Fate's Decree
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny.
Athrun's POV
I paced back and forth the wide office pondering for a long time about official matters. It has been four years since the second bloody valentine war and things have been peaceful since then, both in Earth and in Plants. During those years the Naturals and Coordinators have begun to accept each other living side by side. Slowly, Coordinators are returning to earth and a lot of Naturals are beginning to settle down in Plants. Everything seems to be in perfect order and the ideal peace everyone has thought impossible to happen during the war was now ours. Still, there was something that bothered me so much. No matter how much the world has changed after the war, I never really did find true peace.
"We are currently working on a program to strengthen connections between Plants and Earth," said the pink haired woman in the television. "I assure you that all of us world leaders will do our best to make this dream into a reality. We are all optimistic with the idea of an exchange student program between the nations. We are hoping that our endeavors will be shared by all so that we can execute this plan as early as possible. But as of now, I cannot reveal the full details yet about this plan since further arrangements are still being debated and thought through. Thank you everyone."
"And that was Plants supreme council chairwoman Lacus Clyne for her speech regarding current plans of the World Council of Leaders for peace. Truly we hope for the success of this program. We will continue to report updates regarding this matter. Once again, this is-"
I turned off the huge screen which was situated a few meters away from my desk still deep in thought. An exchange program would indeed be a good way to bridge the differences of the two races. The children and youth will be raised in a world where there is no discrimination between Naturals and Coordinators. As expected of Lacus, I'm sure she was the one who brought this idea up to the WCL.
I was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in."
A red-head with twin tails entered the room bringing with her stacks of envelopes. She raised her hand for a salute. I returned the gesture.
"Commander, here are the written reports of the last mission and some papers that need your signature. There is also a letter from Ms. Lacus, sir."
"Thank you, Meyrin. I'll look over these later," I replied. There was a stagnant pause. The room was silent as I gave a deep sigh looking at the new pile of papers I have to read. I stared out the window blankly. "It's been four years already huh?"
"Indeed sir. How time passes by so quickly!" she answered with wonder in her voice. Meyrin was still the child-like girl I first met when I was aboard the Minerva. She was then a shy girl who always thought little of herself because of her inferiority complex with her sister. After the war, I saw her grow up into the fine young woman she is now. She would no longer hold her tongue and would speak up about her views.
"So much has changed in the span of four years."
"The only permanent thing in this world is change," she replied rather wisely. "True enough, without us noticing it, the people we once knew are now like strangers and the ones we once considered our greatest enemies are now our most loyal allies."
"You are right about that, Meyrin." I couldn't help but feel awe at her words. I admit that I was hit by the things she said for in those four years, I have engrossed myself in work so much that I was no longer able to keep track of my old comrades on Earth. I heard tidbits of news about them but I never really bothered to know more. Not once did I return to Earth after the war and that added to my ignorance to the fates of my friends.
"Don't you think it dull having to sit all day and make arrangements for me?" I asked rather curiously.
With an ecstatic tone, she immediately answered, "Nope. I always think of the day as mine so even though the job is normally tiring and boring, I still have fun. Smiling the day away helps."
She showed me her grin revealing the white pearls she hid. "How about you, Commander?"
"You'd think that now that I've become Supreme Commander of ZAFT, I'd get more action But no. Instead, I'm stuck here in this office doing paper work."
I'm glad that I had Meyrin commissioned as my secretary. I've always trusted Meyrin ever since she saved me during the war. She is not just my secretary but also my friend whom I could tell my complaints and worries.
"If I may ask sir, would you prefer to fight in the frontlines, again," Meyrin asked.
"No. I would never want another war to happen. I'd rather have this peace we are experiencing right now. I just don't like the idea of staying cramped here in this office."
"Well, that is part of your responsibility, sir," she giggled a bit.
"Why are you laughing?" I inquired curiously.
"It's nothing, sir," she denied.
"Anyways, is that all?"
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you, Meyrin. Please leave me," I said. As much as I wanted to talk more with an old friend, I also just can't dally around. There are a lot of things to do and there will be a meeting with the top officers of ZAFT later in the afternoon.
