Author's note: Next chapter! Hmm… I think I'm writing way too fast. Anyways, a little more insight into what kind of characters Athrun and Kira are.
Chapter 7:
The last day of August. A Wednesday night. Cool, starless evening.
Kira turned the collar of his jacket up and strolled onwards, his hands deep in his pockets. A drunk man tottered out of the alley and fell in his path, groaning. Kira merely sidestepped him and continued on his way. Somewhere, there was wild laughter. A woman screamed. The sound of glass breaking. A dangerous place, but he could fit in. No problem.
He wove his way through the intoxicated crowd and found himself at the steps of a pub located at the end of the block. Its brick façade was doused heavily in red graffiti and the alley that flanked its left was eerily dark. He pushed open the door and a deafening noise engulfed him from inside. Lights were pulsating wildly and music blared through the speakers. The air was heavy with smoke and an intoxicating smell of alcohol, sweat and sex assaulted him.
Kira wove his way towards the bar and settled down on an empty stool, trying to spot the familiar mop of blonde hair in the pub.
"Hey, Kira!" Suddenly, an arm strung itself around his neck. A petite woman with long cascading brown curls swayed into his line of vision. "Looking for Stellar?" She said, batting her eyelash extensions teasingly. Kira smirked back in response and ran his hand through the woman's long tresses. "She's busy with some loser in the back alley. Meantime, why don't you spend some time with me, baby? I've got a special Kira-price." She straddled his thighs and bent her head, suckling gently at his neck.
"Back off, Cora." A hand pushed the woman aside gently. "Leave Kira alone."
Stellar was smiling, her magneta eyes glowing in the strobing lights. She hooked an arm through Kira's and shook her head at Cora, who was giving her signature pout. "No," She yelled, trying to make herself heard through the pulsing music. "Leave him alone." Cora gave a final pout. Then she grinned, blew a kiss at Kira and sauntered off into the gyrating bodies on the dance floor.
"Sorry," Stellar mouthed. She pulled Kira off the bar stool and headed for the door. Outside, she heaved a sigh of relief and took a deep breath of the night air. She raised her arms skywards in a sign of freedom. Kira watched her, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. When she turned around, his smile faded. Under the harsh streetlight, Stellar looked terrible. Her blonde shoulder-length hair was all mussed up and her lipstick was smeared across her cheek. The collar of her low-cut blouse was open and the second button was hanging by a single thread. A single scratch ran across the right side of her neck.
"That bastard," Kira growled. He spun around, ready to crash through the doors again, when a gentle hand grasped his forearm and pulled him back.
"Don't." Stellar said simply.
"What do you mean by 'don't'?" He turned back to look at her, snarling. His bright amethyst eyes had turned dark with anger and malicious intent. He shrugged free of her restraining hand and placed both of his on her shoulders, staring intently into her eyes. "Tell me who it is."
"No, I won't."
"Even if you don't, I'll be able to find out who it is. Or I could just kill everyone inside."
"Don't worry about it."
"He hurt you." A gentle finger found its way to the corner of her lips, fondling gently at the smeared lipstick and the light bruise.
"Ah, don't worry," She moved his hand aside and gave him one of the charming smiles she used whenever she wanted something from a guy. Kira didn't buy it. In fact, if it was possible, the look on his face became more murderous. "Hey," She murmured, running her hands soothingly over his forearms. "I'm fine. Don't worry about it." Then she grinned and put a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. She reached into her right boot, hopping about on one foot, and pulled out a stack of crumpled bills. "Look what I swiped off the loser. Besides, he didn't get away unscathed. He won't be in a hurry to look for women anytime soon." She paused and a wide smirk crossed her face. "I gave him a kick in the balls and left him lying unconscious in the ditch. No one treats me like that and gets away. Your Stellar can protect herself."
Kira's face lit up in a grin.
"So," She laughed, "don't worry about it." She hooked her arm through his again and led him down the street, away from the pub. They were silent for a moment, before Stellar gazed up at him with a bittersweet smile on her face.
"So, is this our attempt at a normal civilized lifestyle? The boyfriend picks up his girl from work?"
Kira shrugged.
"You know," she continued, laying her head on his shoulder as they continued walking, "I think I might like it."
"Are you heading somewhere?" Lacus smiled, standing in the driveway beside him.
