Hi everyone!

First, I want to apologize for the late update. I've had some trouble keeping up with school and was unable to do much writing. This is a long chapter though so I hope that makes up for it….

Thank you for the wonderful reviews! I do take all your advice into consideration and it is encouraging that you all are enjoying my story.

I typed this all up at once so I am sorry if there are spelling mistakes. If you find them, please let me know so I can fix them ok? I hate seeing them in writing so I try my best to avoid them in my own but well… it's hard lol.

Well I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review and let me know ok?

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/ Destiny or any other references to the two series.

Warnings: Athrun suffers a bit physically in this chapter.

Affronted Affections

Chapter #13: Free Fall

For a moment, Cagalli was stunned. On her knees by the side of the road, there was very little running through her mind. She felt numb. The bus that had taken Athrun away was well out of eyeshot yet her auburn eyes remained fixed it its direction. It was as though she was willing it to come back.

"Athrun," Angrily she rose to her feet, clinching her fists as she evaluated the situation. She knew her father would be looking for her that morning. She knew him well and understood that he would expect her to react to Athrun's sudden and forced departure. If she left the campus, there was no question that he would come after her and then, she would be in even more trouble than she already was. After everything that had happened she knew he would never approve of her recklessly pursuing him. Although, when she thought about it, did it really matter? It wasn't her father's heart that was breaking nor was it her father who felt as if someone had just burned a hole into the very essence of his being.

Athrun had been berated ever since he had arrived. He had been branded his father's son and had suffered because of it. Nobody had seen him for who he was. Not really. When they looked on him, they saw his father – a man who they held in great distain.

It was then that she realized what she had to do. She would not let the intolerance and ignorance of the people around her cost her the powerful bond she had established with the emerald-eyed Coordinator from the PLANTS.

She pulled her cell-phone and dialed the number for a taxi. Her fingers moved frantically as she automatically entered a request for pick up and drop off at the airport. The rain was starting to die down now and had reduced itself to a light drizzle, leaving her hair to frizz. Cagalli was waiting with a heavy heart for a taxi to come when she heard a soft cry from behind her. Turning around, she couldn't even bring herself to so much as smile as she saw Kira and Lacus hurrying towards her.

"Kira, Lacus?"

"Hi Cagalli," Kira slowed in his approach as the two of them grew near. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he whispered softly. "I'm really sorry about Athrun. I just found out about it. I can't believe that he would…do something like that to Meer. It seems so unlike him."

His words felt like a physical assault and she withdrew from him as if she had been burned. "He didn't do it!" She fired back defensively. "Athrun didn't do anything wrong! Do you honestly think he would do something like that?!"

"Well, no," Kira fumbled over his words, realizing he had made a horrible mistake. "Of course not. It's just… well… I heard… he's been suspended right?"

"Expelled," Cagalli corrected bitterly. "He's been expelled."

She heard Lacus gasp in disbelief and didn't need to look at her to know that she was shocked by the swift and harsh sentence. It all seemed to be happening so fast. "Can they do that? I mean, it is just his word against Meer's?"

"The principal has been building a case against Athrun ever since he arrived," Cagalli sighed, recalling the difficulties that he had endured. "She saw an opportunity and took it. Athrun… he's already left."

"Back to the PLANTS?"

Cagalli nodded.

Kira opened his mouth to speak but at the same time a taxi pulled up along side the road. His eyes widened in shock as Cagalli turned away from them and hurried to open the passenger side door. As she moved, he could see the rebellion shimmering in his eyes and he knew before he made a motion to stop her that it would all be in vain. Nevertheless, he had to try.

"Cagalli, wait! What do you think you are doing?"

"I'm going after Athrun," She replied simply. "I need to give him something that he left behind."

"But you can't leave the campus! What about your father?!"

Cagalli hesitated as if considering his words. She bit her lip before shaking her head in the negative. "He wouldn't understand."

"Cagal…"

She shut the door to the taxi before Kira could finish and left her two friends standing by the side of the road as the vehicle took off in the same direction that the bus had disappeared in. Mentally, she regretted being so cold to them but she didn't have time. She had to reach the airport before Athrun's plane lifted off.

