Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed.

Summary: AU. She had the life girls would dream about. Living in a penthouse suite in the city... Working in the top modeling company... Partying in the hottest nightclub in town... However, everything changed when she had to take care of her younger half brother. She found herself moving to the suburbs, away from city life. She met new neighbours, made new friends, including this hot new guy next door.

A/N: Kira's six years old by the way. Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing!

... ... ...

Dear diary,

I just got some news from Mu. He said that he found my sister and that she will be taking me in. Mu said she will be coming tomorrow. I'm scared. What if she doesn't like me? Will she hit me too like the others? Mu said it'll be different. She's my real family though we have different fathers. He also said I will get to go to school. He said that life will be better for me. I really hope he's right. And most importantly, I hope she would like me.

Kira

... ... ...

Chapter 2

Mrs McPhee brought me to the backyard. She said big sister Cagalli was already here for me. I hid behind Mrs McPhee as I caught a glimpse of her. She was dressed in long pants and a red top. There was the usual screaming session and before I knew it, I was face to face with her. I quickly casted my eyes down.

"Err... Umm... Hi!" I heard her say. I stumbled forward when Mrs McPhee gave me a light nudge. "Please let her like me!" I was praying.

"Err, are you ready? Shall we go?" she asked. "Oh right, umm... I'm Cagalli. I'm your sister, if you don't know that already," she said.

I didn't say goodbye to the other children. They weren't my friends. I had no friends.

"Take care kid," Mu said to me. "I'll still be seeing you from time to time though. I'll be visiting."

Cagalli opened the door to her car. It was shiny and red in colour. She probably liked red a lot. Her car was red and her clothes were red.

It wasn't long before we hit the road. She didn't say anything during the drive. I would take glances at her but would catch me and I would look away.

After what seemed like hours, the car stopped. "Come on," she said as she got off the car. I followed her quietly into a store.

"Cagalli darling!" a woman wearing funny blue clothes came over to give Cagalli a hug. "You came just in time! I just designed new clothes and I want you to model them!"

"Aisha! Actually, I was hoping you could get some clothes for him," she pushed me lightly towards the woman. She had long silky dark hair.

"Oh my, what do we have here? Who's this cute little guy?" she asked as she bent down to my level.

"He's my half brother," she told her.

"Well, you two do have some resemblance. Come on little guy, let's get you to try out some clothes," Aisha smiled at me as she gently took my hand.

I followed her but I looked back to Cagalli. She was sitting on a large round chair, looking at her mobile phone. I was afraid that she would abandon me and leave me behind. The woman called Aisha, took some clothes out from and then rack and then brought me towards this long thick dark curtain.

"You can change by yourself right?" she asked me. She seemed rather patient. I nodded my head. She handed me a bunch of clothes and pulled away the curtains. "In you go," she said and before I knew it, I was inside this small room. Memories started flooding into my head. I remembered the times when he would lock me up inside the closet, sometimes for days at a time. The square room, unlike the dark closet, had bright lights. Still, I got scared. I started to pant. The walls seemed to be closing up on me. I couldn't take it anymore. I cowered down and I screamed.

The curtains were drawn and Miss Aisha was in front of me. "What's wrong?" I dashed out of the square room ignoring her. There were tears in my eyes as I kept on screaming, trying to drown out those painful and frightening memories.

"Kira!" I heard her voice. Then, my body collided into someone else's. I felt arms wrapping around by body. I screamed louder, wildly trashing about. Still, the person wouldn't let go.

"Kira! Kira! It's me Kira! It's me Cagalli! Your sister!" I heard her say and looked up. My tears were blocking by vision. Everything was in a blur but I could see her golden hair and smell her sweet smelling scent. I calmed down immediately. I was in her arms as she tried to soothe me. My tears still kept on pouring.

"He's not cluster-phobic is he?" I heard Miss Aisha say, worried.

Cagalli did not answer her. Instead, she patted by back and drew circles as she whispered to me. "It's alright Kira, I'm here. Your big sister is here. You don't have to be afraid. I won't let anything or anyone harm you."

