JC: Ah!! I hate exams! I'm having a hard time in Chemistry, but I'm doing my best. I will pass, I just know it. Exams, yup, they are the main reason why I update late. Got to focus on my studies first. Anyway, Rey, Gil and his three bodyguards will arrive in ORB. What is Rey's relationship to Cagalli? I'm sure you guys are in for a surprise. Please read on!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed and the characters.

Love Fulfilled

Phase 07: Fiancé or friend?

A shuttle with the ZAFT symbol on it had arrived in ORB Military HQ. Gilbert Dullindal and Rey Za Burrel, along with three bodyguards wearing red ZAFT uniforms, got off of the shuttle. They were properly greeted by several ORB officers and soldiers.

A blue-haired man with a colonel rank stepped out and welcomed the Coordinators. "I'm pleased to meet you, PLANT Supreme Chairman Dullindal." He saluted the Chairman properly as a sign of respect and courtesy. "I am Colonel Kisaka."

The three bodyguards saluted back. Kisaka glanced briefly at them and realized that they were still very young. Two of them were about the age of nineteen and one of them was about sixteen. The youngest soldier had furious red eyes and messy black hair, while the one with the white hair had clear crystal blue eyes and other one was blonde and purple eyed. Kisaka had to admit that they were fine-looking soldiers.

Rey's eyes wandered around in search for a certain blonde girl. He noticed that she wasn't there, so he deeply sighed. "Where is she?" he asked himself. "I thought she'll be here." He grimaced. He turned serious in an instant when Gil called his attention.

"Are you looking for her?" Gil asked him politely.

"Isn't it obvious, Gil? I want to see her," Rey replied in a rough tone.

Gil clenched his fist, but he tried to stay calm, because the ORB soldiers were watching him. He turned to Kisaka and asked, "Where is Princess Cagalli? Rey wants to see her."

"The princess and the head representative are waiting for you in the lounge," Kisaka answered him. "Please follow me." Turning around, he started walking.

Gil, Rey and the bodyguards followed Kisaka to the lounge. There, Rey smiled when he saw Cagalli.

"Cagalli-san!" Rey called as he approached the blonde until he was a few inches from her.

Cagalli smiled back at him and formally saluted him. "It's nice to see you again, Rey Za Burrel."

"What's with the politeness? It's not like you," Rey told her.

"I know, I was just kidding." Cagalli giggled.

Rey noticed Athrun standing behind Cagalli, looking straight at him. His emerald-green eyes somehow struck his heart with a strange feeling. "Cagalli-san, who is he?" Rey gestured his hand at Athrun.

"Him?" Cagalli muttered, looking at Athrun. "He's my friend and bodyguard, Athrun Zala."

Athrun stepped forward and saluted him. "Lt. Athrun Zala of ORB Military," he promptly introduced himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

Rey saluted back and smiled courteously at Athrun. "I'm sure you're doing your best in protecting Cagalli-san," he told him. "Keep up the good work, Lt. Zala."

"Thank you," replied Athrun.

Cagalli turned to the chairman and saluted. "It's been a long time, Chairman Dullindal."

The chairman grinned at her. "You have grown into a beautiful woman, Cagalli-san. You were still a child the last time I saw you."

Cagalli slightly blushed at the compliment. She turned her head away from the chairman. "I... I don't think so. I'm still a tomboy and I still hate dresses!" she reminded him.

Gil stared at her current attire and smirked. "I thought you said you hated skirts."

"I do, but Kira made me wear this!"

"I forced her to wear a skirt, so she'll look like a lady in front of Rey," Kira spoke as he entered the lounge.

"And I'm going to kill you once we'll get home," Cagalli warned her brother. She marched towards Kira and shot him a serious glare. Her golden-brown eyes were furious enough to make the brunette representative nervous.

Kira smiled and laughed uneasily at her. "I better stay away from her for now," he told himself. He turned to Rey and Gil and extended his hand to shake hands with them. "I'm glad that you two made it to ORB safely."

"Thank you, Kira-sama." Rey took Kira's hand and shook it.

Gil also did the same thing after Rey was done. "Now let us talk about the current situation of our nation, Representative Yamato," he suggested.

Kira nodded. "Yes, we'll talk in the meeting room." He then told Gil to follow him to the desired place. He walked out of the lounge first, followed by Gil and one bodyguard—the one with the blonde hair.

"I thought they would never leave." Cagalli sighed as she turned to Rey. "Are you free right now?" she asked him.

