Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.


Athrun Zala was confused.

A few minutes ago, he had been on his way to a meeting with Dearka and Yzak. Now he was sitting across the table from a girl he had not seen since the end of junior high with a coffee stain on his suit.

It was almost laughable. This whole situation put him in mind of their first meeting. They had collided in the hallway, both of them rushing to class. As he recalled, one of Cagalli's textbooks had collided with his chest.


Cagalli was also confused.

She honestly never expected to see Athrun again. He had gone to a private high school. She, to a public one. They hadn't so much broken up as grown apart due to lack of communication.

She looked at Athrun, surprised that he hadn't changed all that much. Neither had Yzak and Dearka for that matter. She wanted to break the awkward silence that had descended upon them, to turn the clock back to junior high, where the laughter had come easily. But first, she wanted to get rid of the growing itch on her hands.

"Cagalli, are you alright? You look like you're in pain," said Dearka, taking a sip of his drink.

"I'm fine, really. I just got some coffee on my hands," Cagalli replied, willing away the pain.

"So, you still have that coffee allergy then?" Yzak said with a smile. Cagalli's odd allergy had always been a source of amusement to him. He enjoyed teasing her about it. Cagalli nodded, standing up. She had to get something cold on her hands, at least to take away the itch for a moment. She looked at her hands, almost in horror. They were covered in red blotches. Athrun winced. They looked painful.

Just as she was walking towards the sink, Mu was walking out of the kitchen. He smiled at Cagalli, and then paused. He looked at her, and then at her hands, and then back at her.

"That is not a slight rash," he said.


And that is how Cagalli and Athrun came to be standing out on the street in front of a drugstore. After seeing the rash, Mu had acted rather quickly, saying that Cagalli could take the rest of the day off. He had then, after learning about what had happened with Athrun, charged him with the duty of getting Cagalli to the drugstore to get some calamine lotion for her hands. Yzak and Dearka had left, admittedly smirking, saying that they had other errands to attend to. Athrun looked like he was going to kill them. When there was no chance of them coming back, Athrun turned back to Cagalli and they stared at each other awkwardly.

"I guess we should get something for your hands, huh?" Athrun said, finally, "They look painful."

"You have no idea," said Cagalli, heading into the store. It didn't take long them to find the calamine lotion, and soon made their way to the check-out. Cagalli grimaced as she tried to fish a few coins out of her wallet. The rashes were making it hard for her to even move her hands. Athrun sighed, taking the wallet from her.

"Cagalli, I don't think you have enough," he said, emptying as much of wallet as he could. The coins didn't add up and there were no bills.

"Huh? Oh, it's fine then. I'll just put something on it when I get home," Cagalli said, "Huh? Athrun, what are you doing?"

"I'm paying for it. Don't worry about it. I have enough money, and you need this stuff. I don't want to see your hands twitching anymore," he replied, smiling.

"Fine, but I'm paying you back," Cagalli said. She could do stuff on her own. Athrun didn't need to care for her. Besides, they weren't in a relationship or anything.

"I told you, you don't have to," Athrun said, heading out of the store. Cagalli followed, rather annoyed.

"Well, I'm going to anyway. You don't have to look after me, Athrun! I can take care of myself," she yelled when they were out of the store. Athrun laughed.

"You haven't changed, you know that?" he said. "You've always been like this, Cagalli. Can't you accept a little charity every once in a while. It wasn't even that much."

Cagalli glared at him, and then lunged at the bag with the lotion on it. Athrun held it above his head. Cagalli scowled. He was taller than her, so getting it back that was impossible. Almost. Cagalli made several more jumps, and then hit him in the stomach. Athrun doubled over, not expecting the attack. Cagalli reached for the bag, but Athrun swung it away.

"Look, I'll give it to you if you promise not to pay me back," He said, standing up. She could still hit, that was certain.

Cagalli's scowl got worse.

"Fine," she said finally, holding out her hand. Athrun handed her the lotion, and she sat down on a bench to apply it. Relief was almost instantaneous.

"Feeling better?" Athrun asked, sitting beside her. Cagalli nodded.

"Thanks," she said, looking away.

