying for some reasons that he couldn't understand.

Maybe, for the loss of a best friend.

Or for the grief of his sister.

Or, for the love that he felt which he must choose to end.

"I'm regaining my memory. You see, I already remember some things… that happened when I became an extended."

Kira's heart skipped a beat.

Did she remember everything… about us?

Both of them wanted to say something, but the silence between them was like a thick wall, hard to breach.

"Thank… you for your affection…for the ring," she finally said.

"I should say sorry to those that I've hurt. That's the least thing that I could do. For I could never bring him back."

Her words had an awakening effect on him. He decided to confess.

"What I felt back then… for you… was real. I… did fell in love… with you."

Silence followed.

Cagalli looked away from him.

Then she spoke.

"I'm sorry…"

He understood. He wiped his tears with his hands and smiled.

"So, are you going to sit there and waste everything that he'd done?"

"No," Cagalli answered with conviction.

For rarely the truth makes everyone happy. But it always gives us pain…and relief.

After that day, Cagalli went out of her room and faced the world ahead. Never looked back.

She was again seated as one of the representatives of Orb Union, about a year after.

Her people knew her as the "Goddess of Victory"- and she lived up to her title.

Lacus and Kira got married, the same year when Cagalli was nominated as the chief representative of Orb Union. They had twins, and named one of them after Athrun.

For I must go on standing

I'll wake up and face the sun

Although it hurts my eyes

I'll see there in the skies

Everyone must move on. Time has passed and wounds heal, but the scar will always be there. Though it lacks pain, it gives remembrance of something, which should not be forgotten.

This is the second to the last chapter. I'll post the next one shortly. To those who have patiently read this story, thank you very much.