A/N: Wah... it's been more than a month since I last updated. TT Not only did I have summer school for advanced courses, I had trouble finding ideas for this chapter. -sigh-... oh well, this chapter wasn't as good as I would have liked, but it was the only thing I could come up with.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny.

Chapter 4: Reunion

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... that girl had said. I sighed as I turned my head so that my face was hit by the moon light. Tomorrow is going to be the full moon. I nearly smiled at the thought of the first day I was here and how I had planned on leaving by the full moon, but I guess there was no need of that anymore. I sat up on my bed. Cagalli's late... I thought as I glanced at the clock.

Cagalli had left earlier this morning to attend school, and told me that she had work afterwards, but she should've been home a while ago. A frown crossed my face as I wondered what kept her. I looked out my window to see that it was already quite dark. It's not safe out here in the woods, especially at night, since there's many creatures that lurk out there... like wolves... I thought as I leapt off my bed and crossed my room. I stepped out onto the front porch and sat down there. I scanned the area throughly, making sure that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

It seemed that today, I was restless; something unsuspected crawled into my territory. Usually, with my senses, I could just make out what it would be, but this time, what I saw was a blur. Not knowing what was near make me alert the whole day, even though whatever it was wasn't close enough to harm me. The light sound of footsteps awoke me from my thoughts as a familar face broke through the darkness. "Athrun?" she called out as she approached me.

I blinked as I stood up quickly. "What are you doing out here?" Cagalli asked as she paused in front of me.

"Nothing," I murmured.

"Sorry I was late today... the Sportsplex was shorthanded today, so more hours were added on to my schedule," Cagalli explained as she sat down by my side. "Have you eaten yet? I stopped by a food stand on the way back and got some yakitori,"

I looked at the takeout box that was placed upon the table and shook my head. "No, I haven't eaten yet," I said.

Cagalli grinned. "Then dig in, there's a lot," she said as she handed me half.

"Thank you," I replied as I accepted gratefully; I haven't eatened since this morning, so I was quite hungry.

"Y'know.. today, even though it's the middle of the semester, we had three new transfer students come to our school," Cagalli started.

I said nothing as I continued to eat the skewered chicken. "2 of them are older while one of the boys is a year younger than I am. During break, the whole campus was buzzing with news about them; everyone is wanting to meet them because apparently, they're quite good looking," Cagalli continued between bites.

"Funny thing is, is that the three of them are all related somehow though they have different names, so I'm guessing they're probably cousins or something. Dearka Elthman, Yzak Joule and Nicol Amalfi,"

I chewed slowly as I pondered over what she had said. I found it rather strange, today there was a strange disturbance in the air that made the entire forest rather restless, myself included. Was it a coincidence that today, her school also had new students? "Athrun?" a voice called.

I blinked as I realized that it was Cagalli who had called my name. "You okay? You look rather strange," she said as she had paused eating.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts. "I'm fine," I answered as I resumed my meal.

We spent the remainder of the meal in silence and as Cagalli was heading in, I called out her name softly. "Cagalli, wait," I said as I also stood up.

My eyes met her curious ones for an instant before Cagalli blinked. She had the strangest facial expression upon her face as she gazed at me with wonder. I also blinked as a small frown crossed my face. "What's wrong?" I asked.

Cagalli shook her head as she gave me a smile. "Nothing, it's just that is the first time you've called out my name," she said, as a tint of happiness was in her voice. "What's up?"

I lowered my eyes to the wooden porch for a moment as I thought carefully about the words that would come through my mouth a second later. "Don't walk alone at night; it's not safe," I said quietly.

Cagalli nodded. "Mn! Thanks for the warning, I'll try to see if I can come home earlier tomorrow, so don't worry, 'kay?" she said as she gave me a playful grin before going inside.

I glanced around my surroundings. It's not safe... especially in the forest. I thought as I decided that I would surveillance the area once again. I waited in the darkness of my room until I could hear a familar soft rhythmic breathing before heading outside. Sometimes, being a wolf really does have its benefits.. I thought as a ghost of a smile lit my face.

