I promised I'd update faster right? Ok here's chapter 6. R&R I'd really appreciate it, . So yeah what'll happen? I'm planning next chapter to be when they actually enter the city. Sorry to disappoint you!
Cagalli woke up the next morning with some pressure on her lap and her back and neck really hurt. She opened her eyes slowly, but then shut them again because of the morning sun that was bright and blinding. She opened them again and managed to keep them open. She looked down at her lap only to see the sleeping face of Athrun. He looked innocent, vulnerable.
Cagalli was confused, what was he doing there? She questioned herself until last night's memories came flooding back to her. She remembered how amazed she was at Athrun not being a jerk to her, but rather, quite sweet. Maybe they could be friends or something more?
She shook her head vigorously at what she just thought. Friends, maybe, but how could she even THINK of harboring love for the young man? It was clearly unacceptable to be feeling love for him. (A/N: Cagalli stop being stubborn!) Nonetheless, she smiled softly at his sleeping figure. Infact she was maybe hoping they could be friends although that may be impossible considering she's a hostage and has to continue her acting her part. 'Cagalli you should know your place.' Something her father might have said to her at this time. But why did she feel disappointed? (A/N: So obvious!)
The sleeping Athrun stirred and slowly awakened, rubbing his eyes and opening them. He analyzed his current position and realized he was in Cagalli's lap. He was shocked and then remembered what happened. He smiled at her, got up and whispered in her ear.
"Cagalli, sorry I can't act like this all the time. You have to continue acting your part." His expression was pained. "And I still have to take you to father…no matter what."
Cagalli smiled a pained, sad smile. The first time he used her name and he says this. But none the less she was curious…
"Well, if I may ask…Athrun…Sir…Who is your father?" Cagalli said looking into the depths of his emerald eyes.
"My name is Athrun Zala, my father is Patrick Zala, ruler of Zaft." He answered. Not once has she ever called him by his name…It was always 'jerk'. He guessed it had something to do with what he said. Maybe he was hoping that she'd call him by his name, but now it had to be 'sir'. He was hoping that they could be friends or something more. After all this time, he preferred 'jerk' better than 'sir'. At least it sounded informal and not cold. He was hoping they could be friends, or something more. No, he shouldn't love this girl, simply because she was his captive and he, her captor. 'Athrun, don't you dare love this girl, when you capture a person you should not harbor feelings. In fact, a soldier like you shouldn't harbor feeling at all. You should be cold, unfeeling, ruthless…' Something his father would have said for his current situation. Sometimes he hated his father, no matter how hard he trained, worked, his father never game him any praise. Just said he should work harder. At one point he thought 'Why do I still follow him?' The answer was simple really, he wanted praise. No matter how much his father put him down, he was always motivated to get his father to love him like he used too, when his mother was around.
She looked at the ground, sighing heavily but not looking shocked in the least.
"Stupid question huh? I should have known. I was surprised when I figured out you worked for Zaft, but there have been only stories for children about you in the library. It really should have been no surprise that there was another secret…" She laughed. "I guess I really shouldn't have been hoping for friendship…"
"Sorry…" Athrun said, sadly. He sat down on the rock closest to Cagalli. "I want to tell you a story."
"Is this REALLY the time for a story?" Cagalli said, furrowing her eyebrows.
"For this certain story, yes." He didn't wait for a response from her. He started telling his tale. "When I was a boy, around 5 or 6 learning swordsmanship from father I lived happily with my family, comprised of father and mother. My mother was a beautiful woman who cared about everyone; I used to help her with everything since she was frail and became very ill. One day while walking through the forest attempting to collect herbs to help mother I ran into a boy. He looked my age, brunette hair and violet eyes. We became fast friends and I told him my story, he listened. He told me his problems I listened. I told him my name and he told me his, 'Kira Yamato'. After one of my meetings with Kira I came home only to meet the depressed face of father sitting beside mother's bed. I ran to her side trying to make her wake up, but she didn't. Realizing she died of disease I cried. Father after that became very strict. He forced me to do nothing but train, eat and sleep. I wasn't allowed to go to the forest either, which meant no more meeting Kira. He never gave me praise like he used to even though I was the top in the army and became legend. He still pressed on that I be better. I was motivated to work harder and harder to fulfill his needs to get some sort of praise… I still am. He hasn't shown any signs of loving me since the days when mother was alive… I don't even know why I still do what I do. I guess it's because I love him…"
Cagalli looked shocked at his story.
"You were the friend Kira kept talking about?" Cagalli asked, dumfounded.
"Yes…" Athrun said looking at the floor.
"You went through all that?" Tears streamed down her face. Athrun wiped them away with his thumb.
"I don't expect you to forgive me for continuing to take you to father…" Athrun's expression was pained.
"I forgive you." Cagalli said while smiling sadly.
"You do?" Athrun looked at her, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"I understand your reasons…And I'm sure Kira would have wanted me to help you…" Cagalli explained. Athrun looked disappointed at the answer but Cagalli wasn't done. "I want to help you because we're friends. This is why I will continue acting my part no matter how much I don't want to. I will continue being hostage with you as my captor. I will put my life into your hands…"
Athrun smiled radiantly. "Shouldn't you be putting your life in the hands of father?"
"I'd much rather have you decide. You seem less strict." Cagalli stated obviously. "Now let's go back for another day of travel so we can reach Zaft!"
She pulled him by the wrist and started running out of the clearing toward camp for another day.
'She is truly one amazing woman…" Athrun thought, while smiling.
A teensy-weensy bit angst at first right? Although there was some CagsxAthrun fluff and at the end Cags made them both feel better ne? Anyways R&R! I'd really appreciate it .
Sueslayer 1