A/N: Here it is, readers! CHAPTER FIVE! FINALLY! I am SO sorry, but Gym's been killing me. Can you imagine running a freaking mile! And the beep test right after? Well anyway, I promise I'll update like a LOT during the weekend! I AM SO SORRY!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own anything that seems even remotely familiar to you… but I DO own the plot bunny that's currently dying

Day 5 – Getting in Touch with Your Inner Yzak

A silver-haired, ice blue-eyed, short-tempered boy, also known as 'Yzak Joule', rolled out of bed, promptly falling onto the floor, letting out a tirade of angry curses.

"YZAK! STOP SWEARING!" his mother, Ezaria, yelled from the living room downstairs in the large house, her bat-like hearing detecting her son's tirade of colorful words. She sipped her coffee calmly, reading the newspaper and calmly waiting for Yzak's daily morning stomping routine.

Not a second later, Yzak came stomping down, grumbling how it was the third time that he had fallen off his bed. Third! Yzak was PO'd. His teeth gritted and his blue eyes were on fire, and fists were clenched tightly. Oh, how he despised his cursed blanket! It should burn in the deepest, fieriest pits of Hell!

"Good morning, dear Yzak," Ezaria greeted indifferently. "How are we this morning, darling?"

Yzak stomped over to the fridge, violently snatching a carton of milk and pouring himself a bowl of none other than… Magix, complete with the special edition Donald Duck marshmellows. "Just fine, mother dear," Yzak said, happy that he was consuming his daily dose of the heavenly cereal. Ah yes, Yzak Joule loved this particular brand of cereal. He didn't want anything else. Should the maids get something else, they faced Yzak's frightening wrath, which cost a lot of money. No one knew of this little secret, not even Dearka Elthmann.

Yzak involuntarily shuddered as he pictured Dearka in those tights again. Oh dear… he really didn't have any idea his best 'chum' was that head over heels for Miriallia! How could a man stoop that low, especially for a female! Dearka had insulted himself, and the rest of the mankind, Yzak firmly believed, and mocked his pathetic-ness. His 'dream girl' –oh, Heaven forbid anyone should find out Yzak dreamed of the 'perfect girlfriends'- would certainly not be so taken over Dearka's little stunt. And she would definitely know how to look out for herself, and Yzak would absolutely love a challenge. Having someone who was frail, and did everything they were told, was not someone fit for him.

Oh no! Yzak deserved much better than that! Well, at least, that's what he thought.

"Who are you taking to the Valentine Dance, dear Yzak?" Ezaria called from the living room, motherly curiosity lacing her voice.

Yzak scoffed and refrained from laughing outright. As if anyone could pay him to be seen at that dance! "I'm not going, mother," he replied nonchalantly. "No one will be able to pay me to be seen at that inferior gathering!"

"But won't all your friends will be there?" Ezaria questioned, eyebrow quirked. She wanted her son at that dance. With a date. No matter what it took, she would see her son at that dance! And as we all know, when mothers decide they want something, they get it. With pretty threatening methods.

"Why would I care? They'd all have dates anyway," Yzak stated, shrugging, pouring himself another bowl of cereal.

Ezaria convinced herself that there was a teeny bit of loneliness in her son's voice. "Yzak! Just get a date, if that's all the problem there is!" she said, rolling her eyes.

"No, mother," Yzak replied immediately.

"Is there no girl good enough for you?" Ezaria asked, frowning, a suspicion rearing its ugly head.

"Of course," another monotonic reply from the younger Joule.

A silence lapsed over the two, while Yzak absentmindedly went to his Happy Place, which involved a LOT of Magix cereal and Ezaria simply sat, the suspicion itching at her mind, just begging to be pronounced.

Then came the all-important question.

"Yzak, darling, have you… gone… gay?"

"Of course mo-"Yzak stopped. And looked at his mother's expression. Then realized the full weight and reality and meaning of the question.

A few seconds passed before reality finally gave Yzak a good right hook. "NO!" he cried out, shaking his head vehemently. "It's not that! Mother, what are you on!"

"Then why are you not going to the dance if it wasn't about coming out of the closet?" Ezaria demanded, frustrated.

"Because, mother," Yzak began impatiently, rolling his eyes. "There is no girl that piques my interest!"

"I can fix that," Ezaria said happily.

"Please spare me the pain," Yzak said unenthusiastically. His mother was like all mothers when it came to 'setting him up'. Frilly dresses, heinous giggles, freaky eyelashes, boatload of makeup, the works. He was quite surprised that he hadn't gone blind yet!

