Disclaimer: I claim no credit or whatsoever for the characters, but aye, I claim credit for the plot line.
A/N:A big thanks to all who reviewed and prompted me to write the second chapter as soon as I could humanly be able to. This might stretch more than 20 chapters, and do gift me some time in the beginning to build up the characters. You could also submit any ideas that are write-able for the ending.
Haunting Eyes
PLANT and Orb have been on very good relations, though each leader has only met two times in their three years of alliance. The meetings started after the second year, but only once in that year during a joint alliance meeting did they happen to see each other. Ambassadors Kira who represented Orb and Lacus who represented PLANT did most of the negotiations. It boggled some why contact between Athrun and Cagalli, two most prominent leaders known in the world maintained such a professional front with each other…
Cagalli stared at the anchorman who continued on her report. This was a dreadful week she summed up, staring blankly at the screen. First it was marriage and now she had nosey press matters to contain. Not to mention the Media Manager…
"Here, take a tissue."
Trembling fingers rose out to lightly pull the tissue from her outstretched hands. Two seconds passed and the hand was still shaking, trying to pull the tissue slowly and careful.
"Oh take it!" Cagalli yelled, shoving the tissue into his hands. A yelp and the man seem to have moved further from her. "Wipe your brows, its unsightly." A weak nod and a series of clumsy wipes across his brows occurred.
She sighed. "This news-"
"I'm sorry Cagalli-sama! I will try my utmost best to not fail you next time! We will work doubly hard to ensure that such detrimental news is not shown again! We will sue the company if needed!" He gasped for breath and bowed. "WE ARE VERY SORRY CAGALLI-SAMA!"
Not again… Cagalli inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying her best to block out the repetitive bowing of her employee. Retards! Retards!
"You did not allow me to speak."
The media manager immediately paused in his bowing, and horror flashed past his visage. It looked like another long spew of 'sorry' were going to be uttered, but Cagalli was quicker.
"I'm not blaming you, just be more stringent and alert in the future, what's done has been done. Find a solution to amend this. A report, tomorrow?"
A smile and lots of bowing again. Men! Cagalli scoffed, irritated. She wasn't that fierce or strict anyway, cowards.
A consistent ringing of her phone rang through the silent room. Not bothering to take her eyes off the new policy she was about to implement, her nimble fingers, long accustomed to such similar tasks took the phone off its cradle.
"Yes…?"
A jubilant and familiar voice shouted through the phone. "Cagalli! It's me!"
"Right, out of the hundreds of calls I receive everyday, I remember you. Really, me I think I might have spoken to you, do let me jog my memory and I'll call you back."
With that, she slammed the phone back into its cradle and continued her reading. She wasn't going to call back; Kira always, always had to disturb her with such nonsensical things
The consistent ringing began again.
Annoyed now, she snapped over the phone. "Kira, I'm in no mood for story telling. If this is about you telling me your lovely days with Lacus, sunny beaches. Prepare for a whole pile of work when you get your ass back here."
"I didn't call for that Cagalli!" Kira whined, laughing as he mumbled something lovingly to Lacus that raised the hairs on Cagalli's hands.
"Hello! Did you call merely to incite me?" Cagalli ruffled her hair in a frustrated manner. She really hated issuing leaves for Kira, and this was exactly why. "Stop dallying with my time and muttering sweet nothings to your girlfriend!"
Kira frowned as he toyed with the hem of Lacus's long skirt. They were currently at a remote beach. Lacus nodded encouragingly at his faltering courage and smiled. It seem to do the trick as the words flowed out as well said as the two hours worth of practising he did.
"You have to attend the surveying of military faculties in PLANT next week, I think it's time. I have some concerns on the expansions and upgrading of their military, you would be the best candidate."
"Surveying military faculties?" Cagalli said, surprised. "I never knew of that."
Kira frowned; this was proving to be more difficult than expected. "Well, Lacus felt it was a good idea too. I recommend you attend Cagalli. I'm don't think I'm qualified, it's mostly top secret right?"
"I don't have time."
