Tales of Copernicus

Well I've decided to be a Friday only update. Too busy with other stuff and such. Oh, and you might need a little Kleenex for this one ;-) I want to make up for the bad writing of Chapter 2 and 3 with this one. I put a little more effort in this one.

The Fourth Day "Screaming for Ice Cream"

Cagalli was still scared of her mother from the incident yesterday. She stayed in bed well after Kira left for school and skipped breakfast to go to the park. Mrs. Yamato felt guilty for what she's done. She sat starring at Cagalli from the house window. "She deserves to live a better life than this," said Mrs. Yamato to herself.

At school, Kira was caught napping in class. He couldn't help it. Those long hours working at the woman's backyard was overbearing, even for a coordinator. He was behind in homework and his grades were failing. He was on the verge of being expelled, or so the teacher said. "Sleeping in class is the last straw mister!" yelled the teacher. He sent Kira to a corner and told him to think about what he's done. Kira only had one thing in mind, the dollar he was getting at the end of the week. How Cagalli would be happy and how he could be happy for her. That was all that mattered.

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Cagalli went out to meet Lacus as they usually did. "Sorry I'm late!" apologized Lacus.

"It's okay," replied Cagalli.

"There were some kids that got in a fight, I heard they were using drugs," said Lacus.

"Nani? Drugs?" asked Cagalli.

"It's some bad things people take to make themselves stronger," replied Lacus.

"Are they bad people?" asked Cagalli.

"Yes, you should stay away from them if you see one," replied Lacus, "Immediately call an adult."

"Okay, I'll remember!" replied Cagalli.

"I have to go now," replied Lacus.

"So soon?" asked Cagalli.

"My daddy told me not to stay out too long with all these bad people around," replied Lacus.

"Bye..." replied a saddened Cagalli. She made her way slowly home. As Cagalli was about to enter her house, someone grabbed her from behind and put his hand on her mouth before she could scream. "A bad man!" yelled Cagalli inside her head. "I want... mommy..."

"Shhh, Cagalli, it's me" whispered a voice.

"Kira!?" replied Cagalli.

"I sneaked out of school early, and look!" said the excited Kira as he took out 4 quarters. "I have a dollar!"

"Kira! Did you steal..."

"No! I got paid for it! I had to mow lawns for old ladies for a week..." explained Kira.

"But you still shouldn't skip..."

"C'mon Cagalli! Let's have fun!" said Kira as he grabbed his sister's hand. Cagalli has never seen her brother like this before. Why was he so nice? Why did he try so hard to cheer her up? She felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

Kira led her to a nearby park and sat her on a swing. "Now you sit here, and I'll get you a big surprise!" said Kira as he dashed off to a nearby Ice Cream stand. Cagalli never had Ice Cream before, but she heard from Lacus that it was very good. Was Kira going to give one to her? She felt a rush of excitement. She had the best brother in the world. Kira was the only one in the world that loved her. She loved him dearly too.

Kira approaches the Ice Cream stand and looks over the choices. Cagalli likes pink he thought. "I pick the pink one!" yelled Kira. "Strawberry?" asked the vendor.

"Yep! Cagalli loves pink!" replied Kira.

"And what about yourself, little mister?" asked the vendor.

"I only have enough for one," replied Kira solemnly.

"Here, I'll add one more scope for you!" said the vendor as he scoped a Chocolate on top. "You like Chocolate right?" asked the vendor.

"Thank you mister!" yelled the excited Kira. He never would've thought he could taste ice cream too. He couldn't wait to start eating it. He quickly paid the vendor the dollar and ran back to the swing as fast as he could. However along the way, a young man with green hair was blocking him. He was wearing dirty clothing and listening to a CD Player. Kira overhears someone yelling to him "Shani!" Shani stops Kira in his path.

"Hey you stupid!" he yelled. Kira looked at him. He had dark baggy eyes and his muscles were bulging. "I need some ice cream to wash down some drugs! Now give me!" yelled Shani.

"No!" retorted Kira. He needed to give it to Cagalli. It was his hard work. He was going to give it to Cagalli no matter what.

"Then I'll take it from you!" yelled Shani putting his muscles and height to his advantage. Kira ran from under his legs. He was almost there. He saw the swing. He saw Cagalli. Suddenly he felt a trip and fell down. The ice cream cone landing under him, crushed from his weight. Shani had a maniacally laugh. "Haha! Look at you stupid! Look at your precious ice cream all over your shirt! HAHAHAHA!" continued Shani.

Kira had enough. He slaved over for the dollar, skipped school, got scolded, got made fun of, got sunburned all for a little ice cream cone. And he ruined it all. Kira lost control and punched Shani in his face then jumped over him pushing him over. Shani yelled back, "Runt!" and picked Kira up by the collar. He was going to have fun beating the leaving crap out of him.

Cagalli saw her brother fighting with a bigger boy in a little distance. She noticed his baggy and bloodshot eyes with aggressive attitude. Could he be one of those bad people on drugs? Cagalli had to save Kira. She needed to find an adult but there was none in sight. What to do? Kira was getting beaten up. She had to save him, even if she has to do it alone. Cagalli ran up to the boy quickly and pulled on him to let go. Kira watched as Shani continued pummeling him and kicking Cagalli aside. He couldn't help Cagalli. He tried whispering through the punches to have her go away, but it was no good.

Suddenly the punching stopped. Shani's face was completely in pain. He noticed Cagalli had bitten Shani by the leg, and hasn't let go. She signaled Kira to run. Shani finally got his grip and pulled Cagalli by her hair. Kira couldn't stand his sister getting hurt, but he couldn't do anything. He ran and ran until he couldn't hear her screaming anymore. He was a coward. He was a failure. He sat himself behind a tree and cried. He was useless. Suddenly two young women approached him. "Private Ramius!" yelled one of the young woman. "We should return to Ptolemaeus HQ immediately! What do you think you're doing?"

