I do not own anything, if I did, Cagalli would be in Athrun's arms right now.
CHAPTER 8
"Morning Mom!" Kira said brightly and took a seat at the kitchen counter. He grabbed a toast and munched it hurriedly.
Mrs. Yamato smiled watching the little scene in front of her. My little boy is now all grown up.
Kira's amethyst eyes glanced around the kitchen, "Mom, where's Cagalli?"
"Cagalli? Oh, she went ahead dear. She said she had something to do at school."
Oh dear. Is she still mad about what happened? Is she avoiding me?
"Kira dear, where did you get the bump on your forehead?"
Kira rubbed the lump on his forehead and smiled sheepishly, "I got careless and tripped Mom."
Mrs. Yamato looked at her son suspiciously, while Kira nervously finished his breakfast. Kira stood up and took his bag from the counter, "I have to go now Mom." Kira walked towards his mother and pecked her gently on the cheeks. "Love you Mom."
Under a shady sakura tree, a teenage girl was leaning on the tree trunk, her golden orbs focusing on a paper she held in her hands. The morning breeze caressed her silky golden locks.
This is not as complicated as I thought.
Her long fingers ran through the lines of words in the paper.
So, basically, all I have to do is stand on the stage, look pretty, and introduce the performers for the school festival. A piece of cake.
Cagalli sighed for the twentieth time this morning.
Yeah right. If the audience are a bunch of dummies, easy. Reality check Cagalli, the audience will be the students and teachers of this school. Oh, and not forgetting a few of Earth and PLANT's representatives.
Cagalli buried her face in her hands.
Why did I ever agree to do this?
"Shinn, hurry up!" Stellar shouted and waved her hand from the other side of the field.
Shinn Asuka sighed, and ran his fingers through his dark brown hair, Sometimes, Stellar was too handful for him to handle.
Shinn sprinted to where his girlfriend is, "Wait up Stellar!"
"Stellar, you don't have to visit Mamoru everyday you know," Shinn complained while walking beside Stellar.
Stellar giggled and looked at Shinn with her innocent maroon eyes. "Ne, Shinn."
Shinn turned and looked at his beautiful girlfriend quizzically, "What is it Stellar?"
Stellar giggled again, "Is it possible that Shinn is jealous?"
Stellar's question caught Shinn off guard. "Me? Jealous? Why must I be jealous of an angelfish?" Shinn denied grumpily.
His actions made Stellar giggled more. "See, Stellar can tell that Shinn's jealous."
Seeing her beautiful possession giggling sweetly at him made Shinn blushed, and Stellar noticed this. She poked her finger at Shinn's crimson cheek. "Shinn is blushing for Stellar."
This made Shinn turned into a deeper shade of crimson, and from afar, one could mistake him for a tomato. Stellar smiled affectionately at him and said, "Stellar likes it when Shinn blushes."
Before Shinn could reply, Stellar was holding his hands and dragged him away from their original path. Stellar spontaneous actions again, made Shinn blushed.
"Stellar, where are we going? The AquaPath is this way!" Shinn said helplessly with Stellar dragging him to an unknown destination.
"Stellar knows Shinn. Stellar just want Shinn to meet Stellar's new friend." Stellar said brightly.
Cagalli was immensely pondering about the festival when a distant yet familiar voice calling her name made her look up.
Am I hearing things? Oh no! I'm becoming insane, just because of this stupid festival! Help me, please, anyone!
"Cagalli!" The voice became louder every moment passed.
There's the voice again, I'm certainly losing it.
Cagalli glanced around, and let out a big sigh when she saw Stellar and a dark browned haired boy walking towards her direction, their hands intertwined.
Stellar beamed happily at her and Cagalli smiled back.
"How are you Cagalli? Stellar haven't seen you for quite some time."
"I'm fine thank you Stellar. It's just I've been busy adjusting myself with the new surroundings."
Stellar sat next to Cagalli on the green grass, and the boy beside her did the same, sitting next to Stellar.
Stellar turned to look at Cagalli. "So, is Cagalli enjoying herself in her new school?"
Cagalli nodded, "Yes, very much."
Stellar smiled happily, "I'm really glad to hear that."
Stellar then took the boy hands and motioned him to come closer. Cagalli couldn't stop noticing the boy blushing when she did this. "Cagalli, meet Shinn Asuka, Stellar's boyfriend."
Cagalli smiled, "Nice meeting you Shinn. I'm Cagalli Yula Attha."
Shinn's innocent crimson's eye turned dangerous when he heard Cagalli's name, and Cagalli flinched when she saw this.