Just as the taxi left, another figure could be seen running down the road. Both Lacus and Kira shifted and their eyes widened in astonishment as Uzumi came puffing down the road. At first glance, Kira was almost certain that Cagalli's father was furious. His eyes were wide and his face was flushed. Yet, as he approached, he began to feel that his initial judgment had been rash. Instead, Uzumi looked hurt and upset – like a father desperately trying to do the right thing for his daughter.

"That was Cagalli wasn't it?" The elder demanded as he met up with the two teens. "She's gone after him, hasn't she?"

"Uh, yes Sir," Kira stuttered, taken back by the direct tone in the man's voice. "It was."

Uzumi sighed and wiped out his own cell-phone and rapidly dialed a number. Once he was finished, he closed it and jammed it back in his pocket. "I knew she would try something like this. Going after that boy… I just knew she would."

"She cares about him," Lacus answered carefully. "And she believes in him."

"I know," Uzumi's head dropped as he exhaled heavily. "That's why it makes it all that much harder for me. I know I'm hurting her but…" He looked up at the two teenagers as if searching for some sort of sympathy and understanding. He found none. "I'm just trying to do what is best for her."

"Don't you think Cagalli knows what is best?" Lacus asked. "Don't you have enough faith in your daughter to believe that she would be able to make the right decision?"

Uzumi's expression softened ever so slightly. He wanted to believe that. Deep down he knew that Cagalli was mature and wise enough to choose her own company. Yet, the Zala boy… there was so much baggage that came with associating oneself with the Zalas. He didn't want Cagalli to bare that burden. And then there was the fact the two had been sharing a room…perhaps even a bed! She had lied to him.

"I used to think so," He finally answered Lacus' question. "Now, however, I am not so sure."

"What?"

"Athrun and Cagalli have been sharing a room," Uzumi replied lowly. "I can only imagine what else has been going on. I don't want her to ruin her life. One mistake is all it would take."

"Cagalli wouldn't…"

"It was never Cagalli I was worried about."

"Athrun?" Kira made a face. "He wouldn't either. Neither one of them are stupid."

Uzumi, very much like his daughter, didn't bother to continue the conversation. When a second taxi pulled up beside him, he got in and drove off. Both Kira and Lacus knew where the second taxi was bound – there was only one place it could be going.

Neither Kira nor Lacus really knew what to say as they stood there in the rain, watching Uzumi head off in pursuit of his daughter. Their friend, Cagalli, was hurting, however, and it hurt them to know that there was nothing they could do to help Cagalli and Athrun. After a moment, Lacus raised a hand to Kira's cheek, caressing it gently.

Kira turned his head to look at her questionably. "Yes?"

"I know where Meer's room is, Kira," She explained softly. "Maybe we could…"

Kira only nodded in response. "It's worth a try."

MWMWMMWMWMWMMWMWMW

The bus had left Athrun in front of the Lunar Airport – a lone figure with a suitcase standing forlornly with nothing but his own misery for company. The winds from the east pulled teasingly at his damp hair as the rain soaked his clothing. He hardly noticed. It had been a day very similar to this when he had first arrived. The rain, the confusion, the intense feeling of loneliness – it was hauntingly familiar.

He took a moment to take in his surroundings. There were people hustling and bustling in every direction but to him, they were nothing but faceless shadows. The Lunar Airport had been built overlooking a large canyon through which Minyin River ran. He hadn't really noticed this before and, to be honest, he really didn't care. Oddly enough, while he didn't mind flying and heights, the thought of teetering on the edge of a cliff and looking down at the water meters below made his stomach flip.

Athrun swallowed nervously. His father was coming to pick him up and escort him home. Oh God… suddenly jumping over the edge of the gorge seemed preferable. His father was a busy man. The last thing he would want would be to be called away from his duties to attend to his 'disobedient' son.

