Hello there. Azmaria Eve here. Well, here's the next chapter of this story. I hope this is enjoyable. And I want to inform everyone if I dunno when I can publish the next chapter. Got some accident and my left hand still not recover yet. Can't use it properly. I typed this prologue only with my right hand. Hahah, sorry. Well, I want to say thank's to everyone who read this story and drop some reviews. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much. And thank you specially for NeeNeeLar. You are the best! Cheers!
Well then, here we go. Who Am I Chapter 17. Thank you for read and review.
DISCLAIMER : I DON'T OWN THE GUNDAM SEED SERIES.
Who Am I?
CHAPTER 17
Flashback :
She jumped and pull her hand from the handle. Her head turn around quickly. Right behind her, Shera stand up and smile to her.
"S-Shera?" She gulped. Damn, get caught again.
The girl walking towards her, smiling. Right in front of her, she stop and bowed.
"Come, Milady. Rheena prepared a fine and nice meal already."
Cagalli sighed. She losing her chance, again. Glancing to the door, she sighed again. Can't be help, maybe next time. And if needed, she will put sleeping pill to every maid and butler here later so no one will caught her. She grinning to the thought. Turned around, she faced Shera and nodded.
"Let's go then." And she walked passed Shera. The girl walking behind her, just look like guarding her. Cagalli narrowed her honey brown eyes. This uneasy feeling still remain inside her and she don't even know what it is about.
...
Kira kneel down beside Athrun. His brow furrowed. Athrun himself leaning to the wall, his breathing is calmer than before. His healthy hand gripped his wounded arm. Blood seeped through white bandage around his arm, making it bright red. His gun was on the floor, and Yzak stood a few meters from them, talking with some officer for some report. His blue eyes still fiery although the chaos was over. His clothes were ripped at some place because of the fight earlier. Kira himself got some too, but not as bad as Athrun. If Kira and Yzak just got some bruises and ripped clothes, Athrun had the worst. A bullet grazed his shoulder and there were ugly gashes from the pocket knife on his arm from their enemy. Blood kept seeping through even though the wound was bandaged, this made Kira very worried.
"Athrun-"
"I am fine. Don't give me that look. I ever got something worst than this. Don't worry." Athrun assured his brother in law.
"But-"
"It will be okay. More importantly, make sure that guy don't escape or all of our efforts will be wasted." Athrun nodded to some distance a bit far from them. There, laid an unconscious guy, who got knocked down by Athrun in their fight earlier, his body tied up with rope.
"The Captain and Kisaka-san handled everything already. Eventhough we lost the others." Kira said grimly.
Athrun staring at the unconscious guy. They managed to catch one of them, but the others managed to escape. One of them is dead after Athrun bullets pierced through his body, when his gun targeted and locked to Kira direction. Athrun replayed the event before.
Flashback:
Athrun jumped from the barricade and ran to the enemy, trying to get close to them but unlucky, one of them realized and shot Athrun. Athrun ducked and kicked a random table to hide behind it. Just a little more, he thought. He reloaded his gun quickly and took a peek at the enemy's side. At the same time, one of the enemies jumped and ran toward him, yelling and slashing a pocket knife at him. Athrun could hear Kira screamed his name, a glint of the knife, and another pain stabbed his senses. Blood spilled onto the floor. He rolled onto the floor but got on his feet quickly. The man, who slashed him, stared at Athrun with a grin on his face. Athrun glanced at his arm. He can see blood and gash there. Athrun turned his attention back to his attacker. Luckily, because of his Coordinator reflexes, he can move quickly before the knife pierced his chest. It result with only a slash on his arm. The man grinned, happy because he managed to hurt his target. And then, he laughed. Athrun kept staring at him, contemplating his behavior.
"Oh? How lucky my little weapon has wounded the Great Athrun Zala. You aren't that great as they said, aren't you?" The man spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Oh,yeah? Congratulation, because your little weapon made a little wound on my skin." Athrun replied with coldness in his tone and it made the man raged with hatred and launched himself to Athrun.
