WE BELONG TOGETHER

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

Chapter 27: A New Direction

"How's father doing?" Lacus asked.

"He's not doing so well, I'm afraid." Cagalli said grimly.

"How could something so horrible happen?" Lacus started to weep again, her eyes already swollen from hours of crying.

"Lacus…" Cagalli embraced her sister. "We have to stay strong, for father's sake."

"I know." Lacus wiped her eyes dry.

"I was supposed to leave the day after the wedding. But now there's no way that can go as planned. Orb needs me. Father needs me. I have to stay." Cagalli stated.

"As will I. I'm sure Kira will understand."

"Excellent work." The mysterious shadow, or Gilbert Dullindal said. "The plan worked out rather well. The royal highnesses will remain in Orb a little while longer. I have bought them more time, use it wisely and don't disappoint me."

"Yes sir!" Crot and Shani bowed.

"Keep an eye on Heine. I want to know his every move." He ordered, "Now leave me."

After they left the room, Gilbert picked up the single white rose lying on the table. He breathed in the sweet scent and held it close to his heart. Feeling a wave of anguish wash over him, he snatched the flower in his palm and threw the petals across the room without a second look.

Shiho sat in her room, staring into nothingness. So absorbed was she in her own thoughts, she didn't even hear Cagalli and Lacus come into her room.

"Shiho?" Cagalli touched her gently on the arm.

Shiho flinched at her touch but said nothing.

"Are you alright?" Lacus asked.

Shiho turned her dull eyes at her and nodded slowly. Her lifeless reaction almost brought Lacus to tears again.

Cagalli's heart sank. She could feel her friend mellow in sadness. She had to do something.

The blonde princess pulled Shiho out of her chair and started shaking her. "You think Lady Talia wants you to sit here and slowly drown yourself in torment? You think this will make her happy? Snap out of it! We're all grieving and we need you to stand on your feet. It's bad enough we lost her but we are definitely not losing you."

Lacus put a hand on her twin's shoulder, calming her down a little.

Cagalli gave Shiho a hug, "Just let it out, please!"

Shiho stood absolutely still, but when she saw Cagalli's silent tears, she too broke down and cried. She cried her heart out, mourning the lost of a beloved aunt, the mother figure she loved unconditionally.

After a moment of stormy tears, Shiho brushed her dark locks away from her face and dried her eyes. "Thanks, I do feel a little better."

"Any time." Cagalli smiled.

"So what do you plan to do next, Shiho?" Lacus asked.

"I don't know. I'm not even sure if I'm to stay in Orb anymore. Since Aunt Talia is no longer here and the wedding never actually took place, there's little reason for me to stay in the palace. I will talk it over with Rey and find a place to live."

"Nonsense!" Lacus chided. "You're our sister and this is your home. You and Rey are to stay. I'm sure father will agree."

"Yeah, we forbid you to leave." Cagalli demanded, "Unless you want to see me cry again."

"Thank you both for your kind offer. But…"

"No more! It's settled!" Cagalli silenced her from saying more. "I want you to rest a little in the room and we'll talk later, alright?"

Shiho opened her mouth to say more, but Cagalli gave her a warning look.

"…I understand."

"Good." Lacus smiled at Cagalli. Both satisfied with Shiho's acceptance. They left a little while later to give Shiho some space to herself.

Rey appeared in Shiho's room as soon as the princesses left.

"What do you want?" Shiho said coldly.

"I know it's a difficult time, but keep your guard up. We have much at stake." Rey warned.

"Be quiet! Dullandal is responsible for my aunt's death. I don't need you to speak for him about anything." Shiho said with hatred in her voice.

"I'm to watch you. That's part of my order." He replied bluntly.

"Heartless jerk! Get out! Get out now!" Shiho shrieked.

"…I'm sorry." Rey said before quietly slipping out the door.

"GET OUT!" She responded by throwing a vase at him.

A week passed by and the official investigation of Lady Talia Gladys' death was eventually closed. Base on the facts collected, there were no traces of struggles nor was there anything stolen from her room. Therefore, robbery and murder were ruled out. The only conclusion that could be drawn was suicide.

The palace was engulfed in gloominess. The king refused to believe Talia would end her life so suddenly. Cagalli and Lacus noticed their father has aged considerably in a week, heartbroken by the tragedy. Though they have requested to stay longer, Uzumi asked his children to return to their fiancé's lands.

His daughters understood that political attentions were needed in Zaft and Alliance, but it was so hard to see their father so depressed.

As the princesses spent more time in the king's company, Kira and Athrun noticed a change in their beloved. Lacus rarely smiled anymore and Cagalli has lost her vigor. After days of melancholy, the princes decided to do something about it.

Kira and Athrun waited till Lacus and Cagalli were alone before approaching them individually.

"How's he doing?" Kira asked.

"He's recovering slowly. It's going to take time to heal his wounds." Lacus replied.

"The king is strong and surrounded by love ones. I'm sure he'll be alright." Athrun reassured them.

"Of course." Cagalli put in. She looked up at Athrun, "Did you want something?"

"Yeah, let's talk."

"Fine." She said, "We'll leave the two of you alone. Come on, Athrun."

She walked away with Athrun trailing after her.

"How are you doing?" Kira asked while taking her hand in his.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Lacus smiled.

Kira could see she was pretending. The king did say Lacus always acted like the mother figure since her mother's death. She tried so hard to be strong for her family and took on so much responsibilities, now it's breaking his heart to see her wither.

"Lacus, let me share your burden, even if only a little." He said gently to her.

Her gaze shot up as she felt her tears gathering. She buried herself in him embrace and cried silently, "Let me stay like this for a while. I promise this is the last time I'll cry."

