A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks for all of those reviews on my previous chapter! I'm glad to get your opinions on my newest fic! There were some details that I forgot to think more clearly about (big thanks to Hades.Throne.Heiress), but now I found a solution to your question. It may not sound that convincing to you readers, but for me, what I wrote in Cagalli's thoughts (about half way through the chapter) is something that I always believed in, and it was the first time saying (writing) something like that to public, so I hope you'll tell me if it doesn't sound right.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed nor Destiny.

Just a reminder, this chapter focuses on CAGALLI's Point of View, so please don't get confused)

Chapter 3: Cagalli

"Father! You're finally home!" I cried out as the familar figure of my father stepped through the door way.

My father picked me up and held me on his side. "Yes I am and I will be for now on," he said as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Kira also came up to greet him from the kitchen. "What do you mean? Don't you like working in that laboratory?" he asked as I frowned at him.

"Isn't it better this way? That means father will have more time to spend with us," I said as I thought Kira was being wierd.

Kira frowned. "I never said I didn't want father to be home, but that still doesn't answer my question of why you're be here instead of the laboratory from now on," he said.

Father set me down carefully as he ruffled Kira's hair. "I resigned. Apparently I didn't like what was going on in that place, so I left," he said.

I blinked. My father worked as a scientist in the neighboring city, but other than that, I didn't know much about his job. "Something you didn't like?" Kira repeated, catching father's unique choice of words.

Father smiled as Mother gave him a welcome-back kiss and patted Kira's head gently. "You shouldn't worry about things at such an early age; you'll lose your hair when you get older," he teased as he headed up the stairs. "Ah, I'm tired... I'm going up for a bath. Call me down when dinner's ready, okay?"

Mother returned back to the kitchen while my brother and I stood in the living room. I studied Kira carefully. He looked as though he was thinking hard. "What's wrong, Kira?" I questioned seeing his frown grow slightly larger.

Kira's gaze dropped to my face. "I don't know, but Father's not telling us something... I think it has something to do with that laboratory," he said and he crossed his arms.

I touched his arm gently. "Everyone has a secret or two they don't want others to know, right? I bet Father doesn't want you to think too much about it, so you should just let things drop," I said with a smile.

Kira looked relunctant to drop the subject but then sighed. He gave me a smile as he nodded. "Alright, I won't think about it anymore," he said and patted my head. "Up for a game of tag in the woods?"

But Kira did have the right to worry, in fact, if I had been smarter, I would have been worried as well. Because only a few days later, my world turned upside down. It turned out that what Father didn't 'like' about what he saw was that human infants were being tested upon, using the DNA of animals. There were two parts of the facilty: studying of animal DNA (which Father did), and the usage of it. Lower scientists there were not allowed to visit the other facilities, because the whole laboratory was top secret.

One day, curiosity got the better of Father as he sneaked into the other facilty to see what the DNA was really used for. Accidentally, he had knocked over a file and as he bent down to pick it up, a glimpse told him everything. That file he knocked over contained the information on each experiment. Each sheet told him what child was being infused with animal DNA and at what level.

Not being able to believe what he had read, Father wandered further into the lab and into the experimenting room. There, he saw a young boy chained in a wire prison. One of the scientists commanded the boy to change forms. The boy shook his head, disobeying his commands. But as he did so, the wire prison activated, sending volts through the chain and into the boy's body. Being unable to stand the excuriating pain, the boy did as he was told and changed forms in front of Father. Father fled immediately, but his presence in the forbiddened lab was not unknown, due to video cameras that saw his every movement.

The project was top secret, so he had to be eliminated. Several days after Father came home, while he was outside, he noticed a small helicopter heading towards our home. Immediately, he knew; he was going to die. Father ran inside with an expression of fear upon his face that I have never seen in my 8 years of life. "Hide! They're after us!" he had cried as Mother's eyes widened with shock and fear.

The sound of the propellers of the helicopter became louder as the helicopter landed. "What's going on?!" I cried out as Mother brushed Kira and I into one of the closets.

"Don't come out of there, no matter what!" Mother commanded quickly.

Kira hugged Mother tightly. "Please say you'll be okay, okay?" he whimpered as I, without knowing the situation also hugged Mother.

Mother returned our hugs as she stroked our hair gently. "Be good and don't make a sound," she said as she released us and closed the closet.

