Hiya, I'm BlackCyra and this is my first fanfic. I'm sorry if there are grammar mistakes, and if you feel the need to correct me, by all means do, but just show me the correct usages please.
Oh yeah, this fic has mixes of Gundam SEED/DESTINY characters. Expect casts from both series to join in on the mess and in case you haven't noticed, it's an AU. By the way, the whole of the story is set on Earth, sorry no space colonies, but it's set somewhere in the future where genetic alteration is not unheard of though only for the rich and famous. Any more and it'll spoil the fun.
Chapter rated T.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. See all these little characters I'm playing with? They're not mine. The only thing I have a right to claim is the plot, but then again, I'm borrowing some elements from the series, so please, don't sue. I'm not making any money either.
Chapter One: Runaway
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" She stood a few feet away from me, her left white-spindly hand clasping her right arm, looking almost timid as her grey eyes fell on me. Her complexion wasn't the best, her pale skin didn't shine like they used to and had a grey shade to it. She wasn't like herself, the self that loves speeding motorcycles, the self that couldn't stand rules, and regulations; she looked like she'll tumble under the slightest push, not the fiery red-head I knew.
I almost scoffed at that thought; I'm probably just as different. My hair that once had that glossy shine, proof of a healthy existence, is now slick with oils from not showering. It clings to my head disgustingly. My face is dull, losing the glow it once had, matching perfectly with my doleful, lavender eyes. What's even more revolting is the state of my once well-toned body. My muscles are probably weak from not being used, except for a few occasional brawls. The last fight I was in was with a man selling hotdogs. I was hungry and knocked him out after he didn't let me escape with the five hotdogs I took without paying. One week ago I believe.
I would've smiled mockingly at the situation if I wasn't so damn tired; it's like two complete strangers meeting each other, not realizing that they have found the wrong one.
"Yeah..." I replied in a shaky voice. Not having eaten for a week drained a lot out of me. I was on my way to a location where a man I met a while ago specified, telling me I might be able to get some food from a kind chef there. I was desperate and disregarded the fact that the man who told me looked something right out of a horror film. Slipping into the back of a deserted alley, I made my way towards the back door of the alleged restaurant, when she yelled my name. I had no clue how she could distinguish it was me or how she even knew I was here, but nevertheless, I halted and trembled a notch more.
"I missed you... where've you been?" She continued. More than anything, I wanted to bolt. My palms became slick with cold sweat, I could feel my heart rate speed up; pumping oxygen through my vessels faster than before.
"Been around." I answered. This time, my voice cracked a little.
She began talking again, this time with curses strung between each sentence. I could almost see the flare inside her ignite, bringing out the part I knew best of her; her uncontrollable mouth, and fiery temper. It extinguished as abrupt as it appeared.
I could feel my own temper flare up.
"What do you care? Don't try to come in all of a sudden like your innocent! I left 'cause of you!" I yelled, loud and clear; my body shook, I could feel my legs swaying from beneath me but my running adrenaline kept me standing up.
It was her fault. It was her that opened that cursed box, not me. It shouldn't be her that was mad, it should be me, I even had a right to feel homicidal. I shouldn't feel ripped when I saw tears brimming in her eyes from my outburst. I shouldn't feel guilty when she took a slight step back in fear.
"I know...but...but I want to be with you..." she whispered the words. I felt my fists clench and unclench, my body tensed up and I let out a deep, drawled sigh, trying to calm myself. As the minutes passed by, I gradually heard her silent tears turn into straggling sobs; the grey skies opened up and started to shed its melancholy tears. Misery loves company, I suppose.
We remained in silence, both of us soaked in not only rain, but our own numbing thoughts. The quietness didn't sit well with me; I wanted to say something, anything, just something that'll break the cocoon that encircled us.
"So, it's good-bye?" Looking up from the patch of cement my gaze had fallen to, I nodded; it's too late.
If she was crying as I walked away, I didn't hear it. I concentrated on walking onwards, forgetting my destination; just anywhere but here.
The crumbling walls shook as the rotting door opened and slam back into place. The newly-rented apartment had peeling wallpaper that tried unsuccessfully to keep the various stains which marred the wall from anyone that would've glanced around. It was painfully obvious that whoever owned the apartment before had no interest in hygiene; Rat droppings were scattered around, cockroach innards were being showcased on the floor, and on the walls. It was quite scary. The blotches of an unknown black substance that graced the tub, sink, and toilet in the bathroom, would probably make you dirtier than cleaner if tried to be used.
Decaying as it was, funds blatantly said that anything above would result in no money for food or any other necessities. The unit held the kitchen, dinning room, living room, family room, and bedroom in one with the bathroom in another. Luckily, it was furnished. The sofa would have to double as a bed but the stove, refrigerator, table, and chair were in pretty good condition. Very bare and dirty, but it'll suffice.
