I apologize if Chapter 4 was kind of short. Don't worry, though. Chapter 5 is going to be way longer.

DISCLAIMER: I'm a self-proclaimed Cagalli Yula Athha but I still don't own Gundam SEED Destiny.

A pair of hazel eyes was staring at the golden beauty in front of her. She wasn't happy that she has a weapon of destruction but because it was given to her by her father.

"I'm giving this to you as my answer to that need."

Those words echoed inside her head and she couldn't help but tear up. She knew that she was adopted right after he gave her a photograph that contained a young woman and her twin children. The moment she turned the photo, there she saw the two names she didn't expect to see.

Kira

Cagalli

It was heart aching to see her father push the red button to the self-destruction command. Her loving father perished along with the other older emirs who decided to stay behind.

"The seeds have flown. We've succeeded. We won't let ORB or this world fall into the hands of those bastards!"

The young blonde princess didn't know why her father did it. It was only until Kisaka told her why Lord Uzumi did it when they finally reached space. She hid her face in her knees so that a certain ruby eyed Coordinator wouldn't see the tears that stained her face.

Shinn Asuka was also looking at the golden mobile suit. He, however, was thinking about a different thing. It wasn't his past, and it wasn't his family's death. It was more of what the person beside him felt during those times when she felt like giving up and would just choose to stop.

"I command the forces of ORB to stop attacking that ship! What does ORB have against the Minerva! Please, Takemikazuchi... STOP!"

Her words rang in his mind like it was a dream. He wanted to think that he wasn't part of the reason why she has suffered. No, it was the total opposite. He was, in fact, one of the reasons why she was having a hard time. He yelled at her, blamed her for everything without even knowing how she felt. Heck, he knew that he also took the lives of people who were only fighting to protect their family. Didn't he fight to protect, like them? What was his reason for killing them? The person he hated was trying to stop all of them, whether they were an ORB, a ZAFT or an EAF soldier, from possibly killing each other. He wasn't thinking for what's good for he charged at her, as if wanting to annihilate a threat.

Shinn glanced at Cagalli whose head was on her knees. He could hear her sniffing and he couldn't say anything to calm her down. He knows that she can't move on that fast. He, too, was unable to move on two years ago. Shinn put his hand on her back and patted it.

"It's going to be alright..."

The Destiny pilot moved beside Cagalli until they were as close as shoulder to shoulder. The princess felt a light thug on her shoulder and peeked for a bit. Her face was all wet with tears and as soon as Shinn saw it, he took a handkerchief for his pocket and wiped her face.

"Stop crying... It's not suitable for the daughter of the Lion of ORB..."

Hearing the same words that were said to her by her beloved father, she cried even harder, wailing like a child who lost everything. She threw herself to Shinn and they both lost their balance. Cagalli was on top of Shinn and she buried her head on his chest. She kept on crying and Shinn just managed to comfort her by caressing the back of her head. They were on that position for a few minutes, maybe 10-15 minutes, until Cagalli gradually stopped crying. Shinn checked if she was still awake, and as expected, she fell asleep. He gently stood up and laid her head on his lap. He looked at her, smiled unconsciously and brushed her bangs aside. He blushed at the moment he realized that he was happy to see her. The thought of him caring for her too much was racing inside his mind. He doesn't know if he felt bad for her or if he has feelings. Maybe it was because after a long time of crying, she finally fell asleep with a smile on her face. Was she happy that there was someone who would stay beside her, or is it because she finally released all of her emotions which she has been keeping inside her for so long?

The young Coordinator doesn't have the answer to that question. There is one thing he knows, though. It was that fact that they've finally become close friends.

It was already getting late. They already missed dinner and it was 10 in the evening. They were indeed there for a long time, and he was a bit bothered on why Kira and Athrun didn't look for them. He shook that thought, stood up, and carried Cagalli bridal style. He tiptoed his way upstairs and was greeted by Akihiko.

"Shall I...?"

Shinn knew what he was talking about. He politely shook his head sideways and mouthed, "I'll handle this..."

Akihiko nodded slightly and proceeded back to his quarters. He was waiting for their return since before dinner and Shinn guessed that he was tired of waiting for hours. He climbed the stairs and opened the door to Cagalli's room as soon as he reached the door. He put Cagalli down, keeping her from awakening from her slumber. He was about to leave when he felt his shirt being pulled. He turned around and saw Cagalli holding on his shirt. He knelt down and asked her what was wrong.