Ezaria sighed. "Yzak, you will be going to that dance whether you like it or not," she declared finally.

"No I shall not be," Yzak answered defiantly.

"If you don't go, my dear son, I shall rebuke your right to drive, take away your car, and sell your precious Carys," Ezaria said evilly, the conspiratorial gleam in her eyes.

Yzak froze and glanced at his mother in pure fear. Oh no she wouldn't… would she? His mother wouldn't be that cruel and inhumane! Oh, she just COULDN'T BE! But one glance at his mother's I'm-threatening-my-son-to-do-something-he-doesn't-want-to-do face told t all. She would take away his beloved right to drive, his beloved convertible, and his beloved CARYS!

Carys was the nickname Yzak gave his new, big-ass plasma TV and home theatre system equipped with dream-come-true stereo system. Of course, no one knew about the TV having a name, either. Although Yzak was pretty sure that should he tell Dearka, the tanned boy would probably 'fess up to having a name for his motorcycle as well. A motorcycle that soon would be Yzak's to ride and uh… ride! The word shall be used twice since the authoress can't come up with a witty rhyme!

"So, Yzak? I suppose I will see you at the dance, with a date?" Ezaria asked eerily calmly. Ah, the eerie calm and joy that came after threatening her son… it was truly blissful. Yes, yes it was.

Yzak gulped. "Yes mother," he squeaked.

"Good," Ezaria had the trademark overly sweet smile on her face. "I'll make sure you'll be there! I'm sure Le Creuset-san would have no problem making sure you don't leave!"

-

Shinn tapped his pencil absentmindedly on the blank canvas. He had gotten to school exceptionally early, in hopes of finding the inspiration for the huge, big-ass art project that was due pretty soon. If he could just find a damn inspiration! He had looked through newspapers, looked through all his photos, even invaded his brother's room and his journal, and he had even rifled through the evil encyclopedia! Yes! Shinn Yamato was that desperate!

With a miserable toss of his pencil, he gave up. At this rate, he was never going to get the project finished. Sure, he was already excelling the subject, but not finishing the project would leave a serious dent in his mark!

The door slid open and Shinn looked back to see Kira strolling in, looking equally defeated.

"Hey," Shinn greeted, wondering why Kira seemed so depressed. Wasn't he happy with his new girlfriend? Flay, was it? Granted, Lacus would have been his first guess, and was pretty surprised when he had found out it wasn't. Shinn hadn't met Flay personally, yet, but the girl called. A lot. Poor Shinn never found the time to use the phone, since the line was busy all the time. Their mother had been extremely angry. Angry enough to ground both of them for no reason at all.

"Hey," Kira greeted back.

Then the both lapsed into one of those odd silences while the bird chirped merrily outside and that was the only sound heard around.

"So…" Kira began.

"So…" Shinn said.

"I need your help," both said simultaneously, sitting bolt upright and looking desperate.

"Aw, you go first, you're older," Shinn offered, waving his hand.

"No, no! You're younger! I insist you go first," Kira suggested.

"No, I insist you go first!"

"Fine,"

Shinn grinned triumphantly.

Kira began, with a look of someone who really needed help. His eyes were downcast, and his face contorted into that of confusion and his mouth was opening and closing. Shinn noted with an artist's observation that his older brother seemed awfully tired and troubled. He had been like that recently… what could have happened?

"It's sorta complicated-"

"It's your girlfriend, isn't it," Shinn said, grinning slyly. He fished out a bottle of pop from his bag, opening it. Taking a sip, he continued. "What happened, bro? She dump you or something? Couldn't have been so bad,"

Kira's eyes widened. He shook his head, snickering nervously. Oh, his poor, innocent, naïve brother! How was he going to break this to him? That well, he had changed? "Uh… no, it's not that," Kira scuffed his foot, searching for the right words. It became stuck to his mouth. "No, definitely not that,"

"Oh? Then what? You look like you haven't slept," Shinn said casually, putting down his soda and looking at his brother.

Kira cringed. The word slept. Pretty saddening ho that single word with one other word could dictate his whole life. Crossing and uncrossing his arms, Kira searched for the right words. Ugh… why did he ever do that? No one probably would have guessed. Had it been a bet between him and Athrun, most people would have betted on Athrun doing 'this'! But Kira was pretty sure his friend was still, well…

"Uh well, that's part of the problem…" Kira began, hoping his brother would piece it together so he himself wouldn't have to say it. That would make it real. And real was BAD.