Collapsing onto to the sofa/bed, the blonde let out a long sigh. All of morning and a good part of the afternoon had been devoted to job hunting. When the newspaper arrived at her neighbor's at about five in the morning, Cagalli took the liberty to borrow it for a while. Leafing through the paper, she wrote down various jobs that seemed promising. After replacing the paper back at its proper place, she looked through her possibilities and narrowed down her choices. Some seemed a little too racy, while others wouldn't have fitted into her schedule, especially once school begins. Limiting her list to between five to ten, Cagalli had set out once her watch told her it was Eight AM. It is now three and after about seven hours of searching and turn downs, Cagalli settled on being a waitress at small restaurant in a mall that she could travel to in twenty minutes. Not the best of pays but hey, it was better then being stuck with a group of preppy teens who wore too much make-up for their own good, giving bad names to blondes everywhere. Cagalli shuddered at the memory of meeting her could-be fellow employees at the clothes shop; being a waitress was way better.
With her income, maybe she'll even be able to fix up her crummy apartment, starting with the bathroom of course. Most of her money went to paying tuition at her new school, the best, if her source was correct. "Education," as her father would put it, "is the foundation for life, learn well." It might not be too late yet, she still has two years left of school and maybe more, if she was lucky that is.
Sinking further into her memories, she recalled the events months back. Actually, if she was told that it was years ago, she would've believed it; the four months probably took years off her lifespan. It took only four months for her world to spin wildly out of orbit, crushing everything she had known and cherished, except one.
Kira.
He was the one that actually heeded the advice; he scored high scores on every quiz, test, and exam, always solving difficult formulas and apprehending deep philosophies that flew over Cagalli's head. He had a bright future in computer science, analyzing and processing faster then he could type, which was really, freakishly fast.
She almost smiled at the memory but instead she scowled. The first thing she'll do when she sees him is sock him hard in the guts, after she gives him a good slap across the face that is.
Cagalli was late, later then she has ever been in her life and to top it off, lost. So why in the world was she scaling a six feet fence to retrieve a soccer ball? Oh yeah, because two, devil-in disguise boys asked her to, putting on that puppy dog eyes that no one could resist. Or maybe she wasn't as tough as previously thought?
Cursing as she thumped down onto newly-mowed law on the other side of the fence, she began to creep along the grounds like a thief, desperate not to be caught. Before climbing, she made note of a big, hard-to-miss sign that stated in capital bold letters, DO NOT TRESPASS. Hoping that this would not be the last thing attempted in her short life, she glanced around the immaculately kept grounds. Very lush and green, she thought.
She made her way further and nearer to garden, praying that the owner didn't keep rabid pit-bulls as pets. Upon reaching the garden, aromas of many different flowers assaulted Cagalli's nose, and her eyes were being blinded by bright colors. Cagalli would've stopped to admire the hard work needed to grow such beautiful things, if she had not spotted the offending black and white ball. She charged, not taking note of a figure standing just a few feet from the ball, until she found him looming over her, with her back to the ground.
Cagalli's shriek that exploded forth caught the aggressor by surprise, making him loosen his grip. After recovering from the pain that panged at the base of her neck, Cagalli screamed, "What the hell are you doing?" Making the aggressor open his eyes in shock and completely let go. Looking quite embarrassed, he stood up and extended his hand in a kind offer which Cagalli ignore, standing up very well by herself.
"Sorry, I thought you were attacking me." The male stated, hoping that she would take it as an apology. When he first noticed her charging at him, he thought her a man and a dangerous one too. Looking at her now, it was undeniable that she was indeed a she, and not a he. A form-fitting shirt and a loose cargo pants showed not a lot, but just enough to prove she is not some wild-eyed mad man. He didn't voice his thoughts; he didn't feel like dying quite yet.
Cagalli almost turned around to argue but time was an issue so she snatched the ball from its stationary post, and ran back to the fence, leaving the green eyed stranger behind, stunned and clueless at her sudden retreat. He didn't particularly care though; he doubted he'll ever see her again.
"Being late on the first day isn't very impressive, Miss Yula." Cagalli started to explain frantically and apologize but was cut short when her employer raised his hand in a silencing motion and handed over her new uniform.
"Ah, well, just change into this uniform and get started. Actually, I'm not a very punctual person myself, but just don't make a habit of it like I did." He shot a kind smile her way as he continued helping in the kitchen. She returned with one of her own, grateful that she didn't get chewed out. "Thank you Mr. Waldfield."
Finding the girl's changing room, Cagalli dressed herself with the uniform, but blanched at the site of the skirt. Seeking out Mr. Waldfield in the kitchen, she tried to negotiate with him but he closed all attempts by simply stating, "It won't be very cute, now will it?" Holding in the puke, Cagalli stepped into the dreaded skirt which matched the color scheme of the rest of the uniform---gold and red. Maybe the job at that clothes store wouldn't have been so terrible; at least they had a choice of clothing from their various stocks.
Reminding herself that what's done is done with no way to turn back the hands of time, she headed out into the bustling restaurant, knowing very well it was going to be a long day.
I eat Reviews, so please give this starving girl some food.
P.S. I like a side dish of Predictions, while spicy Flames are enjoyable, don't overload. And Suggestions helps with my Digestion/lamejoke