[Fic] Gundam Seed: Beautiful Disaster (ORIGINAL) ; Chapter 5
Title: Beautiful Disaster (The original)
Writer: akinriahtram
Genre: General, Drama, Romance, Mild Angst
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Athrun / Cagalli ; Dearka / Miriallia ; Kira / Lacus
Note: It is unedited. Excuse the sheer horror of it.
Summary: A sacrifice is made for the sake of the world, to a man who couldn't have cared less. When she said, "To have peace, there is a need of a payment," she never would have thought that she would be the sacrifice herself.
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01 ll 02 ll 03 ll 04 ll 05 ll 06 ll 07 ll 08 ll 09 ll 10 ll 11 ll 12
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Beautiful Disaster
by: akinriah.tram
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Like a firebird, ever shining so brightly in the unfamiliar darkness
In the darkness I continuously fall
A shattered reflection of a face that doesn’t belong to me
I am who I don’t deserve to be:
To those eyes, I am just her
Doing my own things…
Whether if it was a good deed
Or my own selfish reasons to escape from this world
To me, I am the light of my life
-
“Athrun, aren’t you going to go home? Who knows what your wife is going to do when you get home,” The silver-haired man winked with a wicked grin as he saluted the man who didn’t even bother to look up at his comment.
“You know that there’s a full report that is due, along with some other paperwork. A council meeting is coming up soon and if I don’t work, I won’t make the deadline.” A small sigh escaped Athrun’s lips as busy fingers started to tap against the keys again.
“And Dearka called in to take a day off for an unexplainable reason, today. Jeez, I know he hasn’t taken a break since the last two months, but when he does, he has to choose the worse time yet.” Athrun groaned.
“Take a break Athrun, or before you know it, you’re going to turn into an old man. I unlike you have many things to do instead of ‘paper working’ twenty-four-seven.” With that Yzak stood up and strolled out of the room.
“How’s he doing?” he called out causing Yzak to appear in the room once more.
A sigh. “I heard he’s stuck in another one of those gangs. He won’t learn will he now?”
“…Sorry Yzak. I didn’t really mean to have you take the job of a bodyguard but he just won’t listen to me.”
“Maa…” the other shrugged but then a slow mischievous smile crept upon his face. “Whatever, you can repay me by going with Angelina to dinner tonight. I’ve already accepted her date for you. You’ll have dinner with her in half an hour.”
“Sure, whatever Yzak. Tell her to wait for me-“Athrun began, only to halt and then, “Wait… WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”
Yzak’s smirk widened as a glint flashed in his eyes, “I told you. I accepted your dinner with Miss. Angelina Cerora, Chairman Zala.”
“Tell me that what I heard was all a lie, Yzak Joule.” The mood in the room suddenly got dangerous.
“…Nope.” The other man replied nonchalantly. “Besides, would you rather have dinner with your secretary or spend the rest of the night at home with your natural wife?”
Yzak did have a point. Angelina wasn’t all that bad when it comes down to personality and looks. She wasn’t like his other secretaries who would cling onto him every minute he had lived and she actually accomplished the work that he had assigned her. She wasn’t demanding, and had a calm, soothing voice.
It wouldn’t really hurt to go to dinner with her, now would it? It also gave him a reason not go to home early to meet his so-called ‘wife’.
Wife - How ironic. She wasn’t someone he had wanted to marry. Hell, he couldn’t even remember her name.
But then again… she was a Natural, and Naturals weren’t even worth of his time. He’d rather choose Angelina over her… or even one of those scary, deadly fan girls of his. Maybe.
The most he could remember about his wife was that she was the Princess of ORB, with a messy hair style and fiery auburn eyes… and maybe the fact that if she didn’t wore too much makeup would’ve made her look like a better person. Such a descriptive description was it not? Actually, to mention it, he didn’t know anything about her at all. What she liked, how she acted, what she cared about or what she hated.
Not that he cared. She was simply there, carrying the name of a Zala.
Athrun had everything planned out; as long as he was able to supply her with the things she wanted or needed like money, jewelry, clothes and all that, she wouldn’t bother him. A plan that would unmistakably work out--that was what he concluded.