Rey nodded his head. "Yes, I am. Why do you ask?"

Cagalli smiled and held his hands, making Rey blush a bit. "Let's do something fun!" she spouted as she turned her head to the window, where she could see some mobile suits standing stiffly beside the buildings. "Let's go to the city." She then threw a soft gaze at him.

The blonde guy couldn't resist her, so he had no choice but to agree with her. He slowly nodded his head at the princess. "Okay, but let's try not to get in trouble this time." He remembered the last time he went to the city with Cagalli. It was mayhem all over, but he still had fun with her.

Flashback

A 10 year-old Rey Za Burrel and Cagalli Yula Athha were walking through the streets of ORB. Since they were related to supreme leaders, they hid their identity under hats and sunglasses. They headed to the park and played basketball. Since there was nobody around, they took off their glasses and hats.

Rey was going offense, while Cagalli was in defense. Rey tried to pass her, but she held a tight defense. "You're pretty good, Cagalli-san," Rey told her.

"I practice a lot, you know," Cagalli boasted.

At that moment Cagalli managed to swipe the ball from Rey and in an instant, she turned and faced the ring. With one straight jump, she threw the ball and it landed in the ring. She had successfully scored a point. She raised her hands and hollered one big 'hurray!' She turned to Rey and broadly smiled at him while making a peace sign.

He sighed and scratched his head. "I can't believe I lost to a girl," he mumbled.

"Don't let it get to you," Cagalli said. "It was just a game and it was so fun!"

Just then, coming out of nowhere, a soccer ball hit Rey on the head. Rey immediately dropped to his knees and held the sore part of his head.

"Rey, are you all right?" Cagalli asked, kneeling down to his level.

"I think so," Rey replied. "Where did that ball come from?" He pointed curiously at the soccer ball.

"I'm so sorry about that!" A boy appeared and ran towards them. He bowed his head and apologized.

Rey looked at the boy. "It's o—."

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" the blonde girl broke him off. "You hurt my friend here!" She stood and glared at the boy.

"I said I was sorry," defended the boy.

"It's really okay, Cagalli-san. It was just an accident." Rey tried to calm her down.

Cagalli faced Rey with a pissed look. "Are you sure? I can teach this boy a lesson if you want."

Rey shook his head and waved his hands in dismay. "No, Cagalli-san!"

"You're too kind, Rey. If you're going to be the future leader of PLANT, then you can't have that attitude. Rey Za Burrel, why don't you act tough for once? "

"Rey Za Burrel and Cagalli?" the boy murmured as he stared at the two blondes.

The two turned to the boy and gasped. "Oh no... If this boy finds out..." Rey thought. "I don't like this," Cagalli whispered to Rey.

The boy looked at them closely. After a second, he realized that it was really them. The daughter of the Chief Representative and the nephew of the PLANT Supreme Chairman were standing right in front of him! The boy got thrilled. "Princess Cagalli and Rey Za Burrel, I'm so glad to meet you!" he shouted so loud that the other kids heard him.

In an instant, a huge crowd of kids surrounded them like bees.

"Now look at what you did." Rey narrowed his eyes at Cagalli,

Smiling awkwardly at him, Cagalli scratched the back of her head and lightly laughed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to." The princess wanted to apologize more, but Rey told her to save it until they were out of that mess.

The kids were begging for their autograph and Cagalli gladly signed them.

However, she got dragged away by Rey before she could even sign all of the kids' books. When they realized the kids were following them, they immediately bolted out of sight. The two of them ran like they were in a marathon.

"My feet are killing me!" Cagalli complained.

"Quit whining if you don't want to end up as one of their collections," Rey told her.

"Whatever..." Cagalli rolled her eyes away.

Flashback ended

Rey and Cagalli laughed at the memories of their childhood days.

"Are you still being treated like a celebrity until now?" Rey suddenly asked.

Cagalli nodded in response. "And I'm really sick of it."

"You're the princess and it's only natural for you to have so many admirers."

"Well, you're probably the best-looking guy in PLANT. I'm sure you have tons of fan girls."

"Giggling girls are scary and annoying. I don't really enjoy their screams."

"You're lucky that I'm not like them."

"That's good to hear."

Athrun and Rey's bodyguards watched the two blondes talking and laughing out loud. From their point of view they seemed to be a match made from heaven. Their closeness was making Athrun awfully jealous. He tried hiding his displeased expression, but the bodyguard with the red-eyes seemed to notice it.

