DISCLAIMERS/NOTES:Go look at the past chapters. It's all there.
A/N:Dudes/Dudettes, Athrun and Cagalli NEVER separated! They never specified that they did. Besides, Athrun said that they didn't have to take it so fast and that he would wait for her before they left to space. Also, they have a pic of the official couples and they were KxL, AxC, and SxL. Although I prefer Shinn and Stellar than with Luna. She's too old for him.
(A/N: I know they went to Carepentaria after they left ORB, but I didn't remember till now so I'm just going to leave how I wrote it. It is my story after all. So don't write about it in your reviews. CHEERS!)
Inner Beauty of Destruction
Chapter Thirteen
"How long before we get to the moon?"
"At our pace now, in about six hours Captain."
"That's great. Keep your eyes out for anything. Don't overwork yourselves either. Follow your day and night shifts."
"Yes Maa'm!"
Murrue let out a heavy sigh as she turned her chair to face Kira, Lacus and Neo with a smile. "Are you guys prepared? We will be landing in ORB's neutral territory of the moon, but practically the entire moon is Earth Alliance's territory. It's their primary base. There is a tiny part that's ZAFT, but they've left since the war started. We're not sure if the Earth Alliance took over their base or if they took refuge in ORB's region. We may be sighted on route to that destination."
"Of course we are! Don't worry about it! Especially since we have this guy here," Neo pointed at Kira as he gave a cheeky smile.
'Heh, still the same," Kira thought. Then he noticed two certain people weren't in the room. "Uhhh… where are those two?"
"Hmmm?" Lacus looked around her. "You're right. Where did those two go?"
"We better go find them and inform them that we'll be there in a couple of hours," Kira said as he and Lacus were walking towards the door only to be blocked by Neo.
"Hey hey! What's the rush? I'm sure they're both fine and you can tell them later. Besides, after what the Princess read from the letter, I think she needs to be alone for a while. And that boyfriend of hers is just there to comfort her."
Kira eyed him suspiciously as Neo was holding up an awkward smile as if he knew something. Lacus tugged at Kira's arm and smiled at him. "He's right. After all, the letter was from her father. She does need some time to think."
Kira knows something's up but decided to let it go. Besides, if Lacus thinks they should give her time, then he'll listen. This is Lacus we're talking about. She would never in her life, tell a lie.
"By the way, what was on that letter?" Neo asked changing the subject.
Kira's suspicion of their whereabouts soon disappeared when he heard Neo's question. "Oh yeah!" He fiddled through his pockets and took out the letter. "Cagalli gave this to me before she "disappeared" somewhere."
They all huddled around Kira as he took out the letter and began to read it.
…Meanwhile…
"You know… the last time I saw you, I never thought you were like this. You've changed. Are you sure you didn't… you know… with that fake?"
"Wha…What?! NO! I would NEVER do that with anyone except you. You still doubt me?" Athrun pulled her closer to him as she was resting on his chest.
"Well… you did sleep with her."
"Not in that way! She came into my room!"
Cagalli giggled at his reactions. 'It's so funny to see him overreact.' "Are you sure you're a Coordinator? I never heard of Coordinator's senses being that dead, especially from someone who's an elite class in all of PLANTS."
"Yes, I'm a Coordinator and just to let you know, I was drinking that night."
She looked at him with teasing eyes, "Oh really? Aren't you underage? And saying that you were drunk, you would've slept with her then and there not caring who that person was."
Athrun stared at her eyes with somewhat of a happy anger. He knows that she's probablyright. But still, he would NEVER do it with anyone other than Cagalli. And ONLY her.
He leaned down and captured her lips with his and making sure that what he said is the real deal, he made their kiss long and passionate.
Breaking for air, he leaned his forehead on hers. "I would NEVER be with anyone but you. You're the only one who has my heart and no one else. I will never kiss or do anything of a sort to anyone but you. It has been only you and that's that. Even when I'm drunk, I have enough self control to see whom I'm with."
She smiled at him. "I know. I just love to see you overreact. You look so adorable like that." She snuggled up to him as he rested his chin on her head. "You do know that you used up one of your rainchecks."
He chuckled. "I did huh? I guess I couldn't help myself. I believe I have one left. And to answer your first question. Yes, I did have thoughts of you and me like this. You can't blame me. I am a guy after all. It's just that we never had the time for just us to be together. I couldn't express how much I love you without the councils getting suspicious with us. You have no idea how much I hated not being able to do any couple stuff with you. I wasn't even allowed to hold your hand or hug you."
Cagalli felt bad. She didn't know he felt that way back then. She was so busy with running her country that she didn't notice how much he was hurting. "I'm sorry."
Athrun tightened his hold on her. "Don't be. It wasn't your fault."
"It is, and that's going to change. I'm going to do what I want and be with whom ever I want. I don't care what the council or anyone else says."
"Your father would be so proud of you."
He placed a kiss on her head. "I know he is… Well, I think it's time for us to get up. I feel like Kira's on to us."
Athrun had a scared face on by the mention of his best friend. Cagalli almost laughed at his face. She knew that Kira would kill him. "You're right. He already hates me for the other thing. I can't imagine what he would do if he knew about this."
"You're such a baby."
"Am I? Then I think this baby needs some pampering."
He leaned in for another kiss but Cagalli backed away and wrapped herself with a sheet. "If I have to pamper you, then you're no better than Jona."
"What?! Never ever compare me with him!"
Cagalli laughed at his reaction. 'Oh! I so had to say that. Look at his face!' "Well, if you don't want to be compared to him, then stop clinging on to me like a lost boy."
