DISCLAIMER : I DON'T OWN THE GUNDAM SEED SERIES.
Who Am I?
CHAPTER 18
Flashback :
"I suppose you really surprised."
She jerked up to the voice. She didn't feel his presence there. She's too shocked. She turned her head slowly to the source of that voice and stared at his white skin, his white shirt, his shiny midnight blue hair and his forest green eyes. She was staring at Athrun Zala who stood not far from her. His expression hardens. No smile there. His eyes, she can see it, contain coldness and anger. He took a step forward and started to walk towards her. She can't move her body. Her amber eyes were following him and his every moves.
"I told you, didn't I, Cagalli?" And she flinced at his tone. His cold tone. He stopped before her. Cold emerald eyes staring down at her.
"You can't escape from me."
...
She can feel sunlight hitting her face. Warm. And softness of blanket around her body. So comfortable. She moves a bit and snuggled further into the blanket. A sigh escaping from her lips. So warm, so comfortable. Home sweet home, she thought happily. Then, she frozen. Home? Wait, didn't last time she-
Cagalli jerked from the bed, straighten her body so sudden and regretting immediately after a wave of dizziness attacking her. Closing her eyes, she hold her forehead with her palm. After awhile, she regain her consciousness fully and open her eyes slowly. Glancing around, she knew if she's alone in this room. Her room at the Athrun's mansion. Everything is same, except one thing. The window is open widely now. Sunlight enter upon it, bathing the room with it's warmness. The window, it's open. She stared at it. Last time before she escaped, the window stay closed. Just like the entire time since she came here. She can hear the birds singing outside. Slowly, she arise from her bed and put her legs on the floor. The cold tiles welcomed her foot. Somehow, she still can feel numbness at her body. Then, she slowly stand up and walking towards the window. Fresh air and wind entering her room. She inhales deeply.
"Feel better?" She jumped slightly by that question. She turn around quickly and find Athrun standing at her doorway. His white shirt enveloped his well-toned body, along with black pants. His hair are messy a bit, and his expression-. Cagalli keep staring at him. His expression is blank. She can't read his emotion there. That emerald eyes staring at her, same with her amber eyes towards Athrun. Athrun walking slowly to her direction. Her eyes followed his movement. When he stopped in front of her, her body stiffen. Athrun hand slowly moving, reach her. And Cagalli body frozen in her place. Just when she thought he will slap her or whatever, that hand stopped at her cheeks. His long fingers caress her cheeks gently. Cagalli surprised. He didn't mad?. She is sure before if he will be,no, he must be mad to her because she tried to escaped from here. Awhile ago when she saw him standing at her door, her mind imagined some possibility about what Athrun will do to her. Like slap her, lock her in her room forever or worst, tied her on her bed. But here he is, caress her cheeks gently and Cagalli just staring dumbly to him.
Then, that blank face softens immediately and small chuckle escaping his lips. Smiling, he withdraw his hand from her.
"You should look at your face. What a funny expression."
Cagalli still staring at him dumbly. After awhile, she can find her voice again and asking him.
"You-"
Still smiling, Athrun raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
"You don't mad to me?" She asked him nervously.
"Nope." He paused awhile. "Actually,yes. I did mad. But I knew already if soon or later, you must be tried to run from this place. I didn't predicted it will be that soon. And-" He reach for her and wrapped his arms around her waist, startled her. "-And I can't stay angry to you any longer."
Cagalli blushed. His face so close and his arms wrapped protectively around her waist, make her can't escape from his grasp.
"I am sorry." She staring at the floor, not looking at him.
"Sorry about what?" Athrun stared at the girl who's trapped in his arms.
"I tried to run away from here. From you. Eventhough you told me not to, but I still-"
"Ssshh..." Athrun cut her words with his finger on her lips. "Don't say like that. Just forget it."
"But-"
Athrun sighed. Then, he staring at her and smile.
"Don't apologize. If you really need to apologize, there's someone else that deserve it because he got attacked by you."
Cagalli blushed for a second time. Of course, how could she forgot if she did attacked that poor Leon. And worst, Athrun knew it as well.
Without warning, Athrun suddenly laughing. Cagalli get surprised because he laughing so sudden.
"What's so funny?" She asking him, confused.
"You."
"Me?" She surprised. What the hell make me looks funny anyway?
"Yeah. I just forgot if this wife of mine is strong one and she can kick her own bodyguards out of ways."
"His fault for not letting me go and kept following me." Cagalli mumbled. Athrun laugh harder hear that. Cagalli never failed amuse him. She just glare to him.
"Stop laughing, Zala!"
Chuckling, he wipe his eyes. "Sorry, sorry. But that's just so funny."
Cagalli narrowed her eyes. Athrun just smiling at her angry expression. Then, his hand reach forward, toward her.
"Now,after you found out about this place, it's no use to keep lock you here."
Cagalli staring at his hands. What's that supposed to mean?
Still smiling, Athrun keep his hand reach toward her.
"Come. I will show you something."
