Chapter 10! Thanks for the reviews!

This chapter was inspired by Saiunkoku Monogatari's Bara Hime and the Philippine myth of 'Why do roses have thorns?'...

"Love Or Something Like It"

Chapter 10: The Legend Of The Rose Princess.

After Flay's sudden announcement, all of her six older sisters were forced into accepting it for everything was already arranged and if they back out, no band would play for the main event. They only have a day before the party and they still have a lot to plan and rehearse. It's not that they don't know what to do, they just want to make sure that they won't end up humiliating themselves in front of the whole student body. Also, they know this is a good chance to clean up their names after displaying such unethical behavior because of that little incident.

It was already three in the afternoon, the seven sisters with the only guy, Athrun, were walking in the hallways towards the music room. Then, when they reached the door, Flay turned around to look at Cagalli who was walking far back behind them, Athrun was right beside her.

"Hey, Prince! We'll take it from here, you can go now." Flay smiled sincerely, if she could be sincere, that is.

Athrun raised an eyebrow. "Why? Can't I watch you?" He asked.

"You don't need to be Cagalli's bodyguard when we're around." Shiho was the one who answered before turning her head to the door and opening it.

"Yeah, and we want our performance to be a surprise! ...Besides, I know you still have classes." Flay winked at him, then quickly turned to Shiho and walked inside the room with her.

Athrun said no more.

"We'll see you later, Athrun." Mir said then she walked inside with Stella.

"See yah." He murmured.

Lacus only bowed her head to excuse herself as she too, went inside. Athrun nodded.

"Bye, Athrun!" Meyrin waved cheerfully before following inside, Athrun slightly waved back with a forced smile.

After the six girls have entered the room, only Cagalli stood by his side. He turned to her and smiled. "Guess I have to call it a day already."

Cagalli didn't respond and just remained quiet, which kinda made him worry a bit.

"Athrun." She called without looking at him and still, it lit him up instantly.

"Yeah?" He asked, he smiled enthusiastically.

Cagalli finally looked at him but she wore a rather serious expression. "You still have classes?"

"Uhm, yeah. I guess." Athrun just shrugged.

Cagalli looked down. "Right now, is the exact same time and day from when we went to that café last week..." Cagalli tried to trail off but Athrun didn't seem to be getting the message, so she continued. "That time, you said you were already free."

Athrun's mouth made the shape of the letter 'O', as he realized where she was getting at. "Well, I'm not really the studious type." He laughed nervously. "She cares..."

"Liar." She mumbled to herself as she took a step forward.

"Wait." Athrun stopped her by quickly stepping in front of her, he couldn't just grab her like what he always does because her left elbow wasn't in a good condition.

"What?" She wasn't meeting his gaze.

"Aren't you even gonna give me a kiss goodbye?" He asked sincerely, hoping for... I don't know, a miracle?

Cagalli glared at him immediately, her cheeks red form both anger and embarrassment. "And why the hell would I do that?" She yelled to his face. "For your information, Athrun. You are my bodyguard! Not my boyfriend!"

"Well, even so. I still am, the closest one to a boyfriend that you've got. So technically, I kinda am your boyfriend." He stated matter-of-factly, as if it was really a fact.

"It doesn't work like that!" Cagalli yelled, furious.

"Well, how does it work then? It's better having me than noone, Cagalli." He just can't stop teasing her.

Cagalli looked far away, making sure to not meet his gaze. "I don't want a bodyguard." She muttered softly but Athrun surely heard her.

"Would you rather have me stalking you, then?" Athrun was quite serious with that because of everything he's been through.

Cagalli snapped. "I'll be fine without you, Athrun. I don't need you!" She yelled, looking at him straight in the eyes.

Athrun managed to keep a straight face and swallowed hard before answering. "I know..." He paused, making sure she sees the decisiveness of this moment. "...But I need you."