"It's for your protection. I can't leave your side, ever. And I'm not a lost boy."
She knew how much he loves her. "Uh huh… I'm taking a bath."
Cagalli walked into the bathroom and closed the door. Athrun laid on the bed; eyes shut with a smile on his face. Until he heard his laptop beeping.
He got up and pulled on a robe. He went to his computer and noticed that someone was requesting a face-to-face conversation. Taking precautious, he scanned where the signal was coming from and to his surprise, "Yzak?"
Thinking that since it's from Yzak, it must be really important. He accepted the invitation and after it finished loading, there on the screen was…
"WASSSSSUP?!"
"DEARKA!" yelled Athrun as he fell back from his chair.
Dearka was laughing so hard at his reaction. "Didn't expect it was from me now, ehh? You should've seen your face! It was priceless! OH!!! I should've had a camera with me."
After recovering from the sudden shock, Athrun straightened himself out and held a calm face as long as possible without screaming at Dearka.
He coughed. "Dearka, I should've known that it was too good to be true that Yzak would contact me. Are you using his computer again?"
"Yup! It's more private! Besides I have to show you something."
Dearka showing something? That gave Athrun the eeriest feeling in his life. "Wha…What is it?"
"Don't worry. It's not me. Although I am VERY photogenic. But anyways, I, Dearka Elsman, have something that would blow you away!"
"Really? It's not anything related to that mind of yours, is it?"
"What? No… not this time. But the thing is Athrun my friend, do you want to see it?"
"…sigh… Sure Dearka, let's see it."
Dearka mischievously smirked and chuckled that creeped Athrun out a little. "Oookay."
He fiddled around with the computer and with a big smirk on his face, "TAA DAA!"
Athrun fell back once more off his chair. There on the computer screen was a picture of Cagalli. Full on dressed in her wedding gown with MAKE-UP!MAKE-UP!
"AHAHAHAHAHHA! Oh my god! Look at you! You're red as a tomato! AHAHAHHA!" laughed Dearka who was spinning on his chair, holding his stomach.
Once again, Athrun recovered from the shock. "Where?! Where did you get that?!"
"Hot ehh? I never knew your girlfriend looked this delicious."
"WHAT YOU SAY?!"
"I'm kidding. I'm kidding… What? Of all the times you were being her bodyguard, you never saw her in a dress? DAMN!…Anyways, Mir sent them to me."
"Mir? I thought you guys were over. And why would she send them to you of all people?!"
"That's what she thinks. And shut up! I am soooo not what you guys think of me. Anyways, she thought it would be useful for me to get your sorry ass back to the Archangel, which is a little too late for my part since I couldn't find you. She couldn't bear to see Cagalli crying her eyes out."
Athrun looked all down. If Dearka and Yzak found him earlier, then he would've totally gone back for Cagalli.
Dearka saw his sad look and sighed. "Hey man, don't worry about it. She's back with you isn't she?"
"…yeah."
"Then don't look so glum. I don't think that fiery Princess would like that. Cheer up, buddy!"
Athrun could almost feel Dearka slapping his back. The image of him doing that made him smile. "Thanks Dearka. For once you said something cheerful."
"Psh! I've always been the good guy. It's just you and Yzak who don't see it."
Athrun chuckled. "Yeah…Yeah… I'm sorry I failed to notice your "other" side."
"Heh! No sweat man. Anyways… wanna see more?"
Athrun blushed and that was enough to tell Dearka what his answer was.
Dearka sent a whole folder worth of Cagalli in her wedding dress. Starting from when Kira came back to the Archangel and helping her down from Freedom to all the way till she took it off. It was a film strip worth of pictures.
"Impressive huh? Who could imagine that our little Princess would wear a dress and make-up! Damn! Although, she looks waaay better without make-up."
"I agree. Probably that asshole made her wear it."
"Oh oh! Check that one out! Doesn't she look like a goddess from the heavens? I wish Mir would dress up for me."
"She is a goddess." Athrun couldn't stop looking through the pictures that Miriallia took. Miriallia is truly a fine photographer. Every one of these shots looks as if Cagalli was modeling down a runway.
"Hey, don't tell Cagalli that I sent them to you or she's going to kill me."
"Too late."
Dearka froze and went white as a ghost at the sound of none other than Cagalli's voice. He sensed her venom through those two words even when they're light years away.
Athrun turned around and there she was, standing at the bathroom doorway with a robe on and her hands to her hips. Athrun couldn't move an inch from the sight in front of him. How could he? This is Cagalli we're talking about.
Cagalli walked towards the monitor screen and faced Dearka with a calm, cold, expressionless look. "Elsman, you're a dead man."
"Ca..Cagalli! I…uhhh… I was just… uhhh… why are you in a robe?"
Cagalli didn't flinch a bit.
Dearka thought that the tables had turned and smirked at her. "In fact why are you bothin a robe?"
Nothing yet.
"Ohhh! I see. Athrun, you dog! I'm jealous! I've taught you well, my grasshopper."
Athrun went totally red in embarrassment.
"Nice try, Elsman. The tables didn't turn one inch."
"Oh really? Hehehe!"
"I can make something up about you."
Dearka felt his soul leave him. He thought that he had the most scandalous news that he could use to blackmail them, but he was wrong. She was right. The tables didn't turn one inch.
He had two choices. Use this scandalous news against them or lose the one he loves for the rest of his life. It's a hard decision but he made one right choice.
"Alright…alright… I won't say anything if you don't make anything up about me to Mir. Deal?"
