Wah. Thanks for the many reviews I received in the last chapter. I'm so happy it was gladly received and accepted.
And now… for my feedback list.
ChildO'God – Thank you. Got ya there with the sketchbook didn't I? Hope you would get to read more chapters. Here's the latest.
Asucaga30 – what do you mean by may iba ng iniisip? Haha it's okay. I updated late too anyway.
Kitty-Kat90013820 – Sorry they didn't get together in this chapter… things will go worst from here hoho! Athrun
Drawing (trying actually) Cagalli is really cute… if only Cagalli wasn't mad ne? Thanks for reviewing and reading!
The Angels' Princess – Thanks! Hmmm.. What's in Athrun's suitcase? It's a secret for now… But it'll help Cagalli
Big time soon on the story.
Animeboy-12 – Sorry I took so long. There are a lot of things going on.
Cari-Akira - ; Athrun drawing Cagalli is kinda cute, and yes… awkward.. VERY awkward. Thanks for reading
and reviewing.
AthruCaga-centric – Yes… Meyrin would be a bit OC here. She'll be kinda pushy. Hmmm.. even if Cagalli did hear, Athrun would be too shy to explain his part since Cagalli is not asking. After all they aren't together-together right? So I made it that way. Only Athrun will develop headaches thinking about that, and he'll have a lot of explaining to do soon.
Hagumi- Hagumi-chan! Sob Thank you for understanding! Well it's an okay Christmas but it's not so happy like last year. Sigh. Anyway, thanks again for R&R. Hmm... There will be a few obstacles in the future for this couple now that Meyrin has entered the scene. But those two won't give up anyway. Happy New Year! Hope you had a nice Christmas too! Glad you liked the chapter.
Cara410 – Athrun catch up to her? Hmmmm… read on to find out. Thanks!
Tacit.lady – Cagalli's head is gonna break out of confusion! Thanks for reading and reviewing
Simply.v - Thanks. Glad you liked it. Tension does make the story. Hehe
Minerva's Cradle – Wai thank you. Being in love hurts like hell at the same time, caresses like heaven. Woot! Poetic! Hmm… is Athrun gonna confess? It's down below. Thanks for R&R. just PM me if you want anytime.
AsuCaga30 – Marami tayo dito hehe Thank you for reading as well as reviewing. ;
3fi-Pina3 – Thanks for the greeting and all. I really appreciate it. Oh, and thanks for reading too! And reviewing
Steph – Oh thank you. I'm glad you liked the chapter. Hope this one will also be accepted. Hehe For you: an update, to compensate for your everyday fanfic check-up.
Nuki – Thanks nuki-chan. Sana nga my thesis goes well. And I hope I live through it.
KiraLacus4ever – Thank you for the support. Oh wow. Thanks… I'm quite speechless. Thanks for R7R hope you enjoyed the story.
And that's about it. Oh… Meyrin will be a bit of OC here… being pushy and all. But she's not going to be bad as in bad. I just made her a hurdle to AC relationship, (I didn't want to use Meer she's all too used up) but that doesn't mean she's bad – bad). And another thing about Cagalli, She's a bit OC too in the last chapter. But she'll be back. She just had to be that way since she's confused and hurting and all.
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The Art of Love – chapter 19
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Recap:
"Hey wha— give that back!" She yelled. "I guess I should learn to draw to know how you feel or think." Athrun smiled and tried scribbling on another page of her pad. "Fat chance, even if you do learn, you still don't have the heart for it." Cagalli crossed her arms. "Maybe I won't… But at least I'll get to know you better." He turned to her.
"What are you doing?" She asked him. "I'm drawing." Athrun chuckled. "I know that dingbat… I mean, why are you facing me?" She spat out.
"My first drawing would be very special… So I want it to be you. I want to draw you… The same as you did for me back then. You will be my model. My inspiration for this." Athrun gently smiled as he struggled to scribble Cagalli's features.
Cagalli blushed and stared at him.
"Sure I will… when pigs fly.. Oh wait, no… when he decides to draw and using me as a subject… Then I will tell him."