“I’m going to kill-“Athrun looked up, only to find Yzak being replaced with a blushing Angelina who was looking down at the floor as if it was transparent and was playing with her skirt. Suddenly, the thought of Yzak and Dearka being his friends made him seemed like an idiot. How could he have ever called them his friends?
A sigh and then a synthetic smile that he had always used in front of those council members, “Shall we get going then?”
-
To say that Angelina wasn’t surprised would’ve been anything but a lie. In fact, she was astonished that the high, almighty Athrun Zala had actually taken some time off his work to have dinner with someone as low as her. She had expected him to make an excuse that he already had plans with his wife, but then again... Athrun Zala was an unpredictable man.
So here she was, staring at him, and trying really hard to say something that won’t sound so stupid. Never in her life had she been so nervous in her life, but Athrun Zala seemed to not notice what-so-ever. And if he had, he hadn’t commented on it.
Angelina then concluded that every girl must’ve had the same reaction as she did when they went to have dinner with him. It really didn’t take an idiot to notice that. The way he smiled at her and told her it was when she spilled her water; or how calmly he had ordered for her when she couldn’t even uttered a word.
“Umm… Mr. Zala, am I such a nuisance to you?” the question slipped out of her mouth before she realized what she had just said.
The man in front of her cocked an eyebrow and with a smile, he asked, “Why would you think that, Miss. Cerora?”
“Well… It’s only about… the second day that you’re married and well… you shouldn’t really spend time… err… with someone as low as me… like… your wife…umm… well…wouldn’t she need-“
“Don’t worry about Mrs. Zala. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all. Besides, I did miss your last proposal to dinner, am I wrong?” Athrun said casually as he took another sip of his cocktail.
Angelina noted the ‘Mrs. Zala’ as she nodded.
‘So they’re not on first name basis yet, huh?’ the thought crossed her mind and she slapped herself her mentally.
‘Jeez, what am I thinking? He’s married to the Princess of Orb, while I’m just some lowly coordinator who’s also his secretary. There’s no way someone like me could suit with him.’
“So that means… you don’t like her?” She swore that Athrun’s face darkened as the words rolled out of her tongue.
“...Well, it was an arranged marriage after all. I wouldn’t really know now would I?”
“You could have rejected it, you know, Mr. Zala. After all, you didn’t marry this girl because of your true feelings. You marry her under your father’s orders. And she’s one of those stupid natural for God’s sakes”
“I don’t need to love her to marry her. Despite if it was or not, it has already happened. Love is just an illusion, Miss. Cerora, so it isn’t important. And my father arranged that marriage so that us coordinators and naturals can get along.” He stated calmly. “And I think it’s a perfectly good idea,”
“Your father has never met this… girl yet! How would he know if she was suitable enough with marry you?” her voice was demanding.
Silence.
“…He has his own reasons for doing things. All I can do is just listening, because my job is to make this place a better place. ”
“Even if you’re to s-sacrifice your own h-happiness?” she trembled as she looked down at her lap. “To me, I think that you should be the one to grasp and take hold of your destiny. Tell me… A-Athrun… how do you really feel about it? You just told me: Even if you don’t mind…”
“It’s getting late, we should go home now-“
“No! Don’t change the subject on me! You don’t like her do you? You don’t want to be in this mess do you? You want to live it your way; like a normal person or a stray cat right?” Silent tears had already fallen down her face.
“I understand Athrun…”
“No, Miss. Cerora. I’m happy to have a wife like Mrs. Zala. She’s unique and different, and I’m happy with my life. There’s nothing I can want more.”
“You’re lying!” she cried out. “Tell me then. What is love to you then? What is love… besides an illusion? Do you think you can ever learn to love?”
She looked up at the man who was stumbling for words and finally, “Love can be a beautiful thing that can cure a person’s help. How ironic is that it can also bring them down to the depths of their nightmares.”
She stared at the mesmerizing jades. Never in her mind would she have thought he would give out a response as deep as that. She looked at those mesmerizing jades… full of pain and sadness.
“Athrun-“
“-please don’t call Athrun, Miss Cerora.”