Cagalli plastered on a victorious smirk. "Deal. You know Dearka, if you weren't such a dork, I'd go for you." Cagalli posed seductively and Dearka was almost getting a nosebleed as he gawked at her, jaw dropped. "HA! Now I got the goods on you!"
"Wha..WHAT?! You did that on purpose!"
"Sure did! HA! Anyways… what's up at your side?"
"…sigh…Nothing much. No movements from the Chairman yet, but we'll keep ya posted."
"Thanks. By the way, of all the times you have, why did you pick this hour to talk to Athrun and using Yzak's computer?"
"Oh that! This IS my only free time I have. Besides, Yzak's with Shiho. What Yzak don't know, won't hurt him."
"Oh really now?"
Dearka, once again, went white as a ghost. 'Why does bad luck follow me everywhere?!' "I think I have to go now. See ya guys around. If I'm still alive that is. Tell Mir that I'm thinking of her."
"Good luck, buddy," Athrun saluted him.
"Thanks, I'm gonna need it. Yzak, my buddy o'l pal!"
"You're dead Elsman!"
Screeches of horror could be heard from the blond as Yzak was chasing him around the room and through out the door.
"…sigh… Well, that was amusing," Cagalli sighed as she secretly typed a message for Dearka and turned the monitor off. "So… are you just going to sit there or what?"
Athrun came back to reality after being silent for the past ten minutes since she caught him and Dearka looking at pictures of her. "Oh…ummm…uhhh…How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough to see you guys checking me out," said Cagalli as she sat on Athrun's lap and wrapping her arms around his neck with Athrun holding her by her hips. "So… care to join me?"
Athrun kissed her and replied in between their kisses, "You…know…I wanna… By… the way…" he pulled away, "Will I get to see you in that dress?"
Cagalli blushed and replied, "Not in that dress. That dress is too much of a reminder of you know who. I don't want to wear or have anything to do with him. Besides, I burned it."
Athrun pouted, "Awww… do I get to see you in another and a much more sexier dress?"
"I don't know. Maybe," she smiled seductively as she ran her hand through his hair.
He smiled at her and took her lips with his again. Deepening their kiss as he lifted her into the bathroom to make another round of love. Only this time, his raincheck doesn't count as it only applies to a bed. As long as it's somewhere else, he can do it whenever he wants.
--------------------------------------------------------------
…MOON: ORB territory…
The wind blew smoothly through the air as the sound of wave like motions were heard; a large pool. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. A perfect place. A place where anyone from anywhere would feel happy and completely worry free regardless on what conflicts they face. But a happy and calm place could only make you feel free if you believe and is willing to let yourself absorb what it's offering.
Clad in a yellow two-piece with a tropical drink, one person sits in loneliness on a single chair and a single table with uneasiness written on her face.
"Miss Clyne, are you alright? You seem very nervous."
"Hmmm?! Oh! Uhhh…Yes, I'm fine. Thank you," as she grabbed her drink and sipped the straw.
Sarah eyed her with a teeny cold smirk. "Do not worry Miss Clyne, everything is under control."
Meer gives an uneasy smile and sipped her drink. "Ummm…Sarah?… What do you think of me as Lacus Clyne?"
"What do you mean? I think you are a beautiful role model and a talented singer. The people look up to you. You are Lacus Clyne after all."
"Heh..R..Right."
BEEP! BEEP!
Sarah took out her cell phone and looked at the caller ID. "Miss Clyne, would you excuse me."
"Oh!…sure." Sarah walked away taking her call and glancing back at Meer with a cold smirk. "They are now?… Understood." Sarah hung up her cell and went back to Meer. "Miss Clyne, it's time to go."
Hearing that made Meer's worries and uneasiness grow even more. She wasn't sure if she wanted to go through the Chairman's plans or continue her get-up as Lacus Clyne anymore. But if she gives it all up, she would go back to what she used to be: a nobody. She lost her family long time ago; she was living and raising herself alone until the Chairman came to her. If she continues her act, everything would be all right, just like the Chairman said. She'll be loved by the people and can sing for them. And if the Chairman says so, then what's there to worry about. Right?
…FLASHBACK…
Meer was on the shuttle along with some ZAFT soldiers and Sarah. She was still in a state of shock after what happened. Being deep in thought, she didn't notice Sarah sat beside her.
"The Archangel is heading to the Moon."
Meer sharply turned her head to face Sarah as she startled her a little. "Re..Really?"
"I'm sure the real Lacus Clyne is on board. This is a great chance! You'll help won't you?"
"…"
"After all, she's causing problems for the Chairman and preventing world peace from happening. You do want to help the Chairman, right?"
"Ye..Yes, of course. The Chairman had always helped me."
"That's right. And you want to be Lacus don't you? You're happier when you're her."
"Yes. Yes, I want to be Lacus. I am Lacus!"
Sarah smirked.
…END OF FLASHBACK…
"Time does pass by," Meer said sadly as she got up and went to prepare with Sarah by her side. As they walked to their destination, Meer looked down and asked Sarah, "Sarah, everything will be okay, right? The Chairman would take care of me?"
Sarah blankly said, "Of course, Miss Clyne. The Chairman never lies and I'll be here. So don't worry about anything."
Meer only nodded.
--------------------------------------------------------------
…Minerva: Cafeteria…
Everyone was all on break except for those who were scheduled to be on deck. So where would youngsters be during this time? The cafeteria.
There were lots of noises going on. Mainly the noises were composed of the people making jokes and the response of laughter. Even when the situation of the war is getting really tense, these youngsters are making their moment joyful. Because, you never know what the future has in store for these people in this room.
