Authors Note: OK, whew! Sorry for the long wait. Writing for this chapter turned out to be trickier than I expected. It started out as something else and turned into this. I'm not too disappointed in it and I hope that everyone enjoys it! Thanks again for all the reviews, and adding me on favorites/story alerts! It makes me so happy! Again thanks for sticking with me so far, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter of Rebuilding. Please review! I love them! :D

~Gonturan

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed, or anything related to it. Wish I did!

Chapter Six

Cagalli's living room hardly ever had so many people present in it. Mue La Flaga, Murrue Ramius, and Andrew Waltfield had joined them for the day after their meeting with Orb's representatives. Kira and Lacus looked especially pleased to see them, and Kira was thinking What a great surprise!

"Hello to you too, kiddo" Andrew Waltfield said gruffly holding a much better mug of coffee in his hands.

Miss Murrue walked over to both of them and gave them a hug, she had always felt close to Kira since she was the reason he got involved in the wars. She smiled happy to see two of her most valuable friends.

"Hey Kira. How are you? Still with the lovely Miss Lacus I see," Mue said teasing the pair. "It's good to see you too."

"Hey Murrue, Mue, when are you going to correct everyone?" Andrew asked the pair, raising an eyebrow in there direction. Clearly he was aware, and annoyed by his partners lack of forthcoming.

Cagalli, Kira, and Lacus looked at the three confused. Mue and Murrue were blushing, and Andrew just took another sip of his coffee scowling into the contents.

"Correct us?" Cagalli echoed surprised. Kira just looked at them. In all his time of knowing the two of them he could understand Miss Murrue keeping it to herself if that was all it was, but Mue hardly every had a problem speaking about anything. Lacus said nothing she just examined the pair closer. They had been together on the Archangel, and even after Mue lost his memory there had still been a connection between the two as Neo and Murrue like Mue and Murrue. That was when she saw it. Lacus clapped a hand over her mouth, but still let out a sound of glee. She joyfully ran over to the two and gave them a big hug, saying "Oh! I'm so happy for you!"

Kira and Cagalli were still confused. The matters of relationships were often still a gray area for them, for all their quick thinking on the battlefield, with electronics, or politics they still didn't always pick up on the small things.

"What? What is it Lacus?" Kira asked her. Andrew laughed noticing how the twins couldn't see what was right in front of them.

"Well Cagalli, Kira," Murrue started. "It actually isn't Ramius anymore." Here she turned to look up into Mue's twinkling eyes. "It's Mrs. Murrue La Flaga, and has been for some months now."

She said it with such happiness that all the two could do was smile themselves. They looked closer and noticed the square cut diamond located on Murrue's left ring finger. Then once it clicked they went and gave the two a hug and congratulations also.

"How could you guys not tell us!" Cagalli exclaimed.

"Yeah, I thought we were closer than that!" Kira added, pretending to be offended.

"It's not their fault the two of you are slow when it comes to seeing things right in front of you" Andrew interjected.

Lacus started laughing afraid that Mr. Waltfield had a point. The newly wedded couple also started laughing.

"We wanted to tell you guys, but we knew how busy you have been," Mue said. " We were married a few months ago in a quiet ceremony with only our parents, Erica Simmons, and Andrew here present. Any more than that and it would have been swamped with the paparazzi."

After the war the important people had turned into instant celebrities. Lacus and Cagalli who were already used to such attention from a young age knew how to deal with it. They nodded their heads in sympathy. Kira who now had a huge fan girl base understood completely. He had been thrilled to find out that Cagalli's home was heavily fortified and had a gated entrance.

"Interesting," Lacus smiled. "I can't wait to see how much you surprise everyone at the gala! You are going aren't you?"

"Murrue was all set for not going, but I talked her into it. It should be a fun party anyhow. Besides this way I can st-"

Murrue put a hand over her husband's mouth. "Yes well I think that's enough out of you."

"Awww! Wait what was he about to say?" Kira complained.

Mue was cracking up, and Murrue was blushing like mad. Andrew Waltfield looked at them all with mild amusement. Cagalli just looked totally blown away, Kira was just clueless, and Lacus well she was just smiling. He thought that Lacus Clyne was probably the smartest of the lot, but often fooled everyone with her pink hair and her sweet innocent disposition. He snorted drawing their attention. He couldn't help it. It was just all too funny.

"Oh, come on Murrue. It's not like their not going to find out. Why don't you let Mue finish? Or would you rather I say it?"

At her continued silence and hand still clapped over Mue's mouth, Andrew took that as a go to spill the beans.

