Hello everyone who reads this, genki deshita ka. Well anyway I thought I would have at least one beach chapter and one hot spring chapter in this story… only kidding. But seriously beach life isn't my strong point and I have really no idea how the nature in would Orb look like, I live in a country with totally different climate. The climate where I live seems to be the reason Archangel has a "hot spring" hahaha. Well it's true it is cold in the winter but it actually gets pretty warm in the summer. Hehehe, funny though.

Thank you so much for the reviews. I was pleasantly surprised to see new reviews for my other fic Meeting Again (don't ask me why I keep give my stories such dorky names, I just don't have any better imagination than this).

Disclaimer: I keep forgetting this but of course I don't own Gundam SEED

Are You Ticklish?

The beach was rather secluded and therefore there weren't many other people around which suited them perfect. They didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to them.

As the walked to the beach Cagalli's felt Athruns arm on her shoulders she froze at the touch and he must have felt it to because he immediately drew back his arm. She couldn't feel comfortable around him, and he sensed that she was tense.

They found a nice spot and put their things there and Lacus took Cagalli's hand, "We're going changing now boys, please come with me Cagalli-san."

"Um, ok." Cagalli said as she was helplessly being dragged away by Lacus.

The boys watched as the girls walked away, "So, did something happen? Cagalli is acting a bit strange." Kira said while putting up the parasol.

"I don't know, yesterday everything seemed fine but since this morning she's been really tense."

"You sure nothing happened?"

"Ehh, well she was kind of drunk and we did kind of kiss…"

"You mean you did it!"

"No! I mean we were about to but she tripped and sprained her ankle"

"You were going to take advantage of Cagalli when she was drunk?" Kira couldn't believe what he was hearing and started getting angry.

"No, it wasn't like that, it was she who started kissing me."

"But she was drunk, and could hardly walk you say? That's my sister."

Athrun began to cold-sweat. That was why she was so distant, he had used her when she was drunk and vulnerable. That nothing had happened was just a coincidence, he knew that and she knew that.

"Oh, shit. I never meant for it be that way. Maybe she hates me now."

"What were you thinking?" Kira demanded to know.

"The problem is I wasn't thinking, then I just would have stopped it."

Athrun really looked filled with agony and Kira relented somewhat, "I'm sure she doesn't hate you, she's probably just uncomfortable with the situation. I'm sure that Cagalli really likes you."

"I really, really like you." Athtun thought about Cagalli's words, even if she was drunk those words couldn't have been lies could they? He felt a little relieved, even if Cagalli tried to show a bold exterior all the time she usually seemed really shy when it came things like this so she might just be embarrassed. He earnestly hoped so.

"So, Cagalli-san what is the matter? You don't seem to be very high-spirited today. Did something happen between you and Athrun?"

"Eh?" How did Lacus know? Was it so obvious? "W- what are you talking about?" Cagalli wanted to hit herself in the head, if that didn't sound suspicious she didn't know what would. Why was she such a bad liar? It wasn't a very good quality for politician either, she smiled a little bitterly.

"Cagalli-san it is pretty obvious that you are depressed, you are normally so outspoken but now…"

"What are you saying? Just because I'm a little depressed it doesn't have to do with Athrun." Cagalli said defensively.

"It is just that Athrun seems to be a bit out of spirits too, that made me assume…"

"Well you don't have to assume anything, nothing new has happened. Since when have things been good between me and Athrun? N- not that there is something special between us."

Lacus smiled a little at the obvious lack of honesty, "Well, I do not want to pry or anything and maybe I have no right to say this but I have been in a similar situation myself."

"Wait, are you comparing Athrun with Yuna?"

"No, that's not what I meant, I have been in a arranged engagement. I have always appreciated Athrun as a friend but I was never in love with him. When I met Kira it was different, I knew that it was him I wanted to be with."

"Speaking of which how's things going with him?"

Lacus sighed, "I am afraid that he still isn't ready to move on, I'll just have to wait for the time when he is ready."

"And here you are giving me advice you should make him make up his mind."

"But still it has only been six months since the war ended, he has many emotional issues to deal with."

