SUMMARY: Cagalli was convicted for a crime she didn't commit, when truth and false cannot be distinguished. Full of guilt and frustration, her prison life was filled with fights, dark twists and mysteries waiting to be uncovered...by a certain green-eyed officer
MAIN PAIRINGs: Athrun x Cagalli (obviously), Shinn x Stellar, Kira x Lacus, Dearka x Miriallia, Yzak x Shiho, and other various pairings.
DISCLAIMER: This is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed and Seed Destiny which, sadly, was directed by Fukuda and his slap-deserving wife, resulting the need for us fans to write even more Asucaga fics.
WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated PG13/T and there is rather strong and coarse language and mild adult themes. So don't complain about offensive languages! XD Also, there are/might be some grammatical errors and typos, spelling mistakes, even after rereading it many times.
NOTE: 'this an AU story, meaning no reference to the Cosmic Era or Mobile Suits whatsoever'.
-
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Chapter 7 Nightmare
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
-
"Oh, why, why did you have to push me out of the way, Stellar? You could've d...I mean, be comatose right now!" Cagalli scolded worriedly, carefuly to avoid the word 'die'.
"I'm okay, really. Shinn's injured more than I am. You know me...a broken leg nothing I haven't experienced before," Stellar replied in a pained whisper, "at least...at least I've actually pay you back for saving me so many times..."
Cagalli's eyes were filled with guilt and fear, thinking back on what just happened awhile ago -
"Look out!"
Cagalli felt someone pushed her hard, followed by a resounding crack of the bones. She got up dazedly, coughing at the cloud of dust created by the fallen railing...fallen railing?
"Stellar!"
The smaller blonde's leg were trapped beneath the rusty railing. Cagalli attempted to pull the railing away but it was too heavy for her.
"Anyone here?! Anybody, please... help her!" Her heart was beating fast with dread, seeing her friend's face getting paler and paler...She looked up to see a glimpse of purple hair disappearing into the shadows.
"Oh my gosh, how did this happen?" Athrun ran towards them and together, they lifted the railing off Stellar. Athrun's appearance made Cagalli suddenly feeling lighter with relief. She knew Athrun would help Stellar, she knew Athrun would always help her, she knew Athrun would always be there when she needed him...
"The ambulance is coming soon, just hang in there..."
"I will be sent back here, right? They'll send me back here...I'll see Shinn again, right?" Stellar's voice trembled.
"Of course...after they make sure you're alright," Cagalli tried to reassure her, even though she wasn't too sure of the answer herself.
"That's good...don't worry, Cagalli, I'll be alright..." Stellar's voice trailed off, and she fell into a deep slumber.
Cagalli stood up, praying pleadingly. Wake up Shinn you idiot. You better be awake and all better when you come back ...and when Stellar comes back.
She glanced at her friend one last time before walking out of the door. She was certain now. Yuuna was definitely the culprit...he must have stabbed Shinn and loosened the railing. He must have...no one in the whole Youth Center had a personal grudge strong enough to do this to her friends but Yuuna. That prick must be plotting some sick kind of revenge, to hurt her by hurting her friends...
"Dammit!--- Dammit!" She punched the walls in frustration, trying to pretend it was Yuuna. She hated feeling so helpless, she hated seeing innocent people getting involved because of something she did. Why, why did all this happen...?
She looked at her hands, with some of Stellar's blood smudged on it. Cagalli blinked and stared, as if entranced; more and more blood now covered her hands...blood of those dear to her...
"No...no...," she gasped with terror, her hands trembling, "I...I didn't do it...it's not me..."
An image of her mother's dead body flashed in her mind mockingly.
"Stop it...stop it!!" She moaned desperately like a mantra. No matter how much she reminded herself of her innocence, the guilt just won't disappear...
"Cagalli...Cagalli!!" Gentle hands gripped her shoulders and shook her slightly. The illusion vanished, and she looked up to see familiar green eyes filled with sympathy.
"What do you want?" Cagalli hissed harshly, feeling vulnerable under his intense gaze.
"It's okay to show your feelings," she looked at him in surprise, "You care about your friends, Cagalli, there's nothing wrong with showing that," Athrun chided kindly, "You didn't do anything. It's not your fault."
