Fandom: Gundam Seed Destiny
Genre: Action/Adventure/Romance
Rating: T
Type: Multi-part, Chapter 26
Pairings: Melody(OC)/Nicol, Yzak/Michelle (OC), Kira/Lacus, Dearka/Mirialla ...
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Gundam Seed nor Gundam Seed Destiny
Author's notes: Revised Edition, I shall begin from Shinn's decision to join the ZAFT when he first arrived at the PLANTs. Namely, slightly before the start of the final battle in Seed. From then on, I'll go on and expand until I reached the start of the series 'Destiny' where it begins.
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Chapter 26
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C.E. 73, November 25
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"Hey Athrun ... nice to see that you finally decided to come out from /hiding/ ... huh ?" Michelle said, in a teasing manner.
Athrun Zala shot her a warning look, before shrugging and replied. "Hiding on board the Minerva was hardly a wise solution - if I am searching for a solution to the situation - on a long term basis.
"Hm.mm... true... Right, by the way - I need to head off somewhere around this town, later on in the day. Do you think you could helped me by fending off any questions with regards to my absence - later on in the day, should there be anyone whom noticed ? I had some /personal/ things to take care of - while I'm around the area. "
Michelle commented, emphasising on the term 'Personal' - so that the blue-haired Coordinator could actually comprehend her hidden message that her absence would have something to do with the ORB government matters.
Mentally, she also noted the little detail of how Athrun Zala - still had one of his hand placed on Meyrin's back, supporting the younger girl.
"Sure, I'll be sure to inform Captain Gladys of your being away, and helped in whatever ways which I could - with regards to your absence. " Athrun told the brunette, as he nodded in acknowledgement.
"Alright, I guess I better go - while I still can. I thought I just spotted Mirialla somewhere around the area, better go and catch up with her. I'll see you guys around - soon. " Michelle added as an afterthought, smirking as she left the group behind - heading for the exit of the Military Base.
Athrun Zala stared after the departing figure of Michelle Haw, before shaking his head ruefully - at the former's last words, before leaving them.
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Lunamaria Hawke was eyeing the conversation exchanged between Michelle and Athrun Zala, when she noticed the way Athrun Zala still had his hand on her younger sister's back. Narrowing her eyes into slits as she regarded her sister - Meyrin, whom was oblivious to her staring and continue to look up at Athrun Zala - with adoration.
The sheer sight of them causes Lunamaria's blood to boil, instantly - and she had been on the verge of snapping at the two for openly 'touching' one another in public, when Shinn Asuka arrived with their Vice-Captain in tow.
Upon the sight of the new arrivals, Athrun Zala finally managed to remove his free hand from the back of Meyrin Hawke. Meyrin, on the other hand, was disappointed by the sudden retrieval of Athrun Zala's hand from her back. However, she was adamant on hiding her disappointment - for she would never let her elder sister have a chance to poke fun at her.
Despite what her elder sister may have thought on the earlier situation, Meyrin was still not that retarded in her discovery of her elder sister's discomfort at Athrun's 'affectionate' gesture - by supporting her back with his free hand.
Smiling at the thought of 'winning' Athrun's affection in front of her elder sister's presence - Meyrin shot a look of triumph over at Lunamaria, causing the former to huff and puff at the sheer sight of her.
Resisting the urge to giggle aloud, Meyrin politely excused herself back to the Minerva - since the Vice-Captain had obviously been send to tell the pilots of Minerva to head over to the restaurant situated at the hotel - next to their Military Base. Apparently, the Chairman wanted to have dinner with them - together, as they discussed on the current war situation.
Meyrin had no idea what happened during the talk, but Rey - whom came back to the Minerva with their Captain for duty had revealed to her; about the other three pilots' spending the night in the hotel room which the Chairman had taken the liberty to book for them. Rey added that it was the Chairman's idea of rewarding them for their hard work of defending the fleet from enemies' attack.
To which, Meyrin had simply nodded in acknowledgement of the news - she was never comfortable with the blond's presence and therefore, took the chance to leave as soon as she could.
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After Lunamaria and Shinn had retreated to the privacy of their hotel room - for the night of rest, the Chairman had held Athrun back - and attempted to seek out information with regards to the Archangel and the 'Freedom'.
"... I apologize, Sir ... However, I had no idea of their current location. What I do know was that they are no longer in ORB - as we now spoke. Personally, I would have give anything to know about their locations - for I felt the need to talk to them; especially with the current situation of the war. " Athrun answered, truthfully.
/Well... that's true though. I am not exactly lying about my not knowing of their location - however, even if I were to know ... it's not as if I would just tell you about it - without asking you of your intentions. Since you had bascially consulted me on the very same issue - when I went to see you in PLANT ...