Meyrin left me to myself. I sat idly in his chair looking at the office—my office. I thought about the many things that have happened after the war. I was promoted from red coat to captain and then my promotions just continued on after that until I reached the highest position in the Zaft military. Lacus and Kira weren't falling behind if I knew them better. After the war, almost everyone decided that Lacus was the best choice for chairwoman. She was elected at the age of 20. In the two years she has been at the top position, she has earned more praises from the people of Plants because of her loyalty to the public and for her advocate views of peace doing everything she can to maintain order in Plants.
Kira, on the other hand, enlisted in the military mainly because of my and Lacus' suggestions. His heroism during the two wars earned him the respect of the people. His skill in combat (they said he was over qualified to undergo cadet training) easily had him promoted to a commander and is now a certified part of the Plants' council. Even with their career and hectic schedules, Kira and Lacus never did break up. I still remember the reactions of the people when Lacus and Kira announced their relationship. Apparently, everyone still thought that my engagement to Lacus was still in effect even during the war. At first, there were many who were against it but somehow people began to accept that Lacus and I were just arranged by our parents and that Lacus and Kira were meant for each other.
Good for them. I would always think. Destiny seems to have made its way into their lives and made them what they are now. I was happy for them both. I am happy for them. I just wish and hope that I could find my own real happiness.
I looked at the table with mountains of paperwork. Even though I've already been in this position for a year I still despise the idea of having to read and sign so many documents. Then, there were also council meetings and military briefings to look forward to. If I were to decide, I'd rather be on the field, training my men and getting some action myself. I needed it after all. Protocol, however, dictates that I belong in my office so that I can go over some plans, strategies for the good of the ZAFT soldiers and the people of PLANTS.
On the pile of folders and papers, a small envelope with intrinsic designs caught my attention. It was formal and yet it had the aura of happiness and joy. The aroma it had spread across the room. Lilacs, I figured. Lacus was so fond of those flowers that I've learned to equate them with her. I remember that Lacus first saw lilacs on the lush plains of Orb their sweet scent pervading the air. She had loved them ever since and she would often pick some and offer them to the memorial of those who died during the war. She was like those small violet flowers-sweet and attractive.
As I opened the envelope which enclosed an invitation, I couldn't help but smile.
You Are Invited to Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne's Engagement Ball
-ooOoo-
The room was filled with sweet aroma of lavender and lilacs. The grand chandelier that hung up above gave the room a luminous glow. All around, he saw gentlemen dressed in their formal attires while the women were draped in floor length dresses in an exquisite show of colors and patterns. An orchestra of music and laughter could be heard as the guests greeted and conversed with each other. In the center of the room, couples were dancing to the rhythm of the music. Waiters in their black uniform were scurrying around bringing drinks to the guests. Many important people were in attendance including royalties and nobles from different countries on earth as well us council members and high ranking officials in Plants. This was the engagement party of the chairwoman of Plants and the legendary hero-turned-Zaft commander. The media would have had a fiasco in the party if not for the high security and restrictions against them. Only a few were allowed a pass to cover the engagement ball.
Athrun was in a regal black suit that brought about the beauty in his eyes. His hair was combed neatly and it was quite evident that women stared at him while men felt insecure. He could hear the people gossiping about him as he passed by them. It was normal. Indeed, he had gotten used to such things. He was the son of a politician whom many people looked up to that's why he grew up in these kinds of situations. He was trained about what to do and how to be polite when handling people. He had mastered it like how he had mastered the art of fighting and it became like his sixth sense.
"Commander Zala sure is looking handsome tonight," he heard a girl say to her friend.
"Are you blind? He's always handsome. Every girl practically wishes to be his girlfriend," her brunette friend whispered.
"Eh, but I hear that he doesn't have a girlfriend."
"That's what the rumors say. I doubt it though. Why would this dream-guy have no girl? He can get any girl he wants if you ask me." It was really annoying listening to people who are talking as silently as they could when the one they are talking about is you. It was like being backstabbed while knowing about it.