Knowing it was useless to rebuild her barriers, Cagalli sighed weakly, suddenly grateful that he was here. He understood her. Why won't you stay away from me, Athrun? I don't want you to suffer too...Not you...
"...could..you turn around...just for a bit...please?" Cagalli tried to keep her voice steady.
Athrun was puzzled, but he complied nevertheless. He felt her hands grip his shoulders, her head leaning on his back for support. He could even feel waves of emotions flowing from her fingers into his heart.
"Thank..you...for just being here..." From her voice, he could tell she was crying inside. His heart went out to her immediately.
He turned around and slowly pulled her into his arms. It was a comforting gesture, similar to Kira's, yet it felt so different...
She slumped against him and smiled lightly, savoring such a rare moment of peace and security.
You're so warm, Athrun...
-Two days later-
"What do you think, Kira? I think there's some sort of connection between Shinn's injury and Stellar's," Athrun stated firmly, looking at the brunette for agreement.
Kira nodded, deep in thought, "Yes...there is no way an inmate can get hold of a knife sharp enough to cause so much damage, and without the key, there is no way one can go up the bleachers to the railing in the old gym."
"It's too much of a coincidence that the targets were Shinn and Stellar, that they were the only friends Cagalli had," Athrun mumbled skeptically.
Biting his lips in concern for his sister, Kira said, "the target may not be Stellar...after all, she pushed Cagalli out of the way, meaning it was meant for her, or..."
"Why can't we look at this case more thoroughly? I've written reports to Mwu-san and Murrue-san, but the new chief wouldn't let anyone to investigate this matter...I even miss Chief Badgirul's strict principles," Athrun complained.
The brunette just scowled. How coincidental...the day I just made up with my sister is the same day she almost got killed...I have to thank Stellar properly next time...as for Athrun...well, I guess I'll let him take care of Cagalli for now...but what's with the sudden change of the Chief of the Youth Center? And her of all the people...she knows who I am, that's why there are so many restrictions these days...damn you, Meer Campbell...
"I hope Stellar's okay...," Kira whispered, naturally worried about his patient.
Athrun could no longer hold back his curiosity…a question he wanted to ask ever since their first meeting.
"Why did you become a psychiatrist?"
Kira's generally calm expression grew sullen, "Well, why did you become a police officer, then, Athrun?"
Athrun looked away, "I don't want……anyone to suffer, so that the victims won't feel as I did. I guess I became a patroller was because...I want to see for it myself, I want to see how those criminals are, and perhaps understand why they did..what they did."
Kira blinked, and Athrun stared back with determined eyes. The former sighed, "I suppose I should tell you, since you told me your reason."
Kira reached forward and took the photo frame in his hands, gazing at it lovingly, yet sadly as well.
"Like you, I want to understand people...and perhaps, I would understand my sister."
"Your sister?"
"Yes...Cagalli is my sister." He turned the photo around so the other can see it.
Athrun was rendered speechless. A brown-haired boy and a blone-haired girl...that smiling, carefree girl was Cagalli? Of course, he noticed some resemblance between the two, but still..."She did mention she has a brother..." He took the photo to look at the girl closely. She's so cute!...She still is cute...
"I can see why you're shocked," the brunette grinned, "Well, I wanted to comprehend why she ... commited her crime. It was only thanks to Lacus that I finally gathered enough courage to talk to her, and believe her. It took awhile, but now I trust her words with all my heart. I know she didn't kill anyone."
"I trust her as well."
Kira patted Athrun's shoulder gratefully, but the former suddenly gripped it hard, "Soooooooo, Athrun, I heard you're pretty close with my sister...it's my duty to warn you not to do anything you would sorely regret later...yes?"
"Eh? What do you mean? She's just my friend, that's all," Athrun stammered carefully. Wait, just my friend?
The blunette gulped, not liking the eerie gaze Kira gave him. The former nodded quickly, and was released from the death grip.
"Um, well, I have to go," Athrun said, leaving the office hurriedly.
The psychiatrist chuckled mischievously. Despite Cagalli's belief, Kira knew he was the older twin...and it was his obligation to be overprotective. He sighed wearily, stressed at the recent events.
"Kira!...what's wrong?" Flay's cheerful voice broke the psychiatrist out of his muse. Oh yes, he had Flay's appointment today, too...