I threw my arms around her neck, refusing to let go. I was afraid that if I do, she would disappear. My tears were already drying up and my eye lids were getting heavy. I looked at her once last time before I gave in to my tiredness and closed my eyes.

... ... ...

Dear diary,

I had the biggest scare of my life earlier. After fetching Kira from the orphanage, I took him to Aisha (she's the top designer here in Orb) to get some clothes. I didn't what happened but Kira started screaming and going bonkers on me. He was in the changing room one minute and the next, he practically flew out! I caught him just in time. I've never seen anyone look so scared in my entire life. I did not know what else to do but to continue holding him tight. Aisha said he was probably cluster-phobic. I just don't want to relive that experience. I should take him to see my new found therapist. It'll do both of us some good. Kira's sleeping now on my bed. I think I'll turn in now too.

Yours truly,

Cagalli

... ... ...

I didn't sleep very well last night. I found it strange to sleep with another body next to mine. I didn't have that many chances after all. Unlike Meyrin, I still have my virginity. I didn't go around sleeping with the first hot guy I see. I never thought I would have to share my penthouse with someone else either, so it didn't really occur to me to get a two bedroom room apartment.

I got out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom to wash up. Kira was still sleeping and he looked absolutely like a little angel. I have to resume work tomorrow; I didn't take a very long leave. I took out my hand phone. I had a list of things to do today. The first was to find a new penthouse, one that has two bedrooms. The second was to find a school for Kira to attend. The last on my list was to take Kira to see my therapist. I had already made an appointment.

I was in the living room balcony taking to Shiho over the phone.

"Still alive?" she joked.

"Who do you think is talking to you now if I were dead?" I replied.

"Oh my goodness! And imposter!"

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "So when are you going to meet him?" I asked.

"Huh? Him? Who? Oh... Yea... After I come back from overseas," she replied.

"You're going overseas? You're not trying to run away are you?"

"No of course not," she replied. "The company's sending me for some business trip. It's some last minute decision. I'm leaving tomorrow."

"Cagalli! Cagalli! Where are you?" I suddenly heard the frantic cries of Kira. Shiho heard it too.

"Oh my gosh! What's happening? Is this house on fire?" Shiho asked me.

"I'm not sure. I'll go check it out now. Call you back later!" I hung up and then ran to the living room. Kira was standing beside an opened front door. His tiny fists were clenched up into a ball and rubbing his eyes. He was sobbing.

"Kira! What's the matter? What happened?" I ran to him.

I nearly fell on my butt when he jumped up on me, his small arms wrapping around my neck.

"You're still here! You didn't leave me behind!" he half sobbed.

"Of course not silly! Why would I do that?" I tried wiping some of his tears off.

"I promise I'll be good! Just don't leave me! I don't want to go back!"

Alright, maybe I should put seeing my therapist as number one on the list.

"I won't leave you," I tried to soothe him. "No more tears now."

His tears stopped flowing and I congratulated myself. Not bad Cagalli! You have a way with kids!

"Hey, why don't you wash up now ok? Once you're done, you can come back here and watch cartoons."

I was glad that Kira was obedient. He went straight back to my room. I closed the front door. Just as I was about to call Shiho, Kira came running back.

"Umm... Where can I get my clothes?" he asked me, casting his gaze to the floor as if he was embarrassed.

"Oh, right. I'll get it for you. Come," I told him as I walked into my room. I had already placed everything inside my walk-in-closet.

"Here," I handed him a white shirt and a denim jumper suit. I also passed him a pair of SpongeBob undergarments which I took from the drawers. He took them all quietly but still hasn't move to the bathroom.

"Is there something else?" I raised my eye brows as I asked him, trying to sound as patient as possible.

"Umm... Err..." he was muttering something incoherent. "Not at all! Thank you!"

"No problem," I replied. I watched him as he walked slowly to the adjoining bathroom. "Kira wait!" I suddenly called him. He immediately turned back. "Would you like a bubble bath? I'll help you set it up," I said as I walked with him to the bathroom. I turned on the taps as water from the ceiling poured down.

