WE BELONG TOGETHER

Finally, it's time for the ball. Here Cagalli and Athrun will get a little moment of their own. I'm going to also go deeper with the DxM subplot since I really like this couple as well.

Chapter 6: True Color

The party flowed on as Cagalli sat with the Royal sovereigns of Zaft. She did her best ignoring Prince Athrun's provocative expressions and meaningful smiles. She thought back on their earlier encounter of the opening dance.

Athrun leaned close to her, with his hands feeling her bare back, "Well, Cagalli…I hope you'll endure long enough for our little game. I'd hate to see you lose so soon."

Cagalli focused her attention on her footsteps and answered, "I'm here to be your wife, not to play games, your Highness!"

"Oh?" He lifted one of his brows, "Is that so? Who was the one playing the switching game? And here I thought you WANTED to come instead of your sister. Why do you prefer to be my wife instead of Kira's?" He baited her.

Cagalli could feel herself losing control. Take a deep breath, girl. He's trying to make you mad but you have got to fight it. Remember Mir's words, don't piss him off!

"Your Highness is such a tease. I have my personal reasons of coming to Zaft."

"Tell me, princess." He leaned closer, only a breath away from her. "Am I the reason?"

Cagalli felt trapped by his deep gaze, and shook her head, trying to break off his spell. "Of course you are." She smiled sweetly, matching his game, just as the music ended. "Now pray excuse me. I must return to my seat."

Athrun bowed and watched her walk away from him.

Cagalli cursed herself for being so unlike her usual self. If it weren't for the fact that Mir and Mwu were watching her like a hawk, she probably would have stepped on Athrun's foot as retaliation, let alone letting him make fun of her.

After accepting a few dances from Zaft nobles, Cagalli needed some fresh air. She secretly excused herself to the balcony, hoping no one caught her retreat. Unbeknown to her, a pair of sharp eyes captured her leave.

"Ah, feels much better staying out here." Cagalli breathed, feeling the night wind blowing to her face. She stretched and placed her elbows on the balcony fence. "I wonder what Lacus is doing now? Is she doing well? And father…How he must be angry with me for doing this. I'm sorry…"

As if unable to bear the sudden guilt and shame, she shivered. Cagalli tried to warm herself up by rubbing her hands on her arms, but inside, she knew the coldness was not from the weather, but from the fear of her family's unforgiveness.

Behind her, a pair of arms reached around her waist, making Cagalli screamed out in surprise.

"Shhh…It's me." A deep voice said.

"Athrun?" Cagalli stood completely rigid, feeling the masculine body pressed to her back. His mouth leaned close to her left ear, whispering, "This is the first time you have called my name. I like it, Cagalli."

Cagalli's face started burning and she now she was feeling heat, a burning flame to be exact.

He's so close to me. What should I do? How much did he hear? Cagalli was unable to think straight. She could only feel the closeness between herself and the man behind her.

"Cagalli," He called again. "Where is the real princess? You've been busy hiding yourself,"

"What? Don't be absurd. I am Cagalli." Her face twitched.

Athrun held her waist tighter, making Cagalli alarmed. "Dear Princess, I'm not a fool. I can feel your soul screaming for release." His hand reached up and placed itself over her heart, much to Cagalli's paralysis.

"Show me." He whispered his command.

Cagalli felt hypnotized by his voice. She slowly turned around, looking up at his face. He held the same confident and lazy smile.

Athrun could see she was completely under his control. It's like taking candy from a baby, he thought. In triumph, he cupped her face, bringing his face down to meet her's.

Cagalli saw his face edging closer and closer. In an instant, she snapped herself out of the trance. Just before his lips touched her's, Cagalli pushed the surprised Athrun back at arms length and yelled," You want to see me for my true self? Fine, here it is." With that she lifted her dress up knee length and kicked him in the shin. Then she elbowed him to get him out of her way.

Athrun bounced back and landed on the floor. "Ouch!" He sat on the floor, rubbing his shin.

"Listen, buster, you want to see me for who I am, you got it! You've got yourself a warning. I'm not some wench who kisses your every step. You might have won this round but you're a long way from winning the war." With this said, Cagalli stomped her way out.

Athrun sat there, speechless at Cagalli's outburst. Without a word, he threw back his head and laughed uncontrollably. "Now this is challenge I have not faced in years. Cagalli Yula Attha, you will be my best reward yet."

"Where's Cagalli?" Miriallia said, looking all over the place. She relaxed for a second and Cagalli vanished from her sight. Though La Fllaga was also keeping an eye on her, he was distracted by the young vibrant ladies at court.

Miriallia glanced from nobles to nobles, trying to detect Cagalli's figure. Before she had the chance to take another step, someone reached out and took her hand.

"My lady, may I have this dance?" A man asked.

"No, I…" She was about to reject but when she saw his face, she stopped. He was the man who stopped her in the throne room.

This tanned stranger was young, probably the same age as Athrun. He has wavy blonde hair and a smile that lit up the sun.

"Allow me the honor of introducing myself. I am Marquis Dearka of House Elthman. Pleasure to meet you."

Her cheeks blushed red. "I'm Lady Miriallia Haww from Orb, companion to Princess Cagalli."

Dearka widened his smile. "May I then?"

"Huh? Oh, the dance." Miriallia remembered. "I'm sorry. I'm a little busy right now. Please excuse me." She curtsied and left.

