A content sigh could be heard down the now empty halls as the young midnight hair teen walked slowly.
"I don't think I've ever left an assignment so late" he said out loud as he made his way back to his locker to get his coat. This was true, when it came to assignments Athrun always got them done within the first day or two. Although this time he found himself almost at the end of the allotted one week deadline.
"I must be getting distracted" he said, running a hand through his hair. "Ah well, nothing a few hours the library can't fix". Athrun took a few more paces before stopping in his tracks.
"I could have sworn I just heard Cagalli…" he said looking behind him before turning back to look in front of him to confirm he was alone. Then again, the feisty blonde probably wouldn't be caught dead in the school after hours. Brushing off the topic he continued his way to the stairs before stopping in his tracks again. Listening closely he could hear the blonde voice, muffled but it was definitely hers. Even with the lack of coherent words he could tell she was angry. Okay, she sounded a lot angry than usual.
"Something's not right here" Athrun said as he pick up his pace to the point he was running, jumping 5-6 stairs at a time as he came to the level his and Cagalli's lockers was on. Alarm quickly filled him as he pushed through the last set of doors that were separating him and string of hallway to the lockers where he could swore he hear the voice coming from. His eye's immediately landed on the disgusting sight, making his stomach drop. On impulse he found himself running towards Yuna at speeds he never knew he was capable of. With one swift movement he delivered a deadly punch that collided with the side of the unsuspecting man's head. A soft crack was heard. Yuna immediately let go of Cagalli, taking a few steps before falling over, out cold. The blonde fell to the ground with a soft thud, slightly dazed but not unconscious.
"Cagalli! You okay?" he said waving his hand in front of her face to get her attention. The blonde didn't respond nor move an inch to Athrun's futile attempt to make sure she was okay. Her eyes had a glassy faraway look and the lack of any movement was beginning to scare the blue haired teen. Thinking that it would be smart to check her pulse, he reached down to grab her wrist.
'Smack'
"Don't touch me" the blonde said, her voice filled with a venom that Athrun never heard before. Immediately he put a good amount of space between them.
"Are you okay?" he said, now feeling the burn on his cheek. Again the blonde ignored him. Sighing, the blue hair teen stood up.
"Go away" the blonde said quietly, still holding a viscous edge to the words.
"I'm just trying to help" Athrun said, glaring off to the side at Yuna who was still sprawled motionless on the floor. Switching to look back at Cagalli he noticed the growing mark on her neck, feeling more anger in him rise. The blonde also got up slowly, leaning on the locker to ease the amount of weight off her tired muscles. Hastily, she shoved her bag and coat in her locker before slamming the door and locking it.
"You should sit down for a bit" Athrun offered, knowing full well the blonde was going to be stubborn, but it was worth a shot. Cagalli turned around and started walking towards the doors to the staircase.
"Cagalli.." the blue haired teen said, reaching out to grab her shoulder. The sudden contact sent blonde running off, leaving Athrun alone in the hallway.
"Tough girl" he mubbled as he watched her disappear, deciding it wouldn't be worth much to chase after her. One sore cheek was enough for him. Sighing once again, he walked back to the staircase doors to grab his books that he had dropped. Not even remembering doing so in the first place. Shoving them into his book bag and throwing on his coat, he closed his locker. I sharp sparkle of light caught his eye. Kneeling down to the ground to picked up a thin silver chain with what appeared to be a battered ring strung through it. Not remembering Cagalli ever wearing a necklace he pocketed it just in case. Looking back at Yuna he could still fell anger bubbling inside of him. Giving him one swift, but hard kick Athrun felt a bit better as he knew that the second Yuna would wake up he'd be feeling the results of it.
"Ouch!" he said as he touched his reddened cheek. That slap would definitely leave mark for tomorrow.
XXX
Tomorrow at lunch
"I see you can't charm them all" Kira said with a laugh as he sat down at the lunch table beside the emerald eyed teen.
".You're so funny…" Athrun said rolling his eyes. Cagalli's little outburst did indeed leave a mark and a quite obvious mark at that.
"What happened there" Yzak said as he too sat down.
"Nothing, leave it be" Athrun said in a sour tone, turning back to reading his book. It got rather annoying after having to walk into every class and answer the question so many times.
"Pftttt Hahahaha! Not so hot now Mr. Prince charming!" came the obnoxiously loud voice of Dearka. Feeling his temper rise Athrun put down his book and glared at the rusty blonde.
"You want one to match?" he said rising his hand, with a glare to say it wasn't something to be joked about. Immediately Dearka sat down, not bringing up the subject again. Picking up his book again, he once again immersed himself in it. Everyone once in a while he caught himself looking at the doors of the cafeteria half-exspecting to see Cagalli, who hadn't bothered to show to school today. Deep inside, he was still worried about her. The behavior just seemed so out of character for her even if it was anger it wasn't the same. Placing his hand in his pocket he felt around for chain necklace. Upon closer inspection of it at home last night he found a small engraving on the inside of the band which read:
"I will love you till the end of time - Ulen Hibiki"
If memory served him right then, there was nobody in the school with the last name Hibiki. Which also brought on the question why would Cagalli have this in the first place. Sighing the blue haired teen turned back to his book. His thoughts had been sporadic all morning, making it hard to concentrate. Even last night he found it hard to fall asleep which could explain why he felt like he could fall asleep any moment.
"Hey! Give back the book!" Athrun said loudly, as the book was ripped from his hands.
"Athrun, we've been trying to get your attention for ages. Are you okay?" Kira said, looking at his friend with concern.
"Yea. What do you want?" he said, with an irritated tinge in his voice, taking back his book.
"The bells rang… it time for class" Kira said slowly making sure that Athrun understood him. Maybe the slap caused some internal brain damage?
