Chapter 23: Bittersweet Endings
Unforgettable Partings
TenshiSakuraTakai
Dedication: Ritachi: You've been with me from the beginning to the end as well as many others, but I felt the need to make sure you recieved a dedication this time around. After all, you did the same to me and you've got every right to be recognized. Thank you so much.

Authoress Note: The final chapter! Unless you'd like to count the Epilogue, which'll be coming soon I hope, as a chapter. There will be more a bout that at the end...Oh, and I also would like to thank my close friend Kima for helping me out on this last chapter...I luff you Kima! xD

Now! Onto the chapter...

When Athrun had introduced Kira too cotton candy, he had no idea the former boy would be so ecstatic. After all, it was only a fluffy-sugary sweet. Nothing too be happy a bout (Ha! After looking back at this thought, Athrun had mentally slapped himself for being so stupid,)…and it gave you cavities. Which at the age of six is a very, very bad thing (another mental whack came here.)

"Oh! Kira! Look over there!" a giggle escaped the lips of the bluenette boy, standing at exactly 4'11". They were currently wrapped up tightly between Athrun's parent's legs. When they had decided to come down too the County Fair, they hadn't expected it too be this crowded. Though neither boy seemed to care as they bounded from one ride to another. Occasionally stopping to play some sort of random game and munch on the French Fries his mother had brought a half-hour before.

"What ish it?" Kira asked sweetly, cocking his head to the side in attempt too see what Athrun had been pointing at. The other boy was slightly, okay more then slightly, taller then him and even on his tippy-toes he couldn't see properly. "…I can't see anything." He added after a moment, a steady growing frown coming across his tanned features.

"Cotton candy!" Athrun replied, turning to his side to grab Kira's hand. The other blushed faintly but said nothing. After all, holding hands wasn't against the law or anything so why should it bother him?

"Cotton candy?" he repeated, cocking his head even further too the side.

"Yes! The sugary stuff that's bad for your teeth! C'mon Ki-Chan…you can't tell me you've never had cotton candy before!" another giggle slipped past his lips. "Mum! Dad! Can we get some?" he pleaded. His parents weren't the easiest too persuade but they both seemed too be in fairly good moods that afternoon so of course he was going to take advantage to that simple fact.

"Athrun, I really think you've had enough sweets today and I don't think Kira's parents will be to happy if we bring him back ill to his stomach" Patrick Zala (Stony-face, as Kira called him behind his back) said dryly. Looking at his wife for encouragement.

Athrun immediately clung onto his mother's leg. There was only one thing in the whole entire big wide world that could make Stony-face change his mind. Kira, took notice too this and almost instantly latched himself onto her other leg. "Pretty please!" they both pleaded, the puppy-dog eyes taking over.

She laughed, bending down and ruffling both of their hair. "Pat…I really don't think a bit more will affect them any more. They've been good today, I think we should treat them to a bit of candy before we leave." she smiled fondly at the pair and kissed each of their foreheads. When she turned to face her husband the said pair quickly rubbed off one another's forehead with their sleeves, sharing a light laugh. They both knew the spontaneous plan had worked.

Sure enough, he sighed and gave in. "Oh fine…I'm going to go and get the car. I'll be waiting at the front entrance." he slipped his wife the five-dollar bill and made his way out of the fairgrounds. Athrun reached up and snatched the money, once more taking Kira's hand, before running off towards the cotton candy stand. "Cotton candy here we come!"

Athrun was overjoyed when they came to the stand. There was noone in line! He couldn't think of a time he'd ever been happier. Okay…so that wasn't the exact truth but that was another story for another day. But…there was one small problem.

"Meep…Kira, can you lift me up?"

There was no answer for a long, strangled moment. "Why?" Kira finally asked, eying Athrun with a perplexed stare.

"Because…they can't see me from down here." Athrun rolled his eyes, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "So…can you?" he asked in that falsely innocent voice that had always got him out of trouble with him Mum.

Kira groaned lightly. Athrun wasn't /heavy/ but he defiantly wasn't light either. "Okay…" he said reluctantly. Mentally telling himself that he was only doing this for the sake of stuffing himself full with the sweet fluff. He bent down and grabbed Athrun by his knees slowly perching him up with all the strength he could muster up at such a short notice. "Umph! Make it fast!" the smaller one protested with clenched teeth.

