A/N: I'm sorry this one took me so long! Please don't give up on me, my faithful readers and reviewers! I promise I will complete this fic, no matter what! I'll stay til 1:30 every night if I have to! (Has nothing better to do).

Sakuraloveu - I'm making the assumption, based on his name (Yamato), that Kira is Japanese on his father's side, so he might've picked up on a little from his relatives, and taught it to Athrun. That's the best explanation I can think of! Translations needed?

PLEASE ENJOY AND KEEP UP THE AWESOME REVIEWS: )

Chapter Eight: Plans

My mind reels at the shock of meeting her, of all people, in the biggest city in the North East. She just had to be here, in this alley, didn't she? To further my emotional torture and the destruction of my relationship with Kira.

"Flay, what happened?" Murrue asks demandingly.

"He-he took me away and hurt me and forced me to–" she begins.

"Forced you to rape more guys like you were going to do to Kira?" I ask coldly. Awkward silence falls over us, my threatening look never wavering, then she speaks.

"Yes, that was what I was going to do, but only because I like you Kira," she replies, staring at her hands in her lap.

"Oh, so rape is now a way of showing affection for someone!" I yell.

"No, I meant that–"

"That's exactly what you meant! Now crawl back to your little whore-hole before I call the cops on you. I never wanna see you near my Kira again!" She gets to her bare, blistered feet, giving Mu and Murrue a hopeful, questioning look with her teary eyes.

"I have to agree with the kid," Mu says, and Murrue nods and says,"Ms. Clyne told us everything."

Flay's dim eyes widen in horror at Murrueas she stumbles backwards, further into the darkness, the shadows obscuring her face.

"That Lacus . . ." she mutters, "I'll have her killed! And you too, Athrun! This is all your fault!" she screams.

She disappears into the blackness, the sound of her sobbing slowly dying away, leaving me with a feeling of nausea in my stomach. My fault? What did I do? Why is she blaming me? I have no idea what she's talking about. It's my fault that I fell in love with Kira? You can't exactly choose who your true love is going to be, not that I believe in true love. If I did, though, I'd have to say that Kira is mine.

Yeah, I know I sound high thinking things as sappy as this, but that's how he makes me feel. Kind of high, like everything around me has a surreal quality to it, like I'm dreaming. But I always fall back to reality, thanks to one interruption or another, making me realize that not everything is perfect like I want it to be. My interaction with Flay just brought me back, and thanks to her, it'll be a while before my dream world returns.

Neither of us tell our parents about what happened in the alley. I remain totally silent the whole ride home, and Kira definitely won't say anything. His parents would flip out if they knew he saw her again. And mine would as well. I mean, saying she'd have me and Lacus killed? Talk about psychotic. I don't even know what either of us did, so what's her problem? I bet she's pissed at me because I'm Kira's boyfriend . . . Sort of. I haven't really asked him yet.

Staring up at the ceiling of my dark bedroom, I ponder this, trying to decide when and how to ask him. I mean, we've already done, erm, stuff together, so I guess I should talk to him about it soon. I roll over onto my stomach and glare at the headboard, as if it's the bed's fault that I'm worrying so much. I can already tell I'm not gonna get much sleep.

By the time I decide to go downstairs the next morning, I almost have it worked out. I went through a ton of ideas last night, and now I've narrowed it down to a few. Okay, more like four, but still, it's better than having ten or twelve like I did earlier.

My mom watches me pace around the sitting room in my pajamas, puzzled by my odd behavior. Even my dad takes notice of my worried expression, then he tells me I better not be thinking about "that boy." That's what he calls Kira now. He has this new hatred of Kira, like he did something wrong. If he wants to be mad at one of us, it should be me, 'cause I started this whole thing.

"Athrun, what's this box?" my dad asks, picking up my gift for Kira from the coffee table.

"Nothing! Don't touch it!" I yell, running over and snatching it from him,holding it to my chest protectively.

"Better not be a present for that Yamato boy," he says sternly.

"Feh, what if it is? What're you gonna do about it?" I retort, sticking my tongue out at him.

"I'll take it away from you and sell it back to wherever you got it," he replies coldly.

"No! It's for Kira!" I snap.

"So it is then? Give it to me."

"No! Leave me alone! I need to give it to him when I ask him if . . ." I stop myself before I can blurt out my plan.

"Ask him if what?" he asks.

"If he wants to be my boyfriend, okay!" I shout, backing away from him.

"You won't be doing that anytime soon, young man."