Speaking of future, there's this one girl who sits alone at a corner. You can't see it, but you can tell that she is pondering about her future. She has no memory whatsoever about her past; not even her family. In truth, her childhood and life had been literally torn out of her by experimentations and by those who only know evil.
"Stellar? What's wrong?"
"Hmmm?" Stellar looks up only to meet eye to eye with his ruby ones.
"Is something bothering you?"
She didn't say a word and only looked down.
Judging by her quietness and actions, Shinn sat down beside her and enveloped her into a hug.
Caught by surprise, Stellar's eyes widened but softened and wrapped her arms around his. Her tensions all disappeared and she relaxed into Shinn.
Sensing her relaxing, Shinn broke away and held her face with his hands. "Stellar, what's bothering you?"
Stellar looked into his worried eyes and couldn't help but blush. "N…Nothing. Stellar…Stellar feels lonely."
Shinn held her hands into his, "Stellar, you are never lonely. I'm here for you and I promised you that I'd protect you. I understand that you don't know anyone here but once you get to know them, they're not really bad people. They're very friendly and I'm sure they want to get to know you."
"But I have no past. How can they get to know me?"
"It doesn't matter if you have a past or not. The past is the past and not everyone remembers anything from it. You know that guy right there?" Shinn pointed to Rey who was talking with Lunamaria, "…he doesn't remember anything about his past at all. But he never let it bother him cause what matters now is the future."
"Future?"
"Yes, future. We all have one and you definitely have one as well."
"I do have a future?… Future with Nii-san and Onii-san? Or is Stellar's future with Shinn?" she asked innocently causing Shinn to blush extremely red.
"Y..You can have whatever future you want. You can count on having one with your brother and sister, no doubt." Shinn looked away but then shyly turned back to face her with his cheeks tinted pink. "Or… you can have one with me? You can have both. That… It… It's your decision. Whatever makes you happy"
Stellar looked cutely at Shinn and smiled at him. She snuggled up against Shinn, resting her head on his chest as she whispered, "I want both. As long Shinn's with Stellar, I'm happy."
Shinn's face colored into a bright bold red. You would mistake him for a stop sign anywhere. He hugged her hiding his red face as Stellar returned the hug, only to break away after a couple seconds. Shinn was confused.
"Shinn, I want to see Nii-san. Can I see Nii-san?"
Shinn smiled, "Of course you can."
Stellar brightened up as she lunged at him and gave him a peck on the cheek to cause, once again, a bright bold red color on his face.
Meanwhile as Stellar and Shinn are having their moment, Lunamaria and Rey were watching the couple for the past five minutes and couldn't help but feel jealous. Although both of them wouldn't show it, well, Lunamaria did.
"Argh! Even that hotheaded moron has a girlfriend! And it's that blond one."
"Are you jealous?"
"What?! Me?! Psh! I'm never jealous! Especially over Shinn! He can be with whoever he wants!"
"Really? I don't know why, but I have this really weird feeling that someone I know is really jealous," Rey pointed at Lunamaria while looking another direction.
Lunamaria gave him a death glare. "I am not jealous if that's who you're pointing at."
"Me? Pointing? What gave you that idea?"
"Pipe it Za Burrel."
"I'm just saying. If you like Shinn a lot, you should fight for him."
Lunamaria looked at Rey in shock. "Wow Rey, I never knew you were a pro at the relationship department."
"Wha…what?! I'm just saying what everyone says during this situation!"
"Mmmm Hmmm…sure," said Lunamaria as she walked away with Rey babbling away behind her. A smile crept at her face as Rey continues to defend himself about his statement. She felt happy whenever Rey was around. Especially when he's whining away. It's very rare to see him like this and Lunamaria couldn't help but savor this moment.
'Heh! You're wrong Rey. It's not Shinn who I like, it's you. You're right about me being jealous though and I did like Shinn for a while. But he has Stellar now. I'm so glad to finally see Shinn smile with happiness. She's perfect for him.'
"Hey! Are you listening to me?!"
"Oh shut up, Rey!"
Rey's eyes widened. Never in his life had he have someone tell him to 'shut up'. "You dare? You dare tell me to shut up?"
"What? I did tell you to pipe it a minute ago didn't I? It's the same as shut up. Man, you need to get out. Unlike the others, I could careless about your pride. I treat everyone the same."
"I can't believe your talking to me like this!"
"Hehehe… Awwww… Rey's being a baby. How cute!"
Rey blushed. "I..I'm not a baby!" shouted Rey as he started to chase Lunamaria.
"Yes you are!…HAHAHA! Come and get me!" Lunamaria shouted back as she was running away from him. From a distance, it looked like two children playing tag.
Lunamaria was almost close to the doors when she suddenly tripped on her heal and was falling forwards. She closed her eyes shut, waiting for the stinging pain, but nothing happened. All she felt was something or rather someone hugging her from behind.
She looked behind and came face to face with a worried Rey.
"Luna, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Lunamaria blushed at him and turned away. "Uhhh... I'm fine."
Rey let out a sigh and blushed really badly when he noticed that he was hugging her tightly from behind. He quickly let go of her and coughed. "We…we should get back to work."
"Ye..yeah. Let's go."
The two went out the door with both their faces looking down and extremely red. Both were walking stiff like a wooden bored. Unknown to them, they were watched from everyone who was in the room.
Vino looked at now closed door and said to the silent crowd. "Did you guys see what I think I saw?"
"I think we did."
"Rey and Luna? WOW! That's really… uhhh…"
Stellar spoke in response to everyone, "I think they like each other."
"Hehehe, no kidding. They constantly pick on each other and fail to notice it," said Shinn.