"All the more reason to put some pressure on him, he's such a cry-baby."

"Hm, I don't know about that. Anyway, it's obvious that Athrun is crazy about you. Therefore you should be true to your feelings."

Cagalli gave Lacus a faint smile but inside she wasn't so sure about that. Maybe Athrun had loved her once but she had probably ruined it by now. He was a nice guy but there is only so much he could take, and she couldn't blame him if he left. "Let's go back, we don't want to make them worry."

"I wonder where they went, they should be back by now. I knew that it was a mistake to leave them unguarded." Athrun actually was getting worried, he didn't like to have Cagalli walking off alone. Especially since the political situation still was very fragile to say the least.

"Relax, they'll come any minute."

"How can you say that? I'm her bodyguard it's my duty to keep her safe."

"Excuse me."

Athrun turned around and saw two girls standing in front of them.

"Eh?" Athrun was a little surprised but recollected himself, "What can I do for you?"

One of the girls held a volleyball and wore a minimal bikini and the other stood behind her looking somewhat shy. "My friend here and I were bored so we thought we would play beach volley but we need more players, so we wondered if you two want to join us?"

By this time Cagalli and Lacus were heading back and Cagalli was about to wave and shout at them when she saw Athrun talk to two girls and she suddenly stopped. She really had no business being jealous but she couldn't help feeling a sting when she saw Athrun getting embarrassed and scratch his head.

"Well, eh" Athrun hesitated, how was he going to put this?

Kira got up and said, "I'm sorry but we already have dates with us, we're waiting for them to come back."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Well I guess we'll just have to ask someone else then. See you around." The bold girl said and she turned around and walked away with the shy girl closely following her.

Athrun stared disbelievingly at Kira, "Since when did you get so easy-going with girls?"

Kira didn't have time to answer because Lacus called out to them, "Hello you two, we are back!"

Athrun was relieved nothing had happened to them and he looked at Cagalli coming back safe and sound. She wore a military green bikini and she looked really good in it. Cagalli had always been very fit, but it was seldom you really got to see it because she didn't want to bring that kind of attention to herself. He couldn't help looking at her breasts. He had of course looked at her breasts many times before when he was sure she wouldn't notice but he actually hadn't seen her in a bikini before unless you counted that time on the uninhabited island, but that hadn't exactly been a bikini. It was only yesterday when he had felt them against his back and he wanted to touch them more directly. He felt his cheeks getting hot and forced himself to look in another direction.

Cagalli looked at Athrun it seemed that he wasn't even interested, and she had just bought this new bikini.

"So how do we look?" Lacus chirped.

"Uh? You look great." Kira said and he really meant it, Lacus was really beautiful. Not to say that Cagalli wasn't but he rather not go there. He glanced at Athrun and suppressed a smile, "Athrun don't just stand there and look dumb say something."

"Yes, you have to be nice to us ladies, don't you think Cagalli look pretty?"

"Uh, sure." it just came out. "Nice going Athrun! That will give her the wrong idea." He kicked himself in his mind.

Cagalli looked a bit hurt but didn't say anything.

"Come on Athrun is that all you can say? "Sure"? That's lame." Kira said instead.

"No I mean, you look beautiful Cagalli." He felt embarrassed because he felt Kira's and Lacus' amused looks.

Cagalli looked embarrassed too, "Thanks" she said and gave him a look that he couldn't figure out.

That was weird she thought, she couldn't make out his feelings at all. At first he looked like he didn't care and wouldn't say anything, then he said that she looked beautiful and he looked like he meant it. Her thoughts were interrupted by an unmistakable growling sound from her stomach, "Ha ha, it seems I'm a bit hungry" she explained the obvious.

"Not surprisingly since you hardly had any breakfast."

"Well sorry, I wasn't hungry then. But I am now so bring me something to eat!"

"As you wish my princess." He said mockingly which resulted in him being chased by a wild Cagalli.

"Ahhhh," he screamed, "Help! Somebody help me! Kira!"

"Never!" Kira laughed as he saw his friend desperate attempts to get away.