Although, I still had no idea what are your plans as of current - and with regards to Meer's involvement... I could only hope that I did not make the wrong decision to come back to ZAFT. / Athrun Zala thought to himself, for half of him was still not fully convinced by the Chairman's reason for wanting to know of the Archangel's location.
"... It's been a long day for you, Why don't you head off for bed ? However, I do hope that you will inform me - should you came into knowledge of the Archangel's location. I certainly hope that I can persuade them to stand with me - on the current situation. " The Chairman told Athrun Zala, before allowing the blue-haired Coordinator to leave the site of their talk.
Some distances away, Meer Campbell was busy entertaining herself with her red coloured 'Haro' that kept on bouncing around the place. She looked up in delight at the sight of the approaching Chairman, and asked.
"Are you done with your talk with Athrun ?"
The Chairman graced her with a smile, and nodded. Meer beamed in delight, and asked for permission to visit Athrun.
"I've just send him off to his room for some rest, but I'm sure if you hurry now - you might be able to catch hold of him ... " The Chairman told Meer Campbell, with an understanding look upon his features.
Meer nodded excitedly, as she happily skipped off towards the direction of the hotel lobby - where she knew the pilot was bound to pass on his way up to his room.
After enquiring with the lobby receptionists, and informing the said person of her being the fiancee of Athrun Zala - she was shown the way to the blue-haired Coordinator's room. Letting herself into the room, she regarded the sleeping Coordinator with a smile on her face before removing her own clothes article - until she was down to her pink skimpy looking nightgown.
Sneaking under the covers of Athrun's blanket, Meer snuggled herself closer to the sleeping male and slept soundly through the night.
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C.E. 73, November 26
Time: 08 00 hours
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Athrun Zala had been peacefully sleeping in his hotel room, when he felt something heavy landing on his lower torso.
/What the hell was that/ Athrun Zala thought, whatever that was on his lower torso - now, was certainly not there - the night before.
Squinting his eyes open, as he allowed himself to adjust to the rays from the morning sun. His movements stilled itself, when he finally noticed the source of his discomfort - this morning. Meer Campbell - the imposter of Lacus Clyne, was currently sleeping soundly next to him - on the very same bed.
As soon as his mind registered the fact that he was sleeping on the same bed as Meer Campbell, he did the most naturally thing to do - he stumbled out from the bed as fast as his body movements allowed him. If he had been a female - he would have screamed, but since he was a male - and would be un-manly if he were to scream. He chose to get away from the sleeping figure on /his/ bed - as soon as possible.
However, he had not taken in the fact that one of his foot was still entangled within the mess of blanket - now hovering at the lower area of the Queen size bed. The very same bed which Meer Campbell was still lying atop - thoughts of absolute horror flooded his mind, as Athrun Zala stumbled ungracefully out of bed and landing with a loud 'thud'.
The loud 'thud' of his ungraceful landing off the bed - must have woken the female lying on his bed.
For his eyes widen at the sight of Meer Campbell eyeing him through sleeping eyes, stretching herself as she regarded him - coolly. At the same time, exposing her cleavage as well as her long and slim legs - for the blanket had been totally removed from her body while she stretched.
/Oh my god ... This is simply too much for me to handle ... Michelle will kill me, no wait - Cagalli would slaughter me first before allowing Michelle to do it. Then Kira would continue the dirty job ... for tarnishing Lacus namesake ... Despite that this was not the real Lacus Clyne - but nobody around here, knew that - right / Athrun Zala paused in his thoughts, as he tried to recollect himself.
/Damn ... either way, I am still 'dead'. Oh my god ... what would happen if someone see us like /this/ now ? They will think that something must have happened between us ... Good Lord, and if the news of such incident were spread around the area ... Kira will kill me ... he will defintely kill me ... /
Just when Athrun Zala thought - the situation could not get anymore worst then it already was, the door to his hotel room sounded with a distinctive 'knock' - which was then followed by the voice of a female.
A very familiar female - Lunamaria Hawke, the girl whom had pestered him for days when he first landed on board of the Minerva. Making a grab for his pants hanging by the side, he tried to pull it up - when his eyes widen further at Meer Campbell's actions.
/Oh lord ... No ... !!! Someone please wake me up from this nightmare/ Athrun wailed to himself, mentally - as the sight of Meer Campbell answering his door for him.
/With a sexy nightgown - no less... / Athrun Zala added mentally, as Lunamaria Hawke gaped open-mouthed at the sight that met her.
/My life is over - /officially/ Athrun Zala sighed aloud, as the door to his hotel room was slammed back into place.
That was when he recalled Meer's response to Lunamaria - before slamming the door to the face of the gaping redhead.
Accumulated stress together with his disoriented mind from his sleep-deprived mind, Athrun Zala throw caution to the wind as he snapped loudly to the female walking towards him.
"Why did you do /that? " Athrun prompted, frowning angrily at the oblivious Meer Campbell.
