LINGERING THOUGHTS

Chapter 1.2: Friendships

By: Empathic Soul

Disclaimer: Gundam Seed is not mine. This fiction is going to start as a friendship fiction and would depend on what happens as the story progresses. Couple as unknown—thereby warnings shall be done at the start of ever fiction. Please read at your own risk and review as well. Any review would be appreciated.

This fiction begins where the anime ends.

Some couples are not what they are supposed to be. I mean this is a continuation but slightly AU fiction. So there are alternative couplings so please bear with me! I would appreciate more reviews though! Please do help me as this story proceeds!

Dearka and Yzak watched as Athrun dragged the unwavering Kira towards the kitchen and unceremoniously dropped him to one of the chairs. They have been talking about the recent military and political updates and also the current status of their application forms in this prestigious school where Ramius had voluntarily entered them all. It seems that they would be spending some time in the Earth Federation. It was not as if it would be a problem but nevertheless, it would be something new that everyone who played the biggest roles in the war are in the same classroom.

All hell will spread faster than light could travel!

But then, back to the current scene, they just could not fathom why Athrun suddenly went to the kitchen and Kira was slumped on the chair almost ready to be tied by a rope. Dearka steadily stood up followed by a cautious Yzak and trudged their way to the kitchen. Both made silent steps as they heard loud sounds of metal hitting one another and a few curses and utterance of deadly threats. It was like a war zone, minus the gun shots and the explosions, but nonetheless, still a war zone.

They finally made it to the kitchen. And there they saw a sight—some may claim a vision. Athrun is wearing a light blue apron with frilly laces, which they presumed to be the apron of the FEMALE cook of the house and not to mention OLD, because who knows what four teenage boys might do if they hire a younger one. It is not an option, especially when Cagalli and Lacus threatened them, very unlikely indeed. They DID wisely decide to hire a cook since they all were quite aware of their lack of talents in art of culinary. But here was Athrun, holding a spatula in the right hand and a knife in the left. The knife of course is pointing towards Kira whose head is slumped on the table looking at Athrun with a teasing but unrelenting look. It was a look that actually challenged the other and refusing to get intimidated by the knife held at his forehead.

Athrun was merely staring sharply at his so-called best friend who was relentlessly sprawled on the table and staring back at him with the same intensity. He would never back down on a challenge! Any challenge at that, and what Kira did was challenge him to making pizza. Therefore: it's pizza that they get.

Kira noticed, more like sensed, the two who were by the door staring helplessly and curiously at the scene that unfolded in front of them. He then turned his head towards them. He was met with a couple of questioning gazes venturing from him to Athrun and then back to him. HE gave out a helpless smile and a seemingly innocent statement to match. Though his tone was anything BUT innocent and helpless.

"Leave, before you get involved…" Kira made a weak sound and the loud thump of a knife hitting a wooden table caused vibrations on the table and Kira abruptly lifted his head as a reflex of course. His eyes trained from the knife with it's blade gleaming suddenly appearing very sharp, towards the hand grasping it and then to Athrun whose emerald eyes glistened with a playful threat.

Kira gulped and chose to wisely remain quiet. There are some points that he dare not overstep. When he knew it's the limit, it's the limit and he does not really want to actually initiate into another 'deadly' argument. And besides, Athrun is in an advantage, with that knife and a spatula. Well, unfortunately, it was only him that decided to keep his peace. Yet another chose to speak.

"Athrun, what's this?" Yzak was already at the counter lifting a bag containing ground meat and a bag of bell pepper on the other hand. He raised his brow and then stared at their former leader. "You don't plan to cook, do you?"

Athrun's cold gaze suddenly went to Yzak and the latter took all his courage not to flinch. Athrun pulled the knife from the table and stalked towards the nervous pilot. Athrun pointed the knife dangerously near his neck and Yzak chose not to move. Athrun smiled.

"Good. You know when you need to keep quiet." Athrun smirked more and pulled the knife away.

He took out the bell pepper and then placed them on the chopping board. Athrun started to wash the other ingredients and also took out a rolling pin and dough for the crust. Kira winced and then Dearka bent down quietly to Kira who did not budge from his position. Kira looked stoned as if petrified. But then again, that mirth on his eyes were enough to guarantee them that he was anything but stoned. Dearka leaned down slightly to reach Kira's hearing range and farther from Athrun's.

"What's he making anyway?" Dearka asked. They heard the sound of chopping along with curses.

