DISCLAIMER: 'Resonance' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, SUNRISE and MBS. This work is non profited and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Unless specified, all materials in the web is work done by HERMIT JUNCTION. Please do not use without permission any text or artwork.

WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated R/M and may mild strong language, violence, cruelty, explicit adult content, rape, death and nudity unless otherwise stated. Please do not read if you are underage or maybe offended by such material. Spoilers for Gundam Seed.

NOTE: This fanfiction disregards the plotline of the original series' sequel Gundam Seed Destiny. Please go to gseedaftermath.hermitjunction. net for site hosting of this fic. For Dearka and Miriallia's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy I: Rebound'; for Rusty and Lain's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy II: Repercussion'.

Gseed Aftermath Trilogy III:
RESONANCE
a hermit junction project

Chapter 7

Groaning at his ringing cell phone, Yzak threw the covers over his head, burying his head into his soft pillow. Gritting his teeth at the insistent ring of his stupid phone, he pushed the covers to his waist and stared up at the ceiling with dazed eyes.

'God, give me a minute.' Yzak muttered, closing his eyes again. 'Okay okay…'

Throwing his heavy sheets over the bed, Yzak sat up and grabbed his phone, flipping cover open. He cursed at the number on the display. 'What? Do you know what time it is Major Elthman?'

'It's twelve noon and the sun had been shining over your ass two hours ago.' Dearka said flatly.

'What?' Yzak gave his eyes a rub and looked at his clock. 'Damn it!'

'Now you know how I feel when you call me, Yzak.' Dearka said.

'Like you haven't done enough last night.' Yzak muttered, yawning.

'What did I do last night?' Dearka asked innocently.

'You're stupid call at two totally threw me off guard, that's what.' Yzak hissed.

'Why again?' Dearka asked in confusion.

'Whatever.' Yzak waved his hand in the air and stood up. Walking out of his room, he headed towards his open kitchen and sat on the counter, pouring himself a glass of water. 'What do you want?'

'You do remember my call at two right?' Dearka asked. 'That's what I'm calling for.'

'Come again?' Yzak's eyebrows furrowed. 'What did you ask me last night?'

Dearka rolled his eyes. 'I asked if you'd want to hang out with us, you said yes which was a surprise to me. I wouldn't have asked you but Miriallia wanted to. I called Shiho too but – '

'What?' Yzak's eyes shot open wide. 'What did she say?'

'No need to be so shocked man.' Dearka muttered. 'She said no. Apparently, she has something to do today. Are you coming, because you can still bail out if you want.'

'Where are you now?' Yzak asked tiredly, ruffling his straight fringes.

'You can't take a hint.' Dearka murmured. 'I'm leaving in like five minutes because Miriallia's still in the bathroom. Say thirty minutes?'

'Yeah, whatever.' Yzak muttered. Hanging up abruptly, he tossed his cell phone on the counter and leaned his elbows on the cold marble, closing his eyes for a few seconds. Shaking his head a few times, he jumped off the stool and walked back to his room. Grabbing a fresh towel from his drawer, he slammed it shut and walked to his bathroom, not bothering to close the door. He hated the suffocating steam and never really needed to close the door anyway, it's not like there was someone around.

Scratching his head, he took off his deep blue boxers and white tank quickly before jumping into the shower. He winced at the cold water that splashed onto his head and reached for the soap, cleaning himself quickly. Turning the shower off, he slid back the shower door and stepped into the clean bathroom, toweling himself off.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but notice how white he was and his silver hair didn't really make things better. It wasn't a sick white but it gave him this feminine edge which he despised. He wasn't the type of person who'd tan under sunlight, not even when he was in the academy and had to do intensive outdoor physical training. He had to admit that he could pull off being a drag queen if you gave him some fake breasts.

Grimacing at the thought, Yzak threw his towel over his neck and padded out of his bathroom naked. He threw himself on his comfortable bed for a few moments, staring up at his ceiling before going to his wardrobe. Rubbing his hair, he pulled out a burgundy colored tank top and white slacks. Throwing them on, he reached for a belt, the towel clenched between his teeth. He rolled his eyes at the faint ringing of his cell phone. Stumbling out of his room, he reached for his phone.

'What?' Yzak answered curtly.

'You better get ready soon, I don't wait and I'm already there.' Dearka said.

'Fine.' Yzak hissed. 'I'll be down in five minutes, satisfied?'