Kira could feel his nervous nature rising with each prolong minute he spent convincing Cagalli. The stubborn streak in his sister was really something.
"Look," Cagalli's voice now clear and authoritative. "You go for that stupid surveying since you're in PLANT, and for wasting my time, you get double work when you return. Bye."
A click and she was gone. GONE! Kira silently moaned, staring at the phone as if expecting it to spring to life and tell him he had succeeded in initiating phase one of their plans. Their plans, though technically it was Lacus. Yes he was coerced, yes, he was made to. But he nobly added that it was for the good will of Lacus and the sake of Cagalli.
He would willingly die in the pits of hell for Lacus. Anything for his sweet, gentle Lacus…
"Kira…" Lacus nudged him softly, slipping the phone from his hands easily. "It's alright; don't look so glum, you did a good job. I'll make some phone calls and she will come."
Meanwhile Cagalli who had slammed the phone back into the cradle, was pondering on the relationship Lacus and Kira had.
"What's so special about love anyway…?" Her eyes roamed the photo she had always since the death of Uzumi Athha, her father. It was a picture of her mother she had never known and her father who had been the most inspiring person in her life. They looked happy. "I don't want to ever marry papa. If I did, would I end up like you? Broken and desolate after mama's death? They said you were a strong man, if love could make you so defenceless and vulnerable. I'll never want to experience it papa. Never." With that, her heart's resolution of avoiding the upcoming meetings with the applicants was strengthened.
She would emerge out of this mess single and the victor! Well, after all she was a woman; they always were the most challenging gender, the most resilient. And those chauvinistic pigs of politician bachelors can prepare to bite dust.
"Cagalli-sama." A knock and Miri entered, holding out a folder. "Your schedule for the following week has been prepared."
Nodding, she flipped opened the plastic covering.
Monday: Meeting Bachelor Yuuna
Tuesday: Meeting Bachelor Lim
Wednesday: Meeting Bachelors William and Lockhart
Thursday: Meeting Bachelor Abe
Friday: Meeting Bachelor Galas
Saturday: Meeting with Council
Sunday: Meeting with Bachelor of choice
No, this wasn't happening. Cagalli ran through the italic words over and over again, why in the world has her entire week is dedicated to those men! "Miri… This…" Her secretary nodded sympathetically, gesturing to a man who waved gleefully and walked past her office. "KISAKA!" Cagalli hollered standing, a face of extreme anger and irritation.
"Don't worry Cagalli-sama." Miri pursed her lips, tapping her chin with her index finger. "Maybe you should leave the country during this period of time? If you'd like I could search for any appointments regarding PLANT or Earth Alliance issues and arrange them to be brought forward."
"It's a tempting offer, but that would be too cowardly. I would rather date them, and slowly…" Cagalli raised her open palm and clenched it into a tight fist. "crush them." Both girls smirked, understanding each other perfectly.
"But you would rather leave the country and perhaps bring your work along?"
Cagalli smiled, no one knew her better than Miri, her partner in crime. "They would most likely patch me up with those pigs another week, but I'd rather avoid them for now. What do you have in mind; let's put it on the table."
Miri ran a few names in her head, picking the more probable ones. "How about Kira? He should be going for a conference in the African region next month. It's basically about strengthening bilateral ties with… Cagalli-sama?" Miri trailed off, peering intently into the wide eyed expression of Cagalli.
"That's it!" Cagalli yelled suddenly, shocking Miri and sending her hobbling back a few paces. "Thanks Miri, you're the best!" Cagalli dialled the numbers hurriedly as her secretary looked on mutely.
"Hello? Kira? Yeah, this is Cagalli. What? You dimwit who else could it be? Look, no questions asked- I'll be arriving next week. Inform Chairman Zala for me. Right, bye."
Miri giggled, hands in the formation of a victory sign as Cagalli grinned widely, tearing the schedule apart. Well, though it may be boring surveying those military faculties, she was consoled by the fact that the rest of her day could be dedicated to paper work. Definitely better off than spending the night with some faggot.