"You're an Athha?" he hissed and glared dangerously at her.
This made Cagalli startled. "Yes I am. Do you have any problem with that?"
Shinn stood up and looked down at Cagalli, "Atthas are despicable." Stellar who had a concerned look on her face look at her boyfriend, and then at the shocked Cagalli.
"Shinn?" Stellar was worried with the way he acted. Shinn never acted like this, he was always gentle.
"Shinn?" Stellar called his name again, clutching on his pants.
Shinn ignored Stellar, and stormed away; leaving a shocked Cagalli and a confused Stellar. Stellar turned to Cagalli and bowed apologetically. "Cagalli, Stellar apologized for what happened. Stellar must go and find Shinn now."
Stellar stood up, dust herself of and ran towards her boyfriend.
Cagalli was left alone under the sakura tree, Shinn's last word still echoing in her mind.
Atthas are despicable.
"Good morning Kira," Lacus greeted the brown haired Coordinator brightly.
"Good morning Lacus," Kira said as they made their way in the bustling hallway to their class. A few female students whispered among themselves as the two Coordinators walked side by side, enjoying each other company, and completely oblivious of their surrounding.
Lacus aquamarine eyes landed on the bump on Kira's forehead, and spontaneously, she touched the lump, rubbing it gently which made Kira blush a shade of red.
"La-Lacus?"
Lacus looked up at Kira with a concern look, their faces were only centimeters apart, and Kira could smell her strawberry scent which was intoxicating him. The other students around them, most of them females gasped at the scene in front of their eyes.
"Kira," Lacus voice sounded stern.
Kira was blushing madly now, "Y-Yes?" Kira managed to stutter.
"How did you get that lump?" Lacus voice sounded upset.
Uh-oh, must I tell her the truth? Or should I tell her the same excuse that I have told Mum? B-But, I can't make myself to lie to her."
"A-Actually Lacus, it's my sister's doing." Kira stammered.
That's it. I just don't have the heart to lie to her. She's such a goddess; it must be a sin to lie to her.
Kira watched as Lacus concerned expression turned into a relief one, and she smiled gently at him. Lacus took Kira's hand, which made Kira blush more, and headed towards their class. "Let's get the bump treated shall we Mr. Yamato?"
Lunamaria glanced around the EcoPark, searching for a certain blonde piano prodigy. She spotted her target seating on a wooden bench and decided to join him. She tiptoed, sneaked behind him, and covered the blonde's eyes with her palm.
"Lunamaria."
Leave it to one of the top ZAFT pilots for their inhuman alertness. When will I be able to surprise him?
Lunamaria grumbled. "You're no fun Rey."
Rey smiled affectionately at Luna, and this made her melt. His rare smile…only for me.
"Luna? Why are you grinning?"
Lunamaria blushed and shook her head, "No reason."
Lunamaria sat next to her boyfriend and leaned her head at his broad shoulders. "Is this the music piece that you've been mentioning?" She asked.
The boy beside him smiled warmly and nodded. Luna stared at the azure sky, wishing this blissful moment could last forever. A few of Rey's golden strands fell on Luna's cheek.
Lunamaria straighten up, and Rey looked at her quizzically. "Is something wrong Luna?"
Instead of answering, the magenta beauty ran her fingers in her boyfriend's long, silky, golden hair. This made Rey blush a bit and he can't help but feeling all warm inside. "Is there something in my hair Luna?"
Lunamaria stopped playing with Rey's hair and faced him with a serious expression, "Rey Za Burrel, how on earth and PLANT did you managed to keep your hair silky smooth? Your hair is even much smoother than mine!"
Rey chuckled and poked his beloved girlfriend's nose, "It's for me to know, and for you to find out."
"Onee-chan no Baka!" muttered poor Meyrin Hawke under her breath while sprinting as fast as her feet could take her.
This means war Onee-chan! Why didn't you wake me up this morning?
Meyrin sighed in relief as she finally set foot in the school compound. Without paying much attention to her surroundings, she made haste to her class, until-
"Ouch! It hurts-"
"Hey pigtails! Watch where you're going!"
Meyrin looked up and saw a cute boy with familiar wavy hair standing in front of her.
"You!" Meyrin pointed at the boy.
"What?"
"You're the person who ate all of MY chocolate chip cookies!" Meyrin accused.
"Huh? I don't know what you're talking about pigtails." The boy answered smartly.
"Chocolate chip cookies, strawberry milkshake, 5.15 pm last Monday, Cooking Club, ring a bell?"
The boy scratched his head, pondering hard, "Oh! That marvelous star-shaped chocolate cookies!"