Athrun shook his head. "Probably going home," he shrugged, "Shower, take a break, then back to the office again in the morning." The police department had been crazy the past few days as the crime scene lab churned out the results and his subordinates piled report after report on his desk. But there had been nothing useful at all amidst all that paper. Nothing at all. Dead end. Athrun had been keeping an optimistic front, but deep inside he knew that there were no more leads. It was only when Lacus had rung the office that he decided to drop his work and come over for dinner. Thirty-six hours. That had been how long he had been working non-stop.
"Well," Lacus smiled sheepishly, fiddling with her fingers. "Could you be my chauffeur? I'm going to visit the Yamatos."
Athrun did a small double-take, slightly taken aback, but he nodded and opened the passenger door for her.
The Yamatos didn't live far and fifteen minutes later, Athrun drew up at the side of the road, outside a small house with a front yard. Lacus stepped out onto the kerb and closed the door behind her. She waited until Athrun had locked the car and walked around the hood. Then they trudged up the stone path towards the little bungalow together.
Athrun pressed the button. A faint chime resounded deep inside the bungalow. Then there was silence and slow footsteps came up to the door. They heard the clatter of a door chain swinging against the wood and the dull thump of a bolt. The French door swung open on its hinges to reveal a middle-aged woman.
She was a petite lady with purple tresses flowing over her shoulders. Her skin was pale and white underneath a plain dress. She had a crimson apron on and she was wiping her hands on its hem. When she saw them, she smiled. "Hello, Athrun, Lacus." She had a soft, shy voice.
"Evening, Mrs Yamato," Lacus smiled.
She stepped aside and ushered them into the house. Then she closed the door and led them into the living room. "Be right back," She smiled, "Make yourself at home. I'll get Cagalli." She hurried out of the living room.
Athrun took a seat on the couch, watching as Lacus paced the edge of the room. She was studying the photographs lining the white shelves. Lacus picked one up and looked hard at the smiling family captured in the picture. It was at a local park. There was a much younger Mrs Caridad Yamato, with loose purple hair billowing in the wind. Her husband, Haruma Yamato was standing beside her, his arm slung around her slender waist. And crouching down in front of them were their two young children.
Cagalli Yamato was three years old. She was a chubby little girl with blonde hair and dimples in her plump cheeks. Her short arms were wrapped tightly around her twin.
Kira Yamato.
He was Cagalli's twin even though they looked nothing alike. He was a very good-looking child, with beautiful amethyst eyes and unruly brown hair. A boyish grin lit up his handsome face.
Lacus shifted her hand to run her fingers lightly over Kira Yamato's face. It was a face that she saw in her dreams, in her faded memories.
"Mom found that picture yesterday."
Lacus startled and turned. Saw Cagalli Yamato standing in the doorway. She was no longer that round, chubby kid in the photograph. Instead, a slim young woman stood in its place. Her blonde hair was neatly combed. An attractive smile, with dimples in her cheeks.
"She unlocked the attic yesterday and sorted things out. Found that photograph and framed it. It almost drove Dad crazy." She said, walking over to the couch. She gave a pained smile. Lacus returned her gaze to the framed photograph and placed it carefully back in its place. Then she turned around and joined them on the couch.
"Where's your dad?" Athrun said.
Cagalli shrugged. She glanced away and began to pick at the threads of the couch's upholstery. "Went out for a walk, I guess. There's been a lot of tension in the house." She paused, then added, "because of tomorrow."
They fell silent and Lacus cast her glance back at the framed photograph. Saw the beaming face of Kira Yamato.
The sound of footsteps made them look up. Mrs Yamato was hurrying back with a tray. "Here," She offered, "help yourselves."
She distributed plates of cookies to her young visitors. Lacus thanked her and balanced the plate on her knee. She picked up one of the butter cookies. Glanced at Cagalli to see that she was devouring the plate of cookies mechanically. She lifted the cookie to her lips and tried to ignore the fact that Mrs Yamato's butter cookies had been her son's favourite.
Mrs Yamato only made them once a year. The last day of August. Maybe it was a commemoration of sorts, or an anniversary, or maybe just some kind of blind hop. Blind hope that her son, who had disappeared thirteen years ago might come back.
Author's note: Okay, I know some of the characters are OOC, especially Stellar. But I hope it doesn't affect your enjoyment of the story. Please, please review! Good or bad comments all accepted!