JC: Back with another chapter! I was planning to make 20 chapters for this story, but I decided to make it longer, which means Love Fulfilled 2 won't be coming out soon. I have to finish this first before I could proceed to the sequel. Hope you guys understand.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

Gundam Seed: Mythical Legends

Phase 19: A new teacher, a new threat

"Shizukana Yoruni!" sang Meer Campbell, prancing along the hallways and heading towards her locker. On her way she spotted her dashing Athrun talking to Cagalli. "I won't let that wretched blonde have her way. Athrun is destined to be mine and mine alone."

Cagalli was nothing good for her, she was certain. She marched up to Cagalli and pushed her aside. "Get away from my Athrun, bitch!"

Cagalli seemed thoroughly surprised at Meer's interference. Then she bolted, yanking her hair hard. "What did you do that for, witch?!" On guard, she reluctantly released her hair and went over to Athrun's side.

Soothing her poor hair, Meer muttered some curses about her, which doesn't seemed to affect Cagalli at all—even though she had a violent temper.

When Meer realized Cagalli wasn't paying any attention to her, she quickly grabbed Athrun's arm. "Athrun, that girl is no good for you. I'm much better than her. Why don't you dump her now?" Meer talked sweetly, thinking it would convince Athrun.

From the way she acted, it would be impossible to gain Athrun's full respect. Tempted to gag her already, Athrun wondered if it would be right to insult a girl to the fullest.

Cagalli, though, felt so jealous seeing Meer holding Athrun like a stuff toy. She couldn't possibly let it go. She had to do something. "Meer Campbell, let him go this instant!"

"No way!"

"Let go of him or else…" Cagalli warned her.

But Meer wouldn't budge one bit, so things were about to get worst. Too bad Athrun interfered with them.

"Campbell, I've told you so many times already!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, showing Meer how serious he was. Firmly but gently, he pushed her away from him and placed his arms over Cagalli's shoulder. "Can't you see I'm with her now?"

Even as he thought about his actions just now, the notion bothered him so much.

And Cagalli just got surprised again. He didn't only do this once but twice already in front of Meer Campbell.

"I don't want to believe the rumors going around, but I can see that it's true." Meer tried to sound firm. "Athha is really your girlfriend, isn't she?"

"Believe what you want to believe," replied Athrun, looking coldly at her. He grabbed Cagalli's hand. "Let's go." He walked off pulling Cagalli with him. When they reached a certain distance, Cagalli looked back at Meer and saw her sad facial expression. Somehow, it made her feel sorry.

Class 3-A

Waiting for her teacher to arrive, Cagalli decided to read a book she borrowed from Athrun just to kill some time. She wasn't a bookworm but reading was more entertaining than doing nothing.

"This book is rather interesting," Cagalli murmured softly.

Her new classmate, Miriallia Hawe, looked up from the notebook in front of her. She shifted her eyes at Cagalli and saw the book she was holding. "What are you reading, Cagalli-san?" she asked.

"A story about a mortal and a goddess falling in love with each other," Cagalli said. "Their love is actually forbidden."

"Forbidden?" muttered Miriallia, growing curious all of a sudden. "What are the names of the characters?"

"Well… The mortal's name is Alexander and the goddess's name is—"

Miriallia butted in. "Freya-sama…"

"Oh, that's right." Cagalli's cheeks turned a little red. Umm…" She wrinkled her brow. "I wonder if this story is true. Do you know, Miriallia?"

"Hmm… I'm not sure." Miriallia began thinking about Freya's past love life. Surely she knew that Freya got involved with a mortal before. "Please tell me more about this story."

"Okay." Flipping to the next page, she read aloud the first lines she saw. "Freya was willing to go against the great lord, Odin, and she was willing to give up everything—even her own immortality for the one she loved."

Giving up everything, Miriallia told herself. She shifted her gaze at her desk. She was willing to do anything for love… She clasped her hands hard.

After reading some of the lines, Cagalli turned to Miriallia while saying "Isn't that romantic?" Then she noticed Miriallia's face. "Huh? What's wrong?" she asked.

Miriallia quick gave her a cheerful look. "Ah, nothing's wrong. I was just enthralled by the story," she lied.

Cagalli snapped the book shut. "So… Is this story true? Did it happen before?"

"Ah… you see…" She tried to come up with an excuse. "That story is actually…"

Cagalli gave her a look. "I'm getting impatient here," she complained. "Don't tell me you forgot?"

Miriallia chuckled nervously. "There's no way that book can be true."

"No?" Cagalli challenged her, raising an eyebrow.

"A mortal wrote that book." Miriallia had finally found an excuse. "A mortal couldn't possibly have unlimited knowledge about the gods and goddesses," she said confidently.

"Oh, I see," Cagalli said softly. "I thought it was true."

Miriallia felt her mouth curve into a smile. "You shouldn't believe in what Mortals write about the gods."

"Sure." Cagalli frowned and began to fiddle with her fingers. "So, a mortal and a god can't be together?"

"I'm afraid so." Miriallia reached for Cagalli's shoulder and urged her to look at her. "What's wrong? Don't tell me the story bothers you?"

Cagalli nodded slowly. "You see… I actually like—"

"Good morning, class!"

