Chapter 3: Thunder

It was evening. Athrun sighed as he walked. His shoes made water splash with every step, quite effectively wetting the hose of his pants and the moisture was slowly seeping in into his socks. He did not usually mind chilly, rainy days, in fact, he always welcomed these as he thought these are the days where the air will be clean and it provided the essential component for life to flourish.

His sour mood was attributed to the fact that the girl in front of him did not allow him to walk home with her. Cagalli stalked on in front of him as if she owned the road, and in a way she did; as the governor of Orb. She was probably still angry and upset over the fact that Kisaka had pranked her with a male housemate and refused to be seen walking home with Athrun. She says the class girls will probably kill her if anyone found out they are staying together.

Athrun shook his head.

He could not help but feel a little down. It has been more than a month since he saw Cagalli, and frankly speaking, he missed her in a way he never knew he could. He found his hand lingering near the necklace she had given him whenever he thought of her, and over the past month the stone's surface had been rubbed smooth. He looked at her again, and just the sight of her prancing in a girl's uniform was enough to make his heart beat a little faster. Her life now was hectic, but fulfilling; though she will never admit it. At least she was safe again, and leading a life befitting of a princess. But what really hurt him was the fact that she does not seem happy about his invasion into her life; her home. He had been charged with her safety, and was to be her best friend, nothing more. But she does not even seem to want to talk to him, and had barely spoken ten words over the past week. And every moment of silence seemed to affirm the truth that he had blatantly and painfully refused to acknowledge.

He bit his lip, telling himself that it was not worth being concerned over. She will get over her initial surprise, and start talking to him.

A sound that was distinct from the pitter-patter of falling rain caught his attention. His feet stopped, and he listened, to his left was small plot of grassland where metal beams and a pile of discarded items sat. The sound came again, more distinct then before, it sounded like a toddler whimpering. For a moment worry creased his brow as the thought of there being a deserted child out in the storm. He went forward tentatively towards the pile of rubbish, out of the corner of his vision, Cagalli walked on.

With one hand holding out the umbrella, the other hand stretched out to poke uncertainly at the bags that look the most suspicious. As he did, the sound came again, it was a sound of alarm. And he finally realized what the creature was when a curious pair of black, wet eyes gazed at him.

Ooo

"I'm going out." Athrun said hastily after a short trip to the pantry.

"What?" Cagalli asked as she put down her own umbrella, "I need your help with something."

You don't need me...

He thought somewhat bitterly, but did not voice his thoughts aloud.

"Hmm, Cagalli…What do you think of pets?" He asked her instead, heart in mouth. He thought he sounded like a boy asking his mother's permission.

"Huh?" She was surprised, "You mean like keeping a rabbit or hamster?"

He nodded slowly, "Something like that."

"They…shed, and poop and do their business all over…?" She replied uncertainly, as she made a face that revealed all her disapproval.

"Oh." He did not bother to hide the disappointment in his tone.
"Why?" She asked, seemingly suspicious.

"Nothing, I'll be back soon." He promised as he quickly closed the door before she could say another word.

Ooo

"Here."

The pair of eyes seemed to recognize him, or at least it knew that the dried meat in his hand was food. It poked its black, button nose out of the shadow, and sniffed weakly at the item in Athrun's hand. Then came the eyes, which were black and intelligent. They gazed at Athrun; as if questioning whether Athrun will hurt him. It looked up, noticing for the first time the silver shelter over its head actually keeps out the rain.

"Go on." Athrun coaxed in a soft voice, "It's for you." His hand extended towards the baby animal slightly, inviting it to take the meat from his palm. "I won't hurt you, promise." He added. He squatted there with his hand in outstretched position for an impossibly long time, but he told himself to be patient, the little one has probably been hurt by its previous owner judging from the scars on its back, which were so angry-looking that Athrun wondered if it was dying. It did not move apart from the breaths that caused his skinny sides to rise and fall. It's paws were still so tiny that all four will probably fit within Athrun's palm.

