A/N: Hi! Hope y'all like the mini cliffie in the last chapter and I apologize for not updating sooner. Spring break has come, so I'll have a lot more time to write now. I got some reviews saying how stupid Lacus was, well she's not stupid, she's just sorta easily distracted and self-doubt in this fic, but Cagalli will soon change that. Here's the 4th chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own GS/GSD


Last time: Where in hell did she go?! This wasn't good, she was supposed to stay within the ship's area, but it seemed that she had left it. And if she left it, then she also left the safe area. All of a sudden, I heard a scream that could only belong to one person. I swam faster and faster than before and soon came up to Lacus. "Lacus! What is it?!" I yelled.

Paralyzed, she slowly pointed to a big shadow in front. I looked further and my eyes widen in fear. I felt my heart stop. It was a mako shark.


Chapter 4: Savior

I looked into the eyes of the monster in front. "B-back away s-slowly.." I said as my voice trembled like crazy.

I followed my own advice and Lacus did as well. Any wrong moves and this monster would attack. Suddenly I thought, if I posed enough of a threat to this mako, maybe i'll leave us alone. I slowly took out a small dagger that came with my diving gear and held it up to the shark. With fierce determination to save both Lacus and me, I was about to charge forward, but a voice shouted my name. "NO! DON'T!" I spun around.

"Athrun?!" I yelled, but too late, the mako made its atttack.

I closed my eyes fiercely as I waited for the impact, but it never came. Cautiously, I opened my eyes as saw a large stream of bubbles and a strange hissing sound. I looked to Lacus and saw that she looked quite confused as well. "Swim back to the ship!" Athrun yelled as he came out of no where through the stream of bubbles.

Lacus and I did not need to be promoted and swam for it. As I swam, I realized something. What happened back there and where was Athrun? I suddenly stopped and looked back. Athrun was slowing down and was struggling to swim. I quickly left Lacus and darted to him to see that the shark was gone along with the stream of bubbles. I looked to him and saw that he couldn't breathe and saw that his air gauge was nearly empty. I now knew what he had done and quickly took my air piece and gave it to him. He started to take small rapid breaths as he welcomed the source of air.

I pointed forwards to where Lacus waited for us and Athrun nodded. We swam back to the Archangel while sharing the oxygen back and forth. Everyone was already on board and was waiting for us. As soon as we got on the front deck, we took off our masks and air tanks and collasped. Heine was furious. "What the hell happened?! You weren't supposed to leave the area!" he thundered.

We shivered as Mirillia quickly went to get some more blankets for us. Since it seemed that I was the only one capable of speaking, I spoke, "S-sorry,"

My teeth clatterede loudly even in the broad daylight. Heine pounced on me. "What were you doing?! I gave specific instructions to you that you couldn't leave the area!" he yelled.

Hearing the commotion, Cap came over. "What ever is the matter?" he asked.

Heine, red-faced, explained the situation. I leaned closer to Lacus, who was also trembling from dampness and fear. Finally Cap turned to us. "Who went off in the first place?" he asked.

Since Lacus seemed so plae, I felt that I should speak in her place. "I di-" I was interrupted as Athrun spoke at the same time, "It was me, sir,"

Cap seemed only to have heard him. "So it was you, Mr. Zala?" he questionned.

I had to say something. "N-" I was silenced once more as Athrun gave me a stern look that told me to be quiet.

I stared in shock as Athrun nodded while still shivering. "Then you will spend the rest of the day confined to you room and will have your priviliges taken from you tonight, which includes the moonlight dance," said Cap.

Athrun nodded silently. "Yes sir," he said.

Cap faced all of us. "Now, for the rest of you, I suggest you all get changed for dinner," he nodded once and left.

Athrun left silently as the others went down to the lounge to chat. Lacus and I went ot get changed for dinner. As we ate in uncomfortable silence, I noticed that Heine was bringing up some soup for Athrun. I felt bad as I was eating, because here, we were eating as much as we wanted while fo rhis punishments, all he was getting wqas a little soup and it wasn't even his fault! I looked over to Lacus and saw that she felt the same way I did. As everyone finished eating, I took a clean plate and filled it with some of the food which included lobster and crabmeat.

Silently, yet quickly, I made my way up to the boys' dorms and went to the only room that was closed. I knocked gently and waited for a reponse, but for a while, it was silent. I knocked again, a little harder, but still nothing. Deciding that maybe he was asleep, I started to leave, but a voice called my name. "Cagalli?"

I spun around with the dishes in my hands. "Oh!" I said in surprise.

Athrun smiled as he saw the dishes. "Are those for me?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I thought you might be hungry," I said.

He grinned. "Yup, I most certainly am. Come on in," he invited.

