REVISED! (10.28.12)

Finally found time to edit my fics! This is one particular fic I'm gonna try finishing before my semestral break ends ! Happy Reading! ^^

Chapter 1: A Promise

A blue-haired young boy was running around a particular garden with tears streaming from his eyes, mumbling to himself how mean his father was for scolding him. As he rubbed his face to be free from any signs of crying, he tripped on his own feet, stumbling down hard on the grass. He grew more frustrates upon seeing a wound that appeared on his elbow. It was as if everything was going against him that day.

While trying to stand up, a hand somehow met his eyes. As he looked up, he saw a young girl almost his age smiling at him. Refusing to hurt his manly pride, he shrugged his shoulder and ignored the extended help. Looking away with his arms crossed arms over his chest afterwards. He expected the girl to go away after his snubbing. But much to his dislike, she just stayed beside him and even sat down next to him. Trying his best to ignore her, he remained his gaze unto the green grass.

"Your knee has a wound. Daddy said that wounds can make you sick." the young girl pointed at his knee to emphasize the bleeding wound.

He heard this and decided to turn his head to look at her. He wanted to 'inspect' where those words came from before deciding to answer it. After turning his head, he couldn't help but admit, she was kind of cute.

She had long, blonde, hair which curled up as it reached its end while a green hairclip stopped her bangs from covering her face. Her body was adorned with a light green dress that reached just below her knees. Unlike the girls, he knew, she was wearing slippers instead of over-accessorized sandals.

After his alleged spacing out, the young boy shook his head and instead, looked at her angrily. "Why do you care?"

Looking at him disbelievingly, the young girl sighed and took him by the arm. "Come with me."

"Hey! Leggo of me!"

But the boy's struggle was in vain. The young girl continued pulling him with her until they reached a particular tree. Upon arrival, she forcefully made him sit down and lean on the tree and looked at him. "Stay here. Don't move."

The boy wanted to object. But she already went running towards the mansion back door. Sighing, he placed his two arms behind his head and leaned at the tree, looking at his wound on his right knee while doing so.

What's the big deal? It's just a little wound…

Feeling his eyes getting heavy, he slowly closed them…only to be disturbed by the blonde girls return. "I'm back!" She cheerfully greeted the frowning blue-haired boy.

"That was fast." The boy replied, his voice deadpan.

Ignoring what he said, she began opening what seemed to be a first-aid kit, and pulled out a pack of cotton balls, alcohol, and a bandage cloth. After doing so, she ripped open the container of the cotton balls and applied a dab of alcohol.

The boy was staring at her while she treated him. But he only snapped out of his stare when the cotton she had in her hand was mere inches away from his wound. Seeing this, he struggled." Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

"Treating you."

"But that thing has alcohol in it! Don't you know that it would sting if it touches my wound?"

"Better for it to hurt a little now than for you to suffer more later on. Right?" she sternly replied while trying to apply the cotton to his wound.

Sensing defeat, he remained silent as the cotton ball came in contact with his wound. He had a traumatizing experience with these things. Their maid once used it on him and it hurt like hell. But with her, a stinging sensation went throughout his leg for a moment, disappearing as soon as it came.

"There! Does it still hurt?" The blonde girl asked.

Blushing profusely, the boy looked at the ground again and managed to stutter. "N-no"

The girl once again sat next to him, which made him even more uncomfortable. To make matters worse, she had casually started small talk. "Why were you crying?"

His eyes widened. It was embarrassing enough to be scolded by a girl about getting wounds, but let alone being SEEN by a girl crying. "I-I wasn't crying…something just irritated my eyes.."

Looking directly at him, she knelt in front of him and looked at him straight in the eyes. "I saw you. You were crying while you ran."

Knowing that he had no escape, he looked away and mumbled. "Mind your own business."

Sitting down once again, the girl said, along with a radiant smile. "My dad said that it's easier to feel better if you tell people about your problems."

Athrun looked at her and the moment he saw her smile, He finally gave in. Looking away, he mumbled, "My father scolded me again."

Cagalli looked at the boy and said, "Oh! So your dad is the man talking to my dad! If your dad scolded you, then it means you did something really bad! "

Having the courage to look at her straight in the eye, he replied, "I was just listening to what they were talking about!"

A sudden burst of outrage was the answer he heard. "WHAT?! That's eavesdropping! That's why your dad scolded you!"

"I.." Was the only thing the boy could say before she started preaching about the 'felony' he just did. And as she talked about it, the boy could not help but stare at her and be in awe. Once again, he was seeing her like she was such mature adult.

A realization somehow hit him. Compared to her, he really was childish.

Before he knew it, his spacing out came to an end when a hand appeared in front of him. "C'mon! Let's go apologize to your dad!"