In the darkness, my form changed into my other half. Swiftly and gracefully, I moved through the darkness as I felt the breeze blow past my fur. Blending carefully into my surroundings, I was the perfect creature of the night. I stopped for a moment as I stepped into the moonlight, closing my emerald eyes. I listened carefully to every little event that went on in my territory, when I felt a faint rustle in the bushes behind me.

I whipped my head around as I bared my teeth, daring the creature to come closer. As the creature stepped out into the moonlight, I frowned. "It's you again," I said softly.

A familar figure of a young male wolf came upon me. "You're back," he said. "I sensed your presence nearby so I went to find you. I-i wanted to say thank you for the other day when you saved me from that cat,"

I shook my head. "You don't need to thank me; it was in my way anyway," I said.

The younger wolf, whose name was Shinn as I recalled, sat down next to me. His black fur coat matched mine and he turned his face towards mine. Ruby-coloured eyes looked at me, full with curiosity. "You are so different from me and my pack, why?" he asked as he wagged his tail.

I nearly smiled at this boy's innocence. I could feel him trembling beside me. "Don't your instincts tell you to stay away from me?" I asked quietly as I tilted my head towards the near-full moon.

The boy remained quite for a moment before speaking again, "That's is true; my body cannot cease trembling in fear, but at the same time, I'm not afraid of you," he said. "Afterall, you saved me,"

A excited smile crossed his face. "Say, would you mind teaching me how to fight? I would like to become stronger," Shinn said excitedly.

I thought about it for a moment before answering. Seeing that he was one of the few creatures of the wild to not fear my existence, I guess there isn't much harm teaching him a few things. I thought to myself. "Fine, but only this once, and you have to listen to every word I say," I said.

"Yes!"

I spent a large quantity of the night showing the young male what I knew and by the time a hint of sunlight blanketed the forest, I ended my lesson there. Shinn layed down, his sides heaving with hard effort. "T-that... was the best night... in my life," he said as he panted heavily.

"You should head back to your pack before they begin to worry about you," I said as my eyes glanced at the golden horizon.

The puppy nodded as he got back onto his feet. "And you? Where will you go?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I have someone waiting for me back home," I said as I turned for the direction of the cabin.

I took a few steps before turning around. "I have something to ask of you," I said.

Shinn blinked. "What is it?" he asked.

"Tell me, have you sensed any unknown presence in this area?" I asked as I remembered my discomfort earlier.

Shinn thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, it was rather strange. I've lived in this territory for all my life and I know it as well as the back of my tail, but this unknown presence makes me rather restless," he admitted.

I nodded. "That is all that I needed to know," I replied as I began to sprint back to the cabin.

Just before the complete sunrise, I was able to get myself back into my home and in human form as well. I went through my open window and fell onto my bed. I had a few hours of rest before I heard Cagalli get up and arrange breakfast. "Athrun! Breakfast!" I heard her call.

"Yeah," I replied back as I got out of bed and washed my face in my personal bathroom before heading out to the dining room.

Cagalli placed down a piece of toast before me and went through her day plan. "...And so, I might be a little late, but I'll head straight back here, okay?" she said.

I nodded as I nibbled on the toast. It wasn't as good as meat, but I guess if you're human, you wouldn't eat only meat for 3 consecutive meals. "Anyway, I should really get going; I was asked to help out with some duties today. See you!" Cagalli added as she cleaned up and left the cabin.

I finished the remainder of my toast quickly as I also cleaned up at the same time. Today, I was going to follow her to her school, since I couldn't take it any longer; I had to find out what that presence was... human or not. I followed quite a ways behind Cagalli, moving quietly, but swiftly.

