Another chapter! Sorry for the long wait. I've been especially busy these days with school and a play production. Thank you for your patience. :)
Small feet stepped against the cold muddy shortcut that would take her straight home
Small feet stepped against the cold muddy shortcut that would take her straight home. There was no one around, and there were two reasons for that. First, because it was close to 4 a.m. in the morning, and second because this narrow path had long been abandoned. Nobody walked this way anymore, and that was why she chose to come here. It was a quiet, peaceful road, without people or machines. The roaring sound of jammed traffic was all but a faint echo in the far distance. Nothing more than the presence of loneliness accompanied her each step, that had been how it was when she had been a child, and now two decades later, she realized nothing had really changed.
The tall weed still grew by the bumpy, zigzagging trail, although she had remembered them to be much taller. Wild flowers would appear every now and then. The rows of apple tree which belonged to no one would shed its fruits annually, and they'd be left rotting by road. She had remembered her insistence of picking them when she was little, even when her mother thought it was very "unbecoming of her".
She sighed. There were many things she couldn't recall about her family, but she remembered clearly that her mother had soft doe eyes in a shade of gentle brown. Those eyes possessed a comforting compassion and a hidden kind of twinkle, a twinkle that she missed with an aching heart. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she vaguely recalled that her father had large hands, calloused hands of a soldier, and how they always seemed so protective when he cradled her little fingers in his palms. That was about all she knew of him, and it tortured her each time to think that she had barely anything of him to remember upon.
Quite contrary to her father, her sister had been remarkably unforgettable. She had been a beauty, gorgeous and stunning, proud and strong at the same time. Nobody could truly forget her once they laid eyes on her, and the same thing could be said for her brother, although for completely different reasons. He was the light bulb above everyone's head. He could be annoying at times, but gave ideas and inspired many, not to say his jokes were the funniest she heard, and that was still true even as she thought of it now.
Where had that all gone? She closed her eyes and held a hand over her chest. Her heart was still beating. She was still alive. Sometimes, that fact surprised and scared her more than anything because deep down, she knew that she should to be lying somewhere, buried six feet under….dead, like her family. They never did anything to deserve the punishment bestowed upon them. Compared to them, she probably deserved to burn a thousand years in hell. Yet she lived and they died. Funny how that turned out to be.
"I'm really glad you came to your senses, dear. I'll see you at sunrise, Victoriese. What must be done had to be done." The words said by Gwen had been in her head. Vic dared not forget it.
Running a hand through her golden red hair, she decided it was no use thinking about it too much. What must be done… must be done. Isn't that how everything always worked? It was still kind of dark. She needed to get back before sunrise. Yes…she needed to go home.
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Athrun was not surprised that the rest of the night would go without any sleep. Not after what they discovered anyway. Even Mir could not sit still after they told her what they had found. They had searched through the house, all four floors, even the basement, but they found nothing. The top three floors were locked. The door to the basement was locked. Nothing useful was on the first floor where they all lived. The only thing they had was the sacred little box of drawings that they put on the coffee table as they all sat around it, staring at each other with blood-shot eyes.
Athrun suppressed a yawn as he looked at his friends. Kira held the sleeping Lucius, who curled comfortable his father's arm. His sister was cradled by their Aunt, who kissed Estella's forehead gently as she rocked the child softly. Unable to stand the killing silence, she stood up and walked into another room. Seeing her stand up, Athrun was the only one who followed after her. Shinn was half dead with fear, anxiety, tiredness and confusion. Mir and Dearka knew better than to stop him. Kira caught Athrun's eyes and nodded. If they were going to love each other, then he'll just let it be. It wouldn't hurt now.
Athrun followed Cagalli into Estella's bedroom and watch at the door way as Cagalli tucked the child under the comforter. The princess knelt on the carpet floor, watching the sleeping child with a tilted head and a thoughtful look on her kind face. Reaching over, she brushed a pink lock of hair from Estella's small, cute nose. Kissing her little hand, Cagalli smiled at her beautiful niece. Ignorance was bliss. She now knew the meaning to that.