Kira hugged her and smoothed her pink hair. "I know…I know. I'll always be here for you."

Lacus squeezed her eyes shut and wailed out her anguish. Kira waited patiently until she felt a little better. He looked down at her puffy eyes and red nose. Using his sleeve, he dabbed her cheeks clean of tear stains.

"Thanks and sorry about your coat." She said.

"It's nothing."

After a while, she spoke, "You know, you've changed."

"I have?" Kira said incredibly.

"You don't seem as shy as before."

"I suppose." Kira scratched his head. After going through so much in such short time, Kira has changed somewhat. He no longer blushed in front of ladies or act timidly when spoken to anymore.

"Well, what a marvelous discovery." Kira smiled.

Lacus returned his smile.

"So how's Stellar? I've been so busy with father lately that I haven't been able to see her." She almost forgot.

"She's recovering fast. You know her, she's too restless to stay in bed. I think she's in the company of other ladies, comforting then as best as she can."

"I see, that's good."

"So what about Shiho and Rey? With their aunt gone, what is to become of their future in Orb?"

"Cagalli and I have already talked to father about it. We have asked Shiho to stay. Father will need caring after Cagalli and I leave again. As for Rey, he will be a great help to father so we will ask him to stay as well."

"Everything has been arranged?" He asked.

"More or less. All it takes is time now. Father's grief is deep. Unfortunately, I guess this time my singing can do nothing to comfort him." She said sadly.

"Just say the word and I'll help in any way I can."

"Kira…" At the moment, she loved him more for his consideration.

Cagalli couldn't stand the atmosphere of the castle anymore. She headed for the stable so she could grab her mount. Athrun trailed after her. Before he could reach the stable, Meer intercepted him and pulled him aside.

"What are you doing, Meer?" He said impatiently.

"Have you forgotten the pretense? You can't go after her." Meer pleaded.

"She needs me. I have to."

"Don't you remember the danger? Think before you act."

"…Perhaps you're right. But I don't give a crap about that now. She's crying! God, Cagalli hardly cries. If I don't go now, I'm going to lose her." Athrun threw her arm aside and ran after Cagalli.

Athrun followed her, urging his horse to go faster. It took some time to catch up to her, but he could see she was heading towards a secluded lake.

Suddenly, she pulled on the reins hard, making her horse come to a sharp unexpected stop. The prince slowed down and got off his horse. After tying their mounts to a tree, Cagalli went and kneeled down next to the shore.

"You know what you're doing is reckless." He said behind her.

"I know."

"Especially in this dire time."

"I said I know! Why don't you leave me alone?"

"I can't."

"Why not? You've been going off on your own for days so leave me."

"I won't." He cut in sharply.

Cagalli stood up facing him, furious at his arrogance. "How dare you? Have you no consideration for—" Athrun swallowed her words with a deep kiss, successfully silencing her.

Cagalli widened her eyes, unable to believe he would kiss her now. She tried to push him away but he was too strong for her. Then she tried to turn her head aside but his lips would not allow her to escape.

He kissed her passionately and as her resistance diminished, he moved down and started nibbling her neck. Then he felt something wet on his cheek and he looked up. Cagalli had tears in her eyes.

"Damn you! I hate you, Athrun! I hate this! Don't look at me like that! I'm not crying, dammit!" Her eyes blazing.

Athrun smiled softly, "I know, I didn't see anything."

"Don't smile. It makes you look so smug when you do."

Athrun put on a straight face and kiss her forehead. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Yeah right!" She punched him on his chest playfully and wiped the last bit of tears from her eyes.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" She said as they sat under a tree beside their horses.

"I just want you to know if you want to stay longer, it's fine by me."

"Thanks, I would like to but father wants us to go. We have after all, other responsibilities. But I appreciate the thought." She actually smiled at him.

Athrun responded by gently pulling her down to lie on top of him.

"We're in trouble times, Cagalli. So many things are happening around us and we barely have time to defend ourselves against them." He said, brushing his hand over her messy hair.

"Is the prince scared?" She said sarcastically.

"Sometimes I am." He confessed.

Cagalli rubbed her cheek on his chest. It must be hard for Athrun to admit his fear. He always seemed so bold and daring. "Well, I am too sometimes."

"You know what?" Cagalli continued. "I feel so sorry for Shiho. She lost her only family. To find oneself being stranded in an unfamiliar world is frightening. I never want experience it."

"That's why we have to be strong and fight." Athrun said, "And why I'm so grateful to have you beside me."

"Because I make you a better man?" Cagalli asked

"No, because you infuriate me." Athrun chuckled.

"What?" She looked up at him. It certainly wasn't an answer she expected.

"Hey, let me finish. It's true you anger me all the time. Don't deny it. But I'm thankful because it makes me feel alive."

Cagalli's cheeks turned rosy. She quickly buried her face so he wouldn't laugh at her.

They spent the rest of the afternoon just talking to each other. With each passing minute, they could feel their hearts bonding closer and closer.

By the time they got back to the palace, the sun was already setting.

Athrun and Cagalli came back with smiles on their face. Little do they know, Shinn and Dearka were looking all over the place for them.

"Athrun, where were you?" Dearka said angrily.

"What? What happened?" Athrun asked, alarmed by his friend's rage.

"An urgent message just came from King Patrick. Rau Le Creuset just escaped from prison!"

Cagalli could feel Athrun tensing up as a murderous rage built up in his eyes.

"Oh no…" She muttered.

So what does everyone think of the story so far? I hope all of you like it. Things are getting interesting as our heroes go back home to face more danger. Next up, Meer needs a little attention. I've left her out too long.