Clasping his belt, Yzak ran back to his room and tossed the towel into his hamper. Grabbing a brush, he ran it through his hair roughly and gathered his hair up with a band, wincing at the silky hair escaping from the sides. Having no time to worry about his hair, he pulled on his boots quickly. Grabbing his wallet and keys, he stumbled out of his apartment and locked his door. When he got down lobby, he was just in time to see Dearka pull in front of his building in his white convertible.

'Right on time.' Dearka smirked, tapping his watch. 'Where are you going?'

'I'm going to sit at the back.' Miriallia said, stepping out of the car.

'It's really okay.' Yzak muttered.

Miriallia waved her hand while climbing into the backseat. 'I can take better pictures here.'

Yzak shrugged and climbed in, slamming the door shut.

'I'm surprised you said you'd come out.' Dearka said, steering out of the parking lot. 'I never would have asked you or Shiho if it weren't for Miriallia.'

'Then I'd have to thank you.' Yzak glanced over his shoulder while putting on his shades.

Miriallia gave him an uneasy smile.

'Too bad Shiho's not coming, I've got a thousand dollars in my wallet.' Dearka smirked.

'Where are we going?' Yzak asked, leaning back.

'No where in particular, thought we'd just cruise around.' Dearka paused at some grumbling noise.

'Didn't have breakfast.' Yzak muttered, looking out.

Dearka snorted. 'Want us to feed you Commander?'

'Whatever.' Was all Yzak said as he crossed his arms.

'What's with the bad temper pal?' Dearka asked, glancing at him. 'Why so scrunchy?'

'Nothing.' Yzak murmured, sliding down in his seat.

Dearka shook his head. 'Both of you are weird.'

'Both?' Yzak looked at Dearka.

'Shiho.' Dearka said warily. 'Your work wife.'

Yzak threw a glare at Dearka.

'Hey! I wasn't the one who called her last night.' Dearka argued in defense. 'Miriallia did.'

'You did?' Yzak glanced over his shoulder at the girl who had her chest leaned over the back of the seat. 'Careful there.'

'Huh? Yeah, I called her last night.' Miriallia replied absently, adjusting her lens. 'She sounded weird, that's what I told Dearka. Pretty much like a little girl who did something wrong and thought her Mom was calling.'

'What an anology.' Yzak muttered.

'She sounded distracted.' Miriallia said, sliding back down onto her seat. 'Why? Did something happen when you drove her back?'

Yzak shook his head and ran one hand through his hair. 'Nothing happened.'

Nothing he wanted to happen happened. When he brushed his lips over hers, he really thought he'd succeeded in breaking that shell of hers. Two years, two fucking years and they were still just nothing but goddamn teammates.

What aggravated him most was her insist of using his last name and addressing him as 'Captain Jule'. He had asked her before, shortly after she was reassigned to his team and she had responded by saying she wanted to achieve a suitable distance between them. He had accepted that explanation because they were considered pretty close, like Dearka and him, but why did she insist on calling him 'Captain' even after work? It was obvious that she wanted to draw a line between them at all times.

He had come up with an explanation himself too, what did a ZAFT Commander and Senior Council have to think besides work anyway? He blamed it on the fact that he was engaged to his sister and she didn't want to feel guilty, being so close to him. To him, Geherin was already the past and it didn't really bother him at all. Call him practical, but there was no use mourning for a person who's dead and didn't know him that much, especially after the war.

He had asked himself over and over again if he really liked Shiho Hahnenfuss. That feeling first came when he saw her sitting alone outside the courtroom, obviously waiting for him. He remembered the lame excuse Shiho had given him but her worried face gave away everything.

No one, ever, in his life worried about him. Though growing up in a relatively normal family, his parents never really paid extra attention to him because he never did anything wrong. He was almost the perfect son and did nothing that would make a parent worry. He thought he was perfect, up to the point where he met Athrun Zala at the Academy after the Junis 7 incident.

By the time he was enlisted, he was basically alone. His Father had died in an accident and his Mother had since then immersed herself in politics. He had no one to go to anymore and he lived through it, lived through it surprisingly well, like any other teenager who had to deal with the war. The feeling of someone caring, someone actually worrying about you had flew out of his life, completely grown out of his life.

When he saw her sitting there, staring into space, the worry in her eyes was obvious. When he called her name, she had jumped up and looked at him with trembling eyes. It was obvious that she had been thinking about him.