"By the looks of it, it seems like some kind of personal concoction. Has he finally decided to make Cagalli a potion that would make her more feminine?" Yzak whispered with a snicker. It wasn't usual that he point something like that out, but who wouldn't notice the boyish princess…who seem more masculine than her older brother, not that Kira lacked the testosterone…Kira's somehow just different, more like…simply gifted.

"HEY!" Kira grunted softly as well but managing a slight glare directed to Yzak. "That's my sister!"

"Sorry…" Yzak bowed slightly with an apologetic smile. And then he looked at Athrun's busy form once again. "Really, what's with the bell pepper, ground beef, and onions?"

"Pizza." Kira smiled nervously and Yzak and Dearka looked at him with odd expressions.

"Pizza? Does Athrun know how to actually make one?" Dearka wondered looking from Athrun to Kira.

"I don't really know. I teased him saying that he can't so he took the challenge." Kira shrugged and Yzak shook his head.

"Well, I better go since I still have homework to finish, you know…" But before he managed to stand up a knife came rushing past his nose and he stared at the knife hit the painting on the opposite wall. He traced the origin and saw Athrun's extended arm.

"Sit." Athrun ordered and Yzak did not dare argue lest they want a knife stuck deep into their throats. It was not really that wise to argue with a very determined Athrun, so they sat down quietly merely observing the "cook" do his job.

"I wouldn't move if I were you." Kira smirked.

"Shut up, the advice would have been worth it before I lost three strands of my silver hair." Yzak muttered looking at Kira and the snickering Dearka. "Stop laughing idiot, or I'll tell Millialia that you've been stalking her!"

Dearka paused from his laughing. He stared hard towards Yzak. "Excuse me? I am most certainly not stalking her."

"Riight! And those pictures of her in your mini-album was not enough proof of stalking." Yzak smirked evilly eliciting a blush from Dearka. Of course, Kira remained quiet and merely observed the others who were either busy teasing each other or cooking—of course you know who he was trying to address.

Meanwhile, Lacus is currently attending a meeting amongst the new elected leaders of the Neo-Alliance Peace Federation. Of course, she is currently appointed as the President of PLANT because of her participation and contribution to the war. Some people still call for Athrun Zalla but the other refuses to engage in any political affairs. To him, they bring back memories, so Lacus never intended to persuade him. Cagalli on the other hand, remains undecided. Whereas Lacus has unwillingly accepted the offer to be president even though it would be temporary, Cagalli still hasn't submitted her official acceptance. Of course, Kira is again placed in the spot light. People are regarding him as a hero, to which he really is, and requests for him to occupy the top position, being the President of the Neutral Alliance of Anti –War and Peace otherwise known to most as ORB now NA-AP. Kira of course remains silent about the issue and again Lacus has not intentions of actually forcing him to act into such positions.

He's a very sensitive boy.

And her very sensitive boy at that…

Lacus couldn't help but smile. It was not really hidden among people that the two of them are a couple, or well, that they're very close. Although they are technically not officially engaged, they do spend a lot of time together. Some people thought they had done as far as third base. But in reality, Kira did not want that at all. They only had a slight kiss in the cheek a small kiss in the forehead, holding hands, laying their heads on each other's shoulders and laps, but none to go as far as…

"Miss Clyne?" Lacus snapped at her reverie upon noticing everyone looking at her with worried looks in their faces. Her eyes widened and a blush crept into her cheeks. She looked at the person who talked to her, who is the mother of Yzak. She also looked worriedly at her. Oh no, was I daydreaming during a meeting.

"Are you fine, Miss Clyne? You have suddenly zoned out on us." Yzak's mother mumbled in a soft whisper that only the two of them heard. Lacus shook her head wildly.

"Oh, I'm really sorry. I'm fine. I was just so deep into thinking that I suddenly zoned out. What was that you were saying…" Lacus looked at the speaker. "Mr. Richmond?"

The speaker who is about 5 feet seven inches tall, with his brown hair pulled back with a ponytail is currently staring at her. He is the current head of the Department of Foreign Trade and Relations. His eyes squinted slightly towards her and nodded. Although there was a heave of a sigh, he stared at his paper and then looked back at her.

"I shall repeat what I explained, Miss Clyne, but do tell us if you feel unfit to listen. It would spare us the time to repeat and repeat everything that we have to discuss. Time is precious." He criticized, he was at the beginning one of those who were not in favor of having a female and a teenager as a political leader. He wasn't much in favor with the prime minister of PLANT who is Yzak's mother anyway.

"Oh please, let her be Fredrick." Another man spoke. He is Mr. Alexander Schultz, the head of the Department of Labor, Social Works, and Development. He leads the reconstructions of the buildings and those, which were devastated by the war. He is also the owner of several corporations handling the import and export of cement and steel. In short, a very rich man, without a daughter.