"Oh, Thanks" the blue haired teen said, getting up and exiting the cafeteria before anymore could be said. Getting to the locker he couldn't remember what he had. Chemistry or gym?
"Hey Lacus, do we have gym first?" he said as the pink haired beauty began to walk away.
"Gym" she said looking at Athrun oddly. It was a very rare occasion to hear the blue haired teen ever ask such simple questions. He was the type of person you'd go to for help, someone that was on top of everything.
"You're not sick are you?" Lacus asked, concerned.
"No. Thanks though" he said with a huff. That was another thing getting on his nerves now, every one of his questions had to be answered with another one. Digging though his locker quickly he grabbed a small pull bag and quickly headed too gym. After getting changed quickly he exited the changing room to join the rest of the class which had already start grumbling over what they guessed they'd have to do for class.
"Okay class! Today we will be doing another running test to see how far you've progressed so far this year! Same drill as last time, line up on the black line and run until you can't run anymore. Remember to try your best as you will be getting marked for this and please keep track of the laps." The teacher said in her loud, strict voice. The entire class broke out in a loud groan.
"I don't want to hear it! Line up on the black line and get ready!" she finished as she went to grab her clipboard from her office.
"Athrun, you're going to participate today?" Miriallia as she noticed the emerald eyed teens attire, never seeing him anywhere beside with a book on the sidelines during gym class.
"Yea, I guess." He said with a long drawn out breath. To be honest it was the best thing he could think of to clear his mind.
Near the end of class it was down the last two remaining contestants, Shinn and Athrun.
"What happened to 'I'm too good for running?'" Shinn said with a huff of tiredness as they continued their laps around the gym.
"I never said no such thing, I merely said that running is only for those that are too cowardly to face what's behind them" Athrun said matter of factly.
"So what's your excuse for today then?" the red head said with a smirk upping his pace.
"I figured you'd know me better then that by now" the blue haired teen said with a laugh as he too picked up the pace. "It's worth marks, no?"
"Ah… grade hugging bastard" Shinn said with a light laugh.
"What? Scared of a little competition?" Athrun taunted. Although marks weren't really why he was running. It was true he too was to scared to face himself. He knew that if he continued to let his mind go about he'd muddle the line of what was true and false.
"Okay you too, that's it for today! Good work!" the teacher yelled from the sidelines, quickly scribbling a few quick things on her clipboard once again.
"Athrun, I want a quick word with you after class" she said as he headed towards the changing room.
"..."
"You wanted to see me?" Athrun said as he ran a hand though his hair to try and get it to become a bit neater.
"Ah, yes. I was looking through the Destiny High's track roster and saw you weren't on it. I know a good runner when I see it and I know that you'd make the school team easily. Is there any reason you're not?" she said looking up from her keyboard.
"No, it's just not that fun I guess" he said truthfully as he'd always put academics above extracurricular activities.
"Okay, that's fine. Although if you ever to be interested I'm sure I can get you a spot. We'd be more than happy to take on a good runner." She said with a bit of disappointment before walking away to her office.
XXX
Chemistry Class
"Okay class, for today your questions are already on the board. I also have a sheet being passed around that has to be handed in with your assignment tomorrow. Also a quick check on attendance is Cagalli here today or is she absent?" Rau Le Creuset said boredly, not bothering to look up from his desk. Of course none of the class was paying attention now, they were already in their little groups chattering away with one another.
"Kira, your Cagalli's brother, correct?" the teacher said looking at various papers.
"Uh… Yes sir" the brunette said, puzzled.
"I'm going to need you to take the sheet and today works to her, since that sheet is worth a good percentage of the paper." He said finally up from his desk, holding out a two sheets of paper. One for the assignment and the othe being today's work and assignment.
"Okay, no problem" Kira said getting out of his seat to get the papers.
XXX
After class… well they got out 15mins before everyone else.
"Come on Athrun… Please please please please do this… PLEASE!" Kira begged and the blue haired teen dug various books and binders out of his locker and stuck them in his bag.
"Why can't you do it!" Athrun said, not even sparing the brunette a look.
"I have practice afterschool!" he argued.
"Practice for what! You're not on any teams"
"Umm… it's for dance" Kira said, his head falling from the embarrassment. Instantly the blue haired teen bursted out laughing.
"Classic"
"So will you do it!?!" the brunette said with hope.
"No, do it after practice then" Athrun said bluntly. He had no interest being thrown into an awkward situation with what happened yesterday. He couldn't imagine showing up on the blonde's doorstep. How could he even start explaining that one... Hi, your brother gave me your address to give you two sheets of paper. Nah, knowing her, she'd just close the door before anything could be said.
"I can't… I have plans" Kira whined.
"What do you mean plans?" Athrun said, sighing.
"I have a date" he said quietly, his cheeks now glowing red.
"With who?" he said in disbelief, raising an eyebrow.
"No more questions! Can you just do this please?"
"Not until I find out who" Athrun said curiously.
"Lacus… now will you do it. What are friends for?" Kira said holding up the now three sheets of paper.
"Fine" Athrun said, grabbing the papers. Although in the back of his head he felt like he made a deal with the devil. Just what had he gotten himself into?
HOLY
EFFING
COW
2yrs later (I think, its been a long time)
So, I'm going to try and finish this story. I've dug up my old notes on this story which are literally like a cryptic code now (I tended to use alot of abreviations and numbers then which I now forget what they all meant). So I'm slowly working out that. I had my notes sticking the story at about 30-35 chapters so lots more to come. I made this chapter a bit longer then previous ones so hopefully that'll help about the little haitus. Anyway stay tune, review,critized and yell at me to make sure I get these chapters out.
I'm on a roll right now for writing so next chapter should be out by Friday!