"Give Athha to us! They have to die! Die! You filthy Coordinator and Natural pair!"
But Athrun prepared himself already. He dodged the man attack and gripped his arms. With quick moves, he flipped and threw the enemy down, make his body banged against the cafe hard floor. The man didn't stop. He kicked Athrun's leg and made Athrun lose balance. Athrun groan after his back smashed against the floor and the man jumped and pinned him down. Athrun punched him and threw him off of his body. The man landed hitting some table from behind.
"Is that all you have to take me down?You need more than that for defeat me." Athrun said to him coldly. He stood above the man, his emerald eyes glint dangerously. His gun was on the floor behind him and he is barehanded, no weapon in his hand but his posture unwavering. Not a single afraidness or worry just because he faced the enemy barehanded show on his face. The man stared at him with hatred, madly, full of hatred and desire for killing. But Athrun eyes showed nothing except coldness. He took one step towards the man and his enemy dragged his body backwards. His hand snatched some object from the floor and he throws it to Athrun. Athrun in his anger and full control can evaded it easily without much unneeded moves. Panic start engulfing the enemy on the floor and his hand non stop snatching and throwing object to Athrun. Dodged it all, he keep walking towards his target on the floor. And when he saw if his enemy can't find something to throw anymore, he kneel down slowly on one knee and speak to the guy who started to shake in fear.
"You said you want to kill Cagalli? You said she has to die? You said that Athha has to die? Don't ever say it again or I, with my own hand, will send you to the deepest hell." And without warning, Athrun gave the guy a hard and fast punch, knocked him unconscious immediately. Athrun remained silent for a while.. After that, he stood up slowly and glanced around. Not far from him, Kira and Yzak were still engaged in battle with the rest, his green eyes widen when he saw one of the enemies was aiming at Kira who was busy handling another Athrun moved quickly to pick up his gun and shot the enemy right before he could shoot Kira. His arm stung and he flinched a bit. Damn knife, he murmured. He started to move towards Kira and Yzak when suddenly, one of the enermies threw something. Thick smoke covered the cafe entirely, making it hard to see clearly. And as soon the smoke engulf them, their eyes started to hurt.
Athrun glanced around, trying to look for Yzak and Kira desperately between the smokes.
"YZAK! KIRA! WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU-" But he suddenly frozen. Some idea appear on his mind and he turned back quickly to the unconscious man that he knocked down before. No, he whispered, we need him to give us information about them. And his instinct was right. He saw someone tried to lifted the unconscious man and drag him go from this mess. Athrun speed up his pace and kick the person, send him flying and the man cursing, letting go of his companion but not before he shooting blindly to their direction. Athrun grabbed the unconscious guy and protect him from the bullets. Lucky, none of the bullets hit them. He can hear some people cursing and footsteps going into some direction but he still can't see clearly. He just gripped his victim tightly, not letting go because he need this man information and confession about their purpose, about their leader, about everything. But he also wishes if Kira and Yzak are okay. He keep quiet but all his senses aware of his surrounding. His eyes still teary because the smoke but he still can see a bit. In this situation, he can't just rushed to catch another because right now,he got ONE on his hand already. And he doesn't intend to letting go this source.
After a while, the smoke started to disappear and he could hear Kira calling for him.
"Athrun! Athrun, where are you?"
Blinking his eyes, he replied Kira call. "Kira! I'm here!"
Footsteps approached him and a hand grabbed from his side.
"Athrun! Thank Godness! Are you okay?"
"I am fine. Where's Yzak?" He stared at Kira who seems frozen after saw a knocked man in Athrun death grip.
"Athrun. Is he-"
"Yeah." Athrun glancing at the man in his grip before turn his attention back to his brother in law. "We got one here."
...
The Special Forces came to assist them no long after the chaos stopped. Yzak, who was safe and healthy, snorted and grumbled about how late the police or special forces were to come to help. Now that after everything isunder controlled Athrun stood and up slowly and walked towards the corner. He slumped down and leans his body to the wall. His bandaged arm and shoulder stung greatly after the chaos finished. He stared blankly at the scenery in front of him. How messed up has this place become and he sighed. After that, Kira come to his direction.