He didn't mind them that much. With a smirk in his face and an air of superiority and authority, he made his way to the couple in a corner of the room. They were smiling and shaking hands with some important people of PLANTS and earth.
"Athrun!" he heard the bride-to-be shout. She was walking to him in a fast pace, her long pink tresses flowing beautifully with the wind behind her. She gave him a light hug and smiled at him.
"It's great that you could attend," Kira said walking over to him and like Lacus, giving him a brotherly hug. Athrun patted his best friend's shoulder. "How could I miss such a joyous occasion? Congratulations to the two of you!" he replied with a smile on his face.
Indeed, it was a splendid sight, seeing two important people in his life being together through many hardships and now finally tying the knot. Lacus was once his fiancé and the whole of Plants rejoiced in their engagement. It was, however, not out of love but for political reasons. True enough, he once considered his feelings of compassion to Lacus as romantic love. She wasn't hard to care for. She was kind, gentle and wise. However, as the war evolved he soon realized that his feelings for Lacus Clyne were merely that of a brother to a sister. And as he watch the friendship of his best friend, Kira Yamato and the girl he has desperately tried to fall in love with, grow into something more, he knew that it would only be good not just for her but also him that they break the engagement.
Kira was now standing beside Lacus with his hands on her waist. It was quite obvious that they belonged to each other. Lacus was wearing a lavender strapless gown with a white ribbon and accent. In her hair was the signature pin she always wore and her neck was adorned with a simple necklace which was given to her by Kira during their 3rd anniversary as a couple. A beautiful silver ring with an amethyst was on her finger, a sign that she was soon to be Kira's wife. Kira on the other hand wore a formal tux and his usually disheveled hair was now neatly combed. His ash mauve eyes gleamed beautifully and Athrun could see the happiness his best friend felt.
"So, when's the wedding?" he blurted.
"We haven't decided the exact date yet," Lacus softly answered looking at Kira then back at Athrun. "We were thinking maybe a few weeks from now."
"A few weeks? Isn't that a bit short for the preparation?" Athrun countered.
"We know but we only want it to be simple. Besides, we've already been planning this even when we weren't engaged yet," Kira defended.
"And Athrun...we cannot stay away too long from our work just for this wedding. We have agreed that the grandeur of the wedding matters not for it is the vows and promises that we shall say to each other which will matter. Am I incorrect?" Lacus said. Athrun kept silent and slowly said, "No." Indeed, she really was wise. A word from her would make an argument end and even the great Athrun Zala could not stand a chance of winning.
"Well, I am looking forward to your marriage. It's about time for the two of you. I'll gladly help in whatever way I can," he said with a grin.
Kira and Lacus looked at each other and laughed. Athrun was a bit puzzled by this and he wanted to desperately ask them why they were acting like that but he soon got his answer. Kira stopped laughing and started to say, "Of course you'll be helping! You're the best man! It's your job to assist me on whatever it is I have to do."
Athrun wasn't shocked at this. It was quite obvious that he being the groom's best friend should become his best man. It was the fact that he actually forgot about that and was very slow on the pickup of the root of the couple's laughter that caught him silent for a bit.
"It's an honor Kira," he said.
"It is I who should be thanking you for accepting," the brunette coordinator said with a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Anyway Athrun, I guess we really should excuse ourselves for a while. We have to greet the other guests," she said. "I hope you enjoy the party."
"Yes of course. I'll excuse myself then." He gave a slight quick bow and Kira did the same while Lacus gave a small curtsy. Athrun then turned towards the mingling crowd. The party was now a bit livelier and noisier. There were more couples on the dance floor and more guests are arriving by the hour. He greeted the important people and started conversing with them about the to-be-married couple.
"This marriage will be epic," the ambassador from Spain said.
"Indeed, the media will have something to talk about for weeks," implied his wife.
