I am so sorry about the hiatus! I have been working on this chapter, but slowly...been distracted by other things. BUT, here it is! AND it's longer :D...I'll need to do about 2 more long chapters for compensation. Please enjoy and let me know what you think.

Chapter 25: Rumors Still

Cagalli and Kira sat alone at the table, in the empty lunchroom, speaking in hushed voices.

"I finally found it," Kira said, sliding a photograph across the table.

Cagalli slowly, with a slight shake in her hand, picked it up and viewed the familiar image. Kira carefully, with a pounding heart, watched her. Her expression was troubled.

"Where was it?" she asked, her eyes fixed on the picture.

Kira shifted in his seat. "In her room," he said.

Cagalli looked up.

"It wasn't with the rest of the photos, that are in the basement, like when I first found it, so I decided to search the house. I did so as discreetly as possible. I decided to search her room when she and my father were out for the night."

Kira sighed. He placed his arms on the table and stared down, staring into nothing with a defeated look on his face.

"In her closet," he continued. "It was in the back of her closet, behind a bunch of other things, in a small, beat up box." he paused. "She was trying to hide it."

Cagalli looked down, and the two sat there, silently, for a long while. Not even the distant ruckus could be heard anymore; only the sound of their beating hearts.

"I found other things in that small box," Kira said, breaking the silence.

Cagalli's head shot up.

"What?"

"I think these are important." His expression hardened, causing Cagalli to gulp. She straightened her back, bracing herself for whatever he was going to say. "A picture of the woman," he took the photo and pointed to the woman holding the babies, "was there. A single photograph, but it was ripped. I believe someone else was in the photo. She was dressed in a white coat, and she was smiling."

Cagalli took back the photo. "Did she look happy?" she said.

"Hm?"

"She looks happy in this photo; did she look happy in the photo you found?"

Cagalli's tone was soft.

Kira averted his gaze. "No. Here she genuinely looks happy—at peace. She was just smiling for the camera in the one I found. It was more professional."

Cagalli smiled at this, knowing that the woman truly smiled with the children—with, presumably, them.

"When I turned the photo over, it said 'Via' on the back."

"Via," Cagalli spoke the name thoughtfully.

Silence again.

And then, the sound of doors opening. Instantly the pair turned their heads in the direction of the noise. The entrance's double doors swung back and forth, but no one was in sight.

"We should get going," Kira said, eyes still fixed on the door.

Cagalli frowned. "I want to know more."

Kira stood up, walked around the table and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him with big, questioning eyes. He smiled, and even though a part of her wanted to, she couldn't smile back.

"We'll learn more," he said.

"But...what does all of this mean?" she looked down.

Kira sighed, his expression now matching hers.

"I know we need to find out more, but it's clear to me that those babies are us. That woman is our birth mother, and it has been kept from us our entire lives...I just don't know why." he looked at Cagalli. "You haven't questioned your father further?" he raised an eyebrow.

Cagalli hastily grabbed her books and stood up. "No!" she looked perturbed. She always did whenever Kira mentioned her father. "I don't want to bother him...if things were different..he might not have told me…"

"What do—"

"We should go," and with that, she sped out of the lunchroom without looking back.

….

When Cagalli came to school the next day, eyes were on her. Curious, stunned eyes. Eyes attached to many faces with gaping mouths. Cagalli wanted to punch those eyes and stuff socks down those mouths. But, taking deep breaths, she quietly left her first class. She could do it. She was strong. It was not as if she hadn't worn one before, but it was the first time, after all these months, that her classmates were seeing her in a...skirt. A pink, black and white, plaid skirt that hung slightly above the knee.

Strong or not, her face was crimson, and she dared not to look back for she did not want to see Athrun's expression. At their lockers, he stared at her as if she were a stranger. It stung a bit.

Do I look bad? She thought. Do I look ridiculous? She sighed. Damn you Myrna and Kisaka!

Cagalli had been so lost in thought that she didn't realize that she had gone the opposite way of her next class. She also didn't notice the boy who was approaching her. And, occupied with spinning a basketball on his finger, he did not notice her either. A moment later, they collided.

"Ah," Cagalli said, nearly falling backward.

She could hear the sound of the ball bouncing on the tiled floor. Then it stopped, and when she looked up, she saw and heard, Dearka whistling. Her face burned.

"I know I've seen you in a dress before, but—" he whistled again— "I never thought I'd get to see your legs out. We need to get rid of those stockings," he smirked.

Cagalli folded her arms. "No way. It's cold." she looked down at her legs. "I was forced to wear this. My caretakers know I blew my cover, so, as the President's daughter, I must dress like a lady."

Dearka stared at her legs as she spoke.

"Up here."

"How would you like to skip school and go back to my place?"

