To my reviewers with out accounts;

asucagafan, flymetothemoon, and Nina. Thanks so much for reviewing :) I'm glad you liked my first chapter :)

Note: This takes place in Japan. Each character is talking in Japanese. If the dialogue is in italics then it means they are talking in English. Italics with out quotes, are of course, character thoughts.

Also, I don't really know anything of Japanese culture… feel free to enlighten me if I get something wrong. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed. Satisfied?

Chapter 2: Caring heart.
~One little heart, wasting away

One little heart, here to stay

February 14th

With a screeching of breaks that set off a cacophony of dog howls through out the neighborhood, a motorcycle slid to a halt in a puddle, splattering water on either side. A bulky black pack was strapped to one side of the bike. The lithe figure sitting atop it, cocked her helmeted-head back slightly as she examined the small red house in front of her, confirming it was the one she wanted. She was supposed to have arrived in the early morning but what with her poor directional qualities it had taken, ah, a little longer then it should have. It didn't help that this was first time in a long time that she had come back to Japan. It comforted her to see that, while many things change, a childhood second-home had not.

The little, two-story red house with the small porch and swing looked exactly how she remembered it. The red paint neat and tidy; a small, square window in the center of the peaked second story; flower beds edging the sides of the house; a small brick-path that cut between an abundance of green grass to the porch steps. Memories interlaced each thing as she recounted fondly the times when she had mowed the yard, swept the porch, sat on the swing with her twin or her younger cousin and sold lemonade at the sidewalk. Oh, it was good to be back, even if for a short while.

After dismounting, she wheeled her gleaming, yellow bike up the driveway and under the overhang of the garage, parking it and un-strapping her bag before making her way to the front door. From years of familiarity, she walked in with out knocking, pulling off her black helmet to release the short blonde locks from underneath. She shook out her slightly matted hair, sighing in the relief of losing the heavy helmet. Now that her features were thrown into light, it was even more obvious that she was a girl. Though she was slim and small, she had a boyish build to her body and any curves that might exist were hidden under her baggy clothing. The smile, that spread across her face as she surveyed the familiar family room splayed out about her, lit her face up and gave it a slightly glowing appeal that had caught many eyes before. There was a certain charisma that countered the challenging fire in her eyes, and the tough, hands-on-hips pose she had adopted. Not to mention the masculine black boots she wore. "Stellar, I'm here!" she called to her cousin, shifting her weight from side to side as she prepared for her cousin to come flinging out from nowhere to tackle her in a hug.

The house remain cold and unresponsive and her smile dimmed. After throwing her helmet onto a loveseat she made her way into the kitchen, rubbing her hands together as if to ease the frigid mood of the unusually quiet home.

"St-Stellar!" at once her amber eyes landed on the tiny, shaking blonde that still sat on the floor and she flung herself down besides her cousin, wrapping an arm around her in a protecting manner. "Stellar, what's wrong? Stellar!" concern animated from her as she shook her cousin, her heart hammering insides her chest. She had not expected this, nor did it escape her notice how thin her cousin had become in the months since she had last seen her. Guilt filled her as she wondered what else she had missed while she was gone. Was it her fault?

Inwardly she berated herself, yelling at herself for letting something hurt Stellar. She should have been here to protect her younger cousin.

"Cagalli." Slowly the heart-shaped face of her dearest cousin turned up, and those wide, purple-doe eyes stared brokenly at her. "Cagalli, it hurts." She whispered, feeling as if her lips were chapped and her throat dry. The words she wanted to say stirred within, though she couldn't figure out how to say them, nor what order to put them in.

"What hurts, Star?" Cagalli begged, she tugged lightly on the arms Stellar had clasped around her knees- afraid that if she pulled too hard they would snap like twigs.

Stellar's brow furrowed as she placed a hand on her heart and cried. "My heart."

Cagalli felt completely bewildered and out of depth. She understood that whatever was hurting Stellar was of an emotional level, but that was where she felt confused. She wanted to demand Stellar make sense but her cousin had always been quick to trust, quick to break.

A thought seized her though and she gently grabbed Stellar's upper arms, waiting until the younger girl looked at her before asking. "Stellar," her voice so softly persuaded. "Did somebody…hurt you?" her amber eyes narrowed. "On purpose?"

Dully, Stellar nodded her head and anger coursed through her fiery companion in hot waves.

Unlike her cousin, Cagalli had always been quick to anger, slow to forgiveness and as her eyes swept her pale cousin's shattered self she longed a target to release her anger upon. Stellar was like a little sister to her, two years younger and hers to protect and raise. She was mama bear protecting her cub.

It was her promise to Stellar, after all. A promise made years ago. Stellar had been there for Cagalli and Cagalli would always be there for Stellar.

"What did they do, Stellar?" mamma bear demanded sharply, though she already had a pretty good idea. When Stellar didn't respond she changed her question. "Stellar, why are you so thin?"

"I just wanted him to notice me." Stellar whispered. "I wanted to be beautiful."

"Oh Star," Cagalli murmured, wrapping her arms around the little girl and gathering her into a warm, protective embrace. "Poor Star." She rocked gently with the girl hugged to her, her voice a soothing whispered as she stroked her soft blonde locks.

Stellar clutched at Cagalli, pressing her face against her friend's shoulder. "Cagalli," she mumbled. "I thought…" she licked her lips. "I thought I could make him happy. I thought he was happy." Tears overflowed in her eyes again, trailing wet spots into Cagalli's dark blue shirt. "I tried to be everything he wanted. Do everything he wanted. But it wasn't enough. He doesn't love me. He never loved me." Hearing herself say it seemed to bring the hurt all over again and she squeezed her eyes shut against the burning sensation in her eyes.

Cagalli's lips thinned into a scowl that the younger girl did not see. So she was right. A boyfriend had done this. Convinced Stellar to change, won her heart and then promptly broken it.

Minutes passed as the two rocked back in forth in a comforting manner whilst Cagalli formulated a plan. All of her few important possessions were in her bag and she knew for a fact that her aunt would love it if she stayed with them for a bit.

"Star, dear." She pulled back from her cousin, wiping Stellar's cheeks with her palms. "It's been a long time since I've stayed in one place, hasn't it?"
Confused, Stellar nodded, hiccupping slightly. "I've missed you," she said softly.

Cagalli nodded, her eyes softening. "I missed you crazy, Star." She hugged her cousin tightly again before adding "And it's been a long time since I've gone to highschool."

"Th-that's y-your own f-fault." Stellar sniffled, wiping her nose.

The barest hint of a smile touched Cagalli's face at the sound of her brother's words coming from Stellar's mouth. "You've been talking to Kira, I see."

"He th-thinks y-you should go b-back to highschool."

"Easy for him to say, he graduated a year early." Cagalli rolled her eyes, pleased to see her little cousin cheering up slightly.

"You c-could too." Eyes shone with belief and adoration and Cagalli shook her head.

"I'm no child genius." Cagalli said quietly. Her expression drew serious, her gaze intent on Stellar's. "Star, tell me his name. Tell me the name of the man who broke your heart." Tell me, and I will rip him to shreds!

Stellar's gaze dropped and her tiny voice was barely hearable as she whispered dutifully.

"Athrun Zala."

Cagalli smiled grimly. Bingo. "Thank you." She murmured quietly, her eyes glittering with malice for the owner of that name. Athrun Zala... I think it's time you learn that when we say "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"... we mean it.

Reviews mean the world :)

Azetta