Well it's been roughly one week and in that period of time, I finally had some time to sit down and figure out exactly where I'm going with this and how to time it. Also, my chapters are getting increasingly longer.
But, one chapter at a time! So let's get started!
Cagalli sat impatiently at her table, tugging at the hem of her dress. Athrun chuckled a bit, watching her frustrated expression as she argued with the dark blue material.
"If you keep doing that, you might just rip the whole thing off." he teased. Cagalli looked up, glared, then gave a final tug at the dress before turning around and folding her arms over her chest impatiently. "Remind me what you didn't just wear a longer dress?"
"Because you can't do anything in them. They constrict movement of the legs." She replied stubbornly.
"And why don't you like shorter ones?"
"Because they're too short." She frowned, still standing her ground.
"Of course.. how silly of me." He laughed. Her narrowed eyes darted toward his direction, and she threateningly picked up a salad fork. Athrun pushed his chair back abruptly, and began coughing in an effort to stop his laughter. "My bad."
"It's fine. Besides I can't very well kill the guest of honor..." She said matter-of -factly, tossing the fork back onto the table.
"Well, that too. And the fact that I'd rather not die..."
"Whatever." Cagalli sighed, slumping onto the table and lazily taking a sip of water from her straw.
In reality, there was one other thing that was bothering her. As a waitress, she was used to being the person who served food, not got food served to her. Not that she was complaining. After al, she was studying law, so presumably she would have to get used to this. But just for now, as a student and waitress, it was awkward.
Of course there was also the teensy little fact that Athrun had asked her to go with him... She had been more than willing to go for moral support, but embarrassment, yes? Until he told her it would be as friends. And that Kira and Lacus would also be going as guests. And he'd said it so casually.
So then tonight meant nothing, yes? She was his guest. A friend who he wanted to come to the party. This made the atmosphere relax... just a tad. No pressure, no pressure.
Why wasn't there any pressure? Sometimes he seemed friendly, other times it was as if those two weeks they had known each other as just waitress and customer never happened. Talk about your mixed signals: this was mixed signals in different languages altogether.
But then again, it didn't matter. He was a friend. A good friend.
So, that twist in her chest every time he looked somewhere else, eyes wandering off in the direction of something she couldn't reach...
That meant...
Nothing?
Bloody... NOTHING.
Athrun felt like approaching the closest wall and hitting himself in the head until he was incapable of conscious thought. The entire night thus far, fun as it was, she seemed in her own little world. Protected by a moat, impenetrable barrier and army. Her defenses were up, higher than he had ever seen before.
But why?. Why was she saying nothing? Her words felt empty, lacking enthusiasm. It was almost like she didn't like being here, and had come out of necessity.
Could it have been the way he asked her? He had intended to ask her in a way that would suggest they would be going together...
But then that deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck look in her eyes had scared the bejeebus out of him, and he covered it up with a "just as friends" alibi. Which eased the expression in her face.
Then he said Kira and Lacus would be coming too, and she seemed to relax more... but in a painful kind of way if that made any sense. But what else was he supposed to do? She looked like she was about to have a heart attack for crying out loud!
But had he killed it? Had he downplayed the asking of her to come so much that she was just plain old miserable now?
Not that there was a way to fix this. What was he supposed to say? "Cheer up Cagalli, even if I did ask you, and your brother, and your brother's girlfriend to come, I'd like to think that we still came together. As friends."
Oh Lord. Even his own head was attaching stupid words that killed any intimation towards his emotions. He wasn't... scared was he? Well if Kira found out about the cafe, then breaking into his apartment etc. etc. he'd probably be shot, tied up, then thrown off a cliff...
Athrun winced. Then again it would be unfair of him to declare emotions so quickly... did he like her? In felt like things had changed so much after she 'became' Kira's sister. Sometimes he just wanted to hug her... really hard, and then never let go. Other times, his head would tell him it wasn't right, for some confounded reason, and she was just his best friend's little sister again.
