A/N: Well, here's another chapter! Hope you like it :P.
princess cythera, cagallifangurl, AsuCaga01: thank you guys for reviewing! It really sincerely makes my day!
InweTinuviel: thanks! And being a noob, I didn't know how to change the story without losing the reviews :(
First Impressions
Impressionable
Chapter 4: Ace Of Hearts
"Are you absolutely sure that it was Flay?" Murrue was pacing around and around the room, Cagalli wondered if there was a path worn into the ground yet. They had been there for hours already, stuffed into Shiho's room discussing the attack from earlier, and they were all utterly worn out. Cagalli was seated on a chair, her face and arms on Shiho's desk, her amber eyes following Murrue in her endless pacing. Lacus was seated on the bed, where Milly was sprawled. Shiho had started by leaning against the window, but as the hours waned she ended up jus sitting on the ledge.
"Yes. I swear on my revenant that Flay's symbol was tattoed onto that guy's arm. A peacock surrounded by orchids." Cagalli replied for the umpteenth time.
"But it doesn't make sense why Flay would want to kill you!" Milly sighed, running her hand through her hair. "She is our ally, fellow Dame Grand Cross of the Valkyrie Terre!"
Cagalli just shook her head, her head aching from the debate that had been going around and around for hours. "I can't think of any reason why she'd be after me. There hasn't been any bad blood between Soleil and Terre in ages."
"She wouldn't attack you because of a mere grudge." Lacus this time, her brow furrowed, her hands fiddling nervously in their lap. "The question is why she waited to attack you when you were here, in Zaft."
"It's harder to do it here, when we're away from her allies, in unfamiliar territory." Murrue replied thoughtfully, at last stopping her pacing. They all looked at each other, each trying to put the pieces together. An urgent knock at the door echoed through the silent room, Shiho answered it. The messenger was breathless, their face read, "An urgent message for the Ladies!"
"From who?" Shiho asked handing a glass of water to the messenger. They all rose and moved towards Shiho, "From your sister, Aisha, Lady of Pillar, Dame Gran-"
"I know who my sister is!" Shiho snapped. They ushered the messenger in and Cagalli glanced around the corridor to make sure no one could hear. She shut the door and turned around, her face a mask of calm. She sat down next to Lacus, and Shiho motioned for the Messenger to continue, "Please."
"Your sister has been injured! She and Sir Watfield were journeying to the capital on summons from Queen Erica. Their party was ambushed!"
"By who? By who? How is my sister!" Shiho snapped, her anger acting as her armor from her worry.
"Your sister's condition is stable, they were saved just in time. They were traveling through the lands of Morgenroete, Lady Stellar saved them. She is the one that sent me." Shiho knees seemed to buckle, though Milly quickly stepped in to take the weight of her friend. "What of the attackers!"
"We're not sure yet, but on the bodies we found the mark of Onogoro, and a strange patch on their clothing." The messenger held up a small piece of fabric, which Shiho snatched from him. Her eyes flashed, and without another word she ran out of the room. Cagalli sprang onto her feet, and followed, worried about her friend. Milly followed, though Lacus and Murrue stayed behind.
"Shiho! Wait!" Cagalli called after her, but the words were ignored. Her eyes strayed to Sarlat, Shiho's revenant, and she found it snarling viciously. "Where are you going!"
"To find the bastard that attacked my sister!" Shiho screamed, and to Cagalli's horror she saw Sarlat transform in one giant bound, and instead of a harmless looking dog there was a great black wolf howling its displeasure. She swore she could hear the howl echoing in her head.
"Shiho! Stop!" she hear Milly screaming after her, but it was too late, she had found her quarry.
"You attacked my sister! She was unarmed, have you no shame! No honor!" Shiho screamed, her dual swords in her hands, Sarlat snarling at the man in front of them. They were still too far ahead for Cagalli to stop them, and she watched as her friend attacked the High Commander of Zaft's armies, Yzak Joule. Cagalli almost felt time stopping as she tried to get there in time. To her horror she saw Athrun, Kira, and Dearka standing there, shocked looks on their faces. She heard Milly coming up behind her, they were both panting.
"We need to stop her before this goes too far!" Milly gasped, her eyes wide.
"Tell me something I don't know." Cagalli heard her own voice, the exasperation clear in her voice.
"What are you talking about woman!" Yzak was yelling at her, holding her at bay for now. He wouldn't be able to keep it up, not with attacks coming from two sides.
"You almost killed my sister!"