Cagalli was taken aback and still Athrun was smiling sincerely to her. She knows she's hurt him a lot with those words, she can see it in his eyes. Cagalli looked down, she didn't seriously mean what she said, just one of those spur-of-the-moment things. But that's not an excuse, she felt ashamed and guilty. She knows she has to say sorry.

Cagalli opened her mouth for an attempt but before she was able to say or mumble something, Athrun spoke first. "Fine. If you won't give me any, I'll just keep on stealing some." He mumbled.

Cagalli looked up to him. "What?" She wasn't exactly sure on what he meant.

Athrun looked at her sternly but softly. "I love you, Cagalli."

Cagalli's eyes slowly widened, realizing that he said that again and after all that she said?

Then, Athrun quickly grasped her right wrist with his left hand and cupped her face with his right hand, knowing that her left arm is useless. He drew her closer and they stared at each other's eyes in such a close proximity, they can feel each other's breaths in their faces.

"Don't worry, you don't have to give me an answer... Just let me stay by your side and that'll be more than enough." Athrun's voice and breath were intoxicating, Cagalli could almost swear her knees became jelly.

"I'll say it again... I love you." He repeated then he finally closed the gap and kissed her, full on the lips. Overwhelming sensation of pure ecstasy took over both of them.

Still Cagalli was a bit shocked.

After a few moments, Athrun broke the kiss and released her wrist. He stood in front of her and smiled. "See you later, my princess." He then, winked and made a mad dash through the hallways.

Cagalli was left standing there, completely still.

"So, what happened?" Milly whispered from behind Flay as the latter was peeking through the slight opening of the music room's door.

"Nothing much." Flay smirked as she put her cellphone inside her pocket, then she opened the door and called. "Come on, Cagalli! We need to rehearse now!"

Cagalli slowly turned to her and recovered. She then joined them inside.

"So, which song are you gonna sing, Lacus?" Meyrin asked as she sat in front of the equalizers.

"Me? Am I the one to lead?" Lacus asked, pointing to herself.

"Well, you do have the best voice and you love to sing—" Meyrin reasoned but was cut short by her twin.

"Nope, I'm afraid Lacus won't be our lead vocal this time." Flat flatly stated as she walked towards the dual electric keyboard.

"What do you mean?" Milly asked as she took a bass guitar out of it's glass cabinet, Cagalli was behind her.

Lacus and Meyrin looked at each other.

"So, who's gonna sing then?" Cagalli asked while taking a double neck electric guitar and wearing it, careful not to hit her elbow. "Good thing it was my left arm which got hurt, or else I would have problems with playing the guitar." She thought to herself then, she turned around to face her sisters, she was a bit surprised to see that all of them were looking at her. Apparently, Flay has been staring at her the whole time which could only mean one thing.

"Oh no! No way!" Cagalli stared back at all of them but it was futile. "You girls can't be serious!" Her eyes were pleading but to no avail.

"Remember that this is your fight, Cagalli. We're only helping out." Flay started.

"No way in bloody hell!" Cagalli yelled. "Lacus is the best singer, she should sing!"

Flay shook her head. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. If Lacus sings, everyone would fall asleep and we can't have that during a party."

"Flay!" Shiho and Milly both yelled at her.

"Well, it's true! We have to admit that Lacus's voice is not for parties, and we're not gonna let her sing some remix version of anything 'cause that will only make her look like a whore." Flay waved her hands in dismissal then, she looked at Lacus. "No offense, Pinky. Your voice is great and all, but it won't work for situations like these."

"Oh, none taken. I completely understand your point." Lacus nodded.

"Flay, that is not the right way to talk to your older sister!" Shiho reprimanded her instantly while pointing a drum stick at her.

"I said, no offense!" Flay retorted.

"I am still not singing out there!" Cagalli snapped at them.

Flay turned to her and smirked. "Sing... Or else." She threatened while approaching Cagalli.

"Or else what?" Cagalli dared her.