"You need to treat your wound properly." Said Kira after he let Athrun silently played the event before on his mind.
"Nah, no need. I will just change the bandages later. I need to go back to her." Athrun speak slowly.
"Cagalli will frighten to see your condition like this." Kira staring at him.
Athrun cursing. Kira is right. He can imagine Cagalli shock face if she saw his body wrapped in bandages. But still, he promised to come back to her always.
"How's she?" Kira sit down beside him and leaning his back to the wall like Athrun. Athrun staring at his bestfriend and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, if you ask she's fine and healthy now after the incident. Her wound healed perfectly. And I suppose she is planning her little plot to escape anytime now" Athrun tell Kira.
Chuckling, Kira answer him. "Well, that's just like Cagalli. She can never sit down calmly."
"Yeah. You are right."
They were silence for a while, around them the police forces are still guarding the and looking for evidences from the messed cafe. They talked to the owner who's still shaking in fear and Yzak seems unpleased.
"Do you think we can finish this soon?" Kira speak quietly to him.
Athrun narrowed his eyes upon Kira question.
"I am not sure."
He stared hard at the scene in front of them. Kira kept quiet and listen.
"But what I am sure right now," he paused a little, "is we hold one key already on our hand."
...
The sound of waves calmed her senses. Seagull's music surrounding her, Nice winds touched her white skin and blowing her pink hair. Lacus Clyne was standing on the beach, her blue eyes staring the sea with full gentleness. Her baby bump indicated the baby growing nicely. She hummed her soft voice, her song. Still she could hear footsteps approaching her. Without turn around, she spoke softly to the person,
"It's beautiful and calm, isn't it?"
The person who approached her stopped and smiles. After some years, Lacus Clyne is still a gentle, great person with a nice personality.
"Yeah ,it is. Is this the reason why you want to meet me here?" The person resuming the walk and stop right beside her. Lacus keep smiling and inhales as much as she can, the fresh air of the sea.
"Because this is a really beautiful place and my favorite one. I wanted to talk somewhere nature and peaceful. I love it here. I bet you rarely or maybe never come tothis kind of place, don't you? Miss Kyle." Lacus turned her attention to the person beside her.
A smile formed on the person lips. Kyle Morgue, current Chairwoman of PLANT. She replaced Lacus Clyne after she decided to step down from the position and choose to live normally on Earth. Lacus did promote her to be the next Chairwoman, replacing her. But of course she just promoted her, not persuaded the other Council member to take her decision. After some meeting and more, they agree about it. Kyle Morgue became the new Chairwoman of PLANT and Lacus Clyne live normally with her husband on Earth, Kira Yamato. She was a member of the military before. Her dedication in her jobs and everything made Lacus trust her. They have been friend long before. But in the precious war, Kyle stayed in Parliamentary and sometimes helped military and Lacus joined the armies in space, along with her Eternal. That time, Kyle and Lacus keep contacted with each other, telling each other about their current condition at their post. She also knew about Cagalli and Athrun, because Athrun was the other candidate for Chairman. But he married the Representative of ORB and become permanent citizen in ORB, not to say helping his wife ruling ORB as well.
Even though she is a Chairwoman now, she still keep in contact with Lacus and ask for her advice sometimes. It's true that Lacus still have her wonderful aura about leadership but she still let Kyle to decide it herself. "You must follow what your heart said so." Is what Lacus always told her whenever she gives her advice. And day by day, Kyle became a more confident Chairwoman.
"Is fine?" Kyle asking her while staring directly to the sea across her.
Lacus chuckling lightly.
"Why you still referring him as 'Mr'? Kira will be dissapointed and sad if he know if you called him that formally." Lacus told her clearly.
Kyle laughing to hear that.
"Well, I apologize. Just he's my idol after all. A war veteran and pilot of The Great and So Famous called Freedom. Who knows if he is my friend's husband right now." Kyle teasing her.
