Hey! I know it's been a while and I do apologize to people who actually read this fic. If you're still willing to hang onto this ride, then I am still willing to write. Please read and let me know what you think.
Chapter 17
Kira could not bring himself to go back to sleep. So, he and Athrun sat at the kitchen counter, both holding a glass of water. Kira took long slow sips. Athrun hadn't touched his drink; his eyes stayed on Kira, but Kira did not make eye contact.
"How many months?" Kira asked.
"Four...maybe five now. It all started after we came to earth. Only a couple of days had gone by when she first appeared."
Kira gripped the side of his head, his hand full of his brown hair. "This is crazy, but certain things are starting to make sense." he clenched his teeth together. "The Life Chamber, the light I saw...and, you. Your behavior makes sense now."
Athrun stared down into his glass. "I didn't know how to tell you," he said. "Sometimes I couldn't believe it was happening." he sighed.
"Me either," Kira said under his breath.
Athrun gave a dry chuckle. "It's easier to believe now that you've seen her, too."
Kira's head hung low and he was silent for a while, a pondering expression on his face.
"The craziest thing, out of all of this, is that you were tasked with bringing her back."
Athrun took a deep breath, holding it.
"Are you close?" Kira said. "Are you sure what—"
"In the beginning, I was completely unsure, but I started to notice changes in her. The glow around her shifting, the air not being so cold...and then when you mentioned her having brain activity...I believe all of that is proof that she can come back, that she is close to coming back. I think her soul bit by bit is returning, but needs to return completely."
"So...what is it that you've been doing?" Kira asked. "As a means to help her back into this world."
"I'm still not sure...I don't—-I promised her." he paused. "I no longer am scared of her."
"You embraced her presence."
It was a statement, and Athrun was a bit shocked that Kira made such a statement for someone who just moments ago started seeing Cagalli. But, he was right. The apprehension lifted. Athrun was more determined than ever to have her back to the world of the living.
"She wasn't meant to die," Kira said, stunning Athrun once more.
How could he know? Athrun thought, though he felt the same way— felt it in his bones. No death felt right, but Cagalli's definitely didn't feel natural.
Kira slowly stood up, pushing the stool back, causing it to make a creaking noise on the wooden floor. He stared down at Athrun, a seriousness in his eyes that nearly caused Athrun to recoil.
"You really care about her, so I believe you'll bring her back," he said. "You do what you have to do and I will be in charge of her body. No one will interfere with her coming back to us." With that, he made his way to the door, but, before he could go back to his room, Athrun asked him:
"What do you think it is that I need to do? I don't have much time...she said that a month ago…"
"To keep doing what you're doing. I think you being there is guiding her."
"How long can I keep that up before time runs out?"
Kira placed a hand on the door, pushed it slightly, before turning and saying: "Work harder?"
They looked at eachother with uncertain eyes, then Kira went through the door and headed down the hall. Athrun sat alone for a while, not touching his drink, but staring at his hands, which were resting on his lap. His shoulders were slumped.
"Cagalli, I wish I could see you tonight."
But, he knew that she used up a lot of strength, and that it would be at least two days before she could visit again...if he would be the one she chose to visit. Athrun's shoulders dropped lower.