The creature gazed at him ruefully, then with a paw swiped his hand aside, knocking the meat askew. Athrun felt claws dig into the flesh at the back of his hand, drawing blood. He winched, and withdrew his injured hand, nursing it as he watched as the little dog snatched the food from the ground and swiftly retreated to the safety of its thrash-bag shelter to enjoy the snack. It chewed tentatively at the corners of the meat first, then deciding it was indeed food, devoured the whole thing. Athrun was amused, the way it ate demostrated a commendable will to live.

When it caught Athrun looking at it, it growled in defense, daring Athrun to do his worst. Then, looking at Athrun all the while, it limped over to the spot where Athrun's blood had dribbled onto the ground, and started licking hungrily at the area.

Athrun fished another packet out of his pocket and removed the meat from the wrappings, and offered it to the puppy.

It was only after the fifth and final piece that the puppy allowed Athrun to stroke it as it ate. Athrun got a chance to observe the creature. It was a tiny, mangled version of a baby golden retriever. It's fur was obviously golden, and darken to brown by the rain, like gold dust. But there was a livid half-healed scar on its back and fistfuls of fur were missing. It was cold, and trembling slightly beneath Athrun's warm hand. Other than that, it seemed healthy, even handsome judging from the even pink colour of its skin and large, bright eyes. Maybe it is just a little skinny and lost.

Athrun felt his blood pressure rise. He had no love for people who abuse animals. Pets are meant to be pamper and loved, not mistreated.

"Poor thing."

The puppy looked at him with those intelligent eyes again, and Athrun realized that they were not quite black, but green like his. Though not the same shade, they were somewhat darker with a chrome quite akin to olives.

"Your eyes are green." He mused, and felt as if he was talking to himself, but he had a strange feeling the creature understood. It acknowledged by giving a short delighted yip, and started licking the back of his uninjured hand, the tongue that caressed his skin was warm and pink. Athrun gave himself the liberty of a timid smile. Now that it is less hungry, Athrun trusted that it will not bite him. As he allowed the puppy to lick his hand, he found that the nose that touched his knuckles was cold. It was shivering slightly.

Setting down the umbrella between them, he removed his blazer and used it to wrap around the tiny ball of fur as he scooped it up, and held it close to himself. Near his shirt where he could share his warmth.

He just sat there for the next few moments as the rain fell around them. It seemed as if he had bonded with the tiny dog. It seemed to realize that Athrun's person was warm unlike the unforgiving rain which it weathered, and curled happily within the bundle of cloth formed by Athrun's blazer. Athrun held it slightly tighter, the mud and grit smeared all over his blazer will probably make it irredeemably unwashable, but he considered the price well-paid if he could save the little dog's life.

The dog had by now understood his intend and became amiable and cooperative in his arms. In fact... It had become quite still, there was no distinctive rise and fall of its sides; no stirs as its breath touch the edges of the cloth.

Athrun frowned in alarm and his eyes widened, suddenly afraid that the puppy had died in its fatigued and malnourished sleep. He jiggled the tiny animal gingerly, attempting to make noises that the dog might understand and respond to. The best he managed was 'Hey...hey!', the rest were caught in his throat which had suddenly gone dry. He shook the animal's tiny body, as if by doing that he could transfer some life back into the baby dog.

It opened its eyes gradually, and gazed at Athrun with confusion and reproach, as if berating the human who had distrupted a good nap. Athrun let out a sigh of utmost relief, and felt that if anyone should be angry, it should have been him. He put as much contempt and anger into his gaze as he glared back at the dog and muttered in a low voice, "You scared me."

It cowered, and buried itself deeper into the cloth, making small whimpering noises, Athrun softened. He frowned again, but for a different reason.

The sky was darkening, the gray giving way to midnight blue, and he wondered how much time had passed. He could not stay where he was, for he had promised to return swiftly, his charge was to be Cagalli, not the helpless puppy in his arms. But he could not bring it back, Cagalli forbade it, and probably so would Kisaka. If he left it here, it will likely die from the lack of food, care, shelter and affection.

It shivered in his arms, and Athrun realized that the rain was getting heavier, and was slowly infringing the circle formed by his trusty umbrella, eating inward into the circle of protection. His clothes are getting wet, and fat droplets of water were being sprinkled onto his face, he shivered involuntarily as chilled air wormed into his moist clothing. He knew all he had to do was to put the bundle down to get his umbrella and walk off. But he did not want to, and he held the bundle closer to him, nearer to his heart as he curled up, his head touching his knee.