Stalking people and other beings was one of the greatest abilities of a wolf, since we moved without a sound. I brushed past many crowds of people along the way, but didn't slow down. Eventually, I came upon a large building with a gate in front. From the corner of the house that I was hiding at, I could see many students around Cagalli's and my age moving around on the school grounds. Shortly, a bell could be heard, signaling the beginning of classes. I saw the students filing in and the gate began to close.

As soon as everyone was indoors, this was my cue to get onto the school grounds. I moved quickly from my hiding spot and leaped over the wall without much difficulty. Then next, I ducked behind a tree and began to look around the empty campus. My instincts tell me that the unknown presence is currently blended in with the other human beings, making it harder for me to single them out... I thought to myself as I sat down on the steps. I guess I'd have to wait until later, when the students file out of school.

Waiting for the day to pass wasn't really that difficult. A day in a human's eye seemed like minutes for my kind. For us, we don't even need a place to be educated. Our DNA was altered to be the superior being so that all the knowledge that was needed was already placed in our minds without having to sit there in class day after day . I thought as I glanced uninterested at the nearest class.

Eventually, as the sun changed positions in the sky, I heard the footsteps of the student body going out of classes and I took this as my cue to get off the campus before being found. I made my way back to the gate and waited there, looking totally unsuspicious. I scanned the crowd for either Cagalli or the unknown presence that I had felt, but could see neither.

After a long period of time, I then realized that a small group of girls were coming towards me chattering excitedly amongst themselves. "I've never seen you here before. Are you waiting for someone?" a petite brunette asked me.

I glanced from one girl to another. They all seemed rather excited as they stole glances at me. Ishifted uncomfortably. "Sort of," I said.

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Who are you waiting for?" she asked.

"A friend," I answered as the girls looked at one another.

Another girl stepped forward. She had short blonde hair with numerous hairpins in her hair. "Oh really? Well I think that you shouldn't wait here, I suggest that you go into the school instead? We'll bring you inside," she offered.

I blinked several times as the girl began tugging on my arm. "Er.. that's okay, I'll just wait here," I said as the girls began to become more persistent.

"Oh c'mon! The person you're waiting for probably already left. Why not hang with us instead?" another suggested as the tugs got harder.

I stood my ground. "Please let me go," I said, my voice cool. I wanted to be left alone in peace, but knew that since humans were rather fragile, I couldn't use my strength against them.

They ignored me as they continue to convince me to go with them. I felt rather irritated as my words were being ignored and I was being forced against my will. It was almost as though I was back in the laboratory; my cries of pain being ignored as the scientists continued on with their experiments, not caring what I had felt as the needles pricked into my skin against my will. "I said let me-" I started.

"Athrun!" a familar voice interrupted.

The girls paused as they also turned to look at the newcomer. It was Cagalli. "Leave him alone! Can't you see he doesn't want to go with you or are you so desperate to find a male companion that you were going to drag him along with you even if he didn't want to?" she demanded in an angry tone.

I watched in astonishment as the girls released me and glowered at her. "What's it to you? Just because you're the student council vice president, doesn't mean you can say whatever you like," one of them countered.

Cagalli's eyes narrowed. "That's true, but you do realize that I have more authority than you do. If you're wise, I suggest you scatter," she said icily.

The girls glared at her before resigning and leaving in a storm. Cagalli sighed as she rubbed her temple. "What are you doing here, Athrun?" she asked tiredly.

I swallowed as I knew I had to come up with a lie and fast. I couldn't tell her that I was looking for the'presence' that lingered in the area. "Felt bored and came here to pick you up," I lied smoothly.

Cagalli raised an eyebrow. "And how did you know that I went to this school? I don't recall telling you," she said.

"Well... I asked around town with the description of your uniform and someone was able to tell me the directions of your school, and so I am here," I said.

Cagalli looked as though she was about to say something more but decided not to. She smirked as she looked at me. "So, tell me, when did you become so popular?" she asked, good-humorly.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't even want to talk about it," I replied.

