Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Some other character names are just randomly thought of and have no relevance to real life.
A/N: Anyone who's interested in beta reading this story.. Please just PM me.. I would really appreciate the big help..:)
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Clouded Inconsistencies..
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Off the coast, beyond Orbs' territorial waters:
He and the remaining of his assault team had safely touched down to the waiting submarine ten miles outside of Orb's territory. He had to smile on the irony, it seems that the failure of the operation had been predicted. He immediately gets out of the mobile suit and checked the damages incurred.
"Damn!" he cursed aloud. It's in very bad shape, he's lucky to have comeback safely. He then thought of the white and red mobile suits that came to rescue. "Freedom and Justice huh.. so those Neutron jammer canceller equipped mobile suits are indeed hiding in there.. I wonder if the other one that was rumoured to have been recovered from space is also there..? Using that technology at their own pleasure and convenience.. Such selfish bunch of bastards!"He then thought of Meilin and Andrei, no wonder that they were not able to comeback. They are facing a great wall indeed..
"But.. I'll make that wall crumble without fail.." He then received a call from the Commander, he already knew the reason.. to give detailed summary on the incident. He's glad that it's over for now, the next move will have to be after the upcoming summit. That way, he'll have enough time to prepare and become better.
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Orb's Parliament building:
Kira hurriedly walked towards the door when he had finished the last topic for that afternoon. The other emirs had tried to stop him from leaving but he easily shakes them off. Thanks to Kisaka's intervention, they weren't able to come after him when he jumped to the waiting chopper and saw Lacus waiting inside.
"Kira.. Are you alright?" she asked.
"To tell the truth.. I'm very tired right now.. I have been trying to get a vacant time since the other day but I just got it now." He had been restless.. He had been trying to get information from Athrun but he had never come home since then, so he had to fly all the way to Onogoro to see things for himself. The thing that worries him now is the possibility that the embassy might smell something and it might jeopardize their effort to analyze Cagalli's condition.
"It's going to be alright Kira.. Cagalli – san is a very strong willed woman.. she will surely come around.." Lacus entwined her hand to his.
"Yes.. I know.." he smiled.. "I just hope that everything's going to be alright". He thought as he impatiently waited for the chopper to arrive to the island. His waiting hadn't been long though, he can finally see the facility. Upon landing, he immediately assisted Lacus and guides her to Erica and Emery who had been waiting for him.
"Oh my, it's Kira – kun.. It's been a while Lacus – san.." Erica greeted.
"Erica – san.. Emery – san.. I'm glad to see you two again.. Thank you so much for inserting this matter on your very busy schedule." He bowed in gratitude which made women smile.
"Oh no.. It's nothing.. Now, come.. I'm sure you've been wanting to see her.. Athrun – kun just arrived from the headquarters.. Goodness.. that young man.. I wonder if he's been sleeping decently lately.." Emery commented and they just follow her.
"Uhm.. Emery – san.. How is Cagalli's condition? Is she recovering?" He took the time to ask her, the woman stopped and turn to look at him.
"If you meant for her wounds, then yes. Ever since she was young, that child had always been healthy.. so she should be fine. If it's about her memory, then it's complicated. Except for that other day when she woke up and recognized Athrun – kun, she had returned to claiming herself as Victoria Stuart.. I just thought, it was very weird.. For certain, that day when she woke up.. she asked us who is Victoria.. Athrun – kun had already asked help from Plants to ascertain who could've have devised such a technique while we are also working on how to go about it. Every time flashes comes through, the brainwaves drastically changes which gives her severe headache. Currently, we are at a loss on looking for possibility how to make her true memories resurface. The person who interfered with her memories certainly made a very excellent job that Cagalli actually believed she is some other person. All the things she said about herself were not lies, personally though.. because those are the things she knows as the truth.." she said thoughtfully.. Lacus was rendered speechless while Kira clenched his fist.
"Then how about the case of Mu – san? Is it similar?" he asked which Erica answered.
