Femelle Guerrier
By: EmpathicReader
To Swan, for being the absent-minded genius of a friend.
A/N: I admit did the cliffy deliberately… -grins evilly- ENJOY!
Cagalli felt her breath stop halfway in her throat. She was flabbergasted. Sad faces surrounded her as she walked trembling slightly. It was a letter. A letter to her father. He was to report to the army in a week's time.
"Are they insane? How could they do this?" Cagalli asked agitatedly as she fixed a glower at the piece of paper.
"They only send this to you when they know that you are able to fight. It is an honor for a warrior to fight for his country." Lord Uzumi replied in a lifeless monotonic voice. Cagalli clutched onto the letter tightly. She would not allow this. Standing up, Cagalli ignored the cries of her father as she ran out and mounted a horse.
Cagalli felt a wave of emotions swim in her head as she rode her horse. Fury, sadness and many other emotions she never felt. All of them mixed in one turbulent form. Normally, she would have savored the beauty of nature. But this time, she was too depressed and downtrodden to even enjoy it. All the beautiful blooming flowers on the field she had once seen during spring were wilting in the cold breeze brought by autumn. Cagalli felt a comforting hand on her shoulder as she led her horse towards the village.
"Are you alright?" A voice broke the heavy silence. Cagalli brought her amber eyes up to look at sympathetic red ones. She felt the feelings rage inside her as she tried to look away. No! I can't! Cagalli thought desperately as she felt the tears threaten slide down her cheeks. She failed miserably. Tears started sliding down her face like a broken string of pearls. Cagalli gave a sorrow-laced laugh. She brought her hand up to wipe the tears away when another hand stopped her intentions. Cagalli looked at Shinn, startled. Then, she felt herself being crushed into him.
"You don't have to pretend in front of me Cagalli." Shinn said gently. Cagalli did nothing to suppress her feelings as she hugged him back. Tears leaked out of her eyes. Cagalli cursed at her weakness and incapability to do anything. Why can't she do anything to help?
Flashback
"Why?"
The magistrate looked up a bit startled.
"Young lady, you are breaking an entry." The magistrate bellowed.
"My father is 45 this year and he limps because of the wars he fought have injured his leg. How could you ask him to fight in this war? It is pure suicide!" Cagalli said agitatedly.
"I'm sorry young lady. The enemy is rapidly taking our lands and killing our people. Men between 18 and 50 are to report to the army. Even the noblemen and royalty aren't spared." The magistrate explained, somewhat gently.
"But still this has to be some sort of mistake…" Cagalli started before some guards escorted her out.
End of Flashback
They stood like this for a long time. Shinn felt so complied to protect her. She reminded him so much of his deceased sister, Mayu. So fragile yet so strong. I'm not making any sense at all am I? Shinn thought sheepishly as he rubbed Cagalli's back. He felt Cagalli go limp and her breathing was even and soft. Shinn laid her down on the grass and covered her form with his large cloak. She was truly a strong yet fragile girl. He ruffled her hair slightly as he sat down beside her. Cagalli felt embarrassed. She woke up found herself curled in Shinn's cloak while the boy was shivering in the cold autumn air.
"Thank you. Shinn." Cagalli said awkwardly.
"It's alright. What are friends for?" Shinn said as he mounted his horse.
"I hope you won't do anything stupid. Till then Cagalli. " Shinn continued before riding away.
She needed something to vent her frustrations on. She walked into the kitchen and her eyes landed on the piece of paper on the wall. A predatory gleam emitted from her eyes as she finally found her poor torture victim.
The Kitchen God whimpered slightly when he saw the mad girl stomp in and see him.
"I swear I only ate half of the sugar-coated dates!" he shouted even though he knew she could not hear him. His eyes visibly widen in horror as he saw what her hands landed on.
Cagalli reached for the knife that lay conveniently on the table.
"You are the bribe taking good-for-nothing god aren't you? So, I guess it is alright. I'm sure the heavens above would not miss you." Cagalli said as she raised the knife.
"AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!"
After several seconds of slashing…
Cagalli rubbed her hands in satisfaction. She felt so relieved and a little regretful about her doings. Oh well.
"You evil girl! I will personally make sure your whole family suffers the wrath of the Kitchen God!" the god shouted as he reached for the conduct booklet he hid in his sleeve. He jotted down several of her evil ways and added some spice to it. The Kitchen God smirked evilly. Let's see who will win! He clucked with mirth.
Everyone in the Attha household bore heavy hearts as they prayed to the heavens for peace in the country and the safe return of Lord Uzumi. Cagalli especially. A week later, her father would ride to a certain death. Gallantly. Cagalli concluded. Normally, she would have scoffed at the idea of hoping that she was a man. But now… If she was a boy, then she would be the one fighting the war not her father. As she lit her joss sticks, Cagalli felt the slight increase of ferocity in the wind. She shook the unknown feeling off her as she bowed deeply at the ancestral alter they have set up outside. Once she finished her prayers, it happened. Everything became a blur and all she heard were voices and then… Nothing… Blackness was all she could see.
A/N: What do you think happened to Cagalli? Stay tuned to find out! R&R!