Merry Christmas! XD (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.)

A perfect gift for me would be to get at least 500 reviews by the time I finish this story (yes, I know it's not going to happen, so that's why I said perfect)

Now for the reviews:

Eternal Affinity- Yes, "For Elise", or rather "Fur Elise", is a song written by Beethoven (piano piece). Personally I prefer some of his Sonatas, but the song served its purpose for this fic. XD

M.S Arashi Sumeragi- Yea…OO…lol

Thanks also to AnimeSiren, kiraLi, King Arthur6687, Absolute-Darkness, DarkFusion, Dark Devotions, Kausi, harpies ladies, Angel of Dreams, Kaori, Kagome1992, yvonna milhouse, xxravenwingxx, and kawaii-ish.

Hm…I wonder how you'll like this chapter…It's…well…interesting…

Ch. 22: Breaking Point

"It's your move Yzak."

"I know." Yzak groaned inwardly. So far the score was tied, 2-2. This was the game that would determine the winner. Not that she had the advantage…yet, but the fact that he didn't have an upper hand either irked him.

"Strategy not going so well?" Arabella smirked, seeing Yzak's grim expression.

"I would like to ask you the same thing." He retorted. Arabella didn't say anything in reply, but instead smiled back. Yzak had to use every ounce of mental restraint within him not to do the same.

She fascinated him. That much he allowed himself to admit now. But the question was why. Why did she attract his attention so much? He scrutinized her carefully, as she studied her pieces. Pretty. Yes, she was pretty. But he had met prettier girls before, and they hadn't affected him the same way. If anything, he had to try not to run out of the room screaming, due to how much annoyance they caused him. No, there was something else.

"Yzak, if you don't make your move soon, I'm going to assume that you quit." She gave him a wink. "You don't want that to happen now, do you?"

"No I wouldn't." He replied back with a smirk. Wit and vivacity. Yes, that was it. Her intelligence drew him. The conversations they had never bored him. It was a game they played, just like the one in front of them. And he would never get tired of it.

"Ah, so you're going to move your bishop there." Arabella remarked. "Well then, I'll just parallel your move."

Similar, he thought. They were also very similar. True, the masks they wore were different, hers being more serene, while his…well, temperamental would be the nice way of describing his disposition. But regardless, they both hid themselves from others, and that, in its own bizarre way, gave them a connection.

"Yzak, you seem really out of it." Arabella looked at him in concern, bringing him back to reality. "You want to resume the game a bit later on?" Yzak nodded his head. Yes, that was probably a good approach. He couldn't concentrate on the pieces in front of him while having so many thoughts running in his head. And of course, losing was not an option. "Um…Yzak?" Arabella approached, putting the board aside. "Can I ask you something?"

"You already did." Yzak replied, and then mentally smacked himself for how stupid he sounded.

"Well, I wanted to know why you wanted to join the High Council." She stated nervously.

Yzak pondered over that statement. He had never given it any thought before. Why did he decide to join? "Why do you ask?"

"Well, whenever you talk about your previous military exploits, you seem so ecstatic." She began. "Yes, you do sound sad sometimes, but there's still some mixture of pride in it." She stopped for a second to take a breath. "But when you talk about being in the council, the fervor isn't as obvious." She shrugged. "Don't take it the wrong way thought. It might just be that you don't want to get into details with a foreign ruler."

"Yea…that's it." He managed to say. "But inside, he wasn't so sure.

Elise locked the door behind her. It's been at least two weeks since then. Two weeks since she walked out of Arabella's room with the copies she made. Those copies had been locked in her desk, untouched, for that long. She had half a mind to shred them, to forget their existence. But that voice, that voice kept on nagging her…

We want to help her, don't we?

Isn't she friend before ruler to us?

Isn't there trust between us?

Slowly, she opened the drawers. Trembling, she separated the papers by dates. She sighed once she finished. "This would do for now." She reached for the seven year old one, the earliest by date, and held it in her hands. It was pretty thick. This was going to take awhile just to read through all of this…

The last page of the treaty slipped out, causing Elise to fumble for it. "Ugh, me and my clumsiness…" She stopped, looking at the page. "Wait a minute…" She started taking out all the last pages out of the other piles. "On the first one…Arabella's signature…it's not the same one."

