WE BELONG TOGETHER

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN GUNDAM SEED AND GUNDAM SEED DESTINY

Chapter 25: Kiss and Make Up

Miriallia went home after visiting Stellar and kept to herself in her room.

It really shook her today when Shinn and Stellar came back with cuts and bruises all over. They got lucky today, but it also made Mir realize how vulnerable their lives were and how easily it can be extinguished. That's why she made up her mind and decided to confront her parents about Dearka.

Stellar found her parents in her father's study with Tolle.

"Ah, Miriallia, come here." Her mother smiled at her. "Look what Tolle has brought for you; a fine opal bracelet from Alliance. Isn't it generous of him?"

"Yes, thank you very much Tolle."

"Don't mention it. A perfect gift for a perfect lady." Tolle smiled.

"I'm sorry, father, mother, there's something of great importance I would like to inform you both." Mir said, taking a deep breath.

"My, whatever could it be, darling?" Her father asked.

Tolle instantly look alarmed but kept it to himself.

"I wanted to tell you both with Tolle here as well. I realize you both have always thought Tolle and I would one day wed. But the truth is that I've met someone while I was away and would like your permission to bless us."

"What?" Her father jumped in anger, while her mother took on the face of shock and disappointment.

"I have already spoke with Tolle earlier and he has accepted the truth. We are still friends and always will be. But nothing more than that."

"Who is it? Who is the other gentleman?" Her father roared.

"He is Marquis Dearka Elthsman of Zaft." She blurted out.

"Lord Elthsman?" Her mother whispered.

"Yes."

"No, I am really disappointed in you, Miriallia Haww. You have shamed your mother and me both. The union between Tolle's family and our own is all set but minus the marriage contract. You have the audacity to pull a stunt like this?" Lord Haww bellowed in rage.

"Father, I love him."

"Oh, Mir…" Lady Haww sighed.

"Tolle, I don't know what to say. A thousand words cannot explain my humiliation and guilt. But be assure, I will never allow this union to go through. Miriallia will do as we command her." Her father replied.

Tolle sighed and shook his head in disagreement. "My lord, as Mir explained, she has already told me the truth. While I am depressed about the loss, I am also happy for her discovery. If you truly wish me well, then at least give the Marquis a chance to prove himself."

Miriallia could not thank Tolle enough for his assistance in convincing her parents.

"But…"

Tolle put a hand up to stop her father from saying more. "Please sir, for both of our family's sake. Don't do something we will all regret in the future."

Lord Haww looked at the strong young man in front of him in regret. He turned his gaze to his daughter. My beautiful Miriallia! Why did you do this to us? Can't you see marrying Tolle is the best choice?

"Darling…" Lady Haww begged.

"Fine. I will give Lord Elthsman a chance to prove himself. He must prove to me he is the better man for my daughter's hand. Bring me that proof and I will have no objections!"

"So that's what happened." Miriallia told Dearka everything that had happened and what her father said.

"I see." Dearka said. "So I just need to prove myself in some form…"

"I'm sorry, Dearka. Father can be so stubborn sometimes. He can be quite hard to satisfy at times but I'll do my best to talk to him again."

Dearka smiled. "There's no need. It's up to me now. I'm just glad you found the answer in your heart to guide you to me. Thank you, Milly." He kissed her on the cheek.

"Dearka…" She caressed his face gently.

"Don't worry; this is one contest I do not intend to lose." He got up from his seat. "Oh, and give my regards to Lord Koenig. Ask him to have a drink with me sometimes so I can thank him properly." With that, he left.

Knock! Knock!

"I wonder who it is." Fllay said while brushing Lacus' hair.

"Probably Cagalli." Lacus smiled.

Fllay drew away to answer the door, and to her surprise, it was Kira standing outside the door.

"Prince Kira!" Fllay said unexpectedly. Lacus whipped her head around to see her prince at the door.

"Ah-hem, excuse me for the interruption, but may I have a word with the princess please?" He requested politely.

Lacus gave her agreement to her maid-in-waiting quickly, so Fllay immediately stepped aside to let him in.

"Fllay, please leave us." The princess commanded.

Fllay bit her lips in hatred and tightened her fists. Unable to counter Lacus' order, the red haired lady left in defeat.

Kira and Lacus sat silent in the room; both did not speak a word. Lacus was just glad to have Kira with her since their fallout.