She snapped from her thoughts and she staring deeply into his eyes. Yes, she trust him. And she entwined Athrun hand with her own.
...
Lacus concentrating in front of her monitor. Her fingers typing furiously on the keyboard. Her eyes dancing around, following each data in the screen. After awhile reading and searching the data that she got from her "special" ability about programm, she stop. Her expression like she can't believe the screen in front of her. She read and read again. Then, she sighing. Leaning her body into the chair, her gaze flattering.
"Kyle is right." She paused awhile. The screen still active, showing some data in front of her. There's a picture of a woman and some data inside.
"The wound caused from the past still lingering around." She gazing sadly at nothing.
"I have to tell them." And she stand up. Leaving the room and her laptop still active on the table.
...
Cagalli frown. Her hand still holding by Athrun while he lead somewhere God-who-know. She tried to ask him where they will go but that guy just simply answer with gritted her teeth,frustating about this guy act. After she agreed to go with him, he bring her come outside. But before that, she apologized to the poor Leon because she attacked him last time. Her cheeks was burning while apologized and Leon just chuckled and brush it off. Then, she following Athrun go to outside. Walking for seems an hour with his lead. But not for a single second he let go of her hand. Maybe afraid if she trying to escape for the second time. At the thought, she huffed.
"Is something wrong?" His voice make her startled.
"I wonder do you have hidden eyes at the back of your head." Cagalli grumpily asked.
He chuckling. "No. I just hearing you keep sighing and huffing awhile ago since we start walking."
"It just I really want to know where you will bring me to but unlucky, I didn't get the answer."
Athrun smiles to hear that. "Like I said, you will know soon."
"That's it! That's what make me sighing and huffing and grumbling right now! And you still dare to ask what's wrong to-"
"We're here." Athrun cut her sentences. Cagalli stopped her angry talk and glancing around. Without she realize, they come off from the forest that trapping his mansion behind. And now they stand up in the beach. It seems different side of beach that Athrun catched her from escaping before. Cagalli look around. The sea, the sands, the cliff. The sudden recognition hit her, although just a bit. Somehow, she know this place. Like she ever come here but she don't know when. She trying to remember . Is that real? Is she know this place? Did she really-
A soft tapping break her from her trance. She blinking and turn her head. Athrun standing behind her, smiling.
"I think I want to show you something. Since you forgot everything."
Cagalli stare at him. Then, she found her voice again.
"Tell me...did I- did I ever come here?"
Athrun green eyes locked with her amber one. After awhile, his smile is wider than before.
Nodding, he answer her question. "Yes. You did. You ever came here before. With me."
"With you?"
Athrun rubbed the back of his head. "Well, it's not like we came here together. It just like we met here. That's it."
Cagalli stared at him dumbly. "We met here?"
Athrun nodded. "That's right. We met each other for the first time in here. And, I tried to kill you as well here."
Hearing the "tried to kill you" from him make her look at him, scared, and she step back automatically from him immediately.
Athrun realizing her movement and he burst out laughing.
"No need to be afraid. It's not like I bring you here so I can kill you like that time, uh huh. You are my family now, my wife. Of course I won't do that kind of things to you. Kira will kill me as well if I do."
"Don't you dare." Cagalli mumbled.
Athrun still chuckling. Then he give a signal to her to follow him again. Cagalli raised her eyebrows.
"Come. I will show you something else."
Without much ask, she following Athrun. After awhile walking to the other side of beach, they stopped. A cave. A big cave. Cagalli confused.
"Err...you want to show me this cave?"
Athrun staring at the cave and smiling. "It's not just a cave. What I want to show you is something inside this cave."
Cagalli look at the cave. It seems so big and dark.
"Err...enter this cave?" Cagalli ask nervously.
"Yes. Let's go."
Athrun dragging the poor Cagalli behind him to the cave.
...
Dearka sighing comfortably. He lying down on the sofa in his workplace. A nice sleep, he just want it right now. After so many efforts he did to track the mysterious group, he got a little good information. After filling and save the information he get, he decided it won't be hurt if he rest awhile. He knew about Athrun,Kira and Yzak accident before and he determined to find something usefull for them.
His eyes almost closing and he's more than ready to go to dreamland when the phone ringing. Groaned, he forcing his tired eyes open and dragging his body to the table where the phone ringing. Grumbling, he answer the phone.
"Hello."
"Is this Dearka? Please, may I talk to Athrun? I can't reach his cellphone."
Upon hearing Lacus voice, he open his eyes fully.
"Lacus? Oh sorry, but Zala just back to the island about 2 days ago."
"Oh my. Then, can I talk with Kira?"
Alarmed with Lacus tone of urgency, Dearka realize if there's something wrong.
"I will call him. Please wait for a moment. But,Lacus-"
"Yes?"
"Is something wrong?"
Lacus paused awhile, but then she tell him truthfully.
"I find something and I need to tell Athrun right away. But since he's not available right now, I guess I will tell Kira instead. I am sure he will give this information as well to you and Yzak later."
