Hurray!

Another chapter done! This one was fun to write tee hee. I hope you like it! Life is getting busy again with school starting up so if I don't update for a while it doesn't mean I have given up on the story, it means I'm a little tied up.

Enjoy!

Thank you soooo much for the review for the last chapter! They mean a lot to me! Arigato gozaimasu!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

Affronted Affections

Chapter #9: A Night Best Forgotten

Athrun reluctantly sat down on the edge of Cagalli's bed as she pranced around the room from one side to the other trying to get herself ready for the evening. He watched with bemused curiosity as she stumbled on her heels while trying to do pull her hair through the elastic band that was meant to hold it in place. One of her silver gloves were pulled up to her elbow while the other hung at her wrist and Athrun couldn't help but notice that she hadn't zipped up the back of her dress all the way and the zipper was gradually sinking lower and lower – revealing the creamy, smooth skin of her back to his naked eye.

His cheeks grew hot and he looked away, hoping that Cagalli hadn't noticed him gawking at her. As he turned, he caught a brief glimpse of his own reflection in the mirror on her dresser. For a long moment, he gazed at his reflection, wondering what his own father would think about all this. Athrun shuddered. Such thoughts were best left alone.

"Athrun?"

"Huh?" His head shot up at the sound of Cagalli's voice and he instinctively straightened. Hands on her hips, she was looking him over with a critical eye and the way her eyes moved over him made him inwardly cringe. Suddenly, he felt very, very self-conscious. "What's wrong?"

"Athrun, are you going to where… what you are wearing now?"

"What?" Athrun made a face. He was dressed in his plume suit and leather shoes. He had run a comb through his hair but preferred, more or less, to let it settle itself. "What is wrong with what I am wearing?"

"Nothing," Cagalli bit her lip, clearly struggling with what she wanted to say. "It's just… I thought you could maybe wear something a little different?"

Ready to open his mouth, Athrun quickly stopped himself when she hurried over to her closet and pulled out a plastic bag from beneath a pile of her sweaters that had been carelessly thrown in there throughout the week. Wrestling with the bag, she whirled around and grinned as she pulled out a snow white suit with dark blue lacing. "I bought this for you!" She declared brightly. "About a week ago when Lacus and I went shopping… why don't you wear it?"

It was the ugliest thing he had ever seen. Athrun tried his best not to cringe as he just gaped at the outfit for a few seconds, unsure what to say. "I… um… why can't I just wear what I have on?"

"It would bring out your eyes!"

"Well, um…"

"Don't you like what I bought?"

"Actually, not really," Athrun answered truthfully. "I don't like light colors."

"But the suit you have on is almost red!"

Athrun raised a questioning eyebrow. "It's dark purple."

"Which is almost like red," Cagalli replied, crossing her arms. "And red is a ZAFT color."

"What does that have to does that have to do with anything?"

Cagalli slumped. She knew it sounded terrible but she desperately wanted everything to be perfect. She wanted her father to see just how wonderful Athrun really was and even the simplest thing, such as the color of his suit, could potentially create a ripple in her plan. "Athrun, you know it doesn't matter to me what you wear. It's just that the people at this meeting are from Orb and they will notice things like that. It's not right, I know that, but that's just the way it is. Please? Please wear this?"

Judging from the look in his eyes, Cagalli could tell that he wasn't happy about it but he begrudgingly rose to his feet and took the suit from her before heading off to the men's washroom to change. Cagalli's expression softened as she watched him leave. "Don't forget to comb your hair!" She called to his back as he disappeared behind the door across the hall. "It looks a little messy!"

"I like my hair the way it is!"

Cagalli chuckled at his tart reply and focused on finding her jacket while she waited for Athrun to change. She found it under her bed and, quickly throwing it over her shoulder, she scrambled out of the room to meet her escort.

It took about ten minutes before Athrun finally emerged from the other side of the bathroom door and when he did, Cagalli couldn't help but notice the discomfort that he wore so plainly on his face. The suit fit, though it did look a little tight across the shoulders if one were to study it carefully. The button-less collar seemed to be biting into his throat a bit but aside from that, the length was good. She watched as Athrun stepped out to meet her, twisting to examine his new garments.

"Well?" She was almost afraid to ask.

"I wouldn't do this for anyone else," He mumbled grumpily as he brought up a hand to try and loosen the collar that was beginning to suffocate him. "I hope you know that."

"I know," Cagalli smiled and, leaning into him, ran her fingers along the back of his neck. She chuckled when she felt him quiver under her gentle touch and brushed her fingers down his back with a deliberate slowness. "Thank you."

Athrun shivered as the tingling sensation threatened to override his nervous system. He shuddered a second time, and snaked his arm around her waist, drawing her close.

