Chapter 6

It's your fault.

No it's not.

You know it is.

No! No!

It's your fault I'm dead.

Shiho woke up. Sweat was covering her shaking body. Unconsciously, she took her mobile phone and after pressing a few buttons she put it to her ear.

Yzak growled as he heard his phone ringing. He turned in his bed and looked at his alarm clock. 2.37. His mate, Yuna put his head under his pillow.

"Who is the fucker who calls me this late?"

"Just answer it!" complained Yuna.

He took his phone and look at the ID. His angry look was replaced by a surprised one. He answered and murmured a "Hello".

"Yzak? I-I am sorry."

From what he could hear, Shiho was confused and her voice wasn't as steady as usual. Did she have a nightmare again?

"That's ok, don't worry." Yzak didn't know what to say. It was not everyday that girls called him at night to look for some comfort.

"I-I don't even know wh-why I called you, I am sorry, goodnight."

She hung up before Yzak had a chance to say something. Yzak looked at his phone for a while then got up and put on some trousers and a shirt. He then left the room and went outside the building. He walked toward the bench where he had found Shiho a few weeks ago. As he approached, he saw someone there. He sat next to her and said nothing. They stayed like that for a while until Shiho got up.

"Thank you, Yzak."

She was about to leave when Yzak hold her back.

"Whenever you need, just call me."

He then let go of her wrist. I definitely have to find what's troubling her, he thoughts as he watched her go away.

Shiho returned to her dormitory. Why did I call him? Why didn't I call Cagalli? Why do I feel so quiet around him? Shiho shook her head and went back in her bed. Her thoughts now filled with Yzak.

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Cagalli was walking toward her classroom. The sun was shining and Cagalli felt the warm on her skin and smiled to herself. Soon summer break, she thought. She was thinking at all the fun stuff she could do with her friend. They had to cheer up Miriallia, who had been really moved by her accident. She also thought about Shiho. Her friend was acting strange lately. I guess Lacus is the one without problem to deal with. Then she thought about Meer going through her friend's stuff. I take that back. She was nearing her classroom when she heard the voice of her biggest problem in this school.

"Ca-ga-lli♪!!"

Cagalli sighed. She was usually very careful as to not run into Yuna but lost in her thought, she had been caught off guard.

"What do you want?" She thought that if she was rude with him, he would leave her alone but unfortunately it didn't seem to work.

"You know what I want." Yuna looked at her with what he thought was his sexy look.

"And I have already answered you!!"

She turned around to leave but Yuna caught her arm. Cagalli turned back to him, her face making clear that she wasn't liking it.

"Let go of me." She said, threatening.

"Not until you accept to go out with me."

Cagalli was now mad. She clenched her fist but before she could throw it to Yuna's hateful face, an arm came around her shoulders. She looked up to see who dared to act so friendly with her. When she saw blue hair and green eyes, she stopped, unable to say anything. She blushed a little.

"Athrun?"

"Hey, Cagalli." He greeted her before turning his attention to Yuna.

"Could you explain me what you're doing?"

"It's none of your business, Zala."

"That's where you're wrong. Let me explain it to you. It's been weeks you're bothering her, and it's been weeks I want to punch you for that. Do you see what I mean?"

Cagalli looked at Athrun bewildered. Had he say what she had just heard?

"She's not yours, mind your own business."

"Wrong again."

"What? You mean, her and you, you- ??" Yuna was lost. Since when this two were dating each other? Athrun smiled while moving closer to Cagalli.

"Now, if you could let her go."

Yuna freed Cagalli, staring at the two and then entered the classroom. Once out of sight, Athrun took off his arm from Cagalli's shoulders.

"Sorry about that. You looked very pissed off and I kind of hate this guy." apologised Athrun.

"That's ok" murmured Cagalli.

Athrun smiled at her before entering the class. Cagalli watch him go. She was feeling awkward inside. She shook her head, chasing the ideas she was having and entered the classroom as well.

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Miriallia was seated in the cafeteria, at their usual table, a blank expression on her face. She didn't hear Lacus, Shiho and Cagalli arrived.

"This look," said Lacus, "is the look of a girl in love."

Miriallia snapped back to the reality and made a face.

"Nonsense."

"Come on Milly, you've been like that since, well we all know since when." Said Cagalli avoiding talking about the accident.

"Looks like the victim falled in love with her saviour. That's so cute!" added Shiho.

"What are you talking about?", Miriallia was now blushing, "Dearka is a playboy and a big mouth."

"Maybe but he also went in a burning building to save you.", pointed Lacus.