"Well. Murrue here has been widely known to be working back at the Morgenroete facilities. As Murrue is a looker, naturally she has been receiving a lot of phone calls from men of past acquaintance who would like to take the Miss Ramius out for a good time, not knowing that she is now Mrs. La Flaga. You catch my drift?"

They all continued to look at him. Except for Lacus who was still currently smiling.

"Naturally Mue wants to show off his new bride and send those blokes a message to lay off. He has a lot more self control than I do. I would've broken a few jaws already."

Mue cleared his throat. Murrue hastily removed her hand from his mouth. "Ahem, well yeah sorry to ruin my image for you Andrew, but I'm afraid we'll be seeing Captain John Harrington of the earth alliance at the gala with a superbly broken jaw."

Athrun checked his watch it was nearly noon and still Kira hadn't shown up. If he hadn't been sure that he would be here to pick him up he would have made the arrangements for his travel and accommodations himself instead of waiting here for him to show up whenever he felt like it. It was a good thing he dressed casually with his sunglasses on. He didn't really want to be recognized.

There. He saw him. Kira was speeding closer to where Athrun was standing in a vintage electric blue corvette. Kira skidded to a stop, probably more for effect than actual need to do so. He stepped out of the car, and gave a sort of apologetic smile and then a real grin at the car.

"Sorry I'm late. I had to beg my little sister to let me borrow her toy."

"Your sister's toy? This beauty is Cagalli's?" Athrun said in disbelief.

"Yup, and she thinks that I just went for a drive while she and Lacus have their 'formal' meeting. It was all very formal and calmly mannered until I came," Kira grinned as he remembered her livid face. "She yelled some, wondering why I had to borrow it right then and there. And how the hell did I even know that she owned it. You know it's just too easy to tick her off sometimes."

Athrun of course knew only too well Cagalli's temper, and that if Kira was able to escape with only a tongue lashing meant that either she was maturing or something else. It was both funny and horrifying to him to think about. Plus, if she heard him refer to her as his little sister she'd knock his block off.

"Yeah, try being her bodyguard for once," he laughed at the memories. "You have to put up with all kinds of nonsense. She thinks that she can take care of her own safety and do her job at the same time. I don't know when I've been kept more on my toes as a civilian."

"I can imagine, she's a real firecracker, but you gotta love her for it."

They climbed into the car after a typical male appreciation of the classic vehicle. They argued about who should drive it back, but decided it would be best if Kira did, since they were pretty sure Cagalli would be able to tell who drove her car last. Kira being the slightly more conscientious driver though Athrun would disagree.

They soon were back at Cagalli's home and were able to park the car back in one of her garages. Cagalli really did enjoy splurging on her "toys" even if she didn't get to "play" with them very often. It was another one of those characteristics of hers that had been dampened by her workaholic nature. She was an image of the proper leader. If it were to be known that the Chief Representative kept really nice sports cars and actually owned a personal sky grasper the public might view her with a different eye.

"I'm afraid that I am jealous of your sisters collection," said Athrun.

"Don't worry. It's normal. So am I."

Kira then lead Athrun in through a side entrance to the kitchens where Kira was now widely known to have a healthy appetite. They left with a big bag of snacks that the head chef practically shoved on them, and they weren't disappointed to have to take it. Kira then led Athrun back to where he thought was where Cagalli had more guest rooms near to where he and Lacus were located, but Athrun stopped him telling him he was going the wrong way.

"What do you mean I'm going the wrong way!"

"That if we go that way we'll end up in the administrative wing, and Cagalli will find out that I'm here!"

"Well maybe she should!"

"What so she can kick me out before I even have a chance to talk to her?"

"Huh, you have a point there," Kira conceded. Then the pair stopped and began to laugh hysterically. There was a chirp from a mechanical bird that then came flying to land on Kira's shoulder. Athrun smiled widely now, happy that his best friend had kept his gift for so long. A big man with long iron gray hair pulled back into a ponytail then strode over to where the young men stood.

"Kisaka! Hey, you remember Athrun right?"

Kisaka said nothing. He just continued walking over to them and when he reached Athrun he picked him up by his collar and hauled him off his feet. Athrun was feeling decidedly intimidated. He should've expected this, he thought. Kisaka treated Cagalli as his daughter, and Athrun had in his mind really hurt his daughter.

"Oh yeah," Kira muttered to himself. "He definitely remembers Athrun." Kira couldn't blame Kisaka for his feelings either as there would always be a part of him that would want to throttle Athrun for hurting his sister.