Flay's smirk grew bigger and when she got close to Cagalli, she shoved her phone to Cagalli's face, almost hitting her. "Or else this."

It was a picture of Athrun and Cagalli kissing.

Cagalli gasped in horror. "You're black-mailing your own sister?"

"Why not?" Flay shrugged, then whispered to Cagalli's ear. "Don't worry, I'll be kind enough to give you options... Shiho or a scandal?"

(Athrun's POV.)

"I'll be fine without you, Athrun. I don't need you!"

Those were the most painful words anyone has ever said to me... Or maybe, it's because it was said by the most important person in my life? I don't really know which, but I guess I deserved it.

Ironic enough, those were the exact same words I told Meer and her friends earlier this morning when I disbanded them.

Flashback:

"I don't care anymore!" Athrun shouted as he slammed his fists on the table. "I don't need you! I don't need any of you!" He continued to glare at them with intense blood-thirsty eyes (seed mode).

"But Athrun, we were just—" Meer tried to make excuses.

"What? You were just ganging up on the niece of the governor?" He snapped. Technically, that wasn't really the reason why he was mad but it was the best excuse he could think of.

"Do you have any idea that she fractured her arm? The Deans are not happy with that at all! And the worst part is, that I get to take the blame for all of your actions!"

Athrun stood up and was headed for the door when Meer tried to stop him. She held on to his arm to which he shoved her away with one push, she was caught by her friends.

"From this point on, I do not have anything more to do with any of you." He hissed, before giving them one last death glare and slamming the door shut.

End of Flashback.

But I don't regret it at all... what they did to Cagalli was unforgivable.

However, it kinda makes me feel odd.

Cagalli is my strength and inspiration, I guess that means she's my weakness as well, but never did I thought that she could make me feel so bad after saying things, I know she doesn't even mean.

But I truly meant those things that I said to Meer and the others... Every single word.

Now, I'm not feeling guilty about it, nor do I regret ever saying it.

It's just... what if Cagalli meant what she said?

What's gonna happen to me?

(Normal POV.)

After Athrun ran away from Cagalli, he stormed out of campus and went straight home to the dorm. Upon entry, he didn't greet his dorm-mates—heck, he didn't even acknowledge they were there. He just walked to his room, completely oblivious to the calls of his concerned friends, slammed and locked the door.

"Hey, it's only half past three. Doesn't he have classes until six?" Heine asked while putting down his coffee.

"Yeah, well. He looked pretty upset to me. Maybe, he got dumped?" Shinn commented as he tried not to crash his car on the game on the game he was playing with Auel. "I mean, everything that happens to him, this past few days is always about Cagalli."

"He can't get dumped, they haven't even dated yet—SHIT!" Auel cut himself with a curse when he crashed his car and lost to Shinn in their game. "Damn it!"

"Well, I guess you do have a point. After all, he is Athrun Zala. Then again, that Cagalli girl is pretty much something else, as well... And that's three days of washing the dishes for you!" Shinn smirked when he remembered the bet they made before playing.

"Whatever... So, what do you think got him so down?" Auel stood up and threw his joystick at Shinn.

"Who knows?" Shinn shrugged as he caught the joystick and placed it carefully inside the tv cabinet.

"Maybe, he got rejected?" Dearka looked up from his porn magazine to see the reactions of his friends.

"You think so? Cagalli didn't strike me as the snobbish heart-breaker type..." Heine waved to Yzak when the latter arrived and plopped down the sofa.

"Well, in any case, what do we do? None of us are any good with those kind of things." Auel walked around the sofa trying to peek into Dearka's magazine.

Dearka suddenly raised his hand while holding a cellphone. This got every guys attention and they were expecting him to say something but he didn't. Instead, he dialed a number and positioned his index finger in front of his mouth to signal the other four guys to keep quiet.

"Hello, Kira!" Dearka greeted him loudly when he picked up the other line. Yzak just rolled his eyes at this.