He had noticed her from the very start when he got his team list and had been utterly surprised to find a girl by the name Hahnenfuss on his team. Hahnenfuss was a very unusual name and he was almost sure that she had something to do with his late fiancée. He had used the limited time he had before returning to Jakin Due and found out that Shiho was actually Geherin's sister. It had shocked him to find out that Geherin had a sister, that Agrip Hahnenfuss had never let others know of her existence.

Shiho Hahnenfuss had the ability to look through other people and she read him like a piece of paper. She'd come out of nowhere when he was mulling over a situation, like the time when he hesistated whether or not to see his mother again. She was like a little light that gave him direction when darkness cast over him and it was amazing how he trusted her with all his heart, trusted her so much it was starting to scare him.

He realized that being with her was so much better than not being with her and whenever he was alone, his mind would automatically go to her. The thought of only looking at her from a distance was starting to bother him. It didn't matter how long they spent their time together, he could never see through those sharp eyes or the small smile she gave him. He wanted to know if he was more than just a commander to her and he had gained considerable progress last night if it weren't for Dearka's call.

She was holding back but wanted to step forward at the same time. He saw confusion in her eyes, a confusion that bothered him. What could it be? Geherin? He had an initial gut feeling that it had more to do than just the death of her sister. What did she mean by Geherin died because of her?

'You've said less than ten sentences today Yzak, you okay?' Dearka asked, sitting on the trunk of his convertible.

Yzak cast him a glance. 'What makes you think I'm not okay?'

Dearka shrugged. 'Maybe it's because Shiho's not here to get some real bickering going on.'

'Why did she blow you off again?' Yzak muttered, raising one eyebrow.

Dearka just snorted, raising his beer to his lips. 'She's going to kick our asses soon.'

Yzak leaned against the car and looked down. 'I've got a question.'

'Shoot.'

'You think I'll ever get married?'

At that, Dearka spit out the beer he just took in. 'What?' he shrieked, staring down at his commander.

'I'm not liking that reaction.' Yzak said flatly, eyeing him.

Dearka's eyebrows furrowed. 'What do you mean?'

Yzak shook his head. 'Nothing, just answer me.'

'You're weird dude.'

'Just answer it.'

'Are you ever going to get married?' Dearka rubbed his chin. 'Well, considering that you still don't have a girl now and do nothing but work, I say slim pickens.'

'I do nothing but work?' Yzak repeated.

Dearka nodded, shaking his beer can. 'That's what I see.'

'You know nothing Dearka.' Yzak muttered, rubbing the side of his head.

'So you do have a girl?' Dearka said smugly, crossing his legs.

'I don't.' Yzak scowled.

'What's she like?' Dearka continued.

Yzak rolled his eyes. 'I said I don't have any girl and even if I did, I wouldn't let you know.'

'Ouch.' Dearka grinned.

'Hey guys!' Miriallia walked up to them.

'You done?' Dearka asked, hopping off the trunk.

Miriallia nodded. 'Aprilius One looks lovely at night, especially when you look down at it from a highland.'

'It does.' Yzak said quietly, looking down.

'Ready to go?' Dearka asked.

'Yeah, but I want to ask you something.' Miriallia turned to another hill adjacent to the one they were at. 'What are those lights?'

'What's that?' Yzak squinted his eyes. 'Are those headlights?'

'What a second.' Dearka looked down at his watch. 'Hey, it's a MNC Racing night at Mt. Svea!'

Yzak rolled his eyes. 'Really?'

'What's MNC Racing?' Miriallia asked.

'It's this street slash hill racing of Apirlius One.' Yzak explained before Dearka could open his mouth. 'It's like street racing but legal. They hold it once a month and there're official bets on it.'

'It's pretty organized.' Dearka said. 'It's a street sport and you can place your bet on the team you want, kind of like soccer betting, but you know, it a sport held at night.'

Miriallia nodded. 'Interesting.'

'You want to watch?' Dearka asked.

'It's free?'

'Of course, it's basically street racing.' Yzak said, climbing into the car.

Miriallia shrugged. 'Sure.'

'You know they added motorbike racing this year.' Dearka said as he cruised downhill.

'Really?' Yzak responded uninterestingly. He never really was a fan of motor sport.

Dearka nodded. 'They're having their first race tonight at Mt. Svea, that's what I heard from Iwen and Nia.'