“... I’m sorry Mr. Zala. You know, that isn’t love. Love prevails all. It helps you through all and gives you the power to do all the things you thought you can never do. It’s something that is irreplaceable.”
“You’re wrong Miss. Cerora.” A painful smile made its way up to his lips. “You haven’t fall in love yet, but trust me, it will hurt. Now excuse me,” with that, he stood up and left, leaving Angelina to stare after him.
She had never met a person like him, someone that was so mysterious and unpredictable but so delicate at the same time. Just like a little child…
“No, Mr, Zala; you can and you know how to love. It’s just that you have been in so much haven’t you? But don’t worry, Athrun. I’ll show you what love is. I can give you the things that your ‘natural’ wife can’t.” She spoke flatly to the air around her as her eyes were burned with the coldest kind of blue fire that didn’t even look like her own.
“Only I can be match with Athrun Zala. No one else… not even his wife.” It was voice that didn’t sound as if it belonged to her at all in the first place. It was so cruel… so beautiful, yet so cruel…
-
She paced around the room in silence; consumed by the darkness as if she was one with them.
‘Mir… where are you?’ a deep breath left her lips as she rest her eyelids as the earlier conversation played in her head like a broken-record machine.
“--How can you be so happy, Cagalli? Half of the population of women out there wants to murder you and you’re in the coordinator’s territory! A COORDINATOR! You know how vicious they are? They can kill someone without mercy, Cagalli! Athrun Zala doesn’t care about you. How dare he leave us without saying a word? And we still have to obtain whatever-that plan-is.
--I really can’t accept them. I tried, but I can’t seem to forgive and forget. Tolle meant everything to me…and I don’t think I can ever forgive that person.”
Another tick, and the clock chimed.
9 o’clock.
No sign of Miriallia.
-
His keys jiggled the door as he turned the knob and walked in only to flinch when a figure emerged only to halt.
“Oh… it’s only you.” The figure stated.
“Yes… it’s only me. Who would you expect it to be, Mrs. Zala?” he asked as he cocked an eyebrow at her.
A bitter laugh escaped her rosy lips and he turned on the lights. “Mrs. Zala? Please… don’t. I’m not worthy enough to be called Mrs. Zala. Just simply call me Cagalli.”
“Not really. Perhaps I shall call you Miss. Atha.” He replied nonchalantly. “Now tell me why you’re up so late. A person like yourself should be already in bed.”
“Pfft. I’m not a child anymore...” she snorted as her eyes softened.
“Actually, I’m always going to be a child huh…?” she trailed off to herself.
“Huh?”
A fake smile, ”Actually-no nothing. Have you seen my abigail on your way home?”
“I don’t even know how she looks like, let alone seeing her.” He replied.
“Brown hair, blue eyes-“ Cagalli listed.
“No, now you’ll excuse me.” With that he walked past her.
“You’re not going to help me look for her?” her voice cried out to him.
He halted. “No. It was her fault for going out in the first place. It’s not my problem if she’s lost or dead.”
He had only meant the last part as sarcastic remark and didn’t expect her to take it seriously. The girl-girl’s eyes narrowed as she bit her lower lips. Striding to sofa, she sat down only to grip the edge of the coffee table at the side.
He sighed, “It’s not my responsibility to keep track of your abigail. It’s not even my business to meddle in with your affairs… but good luck with find her and now please excuse me.” He then walked upstairs leaving his wife to do whatever she was going to do.
It was her choice to do whatever she wanted. Whether if she starts to commit suicide or do anything, he wouldn’t take responsibility.
On the main floor, the clock on the wall ticked loudly and annoyingly, and then it chimed.
Ten o’clock.
Her heart pounded and her heart began to feel heavy. She was beginning to worry. It had almost been twelve hours since Miriallia had been missing.
“It’s not my business or my responsibility, huh?” she growled softly. How she hated him.
Standing up, she stride to the door, grab a jacket hanging in the closet and left without a word.
Only Miriallia mattered right now.
-
“Have you seen a girl around my age with brown hair and blue eyes?”
No one answered her.
She was getting nowhere and time was running out. Cagalli didn’t even realize it had already been two hours. The people around her were slowly disappearing and now that she had snapped back to where she was, barely anyone was around. The midnight-color blanket had been tucked over her head decorated with twinkling stars.