"Dearka, what do you want?" Kira was straightforward, he knows Dearka won't call unless he wants to bother people.

"Can you come home early today? We have a little situation in here." Dearka shoved Auel's hand away when the latter tried to snatch away his magazine. Heine started snickering.

"What? Why? What happened?" Kira sensed Dearka wasn't just making up stories. "Is it Athrun?" He guessed.

"Yup, lover-boy skipped the rest of his classes again and no, he's not with Cagalli. He's locked up in his room right now and I think he's crying." Dearka wouldn't really know that of course but if it can make Kira come home early then why not?

"Okay, just leave the confrontation to me. See yah!" Kira hung up.

"Why Kira?" Shinn asked after Dearka placed down his phone.

Dearka just smiled at first then, he narrowed his eyes and said. "Because when you talk to Kira, it's like talking to your conscience."

"Okay, guys . That's it for me, I still have to practice Jujutsu. I'll see all of you at five." With that, Shiho left her six younger sisters.

"What's Jujutsu?" Stella asked.

"It's a form of a grappling martial art. It's famous for teaching you the ability to throw your enemy to the ground and for fighting with the use of pressure points." Meyrin answered while having a finger raised.

"Ahem-nerd-ahem." Flay faked a cough and Meyrin scowled.

"Maybe, I should try that." Cagalli said thoughtfully while Flay looked at her with half-lidded eyes.

"In any case, what do we do now? Our drummer's gone." Milly asked while placing back the bass guitar from where she took it.

"We still have about an hour until five." Lacus commented as she glanced at her watch.

"Why don't we just tell stories?" Meyrin beamed, then quickly turned to Cagalli. "So, Cagalli. Anything new with Athrun?"

Cagalli instantly blushed, remembering that sudden incident involving their lips. "Nothing happened!" She humphed. And her reaction just made Flay burst in fits of laughter, which only hinted the other girls that something really did.

Cagalli glared at Flay but the redhead didn't stop, she didn't even try. Then, when she was able to hold herself firm, she wiped a tear forming at the corner of her eyes and said. "Now, now, Cagalli. If you don't stop with all your stubbornness you're gonna end up like the rose princess."

"The rose princess?" Cagalli lazily repeated.

"Yes, as in, the legend of the rose princess, duh. Hasn't anyone of you ever heard of that?" Flay raised an eyebrow.

Noone answered. Milly and Lacus only looked at each other, then looked at her again. Stella just blinked.

Flay sighed. "Allow me to tell you a story then." She walked over to the piano and sat on top of it.

Once upon a time, in a Kingdom far, far away. There lived a happy King and Queen who just got blessed with their firstborn child. She was the loveliest child the world has ever seen. The most precious gift of God, as they say. She grew up, only to be the most beautiful young lady of all. Not to mention, the kindest soul alive. There were also rumors of her having mystical powers to which many people have wanted. Her name was Rose.

As news of her beauty, pure kindness and mystical powers spread far and wide, many suitors across the country tried to meet her up and ask for her hand in marriage. However, the royal family was quite protective of their most cherished one, so they had her kept away from the outside world and hid her on top of the tallest tower in the middle of the most isolated forest.

As a result, the people and her suitors were enraged. They accused the royal family of keeping her powers to themselves and hiding her away to avoid losing control. A nobleman of the kingdom, stood up to lead the people in overthrowing their King and they succeeded. The King was killed in battle and the Queen was murdered when she refused to tell the whereabouts of their beloved princess.

Shortly thereafter, Princess Rose learned of the fate of her parents in protecting her, so she prayed to God that she be kept safe by their souls from the greedy hands of those who seek her powers. And upon a drop of her tear, the wish was granted. Huge thorny vines enveloped the tower and the trees surrounding it grew taller, concealing it from human eyes. The princess was never heard of again.

