Irresistible Enemy

Summary : Cagalli felt depressed when her fiancée died and her aim is to get the revenge on the man that killed her fiancée, Athrun Zala. But after she met him, will she be able to fulfill the revenge? AU and the setting around 18th century, not a modern life.

AN : The story based on novel I read, maybe some of you know this, the title is "King's Shadow" by Judith Polley , and I changed some parts from original. And sorry for the characters OOCness.

Disclaimer : I don't own the story also the characters

Special thanx to Asucaga4ever for correcting my grammars

Chapter 8

Cagalli went inside the house, hoping no one will notice her. But Lenore stopped her and asked, "Cagalli? Is Athrun with you?"

"No, He's still in the garden." Cagalli replied to her, while Cagalli tried to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "Excuse me, but I need to go to bad, I have a headache."

"Cagalli, you can't run away from him forever." Lenore replied to her softly with concern in her eyes.

"I will be gone soon and never I will never see him again."

"Even if you are away from him, you won't stop thinking about him? Your heart will never be free. Whether you like it or not, your heart belongs to yourself and some part to my son, Athrun. And from my opinion, you can't change it no matter what has passed between you."

"It is too late now."

"Because of what has just happened on the garden? " Lenore demanded the answer but Cagalli remained in silence. "Come with me to library, we can talk there alone, and I saw Athrun coming here, I guess you don't want to argue with him again right?"

Lenore took Cagalli's arm and dragged her to library.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to witness your private affair with Athrun, but the sight of Athrun holding you surprised me and aroused the memories of my husband. Athrun is like his father, he will never allow women rule him. I've never seen him involved with women before, he likes freedom, yet now he's willing to abandon it because of you. Why did you slap him?" Cagalli sat down on the chair, looking at the floor. "If you don't want to tell me it's ok, but you may feel better if you talk with someone."

"I – had no intention to hurt him, I was so confused at the time, and I had – to make him let me go." Cagalli felt her cheeks burn scarlet. Her lips still felt bruised from Athrun's kisses.

"Why? Are you afraid of him?"

"No, it's not about fear."

"What is it then?"

"I – I don't understand myself also. One minute I am so sure of my feelings, but when I think of my father and Afhmed, the man whom I will marry, it all seems wrong. I don't belong here and I don't have any rights to care and be with him. If – if I'm staying here and Athrun gets caught with perhaps by my father. It would affect our relation. And if Athrun was hurt by my father, I wouldn't know how to react."

"Athrun is not afraid of that. And as for me, I lost my husband before and I pray nothing will happen to my family, but now it's a war, there are so many victims outside, and if he will be the victims like many other, I wont blame anyone."

"How can you talk so calmly?" Cagalli surprised.

"Would it help them or me to be more emotional? Even I killed my husband's enemy, I couldn't bring him back. Cagalli, sometimes it happens in life, where you don't know what you have to do or you're confused with it. But you must be strong and decide what you want to do now. Same with his father, Athrun expects no demand from you. I think you have everything he has ever wanted in a woman, and that is why so far he's refused to admit how he feels, but if he does he will be totally committed."

"Is – is that how it was for you?" Cagalli asked quietly and Lenore's eyes soften.

"I would do anything for my husband if it is necessary, go anywhere with him. It was an understanding between us. He asked very little from me, but he is willing to give me everything. My husband gave this house to me when Athrun celebrated his first birthday. This place is filled with many wonderful memories."

Cagalli stood up, she clenched her hand together tightly. She had memories also, but they were different and difficult to erase them.

"I want to have wonderful memories also."

"Then why you don't create them?" Lenore went to her, gently she held her hands and looked at her. "You and Athrun have faced danger together, can you honestly tell me you can turn your back on him and back to your father whom you fear?"

"No – no." Cagalli answered. "What should I do now? I hurt him tonight. I was afraid and unsure last time. Will he ever forgive me?"

"You must make decision and stand by it. That way he will know that you are sincere. He will trust you and accept that what you say is the truth. Are you in love with him?"