Glanced at her, he almost burst out laughing at how cute she looked, head planted in her arms, which were folding across the table. Pouting slightly out of boredom, or defiance, with he eyes narrowed dully, as if she was going to fall asleep any minute. She looked like a 10 year old kid, in the last 5 minutes of school on a Friday.
Cagalli's eyes wandered to her left... empty seat. beside that, another empty seat. Kira and Lacus... she sighed. She glanced tot e right. Athrun... who was fidgeting restlessly as much as physically possible in the rather uncomfortable chairs.
"Hey, aren't you hot?" Cagalli wondered aloud.
"Come again?" Athrun blinked. Cagalli stuttered, realizing she had spoken aloud.
"You're wearing a suit. I'm wearing this... thing" she frowned, surveying her clothes with distaste, "But you've got a shirt, jacket the whole works. Are you okay?"
Athrun laughed good naturedly, and loosened his tie a bit, "I'm putting up with it." He replied, tugging at his shirt collar. He moved his hand down to straighten his tie again.
"Here, I'll do that." Cagalli said, straightening up and reaching over. Athrun jumped back slightly out of surprise, then felt heat rise up his neck as her hand got closer.
"Wow you really are hot. You're practically bright red." Cagalli noted, clueless as to any other reason why the poor boy's usually pale face resembled a stoplight. "There, all done." She smiled, patting the tie and leaning back.
Suddenly Mr. Corden stood up and approached the stage. Athrun tensed, unsure of what to do. He scanned the room quickly, seeing that Kira and Lacus had noticed as well and were headed back to the table as quickly as possible. Suddenly he felt something on his hand.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine." Cagalli assured, giving his hand a light squeeze. Letting go, she picked up her drink and signaled for a waiter to come over. Athrun blinked, then stared down at his hand. A smile began to spread across his face, as he looked back to the stage.
Kira was beginning to regret coming back to the table. He was planning to tell her tonight, about what had happened. But just as he was going to suggest they move somewhere more secluded, Athrun's boss stood up to announce his retirement and they had to rush back.
Half of him was frustrated that this was so difficult.
The other half was relieved that he could put it off a little longer.
Turning to look at Lacus, he couldn't help but smile when he saw how peaceful she looked. he didn't want to tell her. He didn't want it to be true. And if he told her, it would be like he had given in.
Clenching his fist slightly, his mind whirred with a thousand possible reactions from her, each as unlikely as the next. But in that moment, they all seemed perfectly feasible. Redirecting his attention, he tried to tear his mind from personal matter. Tonight was Athrun's night. He'd deal with his own problems later.
Athrun frowned slightly, at the literal mob of people that had just swarmed him. Shortly following Mr. Corden's speech, it took the media, investors in the company, and anyone else who gave a hoot, about half an hour to even figure out who the hell he was.
Then they came FLOCKING.
Like geese. They sounded like them so. A gaggle of giddy geese.
"No, I don't have specific plans. No, I don't want to sell the company, Yes I am ready to take on this responsibility. What the-? No, I don't' want to marry your daughter. And I definitely don't want to marry your son!" He stared incredulously at a well dressed elderly woman, who seemed eager to advance her position by any means possible.
"Please everyone, stop swarming him." Mr. Corden's voice was heard, booming from the stage. Gradually the crowd began to dissipate, and Athrun quickly ran outside to get fresh air.
Cagalli watched Athrun run off, curious as to why she didn't run off with him. Hell she was SITTING beside the guy. Most people assumed they were together and started making passes at her too.
"You aren't... dating him are you?" A voice asked, as if on cue. Cagalli turned and glared daggers in the general direction of where the sound had come from.
"No! So for the love of God I can't get you an advantage!"
A purple haired man, who Cagalli could only assume was the person who had spoke, shrugged. "Just clarifying. What is your name, may I ask?"