"Wow!" Kira said amazed. It looked like it was raining inside the toilet. It wasn't long before the tub was filled with water and foam.

"Take your time ok? I'll be outside in the living room if you need me," I told him.

Then I called Shiho.

"Hey what happened?" she asked me worried.

"Nothing much actually. Kira just thought I had abandoned him," I replied.

"Oh I see... So what is he doing now?"

"He's having a bubble bath."

"What?"

"He's having a bubble bath," I repeated.

"Yes I know I heard that the first time!" Shiho snapped at me. "Are you with him? Are you watching him?"

"No. Why would I?"

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? HE COULD DROWN INSIDE!" Shiho yelled at me.

"Don't be ridiculous!" I laughed at the paranoid Shiho. "He's not swimming in a pool."

"In case you have forgotten Cagalli, your tub is not the normal sized tub people have in their homes. Unless he's big for his age, he could possibly drown inside that giant tub of yours."

I was hit with suddenly realisation and an unknown fear came inside of me. Oh my gosh, Shiho was right! I rushed to the bathroom.

"Kira!" I shouted as I burst into the bathroom. He was not in sight. Did he really drown inside? The large stone sunken tub was filled with foam right to the very brim. It looked as if it could overflow anytime. I hoped I didn't have to jump in and rescue him. I had already taken my bath.

"Cagalli?" I heard his voice. He came from beside me, still in the clothes he had worn in the orphanage.

"For a second there I thought you drowned inside," I had a sigh of relief. "Why aren't you undressed and bathing now? The water's not too hot is it?"

"N-No. It's not that." I could see that his face was turning red. "I-I couldn't unzip," he showed me his pants.

Oh so that was the reason. Goodness, I didn't have to help him did I? That would be quite weird.

Just then, the door bell rang. I was saved from this awkwardness! It was Shiho at the door. She lived nearby, just across the street from my building.

"Is he ok?" she asked worried.

"Yea, he didn't drown. He didn't even get inside the tub."

"What happened? He's not afraid of water is he?"

"No. His zipper is stuck. And you... my dear friend... are going to help him," I smiled at Shiho as I led her to the bathroom where Kira was sitting on a cushioned seat inside.

"What? Why me?" Shiho exclaimed.

"Why not you? I can't do it!" I told her.

"He's your bother," she stated.

"It's weird!" I replied.

"It's even weirder for me!" she retorted.

I took a quick glance at Kira. He looked confused. Putting on my sweetest smile, I said to him, "Kira, this is Shiho, my best friend. And she's going to help you with your... zip."

Shiho took my elbows and she gave me a death glare. "What?" she hissed at me.

I only smiled back innocently and said, "Isn't that right Shiho?"

I could see beads of sweat forming at the side of Shiho's face. "Well... I... Err..." she mumbled.

... ... ...

I perched myself at the edge of the sunken tub with my feet wading in the water. Kira had practically pulled me down to sit with him through his bath. Shiho had left us, excusing herself that she needed to pack for her trip. The whole zipper incident was solved after I practically tugged and nearly tore apart his zipper. I felt like a pedophile, taking advantage of a kid. At least Kira seemed to be enjoying himself. He looked fascinated with all the bubbles and the foam. But he didn't talk much to me.

"I'm going back to my room ok?" I stood up as I started to wipe my legs with the towel. "You can stay here as long as you like," I told him. I got rid of some water from the tub earlier on. So it was unlikely that he was going to drown inside.

Kira also stood up. "No, I'm done already," he said quickly.

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

He nodded his head as he made his way to the small steps of the tub. I quickly took a new towel and wrapped it around him. He could catch a cold if he was exposed to the cold air.

"Wipe yourself dry and go to the room to change," I ordered him as I pressed the button to empty the tub. I then made my way to the kitchen which was adjoined to the living room. I sat on one of the bar stools as I poured myself some water. A little while later, Kira came to see me.

"What's breakfast?" he asked me.

I blinked at him. Huh? Breakfast? Right. I forgot. Breakfast was the most important meal of the day and I forgot. My breakfast usually consisted of a latte and I was good to go.