"Hmnn.. Kind of, but kind of not.. Mu – san's condition was a little different. He completely had amnesia and was made to believe of something that he cannot remember. While Cagalli, whenever her brainwaves are stable, can recall everything about this woman called Victoria Stuart.. From her childhood up to the time she was hit by the Requiem, even the feelings and various memories of that woman had been completely embedded to her.. making her brain hurts whenever flashes came in as it will have a hard time recognizing the real memories from the implanted one.." she explained. "But don't worry, we'll do our best to resolve this.." she reassuringly. They then made their way to the medic bay. Upon opening the door, he saw Athrun talking to Cagalli. When she noticed their presence, he saw her flinch.
"Representative Athha.. Lacus.." Kira grimaced at the calling. He has been used to be called by Cagalli as "Kira.. You.. Idiot!" somehow, listening to her calling and addressing him politely sounds odd and creepy. He looked at Athrun and he just shakes his head prompting him to get along.
"Victoria – san.. I'm glad to see you are doing fine.." he smiled and walked towards them.
"Ehh.. Thank you for your concern.. I should be able to get to surveillance again tomorrow.. I've been here for almost three days.. if the embassy won't hear anything from me, they might report this incident to our National government." She said as she tried to ward off Athrun's persistent hand on hers. Kira smirked a little, for sure.. Athrun had been doing his best to take care of Cagalli during his vacant time that he must've momentarily forgot his duties and responsibilities as an Admiral, while the woman must have been raking her head off for his weird behaviour.
"Ahh.. Victoria – san.. Once you get well enough and have time, can we ask you to come over to our house? Lacus, really wanted you to come over and have a long chat with you.." He immediately concocted the excuse. He saw her focused, as if thinking about it.
".. Sure.. I would love to.." she politely answered before she cast a glare on the bluenette.
".. Ah.. can we sit by here..? We would love to talk to you more.." she just nods, so they settled themselves on the available sofa while Athrun was on the stool beside the bed.
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She tried to shake off the hand sticking to her hand.. she furrowed her brows, this man had been acting really strange this past two days. He is her constant visitor that she's been wondering just how he's been doing with his duties. She isn't ignorant though not to be aware that ever since she fainted, she'd been experiencing lapses of memories. Certainly, there are times that this man would feel achingly familiar, but whenever she tries to think deeper.. It'll bring again severe pain to her head so she just let the curiosity go and did not bother to entertain it. During those times that he's been here, he'd always talk to her and look at her intently. There was an instance that she actually confronted him as he's been gazing at her for quite a while.
Flashback
"Can you please quit staring at me Admiral? It's pretty rude you know, specially I know that I am not the one whom you are seeing." That thought actually came to her mind when she realized her hair was cut to shoulder length after the dagger slashed through it. She well remembered that the princess was short haired.
"I'm sorry.. It's just a habit though.. and no.. believe me or not.. I am never thinking of anyone whenever I look at you.."she felt that her heart melted when he spoke those words.
"Hmph.. what a sweet tongue you have there.."She decided that she'll just indulge into this man's antics. There's nothing wrong in letting herself be drowned on his attention anyway, and besides, he was a great and intelligent companion.
"I don't really considered myself as such.. You've been the only person who said that you know.. Ah.. here open up and eat.. It'll help you recover.."She rose a brow when he slowly shoved the food to her mouth..
End of flashback.
The happy laughter of the people around brought her back to the present. She then thought of Charles, the man who had been with her ever since..
"Charles.. what will you do if I'll tell you that the company of these kind people makes me happy..? What will you do if I tell you that I've been having weird flashes of something that resembles an unknown memory..? That these people felt very familiar each time I get to spend time with them.. I want to hold on to you as much as possible.. please.. help me.. save me before I become too used with their company and leave you behind.." She isn't ignorant not to doubt the man anymore.. "It's ridiculous to have too much of a coincidence when I am having those conflicting memories.. As if.. I am someone possessing two personalities.."
She then recalled the life that she had been through.. as of now, she cannot determine which memories are real and which ones are the pretend. Looking at the window, she did not notice the solitary tear that passes through her cheek.. Her heart aches as she wants to hold on to this fleeting happiness, but just as that man had given everything to her, she had decided to hold unto him no matter what.. She clenches her fist upon reaching that conviction.