"You traitor, you're supposed to be my best friend!" Athrun screamed back while laughing.

"Ha ha," Cagalli said with a triumphant laugh, "You're his friend but I'm his sister."

"She's right." Kira laughed.

Athrun decided to stop running because he understood that Cagalli never would give up and decided to take her head on. What he got was a hard tackle from her which made him loose his balance and he fell in the hot sand with Cagalli who also lost her balance over him.

Cagalli quickly recovered, and placed herself with Athrun between her legs and held his arms above his head. "This is what you get when you mess with me, Cagalli-sama!" she triumphed.

"Oh, yeah? Then I'll have to do it more often." he said and twisted his hands out of her grip. In an instant the roles where switched and Athrun was on top straddling her while holding her arms. "Let's see. I wonder if Princess Cagalli is ticklish."

Cagalli eyes widened "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh yes I would" he said and locked her arms with his legs and was about give her stomach a real tickle when he suddenly was tackled from behind.

"Kira!"

"I'll hold him for you Cagalli I know for a fact that Athrun is ticklish."

"Thanks Kira."

"Wait, this is two against one. This isn't fair." Athrun desperately tried to get out of the situation.

Cagalli had no mercy however, she immediately attacked him and started to tickle him with ferocious energy.

Athrun laughed hysterically, so much that he had trouble breathing.

"Get him Cagalli!" Kira cheered her on.

"Stop, stop" Athrun managed to say.

"I guess someone still needs to learn their manners"

"Please, please stop. Have mercy!"

"We're starting to get closer." She said but didn't stop.

"Please stop, I'll do anything" he begged.

"Anything?"

"Anything! So please!"

"OK, I'll stop." She said with a wide grin and moved away from him.

"Do you think it's safe to let him go?" Kira asked.

"You're afraid he will take out revenge? I know he's smarter than that. Right, Athrun?"

"I won't do anything. Hell, I'm too tired to do anything more at all today."

"OK" Kira said and released him, "So are we going to eat something?" The twins started to walk back leaving Athrun lying in the sand. "What are you slacking off for Athrun, get your ass over here." Cagalli screamed.

"Those two are evil, no pity whatsoever." he muttered as he pulled himself up and followed them.

Lacus had watched the whole thing from where she sat and found it very amusing. When Athrun came back she smiled at him, "It looks like you had a rough time Athrun."

"Not you too, is this the pick on Athrun day or something?"

"You reap what you sow." Kira said with a bit of sternness in his voice. Athrun heard it and dropped the subject. At least he was glad that Cagalli seemed to be back to normal.

"But now I don't feel like moving from this spot." He said as he lay on the blanket after they had eaten.

"What are you talking about? Now we're going swimming of course" Cagalli decided.

"I guess I don't have any say in this." He said and sighed and got up on his feet.

"Come on, it'll be fun." She took his hand ran towards the water.

"There's no winning against you." He said but smiled as he followed her.

"Hey, Lacus what are you doing! Cagalli said as she got a splash of water in her face. Lacus didn't answer she just giggled "Wait till I get you." She said and splashed some water back.

Soon they were busy with splashing water at each other.

Athrun and Kira just stood and watched, "There are worse things to look at, than Lacus and Cagalli having a water fight in bikini."

"Mm."

"Cagalli-san, are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I think so. Let's do it!" And they started to attack Kira and Athrun instead of each other.

"Cagalli stop it!" Athrun said as he was getting water in his eyes.

"Never!" She answered laughing.

"Well then you leave me no choice." He dived under water and swam behind her and grabbed her legs lifted her up on his shoulders.

"AH, what are you doing! Let me down!"

"As you wish." he threw himself backwards.

To the others' amusement she made a very girly scream before she fell under water.

Cagalli was pissed, she wasn't going to let him get away with this. When her head got over the surface though Athrun was there, very close. "Grrr, don't think it's over yet. I will get you!"

"What are you gonna do?" Athrun was really close now.

She suddenly felt hesitant, "Um..." She recollected herself, "S- stupid what are you doing?" She pushed him away.

"Weren't you going to get revenge?" He said with a satisfactory grin.

"Shut up, I'm going up now." She started to make her way back to their spot.

"Why are you following me? You don't have to come too."

"Are you kidding me? Do you think I will let you sit there alone? What if something happens? If someone tries to kidnap you or some strange guy comes and tries to do something funny…"

"What's it to you? Maybe I want to meet some guy, maybe it would be fun." She didn't mean it really and she regretted it as soon as she said it. But Athrun took a firm grip of her arm and said to her ear, "I won't let you." He didn't sound amused at all. She turned her head to look at him and he looked angry, his eyes were narrow and almost threatening.

"I was only joking." She said weakly.

"It wasn't funny at all." Still with icy eyes, he said with a cold voice, "You have a fiancée right? Do you want to make a fool out of yourself?"

Cagalli went cold inside when she heard that line, he had hit a nerve. She knew it. He despised her. She wanted to disappear right now but she couldn't, firstly Athrun was holding her arm in a tight grip, secondly even if she did get loose she would never be able to run away from him. She was confused and upset so she acted instinctively with her normal defense: anger.

"Don't touch me! I won't go anywhere, so leave me alone!"

Surprised he let go of her arm, "Cagalli…" His anger just went out of him. He didn't recognize himself, something inside of him had just burst when he heard her say those things. He himself had said things to her that he never thought he would say, those feelings that surfaced had never been directed at Cagalli before. He felt terrible, and adding this to what happened yesterday he started to feel like the biggest jerk. Who was really worse, him or Yuna?

"Cagalli…"

"Shut up!"

"I'm sorry, Cagalli."

She had picked up the pace and he made an effort to stop her by grasping her wrist and she turned around slapped him. It stung, he felt his cheek and looked at Cagalli, she was crying.

It made his heart break and not resisting the urge he drew her to him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it."

She tried to push him away. "Don't lie! You did mean it! I know you despise me!"

He was absolutely stunned, "What are you talking about?"

Kira and Lacus had watched the whole thing from a distance, they hadn't heard what led up to the fight but it was obvious that something had happened.

"What are you doing?" Kira had decided to intervene, if anything this was not the right place to settle an argument.

Athrun released Cagalli, "Oh it's nothing, maybe it's best we call it a day now."

Kira looked at Cagalli, it was obvious that she had been crying. He eyed Athrun very closely under silence. Athrun's expression didn't reveal anything it was totally blank.

"Alright, let's go home." Kira said carefully.

As Lacus took care of Cagalli he grabbed Athrun and whispered "Athrun, you are my best friend and I trust you, that's why I'm going to let you handle this. But if you do something to Cagalli or hurt her I will personally hunt you down."

Athrun didn't answer, he only nodded slightly.

They were alone again, they had dropped off Kira and Lacus. Kira had said that he would call in the morning, both he and Lacus had looked worried.

Nobody said anything. Cagalli leaned her head against the window pane, Athrun looked intently on the road. As she watched out the window she started to notice that they weren't going in the direction to her house. Exactly where were they heading?

"Oi, where are you going? This is the wrong way."

"We're not going home."

"What are you doing? Take me home right now!"

"Can't do that, not until we've settled this."

"This is kidnapping you know."

"Perhaps you're right."

It was obvious that he wasn't going to give in so Cagalli didn't say anything else.

Suddenly the car stopped, Cagalli looked around, the road seemed to have ended in a glade surrounded by a green wall of trees. Following the opening the trees stopped and she was sure the sea was nearby.

"What it is this place, why are we here?" She demanded to know.

"I want to know what you meant earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"I want to know what you meant when you called me a liar and said that I despise you."

I guess Cagalli recovered from her hang-over :-). And "Athrun, what are you doing?" Is what I want to ask, but this time his actions are my fault I guess hehehe.

A little, but only a little Kira and Lacus this time and some Kira and Cagalli interaction too, I love those twins so there will definitely be more of that. If you wonder about DM, I don't know when they will show up, after all this is mainly an AC story.

Please tell me what you think of this chapter, as usual I'm not sure what to think of it myself.