I felt the strong urge to go chase after her and take her hand, but Kira held me back. He shook his head as he tightened his hand around mine. Mother sprayed the room with air refreshener as the oak door burst open. A handful of men appeared with young children at their sides. "Ulen Hibiki, you are charged with the treason of trepassing onto one of our top facilities. Our project is top secret and thus since you've seen it, I must say, you and your family shall be killed," one of them said.

Father was scared, but he showed a brave face. "You know what you people are doing is wrong! How can you use innocent children for your experimentation?!" he demanded, pointing a finger at one of the young boys at the mens' side. "You're destroying their lives! Each living being deserves the chance to survive, but what is the point of living if they're only needed for your cruel experiments?!"

"Silence!" one of the men shouted. "People like you could never understand the greatness of our project. We are creating the world of superior beings; those who are much more advanced than us. Who wouldn't want to be the best? There's no one, I assure you,"

Father stood closer to Mother. "Are they given the choice of having their DNA changed? From what I've seen, whether they wanted to or not, they don't have a choice! Numerous of your experimentations have failed thus leading to the death of these children!" Father cried out.

"We may have not succeeded with our first few hundred, but now, we're creators of a new era! And you, my friend, are in our way," they said. "Go!"

The young boys looked relunctant but as they took out an electric whip, they cringed. I took a sharp intake as the boys changed forms; they became wolves. All together at once, they surrounded Mother and Father. Father took out a small hand gun, but it was useless against these creatures. Within less than a minute, I witnessed my parents' slaughter. "Mo-!" I wanted to cry out but Kira kept his hand firmly on my mouth, blocking my voice from coming out.

Kira's hand shook as tears streamed down his face as well as mine. It was nearly impossible to withstand the bitterness we felt towards these people. As soon as we thought it was over, one of them commanded, "Search the house for any others! Kill any that you see,"

The wolves set off, some went upstairs and some went outside. Kira and I clung to each other in fear. 'Kira.. I'm scared' I wanted to say, but the words wouldn't come out. I buried my head into his chest as he wrapped his arms around me protectively. Just as the wolves returned to report there was nothing to find, a young wolf suddenly paused in front of our closet and he peered into the small crack.

I sat up gasping, my body completely covered in cold sweat. I panted heavily as I placed a hand over my heart, feeling my pulse go 100 miles per hour. I-it was only a dream! I thought as my heart calmed down slightly. I got off my bed and went over to the bathroom to wash my face. A dream of the past... it's been a long time since I had it... I thought as I glanced at my face in the mirror. I dried my face and then headed back to my bedroom. As I exited the washroom I saw a familar figure standing in the dark. I blinked. "Athrun? You're back," I said as I saw his emerald eyes glow faintly in the dark.

He said nothing as I approached him. "Are you hungry? You haven't eaten yet, have you?" I asked.

Athrun only shook his head as he brushed past me and headed towards Kira's room. As he closed the door slowly, I couldn't help but smile. I was sure that he wouldn't return here, but I was glad he did. Living alone in this house was lonely... but at least with another person, even if he didn't talk much, the house seemed a little brighter. I also made way to my room as I returned to my bed. However, I didn't sleep. I frowned, the death of my parents was something that was going to stay with me for the remainder of my life, afterall, no one forgets the scene of someone being murdered in front of their eyes. I smiled sadly, that day, if Kira had prevented me from jumping out, I would also be killed in an instant.

I looked up at the nearly-full moon as I thought of that wolf that saw us in the closet. Why didn't he finish us off? I lost count of how many times I've asked myself this question. It wouldn't have been too hard for him. It wasn't like he didn't see us, because we made eye contact... I thought. Wolves usually have ember-colored eyes, but the wolf that peered into the closet had a pair of emerald ones... was it because he was part human? I sighed as I fell back down onto my bed as I then thought of the wolf that I had saved the other day.

The two seemed similar somehow... though I didn't get a full look at the wolf from when I was 8 years old. I thought. I had saved it without much hesitation despite my dark past. Most people would question my actions, but what I did, I thought it was noble. Each living being deserves the chance to live... so if you have the power to save someone, do it. The feeling that you receive when you are able to help someone in need is great; much better than the feeling of regret that you didn't bother to save someone even when you could. That was something Father had always taught me. I smiled as my eyes drifted towards the night sky. Father, are you proud of me?

Next day.. "Hey Athrun! Do you want to head down to the city? It's a gorgeous day," I said as I rapped on his door.

No reply... "I think it'd be a good chance to get you more clothes since Kira took all of his when he left, so how about it?" I asked.