"Cagalli, I'm sorry." Athrun stopped behind Cagalli and leant his head against the back of hers. Holding her with his hands, he gave her arms a gentle caress. "I promised I'd protect you. I couldn't do that."
Cagalli turned to him and smiled, "It's not your fault."
Athrun frowned, "But I-"
"Shh," Cagalli cut him off by lightly placing a finger to his lips. Staring into his forest green eyes, she gave him an encouraging smile and kissed the side of his jaw gently. Carefully, she leaned against Athrun's broad chest and allowed herself to be protected within the safe measures of his arms enshrouding around her. Her trembling hands pulled at his shirt as her eyes rolled back and then closed slowly, relishing his loving touch. The light scents of his cologne and the warmth of his body was the only keeping her from breaking down. Her mind was zooming with thoughts, but she pushed it all back for a while just so she could breathe and gain control of her sanity.
"The house is abandoned. There's no one around. We're the only ones here." Athrun said. He gazed softly at the princess. He felt terrible. He wanted to comfort her so badly, but there was nothing he could do but take her into his arms and hold her. Closing his eyes, he felt her grip around him tightened ever so slightly.
"Hmm…" It was her only reply, for she knew their circumstance too well. They have no weapon. Even the kitchen knifes appeared to be missing. Victoriese seemed to predict that this would happen and had planned everything to leave them defenseless. So this was how it was going to go down. They'll all just sit and wait for Gwen to come and shoot them all to heaven, to hell, to the oblivion, or whatever there might be after death.
Lifting her head up, she gazed up at Athrun, "And Jordan?"
"Still out cold." Athrun managed a weak grin. "I think we beat him up too badly. He should be awake soon." Kissing the top of her head, he ran a hand through her golden tresses.
Faintly, Cagalli smiled back. A defeated stare captured her amazingly golden eyes. "I want to talk to him. Even if I'm going to die, I want to die knowing why I died."
Athrun cringed at Cagalli's word. He held her hand and gazed at her face with hurtful eyes. How he had wanted to tell to stop saying those terrible word! Doesn't she understand that everything she says it, his entire being ached with the pain of fearing that he might lose her. Furrowing his brows together, Athrun bit back the urge of wanting to shake Cagalli to stop her from being negative. Since when was she the pessimistic one? Yet Athrun know that the princess wasn't trying to make anyone feel bad; she was just stating the facts, and as much as it hurt him, he knew it was true. Swallowing, he said, "Let's go then."
Silently, they slipped past their friends and existed into the corridor. Never had they experienced such a tranquil quietness. Each click of their heel against the floor, each breath they take, each rustling of their shirt was loud and clear.
"This place is dead." The princess said.
"I know." Athrun replied. They made their way to Jordan's room and locked the door behind them. Jordan was already awake was kicking madly. His hands were tied together over his head and his feet to the bed post. A thick piece of silver tape was over his mouth, and he was trying desperately to scream for help. The side of his right eye was deeply bruised. His left jaw looked a tad bit swollen. The ropes around his wrist dug into his flesh as he wiggled about. His tanned face was red with effort, but he was making no real progress.
Exchanging a glance with a slightly amused Cagalli, Athrun reached over and pealed off the tape from Jordan's mouth. "Good to see you awake, Jordan."
Cussing a loud, the man jolted and yelled out curses at his capturers, "What the & ()(&6!!" Sparks were practically shooting out his eyes, and he looked like he wanted to choke the living daylight out of Cagalli and Athrun. Athrun's demeanor remained nonchalant. Cagalli merely tipped her mouth to the side and gave him a devious smile.
Sitting down on a chair, the princess commented coolly, "Thank you for your unintelligent words."
"What do you want?" Jordan spat angrily, "Where's Victoriese!"
"We should ask you the same thing." Athrun asked with a cold tone.
"What the hell are you trying to say?" Jordan the princess a weird look.
"Who are you?" Cagalli demanded in an icy tone to which Jordan flinched.
"W-What?!"
"I meant your real name."
"This is my real name!!" Jordan exclaimed and he tried to kick his way free.