'That Nia.' Yzak shook his head, turning to Dearka. 'She acts like a love sick idiot around guys all the time.'

Dearka snorted. 'I know, but her efficiency can cover that flaw, trust me.'

'What is she in MNC, a campaigne girl?' Yzak snarled.

Dearka could only smile, shaking his head. 'I guess so.'

They arrived the foot of Mt. Svea in fifteen minutes and it was already packed with eager fans who were dancing away against the heavy beat of music. A live band was playing at the official nightclub of Mt. Svea Crash, pushing the atmosphere even further. The roaring motors of the racing cars could be constantly heard as the racers continued their warm ups before the first race.

'Hey hey hey!' Iwen Cavicog greeted Dearka with a bottle of beer in his hand. 'What are you doing here Dearka?'

'Thought I'd come by and make an occasional bet.' Dearka said.

'Hey, who's this little lady here?' Iwen asked, eyeing Miriallia.

'She's my girlfriend, Miriallia Haww.' Dearka introduced. 'Iwen Cavicog, he's in my team.'

'Nice meeting you.' Iwen shook Miriallia's hand.

'Likewise.'

'Hey Iwen, get you're fucking ass over here!' a guy shouted from where the cars were parked.

'I'll see you guys in a bit.' Iwen said quickly.

'Does he even recognize me?' Yzak frowned, crossing his arms.

Dearka laughed. 'I don't think he does, but I know that Nia would think there's a hot guy.'

Yzak made a face.

'Captain Jule?' a voice rang over the noise. Turning around, Yzak's eyebrows raised.

'Charlea?'

Darca Charlea nodded. 'It's been a long time Captain. How long has it been? Two years?'

'I guess so.' Yzak turned to Dearka. 'This is Darca Charlea, he use to be in my team during the war at Jakin Due.'

'Nice to meet you, I've heard of you Elthman.' Charlea said, shaking Dearka's hand. 'One of the Heliopolis raiders.'

'Now that's history.' Dearka smirked. 'This is my girlfriend, Miriallia Haww.'

Miriallia smiled. 'Hi.'

'I don't think you're just a fan.' Yzak said, looking at Charlea who had on working gloves.

Charlea laughed. 'I'm a part of Sonic Riders. You remember Decole Lanviana, one of the technicians from Versalius?'

Yzak nodded. 'Vaguely.'

'Well, his Dad owns Sonic Riders and he asked me to help him after the war.' Charlea explained. 'The pays not bad, definitely not bad.'

'Especially when Sonic Riders is like one of the champions on the track.' Dearka said dryly.

'Well, we're not too sure about the new motorcycle race.' Charlea said. 'We lost the last three rounds to Raghnall and boy can those racers piss us off.'

'I've heard.' Dearka nodded. 'They're not the best people to lose against.'

'Why?' Miriallia asked.

'They just have the worst people there, especially their principal racer Melvern. They walk the streets like they fucking own it.' Charlea said in disgust.

'Raghnall won the last champion right?' Yzak asked.

'Yes.' Charlea seethed. 'And they say they're going to win both champions this year, well to hell with them.'

'Why? You've got a trump card?' Dearka asked.

Charlea grinned at Yzak, who blinked back at him. 'Oh yeah, we have a trump card and we're doing a test drive right now.'

'Now?' Dearka frowned. 'Isn't that a bit late?'

Charlea shook his head. 'It's never too late for anything. She's so going to be our savior.'

Dearka's widened his eyes in surprise. 'It's a she?'

Charlea nodded. 'A "she" you should be very familiar with too.'

When Shiho got off the motorbike and took off her helmet, all she could hear was screaming and shouting and the next thing she knew, she was picked up and tossed in the air as the crowd beneath her cheered on.

It had been a long time since she was surrounded by such a huge crowd and it was making her slightly uncomfortable. She lived a relatively quiet life and didn't like occasions like this. If it weren't for Charlea she would have never agreed to race in MNC.

'You kicked ass out there Shiho!' Decole exclaimed. 'I mean, you absolutely kick assed!'

'If it weren't for you and Charlea, I wouldn't have even given it a thought.' Shiho said dryly as they crashed their beer mugs together.

She had tossed and turned in bed until three in the afternoon. If it weren't for Charlea's call, she would have buried herself in her sheets until the next day. Charelea almost burst into tears when she finally agreed to race this one time and she had to admit that Sonic Riders had very good racer bikes.