Miriallia was saved form this stressful talk by the guys. Kira took his seat next Lacus and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Come on Kira," said Dearka, "she is you're girlfriend for weeks and this is all you're doing?"

"Shut up, Dearka. I am not a pervert like you, running after every single girl crossing your path."

"I might say that since I have been hurt in that fire, I don't have to run after girls anymore. They're all dying to take care of me."

"Wondering why?", murmured Yzak.

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Weeks went by and soon the last school day before the summer break arrived. They have had exams all the weeks and had still one today. Yzak was drinking a coffee, trying to fight back his sleepiness. Shiho had called him last night, as she was used to. Their meetings were still the same. Both stayed silent until she was feeling better. Someone sat in front of him and he shot up his eyes.

"What's with the sleepy look? You didn't have enough sleep? Spent you're night with a girl?"

Cagalli was in the mood to tease him.

"Indeed, yes." Yzak replied.

"Really?" Who?"

"None of your business. Where is your other devil half?" Although, they passed many nights together, Shiho and Yzak's relationship hadn't changed. At day he was her amusement and at night her reassurance. This girl was twisted.

"If you're talking about Shiho, she's getting ready. She overslept."

"Wondering why?", grumbled Yzak, ironically.

"What?"

"Huh, nothing."

Suddenly, Yzak looked at Cagalli as if he was seeing her through a new day.

"What?" asked Cagalli, now scared.

"Can we have a talk after class?"

"What for?"

"You'll see. Let's say at 4 behind the building. Ok?"

Cagalli couldn't object as Kira and Lacus arrived.

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Miraillia was stretching her stiffed body. The four hour exam had taken all her energy. She looked at Lacus, seated next to her and saw that she looked as tired as she did. The teacher had just gathered the copies.

"Ok, before you leave, I have something to announce." Said the teacher while clearing his desk. "Since most of you are leaving tomorrow, the Director decided to let you go out of school tonight."

Exclamations of joy filled the room.

"Quiet, I haven't finished yet. You're allowed to go out but you have to be back for 10."

Now, the students were complaining.

"I know it's early, but it's the rule so follow it. Well, I wish you happy holidays."

When the teacher was gone, Cagalli turned to her friends.

"What do you say about going out to have dinner?"

The group agreed and they decided to meet at the school gate at 6. Everyone went their separate way. Lacus had a last meeting with her singing group, Athrun and Kira went to play football, Dearka went to meet is last date and Miriallia and Shiho went to her room to finish packing their stuff.

Cagalli, was walking toward the back of the main building, wondering what Yzak wanting to talk to her about. When she arrived, he was already there.

"So, what do you want?"

Cagalli crossed her arms waiting.

"I want you to tell me what happened to Shiho." Yzak said very calmly.

"What?" Cagalli stared at him, "Why do you want to know?"

"Just tell me."

"No, it's none of your business." Cagalli was now angry.

Yzak looked like he was loosing his temper and it bothered Cagalli even more.

"What the hell! Just tell me."

"It's Shiho's personal life and it doesn't concern you." Cagalli yelled.

"When I have to get up in the middle of the night just to keep her company, I think I have the right to know why!" Yzak yelled back.

"What? What do you mean?" Cagalli's voice was now very low.

"Well, she kind of took the habit to call me whenever she has a nightmare. I just try to understand. At night she's all afraid and quiet and at day, she is the strong girl with her big mouth."

"Why does she call you?" said Cagalli, more to herself than to Yzak, "Why didn't she tell me about it. And I thought her nightmares were gone!" Cagalli laughed at herself, "What a bad friend I am." She was now very sad she hadn't noticed Shiho's distress. No wonder why she had turned to someone else to comfort her, although she was wondering how Shiho could find any comfort in Yzak.

Yzak stared at Cagalli. She was looking sad. He hadn't meant to sadden her.

"Ok, I'll tell you. If it's for Shiho's sake then I'll tell you. But I am warning you, if you tell anyone about that, I swear that you'll never have any children." She said very seriously.

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At 6, the group had gathered at the front gate. Dearka had taken Megumi with him and Kira and Athrun had invited Tolle to join them. Cagalli and Yzak weren't here yet.

"Where is Cagalli?" asked Shiho, "she didn't even finish her packing."

"Ah there she is!" said Kira pointing a finger toward Cagalli.

"Where have you been?"

Cagalli couldn't lift her eyes to Shiho. She was feeling sad, angry and remorseful all at once. Sad because she hadn't be able to help her best friend. Angry because her said best friend hadn't ask for her help and remorseful because she felt like she had betrayed Shiho in telling about her problems. Shiho saw the look of discomfort on Cagalli's face.