Lacus smiling upon Kyle words.
"We can't see what will happen in the future."
Nodding, Kyle respons to Lacus words.
"So? Any news about what I asked to you before? My dear friend, Kyle?"
Kyle expression become serious. She seems lost in her thought for awhile. Lacus expression keep still but there's a slight of seriousness there.
"It's hard to maintain it until now, but I and my people still looking for it. We aren't stop and we won't."
Lacus turn her attention to the woman beside her. "I am sorry to ask something like that to you. I know if you are busy about your duty but I-"
Kyle cutting Lacus words and waved her hand impatiently. "Oh, cut it out. It's not a big deal. After all, I found it quite interesting and challenging."
Lacus smiles about her friend antics.
"And, I hear about incident that occured at ORB before. About Cagalli-sama as well. How's she right now?"
Lacus paused a little before answer her question.
"If only I can answer your question, I will be gladly telling you."
Kyle raised her eyebrow. "Pardon?"
"Because,-" Lacus staring at her patiently, "I don't know as well how's my sister in law doing. But as long as Athrun in charge, I think she is fine."
"I don't get it." Kyle admit confusingly.
Lacus laughing softly. Then, she turn her body and start walking to the beach house behind them. She stop awhile and turn her head to see at Kyle direction.
"Let's talk about everything inside, shall we? We need to discuss about it furthermore, ."
...
"Milady, meet Leon Gerard. He will be your bodyguard from now on, as Master Zala assigned." Harold Stuart, the Head Butler of the house introducing her to this young man, her so called from now on bodyguard, as Athrun promised. The bodyguard surely come to her to be her personal bodyguard but where the hell the man who hired him. It is Harold who bring and introducing this man to her, not his employers. She remember very well if Athrun said if he will be back from work along with her new protector. Cagalli narrowed her eyes. Inside her mind, she screaming uncontrollably. Stupid Zala! I DID SAID I don't need a freaking bodyguard! Don't he understand my words? Cagalli cursing silently. The man in front of her just staring at her, raising his eyebrows and waiting for his new client to speak something to him. Realizing if she won't say something first, he decided to break the tense around them.
"Leon Gerard from now on will be your protector, Milady. Please to meet you." He bowing a little to her. Cagalli startled to his action. Deciding if it's rude to just ignore him because this is not his entirely fault and it was Athrun's, she sighing and speak to him.
"No need such a formality. Just call me Cagalli."
Leon staring at her hardly. "But, Milady-"
"It's Cagalli."
Silence.
"Cagalli-sama then."
"Cagalli."
Silence again.
"But Cagalli-sama-"
"Just call me by my name, dammit! I hate it if people calling me in such a nickname like that! " Cagalli explode and stomped her foot to the floor.
Leon blinking once, then two times. Finally, he smiles and nodded.
"Very well, Cagalli. If that's what you want."
"That's exactly what I want. Just please don't follow me too much later."
"That can't do. Master Athrun hires me to keep and eye of you. So it including follow you around wherever you go and-"
"Arrghhh! That's why I hate bodyguard! Stupid Zala!" Cagalli pulling her hair angrily and stormed to her room. Leon frozen at his place after witnessing Cagalli sudden burst. He slowly turn his attention to the guy who keep silence all the time beside him.
"Uhm...is there anything wrong about my words or act, ?" Leon asking confusedly.
Chuckling, Harold answer his question. "No, that's just her normal reaction. Now, please follow me. I shall show you where you will stay here. Come with me."
And young Leon staring at Harold figure who walking to the other side of mansion. Shrugging, he take his leave and follow the Head Butler silently.
...
It has been 2 days since Leon came to be her babysitter, but Athrun still nowhere to be seen. She tried to seems doesn't care but actually she wonder where Athrun has been. She intend to ask Leon or Harold about their master whereabouts but her ego defeated her. Leon kept her company since he came that day. Like instructed, he followed and kept an eye of her. It's not like she can going outside but still that guy watching her. Cagalli want to curse her condition right now, but it can't be helped. Her desire to be away from this place growing rapidly and she trying to look for a chance to escape, and maybe go find Athrun and give him some of her mind.