Leaning back in her seat and crossed her hand over her chest, the princess of Orb gave the young man a frighteningly gelid smirk she had mastered to do over the years of seating around the round table. It was something she wouldn't use unless her anger was boiling to a point where she could no longer withstand it. "You forgot who I am, Jordan. I'm Cagalli Yula Attha. I know a lie when I openly hear one, so don't bullshit me. I'm not the Representative of Orb for nothing."
"I-I- I-"Jordan turned his eyes away and bit his lips. "I'm Zack's younger brother. My name is Jordan Jeviet. Bacourei is our mother's maiden name."
"That traitor…" Cagalli narrowed her eyes dangerously.
Jordan shook his head, "That's not true!!"
Taking a deep breath, Cagalli replied, "Enlighten us."
"Zack was supposed to lead an attack, only he didn't. He didn't want to betray Orb! I-I was one of the assassins that night, but received a call from him and he told me that he had gone into hiding. He said he didn't want to continue this. He was the one who told me to find Victoriese…told me that she would save your guys. Zack knows that Laveiga would get rid of every single one of you who stand in his way of mass genocide of naturals. I listened to Zack, sought out Victoriese, and got you guys."
Cagalli lowered her eyes, "How many Zaft soldiers are working for Laveiga?"
"Thousands." Jordan replied, "That man and his daughter hate Naturals. They've been collecting their own force since the end of the first Bloody Valentine war. There are coordinators who follow them, but for those like Zack and I, we were conscripted. Now that they have full control of Zaft, every Zaft soldier is theirs."
There was a pregnant pause. Cagalli waited for him to continue.
The younger man sunk into his pillow and stared into the ceiling. His voice was thoughtful, "We want to stay alive, I guess. Zack and I had been Zaft soldiers after the first war. Laveiga wanted able bodies to form an army of his own. He hated the Naturals with his gut, and after Patrick Zala failed to extinguish them," Jordan spared Athrun an expectant look, "Laveiga saw it to himself that he has it done. We didn't want to join, but he held our sister Annie hostage, so we had no choice."
"Where is Annie now?"
"Annie's dead, because Zack and I betrayed the Force." His tone was bitter.
Cagalli's eyes softened. "I'm sorry."
"The Oblivion Force, that what we are called, we disguise ourselves as the Blue Cosmos, but that disguise isn't going to last long. Blue Cosmos hate coordinators, but everywhere the Oblivion Force goes, they kill Naturals."
"Wait hold on a second!" Cagalli interrupted, "Isn't the Oblivion Council set up to Pursuit the Blue Cosmo?"
"That's just a lie!!" Jordan exclaimed, "There are no Blue Cosmos! Just the Oblivion Force. The council and the force is the same thing. They are on the same side. Laveiga is just trying to act as if he is trying to take down the Blue Cosmo, but how can he take down his own forces? It's all an act for the EA to see!"
"Where is Zack now?" Athrun asked gingerly.
"I don't know, that's why I wanted Victoriese to help me find him, but now since you said that she…"
"You don't know anything about her do you?" Cagalli came to a conclusion.
Jordan started at princess and the Chairman standing before him with expectant eyes, and a part of him suddenly felt tight with guilt. They were almost the same age as him, maybe just a bit older. Both of them seemed so tired and worn.
Sighing again, Jordan replied, "Honestly? Not a thing."
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On that particular morning, Yzak had woken up to the sound of someone's even breath. Groaning sleepily, he rubbed his eyes with the back of him hand and lightly stirred around on the bed. Beside him, a small lump indicated the feminine figure under the white bed sheets. Silky brown hair pooled around her calm, peaceful face that seemed lost in the harmony of her dream. Brushing a finger gently along the side of her face, Yzak kissed her forehead gently, trying not to wake her up. Then in a smooth motion, he got off the bed and made his way to the door, throwing on his robe along the way.
After taking a shower, Yzak went to collect their breakfast. Breakfast was left at the door of the small hospital chamber he shared with Shiho. He picked up the tray and put them on the table. A soft groaning sound came from behind him, and Yzak looked over his shoulder at the slumbering woman stir on the bed. Subconsciously, he smiled to himself, mulling over how one woman had changed him. .