"I think you two are right."
Stellar smiled, "They're cute together."
Shinn hugged her, "Like you and me?"
Stellar blushed and Shinn chuckled. She looked so cute blushing.
"Echem… ahhhh guys, can you not do that in front of all of us."
Shinn laughed, "Alright… soooo…."
Vino hugged the two lovers from behind and laughed, "SO! What's the story about you two? Huh? Tell us! What's the scoop! Come on!"
Stellar and Shinn blushed.
Vino stared at Stellar, "Hey Stel, you're cute," Stellar blushed shyly.
Shinn's eyes suddenly went on fire and he deathly said, "…Vino…"
"I was kidding! WHOA! Relax! Anyways, I heard that the Archangel is heading to the moon and we're following them. Something there and…uhhh…. I forgot…Hey! I heard they have an awesome mall at the ORB territory! I wanna go!"
"We can't and you know it. Besides, are you forgetting that we're at war?"
"No, I didn't forget. It's just, I'm soooo bored." Vino yawned, "Anyways, I'm gonna go bug Mey. You two are no fun. See ya around Stellar!" Vino shouted as he winked at Stellar.
Stellar smiled as she watch Vino and the rest of crew exit the café.
"See? I told you the people here are nice."
Stellar smiled at him and snuggled against him. "Let's go, Shinn. I want to see sister."
--------------------------------------------------------------
…Moon: ORB territory…
"Man, Asuka, you can't do anything right."
"What was that Attha?!"
"Seriously, who would come out in their uniform when we're in a place like this? We're supposed to blend in. You want to give us away? Thank god Stellar was there to tell you before you totally blew our cover."
"Oh shut up!"
"Dumbass."
"Air brain."
"Satan."
"Freak."
"Alright you two! That's enough! We've got business to deal with!"
Shinn cocked an eyebrow at Kira, "Business? You mean shopping."
"Well, actually, we're here to look for some clues and since we're here in this big mall, might as well shop!" Lacus cheerfully explained.
Kira was wearing his usual black jacket and pants with buckles around while wearing a red shirt inside and black buckle shoes.
Shinn wore his casual long, oversized, dark grey sleeveless vest with a white long-sleeve shirt and a grey square hood that hangs from his back. A grayish beige color pants complete with biker Ugg boots that goes half way up his legs
Athrun wore a dark purple shirt inside his beige jacket and the usual black pants with shoes. And since everyone knows who Athrun Zala is, he wore his sunglasses.
Lacus wore a long, creamy purple skirt with pointy toes high-heels. Her shirt was pastel white and tucked in with the sleeves cutting off and hugging her elbows with a string bow tie at the front. She wore a purple hood to hide her disguise.
Cagalli wore her green pants with dark green shoes and orange wristbands. Her yellowy beige shirt with avocado green at the sides and red trimmings at the front were accompanied with a dark green belt. She borrowed one of the Archangel's crew's reading glasses and punched out the lens to hide her identity as well.
Stellar wore her violet purple and white dress. With purple straps that goes around her front neck across the back to hold her dress up. Long, wide, white sleeves that extends from half her arm down to her hands with purple wrap around strap high heels.
The six people group toured their way up and down the mall with the girls giggling as they lead the way and the guys groaning behind them.
It had been a couple hours since they landed at the Moon and about four hours since they've been at the mall. Each of the men's thought, 'how the hell could girls shop for this long?!"
The girls were busying trying on clothes at a vintage boutique while the guys stood outside as guards for them. During the girls clothing rampage, the guys started up a conversation with complaints.
"Oh my god… I can't believe they're doing this to us," complained Shinn.
"Doing what?" asked Kira.
"Torture! That's what they're doing!"
"Relax this is nothing. They are girls you know and you know girls, they love to shop," said Athrun.
"Psh! Says the person whose girlfriend believes that any form of shopping is a sin. Which by the way, why is she suddenly being all girly? From what I've heard and seen, she's not a type of girl who likes these things. What you do, Zala?"
Athrun was speechless. Shinn did have a good point. Cagalli never liked shopping, let alone trying on clothes. Did being brainwash make her girlier? Something's up.
Kira eyed him suspiciously while Shinn was eagerly waiting for his answer. Being on the spotlight, Athrun changed the subject to a serious note. "Man, what are those three doing? We don't have time for this while the Chairman is going to wipe out mankind," stated Athrun as he threw a hand to his forehead.
Kira's suspiciousness completely disappeared as if he never heard anything. Then he remembered something. "Oh… ummm… I don't think we had a proper introduction."
Athrun was shocked. He totally forgot about Shinn and Kira's introductions to each other. But he was worried. "R..Right! Ummm… Kira, this is Shinn Asuka. Shinn, this is Kira Yamato, my childhood best friend…"
Kira stuck his hand out and Shinn stared at it for a while before taking his hand with his and both gave a firm shake with a smile.
"…He's the pilot of Freedom."
As if his heart was stabbed right through his heart, Shinn felt as if all his happiness that he just had was taken away from him. The sudden flashbacks of what happened to his family replayed in his mind. He started to shake.
Kira held a straight face as if he knew what Shinn was thinking and feeling. His battle experiences with him explained it.
Athrun knew Shinn still had issues with Kira. He can't help but feel worried about where this was going. If only Shinn could see that it wasn't Kira's fault and that it was war itself that caused all these sorrow.
But, something happened that Athrun didn't expect to see. Especially with Shinn's deep hatred for Freedom.
Shinn recovered from his painful flashbacks and gave Kira a smile, once again. "It's a real honor to meet you, Kira Yamato."