When there was no answer, I sighed as I turned the door knob. "I'm coming in," I said as I entered.

In the dark, where the blinds were still down, I saw a figure sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed with his knees brought up against his body. I pulled the blinds up, admitting sunlight into the room. I saw Athrun wince at the brightness but remained in the spot where he sat. I pulled his arm. "C'mon! Get up," I commanced as I tugged.

Athrun looked at me with his emerald eyes. They seemed sad somehow. I frowned. "You should visit the city, I mean it's nice to get out once in a while, okay?" I persisted as I continued to pull on his arm.

In the end, Athrun gave in as he allowed me to drag him into the city. Normally, I didn't like shopping, but at least this wasn't for me; it was for him. "What clothes do you prefer?" I asked as we entered a store.

Athrun shrugged. "Doesn't matter," he said indifferently.

I sighed, this guy was one of the hardest guys to get through. "Okay, I'll choose a few and then you pick the ones that you like, okay?" I said as I raised an eyebrow.

Athrun nodded once, so I went to work. Money wasn't the problem since the fortune that my parents owned still remained and also, I didn't spend an enormous ammount on anything else other than food. I looked around the store and picked up a few items that I thought would suit him. They were mostly casual clothing like jeans, casual jacket etc, since they ressembled to what Athrun wore, so I thought that he preferred those types of clothing.

"Here, try these and then come out when you're done," I said nodded over to the changeroom.

Athrun quietly took them out of my arms and walked towards the changerooms. Athrun still seems quite out of it... he wasn't like that yesterday morning. Sure, he isn't the talkative type, but at least he still spoke. I wonder what happened when he went out? I pondered as the door creaked open and a figure stepped out.

I blinked as I eyed Athrun from top to bottom. Athrun now wore a greenish-grey jacket with a white t-shirt underneath along with normal jeans. "Do they fit you fine?" I asked.

Athrun shrugged. "A little small," he said in that tone of his.

I nodded as I went over to the rack and grabbed another jacket, with a bigger size. "Here, try this one," I said as I handed it to him.

Athrun shrugged off the jacket and replaced it with the one I got. "It's better," he said.

I smiled, for the clothes suited him well. "Do you like these clothes?" I asked as Athrun nodded.

"Alright, we'll go with these ones then," I said as Athrun went to get changed again.

We spent most of the day shopping at various places, and even for a person who didn't like shopping, I admit that it wasn't too bad. The two of us stopped at a small cafe for food and I excused myself to go to the bathroom. As I washed my hands, I overheard a whole bunch of girls chatting. "Did you see that guy that just came in? He is soooo gorgeous!" one of them squealed.

Another nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought as well, but after you looked at him a few more times, you get this unsettling feeling about him, like he's dangerous or something," they said.

"I know what you mean; he gives off a strange feeling unlike most other guys that I know. I wonder why," said another. "But any case, we shouldn't approach him,"

I paused as they girls began to leave. It was true... The first time I found him unconscious, I had also thought that there was something different about him, something unhuman, but that didn't stop me from bringing him in. If he had heard what those girls were saying, would he be hurt? I asked myself. ... Of course he would! Wait... could that be the reason why he is so out of it? Was it because someone hurt him? I thought as I quickly dried my hands and left. In that case, I shouldn't leave him alone...

I hurried back to my spot to see that Athrun was still sitting there, looking at the menu. However, I noticed that he was still on the same page. "Hey Athrun," I started softly.

Athrun's eyes flickered to mine for a moment. "How about we eat outside instead? It's a really nice day," I said.

Athrun looked at me strangely, but nodded. "Okay," he said quietly.

We walked around the city and finally, we ended up in the city park, which was quite peaceful especially during this time of day. As we sat down on the bench, I noticed an ice cream stand nearby so I turned towards him, "Would you like some ice cream?" I asked.

The blank look that appeared on his face told me he either didn't know what ice-cream was or that he was uninterested. I didn't know what he was thinking, so I went with the first reason that popped into my head. "You've never had ice cream?" I asked, surprised.

The emerald orbs lowered down to the ground as I realized that he must have taken that as an insult of some sort. "W-well.. ice cream is a bit like frozen flavoured milk, only that it is very soft like cream; it's very tasteful. I definitely recommend it to you," I said as I grinned. "There's a whole bunch of flavours like mango, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry etc, but my favorite would have to be mint chocolate. Is there a flavour that you'd like to try?"