Over in PLANT, Kira had on a goofy smile while a happily jumping Lacus wrapped her arms round Kira and thanked him over and over again. Life was sure good, Kira felt as the supple form of Lacus was pressed into his while she rocked against him in joy at their apparent success in convincing Cagalli.
"I told you Kisaka would be a dear!" Lacus laughed. "Bless him for the shifting of dates!"
"Athrun-sama!"
"Marry me Athrun-sama!"
"Oh my god! Here Athrun-sama! I'm here!"
"Ahhh! He looked at me!"
"Athrun-sama!"
Barely making it into the black jaguar, Athrun who was panting heavily choked out the words he had been saying far too often. "Step on it Nicol, fast, now!"
The driver did not need further instructions as the car sped forward. Thumps and more muffled squealing, screaming and crying could be heard as the throngs of females congregated before the ZAFT head quarters shrunk in view.
"Loving the adoration?" Nicol drawled, eyeing his employer and friend through the rear mirror.
Athrun laughed a fake laugh. "Yes, very much. Care to share the glory?"
"No thank sir; you can keep them all to yourself."
Appreciating the light hearted humour Nicol provided, he loosened his tie to retrieve the documents that would be needed next week. Princess Athha was arriving in PLANT, and this was something he looked forward to and dreaded at the same time. Rarely talking to her or even having met her more than twice, he wondered how he was going to pull this off. Lacus had been very conniving, pulling politics, social benefits, and the secret that he once did hold a small amount of interest in her.
Once.
Okay, maybe more than once. But he did give himself credit for not fantasizing about her more than a year now.
"What do you think about Princess Athha Nicol?" Athrun asked.
"Well, she's quiet and polite in front of the television and foreign politicians. But I do remember her flaring up once during a press conference. One word; scary." Nicol shivered, screwing his face into the expression of a monster.
"Oh?" Athrun leaned closer to the driver seat. "What happened?"
Nicol frowned. "A reporter apparently said that her methods at dealing things were far to out of the norm the citizens of Orb were accustomed to. One minute she was smiling and the next, wow, those eyes turned red. She coldly bit back that she was nothing like her Father and people should be ready for change. Something… like that."
Leaning back into the plush leather seat, Athrun chuckled. Hopefully she would prove to be anything but boring and reserved compared to other foreign leaders.
"She's coming next week."
Surprise and delight lighted up the face of Nicol. "Really? Wow, I kind of admire her 'never-say-die' attitude. I would get the chance to chauffer her around right?"
"Yes Nicol…"
"She's staying at the manor then?"
"Yes Nicol…"
"That means I can play a piano piece for her?"
"Yes Nicol…"
Nicol smiled widely into the rear mirror. "Wow…"
Athrun shifted in his seat. "You seem more excited about her arrival than I am." He noted wryly.
Nicol turned round briefly. "You aren't? Well, why not? How do you feel about her then."
"She was…" Athrun smiled lazily. "Intriguing. Maintained a business-like tone with me and a stoic facial expression; I wondered if she truly was a woman. She never scowled, never truly smiled, but I recall her feisty quarrel with an unknown person over the phone. At that moment, languages I never thought a woman could utter were used, she didn't see me of course, and I was discreet." Athrun winked at Nicol. "I agree she's a fascinating person. I'm looking forward to the following week enthusiastically."
Coughing from the driver's seat erupted as Nicol stared at Athrun crazily.
"What?" Athrun asked, offended.
"Someone has an attraction to her…"
"Look here…"
"Admit it!" Nicol laughed. "Someone likes Princess Athha…."
"Okay Nicol, I'm giving you a pay cut."
"Hey!"
The one week arrived, and news reporters from PLANT crowded the airport, on-lookers pushed and grumbled, trying to catch a glimpse of Cagalli. The entourage came and left swiftly, it was almost impossible to get any closer to her as twenty or so body guards hustled her into the black jaguar. Some sighed in disappointment while some shrugged and went on their business.
Lacus and Kira had escorted Cagalli from the airport and to the manor, so briefing her about her schedule that day and week were conveniently done in the car.