"Cagalli. But that doesn't matter because I'll probably never see you ever again anyways."
the man smirked. "Just curious. My name's Jona by the way. I do hope to see you again though. I might be doing some business with this company, so you never know."
"Mm hmm..." Cagalli mumbled miserably.
"You still sound bored though. Anything I can help with?"
Cagalli looked around. "Get me another drink. I think it's going to be a long night."
Jona laughed. "Will do." He nodded, signaling for a waiter.
Athrun leaned against the balcony edge, looking out at the sky. His mother had been so happy about his hair. It was the same color as the night. But it had been a long time since he'd seen her... it'd been a long time since he saw anyone.
He had his hands full already, just being assistant. How on earth was he supposed to handle this as a director?... Was he REALLY ready to take on this responsibility?
He contemplated never going back in there. Ever. The cool, damn air felt good, and it was so stuffy inside. Leaning over a bit, he peeked inside. Kira and Lacus had already left the table again... Kira was probably going to tell Lacus.
As far as Athrun knew, he was the first person Kira had told. Both because they were best friends, and because he needed advice. But Lacus wasn't the type of person to overreact.
Then again... this was pretty bad...
Taking another quick peek in, he caught sight of someone approaching Cagalli... Jona Saran if he wasn't mistaken. He owned some property that they were interested in...
Scooting over a bit to get a better view, a smile lightly brushed onto his face as Cagalli seemed to reject any attempt Jona made to instigate a conversation. Suddenly, he frowned a bit, as Jona called over a waiter and handed Cagalli a drink. Cagalli was just about to stand up it seemed, before Athrun took a step in, trying to look as casual as possible.
Kira led Lacus into the garden, doing his best to keep a straight face. She was the last person he had to tell now. Athrun had been the first, and if Cagalli hadn't been the second she would have wrangled him. Plus, he need advice from both of them, to figure out how to approach the matter.
Lacus sat down on a wooden bench, motion him to come and sit too. Kira obliged happy wrapping and arm around her and leaning in.
"Lacus?..." He began, more shakily than he had intended. Lacus picked up the wavering tone and looked up at him.
"Something wrong?"
"No... ah, well.. maybe." He admitted.
"That's a yes." Lacus sighed, moving back. "Spill."
It was about time. Kira had been keeping something from her the entire week. It was strange: Usually she was the first person that he would come to when he had any problems at all, but this time it felt like he was deliberately avoiding her...
"Lacus... how long was I gone last time?" He started nervously.
"About three months..." She answered warily.
"And back then, what did you say when I told you I had to be away for so long?"
"I told you that it would be hard, but I'd wait for you." She replied. Kira smiled at the memory.
"What if I told you... I had to leave again?"
Cagalli was about to stand up, because as uninterested in Jona she was he was someone to talk to. And he had gotten her a drink. So giving him five minutes of her time would be relatively reasonable.
Turning her head for a second, she caught sight of Athrun, who had just returned. When suddenly a few people blocked him, to ask questions, she assumed.
"So then, what brings you here?" She sighed, turning her attention back towards Jona. Jona traced her former line of sight, eyes landing on a blue haired, recently made owner of a company. He smiled inwardly…
"Like I said, I won a business with my father. We've been negotiating some property transfers with this company, so it's only natural we would come. And you didn't really say what brings you here, especially if you're not accompanying Mr. Zala."
Cagalli shrugged. "I'm 'accompanying' him. Just not WITH him. I'm here with him, and two other people."
"Interesting..." Jona smiled to himself, taking another glance in the direction of Athrun, who seemed desperate work his way through he crowd and get back to the table. "He's so young..." He smiled at a passing thought that came to his head.
"Care to dance?"
Cagalli paused, her champagne glass held in mid-air. "P-Pardon?"
"Want to dance?" the purple haired man repeated, taking another glance at Athrun, who was still a good distance away.
"I... can't really dance."
"I can teach you." She shrugged. "It's easy." And with that, he pulled her away.
