WE BELONG TOGETHER

I have to say this is the hardest chapter for me by far. Please let me know if there's anything out of sync. Thanks all!

Chapter 3: Mirror Image

The week flew by while the people in the palace rushed to prepare for the departure of the two princesses. Lacus spend her last days in Orb saying tearful goodbyes to all those close to her. She was too busy to notice what her sister was planning.

Cagalli has been busy…really busy. Her plan demanded quick action and careful planning. Mir was skeptical at first and wasn't sure if they could pull it off. But unable to convince Cagalli out of it, she was obligated to help her best friend.

Now it was the night before the sisters parted their way…

Knock…knock…knock….

"Who is it?" Lacus called, wondering who could be at her door at this late hour?

"It's me, Cagalli."

Upon hearing Cagalli's reply. Lacus hurried to open the door.

"Cagalli? What are you doing up at this hour?"

"I…I came to see you before we're off." Cagalli said.

Lacus smiled. It has almost been a week since they sat down to have a real conversation. Cagalli had been so angry about the whole setup. There was no use talking to her. Lacus had felt Cagalli was planning something behind her back. Hopefully she will not cause more trouble.

"Dear sister, what will I do without you?" She took Cagalli's hand into her's.

Cagalli felt her sister's warmth and had to fight back the sudden tears. Up till this point she had never thought about separating with her twin. They have always been together. For the first time in her life, the cold realization of Lacus might leave her forever sank in. Fear gripped Cagalli by the throat as she looked at her sister's beautiful face.

My plan has to work. I can't bear to live knowing Lacus might be miserable, she thought.

"Lacus, I just came to have one more sisterly talk before we leave tomorrow. It might be the last we'll ever have in a long time." Cagalli replied. "I've also brought a little something to go along with it. It'll help us relax a little" She managed to produce a pot of Verona spice tea.

"Oh, my favorite drink. Thanks!" Lacus was delighted.

"Here, let me pour it for you." Cagalli took two cups and pour the fragrant tea. She handed a cup to Lacus and took the other. "Here."

"Thanks." Lacus said as she started sipping her tea.

"I figure tomorrow is the end for us….I mean the start of a new beginning so we need to celebrate."

Lacus looked at Cagalli for a while and sighed. "You still have not accepted this, have you? Of course not, you're always so stubborn. But we must follow our destiny. The next we meet, I will be wife to Athrun Zala and you will be with Kira Yamato. Everything will work out, you'll see."

"No, they won't. Not if I can help it." Cagalli swore. Lacus wondered why Cagalli would say such a thing when suddenly, dizziness claimed her and her vision started to blur.

"What…what is happening to me? I feel so lightheaded." She said as she started wobbling. "Cagalli? What did you…why would you…drug…"

"I'm sorry." Cagalli apologized before catching the fainted girl. "I'm doing this for your own good. One day you will thank me for this."

I've done it. Now it's up to Mir. Cagalli prayed to God that her plan will work out.

The day has finally come for the Princesses of Orb to set out on their journey to their respective betrothed's land.

The King stood before two men and commanded them, "Sir Andrew Waltfield and Sir Mwu La Fllaga, I charge you both with the safety of my daughters. Take them and lead them to the safety of their husband's house. I ask you not only as King, but also as a father."

Both men bowed before the King, swearing to protect the princesses.

Sir La Fllaga was charged with Princess Lacus' safety to Zaft while Sir Waltfield was to be responsible to Princess Cagalli's to Alliance. The two men were one of the most famous swordsmen in Orb. Waltfield was known as the 'Desert Tiger' as La Fllaga was 'Endymion Falcon'. They were also good friends with each other.

"Well, Andy…Want to race to see which one of us can get the princess to their destination first?" Mwu joked.

"Hehe," Andrew laughed. "I wish I could joke about it like you do but I'm afraid I have to be serious this time."

"Too bad. Guess we won't see each other in a while then. You better keep your sword sharpen for our rematch."

"You got it, partner!"

They smiled to each other before heading out to the escort.

Meanwhile-

Cagalli pulled Mir to the side. "How did it go? Did everything go as planned?"

"Yes, Fllay has agreed to help. Now we just have to do our part right."

"Alright, I have to say goodbye to father first. Let's hope all goes well."

Cagalli was then summoned to bid farewell to her father with her sister.

"Lacus…What's the matter with you?" The King said, noticing Lacus was unsteady on her feet.

"I'm sorry…but Cagalli….last night…" Lacus couldn't make the sentences audible before Cagalli cut in.

"Nothing, father. It's my fault. I got too carried away with Lacus last night with our celebration. Please forgive me." Cagalli said apologetically, silencing Lacus.