“…now I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere…” she groaned with a sigh. Apparently, Cagalli wasn’t that great with her sense of directions. She was officially…
Lost.
Wandering aimlessly down the streets, she sighed.
She should’ve just stayed where she was at that park. She cursed at herself for being so stupid. She could’ve just ignored the weather and stood there, but instead, she had decided to wander around and find a place where she could ask for directions.
The lamp flickered dimly on top of the crossed signs of 24 and 12 and no one was at sight. Walking casually along, she passed the alleyway that was the only one on this side of the street. It was right between two small restaurants, lights all turned off with no one around.
It was becoming hard to see, and just before she could turn the final left, a tiny glimmer in the near distance caused her to halt. Curiosity caught her and she peered around the corner of the wall only to find nothing.
“That’s why you don’t mess up with me, you know.” A cruel voice hissed and Cagalli nearly jumped out of her skin. Taking a look again, this time, she noticed a group of gang further ahead currently picking on some guy. An outline of a boy in his early twenties was holding a silver blade against the neck of another boy who was currently all battered and bruised.
“I guess we’ll just have to finish you off.” He muttered bitterly.” You poor thing… if a dog like you were to listen to his master’s orders, then everything would’ve been fine. Second, you just went off with my girl friend. You know the payment for that crime is? And now, you’re asking to quit… Don’t make me laugh!”
“STOP!” she cried on the top of her lungs as she lunged towards the group.
It was a bad mistake, but she had to stop it. Whether if they were coordinators or naturals, whether if she was five against one; she couldn’t just stand there and watch the person die.
“What do you want?” he glared at her as his lips curled into an ironic smile.
“Let him go.” She demanded, pronouncing every single syllable loud and clear.
“What makes you think a little girl like you can beat us?” another boy holding a silver bar glared at her.
Taking a double take, the man smirked, “Too bad… you would’ve made a good toy if you hadn’t interfered.”
There was an interlude silence. Glancing at the stranger with violet eyes and fiery red amber eyes lying on the floor, she gnawed the corner of her lips.
“Fine… I’ll stay in my life exchanged for his.” What made her came to this decision; she didn’t know. And apparently, thoughts of Miriallia had vanished from her head. It was a life and dead situation. She would die either way, and if she can save one life, she would take it. It was better for one person to die than two anywhere.
“This girl also has the guts.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a satisfied and amused grin. “Let’s make this a bit more interesting then shall we? If you can take 10 bunches from each member from Bloods, and still be able to stand still, I’ll let both of you go.”
“D-damn you…Shane. I don’t even know her! S-she’s not e-even involved in this!” the injured target cried out as he struggled to stand up.
“… Tch. She interfered. Besides, would you rather have this stranger help you or would you rather die?” Shane rolled his eyes. “So… what’s your answer girl?”
Her heart accelerated as she took a deep breath. ‘Cagalli, you’ve been in worse situations. Fifty punches aren’t that bad…’ Apparently this is one of her worst situations. Here she was, stuck in a middle of a deal that she could die from, from helping a stranger… and much less, a coordinator.
“Deal.”
“I must say… you’re the first person who has ever stood up to us, members of the Bloods.” And as quick as the flash of light she had seen before, she was surrounded by smirking members of Bloods.
“Let the fun begin!” Shane raised his hands into the air and clapped loudly to signal them to start.
The rules of never hitting a girl didn’t matter anymore. Every single punch she took felt as if she was going to die any moment. She bit her lips and fought back the tears and the cries that were trying to escape. She could feel the blood trickling down her lips as her body wanted to give up and tumble to the ground. Still, she refused to fall to her knees. She couldn’t, because of her pride as Cagalli Yutha Attha and as the ‘Princess of Orb’.
It seemed like ages when the beating stopped. Standing wobbly she glared at Shane. “T-that’s… fifty…” she muttered, taking long deep breaths in between. “…You… c-can l-let… h-him g-go…”
Shane’s mouth dropped slightly, as he gawked at her in disbelief. “… L-let’s g-go-“ He ordered only to stop as his eyes widened.