"And why not? I love him dad! Get it through your head that your son wants to be with another boy!" Ignoring my yelling and teary eyes, he tears the package from my grasp and disappears down the hall.

"Give it back!" I shout, pulling on his arm in a desperate attempt to retrieve it from him.

He turns around and gives me a dark scowl before going up the stairs to his wing of the house. I slump to the marble floor, my legs refusing to hold up the weight of my body any longer. How could I let this happen? Now what do I do?

"Fuck!" I cry, pulling at my hair as the tears stream from my eyes.

"Athrun . . ." my mom says quietly, kneeling beside me.

"You're married to him, can't you do something about this?"

"Your father is very stubborn when it comes to changing his opinions on things, and that applies to your relationship with Kira," she says.

"What relationship? I was going to give that to him when I asked him if . . . Shit! Shit shit shit! What do I do now? That was the only one!"

"What was it?"

"A choker. Black leather with a red jade heart," I reply quietly.

I smile slightly at the thought of how cute he would've looked wearing it. My mind goes back to that day when he got the note from Flay, reminding me of when we followed them . . . That's it! I jump up, a new plan brewing in my head, and run upstairs, leaving my mom extremely confused at the foot of the staircase.

"Yeah, Yzak? I have another mission," I say into my cell phone a few moments later.

"I'm here, too! What is it?" Dearka says in the background.

"In a nutshell, I got a present for Kira, my dad took it, and now I need to get it back," I say.

"I'm in! Let's do it!" Yzak yells.

"You inviting anyone else?" Dearka asks.

"Probably not Lacus. She'll say I should get something nicer," I roll my eyes when I think of the elaborate things she'd suggest. "But Nicol will come with us. Dearka, you wanna bring your girlfriend?" I ask with a grin.

"They broke up," Yzak says.

"Have a little sympathy, okay? Her parents didn't like me!" Dearka yells.

"And I should be surprised because why?" I ask.

"Shut up, Zala! You're not exactly having a perfect romance either!" he retorts.

"Don't remind me," I sigh.

"So when's the mission? Tonight?" Yzak asks.

"Probably this afternoon, I think. He was really pissed, so he probably wants to get rid of it as soon as he can," I reply.

"Fifteen hundred hours then?"

"Sounds good. You call Nicol and tell him, okay?"

"Got it!"

"I feel like I'm in the military with all these missions," Nicol says as the four of us sit around in my work room, waiting for my dad to leave.

"This is only our second, and it's just as important," Dearka says.

"How are we supposed to follow him if it's broad daylight?" Yzak asks.

"Good question . . . Change of plans! We leave now and wait for him in the jewelry shop," I say.

"Whatever you say, commander," Dearka laughs.

I grab the keys to my rental car off the desk and we sneak down the stairs, past my mom, and out to the driveway. Since Nicol and I are used to the continuous Dearka-Yzak fighting, we let them have the back seat to themselves and their yelling. If Lacus, ever the peacemaker, were here, she'd be trying to make them stop, but I don't really care. It actually makes me feel more comfortable knowing that they're not worried about this like I am. What if my dad says I can't see Kira anymore? Pfft, like what he says can stop me and my seventeen-year-old sex drive.

After parking on the other side of town so my dad won't recognize the car, we make our way along the busy sidewalks to the jewelry shop on the corner.

"How long are we gonna wait before we give up?" Dearka asks boredly after only five minutes of loitering outside.

"Shut up! You're so goddamn impatient!" Yzak snarls.

"Like you're a fan of standing around doing nothing," Dearka retorts.

"They fight like a married couple, don't they?" I ask Nicol.

"Exactly like one," he answers.

"WE DO NOT ACT LIKE WE'RE MARRIED!" they both yell, turning to us viciously. It's not a good idea to provoke them like this, but it amuses me and any innocent bystanders.

"Then why do you always fight? You must get bored sometimes," Nicol says.

"C'mon, you can tell me if you guys have something going on, I know how it is," I snicker, nudging Yzak with my elbow.

"SHUT THE HELL UP!" he shouts.

"There's nothing going on with us, you pervert. That's disgusting," Dearka says, slightly calmer now.

"Sure, whatever you say," I say with a shrug. Like I'm gonna believe that. It's called sexual tension, I should know. Nicol grabs the ranting Yzak by the arm and drags him into the shop, leaving me with Dearka, who's still fuming.

"Miriallia didn't dump you, did she?" I ask quietly. I watch as he frowns and kicks at the cement as a distraction from looking at me.

"Not exactly. What I said earlier about her parents is true. They said I looked like a trouble-maker, which is true also," he snickers a little before continuing, "but she said she was really fond of me anyway. But I didn't feel the same, so I broke it off."