Startled, Cagalli turned to see a familiar guy enter the room. "I'm sorry for being late," he said, bowing his head in apology. "I'm your new teacher, Gilbert Dullindal."

"It can't be…" Cagalli stared at the new teacher in surprise.

Miriallia clamped her mouth. "What is Odin-sama doing here?" she asked.

"How the hell should I know?" Cagalli grumbled, clenching her hands.

"My, my, I have good-looking students here," Gilbert started, talking to the class as though he didn't notice the two goddesses. "Before I begin, let me check your attendance first." Her grabbed his record book, opened it to the desired page, and read out the names out loud.

When he mentioned her name, Cagalli refused to raise her hand to indicate she was present. But Gilbert still went on calling her name until she irritably raised her right hand and uttered "I'm here."

"So there you are… It took you some time to answer me."

Cagalli tried her best to stay calm. "I'm very sorry sir. I guess I was just surprised to see a new teacher." She smiled weakly.

Gilbert tapped his finger to his chin, looking knowledgeable. "I understand."

Sheesh! Stop your foolish acting, Odin! Cagalli yelled in her mind. She didn't know how long she could be patient. What are you up to this time?

Miriallia glowered at Gilbert. Is he planning to take advantage of Freya-sama by being her teacher? She had to stop and think about what to do for a moment. "Cagalli-san, we should inform this to the others later," she whispered.

"Okay," replied Cagalli.

Library

Jean sat up and stretched as she crossed her legs. Finished reading the book at last! And she'd finally had some ideas for her report.

"I'm going to score an A+ in my English Class," she said in a low voice, hoping no one would hear. She thought about her English Teacher, her terror teacher. "I swear I'll surprise her with my report." She grinned.

As she left the table and went across the room, she saw the pig-tailed girl she met the other day. Happy to see her again, Jean approached and greeted her. "Hello there, Meyrin!"

Meyrin blinked the minute she saw Jean. "Ah… Hi… umm… Jean?"

"Glad you remembered me," Jean said with a sigh of relief.

Meyrin giggled. "How could I forget?"

"So, what brings you to the library?" asked Jean.

"I have a report due next week. I came here to do research."

"Want some help?"

"Really?" Meyrin's heart started to jump for joy. "That'll be great!"

"Come on, let's get started."

Jean returned the book in its respectful shelf. Behind her, Meyrin pulled out a book and opened it. "This book is probably good," Meyrin said, reading the introduction.

"Probably?" echoed Jean. Turning around, she noticed Athrun and Cagalli sitting together at one table. "Oh, those two again… They look cute together, wouldn't you agree?"

"Huh? Who?" Meyrin asked, turning to the direction Jean was looking at. She couldn't stop herself from blushing when she saw her crush, Athrun.

"Athrun-san is a fitting man for Cagalli-san," added Jean in a whisper.

Meyrin felt a little uneasy. Seeing Athrun was wonderful but seeing Cagalli with him was another thing. "Athrun-san… Cagalli-san… Together?" She unintentionally dropped the book. "I thought their relationship was just a rumor…" She lowered her head.

"Well, they do care about each other, and that's close to loving each other." Jean leaned against the shelf without taking her eyes off of Athrun and Cagalli. "From my point of view, I think the two of them are in love."

"What?!" Meyrin gasped. "They're…in love?" She shivered like a frightened little girl.

Before her eyes, Cagalli leaned her head on Athrun's shoulder. Suddenly she felt like lightning struck her heart. No… Athrun-san… She closed her eyes.

Noticing her expression, Jean asked, "Hey, you okay?"

Meyrin opened her eyes slowly and shifted her gaze at Jean. She put on a good face to hide her true emotions. "Yeah, I'm okay!"

"You sure? You don't seem okay a while ago."

"I'm telling you I'm fine," Meyrin insisted. "Come on, we should get to work." She picked up the book she dropped.

"That's right. Let's not waste anymore time."

"Uh-huh." Despite of her broken heart, Meyrin couldn't think she could put up a good act in front of Jean. The hope she had until now was diminished. She knew from the start she couldn't be in Athrun's heart. He doesn't even know her and yet… I prayed hard, but nothing happened.

After sensing a strange aura, Cagalli felt a little dizzy, making her lean on Athrun's shoulder. She held her head and groaned in pain.

"Are you all right?" Athrun asked, touching her cheek.

"I think so…" She straightened and stretched out her arms. "I must be tired from all this school work." She showed Athrun a smile.

"You must take better care of yourself," said Athrun, stroking her soft blonde hair.

Cagalli swallowed hard. "Don't worry, I will."

"Everything's going to be more dangerous now since he's here," he said in a deep tone. He held her hands and squeezed them gently. "Be careful around him."

Cagalli could tell how important she was to Athrun. For his sake, she decided to train how to use her powers against Odin. Besides, she couldn't always rely on others to protect her.

Outside the library, Gilbert had been watching them. "Looks like my psychic waves affected her, which means her powers haven't fully returned yet." Visions of ruling Asgard with Freya danced in his head. It won't be long now until you're mine, Freya."

To be continued…

JC: Gilbert is the new teacher of Archangel! Shocking isn't it? What do you guys think? Oh, Meyrin is in love with Athrun! Too bad she doesn't have a chance. Don't worry; I'll pair her up with someone else soon. Please review, okay? No Flames!