Dearka watched after her. He was sure they would meet again some time, he promised to himself.

"Can you believe the nerve of that man?" Cagalli complained to her friend, who was clearly not listening to her. Mir was still thinking about Lord Dearka, who she had met in the ball.

It was after the ball and the girls have retired to their room. Cagalli was busy telling Miriallia what almost happened on the balcony.

"He tried to kiss me! ME! On the first day we met too. Mir…Hey Mir…Are you listening?"

Miriallia snapped out of her thoughts. "What? Oh right, he tried to kiss you."

"That's it? That's all you have to say?" Cagalli fumed even more.

"No, I only meant that it wasn't as bad as you think. You are engaged to him now. Sooner or later, you have to get use to his intimacy. Plus not only did he not succeed, poor Athrun ended up with a bruise." Mir sighed.

"Serves him right!"

"Cagalli! You promised to be civil to Prince Athrun or have you forgotten?"

"…" Cagalli opened her mouth but could not defend herself. Finally, she said. "He asked me to be myself."

"This is what got you in trouble in the first place!"

"Mir, I can't hide the truth forever. If I am to stay in Zaft for the rest of my life then I have to show them my true nature even if they don't like it." She explained. "Regardless of what you or Mwu say, I'm doing things my way now. Athrun will just have to deal with it and that's that!"

Mir tried to speak but Cagalli urged her to say no more. Seeing how determined the princess was, Mir knew it was useless to open her mouth. All she could do now was make sure things would not go overboard.

Next morning at the stable…

"Good morning Athrun." Cagalli waved at her prince.

Athrun turned around at the sound of her voice. His eyes almost popped out when he saw what she was wearing.

"What are you wearing?" He choked.

"Clothing, what do you think, silly?" She smiled.

"They…They're clothing for men!" Cagalli was wearing skin tight trousers with a short trimmed short sleeve silk blouse. The outfit defined the outline of her perfect figure.

"No, it WAS for men. I had it altered to fit me for sporting. Can't you see how comfortable it looks on me?" She turned in a circle, stating her point.

"Go back to your room and change into proper clothing." He frowned, noticing his attendants' sights lingering on Cagalli.

"No. You said yesterday you wanted to see my true self. This is what I have always worn in Orb. Are you going back on your word?" She demanded.

"These are 2 different issues." He denied.

"Athrun Zala, "She whispered to him. "I'm going riding now whether you like it or not. I'm your fiancé, not your servant." With a turn of head, she marched away from him.

Athrun watched her go in silence. She was the first woman who has ever ignored his orders. It was not something he's used to. Not to mention she was to be his wife. The idea of having an equally confident wife was making him slightly uncomfortable as well as excited.

"Hey Athrun, you ready to go? We've been waiting for you." Dearka called out to the prince.

"Coming." He replied, shaking off the strange sensation he was feeling only seconds ago.

Athrun took the rein of Nova, his faithful battle stallion and partner and guided him to where Dearka and 2 ladies were waiting.

"What took you so long?" Dearka winked. "Having a little trouble back there with the princess? You know I'm going to tell Yzak about everything."

"Humph," He brushed the matter off. "Just having a little discussion with my dear."

"Your Highness! I thought I'm your girl." A slender girl on horseback whined.

"I thought it was me." A slightly shorter girl complained.

Athrun threw back his head and laughed. "What's a man to do about his popularity? Don't worry ladies, the princess will be my wife, but it does not mean she will be my one and only."

"Athrun, are you sure you should be saying things like this before the wedding?" His friend warned.

"Cool it, Dearka! This is Zaft and I will speak how I wish. Come on Meer, Meyin." Athrun pulled with Nova racing forward like the wind.

Dearka looked after the three, feeling slightly disgusted. "I'd never do that to someone I care about."

Cagalli rode like there's no tomorrow, with Mir and Mwu riding hard to catch up to her.

"Cagalli, slow down. You're going to kill us all with this speed!" Mir said breathlessly.

"Come on, slowpokes!" She urged her mare, Swordancer to go faster and faster.

"Whoa! Princess, wait!" Mwu called.

Cagalli ignored their pleads and continued until she reached the river. She slowed and waited for her companions to gather beside her. Cagalli stood perfectly still and kept her sight straight forward.

"That was so refreshing" She paused. "Zaft really is a beautiful country don't you think?" She looked at the amazing scenery in front of her. "I'm going to be Queen of this kingdom one day and the heavy responsible is sometimes overbearing."

'Cagalli…"Mir said sadly.

"It is my fate that I devote my life for the peace of this land. It is my obligation, my shackle."

Her friends could only stand behind her but were unable to offer any words of comfort.

Few steps away behind them, Athrun listened to Cagalli's revelation in silence. His expression remained unreadable. Dearka stood beside him, focusing his attention on another lady. What a surprise that they should have the same destination in mind today. He had wanted to talk to Miriallia again. Dearka motioned his horse forward, but Athrun held him off. He signaled to Dearka that they should leave quietly. His friend reluctantly obeyed, longing after the sweet lady just a distant away.

Athrun rode back home, ignoring his girlfriends' attempt at conversation. His thought was occupied by the blonde princess' earlier words. Am I your shackle as well?

Athrun is changing bit by bit. Next chapter, I'm going to return to the other side of the story. Perhaps I'll dive a little deeper with Stellar's plot. Also, the villains will start surfacing and troubles will start brewing. Keep reviewing please!