Chapter 5 A Brand New Day

A/N Ok, the last few chapters may have seemed a little repetative of the prequel to this fanfic, but from this chapter onwards, you'll see the actual plot surfacing. So, I hope you'll enjoy it!

Cagalli groaned slightly, as she rolled over on her side, every muscle in her body aching. Her honey-brown eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was the face of her auburn-haired friend and her worried sick mother.

"Oh, honey. I though you might have moved on!" exclaimed Ochika, bending down and kissing Cagalli tenderly on the forehead, before pushing her fringe back, so she could take a good look at her blonde daughter.

"It wouldn't be worth it, if I had," muttered Cagalli in a muffled voice.

However, the blonde girl's words shocked both her foster mother and her friend, who were staring stunned down at her.

Miriallia shook her head again, before scratching the insides of her ear, and returning her attention to Cagalli once more. The auburn-haired girl swore she thought her ears were lying to her. Did Cagalli just say it wasn't worth dying?

The foster mother seemed just as puzzled and amazed, she had expected her daughter to ask why she was still here and why she was still alive.

"What's wrong with the both of you? You look as if you've just seen a ghost or something," said Cagalli, staring up at the duo in front of her.

"Nothing's wrong, it's just that we thought you'd ask why you were still alive?" said Ochika so softly, it was almost inaudible.

"I mean, the last time you'd start crying and refuse to talk to us and all. I hate to ask you, but aren't you still heartbroken over Athrun?" questioend Miriallia, biting her lip, hoping the blonde girl wouldn't revert to her former self once more.

As expected, Cagalli's eyebrows furrowed and knitted tighly, and her expression switched from a curious and stunned expression, to a hurt and depressed expression.

However, the blonde girl's reply stunned Miriallia and Ochika even further.

"Well, I sort of had a dream earlier. I heard a voice telling me that if I lost the will to live, and had moved off, I would be breaking more hearts and bringing a lot of grief and sadness to you, mother. Besides, I think if I had died, I would be being rather selfish." explained Cagalli bluntly.

Ochika and Miriallia stared at one another for a moment, before turning to Cagalli and smiling wryly at her.

"Honey, I'm just glad you've come around and that you've learnt the true meaning of life." said Ochika, bending forwards a little so she could draw her daughter into her tight embrace.

Kira entered the ward, a cheerful smile spread across his face, before looking questioningly at his fiancee for an explanation of the current scenario.

"You won't believe it, but the moment Cagalli came around she seems to have lost almost all of her hurtful feelings for Athrun. She doesn't seem to be the least depressed of heartbroken." whispered Miriallia, into Kira's ear, the young doctor nodding slowly.

"That's interesting. But since she's this way, I think we should just let her be." replied Kira knowingly, nodding his head sternly in his fiancee's direction.

"Honey, are you hungry? I could quickly make a trip to the hopsital and whip up some of your favourite fish porridge?" asked Ochika, slowly walking away and quickening her pace when Cagalli nodded and grinned sweetly.

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It was nearing dark, and Athrun and Mia had settled down by the dining table to wait for Patrick Zala to arrive and start off the banquet.

"Athrun, are you excited, about tomorrow?" asked Mia sweetly, smiling babyishly up at her fiance, who just quickly nodded uneasily.

The blue-haired co-ordinator had only just realised and remembered that he and Mia's wedding was to be held tomorrow, at the town church tomorrow.

"I can already imagine you, looking so charmingly handsome in that black tuxedo. It'll be like a dream come true for me, my prince charming." said Mia leaning sideways onto Athrun and nuzzling his shoulder gently.

Although Mia was two years Athrun's junior, he always thought that girls matured faster than guys, but she was ever so childish still. It was either she was immature, or she was plainly trying to act cute to win him over.

However, actign cute was not going to win Athrun over at all. He hated people who impersonated others, and worst of all, acted cute and refused to show their true being and character.

Athrun was pulled out of his thoughts when his father arrived and cleared his throat loudly.

Mia greeted Patrick Zala lively, followed by Athrun who did it in a stern and formal manner like he had always done so since he was a little boy.

Back then, when he was still a juvenile co-ordinator, things were the better than they could ever have been. His mother was always there to accompany him when his father was out working at PLANTs.