"Your welcome," Athrun replied, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Something's wrong. I can tell. What is it?"

"It's just…weird. I mean, we haven't seen each other for years. Since High school started. And yet, here we are, acting as if nothing's changed," Cagalli said, looking down at the ground. Athrun nodded.

"Funny how that works, huh?" He said. He felt the same way. And it was even odder for him. He had just been thinking about Cagalli, after being approached by a few girls that he knew. Cagalli would never stand for the fact that it had taken almost five minutes for one girl to get her point across.

"Yeah," Cagalli agreed, glancing over at Athrun. She wished that he would put his arm around her, like he used to do, when they were going out and she was going through a tough time. But he made no motion to do so.

"Guess you should head home," he said, standing up, "Can I at least walk you there?" He held out a hand to her.

"Alright. That's fine," Cagalli replied, taking the hand. Athrun paused.

"Where do you live now, anyway?"

Cagalli shook her head.

"It's this way. Follow me."


On the way home, they began to catch up, discussing high school and various other incidents. Cagalli made a mental note to seriously injure her brother, Kira, who had apparently been keeping touch with Athrun without telling her. She learned about Dearka's romantic exploits, and Yzak's lack of them. It was finally starting to feel like the years were falling away, and they were back to being in Junior high. Laughing, joking, and arguing about their favorite TV shows. This was how things were.

"So, you're living in residence?" Athrun asked, looking up at the building.

"Yeah," Cagalli replied, "It's kind of small, but it's better than some of the other buildings."

Athrun smiled at her. So typical of Cagalli, to be living on her own.

"Are you on your own?"

"Well, I have a roommate. Lacus Cline, you remember her. She and Kira hooked up a few years back."

"Ah yes, I heard about that. Much drama surrounded that as I recall. Who was that other girl…"

"Flay? Yeah, it was pretty crazy. I was almost close to calling the police one time it got so bad," Cagalli said with a laugh.

"The police? You've got to be joking," Athrun said. Cagalli just smiled, and never gave an answer.

"Cagalli! Welcome home!" came a voice. Both Athrun and Cagalli looked to see a tall, blue-haired man coming towards them.

"Yuna? What are you doing here?" Cagalli asked. Athrun blinked.

"I was in town, so I came to see you. I tried to find you at your new job, but the manager said you'd gone home," Yuna explained, wrapping Cagalli in a bear hug.

"I see," Cagalli replied, forcing him away. She looked at Athrun apologetically.

"Who's this?" Yuna asked, looking at Athrun.

"Oh…uh…this is my friend, Athrun Zala. We were friends in Junior high, and were catching up after a chance reunion. Athrun, this is Yuna Roma Seiran, he's the son of one of my dad's friends, and so we're kind of childhood friends."

Athrun and Yuna shook hands tersely. The moment seemed tense.

"Nice to meet you," Athrun said. "I guess I better get going. I'll see you later, Cagalli." He turned to leave.

"Wait, Athrun," Cagalli said, "I'll be able to see you again, right?" She hadn't really wanted him to go, but she hadn't counted on Yuna either. And she'd need all her energy to deal with him.

"Sure. I'll come by your work again. For a proper cup of coffee," Athrun replied with a wave.

"Right. I won't spill it next time," Cagalli laughed, looking back at Yuna. He looked hurt, like something had offended him. "Something wrong, Yuna?"

"Oh no," Yuna replied, "Shall we head back to your room?" He emphasized the we.

"Sure," Cagalli said, a little more subdued. She looked back, but couldn't see Athrun anymore. She put her hands in her pockets, finding the bottle of calamine lotion. Hard to believe that that had happened only a few hours ago.

"Cagalli!"

"I'm coming."

'You better come back, Athrun,' she thought.


A/N: Due to an unexpected support, I have decided to continue this story. I have never recieved 21 reviews for one chapter before, so thanks to all who reviewed. Don't be afraid to be more critical in your reviews. I love constructive criticism. So...um...yeah, that's about all I have to say, really. Don't know when you can expect the next update. Whenever I finish the chapter really...hopefully I'll be able to get another one up before my break runs out. Have a Happy Holiday season, regardless of what you celebrate.

Same review speel as last chapter.