Athrun saw a figure out of the corner of his eyes and although he didn't respond, his heart rate suddenly quickened. The figure stepped towards him, one foot in front of the other as he gradually made his way towards him. Athrun turned, unconsciously tightening his grip around the handle of his suitcase. Straightening his shoulders and trying to remove the solemn look on his face, Athrun swallowed to moisten his dry throat.

As Patrick Zala approached him, Athrun's mind frantically tried to formulate something to say. Find a way of explaining everything that had happened. Find a way to minimize the disappointment he knew his father was feeling.

"Dad, I'm sorry, I'm not an assailant. The principal had it in for me from the beginning…no that is no good. Dad, I didn't attack that girl. No! That sounds even worse! Dad I just want to forget everything that has happened! But I can't! Cagalli, she means so much to me! Why did this have to happen? It's not fair! I never asked for any of this to happen! I tried my best, I swear! What did I do to deserve this!? Please tell me! Somebody! I…"

"Father, I'm sorry."

His voice was just barely above a whisper and it took everything he had to maintain his composure. To not break down in front of the man he called his father. To keep what was left of his dignity.

Yet, when his green eyes finally met those of his father, Athrun could see in his eyes the echoes of the same pain that he felt in his own heart. It made his own eyes sting afresh. For once, perhaps the only time in his life, Athrun didn't try to hide his feelings from his father.

"Father, I didn't…" Athrun licked his lips shamefully.

Patrick moved forward and embraced his son. He did not release him at once, but held him a little longer than a simple greeting required. Athrun hesitated, not knowing what to do. For a second, he just stood there in complete bewilderment before he finally relaxed, wrapping his arms around his father's waist and holding on tightly. Somehow, Patrick understood. He knew that his son needed to be held.

The elder could feel the shock in his son's body. He knew of Athrun's utmost fear – of being seen as a disappointment to his family and he could sense Athrun's anticipation as he waited to be scolded.

"It's okay, Athrun," Patrick whispered quietly in his son's ear. "It was a mistake to send you here. I am sorry."

Athrun nodded wordlessly against Patrick's shoulder. "I tried so hard, father. Things just kept happening. I am sorry I let you down."

After a moment, Patrick pulled back and held Athrun at arms length, studying him. The shock and ache were still clear in the boy's green eyes.

"We will fight any accusations the school tries to file against you and we will win," Patrick promised firmly. "I will not let them drag my son's name through the mud without a fight. I heard that fool from Orb is a witness to your encounter with this girl in the park? It doesn't surprise me that he would speak falsehoods against you."

Athrun shook his head, momentarily at a loss. He could not hear that of which his father spoke. Uzumi wasn't a fool. As confused as Athrun was, he honestly believed that Uzumi was a kind man who cared deeply for his daughter. He had acted as any concerned parent would have yet Athrun still wished that he could have made Uzumi understand.

Patrick frowned slightly and reached out his hand, lightly touching the side of Athrun' face.

"Don't worry, Athrun" he bade softly. "I'm taking you back to the PLANTS where you belong."

Athrun allowed a small, bitter smile to wipe some of the grief from his face. "I guess that's where I belong after all." He thought about mentioning Cagalli but his mind advised against it. While his father would understand that the school had acted out of hate and bias towards his son, he would never understand Athrun's affections for Cagalli… for a Natural.

Patrick gave a ghost of a smile as he let his hand drop from his son's face. "It most certainly is. I will personally see to it that that school suffers for the wrongs dealt to you but even so, it's probably best this way."

Athrun blinked several times. Yet, perhaps the most shocking thing was that he was not surprised. Patrick's words were not unexpected. In many ways, his father reminded him of the man from the assembly.

"Athrun?"

The boy blinked, glancing up at his father nervously.

"You didn't attack that girl did you?"

"No!" Athrun shook his head almost violently. "Of course I didn't!"

Patrick nodded knowingly and frowned lightly. "No need to raise your voice, young man. I just had to be sure. I didn't think you did."

