A/N: I'm so sorry for the late update but it's better then none. Hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I have written it.

Summary: Will be updated in the later chapter.

Main Paring: Athrun X Cagalli, Kira X Lacus.

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.

Chapter 2: Cagalli

Cagalli seems to have problems managing her problems since her sophomore years in Junior High. Though she has a huge sense of justice, but she is also someone with a short fuse.

If someone were to suddenly ignite her spark, no one could stop her until she completely pulverizes her target, who consist of rule-breakers and delinquents. That's how she earned her a title as 'Prefect Gang Leader'.

Until a senior from the female Basketball club scouted her into their team. Cagalli accepted the offer straight away because of she lacks in club achievements. Cagalli, who knows nothing about basketball, was only thinking about motivating the club in their training. But it turns out that she is a natural talent for this game. Added with her strategic abilities, the female basketball club, which used to be be the strongest within their prefectural, was once again revived to its former glory.

Cagalli too has found her passion in basketball and a way to released her pent up frustration. Since then, she has earned a new title "Basketball Queen".

The 'Basketball Queen" could not believe what was happening right before her eyes.

Athrun bends his knees slightly and propelled himself up into the air and threw the ball towards the hoop just behind the blond captain. The ball amazingly went straight through the hoop without touching the hoop's rim. Di-did he just did half court shoot? She turned a to looked at where he was standing. Furthermore, its an off angle shoot!

Athrun was exercising his shoulder when he notice Cagalli was staring at him. "Shall we continue Ms. Attha or do you need a handicap?" he asked.

It sounded more like a challenge to her. A vein appeared from her temples. "No one said anything about wanting a handicap Mr. Zala". And I'm not going to asked from you either.

Cagalli picked up the ball and went into offensive mode. Athrun was already standing right in front of her path, blocking her from advancing forward. Cagalli look from her right to her left, trying to look for any possible opening but there wasn't any opening. His defense was perfect.

Don't you dare get cocky just because you made a half court shoot bastard. She look on her right and found a small opening that she might be able to pass through. That calls for a misdirection move. let's go for operation 'Fake and Through'.

Cagalli dribbles from her right hand to her left hand. The moment the ball touched her right hand, she moves her body to the left. She was hoping Athrun would follow on for a block and he did. Cagalli took this chance and simulatively hit the ball with her left hand as she moved to her right. She got pass Athrun's block and head for a dunk. Her team cheers when she score a point.

"YES! Beat that tough guy!" Cagalli called in victory.

She grabbed hold of the ball and pass it to Athrun. "The simplest trick in the book I see". He caught it and dribbled as Cagalli got into her defense position. "Well it was the best one I have seen yet and it seems I'm weak on my right side".

"Glad to hear you have a weakness", Cagalli said. She tried to make a steal but failed. She move her body to her right then left hoping to block any of his fake movement. "Are you going to dribble all day or what?" She was also paying attention to his body posture, especially his knees, for any leaping motion. Is he going for a fake or another half court shoot this time?

Athrun smirked once more. "I'm going for neither but under". Cagalli was surprised when she heard his reply. It was like he could read her mind.

What he did next surprised her three-fold. Athrun charged forward and made Cagalli back away he toss the ball in-between her legs hard. The next moment she looked up he has already got passed her and she heard the sound where the ball hits the backboard. She quickly turned around and saw him catching the rebounded ball and made a dunk of his own.

Wha-what just happened? Cagalli could not believe what she just saw. How?! What in blazes just happened?

"Dear Lord!" Cagalli snapped out from her thought. "It has been years since I did that. My right leg turned stiff the moment I make a jump", Athrun said while exercising his shoulder. He jumped a few time with his right leg and continue, "I guess I need to do some exercise for this. I might need to adjust the Compressor when I'm doing it".

Cagalli was staring at him in disbelief while he was adjusting his navy blue Compressor Band. She suddenly remembers what his style of play was. Street Basket FreeStyle? Did he just did a Street Basket FreeStyle? Plus a Rebound Dunk? Not to mention the flawless defence and posture. What is he?