Nodding, Dearka understand her statement. "Got it. I will get Kira now."
...
Cagalli eyes widened. She can't believe her eyes right now. But more than everything, she can't understand why Athrun show her this. Beside her, Athrun standing and looking at the same thing. The big thing in front of them. Eventhough Cagalli just watching this in front of her eyes, she can feel the greatness around the thing. A red machine.
Without letting her eyes off from the red machine, she asking Athrun quietly.
"Is this..."
"ZGMF-X19A Infinite Justice. The Machine that I used at the Second Bloody Valentine War along with Strike Freedom which is piloting by your twin,Kira."
Her eyes widened. Did he just said-
"The machine that you used...is that mean, you are the-"
Turning his attention to her, he speak calmly. Yet, Cagalli can see a bit of sadness on his expression and his tone.
"Yes. I am the pilot. I was the Pilot of this machine in the Second War. I,with this Justice, killed so many people and ended their life."
Hearing his words, somehow she want to hug and comfort him. War, that word feel so horrible for her. And if she feels like that, she can't imagine how about Athrun who just admit if he used this machine to kill people in the war. Then suddenly, she saw some picture on her mind. This machine, no, this Gundam is familiar to her. Shaking her head, she tries to concentrate to Athrun.
"In the past, we trapped in the war. At the first war, I was the enemy for you and your brother since we stand in different side. ZAFT and Earth weren't friendly to each other like what we know now. There was war between them and unlucky, we were in the different side. I was Ace Pilot at ZAFT and my machine was different with this before. Your brother,Kira, in the side of Earth Union that time along with the Archangel and he was there for protected his friends. That time, we fought in the battle so many times. We almost killed each other as well. And as for you, you were the Princess of Orb Kingdom which stay as neutral country. Although at some other time we met at the first time at this island."
"You and Kira, almost killed each other at the past?" She can't believe it.
Athrun stared at her. His gaze somehow sad and full of memories.
"War, it won't let you choosed about your feeling towards someone who you loves and your duties for your country. It just will make you as killing machine for the country that you served. It-"
"Stop it!" Without warning, she run to him and hug him tightly. Athrun surprised at her reaction.
"Cagalli?"
She just tightened her grip on Athrun body.
"Damn it. Just stop talk to me with that kind of expression and tone."
"Huh? What kind of expression and tone?" He confused about her statement.
"Your face and tone, they are full of sadness and pain. If your words are right about war make you as killing machine, then stop blaming yourself about it. You dumb."
Athrun blinked. This woman, surely is something. Without telling that far to her, she understand his feeling, his regretfull feeling which he keep deepest in his heart. People usually talking to him about his heroic act along with Kira, for them to help the world reach a peace. No one realize if actually he still have regret about his past, when he killed people whose stand in his way in the war. He was sure if Kira understand his feeling but he just keep silent about it. Since Kira have that kind of regret same with him as well. That way, they understand each other feeling. But this woman, although she lost mostly of her memories, she can understand and read him very well without so many words. Maybe he can't forgive himself for his act at past. But this woman said if that was not his fault and make him feel he is forgiven. Athrun smiles at the woman who hug him so tight.
Caressing her soft hair, he murmured to her.
"Thank you, Cagalli. Thank you, for coming to my life."
...
Kira expression hardened at the screen. Beside him, Dearka extracted and looking for more information based on data which Lacus just give to them. But something that he know, something which happened in the past is linked with this event. Since Kira expression show it all. Lacus send them some data and information which she said if her friend that she trust so much give it to her. And after Kira accept and open it, he seems know someone in the data because his expression stiff so sudden.
"Is this true, Lacus?" Kira as her. They talk via video call after she send them the data. Lacus in the screen nodded.
"Yes, it is. My dear friend have a very good source and she gave it to me after I asked for her help. With that data, I believe you must be recognize something."
Kira frowning. His eyes glancing at the picture of someone from the data Lacus send.
"I know it. I just can't believe it. If that person is one of them, then it must be grudge because that time we-"
"Kira-" Lacus interrupt him, "what did happened at past, you don't need to thinking and regret it again and again. What we must to do, is how we fix it at present time."
Kira keep silent at her words. Dearka who listening at their conversation just staring at his screen.
"Right now, you must inform Athrun about this. As soon as possible. I just worry because Cagalli is in there as well. Who knows what will that person do to them."
Hearing his sister names called, Kira snapped from his mind. That's right, he have to tell Athrun about this and if possible, catch and force that person to tell them about this group.
"I will try to contact him after this. Thank you so much Lacus."
Lacus nodded at her husband. "Just, be carefull there, Kira. You too, Dearka."
Kira smiles at her.
"Yes. We will."
...
Well, sorry for long update and short chapter. And I am so sorry to my dear beta reader because I publish this without asking you. But I really thankfull for your help at the last chapter. Hope we can still work together after this. Thank you so much. And thank you for all the reader who read this one. I will do my best for next.
色々な事、有難うございます。
AZMARIA EVE