Kisaka only looked Athrun straight in the eye and said this, "You better not hurt her again. I don't care about what happened in the past. Make it better, and if you hurt her again. Let's just say I will hurt you, and I don't care what position your in."

He then put Athrun down, and completely relaxed his posture. It was as though the scary Kisaka had completely disappeared. Here now he stood smiling at the two young men thinking that it had been a while since he had seen them this healthy standing next to each other.

"So Athrun. I didn't know that you were going to be staying here too." He gave a pointed look in Kira's direction who sheepishly returned his gaze. Athrun had impressively regained his composure and was able to respond in what he hoped was a casual enough manner.

"Yeah. I didn't know I was either until Kira and Lacus informed me of my travel arrangements, and I showed up on your doorstep."

"Huh, I guess that means Cagalli doesn't know that you're here either and that you probably want to keep it that way for the time being am I correct?"

"Yes sir. If at all possible we would want to keep it from Cagalli until the last possible moment," Kira said.

"Ah, I understand completely," and if he didn't Kisaka thought, I know someone who can explain it to me. "Well if your looking for a guest bedroom they are in the other wing."

"Ha! I told you Kira!" Athrun said feeling vindicated. Over two years since he had last stepped into this place and he still knew the layout better than Kira who had visited several times.

"Shut up," Kira said wearily knowing that he'd never live this down.

They began to continue their way to get Athrun safely hidden in a proper guest quarters. Before they left Kisaka, Athrun spoke quietly to him in response to Kisaka's earlier threatening statement.

"I wouldn't expect anything less. I'm in love with her. I'm sorry for the hurt I caused, and I will make it better. I promise."

"Hey Cagalli, you don't mind if Kira and I go out do you?" Lacus asked Cagalli as they were finishing putting the signed forms in their respective briefcases.

"Not at all," Cagalli said smiling. "That's fine. I'm going to go pick up Mir at the shuttle port later anyhow. I told her she could stay here rather than pay for a hotel room that's not as nice. Plus its not like I don't have plenty of room here."

"Oh tell her I say 'hi' ok?" Lacus said earnestly.

"Will do," she chuckled. "I'm really just thrilled to have an excuse to get out of here. I would have loved to pick you guys up myself, but Kisaka put his foot down saying that he couldn't put a bodyguard in one of my cars and fit you two in as well. Ha ha! I had to compromise with him that a car could follow me while I drove there."

"That's fine, plus that means you won't be here all by yourself while we're out."

"Heh, me alone in this house!" Cagalli snorted. "When that day comes I'll prance around in a frilly dress singing songs."

"Ooh, I wouldn't go that far, that would be more of a punishment for those around you wouldn't it?" Lacus teased, knowing that Cagalli was really rather tone deaf when it came to singing.

"Ha! Too true! I can't hold a single note!"

"Yup!" Lacus smiled. "But even though there are always people in your house Cagalli. You are still often alone. That's ok, but you know you don't have to be, right?"

Cagalli wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. She knew deep down that what Lacus was saying was right, but for some reason she didn't want to acknowledge it. She wouldn't. Not then. She felt tiny pinpricks of tears in the corners of her eyes.

"I hope that you and Kira have a good time tonight. My dolt of a brother better treat you to a five star meal."

Lacus saw the struggle in her friends face, before it changed back to one of her calm blank political faces. She decided not to say anything further, she'd have to face it all soon enough.

"Don't worry. Your brother is always the perfect gentleman. We're going to have a great time. I love the fact that I still get butterflies in my stomach like it was our first date. He makes me… He makes me feel so special you know?"

"Yeah, I think I do," Cagalli said quietly. "So what are you going to wear?"

Athrun had from the moment they found his room, been kept to his quarters. Kira stayed and they talked, messed around. Kira had been very serious that if Cagalli found out that he was there, not to name names.

"I am perfectly serious, Athrun. She will murder me in cold blood. Or at the very least chase me around the mansion, and proceed to kick me out."

"Ha-ha… You know it's your own fault. I didn't ask to be brought here."

"I haven't heard you complaining either."

Athrun began to blush slightly. He hadn't been too surprised to find out that he was staying with Lacus and Kira at Cagalli's home. He was actually intrigued with the whole setup because it would make it that much easier for him to see and talk to Cagalli, and that much harder for her to kick him out.

"Yeah. So what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Will you and Lacus come to visit me?"

"Ah, yeah. Just not tonight."

"Really? I would have thought that the two conspirators would want to see through to the end the well being of their pawns. What are you doing then?"

