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Eh, I wanted it to be longer, but I figured that everyone has been waiting for long enough, and that I should just post it already. Not too fond of this chapter, but it gets it across. So, enjoy! :D

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Kira leaned his head back on the edge of his bed, staring at the bottom of the bunk above him. He felt a thousand emotions roiling inside of him, refusing to let him have any piece of mind. He couldn't get Athrun's woeful expression out of his mind, and worse, the few words that they had exchanged.

"Why?"

He rolled over, facing the wall. "That's the question that I would love an answer to at the moment." Curling up as small as possible, Kira shut his eyes, letting his mind wander. I want to think of anything but these past few days. Anything... An image of the younger Athrun floated in front of his vision, holding a bunch of wires in his little hands, Torri resting on his shoulder. What happened? Kira sniffled, clenching his fists. What happened to us? The image of Athrun smiled at him and ran down the cobblestone pathways of their youth. Why did it happen this way?

Snapping his eyes open, Kira flipped himself over so his face was buried in the pillow. He didn't want these images. He didn't want to see Athrun, he didn't want to speak to Athrun, and he didn't want to think about Athrun. Athrun... dammit! Kira ground his teeth, wishing he was asleep already. Shutting his eyes again, he threw the blankets over his head, breathing softly. Athrun, I know that you're supposedly the enemy now. He curled up even tighter, trying to get rid of the suffocating feelings inside of him. But I sure as hell know that I can't allow you to stay in the hands of the Earth Forces. They will kill you. With these final thoughts, he drifted off, dreaming of his younger days on the moon.

--

Athrun blinked as he found himself running through a park, his feet much smaller then he remembered them being. "Father father!" He was young, no older than nine, running down the cobblestone steps of the mansion. Rose petals floated softly through the air, making him giggle as they landed in his hair. He was just so excited, so happy! In his hand, he held a tiny electronic butterfly that he had spent hours fitting together. Each time he brushed it with his fingers, the wings fluttered and tiny optic lights lit up its clear wings. My first invention.

His father slowly came into view, standing with his purple ZAFT coat blowing around in the gentle breeze. His face was bright with a smile as the rose petals twirled around him, curving in circles around him and the silhouette that stood next to him. Midnight blue hair crowned the beautiful face of a young woman as she leaned forward, embracing his father. Mom... He ran up to them, holding up the fragile butterfly. "Mother! Father! Look what I made!" He watched as the pair slowly turned, their faces showing only joy and happiness. His mother bent down and carefully lifted his invention out of his hands, smiling at him in a way only a mother could.

"Oh my, Athrun! It's beautiful! Where did you learn to make such things?" She shone with motherly pride, waiting to hear his answer.

"I found the wires up in the attic and I made this! I just knew how mommy! It was like magic!" His nine year old self danced in a happy twirling motion, revelling in the fact that he could make such a wonderful thing. Turning to his father, he laughed, expecting to see a similar reaction. He stopped spinning suddenly as his father's face radiated pure fury, and his eyes were lit up with anger. He froze up, terrified, not really knowing what he had done wrong. "F-father?"

His father grabbed the collar of his light green sweater, pulling him close. "I don't ever want to see such things ever again, Athrun! Do you understand?!" Athrun shrunk back from him, fear beating through him. He turned to where his mother was, hoping to be saved from such anger.

But as he turned, his father's hands released his collar, and he was left with the image of his smiling mother. He sighed in relief, reaching forward to embrace her. But as soon as his hands touched her, she screamed in horrific pain, swatting his hands away. Athrun shrieked and backed away, his eyes wide with terror. "Mom!"

He watched as his mother burst into hot flames, white fire consuming her. She was convulsing and screaming; it was as if every inch of her body was in horrific pain. The butterfly that was still cupped in her hands lit up in fire, the fragile wires crackling and sizzling. White flaming wings burst from his mother's shoulders, her mouth lolling open. Her eyes burned an impossible white, her glare piercing through him. "Athrun!" Her voice was harsh and cold, not something Athrun had ever heard in her voice before. "What have you done?!" Her entire figure was now enveloped in snow white fire, her body radiating an impossible amount of heat. Her hands threw the now flaming butterfly towards him, and he screamed as it crashed into his face, the pieces falling everywhere.

With a piercing scream, Athrun woke in the infirmary of the Archangel, sweat streaming down his cheeks.