“…You’re…him… RUN! “
And she fainted.
-
( Next )
Writer: akinriahtram
Genre: General, Drama, Romance, Mild Angst
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Athrun / Cagalli ; Dearka / Miriallia ; Kira / Lacus
Note: It is unedited. Excuse the sheer horror of it.
Summary: A sacrifice is made for the sake of the world, to a man who couldn't have cared less. When she said, "To have peace, there is a need of a payment," she never would have thought that she would be the sacrifice herself.
.
01 ll 02 ll 03 ll 04 ll 05 ll 06 ll 07 ll 08 ll 09 ll 10 ll 11 ll 12
.
Beautiful Disaster
by: akinriah.tram
.
Like a firebird, ever shining so brightly in the unfamiliar darkness
In the darkness I continuously fall
A shattered reflection of a face that doesn’t belong to me
I am who I don’t deserve to be:
To those eyes, I am just her
Doing my own things…
Whether if it was a good deed
Or my own selfish reasons to escape from this world
To me, I am the light of my life
-
“Athrun, aren’t you going to go home? Who knows what your wife is going to do when you get home,” The silver-haired man winked with a wicked grin as he saluted the man who didn’t even bother to look up at his comment.
“You know that there’s a full report that is due, along with some other paperwork. A council meeting is coming up soon and if I don’t work, I won’t make the deadline.” A small sigh escaped Athrun’s lips as busy fingers started to tap against the keys again.
“And Dearka called in to take a day off for an unexplainable reason, today. Jeez, I know he hasn’t taken a break since the last two months, but when he does, he has to choose the worse time yet.” Athrun groaned.
“Take a break Athrun, or before you know it, you’re going to turn into an old man. I unlike you have many things to do instead of ‘paper working’ twenty-four-seven.” With that Yzak stood up and strolled out of the room.
“How’s he doing?” he called out causing Yzak to appear in the room once more.
A sigh. “I heard he’s stuck in another one of those gangs. He won’t learn will he now?”
“…Sorry Yzak. I didn’t really mean to have you take the job of a bodyguard but he just won’t listen to me.”
“Maa…” the other shrugged but then a slow mischievous smile crept upon his face. “Whatever, you can repay me by going with Angelina to dinner tonight. I’ve already accepted her date for you. You’ll have dinner with her in half an hour.”
“Sure, whatever Yzak. Tell her to wait for me-“Athrun began, only to halt and then, “Wait… WHAT DID YOU SAY!?”
Yzak’s smirk widened as a glint flashed in his eyes, “I told you. I accepted your dinner with Miss. Angelina Cerora, Chairman Zala.”
“Tell me that what I heard was all a lie, Yzak Joule.” The mood in the room suddenly got dangerous.
“…Nope.” The other man replied nonchalantly. “Besides, would you rather have dinner with your secretary or spend the rest of the night at home with your natural wife?”
Yzak did have a point. Angelina wasn’t all that bad when it comes down to personality and looks. She wasn’t like his other secretaries who would cling onto him every minute he had lived and she actually accomplished the work that he had assigned her. She wasn’t demanding, and had a calm, soothing voice.
It wouldn’t really hurt to go to dinner with her, now would it? It also gave him a reason not go to home early to meet his so-called ‘wife’.
Wife - How ironic. She wasn’t someone he had wanted to marry. Hell, he couldn’t even remember her name.
But then again… she was a Natural, and Naturals weren’t even worth of his time. He’d rather choose Angelina over her… or even one of those scary, deadly fan girls of his. Maybe.
The most he could remember about his wife was that she was the Princess of ORB, with a messy hair style and fiery auburn eyes… and maybe the fact that if she didn’t wore too much makeup would’ve made her look like a better person. Such a descriptive description was it not? Actually, to mention it, he didn’t know anything about her at all. What she liked, how she acted, what she cared about or what she hated.
Not that he cared. She was simply there, carrying the name of a Zala.
Athrun had everything planned out; as long as he was able to supply her with the things she wanted or needed like money, jewelry, clothes and all that, she wouldn’t bother him. A plan that would unmistakably work out--that was what he concluded.