Lacus stared at Kira numbly.
"Again?..."
Kira nodded solemnly. "Yeah... they need someone to go as a representative to the European conference... It wasn't supposed to be me, but now it is."
Lacus looked down. He was deliberately holding back details so that she could have time to digest the basics first. "I see... and there's no other way?"
Kira shook his head.
"Okay, I'll ask you one more question. Do you want to go?"
Kira blinked and looked up. "Do I... want to go?"
Lacus nodded. "Do you? Forget about me, or any other influence, and effects. Just take it at face value. DO you want to go?"
Kira paused. Forgetting about all effects was difficult, but if it was just going to be a trip there...
And he didn't have to leave her behind...
"Yes, yes I think so."
Lacus broke into a smiled and hugged him. "That's all I need to know. Do it if you want to Kira. I'm not going to hold you back. Ever."
Kira froze, completely stunned. That was it?... That was it? Smiling, he looked down at her and hugged her back.
"It'll be for maybe a month... or so. We'll talk everyday, and I promise to be back in time for Christmas."
Lacus nodded, words still muffled into his chest. "It's fine. Have fun." She looked up at him, and he smiled lovingly back at her.
"I'll try."
Athrun's mind had never panicked this much in his entire life. one minute Cagalli and Saran were chatting at the table, the next he had no idea where they were. Excusing himself as politely, and as fast as possible, then rushing over to the table, he frowned. They were nowhere in sight.
But she had come with him!
As friends...
Oh lord.
Taking off, he meandered and threaded through the crowd as quickly as possible, simply looking for a blonde head.
So, put your right hand on my shoulder... Yup, just like that. Okay now I take your left hand in mine. Now whatever way my right hand guides you, move with it. And follow my steps. I'll go slowly at first, so you can get the hang of it."
Cagalli nodded, staring at her feet and trying to figure out what the hell she was doing.
"Lift your head." Jona noted.
Cagalli glared. "Do you want to have your feet amputated or what?" Jona burst out laughing, when suddenly Cagalli felt something tap her shoulder lightly.
"Mr. Zala! How can I help you?" Jona greeted, plastering a smile on his face. "Might I also add my congratulations?"
"Much appreciated." Athrun nodded stiffly, his hand already on Cagalli's wrist, his eyes glaring at her other hand, which was still held by Jona. "Mind if I cut in?"
Jona blinked, looked at Cagalli who seemed to be fascinated in the marble floor, lips pressed tightly and eyebrows furrowed with apprehension, and Athrun who was trying to subdue a vicious glare. "Not at all, but I'm afraid this young lady can't dance."
"Then I'll teach her." Athrun brushed off the comment. Jona nodded, and turned to walk away before pausing and turning around again.
"Ah, Zala. One more thing... About that property sale. My father would like that to be dealt with as soon as possible. Would you have any spare time this weekend to sign some contracts, so we can turn that land over to you?"
Athrun stared for a bit. "I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to do so. I have yet to personally visit the land, which I would like to do, before I settle on anything. After all, this may very well turn out to be the first deal under the company's new leadership. I would hate for anything to go wrong." He paused for a moment. "And also, if possible I'd like to personally negotiate with your father himself."
Jona nodded, either not catching the slight insult or simply choosing to ignore it. "Of course. Feel free to come and take a look anytime. And feel free to bring Ms. Athha as well." He added with enthusiasm, stealing a glance at the shocked blonde.
Athrun cringed at the thought, but held his tongue and nodded. "We can work out the details later."
Cagalli watched the two men talk... It was like a verbal tennis match. But Jona's sudden reference towards her and thrown her off, and Athrun too apparently.
Then she was promptly pulled away by Athrun, who was walking unusually fast.
"A-Athrun? I thought we were going to dance..." She stammered uncertainly.
"Hm?" He stopped and turned around, his face back to normal. "Oh, do you actually want to?"
