Oh wow!

Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews! It is so nice to know that you all enjoyed that last chapter! Unfortunately, things will get worse for Athrun before they get better - I'm sorry but that's just the way the story was planned. I had everything planned out except the end… which I still sorta need help with.

Anywayz, please enjoy the story and again, thank you so very, very much for all the kind reviews! I hope I don't disappoint you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny

Affronted Affections

Chapter #10: Assault

"How typical for a child of the PLANTS"

Athrun grimaced, picking up his pace as he shuffled through the lonely park situated between the assembly hall and the student residences. The moonlight from above radiated through the thick brush and trees – casting their shadows upon the forlorn boy as he wearily made his way back to the dorm.

He growled from the back of his throat as the collar of his suit bit into his neck. With a tug, he felt the fabric give way under his fingers and let out a heavy sigh as the collar ripped slightly, giving him more room to breath.

"No Zala is entitled to any respect of any sort."

Athrun's eyes narrowed as he paused to cast a quick glance over his shoulder in the direction of the assembly hall he had just taken his leave from. He was far enough away now that he couldn't see it entirely but the lights from it seemed to stretch to the stars – a constant reminder of what had happened.

His expression saddened as his eyes followed the fading twinkle in the distance. It was as if he was living in a different world. Cast out into the shadows, he found himself looking out at another world that he could never possibly be a part of – Cagalli's world.

"…probably the result of a one-night stand with some trashy bawd in space"

His heart squeezed painfully in his chest and he shook his head, refusing to allow himself to feel any sort of guilt or responsibility for how the evening's events had transpired. How dare they say such things to him! He had done nothing wrong. The harsh words that had escaped his lips had been in response to a horrible insult upon his family and most importantly, his mother. He could overlook many things but such a blatant attack upon his mother was something that could not and would not be dismissed.

Whirling around, he lengthened his strides, wanting nothing more than to burn the suit he was wearing, bury himself beneath his blankets and sleep the night away. Cagalli had meant well by buying him the clothes that she had but after everything that had happened, he felt dirty and soiled with them on.

As he moved further into the brush, he passed the lake that he and Cagalli had spent several special moments by. The water lapped onto the shore as the waves rolled in and he felt a sudden calmness overtake him. Yes, for reasons that couldn't be explained, just being near the lake made him feel better.

Suddenly he frowned, noticing something else. With the grace of a wild cat, he ducked behind the nearest tree when he saw four figures sweep across the shoreline. Three were of a relatively large build while the last one was slender and when a flash of long, pink hair caught his eye, Athrun felt himself blench in disgust.

It was Meer.

Yet something was wrong.

As he watched, the three figures seemed to encircle her, hooting and hollering like drunken mulls. One reached out and playfully pulled at her hair, eliciting a shriek from the young girl as she violently pulled away.

"Go away!"

"Come on princess, back at the bar you liked it when…"

His instincts took over as Athrun sprung into action. Removing his jacket, he carelessly tossed it to the ground and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. With a furious cry, he leapt from behind the shelter of the trees and raced towards them.

"Hey! That's enough! Leave her alone!"

His unannounced appearance startled the three assailants and they quickly took off into the woods, not wanting to be seen or identified. The trailing man, however, wasn't so lucky.

Catching hold of the man's jacket, Athrun angrily pulled him back to the ground. His opponent struggled to free himself but Athrun, who had already been upset, lashed out at him with all his fury and frustration.

The figure before him didn't waste anytime and quickly reaching out, snatched Athrun's hand and flung it aside. Athrun stepped back, the light reflecting off the lake now shifting so he could get a better view of the person before him. When he did, he immediately wished he hadn't.

"Yuna." He growled darkly as he took another quick step forward. Suddenly, all the aggravation and frustration that he had buried since his arrival at the school emerged from within his wounded heart and he found himself needing to exert that anger in some way. His eyes locked on Yuna.