"Charles.."
xxx
Athrun's car is cutting through the highway early in the morning.. He had promised Cagalli that he'll come and pick her up from the embassy. It has been three days since she was released from the hospital and since today is a Sunday, she agreed to spend the entire day on the Athha palace. It's a great thing that no attack had been launched since then. As regards to her identity, they kept on the pretend of recognizing her as a part of the Stuart house of the United Kingdom of Scandinavia. Aside from her DNA findings, they are still trying to dig deeper on the happenings five years ago, what brought things as they are now. Even though it would be easier if they'll ask the man who've crafted it directly, that wouldn't be a wise move.
He recounted the conversation he had with Yzak and Dearka when they had a phone conference after the three of them came back to the palace once Cagalli was discharged.
Flashback
"What is it bastard?" was the greeting that that he received.
"Oh well.. Good to see you still healthy and lively Councilman Joule.." He then saw Dearka.
"Oh my.. What business do we have for the three leading personalities of Orb..?"Dearka's commented.
"It's been a long time Dearka.. We are doing fine.. How about the two of you?" Athrun asked.
"We are just doing fine, getting older with the pile of paper works you folks kept on sending us – "Dearka took the conversation.
"Shut up Dearka! Now, then.. What made you call Athrun?" Yzak asked him directly.
"Actually.. I have something to ask you about the personal files of certain persons." He has to convince Yzak being the Chairman for Military Affairs.
"Regarding who?"
"A certain Victoria Stuart and her cousin Charles Stuart.." Athrun noticed that the two was taken aback, before Dearka answered.
"Why is that? You're suddenly interested to the two most popular pair in ZAFT history.. Did you fall for the girl? She was beautiful you know, and certainly looked like someone you're very obsessed with." This comment earned Dearka a suspecting look from the opposite screen.
"Be serious, bastard!"Yzak reprimanded Dearka, he then asked Athrun.
"Why are you interested with those two? The woman belong to FAITH you know, while her cousin, as you've known was a respected White ZAFT Commander.. Vital information about them will be withheld with utmost secrecy." Yzak explained. Athrun swallowed first and clears his throat before he persuades Yzak.
"As you can remember, Cagalli died five years ago.. However, just recently, we received an envoy claiming that she is Victoria Stuart, but.. but – her face, her physical findings and DNA tests.. tells us that she is Cagalli.." Dearka automatically reacted.
"That's impossible.. Because only a miracle can possibly save Victoria Stuart after receiving that heck of a blow from Requiem 5 years ago, right Yzak? I can still remember of having several nightmares after I saw her condition when we took her in." The tanned man turned for Yzak to concur.
"I hate to admit but this bastard is correct Athrun.. There's no way, that woman can possibly survive that blow. She's already half – dead when my command ship Voltaire picked her up floating in space.." Yzak seriously added, this shocked Kira, Athrun and Lacus.
"Well unless, then Commander Stuart was able to make a miracle and made her survive.. She was reported to be in coma after she was taken from us.. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case, he was very close to a young scientist back then.." Yzak continued.
"A scientist..?" he asked again and Yzak nodded.
"Ahh.. As far as I remember, there were three of them who would always meet whenever they have the chance.. That third person was an expert who has been working for Plants about some scientific research.. when Commander Stuart resigned, that person also disappeared from the Plants.." That piece of information awakens a reasonable suspicion on their part.
"Then.. that person might have been the author of her memory lapses.. But why would they do that? What will they get out of it..?" Athrun voiced out..
"Who knows..? Only the culprit will be able to answer it.. Oh well.. Whatever.. Just to warn though, don't get caught by the guy with her.. Someone who could hide the Representative and make everyone believed that she died, he is no ordinary person." That was indeed, a warning they ought to bear in mind.
"I know..Thank you..Yzak, Dearka.. See you during the summit.." He's already about to waive goodbye when Yzak added something.
"Athrun, Kira – san, have you considered the fact of evacuating the citizens to Heliopolis? It's not like you did not know the growing antagonism of the surrounding countries, are you?" That question stunned the people around the room, Kira volunteered to answer.
"Thank you for your concern Yzak – san.. The truth is, that's basically the reason why we diversified each features of the Neo - Heliopolis 3, 4, and 5, and hasten the completion of the 6th and 7th, made all of them bigger in sizes and refused mass entry to our country.. It's to accommodate the population of Orb citizens in going to space." Kira sadly explained.