Kira returned a smile, "Like wise."
Athrun let out an extremely heavy sigh. 'I thought they were gonna kill each other!' "Shinn…"
"What? You thought I was gonna lunge at him? I've gotten over it. I've realized that it wasn't his fault, but war itself. I've let my anger get the better of me. But I've come to realization…especially with witnessing what Stellar and Attha went through, how they fought and how determined Attha was to keep peace from being destroyed and how loyal she is to her country that she was willing to sacrifice her own life for them. I was wrong to think badly of the Attha's. And... uhhh..I..I'm sorry that I almost killed you," Shinn looked down.
Kira placed his other hand on top of Shinn's and shook it. "It's alright. I understand what you went through. I'm glad that we could work together in stopping this pointless war."
Shinn smiled, "Me too."
"Awww…"
The guys looked at the direction where the voice was coming from.
"La..Lacus!"
Lacus smiled at Kira and twirled around, "Well?… What do you think?"
Lacus wore a black skirt and shirt with black stockings clad with a dark red mini jacket with red high heels. (A/N: The clothes she wore in the show. Don't really remember what it looks like.)
"You look beautiful."
Lacus made a face, "Kira…you always say I look beautiful."
Kira gave a smile, "But you are beautiful."
"Still…Anyways, wait till you see what Stellar and Cagalli are dressed in!" Lacus cheerfully said. "Come out you guys!"
Stellar came out first and she was wearing a spaghetti, strapped, light blue dress with decorative white patterns on the edge of the seams with white, knee length boots.
Shinn's jaws almost dropped as he was mesmerized by the beauty before him.
"Stellar…you…you look… beautiful."
Stellar blushed as she shyly mumbled a, "…thank you."
While the two men were admiring the beauty of their woman, Cagalli finally came out and in something that no one and I mean no one had ever thought they would see her in.
Cagalli proudly posed with her hands on her hips in a victorious manner that could possibly make every last man in this universe melt.
"Ca..Cag…" Athrun couldn't even say her name as he was just frozen at the sight of her. Shinn blushed and felt that a nosebleed could come any second and tried to look away but he couldn't. Kira gave a shock expression. Never in his life would he let his sister walk out in something like that. His eyes instantly went on guard mode as he gave every last man in the store a deathly glare that said, 'Lay eyes on my sister and I'll make sure you won't see the next minute.'
"Soooo?… How do I look?" asked Cagalli in a Transylvanian accent as she twirled around.
Cagalli was clad in a ruby red, rip-ragged styled t-shirt that shows off her bare shoulders and diagonally cuts off from her ribs to her waist as the ragged fabric hangs off to her hips exposing her belly button. The cold blue, low rise, overlapped, miniskirt definitely complements her petite curvy body as the blood red, strapped high heels make her legs stand out in sexiness. (A/N: I remembered the way I drew Cags in this outfit on my Grade 12. art portfolio. It's hot! XD)
"Oh!" Lacus clasped her hand as did Stellar, "You look beautiful!"
"Nii-san looks very pretty. Nii-san should wear pretty clothes more. What do you think, Shinn?"
"You look…look…ho..nice! You look every nice," said nervously said as he felt Kira's eyes.
"Change… NOW," commanded Kira.
Cagalli smiled at them, gave a smirk to Shinn and ignored Kira. 'Well, at least he didn't think of me the way like Asuka did. If he did, INCEST.'She noticed Athrun ogling at her and she devilishly eyed him, "Well, Athrun? … What do you think?" as she posed for him to see him twitch. She chuckled inside.
"…Gorgeous. I think you're gorgeous," he shyly said with a smile as his cheeks tickled pink.
Cagalli almost blushed at his gentle smile but controlled herself and smirked at him, "Really? … Good to know," she winked.
Athrun blushed badly.
Suddenly they heard a scuffle in a nearby large pot plant. Athrun, Kira and Shinn immediately took their position in front of the girls and held on to their gun strapped inside their jackets.
They waited and suddenly a red electronic ball rolled out.
HARO! HARO!
"That's Meer's!"
Lacus walked towards the rolling ball.
"Lacus! It could be a trap!"
Lacus reassured them that it was okay and picked up the red Haro. When she did, the red Haro's mouth opened and inside was a note and a map.
Lacus opened the letter and read:
"Miss Lacus! Please help me! They're going to kill me!"
"They know we're here," said Athrun. "This isn't good. This could be a trap!"
"Even if it is, we still need to go. I feel that she does need our help."
"But, Lacus!"
"Lacus' right. They know we're here which means they were expecting us. I know what this person had done, but I too, feel that she needs our help."
"Kira…"
"Oh shut up, Athrun! If someone needs help then we need to help them! I know what she did was wrong but everyone deserves a second chance! Just like you!" Cagalli yelled as Athrun looked down.
"So it's settled, we're going to help her."
They all nodded their heads.
--------------------------------------------------------------
…Moon: ZAFT territory: Ruin Coliseum…
"So it's abandoned after all."
"Shinn, stay focused!"
"Y..yes!
"Alright, guys protect the girls. Especially Lacus. There's no doubt in my mind that they're going to try to kill her. Alright, let's go!"
"RIGHT!"
They all had a weapon in hand, except for Lacus as she is too innocent to carry such things. All guards were on alert as they move from stone wall to wall.
They made their way around the Coliseum to the East wing. When they saw a lone person sitting on the rocks. The guys scanned the area and could see sniper shooters hiding and waiting for them to walk into target sight.
The group stood their ground behind the walls.
"They're everywhere. What are we going to do?" panicked Shinn.