"I am happy for them. It is a sign of hope for everyone," the queen of Britain stated. She was an old woman and yet she still had that air of regal superiority. Athrun admired her for she was a wise queen who wished for Naturals and Coordinators to live side by side. Everyone listened to her words intently. "Truly those two have suffered enough during the war. And yet look at them. They have found each other and are now happily living their lives. We should be like them. Let us forget those past hurts and remember the mistakes we made so that we shall not be repeating the same mistake all over again. I guess it is time to move on."
Her words hit him like a bell.
Move on...It was something he has tried to do ever since he chose to return to Plants. He thought he had done just that. However, deep inside him, he knew he hadn't quite let go of the past so that he could start a new life. No matter how much he tried, he could never bring himself to start all over again without those he treated as treasures in his pitiful existence. He excused himself from them before he could hear his heart break even more because of the striking words the wise queen said.
"Zala!" He turned around to where the voice came. He saw the figure of a tanned blonde coordinator materialize. Dearka hasn't changed a bit. He was still the noisy flirt of a comrade he knew during the war. With him was a girl with auburn-colored hair in a golden yellow gown. She smiled at him and he grinned. Miriallia, he observed has grown a bit mature after the war and yet he could still see that streak of naughtiness and compassion that caught his friend on the hook.
"How have you been Athrun?" she inquired.
"Doing well. I'm still trying to get used to my new job," he replied rather jokingly.
"We know you can do it. You're a great man Athrun," she said with encouragement in her voice. Athrun couldn't help but feel grateful. He was not sure whether he was giving enough for Plants however he knows that he is doing his best to fulfill his role. Her words assured him a bit that his efforts were not in vain. "How about the two of you?"
Dearka flushed a bit when Athrun asked about the two of them. "We're doing great!" Miriallia was the one who answered the question for them. "We're still busy about our careers though. We agreed that we should focus on that too aside from our relationship."
"It's a good thing that you two are able to get your personal life and work balanced. I'm happy for the two of you."
"Yeah we're great aren't we?" Dearka said proudly with a bit of teasing in his voice. "Milly here is aspiring to be a famous international photographer. She was really excited when she got invited to this ball and was given a journalist pass."
"What are you talking about Dearka? I'm a member of the entourage. Of course I'll be invited. Besides, Lacus gave me a pass because she knows that she can trust me. I am not like those insensitive journalists who make news just for the cash," Miriallia defended.
"She has a point, you know," Athrun helped her. He knew Miriallia was correct. It amused him that they were ganging up on his friend. It was one of those jokes he pulled on Dearka.
"Well, well, if it isn't our great Supreme Commander Zala," a platinum-haired coordinator said while approaching him with his wife.
"It is good to see you General Jule, Shiho," Athrun replied looking at the husband then the wife. The aura the two gave off had not changed. Yzak still had his silver hair into a bob-cut while Shiho still had her long dark brown hair which was now tied to a knot at the back. It was evident why she alone was able to tame his rival and friend who was reputedly hated and feared by everyone. She had that spark in her eyes that Yzak found to be his weakness. Her movements were with pride and grace and yet she was a tough opponent with brawns and brains to match.
"Oh my Shiho! It's already big! How many months is it?" Miriallia expressed with glee going over to Shiho and touching her bulging stomach.
"Seven months," the proud would-be mother giggled and continued excitedly. "It's a girl." Her smile was sincere and longing. Athrun could feel her anxiety for in two months time, she will be giving birth to their first child and despite her avoidance of pregnancy at first, she was still feeling what every mother would feel for their child.
"A girl? And I thought Yzak would have wanted a boy," Dearka teased their hot-tempered friend.
"Shut up you idiot!" Yzak defended. "It's not my fault it's a girl. I would have gladly killed you just to have a son!"
At that last remark, Shiho's smile faded into a frown, her eyebrows twitched and she could not control the anger she felt at that moment as she hit her blood-boiling husband in the head. "What did you say Yzak Jule?" Her temper was definitely rising by the second. "What do you mean you're not contented with our daughter? I'll have you know if it's between you and our little girl, I'll gladly leave you so don't you dare ask that our daughter be anything more than what she is!"