"Nothing, Flay, it's just...well, a lot has happened lately..."
Flay took his hands in hers, and replied in determination, "Kira, you've always been so kind to me, you always listen to my irrelevant chatters...now's the time for me to return the favor."
"But, Flay, I'm supposed to be listening because..."
"Of your job? I think not. All the other stupid crookes never showed any interests anyways, they just wanted the money. But you're different, Kira, you genuinely care for your patients, and I really appreciate that...come on, let it all out, I'll listen to you."
Kira smiled at her gratefully, and Flay's heart skipped a beat. She hoped her face wasn't too red.
Without Stellar around, and that Athrun was busier than ever, Cagalli felt really empty without anyone to talk to. The feeling was so familiar, so hateful that she even felt slightly nauseous. It reminded her of the time she was a delinquent. She joined because she would have something to do, someone to yell at..it was something to make her feel as if she was needed...
She shook her head, groaning at her change of character. Ever since her meeting with Athrun, she knew she had changed; she didn't really provoke fights anymore, she usually ignore Sergeant Jule's taunts now...heck, she didn't even punch the other inmates during the shower fights...well, not punching too hard, at least.
It was good to have Kira back on her side. Whenever he's free, he would talk to her, reminiscing about old times and trying to recover their lost sibling bond. Yet for some reason, she wasn't allow to see him anymore these days. Wherever she was, there would always be a patroller, monitoring her actions and restricting her movements.
Come to think of it, I haven't seen Murrue-san and Mwu-san for awhile...
Falling into a state of melachony, she lied on her favorite spot, wanting to regain the sense of serenity this place usually provided.
But it was different...
She sat up abruptly when the image of the blunette came to her mind. She needed to feel his arms around her again, to just be with him, to be reassured that he was here for her. What the hell...when can't I get him out of my mind?
A stray cat came into her view and she was glad for the distraction. She coaxed for it to come closer, as she always had a certain fondness for the animal. The cat purred in contentment when she rubbed its chin.
"You're just like a cat, Cagalli-san. You only hiss at those you trust, and would protect those you love without hesitation," the grey-haired girl said, "you don't...hiss at me...do you trust me, then, Cagalli-san?"
"I ...I trust you, Meer."
The girl grinned, her blue eyes showed nothing but joy. "Yay! I'm glad...can I call you just Cagalli from now on?Oh, I know! Why don't we get a pet, then? A kitten! You know, like, a sign of our friendship...no, sisterhood! After all, you've been my step-sister for a week now."
Cagalli smiled for the first time since she was adopted.
"I don't get it...you really seemed like you accepted me back then, Meer," Cagalli whispered to herself, and the stray cat blinked at her.
Suddenly, it dashed away in panic at the rustling of the grass, signaling that someone was coming.
Cagalli turned around only to see someone smirking at her.
"Why, long time no see, my dear Cagalli."
"Tsk, how annoying," Athrun walked through the hallway irritably. As a patroller, he was supposed to patrol, that's why his position was 'patroller'. Why the heck did he get odd jobs recently, such as transporting boxes back and forth, delivering parcels to some really far away places, and paint the Chief's office pink?!
That new chief...a woman of the same age as his yet acting so different from what she was supposed to be she even had the same voice as Lacus's... with a much higher pitch of course.
Meer Campbell was someone people should be aware of; she liked flirting with him yet, he could tell, behind those sparkling innocent eyes were a cunning mind, always planning something, calculating the right moves.
She had changed the rules a lot; now; no one was allowed to see Dr.Kira unless permitted by herself, and that the prisoners from the Female Sector and Male Sector aren't allowed to even come close to contact. Officers weren't allowed to speak to the prisoners, unless it was ordering them. The whole place was like a fricking concentration camp, not a Youth Center! Strangely, there were little to no rebellion at all nowadays. Even the most stubborn inmate wouldn't fight back.
Why, though? Athrun frowned, feeling somewhat suspicious.
He wanted to see Cagalli, to just talk to her and hear her voice. He wanted to hold her in his arms again...he wanted to protect her, and get the sense of wholeness when he was with her. He loved the way she was - so full of contradictions, so full of surprises. She was tough yet sensitive; she was frank yet shy. To him, she was like a radiant light, a light he wanted to obtain, a light he cherished...