"Um, well I don't know..." Cagalli shrugged, feigning indifference. Athrun smiled affectionately and pulled her towards him, hand positioned on the small of her back.
"All right. First step, forget everything. I am the only person that matters right now. Got it?"
Cagalli blinked and nodded, staring at the ground as he began to pull her along with the music.
"Careful, careful... don't worry I've got you." He offered encouragingly. The rest of the night continued similarly, gliding along the floor in a world of their own. Whenever Cagalli was doing well, Athrun would compliment her. Whenever she messed up, they'd laugh about it together and continue. By the time it was all over, the time had passed so quickly and Kira and Lacus had rejoined them.
They sat in the back of the limo on the ride home, idly chatting. However, Athrun seemed distant in some ways. Staring out the window, his thoughts seemed to be caught in something they couldn't figure out.
"Hey, Kira, when do you leave?" he suddenly interrupted. Kira paused momentarily.
"I'm not sure. I think next week. Why?"
"Want to come visit a summer resort with me?"
Again, all three people present other than Athrun raised an eyebrow.
"Um Athrun... as much as I like you man..." Kira started,
"I don't think Kira's really..." Cagalli continued,
"That type of..." Lacus added.
"No, no, don't get me wrong! I'm not gay! Lacus would be coming as well and Cagalli if she wants. It's the Saran resort. I've decided it would be best to resolve the issue, so I'll go up there this weekend. It can also be a send-off present."
Kira and Lacus nodded approvingly, and Cagalli smiled. They turned to each other, broke into wide grins, then faced Athrun again, and spoke in unison:
"Sounds like fun. Count me in!"
So then, the stage is set but how will this trip unfold? Can Athrun get off on a good start and seal off the contract? And what about Cagalli tagging along? Questions answered in the next chapter, so be sure to check out, "Bubbling Doubts". Because, "sometimes we need to think things through…"
In reality, I think next chapter may end up being really long, because of the sheer amount of STUFF I have planned for it. I'd hate to break it into two parts, but if it gets that big I might.
As for this chapter, I'm really excited about it. I was facing a bit of writer's block on top of my schedule for the past few weeks, so I'm truly sorry if anything seemed dull. At first, this was pretty short too, so I added a bunch of stuff.
As for Kira and Lacus, sorry to anyone that was expecting a bigger reaction, but come on now: It's Kira and Lacus. These guys never have problems… like EVER. Probably THE most stable relationship ever.
Finally, the part that some of you may be trying to kill me over: Jona (who is often referred to as 'Yunna Seiran' due to fansubs… his official spelling of his name is "Jona Saran", as far as I know. Said exactly like 'Yunna' though). Yes, he is in this fic. I needed a someone with a profession role for this, and Jona seemed to fit. However, unlike the later episodes GSD I will not portray him as a bumbling idiot, but rather as the person he was at the start, who was rather sneaky and persuasive. (Cough), and that's all I'm going to say for now. D
Now for major props to my awesome reviewers! There were some mixed reactions to Athrun owning a company. I saw anywhere from how it seemed fitting, to how surprising it was. But there was a very positive reaction to it, and certainly something I was uber-happy about. So thanks a lot guys:
rain angst, Freyris, Eternally Asuka, Cagalli Yula Athha Fangirl
, gundamseedluver, b4k4 ch4n, Living Arrow, Mika-chan , Craze Izumi, The Angels' Princess, AznOrchadork, Torri-Chiobie, give me food, IYGU, XCrossMyHeartX, moi, XxbuffyxX, stuntsheep, KiraFreedom, kura52, clumsykelli, Smoke-Angel, ichigo kagura, animemistress419, FreedomElf, koali alolao, animeluver461, cloudy mind, gseedlover, Orange Noel, new moongirl, ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice, asga, MXC - the show- rocks my socks, Cagalli-01, Maryam Khanoom
Much thanks goes out to these guys, and also just people that are checking this out, but don't want to review.
Until next week!