Yzak knew better than to counter his wife's words so he just shut up. He quickly tried to calm down his furious wife. Athrun knew that this was bad for pregnant women. Yzak had to excuse himself and his wife from them so she could relax. He saw him lead her away into the garden where she could get some nice fresh air to soothe her distraught nerves.
It amazed him how those two fitted each other perfectly. They were the same and yet different. One has the power to control the other when no one around them could. Yzak Jule married Shiho Hahnenfuss two years ago. It was a shock to all of them when the couple announced their engagement. They knew that those two were lovers but they certainly didn't expect Yzak to be the first one to marry among their group. It was a highly publicized wedding with Ezalia Jule, Yzak's mother, pulling the strings. It was quite a relief to her that someone finally agreed to settle down with her unsociable son and the heiress of the Hahnenfuss family at that. She was too proud for words. She even made sure that the news of her daughter-in-law's pregnancy be made a feast for the media as well. Shiho dreaded the idea of pregnancy at first fearing that it will hinder her from doing her service to ZAFT and PLANTS. The proud grandmother-to-be was the one who pestered her and even promised that she will help in taking care of the baby once it is born so that Shiho can concentrate on her work. She had always wanted a grandchild and she's going to get her wish. It would be obvious that the child will become a grandma's girl when she is born. Hell! It wouldn't even be impossible that as soon as the baby is born, she'll take it away and adopt it herself. Athrun smirked slyly at this thought.
"Pardon but I'll have to excuse myself for a while," the auburn-haired girl said. "I need to talk to an acquaintance of mine."
"I'll go with you," Dearka said and they both left leaving Athrun alone again.
Athrun scanned the crowd. At a distance, he spotted the blond curly hair of a man who had his hands on the waist of a brunette. It has been a long time since he last saw Mwu La Flaga and Murrue Ramius. The last time he heard about them, they were on a tour around the world for their honeymoon. Although it was stated in his father's will that the La Flaga property would be inherited by his father's clone, Rau Le Creuset, with the death of Commander Le Creuset during the first war, the inheritance was by default passed on to his brother, Mwu la Flaga. He was, however, thought to have also died in the war and was only found out to be alive during the second war. After the war, his memories were restored and there were countless debates about his rights to the La Flaga fortune. In the end, though, he was able to claim what was rightfully his. When he was finally settled, he married Murrue Ramius. The two are still in the army and are now promoted to higher ranks though Captain Ramius was still assigned to the legendary legged-ship, Archangel.
They were talking to an ecstatic Andrew Waltfeld who seemed to be laughing at a blonde boy who was about ten years old. Athrun recognized the boy as Spencer Gladys, the orphaned son of his former captain and fellow FAITH member Talia Gladys. He was adopted by the La Flaga couple after the war. Athrun was able to meet him once when he was assigned to tell him that his mother, his last remaining relative, perished during the war.
Meanwhile, the brown-haired retired commander thought it good to permanently take up residence on Earth. The tiger of the desert remained the cheerful and highly respected man he was during the war. Andrew Waltfeld, just like all of them, had the scars of the life with never-ending battles they had to fight for almost four years written all over his being and yet he continued to smile and laugh it all away. After his fiancé, Aisha's death during the first war, he joined the Clyne Faction because he believed in the ideals of Seigel Clyne and his daughter, Lacus, that war should not remain for Coordinators and Naturals are the same. After the war, it was thought that the group of Clyne supporters was dissolved but that was not so. Lacus once told him that as long as there are still people who think that Naturals and Coordinators cannot live side by side and those who continue to instigate war, the group will remain with the resolve to stop them. Their activities, however, are secret and only members and a select few like Athrun are trusted with the information. According to Athrun's intel, Andrew Bartfeld is still a high ranking member of the Faction doing undercover work as a spy on Earth just like Miriallia.
The party seemed to have brought back memories of long ago as old friends, comrades and even enemies gathered in one room for a night of peace and solitude.