"Please... stay here..." Her voice was weak, for a reason that she was just sleeping and after a minute, waking up to stop Shinn from leaving. Shinn nodded and smiled, then sat on the side of her bed.

"I will stay here for as long as you want..." He didn't look at her but his tone was full of assurance that he'll definitely stay. Cagalli smiled, he didn't see it and slowly closed her eyes. Before he knew it, she was asleep again. He stayed there beside her, not minding the time and not feeling sleepy. He stood up and looked around her room. It was simple yet elegant looking room. There were no unnecessary decorations, no girly stuff and no unwanted filth. It didn't seem like a room for a girl but it looked definitely like royalty. There was a dresser that has a framed photograph standing on it. It was on the left side, and Shinn took it from its undisturbed position out of curiosity.

"A picture of a lady and her children...?"

It took a while before it dawned to Shinn about Cagalli and Kira.

"Oh yeah, that's right... They're twins... so this must be their mother..." His eyes were fixed on the lady who was smiling on the picture.

"She's beautiful... If Cagalli grows up, she'll be as beautiful as her mother..." After finishing his sentence, he blushed at his own thought and he gave out a gentle laugh. He then realized that he has feelings for her. It was from a long time ago. He admired her, he wanted to meet her close up and tell her how much he looked up to her. He put the framed photo back to its resting place and went back to Cagalli's side. He sat on the same spot where he was on and started to talk even though he knew too well that no one would hear him.

"Even before Stella or Luna, I have loved you... You're brave, compassionate, beautiful, sexy..." He laughed at himself for saying those two last words before he continued. "... and I love it that we're similar..." He yawned, rubbed his eyes and kissed her forehead. "Good night... See you tomorrow..."

Shinn walked towards the door, who just felt sleepy all of a sudden, looking at Cagalli before turning off the lights and finally stepping out of the room, and proceeded to the room he was sharing with Athrun.

It was 7 in the morning and Cagalli finally woke up from her slumber. She opened her golden orbs, rubbing it and adjusting her sight to the sunlight that was passing through her room's window pane.

Sitting up on her bed, she looked around and wondered, "How did I get here...?" She slipped her fluffy slippers on her feet and walked lazily out of her room. She heard noises coming from the dining area and she went straight to where the noise was coming from.

"Morning, sis..." Kira greeted as soon as he saw her. Athrun and Shinn did the same. She pulled a seat beside Kira and yawned.

"Ewww, Cagalli... Good heavens, you're a girl. Act like one." Kira reprimanded her but she didn't flinch. "... and wash your face... Look, you still have..." Kira pointed at the edge of her lip, where dried saliva was forming a map of ORB on her cheek. She stood up and washed her face on the sink. She wiped her face with a hand towel, which was handed to her by Akihiko. She went back to her seat and slapped her face with both hands to wake her up.

"...Are you still angry with us...?" Athrun was hesitating but he wanted to know.

"I'm not angry... just... a bit irritated... It's nothing serious..." She said in between yawns. "What were you guys talking about early in the morning?" she added as she looked at them.

"Nothing important... Things that had happened in the past..." Shinn was the one who answered Cagalli. She nodded in a minute's interval, indicating that she understood.

"More like how stupid we were!" Kira said in a loud voice but he wasn't angry. He was actually enjoying his time and that he knew he was one of them.

"Well, we become stupid for the people we love... Didn't we already talk about his?" Athrun interrupted Kira's chain of laughs and he was also laughing as he said it.

"Oh you guys..." Cagalli was also enjoying her time, like her twin and it was because her morning has become lively.

They resumed eating their breakfast quietly. The three boys gazed at Cagalli alternately.

Kira.

Then Shinn.

Lastly, Athrun.

Kira again, then Shinn again then Athrun again.

The blonde felt their piercing looks on her. She put down the silverware, wiped her face and opened her mouth. "What's wrong?"

"Uh..." The three chorused for about 15 seconds.

"What...?" Cagalli was running out of patience. She looked at a gulping Kira, sweating Shinn and a pale Athrun. "I will ask again... What. Is. Wrong?"