"Eh ? We are supposed to be engaged - right ?" Meer responded with a question of her own.
"That was exactly the reason why I am asking you - Why did you say that to Lunamaria, better yet - /Why/ did you /answer the door/, in the first place ?! Do you know you are /not supposed/ to do /that?" Athrun pressed on, shaking the shoulders of Meer Campbell in agitation.
Meer Campbell blinked, still confused - she asked. "Eh? You mean ... Lacus-san /never/ did /that/ before ?"
Staring at the sight of Meer Campbell looking genuinely confused by his anger, Athrun Zala came to an utter realization that Meer had actually thought it /normal/ for an /engaged/ couple to behave - that way around one another.
Slapping a hand to his face in self-loathing, for his own mistake of not explaining to Meer in prior of how Lacus would act around him - while they were /still engaged/ to one another. Sighing aloud, Athrun Zala voiced his next question to the impersonator of Lacus Clyne.
"Never mind ... Just /tell me/ how did you ended up in /here/ on the /same bed/ as /myself?"
"Oh ... last night when I came over to pay you a visit, the receptionist kindly brought me up here and open the door for me. Seeing that you are sleeping so peacefully, I dare not woke up - so I thought, since we are supposed to be engaged ...
Even if we were to sleep in the same bed, it would have been considered normal - right ? " Meer finished the last bit of her explanation, glancing warily at Athrun - fearing that he might get angry with her, again.
"..." Athrun Zala stared at Meer Campbell in silence, contemplating on his next actions. Finally, he spoke - his voice cold and warningly.
"Meer ... /never/ do /these things/ again. I am a very /private/ person - I /do not/ appreciate of having my /private/ and /personal space/ invaded by others ... /Not even you/ - whom is supposed to be acting as my /fiancee/... Do you understand me ? "
Athrun Zala look absolutely livid, but was trying to calm himself down - and convinced himself with the reasonings that Meer Campbell was not Lacus Clyne, and that she had no idea of his temper and characteristics.
Not wanting to stay in the room further, he ordered for Meer to get away from him and waited for him - outside. Claiming that he need some time to himself - before he could faced her, and joined her in public.
The shaken up girl had agreed and obeyed his words - instantly, not wanting to irritate him further.
After cursing aloud for several minutes, but toning his voice down - so that he would not attract any further attraction from the others.
Athrun Zala finally managed to rid himself of his livid rage, and was now able to deal with the public - again. Now fully dressed back in his elite uniform, he opened up the door leading to the outside corridors of the hotel - Athrun Zala took his first step out into public, as the door closes behind him.
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C.E. 73, November 26
Time: 10 00 hours
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Lunamaria counted to ten, mentally - before taking several deep breath to calm herself down. Not that it does her any good, for she was still boiling with anger - at both Athrun Zala and Lacus Clyne. Sure, she had been notified of them being engaged and promised to one another - since a long time ago. Yet, that still does not give that Clyne female - the /bloody/ right to slam a door to her face.
Yes, she might have interrupted at the wrong time, wrong place. Yet, the least they could do was to tell her politely to come back later or something else. Not allowing her to take in the sight of the both of them - being half-dressed, before slamming the door in her face. Well, even though most of her rage was being directed to that Lacus Clyne - she was still irritated by Athrun Zala's apparent lack of actions.
/How could he allow his fiancee to treat me - his fellow team mate, that rudely and impolitely / Lunamaria thought, silently seething with anger - at her earlier encounter.
"Luna ? Where's Athrun Zala ? Didn't you say that you are going to fetch him - and invite him to join us for breakfast ?" The voice of Shinn Asuka reaches Lunamaria's hearing range, causing her to boil with anger, again.
"Hhmp-ed! Do not bother to talk to me about that Zala guy - from now on! He's so maddening! He and his beloved - /fiancee/ ... " Lunamaria responded, with a huff as she crossed both her arms across her chest - defensively.
"Huh ?" Shinn Asuka blinked, in puzzlement - not comprehending Lunamaria's sudden rage.
Just then a chuckle was heard from the corner of the cafeteria, an orange-haired elite soldier started to approach the two of them.
"I take it that - you two were part of the Minerva crew ?"
"Yes, and you are ?" Shinn responded, on behalf of both Lunamaria and himself.
The man grinned, and replied. "Heine Westernfluss - at your service. "
Before Shinn could say anything in response, Athrun Zala arrived at the cafeteria with Lacus Clyne attached to his side.
Heine Westernfluss noted the look of resignation upon Athrun Zala's features and immediately felt a sense of pity and sympathy for the fellow Coordinator. Also taking note of Lunamaria's annoyed look and Shinn Asuka's curious expression - Heine Westernfluss started approaching the two new-comers.
to be continued
Date started: 14/06/07
Date completed: 14/06/07
Date edited: 10/09/07