"I have NO IDEA what you're talking about!"
"Liar! Coward!" she screamed. Cagalli saw her swords flashing down, and she sprang into action. Akatsuki next to her they both jumped towards them. "Shiho stop! I demand that you stop!"
"Traitor! You are defending this murderer? He almost killed my sister! Ambushed my fellow soldiers! You dare!" Cagalli watched in horror as Shiho's sword swung down, towards Yzak's undefended head, and did the only thing she could think to do. She tackled her to the ground, their weapons clattering to the ground.
"Yzak!" she heard voices shouting, but she didn't look. She was too busy trying to keep Shiho down, but with a shriek of pain she let go. She had forgotten about her sprained wrist, but Shiho had not. She heard a snarl as her wrist seized from pain, and the air knocked out of her as Shiho flung her off, to land with on her back with a painful thud clutching her wrist to her chest.
"Lady Clyne!" she heard Athrun call out, and she sat up to see him rushing over, his face worried. She smiled up at him, "I'm fine."
"Are you sure?' he asked, and she felt her cheeks flushing at his concern. She nodded at him, as he helped her up, careful not to touch her injured wrist. She averted her gaze, feeling suddenly she shy as took her wrist and carefully examined it, "Here, let me look at it."
"I hate to bother you guys, while you're having a moment, but we have a problem here." Their heads both snapped up, and they quickly sprang apart. With a cough Athrun hurried over to Yzak, and Cagalli headed towards Shiho.
"You fucking bitch! What the hell is your problem, WOMAN!" Yzak was bellowing, holding a handkerchief to his forehead. Cagalli could see the blood seeping through the white of the cloth, dripping down his cheek. Shiho had stopped struggling against Milly, but was standing up tall and proud, her black hair flying around her face, a dark bruise starting to grow on her cheek. "I never attacked your sister! How could I when I've been here the ENTIRE time!"
"How do you explain this then!" she spat out, flinging the patch onto the ground before them. "These were found on the bodies of the ambushers. If I'm not mistaken, that is your symbol."
Athrun carefully stooped down to pick the patch up, and his face drained of color. He handed it to Yzak as if the cloth burned him, "No way."
Before the situation could go too far Athrun stepped forward, gathering his dignity around him "Enough. It is obvious that Yzak has been framed."
The sound of a scoff caused him to look coldly at Lady Shiho who quickly stifled the sound, "I have known Yzak for years, he is too proud for such a cowardly thing as ambushing people."
Cagalli was impressed by him, she hadn't ever thought that Athrun, who had seemed so gentle, could be so much, well, like a king. She decided that she wouldn't lose to the guy, and she too stepped forward, her head held haughtily, "Shiho, we must listen to the King for now, it seems we have common enemies, and it would be best not to jump to conclusions. As punishment for your actions, you must escort Lord Joule to the infirmary, and see that his wound is cared for until it has healed."
Shiho didn't reply, but they both knew that she deserved to be punished. If Athrun had been any less forgiving, this could have started a war between the two. Wars had been started before for pettier reasons, and now in an effort to stop thoughts of war, and to save Shiho from worse punishment Cagalli repeated, "Do I make myself clear Lady Hannenfuss?"
"Yes." Shiho grumbled, and proceeded to help Yzak up.
"What! That woman will kill me! She'll slip me poison!" Yzak was snarling, and Shiho was eyeing him disdainfully. Athrun sighed and motioned for Dearka to follow them, "You better follow them, they might kill each other."
Dearka mock saluted him, and hurried after the Commander. Cagalli motioned for Milly to follow, who knew what Shiho could do to the poor guy. Then she turned to the King, whose brow was furrowed from distress. Cagalli found herself not liking that fact, and then became troubled thinking that she shouldn't care if he was troubled or not.
Athrun stared at the patch that Yzak had left on the ground that was definitely his crest. How could this have happened? Was Krueze really behind all this, what kind of grudge did he have against Zaft and Orb? It would be a disaster if relations between Zaft and Orb deteriorated, they had all just come out of one war, and he didn't think that he could bear going into another one so soon. He was debating on whether or not to move the wedding up, just in case something else happened when a voice cut into his thoughts, "If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?"
"Pardon?" he glanced over to see Lady Clyne holding up the patch to him. When he didn't take it, she sniffed and wrapped it in a handkerchief before tucking it away in her pocket.
"Someone once told me thought, when I was very young, and I never forgot it."
"Whoever told you that is foolish." Athrun replied, his words carrying an edge of steel.