"No! I don't-" But before he could protest, the girl already took hold of his hand and dragged him to where their fathers talked. He tried freeing himself from her grip, his efforts were made in vain, for they were already standing in front of their fathers.

"Father" The girl said. "My friend wants to apologize to you two for eavesdropping.

Her father smiled and looked at the man next to him and nodded. "Very well. Carry on princess."

The blonde girl smiled and nudged his new friend on the ribs. She then murmured, "Go!"

The boy was hesitant at first but soon gave in when she glared at him like she was ready to shred him into pieces if he didn't. Gathering up all his male pride, he exhaled deeply and said, "Dadi'msorryforwhatididiknowitwasw rongsopleaseforgiveme."

Both fathers looked at him dumbfounded. They did not understand a single word he said, merely relying on what they only understood being the "sorry". The boy's father smiled, happy even with such an apology. "It's okay son, Just don't do it again."

The girl's father smiled at his daughter, proud to have raised her to be so friendly. "I see you two met…no need to introduce them then?" he asked as he looked at his friend. "Will they still have enough time to play?"

The boy's father frowned. "I'm afraid not…we'll be leaving soon as not to delay our shuttle flight-"

Before he could finish, he was cut off by his son's angry outburst. "Father! I don't want t go to the plants!"

The two older men looked at him in shock.

The blonde girl also looked at him curiously, at the same time quite sad that her new friend was going to such a far away place so soon. "You'll be leaving for the PLANTs?"

The boy sadly nodded and looked away.

"How can we play then?" She asked.

He only looked at her and gave her a small frown.

The two men in front of them looked at each other and then looked at them. The girl's father was quite surprised. It was rare for Cagalli to get sad. " Don't worry Cagalli, You will get to see each other again someday."

The boy's father smiled at his son in assurance. It amused him too how Athrun seemed to become quite fond of the girl in such a short amount of time. "Son, we'll be leaving now. Go to the car already. I'll just have a few things to talk about with my friend."

As the boy dragged his feet to the gate, face down in sadness, a hand suddenly took hold of his. Looking beside him, he saw the girl, smiling at him. Which made him blush and smile back. "Dad, can I escort my friend to his car?"

The two fathers saw their hands together and both smiled. "Sure princess."

As the two walked hand in hand towards the car, they stopped in front of the gate. She was the first to let go, placing both hands on her hips while giving Athrun a sad smile. "I guess this is goodbye.."

"Our fathers said that we can see each other again.." The boy said to cheer her up.

She nodded at this, lunging at him afterwards to trap him in a hug. This caught the boy in surprise. "Even though it's the first time, I guess it'll be a long time before we'll get to see each other again."

Blushing profusely, the boy replied, hugging her back. "Y-yeah..".

As both broke free of the hug, The girl stared at him for a moment as a realization hit her. "By the way.." she started. "What's your name?"

The boy looked at her disbelievingly, also realizing that they never really got each other's names. "It's Athrun."

Cagalli smiled and extended her hand "I'm Cagalli. Nice to meet you Athrun."

The boy smiled back and took her hand in his. "Nice to meet you..Cagalli.."

Cagalli gave him another smile before extending one of her pinky towards him, expectantly waiting if he would do the same. "We'll meet each other again, right?"

"I Promise" the boy replied as he intertwined his pinky with hers.

The two older men walked together towards the gate. Patrick Zala watched as his only son walked hand in hand with his close friend's daughter. Smiling, he said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking Uzumi?"

Smiling back, Uzumi looked at the two and said, "I Believe I am."

With that, the two men shook hands and watched as the two children said their final goodbyes.

Both Father and daughter watched as the car disappeared from view. Cagalli, with a heavy heart, looked at her father for confirmation. "Will I really get to see him again father?"

Uzumi smiled at his daughter as he gave her a pat on the head. "Don't worry...a time will come when you two can play whenever you want."

Cagalli heard this and smiled at her father. She always found his words reassuring.

Watching as Athrun's car drove away, little Cagalli whispered, not knowing her father heard her. "I'll be waiting for the day when we can play again Athrun!"

Uzumi smiled and took her daughter's hand as they walked back to their mansion. Cagalli, grasping the necklace hanging from her neck.

Looking back, Athrun Zala saw that they were gradually losing sight of the mansion. Frowning, he sat down and stared outside. "Father..." He suddenly said. "When I grow up, I'll be as mature as Cagalli."

"Very well Athrun." Patrick replied with a rare smile. "I believe Cagalli and your mother would like that.."

I truly believe they would really like that…

Took out the exchanging of necklaces part :)! Hope you guys still find this a good read :)!