Terribly sorry about the incredibly long lack of updates! I've been... busy and lazy XP. This chapter has been finished but sitting on my computer for a while... Very sorry about that one. In my mild defense, it wasn't really edited.

In any case, I now present, Chapter Two of "Neighbors": "Interesting Discoveries"


Cagalli swung her window open, eagerly greeting the new day. Beautiful morning, as expected. Filled with cheerful disposition, she beamed as brightly as the sun.

Strolling into the kitchen, she froze. Wait a minute... rewind. Today was supposed to be miserable. Because... that new writer was coming. Swearing profusely, she snatched up a banana and devoured it in three bites. Not enough. Another one was swallowed with equal vigor.

She'd have to go shopping for more now.

Grabbing her laptop, she decided to make it an early day. After all, if this new guy showed up before she did, she'd never live it down. Marching out the door, she ran towards the elevator and pressed the down button. Waiting for a few seconds, she soon grew impatient and placing her ear against the elevator, decided that it was definitely going too slowly, and opted for dashing down 3 floors of stairs instead.

Thus she came to be in the office by 8:30. A new record.

Her first warm welcome was by Lacus, who greeted her with a slight look of surprise. "What brings you here so early?"

"Work of course!" Cagalli grinned, heading for her desk. Lacus followed along, holding a folder of layout options for the latest cover, which she was asked to deliver to Kira.

"Mmm... Sure you just don't want to show up the new writer?" She hummed. Cagalli froze. This girl knew her too well.

"Maybe... a little. But hey, can't a girl make an honest effort to do good work?" She shrugged.

"Not if there's a malicious motive..." A voice appeared from behind. Both girls spun around to face a well-dressed Kira, who had his arms folded over his chest. "You said you'd be nice Cagalli."

"I don't see how I'm not!" She protested, as Lacus handed the folder over to Kira. "And what's with the clothes?"

Her brother made a general motion of indifference. "I figured it was the guy's first day, so I aught to look decent. Technically I should dress like this everyday, I just don't like it." He smiled lightly. Both girls laughed, when another voice joined the conversation.

"We don't get new people very often anyways... well at least not at positions so high." Miriallia commented, leaning against a file cabinet. Holding the title of chief photographer, she was currently in charge of taking photos for important events, and looking over the work of other photographers. Judging by the jump-drive in her hand, she had come over use the printer on Lacus' desk, which printed much faster than hers, just at a lower quality.

"Yeah, we really don't. So I guess it's a semi-big deal?" Another voice, this time belonging to Sai. He reached over to the printer tray and grabbed the first image that came off, then grabber a piece of legal paper and held it up behind it, as if already working on how to position the image. Occupying the position of graphic designer, he was in charge of layouts, and easily one of the most diligent workers.

"What's this? We have the entire head staff gathering for this occasion?" Kira raised an amused eyebrow. Cagalli raised her hands in protest.

"Hey, don't look at me. I was just going to get some coffee."

A final voice joined the conversation.

"Excuse me?... I think this is where I'm supposed to be..."

Cagalli tilted and raised her head to see past Kira, and spot...

"Athrun!"

A blink. "Oh, hello." was his only response. "What brings you here?"

"I uh... work here?" She shrugged. This time an eyebrow was raised. All other heads turned to face the newcomer. "And why are you here?"

"I am... going to work here?" He smiled lightly. A few more moments of empty silence passed, before realization dawned on everyone present. Kira smiled and walked forward, seizing Athrun's right hand in a firm handshake.

"Welcome to the team, which is oh-so-conveniently gathered here." He grinned. "I'm Kira, editor and head. Lacus, head editor. Miriallia, chief photographer. Sai, chief layout designer, and Cagalli, executive writer." Each person nodded at the calling of their name, except Cagalli, who glared sharply.

"Cagalli, will you show him to his desk? It's right beside yours."

Cagalli blinked, then nodded stiffly. Bumping into Kira's shoulder extra hard as she brushed pass him to approach Athrun, her fists clenched threateningly.

"Think they... know each other?" Miriallia wondered aloud. Kira rubbed his shoulder painfully, and shrugged.