"Come to think of it, you haven't been home the last two nights. A girl can't be that scared in her house, mansion, whatever. What's the deal?" Shinn continued, unknowingly hitting serious close to home and letting it slip that Kira looked deathly pale. Oh no… the teen remained blissfully oblivious, sipping his soda. "Don't you have homework to do? I mean, what the heck did you do, get laid a couple times?" Shinn took that moment to laugh… Of course his brother wouldn't! This was Kira! The typical boy next door!

…And Kira remained frozen, looking like he wanted to be shot over and over again and looking like he wanted to throw up. It scared him how his brother could just so casually say that and be right…

"Yes,"

The single word echoed throughout, during which the pop that Shinn had gulped down, locked itself in his throat and his eyes bulged. A split second later, a pleasant choking sound was heard outside the room, accompanied by violent hacking and sputtered words.

"You-you- WHAT!"

-

Cagalli leaned against the wall, glaring furiously at the thing hanging off the blue-haired, emerald-eyed 'Prince', better known as subject Athrun Zala. The blonde-haired girl's amber eyes were narrowed and were on flames, and the intensity of the glare was felt across the hall, where Athrun happened to be.

The thing will now be dubbed Mia Campbell, who claimed to look like Lacus, yet, looked or certainly dressed nothing like the girl. It was certainly more revealing than it should be! And, plus the fact, that she looked like the biology teacher, Murata-san! Cagalli's fists clenched and she mentally began beating Mia Campbell. Oh, a right hook to the face, merciless pummeling to the stomach, several insults here, and a roundhouse kick there. A strangling here, a series of kung-fu moves after that, and just anything to wipe off that exaggerated, revolting naïve smile off her damn face!

The hatred could even be sculpted into a lovely figurine of Athrun and Cagalli getting married! The students, as if sensing this ominous cloud of hatred and lividness over their heads just waiting to let the torrents of rain fall down, stayed coast clear of Cagalli, as they did NOT want to be the casualties of Cagalli's incredibly strong punches and kicks. Oh no, that would undoubtedly be too painful…

"Hello, Cagalli!" Stellar greeted jovially, decked out in a sky blue dress.

Cagalli let out a growl, eyes flashing lightning.

Stellar glanced at her confusedly, and looked down the hall, where Athrun was, getting books from his locker while Mia was chattering away like an annoying bird that won't shut its mouth. "Who's that with Athrun-kun?" she asked.

"Mia I'm-a-preppier-version-of-Lacus-Clyne Campbell," Cagalli answered dangerously. "How can Athrun stand that! Answer me Stellar!"

"Well-"Stellar started.

"Never mind. Athrun must be blind. I mean, look at that orange shirt! How can he not go blind?" Cagari rambled, steaming.

"Cagalli-chan, you're wearing an orange shirt as well…" Stellar trailed off as Cagalli directed her death glare onto her. Her sentence turned into a nervous chuckle as she glanced around for an escape route.

"Are you implying something, Stellar?" Cagalli demanded, eyebrow twitching.

"Oh Shinn! I'm sorry, Cagalli-chan, but Shinn promised to help with the Math homework," Stellar lied hastily, jogging off to catch up with the rather ghostly looking boy who walked straight into a wall, and proceeded to walk into it over and over again, seemingly not knowing where he was going and hwy he kept feeling pain in his head.

"Cagalli, you will personally tear her off if she doesn't get off of Athrun in five seconds," Cagalli mumbled to herself. "One… two… three-"

"CAGALLI! Oy, ATTHA!" Carys' voice called from down the hall, opposite of Athrun, skidding to a stop in front of her, effectively blocking Cagalli's view of Athrun and Mia.

Letting out a frustrated whine, Cagalli craned her neck to see what Athrun was doing now.

"Hey, Attha!" Carys said impatiently. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Don't bother me," Cagalli grumbled, scowling. Oh yeah. Mia was still attached to Athrun. Like conjoined twins, except that if that were to happen, Cagalli would have probably died from immense shock and anger.

Carys turned around and smirked. "Take a picture, Attha! It lasts longer," she said, shrugging.

Cagalli blushed beet red. "W-what are you talking about?" she sputtered, turning away.

Carys rolled her eyes. "I'm neither stupid nor blind, Attha, and neither are the people around you," she said.

"Che, what's that supposed to mean?" Cagalli demanded huffily.

Carys sweatdropped and shook her head as Cagalli continued to mumble to herself. "Whatever you say, Attha, whatever you say. But you know when most people are over the deep end, the first thing they do is what you're doing."