"You might burn holes in me soon if you kept on staring like this Ms. Attha". Cagalli snapped out from her thought once again. She saw Athrun was dribbling the ball and he smirked at her once again. "Its your turn to play the offense".

Cagalli caught his pass. She was really pissed off at herself for having positive thought on such a jerk. She was also pissed off by his arrogant behavior. He might be from a superior species but that does not mean he can just look down on me. With our current score, 2 - 2, its everyone's game.

She got into position and was ready to attack with all her might. What the hell am I thinking. I am Cagalli Yula Attha. No one has yet to beat me in a basketball match since Junior High. Cagalli make her charged right at him. No one is going to break my record and it will definitely not going to be this arrogant Vampire.

It was going well at the first half of the game with both of them playing on par. Cagalli was trying with all her might in defending her score and also trying to get more score. But as the match progressed the flow of the match was very clear on who the winner is going to be. The match has comes to an end when the whistle was heard.

Cagalli has huddled to one corner of the court and felt really bitter right now. How could this happen? Why must it be like this? Why?! The blond felt someone tapped on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Athrun giving her a sad smile.

"Don't think too much about it Ms. Attha. Its just a friendly practice match", he said.

He might not be such a jerk after all, she thought. "Athrun, you-"

"Especially with the score of 6 - 2". Cagalli stopped when she heard what she said.

Athrun walked towards the bench and put on his coat. "It's a miracle that you can even get one point from me. I guess going easy on your opponent was never an easy thing". After adjusting his collar, he heads towards the exit that is currently filled with spectators. "I hope our little match inspired you in anyway possible Ms. Attha".

Cagalli was really pissed off when she heard it. WHAT THE HELL! She quickly picked up the ball that was next to her. "ATHRUN ZALA!" she threw the ball with all her might.

Athrun stopped the ball with his bare hand. He looked over his shoulder and met Cagalli's furious look. "Please practice sportsmanship Ms. Attha. You might disappoint your junior otherwise".

"Remember this Zala. I will definitely have my revenge on this". And I will definitely make you begged for mercy.

Athrun smirked. "I'm looking forward to our rematch Ms. Attha", he said and did a gentleman bow. "Until the next time then".

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"That BASTARD of a vampire!" Cagalli cursed angrily.

"Cagalli please quiet down", Miriallia said. She try her best to make Cagalli sit down. "We're in a restaurant and everyone's looking".

The blond look at her friend who is looking at her with a worried look. She realised that some of the customers were giving her a confused look while some were snickering and giving her a side glance. She blushed and sat down quickly.

"Why are you so hooked up with a match that you lost? Its just a practice match, isn't it?" Miriallia asked.

Cagalli gave Miriallia a shocking look. "My pride as the ace and the caption of the team was damaged Miriallia. And it happened right in front of the rookies and my team mates. How could I not be pissed?" She picked up her drink and gulp it down. "And it drive me nuts whenever I recall his arrogant attitude. That guy is clearly looking down on me".

When her girl friends heard that she was feeling down, they decided to cheer her up. Cagalli was thankful for their action but what she really need now is to find a way to vent out her frustration.

She used to be able to do it through her basketball. But not this time round since her frustration was cause she lost a basketball match. It always remind me of his arrogant smirk whenever I try to play, Cagalli thought angrily. "I SWEAR I will retrieve my glory".

"What makes you think that Athrun was looking down on you Cagalli?" Lacus asked. Cagalli who was furious at that moment was slightly surprised when she heard Lacus called Athrun by his name. She looked at her confused. "I was there when Athrun left and he seems to be having fun rather than what you were thinking".

Cagalli was dumbfounded when she heard her best friend was actually defending him. She had wanted to say something but Lacus beat her.