"Or very wise." She finished for him, then taking his arm she towed him along. He supposed they looked comical together, a petite woman dragging him along by his arm, while he stumbled on behind her; but, at the moment he couldn't really care. They ended up at the Queen's garden, so named for his late mother. He watched as she spoke quickly to one of the maids that they had passed, and then plopped down in a heap at the base of a cherry tree. He was amused to see she didn't care if her skirt got dirty, and some loose cherry blossoms were tangled in her hair. She firmly patted the ground next to her, and he obliged her by sitting down. Akatsuki gingerly walked over and laid down between the two of them, letting Athrun know, at least, that he would not tolerate any funny business.
"So, is there any reason for your base kidnapping of me?" Athrun asked after a few moments of silence. She didn't seem to hear him, instead seeming mesmerized by the cherry blossom petals dancing in the wind. He hadn't been her very often, it had reminded him too much of his mother when she had died, and after that he had avoided it out of habit His mother had always loved cherry blossoms, every year she would bring him here and make a huge deal about the cherry blossoms. They would have tea and mochi, and she would tell him stories about everything and anything. He could almost hear her voice, here surrounded by what she used to love so much. A sharp flick on his forehead jarred him back into the present. He blinked and found amber eyes staring into his, penetrating.
"You were at it again weren't you?" she grumbled, still staring at him. He doesn't bother to answer. "You, sir, are stuck in the past, you know that? Every time it's quiet I see you, walking backwards. It's troublesome you know? And slightly irritating."
"Why? It shouldn't even bother you." He replies defensively.
"Because, shouldn't you be looking forward? Into the future, thinking about the good things that still are going to happen, rather then thinking about the good things that have already happened? I would be very sad if it was me." she answered him, her eyes full of cheerful innocence. She finally stopped staring at him, sniffing the air and smelling food. He watched as she sprang up and thanked the maid for the basket. Hurrying back he watched as she opened it, and sighed in delight, "Kebabs! How I have missed you old friend!"
He watched as she smothered a piping hot kebab with red chili sauce, and proceeded to inhale it. This was the person who was giving him advice. She acted like a child half the time, and then when he wasn't looking she would spout some odd sayings of truth. It was unsettling, and yet it seemed to fit the oxymoron that he was quickly learning to associate with her. He wasn't really sure he liked it.
"Here! These are yours, I'm guessing." She was handing a covered dish to him, waiting for him to take it.
"Thanks." He unwrapped it cautiously, and was greeted by balls of green, pink, and white balls of mochi; how perfect.
"FUCK! That hurts!" a male voice echoed through the halls, but the servants just ignored it. They had grown used to Yzak along time ago, and now thought nothing of it.
"Can't you be quiet for one second." A black haired girl muttered as she dabbed ointment onto his wound. "I'll be deaf by the time your damn wound is healed."
"You say it like it's my fault, woman!" he snarled, biting his lip at the sting coming from the cut. "Need I remind you that you were the one that gave me this mark, in your idiotic fit of lunacy!"
"And need I remind you, that you were the one who wasn't able to block in time." She replied, just as quickly; but there was an odd undertone of kindness in her voice. At least that was what Yzak would have thought if he didn't firmly believe that she was a she devil, sent from God to torment him. Still, he found himself nervous in her presence, he wasn't used to being near women, he didn't really have time for them. Besides, he couldn't stand fainting ones, or squealing ones, or spoiled ones, actually he just couldn't stand girls for that matter. Something was different about this girl though, maybe it was because he had seen her fight as ferociously as any man, maybe its because he thought of her as a man trapped in woman's body, but he found that he didn't mind her as much as he thought he would've. Then he smacked himself mentally, the blow to the head must have knocked all sense out of him, that or the world was ending. "My name's Shiho, by the way."
"Huh?" he regretted the word the second he said it. Smooth move, smooth move. She says something and your brilliant reply is 'huh', not 'pardon', not 'sorry I didn't hear you', but 'huh'. Thank god Dearka wasn't here to hear that, he wouldn't have let me live it down.
"My name is Shiho, not woman." She replied evenly, enunciating the syllables like he was some idiotic 4 year old. Then again maybe he was. "Look, I'm sorry about flying off the handle alright?"
He only nodded curtly which she accepted. Maybe women weren't that bad after all, that or Dearka has slipped some sort of drug into him earlier.
"Dude. Is he blushing?" Dearka was peering into the infirmary, his eyes bugging out. "That can't be Yzak, it's gotta be someone that looks like him."