I went in to find that his room looked more or less exactly like the room that Mirillia and I shared. Athrun sat on his bed to eat his dinner quickly while he mentionned the chair to me. I took my seat. There was a question that kept nagging at me. "Why?" I said.

Athrun stopped eating and looked up. "What?" he asked.

I looked into his emerald eyes. "Why? Why did you cover for me?" I asked.

A ghost of a smile flickered across his face. "Because... you covered up for Lacus," he replied easily.

I blinked. "You knew it was her?" I questionned.

Athrun chuckled. "Yeah, it's always been Lacus to wander off. You did good there, when facing the mako. You were calm," he said as his laughter died.

I blushed in embarassement. "No, I really wasn't! I've never been so scared! But when I pulled out that dagger, why did you stop me?"I asked.

Athrun's face darkened slightly. "The area here seems to be shark territory and sharks are drawn to blood. If you had attacked that mako and made even a small cut, he would have bled and then many sharks would come in an instant and have us surrounded," he explained.

I gasped slightly. "Oh, I didn't know... but you were much more braver than me and when you released the air, the pressure made so many bubbles that it scared the mako away. That was quite smart... but why didn't you tell Heine and the others about the mako?" I questionned.

Athrun shrugged. "It would be better to not let them know, besides, I don't mind taking punishments. It's always been this way since I was left with my father," he said.

I blinked. "Left with your father?" I repeated.

Athrun nodded. "My mother died when I was little," he said sadly.

I lowered my head in embarassement. "I'm sorry, I didn't know," I said quietly.

Athrun gave me a small smile. "How could you have? Anyway, aren't you going to that Moonlight Dance that was on tonight?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe, there's still an hour or so and everyone else is busy chatting in the lounge. I thought you might be a bit lonesome, so I came to talk with you," I said.

Athrun smiled. "Thanks. You know, even though I just met you yesterday, I can talk to you easily," he said.

I blushed slightly. "Yeah.. me too," I replied.

Athrun changed the subject. "You want to play a game?" he asked as he walked over to the shelf that was in the room.

I shrugged. "Sure, what game?" I asked.

Athrun looked back at me. "How about chess?" he suggested.

I nodded. "Fine by me," I said.

We played for a bit but ended with Athrun winning. I sighed as I was defeated. "You're pretty good, Cagalli," Athrun commented.

I perked up slightly. "You think?" I said.

He nodded. "Yeah, judging from what I saw yesterday in Clue, I say that you're quite good with stragedy games," he said.

I smiled sadly. "Yeah... I used to always play with my brother..." I said softly.

Athrun looked at me like he was dying to ask a question, but didn't. If he had, I wasn't completely sure that I wouldn't tell him. But then again, at that time, I wasn't sure that I would have either. The past with my twin brother was really private and no one knew about it other than my mother and father. No one, not even Mirillia who I treated like my sister. Some secrets were meant to be kept. Athrun studied my face. What is this sadness that you face? What happened to your brother? Would you tell me by the end of this trip? He asked mentally.

I stood up and stretched. "So are you going to go to the Moonlight Dance? It's probably almost done," Athrun said.

I shrugged. "Nah, I don't like to dance," I replied.

Athrun grinned. "Y'know what, you're a very interesting girl," he commented.

I shot him a curious glare. "In what way?" I asked suspiciously.

He held his hands up. "Not in a bad way! I just meant that you're different than the other girls!" he said.

I dropped my glare and shrugged. "Yeah I guess," I replied.

My hand went over to my belt as I gently figered my green-handled pocketknife. Athrun saw my movements and looked like he was going to ask a question, but decided not to. My face suddenly brightened as I thought of something. "Hey Athrun, do you want to get back at Heine for today's rude wake up call?" I asked.

A boyish grin spread across his handsome face. "What do you have in mind?" he asked.

I went over and quickly discussed my plan. Athrun nodded and grinned. "Alright! Sounds great. You tell the girls and I'll tell the guys to meet outside my room half past midnight okay?" he said.

I nodded. "Alright, see you then," I said as I got up.

"Oh by the way, don't fall asleep, afterall this is your plan," said Athrun.

I shot him a glace. "Don't worry, I'll be there," I said and went back to my room.

Athrun turned out to be right and it seemed like the dance was already over. I went inside my room and saw Mirillia who was in her pyjamas. "Oh hey Cagalli, where were you?" she asked.

"No where, I just went to talk to Athrun about today's events," I said.

Mirillia blinked. "Today's events?" she questionned.

"Yeah about why we were late today," I gave a brief explanation and changed out of my day clothes. Soon I heard a gentle knock at my door. Mirillia opened it to reveal Lacus. She looked a little nervous and maybe even flustered. "Um.. Cagalli, would you come to my room for a moment? I want to discuss something with you," she said quietly.