"What do you mean, Alexander, we cannot allow inexperience to rule the Alliances!" Frederick Richmond countered looking straight into the eyes of Alexander Schultz who maintained an even gaze.

"As you said, Frederick, she's inexperienced. We are here to help her and you by what you are doing are not really doing anything of the such. She is still one of the people who bought this peace!" Alexander crossed his arms over his chest. "And besides, age does not speak with maturity, much less gender."

Frederick kept his peace but not after muttering a curse to himself and to constantly glare at Mr. Schultz and Lacus. Lacus chose this moment to interrupt them.

"No, indeed. My apologies, ladies and gentlemen. I might have lost my concentration, but I would honestly try to do my best in anything I could contribute to." She apologized looking humbly at the people and saw some of them smiling while others shrugging.

"Do not fret Ms Clyne." Mr. Schultz smiled. "Teens are prone to daydreams."

Lacus blushed and a giggle was heard from Yzak's mother. Again, Frederick Richmond interrupted.

"Well, now that we are again back to the meeting, I would like to make a summary. We were discussing about this new rebel group in the far eastern colony called Liberatum. Reports have it that they have still not accepted the peace and are currently placing themselves in a state of rebellion. The people are disturbed and have not recognized the existence of the new government. We are uncertain of the situation." He continued. "And suggestions were to have peace talks with the rebel groups. And everyone agreed. The problem rests as to who would perform the peace talks."

"How about Athrun Zalla? He has experience and besides being a coordinator has its edge if ever he would be ambushed." An official suggested and this caught the attention of the coordinators in the room. "Naturals can't be that safe."

"Excuse me?" Yzak's mother exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, he might have been a bit rude." Ramius interrupted after being silent. She is the current president of the Federation. "That reason is invalid. I refuse to rely on that."

"Oh well, then why not Kira Yamato? He's very much both natural being with natural friends and coordinator, being born one." Mr. Richmond suggested. He had this smirk in his face that Lacus could not fathom why it was there. But what he said clearly was not an option, and Lacus knew that.

Of course Kira would not agree with such.

I mean, he's very unstable right now…

All those dreams…

I can't let him go there…

He'll just be…

More troubled…

Lacus made up her mind and raised her hand. Everyone looked at her and she nodded her head once.

"I would volunteer." Lacus said and Mr. Schultz shook his head.

"This is a dangerous mission. We would not prefer…"

"But I have experience in such. I have been house arrested and even harassed. I have seen the ways of war and I would not back down in this if it means establishing peace once more. I prefer to take it to myself. And besides, I have people to accompany me anyway right?" Lacus smiled gently and looked at Ramius who was deeply thinking about the option. "Please, I assure you that I would do my best and also be careful."

Ramius sighed. She really did not have any capability to resist the whims of children. She was not really successful in pushing Kira and his friends away before so right now, there is also not a chance that she could decline the offer of Lacus Clyne. She sighed and looked at Lacus.

"Alright, but you must have bodyguards and if you could ask Kira and / or Athrun to come with you." Ramius smiled. She noticed a hint of mirth and even a bit of naughtiness in Lacus' expression followed by a determined look and a nod.

"I understand."

"Alright, now that it is settled, let us proceed to another agenda." Ramius stated and the meeting resumed.

Back to the mansion, Kira, Dearka, and Yzak were already slouching on the chairs in the kitchen utterly bored out of their wits. It has been an hour since Athrun started cooking and all that they could do was flinch, thump their hands on the table, drum their fingers, flip their head, converse a little, but nonetheless, it was unproductive work. And of course, it makes them edgy.

They were surprised when Athrun suddenly came to them with a circular tray at hand and then a huge smile on his face. His clothes were marred with slices of vegetables, stains from the cheese and the pizza, and also a lot of other ingredients all over his body and his hair. The three restrained themselves from laughing because Athrun was still holding a knife.

They gulped nevertheless, since it was the pizza that Athrun suddenly placed in the middle of the table—or so what he claimed to be a pizza.

It was a circular piece of half-baked dough with cheese splattered unceremoniously along with melted cheese overflowing at some edges. The meat slices were unevenly sliced, some vegetables burnt, and soggy at the least, and there were also some unidentifiable items on it. Yzak gulped and leaned on the backrest of the chair that he has been occupying. He swore to himself that he would never ever mess with Athrun or even bother to come to the kitchen if Athrun is already there. Dearka on the other hand almost made a face. It looked inedible but with the looks that could kill that Athrun was sending them, it's something that can be FORCED to be edible. Well, Kira chose to remain poker faced.