Athrun looked back at Cagalli and saw her sad face. He stopped whatever he is doing and approached her. "Cagalli… what's wrong?" Athrun asked as he gently placed his hands over her shoulders.
She was shivering, Athrun became more worried. "Cagalli… are you okay?" He inquired again. Cagalli then raised her head to face him.
Athrun was surprised at what he saw.
She was crying.
"Please… Please Athrun… don't do this to me anymore. I… I don't…" She sobbed and then stood up. She ran as fast as she can away from him. Athrun was stunned to move. He looked down and saw her sketchpad and pencil scattered on the floor. "What just happened?" He thought.
He took her things and tried to follow her.
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A stroke of Luck?
Rain poured hard that night. It was immense downpour, as if clearly stating that the world needs to be cleansed now and then and this is the time for it.
For two unfortunate souls, it is quite a hindrance.
Athrun zala, ran as fast as he could to follow the sobbing Cagalli. He was confused as to why she was crying and running off like that. Trying hard to keep her sketchpad dry and her bag, he carefully tucked it in his coat and continued pursuing the blonde amidst the cruel showers.
Cagalli Yula Attha ran as fast as she could to avoid the Miidnight-haired boy. She can't let him see her like this… especially when she almost broke down in front of him. As if the tears weren't enough to cloud her vision, the rain had to join in.
She quickly crossed the street in an attempt to make it to the other side before the crossing light turns red. However, she wasn't quick enough to elude a car racing right at her.
She turned a bit to avoid the car but got it anyway. She flew right through the sidewalk post, hitting her head hard in the process. The car screeched to a halt and out comes a tanned, blonde-haired young man.
"Oh Shi—! I think I killed her!" Dearka slapped his forehead and approached the now unconscious Cagalli. "You Idiot, I knew it, I shouldn't have let you drive!" Yzak came to take a look at the girl also. "She's alive…. Thank God. But she hit her head hard. The silver haired guy carried her to the car.
"Oh God." Dearka fumbled. "What now dummy?" Yzak growled. "She…She's the girl Zala is with at the amusement park!" Dearka paled, and held on to Cagalli's wrist, checking for any pulse. "I already told you, she's damn alive!" Yzak snapped again and swat Dearka's hand away from the girl.
"Ow.. Hey… But we can't have her dying on the way! I'm checking if her pulse is still strong." Dearka sat down comfortably after helping Yzak tuck Cagalli in the car. For gosh sakes man, Zala would definitely know about this." He continued to rant.
"If you tell moron." Yzak snorted.
"So, are we taking her to the hospital?" Dearka seemed to have some trouble shutting his mouth.
"No. We will take her to our apartment. I don't wanna spend some money just for a darn bump on the head." Yzak scratched his silver hair in frustration. "Cheapskate, if she ends up with amnesia, I'm so telling it's your fault." Dearka announced. "Oh, Oh…. And if we get accused in kidnapping her, still your fault."
"Don't worry, I'll tell them you almost killed her." Yzak smirked and drove off.
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They soon made it to their apartment wherein they placed Cagalli on Dearka's bed after treating her head wound and putting some robe on her, since well, they can't possibly touch her and dress her up. Bad enough that they may be called 'attempted' murderers and kidnappers… Yzak wouldn't handle it anymore if he is to be called a pervert, which he is not, and so much of Dearka.
"She'll stay here." Yzak proudly announced. "Wha—where will I stay?" Dearka protested as the silver haired young man made a square face and gladly pointed at the couch. "What?!" Dearka bellowed. "Let's just call Zala and ask him to pick her up." Dearka opened his cell phone.
"And what? Let him kill us? No offense, I'm not afraid of him… but I don't want anymore commotion going on around at this time of night already. I'm tired, I'm going to sleep and you, shut up and just call it a day." Yzak grabbed the phone away from Dearka. "Besides, you don't want him to see her in this condition are you?"
"Well at least a relative or something." Dearka tugged on his hair desperately. "In case you hadn't noticed, she doesn't have anything with her when YOU decided to run her over. Not a purse or anything." Yzak opened his bedroom door. "Now, be a good boy and go to sleep."