I opened the kitchen cabinets. They were all empty. The fridge too was bare apart from a carton of expired milk at the lower compartment. I opened the freezer at the top. It was packed with tubs of ice cream. That would do I guess. I took one tub out and handed it to Kira together with a spoon.

... ... ...

I was sitting on the black leather couch in the office of my therapist, Marrue Ramius. Dr Ramius was sitting in front me, scribbling some notes. Kira was outside with the secretary. I was waiting for the Doc to give me her diagnosis.

"Miss Athha tell me," Dr Ramius started. "Has Kira been abused by his former guardians?" she asked me.

"Err... I'm not sure. He doesn't tell me much," I admitted.

"He's a very quiet kid," she told me. I knew that one already. Tell me something I didn't. "After my little chat with him, I realised he's very afraid of you leaving him," she continued. Oh that made sense. I kinda knew that too. I could probably be a good psychologist. "The boy has been through a lot and I understand that you live in the city, Miss Athha." I nodded my head. "It'll be in Kira's best interest if you two live somewhere quieter."

Say what? What did she just say? "What?" I said.

"The city's hardly a conducive place for him, especially if you want him to recover and have a better life."

I stared at her. Where do we live then? The country side? Should we stay in a farm and milk cows for a living?

I walked out of her office, towards Kira. The boy was sprawled on the floor drawing stick figures.

"Come on Kira, let's go!" I told him. I have a property agent to call.

... ... ...

It was the following morning and I was in deep trouble. I had to go back to work that day and I hadn't found anyone to babysit Kira while I was away. I couldn't send Kira to daycare. No matter how many times I assured him, he would still think that I was going to leave him and never come back. He would absolutely be against daycare. I cursed myself for not enrolling him in a school earlier. The only option I had now was to get someone he was comfortable with to babysit him. I couldn't ask Shiho. Her flight was leaving in a few hours. Suddenly, someone came to my mind.

To: Mu

From: Cagalli

Text message: SOS! HELP!EMERGENCY! Come to my place NOW!

It wasn't long before Mu came rushing into the penthouse. He had told me before to contact him if I had any problems. If it was an emergency, he would come immediately.

"What happened? Is everything ok? Where's Kira?" he asked frantically.

I pointed towards the kitchen where Kira was sitting on the bar stool. "He's eating breakfast."

Mu seemed to have calmed down when he saw Kira in one piece. But he raised his eye brows soon after. "You're feeding him ice cream for breakfast?"

I looked at my watch. I was going to be late if I didn't start moving. "Erm, yea," I answered him absentmindedly.

"So what's the emergency?" he asked me.

"Late for work! Gotta go! Take care of Kira!" my words came out like a speeding bullet as I ran for the front door, giving Mu no time to react.

"H-Hey kid!" Mu called after me.

"Sorry! And thanks!" I shouted back right before the doors of the lift closed.

Phew! That was a close call! I actually made it out alive. Mu was now calling by hand phone, I just ignored it. I stopped for a short while in Starbucks, needing my daily booze. I headed straight to work afterwards.

"It's good to have you back Cagalli," the executive director Natarle Badgiruel (aka my over demanding boss from hell) said to me as I walked into the agency.

"It's good to be back," I replied. I've only been gone for two days and they're missing me already? Like that was going to happen.

"And Cagalli," Natarle said. "There's a fashion show in Milan in a few days. You can go in my stead."

"Oh no, I can't," I told her sadly. "I have to take care of..."

"Yes, oh... Right... You have to baby-sit." Natarle waved her hand in the air. "Get the girl then... what's her name... to replace you."

"Lunamaria?" I suggested.

"Ah, yes her," Natarle said before returned to her private office.

"Cagalli!" I heard my name being called. I turned around to see a girl with short magenta hair walking towards me flustered. The girl Lunamaria was actually Meyrin's older sister.

"What's wrong Luna?"

"We've got a problem! One of clients is not satisfied with our models, and we don't have any replacements!" she said exasperated.

"Are they here right now? I'll go and talk to them," I said.

Luna nodded her head as she lead me to another room.