"I'm sorry. I'm just tired," Athrun admitted. In truth, he was not speaking about being physically tired. His emotions and heart had been on such a rollercoaster lately that he was finally starting to feel the effects of it all. He just wanted to sleep, to cry and scream away everything. Whether he liked it or not, he would have to accept the fact that he would never see Cagalli again.

At that instant, there was a piercing cry that caused both of them to jump. Athrun whirled around to see two distant figures across the way. He couldn't make out what was happening but there was certainly a lot of commotion.

He saw a blur of blond hair furiously pull away from an older man, shouting angrily at him. The two were dangerously close to the cliff of the gorge but seem too caught up in a heated argument to really notice. Athrun cringed when he heard the girl cry out a second time.

"I said no!" Her voice was muffled by the winds but Athrun could still vaguely make out her words. "I'm not going back without saying goodbye! I won't!"

"Please, you are only making this more difficult!"

"Let go of me! I am not a child anymore!"

"Just try to understand my perspective!"

A shrill cry shattered Athrun's eardrums as he saw the man lunch towards the figure he assumed to be his daughter again. The girl leapt back but misjudged the distance. One of her feet slipped and Athrun's eyes widened when he saw the blonde blur slip and disappear. Before he could think anymore of it, a rush of people blocked his view.

"Good Lord!" Patrick gasped as pedestrians suddenly gathered, obstructing both Athrun's and his view even more. People were screaming, calling desperately for help. Two men ran off to get more assistance while two security guards, one carrying a rope, rushed over to deal with the commotion.

"Did you see that?" Patrick asked.

Athrun didn't answer.

The calls echoed around the gorge once again, and Athrun could see a larger group forming around the edge of the cliff. He squinted, suddenly concerned. Before he knew what he was doing, he withdrew from his father and turned towards the gorge.

He opened in a frantic run towards the source of the screeching sounds, and came to a quick stop as he found himself standing across the street from the cliff. Not so far away, a few meters a head, the cluster of people had gathered, all huddled around a tree that tilted sideways into the chasm, all eyes looking down into the gorge. Things happened quickly and as people rushed to help, Athrun found himself also feeling the overwhelming need to do something.

Adding one plus one, Athrun quickly realized that the girl had fallen off the edge. He rushed forward.

"Just don't look down!"

Athrun's eyes widened as he heard Uzumi Yula Athha calling down into the chasm while hanging onto the rope that the security guard had brought over. Athrun could only assume it was common practice for airport security to carry ropes since they were so close to the gorge. "Just hang on!"

"I need more rope!" Uzumi hollered again, his voice tight with panic.

As Athrun arrived, he saw the two security guards belonging to the airport, holding down a rope, straining at the effort of supporting Uzumi. Looking down, Athrun saw a blonde girl hanging by the tree's root, five meters below them. Uzumi was suspended about two meters above her. And there wasn't enough rope.

All this he noted in less than three seconds; then the fallen girl's voice was heard.

"Oh God! Dad, I'm slipping!"

"Hold on!!!" The Uzumi cursed, trying to find a hold in the rock and climb down.

"AHHH!!!!!" The girl screeched, squirming, trying to get a better hold of the branch. She nearly slipped and a few rocks rolled down into the abyss, followed by the crowd's calls of worry and distress.

Athrun felt his heart skip a beat when he recognized the girl dangling helplessly above the ragging river several meters below. He could hear his father's footsteps coming from behind and, in less than an instant, Athrun realized he had to make a decision and act. He didn't like cliffs but at the moment, he had forgotten that little detail.

"Dammit, someone get more rope!"

"Hurry up!" Uzumi cried, fear for his daughter's life making him curt.

"There isn't any more!"

"I'm slipping!"

"What the hell?!"

All eyes turned from the scene as they saw a figure streak by, running towards the tree, jumping high up in the air, using one branch as a ramp and then plunging down into the chasm.

"ATHRUN!!!!" Patrick shouted furiously as he watched his son jump down into the gorge. Watching in dismay as his son disappeared into the gorge, he took off towards the crowd. "What are you doing?! Athrun, no!"