Farther away, he spotted Shinn Asuka and his girlfriend Lunamaria Hawke. Meyrin was with them smiling and giggling with the couple. Athrun was glad that the once hot-headed and repulsive young man that he had mentored during the war was finally becoming calmer and happier.
The red-eyed coordinator lost his family during the war and was devastated enough to blame their deaths on Orb, their country. Athrun could still remember the look on his comrade's eyes during the war. It was full of hatred and despise to the country he once treated as his home particularly the new head of state who was the daughter of the old and wise leader of Orb who died for the sake of protecting the beliefs of the neutral nation.
After the war, however, he changed and matured to the extent of asking for the forgiveness of the chief representative of Orb. He was now wiser and more open-minded. Because of his merits during the war, like Athrun and Kira, it was easy for him to be promoted to commander.
Lunamaria on the other hand, also paved her way to success. Now, she is no longer the girl wearing the red coat uniform with a skirt but a woman wearing the white uniform of a commander with the full respect of her subordinates. Just recently, Athrun had just assigned her to be Minerva's captain and had her and Meyrin promoted to FAITH for they were indeed deserving of it.
The blue-haired Coordinator continued to mingle with the people. It was difficult since no matter what he did, he always stood out. From the corner of his eyes, he could see women look at him and giggle. Why can't they just mind their own business?
He gave them a sly smirk out of courtesy. The women were beautiful. He could not argue with that. They were probably daughters of politicians, wealthy families or maybe even royalties. To ignore them would be bad publicity for PLANTS and ZAFT and he simply could not risk that now.
A woman about the same age as him had the courage to approach him as he saw her friends giggle hard and blush.
"Excuse me, sir," she started with a smile on her face. Her eyelashes were intimidating as she slowly fluttered them. Was she flirting with him? "I seem to have noticed that you are without a companion. Is it okay if I borrow you for a while for some friendly talk?"
She was beautiful, a fact not even Athrun would deny. Her waist-length hair was a fiery red and it was braided starting at the top. It was like her hair was being covered by itself through a fine work of knots. Her eyes were green and beautiful but they were not the same shade as his emerald ones. They were lighter and softer. She wore a pink long-gown that exposed her curvy figure. Her fingers, wrists and neck were emphasized by many stones, perhaps priceless gems that made her sparkle through the night. Her pale complexion was also striking.
She was, however, not his type. One thing about Athrun Zala, he is not easily swayed by mere beauty through the eyes.
"Not at all Ms...?" Athrun replied although he really thought that he didn't want to smile and exchange even a few sentences with her. He didn't even know her name.
"Rochefort. I am Nicola Rochefort, daughter of the ambassador of France. I am pleased to meet you," she said still with that smile plastered on her face.
"Pleased to meet you too Ms. Rochefort. I am-," he started but she cut him off before he could finish.
"Oh please I know very well who you are. Your reputation surely precedes you. You are the Athrun Zala, the legendary pilot of Infinite Justice who helped bring about the end of the two wars, are you not?"
"You are right about that Ms. Rochefort," the green-eyed coordinator remarked in a tone that seemed to be praising her which of course made her smile broaden a bit and her cheeks flushed red.
"No need to be formal. You can call me Nicola if you want." Athrun would have done exactly just that if he wanted to.
Sensing the awkward silence, she began a topic that she hoped would make her closer to Athrun. "I hear that you are the best man of the wedding since Kira Yamato is your best friend. Doesn't it bother you that the bride is your ex-fiancé?"
Athrun took a moment's pause before answering the question. He could not believe that he had met this woman just seconds ago and now she was asking personal question as if they've known each other for years. "Careful now Ms. Nicola," he started with a bit of uneasiness as he said the name. What could he do? It would be rude to the lady if he didn't listen to her polite gesture of friendship. "If you weren't so dazzling, I'd have thought that you're a reporter in disguise."
Nicola chuckled a bit, "Oh really? I thank you for the compliment but I am being honest here when I say that I am curious about your views on this. After all you engagement to Ms. Clyne was quite a controversial matter."