"Yes."

"No doubts?"

"Not now. You were right, it has helped to talk about it. You must think I'm very foolish.

"My dear, when we are in love, they is no such thing,"

Cagalli looked through the window, wondering if Athrun had returned or not. The memory of fury in his eyes, made her hesitate.

"I don't think I can face him yet."

"The longer you wait, the worse it will be. You must set a right thing between you before he leaves. Go upstairs and wash your face first, and before you go, there is something I want to give to you."

Cagalli watched her, when she took the small chest inside the drawer and took something inside. Cagalli shocked when she held the gold pendant, it was similar with the one that Athrun wore.

"I can see that you recognize it. My husband bought these for our wedding anniversary." Lenore opened the pendant, revealing a picture of Athrun as a child and his father. "Two identical pendants. We always wore them. These pendants will keep us near even if we are physically separate. He was a part of me, whenever I touched the pendant I can feel that he was near me, and so did him. It was his wish that Athrun should take it when he died. And he wore that since then. I think it's only right that you should have mine."

"I can't" Cagalli protested, "It's too valuable to you."

"I have my memories, one day when you have yours, you can pass this to your child." Ignoring her protest, Lenore placed the pendant around her neck "Wear it and be one with Athrun, as I was with my husband."

"Wont Athrun be angry?"

"When he sees you have it, he will know that both of you have my blessing."

Impulsively, Cagalli hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for everything."

"Maybe you wont thank me years later when you have a difficult husband on your hands." Lenore answered with the mock grin and soft laugh.

When they came out from library, Connile approached them "Mother did you see Athrun?"

"I thought he was with you."

"He came back for a while then disappeared again."

"Last time he was in garden with me." Cagalli explained.

"Why don't you go and find him?" Lenore asked her.

"Where should I look?"

"There is a place Athrun always goes to when he wants to be alone. Go out through the west door of the garden and follow the path through the trees. There is a lake and a small lodge there. Maybe he will be there"

"Shall I show you the road? Athrun and I used to play there when we were young." Connile offered it, but only made her mother frowning, she lost something but as she saw the pendant on Cagalli's neck she understood it all.

"I think I will go upstairs first." Cagalli said to them, "Will you make my excuses to the others please, Lady Lenore?"

"Sure my child." Lenore turned away and smiled as she took Connile with her.

Alone in the room, Cagalli sat down by the window and tried to clam herself. She was unsure for Athrun's reaction later, but she knew that she must tell him. She loved him. To save Athrun she was willing to risk anything now, even her own life, because she felt that without him she was nothing. She wanted him to hold her and she wanted to tell him her love.

Then she decided to meet him, and went to the lodge, and she could see the lake exactly liked Lenore described it. She went inside but she saw no sign of Athrun. As she turned, the door slammed behind her.

"I wasn't expecting a visitor." He stared her for a moment "How did you know this place?"

"Your mother told me."

"Did she? So she is playing matchmaker again, is she?" He didn't look at her, he looked angry with her mother for intruding with his affair.

"That isn't fair," Cagalli prostrated, "She is a wonderful woman and I'm fond of her."

"But she is mistaken, she believed that I grew some deep feeling to you." Athrun replied bitterly.

Cagalli moved closer to him, she managed to control and calm herself. She had come so far, she didn't want to turn back and run away, she must face it.

"She saw us together in the garden."

"No wonder she done talk then, and what do you want?"

"To talk – to explain."

He placed his hand on the cheek where she had slapped him. "You said everything so clearly." His eyes narrowed sharply as he saw the pendant at her neck. Cagalli hoped that it will become easy for her but they became worse. Athrun leaning against the table and folded his arms, "Well what have you to say?"

"Why are you still so angry? You said once that we didn't want to fight."

"Well it was before the slap, and I was a fool."

"You are not a fool, but you are proud, too proud to admit what your mother said is true, and can we be honest to each other?"

"Honest!" Athrun laughed sardonically "After that incident?"