But ever sicne his mother was killed in the Junius 7 incident, things screwed up and went haywire. This incident was partially the cause of his father's curent personality, and his extreme and vengeful hate for naturals.

"Athrun, I'm sure you're aware that by tomorrow, the pair of you will be wed?" questioned Patrick Zala, looking expectantly at his blue-haired son, who had aquired most of his mother's traits.

"I'm aware, father. Rest assured, I will not let you down." answered Atrhun, trying to sound firm, although it pained him to force thew ords up his throat and out of his mouth.

If he didn't let his father down, he would be betraying Cagalli, but what choice did he have now? It was too late, Kira and the others probably wouldn't be so cunnign and appear on the wedding day and steal Athrun back again.

What's worse, Cagalli was probably as hurt and depressed as ever.

"Very well, you've certainly proved yourself worthy of being my son." stated Patrick, tucking into his dinner.

"Thank you, father," replied Athrun firmly, beginning his dinner as well, and forcing hismelf to eat even though he had no apetite at all.

After dinner, Patrick gathered Athrun in the lounge so he could give him his blessings and so he could speak to them privately.

"Athrun, after you marry Mia, I hope you'll be able to make her happy." said Patrick Zala, fiddling with his cigar.

"Rest assured I will," said Atrhun, saluting his father.

"Also, I don't care whether you love her or not, just make sure she's contented. If I hear of anything from her, I'll know how to deal with you. In addition, if you do something else, I'll let you see that freakin' natural lover of yours whenever you want." said Patrick, his gaze returning to Athrun.

Athrun had perked up at his father's statement, and seemed eager to listen. "I'll do anything, please," he pleaded, losing his formal appearance.

"You must keep faithful to Mia though, I will allow you to see that dumb blonde anytime you like if you consumnate your marriage with Mia." explained Patrick, smoking his cigar.

Athrun nearly choked on his saliva. Consumnate his marriage, with Mia? Oh goodness, this couldn't be happenening. He had already betrayed Cagalli bad enough, the last thing he wanted to do, was to betray her even more by consumnating his marriage with Mia.

Once Patrick had made his point clear, he exitted the lounge, leaving Athrun sitting there, stoned and stunned.

There was an awkward silence, before Mia's shrill voice calling his name, made him get up and tend to her needs.

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"Cagalli, the doctors have decided to move you form this unit to the general unit, where you'll be able to get up and walk around." said Kira, smiling widely at the blodne girl, who had just finished with her porridge.

Just then, Mika came walking in, holding two leashes, one leashing Mac and the other leashing Holly.

Holly barked jovially at the sight of her owner, who frantically quitened the dog down, so that she would not awaken other ward patients.

Mika unleashed Holly, so the female husky could jump up onto her owner's bed to lie down.

"Holly, you can't stay here like last time. You're too big," said Cagalli stroking her pet husky's thick and glossy fur.

"Oh Cagalli, I'm so glad you're alright." said Mika, careful not to bring up anything about Athrun,as Ochika had gave her a tinkle earlier and had delivered the good enws to her and had explained everything fully.

"Thanks," replied Cagalli politely, shifting over to hte side a little so Holly could settle down comfortably.

"Umm Mika, when you came here, was anyone following you?" asked Miriallia nervously, seeing a tanned skinned man with blonde hair approaching the ward.

"Not that I knew of, why?" asked Mika curiously, but ebfore Mirre woulc reply, the man walked in.

"Heya! It's so good to see ya! Are ya ok, now?" asked Dearka Elthman, walking up to Cagalli.

"Yes I'm fine, you jackass. Now I don't need any super glue," said Cagalli bluntly.

"Aren't ya sad about what happened?" asked Dearka, before Kira could clamp his hand oevr the blonde guy's mouth.

"Not anymore, I'll live," replied Cagalli, sighing and lying down on her bed.

A/N A lot of people say that Dearka's a little blurr and nutty in this fanfic, well he's supposed to be. It's just to add some humour, anyway, Cagalli's character has changed a lot hasn't it? Well, I guess you'll be glad to know she'll be back to normal soon. Anyway, pls review!