Several years ago, after Yzak graduated from the Academy, his name had already begun being murmured by the trainees and soldiers of Zaft. Even as early as then, and as young as he was, the first shot which would set off the beginning to his glorious life had been fired. When you talk about Yzak Joule, many would gulp nervously and recall that he had been not only a brilliant commander and a perfect soldier, but also a pain in the ass. There were a few things Yzak and everyone else who knew him claimed that he would never do. The first and foremost would be that he would never admit that he was at fault of anything until maybe if someone was holding a gun to his head. The phrase 'I'm sorry' was poison in his mouth. Secondly, Yzak would never like Athrun Zala, and would remain his bitterest of rivals for as long as his life allows him. Lastly, Yzak would never say I love you.
It was amazing how one woman made it possible for him to commit two of the three things on his 'undoable" list. People like Shiho Hahnenfuss don't come along very often, and if Dearka was around, he would probably tell Yzak he would be the dumbest person in the world if he was to let her go.
After their fight, Yzak nearly tore himself apart trying to think of a way to apologize. To his dismay, he found this to be rather difficult. For his 24 years, Yzak didn't really use the apology strategy often, because he rarely had anything that he needed to apology for. Being Yzak Joule, he did everything close to perfection just to avoid making a mistake which would result in a reluctant apology. Out of the five of the elites in the Le Cruset team, Nicol was the best at apologizing. Athrun rarely spoke for a while there, so anything he said was either indifferently or unimportant like the usual 'hello' or 'thank you'. Dearka….psh, his apology stunk more than his pick-up lines. Rusty, well, that guy was wild. Obviously, Yzak had no idea whatsoever of how to apologize to Shiho.
Nonetheless, despite his inexperience, Yzak had found himself marching to Shiho's room the next day, breathing rather hard, face very flushed, and heart beating so fast he thought it was going to leap right out of his chest. Staring at her square in the eye, he didn't even wait for her react before blubbering everything out at once.
"Shiho, before you punch me in the face or tell me to get lost, I just want to say that I love you and I'm sorry. If I have to list everything that I have done wrong and that I'm sorry for then it'd probably take days, so I'll just cut the crap and say that I am sorry, more sorry than you probably even know. I know, I suck at apologizing, but I'm sorry…for everything."
With that he turned to leave, but unexpectedly, a pair of slim arms wrapped around him from behind, and something soft and warm pulled itself against his back. Yzak stiffened and gasped, his eyes widened. Someone chuckled softly.
Gentle breath tickled his neck as a familiar voice said, "Apology accepted."
Snapping out of his daze, Yzak turned his stare back onto this sleeping beauty. It was a wonder how Shiho forgave him so easily. He thought for sure she was going to give him the silent treatment for a while. But then again, Shiho always understood him the best during the war, just like Dearka, but in different way. No matter what command he gave, she followed, with no questions, no grudges, and Yzak supposed that was probably because she knew him so well. He on the other hand, could never really comprehend her how she does it.
Slowly, violet eyes fluttered open. Pale bare arms flung to the side as Shiho stretched and yawned. Sitting up, she gathered the sheet to cover her naked body and then blushed when she spotted Yzak leaning against the table, smiling at her with a lazy look on his face.
"Morning…" She greeted. Walking over to her side, Yzak flopped himself on the bed and pulled Shiho against him. "Morning. Slept well?"
Shiho replied as she buried her face into his shoulder. "Go eat and let me get dressed."
"You can get dressed here."
"Not in front of you, Captain." Shiho looked up and rolled her eyes.
Yzak smirked a bit, 'Why not? I basically know every inch of you already."
Flushing, Shiho did not answer but punched Yzak playfully on the arm. Gathering the sheets around her chest, she flung her leg over the edge of the bed and walked into the washroom. When she got out, dressed and showered, Yzak was munching on some crackers and staring at the t.v.
"What's going on?" Shiho inquired as she sat herself down beside Yzak.
"Europe is done for. Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and Belgium have all surrendered to Laveiga. His force is pushing their way into northern France." Yzak scowled and his hand clutched into a fist.