"Eat up!" Athrun smiled and took a knife and sliced the "pizza" into eight slices. HE placed one in each of the plates of his three "guests". "I made that!"

That's what's wrong with it…They all thought at the same time.

"Um, how about you?" Dearka muttered pointing at Athrun's empty plate. Athrun looked at him, "Aren't you gonna eat?"

"Oh after you guys." Athrun smiled even wider and he almost could have sworn that his companions were starting to sweat heavily. He looked up the ceiling and noticed that the aircon was turned off. "Okay, I'll switch the airconditioner on while you eat."

The three heaved a sigh. It was a chance!! IT was a CHANCE to throw the pizza away or pretend to eat it. Of course, they counted their chickens before it hatched.

"After each of you took a bite." Athrun's smirk turned into a sadistic one and they swore that somehow, this wasn't really the Athrun they knew. Who was this man and where was the real Athrun? "A big bite at that."

Okay…

Athrun?

Where are you!!!

The three nodded refusing to talk anymore since Athrun suddenly started to play with the knife again. Athrun watched the three take a bite, of course a big bite at that and start to chew.

Yzak's face was contorted in agony and he was mustering all the courage he has to chew on the resistant piece of dough.

Dearka was thinking of swallowing it whole but thought against it because the dough was not really starting to break up. It was starting to feel like bubblegum.

Kira was still in poker-face-mode.

Athrun was delighted!

"So how is it?" Athrun asked excitingly looking at Kira's direction particularly. Of course, Kira noticed and he smiled. Dearka and Yzak continued to battle with the dough.

"Itsh…ghoood…(it's good)" Kira muttered as he continued to smile. Yzak and Dearka stared at him as if he grew horns suddenly. "Ishn't ifpht dyearrka, ishak? (Isn't it Dearka, Yzak?)"

"Nhoshihng kwiphe lhipe ift. (Nothing quite like it)" Dearka nodded forcefully trying to remove the dough that got stuck to his teeth.

Yzak just nodded.

There are two reasons:

1) He did not trust himself to say something nice and

2) He really can't open his mouth.

"Great!" Okay, I'll go on and switch the airconditioner eat up guys!" Athrun stood up with a wide grin, happy to have made pizza that was "good". The three nodded simultaneously and merely smiled widely and shooed him out assuring him that they would eat the rest. Athrun nodded and disappeared at the door where he went straight to the basement to switch the cooler on.

They still tried to chew on the piece that they bit but somehow, it just won't give. The three stared at the pizza and simultaneously threw it to the trashcan.

"Damn…" Dearka cursed still unable to chew. And now it got all tangled up in his mouth. "I've eaten bubble gum that's not as sticky as this one before…"

Good thing you can talk. Yzak wrote with a grim expression on his face. Dearka sighed and nodded.

"It's so…I don't know how to describe it…" Dearka muttered.

Sticky…and raw…Yzak wrote. He was more than annoyed now because his mouth would really not open up at all. Curse him!

"I don't get the part why the vegetables were burnt and the dough was raw." Daerka shook his head while watching the changes in the expression of Yzak, which was not much because he just became annoyed, to more annoyed, and to even more annoyed.

They both looked at Kira who seemed to have remained in that poker-faced mode for the longest time.

"Kira?" Dearka asked, a little worried about the reaction of their friend. "Are you okay? Sure you can still breathe?"

Kira smirked and suddenly took a napkin and spit the piece out. Their eyes bulged wide and saw a smiling Kira. They looked at the napkin then to Kira then to the napkin and then to Kira once again. It was obvious! Kira was merely pretending to chew as he bit at the piece from the pizza. He was just smiling all the time to let Athrun believe that he actually tasted the pizza after all. The naughty little…

"Why you smart little devil!" Dearka exclaimed.

"I have better survival skills than the two of you." Kira laughed and took his bag. "I'm leaving now! See you later!"

"TRAITOR!" Dearka cursed and Yzak wrote the same thing on paper.

Kira laughed and sped out of the house not waiting for Athrun to catch him. Of course, this was one of the happy days that they are having. Little do anyone know that there is a storm brewing and it's a storm that would take long to calm down. As the saying says…

There is always a calm before the storm…

TBC

Please Read and Review!

Thanks to the reviewers: Really I appreciate all of those because they motivate me to write. Please do continue to review! Thanks again!

Well for this chapter another couple has been determined that would be Dearka and Millialia. And so the shuffling continues.