Miriallia just snorted in reply, before turning around to leave. Dearka looked up to see her already down the hall and sprinted after her, "Hey! Wait up! Where are you going!"
"To get something to eat, we were in that stupid meeting for hours." Milly said, not stopping but slowing just enough for him to catch up with a slight jog, he figured that was a start.
"Care if I joined you? We were actually about to go to eat when your friend came rushing towards us." Dearka laughed, thinking himself funny. Milly just ignored him. "Hey, cat got your tongue?"
More silence. Dearka tried desperately to start the conversation up again, "So, you're pretty hot, I mean for a warrior. I was expecting some butch women to come lumbering up."
A single icy cold glare. Well at least he got reaction right? "Hey, you're not one of those stupid man haters are you? You're way too pretty for that."
A sound of a punch, and then he realizes that it's his stomach that's gotten hit. He doubles over from the pain, and glares at her, "Hey! What's your problem. I was just trying to give you a compliment."
"Hey! You didn't save any for me!" Lady Clyne pouted, Athrun thought she looked cute when she pouted. Currently she was peering at the empty plate next to him, despair on her face, "I thought you were a gentleman! How could you!"
"I figured you'd be full after your fifth plate of kebabs." He smirked at her, "Besides, you said those were mine!"
"No, they were for you to keep watch over!" she replied tartly, putting the empty plates in the basket. She turned her back on him scornfully, seemingly absorbed in her task at hand. He thought he could hear her muttering, 'jerk', under her breath. With a theatrical sigh he carefully looked the other way, "Well if I'm such a jerk, then I guess I'll just eat this last mochi, all by myself."
Taking a concealed mochi out from his pocket, and unwrapping it carefully he almost broke into a fit of laughter. The girl was now watching him avidly, he could swear she was drooling. Ever so slowly he raised it towards his mouth, and her eyes grew bigger. Just as he was about to bite it, she moved, "Stop! Wait! I take it back!"
He lowered the mochi, his face outwardly calm though he was stifling laughter. "Yes Lady?"
"Er, imsorryforcallingyouajerk!" the words spilled from her mouth so quickly that he wasn't sure if he understood her. He raised the mochi again, "Wait! You're the greatest king on the face of the earth! You're totally awesome, and the coolest guy I've ever met! Athrun! Come on! Share the wealth!"
"Hmm, let's see…I'll give it to you if you promise me something." His eyes twinkled mischievously. He watched as she thought over it carefully, weighing the pro's and cons.
"It depends." She said slowly, her eyes now fixed on his rather then the mochi.
"You must not want this mochi then." He smirked and rose it towards his mouth. He was a little disappointed that the girl hadn't stepped up to the plate, he was even a little surprised at her caution. It didn't seem to fit her.
"Alright! Alright anything! I'll do anything!" she cried just as he was about to bite. Triumph.
"Kiss me." He said with a twinkle in his eye. There was no way that she'd agree to that, no way. He could tell by the way she was blushing a pretty pink that she was too innocent for something like that. He was more surprised that he was disappointed that she wouldn't, he had thought it would be just a funny joke. He wasn't sure why he really wanted her to actually kiss him. Maybe it was the way her hair was shining in the afternoon sun, making each strand of hair look like spun gold. He found himself aching to touch it, to see if it was as soft as it looked. He found himself gazing at her skin, the pretty blush on her cheeks. The way her teeth gripped her lip as she thought about his demand.
"Chicken?" he chided, though his voice was hoarse and rough in his throat. He cleared it, the silence had turned awkward. His mouth felt dry, his tongue like sandpaper.
"Of course not! You better keep your promise Athrun!" she cried, refusing to let her pride take a blow. He felt her hands cold on his cheeks, as they firmly held his head in place, while she kneeled over him. She squeezed her eyes shut and leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips. Then things got out of hand, his hand moved unknowingly to tangle itself in her hair, and he felt her surprised recoil as he leaned into the kiss. He couldn't think, her lips were so soft against his, and she smelled sweet like strawberries. It was intoxicating, and he felt himself getting lost in it. The mochi dropped from his other hand, and he felt her stiffen, but then slowly she relaxed into him.
Lacus was happily singing quietly, while Haro hummed along with her. She was just thankful to be out of the room, and the fresh air was nice. After Shiho, Cagalli, and Milly had run out of the room she and Murrue had helped the messenger get some food. They listened while he told them everything he knew, and then had agreed to wait for a letter before returning. She was currently just strolling, settling her thoughts when she came upon what appeared to be a secluded garden. Holding a little bouquet that Prince Kira had sent her, she was sniffing the petals when she saw a few maids gossiping about something that was blocked from view, but when they saw her coming they curtsied prettily and fled, "Princess, excuse us."