"You don't look too happy there," the red-eyed guy spoke.

Athrun glanced at him with a 'huh' face.

"Rey is really the perfect guy for the princess," he said, crossing his arms. "Don't you agree with me?"

Athrun really didn't want to agree, but he still nodded his head. "Ye...Yeah..." he softly spoke with a little hesitation.

Shinn noticed his expression again. He knew that something was bothering Athrun. He didn't want to get nosy, so he just asked his name. "You, what's your name?"

"I'm Athrun Zala," Athrun answered.

"Well, I'm Shinn Asuka," Shinn replied. "This guy beside me is Yzak Joule." He pointed at his fellow bodyguard who had silver hair and blue eyes.

"You two are bodyguards of Rey Za Burrel, right?" asked Athrun.

"Yup and we're friends too," Shinn replied.

"How about you, Zala?" Yzak questioned Athrun with a serious expression. "How are things going with you and the princess?" He turned his head to look at the blonde girl.

"It's okay. We're good friends too. Cagalli... I mean... Princess Cagalli has been good to me." Athrun explained.

Shinn leaned on the wall and glanced back at Athrun coolly. "You call her by first name... That's good to hear. It really means that you two are close like Rey, Yzak and me."

"Tell me something…" Athrun lowered his head as he narrowed his eyes. "How long has Rey been friends with Cagalli?" he asked.

"They've been friends since childhood," told Shinn.

Athrun sighed. "I see..." His eyes softened and his smile turned upside down. He knew his heart was calling out to Cagalli, but his mind held Rey's image in it. He watched her again and noticed how she looked while talking to Rey. Her cheeks were slightly red and her smile was so wide. At that point, Athrun guessed Cagalli liked Rey more than a friend.

Mansion

When they reached the mansion, Athrun and Cagalli immediately headed to the living room and settled themselves on the couches.

Athrun slouched on his seat as he thought about Rey and Cagalli as a couple. He had kept on sighing since the time they left HQ.

She noticed him sighing a lot and wondered what his problem was. She moved a bit closer to him and placed a hand on top of his. "What's the matter Athrun?" she asked.

When Athrun threw his gaze on her, his heart pounded like crazy and his cheeks flushed up in an instant. He lowered his head and shook his head slowly. "Nothing is wrong, Cagalli... I'm just tired that's all." He just lied, because he didn't want her to know that Rey was causing him to be so troubled.

Although her bodyguard told her he was fine, she wasn't satisfied. She was so sure that something was bothering him, but she can't force him to tell her. She took her hand back and held her chest. "Athrun, what do you think of Rey?" She changed the topic.

The bodyguard raised his head and looked at the blonde with a stunned face. "Rey Za Burrel? Well... um..." he said. He really didn't want to talk about Rey or say anything nice about him. But he didn't want to hurt Cagalli's feeling, knowing that she was friends with Rey. "He seems to be a nice guy, and I hear he's really popular and athletic," he told her with slight hesitation. He felt bitter after saying such things.

Cagalli smiled. "I'm glad to hear that," she said. "Rey is a total gentleman, but sometimes his politeness is too much for me to handle." She giggled a bit.

Athrun blushed again when he saw Cagalli's smile. It was a warm smile of an angel. If it was possible, he could have taken a picture of her but unfortunately, he didn't have his camera at that time. Note to self: Always bring camera to capture Cagalli's cute moments.

Kira entered the room and spotted his sister and Athrun. He greeted the two and took a seat right next to his twin. "What are you guys talking about?" he questioned.

"It's nothing important," Cagalli answered.

"I see..." Kira murmured as he frowned and stared at the floor.

Cagalli could sense the presence of melancholy in Kira's heart, since she was basically his twin sister, and it was natural for twins to feel each others emotions.

The brunette stayed quiet. He glanced at Cagalli with a weak smile and posture. He wanted to tell the blonde something important, but he knew it would only make her angry. "Cagalli, you and Rey are..." he started and became quiet again.

"What is it?" Cagalli asked, looking at her brother with a smile.

"I don't know how to say this but..."

"Spit it out, Kira..." Cagalli was getting impatient with him. She was never the type to be patient anyway.

"You and Rey are engaged."

Both Cagalli and Athrun gasped in surprise. It was so unexpected.

"What are you saying?!" Cagalli grabbed her brother by the collar. "He's just my friend. I don't want him to be my fiancé!"