--

Mu La Flaga woke with a start from his guard station as a terrified scream echoed through the halls. What the hell?! He stood up, his gun cocked and ready, scanning the area. He had just dozed off while guarding the front of the infirmary. If anyone were to sneak in they wouldn't come through here; it wasn't one of the ships weak points. He felt sweat build up on the rims of his eyebrows. If there was an intruder, it was entirely possible that it was one of Athrun's comrades trying to get him back. But they would have to know he was here... hmmm... Slowly, Mu lowered his gun into a resting position. Softly, he slide the hospital room door open by hand, making as little noise as possible.

The room was dark, he couldn't see anything. He edged along the wall, reluctant to turn the lights on. "Kid, you awake?" He listened carefully, waiting to hear any movement or any kind of response. A small whimper reached his ears. "Kid?" He could here the sounds of stifled sobs and laboured breathing. What, is he crying? "Athrun, if you are awake, answer." He reached his arm across the wall, resting it on the light switch. With a hesitant movement, he flicked it on, letting light flood the room.

Athrun was sitting up in his hospital bed. Mu could see the red marks were the leather straps had been. They now lay torn, drooping down the sides of the bed. Athrun's hands were clutching the back of his head, tugging at clumps of ragged blue hair. His body was shaking slightly, and he was tense like he was expecting some sort of impact. His face was crinkled up in anguish, his lips quivering as he bit the sides of his cheeks. Telltale streaks of moisture suggested that, moments before, tears had been trailing down his face. What the hell? Mu walked slowly towards the bed, waves of uneasiness passing through him. "Hey." He sat down on the edge, reaching his arm out tentatively. "You alright?" Mu watched as Athrun slowly raised his eyes to meet his, wiping his face in a somewhat scared manner.

"And you care why? Just leave me." Athrun's gaze hardened as his voice fought to keep steady. "There is nothing for me now."

Mu frowned, his insides whirling. Why do I care? Should I care? And what is with this kid's attitude all of a sudden? "I can't leave you because that would be contradicting my orders to guard you. I just don't want to see someone as young as you go through this kind of agony." Well, at least I came up with something to say.

Athrun sighed and turned to face the wall. "Do you intentionally try to patronize people, or is it just by accident?"

Mu raised his eyebrows at that statement. I wasn't trying to patronize you. Was that patronizing? You really are a confusing little kid aren't you? He crossed his arms, considering what he should do next. What he should have done was come in and immediately redone the broken straps, then left and continued guarding. He should not have spoken to the prisoner, or stayed in his proximity for more than a moment. I might as well try and get something out of him. Something is obviously wrong. "A moment ago, you said that there is nothing for you now. Why do you say that?"

Athrun shifted, turning so that he was lying face up in the bed. "In case you haven't noticed, I have no use of my legs. I am useless, I am a prisoner, and I am going to die." He glared at Mu, his eyes over bright. "I would say that I have nothing for me now, wouldn't you?"

"No," Mu felt his words rise up in his throat. "I wouldn't say that. The paralysis won't be permanent; at least we don't think so. And, well, you're important, so we won't kill you." What is wrong with me, I am comforting the enemy.

Athrun looked at him with disbelief, apparently thinking along the same lines. "What is it with you? You just can't leave things be, can you?"

That brought a slight smile to his lips. "That wasn't in the job description, so sorry, no." Mu leaned forward, trying to get a step further in the conversation. "You screamed earlier. Anything to worry about?"

Wrong move. Athrun's eyes narrowed into thin slits. "No," he said curtly, "It is nothing to worry about."

Mu winced. I was doing so well. Might as well go along with it now. "Hmm... you sure? You sounded really terrified. I need to know if there is a problem you know. If there's a dangerous thing in here and it gets you while I'm on duty, the Captain will kill me."

Athrun scowled at him and sighed again. "No, there is nothing in here La Flaga. You don't have to worry about intruders, the only way in besides the door is that thin air shaft, and that person would have to be pretty thin."

Mu looked up at the air vent. The kid had a point. Glancing back at the bed, he noticed that Athrun had his fists clenched tightly, and was still trying to suppress some kind of emotion. Hmmm... he's hiding something, but I think I've spent my luck. It was a miracle he talked to me at all. "I see. Well, if you feel the need to scream again, I'll be sitting right out there and will be sure to hear you. Goodnight." He turned and placed his hand on the light switch, pausing. I should really strap him down again. He thought about it for a second, then switched off the lights. No, that can wait until the morning. He quietly went out the door and into the hallway, leaning against the wall. There was nothing to do now but wait.