She raised a brow. And the way her face went from confused, to realization, then to shock, caused Dearka to burst into laughter.

"I'm joking," he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Besides, we aren't seeing each other anymore, so it wouldn't…"his tone was low.

He looked away and Cagalli could see sadness in them, maybe regret. It made her heart sink. Even though Athrun was taking up her mind again, Dearka didn't completely leave it. She was grateful for their time together, for his friendship-for him. So, she took a step closer to him, stood on her tippy-toes, and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

She slowly pulled away.

"Only the cheek?" he smirked.

"Wow, you're on a roll this week," someone said.

The two noticed Flay passing them. She stopped and glared daggers at Cagalli, which caused Cagalli to be taken aback.

"What?" Cagalli said.

"You're on a roll," Flay repeated. Her tone was acrid. "You can't keep your hands off of the guys. Especially other people's guys."

"What are you talking about?"

Cagalli took a step forward, but Dearka grabbed her arm. Something fiery was building up inside of her. The two girls stared hard at each other. It was as if knives were being thrown from their eyes.

"Leave it," Dearka said.

"No," Cagalli said. "I want to know what she's getting at."

Flay's hands balled into tight fists. "Keep your hands off of Kira!" and with that, she stormed off.

"She's still going on about that?" Dearka said.

Cagalli barely heard him. The sound of her heart beat pounded in her ears. The nerve, the nerve of Flay. She did not own Kira, but constantly acted as if she did. It sickened Cagalli.

"I'll do whatever the hell I want!" Cagalli shouted down the hall. She noticed Flay stop for a moment.

"No yelling," Dearka said. "I don't want any teachers coming out here."

Cagalli looked up at him, eyes wild.

"Sorry," she took a deep breath. "I'm just tired of...she's got it all wrong."

"I know." and even though he said that, and she believed him, he still sounded sad.

….

Cagalli was leaning against the wall near Kira's locker, pouting. He, however, carried a grin.

"You look nice," he said.

"Shut it!" she folded her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

Kira chuckled.

"I can't wait for today to be over."

"How come? Wearing it can't be that bad..."

"No." Cagalli raised an eyebrow. "You haven't heard anything about us?" she asked. Kira shook his head. Cagalli sighed. "Maybe if you would have come to lunch."

"Did something happen?"

She moved closer. "Someone took a picture of us yesterday. One of Flay's friends, and they sent it to everyone they know. They're calling you out as a cheat. Flay's defending you—mostly because it shames her-but is accusing me of having feelings for you. I'm trying to 'steal' you from her."

Kira stood there, his arm holding his book in midair, with a dumbfounded look on his face.

"No way."

"Yes," Cagalli growled. "I'm sick of this. Sick of Flay." she spat.

Kira didn't say anything, but Cagalli could see remorse on his face. Suddenly, she felt guilt. She knew of Kira's feelings for Flay and did not want him to feel bad for his relationship, even though she hated it.

"I didn't see much of Flay today," Kira said. "I guess this is why. A couple of her friends did seem like they were trying to avoid me. I guess I didn't notice until now."

"You're one of my closest friends...that doesn't mean I like you."

Kira laughed. "It would be weird for you to have feelings for someone who might be your twin."

They both nodded. Then fell silent.

"You didn't bring it," Cagalli said. "The other picture of her."

"I-I didn't get the chance to. But, I will dig more when I'm alone again."

With her eyes low, Cagalli got off of the wall. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around Kira's neck, burying her head in his shoulder. His eyes widened. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.

"Are you okay?" he whispered, gently.

"I don't know," she said. "Everything I knew has been a lie. I don't even know who I am anymore...It scares me."

They pulled away. They could feel people watching, but neither of them cared. With his thumb, Kira wiped Cagalli's eyes.

"You're Cagalli. Your father is still your father— he raised you, and loves you. Same with my parents. Our origins may be different than we thought, but that doesn't change who we are."

Cagalli nodded.

"I'll find out more, alright?"

The sound of his voice dried her eyes.

"I will try, too," she said.

"And I'll talk to Flay.

…..

"What is it?" Cagalli said, removing books from her locker.

Athrun had been mindlessly staring at her the entire time they were at their lockers.

"Nothing," he said, quickly turning away, but she noticed that he peeked at her once more.

Cagalli stuffed her books under her arm, and, with her free arm, she slammed her locker door shut. The hall instantly fell silent.

"Do I have something on my face?" she shouted.

Athrun shook his head.

"What are you staring at?" Cagalli said to a boy just a few lockers away from Athrun's. The boy quickly averted his gaze.

"You shouldn't be so rowdy," Athrun said.

Cagalli frowned. So, I'm rowdy? She thought.

"Whatever," she did an about-face and began to make her way to her last class.

"Wait!"

She turned around, eyes glaring.

"What is it now?" the iciness of her tone caused Athrun to flinch.