Athrun cleared his voice and knocked on the counter-thing that stuck out from the cart until he caught one of the workers eyes. He puffed out his chest and smiled brightly.

The waitress smiled in return. "How may I help you?" she asked softly, looking at Athrun before looking back at the shop. "Pretzel? Fried Dough? Cotton Candy-"

Athrun attempted to make himself sound as manly as he could, "One Cotton Candy please." He added the please to add to his 'manly' tone. The women seemed quite amused at this as she turned to get him his order. Seeing that it was right next too her it didn't take very long at all. "That'll be 2. 50, little one."

He nearly scoffed at her, passing the five-dollar bill and pulling the fluff to his chest. Being as smart as he was, he waited (impatiently) for his change. Upon receiving it he smiled brightly. "Thank you!" he chirped, failing to notice that he was beginning to sway. "Ah!" a sudden squeal emerged from his throat as he toppled backwards. Splaying himself out completely over Kira who had fallen over seconds before. Athrun clutched the candy too his chest, before realizing he was squashing Kira. He jumped up frantically. "Ki-Chan! Are you alright?"

It took him a moment to realize that the other wasn't hurt, but he was laughing. Kira slowly sat up taking Athrun's offered hand and standing up. Kira soon stopped, staring at Athrun in confusion.

"What?"

"…Is that cotton candy?" he asked, pointing towards it with a bemused expression. "It looks…stringy." Kira added as he took it from Athrun gently. Eying it with a mildly placid look.

Athrun nodded. "Yep! Cotton candy at it's finest!" he laughed, cocking his head to the side, "Go on…try it." he urged, clasping his hands to his side as he watched Kira take a hesitant bite of the said fluff.

"It's sticky…" he commented with a disgusted look sinking his teeth into the candy. The first swallow was done with and his eyes immediately lit up. At first Athrun thought he might've been chocking but he immediately changed his mind when Kira took another larger bite of the candy, an ecstatically happy look upon his face. "It's good!" he chirped in a childish voice, forgetting he had candy in his mouth, which ended up swirling his words together.

"Told you so!" Athrun punched the air in triumph. But then he realized that he had yet too get one bite of the cotton candy. "Kira…? Can I have some?" he asked slowly. The murderous look on Kira's face shocked him completely.

"Mine!" The seven-year old stated firmly.

He gaped at him, stepping forward in attempt to snatch the candy away. "No! Mine!" he snapped, reaching out but Kira pulled it close to him and ran towards Athrun's mother. "Hey! It's mine!" Athrun cried out chasing after him. He weaved through the legs of unknowing adults in attempt to catch up with Kira.

When he finally found the brunette, he was out of breath. Kira was hiding behind his Mothers legs, peering out from between them at Athrun with a low hiss, which sounded rather feminine. She was completely confused at the boys, but didn't dare move. She had tried to do that prior, but Kira had scratched at her, and she really didn't want more.

"Athrun Zala-please explain what's going on?" her voice was filled with amusement but she managed to keep a stern expression.

Athrun meeped and looked up at her before returning his gaze to Kira.

"HE STARTED IT!" both cried in unison, Athrun once more lunging at Kira for the fluffy sweet. "Give it over, Kira!" he whined, struggling to reach the other. He was soon swept into his mother's arms. "Athrun. Explain." she said, kissing his forehead to make the bluenette calm down.

"He stole my cotton candy!" Athrun cried out, pointing at Kira while whimpering slightly. "Athrun…Kira, calm down." she bent down and lifted Kira and his cotton candy up as well. "Why don't I buy you another one? Will that make you happy?" he nodded eagerly. That night, Athrun and Kira had left the fair grounds with large smiles on their faces and cotton candy in hand.
That had been their first argument. Though looking back at it now, he found it quite amusing.

The rest of the actual service went fairly smoothly. After the shock of Oliver coming (and being arrested) the mood had returned solemn. Some came and go…quite a few of them didn't even know Kira personally but they had wanted to pay their respects and others were 'friends' from school or knew him by acquaintance or some other reason that Athrun really didn't want to think a bout.

Only minutes ago they had began to move the casket. Kira would be buried besides his parents in a graveyard ten minutes away from the Funeral Home. Athrun and Cagalli had decided together that there would be the most suitable place for him. And little did they know that Kira was over excited that he'd be resting peacefully in his favorite spot.