“I’m going to kill-“Athrun looked up, only to find Yzak being replaced with a blushing Angelina who was looking down at the floor as if it was transparent and was playing with her skirt. Suddenly, the thought of Yzak and Dearka being his friends made him seemed like an idiot. How could he have ever called them his friends?
A sigh and then a synthetic smile that he had always used in front of those council members, “Shall we get going then?”
-
To say that Angelina wasn’t surprised would’ve been anything but a lie. In fact, she was astonished that the high, almighty Athrun Zala had actually taken some time off his work to have dinner with someone as low as her. She had expected him to make an excuse that he already had plans with his wife, but then again... Athrun Zala was an unpredictable man.
So here she was, staring at him, and trying really hard to say something that won’t sound so stupid. Never in her life had she been so nervous in her life, but Athrun Zala seemed to not notice what-so-ever. And if he had, he hadn’t commented on it.
Angelina then concluded that every girl must’ve had the same reaction as she did when they went to have dinner with him. It really didn’t take an idiot to notice that. The way he smiled at her and told her it was when she spilled her water; or how calmly he had ordered for her when she couldn’t even uttered a word.
“Umm… Mr. Zala, am I such a nuisance to you?” the question slipped out of her mouth before she realized what she had just said.
The man in front of her cocked an eyebrow and with a smile, he asked, “Why would you think that, Miss. Cerora?”
“Well… It’s only about… the second day that you’re married and well… you shouldn’t really spend time… err… with someone as low as me… like… your wife…umm… well…wouldn’t she need-“
“Don’t worry about Mrs. Zala. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind at all. Besides, I did miss your last proposal to dinner, am I wrong?” Athrun said casually as he took another sip of his cocktail.
Angelina noted the ‘Mrs. Zala’ as she nodded.
‘So they’re not on first name basis yet, huh?’ the thought crossed her mind and she slapped herself her mentally.
‘Jeez, what am I thinking? He’s married to the Princess of Orb, while I’m just some lowly coordinator who’s also his secretary. There’s no way someone like me could suit with him.’
“So that means… you don’t like her?” She swore that Athrun’s face darkened as the words rolled out of her tongue.
“...Well, it was an arranged marriage after all. I wouldn’t really know now would I?”
“You could have rejected it, you know, Mr. Zala. After all, you didn’t marry this girl because of your true feelings. You marry her under your father’s orders. And she’s one of those stupid natural for God’s sakes”
“I don’t need to love her to marry her. Despite if it was or not, it has already happened. Love is just an illusion, Miss. Cerora, so it isn’t important. And my father arranged that marriage so that us coordinators and naturals can get along.” He stated calmly. “And I think it’s a perfectly good idea,”
“Your father has never met this… girl yet! How would he know if she was suitable enough with marry you?” her voice was demanding.
Silence.
“…He has his own reasons for doing things. All I can do is just listening, because my job is to make this place a better place. ”
“Even if you’re to s-sacrifice your own h-happiness?” she trembled as she looked down at her lap. “To me, I think that you should be the one to grasp and take hold of your destiny. Tell me… A-Athrun… how do you really feel about it? You just told me: Even if you don’t mind…”
“It’s getting late, we should go home now-“
“No! Don’t change the subject on me! You don’t like her do you? You don’t want to be in this mess do you? You want to live it your way; like a normal person or a stray cat right?” Silent tears had already fallen down her face.
“I understand Athrun…”
“No, Miss. Cerora. I’m happy to have a wife like Mrs. Zala. She’s unique and different, and I’m happy with my life. There’s nothing I can want more.”
“You’re lying!” she cried out. “Tell me then. What is love to you then? What is love… besides an illusion? Do you think you can ever learn to love?”
She looked up at the man who was stumbling for words and finally, “Love can be a beautiful thing that can cure a person’s help. How ironic is that it can also bring them down to the depths of their nightmares.”
She stared at the mesmerizing jades. Never in her mind would she have thought he would give out a response as deep as that. She looked at those mesmerizing jades… full of pain and sadness.
“Athrun-“
“-please don’t call Athrun, Miss Cerora.”
“... I’m sorry Mr. Zala. You know, that isn’t love. Love prevails all. It helps you through all and gives you the power to do all the things you thought you can never do. It’s something that is irreplaceable.”