"Well, this isn't this an interesting development..." Lacus smiled.


"This is your desk." Cagalli pointed to it lamely, then walked out of the newly created office to go to hers. Athrun smiled faintly, lightly concealing his amusement at the young woman's response to seeing him.

At first she merely seemed to stare at him, with this perfectly unreadable expression. Now she seemed annoyed, or bothered. Was it because she had to show him around for the entire morning, or just that he was going to be working there... Or maybe it was just him?

Sighing, he quickly called out her name before she left the room. She cocked her head slightly in the direction of his voice, still not looking at him.

"I owe you a banana, right?"

That got her attention. She turned and shot a sharp glare at him.

"Yes. Yes you do." She stated matter of factly, folding her arms over her chest in mock stubbornness, and leaning ever so slightly against the door. Curiously, she watched him pull out a banana from his bag.

"This... Is what I found hanging off my doorknob this morning. So, what am I supposed to do with it?"

Cagalli raised an eyebrow. "Eat it?" She asked, as if it were the most obvious answer in the world. He slapped his forehead with his hand.

"Not... that way. I mean, does this mean that I owe you a banana now?"

"Didn't you read the note?"

"...Okay. But you see, I plan to eat this. So when are you expecting a replacement?"

"I have to go grocery shopping again today anyways. And I don't really care when you give me the banana, just remember that you owe me one." she waved the issue off, in a flippant motion of her right hand. He raised an eyebrow.

"How about lunch?"

"Huh?"


Miriallia had been chatting with Lacus inside her office, which happened to be beside Cagalli's when they thought they heard voices.

Cagalli... and Athrun?

Exchanging curious glances, they silently snuck out and inched their way down the corridor. Sai, who happened to be passing by, looked at them like they were insane. Miriallia quickly clamped her right hand over his mouth before he could say anything.

"How about lunch?"

"Huh?"

This time, Lacus had to clamp her hand around Miriallia's to prevent her from squealing out loud. All three people shot each other hasty looks, demanding that the other keep quiet.

"How about lunch?" Athrun repeated again.

"Uh... I don't think I follow." Cagalli leaned backwards into the door a bit more, look as if she was going to leave the room. Hastily, the three spectators scuffled back a few feet, out of view.

"You don't? I owe you now, don't I?" A deep voice chuckled.

"Mm... Yeah, but not a lunch."

"Well then, just show me a nice place to get lunch around here. I'm not familiar with this area." He insisted. Outside, their small audience was bursting with curiosity.

Cagalli shrugged again. "Sure why not?"

Upon hearing sounds of someone getting up, and presumably gathering stuff, the three on-lookers darted back into Miriallia's office. Ears pressed against the door, they waited until they heard two sets of footsteps proceed down the hallways, accompanied with light conversation.

Looking at each other, they knew what they had to do.

Opening the door, they double checked the hallway to make sure the topics of conversation were gone... before splitting up into different directions in search of Kira, and anyone else that might be interested to know.


Meanwhile the pair of interest ambled down the street comfortable, completely oblivious to the havoc that their colleagues were wreaking back at the office. Stopping in front of a modest shop, Cagalli opened the door courteously. Athrun's eyebrows rose, surprised not only by the display of manners, but how it was her that ended up holding the door for him. A stern glare was her reply to his apparent disbelief.

"Yes I have manners, and goodness forbid a woman hold open a door right? You look like you just got smacked in the face by the 21st century. Wake up." She frowned. He smiled.

"My apologies... Mind if I ask where we are?"

"The Taqueria. You like Mexican?" She questioned.

"I... don't mind Mexican." He replied, after a thoughtful pause.

"Meaning?..."

"I've never tried Mexican."

"Try it." Cagalli responded firmly, ushering him inside. He entered the restaurant obediently.

"So now what?" Athrun asked, hands in his jeans' pocket, eyes wandering around the moderately sized eatery. Cagalli once more ushered him into a line.

"We order up here. They make it. We pay. We eat. Sound okay to you?"