"Ca..." Kira started but he wasn't able to finish.

"It... it's nothing!" Athrun put his hand on Kira's mouth and then Shinn dragged them away from Cagalli.

"I wonder what's wrong..." She shrugged her shoulders and continued eating. Akihiko came to view as he served Cagalli some orange juice.

"Do you plan on revealing that to her?" Athrun asked his best friend.

"Why... can't you just... keep it to yourself..." Shinn told Kira as he panted.

"If she found out later, she's going to kill us... My sister can be... unforgiving..."

"I don't want my ex-girlfriend to kill me..."

"I just became her friend... I don't want to mess up with her..."

The three boys looked at each other then sighed deeply. They were nervous because of the thing they talked about before she came down. They knew too well that Cagalli can't know of it. What was that conversation about? These boys were determined not to ever tell her. It's like fighting the Messiah, Requiem and the Genesis without weapons. It's just an exaggeration but they know the danger. They went back to the dining table, only to find out that she was no longer there.

"Uhm, Akihiko, where's Cagalli?" As the over protective brother he was, Kira asked the butler immediately.

"She went upstairs, Master Kira. She told me to tell you to come to her room."

"Oh I see. Thanks." Kira walked towards the stairs as Akihiko bowed. Athrun and Shinn followed him.

They stopped once they reached the door to her room. Kira slowly reached out his hand to knock on the door when it suddenly swooshed open, revealing a blonde haired princess in her Representative's uniform.

"He-hey, sis..." was the only thing Kira was able to say. The raven haired and midnight haired Coordinators were still.

"We'll be going to the Parliament House to discuss your 'punishment'..." Cagalli used air quotes on the last word. "Get dressed." She ordered. The boys nodded and proceeded to their rooms.

Cagalli asked Akihiko to come with them and to change into casual attire. The butler nodded and went to his quarters. The Lioness went downstairs, dashing through the front door. There was already a car waiting and the driver standing near the driver's seat door.

After a few minutes, four boys came out of the mansion in their civilian outfits.

Kira was wearing his white top that has a pink color on the opposite side of the coat, a purple shirt inside, black pants, and his favorite pair of boots.

Athrun was wearing a cream trench coat and a violet inner shirt with matching black pants and pointed shoes.

Shinn was wearing a red hooded jacket, a grey inner shirt, knee length denim shorts and closed shoes.

Akihiko, the butler, was wearing a simple green shirt, dark blue pants and black leather shoes.

"Why is he...?" Shinn asked as he pointed to Akihiko. Cagalli gave out a toothy smile and said, "It's a secret..." she put her index finger on her lips. Kira, Athrun and Shinn didn't question her anymore. They went inside the car with Cagalli. Their thoughts on why a butler's with them intrigued them though. Their eyes were fixed on Cagalli's one and only butler.

"Aki-kun, I'm assigning you as my bodyguard. We need to sign you up and we're ready to go!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"WHAT!?" The driver was startled and almost bumped into a car from the opposite side. He put the car back to the right lane as the passengers grab hold of anything to keep them from getting thrown out of the car.

"What the hell? Are you trying to kill us!?"

"I-I'm sorry, Princess."

"I'm not talking about you. I know you were only startled because these three idiots yelled simultaneously..."

They all regained their composure. Cagalli glared at them. "What's the big deal?"

"We just..." Shinn tried to say.

"We were just shocked to hear you say that..." Kira said nervously.

"Say what?" The hazel eyed princess raised a brow for she did not know what they were talking about. It was Athrun who cleared her unawareness.

"...you said that he's going to be your bodyguard..." Athrun stated.

"Oh, right…. Akihiko here's a trained killer… er, I mean, a trained soldier…" Cagalli responded as she sweat dropped.

"So-soldier…? You mean he wasn't a civilian?" Kira asked.

"I forgot to tell you that small detail… Let's start off with introductions… ehem…" She cleared her throat and introduced her butler. "This is Akihiko Sermine. He's partly Japanese and he doesn't know what his father was so… well, you get the idea… There was one time when I was pointed a gun at by a suspicious person. He came and saved me and then I asked him if he can be my butler… Then I thought, maybe he can be a bodyguard too! I asked Kisaka to test his skills and the results were… surprising…"

"Results…? So, how was it then?" Athrun asked her.

