Chapter 2

Athrun shuddered at the memory. What did that Earth forces soldier mean by "she's alive"? Why did he freeze? He was a trained soldier, he shouldn't have frozen. "Damnit!" yelled Athrun smashing a clenched fist against the wall.

"Hey Athrun, what are you all pissy about?" A tall seventeen year old boy sneered down at his younger rival and team mate, his ice-blue eyes flashing with disdain, "still upset about shooting the Natural?"

"No Yzak, it's not that. It was he said before he died," he closed his eyes, took a deep breath then turned to look at the boy with the blue eyes. His green eyes narrowing to a glare, "I think he said something about my sister Yzak, she may still be alive."

The smirk left Yzak's face, the humorous glint gone from his eyes, "you really think so?" A serious look hardened his features, "what did he say to you?"

"He said "she's alive," he gave Yzak a hard stare, "he was talking about her. My sister, Christine. I know it," Athrun turned to look out the window.

"What makes you think he was talking about Christine, Athrun? He could have been talking about anyone," Yzak stated his tone, cool and collected.

Athrun whirled around to face Yzak, "when he fired his first shot it was off target. It knocked my helmet off," tears started to blur his vision. "He went to shoot again but he froze when he saw my face," he choked, tears began falling freely. He spun around and ran from the room.

The alarm sounded to let them know it was time to get into their mobile suits. Athrun looked up at his own machine, the Aegis, preparing for the upcoming battle and gathering his composure. He then turned to climb into his cockpit along with Yzak and the other two pilots Nicol and Dearka.

"Hey Athrun, are you feeling okay?" Nicol asked. His caring eyes full of concern. Although he was only 15 whereas Athrun was 16 Nicol was a very good friend to Athrun. He loved playing the piano. His hair was bright green and curly unlike Yzak's straight cropped silver-blue hair. It wasn't unusual for Coordinators to have oddly coloured features like hair and eyes. Dearka was a blond and Athrun's was navy blue. And Athrun's fiancée's hair was pink.

He nodded then smiled at his innocent young friend, "I'm fine I just had a spirited conversation with Yzak again. That's all." he turned and got into his cockpit. And was the first to launch in his red mobile suit. Followed by Yzak in the Duel, then Dearka in the Buster, and finally Nicol in the Blitz. Their goal, to capture or destroy the Renegade and the Strike.

Lieutenant La Flaga's ship launched. I put on my helmet and stared at the controls preparing myself for battle. I waited while Kira launched in the Strike, then moved into the launch hanger. I waited while my weapons were equipped. The launch was signalled and I sped out to battle. My goal, to protect the ship at all costs. We were outnumbered. There were 4 Coordinators against 2 Naturals and 1 Coordinator.

I didn't know if we would be able to win but I would give it my best. The Aegis was the first to show up. I got ready to fire but the Aegis just zoomed by no shots or anything. The ship flew over to the Strike and opened communications with Kira. I quickly tuned in to see what they were talking about.

"Kira! I don't want to fight you!" yelled the pilot of the Aegis. "You're a Coordinator Kira. You're fighting with the enemy!"

"Athrun…" Kira looked taken aback by his friend's words, "I'm fighting to protect my friends Athrun. They're not the enemy!"

Frowning I opened fire on the Aegis nearly hitting but he block the shots on his shield. The other three came at me from behind. I froze stunned where did they come from. The Duel flew at me then fired a shot while the other two spread out around me. What do I do? It's going to hit me! At the last minute the Strike smashed into my ship knocking me out of the way. My head cleared and I could move again.

"Dakota, what are you doing? Don't just sit there. I need you to help me" yelled Kira his voice calming me.

I shot at the Duel and Buster. The Duel went over towards Kira and left me to deal with the Buster and the Blitz. Awhile later Mu sent word that his mission was successful. I hurried to Kira to help him with the Duel and the Aegis. In a matter of seconds we were surrounded. I noticed a beeping sound and looked down as my power died. I tried to get back to the ship but the Duel grabbed onto my machine dragging me towards the Vesalius. At the same time Kira's machine had died too and he was being held by the Aegis. Lieutenant La Flaga came just in to free both Kira and Me. Our packs were launched and we connected them regaining our power. The ZAFT team retreated and we returned to the Archangel. I climbed out of my machine and saw Kira head to his room. I wonder what bugging him I shook my head and helped out with repairs.

Athrun felt hurt and betrayed. The door opened, he turned around to see Yzak, Dearka and Nicol walk into the room.

Yzak looked very angry. He took three steps forward and punched Athrun right in the face. He grabbed the front of Athrun's shirt and slammed him against the wall. "How could this happen there were four of us and only two of them. Not only that but they were Naturals!"

Athrun didn't bother to correct Yzak and tell him Kira was a Coordinator. That would mean admitting he knew him. He looked away and stared at the wall.

"Unbelievable!" Yzak turned and stormed out of the room followed by Dearka who shut the door leaving Athrun along with Nicol

"Are you ok Athrun?" he asked kindly.

"Please Nicol, I just want to be left alone," Athrun went out the door leaving Nicol by himself. "Damnit Kira why?" he stared out the window as a wave of hopelessness rolled over him causing him to feel sick. He wish his mother was still there. She would have known what to do.

His mother had died in the Bloody Valentine less then a year ago. His father, the head of ZAFT, had turned that into a reason to fight. More then eleven months had gone by with no end of the fighting in sight.

The only reason Athrun was fighting was revenge for his mother's death and the reasons his father told him. Also for his sister who had been taken away from him when she was only two and had most likely been killed when they discovered she was a Coordinator. His father was a mess. He used the loss of his wife as a reason to destroy all Naturals.

Athrun's life had changed a lot, and now he had to fight against his best friend. It was too much for a 16 year old to handle. He punched the wall then wiped away the tears that formed around his eyes, and then went to contact his father about his speculations.

Machines fixed and with nothing else to do I decided to go see how Kira was. I pushed myself down the hallway and stopped outside his door. I pressed the comm. button "Kira, It's me open the door."

The door slid open revealing Kira, eyes red and puffy making it clear that he had been crying. "Oh… hey Dakota," his lips twitched into a small smile. "Come in."

I walked through the door and heard it close behind me. I turned around and pulled Kira into a hug. I felt my shoulder dampen as he started crying again. I pulled him over to the bed and sat down holding him close. After what seemed to be hours he fell still. Asleep. I laid him down then pull the cover over him to keep him warm. I then lay down on top of the cover so he wouldn't be alone when he woke up. Feeling tired I closed my eyed and drifted into a dark slumber filled with memories from long ago.

Bright green eyes like my own lit up as the young boy stared down at me grinning. A woman with a warm smile and very pretty face stared lovingly at me as I lay nestled in her arms. "Mommy can I hold her now?" the young boy asked.

"Yes but I'll have to help you, your only three. You're not quite strong enough to do it on your own yet. The woman handed me to the boy showing him how to hold me and helping him support my weight.

He grinned down at me with a proud look on his face, "Hi Christine, I'm your big brother Athrun; I'm going to protect you forever and ever. I may be only a year older then you but I'll make sure you stay safe!"

I sat bolt upright, smacking my head on the bunk above me. Kira opened his eyes and asked if I was ok. I nodded and told him I was going for a walk.

I slid out of the bed and drifted out the door. I found a window and gazed at the stars trying to decipher the meaning of my dream.