CHAPTER 7: The Song of Yearning

Athrun POV

Maybe it wasn't the best idea to pick Kira up in front of Cagalli's home. He'd started to regret his choice of location as the clock ticked slower by the hour. He couldn't change it now, not when he was almost there. His car sped pass seaside very early in the morning. It was not rush hour just yet. The roof of his convertible was down and the cool breeze that smoothed across his face felt pleasant and comforting.

He slowed down as he pulled up to the black iron gates of Cagalli's mansion. He pressed the intercom and a female voice answered.

Lacus: Athrun! You're so early, please wait a moment.

Athrun: Hey Lacus, thanks.

The gates opened and he drove up the road to where the mansion was sitting up on top of the hill. He skidded to a stop when he reached two huge oak doors that was the entrance to the house. He pulled the keys out of the ignition, hopped out of the convertible and took off his sunglasses. A door was pushed open and out stepped Lacus dressed in baby pink pajamas complete with a pink shawl that wrapped around her tightly. She had tied her hair up into a ponytail and her eyes practically twinkled as she walked towards him.

Lacus: Hi, Athrun. –hugs-

Athrun: Hey Lacus, how's married life going?

Lacus: It's quite fun actually, what about you?

Athrun: Oh…the usual.

Lacus stared up at him with curiosity but when he said no more she let the matter go and invited him into the warm house.

Athrun: Oh no, I'll just wait for Kira out here.

Lacus: If you're worried about Cagalli, don't, she's upstairs with Melody.

Athrun: Still, I don't want to…intrude.

Lacus: -smiles warmly- Do as you please, I'll just go get Kira.

He watched as she walked back into the house and called for Kira. After a few seconds there was a shouting back, a fumble of someone falling down the stairs and out popped Kira looking extremely clumsy. He gave Lacus a peck on the lips and ran outside, tripping on the steps that led up to the entrance.

Athrun: Kira.

Kira: -smiles while looking embarrassed- Athrun.

Kira POV

Kira: So this is your car?

Athrun: Yeah, well it's the army's but I borrowed it for a day. I liked it.

Kira: Are we going to…?

Athrun: Yeah.

Silence ensured between them for the rest of the trip until they reached their location. It was the memorial in ORB for all those who had no bodies to bury, no bodies to find or were simply listed 'MIA' and remained that way since the end of war. Kira thought about how lucky he was that Lacus found and saved him from the cruel fate of having no name to remember. The pair of friends stared for a long time at the memorial, remembering all the comrades they had lost in battles. Some included Tolle, Flay, Nicol, Rey and so many others. Athrun lay down a bouquet of flowers on the memorial. It looks like they hadn't been the only ones there this morning as scatters of other bouquets were also laid down. After all, it was the anniversary to celebrate the end of war today.

Athrun: Do you ever miss it? –looks out at the buildings surrounding the memorial-

Kira: Miss what?

Athrun: Fighting. In the war.

Kira: Maybe…yeah, sometimes.

Athrun: Do you think we're crazy? To miss something like war…

Kira: -smiles- No. I don't think we miss war.

Athrun: Then what is it?

Kira: We miss believing in bringing peace to a world that didn't know what it was. We grew up in a world that was created by war. I think, that the peace we knew was the thought of a few hours knowing that we hadn't been killed yet. So Athrun, no, I don't think you're crazy. You just still haven't settled your heart in the right place.

Athrun: Yeah.

Kira: I know you miss her.

Athrun: What?

Kira: Cagalli. You miss her. I can tell even if you can't.

Athrun: Maybe.

Kira: Why did you let her leave that day?

Athrun: It was the right thing to do. She would be protecting her country. Her home.

Kira: Do you ever regret it?

Athrun: Everyday.

Cagalli POV

She had heard Athrun's car pull up and she knew due to Lacus's great sense of hospitality she would invite him in. That was why she decided to just stay in Melody's room braiding her hair. Not long after, the car left and Lacus came back up into the room.

Cagalli: So Kira got off all right?

Lacus: If you count stumbling down the stairs and tripping over the front steps.

Cagalli: -quietly- I've missed you.

Lacus: Melody, go down for breakfast first. Aunty Cagalli and I need to talk for a moment.

Melody nodded at her mother once and skipped off to have breakfast. As she opened her bedroom door a waft of sweet smells entered her room almost making Cagalli chase after her to have breakfast as well but she composed herself. Once the two of them were alone, Cagalli shifted uncomfortably under the wise gaze of Lacus.

Cagalli: Yeah?

Lacus: I think we need to talk.

Cagalli: -feigning innocence- About?

Lacus: Don't play coy. You know.

Cagalli: -shifts around even more uncomfortably- Not really.

Lacus: Athrun.

Cagalli: What about him?

Lacus: You have to stop avoiding him. You'll have to talk properly sooner or later.

Cagalli: And I did! Yesterday! He was showing me around the army base.

Lacus: -raises eyebrow- Even so. He's my husband's best friend and my ex-fiancée so you'll have to have social visits with him as well. How are you going to handle it?

Cagalli: I'll manage.

Lacus: -quiets down- You still haven't realized it yet have you?

Cagalli: Realized what?

Lacus: Oh dear, you still love him of course.

Cagalli: I DO NOT!

Lacus: Yes you do –calmly-. And he still loves you back. You two are just too stubborn to admit it but you do.

Cagalli: -trembling- He doesn't love me. It's Athrun. He's never been able to do anything that wasn't part of his duty.

Lacus: Well that's odd, because when he's with you, it's the only time I've ever seen him relaxed.

Cagalli: Look, let's just drop it okay.

Lacus: -sighs- I understand.

Lacus stood up and walked out of the room. Before closing the door behind her she said –

Lacus: It's okay if you don't feel like breakfast anymore. I'm sorry for forcing it on you.

Cagalli just in front of the bed and stared into nothing as tears began to well up in her eyes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny or any of the characters.

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