One day, a wandering knight of a neighboring kingdom, got lost in the depths of the forest. He accidentally stumbled upon the tower and discovered a fine young lady imprisoned in it. With all of his courage mustered, he decided do the most noble thing he could, to save her. He made his way by slashing through the huge thorny vines, he climbed up the tower gripping on thorns until he reached her window. He peeked inside and there she was, the most beautiful girl he has ever laid eyes on. It was love at first sight.

The princess was afraid in the beginning, but as she got to know that he wasn't from her kingdom, she came to trust him and they became great friends. The knight would visit her every now and then to ask her to come with him to his kingdom, where she could be free and live happily without fear. But the princess had her doubts and was quite stubborn about the whole thing, since it seems he only wants to take her as his wife. However, the knight was very persistent, he just wouldn't give up. He came to her everyday from then on and as the days passed that they were secretly meeting, they were discovered.

The greedy nobleman sent his men to follow the knight, who has been reportedly seen around their kingdom's territory and as they found him they discovered their princess locked up in a tall tower. Greed and hatred were born of the nobleman as he got hold of this news. Then, they didn't waste time.

The next day, they followed the knight once again to where their princess was kept. The knight started climbing up the tall tower again and the nobleman waited for the right chance to attack and kill him. They wanted the princess to witness how they would finish off her captor and then free her afterwards.

And just as if on cue, the princess came to view. She was again delighted to spend another day with her mysterious admirer. She looked out the window and down to her knight coming for her. He smiled when he reached her and just as he was about to come inside, a single arrow came flying by and piercing through his back. But just before the knight fell, the princess got a firm hold of his hand.

They fell and died together, holding hands.

Everyone was stunned, they quickly looked at where the arrow came from and there he was, the nobleman.

News quickly spread that the nobleman had killed the princess and the knight, he was then, imprisoned and the people could only feel nothing but remorse. Later on, the kingdom was conquered. As it turns out, they have killed the prince of their neighboring kingdom who disguised himself as the knight. The people have learned their lesson and was even happier with the new reign.

Amidst all the happenings, the renewed kingdom was experiencing, a beautiful red flower with thorns grew up from the same spot where the blood of the knight and the princess met.

"The End." Flay concluded cheerfully.

"Was that a happy ending?" Meyrin asked.

"I'm not really sure." Lacus answered.

"Well, they died together so, I guess so." Milly touched her chin with her index finger.

"What the hell was that?" Cagalli snapped.

Flay acted bored. "I just thought you ought to hear the story anyway."

"Whatever!" Cagalli waved her off. "I'm going to the van." She immediately went out the room.

"Calli, wait for me." Stella followed her.

"Come on. Let's go." Milly walked out as well.

"Well, at least, you managed to kill fifteen minutes." Meyrin giggled as she made her way pass Flay.

"Shall we?" Lacus waited for Flay as they both got out of the room. "By the way, where did you hear that nice story? I'm sure, I've never heard of it before." Lacus asked.

Flay shrugged. "I made it up."

Lacus blinked. "Eh?"

Kira finally arrived home alongside Nicol and they were greeted by their dorm-mates.

"What are you doing back so early, Nicol?" Heine asked him.

Nicol smiled. "I wasn't allowed to enter the music room as the Clyne sisters had a rehearsal." He explained.

"A rehearsal? For what?" Dearka chimed in.

Nicol shrugged. "They're playing for the Acquaintance party, I guess."

"Really?" Dearka had a smirk on his face as he rubbed his chin. The other guys sighed at his gesture, all fully aware of his thoughts.

After some slaps on Dearka's head, they went up to Athrun's room and when they arrived in front of his door, Dearka held onto the knob.

He started twisting it but to no avail, it was locked. He glanced at his friends and took caution. "I think he's crying in there."

"That's the second time you said that. You really wanna see Athrun cry, don't you?" Kira sighed and shoved Dearka out of the way then called out. "Athrun! It's us, We're coming in!" Kira used his duplicate keys to open Athrun's room, after all, it's his mansion.