Suddenly, Lacus just walked right out into the middle of the Coliseum making her whole entourage run with lightning surrounding her with their guns cocked.
"Lacus! What are you doing?!" shouted Shinn.
"I am Lacus Clyne," shouted Lacus, "I am here as you asked!"
Meer instantly looked up as she heard Lacus' voice. She couldn't believe her eyes. The real Lacus Clyne was right in front of her, in the flesh. Meer had always wanted to meet the real Lacus in person. Unfortunately, she had to meet her in this situation.
"Lacus? Lacus!" Meer shouted but her face fell when she caught sight of Athrun. "Athrun? ATHRUN!" She ran towards them.
"Argh! You stupid girl! Who asked you to move?!"
"ATHRUN!" she was almost near them when suddenly a gun was pointed at her.
"Don't move!" Athrun venomously said.
Meer stopped at her tracks.
"What are your true intentions in asking Lacus here?"
"I..I…I wanted-"
"You are not Lacus! Why don't you just drop the act!"
"I..I am Lacus! I am Lacus Clyne!" Meer shouted as she took out a gun from her purse, pointing to them only to have it shot off her hands by Athrun. She glared at him.
Suddenly, they heard an echo of guns being cocked and bullets started flying.
Screams were let out as Meer stood her ground. It seems that the bullets were being shot around her to avoid hitting her.
Lacus' entourage grabbed each other and went straight for cover as the bullets flew pass them. When behind a stonewall, they were returning fire. Some bullets shot through the walls and some were being broken down with the bullets striking by. (A/N: Picture the scene from The Matrix.)
Stellar and Cagalli were sharp with their targets and tried to shoot down the snipers as did the others. For a sweet girl like Stellar and a kickass like Cagalli, they were pretty good with their aim. Kira, Athrun and Shinn were already a pro with their shots as they were shooting down the last of the gunners. Kira protectively held Lacus close to him.
After many rounds of bullets and reloads, all the snipers were down and it was safe to come out.
They slowly crept out from behind the walls and held their guns out. It didn't seem like there were anymore attacks as the deafening sound of the coliseum whistled with the wind.
Scanning around once more, they all confirmed that they were safe for the time being and placed their guns away.
Meer still had her hands covering her face, but soon slowly removed them when she no longer heard anymore gunshots. When she removed her hands, she was face to face with Lacus and her gang.
"Meer. Meer Campbell. Am I right?" Lacus sweetly smiled at her and walked closer to her.
Meer couldn't believe it. After all that's happened, Lacus was still smiling at her. It's as if Lacus had forgiven her for all the things she did.
"Why?"
"Hmmm?"
"Why are you being so nice to me? After all I did, you act as if I didn't do anything wrong. Why? WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"
Lacus smiled at her and held Meer's hands, "Because everyone deserves a second chance," Lacus looked at Cagalli and she smiled at her. "You might have done a lot of things that ruined my image and caused many problems, but you did it because you thought you were doing something right. It's not your fault."
Meer looked at her with shock. She couldn't believe it. She was forgiven for all the things she's done. It made her feel so happy that she started to cry.
Cagalli came forward and stood beside Lacus. "Lacus is right. Even though I was pretty pissed off that you did this to Lacus, but I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Especially you. You were fooled by the Chairman and he used you like a puppet doll. All you wanted to do was sing and be noticed, am I right?"
"Ho…How did you know?"
"I can tell. For someone who idolizes Lacus and does everything like her and refuses to give up her role play, it's obvious that you had it rough back then and only wanted people to notice you."
Meer slightly smiled.'She's so nice and beautiful.' She noticed that Athrun had his arm around Cagalli's shoulder. Meer couldn't help but feel sad but in the same time, a little happy for her, "You must be the girl Athrun was talking about. You're very lucky to have him."
"I am?" said Cagalli playing stupid.
Meer chuckled, "You're so funny."
Cagalli chuckled. "Well, it seems like we're getting along just fine. I think we're going to be real good friends."
Meer's face changed, "Friends?... You want to be my friend? After all I've done?"
"Of course I want to be your friend! We all do! Well, I still gotta pummel you for hitting on Athrun … We all forgive you and didn't I say that you deserve a second chance? …" chuckled Cagalli. "…right Zala?"
Athrun smiled upon her, "…of course
Meer had a cry-face smile, "I'm … I'm so happy. I never had friends," she wiped her eyes.
"Now you do. True, real friends," Lacus said.
"That's right! And I know how much you love to sing, so I believe Lacus wouldn't mind helping with your career, right Lacus?"
Lacus giggled, "Absolutely. BUT, you must have your own image."
Meer chuckled, "Of course. I'm sorry that I made you look…you know."
"Oh! So you did know you dressed a little… you know," Cagalli said shakily and leaned on Athrun. (-hint-)
"Hehe, yeah. Oh!" Meer went through her purse and took out a picture and gave it to Lacus. It was a picture of her real self. A total opposite of what she looked like. She actually had grayish blue hair, her eyes were smaller and her clothes were eighties like.
"So that's why you dressed like that."
"I've always wanted to wear things like this. But I didn't think I could because of how I looked. I didn't want people to make fun of me."
"You are very beautiful no matter how you look," smiled Lacus and Meer shyly smiled.
Kira walked over to them after talking through a walkie talkie, "Neo is on his way with the Akatsuki."
"WHAT?! Who asked him to take that?!"
"He said that they heard fire shots and detected heat sources at our position other than us so he took the Akatsuki, ignored Captain Murrue's protests and took off. He felt we were in danger."