'Ever thought of making a living out MNC?' Decole asked, sitting himself on the stool, practically shouting over the noise and the beating of the live band music. At the circular bar table, some bar girls were dancing against the music on the wide counter, pulling other clubbers up.

'No, god no.' Shiho shook her head.

'Why not?' Sonic Riders car racer Piero asked. 'You're a pro, did you see the dust bunnies she gave those suckers from Raghnall?'

'Hell yeah.' Decole exclaimed, throwing one arm around Shiho's shoulder. 'This little lady here is not just a pro at racing you know. She used to be one of my majors in ZAFT.'

'You?' Piero raised his eyebrows. 'You were a major in ZAFT?'

'And I still am.' Shiho said, glaring at Decole. 'It's fun if I race once in a while, but for a living? I don't know…'

'Come on, you'll be a millionaire!' Decole said. 'Plus, you won't have to work for that sissy commander… what's his name again?'

'His name's Yzak Jule.' A voice rang from behind them.

Whirling around in her seat, Shiho widened her eyes. 'What are you guys doing here?'

'I just wanted to drop by and place my bet.' Dearka said. 'You're quite a racer Shiho, I never knew that about you.'

Miriallia winked at her. 'You're getting yourself a lot of fans Shiho.'

'I am so not a sissy.' Yzak muttered, his eyebrows twitching as he crossed his arms.

'You – you heard?' Shiho stammered, shooting a glance at Decole, who looked up in the air.

'He wasn't whispering you know.' Dearka said warily.

'So? What did you think?' Decole asked, looking at Yzak.

Yzak shrugged, shooting a glance at Shiho who looked down at her lap, feeling her heart beating faster. 'Mediocre for someone who's in the military.'

'Mediocre?' Piero screeched. 'She broke the record dude!'

'So?' Yzak snickered. 'Racing is nothing compared to MS combat, right Major?'

Shiho gritted her teeth and glared up at Yzak, feeling the title irritating. 'Of course Captain.'

'Is there a bathroom around this place?' Yzak asked looking around.

'Uh, yeah, over there by the red lights, behind the band stand.' Decole directed.

'What's wrong with him?' Piero muttered, glaring Yzak's back.

'He can be like that sometimes.' Dearka said, waving his hand in the air. 'Shiho's used to his temper anyway.'

Gritting her teeth, Shiho raised her beer mug up. 'Cheers!'

Pushing his way through the crowd, Yzak winced at the loud music from the band stage and sighed in relief when he made it to the bathroom. Slamming the door shut behind him, his frown deepened at how loud the music still was behind the door. Turning the tap on, he splashed water over his face and looked at his reflection. He suddenly grabbed a handful of water from the tap and threw it at his reflection, glaring at his feminine features.

'Sissy my ass.' Yzak muttered under his breath, reaching for the tissue dispenser.

'That bitch from Sonic Riders is so going down tonight.'

Yzak raised his eyebrows at the voices echoing from the other side of the basins.

'What?'

'Don't you remember? Joquin said he'd fuck any girl who could beat him in racing.'

'Really? I thought he was just kidding.'

'Think of the odds you idiot, even if he was serious he wouldn't have had to if it weren't for that bitch. Besides, she's not like ugly or anything, I think Joquin will be happy to fuck her.'

'Like he hasn't had enough women to fuck.'

'I wonder how he's going to make her do it though.'

'Don't worry, he has his ways.'

'The old trick I guess. I hereby congratulate you… cheers bitch!'

Yzak froze in his tracks as he continued to eavesdrop on their conversation. He felt his nails dig into his palm when the two thugs left the washroom, the slamming door echoing through the empty space. Biting his lower lip, Yzak stared at the door, wondering if he should…

'Snap out of it Yzak Jule, she obviously doesn't want you around.' Yzak muttered to himself, pacing the basin counter. 'She's a big girl, she can handle stuff like this, she's a ZAFT soldier for crying out loud, she can kick anyone's ass out there if she wants...'

Sighing, Yzak stared at the door again. Racking one hand through his hair, he stomped towards the door and threw it open. Pushing himself through the crowd again, he widened his colbalt blue eyes as the crowd surrounding Shiho cheered.

'Move over!' Yzak shouted, making his way towards the center. He grabbed Shiho's hand just before her lips touched the beer mug.

'Commander? What are you doing?' Shiho demanded.