"Oh God!" A girl called. "He fell!!!"

All watched in horror and then awe as Athrun dropped down into the abyss, flinging his hands up, trying to get a hold of the tree's roots that stuck out of the cliff. Finally he got a good hold of one, roughly stopping his descent, hanging right above the fallen girl's head.

All breathed in relief, some muttering words of astonishment.

Athrun fixed his grip around the root, and looked down at the girl. His eyes widened as he looked down upon her face. Though her features were covered with dust and dirt, messy bangs clinging to her sweaty brow, her auburn eyes screwed shut with fear, Athrun could still tell who she was.

His resolve hardened.

He reached down his hand towards her, lowering himself down as much as he could afford. "Give me your hand!" He called, voice clear with command.

The girl shook her head heretically, wrapping both arms around the root. "I'll fall!" She cried, refusing to open her eyes. "Someone help me!"

Athrun could feel the branch he was hanging by begin to give way. He didn't have much time. "Please," He called, voice urging. "You have to trust me. Give me your hand. Just one."

"No! NO! There's no way that branch can hold both of us!" She called, tears leaking out the corners of her eyes and running down her dusty cheeks.

Athrun grit his teeth, thinking fast as to how to make her trust him.

The girl began sobbing again, clutching tightly to the branch, head buried in her arms, eyes shut tight.

"Cagalli," He said her name suddenly. "Cagalli, it's me."

The girl jerked her head up, gaping at him. He was smiling down at her, his eyes radiating reassurance.

"Athrun..." The Cagalli stammered, looking up into his deep emerald eyes with disbelief, as if she had found something she didn't think she could find in there.

Athrun lowered himself a little more, his hand nearly touching her head. "Your hand, Cagalli, give me your hand, and I'll pull you back up."

Cagalli bit her lower lip, looking up at him with tearful eyes.

"I promise I'll get you up. All you have to do is give me one hand. Just one."

"Listen to him Cagalli!" Uzumi called from above. Everything was happening so fast he had hardly recognized the bold boy as Patrick Zala's son and, at this point, he really didn't care.

The branch Athrun was hanging by creaked again. Athrun whirled his head around and looked desperately at Cagalli, eyes begging. "Please Cagalli... C'mon...trust me."

She trusted him. With her life she trusted him.

She closed her eyes tight and with one swift motion, threw her arm up at him. She felt his strong grip around her wrist, and before she knew it, she felt this great force pull her up, yanking her off the root she was holding. Instantly, the root snapped, falling down into the abyss below only to be swallowed by the ranging rapids that coursed through the gorge.

When she finally dared to open her eyes, she saw that she was clutching her arms around Athrun's neck, legs locked secured around his waist, and she was leaning against his back.

As a few rocks rolled down the cliff, Cagalli snapped her eyes shut again, and tightened her grip around Athrun's neck. The boy only groaned, but carried on without complaint. Now within range of Uzumi, Athrun's ears perked at the all too familiar creak when he made a move to climb up the cliff. Immediately he stopped, realizing that any more pressure on the branch he was holding would cause it to snap.

Sweat bled out of every pore as he struggled to breathe. Glancing upward, he saw that he and Cagalli were now in range of her father, who was still dangling just inches above them. His eyes narrowed; his hands slippery with sweat as he readjusted his grip. "Cagalli," He hissed firmly. "Climb up my shoulders and grab your father's hand. He'll be able to pull you up."

"What?" Cagalli tightened her hold on him, resolutely refusing to let go. "What… what about you?"

"This branch won't hold our weight much longer," Athrun gritted out and gasped when he felt the branch lurch forward, just moments from snapping. "Cagalli you have to."

Overwhelmed by what was happening and too upset and frightened to argue, Cagalli nodded and shakily stretched an arm out towards Uzumi's hand. Her fingers brushed against his but she was still unable to reach him. Again she tried and again she failed, all the while tightening her grip around Athrun's neck. The boy's hands were shaking from the strain of keeping them from falling and his vision was starting to blur, making him dizzy.