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Athrun stood under the covered bus stop, drenched from head to foot. He carefully cradled on his arms Cagalli's belongings as he sighed. He wasn't able to catch up with her after all, and it's making him worry so much.
"Oh God… What if something happened to her?" Athrun thought as the idea sent shivers down his spine, but shook it away. "I mustn't think that way. I'm sure Cagalli is fine.. And I will talk to her tomorrow. Tomorrow."
He then went on his way back to his car, parked along outside the University, while thinking what could have possibly gone wrong with Cagalli.
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"Athrun Zala, Open this door now, where the heck is my sister?!" Kira bellowed as he violently banged his fist on Athrun's apartment door. The blue haired young man stumbled down from his bed and directly to the said door. He made a quick glance at the clock which read:
'3 am'
Athrun's eyes widened. If Kira is here looking for her, then… "Oh God, Cagalli!" Athrun opened the door and Kira held on to his collar chocking him.
"Where is she? She didn't come home. O darn I… I called the University. Said she went home with you… Oh God…" Kira chocked, it was evident that he was restraining his tears out of fright and worry. "She—She's not here Kira…." Athrun choked back.
"Kira… she's not answering her cell phone." Lacus followed suit, with a portable phone on her hand, attempting to contact the blonde. "She… She was my responsibility. Where the hell is she?" Kira backed down and released Athrun. The midnight haired young man stood up to answer but a familiar sound made them stop what they were doing and look at the direction it is coming from.
"That's Cagalli's cellphone. You told me she isn't here!" Kira pushed Athrun aside and went inside. "She's not. But.… I have her things." Athrun followed nervously. Lacus stood there worriedly and shut down her cell phone after Kira had located his twins' phone. "Then, where the heck is she?!" Kira came again, Athrun cringed. He didn't know this was going to happen. He should have made much more effort in looking for her after he had lost her that night. But he was so surprised and confused, he wasn't thinking straight.
Now he feels heavy. He tried to block all possible and horrible things that could happen to her. He slightly shivered but maintained his composure. Kira was going into berserk mode now. He probably is thinking the same thing he was thinking awhile ago. Lacus looked at him with sad eyes and mouthed to him a small: 'Please explain Athrun."
Athrun breathed in and looked at Kira straight in the eye.
"Kira…" He began. The brunette looked at him back with anger and worried expression plastered on his face. How he did that, is a mystery to the blue-haired man. Athrun held on to his best friend's shoulders hoping it would help to calm him down while he explains what exactly happened.
And it becomes successful, now all he has to do is breathe in and let all spill.
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Cagalli opened her golden eyes slowly and realized that the room she is in is unfamiliar to her. She slowly stood up and held on to her head as soon as it began throbbing. She winced in pain but prepared to get out of bed nonetheless.
"Where the hell am I?" She asked herself as she scanned the badly kept room. There were clothes all over the floor and sexy posters up the wall. She guessed this must be a boy's room, but to whom?
She looked beside the bed where a small desk resides and a couple of picture frames lay messily on top of it. She picked it up and saw two young men standing side by side. The blonde one seemed to be happy getting his picture taken and his arms lazily on top of the silver-haired guy's shoulder – who apparently is too annoyed to look at the camera. She looked at it closely.
"These guys seem familiar." She whispered, and then jumped a bit when someone came barging into the room. "Ah!"
"Hey… you're alive. Hey, Yzak… she's alive!!!" Dearka grinned. A couple of curses came from the other side after he had bellowed like that. "Alive?" Cagalli looked at him confused. "You… you're Zala's girl right? Thank God you're alive!" Dearka jogged towards her and raised both the amber-eyed girl's hands, turning her around in delight. Cagalli was dumbfounded as to who this guy is and how come he's babbling that she's alive. And Zala's girl?! What the hell!
"Wait a freaking darn minute!" She released herself from him. "You're the one who almost ran me over didn't you?" She frowned and pointed an accusing finger at the tanned young man. "And what's with the Zala's girl?! I am not whatsoever related to that Casanova piece of…" She was cut off when Yzak came inside.