"Go figure Einstein," Meyrin mumbled.
"Wha-? You made that?"
His question made Meyrin furious. "You ate MY cookies, and you dare ask that question?"
The boy shrugged, "Hey, no need to get all worked out pigtails. It's just a simple question."
"Yes, I made those cookies, and yes, it was MY cookies," Meyrin tried to answer as sweetly as possible between gritted teeth.
The boy beamed. "Really? Wow, I'm really lucky today."
"What?" Confusion was clearly written on Meyrin's face.
"Well, now that I know you baked those delicious cookies, I can ask for more, right?
Meyrin was just about to tell the boy to stop dreaming, when a tall neon-green haired boy interrupted their conversation. "Auel, we better get going now or we'll be late for class. Miss Natarle will surely make us run ten times around the school field if we're late again."
"I'll be there a sec Sting!"
Auel turned his attention to Meyrin, "Sorry pigtails, but I have to run. Meet you at the EcoPark during lunch break "
Meyrin watched as Auel began to disappear among the crowds.
Did he just ask me to have lunch with him?
Lacus was just about to apply some ointment on Kira's forehead, when Yzak and Dearka entered the classroom.
"Hey Yamato, what happen to your forehead?" the tan Coordinator asked.
"This? It's nothing. I just tripped, that's all." Kira answered.
"Tripped?" Dearka eyed Kira suspiciously.
Kira sighed. Well, of course he wouldn't believe me. Coordinators don't trip, and even if they do, they will manage to balance themselves so that they won't fall.
Kira was just about to blurt out some excuses when Yzak shoved Dearka and pointed to Miriallia who just entered the classroom with Shiho, "There's your girl Dearka."
Immediately, Dearka ran to the auburn-haired girl, totally forgetting about Kira's bump. Kira smiled thankfully at Yzak, and the platinum blonde haired boy just shrugged and walked towards his seat. From the corner of his eye, Kira could see Shiho saluting to Yzak before sitting at the chair opposite of Yzak.
Interesting. Are they always like that?
As if she could read his mind, Lacus said, "They make a great couple don't they?"
Kira nodded before turning to face Lacus, shocked. "They're a couple!"
The songstress smiled warmly and nodded, confirming the answer to Kira's question. Kira was taken aback. When did it happen? Am I the only one who didn't know about it?
Lacus put a finger on her chin, thinking. "Actually, I think they're engaged."
"What?"
Lacus giggled. "Well, they don't want everybody to know this of course. Actually, up till recently, the only people that have known this were me, Dearka, Athrun and Nicol."
Kira's brain was still trying to process with what Lacus had told him. "Since when?" he heard himself asking.
"Actually, since they were young, but of course they didn't know this until recently." Lacus answered.
"Really?"
Lacus nodded, and smiled while continuing to treat Kira's lump. "I really felt happy for them when the engagement was announced. Yzak really cared for Shiho, ever since the Academy."
Kira glanced at Yzak, trying to fathom what he was hearing. "Somehow I can't picture Yzak getting all romantic. It's….weird."
Lacus giggled "Kira Yamato, people do crazy things when they are in love. That, you should know." Lacus scolded him.
I knew that perfectly well Lacus. I'd do anything if it were for you.
Lacus continued with her ministrations and continued telling Kira the story of Yzak and Shiho, as if they were characters from a happy-ending love story. "Yzak was always overprotective when it comes to her, but nobody suspected anything of course. Shiho was one of Yzak's subordinate in the Jule Squadron."
Kira scratched his head, partially confused. "The Jule Squadron? I thought it was only a Military Academy. Why were they assigned into squadrons?"
"Well, you see Kira, the Military Academy makes teamwork and leadership as their main priority. That is why to polish the leadership qualities; the 3 best pilots were given their own squadron, while to instill teamwork, they will have to cooperate among the members of their squadron to complete a mission." Lacus explained thoroughly.
Kira nodded, trying to digest the information Lacus gave. "Let me guess, the three top pilots were Athrun, Yzak and Dearka?"
Lacus nodded, confirming Kira's assumption.
Kira's object of adoration giggled again. "You should see Yzak's expression when his mother told him about the engagement. I must say, it was quite shocking."
Kira Yamato tilted his head slightly to get a better view of the girl, no, the woman in front of him. "Were you present when Yzak's mother announced the engagement? Was the announcement transmitted live all over PLANT?"
Lacus poke at Kira's lump playfully which made him flinch from the pain. "That is for exaggerating things Mr. Yamato." Lacus smiled and her aquamarine eyes twinkled eagerly. "It was just a mere coincidence actually. It so happens during the day Councilwoman Jule came to the Academy to tell Yzak about it, I was visiting Athrun."
