Chapter 2 Unexpected Break-In
A/N Ok, this is where the angst and problems will start surfacing. So those who are waiting for the action and all, this is it! Enjoy!
"Cagalli! Lay the table, please! Oh goodness, the chicken!" exclaimed Ochika, quickly slipping on her kitchen gloves and pulling open the over door, as she had forgotten to take out the roast chicken.
Cagalli nearly bumped into Athrun, who was on his way out of the kitchen balancing two trays of food, one on each hand.
"Mother, what's with all the different dishes? We've only got three guests coming, it's not as if we're feeding an entire kingdom of people! The dining table's already overflowing!" said Cagalli, coming into the kitchen, and helping her mum cool the chicken, which thankfully, wasn't burnt.
"Wrong, Mika from next door's coming over as well! We've got to make sure they're fed properly, or what will they think of us?" asked Ochika hurriedly, placing the chicken neatly on a serving plate and sending Cagalli on her way to lay it on the dining table.
"Miss Ochika, I think you're over paranoid." remarked Athrun knowingly, helping to wash the dishes that were used during the cooking process.
"Better safe than sorry, young man!" replied Ochika sternly, wiping her wet hands on the sides of her apron, before proceeding to cool the oven down, and wipe the kitchen counter, which had tomato pieces and potato skins all over it.
Ochika became even more frantic when the doorbell rang, indicating the arrival of their guests.
"I'll get it!" called Cagalli from the hall, plastering a smile on her face and opening the front door, only to realise that it was a big mistake.
A pair of arms flung themselves onto the blonde girl, making her stagger backwards at the impact.
"Oh! It's so good to see ya!" exclaimed the person, whom the pair arms belonged to, who was none other than, to Cagalli's misfortune, Dearka Elthman.
"Dearka, lay off her, I think you'll give her a heart attack!" warned Miriallia, stepping into her house with her fiance, Kira Yamato.
The couple had gotten engaged two months back, and were planning to get married at the end of the year.
"Don't worry, then I'll take out my sword and defend her heart for her!" answered Dearka brightly.
"Oh goodness, the guy's just as retarded as ever? I thought he would've matured a little over the past two years," whispered Cagalli to Athrun, who merely chuckled softly.
However, the blue-haired co-ordinator's expression became serene and still when he came face to face with Kira.
"Athrun, it's good to see you again." said Kira, smiling warmly at the former justice pilot, who smiled back in relief that his old friend didn't hold a grudge against him for hurting Cagalli.
"Now, I see my patient's fully recovered." added Kira, turning to Cagalli who grinned widely at her former doctor.
"Cagalli, Athrun it's so good to see the both of you again." said Miriallia hugging Cagalli tight, before shaking Athrun's ahnd politely.
"You're still working at my father's company, right?" asked Athrun, looking curiously at Miriallia, how nodded in reply.
"Yeah, and he's all over looking for you with Mia Campbell, and he's not looking for you in a worried way, but in a vengeful way. So far, I don't think he has plans to come here. Though once he searches everywhere else, he might." explained Miriallia, sitting down on the couch with the others.
"Patrick Zala, has come over to the hospital quite a few times already to ask me if I knew where you were. But I declined the whole way," said Kira, smiling warmly at Ochika.
"That guy's an asshole, he doesn't give us any lunchbreaks like ya used to." added Dearka, playing with Holly's rubber ball, and ignoring her protests.
"How did you know I gave lunchbreaks?" asked Athrun, looking curiously at Dearka.
"Athrun, have you forgotten? He works at your father's company as well, he came about two days before you left." said Miriallia knowingly, turning her head towards the front door when there was a soft knock.
"Oh, that must be Mika, I'll get it." said Ochika, hurrying forward to open the door.
Sure enough the shy brownheaded girl entered the house, as Ochika had gestured for her to.
Mika was followed along by a handsome Siberian husky, whom Athrun and Ochika assumed to be Mac.
"Everyone this is, Mika Yukiro, she's our next door neighbour. I've invited her over for lunch as well." said Ochika sweetly, invting Mika to take a seat.
Holly barked joyfully, and trotted up to Mac, who licked her face affectionately.
The others shook hands with Mika, introducing themselves one by one.