He knew he could not live with himself if he could not even protect the little dog in front of him. It was equivalent to murder, it will not survive if he left it on its own. It is useless, unwanted, unneeded and unloved. And with a chilling realization, he knew that if it died, it would be so quiet, with no one caring if its existence was snuffed out prematurely.

Athrun bit his lip, and felt his spirits sink. There are far to many similarities, and each one seemed to form an invisible thread that tied his heartbeat to the little dog's. With one hand he absentmindedly stroked the furry back, combing out matted fur with his fingers, carefully avoiding the marred skin.

It was not pessimism, merely truth. He was the same as the little one, he is a fugitive in Orb, having to earn his keep as a security guard, with no one who really mattered to him. His existence was not necessary, he just hoped he would not be a nuisance, and definitely not a threat to Cagalli and Orb. At times like this, he found himself wondering why he was still alive. What did he hope to accomplish by choosing to to live another day? What difference could he now make to the world?

"Do you know...?" He asked the puppy in his arms. "Why do you want to live?"

It merely looked at him hopefully and wagged it tail, as if wondering if Athrun had anymore food with him. For the puppy, it seemed that the only way was to live, to focus on eating and surviving. The default mode was to acquire resources to live, its insistence is to go on existing even if the world is against it. In many ways, Cagalli was like that, warm, lively, determined to survive. She is important and vital, she is needed by her council and people, she is loved by her brother and her surbodinates.

But he was not.

He didn't mind not existing, and he trusted no one else would mind too.

He remained still, shivering slightly.

He wondered it Cagalli would mind if he stopped existing.

Footsteps approached quickly, she appeared out of the gloom as if being the answer to his query and he hid a gasp.

The way she looked at him was positively murderous, and his arm tighted protectively around the little puppy, whispering in his heart for it to be silent. It seemed to understand his apprehension, and hid obediently as best as it could into the folds of the heavy jacket, leaving nothing but its very conspicuous, wagging tail. Then it twirled within the depths of its warm shelter and peeked out of the layers of fabric with its bright eyes.

She came forward calmly with a large umbrella and regarded the bundle in his arms, realization seemed to dawn on her, and it fueled her anger, she snapped her handphone shut with one swift motion.

He remained defiant, silent in his protests.

Unceremoniously, she grabbed his hand roughly and pulled him upright with a swift yank. Athrun cried out softly, but mananged to bite back the rest of the sound. Her hand had enclosed over the wounds on the back of his hand, and the bleeding resumed as the skin and flesh was torn apart by friction.

Startled- realizing that the moisture on Athrun's hand was not rainwater-she released her iron grip and flipped his hand over for examination. The tension in the air seem to dissipate a little as she saw the bleeding scratches. And she muttered something so softly that it was drowned by the downpour, Athrun guessed was 'sorry' from the shape formed by her lips. She transfered her grip to his wrist then, and pulled him along behind her in silence. The puppy looked from the new human to Athrun, fear apparent in its olive eyes.

"Hush." Athrun reassured it softly. "You'll be alright."

The lights were on back in the house, visible from a distance away and Athrun heard voices, and saw many pairs of shoes lined up along the side of the porch.

"What's...going on?" he asked Cagalli, giving a guess about what is happening. She did not reply, only gave a sigh that revealed all her displeasure. He was greeted by a sight that almost brought tears to his eyes when she opened the door.

"Athrun...?" Lacus skipped up to him and appraised him from head to toe, "You made everyone so worried! Come on, come in. Why are you drenched?"

"Can someone call Kira, Mwu, and the other guys to come back?" Cagalli shouted as she hung up her umbrella.

Kira appeared behind Athrun, shaking the moisture out of his own umbrella. His face brightened as he saw Athrun, "Hey, you're back!" He looked like he was on the verge of giving Athrun a hug, but Athrun warded him away as he gestured at his soaked apparel.