"Cagalli darling!" a woman with a thick French accent said. "I'm so glad you're here! These imbeciles Natarle hired don't know anything! They can't do their jobs right! They should be fired!"

Luna immediately paled. She didn't want to lose her job.

"Let me what I can do for you," I smiled at her as Luna passed me a file. I took a quick scan and snapped the file shut. "Don't worry," I assured her. "I'll get you a replacement. Give me a few minutes. In the mean while, would you like some refreshments?"

"Oh yes that would be lovely," she replied.

I then walked off with Luna scurrying behind me.

"We have no more models available to do the photo shoot," one of our assistants said. "You have a plan right?"

"Yup don't worry, just get our client some tea and some sandwiches and cakes," I told her.

"So what's the plan?" Luna asked me when we were at my office.

"I don't know," I told her honestly. I picked up the telephone and started to dial. "Hey Danny, Cagalli here. Listen, do you have any boys available now?" I asked hoping. "We've got a major client here." It was a while before he replied. It wasn't good news. "It's ok. Thanks anyway."

"What now?" Luna asked.

Just then, something caught my eye. No, someone. A young man was carrying a heavy looking box on his shoulders. His well built muscles were flexing. I could also see his eight packs from his fitted white shirt.

"Hey you!" I dashed out of my office to catch him. He heard me. He turned around confused. "What's your name?"

"Brandon, Miss" he replied.

"Great! From this moment on, you're working as a model for us."

He looked at me shock. Luna too.

"Get him some papers," I told Luna. She came back soon afterwards. "Just sign here and here and here," I told him. He quickly did as I said as I dragged him off to the room to meet our unhappy client.

"What do you think of him? He's our latest addition," I told our client Victoria.

"Cagalli, I'm shocked that the agency didn't show him to us earlier. We could have skipped all the unpleasantness," Victoria said to me.

"Well, he's rather inexperienced. You'll be his first major photo shoot."

"You don't have to worry about that dear, we can fix him."

"That's good to know..."

"Of course darling! And if you have nothing else, we'll be leaving now. We've wasted so much time already."

The minute Victoria and her army of assistants left, Luna hugged me from behind and squealed, "Oh my gosh! You're a genius Cagalli! You totally saved my butt! I thought I was toast!"

"Well I've got more good news for you Luna. Natarle's sending you to Milan for the fashion show."

"No way! Are you serious!"

"Yes, I'm not lying."

"Oh my gosh! But why? I thought you always get to go?"

"I can't, I've got a brother now to take care of..."

"Oh right... I forgot..."

... ... ...

It was in the early evening when I home. Kira was in front of me the moment I opened the door. It was as if he was waiting for me.

"It's about time you come home," Mu greeted me. He didn't look particularly happy.

"Thanks for taking care of Kira," I gave him a small smile.

"It's not as if I had much of a choice," he replied.

"That's why you have to come for breakfast tomorrow morning so that I can make it up to you!" I happily suggested.

"By breakfast you mean ice cream?" he asked.

"No of course not! Breakfast as in pancakes and sausages and eggs."

"Well..."

"I insist!"

Mu agreed, not seeing my other plot to make use of him and make him take care of Kira for one more day. Score one for Cagalli! All I had to do next was to order McDonald's breakfast delivery the next day.

Just then, my hand phone rang, breaking my thoughts away.

"Miss Athha, this is your housing agent, Asagi speaking. I have found you a place..."

... ... ...

I pulled over my car on the drive way. Orb Planes, our new home, was a forty-five minute drive away from the city. Thank goodness for the weekend. I didn't have to take leave just to move house. Mu wasn't exactly very happy with me. After all, I had conned him to take care of Kira for another day.

The delivery trucks reached ahead of us and started moving some furniture in already. I opened the trunk of my car and started unloading the heavy boxes and suitcases. Kira tried to help but he ended up dropping one of the boxes.

"Hey, do you need some help?"

I turned around to find a gorgeous young man with midnight blue hair and emerald green eyes smiling at us, offering his aid.

Tell me, who could resist?

To be continued.