"Well, if you ask me, I am really happy for them. I love Lacus like I would a sister and I treasure Kira because he is a real best friend. I am just glad that the two people I care for the most are finally together," he gave Nicola another smile.
"Then, do you have someone already occupying that heart of yours, commander?" she said wryly. "I presume that if it is not Ms. Clyne, then there must be another girl."
"No, Ms. Nicola," he lied. In fact there was someone in his heart. That someone has always had that soft spot in his being and he feared that no one could ever take it away. Even though he had tried to push her out, he simply could not. In the four years after the war, he had desperately tried to forget her thinking that it would be for the best for both their sakes. He had avoided saying her name for it would only remind him that she was no longer his and yet he was still hers.
He had kept the things that would remind him of her in his closet never to be opened again. Fate, however, would not let him off easily as fragments of events, things, beings and memories related to her would find their way back to him. Even the bright early morning sun which he would often meet would make him remember her golden locks and her burning amber eyes which he had loved for their compassion and ferocity.
He had made himself busy with work hoping that it would distract him from torturous thoughts of her. Sometimes, he would stop writing the draft he was making in order to stare at the blue sky out the window. He'd wonder if she was doing the same thing as him though their skies were different. He'd ask about what she could be doing at that time as he would remember those precious stolen moments he had with her, watching her work and still smile at him. I miss her... He would often tell himself that to be realistic though he knew that he should continue telling himself the opposite because he needed to move on.
"Well then, that must be quite a relief for the women who are trying to get your eyes on them," Nicola said with another chuckle.
Athrun was felling awkward with her questions. Was she trying to interrogate him for her and her friends? Or was she trying to seduce him with her mouth? Either way, Athrun was not the least bit happy or swayed by her efforts. Although he admires her courage to ask him such taboo questions, she just isn't his type.
"Perhaps, my lady...Perhaps."
"Commander Zala-," she was about to say something but Athrun cut her off. The blue-haired bachelor could no longer take this conversation lightly. He'd rather rudely cut her off and politely excuse himself from her rather than give in to the temptations of shouting at her for her words. "I'm sorry Ms. Nicola but I have to excuse myself for a while. My friend expects me to meet her at nine at the terrace. I cannot disappoint her with my tardiness. Excuse me."
And with that he turned around and left hurriedly toward the front door where many guests were still staying. He was able to glimpse at the shocked face of his new found friend and was able to catch a hidden glimpse at her friends who had the same shocked faces as she had. He could hear them murmur as he strode pass them.
He hurriedly passed through the people merely smiling at the ones who stopped to greet him. He didn't care for he really just wanted to lose sight of the red-head who had made him irritated to the core.
He was already near the stairs that would lead him to the gigantic front doors when he heard a call from behind him. "Athrun wait!" He knew who it was. She was shouting at the top of her breath. "Athrun!"
Athrun turned around for she was causing quite a ruckus among the guests. People were looking at them especially her for her voice overpowered the noise of the hall. He stared at her for a while really annoyed. He wanted to tell her off right there and then and yet he could not for it would stir too much controversy.
He suddenly realized that the music had stopped and so did the people. And to his amazement, the guests were not looking at them but at something else. He turned hoping to exit the room through the balcony window without the people looking at him. Even Nicola's eyes wavered from him to look at the thing making a scene and as he turned to continue his escape, his face was washed pale at the sight of the person everyone was staring at. She was a ghost in the past that was now walking again in his life, a memory he shouldn't even be remembering, a being he wanted desperately to meet and not to meet.
He could only be speechless as he stared at those wide orbs the color of the richest and purest of honey as they stared back at him. He heard her mouth murmur gently and softly a word which he could hear and yet was inaudible by the others. "Athrun."
-ooOoo-
To my dear readers,
I've had the idea of this fanfiction in my head for so long that I could not concentrate on a single thing about Alkenes and Alkynes. This is my first fic ever so I would be glad to receive your reviews, comments and violent reactions. I hope that you will stay tune to this story till the end. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Love,
Maiatong
P.S. ASUCAGA FOREVER!