"I'm only saying what I saw Cagalli", Lacus intercepted quickly. "You need to cool down and think things through Cagalli. Your decision has been clouded by anger and you are not thinking straight".

The blond was speechless because she knows Lacus was right. She also knows that her best friend would not just defend anyone without a clear reason.

Cagalli took a deep breath to calm herself. "Thank you Lacus for knocking some sense in me. And that thank you girls as well. But it still pissed me off thinking about the game".

"Have you ever thought that Athrun would rigged his Compressor Band before the game Cagalli?" the brunette with long hair suggested.

"Athrun would not do something like this Shiho", Lacus jumped in the moment the brunette finished her sentence. "His pride and honor as the Vampire's nobleman would not allow him to cheat like this".

"How can you be sure of that Ms. Lacus? Athrun might still have his honors when he was young but that does not means he still has it now. He has change over the years since you last saw him", Shiho said.

While Shiho and Lacus enter a heated discussion about Athrun, Cagalli began thinking about Shiho's point. I doubt he would result in cheating. There wasn't any merit at all for him to win this practice match, other than shaming me, she thought. Heck, we just met today. But then how did he know of my name, full name even? There's a need to investigate him. Anyway, I did remember him twigging his Compressor Band before the game. Maybe...

"I don't think he rigged his band at all Shiho", Cagalli spoke suddenly. Both Shiho and Lacus looked at her. "He did switch his Compressor Band to 'high' mode since the indicator light was red in color. He was in fact giving me a handicap rather than taking the advantage. Now that i think about it, it really pissed me off thinking about it".

"Let's not have another blowtop again Cagalli or we will really be kicked out by the store manager", Miriallia pleaded.

Cagalli nodded and took this chance to clear her needed question. "Anyway, you guys seems to speak really fondly about him. But Lacus did mention that he was a Vampire nobleman right?" She directed her question to both Lacus and Shiho. Lacus nodded. "How did you guys come to know him?" Lacus looked surprised by her question.

I guess I hit a nail or something, Cagalli thought.

She gave Shiho a concern look before she begins. "Athrun and I used to be playmates when were young". Cagalli was surprised but she kept quiet as Lacus continue, "As you might have known Vampires rarely gave birth individually. We usually chose to give birth in a group and Athrun and I were born around the same year so we ended up as playmates".

"Well I understand about your side but what about Shiho", Cagalli asked. "Shiho was born as a human right so how-"

"I was born at the outskirts of the PLANTs", Shiho cut in. "Around that time, Human and Vampire living near the PLANTs borders were living in harmony and my father was able to start a small business in the city. In order to increased our social circle, I was introduced to the nobles' children and that how I met Ms. Lacus and Athrun".

Cagalli could feel the dagger in Shiho's tone. She was confused at first until she saw Lacus's 'I'm Sorry' expression. I guess we have stumbled on Shiho's sensitive spot. I really wish I could teased her a bit more but I guess I'll let it go this time, Cagalli nodded and Lacus smiled in return. But that does not mean I could not do it the roundabout way.

"There's something I'm curious about Lacus". The blond was surprised when Miriallia cut her off.

She looked at the brunette and understood when she saw her angry look. Cagalli nodded and sighed in defeat. I guess i was found out by Miriallia. She shrugged her shoulder and sipped on her drink.

Miriallia smiled and continued, "I know vampires could control human easily but is there anything that could control the vampires?"

Cagalli, Lacus and Shiho were surprised by the brunette's question and she on the other hand was surprised by their reaction. "Is that something I'm not supposed to asked?"

Miriallia, you just asked something that could charged you as a member of the Anti-Vampire Alliance, Cagalli thought. She placed her hand on Miriallia shoulder and asked, "Please tell me that the question you just was out of curiosity and nothing else Miri".

Miriallia blinked a few times, confused. "Of course it is Cagalli. If not what do you it might be-" She stops for a while then she began to bring her hand up frantically in a defense mode and said, "That's not what my question meant. If it's something confidential then please forget it".