Lacus and Kira sat in the living room looking at both Athrun and Cagalli. Both leaders had been glaring at each other for the past minute and none seem to be backing down. It had all started on the remark Athrun had made about Cagalli's attire.
Kira tugged on Lacus's hands. "We should leave…"
Lacus shook her head, tone berating. "Not till they are civil with each other." Clearing her throat, she spoke out gently. "I think you both should introduce yourself to each other?"
Athrun smirked, leaning back into the couch.
"Athrun."
Cagalli returned the smirk with equal vigour.
"Cagalli."
"So tell me, do you always wear T-shirts and cargo pants when visiting important leaders?" Athrun smiled, amused.
Cagalli tugged at her red T-shirt.
"Only when I'm visiting men like you."
Athrun chortled.
"Men, like me? Thank you, I happen to be very charming and I'm glad you spotted that."
Cagalli's eyes narrowed, she was beginning to really hate him.
"You have such a big ego, it blocks out everyone but you."
Fascinating, Athrun thought as she cleverly repelled each barb. He hadn't felt such excitement talking to a woman for a long time. The last person who had been as sharp as her was his grandmother.
"I disagree, you're basically a feminist therefore even the most charming man like me would turn out to be a jerk. Am I right Princess Athha?"
Cagalli sniffed haughtily.
"So what if I'm a feminist? So what if I'm not? Doesn't hide the fact that you're full of it."
"What's 'it'?"
"Your ego."
"You wound me, princess."
"Egoistic."
"Feminist."
Kira and Lacus helplessly looked on as their respective leaders insulted, debated, and psychologically tried to put the other down.
Ten minuets had passed and Kira sighed, watching his sister evilly point out the flirtatious nature of men while Athrun glibly rebutted with woman's flaws at loving money more than personality. Glancing at Lacus he spoke softly.
"It's time to leave, Cagalli has a short temper."
"But…" She looked on uncertainly. "Alright."
The couple left, closing the doors of the guest room quietly.
"You underestimate woman too much."
"As you detest men for warped reasons." Athrun shot back, smugly.
"I don't!" Cagalli shouted, leaning forward. "You're all a bunch of insensitive jerks."
Athrun leaned forward, expression grim. "And women are a bunch of money hungry monsters."
"I hate you." Cagalli whispered, dangerously soft.
Their faces were now inches apart as both had been leaning in gradually whilst arguing.
"And I was just starting to like you." Athrun grinned, enjoying her expression of disgust and anger.
"You are not charming me at all Zala."
"Do you want me to charm you Athha?"
"Bastard."
"Goddess."
With a cry of fury, the blond princess shot out of her chair and stormed through the door, slamming it hard and loud behind her. Athrun laughed, clutching his sides. It hadn't been a mistake inviting her over. If only he knew she would be this entertaining he would've asked her over often. ZAFT was a big military faculty and when broken down a good fifty odd faculties. He had only been willing to bring her round 10 or so, but after the brief exchange with her.
All fifty she shall survey.
"This is where we train our pilots."
The group consisting of Athrun, Cagalli, four bodyguards and politicians paused at a huge grey hanger. Cagalli still sore about the confrontation with Athrun merely nodded silently at his explanation. A sortie was commanded and several of the pilots fell into a neat row.
"They're all men." Cagalli mumbled, staring at their uniforms and faces.
Athrun blinked. "I'm sorry?"
"They're all men." Cagalli said, louder as she gestured to them. "Isn't there a woman who can pilot?"
The captain marched out. "No ma'am, women are hardly capable of piloting. Only a few exceptional ones make it through the test. We refuse to allow women who have scored below 90 on our virtual test through."
"Oh really?" Cagalli cooed expression sadistic as she neared the captain. "How about you and I have a go at this virtual test thing you have. I promise I will be easy on you."
Athrun choked on his surprise while the entire row of pilots guffawed and cheered their captain on. Cagalli was silent as she waited for the answer she wanted.
"You're on ma'am. But do pardon me if you don't make it through." The captain saluted arrogantly, leading her to the machine.