“You’re wrong Miss. Cerora.” A painful smile made its way up to his lips. “You haven’t fall in love yet, but trust me, it will hurt. Now excuse me,” with that, he stood up and left, leaving Angelina to stare after him.
She had never met a person like him, someone that was so mysterious and unpredictable but so delicate at the same time. Just like a little child…
“No, Mr, Zala; you can and you know how to love. It’s just that you have been in so much haven’t you? But don’t worry, Athrun. I’ll show you what love is. I can give you the things that your ‘natural’ wife can’t.” She spoke flatly to the air around her as her eyes were burned with the coldest kind of blue fire that didn’t even look like her own.
“Only I can be match with Athrun Zala. No one else… not even his wife.” It was voice that didn’t sound as if it belonged to her at all in the first place. It was so cruel… so beautiful, yet so cruel…
-
She paced around the room in silence; consumed by the darkness as if she was one with them.
‘Mir… where are you?’ a deep breath left her lips as she rest her eyelids as the earlier conversation played in her head like a broken-record machine.
“--How can you be so happy, Cagalli? Half of the population of women out there wants to murder you and you’re in the coordinator’s territory! A COORDINATOR! You know how vicious they are? They can kill someone without mercy, Cagalli! Athrun Zala doesn’t care about you. How dare he leave us without saying a word? And we still have to obtain whatever-that plan-is.
--I really can’t accept them. I tried, but I can’t seem to forgive and forget. Tolle meant everything to me…and I don’t think I can ever forgive that person.”
Another tick, and the clock chimed.
9 o’clock.
No sign of Miriallia.
-
His keys jiggled the door as he turned the knob and walked in only to flinch when a figure emerged only to halt.
“Oh… it’s only you.” The figure stated.
“Yes… it’s only me. Who would you expect it to be, Mrs. Zala?” he asked as he cocked an eyebrow at her.
A bitter laugh escaped her rosy lips and he turned on the lights. “Mrs. Zala? Please… don’t. I’m not worthy enough to be called Mrs. Zala. Just simply call me Cagalli.”
“Not really. Perhaps I shall call you Miss. Atha.” He replied nonchalantly. “Now tell me why you’re up so late. A person like yourself should be already in bed.”
“Pfft. I’m not a child anymore...” she snorted as her eyes softened.
“Actually, I’m always going to be a child huh…?” she trailed off to herself.
“Huh?”
A fake smile, ”Actually-no nothing. Have you seen my abigail on your way home?”
“I don’t even know how she looks like, let alone seeing her.” He replied.
“Brown hair, blue eyes-“ Cagalli listed.
“No, now you’ll excuse me.” With that he walked past her.
“You’re not going to help me look for her?” her voice cried out to him.
He halted. “No. It was her fault for going out in the first place. It’s not my problem if she’s lost or dead.”
He had only meant the last part as sarcastic remark and didn’t expect her to take it seriously. The girl-girl’s eyes narrowed as she bit her lower lips. Striding to sofa, she sat down only to grip the edge of the coffee table at the side.
He sighed, “It’s not my responsibility to keep track of your abigail. It’s not even my business to meddle in with your affairs… but good luck with find her and now please excuse me.” He then walked upstairs leaving his wife to do whatever she was going to do.
It was her choice to do whatever she wanted. Whether if she starts to commit suicide or do anything, he wouldn’t take responsibility.
On the main floor, the clock on the wall ticked loudly and annoyingly, and then it chimed.
Ten o’clock.
Her heart pounded and her heart began to feel heavy. She was beginning to worry. It had almost been twelve hours since Miriallia had been missing.
“It’s not my business or my responsibility, huh?” she growled softly. How she hated him.
Standing up, she stride to the door, grab a jacket hanging in the closet and left without a word.
Only Miriallia mattered right now.
-
“Have you seen a girl around my age with brown hair and blue eyes?”
No one answered her.
She was getting nowhere and time was running out. Cagalli didn’t even realize it had already been two hours. The people around her were slowly disappearing and now that she had snapped back to where she was, barely anyone was around. The midnight-color blanket had been tucked over her head decorated with twinkling stars.