"Athrun…" Was all Yuna could get out before the slightly shorter boy lashed out at him with a fist aimed directly at his head.

Dodging to the left, Yuna awkwardly managed to avoid the hit but was punished as he tripped and felt backward into a nearby tree. The back of his head smashed against the bark and he groaned as the throbbing in his head intensified.

"That's right," Athrun snarled as he pursued his adversary with flaming eyes. "I dare say you didn't expect to see me did you? I bet you didn't expect to see anyone when you tried to hurt this poor girl did you?"

"What are you doing here?" Yuna demanded, hating himself for the fear he allowed to slip through his voice and reach the angry Coordinator's ears.

"I don't think that is any of your business." Athrun spat the words as though they were toxin, causing Yuna to flinch.

Yuna swallowed, his throat dry. Backing up, he blinked, trying to clear his vision and focus. The Athrun Zala before him was not the Athrun he had picked on in the past. This young man was angry and the ire that burned in his emerald eyes told him that if he wasn't careful, he was going to end up in a bad way.

Yuna stepped back slowly, knowing he was running out of space to move. Athrun had him cornered. Shaking his head, he angrily glared daggers at the other boy.

"This doesn't concern you," He sneered darkly, frustrated. "It's between Meer and I. We went out to the bar tonight and had a few drinks – we're just having a little time to ourselves…you've got that stupid blonde so let me have my fun."

"I think that you harassing Meer, who clearly doesn't want anything to do with you, does concern me. Besides, it's about time I paid you back for the kindness and consideration that you have shown me since I arrived." Athrun told him, disregarding all of which Yuna had said.

Athrun's left fist flew out with full force but Yuna jumped right and then forward, trying to escape from the corner he'd been herded into. Yuna stumbled, scrambling to move away from Athrun. He knew he couldn't fight Athrun Zala alone. His only hope was to get away and run.

Flailing out, Athrun managed to ensnare the left sleeve of Yuna's jacket and bore him to the ground. Yuna let out a pained cry as he landed on his stomach and grimaced as the air was forced from his body. Driven by the terror of knowing the consequences if he allowed Athrun to get a hold of him, Yuna kicked back with his foot, fighting as Athrun pulled him backward by the sleeve of his jacket.

"Let go!" Yuna growled and dug his nails into the muddy earth below them as he felt his body being violently wrenched backward. He struggled, kicking and twisting, desperate for escape. "Get off!"

Athrun mumbled something under his breath before giving Yuna's jacket a firm pull, throwing the other boy back into him.

The two boys fell to the ground, wrestling to get the upper hand, one to simply get away. Yuna landed on top of Athrun and immediately tried to roll. His senses were reeling but he fought off the drowsiness and wriggled franticly. They grappled with one another, both ripping and tearing at the other's shirt.

Arms flailing, Yuna felt a hint of satisfaction when he felt his fist connect with something hard. Wrenching forward, Yuna had a moment to look behind him to see what he had hit. Athrun's left cheek bone was bruising with red.

His satisfaction was short lived though when he felt an arm wrap around his neck and pull him back to the ground. Yuna gasped, struggling as he felt the hold around his neck tighten, constricting his airways. He couldn't breathe. Gagging, Yuna snapped his eyes shut, thrashing about in vain as much as his oxygen-deprived body would allow.

The hold around him only tightened and although Yuna tried to pull the arm away with his own hands, he found he simply didn't have the strength to do so. White spots danced in his vision and he groaned weakly, his movements gradually slowing.

"I'm not going to put up with any more nonsense from you," Athrun told him firmly, refusing to let go. "I'm not going to pretend that you are better than me anymore. You will never win in a fight with me."

"A…Athrun…"

"Just remember that." Athrun sneered and with that, threw the other boy to the ground. Yuna coughed and gagged at his feet, trying to catch his breath. Terrified, Yuna took off after his friends, cursing and swearing at the Coordinator that had humiliated him with very little effort.