"Give it a break will ya? Go to sleep!" The silver-haired guy grumbled, his features a bit disheveled and is obviously been woken up the two blonde in front of him. "Can't you see what time it is?" He violently pointed to Dearka's clock.
6 am.
Dearka told Yzak off and he obliges leaving the two behind. "I will so sue you." Cagalli grumbled. Dearka looked back at her. "Hey… At least we took care of you."
"You could have taken me to the hospital you ninny." Cagalli sat down. "I did suggest that… guess we weren't thinking straight back then… look, as long as you are okay then its fine." Dearka sat down beside her. "You are okay right?"
Cagalli played with her fingers. "yeah… I guess…" Dearka jumped back. "You still do know who you are right? I mean… What do you mean I guess? Oh God, I don't want to go to jail yet." Cagalli frowned at him. "Of course I know who I am! Quit whining!" She held on to her bandaged head. "I guess I should thank you for this… even though you're the one who did this to me in the first place."
"So… Should I take you home?" Dearka stood up and grinned. "Shouldn't you be sleeping like your grumpy friend over there?" Cagalli pointed outside. "I just finished a movie marathon. But I think I can still stay up until your house." The tanned blonde came again. "Hey, I'm not barging or anything. Why did you come up to us like that? Were you trying to kill yourself?"
Cagalli's eyes widened. She didn't have any intention in killing herself that night. She just wanted to get away from Athrun. That night, he hated him… no matter how much she wanted to be with him. "No. I was trying to get away from someone." She answered back. "From Zala?" Dearka came and Cagalli almost fell from where she is seated. "wha—h—how…? I knew it no wonder you guys are so familiar. You are the ones the idiot introduced to me at the amusement park." She pointed at him again.
"Yep." Dearka grinned proudly and then looked at her again. "Why are you trying run away from Athrun? You two broke up?"
Cagalli almost choked. "We're not together… I just wanted to get away from him okay? He's a complete liar." Cagalli bit her lip. "Well.. That's a first. Nobody ever thought of Mr. Suave that way. Must have been quite hateful… you know whatever he did." Dearka made a 'woot' sound after and sighed.
To be honest, it wasn't something Cagalli should hate at all. After all, they weren't together like that… So whatever he does with his life is none of her business.
"Hey.." Cagalli came and Dearka turned to her. "Yeah?"
"Look… don't tell anyone about this okay? And I won't tell anyone you practically almost ran me over." She looked at him seriously. Dearka made a cross sign on his chest. "I promise. No.. I swear. So, should I take you home?" He came again.
Cagalli blushed a bit. "Uhm… look… this may be a bit embarrassing but I don't want to go home yet. Can I at least stay until I get to contact one of my friends to pick me up from here?" Cagalli looked at him with pleading eyes. Dearka sighed. "Alright… Who could resist eyes begging like that?"
"By the way, let me introduce myself to you again properly. I'm Dearka, Dearka Elthman." He reached out his hand for a shake.
"And I'm Cagalli Yula Attha." She gladly took his hand. "Oh, and the grumpy guy over there is Yzak Joule." Dearka came again.
And that day was a start of a new friendship.
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Kira grumbled as his patience grew weaker. How he wanted to strangle Athrun to death if only Lacus isn't telling him off. Athrun on the other hand, was so worried he felt like he wanted to die, blaming himself non-stop.
"I… I lost track of her here." He pointed to a street near the bus stop. "Great. Like that will help!" Kira mumbled in frustration. "Now you two settle down. I'll go ask some people around… maybe they have seen her. Don't worry; I'm sure she's fine." As the pink haired pop star turned around at the other direction, she questioned as to why her own words did not seem to convince herself.
"Oh Cagalli… where are you?" Lacus whispered to herself as she held on to Cagalli's cell phone tightly. She looked back at the two men behind her who seemed to be eating each other's heads away. Bickering like that won't help at all. She sighed. "Excuse me sir, have you seen this young lady?" She smiled sweetly at the old man in front of her and showed to him a small picture of Cagalli.
The old man looked at it intently. "Well… Hmm… A yes.. A blonde woman was running last night. Passed by my store… She then took off at that corner over there." The man pointed at the said corner. "Thank you very much." Lacus smiled and was about to go back to Kira and Athrun when the man came again.