I blinked but nodded. "Okay," I said as I followed her to the room that she and Shiho shared.

As I went in, I saw that Shiho was already fast asleep. "What is it that you wanted to talk about?" I questionned quietly.

Lacus looked down to the wood floor. "Um.. about today.. it was all my fault for leaving the area. I spotted a group of unique fish and went for a closer look. I didn't realize that I had left the area and I dragged you along as well as Athrun,"

She then looked up. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to disobey orders," Lacus spoke rapidly.

I looked in her in surprise. "What's done is done.. at least no one got hurt right? So don't worry about it," I said softly as I forgave the girl who looked like she was going to burst into tears any moment.

Lacus looked sad for a moment and then brightened. "Cagalli! You were really brave back there! You stood in front facing that mako! I-i only wish that I had a bit more courage," she said as he face dulled somewhat.

I lifted her face with my hand. "That's only one time. You are a good person; I'm sure you'll pay us all back one day, right?" I said gently.

Lacus smiled as she gave me a small hug. "Yeah, thanks Cagalli.." she said.

As I turned to leave, I remembered my idea. I spun around and my eyes fell on Shiho. "Umm.. Athrun and I are planning to play a prank of Heine. At half past midnight, he wants us to meet outside his room and then to Tolle's and Heine's. Do you want to take part?" I asked.

Lacus grinned. "Alright! Should I tell Shiho as well when the time comes?" she asked.

I nodded. "If you can get her up," I said and then left.

I returned back to my room and saw Mirillia in bed. "Mir, you awake?" I whispered.

Mirillia rolled over to face me. "I am now.." she said.

I sat on my bed and explained my plan. Mirillia rolled over and smiled. "Sounds good, just wake me up then," she said and immediately fell asleep.

I lied down but didn't fall asleep. Instead, I unhooked my pocket knife from my day clothes and looked at it. Oh big brother, I'm having so much fun here. I wish you were still with me... I thought sadly as I glanced at it. For a second there, the moonlight flashed against my pocket knife and seemed as if my brother had been listening to me. I sighed and placed it close to me. I had made that promise that I would never part with it 12 years ago and I've never broken it. I felt thirst and went to my suitcase to get a bottle of water. Then I looked at my watch which read 11:15. Still had another an hour and 15 minutes, so I decided to relax for a bit and closed my eyes.

I didn't know what had happened, but when I opened my eyes for a quick moment, my watch read 12:30. I blinked several times before understanding that I was late. I ran over and shook Mirillia. "Mir! Time to get to action," I said as she sleepily got up and brushed her hair.

The two of us left the girls' hallway and went to the guys'. It turned out that everyone was already there except for Lacus and Shiho. Athrun studied my face and grinned. "Why are you late, Cagalli?" he asked. "Don't tell me you fell asleep after I told you not to,"

If I wasn't half-asleep, I would have pounded that pretty face of his. "N-no!" I declined but he smirked anyway.

I looked around. "Where's Lacus and Shiho?" I asked.

"Here!" whispered a shadowy figure who turned out to be Lacus who looked a bit exasperated.

Yzak looked past her. "What happened to Shiho?" he questionned, then quickly added, "Not that I care or anything,"

Lacus reddened slightly in embarassement. "Well, Shiho fell asleep and as much as I tried, I couldn't get that girl to wake up; that's why I was late," she explained.

Kira shrugged. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have to proceed without her and by the way, I brought my camcorder to record this," he said as he held up the device.

Athrun nodded and quietly turned the doorknob to Heine's room. Inside, I could see Heine's sleeping figure. Everyone quickly, yet quietly went around his bed. "On the count of three, lift the matress and we'll carry him up to the upper deck. One... two... three!" whispered Athrun and everyone lifted the mattress.

It was quite difficult to move especially getting him out the door, but eventually we got him to the upper deck. Luckily for us, Heine kept on sleeping and didn't realize the difference in the temperature. "Well, our wake up time is in 2 hours, so we'll check on him then," said Kira as he placed down his camcorder.

I nodded as I yawned. "Let's sleep now," I said sleepioly and everyone went back to bed. Before I fell asleep, I thoguht about today. How brave and smart Athrun was to think of using air to scare the mako away and how he took the blame for Lacus and me, even though he did nothing except save our lives. And he was kind too. In all, he was also an interesting guy and I think he would be a good friend, even though we just met yesterday. And at that time, I had no idea how much he would mean to me in the future or how much I would come to depend on him.


A/N: There we go! I'll write more about Cagalli and her 'brother' later on in the fic, and if I didn't mention it earlier, Cagalli's last name is Hibiki, not Athha and she has a mother and a father. Tell me what you think or your opinons!