"The results showed that his abilities were that of an assassin…"

"That… that sounds dangerous…" Kira's tone was obviously nervous but Akihiko butted in.

"Please do not worry. I have no intention of hurting the princess. I swear on my mother's grave…" He defended as he bowed his head down.

"Look what you did Kira! It's okay Aki-kun. I don't doubt you." Cagalli glared at her brother then turned to Akihiko and smiled at him. "You are most kind, Princess."

"Now, Aki-kun didn't want to be a bodyguard but I insisted. He agreed to me after I asked him a hundred times…"

"You sure he's really that good? What if they just faked the results?" Shinn wanted to make sure he was up to the job.

"Are you saying my men are unreliable!?" Cagalli pointed at Shinn with her index finger angrily.

"No! I'm just saying that, you might want to see his skills personally…" Shinn waved his hands sideways and suggested to her.

"Hmm… I guess you're right…"

"Wait."

All eyes were on Athrun. His index finger and thumb were on his chin. It was obvious that he was thinking of something.

"Athrun…?" The blonde's brow was raised as she questioned the midnight haired Coordinator's thought.

"There was someone who pointed a gun at you….?"

Shinn and Kira had exclamation points on their heads. They knew where Athrun was getting at. Cagalli was threatened, no, she was about to get hurt. But it wasn't important now, it has passed and here she is, safe and sound.

"Oh… That incident…" Cagalli laughed awkwardly. "I sneaked out of the mansion during the night and I was walking at the park… Then someone pointed a gun, told me I should die, the he was about to pull the trigger when Aki-kun appeared and slammed him with a tree bark…"

"This was when….?"

"When Athrun was still in PLANTs to help you guys get settled…"

"I… I'm sorry…" Athrun looked away and apologized. "Nah, it's fine. I'm okay!" she smiled at her emerald eyed friend. Their little moment was interrupted when the car stopped.

"Oh, looks like we're here…" The blonde opened the door of the car and went outside. "Come on!"

"Sorry princess, I wasn't able to open the door for you…" the driver lowered his head.

"Don't worry!" She patted her back and then turned her head to look at the four gentlemen sitting inside the car. "What are you people doing? Come on!"

At that moment, the four men dashed outside the car and followed the ORB princess who was walking way ahead of them. As they walked, they heard whispers from various people who saw them.

"Isn't that Athrun Zala?"

"Look, it's Master Kira!"

"Who's that guy? He doesn't look familiar…"

"Haven't you heard? That's her new butler!"

"Butler? I thought she only had maids!"

"I don't know if it's the princess who's lucky to have four handsome guys around her or if the guys are lucky to be entertained by the princess herself…"

"Look like we're the talk of the town now…" Shinn glanced sideways, getting all kinds of stares from the employees.

"It happens everywhere." Athrun answered. "I know! It just feels weird to be involved in a rumor with her. I mean, it's like when it's about her, it's more of like a threat!"

"I didn't get you there…" Kira told him as he and his best friend try to guess what Shinn wanted to say.

"Look, if we were in a rumor with some starlet or something, it'll be like we're some kind of lover… but if you were to be rumored with her, it's like they're thinking that we'll do something to her… and if something does happen, the blame would be to us!"

"I get you now…"

"Shut your traps, boys. We're here." The four boys were disturbed from their little chat when they heard her voice. She opened the door, stepped inside and the boys followed suit.

"Okay, now what?" Shinn asked enthusiastically.

Cagalli pushed a button on the intercom. "Kisaka, the papers for Asuka and Zala." She removed her finger from the button and looked at Shinn. "Lacus sent papers stating that you two are under my wing for a whole month. She also stated that I should teach you two to refrain from arguing…"

"That sounded like a request…" Kira said.

"She told me on the phone about what to do with you. The paper she sent was an approval sheet that you boys are to stay here for a month, doing errands for me, getting paid by ME, and be ORB employees for a while…"

As she explained to them, Kisaka peeked through the door and waved the papers. "Cagalli, here it is…" He entered the office and put the papers on the table. He smiled at her and left.

"Before we proceed, I'll sign this first." She reached for a pen and signed on the papers. "Kira, can you please take these to Kisaka? Tell him to give me the papers for Akihiko Sermine."