"You like Yzak, don't you?" I wait in silence for a few moments, then he finally mutters, "fuck, how the hell did you figure it out?"

"Instinct," I answer.

"It's not like I even make it obvious. I just go along with the arguing because he's cute when he's angry."

"You gonna tell him?"

"Who're you kidding? Of course not! Now quit joking, I can see your dad coming." he pulls me inside and to the back of the store where Yzak and Nicol are standing.

Well, actually, Yzak is sulking and Dearka joins him in doing so. I don't know why they're in such a snit, it was only one comment. Dearka is probably on edge because of the conversation we just had, and Yzak always acts pissed off.

The door to the shop opens and my father goes up to the counter . . .Empty-handed. What's he trying to pull, ruining my plan like this! Dammit! I bet he already sold it and he's still trying to get his money back here. What a slacker. I watch suspiciously out of the corner of my eye, not that I can hear what he's saying. He's mumbling like someone might be listening to . . . Wait, that's exactly what I'm trying to do. He'd strangle me if he knew I was stalking him.

He pulls something out of the pocket of his jacket and the cashier gives him two twenties and a five in exchange.

"Stop! I need that," I snap, running over and snatching the choker, still wrapped in paper, from the woman.

"You're the young man who bought this the other day," she says.

"Yeah, I am. Now re-wrap it extra nice," I demand. I glance over at my dad, who's in utter shock that I'm here.

"Who's this for?" she asks as she places the gift in a new box.

"The boy I'm in love with. I'm gonna ask him if he wants to be my boyfriend," I reply with a smirk at my dad as I rest my back against the counter.

"Here you are. Good luck," she says, handing the present to me. I take the bills from my dad, hand them back to the woman, then motion for Yzak, Dearka, and Nicol to follow me as I leave the shop, my dad still standing there. Mission accomplished, ne?

I'm sitting in my room, plotting, while I do my homework, until I remember that I have tomorrow off; gotta love these random, pointless American holidays. I throw my school books aside and lie back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling fan and contemplating next Friday. That's the day I'm planning the date for, since it's the day after Kira's off his crutches.

I've got it down to two ideas: a cruise in Portsmouth harbor or a night in Boston. I'm leaning towards the former, because we'll be in Boston on Thursday to see the Sox. Or we could just go out to dinner in Portsmouth then go to the beach. Or I could cook for him and we could stay home. All good ideas, but more wasn't exactly what I want at the moment. Anything relating to Boston is eliminated besides the game, and the cruise thing isn't as good because we won't be alone. But we always eat downtown, not that there's anywhere else to go. Everything at the mall is a chain, and there isn't anywhere else with a lot of restaurants.

I begin to get impatient after fighting with myself so long, then decide to forget next Friday - we're going out this week, even if it means he's still on crutches. Tomorrow is too short notice, even though we have no school, baseball practice Tuesday and Thursday, leaving me with Wednesday and Friday. Hmmph, I'll figure it out when I'm not so exhausted. Who knew getting a date was this draining.

I shuffle downstairs at noon the next day, my pajamas and hair a mess, to find my mom and Kira standing in the kitchen, chatting pleasantly. I stare blankly for a moment, then realize how lazy I must look getting up this late, not to mention sloppy.

"Good morning, Athy, glad to see you're up," Kira says cheerfully.

"Um . . . Hi." So much for figuring things out today.

"You don't mind if I go shower, do you?" I ask. He smiles and shakes his head in response.

"You can sit in my room or something, as long as my dad doesn't see you." My mom then reminds me that it's noon and he's at work, making me look even stupider. The two of us go up the stairs, leaving his crutches leaning against the railing at the bottom.

"If you need anything, just yell, okay?" I say as he makes himself comfortable in my work room.

"Alright. Though I would like it if . . . I could shower with you," he looks up at me, his innocent eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I would too, but I want you to rest," I say, running my hand down his injured leg.

"I know," he sighs.

"Losing your patience?" I ask with a smirk.

"I'm not as tame as Cagalli when it comes to my sex drive, Athrun," he replies.

"She's tame? I can't wait to see you at your worst then," I say, leaning over so I can nip at his ear.

"Same to you," he whispers.

I leave him with a light kiss on the lips and go to get my clothes, still wondering why he's here in the first place. He's been at my house so often lately that I think it'd be fine with both of us if he moved in here. Then we'd have the dad/mom wing and the Athrun/Kira wing. Only in my daydreams will be ever share the same bed every night, especially with my dad on the warpath about me and "that boy." I don't know why he's so pissed, we just had a little fun, and he knows about even less of it.