But now it was impossible due to the current rules.
Athrun Zala did not get vexed easily. But when he really got riled up, his temper would rival even Yzak's.
"Hmm...perhaps I use this opportunity right now...I have to wait for the paint to dry anyways...," Athrun muttered, glancing at the walls in disgust.
He walked towards Meer's desk, after checking that there were no security cameras around. He pulled out several files from the cabinet, hoping to find out the crime Cagalli had committed and, perhaps, help her in some way...
"Damn, even the Chief's information folders are trash! 'Cagalli Yula Athha had murdered two people'...Hunh. What's with that? I don't believe that, there's no way. There is no concrete evidence!"
He trusted her when she said she didn't kill anyone, which was more the reason for him to find some loophole in the case.
"My, so eager, Sergeant Zala?" A falsely sweet voice echoed around the empty room, and Athrun spun around in surprise.
"You..."
"Chief Campbell if you will...or just call me by my first name, like how you call my ex step-sister, the one who took your important person away," Meer proclaimed dramatically and folded her arms.
She was pretty, with dark-grey hair cascading down her back stylishly, complimented by the star-shaped clip to hold back her bangs. She had the same colored-eyes as Lacus but there was nothing angelic about them; Meer's eyes were stormy yet sharp, gazing at Athrun like a predator waiting for the prey to move.
"What ex step-sister? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Meer walked around the desk towards him, slowly while swishing her hair seductively. She sneered in mock-surprise, "My, my, you didn't hear about it? She didn't tell you? And here I am, thinking you two are friends!"
"What-" Athrun was trying very hard to control his temper; after all, this person was the Chief, regardless of her personality.
Her high heels clicked against the floor as she came closer and closer to him, forcing Athrun to back against the now-dry wall. She was so close that the air was stifled in her perfume. He coughed slightly.
"Why, I'm talking about Cagalli, of course."
Glaring, Athrun clenched his fists; so, Meer was the so-called step-sister he'd heard from Lacus.
Meer asked slyly, "I don't suppose you've heard Cagalli mentioning a woman she called Auntie?"
He nodded hesitantly, torn between wanting to hear more or not.
"What if...," she touched his cheek lightly, causing him to flinch, "that 'Auntie' was your mother, Lenore Zala?"
Athrun felt his breath hitch in shock. Seizing this chance, Meer continued triumphantly, "Your mother was killed by a robber...what if the robber was Cagalli?"
"You LIE!" He shouted forcefully, walking away from her stifling presence. He couldn't take it...no, he wouldn't believe in her lies. Yes, perhaps that 'Auntie' really was his mother, since Cagalli's description fitted perfectly...yet, there was just no way, no way...
"Am I lying, Athrun? She was a pretty notorious gangster before...who's to say she can't be a robber? You saw the file, the fact that Cagalli killed two people. One of them was your mother, and the other her own mother. How terrible. A mother-killer, apparently."
Athrun chuckled wryly, feeling a burst of anger, "Okay, now you're just blabbering nonsense. That was the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. She cherished the time with her family, and she respected my mother, supposably Auntie IS my mother, ...why would she do something like that?"
Meer shrugged, "How would I know her reason? What matters was the evidence, Athrun... She had no alibi, and everyting the police had investigated lead to only one conclusion - Cagalli Yula Athha had, in fact, killed Lenore Zala and Caridad Yamato with a knife. The DNA prints, the blood all over the hands...ever heard of the expression 'caught red-handed'?"
"Stop it! You have no proof. I don't have to listen to your lies. She is innocent!," Athrun denied furiously, his mind in a state of pandemonium.
The current chief grinned maliciously, reaching for a key in a her pocket and opened a locked drawer. She pulled out a document and flaunted the paper in front of him.
"Strictly confidential photos and list of chemical investigations, but for you I'll make an exception," she smirked, "Take your time, Athrun, I'm in no hurry."
With trembilng hands, he took the piece of paper and read it with wide, stunned eyes. The paper and photos told him everything.
"No...it can't be true...Cagalli..."
Kira let out a huge sigh, massaging his sore neck tenderly. After letting all his troubles out, Kira was sure he would in a state of ease later. But after Flay left, Meer Campbell had requested him filling out every single inmate's psychological records. He spent the rest of the day typing his fingers off, resulting a very stiff neck and arms.