"Cagalli, can I ask you something?"

"Huh? Oh sure, come in." Cagalli became surprised, seeing Lacus outside her door. "So Lacus, what did you want to ask? Something about my brother, huh?" She gave her a wink.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you if you were the one that kept on 'borrowing' my blow-dryer."

"Huh? Oh, um…I have no idea what you're talking about." Cagalli stammered nervously.

"Cagalli, could you please be honest with me? I saw you take it this morning." Lacus asked patiently.

"Well…yea, so I did." Cagalli admitted finally, and then started to get defensive. "But is it really that big of a deal? I mean, I put it back…"

"Well…I would prefer you to ask first…"

"Okay, I will." With that, Cagalli turned back to do whatever she was doing before.

After taking a few seconds to register what just happened, Lacus slowly walked out, and started heading towards her room, when she accidentally bumped into Miriallia. "Oops, sorry about that Miriallia." Lacus apologized.

"Oh no, it's fine." Miriallia reassured her with a smile. "You seem a bit out of it. Anything wrong?"

"Well, actually…" Lacus started. "Does Cagalli seem a bit cold recently?"

Miriallia nodded her head. "Yea, I know what you mean. Hope she feels better soon."

"Do you think it might be because of Athrun?" Lacus asked, worried.

"No, I don't think so. Besides, if that were the reason, Kira would have taken care of it already." She added with a laugh.

"True." Lacus laughed back.

"But in all seriousness, I think it's been a bit difficult for her." Miriallia continued. "After all, the atmosphere hasn't been very positive around here recently, she's probably worried about Orb, and maybe even Lucia might have been getting to her too."

"Lucia?" But Cagalli knows better than to listen to her…"

Miriallia nodded in understanding. "I don't think Cagalli takes Lucia's words to heart, but I'm sure when she's depressed, and wants to beat herself down, she probably remembers some of the words Lucia said, as if they were replays from a tape. And Lucia does sound like a broken record."

Lacus nodded in agreement. "That reminds me, not that I'm complaining of course, but where are those two?"

"Lucia and Ray?"

"Yes. You would think they would have dropped by for a visit by now."

"Now that you mention it, that does seem strange. But I guess we never know with those two." Miriallia shrugged.

"I suppose so." Lacus took a quick glance towards Cagalli's room. "I just hope that she feels better."

Elise took something out of another drawer. "Just to make sure…"

"Excuse me, but have you seen my grandmother somewhere?" She asked one of the maids.

"I think she's inside her room taking care of something for the princess."

"Oh, okay. Thanks." With that, she rushed to her grandmother's room and ran in. "Grandmother, you know that…"

"Elise! Don't scare me like that!" Nora remarked, surprised by Elise's sudden entrance.

"I'm sorry grandmother." She apologized. "But I just wanted to make sure that you knew that I was leaving in four hours."

"Of course I do." Nora reassured her. "How can I forget? You put so little confidence in me." She continued in mock hurt.

"Hee…well, I just wanted to make sure…" Elise replied, scratching her head. Then she noticed the pile of cards on the table. "Grandmother, what are you doing?"

"Oh, well I'm signing cards." Nora replied matter-of-fact.

"But those signatures aren't yours. They're Arabella's!"

"Well, let me explain dear." Nora replied patiently. "Arabella does try to sign every paper, every note, every card, if she possibly can, but in reality, there's only one of her, and an infinite number of things requiring signatures. She does sign everything important, or rather to rephrase that, everything that absolutely requires her signature. But such things as these Christmas cards, someone else can sign them."

"but why would she want to send some of these Christmas cards to these people if technically she's not the one who's sending them?"

Nora sighed. "Sometimes dear, you're too naïve when it comes to politics. There are little games present in each aspect, and one has to tread carefully amongst its players."

"So you're implying that she might not even want to send some of these?"

"Precisely."

"Could you teach me how to tell the difference?"

Elise opened it up, and her eyes trailed to the last two words: Arabella Shante.

"Hey, Bella." Elise poked her head into the room.

"Oh, hey!" Arabella looked up from the pile of papers in front of her. Then her eyes trailed to the clock. "It's that late already? I didn't even notice…" Then she looked at Elise already. "Oh, that's right! You need to go now, don't you?" I wish you could stay longer…"

"Yea, me too." Elise replied, regretfully. "but my parents want me back for Christmas."

