digi-gal-rox: well, the long waited aftermath is finally up! sorry to the delay ppls, but I've been busy...

AFTERMATH

Hikari Meer Yamato smiled thoughtfully as the orphans happily ran after Torii and Akii, a robotic dove Athrun Zala had made for her.
"Akii!"
"Torii!" she laughed, as the two birds flew higher, towards the blue sky. She sighed heavily, as the sun blinded her before she shielded herself. The PEACE Aliance... the newly built PEACE Federation, that had undergone a new name, who was now an independent country, not under the rule of ORB, but instead were partners.
"What's da matter?"
"What's the matter?" two Haro's bounced up and down happily beside her. Pink-chan and Baby-chan, a baby-blue Haro. She smiled, kneeling down beside them.
"I won't admitt it!" Pink-chan exclaimed, as his ears flipped open and shut. Baby-chan copied its act.
"I won't admitt it!"
"Baby-chan," Kari laughed, as the Haro jumpped into her hand. As requested by her mother, Lacus Clyne, Athrun had made her the two company she now had. Akii and Baby-chan. Pink-chan and Baby-chan looked at her curiously, as she gazed out at the field where the children were still playing.

"I can't accept this, dad." Kari said quietly, as Cagalli Yula Athha handed her the green badge.
"You deserve it," Cagalli smiled. Kira and Lacus nodded in agreement.
"Cagalli..."
"It's not because you are family," Kira smiled assuringly, "It's because you fought well."
"It's a big promotion," Kari exclaimed, "What about the other positions?!"
"It doesn't matter," Lacus shrugged, taking her daughter by the hand. "It is an honour, the youngest one to ever make it up here. You've proven yourself well."
"Mum..." Kari stared at the badge, and new uniform that sat on her bed. "Thank-you."

"People are still grieving..." Murrue Ramius noted, as Mwu La Fllaga handed her a cup of coffee. Mwu smiled sadly, as he made his way to the window. Kira Yamato glanced at him, as Lacus placed a hand on his lap. He smiled at her, assuringly.
"People grieve..." he said quietly, "We all do. We will always loose someone important to us."
"Kira..." Murrue murmured softly.
"It cannot be helpped, right?" he asked, "People will always die... they will always die for what they believe in." Mwu glanced at him and nodded.
"But we will always be here. Protecting that."

"We here at ORB will continue to fight by the PEACE Alliance; fighting for peace." Cagalli reported, "We will not side with anyone, if asked..." Athrun sighed, switching the T.V off, as Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke entered the room.
"Miana's ready to take off," Shinn reported. Athrun got up and nodded. "Daisuke has decided to stay here with Archangel."
"It can't be helpped," Athrun said quietly, grabbing his bag. "People will always fight, because of power."
"Athrun..." Lunamaria murmured quietly, as he walked pass them.
"Let's go than, shall we?"

Daisuke Kinomoto sighed heavily, before placing a bunch of flowers on the grave of his two comrades, who had died protecting him. He gave a small smile, saluting them before, moving to the final grave he had intended to visit. His father. With the final bunch of flowers he placed it down. He paused for a moment, debating whether or not to salute his father. In the end he did.
"Dad..." he murmured quietly, lowering his arm. He gave an awkward smile. "We fight for different things..." before leaving the endless field of tombs. This was his father's final resting place. A place that he had dreaded for so long. Maybe, just maybe his father could find peace. And maybe, so could everyone else.

"Welcome to the PEACE Aliance," Lacus Clyne-Yamato greeted Athrun, Shinn and Lunamaria, as they entered the conference room. Following the three were Yumi Tange and Yukito Ichijouj.
"Hikari!" Athrun gasped, seeing her new uniform. She smiled awkwardly, as Athrun debated whether or not to salute her or hug her.
"It was their idea." she said, indicating to her parents and Cagalli. Cagalli smiled at the young woman.
"It suits you." he smiled, hugging her tightly. "They were right into giving you this rank."
"Oh man!" Shinn whined, "An eighteen year old is my boss!" Kari laughed, as Lunamaria scowled at him.
"Let's get to business than, shall we?" Kira asked, as the crew took their seat.