When I return to the work room, I decide that it's time to ask him. I sit down next to him on one of the floor pillows, drawing him close and he nuzzles my neck, sighing softly against my skin.

"Now that I'm fully awake, there's something I need to ask you," I say, stroking his head.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you were busy on Friday night." He lifts his head, his eyes wide as he stares up at me.

"Are you . . . Asking me out?" he asks hesitantly.

"If I am?" I reply slyly.

"Then yes. Gods, yes, Athrun!" he exclaims, wrapping his arms around my neck and clinging to me tightly.

"I knew you'd say that," I whisper.

"What're we doing?" he asks excitedly.

"It's a secret," I say with a smile.

"You're so evil. I bet you're planning to kick your parents out, then we can have the house to ourselves to . . ." he grins at me, a suggestive twinkle in his eyes.

"And I thought I was the pervert," I say.

"We both are, and that means between us we'll have even better ideas."

"Ideas, huh? Sounds fun," I purr, running my tongue across his pouty lips.

"It will be, especially for you," he sighs as I nibble at his neck.

"I'll make sure it pleases you, too, Kira-chan," I whisper. Damn, I'm enjoying Friday night already and it's only Monday.

I can already tell by lunch the next day that this is going to be the longest week of my life. Every class is extremely tedious, feeling like they drag on so much longer than they should. The only good part about the morning is that the classes are so easy that I can think about Friday, while staring at Kira in half of them.

After getting yelled at by my history teacher for not paying attention in class, I quickly go up to the roof, finding the whole group already gathered there. I make note of how close Dearka is sitting to Yzak and that the hand he's leaning back on his practically brushing the silver-haired boy's ass. Smirking, I sit down next to Kira and Lacus, stealing a cream puff from my cousin and shoving it on my mouth.

"You could've asked, you pig!" she yells, hitting me over the head with her huge notebook.

"What's that for?" Nicol asks, referring to the object she just attacked me with.

"The reports from my sources are all in here," she replies, running her finger along the top and bending back the papers that stick out.

"Can I read them?" I ask, even though I already know the answer.

"NO!" she shouts, followed by another whack.

"If I get a concussion it's your fault," I say, rubbing the spot where she hit me. Kira pulls me close to him and kisses the sore spot on my head, then smiles kindly at me.

"Aww, how cute," a poisonously sarcastic voice calls.

The door swings open and Cagalli steps onto the roof, the wind slamming the door behind her. The gusts toss her golden locks in her face, and she tucks the stray strands behind her ear as she approaches us.

"What do you want?" I snap. Without an answer, she shoves me into Lacus' lap and sits down between Kira and I.

"What the hell?" I snarl, sitting up straight and scowling at her.

"Am I not allowed to eat lunch with my little brother?" she asks.

"Not when you act like such a bitch!" I reply harshly.

"Athrun, live with it," Dearka says, his eyes asking me to cooperate for once.

"Fine," I grab my lunch and move to sit on Kira's other side, wrapping my arm around his shoulders, leaning close to him and suckling his earlobe possessively. Cagalli's amber eyes narrow into angry slits while everyone else stares in surprise at my display of affection.

"Athrun . . ." Kira sighs, "no fair!"

"Of course it's fair," I whisper as I lift my head.

"Athrun, you bastard, leave him alone!" Cagalli shouts viciously, yanking Kira towards her.

"He's my boyfriend. Plus, he likes when I do that, don't you?" I ask.

"Hell yeah," he whispers.

"Is not your boyfriend! You haven't even gone on a date yet, so there!"

"We are on Friday, so shut your mouth, you bitch! I don't see you with a new boyfriend, or are you not interested in men after what I did to you?" I ask slyly.

"What the - God, I'm gonna strangle you!" she lunges at me, falling over Kira into my lap.

"You don't really hate me," I whisper.

"I do too!" she shrieks, locking her hands around my neck.

"Then kill me. If you really hate me, you'll do it," I say, knowing that I've won.

"Fuck you!" she screams, standing up and kicking my shoulder hard with her heavy boots before running off down the stairs.

Everyone is silent, including me; I'm shocked that she didn't do it. I really thought she would, or at least come close to doing so. I clutch my shoulder, realizing that she still must have some sort of non-spiteful feelings for me. It's just like her to hide her emotions, besides anger, from the world. Now that she knows about our date later this week, I know that things aren't going to go along as smoothly as I'd hoped.