"I see then.. If ever you will need help in transporting the civilians, you can count on us. They are after all humans like us.." Yzak smiled.
"Ah.. Thank you for the offer, I'm actually going to take advantage of it within two weeks.. I'm afraid, what's involved in the current conflict are not only our neighbouring countries. There are always the remnants of Blue Cosmos.. If our absence on Earth will make everyone feel at ease, then I don't mind leaving our home. Besides, it has to be done sooner or later for the safety of our citizens as well.. Well then, we must have imposed too much.. Thank you.." Yzak just nodded before the line went off.
End of flasback
He stepped on the brakes as he can finally see the grand gates of the embassy building. He was given the go signal to enter and saw Cagalli already waiting by the entrance door.
Let's go home quickly and eat breakfast, I'm sure Kira, Lacus, Kisaka – san, and Myrna – san are all excited to talk to you again.." He happily informed her and she nodded silently and get inside the car.
xxx
The ride going to the palace had been quite, she did not even comment on the man's hell of a driving speed. "This isn't a mobile suit, you know.." she sighed and just turned her head back to the scenery around her. All of a sudden they stopped.
"If there's something you don't want, then just say it.." he said.
"Eh..?" she did not get what he meant.
"Am I driving too fast?" he asked as he turned to her, she shakes her head.
"Ah.. no.. Just that, I don't know how to start a conversation.." she averted her gaze on him.. she has to control herself while she can.
"I see.." he said.. "by the way, have you been on this part of the shore before?" she was obliged to look at the shore behind him. She then asked herself.. "Should I tell him that a part of me is telling yes?" she asked herself and answered.
"No.." she answered in the negative. "Since when did you learn how to tell a lie woman..?" she scolded herself.
"Oh.. I see.. what a waste.. this shore is one of the best part to take a walk and swim.. I'll bring you here next time.." he then restarted the ignition and speed off until she felt him slowing down when they approach the massive gates of the palace. Upon entering its premises, yet again, flashes of the surrounding areas came to her mind. She massages her temple and swallowed hard. "I must be imagining things because I'm hungry.. Yeah.. That's right..my last meal was still yesterday afterall." She did not wait for Athrun to open the door for her and just jumped out as soon as it stopped. Neither did she wait for his lead as her feet seemed to know the way, and before she knew it, she's already in front of the palace's massive doors. Athrun opened the door for her and was greeted by the smiling faces of Lacus, Representative Athha, an elder man and woman.
"Good morning.. I'm glad you came.." It was the Representative, and to her surprise, she took her in his arms and imprisoned her in a hug.
"I'm very happy to see you again.. Thank you for agreeing to our request.." he continued, and there it goes again. The feeling of happiness when he hugged her, she again found familiarity with him.
"Welcome to our home.." It was Lacus' turn to hug her.
"Hime – sama.. I am very happy to see you again.. You just did not know the sadness we've gone through when we thought you died in that war." The elder woman hugged her with tears on her eyes that Victoria did not have the heart to disappoint her, and suddenly..
"Myrna –" she mentioned out of the blue, to her own surprise. The people around her were equally shocked as Myrna had not been introduced to her.
"Cagalli.. I couldn't be any happier than to see you alive and well.. You might not remember us, but there's no doubt that you are our one and only princess.." The elder man said, Victoria looked at him intently and did not counter his words nor did she resist his hug for she felt fondness in the elder man too. "That name again.. Please stop calling me by that name.." she silently agonized.
"Now, why don't we go to the dining table first and let her eat.. If I'm not mistaken, her last meal was still last night.. Come." Athrun suggested.
She followed their happy lead, she didn't have the heart to ruin the mood yet.. They just looked too happy to actually see her. Then they pass through several paintings and photos on the wall, when a specific photo on the wall caught her attention. It was a picture of a familiar teenage girl and an older man. "..Fa – ther..." She stopped on her tracks.. "What was that just now..? Why did I-?" then her eyes shifted to the girl, who for her, seems to be staring at her too. She looked just like her, no.. to be precise, the princess could have been her when she was a teenager. She looked at her golden hair and amber eyes, the same exact one that she has now. Her gaze then proceeded to the next one which features the same princess, albeit a little older and the current Representative, they were both smiling on the picture. Her heart started to beat faster and her head feels like it's going to spin. She turned to them and asked.