"That Neo," Cagalli sighed, "…always the same. At least we don't have to walk back."
Suddenly, they heard a loud voice and saw a glimpse of a golden speck flying towards them."Hey!"
Kira smirked, "I think we should get going. Miss Campbell, would you come with us?"
Meer didn't have to think about that question since she's already a traitor to the Chairman, she firmly stated, "Yes."
They all started walking to the sides so Mwu has enough room to land. While they walked, they didn't notice a certain blonde agent on the ground struggling to hold a gun.
"C..Cl…Clyne… I must…k..kill…you."
The target scope was moving around when it locked on to Lacus' head. The trigger was slowly being pressed.
Meer heard a noise and turned her head to see that Sarah was still alive and was holding a gun. Meer panicked and shouted as she pushed Lacus, "LACUS!"
BANG!
The guys immediately turned around the moment they heard Meer scream out for Lacus as she pushed her to the ground. They saw Sarah and immediately shot her down.
Meer lay on top of Lacus.
"Meer!... Meer!" panicked Lacus as she turned Meer around, holding her.
"L..Lacus.."
"I'm right here," Lacus held her hand.
"I..I'm sorry… I don't…think I..can…"
"Shhh… save your strength," Lacus gently said as tears streamed down her face.
"I…I'm so glad….to finally meet you-" Meer winced in pain with tears in her eyes.
"Meer! Come on! You can't go like this!"
"Heh… Athrun…" She faced him as Athrun kneeled beside her with Cagalli holding onto Meer's other hand. "I'm sorry…"
"I..It's okay…. You can't die… Don't die," stuttered Athrun. Stellar cried on Shinn as he held her with his teary eyes still looking at Meer.
Meer faced the teary Cagalli, "You're so lucky. He..he loves you sooo much."
"What are you saying?" cried Cagalli.
"I..I tried to make him mine…But..no matter how hard…I tried, he never once… went for me."
"Heh…He is a Zala, right? Too hot to not fall for," tearily smiled.
Meer smiled with tears in her eyes, "Y…you're so funny." She choked out blood as her last breath was seconds away.
"Meer… you're a beautiful woman, full of potential and charisma, please… don't die," Cagalli squeezed her hand as one of her tears dropped at her cheek.
"Heh… I'm sorry…I don't think I can... stay around….much longer," she faintly smiled, "…I..I'm so happy… you're all my… friends," tears flowed from her eyes. "Live for me and ... p..please…don't forget me." Meer faintly said as her last drop of tears flowed down her cheek, her breathing stopped and her hands slowly fell as her eyes slowly closed shut forever.
"MEER!!!!!!!!!"
Athrun punched the ground as he cried endlessly as did Stellar, Shinn and Lacus. Meer's body laid lifelessly on Lacus and it was at that moment that Mwu finally came and saw the sight before him.
He gripped the controls angrily, "Damnit!"
Kira's eyes were closed as he looked away. He opened them again to look at his sweet Lacus crying as she held Meer in her arms. His eyes shifted to Cagalli. She was kneeled in the same position, her eyes were covered by her hair and you could see her tears but only this time, she was holding her sides and looked extremely pale. Kira felt something was wrong and in an instant as he noticed it, Cagalli collapsed.
"CAGALLI!"
Athrun and the gang heard Kira's scream and he turned to his left to see Cagalli lying on the ground.
"CAGALLI!" Athrun cradled her to him and shook her. "Cagalli! Cagalli! What's wrong?!"
Kira was immediately by Cagalli's side and tried calling to her but she wouldn't wake up. Stellar and Shinn too ran to her side. Lacus looked at Cagalli shocked but couldn't move as she was still holding Meer.
"Onii-san! What's wrong with Nii-san! Onii-san!"
"Shinn! Keep Stellar back!"
"Cagalli! Wake-up!" Athrun continued to call her when he suddenly felt something warm on his hands. He turned his hand to his palms and saw what made fear run through not only his body but everyone else's as well. It was her blood.
Kira's eyes grew more concerned, "What?! How?!"
Athrun removed Cagalli's hand that was clutching to her sides and saw that she was bleeding badly.
"She was shot!"
The Akatsuki's hand came down and they looked up at Neo who was shouting at them.
"GET ON! SHE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION! HURRY UP!"
Athrun immediately carried Cagalli and got on the Akatsuki's hand. Kira carried Meer's body with Lacus' running beside him. Shinn and Stellar got onto the Akatsuki's other hand.
"HOLD ON!"
The Akatsuki's hand slowly clasped its hands into a fist and immediately flew out of the coliseum. Neo flew with top speed and prayed that they get back to the Archangel in time.
Athrun held onto Cagalli's limp form and prayed. "Don't die Cagalli. Please… don't die!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: HOHOHO!!!! Was that crazay or what?!?! Man, the hairs on my beck were standing! I hope Chapter 12 and 13 made up for the times I made you guys wait. Once again, I am truly sorry for not updating. I hope you all understand that I'm only human.
NO FLAMBES! You flame me, I won't update for another half a year! MERRY BELATED X'MAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! AND, just in case I don't update before this date, HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! CHEERS!
BTW: Is it true that the GSD movie comes out on May 2008? It better be a good one to make up for the lost ASUCAGA moments. There better be ASUCAGA in it!!! All the fans would be UBERLY PISSED if there ain't any. I know I would be. I smell a riot up a breeze. … Awwws… I want to get the dvd of it. I can't find fake dvds with subtitles anymore cause the anime store I go to moved into a mall where all the ANTI-FAKE cops are. Bad move stupids! Now I have to get them online. If they have any. XP