Days 3 has come and Athrun still not come back. Cagalli giving up and she ask about him to Harold at breakfast.
" , do you know where's Za- uhmm...Athrun is? I havent seen him since 3 days ago." Cagalli askedthe Head Butler hesitantly. Harold who was still preparing her breakfast stopped for a moment and glanced at her. She kept her innocent expression showing at her face, she doesn't want to caught that she was worries about Athrun.
Harold straightens up and gave a quick bow to her which she found it unnecessary. A smile plastered on his lips.
"I apologize, Lady Cagalli. But Master Athrun can't back here until his business is done. And unluckily, the Master didn't tell me when it will be so I can't tell you when Master will be back."
Cagalli swallowed an lump in her throat. 'A business he said?'.
"Is something bothering your mind, Lady Cagalli? If so, I will ask Leon to accompany you to some games or entertainments? Harold voice breaking her thought.
Shaking her head, she reassured him. "No. No need. I just asked. And Leon already accompany me so very much and often. I do like to give him a day off for following me around even just a day. Thank you very much."
And Harold chuckle at his Lady words, resuming his duty. Leon stood behind her and raising an eyebrow. Again with wanting to get rid of him. He shaking his head. For a young man like him, this is surely a challenging job. To be a bodyguards of Representative who really hate to have a bodyguards.
Cagalli glancing at the young man behind her. Leon surely still young. He just 22 yo and yet, he have this kind of job already. His posture for sure is tall but not tall as Athrun. His hair have a same colour as Kira but it more neat than her twin brother hair. His eyes are bright brown one. He's quite handsome actually, but she still hate it when he follows her around. But unknown of him, she did make her plan already. And she smirk at the thought. Well, today she gonna try it. A bodyguard have to obey everything and whatever she say, doesn't he?
She finished her breakfast and strolls into the living room. She sat down on the sofa, leaning comfortably and watching some movies on television. Leon stood behind her, guarding her. She rolled her eyes. After awhile, her eyes started to drop and feels sleepy. Leon glanced to her direction. "Feeling sleepy?"
Cagalli didn't respond and he tried again.
"Don't sleep here. Come on, back to your room and get some rest there."
When Cagalli didn't respond, he walking around of the sofa and want to shake her for wake her up. But before he can do, she hissing angrily to him.
"Don't touch me. I want to sleep here. Just, bring me a pillow or what." But her eyes still closed. Leon sighing and straighten his body.
"Right away." And he walked to the other side of mansion, looking for something for her to sleep on. After he left, she jerked up and jumped from the sofa, frantically run to front door. Of course it is locked, like she predicted. But she knows about something and she will bet into it after this. Hearing someone footsteps approaching, she turns and hurriedly back to her previous position. Sleeping. Leon appear and dropped a blanket around her. He put some pillow around her and switch off the television when Shera walked passing him. Turning his head to her, he asked her.
"Going off somewhere?" Cagalli still closing her eyes, pretending to be asleep. She added some soft snoring. But she listening to every their conversation. She can hear Shera replying him.
"Yes. It's time to 'shopping'. If you know what I mean."
"Yeah. Be careful then." She remained still.
She can hear Shera footsteps again and clicking sound of the key which just opened a second ago by Shera.
"Sure I will. And take care of The Lady."
"Of course."
Now.
She open her eyes suddenly and throwing the blanket around her to Leon direction. Leon yelped surprisingly and she tangled the blanket around him, messily. She kicking the poor guy on his 'place' and he fall back, grunt painfully. She turn around quickly and can see Shera shocked expression and the opened door behind her. Dashing quickly, she give Shera a bit push and hear Shera yelped when she pushed to the wall by Cagalli. But she didn't stop.
Finally, she screaming happily on her mind. Finally she can escape from here.