"Why don't we all eat, I suppose everyone's hungry right?" asked Ochika, gesturing to everyone to sit around the table.
"Miss Ochika, I'm really sorry about my father. He's a little paranoid and aggressive, and our apologies to Athrun as well." said Mika softly.
"It's ok, it's not the first time," replied Athrun, grinning toothily and displaying a set of perfect teeth.
The bunch of visitors and hosts were about to tuck in when the sound of broken glass came from the kitchen.
"What was that!" exclaiemd Ochika, jumping up from the table and going into the kitchen.
The adoptive mother gave a small scream, when a man held a knife at her throat.
"Where is he?" hissed the man, applying pressure to the knife indicating that death would be the penalty if she didn't answer.
However, Ochika didn't need to answer, Athrun, Cagalli, Mika, Kira, Miriallia and Dearka swarmed aorund the kitchen entrance.
"Ah hah! That's the one, sir!" exclaimed Mr. Yukiro, pointing at Athrun, after climbing in through the kitchen window.
The others all looked petrified at the sight, not only was Ochiak in danger, but the people who had just broken into their house were none other than Patrick Zala, his men and Mika's father.
"Father! How could you tell them where Athrun was! He's done no harm to us at all!" exclaimed Mika, pushing her way into the kitchen.
But before Mr. Yukiro could even open his mouth to speak, someone grabbed Athrun from behind and kissed him tenderly.
"M-Mia!" exclaiemd Athrun, nearly toppling over backwards.
Cagalli looked disgusted and angry at the same time. How dare she just approach Athrun and kiss him like that!
"What're you doing here?" snarled Kira, glaring ferociously at the senior Zala, who just smirked maliciously.
"I'm here, to retrieve my lost son," replied Patrick insolently, letting Ochika go, as she gasped for air.
"Father, I will not come with you, why won't you just let me go? After all, I thought you disowned me!" exclaimed Athrun knowingly, shoving Mia away from him.
"He's disowned you, but I haven't!" squealed Mia babyishly, only bringing annoyance to Athrun.
"This is so wonderful, finally this alien will be out of here for good." said Mr. Yukiro, clapping his hands, clearly satisifed with his evil deed.
"Mind you Mr. Yukiro, the man whom you old where Athrun is, is also a co-ordinator." retorted Cagalli hotly, stomping her foot on the ground.
"I don't care, he'll be gone after this, taking that freakish human with him as well!" spat Mr. Yukiro, shooting Athrun a penetrating stare.
"How did you know we were in this town?" asked Athrun, his breathing becoming heavy and deep.
"Simple, Dearka Elthman told me," said Patrick Zala, laughing cruelly as the others turned stunned towards Dearka.
"You? You opened your big trap and told him we were coming here! You ASSHOLE! YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" bellowed Miriallia, hitting Dearka over and over on the arm.
"That guy's an idiot, he doesn't know how to keep secrets. Trust you to tell him such an important thing and exepct him to keep it to himself." commented Mia, clinging on to Athrun's arm like a leech.
Dearka looked as stoned and blurr as ever, he didn't seem to know anything that was going on around him.
"So Athrun, are you coming with us or not?" asked Patrick, looking at his son and waiting for an answer.
Through the corner of his eye, Patrick signaled to Mia to push Cagalli forward.
Sure enough, the pink-headed imposter reached out and gave the blonde girl a hard shove making her stumble forward.
Patrick grabbd Cagalli, holding one knife perpendicular to her stomach and anotehr at her throat.
"Are you coming or not?" asked Patrick once more, looking at Athrun, who seemed unsure of what to do.
If he went, Cagalli would probably be heartbroken again, but then again, her life was at risk now.
"Athrun!" bellowed Patrick, not taking his gaze away from his son.
Athrun could feel Mia, hanging on tightly to his forearm, and he could hear soem of the others saying 'go' and 'don't go'.
What was Athrun supposed to say? Either way he was trapped.
A/N Ok, this chapter was a little abrupt and spontaneous, I mean the Patrick Zala just pops out of nowehere and takes Cagalli hostage and all. But that's how it should be, the element of suprise. From a bright atmosphere to a uncertain atmosphere. Anyway, sorry for the cliffhanger, please review!