I don't trust that woman, there something off about her, there must be a reason she's here...her target, is definitely my sister...
He was appalled by Meer's voice at first, as it resembled Lacus's so much. However, there was no other similarity between the two, Kira soon discovered.
"Now I can't even talk to my sister, or go see Lacus anymore...maybe I should give her a surprise visit at her house?" Kira mumbled to himself, and decided to get a bouquet as an apology.
And...maybe..I can ask her out sometimes? Even though technically, we are seeing each other...well, at the orphanage...
It was late evening, but fortunately for him he was able to buy a pretty decent bouquet. Feeling more confident now, he quickly walked towards Lacus house.
"What..." Kira gasped, startled to see thick, black smoke coming out of the place.
He dropped the flowers hastily, running towards the building as fast as he could. His heart pounded against his rib cage, anxious and terrified for the woman he admired...and...
Through the window, he could see the dances of the flames, eating the structure in an uncontrollable rage.
"Lacus!"
Almost mesmerized, Kira dashed towards the door, tackling and slamming his body weight against it. After several desperate attempts, the wood finally cracked and the handle broke under his strength.
Adrenaline coursed through his veins, he ran around the house wildly, trying to locate the pink-haired lady. He blinked rapidly, tring to ignore the stinging sensation from the smoke.
He felt his heart stop when he discovered Lacus unconscious in her room upstairs. Her silky hair sprawled around the floor, her eyes closed in a peaceful slumber...like a sleeping angel unknowingly consumed by hell fires.
"Lacus...cough...Lacus! Wake up, Lacus!" He kneeled by her side, shaking her limp form almost pleadingly. How he wanted to see her gentle eyes right this instant. Judging from the flames downstairs, she'd probably been breathing in the fumes for awhile. Her face was too pale for his liking, and was she even breathing? Oh gosh oh gosh He frantically checked for her pulse and was relieved to find it, albeit a weak pulse. She seemed so lifeless...
His eyes went wide when he saw a can of sleeping gas seemingly hidden behind the window curtain. This is a set up! Someone's trying to kill Lacus...shit, the fire has already come upstairs...damn, what should I do?
Quickly turning on the shower, he soaked himself and a blanket as much as the time allowed. Wrapping the wet fabric around Lacus carefully, Kira tied her onto his back securely.
He breathed in the smoke directly by accident, causing him to choke painfully. He was already feeling dizzy. Summoning the remainder of his strength, he dashed out of the door into the flames.
The flare licked at his body almost teasingly; the scorching heat was more agonizing than he had predicted. When he got downstairs, he discovered that the front door had already collapsed. Knowing time was runing out, Kira swerved towards the window, and he dove for it with all his might.
Shattered glass pieces dug into his skin but he didn't care. All he knew was that Lacus was safe, and that they both escaped the fire alive.
Kira stumbled onto the grass, his whole body smarted in pain and screamed for cold water.
His eyes started to close drowsily. Before darkness claimed him, one thought swirled around his mind.
Anybody...please...save Lacus...
-
-
End of Chapter 7
-
A/N: Quite an exciting chapter, isn't it? Key events happening...cliffhanger? Don't kill me? (sweatdrop)
I'm sorry if Meer is OOC(is she, generally?), but I need her to be manipulative and dark...the Flay I'm using in this fic is before her father's death in the anime. So, while not exactly...tolerable either, Flay is nice towards her friends. I'm tired of Flay being manipulative, so Meer's doing the job.
When the story was first planned, I thought I'd get rid of Yuuna long ago; yet when I actually started writing the story, I realized I need someone to be doing all the...action-bad deeds. Meer isn't suitable for such job, and I 'd rather not use OCs. So Yuuna it is.
Oh, yes, Meer shall look as she is in the anime, except she has dark-grey hair instead of pink (you know her original hair color before her cosmetic surgery)
(author's rambling: broke my finger, screwed up my chem midterm, and little cousin's been using my fanfic account along several other accounts ... not that I really mind but still...my part-time job's bothering me too...but I'll still try to update next week)
-
I'd prefer reviews over knives or any other killing weapons...
-
Athyra