"Alright." The amethyst eyed Coordinator took the papers from his sister and stepped out of the room.

"Oh darn! Wait Kira!" She stood up and slammed her palms on the table.

"Hmm?" Kira turned his back.

"You have to take Shinn and Athrun with you."

"We have to come with him?" Shinn asked.

"I.D."

"I.D.?"

"Yeah. Show you identification cards to prove you're really who you say you are. You know, it's the process. We all know that."

"Okay then. Let's go, Athrun." Shinn nodded, as if asking Athrun to come and walked away with Kira.

"It's just the two of us Aki-kun."

"Pi-Princess…"

"Are you up to it?"

"If you wish for it, then yes, princess…"

"Excellent. Oh yeah, what was those boys talking about before I went down?"

"It is a secret, Princess. I was told not to tell you by Master Kira."

"Remember that I outrank him… even if his skills are far greater than mine."

"But…"

"No buts, Akihiko Sermine! Tell me!" she demanded. Akihiko swallowed and began to talk.

"First, I must warn you, Princess. It is something that might trigger your nerves."

"You can talk casually. I hate those kinds of formalities."

"My apologies, I mean, I'm sorry…"

"Just get to it."

"Ah, yes… Well, it's something that you'll get mad at… and I heard that you might 'kill' them…"

"So it's something I shouldn't know?"

"Precisely…"

"Still, tell me what it is… I wanna know."

"It's about…"

Her butler wasn't able to finish when the door swooshed open. "We're back." Kira was the last one to enter and closed the door.

Cagalli sighed deeply and mouthed, "I'll talk with you later." Akihiko simply nodded, and a sweat formed on the side of his face. "Were you able to get the paper for Aki?" She changed her expression as he went to look at Kira.

"Yup. Here it is…" Kira handed Cagalli the papers and she scanned it as soon as she got her hands on it. The boys sat down on the chairs provided for her guests. They were all quiet and the only sound that could be heard was their breathing and the shuffling of papers. Cagalli laid the papers down and signed it with a ballpoint pen. "Kisaka will be the one to assist you. Go back to him, and this time, take Aki with you. I'm sure you won't be back here until later. Now go, I still have things to finish. Shoo." She made a shooing gesture at them. The boys nodded slightly and went out through the door.

Kisaka's office…

"So she sent you here again." Kisaka looked at the boys who were now standing in front of him.

"I have my own office, so I'll just go…" At that, Kira waltzed out of the room, leaving Shinn, Athrun and Akihiko to Kisaka.

"Kisaka-san, what does Kira do here? We've been together for a while but I forgot to ask him…" Athrun was curious and was only reminded when Kira left.

"Do things for Cagalli. There's no war and she doesn't want him doing things like checking up on military facilities. Other people do that…"

"Ahh… So what happens to us now?" Athrun asked again.

"We're just waiting for your uniforms and then I'll brief you."

"I… see…" Athrun lowered his head a little and walked towards a chair. Shinn followed suit and sat down with him. Akihiko also sat down as he didn't know what else he could do at the moment.

"Akihiko Sermine?"

"Ye-yes, sir?" He stood up as soon as he heard his name being called. He was calm but deep inside he was a bit out of it.

"You don't have a uniform since you're her personal bodyguard. Show me your I.D. and then sign here, then go back to her." Kisaka pointed at a blank space located just after the body of the document.

Akihiko took his I.D. from his pocket and gave it to Kisaka. He leaned towards the desk so that he can sign the document. After doing so, Kisaka gave him back the paper and nodded at him. He made his way towards the door and bowed at them before being completely out of sight.

At Cagalli's office…

"Come in." She heard a knock on her door as she was analyzing the documents. The door opened slowly, revealing a familiar person. He entered and closed the door then went in front of her. "Here are the papers."

She took them from him and stood up. She placed it on a drawer, particularly in an 'S' section. She went back to her post and sat down. She clasped her hands and looked at Akihiko intently.

"Now, where were we…?"

Knowing what she meant, he swallowed hard, fixed his shirt and then started to talk.

"In the PLANTs, ZAFT is currently making three new mobile suits with Masters Kira, Athrun and Shinn as the pilots…"

"…"

"…"

".."

*gulp*

"…"

"WHAT. DID . YOU SAY…? MOBILE SUITS?"