A dignified smile at Athrun and she was inside the machine. All he could do was gawk at her audacious challenge and settle the flustered council who were equally as baffled as he was. Cagalli Yula Athha was full of surprises, and indeed she was when she emerged fifteen minutes later from the machine regally.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself Captain." Cagalli smiled as she tapped a finger on the black flashing screen beside her. "I got a good 95 out of you."
"Wh-what… This…" The captain reduced to stammering and shock gripped the score chart as his eyes flew past the comments generated by the machine. "Impossible!"
"Possible." Cagalli with a serious expression remarked. "I have an entire platoon of woman pilots and they do get scores way better than me." She turned to Athrun. "Oh well, shall we go?"
A nod and they were away, leaving behind the frazzled captain and a throng of awed pilots.
"You really have an entire platoon of woman pilots?" He asked.
She rolled her eyes. "Of course! Unlike…" She looked at him condescendingly. "Some people who are discriminative of women."
Athrun gave a snort of laughter. "Well, some people are discriminative of men."
Silence.
Then…
"I really hate you right now."
"Unfortunately, I really like you right now."
Cagalli whipped her head to the right, taking calming breaths as she sought to control her temper and resist the urge of taking him down now and here. Opening her eyes, she blocked out the image of his haunting eyes, and concentrated on the road ahead.
The room was quiet, far too quiet. A long table sat in the middle of the enclosed room, its wood glistening under the rays of the sunlight that filtered through the white curtains. Ten people were seated at that table. If not for the hunched up shoulders of Dearka Elthman (who was currently muffling his own hysterical laughter) the maids that peered in might have misunderstood the group to be mourning for a lost one. For clearly the still figures and expressionless features of everyone except Lacus, Kira, Kisaka and Dearka who was still laughing, gave the group a grief-stricken atmosphere.
"This is ridiculous." Shiho Hahnenfuss whispered as all eyes turned to her. "Cagalli Yula Athha and… Chairman Zala?"
"Yes." Lacus replied, ignoring the full scale laughter that Dearka did not bother hiding anymore.
"They hardly compliment each other." Yzak Jule wondered aloud as images of his long time arch-rival acting all romantic rolled over and over in his head like a film.
"Cagalli Yula Athha is a flat out feminist. Athrun's not going to fall for someone like her." Andrew Waltfeld added with an incredulous expression.
Nicol frowned glaring at Andrew, tone indignant. "Athrun said he found her intriguing!"
"He did?" The entire table chorused.
Nicol nodded again and the entire room was up in a roar of chatter. Points were shot across one side of the table and back. Some agreed that the plan was almost impossible to be implemented, but wanted to try at the most as Athrun was simply too cynical of the woman they had tried introducing to him. Some disagreed, Athrun didn't match Cagalli!
"Well my take on this." Yzak smirked; he could already imagine the painful future he would create for Athrun, his long time arch–rival. "Just match the guy with Athha; I don't care if he dies at her hands, but so long as he gets dominated by her often. I'm in."
"That's mean!" Shiho gasped, pulling back her chair so as to be at a better angle to counter Yzak.
Yzak's chair scraped back. "Who asked for your opinions wretch."
Shiho's chair scraped back. "Watch that foul mouth of yours, it's Shiho. And freedom of speech here!"
The room watched engrossed as both arguing parties stood up.
"Well you're one to talk about that!"
"How so? I respect people's opinions, unlike you." Shiho shot back nastily.
"You're singing a totally different tune from last night!"
"Last night, was last night."
Yzak crossed his arms. "Well, you're having those mood swings again."
"Wh-what? Mood swings? We're talking about Athrun here!"
"You're the one who veered off topic!"
"Hey…" Dearka choked out, finally able to control his laughter.
The response was instantaneous.
"SHUT UP!" Yzak and Shiho screamed.
Lacus was the one who took charge, her firm voice shouting for order. The room quietened down as Shiho and Yzak mouthed vulgarities to the other sitting down. Kira patted her back comfortingly as Lacus rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"I would like to remind all seated here that this is strictly confidential, we don't wish for the media or more importantly Miss Athha and Athrun to know of it. Any objections or people, who would wish to not involve themselves in this, feel free to leave in the next half hour or so."