As Athrun moved towards Meer, he was somewhat amazed and relieved when he saw that she had been unharmed. Brushing away the sweat that had gathered on his brow, he almost gagged when the horrible odor of alcohol overwhelmed his nostrils.

"Meer, you're drunk," He muttered, wrinkling his nose up in repugnance. "What happened?"

"I went out tonight," Meer giggled and hiccupped as her words slurred. Taking a step forward, she slipped and fell to the ground, snickering. "Just on my way home… thank you, Athrun."

"Um, you're welcome." Athrun shifted nervously, unsure what to do next. It was very obvious that Meer had been drinking and he couldn't very well just leave her by the lake. He doubted she even knew where she was.

"Get down and help me," she ordered.

Athrun refused to move, until he felt the sting of Meer's small first against the back of his knee.

"I said help me up!"

Athrun jumped quickly and hurried to do as Meer had demanded. His leg stung from the harsh little blow Meer had rendered to the tender flesh behind his kneecap.

When Athrun's fingers circled the young girl's waist, Meer placed her hands on the boy's shoulders and allowed him to help her up. Once her feet were firmly planted on the ground, Athrun released his hold, but Meer only tightened hers and, taking the boy by surprise, pressed her enticing body against his, which was trapped between the side of a tree and Meer's warm body.

Immediately Athrun tried to wiggle free, but Meer only squeezed herself closer against Athrun's pounding heart. His young face beaded with tiny droplets of perspiration, causing Meer to giggle softly. Her fingers left his shoulders and moved to either side of Athrun's face, tracing the lines in a loving manner.

Athrun felt his body become rigid as he tried to lean his head further back to escape her fervid fingers. He was scared, frightened and very unsure of what this provocative, drunk girl was trying to do to him.

"Get away from me," he muttered between clenched teeth.

"Why Athrun, don't you want me to thank you?" Meer said in an enticing voice, her eyes glazed with an unhealthy and alcohol-induced lust.

She leaned her face down, brushing her lips against his ears and nibbling gently at one lobe.

"No!" she heard the young man say and then laughed when Athrun moaned softly.

"There isn't a guy I have met that doesn't like it, when I do this."

Meer's tongue darted into Athrun's ear, nearly taking the boy's breath away. He tried to turn so that she could not repeat the suggestive move, but his head twisted toward her lips instead of away and when Meer felt Athrun's hot lips brush her cheek, she reacted by covering the boy's with her own.

The girl's lips pressed against Athrun's, sealing their lips as one. Athrun closed his eyes to the pleasantness of the kiss, losing himself in the bewitching moment. A voice from deep within, warned Athrun that this was wrong, that he was betraying Cagalli but Athrun was unable, or unwilling, he wasn't totally sure, to push her away. His five senses seemed to over rule his common sense. It was only when he was aware of her hands clawing at the buttons of his tattered shirt that he awoke to what was happening to him.

His eyes popped open and he began to struggle against the hands that seemed to be everywhere.

"NO!" he managed to shout.

He forced his body upright and pushed Meer away with his hands. Meer, startled by the sudden movement, staggered and fell down into the dirt. When she turned to look up at Athrun, who had moved away, and whose body trembled with fear of what he had allowed to take place, Meer jumped to her feet, swinging her fists at Athrun.

Repeatedly she hit him, ripping his shirt and leaving long thin scratches across his back where he had been forced to turn to keep her nails from disfiguring his face. Eventually, she ripped the thin-fabric right off of him, exposing his upper torso to the cold, evening air.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Meer shrieked loudly.

She was like a woman driven; her aim was deadly as her razor-sharp nails continued their assault on the young man.

And Athrun didn't know what to do. Meer was a girl! He couldn't hit a girl! But she was hurting him! But he couldn't hit her! But… Athrun shuddered as his thoughts continued to spin in wild circles

When Meer stopped to catch her breath, he took the opportunity to scurry a few feet away from her. Exhausted, Athrun dropped to his knees.