"Mango,"

I blinked; I was nearly half expecting him to decline my offer, but I was glad he decided to try it. I grinned. "Okay, I'll be right back," I said as I ran towards the ice cream stand and made my order.

As my order of two ice cream cones were being made, I glanced back at Athrun, who sat solemnly on the park bench. Those who walked on the park path would walk on another path instead of passing the guy, even if it meant a longer walk. I frowned as I saw Athrun's eyes followed those who avoided him on purpose. He knows he's different... I thought sadly as a voice interrupted my thoughts. "Here you go, miss! A mint chocolate and a mango,"

I blinked as I realized the ice cream seller was already done. I took my cones and paid the amount needed. "Thanks," I said with a quick smile before returning back to the bench.

I handed Athrun his cone and sat down next to him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Athrun stare at the cone for a moment before taking the smallest lick possible, as though taste-testing it. After his face showed approval of the cone, he took a bigger lick. I smiled. "Is it good?" I asked.

"..."

I leaned over and took a lick of my own at his mango ice cream. The taste was quite rich in taste; you could definitely taste some mango there, unlike some of the cones that I've tried in the past. I grinned. "Hey, it's good! Would you like to try some of mine?" I offered.

Athrun looked surprised but then he lowered his cone slightly as his gaze dropped to the floor. I was surprised at his movements but I backed off, thinking that he didn't want any. "A-ah.. sorry, I didn't think at all, did I?" I said with an embarrassed face.

"Why did you choose to familiarize yourself with me?"

I blinked in surprise. It was the longest sentence that I've heard from him today, but that wasn't what surprised me most. It was that tone that I heard in his voice, it sounded sad and lonely. "What?" I asked softly.

"Why did you choose to familiarize yourself with me when everyone else prefers to avoid me?" Athrun repeated solemnly. "I give off an irregular feeling, I know... but why are you still with me? Don't you want to back off like everyone else?"

I also lowered my cone as I looked at his face that was covered his with bangs. "Can't I be with you? Do you dislike me?" I asked.

Athrun's eyes rose to meet my eyes. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't answer my questions with another question," he said.

I hid a smile as I thought he sounded slightly annoyed despite the situation. "Okay, okay. I'll answer you," I said.

"It is true that you give a different feeling to others, even to me, but is that really a reason that I should stay away from you? Just because you are different? I don't think so. Everyone is different in their own ways. I'm not like 'everyone else'; I'm me. Who says I can't be with you? No one I've heard of as of yet. And even if they did say something like that, it's not like they can control me; I'm free to do what I want, right?" I said with a smile. "I don't want to 'back off' like everyone else and you know what that reason is?"

Athrun shook his head as his eyes were still focused on my face. I grinned, "I want to make you smile. You seem to have had a lonely past, which I guess would explain how you became the person you are today. So if I could make even the smallest difference in your life, I think I want to be with you until you are no longer lonely, if that is okay with you," I said.

Athrun nearly seemed like he was at a loss of words, but then a grim nearly-a-smile appeared on his face. "It is okay with me," he said slowly.

"That's good, because I like being with you; you're very interesting," I said. "Oh, which reminds me... you better finish that ice cream cone before it completely melts," I nodded towards his hand which ice cream was dripping upon.

I handed him my handkerchief, which he took gratefully. "Let's eat on the way home," I said as I took his hand and led him the way there.

A/N: That's the third chapter! As you may have noticed (for surely I did), the characters as of the moment are a bit OOC. The reason I've made them slightly OOC is because of Athrun's mistrust with those around him and his lonely being. And Cagalli here is a lot more carefree than in the series and the reason is because she wants Athrun to open up to her, so I'll keep them as they are for now until the story progresses more. I admit that the ending seemed rather cheesy (yes, I'm a cheesy person XD) but if I were in Athrun's shoes at the moment, I'd be really happy if someone would stay by my side rather than avoiding me.

Also, I've decided that even though this story would mostly be told in Athrun's POV, I'll switch every few chapters, so that you guys could also know what Cagalli's thinking. I'll write a warning like I did above for each chapter that is displayed in Cagalli's POV. If there isn't a warning, then it'd be in Athrun's POV, like in the next chapter.

If there's anything you'd like me to change, please tell me.. oh, which reminds me: I'm in need of a beta reader so if you know any one who is willing to look over my work, could you let me know? Because of all the beta readers I've tried to ask, they don't really reply back, so it'd be great if I could find an active one. Thanks!