"He used to go there all the time," Cagalli had told them, "He said it was his favorite spot."

After she had said this, everyone had pretty much agreed that it would be the perfect spot for him to be buried. She had gone the day before and made sure it had been set up straight. The funeral home was clearing up slowly, everyone returning to his or her car. Athrun stuck behind, watching the mass of adults and children leaving. He leant heavily against the door and looked off. Silently praying…hoping that Kira was still around them somewhere. He was sure he was, but…too see him again. That would've been even better.

"C'mon Athrun…We don't want to be late." Tenshi said softly, coming up besides him. They were some of the few who were permitted to come see Kira's casket buried and Yzak had even spoken to the man who ran the entire graveyard and got his permission for each of them to put one shove-full of dirt over it.

He smiled weakly at her, with one last look around. "Yeah…" he nodded slowly and began down the steps towards the car. Dearka had driven it up to the front of the building so they wouldn't have to walk the whole way into the parking lot. Yzak opened the back door when the two got to the car before moving back to the farthest window.

It took them a moment to get situated but the second Tenshi closed the door behind her, Dearka drove off steadily. Thankfully, the cars leaving the building were going in the opposite direction, leaving them with little to no traffic.

(A/N: Note, that I'm not all too sure on Kira's parents actual names, and since this doesn't technically follow the series I've decided to make them up myself…I'm sorry for any in convinces to you all, if any.))

Myou Lei Yamato and Kurai Jinn Yamato.

The names on the gravestone in front of the group seemed to be mocking them in some sort of evil, twisted way. Cagalli was kneeling before their grave, gently running her fingers through the engravement of her mother's name a single tear falling from her eye. Everyone was silent, in order to give her a few minutes alone. It would be for the best-and seeing that the men bringing Kira's casket over were still getting ready it didn't give them much to do, but give a silent prayer.

Kira was there. He was watching from afar. Too be more precise, from behind a grave a few feet away. This time neither Athrun nor the others had taken note of his eerie form.

Five minutes passed, and Cagalli slowly stood up. Joining the group in front of the large hole that had been dug for Kira. "I can't believe he's really gone," she murmured softly. Moving into Nicol's opened arms. Athrun would've offered her a hug, if he hadn't been desperately in need of one from his beloved.

"I don't think either of us can…"

They all silently agreed to this as the four men carrying Kira's casket slowly walked towards them. Straining with the weight of the heavy object between them.

It was surprising what a short period of time it took the four too position his casket into the deeply dug hole. Even Yzak had a completely stunned expression upon himself. As they were positioning Kira's casket, the owner of the 'yard had come to join them-shovel in hand.

"…Suicide, right?" the man asked after going over the usual formalities. His gaze was saddened as he looked upon Kira's soon to be new home. "…It's a shame these days…" he shook his head, leaning on the handle of the shovel.

"Yeah…" Athrun agreed slowly, looking towards the man. He had no idea what else there was to say after this. The only thing he wanted was too return to the safe confines of his home and sleep the rest of the day away. He had, had enough by ten am and now it was nearly six. He'd done this before…at his Mother's funeral. He remembered, even though he was so young, how sick it made him feel. The realization that Kira was actually dead, as it had been with his Mom, would hit him square in the chest, as they would begin to cover it.

"Well…we should get started before it gets too dark." the man said, resting a hand on his shoulder and smiling at Athrun sadly. They all agreed with silent nods and formed a half circle around the hole. "…Do you wish to bare your respects in silence or verbally?" he asked, looking at the group from the spot where Kira's headstone would be eventually placed.

Athrun's mind raced on what he could've down to prevent this from happening. He should've just stayed in Japan with Kira. His Kira. He should've never left him! This was his entire fault... Kira's death would haunt him forever... Here Kira was dead... And it was his entire fault. It was his fault Kira had commit suicide... It was his fault that Kira had to go through all that suffering... Athrun just felt like dying himself... Here lay Kira's body and all he wanted was to be with him... Not make him kill himself. /"Kira... I'm sorry I did this to you... I'm sorry I had to make you suffer like that..."/ He thought. He knew he was being selfish-this wasn't all of his fault, though he knew a major part of it was…

The man handed the shovel towards Yzak, who took it gradually. "I have a idea," the platinum blonde whispered, moving to stand in front of the pile of dirt they were to use to cover him up. "…When we go in a circle…with each scoop of dirt we take…we say something that reminds us of Kira…or Kira reminds us of, what he was…whatever you want to say…" he dug it in slowly, staring at the hole for a moment.