'No.' Yzak said firmly, tightening his grip around Shiho's wrist.

'No?' Joquin snarled. 'Who the hell are you sissy?'

'Go the hell.' Yzak growled, glaring at Joquin.

'Oh, is Mommy's boy getting pissed?' Joquin jeered. 'Who is this guy Decole? One of your campagine girls? He'd make a good fortune as a drag queen.' The crowd burst into a wave of laughter and shouts at the comment.

'Ha ha.' Yzak pushed Shiho's hand down. 'Fuck off.'

Shiho widened her eyes at Yzak's coarse use of language.

'What? I'm just congratulating Shiho, it's a big deal she beat me.' Joquin said in a slur. Yzak's eyebrows twitched at the thug's use of Shiho's first name.

'You want to congratulate her right?' Taking a deep breath, Yzak grabbed the beer mug from Shiho's hand and drained it down. 'There.' He slammed the mug down on the wooden table. 'Satisfied, you've congratulated her, now fuck off.'

Glaring at Yzak, Joquin grabbed a gasping Shiho's arm. Seeing this, Yzak reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun.

'Are you crazy Yzak?' Dearka hissed. The people around them gasped and stepped back.

'Get your filthy hands off her.' Yzak said in a dangerous voice, his blue eyes reduced to slits. 'Don't and I'll shoot. I've killed more than one person during the war and I don't mind adding you to my list.'

'Watch out, you son of a bitch.' Joquin snarled, letting go of Shiho's arm.

Sticking the gun back into jacket, Yzak grabbed Shiho's arm and pulled her across the clubhouse roughly while the others watched. They were both silent as Yzak dragged Shiho across the noisy area towards her car.

'Drive.' Yzak ordered, letting go of her arm roughly.

'What?' Shiho screeched. 'Why should I – '

'Just do it.' Yzak growled.

Huffing, Shiho unlocked the door and watched Yzak climb into it. Slamming the door shut, she sat there, the enclosed area blocking the noise from outside. 'Why did you – '

'Just drive damn it!' Yzak bawled, making Shiho jump in her seat. Seething, she gunned the engine.

The tension in the car had thickened ten layers as Shiho pulled into the sleeping quarter's car park.

'Care to explain?' Shiho asked, throwing a glare at Yzak.

Yzak had his eyes closed the whole ride, his teeth gritted. Opening his eyes, he eyed her briefly, taking in the anger flashing through her amethyst eyes. Undoing his safety belt, he got off the car without another word. Seeing this, Shiho jumped out of the car quickly and slammed the door shut.

'Yzak Jule!' She shouted.

'I don't have an explanation.' Yzak scowled.

Shiho had not been this angry in her entire life and the worst part was she didn't really know what she was angry for. Her eyebrows twitched as Yzak entered the lift, leaning against the mirrored walls with his back towards her as the door closed. Cursing she locked her car and rushed into the lobby, flying into the next elevator.

When she reached Yzak's floor, she was surprised to see Yzak kneeling on the carpeted floor on one knee, one hand on the door knob, the keys clutched between his fingers. His face was slightly red.

'Don't tell me you're drunk, you only had one beer.' Shiho sneered, walking up to him.

'What are you doing here?' Yzak muttered, shooting a glare up at her. Taking his keys, she unlocked the door and opened it for him. Growling something under his breath, Yzak stumbled into the apartment. He wanted to slam the door in her face but Shiho managed to enter the apartment before Yzak had a chance.

'Put the keys on the counter.' Yzak grumbled, trying to stand straight, holding onto his chest with his left hand. Taking off his jacket, he threw it on the couch and headed towards his bedroom.

'Are you okay? You want some pills or something?' Shiho asked. 'Water?'

'Just get out of here okay?' Yzak snapped, glaring over his shoulder.

'What is the matter with you?' Shiho demanded, putting her hands on her hips. 'If you're angry about what happened last night, I'm sorry but we have to have some boundaries!'

'Oh I'm angry about last night, believe me.' Yzak seethed. 'Now get out of here, I don't want to see you.' With that, he entered his bedroom and slammed the door.

Biting her lower lip in anger, Shiho turned on her heel and flounced out of the door. Stomping up the stairs, she was about to unlock her own room when she realized she still had Yzak's key. Figuring it didn't matter, Shiho entered her apartment, slamming the door in frustration. Sitting at her counter, she tossed the keys over the marble and poured herself a glass of water. She sat there, the glass in her hand, not taking one sip.