He shrugged in response. "Even if it didn't, it's not like I have a choice, right?"

A grin spread across her face. "Very. Good." All her bantering opponent could do was smile submissively and chuckle, shaking his head softly.

Approaching the counter, Cagalli proceeded to order what sounded like a horrendously large burrito, with a medley of sauces jumbled enough to confuse her taste buds for days.

She insisted it tasted good.

He proceeded to order something simple anyways.

She half frowned-half pouted. "You're too plain."

He smiled a bit. "What's wrong with that?"

Cagalli looked up from her food and blinked, then narrowed her eyes and cocked her head to the side slightly, as if examining him. He looked on amusedly. Finally, she shrugged and returned to her food.

"Plain is... plain. Nothing wrong... It's just, plain."

Athrun smiled slightly, and nodded acknowledging, muttering slightly under his breath so that she wouldn't hear. "I agree..."


Kira stared numbly at the crowd of people in front of his desk.

Two looked excited beyond belief, but like they had just run five-minute miles... looked like he was somewhat interested but otherwise had no idea what he was doing there.

"So... according to you guys..."

"Cagalli's dating the new guy!" The auburn-haired woman responded.

"And you know this because..."

"We overheard them after she showed him his new desk... office, whatever." The other woman present answered.

"And... do you consider this newsworthy?"

All three shuffled nervously. "Uh... no."

Kira smiled a bit. "Interesting as this is... It's not something I want you guys to be reporting to me on. So get back to work."

All three nodded, and turned to leave the tidy office when he continued speaking in a louder voice.

"Of course... that doesn't mean I'm not interested at all, per say. After all, my sister's romantic life which has been basically nonexistent for her entire life, is something that I might want... semi-regular updates on?"

Milly's eyes started sparkling happily, as whirled around to face Kira again and nodded happily. Lacus smiled thoughtfully, well aware of the fact that Kira wouldn't be able to resist finding out more. Sai looked tired... Chances were he wouldn't have to do much, since Milly and Lacus were already eager to spy... err... investigate. But seeing as how he had the closest office to the new guy, he's inevitably be dragged into it.

"Great... I mean... this is obviously some form of investigative journalism. Uh, just don't let Cagalli find out." He added as a second thought, smiling a bit... half as a joke and half deadly serious.

After all, if his dear sister did find out... there'd be heck for HIM to pay.


Meanwhile, two oblivious writers were making their way down the street after a quick lunch, engaging in light, sparring conversation.

"So, what did you think of the food?"

"It's good. Eating it is a bit messy though, isn't it?" Athrun noted aloud. Cagalli nodded.

"Of course. But it's not that bad. Besides, it's kind of fun!" She encouraged.

"If you don't mind tomato stains on your shirt, I suppose." He shrugged, glancing at the corner of her top, which had a slight discoloring. Cagalli turned to hide it and glared sharply at him.

"You're just mad that you got rice in your hair." She insisted, a smile creaking its way to the corners of her mouth. Athrun turned slightly, and ran his hand through his hair, as if checking if there was any more in there.

"Oh, hold on a moment. There's a fruit stand over there..." He said, quickly making his way over. Cagalli followed, pulling out her wallet and check to see if she had enough money on her to buy some bananas. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her wrist.

"Let me guess. You want a banana?" Athrun grinned. Cagalli nodded numbly, confused as to what he was thinking. He answered her question by handing her a bag. "I owe you one, remember?"

Cagalli however was relatively stunned. "Umm... you owe me a banana... Not the…" She counted quickly, "Seven that are in this bag."

He flashed one of those heartbreaking grins you only hear about in silly romance novels. "Then you owe me six."

Her face changed expression from confusion to annoyed displeasure, as she impulsively reached into the bag and ripped off a banana, flinging it at him. "Five." She responded, turning around and stalking off.

She didn't like to owe people... but hey, she wasn't about to turn down free bananas either. After all, he'd just saved her a trip to the grocery store.

Meanwhile, Athrun was examining the banana that had just been thrown at him, after catching said fruit very skillfully. He smiled a bit to himself, and began to walk after her.