"So…"

"I…"

They both spoke at the same time. Both smiled shyly at each other.

"You go first." Lacus said.

Kira fidgeted a bit, "I've been thinking…"

"…"

"…about us."

"About…us?"

"Stellar's attack…She was following me, that's why she left the castle. She said she wanted to talk to me about us. If only I listened to her instead of turning her away, this never would have happened." Kira buried his face in his palms.

"Kira…"

"I don't want any of my love ones getting hurt anymore; my family, my friends…and especially not you. That's why…I thought over what has happened and has come to ask for your forgiveness."

Lacus softened, "How can you apologize to me when it was I who did the damage?"

"I take it you have forgiven me?"

"All shall be well and like it was before. I missed you so much." Then she did something unexpected. She reached up to cup his face and brought her own mouth up to his for a lingering kiss. Kira wrapped his hands around her waist, breathing in her scent.

They stayed snuggled up to each other, both flushed from the rare intimacy.

"Like it was, huh?" Kira muttered.

"Hmmm? Kira…?"

"It's almost the same as before. I'm glad we've patch things up, but there's just one more thing I have to do."

"You mean Heine?"

"Yes, he was my best friend. I trusted him like a brother. Even if we could make up for what happened between you two, he can still never atone for what he done to Stellar and Shinn. I need to see him and find the truth."

"But you still want to believe in him." She said softly.

"I want to, but I don't know if I can anymore."

"Next group, form up!" Cagalli directed.

"Man, you're really fired up." Mwu replied.

"Of course, we have people to catch and questions to be answered." She sniffed. It wasn't unusual for the blonde princess to be seen in the company of the knights, training. Cagalli was furious over Stellar and Shinn's attack. To think it happened in my own country, in Orb! I want those thugs caught!

"You guys have gotten sloppy in my absence." Cagalli yelled to the men, "You there, defend yourself!"

The poor young squire trembled before the princess. Mwu sighed but could do nothing to calm Cagalli down.

Cagalli swing like mad, venting her frustration with the blows. All her opponent could do was to block as best as he could, which angered the princess even more.

"How can you win a duel with only defense? Look for an opening and attack me!"

Like she's giving him a chance, all the knights thought.

Making a quick final move, she sent the sword flying out of the young man's hands. The squire bowed down in exhaustion, while Cagalli sheathed her sword.

Clap! Clap! A sound of applause came. Athrun stood in a corner of the courtyard, commending Cagalli's display.

"Wonderful, you have the fire of a warrior. I would expect nothing less." She was definitely not your average type of princess.

"Thank you, Your Highness." She replied in a frosty tone.

"A word in private, if you please."

"I…" Cagalli was about to hand him a rejection but Mwu quickly intervened. "Princess, you must be tired. We all appreciate your instruction, but a bit of rest would do no harm."

Cagalli gave Mwu an angry glare, but he just shrugged it off.

She held her head up high and followed Athrun to a more private part of the palace.

"Alright, what is that you want?"

Athrun sighed inwardly. "Don't start, Cagalli."

"Start what?"

"This ridiculous spat we're having."

"Don't blame it on me! You started it with that hussy." Cagalli said angrily.

Athrun took a deep breath, trying to stay calm and rational. It was bad enough seeing her with all those men, now she's trying to provoke his temper. "Anyways, as I was about to tell you, we're leaving right after the wedding."

"What? I want to stay for a few more days. Father has given his consent already." She exclaimed.

"No, there are too many uncertain factors here and it would be safer if we go back to Zaft as soon as possible." Athrun said.

"Come on, Athrun. Why can't you just allow me this one small wish? Would it really kill you to let me be happy for once? Let me stay."

"You can't." He would not budge.

"Give me a better reason."

Athrun hesitated, and then he spoke sincerely. "You can't…because I need you."

Cagalli widened her eyes, and chided herself for getting her hopes up. "For Zaft? Or for yourself?"

Athrun lifted her chin and looked deep into her eyes. "You're going to have to figure that out for yourself."

I know this chapter is a little short but I'll do better next time. Next chapter, finally going to wrap up with DxM and MxM...and the long awaited AxC moment. Plus there's another revelation coming up.

I just realize this story is way longer than I expected...Don't know if it's a good thing or bad...LOL!