'Fine!' Throwing her hands in the air, Shiho grabbed Yzak's keys and stomped out of her apartment. Climbing the stairs two at a time, Shiho strutted across the hallway, seething as she unlocked Yzak's door again. Frowning at the darkness of his living room, she tossed the keys onto the counter of his kitchen and was about to leave when she heard a loud curse from Yzak's bedroom.

Rolling her eyes, Shiho decided to go check on him, even if it meant risking another tantrum from him. She didn't want him to kill himself.

When she pushed the door open, however, she was shocked to see Yzak stumbling out of the bathroom in nothing but a white towel sitting low around his waist. He was clutching the doorframe, one hand on his forehead. When he looked up, Shiho gasped, taking a step back.

'What the hell are you doing here?' Yzak demanded, his eyes wide. 'I thought I told you to get the hell out of here! Get out!'

'I was going to be on my fucking way but I forgot to leave your keys behind!' Shiho said hotly, unable to restrain herself from using coarse words.

'Fine, now get out of my sight.' Yzak snapped.

'What is the matter with you?' Shiho demanded, stomping towards him. 'I don't need to tolerate this attitude of yours everytime Commander, will you for once – '

'Get out!' Yzak yelled, glaring at her hard.

'Hey!' Charging up to him, she was about to slap him in the face but stopped at how red his neck was. Frowning, she touched his bare shoulder and gasped at how hot it was.

Slapping her hand away from his shoulder, Yzak gave her a push. 'Get out of my sight Hahnenfuss, get out of my sight before I really fuck your brains out.' He whispered in a dangerously low voice.

'They, you… that beer…' Shiho looked down, pulling at her fringes. 'Oh my God… they put in some kind of aphrodisiac.'

'I'm glad you've figured it out.' Yzak sneered sarcastically, trying to suppress the heat that was starting to burn inside him. Seeing her just made the desire grow badly. 'Now get out unless you want to make me feel better.'

'I…' Shiho was speechless and watched as Yzak walked towards the bed with weak legs. Running one hand through her hair, she walked into the washroom.

'I told you to leave, what are you doing?' Yzak demanded. When he saw her with a wet towel in her hands, he rolled his eyes. 'I just took a cold shower, that's not going to work.'

Shiho shrugged. 'Doing this will just make me feel better.'

'Don't touch me!' Yzak growled.

'God's you're really hot.' Shiho muttered, pushing him down onto the bed.

'You're just going to turn me on even more.' Yzak muttered, wincing at the cold towel.

'I turn you on?' Shiho looked down at him with raised eyebrows.

'Yes, you do.' Yzak said shortly. 'I want you out of my sight in ten seconds or I'll fuck you nice and hard.'

Shiho watched Yzak close his eyes. She should go, she really should. She had told herself not to get overly involved with her commander, even if she badly wanted to. She was suffocated by guilt just thinking about it, how could she do this? She wasn't in the position to do so, it would just make her family hate her more.

But you want to, you want him to fuck you. A small voice coaxed in her head. To hell with your sister, she's dead.

She's dead… Shiho thought, lowering her eyes. You're going to regret it Shiho Hahnenfuss… Sure, she was going to regret it, but she just couldn't take her eyes off his soft lips that had kissed her so deeply last night. If she hadn't stopped the kiss last night, they would have been waking up together in bed this morning.

'Get out Hahnenfuss.' Yzak said in a coarse voice.

'I should.' Shiho replied, still sitting there. They stared at each other, both knowing what was best for them, yet knowing they wanted to break that boundary but was pathetically trying to hold back…

Gritting his teeth, Yzak suddenly shot out one hand and pulled her down onto his bed. Shiho's gasp was muffled by Yzak's rough kiss. Struggling under his grip, she tried to push him away but at the same time was returning the kiss.

'I gave you a chance.' Yzak panted against her ear, shredding her T-shirt with force. Shiho arched her stomach against his six pack, wincing as he dug into her pants, pulling them down along with her panties from behind. She started to pant, feeling Yzak trailing kiss down her neck and over her chest. She was vaguely aware of the white towel sliding off Yzak's waist as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down closer, their heated skin rubbing against each other.

She was going to regret, but somehow, she couldn't pull herself from this deep lust. She felt like she belonged here, in his arms, surrounded by his heat.

They both felt the same, it felt so damn right.

End of Chapter 7