"Are you nervous?" He felt her whisper the words into his ear and he nodded slightly.

"You forget the only encounters I have had with your father – I pushed him into the fountain and…"

Cagalli blushed. "Let's not talk about that."

Athrun was only too happy to agree and by remaining silent, he acknowledged her request.

There was a strange calmness in the air as the two of them made their way over to the assembly hall where Orb was having its meeting. Both knew that the other was wracked with anxiety and it was a forgone conclusion that neither of them would enjoy the night.

As they approached the assembly hall, Athrun opened the door for Cagalli and allowed her to pass by before closing the door behind him. The room was round and long, fully set tabled stretched across the room in perfectly aligned rows. Blue and white streamers hung from the ceiling and Athrun couldn't help but feel as if all eyes suddenly had fallen on him. There had to be at least two hundred people in the hall – none of which he knew.

"You're imagining it," he told himself. "Nobody is looking at you. You're wearing the right clothes, your hair is fine, and there is nothing strange about you. Just act calm. Act calm act calm… actcalmactcalmactcalm…"

Athrun glanced over at Cagalli and immediately realized that Cagalli had spotted her father. The grip on his hand suddenly became painfully tight and he noticed that Cagalli had gone entirely white- her eyes wide, her pupils large and Athrun could hear her breath catch in her throat. Athrun had seen Cagalli laugh, cry, drunk, scream, and shout but he had never seen her as horrified as she was just then.

"Cagalli?"

Trembling, Cagalli swallowed to try and moisten her now-dry throat as her father and a fellow representative, Yvon Kioshi, approached them, his eyes narrow and forever condescending as he looked upon his daughter's escort. Buried beneath a mop of gray hair and a bushy mustache, his stare was cold and Athrun could only watch as Cagalli shifted nervously beside him, fiddling with her dress.

"Good evening, Cagalli," Uzumi spoke gruffly, his tone anything but friendly as he totally disregarded Athrun. It was as though he wasn't even there. His hand clamped down on his daughter's shoulder and squeezed firmly. "I am glad you could make it."

Cagalli nodded, tongue-tied and at a loss for words. "Uh yes, well, I would like you to meet my escort…"

"Ah yes," Uzumi forced a thin, icy smile. "Athrun Zala."

"It's good to see you well, Sir." Athrun fought to keep his voice from trembling.

"Zala?" Yvon scowled and looked in bewilderment at Uzumi, at Cagalli and then back at Uzumi again as if searching for some sort of evidence to prove that there had been some mistake. Uzumi nodded silently and Yvon straightened, his hard eyes falling upon the tense Coordinator.

Uzumi eyed Cagalli and Athrun for a moment, as if considering whether or not he should say something before he simply shrugged and nodded a second time. "Very well."

As the four of them took their seats, Athrun scrambled aside to offer his seat to Uzumi and Yvon. He tried to throw on his nicest smile despite the curt looks he received as both the elders pushed past him without so much as a word and chose to sit across the table instead. Watching, he hurried over to the chair beside Cagalli and sat down.

No one spoke as Yvon and Uzumi surveyed the couple across from them with a critical eye. Cagalli dug his hands deep into her lap and shifted uncomfortably. Her heart sank when she noticed Yvon's enraged eyes all but smothering the poor boy beside her.

All of a sudden, Cagalli felt her stomach growl and she bit her lip from voicing the discomfort it caused. Why hadn't she used the bathroom before arriving? She shook her head. She didn't want to leave Athrun with her father and especially Yvon Kioshi. Despite everything, the man had a deep-rooted distain for Coordinators and she knew that he would continue to pick and prod at Athrun if given the chance.

Again her stomach did a flop. She had no choice. Getting up, she offered Athrun an apologetic glance before turning to her father. "Please forgive me, but I have to use the facilities."

Uzumi nodded and watched as his only daughter politely excused herself from the table.

Athrun stared at Uzumi and Yvon while they stared back at him, both of them seemingly disinterested in his presence. Shifting into a more comfortable position, Athrun forced himself to relax and tried to smile.

"So, how are things in Orb?" He asked, desperate to break the ice. "I heard there has been a lot of developments...all for the better, I hope."

"I'm surprised your father didn't tell you," Yvon replied frigidly. "However, we've always been very self-sufficient. Never been a burden to the well-being of mankind. Unlike some of those fools up in the PLANTS."

Athrun bit his lip to prevent anything profane from slipping out. Not that Cagalli would blame him if it did but he figured for her sake, he should try to hold everything in.

"Actually, things in the PLANTS are pretty good," He gritted out. "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Everything is very beautiful there."