"Ye-yes…"

"So, Lacus allowed this…?"

"As I've heard, yes…"

The Lioness sighed, putting her hand on her forehead. "Stubborn… fine…"

"Pi-princess…? Are you… okay?"

"I'm fine…"

"How about your friends…?"

"You don't have to worry about it… ugh damn that Lacus…" She tried to calm herself down but ended up cursing her friend unconsciously. "Excuse me, Princess?"

"It's nothing. That Lacus can be stubborn sometimes… Anyway, that's her nature. Maybe it is better if we also start to construct a new model…" She pondered.

"… but weren't you the one who suggested keeping the military facilities in minimal condition?"

"Yes I did… Perhaps, she allowed it to prepare for… future events… You know, in case wars break out again…"

"You're right…"

"I'll have to send Kira back to PLANTs sooner or later…"

"…"

"I forgot to ask you, can you hold a… gun?"

"Yes."

"Good. You're my body guard so you have to stay near, got it?"

"As you wish, Princess…" Akihiko bowed with his right hand in front of his body. Cagalli slapped his back and yelled, "Cagalli is fine, okay!"

"Yes, Cagalli-sama."

Meanwhile, at Kisaka's office…

"…and now he's gone…" Athrun said, looking at the now closed door.

As Shinn and Athrun stared at the door, it opened and it broke their train of thought. The two Coordinators were thinking on what might occur between Akihiko and Cagalli, and pretty much about other stuff, like Athrun on his jealousy towards Akihiko and Shinn on his feeling for Cagalli.

"Here are their uniforms, Colonel Kisaka." A woman of 25 years of age came in with two ORB uniforms in plastic covering.

"Thank you." He took it from the woman and she left the room. He took off the plastic and gave the top part to them first.

"Ensign uniforms for Athrun Zala and Shinn Asuka." The boys took it from Kisaka and tried it on. It fit them well and removed it again. "Here are the other parts like the inner shirt and the pants. Shoes are not provided."

They both nodded and as they tried to see if the pants was too long or too short for them. "Change now and you can start as soon as possible." They nodded again and left the room.

"Kids these days…" Kisaka sighed but with a smile on his face and went back to his work.

Cagalli's office…

"Princess…"

"Cagalli."

"Cagalli-sama, were you not off today?"

"Well, I called at the last second and I told the front desk that I'll be coming to work today."

"I see."

"Can we go to the training hall?" Cagalli asked out of the blue.

"Why?"

"I want to see your skills."

"Okay. If I must…" He gestured his hand as if offering her to take his hand. She took it gladly and both left the room.

Arriving at the training hall in the building next to the Parliament House, they went inside and Cagalli asked for a simulation for Akihiko. The front desk nodded and typed something on his computer.

"Please proceed on the 2nd floor. You will be assisted there."

"Thanks." They walked towards the elevator, entered then punched in the floor number. The elevator closed and they felt it move upwards. It stopped and the door opened. They were greeted by an employee and led them to a room.

"This is the simulation room. Inside, you will be briefed about the mission to be done. If you may…" The man led them and they entered the room. It seemed like only one room but as a button was pushed on the control panel, light shone on another room which was a whole lot bigger that the room they were in.

"This is the viewing room and that is where the trainee will go. We will set sensors on the trainee's body for a real life experience of being shot or stabbed. It will all be a hologram to ensure their safety but I ensure to you that it's accurate."

"Hmmm. Very well… Are you ready?" After hearing a satisfying explanation, the blonde haired princess looked at Akihiko and asked him. He simply nodded and proceeded to the larger room. She could see him being dressed with a vest that has sensors on all parts of his body. He was given a gun that was used for training. The lights on the smaller room were turned off and realistic scenery of a terrain can now be seen from the larger room.

"Now, the mission is… Find the base of the enemy force and take down their soldiers! You can identify them by the red color on their clothing. Now, proceed!"

A timer can be seen inside the large room and Cagalli and Akihiko guessed that it was to record how fast he can complete the mission. She sat down on a chair and watched Akihiko as he started to walk stealthily within the holographic terrain.

Please R & R! Tell me about grammatical errors okay? I always forget about terms and end up using the same words over and over again. Sometimes I use the wrong word. So if you see something wrong, tell me! I'll be happy to update for you guys XD