"The Blue Cosmo's attacks have been ferocious…" The report went on.
"They still think it's Blue Cosmos?" Shiho shook her head and frowned.
"Yeah." Yzak gritted his teeth and punched the side of the sofa. "Damn them."
Shiho touched his shoulders lightly, lowering her eyes, "What will we do?"
"Anything we can." Yzak replied and stared back at her with a determinedly. A flare of anger and frustrate lighted his ice blue eyes and Shiho could see that he was ready to step back into a Gundam and leap into the battle field. It was not a good thing, nor a kind thing, but they both know that they will never truly stray too far away from the battlefields. After all, they were soldiers.
"What can we do?" Shiho met Yzak's gaze with a firm one.
"Not much. But we have to Athrun, Cagalli and the rest."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Exchanging suspicious glances, Shiho and Yzak stood up and turned off the television. Yanking the door open, both of them gasped. Pink hair curled around the face of the women. Cerulean eyes smiled at them with familiar warmth.
"Lacus!!"
The princess of peace smiled, "Hello Yzak," Turning to the other woman, she added, "Hello Shiho. Long tell no see."
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The grandfather clock over the fireplace ticked the time away with each hypnotic beating of its hand. It was 5:20. The sun was beginning to peak through the eastern horizon. Eight weary figures sat silently in the living room, counting the seconds. There was nowhere to run to, no place to hide. Going outdoors was automatic suicide, but staying indoors was waiting on death. It was a lose-lose situation. Everyone was praying for a miracle.
The news had reported a few minutes ago that Oblivion forces a.k.a the Blue Cosmos had broke into the northern French Frontier and heading down south towards Paris in lightning speed. The calm suburban streets were suddenly hectic.
Cagalli stood by the window, hand holding onto the sheer white drapery that hid half of her face. She was usually calm, but maybe she was just scared stiff. For an hour she had been overlooking the front gate of the mansion, waiting for Victoriese and the soldiers to arrive, but there was no one.
"Is she coming?" Kira asked his sister. Almost on a cue, someone's light footsteps could be heard echoing down the hall. Cagalli drew in a gasp and spun around. "She is."
The room suddenly spring into motion. Except for Lucius and Estella who clutched tightly onto their father, everyone leaped up from their seat, ready to make a stand for their life.
With excess force, the white doors flung open with a thud and slammed back against the wall in a loud booming bang. Estella screeched and hugged Kira.
There she was, Victoriese Du'Quaine, flaming red hair flying behind her; cold silver eyes glaring. She did not speak, but simple stared at them, almost expectant. She surveyed the people around her until her eyes landed on Cagalli. Reaching into her pocket, Victoriese drew out a black gun.
Cagalli growled lowly. She had never felt so betrayed. Clutching the box of drawing to her chest, she wanted to scream. Athrun wrapped his arm around her waist from behind and held in place, restraining from anything impulsive.
A soft click came from Victoriese as she pointed the barrel of the loaded weapon towards Cagalli. Her pale complexion held no expression. It was almost as if she was dead. There was no anger, no sadness, no guilty, no happiness. Presented to the roomful of anticipating people was a just a face, a sheer mask of nothingness. Opening her mouth, Victoriese spoke in a stoic tone. Her voice was metallic. "Come here, princess."
Athrun threw himself in front of Cagalli and exclaimed, "You're going to have to go through me first!"
"I have no interest in you." Victoriese said calmly. "Have no fear; Cagalli is of little value to me as the rest of you. I have no need to take her life. I only want what is mine. I want the box in your hand Cagalli. Give it to me." As the words left her mouth, Victoriese extended her free hand in front of her, demanding the return of her property.
Cagalli gasped. She looked down at the box and back at Victoriese. She held her chin up high and said, "Why? It's not even yours. This box belongs and its contents to Angelique Leroy."
Victoriese's lips tilted upwards in a sneer. Brushing her bangs, she answered, "I am Angelique Leroy."
A/N: Okay, i finally revealed something about Victoriese. Apparently, she is not who anyone thinks she is. But is she a bad guy? You'll have to read the next chapter. Thank you for all your support and please review!.