"That's not an appropriate place to raise children," Yvon shook his head. "Narrow-minded places like that are a horrible influence."

Athrun straightened. How could people from Orb of all places criticize the PLANTS! "As I recall, Cagalli grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood," Athrun replied darkly. "Besides, big cities aren't nearly as safe as small towns. Most of the communities on the PLANTS are tight and safe."

"At least you're guaranteed a job in Orb though," Yvon retorted hotly. "And a culturally rich upbringing."

"And what exactly does that mean?" Athrun demanded.

"It means that you aren't raised a barbarian." Yvon answered simply, disregarding the anger that was smoldering across Athrun's face.

"I believe the term 'barbarian' originated from the people of Earth did it not?"

Uzumi lifted an eyebrow at the boy's reply and leaned forward ever so slightly. "You are a pretty smooth talker, young man." He observed.

"Forgive me, Sir," Athrun did his best to dismiss the dark glares he was receiving from the second Orb Representative. "I meant no disrespect."

"Indeed," Uzumi muttered. "My daughter thinks very highly of you. Tell me something, Athrun, what exactly are your intentions with Cagalli? Despite her tough exterior, she's a gentle soul and I would hate to see her hurt."

Athrun recoiled as if struck. "I would never hurt Cagalli."

"I'd like to believe that," Uzumi shook his head. "You are a smart boy, I can see that. If you care about Cagalli as you say you do, you would let her be. I do not want to see her used as a pawn in the foolish, political games that your father likes to play."

"I wouldn't let that happen." Athrun felt his insides tighten and looked away, no longer able to withstand the hardened glares he was receiving from the other end of the table.

"It could be out of your hands," Uzumi answered firmly. "Things change and sometimes we can't control what is happening around us. Any association with your family could be damaging to Orb as well as Cagalli herself."

"Just as any association with her could be damaging to me?" Athrun questioned.

Uzumi froze, his eyes wide. "Well I…"

"If I felt that Cagalli was in any sort of danger because of me," Athrun took a deep breath. "I would stop seeing her."

"You're being a fool if you think that it would work between you and that charming girl," Yvon piped up. "Your people isolated themselves long ago."

"Dinner!" A waitress called and grimaced when Yvon turned to look at her and she saw the fury in his eyes. The two elders stood and, without a word, Uzumi brushed past Athrun, who was still seated. As they pushed past him, a sharp gasp escaped Athrun's throat when Yvon's elbow caught the back of his chair.

Having returned from the bathroom, Cagalli saw what had happened and fired Athrun a look that distinctly read 'what did just you say to him?' Athrun simply shrugged and tossed her an all-too- innocent smile that read 'nothing that they didn't deserve.'

Athrun lethargically got up and hobbled over to the buffet, mindlessly tossing a few things on his plate and then he sat back down. Despite the miserable company, the steak smelt wonderful and the species flooded his nostrils. The chefs had really outdone themselves. Potatoes, corn, and dumplings – it was a delicious meal.

As everyone, however, began to dig in, Cagalli noticed that her father and his friend were staring intently at their plates, refusing to look her eye to eye. She sighed and looked over at Athrun curiously – he just shook his head.

"So…." Cagalli tried to think of something to say. "Did you have a good discussion while I was gone?' She figured it was a safe question.

"We discussed barbarians," Yvon grunted and looked up at Athrun, noticing he was busy stuffing a mouthful of potatoes in his mouth. "And how they tend to eat with their right hand."

His words were like ice and both Cagalli and Athrun paused. Looking down, they both wore the same frown when they realized what Yvon was suggesting. Flushing, Athrun's eyes widened when he noticed that Cagalli had intentionally switched the hand she was holding her fork in – she too was now eating with her right hand just as he was. Whether it was to spite her father and Yvon, Athrun wasn't sure but he smiled just the same.

"Different customs don't imply that at all," Cagalli tried but Yvon simply waved her off.

"Those who are properly raised should know that there is in fact a proper way to eat," Yvon replied. "It's a shame that such things are lost upon a group that consider themselves superior."

Athrun stiffed as he forced the piece of meat on his fork into his mouth. This man was testing his patience and he wasn't sure how much more he could take. How could Cagalli expect him to share a table with individuals that continually insulted his people, his family and his character?

"Most Coordinators are quit humble," Cagalli replied quickly, sensing Athrun's growing aggravation beside her. "Athrun has helped me quit a bit with school – my marks are improving a lot thanks to him."

"That's good," Uzumi nodded icily and attempted a smile. "I am glad to see that there are some positive aspects of your association with him."

Athrun gritted his teeth and lowered his gaze to his plate, mentally counting to ten. How long had he been here? A quick glance at his watch told him one hour had passed and he moaned inwardly. The assembly didn't end for another two hours.