"I understand." Arabella smiled. "Here, this is for you." With that, she took out a wrapped box. "Merry Christmas!" She said, as she handed Elise the present.

"Oh, thank you! And Merry Christmas to you too!" Elise replied, smiling. "Okay, I'll be going now, so see you later!" She started to walk out when Arabella stopped her.

"Wait, you forgot the card!" With that, Arabella started to hand it to Elise, when she suddenly stopped. "Oops, forgetful me, I forgot to sign it." With that, she opened the card, and put her signature at the very end. "Sorry about that Elise. Oh, and come back soon!"

Elise checked each of the signatures. Yes, comparison helped distinguish the real and the fake. Not that it was very obvious to anyone else of course. Just to her and grandmother. And yes, her initial assumption had been correct.

"Kira…"

"Huh?" Kira looked up to see grinning Miriallia, Dearka, and Lacus sitting across from him. "Uh…yes?" He sweat-dropped, not really sure what was going on.

"You looked bored." Miriallia remarked.

"Well, I guess so…" Kira scratched his head. Just what were they up to?

"We were wondering…"

"If you'll like to play a game with us."

"Uh…what game?" Kira asked. This was starting to sound ominous.

"Well, do you want to play?"

"Um…can I know what it is first?"

"Just come!" With that, the three dragged him off to who-knows-where.

Athrun walked around aimlessly, with nothing to do. He knocked on Cagalli's door before, but there was no answer. She was in there. He knew that. But apparently she wanted time alone, and he didn't want to intrude.

"But Lacus, I don't want to…"

"Come one Kira, it's our turn, and we don't want to ruin it now…"

"…"

Curious, Athrun paused in his wandering, and opened the door. He almost got blinded by the sight. "What…what the…"

"Oh, hey Athrun! You came just in time to see our turn." Lacus smiled, and waved him forward. "Just go around the curtain and you'll find Dearka and Miriallia on the other side."

"Uh…okay…" Athrun answered, sweat-dropping. "Um…Kira, what are you doing in a dress?"

"Well, uh…" Kira sweat-dropped in response.

"We're playing medieval charades." Lacus answered.

"…"

"It's basically charades, except instead of guessing words, you guess what's going on in the scene." Lacus started to explain. "You also dress up in the process too."

"I see…" Athrun replied, and then had to keep from snickering. "So…um…is that why Kira's dressed like a girl?"

"Well…" Lacus hesitated and then whispered into Athrun's ear. "Don't tell the anwer to Dearka and Miriallia, but our scene's about an assassin disguised as a woman in order to murder the princess, who's going to her grandmother's house to deliver some sandwiches."

"…"

"Huh, what was that Athrun?"

"You guys are really bored now, aren't you?"

"Well, we guess so…" Both Kira and Lacus smiled nervously.

"Don't ask. The other three dragged me into this," Kira informed Athrun with a low voice.

"Come on you two, that's enough time spent already!" Dearka yelled over the curtain.

"Okay, we're ready!" Lacus yelled and drew back the curtains.

"About time…" Dearka started, and then stopped. The look on Miriallia and Dearka's faces were priceless.

"Oh…my…HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…"

"Arabella! Are you alright?"

Arabella and Yzak turned around sharply, surprised at the intrusion. "Ray?" Arabella remarked, confused.

"I'm so sorry!" He apologized. "I didn't know…I was out of the country, and I didn't hear about it until yesterday. So I came here as soon as possible…"

"It's been at least three weeks." Yzak remarked coldly, obviously not buying Ray's excuse.

"You're feeling better now, right?" Ray asked, completely ignoring Yzak's comment, and pampering Arabella at the same time.

Arabella looked uncomfortable. "Um…Ray, I'm alright…could you let go of me now?"

"Of course, of course." Ray backed away, scratching his head. "I guess I just got carried away."

"Obviously…" Yzak muttered under his breath.

"Let's not get all cozy now." Lucia quipped as she walked through the doorway. "But then again…" She changed her mind once she spotted Yzak.

"Hey, what's going on here?" The others came in, just in time to save Yzak. For once, Yzak felt grateful, not that he would admit it though, of course.