"Well, I don't see any reason to keep this as a secret", Lacus said.

Cagalli saw a panicked look on Shiho's face when they heard what Lacus said. "But Ms. Lacus, this is a-"

"It's alright Shiho. This is something our government will have to reveal in the near future", Lacus said. She also reassured them that this will not cause them any trouble from knowing also.

"To begin with, do you know that the us Vampires are divided into three different kind?" Miriallia shocked her head. Lacus smiled as she took out a notebook and her writing materials. She wrote on them and continued, "The one that reign over the entire Vampire Clan are known as the Pureblood Vampire, also known as the royal bloodline in the human's term I guess. Then followed by the noble vampire and lastly the human rooted vampire. And within the noble vampires, there stand the Werewolves that have both the pureblood and the human root werewolves.

"Our kind were once ruled by dictatorship under the Pureblood Vampires rule. But after the riot by the citizen, the dictatorship was overthrown and the Supreme Council was formed and each clan chose two to three to represent their clan within the council", Lacus said. She also showed the the diagram she drew. "They were also given the title Noblemen and Noblewomen as they served within the Supreme Council".

"Then won't the Pureblood be able to overthrow any rules and discussion? They are the ones that reign over the Vampires right?" Miriallia asked.

Lacus nodded. "The Compressor Band were invented just to counter this matter. Each Councillor will have their Compressor Band calibrated before each meeting".

"And to further the relationship between both the vampires and the human", Cagalli started suddenly, "each vampire that leaves the PLANTs must have their Compressor Band calibrated before they enter the country". She took a sip of her drink when she finished.

So much for being confidential, she thought with a sigh. Her phone vibrated just as she was about to speak. Cagalli took out look at who the sender was and a frown appeared on her face.

"Is something of a matter Cagalli?" Lacus asked.

Cagalli shook her head. "Nothing major. I'm just being summoned home that's all. Thanks for cheering me up girls", she stood up and gave each of them a hug. "I'll see you girls in class tomorrow". She took her bag and left. She breathed out heavily once she was outside of the cafe. The young blond took out her phone and read the message that was sent to her by her father.

There's something we need to discuss. I have arrange a ride for you near your location. Meet me in the study when you reach home.

"Let just hope this discussion does not relate to my studies", she pleaded.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She has been standing there for thirty minutes now, debating whether to enter her father's study or not. Cagalli knows that if this discussion was about her academic result then she would really be receiving a scolding from him and she's scared.

Even though the scolding will be though but it will only last for a while, she thought optimistically. Besides, I'm sure he would not banned me from doing what I love right? He did taught me to strive for what I love. The last time my results were bad, he only scolded me and that's it. I'm sure this time will be fine as well.

The young Attha nodded with confident. She took a deep breath and reaches for the handle. Her hand stop just a few inches away and her expression began to pale.

But then again, that was the first semester of my first year in college and this time we are talking about the second semester of my second year in University. The scale of them are totally different.

Cagalli began to stressed out again from her thought and her debate for whether to enter the study begins once again. What am I going to do? She asked her inner self as she ruffled her blond hair.

"Why don't you just continue your inner debate inside while waiting for your father to finish Cagalli?"

Cagalli snapped out from her thoughts and saw a tanned skin man with black shoulder length hair standing at the door of her father's study. And worst of all, the door was half opened.

"Ki-Ki-Kisaka?! When?! How?!"

Kisaka sighed. "Just come in already", he said and grabbed onto her arm.

She tried to break free from his grasped but she was easily overpowered by her bodyguard and being pulled into the study. Cagalli shut her eyes as she enter the room and whimpered when she heard the door closes behind her.

I am so dead!

"You're here Cagalli". She flinched when she heard her fathers voice. But something was different. He does not sound angry at all. Then again she could hear voices other than her father.

Cagalli slowly opened her eyes and saw that her father was still surrounded by his secretaries. "Have a seat first Cagalli. I'll be done in a while more alright. Kisaka I need you to look through these documents concerning the militaries".

