Chapter 3 Suffering Hidden Behind Beauty
"Hey! She told the both of you to WAIT!" Athrun called after Kyo, who was already half way out the classroom door.
"Wait? You think I'm going to wait? Gee, if I wait, I'll be worse than dead meat hanging on a hook at a chicken rice stall!" retorted Kyo bluntly.
But behind her reason, there was another, which would cost Kyo her life if she didn't obey.
Even though Kyo seemed like any other normal girl attending a junior college to pursue her studies, there was a horrible and terrifying truth behind that beautiful face.
Kyo's mother abandoned her in a basket, when she was born, and was found by an old woman. She had lived with that old woman ever since then. The old woman had a son, Leon, who was a good 6 years older than Kyo.
Kyo knew she had lied to Cagalli when she said that her father was as hotheaded as Yzak. But the naked truth was, she never knew who her parents were or how they looked like.
"Well what if she catches you leaving?" asked Kira, looking at Kyo who seemed to have snapped out of her thoughts.
"Huh? Oh, well I've got legs haven't I? I can always sprint off. Besides, I doubt she can run with those stiletto heels of hers." Said Kyo, forcing a smile.
With that Kyo bounded off down the corridors of the junior college and toward the main gate. The moment Kyo stepped out of the gate; she knew she was safe from Miss Snare. But she knew that a horrifying fate awaited her at home.
"She's sure in a hurry," said Dearka shrugging, and packing his things slowly.
"Can we get going? I don't want to wait either! That evil snake woman, might catch me!" whined Cagalli impatiently.
"Alright, my little princess." Said Athrun smiling at Cagalli, before walking off with the others.
Cagalli snorted at Athrun, "Don't call me that, Zala." She hissed.
Kyo hopped over the fencing to her house, and burst through the door to find Leon waiting for her.
"You're late," he boomed, his eyes narrowing to thin slits.
"Sorry, I rushed back as soon as I could." Said Kyo softly, her voice almost inaudible.
"You know very well what I'm capable of doing, girl. Don't make me do it," Warned Leon inching closer to her and slipping his hand under Kyo's shirt.
"I said I was sorry, now PLEASE, let me go." Pleaded Kyo, her voice shaking madly, as Leon had pinned her flat against the wall.
Mustering all the strength Kyo had left in her, she broke free. But Leon stuck out his leg and she tripped and fell.
Kyo jumped to her feet, attempting to run, but Leon grabbed hold of her arm and took out a penknife. He made a violent slash across Kyo's forearm, drawing blood from her.
He released her arm, as she backed away clutching her forearm, trying to stump the blood flow.
"The next time you defy my orders in any way, other than being late coming home, it'll be double of that and worse." Barked Leon storming away past Kyo and up the spiral staircase.
Kyo sank down against the stairway, tears leaking silently from her almond shaped eyes.
The gash on her arm was deep, and no matter how hard she tried, the blood wouldn't stop flowing.
Kyo quickly catapulted to her feet and rushed into the kitchen. Using one arm she dug out everything in the kitchen cupboard, searching for a first aid kit.
Finally, when it seemed like all hope was lost, a roll of bandages and a tube of antiseptic cream fell to the floor.
Kyo hastily bandaged her arm and stuffed everything back into the cupboard, hoping Leon wouldn't catch her raiding the kitchen cupboard, red handed.
Meanwhile, back at the bungalow the 7 other friends shared, things were getting a little messy.
"I told you not to drink so much!" said Miriallia, sponging Dearka's face, which was red from all the beer.
"Actually, these 3 boys shouldn't have drunk any! Why can't they all be like Kira and be good boys?" asked Cagalli shaking her head and eyeing Athrun, Dearka and Yzak.
"Mummy, is that you? Oh, you look so pretty," said Athrun staring drunk and giddily up at Cagalli.
"Damn you, Zala! This is the freakin' last time I'm letting you drink beer! How can mistake ME for your mother?" bellowed Cagalli angrily, hitting Athrun on the arm.
"Goodness, this is bad." Said Lacus looking around her, hands folded neatly on her lap.
"I sincerely hope, that they'll be back to normal by tomorrow? Or I don't know how they're going to handle school!" retorted Miriallia pinching Dearka hard on the forearm, making him give a frightful "Yeeeoooowww!"
"Well, at least he can still feel properly!" said Cagalli, who was hitting Athrun vainly, but got no response from her boyfriend.
Kira was trying hard not to laugh; he had never seen Athrun in such a pathetic and dazed state. The dark blue haired boy had always been sensible and alert!
"Oh for goodness sake, Dearka! I said ENOUGH!" shouted Miriallia, wrenching a can of beer from Dearka's hand.
"Once they start they can't stop, I guess." Said Kira, shaking his head, and chuckling to himself.
"Mummy, will you read me a bedtime story?" asked Athrun hanging on to Cagalli's arm like a parasite.
"Aaaaaaaaargh! I am NOT your mother! And how old are you, Athrun Zala? You're 16 going on 17, and you're telling me you need BEDTIME STORIES?" bellowed Cagalli, fuming away.
Kira swore that if they were all in a comic book, there would be smoke emitting from his sister's head and ears, and her face would be red with anger.
"Cool down, Cagalli. Athrun's drunk, he isn't aware of what he says or does." Said Lacus knowingly, placing a hand on Cagalli's shoulder.
"He'd better come back to his senses soon, because this behaviour is driving me up the wall! I feel as if I'm going to explode!" yelled Cagalli, tugging at her straggly blonde hair.
Dearka's head flew forward, and he threw up, making Miriallia pull her legs up onto the couch.
"Ew! Dearka Elthman! Who's going to clean this up?" squealed Miriallia shaking her boyfriend, who was groaning as he leaned back on the couch.
"You are, he's your boyfriend! And I've had enough with Athrun!" barked Cagalli hotly.
"This is a nightmare," sighed Lacus, leaning her head on Kira's shoulder.
"Mummy, I feel sick. Do I have a fever?" mumbled Athrun again.
That was the final straw for Cagalli, "YEEAAARRRGHH! I AM NOT YOUR MOTHER!" she screamed at Athrun, who still looked as if nothing had happened.