Athrun was puzzled. The room was well lit, and in the middle of the living room, a table had been set up displaying a delicious spread. There was baked potatoes, pies and pastry, pizza, salads and roasted game of sorts. His stomach churned hungrily as the wonderful smells tickled his senses, he had not realized that he was positively famished. He gazed at the clock and realized he had spent over an hour in the storm. There were balloons stuck to the curtains and a banner that spanned high across the room with golden cursive letters saying, 'House warming party!', and in smaller words beneath, was 'To Cagalli & Athrun.'

He bit his lip, his heart swelled.

Mana stomped out of the kitchen then, carrying a large bowl of cocktail. When she saw him dripping onto the carpets she dropped the whole bowl onto the table, causing droplets to splash menacingly and came forward as she wiped her hands on her apron. All the while muttering hysterically, Athrun caught words like 'Dreadful, disgraceful, disgusting...', she grabbed him by the shoulders and steered him into his room.

"Boy, change, quickly! Don't make the guests wait any longer!"

Athrun stood rooted to the spot at the door for the next ten seconds, still trying to process what was happening. The puppy squirmed as wonderful smells drifted into his bedroom through the window, seemingly wanting to get at all the food. Athrun conceded, he washed himself and the little dog hastily, and just as he was toweling the little one dry when someone came in without knocking. She tossed the first aid kit carelessly onto the desk and motioned for him to sit down.

ooo

"Cagalli?"

"Sit."

He obeyed.

"What's happening outside?" He questioned as she roughly applied iodine onto his wounds. She paused, and replied icily, "Can't you read?"

"You never told me..."

She shot him a look of disgust, "Have you left your brains out in the storm as well? Hello~~!It is obviously meant to be a surprise. And...you know...I can't keep secrets...so the safest way is for me to talk less!" She snapped as the forceps she was holding poked repeatedly at Athrun's hand, he grimaced. The dog barked in protest, and Cagalli glanced at it.

"Is that the reason why you were out so long?"

He nodded guiltily. She bandaged his hand in indifference.

"You want to keep it?"

He nodded again, biting his lip, as if not daring to believe his luck... Cagalli sighed inwardly.

"Fine."

"Really?" He thrilled, "You really don't mind?"He could not stop himself from smiling, it was a miracle! He took Cagalli's shoulder excitedly, and held out his pinky, "Promise?" Cagalli was amused, and her face broke into a half-smile. She had not seen Athrun smile in more than a month, and when he did, he looked boyish once more. It was definitely rare to see him so happy. "You made all the guest wait for over half an hour and still have to cheek to sit here and ask me to do what 5-year-olds do?"

"Promise." He demanded insistently, suddenly he had transformed totally into a boy. She sighed and hooked her little finger around his, "It's your house too, after all..."

And at this Athrun gave a grin that very nearly made her lose her senses.

"Since you're gonna keep him. Name him!" She snapped instead.

"Naming...?" He chewed his lip a little, "I'm quite bad at it."

"Really?"

"Tori's a bird named 'bird'." He pointed out with a somewhat bashful expression.

"You're right..." She conceded, then joked. "Since you're at it, why not name him inu?"

"Hmm, he's a little yellow thing I found in a thunderstorm..." Athrun thought aloud, then seemed to be struck by a stroke of inspiration. "Thunder...His name is thunder."

"Thunder, hey! You're not half bad." Cagalli laughed, "I might have called it sunflower."

"That's a girl's name." Athrun pointed out.

"It is a girl." Cagalli said, "I think."

Then for some reason, both of them turned to look at each other. And their gazes locked, and held on for a while. It was Cagalli who asked first, "What?"

Athrun shook his head, in a small voice he said, "I don't know whether I should say..."

"...I hate it when you do that." Cagalli muttered in amusement, "Say it if you have something to say."

"Oh..." He muttered as he turned away, then mumbled the rest very quickly. "Hmm...it feels like...we are newly weds who just got our first kid."

Cagalli gasped sharply as she turned to gaze at him, her heartbeat quickening as colour crept onto her cheeks.

"Who's gonna have kids with you...?" She muttered halfheartedly.

Ooo

Chapter 3, complete!

R & R please!

YOurs

Mingathur