The smile plastered on Kira's handsome face fell and he glanced at the floor sadly.
Remember Kira, don't have your hopes too high. She's your best friend's fiancée.
"Kira?"
Kira looked up and forced a smile. "Don't worry about me Lacus. I was just thinking about something, please, continue."
I was thinking about you.
Kira could tell that Lacus was unconvinced. "So how did Yzak took the news?" Kira asked, trying to divert Lacus's attention away from him.
"Shockingly, he took it well enough. We all thought he would've done something-"Lacus paused trying to find the right word.
"-violent?" Kira suggested.
"Yes, violent. That's the appropriate word."
Kira was shocked, but he covered it well. "He accepted the news calmy?"
Lacus nodded and smiled dreamily. "Indeed. And he also did something we never imagined he would."
"He cried?"
Lacus shook her head, and again, poked Kira's lump. "No silly, he kissed Shiho in front of us! It was really sweet of him to do that."
Kira turned into a shade of crimson.
I guess love does make people do crazy stuff.
"So, Kira," Lacus said, a mischievous tint apparent in her beautiful eyes.
"What happened actually?" Lacus asked, referring to the lump on his forehead.
Kira laughed nervously. To tell or not to tell. He knew he can't escape now, and he decided to tell her everything. How Cagalli barged into his room last night with a killer aura surrounding her. How he tried to reason with her but failed miserably, and finally, how Cagalli threw his 1500 page dictionary, her aim so accurate, that he was not able to dodge before it was too late.
Lacus broke into a small laughter which seemed to be the most melodious and beautiful sound Kira had ever heard. "You must have your hands full dealing with such a lively sister, Kira."
Kira smiled, remembering his twin's cheerful smile and unpredictable nature. "My hands are full just to keep her out of trouble. But I'm really grateful to have her, knowing we come from the same source."
Lacus smiled.
'However, she's so unpredictable that I can't even keep up with her. I don't think a person who could cope with her even existed." Kira continued.
"Oh?"
"And even if the person once existed, I'm sure it was millennia ago. To have such a person in this present time, it's impossible, even for a Coordinator."
Kira continued musing. "Sometimes, I even doubted that she's a Natural. She's just too handful for a Natural. I'm sure, nobody, besides me that is, could cope with her."
Lacus giggled. "Actually Kira, I think there is someone who could handle her better than you could."
Kira stared at Lacus, as if she had grown horns on her head. "And who might that be?"
Lacus smiled knowingly, "Only time will tell."
Lunch break was probably the only time in school that the princess looked forward to. Everyday, during lunch break, she would put an eager face and leaped happily to the cafeteria, ordered her favourite lemonade and chicken sandwich, and savored it slowly at her precious Cagalli-Only sit, the same seat that she sat on during her first encounter with her now group of dear friends.
However, today, Cagalli did not care less about it. She was in her almost empty classroom, slumping on her chair, her head on her desk, and Shinn's vengeful words kept haunting her.
Attha's are despicable.
Cagalli buried her face in her bare hands, and she felt like crying.
How could anyone said such a thing?
She was very proud of her father. Uzumi Nara Attha was a man who honored peace. He strived hard for the prosperity of ORB. He sacrificed his own well being to maintain the peace between Naturals and Coordinators. He died for the sake of humanity.
How could he said such cruel words?
A gentle tap on her shoulder drag her back to reality. Her friend, Lacus Clyne smiled her usual warm smile. "Cagalli, shall we go to the Cafeteria?"
Truth was, the blonde princess was starving, but she was not in the mood to eat, not now. Shinn's words kept haunting her that it made her lose her appetite.
"Lacus, I'm not really hungry, so-" Cagalli was cut off by her own stomach's rumbling, and she blushed from embarrassment and covered her stomach.
Lacus just smiled, "You were saying?"
Cagalli sighed, and stood up. She knew she had lost the battle, her own body was betraying her will. "Let's go."
And went to the cafeteria she did, but leaped happily she did not.
She tried to act normal, and she knew she succeeded in doing so. Not even Kira, her other 'self' noticed that something was clouding her mind.
Cagalli sighed in relief.
Excellent! My plan to convince-my–other-half-and-my-friends-that-I'm-fine accomplished.
However, unknown to Cagalli, her plan was defected as soon as a certain midnight-blue haired heartthrob joined the table for lunch.
Athrun eyed Cagalli from the corner of his emerald eyes.
How queer. She seemed unusually quiet today.