"Girls, you should know better than to….Forget it, I don't want us to part on bad terms." With a few strides, the King walked in front of the girls and with one arm on each girl, he embraced his twin daughters tightly. "Promise me you will both be safe and happy. Know that I will always love you and I will miss you both so very much."

Cagalli's eyes filled with tears while Lacus silently returned her father's embrace. The father and daughters shared a peaceful moment together before their lady-in-waiting came to fetch the princesses so they could be dressed in their formal gown.

When the princesses emerged from their rooms, they were both garbed in the traditional Orb wedding dress. Both princesses were dressed in satin white with a veil covering their entire head. They mirrored each other completely with their ladies-in-waiting the same, but clothed in beige. It was Orb's belief that twins should be born the same way and leave the same way. Though it was a shame not seeing the princesses' face, but this symbolism was important in the heart of Orb's citizens.

"Princess Lacus, please follow me." Mwu gestured. Lacus and Fllay moved pass Mwu and into the carriage without a word.

"Strange, Princess Lacus sure is quiet today." Mwu said.

"She's just nervous. After all, she's going to be married soon." Andrew patted Mwu on the shoulder before asking Cagalli to follow him.

Cagalli stumbled a little as her lady-in-waiting pulled her quickly into the carriage.

"Even the active Princess Cagalli didn't say much today. Boy, this wedding thing sure is changing our princesses don't you think?" Mwu said.

"Not at all, they will loosen up once we're off. Until then, take care of the princess and yourself, my friend!"

With a salute to their king, the wedding escort of the princesses took off.

"Princess Lacus does not wish to be disturbed, due to a minor illness. It's best if she keeps herself in the carriage at all times. I will care for her. That is her highness' order." Said Fllay in a deep voice.

"If that is what her highness wishes, then it will be done." Mwu replied, thinking why Princess Lacus is acting so strange today. Must be the wedding. Kids these days…

Fllay watched Mwu ride off then closed the window to the carriage. "Alright, it's safe now." She said as she took her veil off.

Lacus took her veil off and it was Cagalli underneath!

"Whew, almost suffocated in there." She said to Mir, who was also undercover as Fllay. "Can't believe we fooled everyone!"

"Never ask me to do that again! I don't understand how I can actually agree to this plan." Mir let out a nervous breath of air.

"Sorry, I won't do that again. But we did it so guess we can relax now. Who knew the plan worked out so well? Mana's drugs sure did an excellent job keeping Lacus confused." Cagalli sat back. She had asked her nanny for assistance and explained her plan. With great reluctance, Mana agreed to help. The old nurse gave Cagalli a powerful yet harmless medicine to keep Lacus disoriented. Thus Cagalli was able to switch positions with her sister.

"By the way, how did you convince Fllay to disguise herself as you and keep Lacus quiet about being me?"

"Since you manage to keep Lacus drugged, all I have to do is convince Fllay that this is the only chance she has to see Prince Kira up close."

"You mean…"

"It's really no secret that Fllay is in love with Kira. She saw him a year ago at some gathering and has been in love with him ever since. All the young ladies at court knows about it." Mir explained.

"So that's why she went along with our plan to take Lacus to Alliance. She wants Kira for herself." Cagalli realized. "Won't she stand between Lacus and Kira?"

"In case you forget, Princess Lacus and Prince Kira will eventually have to marry due to the treaty, unless the both of you are forced to switch back when we're discovered."

"I won't let that happen! Prince Kira is a gentleman and he will definitely fall in love with Lacus at first sight. I have absolute confidence in my sister to charm any man into submission."

"Ok, if that's the case, then what about you? How are you going to deal with Prince Athrun?" Miriallia asked.

Cagalli seemed to be struck dumb by Mir's sudden question. After thinking about it for a while, "I don't know. Honestly, I have never thought about it. My only concern was to have Lacus away from that Zala pig. How should I deal with him?"

"Well, you better think fast. It's only a few days before we reach Zaft and Prince Athrun is not the type of man one can fool."

"Hmm…I better give it some thought." Cagalli decided.

Fllay watched Lacus sleep soundly in the carriage, thankful she was able to fool Sir Waltfield that she was Miriallia.

It was unreal, Fllay couldn't believe her luck. She was going to meet Kira in person. It had been a year ago since she went with her father to Alliance when she first laid eyes on him. He stole her heart with a single smile. From that point on Fllay knew she was destined to his wife.

Unfortunately, their paths have never crossed again…until now. Fllay took a look at the sleeping princess in front of her and frowned when she pictured Lacus in Kira's arms. Slowly, a plan began to form and Fllay grinned to herself.

In the next chapter, the girls will meet the princes. What is going to happen next and who will be the enemies?

Thank you all again! Please R & R!