Tsubame: I never thought people would actually read this. I'm happy to know that my efforts didn't go to waste. I don't own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny but I can't help but love the characters, right? I hope you'll like this chapter. Athrun arrives at Orb…and meets with an unexpected friend…
"Double Identities"
By Tsubame Ongaku
Chapter 2: "His arrival"
As much as Athrun wanted to hate Orb, he couldn't. Their infrastructures, the people, the technology and everything Orb had to offer impressed him. Everything was nothing less than first class. It wouldn't be his first time to Orb. He actually went to Orb on an annual basis for work, but…not once did he meet the princess. He never thought he needed to.
He arrived at the Orb airport after a seventeen-hour flight. He yawned. He didn't get much sleep in the shuttle. The anxiety was getting to him.
"Well, well, Athrun Zala. Is that any way of greeting an old friend?" a voice behind him said.
That voice? It sounds so familiar. It actually sounds like… "Kira? Kira Yamato?"
The brunette grinned. Kira Yamato hadn't changed much since the last time they met in those years ago in school. He still had the same coffee-brown hair and purple eyes. Those same eyes were laughing at him as it always did whenever Athrun did something stupid or funny.
Athrun was glad to see him again but was a bit confused. "Kira, what are you doing here?"
Kira shrugged and smiled mischievously. "I'm doing a favor for my sister. I'm here to pick up her fiancé."
"A sister? Kira, I didn't know you had a sister."
"So did I until recently. We're twins, to be specific."
"Twins?"
"I'll tell you the story on the way. Coming, Athrun?"
Athrun stared at him in surprise after hearing that question. "I thought you were looking for your sister's fiancé."
His friend nodded. "I forgot to tell you. Do you know my sister's name?"
Athrun shook his head. What did that have to do with anything?
Kira picked up two of Athrun's luggage and started walking towards the exit. "Her name is Cagalli Yula Attha…"
Athrun almost fainted after hearing Kira's announcement. Kira Yamato his best friend was going to be his brother-in-law. It was just too…absurd.
"What can you tell me about your sister?"
Kira and Athrun were loading the luggage into the backseat of Kira's convertible. "Hmm…nothing much, but I tell you, Athrun, she's quite a character."
"Can't you be more specific?"
"There are some things about my sister you have to discover for yourself."
Athrun gave up. Kira was not helping. More than ever Athrun was curious. What was the big mystery about?
"How have you been, Kira?" Athrun asked, trying to change the subject.
"I've been fine," he replied, not taking his eyes off the road. "I'm Head of Security now that Kisaka has been too busy for practically anything."
"I see…"
"Oh, before I forget, open the glove compartment, will you?"
Athrun did and found a white envelope inside. "What is this for?"
"It's your invitation to the ball tomorrow night's ball. Don't lose it, okay? It's an invitation-only ball."
He opened the envelope and read the invitation inside:
In celebration of two years of Peace,
We cordially invite you to Orb's
Anniversary Ball
There was still a long list of invited guests and thank you's… but Athrun skipped everything when his eyes fell on the name "Lacus Clyne" in the invites.
"Lacus is coming?"
He must have said it too loud because Kira seemed to have heard him. "You know her?"
Athrun nodded. "She's a close friend of mine. A popular pop star from where I came from. She's actually quite nice. You'd like her."
Kira smiled. "Can I count on you for an introduction?"
Athrun chuckled. "Sure, as long as I can count on you for an introduction of your sister."
"Are you trying to blackmail me, Zala?"
It wasn't long before they arrived at the Attha mansion. It was bustling with people getting ready for the festivities the next day. There were butlers, cooks, maids and a lot more. All of them were doing various jobs to finish the preparations
Athrun was looking around and carefully dodging carts and people carrying tables and chairs from one place to another.
"Athrun, follow me and I'll show you to your room."
"Aren't you afraid of getting run over?" Athrun said, barely escaping a speeding dessert cart.
"Huh? You mean the speeding?" he asked, smiling. "You'll get used to it after a while."
Athrun frowned. "I'm not sure about that…"
"Believe me, you will." Kira suddenly laughed. "You should have seen the staff last year when they were planning my welcoming party. That was worse."
"Welcoming party?"
"Yeah, my sister insisted that I have one. She insisted that had to be the biggest party of the century. It practically was. It went on for five days before everything went back to normal. Even though planning parties are not her thing, she planned the whole thing for me. She's a wonderful person with a good heart. It's great that she has a heart to match that face of hers."
"She's that cute?" Athrun teased. He had been observing Kira as he talked about his sister. His expression had turned soft. It was obvious that Kira deeply cared for his sister.
Kira groaned. "That face got me in trouble more times than I bothered to count. There is always some deranged suitor coming to kidnap her or kiss her."
"I see…but judging from what you've told me, she must love you very much…"
He shrugged. "I guess so. She's my twin. Sometimes I feel that…I know what she's thinking…"
"Really?"
Kira chuckled softly then said, "It comes in handy sometimes. So I can keep her out of trouble before she actually does it…"
"You mean it's like a twin thing?"
"Mmm, I guess you can say that."
He led Athrun up a flight of stairs and through corridors. Athrun had underestimated the Attha home. It was bigger than it looked and it wasn't impossible to get lost.
Kira stopped in front of a big door. "This will be your room. I hope you'll be comfortable."
He nodded. "I'll see you later."
Once Kira left, he opened the door. He suddenly heard very loud music not far away, Who was crazy enough to crank up the volume that loud?