Athrun continued his ministrations without even anyone noticing. Not even the three ZAFT Elites savoring their lunch at the same table. Again, his excellent military skills paid of.
Athrun eyed his target, which was poking the slice of lemon in her lemonade with her straw as if it was the most interesting thing ever known to mankind. She barely touched her chicken sandwich, which usually she savored happily. Occasionally, whenever Lacus, Kira or the other occupants of the table started a conversation with her, she would participate as she usually would. However, Athrun can't help noticing the absence of the feisty attitude in her eyes. Her usual crystal clear orbs seemed to be clouded in a mist.
Something is bothering her.
Call it a hunch if you like, but Athrun Zala knew he was right.
Cagalli was glad nobody noticed her unusual attitude.
At least I won't be a burden to anyone with this problem of mine.
She knew perfectly well that if they knew something was wrong with her, they would be worried sick, especially Kira, her overprotective little brother.
Cagalli glanced at her brother who was chatting happily with his dear crush-Lacus Clyne. She certainly did not intend to disturb their happy moment together.
They would certainly make a cute couple.
While glancing at Dearka and Miriallia, the 'lovebirds' as Nicol referred them, her golden orbs met momentarily with a pair of familiar emerald orbs. Immediately, she looked away and despite to her protest, her body again betrayed her and a blush crept on her face.
Damn that Zala! Did he notice anything?
Cagalli shifted slightly on her seat, straightening her demonic plaid miniskirt.
Wait, how could that be? Even Kira, my own half didn't notice anything, so there is no reason that he would.
Cagalli, satisfied with her own explanation, took a bite of her untouched sandwich.
Yes, that's it. It's all just a coincidence.
Athrun took a sip of his ice-blended cappuccino when he saw Shinn Asuka and Stellar Louissere approaching their table, their fingers intertwined with each other.
So, Shinn finally got himself a girlfriend. I must congratulate him later.
Shinn Asuka, was by no means a stranger to Athrun. Both of them had their history back since the Academy. Shinn was actually one of Athrun's subordinate in the Zala Squadron.
Shinn nodded at Athrun, and Athrun nodded back, acknowledging each other presence. Athrun watchful eyes trailed Stellar as she walked to Cagalli and whispered something to the princess. He could see Cagalli smiled and made an it's-okay gesture. Athrun then turned to Shinn and found him glaring at Cagalli, and nobody else seemed to notice this. Athrun focused back at the threesome.
What the hell is going on here?
Cagalli shivered when Shinn and Stellar left. Stellar was kind enough to offer a sincere apology to her for what happened earlier, and how she managed to drag Shinn with her is still a mystery. Although Shinn did muttered something that sounded like 'I'm sorry', his glare was still full with anger and hate.
What have my father done to him?
What did I do to him?
The rain started to pour heavily when Athrun's black Lamborghini sped, making its way to his penthouse. As he drove along the beach, a figure, sitting alone on the beach caught his attention.
What in the world is that person doing out in the rain?
Athrun pulled over and sprinted to the person, not caring that he himself was now drenched to the skin.
"Hey you!" Athrun called to the person, however his calls were ignored. As Athrun reached near the person, he couldn't help but notice the familiar shade of blonde.
"Cagalli!" he said and rushed to her side, only finding that she was already half-unconscious. Her wet school uniform hung tightly on her petite form, her body shivering from the cold.
"Hang in there Cagalli," Athrun said and carried her in his arms, making his way back to his car. He placed the shivering Cagalli at the passenger's seat, took out his jacket and draped it on her body, hoping it would give her some warmth.
Looking at her shivering form, Athrun couldn't help but felt helpless. Seating at the driver's seat, he then sped off.
The little warmth that surrounds her body was pleasant, despite her shivering form. She felt as if she was flying freely in the azure sky.
Where am I?
Cagalli opened her eyes slowly, her surrounding was blurry, and her brain registered the fact that she was dashing.
But I'm not even moving a muscle. I must be flying.
Her blurry surrounding was foreign from the ones she remembered before sleep took over her. It was not raining anymore. After a few moments, she could smell a sweet scent.
She then felt her eyelid became heavier every second and the last moment before unconsciousness took control of her again, she saw a pair of emerald orbs looking down at her worriedly.
Athrun?
END CHAPTER
How did you like this chapter? I tried to make some fluffy effort, but I don't know if I suceeded. Do review and tell me what you guys think.
I would like to thank Asga, jeniferseedlover, Myouseiseed, Mariad and all those who reviewed my fic. Hountouni arigatou bows
Please tell me what you think of this chapter, it will inspired me to write more
Ja Ne
:HimeHikari: