A/N: Hello. I have updated (much to my surprise!) I was up really late last night typing this for all of you so be proud! Anywho, this one is interesting I must say...Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 4
Just Another Day...

Kira opened the door to his home, pulling Lacus with him. He had talked to Dearka and had found out that Cagalli had went with Athrun. How they could have gotten so comfortable with each other that fast was a mystery to him. His blonde haired, half-sister wouldn't have gotten comfortable with anyone unless they had forced her. Though, that didn't worry him. Cagalli could take care of herself, especially if she was with Athrun. All he cared about right now, though, was that Cagalli wasn't at home and Lacus was with him.

"I sure hope Cagalli is all right," said Lacus, worried.

"Athrun won't do anything to hurt her. If he did, he would have to answer to me," replied Kira, closing the door. Lacus grinned at him before throwing herself into his arms.

"Hungry?" asked Kira.

"Now, isn't that a silly question to be asking at a time like this!" pouted Lacus, pulling back to look at her violet eyed love.

"I was hoping you would say something else," muttered Kira.

"Oh? Like what?" asked Lacus, now laughing.

"Like, 'Only for you, Kira'. Or something along those lines," said Kira, blushing.

"Now, now, you know that is how I feel," said Lacus, pulling him into the living room. She had been here many times before, but not since Cagalli had come to the PLANTs. Kira had then spent nights at her home, but it wasn't the same. This was the first place they had told each other of their feelings.

"Shall we?" asked Kira, grinned now.

"Hm, I feel like being naughty tonight, so I shall let you suffer while I wander," said Lacus, pulling away from him. Kira's face portrayed his shock and he followed after her.

"You can definitely tell that Cagalli has added a woman's touch to the place," said Kira, watching as Lacus picked up many items and even ran her finger over the smooth surface of the coffee table.

"She cleans?" asked Lacus. "She doesn't seem like the type."

"You'd be surprised how stubborn Cagalli can be when she is away from the pampering. She tries to prove to everyone that she can take care of her own household, so she cleans the home every time she gets. She even cooks," explained Kira.

That shocked Lacus, "I thought all her meals where prepared for her?"

Lacus was among the few that knew of Cagalli's true identity. Like Cagalli, Lacus was tired of the pampering and constant publicity, so she let Kira take care of her. Kira enjoyed the privilege, but Lacus was always the one cooking and cleaning for him. But Lacus and Cagalli both had a connection. Both their parents were extremely powerful people, making their daughters the figures that people desired to get their hands on.

Kira was charged with protecting Lacus from such people and had only come across two so far. They had wanted to speak to Lacus, but Kira told them no. That was when they pulled a gun and Kira had had to shoot him. Kira had cried that night, remembering the look of utter surprise and pain on the man's face. Lacus had been there, comforting him and telling him that it was all right to cry.

"Her meals were, but she demanded to know how to cook so Lord Uzumi set up classes for her. I wouldn't be surprised if she bullied Athrun out of the way so she could cook."

"But Athrun is such an excellent chef!" exclaimed Lacus, moving back to Kira. "How I wish I could see his face when that happens."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and he smiled at her. He then let his head descend and held her in a long kiss. She laughed when they pulled away, slightly breathless.

"Now, I think we can go to bed," she grinned, a malicious gleam in her eye.

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Athrun woke just as the sun began to shine through his window. He sat up with a jolt, eyes wide at the sound of a door slamming. Silently, he slid on some boxers and his sweats before walking out the door. Carefully holding the gun to his thigh, he rounded the corner only to find Cagalli in his kitchen, cooking.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked, much more abruptly then he had planned. His voice was still deep from sleep and sounded nothing like him.

Cagalli jerked to face him, eyes wide as he walked towards her. He didn't seem to notice, but he was half-naked. His chest was as chiselled as she remembered, when she had felt it through his shirt. Blushing, she turned back to the pancakes she was making but couldn't keep her eyes on the frying pan.

"Well, if you must know, and your eyesight has failed you, I'm making us breakfast," replied Cagalli, flipping one of the pancakes over.

Athrun eyed her from head to toe. She was wearing a pair of his sweats – he presumed she had rummaged through his closet – and her white tank top. Her hair was up to stay out of the way of the food. She looked like a housewife, someone Athrun wouldn't mind waking up to. He shook his head to clear the thoughts that followed and watched as she turned her attention to the bacon.

"You cook?"

"What? Do I not look like I can cook?" she said, turning on him, flames in her eyes.

"Well, not really. You seem like someone who would burn down a house instead of making a perfect breakfast," laughed Athrun.

Cagalli flushed and waved the utensil she was holding at him, splattering him with pancake batter. He raised an eyebrow and she burst out laughing, ignoring the mumbling coming from him as he wandered towards the bathroom.

He came back out ten minutes later, wearing his sweats but no shirt. Cagalli had to forcefully turn herself away from him or she might just have jumped him right then and there.

"I have to go to the office today, so you'll be staying here," said Athrun, sitting down at the table.

"But–" began Cagalli but Athrun cut her off.

"You are under surveillance, Miss Attha, so you need to learn to stay in one spot. Anyway, Dearka will be checking up on you so don't do anything stupid," said Athrun, giving her a stern look.

"Fine," she grumbled, serving him his food and sitting down. She attacked her food with a vicious hunger; having not eaten since noon yesterday. Athrun watched her for a few minutes before choking down his food, which he found, to his surprise, to be quite good.

Athrun stood, shoved his dishes into the automatic Dish Washer and wandered to his room. He heard Cagalli cleaning up as he picked out his business suit, wondering what she would do today.

"I need to get some clothes from Kira's house, so when Dearka comes, is it all right if I go there?" called Cagalli, knocking on the door.

Athrun pulled on his shirt and pants and opened the door. She was turning away but looked back at him, her eyes soft and almost glazed. He wondered what she had been thinking but shrugged as he pulled on his tie.

"You're doing it wrong," she said, walking towards him. He stood stock still as she adjusted his tie and patted his chest for good measure. "I'm having a shower, so don't you dare peak on me."

"I wouldn't dream it," muttered Athrun as he walked back into his room. He heard the shower running minutes later and picked up the items he needed for work. As he walked to the door, he turned and yelled, "I'm leaving!" before slamming the door shut and getting into his car.

Cagalli watched him from the bathroom window and when she was sure he was gone, picked up the phone and quickly dialled Kira's number.

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Kira flopped over when he heard the telephone ring and reached for it. He only managed to knock it over and crawled half out of bed to get to it. Attacking it with ferocious intent, he picked it up and muttered a jumbled 'Hello'.

"Kira? You're not up yet?" asked the voice on the other end.

"Cagalli? What the hell are you doing calling me at…" Kira glanced around, searching for a clock. He blinked at the number: 8:15. "Eight fifteen in the freaking morning. You know I sleep in late!"

"Not unless someone is sleeping with you. Lacus is there, isn't she?" asked Cagalli casually.

Lacus had climbed over to him and had wrapped her arms around his back, kissing his shoulder.

"No," he said shortly, blushing.

"Liar. Anyway, I'm coming up there with Dearka soon, because Zala wants me to pick up some clothes. And, no, we are not living together. He thinks I need 'protection'." Cagalli sighed and continued, "Anyway, at least dress decent before I get there."

"Sure," he mumbled. "What time?"

"Around eleven. Think you can do it?" asked Cagalli, laughing.

"Very funny, sis. See you then," said Kira, hanging up.

"Cagalli?" asked Lacus, leaning against him.

"Yeah. Her and Dearka are coming up here at eleven to get some clothing," said Kira. Then he thought of the rest of the conversation. "Wait. What does she mean by 'protection'?"

Lacus raised an eyebrow as Kira jumped off the floor – which he had fallen onto after attacking the phone – and pulled on his pants and a shirt. He needed to find answers and one way or another he would get them.

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Athrun parked his car and stepped out into the dreary day. Clouds still clotted the sky and Athrun had a feeling it was going to be one of those days.

As he stood waiting for the elevator, he saw a very depressed looking Dearka come trudging in, a light sprinkle of water on his blond locks. He grinned at his friend, but Dearka didn't share his enthusiasm.

"Miriallia that tough to live with?" asked Athrun, stepping into the elevator.

"Oh no, she's great. She cooks, cleans, even does the laundry, but–"

"She won't let you sleep with her," finished Athrun, his grin widening.

"Why?" asked Dearka, muttering. The elevator stopped three floors below and Dearka glared as Yzak Joule walked in.

Yzak wore his commander outfit, and his platinum hair had been cut slightly, now coming just shy of his chin. His cold blue eyes were stone now, as he stared down the two people he was planning on hunting down in the first place.

"Good morning, Zala, Dearka," said Yzak, his usual scowl deepening on his face. The elevator door closed. "Did you, Zala, by chance, know that you were spotted at a party last night, dancing extremely close with a blonde Natural?"

"What?" asked Athrun, stunned.

"You donned your glasses, but you didn't think that wouldn't stop them from picking you out? You have blue hair, my friend. Blue hair stands out, especially if people remember it on the Chairman of the PLANTs. Now, let us see. I have been asked to keep tabs on you so you won't do anything like that again, Dearka has been put on suspension because he associated with a Natural last night," Yzak eyed his friend, "and yes, Dearka, people saw you kissing her, so don't bitch at me if it's your own fault."

The elevator door opened and the three walked out. Athrun told Yzak and Dearka to meet him in his office immediately later on. He stalked in, throwing a furious look at his assistant, Lunamaria Hawke, who looked stunned by the look. Athrun had always been so kind to her and always either stopped to chat or at least picked up his personal messages – which were many today.

"Mr. Zala?" asked Luna, knocking on his door. He grunted and she opened the door. "Your mail is here. There is one letter that demands your immediate attention." Luna walked in and placed the mail on the desk. "The one that gave it to me said it concerned a blonde friend of yours?"

Athrun immediately turned his green eyes on her and she stiffened at the sadness that was buried beneath. He shooed her away and picked up the letter, opening it immediately. Unfolding it, he read softly, his lips moving and his eyes widening.

The princess has been spotted; so do not deny your involvement, Chairman. We will do what we must to obtain her, so if you wish to live, let her go back to her home with her Coordinator half-brother. We will be keeping tabs on you. If she is not returned, we will be forced to take her from you and kill her in front of you. I know how much you don't want that to happen. You have three weeks.

Athrun stared at the letter and re-read it several times before he heard a knock on his door. Looking up, he saw Dearka walk in, a pout on his face, with Yzak trailing behind.

"Dearka," said Athrun shortly after the door had closed. His friend turned to him. "Pick up Cagalli now, the minute you step out of this office, and pick up Miriallia too. I need to talk to her."

Dearka raised an eyebrow and he threw him the paper.

"Oh hell. Miriallia is going to kill me," muttered Dearka, handing the letter back.

"Why is that?"

"She said if anything happened to Cagalli or Kira, I would personally pay with…" Dearka stopped and blushed as Athrun chuckled.

"Then do it. I need her here immediately. No stalling. Go," said Athrun, serious once more. Dearka saluted him and rushed out, pushing past people to quickly get to the elevator.

"What the hell is going on with you two lately? And who the hell is Cagalli?" asked Yzak, furious. He hated being kept out of the loop.

"Cagalli is a young woman currently under my protection," said Athrun. Yzak looked at him quizzically before putting two and two together.

"You don't mean…" said Yzak, eyes widening as he studied Athrun's face. "The goddamn princess of Orb is here? What the hell, Zala!"

"She was threatened and I took the precautions necessary to protect her from harm," explained Athrun calmly. "We cannot have the representative of Orb dieing here in the plants; that would pit our one near ally against us."

"You are nuts, Zala, you know that?" said Yzak, shaking his head. He then thought of something. "Was that the blonde Natural you were dancing with?" Athrun nodded and Yzak sighed, "So much for my job."

To Be Continued...
Next Update:
04/08/05

A/N: I will be updating in two days. This chapter only took me a small amount of time to finish, so personally I find it a little dull. Though I do enjoy the fact that Kira attacks the phone. I could picture it perfectly so I just had to put it in. Ask any questions if this confuses you (my friend said one part did so I tried to re-write it) and I shall answer in the next chapter.Anywho, you know the drill! Review ASAP and I shall update on the designated date. Adios!