Cagalli flushed, but went on firmly, "I have come to clear all the thing, Afhmed was no more than an escape from my father. Is – is that what you wanted to hear?"

"No, don't move away Cagalli, you came here for a reason and I want to know what it is?"

"I came to talk and apologize for behaving so childishly."

Athrun came closer and reaching out, caught both her wrists and held her tight. "Should I tell you why you are here? To make sure that I didn't revenge you back?"

"I didn't come for that."

"Liar!" He shouted, then pulled her against him hardly and pressed his mouth against her cheek, her hair and her neck.

"Athrun, please let me go!" Cagalli tried to free herself form him. She wanted him to kiss her but not like this.

"What's wrong Cagalli? There is no one watching us this time."

"You are stupid! Listen to mee…." Cagalli was near to tears.

He kissed her into silence. He muttered something and drew back. In the dim light, his feature seemed so pale.

"Why won't you slap me again Cagalli?"

I don't want to. I love you Athrun."

"Don't talk about love to me." He caught her again and kissed her. This time there was no tenderness in his kisses. He wanted to show that he hated her and he succeeded. "Get out before I treat you like you deserve to be treated."

Cagalli went out as tears were streaming on her cheeks. She walked and sat down beneath one of the big tree along the way back. She sat there for a long time, cried and sobbed heavily. She moved again but she didn't remember the way home, and she didn't care for that. He had sent her away, he didn't want to believe her, maybe his pride been hurt and he didn't want to endanger his family. Maybe she wasn't the right girl for him, and she prayed that he would meet a woman that is pretty and kind, and could break his coldness and also take care of her. This time she only wished happiness for him.

Cagalli found herself on the top of hill. The lights shone below, but she didn't see it clearly. She was about to move when she heard a groan coming from some bushes to the right of her. She approached him, there a man lay on the ground, his face covered with blood.

"Who are you?" she bent and touch his shoulder, "Who did this to you?"

"Soldiers…… warn the house. ……"his voce trailed off and Cagalli knew he was dead.

Cagalli stood up, this man must be the one who guarded the house and tried to warn us if something happened. She went to the lodge again and tried to warn Athrun about that. As she went there she prayed that none of them were caught, she opened the door and called his name, but there was no answer.

She heard the gunfire, echoed through the night air, then another. By the time she reached the garden, her legs were so weak. But she must bear that, she shouted calling all of them.

"Athrun, Dearka, Kira, Miss Lenore, Connile…. Milly." She began to shout as she walked along the path. A soldier blocked her path and caught her, "You bastard let me go!" she struggle more but he was too strong and he dragged her.

"Stop struggling or I will knock you down. It's too late to warn your friends."

Too late! Cagalli shocked at his words. She stepped on his foot, turned around and kicked his stomach. He tried to knock her but she pushed him as he tripped and fell.

"Cagalli!" a hand touched Cagalli's dress, pulling her backward to bushes. "Follow me, quickly."

Lenore's face was covered with smoke and dirt, her hair so messy.

"Wait! Oh, please wait where is Athrun?"

"Safe with Kira and Dearka."

"Then you must save with yourself, Milly and Connile also. Don't worry about me, if I tell them who I am, they won't harm me."

A gunshot was heard in front of them as two troopers came.

"Run! Please run and save yourself…." Cagalli begged

Lenore hesitated for a while but she nodded, as she ran to the bushes, one of them lifted the gun and shot her back.

Cagalli screamed in horror as she saw Lenore's body collapse near her.

"You, you bastard, you killed her." Tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared coldly at Captain Conrad. "Are you proud of yourself, murderer."

"Shut up girl, or I will do that with myself."

Cagalli shook her head, "let me go to her." Cagalli tried to get beside Lenore's body but he dragged her, she struggled but she was too weak for now. As they reached the house, she stared in horror, the fire occupied the house and she still could hear the shooting.

"Cagalli?" She turned her head as she saw that Connile was also a captive.

Cagalli was so shocked as she saw a figure came toward them. Her father was there, he was the one who charged the attack. She wondered how he was capable to do inhuman things like this.

