Chapter 2: The Meeting
It was a long and grueling flight not, because of the turbulence, but because Athrun couldn't take his mind of Cagalli. Something bothered him about the look in her eyes. He felt tormented from a far. He kept thinking over, and over in his mind, I should of stayed, I should of stayed. Deep down inside he wished he had – He kept toying with the thought of returning to Orb He had it all planned out in his head, when he heard the sound of the shuttle land. But before he could hastily follow through with his plan, the shuttle doors parted and in front of him stood Kira and Lacus. Athrun was so overcome with Joy that for a moment he forgot all about Cagalli.
While on the drive to the home that Kira shared with Lacus, Athrun appeared nonchalant and distracted, so much so that Kira couldn't resist asking,
"So how is Cagalli?" Athrun avoided looking directly into Kira's eyes for fear of being read..
" Ahhhhh she's fine" as much as he wanted to discuss his worries with Kira he just couldn't bring himself to disrupt a happy occasion, so He decided to put his best on the outside that is until he had more information.
Meanwhile, Cagalli decided that she didn't want to go home that night. She wanted to do something different for a change, before she knew it she had driven to the beach. Feeling the need to clear her head she decided to take off her shoes and go for a walk- for some reason it made her feel grounded, to feel the touch of the sand on the soles of her feet as it swiftly sifted through her toes. Strolling along the shore gave her a sense of peace as the wind blew wispily against her face. After walking for a while she sat down to feel the waves of warm water caress her ankles. She Held her hand up to the sky reaching for her beloved when she noticed how the ring that Athrun gave her glistened in the moonlight. She never imagined she'd miss him this much...
"It's very beautiful", Cagalli quickly jumped to her feet to see whom was speaking to her, after all, her bodyguards were not with her. What she saw was a beautiful woman with long light brown hair a blue off shoulder satin summer dress and a sterling unforgettable smile- she looked somewhat regal.
"I'm sorry, I ah thought I was alone"
"It's alright this beach is big enough for the both of us. I just couldn't help noticing your ring. Its splendor was intensified by the moonlight"
Cagalli stuttered, "I'm sorry I didn't get your name"
'"It's ok, I didn't give it"
"For some reason you look familiar. Have we met?"
"Maybe in another life but not in this one...He'll come back to you"
"What?"
"The person who gave you that ring he'll be back"
There was a familiarity about this person Cagalli never met before-She just couldn't put her finger on it, she was both scared, captivated, and intrigued all at the same time.
"I really should be getting back"'
"Please don't go! How about some hot tea to warm you up. My house is just a quarter of the ways walk up the beach and I live alone, so. You don't even have to go inside we can sit on the terrace and talk a little."
"I….."- Cagalli tried to think of something that wasn't rude. She wanted to go somewhere to get away from it all, but then she knew that danger comes in all shapes and sizes. She decided to follow her instincts and her instincts told her that there's more than meets the eye. Friend or foe she would soon find out! Whatever the case she couldn't shake this nagging feeling in her stomach –that somehow this woman might have something to do with that letter, but then again it just seemed too good to be true. And this woman Cagalli thought was so persuasive. How could she say no?
"Please, it would mean so much to me "
"Ok, but only for a little while"
Rose tea was the flavor of the evening. Not only was it fragrant, but it had an exceptional taste.
"This tea is delicious where did you get it!"
"It's imported"
"Imported!" Cagalli said, "From where?" she said with a puzzled look on her face
"From space. I'm a scientist so I've done a lot of experiments with cross pollination"
Cagalli assumed she meant plants. An hour into the evening she became a bit tired.
"I really need to go"
"Oh of course, let me help you up"
"Thank you _?"
"Via~ my name Is via"
Not soon after that was said, Cagalli collapsed~
She wouldn't of known that name. She didn't go to the Mendel colony during the first war. Kira never spoke of what happened during his ordeal with mu and Rau le Cruisset, considering she had just lost her father during that time, he didn't feel that there was a need to mention the name of the person that brought them into this world-their was no need to mention "her name". The only other person he confided in about the ordeal was Lacus. Not even Athrun knew.
Back at the Attha estate everything was chaotic. It was 1 A.M and Lady Cagalli wasn't even home yet. She didn't drive her normal vehicle and the guards failed to track her- this was highly unusual. Although reluctantly and with full knowledge that he'd be risking his position, butler Ito made a conscious decision to put his mistress's life ahead of his personal well- being- Not wanting to alarm the public or alert the media. He decided it was time to contact Master Zala.
It was 3am when the call came through.
"Hello, May I speak to Master Athrun Zala"
"Ah Hello Ito! This is Kira we just came back from a drive, is their something wrong?"
"It's Lady Cagalli she hasn't –"
No sooner had Ito said that, Athrun walked into the room. The tension was so sharp you could cut it with a knife. Kira knew something was wrong and didn't want to alarm Athrun. Athrun had his suspicions but couldn't prove them true. Kira had to decide whether to tell Athrun or keep it from him, until there was more evidence of foul play. Athrun was the type to risk his life for the one he loves. Kira knew that all too well; he also knew that if he acted too quickly, and it turned out to be a misunderstanding, relationships of trust with one another could be broken. Kira sweated it out on the phone. Athrun just looked and stared at him puzzled. Cagalli is on the couch in the house of some woman named Via and the wedding is just four days away.
What to do Kira thought, what to do?