"Oh, and what's that?" Cagalli inquired, eyebrow arched.

"Denial," Carys said simply.

"I'm not in denial!" Cagalli cried, shaking her head furiously. "Why would I be in denial over something that never existed in the first place!"

"It's OK that you feel these girly emotions, Cagalli, it's perfectly normal!" Carys chided, seeming freakishly like a mother telling her daughter it was perfectly normal for 'that time' during a month, or a car salesman telling someone to buy a car while telling them, 'it's perfectly normal to feel nervous while trying to buy a car while I'm practically forcing you to buy it!'

Cagalli gave Carys a weird glance. "What have you done with Carys Walker? Since when did you become an expert on the lovey dovey things?" she demanded suspiciously. "Can it be that you actually like someone?"

"Hello girls! What are we talking about?" Mwu asked suddenly, popping out of nowhere.

"GAH! Where did you come from, La Flaga-san!" Cays and Cagalli demanded simultaneously.

Mwu grinned. "From the classroom! Where else?" he asked, laughing.

Cagalli and Carys sweatdropped.

"But that's Ramius-san's classroom!" Carys said suspiciously. She grinned slyly. "Is there something going on between you two?" she asked, eyebrows wiggling.

"Huh?" Mwu asked dumbly. "Anyway, what were you talking about?"

Cagalli blushed furiously and Carys snickered.

"Oh what? I can talk girl language!" Mwu whined, grinning good naturedly. "You don't think I can?"

Cagalli began laughing and soon enough, Carys joined in, having imagined Mwu in a fluffy pink apron, chatting about girly things with Lacus and Stellar in an equally girly tone of voice, baking cookies.

"Or is that you think I'm too old?" Mwu put his hand to his forehead dramatically. "I'm only twenty-eight! I can still talk hip!"

"Right… we'll have to get to class now," Cagalli rolled her eyes, walking into Murrue's science class as the bell rang noisily. Carys followed, still letting out random snorts of laughter here and there.

"Hey! That's not very nice, Cagalli, Carys!" Mwu said, flailing his arms about.

"Hello, La Flaga-san," Athrun greeted, passing by, looking immensely pleased about something. Mwu prayed to whoever loved him Up There that it wasn't due to Mia Campbell hanging off his arm. Oh no… that would be TERRIBLE!

"Good morning, La Flaga-san," Yzak greeted formally, looking crabbier than usual and practically stomping into the classroom.

"Oh, Yzak! Report to my classroom at lunch!" Mwu said hastily.

Yzak turned around, looking surprised. Why? His grades were perfect! Second only to of course, that Zala. Yzak began to seethe at the mere thought of him. How could that flawless prat be better than him! It was absurd!

"Yes, La Flaga-san," Yzak nodded before stomping off to his seat.

Lunch

Cagalli wrenched open her locker door, having witnessed the most irritating, revolting event of the century. That Mia Campbell really was asking for it! And the fact that Yuuna had once again pestered her during science did absolutely zilch to help. In fact, it increased her level of irritation a LOT.

Breathing deeply, she threw her bag in, only then noticing the navy blue envelope that had fallen to the floor when she had violently pulled the door open.

"What's this?" Cagalli mumbled to herself, picking the envelope up. In neat, emerald writing, her name was scrawled on the front. She shook it, wondering if there was anything in it. A slinking sound came from the envelope, signaling that indeed, there was something inside.

Tearing open the envelope with childlike curiosity, Cagalli tore the envelope open eagerly and shook it until the object came tumbling out onto her hand.

The light caught the beautiful pendant quite stunningly, the silver chain glimmering. Cagalli held it up, wordless. The crystal heart dangled off the chain, with sapphire wings. She could only imagine how much it would have cost…

That aside, she tentatively put I around her neck, admiring the beauty. She took out the navy blue paper and began to read the emerald writing to herself. "Cagalli Attha, you may not know who I am, but I've known you for the longest time, in which I have fallen in love with you. You may reject me, but no matter, I will always love you. Please keep the necklace; it's a token of my love for you. With love, Secret Admirer."

She may never have said it out loud, but she truly, sincerely was touched by this letter. To think that someone could have done this for her, wrote this for her, and to think that this person was sincere…

"Secret Admirer, I believe I've already fallen in love with you," Cagalli chuckled, shutting her locker door and tucking the envelope into her bag.

Around the corner, Cagalli's Secret Admirer smiled, the shadow conveniently playing about his face. His eyes twinkled as the other figure grinned as well.