“…now I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere…” she groaned with a sigh. Apparently, Cagalli wasn’t that great with her sense of directions. She was officially…
Lost.
Wandering aimlessly down the streets, she sighed.
She should’ve just stayed where she was at that park. She cursed at herself for being so stupid. She could’ve just ignored the weather and stood there, but instead, she had decided to wander around and find a place where she could ask for directions.
The lamp flickered dimly on top of the crossed signs of 24 and 12 and no one was at sight. Walking casually along, she passed the alleyway that was the only one on this side of the street. It was right between two small restaurants, lights all turned off with no one around.
It was becoming hard to see, and just before she could turn the final left, a tiny glimmer in the near distance caused her to halt. Curiosity caught her and she peered around the corner of the wall only to find nothing.
“That’s why you don’t mess up with me, you know.” A cruel voice hissed and Cagalli nearly jumped out of her skin. Taking a look again, this time, she noticed a group of gang further ahead currently picking on some guy. An outline of a boy in his early twenties was holding a silver blade against the neck of another boy who was currently all battered and bruised.
“I guess we’ll just have to finish you off.” He muttered bitterly.” You poor thing… if a dog like you were to listen to his master’s orders, then everything would’ve been fine. Second, you just went off with my girl friend. You know the payment for that crime is? And now, you’re asking to quit… Don’t make me laugh!”
“STOP!” she cried on the top of her lungs as she lunged towards the group.
It was a bad mistake, but she had to stop it. Whether if they were coordinators or naturals, whether if she was five against one; she couldn’t just stand there and watch the person die.
“What do you want?” he glared at her as his lips curled into an ironic smile.
“Let him go.” She demanded, pronouncing every single syllable loud and clear.
“What makes you think a little girl like you can beat us?” another boy holding a silver bar glared at her.
Taking a double take, the man smirked, “Too bad… you would’ve made a good toy if you hadn’t interfered.”
There was an interlude silence. Glancing at the stranger with violet eyes and fiery red amber eyes lying on the floor, she gnawed the corner of her lips.
“Fine… I’ll stay in my life exchanged for his.” What made her came to this decision; she didn’t know. And apparently, thoughts of Miriallia had vanished from her head. It was a life and dead situation. She would die either way, and if she can save one life, she would take it. It was better for one person to die than two anywhere.
“This girl also has the guts.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a satisfied and amused grin. “Let’s make this a bit more interesting then shall we? If you can take 10 bunches from each member from Bloods, and still be able to stand still, I’ll let both of you go.”
“D-damn you…Shane. I don’t even know her! S-she’s not e-even involved in this!” the injured target cried out as he struggled to stand up.
“… Tch. She interfered. Besides, would you rather have this stranger help you or would you rather die?” Shane rolled his eyes. “So… what’s your answer girl?”
Her heart accelerated as she took a deep breath. ‘Cagalli, you’ve been in worse situations. Fifty punches aren’t that bad…’ Apparently this is one of her worst situations. Here she was, stuck in a middle of a deal that she could die from, from helping a stranger… and much less, a coordinator.
“Deal.”
“I must say… you’re the first person who has ever stood up to us, members of the Bloods.” And as quick as the flash of light she had seen before, she was surrounded by smirking members of Bloods.
“Let the fun begin!” Shane raised his hands into the air and clapped loudly to signal them to start.
The rules of never hitting a girl didn’t matter anymore. Every single punch she took felt as if she was going to die any moment. She bit her lips and fought back the tears and the cries that were trying to escape. She could feel the blood trickling down her lips as her body wanted to give up and tumble to the ground. Still, she refused to fall to her knees. She couldn’t, because of her pride as Cagalli Yutha Attha and as the ‘Princess of Orb’.
It seemed like ages when the beating stopped. Standing wobbly she glared at Shane. “T-that’s… fifty…” she muttered, taking long deep breaths in between. “…You… c-can l-let… h-him g-go…”
Shane’s mouth dropped slightly, as he gawked at her in disbelief. “… L-let’s g-go-“ He ordered only to stop as his eyes widened.
“…You’re…him… RUN! “
And she fainted.
-
( Next )