"Cagalli, is something wrong?"

Cagalli quickly changed her attitude. The least she could do was to not make her more worry.

"Yeah, I am ok. I am soooo hungry. Let's go!"

"We're still waiting for Yzak." Said Athrun.

"What is he doing?" this time it was Dearka's turned to complain.

"I am here."

Yzak had popped out of nowhere surprising everybody. He stole a glance at Shiho before heading for the bus stop. The group followed. Miriallia was walking next to Lacus. She was staring at Megumi, who was taking care of Dearka as if he had lost his arm, clinging at Deark's (unharmed) arm.

"Don't be jealous," murmured Lacus, "you worse a lot more than this girl and if Deraka doesn't see it then he is an idiot."

Miriallia smiled to Lacus. She was always amazed how Lacus could understand her friends. She knew she could trust her.

"Thanks Lacus."

They were waiting for the bus when they heard voices calling them. The group turned to discover Flay, Meer and Yuna running toward them. Athrun instantly went next to Cagalli still playing the boyfriend when Yuna was here and Yzak made a face.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"We want to come with you, please Yzak Darling." said Flay pleading.

"No way!"

"Why? Why are those girls coming and we can't?" she asked pointing at the girls.

"Because they're friends, you're not!"

Everybody was shocked to hear those words coming from Yzak's mouth, and the three didn't even argue as the bus arrived and the group of friends boarded.

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At 9.30, they were back at school after having dinner and fun. Everyone says goodnight to each other and goodbye as they wouldn't see each others for a while. Yzak discretly gave her a piece of paper and left. Before the girls could enter their dormitory, they were stopped by Tolle.

"Miriallia, wait!"

"What is it, Tolle?" she asked surprised.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?"

She agreed and stayed behind with him. Tolle was looking uncomfortable, and as he began to talk he was looking at his feet.

"Miriallia, well I-I have some feelings for you and-and I wanted to know If maybe, if that's ok with you, if you would accept to go out w-with me, after the summer break not right now of course, hé hé?"

Miriallia hadn't expected it. She had a friend relationship with Tolle, nothing more. But since the accident, Tolle was more eager toward her but she thought that it was because he felt bad for her, not because he loved her.

"Tolle, I am really flattered but right now having a boyfriend is not what I am looking for. I am still not over what happened and I am not ready to-" He didn't let her the chance to finish.

"That's ok, I understand. Take the time you need. I'll take another chance in 2 months." He said smiling. "Enjoy your holidays, and don't forget to write e-mails to me!"

Without waiting for her reply, he turned around and left. Miriallia stayed there for a while, lost in her thought. She had just rejected a fine guy. And for what? Because she had some feelings for a guy who didn't care about her. She sighed and decided to forget everything about Dearka Elthman during the holidays. As the French say "Loin des yeux, loin du Cœur".

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Shiho was finishing packing when she remembered the paper Yzak had given her. She took it out from her pocket and unfolded it. A single line was written.

If you need to talk during the holidays, just fell free to do so.

Shiho smiled to herself and proceeded in her packing.

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Cagalli and Kira were waiting for their mother to pick them up, seated on their suitcases. Suddenly someone jumped on Kira and he fell on the ground. Cagalli was shocked until she recognized Lacus on her brother. She smiled and walked a little far off, giving the couple some intimacy.

"Kira," said a teary Lacus, "I'll miss you sooo much!"

"Lacus, we're seeing each other in two weeks!!"

"I know but it is still so long!"

Kira stood up and took Lacus in his arms.

"I'll call you everyday."

"Really?"

"Really!"

She stayed in each other arms until Ms Yamato arrived. They put the suitcases in the trunk.

Cagalli hugged Lacus before taking her seat in the car.

"So, this is Kira's girlfriend?" asked Ms Yamato.

"Yes."

"She is really pretty."

"She is also very nice."

"How did Kira do to seduce such a beautiful girl?"

"Well, she seduced him."

When Kira entered the car, mother and daughter broke into laughter.

"What?" asked Kira, completely lost.

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I am sorry, it took me longer than usual to update. Anyway tell me what you think so far. I know that this chapter is a bit long but I wanted to separate school days from holidays. Also I don't know when I will be able to update as I am going to Paris for a few days.

Loin des yeux, loin du Coeur : I don't know if this proverb exists in english. If it is please let me know. It means Far from the eyes, far from the heart, more or less.