He heard Meer sigh deeply and when she knelt down in front of him, he cringed and raised a protective arm to his face. Meer's hands gently clasped Athrun's arm and moved it away.

"Don't worry, Athrun," she said in a sweet, slurred voice. "I won't tell anyone what you did…honest. But you have to be nice to me, or I might change my mind."

Athrun jerked his head up, staring in disbelief at the girl in front of him. He pulled his arm free of her hands and quickly stood to his feet. When Meer rose as well, Athrun stepped back away from her flailing arms.

"What I did?" he stammered, "I didn't do anything…you…you…"

Meer's insane, alcohol-induced laughter caused Athrun's words to falter and he instantly hushed.

"Oh don't be stupid…I didn't do a thing to you…it was you who attacked me!"

She laughed again, loudly, wickedly, and took a step closer to Athrun. She had placed her hands on her hips and her body swayed seductively in front of the startled, speechless boy.

"No one will ever believe that I tried to seduce you…especially the principal. I know all about the trouble you've had with her… one more strike and you will be out of this school won't you? And what will your parents say? If you say anything, I will tell everyone that we met here, in this very spot and that you became overly excited when I accidentally brushed up against you. When I tried to push you away, you became enraged and tried to attack me. All you have to do is dump Cagalli and I will keep our encounter here a secret."

Meer smiled at the frightened look on Athrun's face and gently brushed her fingers across his cheek. Athrun slapped at her hand, knocking her arm away.

"You're nothing but a bitch," he whispered.

The slap to his cheek had stung. Meer had left the impression of her handprint on the side of his face.

"Don't you ever call me that again!" she practically screamed in Athrun's face.

Meer moved to the tree where Athrun had left his jacket and picked it up off the forest floor. When she turned around, she held it up teasingly before his wide eyes. "You may want to cover yourself."

Instinctively, Athrun took several steps backward, trying to distance himself from the prying eyes that raked his bare chest. Athrun wasn't sure what one would call the look in the girl's eyes. But Athrun knew he had seen it before, in his father's dark eyes while he had been hiding, watching as his father's hand tried to explore his mother's body while of his parents had been unaware of his presence.

"Come here," she ordered him.

"No…just give me my jacket so I…" stammered Athrun.

"In a minute. I said, come over here," she said with more force.

Athrun refused to move and shook his head no. What happened next awakened an all new terror within his core. Without any warning at all, Meer began to tear at her own purple dress until it looked in similar condition to Athrun's now-disregarded shirt.

"Wh…what are you doing?"

"I'll scream," Meer threatened.

"So?" dared Athrun. "There's no one around here."

"Are you so sure? Or maybe you'd like to find out. I bet those boys who attacked me aren't too far away."

She snickered softly at the doubt that had sprung so quickly in Athrun's emerald eyes. When Athrun cast apprehensive eyes over his shoulder as if searching for the mysterious young men, Meer laughed aloud.

Taking a deep breath, Athrun moved closer to Meer. He couldn't take the chance of being seen here, half-naked with this girl. No amount of trying to explain what had happened would save him should someone spot them.

Athrun flinched when he felt the long nails rake downward across his exposed chest towards his stomach. He closed his eyes, refusing to meet hers. His nose picked up the scent of her lingering perfume and he swallowed hard.

When her lips gently brushed against his, Athrun opened his eyes, and drew back. As he took a step back, he snatched the jacket from her hands and hurried to slip his arms into the sleeves. The sound of her tittering rang in his ears and he turned his back to the young woman. Thoughts of Cagalli rushed through his mind as he inched away from Meer.

Meer made a move to pursue him but Athrun was ready and pushed her away from him. The girl let out a startled cry as she fell to the ground once more and Athrun darted backward, breathing heavily as he struggled with what to do next.