Somehow his life had just gotten a lot more interesting...


Cagalli quickly made her way back to her office, plopping down into her comfy swivel chair and placing the bag of bananas onto her desk. She started up her word processor, then took a quick glance to the side.

"Can I help you?..."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could swear she just spotted a flash of pink. Sure enough, a certain crystal eyed, cotton candy haired editor peeked out of a corner.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to grab some lunch?..." Lacus started innocently. Cagalli raised an eyebrow.

"Haven't you noticed I've been gone for an hour now?"

"Hm, oh yeah, I thought you were still showing the new guy around..." Her friend answered cautiously, careful not to sound too suspicious.

Cagalli's suspicious aroused anyways, her eyes narrowed a bit. Shrugging a bit, she turned back to her computer. "I guess you can say I was... I showed him that Mexican place nearby."

Her friend held back a giddy squeal, reminiscent of teenage years. "So you went out to lunch with him?..."

Suddenly, the blonde writer's face reddened visibly. The next thing Lacus knew, she was facing a stuttering, incoherent stream of words, excuses, and the door as she was ushered out of the office.

Lacus glanced behind her shoulder, noting that Cagalli was definitely still blushing, her face lowered and shoulders hunched, as if to try to hide her face in any way possible. She turned to the eager Milly, who was hiding patiently behind a corner and nodded.

"Yep... I don't think it was a date, but it might as well have been."

Miriallia smiled. "I only wish I could have taken a picture... okay then let's check on Sai!"


Athrun felt... watched. In an eerie, discomforting sort of way. To his right, all the way down the hall was Cagalli's office... To his immediate left was the office of the layout designer, who he believed went by the name of Sai.

Though he hadn't been here long, he already felt like everyone seemed to know him. Either that, or they were just much too interested in him... or perhaps they were just very friendly people. In any case, he had trouble waling down the hall without feeling like someone was staring at him. On the lower floors, it was a bunch of the other writers, who wrote smaller articles for the magazine. In any case, it seemed that a striking amount of young female writers were asking for his advice. Strange...

Then we arrive at the upper floor, where the head of editing, photography, etc were all located, as well as he and Cagalli. For the past hour or so, a woman he remembered as the head of photography kept running into Sai's office. They'd exchange a few brief words, and then she'd run back out. Then a few minutes later, she'd be back and the cycle would repeat. Athrun was confused.

That is until Sai finally walked into his office, a weary look on his face. He tried his best to smile. "Hi, Athrun right? I'm Sai. If you need anything, just walk over."

Athrun nodded. "Much thanks. and I'll probably take your up on your offer for that. I have a tendency to run out of paper clips." He smiled. Sai smiled more genuinely and nodded.

"Have you eaten yet?"

"Hm?"

"Eaten. Lunch I mean?" The spectacle-wearing man in front on him explained.

"Yeah, I just went out to eat something with Cagalli." Athrun replied, gesturing in the general direction of her office.

"Oh, I see... If you don't mind me asking, do you know her?"

"Pardon?"

"Do you know her?... Sorry to pry, it's just that you seemed to have an interesting reaction today when you saw her." Sai explicated awkwardly. Man, this was weird. Miriallia owed him BIG TIME for this...

Athrun blinked. "She lives in my building."

"You LIVE with her!" A rather feminine voice blurted out of nowhere. Both men jumped, evidently startled.

Then Miriallia strolled by Athrun's door, as casually as she could manage, yet still blushing visibly. "Sorry, I just overheard. I was going to ask Sai what resolution he wanted this photo in..." She mumbled in a desperate attempt at some lame excuse.

Suddenly loud footsteps were heard, and a panting blonde appeared at his door as well. "I... Definitely...do NOT LIVE with him!" Furious amber eyes turned towards the captured sneak. "What are all you guys doing in here! Athrun needs to work, and I'm sure you do too!"

The color of her cheeks could have been from embarrassment, or exhaustion from tearing down a hallway after overhearing Miriallia's rather loud remark of surprise.

Athrun was stunned. What were all these people doing in here?

Sai felt exhausted, and embarrassed. What WAS he doing here?

