Hello again! Long time no see... just kidding. Last update was hardly two days ago, hahaha. Another chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy it.

Torment

Chapter Seven

Amber eye's slowly blinked as her conscious emerged from it's slumber. Everything around her seem to pool into big blobs of undefinable objects. She raised a hand to rub the tiredness from her eyes, hoping to bring some clarity to her world. The blonde looked forward as everything came to focus, slowly taking in the details of her room. It was just as bland as the previous cages. Although it was apparent that this was no prison. Various machine's chimed to her right, bleeping in unison with her heart. The room glowed from the outside light, reflecting brightly off the white walls. A nurturing warmth cloaked the open space giving an almost angelic feel, it didn't feel real. She looked to her right, seeing the smallest of movement. Her eye's widening at the discovery, there was no way she was still alive.

"Cagalli" the figure greeted warmly, a small smile creasing his lips. It was such a relief to see the blonde okay. She stared back in disbelief at the brown haired man, it couldn't be.

"Kira" she said softly, her voice being rather raspy due to the long slumber. She looked him up and down ensuring that it was really him. Aside from an arm in a sling and several cuts and bruises he was otherwise okay. She motioned him closer, trying to get him within arm's reach to see if he was really there. She didn't trust her eyes in the slightest.

He leaned just within her reach, allowing her wrap an arm around him. The warmth, the smell, it really was him. The actualization made her hug him all the tighter, not wanting to let him go.

"How, I thought..." she couldn't understand. There was so much blood, how was it even possible that he made it out of there. Her brain slowly tried to recall through the past memories but it was too muddled by the overwhelming happiness coursing through her. She couldn't be bring herself to worry about such dreary things right now.

"I'm fine, just a few scratches" Kira said, his smile unrelenting. He too, found all the worry from the past month melt away as the blonde was now safe.

"What happened" Cagalli pressed, clearing her throat so she could breathe a bit easier. Her strength was slowly returning, feeling more energized by the minute.

"Some doctor pronounced me dead and they tossed me to the curb" he said with a laugh, a little more jokingly then he should have. Her eye twitched upon hearing the information, was it Dino? It seemed like such a careless mistake that he didn't seem capable making. Did he purposely do it then? She ran her hand through her hair, trying to clear her head from the abundance of growing questions. She was thankful. Both her and her brother were alive and well. She looked down at herself, a sudden thought dawning on her. Where was he now? Did he simply just return to his doom, or was he amongst the wind now? She looked back at Kira hoping for something to break the silence and to preoccupy her growing concerns.

"He wasn't as lucky as you" he said slowly, noticing the glimpse of curiosity in the blonde eyes. "3 GSW's to the chest-" Gun shot wounds... he was most likely dead as she guessed previously. She didn't know how to feel about this information, it was rather conflicting."In a coma" Kira concluded, looking at his sister intently, noticing her odd reaction. The behaviour was rather concerning as she'd usually be disinterested in the lives of others, but maybe he was reading to far into her reaction. She sighed loudly, feigning disinterest in his words noticing her brother's watchful gaze. She didn't want to worry him about her behavioural changes, he'd be sure to pester her to talk to a shrink or something. She frowned trying to think of something to draw her brothers attention away from her. He shouldn't have to worry about her.

"You hear about Dad?" she said out of the blue, breaking the overly long silence. Kira's face fell to a sombre expression from the statement.

"Yea..." as he too hung his head in sadness. She shook her head at the thought trying to control the consuming sadness. Why did she have to mention this. The brunette grabbed her hand trying to comfort her, he knew what their father meant to her. She tried her best to control the raging feelings, not wanting to worry her brother. He was no doubt just as upset as she was, and she didn't want to draw away from his own grief. A long silence followed as each of them honoured the memories of Uzumi. After a while, there was a loud knock at the door.

"I'll get it" Kira said, leaving the blondes side.