"The princess –?"
"Yes.. The older man was Uzumi – san, Uzumi Nara Athha.. and that photo to the left was taken during our eighteenth birthday. Well, we followed her actual birthday since I was born in an artificial womb.." The Representative explained, which added more to her confusion.
"How could this be happening? There's no way that the princess and I are... I – I shouldn't be confused at all. Charles is real.. I am real.. All my memories are real.. This is what I have decided.." she's trying to stabilize her confused emotions as she gazed back to the photo before averting it again and continued walking towards the dining area. The breakfast was lively and she merely listened to the conversation around her which the others did not mind. She also can't help feeling conscious as she can feel Athrun's heated gazes towards her. After eating, she cleared her throat and started.
"I.. I thank you Representative Athha for inviting me over for breakfast.. but I guess, right now, I have to make myself clear as to the reason why I came here. I'm here to deny the claim of being the princess. There's no way I will be.. I have my own past, my own memories, my own family.. All of them I can remember.. though I have to admit that I feel happy to be with you all.." she explained.
"Cagalli.." Athrun called her name, which prompted her to continue.
"But.. I am not Cagalli Yula Athha.. and never will be.. I am Victoria Stuart.. I am me.. I may have disagreements with my past but I can't be anyone else. I am happy to know that you all feel so strongly towards her, but no matter how much I may feel envious about your love for her, I can never wish to be her.." The people around went silent but Kira assumed the obligation to rebut her claims.
"I don't know and can't think of any logical reason why must you have to forget your very own past and claim to be someone else, but there's only one thing that is certain, you are Cagalli. The one and only.. my very own twin – sister. You may had shortcomings before, or may have a bad temper, impolite mouth and rash.. but I will never mistake you with anyone else. Of course, the same is true with everyone here. Myrna – san and Kisaka – san had watched you grown up.. Athrun had always been with you after the first war, and Lacus who knows the difference between you and her own relative. However, if you forgetting about everything is the price to pay for you being alive, then we wouldn't mind Cagalli.. Even if you had forgotten each and every one of us, we will just have to start again and create new memories.." His voice was so kind that she can't help her tears falling.
"Why must all of you have to be so kind to me? What made you so certain that I am the person whom you seek when even I cannot doubt my own existence? Even if I feel familiarity and fondness towards all of you, it's no reason for me to believe of being someone who I am not.." That was an outright lie.. She had doubts.. but she had already made a decision..
"It is because we all love you.. There must be a reason why you forgot everything and have a memory of a different person.. What you had been through had not been easy, being alive after that devastating incident is something that we did not possibly imagine. That is why.. we won't force you to believe us immediately, but if ever a glimpse of memory will start coming back, please don't hesitate to come to us. We will wait no matter how long it takes. Just, don't disappear in front of us again.." Athrun answered, and thus, she can no longer stop her sobs.
"I wish I can just believe in you and rely on that claim. But if I do, wouldn't that make me deny my own self? Deny the person who, as far as I can remember has been with me ever since and never left my side? I can never imagine of such a thing happening, Charles will never betray me.. he has always been kind and looked forward only to my well being. He will never lie to me.. and.. I.. can never betray him.." she said in between sobs. Athrun got up from his seat and brought her to his arms, she did not deny herself of his comfort. His arms are very comforting, and his voice is soothing to her ears.. "Just like how it was before.."
"It's alright Cagalli.. As what Kira had said, we won't rush you.. I won't hurry you either, I will wait.. Just like I've said before, we don't need to rush.. Though I am jealous of the person who took care of you.. whatever his intentions may be, he sounded like a good man to me.. I am jealous of the fact that your world revolved only with him in the past years and that he was able to care for you longer than I did, but I won't regret.. I promised myself not to regret.. If it meant that you are safe, well, and alive.. I would still prefer having to suffer the pain of the past five years.." He never let go of her until she stopped crying.. after realizing what she had done, she averted her gaze from him.. "I can't weaken my resolve now.." She again thought.
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End of the chapter..:) I've finally put the scrapped pages to use again.. ^_^
Read and please review.. Criticisms are very much welcome. This is my first published chaptered story so I want to know what you guys think about it..
The long lost lemons on the next chapter..