Miriallia shifted nervously. This would have been so much easier if so many people weren't here... She felt herself get pulled away from the office by Cagalli, and said a quick goodbye to Sai and Athrun.

Once again, the office was just two men, staring blanking.

"What… was that all about?" Athrun raised an eyebrow.

Sai gave him a sympathetic smile before exiting the office. "Welcome to 'The Weekly Investigator'. Pleasure to have you on the team."


Cagalli felt mortified beyond belief. After dragging Milly back into her office, she took the liberty of banning her from Athrun's office. Miriallia protested vehemently. Compromise was impossible.

"Why are you people so nosy!" Cagalli hissed angrily, struggling to keep her voice down. Miriallia frowned.

"This is an investigative magazine! Of course we are! Besides, I wouldn't have to if you just TOLD me what was going on!"

Cagalli scoffed. "Yeah, you and the rest of the world which would inevitably find out."

"Just me and Lacus!"

"Fine! He lives in my APARTMENT building. Happy?"

Miriallia's face fell. "That's it?... You live in the same apartment complex?"

The irritated blonde nodded in confirmation. "That's it!"

"No big deal..." her friend shrugged, leaving the office. Cagalli's eyebrows rose a bit. That easy?

A inquisitive voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey Cagalli?... I was getting ready to go and was wondering if you wanted to walk back together." Athrun appeared at her doorway, holding his briefcase. Cagalli glanced at the time. Was it that late already?... So much for that wonderfully productive day she was planning.

With a quick nod at Athrun's direction, she turned to pack up her laptop. Looks like it'd be a late night for her...


Meanwhile, Miriallia was already off to find Lacus, who was in her office.

"Well?..." Her friend pressed.

"They live in the same apartment complex."

"... That's all she said?"

A nod.

"Well, we'll just have to keep investigating, now won't we?..."


Athrun offered to carry something for her on the way out. She declined, securely holding onto her belongings and the bag of bananas. He held doors open for her. She insisted he let go.

And as usual, they argued the entire way home. He liked cats. He had one as a pet for the longest time. It was currently with his parents.

She liked dogs. They were more energetic and didn't lounge around all day like oversized furballs.

Cats required less maintenance.

Cats were less fun.

Dogs sometimes run away.

So do cats.

One minute they were talking about cats and dogs, the next they were fighting like them. Yet he managed to keep a smile on her face the whole time.

Finally arriving back at theirs they bid each other a quick goodnight, before retiring to their own respective apartment. Cagalli placed her fruit in her basket, and her laptop on the kitchen counter before pausing to think.

They lived in the same building. That was it.

Wasn't it?...


So then Cagalli's confused, but what about Athrun? And how successful will the 'investigation' go?

As a quick note... All three ongoing stories can be expected to have slower updates. They will also be MUCH shorter. (I'm thinking... 6 or 7 chapters each maybe?... that's tentative but what I'm going for). The other two will be updated as soon as possible. I have about half a chapter done for both of those. Then again, since I plan on making it only a couple chapters, chapter length might have to go up quite a bit.

Much thanks to my reviewers:

Matsuo Michiyo, kobuto-chan, WhiteMoonTears, RoGuE-WhItE-DrAgOn, psychoanalyst, IYGU, Akatsuki Will, cottongreentea, Swt. Harmony, CookyButtButt, theLilyLady, asucags, The Angels' Princess, thousandbirds, BabuBear, Belle, animemistress419, coquettish-zala, Kazumi Kairi or Kairi-chan, DiRTy-HaRrY-1-10, Genny-chan, ANONYMOUS/acanonymous, Rayar, Feminist1991, Kintora, Garowyn, ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice, esu-chan, Cari-Akira, Kitty-Kat90013820, The Jackle, gseedlover, XxbuffyxX, deadstrawberries, ovp, JC-Athie, aNgEl-Of-LoVe-AnD-hAtE, animeluver461, KiraTatashi, Maryam Khanoom, Princess Ashes, MissRule

I love feedback! If you have any comments at all, please send them my way!

Periodic-Prose