The same waitress that had announced dinner came by with wine and offered each of them a glass. Athrun made note of the fact that they were eating red meet so, as his mother had taught him, he asked for red wine. Unfortunately, everyone else had opted for white.

"Red wine?" Yvon shook his head in disapproval. "How typical for a child of the PLANTS."

"Representative Kioshi," Uzumi hissed. "That will be enough."

"I'm sorry," The other shook his head. "I just cannot believe you would allow such a disgrace to befall your family. I mean, your daughter with… with Patrick Zala's flesh and blood? After all the trouble that man has caused?"

Cagalli couldn't believe what was happening. She looked over at Athrun who was trying to keep himself from trembling with ire. His eyes burned into the table as he listened to Uzumi and Yvon speak about him as though he wasn't even there.

"Mr. Kioshi, you will treat this boy with the respect he is entitled to."

"No Zala is entitled to any respect of any sort," Yvon huffed. "Besides, knowing ol' Patrick, this kid is probably not even legitimate. Probably the result of a one-night stand with some trashy bawd in space."

"Mr. Kioshi!"

"Oh yes, I forgot," Yvon snarled curtly. "Coordinators meddle with their genetics don't they? Barbaric…"

"Barbarism is a genetic trait," Athrun sneered. Raising his eyes, they locked onto the man across the table and Cagalli had never seen anything so terrifying in her life. Such anger, such hatred and such hurt all swelled together into an incensed glare that would burn through metal. "Only certain groups have it. It also runs parallel to the ass-hole gene which has been found in abundance just west of the Atlantic Ocean."

"My God!" Uzumi gasped as Yvon started to rise, clearly outraged.

"Now you listen to me…"

"I will save you the trouble," Athrun snapped and leapt up from his seat before the older man could. "Don't bother getting up. I'm not going to waste another second of my time here."

Cagalli felt her entire world shatter before her eyes as she reached for Athrun, hoping to calm him down. He simply shrugged off the weak grip she had on his jacket and turned to Yvon and her father. One look at his face and Cagalli immediately could tell that the evening was over. It was all over.

Damn it all!

It just wasn't fair. Curse her father for ever allowing Yvon Kioshi into the assembly! Curse him for letting him say those horrible things to Athrun! Curse her for even bringing Athrun! What had she been thinking!

"Athrun…"

"You can insult me and even my father is it suits you," Athrun growled at the stunned Orb leaders. "But no one speaks about my mother that way. I came tonight not because I wanted to but because Cagalli asked me to. I was willing to put aside the differences between us but obviously you are either unable or simply uninterested in doing the same. Goodbye."

"Athrun! Wait!" Cagalli called as he stormed off towards the door. Jumping up, she felt tears threaten to fall as he turned back to her, his expression ice cold. "Athrun!"

"Goodbye, Cagalli."

With that, he left, closing the door to the assembly room behind him.

"N...no..." Cagalli's frustration erupted in the form of anger as she spun around to face her father and the man responsible for ruining the evening entirely. "How could you do that!" She exploded. "How could you say that to him!"

Uzumi could hear the pain in his daughter's voice and it made his heart ache to see her so upset. "Cagalli, I'm sorry about this."

"How could you be so cruel?" She continued, her voice rising. "Athrun is a nice guy! He didn't deserve any of that!"

"Cagalli…"

"To say such things to someone… for no reason at all…" Cagalli forced herself to breath. "I thought Orb was better than that! Athrun is right! The barbarians are the ones like you!" She pointed a finger at Yvon. "People like you!"

Before anyone could say anything more, Cagalli bolted off towards the women's washroom again. She didn't want them to see her cry. She didn't want them to see her weak and breaking at the seams.

Uzumi and Yvon just sat there, stunned. There was a long pause before either of them spoke. Finally, Uzumi stood and picked up his jacket, his face solemn.

"Where are you going?" Yvon asked.

"To find Athrun," Uzumi mumbled under his breath. His eyes then shifted to the slightly shorter man. "And to apologize."

Yvon blinked. "Apologize?"

Uzumi nodded and gradually made his way towards the exit. The one through which Athrun had disappeared not so long ago. "Pack your things, Mr. Kioshi. From this moment on, you are no longer a member of the Orb Assembly. Get out of my sight."

TBC

I actually originally wrote this as Uzumi being "Yvon" but then I thought there was no way Uzumi would be THAT nasty so I had to create another character to suit the part. I hope you don't mind.

Anyway, I'm sorry if there are spelling mistakes. This chapter was a little shorter but the next one will be longer and a little more dramatic! Did you like it? Still not sure about a good ending so if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them!

Thank you!

Until next time,
Krilyn