She could hear their giggles echoing down the hall, and stepped forward, curious to see what they were talking about. The flowers in her hand dropped to the floor, and a hand raced to cover her startled mouth.
"Cagalli?" she whispered. She took in the sight of Cagalli kneeling in front of a man, her hands moved from his cheeks to tangle behind his neck. The man's hand was tangled possessively in her hair, and she felt a deep red blush staining her cheeks. Her friend was leaning into him, and Lacus studied the man. It was the blue hair that gave him away, the King. She had to stop this, what was Cagalli thinking! She was engaged to Prince Kira! When the two found out the truth, what would happen? What would happen if Kira found out? She was about to march over there when she caught the golden cat standing protectively before them. It was shaking its head at her. Lacus glanced from the cat, to the two were in their own world. The cat met her eyes once more, "She really likes him?"
The cat nodded, and Lacus could almost feel her heart breaking for her friend. Why had things become so complicated? Cagalli wasn't supposed to fall in love with anyone but the Prince, but you weren't supposed to fall in love with the Prince either, be fair. Lacus gritted her teeth and turned her back on the couple, to give them some peace. She saw Kira walking towards her confused, and with a panicked gaze behind her she rushed over to him.
"Princess Cagalli. What are you looking at?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's nothing, I just stumbled a little."
"Oh, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. You were looking for me?" Lacus asked sweetly, steering him away discreetly.
"I wanted to introduce you to Torii." He answered fondly.
"Oh! Where is he, I can't wait to meet him." She smiled.
"Come I'll show you." Kira replied leading her down the hallway, not noticing the slight look of sadness in her face.
Cagalli knew what it felt to drown, she had almost drowned once when she was little and had never forgotten the sensation. Now she was drowning again, the water was closing in over her, and although she tried to escape she found herself sinking. She felt Athrun's hand fisted in her hair, his other hand possessive around her waist. She had been kissed before, but never like this. This was new, strange, exhilarating. His lips were so soft but firm on her skin, and she found herself inhaling him. He tasted like mochi, with the earthy undertones of green tea on his tongue. She could feel his heartbeat, and hers and then she knew. She, Cagalli Yula Attha, was falling hard for this man that she had barely known for a few days.
Slowly she parted from him, pushing him away, only slightly. She was too embarrassed to look at him, so she kept her eyes on the ground. Her hand raised involuntarily to touch her lips. She wondered if she looked disheveled, as her breaths escaped her in quiet gasps. She barely registered that she was still sitting on top of him, but cold fingers under her chin pulled her face up gently. She heard his voice, it was gentle but strangely raw, "Lacus, look at me."
"Lacus?" she whispered, meeting his green eyes. Confused she stared at him, and then she remembered. She thought she could see some emotion in his eyes, but she also saw a strange coldness. He called me Lacus. With a small cry she flung herself off him, and hurried away, tears in her eyes. She had to get away from him, she couldn't tell him now. He would hate her, and then she would have to marry one of his closest friends. She felt like the only thing she could do was run now, panic clawing at her throat. Her heart felt like it was breaking, and she stopped running, her knees suddenly weak. So she did the only thing she could think to do, she pounded her fists against the wall, crying as she did so.
Athrun watched her as she fled, his pulse still racing. His mind was whirling, he could still feel her body against his, the cautious and genuine way she kissed. He could still feel her hair in his hands, her breath coming in gasps. Then the startled way she had pulled back from him, the fright in her wide amber eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. With a frustrated yell he slammed his fist into the cherry tree, the blossoms raining down like showers before him. Damn it, damn it. He jumped to his knees, and with a sigh of frustration he ran his hands through his hair, hurrying to his rooms. There was a way to forget about what happened, and that involved burying himself in tons of work. He'd figure out the rest later, he'd apologize to her at dinner. Now he had to deal with assassination plots, and some fool trying to start a war between Zaft and Orb; but as he bent over his work he found himself longing for strawberries.
Phew…long chapter __. Anyways I decided it was high time for me to get some romance in for the other couples, back to the plot next chapter…lol…. I was also a little annoyed when I realized that I've had fights in every chapter! :argh: I hereby announce that I will not to put a fight (at least a sword fight) in the next chapther! Hope you liked it. :3. R&R please ^___^.