Actually, I was also rather surprised for having a conversation with a human being other than Cagalli. I thought that I gave out a dangerous aura, but maybe this aura toned down slightly. I frowned, not knowing whether this was a good thing or not. "Anyway, I have stuff to do in the council, so I won't be heading home just yet. If you like, you can wait in the school or you could go home and wait for me there. You decide," said Cagalli as she glanced at her watch. "Ah! I should really get going, I'll see you later," she added in a hurry as she turned back to the direction of her school.

I watched as her figure went out of my sight as she entered the building and rushed down the hallway. All of a sudden, I sensed strange was watching me. I spun around in an istant to see that a figure was taking off in the direction of the forest. "You there! Wait!" I yelled after him as I took off.

The figure was fast, too fast. I was right; this being was no human. At least, not completely. Even though my pursuer had a early start, I was nearly able to catch up with him. As we entered deeper in the forest, I stopped as I realized that I was surrounded by 2 other beings. "I knew it," I said as the one I was chasing spun around to face me.

"It's been a long time, #00530, or should I say, Athrun?" he said.

My face darkened as I faced the three of them. "I'm not going back," I declared.

The boy smiled, his light green curly hair framing his face neatly. "That's not what were here for actually," he said. "However, meeting you here was a coincidence,"

"Jeez, you didn't change at all; that's not you're supposed to say to your old cellmates," said the tall blonde with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Quit beating around the bush, Dearka," said the last one as he stood next to him. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can get back,"

A frown came naturally upon my lips. Why could I sense them? They're of my own kind... I would have been able to sense them directly, but instead all I saw were blurred beings. I thought. The green haired boy smiled. "Well, I guess this is all new to you, since you left before they were completed," he said, reading my mind. "These accessories help mask our presence, so that you wouldn't have seen us directly and thus ruining our mission, but I guess we were to cross paths after all,"

He nodded to his bracelet and as I glanced at the other two, I saw that they also wore accessories like necklaces and earrings. "Also, I'm no longer #00286, I'm Nicol Amarfi while he's Dearka Elthman and he's Yzak Joule," said the boy.

"Why are you here, if you are not to recapture me and why take on human names and forms?" I demanded as I glared from one to another.

The silver haired one stepped forward. "Our lab is in need of beings to be experimented on, for the production of the werewolf, since the last batch could not stand the supreme power of that being. So thus, we were sent out to find the perfect being. Unlike how we were changed, a mere infant will not work," said Yzak.

"Each city now has some of our kind, roaming around, blending into the human environment yet being controlled by these accessories. We were given orders to search this city, so the three of us entered the school. Coincidentally, when walking past one of the students there, Nicol saw you in her mind, which meant that she had some sort of link to you as well. I do believe that her name is Cagalli Yula Athha, a 16 year old," said Dearka with a wolfish smile on his face.

I gritted my teeth. "What are you planning to do now?" I said.

Yzak looked at me cooly, with a plan scheming in his head. "Who knows, you'll just have to wait and see," he said.

"But if that girl means anything to you, take good care of her, or else you might lose her," Yzak added before they left into thin air.

I clenched my fist tightly. Damn... don't tell me that they're after her. If only I had not met her, then this would not have happ- no.. if she is to be their target, it wouldn't have mattered if I had met her. With the exception is that if I had not met her, there would be no chance of her being able to get away from them, but with me, I'll be able to keep her safe. I thought as I hurried back to the school to find her.

Within short moments, using my sensitive nose and eyesight, I found her. She turned around as her ember eyes were filled with surprise. "Athrun? I thought you went back already... don't tell me you were staying this whole time?" she asked.

I said nothing as I met her eyes. Cagalli blinked. "Athrun? Is something wrong?" she questioned as she saw my facial expression change.

"I'm going to school with you,"

A/N: There we go! Yep, Athrun here met his old cell mates once again, though their orders were to find the compatible being for the werewolf DNA instead of recapturing him. Even though they're out in the wild, they're controlled by their accessories, so that way, the scientists back at the lab will know what is going on without needing them to go all the way back to report.