"Cagalli, I'm going to have to go. Some work came up" he said, as he stuck his head back through the doorway. The blonde rolled her eye's at statement, work in his state would be silly. He'd most likely end up getting someone shot. Then again, there were the unknown fates of the others soldier's that was with him when they tried to free her. "Don't leave the hospital, or the wing for that fact. There's guards posted just in case"

"Yea, don't worry" the blonde said, giving a quick wave before he left. She wouldn't force him to stay. The room came increasing colder with each moment that passed after he left. Being left alone only caused her inner emotions to become increasing overwhelming. She hugged her torso trying hard to keep some of the warmth that was so quickly leaving. It was so much easier with someone there with her. Although she would never bother Kira with her unneeded request. She couldn't do that after everything he had done for her. The monitor beside her became more annoying as it became quicker in pace.

Before things could get any worse she swung her feet off the side of the bed, pulling the various wires from her chest and arm. She winced in pain as her hand started to bleed from the IV, but the pain was nothing compared to the hovering emotions. Maybe a small walk would help calm her down. Steadying herself on the bed, she took a few shakey steps. Her legs getting use to weight relatively quick.

It seemed like things were finally going in a more positive direction so far. It was such a relief that Kira was okay, but even that couldn't overcome everything that had happened.

Kisaka.

Uzumi.

Kira ended up shot and there was the platoon of military soldiers that were missing. She sighed out loud at the thought, she was a magnet for trouble. It didn't help that she was unscathed after everything that happened, it just wasn't right. She exited the small room, checking down the hallway in each direction. On one side, there were two large doors with a single guard standing post. On the other, a dead end, merely having a few rooms.

Overall it was a rather small area, maybe 5-6 rooms total. It didn't give much room for a decent walk, but she would take what she could get. After passing three empty rooms it dawned on her that she might be the only one here aside from the guard. The thought provoked the raging emotions that were fighting so hard to run rampant. The overwhelming feelings were dizzying making her world spin for a split second. Before she knew it, she was falling towards the ground, losing her balance. The blonde attempted to grab the nearest thing to steady herself, only managing to take a hold of a door handle which did little to ease the fall. She fell into the room with a quiet thud, she couldn't be bothered to get up. A loud sigh was heard as she rolled over on her back, how annoying.

What she would do just to go back to her regular self, she felt so broken right now. The self pity didn't sit well with the raging guilt. She focused her thoughts to the surroundings, hoping to preoccupy her mind. Although the white ceiling did little too interest her. She closed her eyes, listening to the quiet hum of the air conditioning as a soothing song. A loud bleep made her jump, immediately making her sit upright to find the source. It hit her that there was someone else in the room. The blonde got to her feet immediately, curiosity slowing taunting her. Her eye's landed on the blue haired man, her consciousness stirring at the sight.

Dino.

Her eye's caught a glimpse of steel, handcuffs minding him to the frame of the bed. He was now a prisoner, the irony. He was another person that got hurt in her cross fire. By the looks of it, we wasn't doing too well in his given state. Masses of tubes and wires were strewn over him, he didn't get the mere heartrate monitor and fluid IV she had. He was still unconscious but it was understandable. Thick cotton gauze wrapped his torso, although spotty red patches had begun bleed through. He seemed so at peace in his sleep, she felt bad that she'd gotten him involved. She sighed at the thought, shouldn't be mad at what he did. She frowned at her indecisiveness. Then again he did save Kira. Hell he even saved her, if he didn't do what he did then Kira would have lost even her on top of the loss for her father. She'd never forgive herself for acting so irrational, she was lucky he got her out of there alive. Maybe a thank you was in order. ..

It was incredible how clear she could recall through her memories now, it was like finally able to emerge from the thick fog. The clarity was like a fresh breathe of air. She tilted her head as she thought through the situation. The creeping cold had disappeared now, a warmth becoming incredibly prevalent. She didn't understand were the feelings were coming from. She looked back down at the man. He protected her and for the first time in a while she didn't feel so vulnerable. Sighing, she pulled over a chair from the corner. She knew he didn't have anyone much like the position she found herself in. Although she now had Kira and he was still alone. She'd even managed to get out the situation unscathed and he'd taken three bullets. He'd given her her brother back, surely he should be able to wake up and not be abandoned.

She took a seat in the chair, pulling her legs to her chest. She would be thankful for what he did.

Fun chapter lah! Really fun to write! I hope you all enjoyed it. I'll see you next update!