"Kind." Yzak murmured, turning over the shovel and dumping its contents. The fresh dirt landing upon and around the casket rang loudly in their ears and Athrun couldn't help but feel a wave of nausea flow through him. The shovel was passed to Athrun next, who smiled despite himself and looked towards the sky. "Love…" he breathed out, dropping more dirt. Tears had pricked the corners of his eyes once more as he stepped back and gave it to Cagalli.

"Honesty…"

The shovel was passed from each of them in what seemed to be a never-ending circle. Kind and gentle words were murmured from the group. Noone felt ashamed to cry, and it hadn't taken much for them all to break into tears. Soon enough there was only a small part of dirt left to cover, enough to fit into a single handful. Athrun slowly stepped forward, after getting the okay from Cagalli and bent down, scooping up the dirt before standing up and scattering it around the freshly-covered hole that now encased his beloved. "…An angel." he said, loud enough for the group to hear before stepping back. "…My angel."

Two weeks had passed by in what seemed to be a blink of a eye. They had recently gone down to the engraver who was to be putting the tombstone in and they each had signed their names at the bottom of the large stone with a short message or few words. Ever since Kira's death everyone had slowly gotten closer and closer together. Their friendships had grown stronger and they all secretly thanked Kira for that in their own way. The grave had finally been placed on the empty mound, and they had decided to take a short visit.

Lacus, Cagalli and Tenshi had gone flower shopping alone while the boys stayed at home watching re-runs of Saturday cartoons. They all loved Kira dearly but none of them were willing to go along with the three. Athrun had tried but Yzak and Dearka held him back saying they didn't need him to be a bigger sissy-boy then he already was which had earned Athrun his first true laugh in quite the while.

Yzak drove the all-to-familiar path towards the graveyard in silence. Dearka, Athrun, Tenshi and Nicol were currently seated in the back; they were to meet up with Cagalli and Lacus that afternoon at his tomb. Having gone to the engravers they had seen what his tombstone looked like but seeing it marking Kira completely was something they were all looking forward too seeing.

The car soon came to a stop, as Yzak turned off the ignition. "Here we are," he murmured lightly, looking around at the sets of graves. "And there's the girls…Looks like the head-stone has already been put up." he mussed, closing the door behind him and slowly walking through the grass towards them.

The head stone had been done beautifully. It was a plain rectangle but the heart carefully engraved to the left side had a ribbon crossing through it and the ribbon had wound itself around the edges of the stone until it turned to a delicate looking dove. Athrun had sketched it out and the engraver had put it on especially for him.

Saying quick hellos, Athrun quickly knelt down in front of it, allowing his slender fingers to travel the length of the design. "Hey…" he whispered lightly into the air, before beginning to trace his name. He stood up after a moment of silence and stepped back. Cagalli layed the flowers down gently, resting her hand on the top of the stone. Prayers had become ritual for the group, and they all made sure to do them each night, one especially for Kira.

Prayers were done in their minds, allowing them to seclude themselves and their thoughts to those higher. A soft smile came across their faces as they reached the end of them and looked at one another with silent nods. Quick visits to the graveyard had also become ritual, and this helped them all getting through the fact that they lost a dear friend-and lover.

"Shall we go?" Dearka spoke after awhile of calm silence.

"Yeah…Let's." they all agreed silently, and slowly turning their backs on the grave the group walked slowly towards the two vans parked in the street.

Athrun cast a glance back with a short wave, he could just make out the words on the stone from his spot, and they slowly etched themselves into his mind, like a haunting mantra that he found soothing. He looked back to the front with a deep breath, leaving the stone behind.

The sun shone down against it, bringing out the lettering in almost angelic light…

Kira Yamato
May 18th, 1889-June 25th 2006

-Fin-

A/N: Oh my god...I can't believe it's over. Also a note to everyone that I'll be doing a Epilogue chapter to end this all completly...get into their lives after Kira, etc...and maybe a sequel if I can think of a good enough way to bound it together. I just want to thank everyone who's read and/or reviewed this story, it meant SO much to me...Thank you so much.

Until next time,
Tenshi