Then he heard it. There was an ear-piercing snap and Athrun immediately realized that they had run out of time. Without any concern for himself and his mind now completely focused on getting Cagalli to safety, he pulled his feet up against the cliff. Affirming his grip around the loosening branch, he used it as a lever to pull himself upward.

The motion was enough to bring Cagalli high enough that she could grab her father's but it was also enough to pull the branch that Athrun had been holding out of the cliff. Feeling the Uzumi's strong hold upon her wrist, Cagalli gasped when she felt Athrun's body slip out from beneath her. "No!" She screamed and looked down just in time to see the branch that had been supporting them rip out of the side of the cliff. "Athrun!"

The branch instantly made its plunge into the depths below and with it, went Athrun. Descending at speeds that were beyond his comprehension, Athrun just barely had enough time to open his mouth to release an air-starved scream before he plunged into the icy water below. He struck something hard and cried out in pain as he felt something inside of him crack.

Resurfacing, it took Athrun a brief moment to realize that he was amongst the ranging rapids and was quickly being carried downstream. His legs scrapped painfully against submerged rocks as the current pulled him along.

Looking up to see how far away from the bank he was, Athrun realized there was no way he could reach it. Seeing a partially-submerged branch heading towards him, he made a move towards it but was knocked off stroke and the current caught him again.

The water moved rapidly down stream, much too fast for Athrun to do more than cling to the small tree he had finally been able to grab onto. Athrun could feel his body giving out on him, a sharp pain in his ribcage making it impossible for him to make a try at swimming against the current and toward the shore. To the weary boy, it had seemed like everything was a blur and all of his energies now were concentrated on keeping himself from drowning.

Athrun hit more turbulence and had to fight hard to keep from losing his hold on the tree as he and the sapling were pulled under, the water rushing over his body at a frightening speed. Just when Athrun felt as if his lungs were ready to burst and he would surely drown, the force of the under current pushed him upward and to the surface of the water. Athrun coughed and spat out the water from his mouth, looking back over his shoulder to where he had just come and silently whispering a prayer of gratitude that he had made it this far.

Every muscle and joint in his body now ached from the rough treatment, his head throbbed, and Athrun feared that he would not be able to hold on much longer. His eyes stayed fixed on the fierce waters in front of him as his thoughts momentarily turned to Cagalli. Athrun wondered how she had faired when the branch had given way. Now he could only hope that Uzumi had managed to grab onto her.

Athrun's thoughts quickly returned to the violent waters as the sounds around him grew in volume and he watched in horror as the rapids pulled him at terrifying speeds towards an uprooted rock. Frantically, Athrun searched the banks for a means of escape but realized too late that his body was unwilling and unable to follow the commands that his brain issued. Athrun's last thoughts were of Cagalli and his father – he hoped they both would be able to forgive him.

There was a sickening impact and pain exploded throughout Athrun's body. He lost his grip on the branch he'd been clinging to and the last thing he was aware of was water rushing into his nose and mouth.

"ATHRUN! ATHRUN!" screamed Cagalli repeatedly from above until her voice cracked. Now safely back on land, she frantically she twisted in her father's arms. Glancing down, she desperately searched the turbulent waters below for any sign of Athrun but could see nothing. He was gone.

TBC

Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. runs and hides Please don't be worried – We will find out what happens to Athrun in the next chapter ok? I couldn't see Patrick being angry with Athrun in this chapter because I do believe that he did have a soft side at one point and did care about his son. As for Cagalli and Uzumi – what happened was an accident. He didn't push her – he caught her at the airport and in their argument she slipped. That was what I wanted to get across. I hope I did…and if Cagalli was a bit out of character... well, she was terrified. I know I would be.

Please let me know what you think ok? I like hearing from you… I welcome constructive criticism. It is the only way to get better. I also tried to incorporate Kira and Lacus in this chapter – they will have an important role to play in the future. Any predications? Oh! I can also promise a happy ending! I finally know how I want to end this! YAY!

Thanks so much again for your kind reviews. You really keep this story going.

Take care,


Krilyn