"I believe she got hit by a car."
Lacus froze at her position. "Wha—What?" She turned again to look at the old man, her pink tresses flowing as she did so. "She got hit by a car as far as I remember. But those who hit her took her away… They probably had taken her to a hospital. It all happened so fast." The old man sat down and coughed.
"C-Could you tell me what the car looked like or the person who took her for that matter." Lacus slowly trembled, as her grip on Cagalli's phone became tighter.
"I'm very sorry young lady. It was raining hard that night and my eye sight is not that clear anymore." The old man apologized and excused himself.
"Ki—Kira.." Lacus' voice seemed to falter as she went near her boyfriend. "What's the matter? Kira looked at her worriedly as her face become pale than the normal. "It's… It's Cagalli…" She choked, she didn't want to think anything bad about what happened to the blonde but with what the man said, she can't help but think of it.
"What's wrong?" Kira asked as he held on to her shoulders.
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"You're still here?" Yzak groaned as he eyed the blonde girl in front of him. Cagalli stared back. "Well, you almost ran me over.. I have every right to do what I want to do here." She smirked and let out her tongue at him. Yzak growled in response and went back to the kitchen.
"Is he always like that?" Cagalli asked Dearka who seemed to be busy watching TV. "Yzak? Yeah… I guess.. I mean He's been like that for years. I wonder if his hair turned white due to aggravation." Dearka chuckled and Cagalli can't help but chuckle too.
"I heard that!" Yzak came from the kitchen and the two chuckled even more.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
"Oh! That must be Milly!" Cagalli stood up, Dearka gestured her to sit down again and let him answer.
He slowly opened the door to reveal a young brunette wearing an orange tank top and skinny jeans.
"Wow." was Dearka's initial reaction.
"Um. HI. I'm looking for my friend… Cagalli…" Miriallia came. "Oh. Do come in! She's in here." Dearka grinned. "By the way, I'm Dearka, Dearka Elthman." He reached out his hand.
"Uhm.. Miriallia Haww… Uh.. so.. where's Cagalli?" She let out a small grin. "I'm here Milly!" Cagalli waved as she went towards Milly and Dearka.
"Cagalli. Oh God, are you okay? What's with the bandage?" Miriallia approached her friend and held on to her shoulders. "I'm fine Milly.. I'll explain later." Cagalli sighed and turned to Dearka.
"So.. It was nice meeting you.. And thanks for not leaving me behind back then… and no thanks for running me over." Cagalli grinned while Dearka frowned. "Nah. I was just joking."
"So uhm… Milly… will I see you again?" Dearka smiled seductively. "Oh please… I don't think so." Miriallia thought to herself. "We'll see." She finally blurt out. "Let's go Cagalli. And thanks." She finally said as she waved off to Dearka.
"Hey Yzak,she left already!" Dearka bellowed as soon as he closed the door behind him. "SO?!" Yzak yelled back.
"It's a good day today. Let's go out!" Dearka sat down the sofa. "What's up with you?" Yzak looked at him disgustingly.
"Oh nothing. I think I have found my dream girl… What a stroke of luck." He smiled heavenly as he bit off some potato chips.
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Wai. End of this chapter. No Athrun and Cagalli fluff for now. I want to establish Dearka and Miriallia's meeting. The 'Stroke of luck?' title actually pertains to Dearka, Yzak, Cagalli and Miriallia meeting. Dearka found his dream girl, Cagalli found new friend(s) and Yzak, still the grumpy old him, but cute nonetheless. And I really apologize if Athrun wasn't able to follow Cagalli in this chapter. I thought if he did, then all will be over. And a confession after a somewhat fight or misunderstanding is not as romantic as it looks. And the real reason is the establishment of DXM pairing plus Dearka and Yzak coming in the picture. Thanks for reading. Please review!!!
If there are any grammar probs, I'm a bit sick today. Aside from not being able to proof read, I'm distracted by sniffles and coughs. So… sorry. Don't flame me for it. Thanks. ; Achooo!