Drunk or not… I can't stay here with her!

Athrun started to turn when he heard a low, bellow come from his left. His face paled as he saw the silhouette of Uzumi come into focus.

Instantly the Orb representative was at Meer's side, helping her to sit up. Long strands of pink curls had fallen free of their pins, her face had smudges of dirt and her eyes glowed with anger. She pointed her long slender finger over Uzumi's shoulder and began to shout.

"YOU!" she shouted. "You tried to assault me!" she screamed at Athrun, who stood stunned.

Uzumi twisted his head around to see Athrun standing behind him. The boy's face was as white as a ghost and he could see tears shimmering in the young man's eyes. He wasn't sure what that meant but when he saw the tearful expression on the young girl's face, he figured he cold piece together all that had happened.

"He grabbed me!" accused Meer as Uzumi helped her to stand.

"What happened, Miss?" Uzumi asked while he wiped the smudges of dirt from her face with his handkerchief.

Meerwas livid, her words fueled by the drink. "He tried to force himself onto me…ask him…just ask him…look at him, he's only upset because he got caught! Look what he did to my clothes!"

Uzumi turned and though Athrun tried to remove the sudden shock of seeing Cagalli's father from his face, he hadn't been quick enough. Seeing the fear in the boy's eyes, Uzumi became angry himself. He had been right all along. Athrun was just like his father!

"Athrun ZALA!"

"I didn't do anything…honest, Sir," Athrun said in defense of himself.

"Yes he did, look at this." Meer motioned for Uzumi to look at her dress. "He tried to rip my dress away!"

"That's a lie!"

"I tried to fight back – look at his cheek!"

Athrun was beginning to get worried for Uzumi had started to advance on him. This looked bad. The whole scenario was a nightmare come to life.

"Athrun," growled Uzumi between clinched teeth.

Athrun's eyes were wide with dread; she was actually making him out to look like a liar... and a rapist! He gulped, his eyes shimmered with unshed, frightened tears that refused to fall and he began inching back from his girlfriend's father. Uzumi's arm swung out as fast as lightning and before Athrun could escape, Uzumi grabbed him.

Athrun began struggling, trying to pull his arm free from the older man's fingers.

"I didn't do anything…honest …honest! You have to believe me!"

"Athrun be still," snapped Uzumi. "Would you care to explain how this young lady ended up in the state she is in now?" he asked as Athrun finally gave up fighting and stood rigid before the elder.

Athrun's chin was quivering; he glanced at Meer who wore a smug expression on her face.

"Athrun, I asked you a question."

Uzumi gave Athrun a slight shake to draw his attention and then surprised the boy by tightening his grasp.

"She… she did it herself…" He struggled to get the words out as fast as he could. "I saw three boys bothering her so I tried to help her and she… she…"

Uzumi's eyes turned black with anger and he glared at the trembling boy.

"Why Athrun? What has she ever done to you? What about Cagalli?"

"But…I didn't…"

"I think you should inform the principal!" suggested Meer as she stood next to Uzumi and glared at Athrun. If she couldn't have Athrun to herself then nobody could.

Uzumi glanced at Meer and then back at the boy whose arm he still held tightly. "I think that is a very, very good idea."

TBC

Hmmm… Athrun's going to be in trouble with… well… everyone. In the next chapter, Cagalli finds out all about Athrun's evening encounter. I know that Meer is a little OOC but to be honest, I think anyone would be OOC if they were drunk right? That's my excuse lol. We know that Meer liked Athrun so really… that emotion was just a little exaggerated by her drinking.

As for Athrun – would you not be scared if you were in his situation? What if his dad finds out? What if he's expelled? Hmmm… the ideas are flowing… Oh! I just saw Episode 13-14 of GSD - I just HAD to beat up Yuna is this chapter - I can't believe what he tried to pull! GAHHHH!

Anywayz, please let me know what you think ok?

Thanks for reading!

Krilyn