"I was wondering something," he started, but the next words to leave his mouth were incoherent mumbles. His gaze didn't meet hers and his face was flushed. "Is it true…"

Cagalli watched him, tapping her foot rapidly. She sighed. "Spit it out?" she said.

Then his shoulders slumped, and he looked down as if he had given up on whatever he was going to ask her. He looked at her with apologetic eyes, smiled and said "it's nothing."

Seeing his expression, Cagalli softened. "Athrun...what is it?"

His eyes wouldn't meet hers. His face twisted and he frankly looked uncomfortable. And just when Cagalli was about to lose her patience, he said, "Are you and Kira…"

She screamed.

Everyone stopped and watched. Her hands were squeezing the sides of her flushed face. With gritted teeth she said, "follow me," and before he could protest, she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to a nearby, empty stairwell.

"I have to go—"

"Not you too!" her arms flailed. "Did you get a picture?"

He shook his head. "Someone showed me in my last class."

Cagalli ruffled her hair.

"Do you believe it?" she said surprisingly calmly.

Athrun averted his gaze again, his face slightly pink.

"It's none of my business," he coughed. "Though...I am a bit confused...with Flay and all-"

Next thing he knew, Cagalli's palms met his shoulders and he was pushed back.

"Hey!"

"I can't believe you!" she said. "Out of all people, you are the last person I want to believe those rumors. I thought it bothered me before, but I knew the truth. Kira knows the truth, and I convinced myself that that was all that mattered. Now you're suspicious?"

"I told you, it's none of my business, so you shouldn't worry—-"

"Of course I am worried! I don't want you to think that. Not you."

They both fell silent, Athrun watched Cagalli as she hugged herself, her gaze to the floor, face still dark pink.

"I don't understand," he said.

She heaved a sigh. "Because you're an idiot."

Athrun opened his mouth to speak, but she had brushed passed him, opening the door to leave. However, before she did, she turned to face him.

"You, Kira and I can talk about it after school," she said.

"Talk about—-"

"Please. Just meet with us...okay?"

He nodded. She made her way to class.

…..

At the end of the school day, Athrun met Cagalli and Kira in an empty computer lab. There, they told him about the photos in Mrs. Yamato's closet, that several months ago President Atha told Cagalli she had a brother; they even showed him the photo of Via and the babies. They told him everything. He sat at one of the computers, silent, mouth agape.

"Twins?" he whispered.

They nodded.

"That's what it seems like, but I still don't understand," Cagalli said. "I've been asking myself if this is all real...but...all of the things we are finding out, the things that we keep learning…"

"I feel as she does," Kira said. He ran his hand through his hair. "A part of me thinks 'how can we be certain' and then another part is sure. Sure that Cagalli is my sister and she was, for some reason, kept from me, and I from her."

Athrun stared at them long and hard, that the two shifted uncomfortably.

"Can I see that photo again?" he asked.

Cagalli handed it to him and he studied it.

"I see Kira in her," he said.

Cagalli and Kira looked at each other.

"I thought I saw Cagalli in her," Kira said. "But I see what you mean."

Then Athrun looked at Cagalli. "When is your birthday?" he asked.

"May...May 18th"

Kira and Athrun's eyes grew wide.

"Same as Kira's…"

Kira looked over to Cagalli and smiled softly. She, however, looked troubled.

More and more I am convinced, and I am sure father wouldn't lie about this, but still...so much is unanswered. I want to know more, but I can't bear…

"What are you two going to do now?" Athrun said, breaking Cagalli out of her thoughts. "Will you confront your parents or still try to dig up information on your own?"

"I will confront them...eventually, but I…" Kira looked away.

"I…" Cagalli's shoulders began to quiver, and she found her head falling into the palm of her hands. Her eyes stung. When she spoke, it came out like a croak. "I can't—"

Athrun and Kira leapt to their feet. They stood around her, rubbing and patting her shoulder, asking what's wrong. But, for the longest, the words would not leave her mouth. Her throat had become tight and sore, and it hurt her heart just thinking about what she was trying to say. What she was about to admit. Soon, the tears fought their way down her cheeks, and she silently cried as the boys attempted to comfort her.

"Cagalli…"

She slowly lifted her head to find herself staring into Athrun's green, worried eyes. He was kneeling in front of her, one hand rubbing her knee, the other being raised to wipe a falling tear. Her heart skipped.

"Why are you crying?"

Cagalli bit her quivering lip. She looked back and forth between the two of them. Two guys she grew to care deeply for. Two guys who were showing her care and concern. Though she was still afraid, she knew she could tell them.

With a sigh, she said, "My father is sick."

I feel like I owe my faithful readers for the wait, so I already have another chapter prepared (the normal flash/drabble), so I will upload that in a day or two. Ciao