"Where did you find her?"

"In the garden, Sir. She was yelling at someone in the house."

"Did you hear any names?"

"Yes, Sir, I believe she said Dearka and Athrun."

"Leave her with me, and join the others. I want them to be found."

"You haven't caught them!" Cagalli smiled at Connile, "Did you hear? They are still free."

Connile nodded, she had some bruises on her body and cheeks.

"So you are not the prisoner?" Uzumi stared to her blankly. "Someone told me that they held you as a prisoner of Athrun Zala. So you are not leading to trap him, but helped him. Am I right?"

"You are not wrong, Athrun held me as his prisoner, but later on he didn't treat me like that but as a guest, and you have no right to attack them."

"Silence! Don't dare defy me."

A soldier came to call him, "We have someone here." Uzumi followed the soldier.

Cagalli hugged Connile, "It is going to be alright, be brave." She whispered gently as she couldn't speak about her mother.

"Is he really your father?"

"Yes."

"He looks at you as he hates you."

"I think he does. You don't have to worry about me, they won't harm me. Tell me what happened? I left Athrun at the lodge and went for a walk. And I found a man, I tried to warn Athrun but he was already gone."

"Mother came to warn you. Didn't you see her? Cagalli I am so afraid, it happened so suddenly. Dearka saw someone at the garden, he and Kira went into the tunnel. I closed the entrance after Athrun when the soldiers came in and dragged me outside.

Cagalli felt relieved, Athrun was safe.

"Milly," she cried as Milly came running to her and hugged her.

"Cagalli, I though you had been shot."

"Milly, don't worry, I'm okay. Have you heard about the others? We think they have escaped."

"No. I ran out after Lady Lenore try to find you, but after that I heard the shots. I think she was hit, but I'm not sure and the soldier dragged me here. Captain Conrad was with them, he gave orders to shoot anyone who tried to run away."

Connile cried violently as she heard about her mother.

"Mother."

"She was shot. I am so sorry… She was on her way to join Athrun but….." Cagalli broke off as she tried to hold tears.

"Cagalli, come here." Uzumi ordered from a few yards away.

"Stay with Connile." Cagalli whispered to Milly and went to him.

As the same to him, she saw the body on the ground. It was Athrun's mother, Miss. Lenore. Athrun's mother was dead, his home was in flames, and his sister was taken as a prisoner. She held the pendant as she closed her eyes and prayed.

"You knew her?"

"Miss Zala, murdered by Conrad."

"She tried to escape so I needed to shoot her." Conrad replied her.

"She came to help me," Cagalli spoke angrily, "Only a coward like you would shoot a woman at her back."

Her father ignored her speaking and asked her, "Where are the others? Someone you called Athrun and Dearka. Tell me if not I will beat you."

"Why not, it won't be the first time you beat me, isn't it Father? And don't waste your time looking for them. They're gone."

"You lie!" her father shouted harshly, "You came running back calling out their names. You thought they were here, and you tried to warn them."

"Yes I lied but I'm not ashamed of it. I makes me sick to look at all this, knowing my father leads men to kill and burn like animals. These people took me and care for me. They were kind, but you don't understand this. To you kindness is weakness."

"Go on, betray me more."

"I don't care." Cagalli cried, "You used your own hatred to turn me into something horrible leaded me to believe that Athrun who is the one behind Afhmed's death. You almost destroyed me, but you can't catch Athrun."

"So you are involved with him? You know who he is, don't you?"

"Yes I know, he is Athrun Zala." Cagalli realized that some of the troopers listened to them. "In the beginning I tried to catch him for myself not you, but I realized you lied to me. Athrun won't kill someone without mercy. Now I know the truth and I am ashamed of it, and if I can make up for it in some way, I will do that."

She spoke firmly, as the others looked at her. They had remarked her as a traitor.

AN: Hope you enjoy this . Oh and I'm sorry after this maybe my update will be slow since I have a job and also school with exam and a lot of homework…. I hate that !. Stay tuned for next chapter Please R&R.