"I'm taking Lacus out on a date."

"Ooh! Fun, you better treat her right Kira. That's a good enough reason to leave me hanging so your off the hook."

Kira rolled his eyes. Athrun could be so melodramatic sometimes. "Really that means so much to me."

"Hey it should. She was my fiancé at one point, and is still one of my best friends."

"Yes, and you are trying to date my sister. That makes it even doesn't it?"

The door suddenly opened and as Athrun fell over the side of the bed trying to hide, the figure suddenly started to laugh. It was Lacus who suddenly entered without knocking.

"You two should see your faces. Really! That was just priceless!"

She walked over to where Kira was sitting on a chair and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. The she went to Athrun who was still lying on the floor on the other side of the bed breathing deeply.

"It's good to see you again Athrun sorry for the scare. I suppose I should have knocked?"

Athrun groaned as he began to sit up. He then cursed slightly at Kira's and his own carelessness it could have been Cagalli coming through those doors for all they knew.

"Yeah, well that would have been really nice. So how's the pink princess these days? Are you enjoying some of the free time you have before the gala?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I'm loving the time off. Did Kira tell you he was taking me out tonight? That's why we can't keep you company. Sorry. I know that we're the reason you're here and all, and that Cagalli doesn't even know that you're here yet. And I'm just going to stop talking right now."

Athrun began to laugh. For Lacus to start rambling, even if it was a short kind of rambling was too funny. He didn't doubt that his friends only had their best interests in heart, Kira and Lacus were like a brother and sister to him so he forgave their exuberant tendencies.

"So Athrun. Did you know that Miss Murrue and Mue got married?" Kira asked to steer the conversation back to the present.

"Ah. No. I actually have been out of contact with them as well if truth be told," Athrun said honestly. "But that's great! Really, I would have expected that it would have happened sooner so that's great!"

"Yeah, your taking it a lot better than I did. It was funny too Mr. Waltfield-"

"Mr. Waltfield was here too? Kira come on it's taking you forever to tell me anything."

"Hey what do you think I'm doing now!"

"Ok, ok. Continue please."

Lacus watched the two of them bickering like children. It was actually a lovely hilarious sight for her to see those two best friends acting so relaxed. But, she mused, if they kept this up, Cagalli might come and question someone about the noise…

"Ok so I'm going to go get ready for our date, ok Kira? Athrun Cagalli should be leaving here soon too. She's going to go pick up Mir at the shuttle port. So that way you can go down to the kitchens and get some food ok?"

"Lacus your too good for us, you know that?"

When Athrun was left alone in his room, he laid back on his bed and ran a finger over the red ruby pendant that hung around his neck. He remembered when he got it, and from who. Especially who. He wondered what she might think if she knew he still kept it and wore it everyday?

There were so many memories that just had her in it. The first one was one of his favorites, even if it did involve a gender mix up and the two of them almost killing each other. That's when they first were able to become friends.

"Oh, I'm Cagalli! What's your name?"

A foolish thing to ask the enemy, but that didn't stop her. She smiled as she walked away on that island. After that and then meeting her again had been such a surprise, but even then he had been happy to see her again. Even when she was yelling at him, he needed to be yelled at, to have some sense knocked back into him through his thick skull. He had been happy to be yelled at by her.

She was the first girl that he had ever really liked, and he wanted her to be the last. He was so stupid to go back to ZAFT that second time. He realized that now, and if he had known that she would end up only giving him that farewell hug, he never would have let her go.

She was what saved him that first time. She was so stubborn, and often made people face things that they would rather not. He breathed heavily. Cagalli Yula Athha made him a better person. They complimented each other.

He had been angry, shocked, and hurt when he heard that she was going to marry Yuna Seiran. He had been thinking only about himself, and didn't even stop to think about the Cagalli that he knew and trusted. He was such an idiot.

He would get her back. Even if it took a year, or ten years.

Anonymous Reviews:

Survivor18: Hahahahaha! No it's my secret! Ha ha, I'm just kidding. Thanks for another great review! The comment is actually in Chapter 2 and don't worry, the comment will probably be loudly verbalized later on by Cagalli as she will probably be extremely ticked off with actions of said brother. That is all I'm going to say right now so you'll just have to keep reading to figure it out! I have a lot of fun writing about Yzak, he's just so… cynical, and hot headed. It really is fun writing about him. As for the rest again just read and find out. Thanks again for the review, I love all of your comments!

Again thanks to all who reviewed! I love all of your comments they really make me happy! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I'll try to update sooner this time!