"Sorry Natarle, but I can't leave this boy crying here," replied Murrue Ramius.

"Refer to me as Private Badguriel, Private Ram...."

"We're off duty now," replied Murrue.

"... Fine, Murrue. How do you suppose we stop him crying then? Rock him to sleep?" replied Natarle sarcastically.

"Natarle... Little boy, what's wrong?" asked Murrue.

"Bad... man... sob... hurt Cagalli... sob" said Kira as he broke sobs in between.

"One of those druggie children again?" asked Murrue. "We've had 3 complaints about them already. Tell me where they are!" ordered Murrue. Kira led them to the spot.

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After Kira left Cagalli, Shani got a grip on Cagalli's hair and pulled a few strands out. Cagalli was in so much pain she withdrew her grip and Shani pulled her off. His leg was bleeding! This stupid girl is going to pay. He held Cagalli by the back of her dress. If she enjoys eating like a dog, then he should make her his dog. Shani got a dog collar and forced it on Cagalli. He threw her on the ground and kicked her around until her dress was torn and covered with dirt. "Come on! Bark little doggie!" yelled Shani as he kicked her. "Hey, fetch!" as he threw the crushed ice cream cone and forced her to eat it.

"S..top!" yelled Cagalli with her head under Shani's foot.

"What's wrong dog?" said Shani as he stepped on her head harder. "This is how dogs eat!"

"Stop!" yelled a voice from afar. Murrue and Natarle along with Kira finally catches up to them. Shani tries to run but Murrue tackles him down and sticks him against a wall.

"What kind of sick game do you think you're playing!?" yelled Natarle. "That's just a little girl!"

Kira untied the leash on Cagalli's neck. Cagalli began crying loudly. She was hideous. The dress Kira liked so much was ruined. Her hair was ruined. She didn't want Kira to see her now. Cagalli rejected Kira's help and hid herself inside Murrue's arms.

"Cagalli hates me..." Kira said to himself. "Because I was a coward... If I was stronger... she wouldn't... It's all my fault!" yelled Kira as he saw Murrue carrying Cagalli away in his arms.

"Hey, Kid..." said Murrue as she left, "Come on, let's get you two home. Natarle, you send him to the police station, I'll meet you back at HQ"

"Understood, Private!"yelled Natarle. "Murrue will make a great leader someday..." said Natarle under her breath.

Kira led Murrue to their home. Mrs. Yamato immediately rushed out and held Cagalli in her arms. "My poor poor baby girl, all tattered and bruised up!" said Mrs. Yamato as she tried comforting Cagalli. Mr. Yamato grabbed Kira by the arm and smacked him across the face.

"How dare you skip school! And now you get your sister hurt like this? What kind of a brother are you!?" yelled Mr. Yamato.

"Sir, if you'll let me explain..." said Natarle as she tried to intervene.

"Thank you for rescuing my daughter miss! But this is our family matter, I'd like to ask you to please kindly leave." replied Mr. Yamato. Cagalli broke into huge sobs now as Mrs. Yamato tends to her wound.

"After all Cagalli's done for you!" yelled Mrs. Yamato as she notices the scar she's given her yesterday. "You treat her like this!?" Mr. Yamato continued hitting Kira on the arm. Kira remained emotionless. He felt numb. Pain didn't hurt anymore. How can physical pain match up to the horrible feeling he had inside. He's done this to his little sister. It hurts him inside too! He only wanted the best for her...

After a while both Mr. and Mrs. Yamato calmed down. Mrs. Yamato changed Cagalli back into her old tattered clothing and laid her to sleep on her bed. Kira was on the opposite corner of the house. He wasn't allowed near Cagalli. Kira pretended to sleep and overheard his parents speaking.

"Who am I kidding... It's our fault..." said Mr. Yamato. "We've been only concentrating on giving everything to Kira... We've never properly disciplined him..."

"I'm calling Uzumi..." replied Mrs. Yamato. "We can afford to wait anymore."

"I guess... you're right," replied Mr. Yamato. Mrs. Yamato picked up the phone and began dialing.

"Uzumi-Sama! Sorry for disturbing you so late... but about your proposal... Tomorrow morning you can come pick her up. Cagalli will be here for you to take away..."

"Take away Cagalli!?" said Kira to himself. This was it. He was never going to see the sister he loved so much ever again. Wait, one more chance. Please just one more chance to prove me as a brother! "Mom! Please!" begged Kira as he grabs her by the ankle!"

"What do you want miserable kid?" snapped her mother.

"Don't make Cagalli leave!" begged Kira. "I'll be good! Please mommy!"

"Haven't you hurt her enough!? Now let go!" yelled Mrs. Yamato as she kicked him off. Kira latches himself on her again. "Let go!" yelled Mrs. Yamato as she kicked Kira off again. She kicked Kira right where Shani was beating on him earlier. Kira felt a great pain on his chest, and Mrs. Yamato notices the blood beneath his shirt. Mrs. Yamato immediately dropped the phone and tended to Kira. "My poor baby!" yelled Mrs. Yamato as she looked at her son. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean..."

Kira muttered under his breath, "Please... Cagalli... don't take her away..." he plead.

Uzumi overhears the conversation on his phone. "Let me talk to him tomorrow," he says on the phone. "I'll try to convince him."

Mrs. Yamato put Kira next to the bed where Cagalli was sleeping. She'll let them have the night together. It was the least she could do for their hardships to come. Mrs. Yamato cried in Mr. Yamato's arms. Cagalli finally had to leave them.