"Understood sir", Kisaka said.

Cagalli was brought back to reality when Kisaka gave her a little tap on her back before he left her side. She gave him an evil sneer before she sat down. The moment she look at her father she realized that he has yet to change out of his Senator's uniform. It seems that he has been working since their breakfast moment this morning.

I just hope he do not overwork himself this time round, she thought with a defeated sigh.

Uzumi Nara Attha, a very kind and understand man, is the Head Representative of his country, Orb Union. Even though he is kind and gentle, he is a very strict when it comes to his country's politics that earns him the title of "Lion of Orb". He is also strict when it comes to his daughter's upbringing.

Since she was young, her father has arranged everything for her to the point of what club activities she would be going to and what academic studies she should be taking. Cagalli has never felt the pressure about it and follow everything that her father planned willingly. She was happy with her father decision because it would lighten her weight on choosing what to do for her future.

Even though she was happy, Cagalli began to have doubts about the future road her father has chosen and prepared for her. Then she was scouted by the basketball club in her middle school days and since then Cagalli's doubt was cleared. At the same time her grades were also going on a downhill stroll.

Her father began to worried about it and told her to stop her activities immediately. Because of this, she had a huge argument with her father concerning what's really the best choice for her future.

It was the first argument I had with father and might I add, the worst one. But it's also because of this, I found out what I am capable of other than studying, Cagalli thought. She looked at her father and smile, I too understand how much father loved me as his daughter and we were able to communicate much better than before.

"It's nice to see you smile once in awhile but it really creepy when you are smiling to yourself Cagalli".

The young Attha snapped out from her thought. "You're done father? Since when?"

"Since a while ago", Uzumi said. He sat down across his daughters and said, "Let me guess, something good happen today with your club activities?"

"Just the opposite happened father". Cagalli frown at the mention of her club activities. She keep her emotion on check as she begins again, "Anyway, what is our discussion about for today father? Please tell me that is not about my studies again".

"We will touch on them at another time. Take a look at these and give me your opinion Cagalli". Uzumi place some files in front of her.

Cagalli look at those files with a suspicious look and ask, "please tell me these are not Prospect Marriage photos father".

Uzumi gave his daughter an amusing smile. "It is something that will pique your interest", he said. Cagalli was about to talk back but Uzumi stopped her. "You can retort back after you look through them Cagalli".

Cagalli pouted and picked up the file. She understood what her father was saying as she flipped through the documents. The file's content was definitely something that would interest her. In fact it is something that she has been studying and partaking since high school. It is the Politic Relation between two countries and the document comes with the insignia of the PLANTs Supreme Council.

"Have you check to see if this is a valid document?" Cagalli asked.

"We have checked with the the PLANTs ambassador and they have confirmed that the insignia was authentic", Kisaka answered as he sat next to her father. He flipped to the last page of the document that contains the ambassador's signature. "The PLANTs ambassador also received a copy from the PLANTs himself".

Cagalli nodded. She flipped the documents as she reads through them once more.

The PLANTs Supreme Council has asked for personnel transfer from the PLANTs and the Orb Union. Personnel transfers happened quite often between both countries as they deepened their relationship and it has never once caused them any trouble. But there seems to be a slight changes with this time round's request. The personnel that are transferring in from the PLANTs are officers trained in the ZAFT Military Training Facilities. That means these officers are military trained soldiers.

"There won't be a problem with the personnel that are transferring out. What I'm worried about are the personnel that will be transferring in", Cagalli said. "They are military trained soldiers. Won't the civilian feel anxious when they see the soldiers coming in?"

"They are transferring into our local ground force so they will be presented with proper getup before they start their duties. We will also reinforces their Compressor Band to match up with our abilities. This should help them blend in better", Kisaka explained. "And those that are transferring out will have to return getup before they are allowed to leave".