Kira slightly bowed his head at her. "I'm sorry about this, but Chairman Dullindal insisted on this. I was surprised as well." He looked up at his sister, but his eyes caught sight of Athrun. The bodyguard seemed pissed, and he wondered about him for a while, but he immediately drew his attention back to his twin.

Cagalli stood up and faced Kira angrily. "Tell the chairman that I don't want to be engaged," she demanded.

"Don't worry, Cagalli, I'll talk to him again. I'm sure he'll understand your feelings and I'm sure Rey disapproves of this as well."

"You're right." Cagalli heaved a deep sigh. "Just make sure, Kira, or your dead meat," she warned, glaring at him at the same time.

"I'll remember that. Well then, I'll see you later." Kira stood up and exited the living room quietly.

Cagalli sat down and folded her arms. "I can't believe this!" she pouted. "Me and Rey, engaged? I can't even imagine myself dating Rey. What is Chairman Dullindal thinking?"

"So you really don't have feelings for Rey?" Athrun asked out of curiosity.

She shook her head rapidly. "No, he's just my friend for crying out loud!" she wailed.

"I'm sorry for asking."

"No, don't be." Her voice softened as she looked at him. "Sure, he's nice, kind, handsome, and athletic, but Rey is not the guy I want to fall in love with."

Athrun got thrilled after hearing that. His heart almost broke into pieces when Kira announced Cagalli's engagement to Rey. He still had a chance to win her heart after all.

The princess noticed that Athrun was staring intensely at her and because of that, she immediately blushed. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She lowered her head as she sank down on her seat.

Athrun blushed in an instant and turned away from her. "I... I'm sorry!"

Unexpectedly, she leaned her head on his back and wrapped her arms around his waist. Athrun's eyes widened in a second as his cheeks burned red. His heart skipped a beat and his whole body stiffened. He tried talking, but he can't find the right words to say. He was so shocked at this, yet he was happy. If he was dreaming, then he would never want to wake up again.

"Athrun?" Cagalli said in a soft voice. "Let's stay like this for a while. I just want somebody at my side for now."

"As you wish..." Athrun replied.

Kira's Office

"What?!" Miriallia shouted as she slammed Kira's desk with her two palms. She was surprised and angry at the brunette for agreeing with the engagement of Rey and Cagalli. "I won't accept it! I know Cagalli doesn't love that guy!"

"Calm down, Miriallia." Kira raised his hands in a form of surrender. "I disapproved of it as well that's why I'm going to talk with the chairman again."

"What if the chairman still insists on it?" Miriallia questioned.

"I'll make sure that he'll understand. I don't want to force Cagalli to marry someone she doesn't love. She only sees Rey as a childhood friend."

"I know that."

"I'm sure that guy doesn't want her to end up with Rey either."

Miriallia looked at him confusingly. "Who might that guy be?"

"This is just a guess, but I think he really likes Cagalli." Kira put on a smile on his face. "You know him very well, Miriallia."

"Don't tell me it's..."

Kira nodded his head.

Miriallia sighed. "He's so easy to figure out." She glanced at Kira with concern. "Don't be hard on him. I know how protective you are when it comes to Cagalli."

"I'll just give him a warning."

Gilbert's Room

The chairman of PLANT was busy scanning through reports about the present situation of his nation. He only stopped when he heard a knock coming from the door. "Come in..." he said.

The door opened and a blonde haired guy entered.

"Rey, I thought you'll never come. I called you about an hour ago," Gil said.

Rey looked at him seriously. "I was busy."

"Anyway, Representative Yamato and I have decided to engage you and Princess Cagalli."

"What?!" Rey gasped, but he managed to maintain his calm façade. "Are you serious?"

"I am serious. Princess Cagalli will be your future wife. Your marriage will bring happiness to both PLANT and ORB. It will be the best for our nations."

Rey couldn't be happier. He wanted to smile, but he didn't want to do that in front of the chairman. He turned to the door and walked out of the room. When he reached his own room, he locked the door behind him and leaned himself on it. There, he finally smiled. "Cagalli-san will be my wife?" he muttered. "This is probably the best thing Gil has ever done for me."

To be continued...

JC: I'm totally going insane! Rey loves Cagalli here but Cagalli only treats him as a friend. Kira knows Athrun's secret crush on Cagalli! What will Kira do? Next chapter will be updated soon. For now please review and no flaming...