"Well? Did it work?" the other figure asked, a hint of great satisfaction and amusement in his voice.

"Yes, I believe it did," the Secret Admirer nodded, tone also filled with satisfaction.

-

"Gah, no…" Shinn scribbled out the words in embarrassment, although no one was even looking his way. The said teen was in the library, trying to wrack his brain for some romantic words for a poem for his 'special person'. But so far, he had only resulted in failure, failure, and even more failure. Words were his brother's thing, not his!

Speaking of his brother, Shinn was still reeling from what he had learned. It didn't necessarily change anything, but damn, was it ever awkward! And again, his first guess would have been Lacus. Kira didn't really have any contact with the female population, other than Lacus, his half-sister Cagalli, who he never actually got along with. Stellar, Miriallia and Carys were his friends, but in Kira's terms, they would sorta be counted as 'other girls'.

Come to think of it, how was Lacus taking this? Shinn could only imagine Lacus' shock, probably WAY greater than his. Then what about his parents? Did his brother even tell them? Of course not! What about…

"GAH!" Shinn cried, whacking himself. He shook his head and cleared his mind of the over –complicated thought train. Thinking was bad for him that was for sure.

"Hey Shinn," Kira said, sliding into the seat beside the boy.

"Hello," Shinn mumbled dejectedly, sighing.

Kira snatched a piece of crumpled up paper and before Shinn knew it, his brother had begun reading it. "Roses are red…." Skimming the rest of the page, Kira looked up. "You need help."

"Oh thanks a bunch for the boost of confidence, brother dear," Shinn rolled his eyes.

"It's for Stellar, isn't it?" Kira asked knowingly.

Shinn nodded, turning red.

"Well don't worry, little bro! It's big bro to the rescue!" Kira said heroically, grinning.

-

Mwu neatly stacked the paper to his side and folded his hands, blinking.

"Well, La Flaga-san?" Yzak demanded grumpily.

Mwu flinched. Well! Wasn't Yzak extremely testy today? More than usual! "Yzak," he began in an anxious tone. "Is something bothering you lately?"

Yzak scoffed, and Mwu sighed. To the Math teacher's complete and utter surprise, Yzak actually began talking! "YES! I thought no one would ask me that! Stupid Elthmann hasn't, and damn Zala is too busy being chased by girls, and Yamato got laid! No one even asked me how I was doing today! I mean, La Flaga-san, doesn't anyone care about me at all? No one cares about how I'm doing! I feel so ignored! I'm Yzak Joule! Doesn't my problems mean anything to them!"

Mwu nodded sympathetically. "Don't worry, Yzak. I'm here for you," he said. "We'll talk. Man to man. What's bothering you?"

"It's the stupid Valentines," Yzak grumbled, shaking his head in his hands. "Everyone's so wrapped up with their lovey dovey things; no one has time for me! I mean, did you see the stupid stunt Elthmann pulled! What kind of idiot came up with that!"

At that, Mwu coughed violently. Yzak didn't realize the power of measly Math teachers... did they?

"And now my mother! She's forcing me to go to this evil Valentine's Dance with a damn DATE! And she's making sure that Le Creuset-san sees me there! It's all so wrong and cruel! She even threatened to revoke my driving rights and my beautiful convertible and my beautiful TV!" Yzak exclaimed indignantly.

"Whoa! Le Creuset's making sure you're going to be there?" Mwu demanded, panicking. Oh no, that could never happen! Le Creuset would mess it up for sure! And he would have to give up his lovely car!

Yzak nodded, sighing miserably. "What can I do to fix this, La Flaga-san? My life sucks right now!" he confessed.

"Well, Yzak," Mwu began, wheels in his head turning. "It's a matter of getting in touch with your 'inner Yzak'. What does your inner Yzak want?"

Yzak paused. "My inner self?" he questioned.

Mwu nodded sagely. "Yes, Yzak, your inner Yzak. What's it telling you?"

Yzak put on his thinking cap. After a moment, he said, "My inner Yzak is telling me that I need to get a date for that dance if I want to keep my driving license, convertible and TV?" he suggested. "And it's also telling me I'm lonely."

"Yes," Mwu said enthusiastically, eyes glinting. "Well, Yzak, I think it's about time you get yourself a girlfriend!"

A/N: Gasp! Cagalli's got a Secret Admirer! Gee… I wonder who THAT could be? hint, hint, nudge, nudge Will Le Creuset keep Yzak from attending the dance and hence make Mwu give the Ferrari to him?