"Nice to see you all too." Lucia remarked, dripping with sarcasm. The others just ignored it. "By the way, where's our all wonderful Natural girl?" She commented, seeing that Cagalli wasn't present.

"Miss me?" Everyone turned around to find an irritable Cagalli glaring at Lucia.

"Of course." Lucia answered, snickering. "I do need to polish my sharp tongue, and who else would be a better subject?"

"Lucia…" Ray began to reproach her.

"Well, after all, Naturals are naturally flawed." Lucia continued, completely ignoring Ray's warnings. "So it's only natural that one makes fun of them."

"You know, all your lines are starting to sound old." Cagalli retorted. "Why don't you just give it up now?"

"Why should I?" Lucia stuck her tongue out. "It's fun. Besides, all I'm saying is the truth…" Lucia got cut off, as something hard hit against her face. "How dare you hit me!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. "You insignificant little…"

Cagalli slapped her again. "There! I did it again! What are you going to do about it, huh?"

"Cagalli, please stop…" Athrun tried to restrain her.

"Athrun let me go!"

"Cagalli, stop!"

"See, even your boyfriend's starting to get fed up with you." Lucia sneered. "I don't blame him. After all, who'd want to stick with a clumsy, unladylike Natural like you for such a long time?"

"Lucia, that's enough!" Both Ray and Arabella yelled in unison.

"I'm sorry Arabella…" Ray profusely apologized. "It's my fault…I shouldn't have brought her here…"

"No…don't blame yourself." She replied. "But as for Lucia…" She turned a cold glare towards her. "You're not to step inside these walls ever again, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!!"

Lucia was about to argue again, when Ray dragged her away, waving good bye to everyone.

"Cagalli, are you okay?" Athrun asked, concerned, seeing her eyes darken.

"Don't listen to Lucia, she's always been that way." Elise tried to console her.

"Cagalli, be strong, okay? I'm sorry about what happened before." Lacus apologized.

"Come on, you weren't like this when you slapped me…" Kira attempted to cheer her up.

"You shouldn't believe in her prejudice…" Miriallia added.

"Come on, be the Cagalli that always yells at me." Dearka stated as well.

"Don't let Lucia get to you, I know you're stronger than that." Arabella remarked.

"Besides, you know she had it coming to her. She deserved it." Yzak added at the end.

"Everyone just leave me alone!" With that, Cagalli ran away, to the surprise of everyone.

"Why did you have to do that?" Lucia yelled, infuriated at her brother.

"Get in." Ray said coldly.

"Fine." Once Ray started driving, Lucia started talking again. "So why?"

"Lucia, you're an idiot."

Lucia stared at her brother incredulously, and then started sulking again. "That Natural…how dare she hit me…" The more she thought about it, the more she fumed. "She'll get her own, eventually…" Then she thought about another person who her anger was also aimed at. "That Arabella…" Who did she think she is? Okay, so Arabella was ruler of Icedale, and that would technically make her Arabella's subject, but that was a trivial detail.

She hated her. Yes, perhaps even more so than that Natural girl. Mixed blood. How more despicable could a thing get? And yet that mongrel had everything. Friends, money, power, and yes…Yzak. It was just unfair! She was the one that had pure blood! Yet Arabella had the perfect life, not her! She was going to set things right. She was going to maintain the truth. She was going to take everything away from the princess, and gloat over it.

Chapter done!

I don't know…I get the feeling that the chapter was…blah…

And yes, isn't Lucia evil? (selfish little…)

Ah…poor Cagalli…hope she feels better…XD

And yes, there was more ArabellaxYzak than usual. But then again, they basically had a two-chapter break, so I thought it only fair to give them some screen time.

And isn't it funny how Yzak states that he's "fascinated" by Bella, but won't downright say that he likes her? That stubborn boy…XD (But then, to cut him some slack, it hasn't been that long since he's known her, and it isn't like Yzak to get all mushy either)

And the little scene with Lacus and Cagalli…well, realistically speaking, if you live with a person, and basically see them 24/7, you would start getting a bit fed up with them, even though you are good friends, right?

And the "medieval charades" thing…it is an actual game…I don't think it's actually called that though.

Okay, next up, not to spoil anything, let me just say, tension, tension, and more tension…