Nicol raised his hand and at Lacus approval spoke. "But they don't match; I don't think they have anything in common. How are we going to match-make them?"
Several grunts of approval rang throughout the table, but Lacus smiled looking at both Shiho and Yzak. "Opposites attract, let's not forget that shall we?" Both squirmed under her words and looked away.
Kira smiled, pulling out vanguard paper and markers. "Alright then, let's get down to business."
It was night by the time Lacus and Kira returned to the manor. Peeping into the study room Athrun used during the stay of other important foreign leaders or ambassadors they were relieved to find Athrun in one piece. On the way back, they had be worrying over the growing and never ceasing tension between Athrun and Cagalli. Who knew they could be such good loggerheads at each other. Closing the door with a soft click they left for their bedrooms.
"So you want me to violate line 396, topic 4 section 13?" Cagalli muttered distractedly, extracting another pile of papers from her bag. Miri was a saint for her neat filing skills.
Athrun sighed in response, digging for his own documents. "No, I don't want you to violate it. I want you to work round it."
"No can do." Cagalli rubbed her eyes, pointing to the paper she had laid on the table. "Hmm, wait." More rubbing of her eyes. "Maybe… I'll see to… it in the morning." A yawn punctuated her sentence and she slumped back into the chair.
"Running straight on for four hours on this, I wondered when you would succumb to sleep." Athrun picked up the scattered paper on the floor and one by one threw them accurately into the waste paper basket a distance away.
"I'm not sleepy." Cagalli grumbled as she struggled with her papers, her lap full of it. "I'm just tired, not sleepy."
"Whatever you say princess."
Cagalli stopped in her arranging of papers. Athrun had very nimble fingers she summed up in silence, watching him handle the papers with efficiency and grace, his hair fell down to softly shield his face from hers, the ends brushing his arm occasionally. If Athrun was to ever dress as a woman, Cagalli had no doubt he would be welcome by the men. Because his facially features were so soft and flawless, it was hard not mistaking him as a woman from afar. Hah! What insignificant and stupid thoughts she was thinking. Shaking her head to empty them she caught Athrun staring.
"I asked you something."
She nodded. "Wasn't listening, sorry."
"I said; why do you dislike having relationships with men?"
Cagalli yawned; this was a weird question to be asking. "Because men like you exist."
"Lacus hardly complains about my personality."
Cagalli rolled her eyes. "She's too kind." Walking past Athrun, she made a bee line for the door.
Suddenly a jerk and she found herself pulled down onto the lap of Athrun and having his arrogant face press close to hers. The fingers she gad been admiring earlier on drifted across her cheeks and twirled itself around a strand of blonde hair.
"Such a pity…" He breathed out, locking his eyes onto hers.
A minute later, Cagalli stumbled out of the room, shutting the door with trembling hands. That was too close, she had felt something. Those warm, haunting eyes of his. Pushing herself away from the cool surface of the door, she swallowed the first small amount of fear she had ever felt being around a man.
Athrun Zala was dangerous; he was an egoistic man with the heart of a cad. Keep telling yourself that Cagalli, keep telling yourself that. With that, she sprinted down the hallway to her quarters.
A/N: This here, http // www . livejournal . com / users / fukari18 / is the livejournal that I have. It hosts all the replies I will be posting up later.This is just a small way I use to thank the reviewers who all are a big inspiration and pillar of support in my writing life.
I hope this chapter was eventful. Spent precious hours to type this as I'm having my exams now. I do blame myself for doing last minute work anyway. (Laughs) I plan to sum this up in less than 26 chapters. So either the chapters get longer and longer or the rate of updating gets slower. I'll work something out.
Thanks to yuugiri for much needed encouragement and joy.
Love it? Was it funny? Did it make you wish to pelt me with tomatoes? Was my characters OOC? Did I mess up the story with my bad language and sentence structuring?
Let me know! Send me a review! I appreciate all your feedback!
Thank you once again!