She running with all of her energy, leaving the mansion behind. She can hear some yelling from Leon, maybe he can untangled the blanket already but she's not gonna let him to catch her. She is running without taking a glance around her. She keep running forward, want to be far away from the mansion. For a bit, she can see the garden and flowers. Maybe the garden which Kanaya took care. But she can't stop, not yet. She keep running and sometimes bending her head, avoiding the trees. She is gasping for air. Her legs start to tired out. She have been running for awhile. Slowly decreasing her speed and finally she stop. Panting, she look around. The trees around her and she can hear the birds chirping above her. For sure, she thought, she is far enough from the mansion now. She smiling at the thought. Finally, she stretching her arms, finally she is free!
She looked around once again and decide to find her way out from this, forest maybe? But surely she was surprised that Zala was really amazing to have a mansion inside the forest. And why did he build a mansion at the place like this. Shrugging, she starts to walk. She doesn't want to be caught by them. But unlucky, she seems lost. She doesn't know what time it is now but maybe it's afternoon or maybe almost evening. Her legs became more tired and she felt like she just walking around the same place.
"Where the hell am I?" She start to cursing.
Her legs refuse to walk further and she decide to rest for awhile. Don't want the risk to be found, she climbed one of the trees and leaning against it. She staring at the sky quietly. Almost night, she thought. Because the temperature become colder now. She closing her eyes. Tiredness attack her greatly. Rest awhile won't hurt...
...
"She's escaped?" A husky voice can be hear.
"Yes. But right now, we still try to find her."
Silence.
"She must come back. You must find her quickly."
Someone nodded after the person gave that order.
"Of course. And right now, Zala also on his way to find her."
The voice chuckled. And then the connection ended.
...
Cagalli open her eyes slowly. She rubbing her eyes and gave a long yawn. Glancing around, she jerked up and yelped because she almost fell down from the tree that she climbed to hide and rest all the night. The air around her feels warm but still cold in other way. Early morning, she thought bitterly. She keeps still for awhile before climbing down from the tree. Glancing around, she made sure no one spotted her or followed her. Then, she started to walk again. She enjoyed the scenery around her even though theres not much she can see because its mostly trees around her. The morning air feels refreshing and she inhales deeply.
"What a nice air and good morning." She murmured softly.
She keep walking and no longer, she can hear something. Sounds like...and she frozen on the spot.
"No. Impossible."
She was shaken a bit and then she ran to the source of the sound she heard before. "It can't be-" she thought on her mind. Her breathing was heavy because she ran and her mixed feeling. The trees looked like a greenish door since there's bright light not far from her. She increased her speed and come out from the green maze before just to see a new scenery around her. Her eyes widen. Her breath caught on her throat. Her body frozen.
She stood on the warm white sands. And in front of her, the blue colourseem mocking her. Sound of waves greet her welcomingly, it's the sound that she heard before. Seagulls singing above the blue carpet in front of her. Ocean. Sea. She was standing on the beach and there's a beautiful blue sea in front of her. Suddenly, her energy disappear from her body. She slumped down, eyes still widen shockingly. A sea?
She was staring at the sea. She is sure now. She can't escape from here and find Athrun or that maniac nor can she counter him to stop disturb her or Athrun. She can't escape from here. She stared blankly to the sea.
"I suppose you really surprised."
She jerked up to the voice. She didn't feel his presence there. She's too shocked. She turned her head slowly to the source of that voice and stared at his white skin, his white shirt, his shiny midnight blue hair and his forest green eyes. She was staring at Athrun Zala who stood not far from her. His expression hardens. No smile there. His eyes, she can see it, contain coldness and anger. He took a step forward and started to walk towards her. She can't move her body. Her amber eyes were following him and his every moves.
"I told you, didn't I, Cagalli?" And she flinced at his tone. His cold tone. He stopped before her. Cold emerald eyes staring down at her.
"You can't escape from me."
...
Well then, I will excuse myself from here. Thank you for read and review. Have a good day.
色々な事、有難うございます。
AZMARIA EVE