Kira motioned his friends to back away, then he slowly twisted the knob and opened the door.

They couldn't see anything, everything was pitch-black. The only light present was that coming form the hallway outside.

"I can't see anything!" Shinn bursted out in a not so low tone.

"Shut up, you idiot!" Auel gagged his mouth with his hand.

"Guys, shhh!" Kira looked back at them.

"Wait, why should we be quiet anyway?" Nicol asked.

"Where's the light switches in here?" Heine muttered while feeling around the wall.

"Did Athrun commit suicide already? That was fast." Dearka commented as an eerie feeling came over them upon entry.

"Seriously? You mean, if there were lights he's body might actually be in front of us!" Shinn freed himself from Auel's grasp.

"I don't wanna step into blood, my sneakers are brand new." Auel joked.

"Oh, quit with all this crap already! Athrun! Where are you?" Yzak shouted and just as if on cue, the lights went on, Heine just found them.

Still, there were no signs of Athrun.

"Maybe, he drowned himself in the toilet." Shinn muttered aloud, then he suddenly jumped back when he turned to the bathroom and heard something coming from inside.

"Is his ghost in there?" Auel asked, grinning at Shinn who looked as if he saw one.

Kira walked forward then knocked on the door. "Athrun? You alive in there?"

There was no response.

"Should we break it open? I got no more keys." Kira asked since he doesn't really keep keys for bathrooms.

"Let's do it!" Dearka walked up to the door first, only to have his face pushed back by Athrun who just opened the door.

"I'm fine, just fell asleep on the tub." Athrun emerged fresh from a bath, he was wearing a bath robe.

"And he lives!" Auel proclaimed as he raised both of his hands to the air and walked towards the exit. They only wanted to make sure, he's still alive anyway. Now, they'll leave it to Kira.

"We'll leave it to you, Kira" Nicol smiled at Athrun then went out.

"We'll see you two at dinner, then." Heine followed after Nicol.

Yzak dragged Dearka out and Shinn waved at Athrun first before closing the door.

"Seriously, you guys are too much." Athrun went into his walk-in closet to grab some clothes.

"What? We love you!" Kira mocked as he opened the sliding doors which lead to the balcony to let in some fresh air.

Athrun just snickered before putting on a t-shirt and pants.

"So, you all right?" Kira asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

"A little shaken, but I'm fine." Athrun went out of his closet casually dressed.

"Is it Cagalli?" Kira looked at him.

"No, not really." Athrun shook his head as he sat beside Kira.

Kira looked surprised and Athrun just chuckled before continuing. "I just found out how I've always made Meer felt or any of my fan girls for that matter. Except, it should probably be more painful for them."

"Rejection." Kira clarified.

Athrun nodded slightly then, he closed his eyes and opened them again. "What if Cagalli never falls in love with me? What if she never comes to like me? What if I'm just wasting my everything on nothing? What if—"

"Meer loves you but you're in love with someone else. You love Cagalli and she isn't in love with anyone." Kira simply stated as Athrun looked at him. "That's the difference between the two of you." Kira continued. "You have a chance but she never did. I feel sorry for her just as much as you do but there's no helping her. However, you still have this chance and wasn't it you who said you'd take it?" Kira patted his back and stood up.

"Don't worry, Athrun. Nothing stands in your way." With that Kira walked off and opened the door, but before he could walk off.

"Hey Kira!" Athrun called.

And Kira looked back, halfway through the door.

"I kissed her, you know." Athrun boasted. Kira blinked a few times before chuckling and they both made their way to the dinning room.

"Nothing stands in my way." Athrun smiled.

You know what guys, I honestly wanted to make Athrun poop. *slapped* But that would ruin the set-up so yeah, he just took a bath. Lol!

(.^_^.)

Fate Camiswhil

06102011