"Did you also mention that the officer are allow to further release their Compressor Band if they come in contact with the rogue vampires?" Cagalli asked.

Kisaka nodded. "They accepted out condition willingly".

"Then I guess it's settled then", she said. Cagalli signed the documents and pass the remaining to the father. "When will the transfer begin?"

"By the end of the month I presumed". Kisaka collected the signed documents and put them aside. He presented the young Attha yet another file. "Here are the first fortnight report from the ground force. It seems that there has been an increased of casualties with the rogue vampire near our borders".

"How bad was it?" Cagalli asked as she took the file. She read the report and she's really unhappy with the result. "Did we send any aid to that village? Which direction were the rogues heading?"

"We did. But by the time the ground force reached, it was too late.", Kisaka answered. "Though we were able to capture some of the rogues later that day, the rest managed to escaped. There were also sighting that some of them was heading towards the city".

Just when she thought her day could not go anymore worst than it already have Kisaka threw her another bomb. Cagalli was able to stop herself from swearing but she could not hide her distress look.

In order to reduces the casualties within the city's perimeter, they will have to increased the patrols and send out warning notices. But by doing so, it will also increased the civilian's anxiety as well. What are we supposed to do? Cagalli thought.

"Increased the patrol within the city". Cagalli snapped out from her thought when she heard what her father said. "Inform the officers to always be alert at all times".

"Would it not make the civilian anxious if they saw the increased patrols?" Kisaka asked and Cagalli nodded.

Uzumi nodded. "But it will also increase their awareness towards their surroundings. They could also prepare themselves for any sudden attack as well".

Cagalli saw her father's point. It's better to have them prepare for the worst, she thought. And when it comes to father's decision, he would likely to pass the final judgement tonto Kisaka's hand.

"Kisaka, I'll leave the patrols and officers arrangement to your decision", Uzumi said. Kisaka nodded.

Cagalli muffled her laughter upon hearing her father's decision. "And Cagalli," she looked up and met with her father's serious look, "are you having troubles with your studies lately? I hope they do not affect your credits in this terms final examination alright?"

Geh! The topic which I dreaded the most, Cagalli thought. "Understood father", she answered.

"Father, if this is all for the meeting, I would like to excused myself for the night". Uzumi nodded. Cagalli stood up, took her bag, walked towards her father and gave him a kiss on his cheek. "Good night father. Sleep early and don't overwork yourself tonight alright?"

"You too Cagalli", Uzumi said. Cagalli smiled and left her father's studies.

She opened the door to her room and turned on the lights. After closing the door, she toss her bag next to her study table and walked towards her balcony. The night wind greeted her the moment she stepped out to the open space and she welcomed it.

So much has happened today, she thought. It's really too much for one day. I'm totally drained out.

Though it was almost similar to her everyday routine, there were a few added difference for the day. Her college problems seems so petite after her meeting with her father and Kisaka. She let out a depressed sighed whenever she thought about the destroyed village and the the villagers.

I hope the villagers will be better allocated in the future, she thought. Even though she was depressed but when she thought of the certain blue hair vampire that she has just met today, it would still pissed her off.

"Why does that bastard suddenly appeared in my thought when I least wanted to", she asked. He had managed to made her heart skipped a beat when she first saw his emerald green eyes and yet he had to humiliate her on the very same day. "Argh! The more I think about it the more pissed off I get".

A distance wolf's howl surprised her just as she finished. "Wolf's howl? But from where?" Her body shivers just as the cold wind blew by. "Better get back in, the night is getting chilly. I'll just investigate it with Kisaka tomorrow".

Cagalli was about to step into her room when another wolf's howl stops her completely and this time it seems to be closer. The moment she turns around, she saw a human silhouette was riding on a giant wolf passing through the cloudless night sky.

She gasped when her amber orbs met with emerald green ones.

== Continue in Chapter 3 ==

A/N: Hope you enjoy reading this chapter. See you in the next chapter.