Gundam Seed Destiny Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Light of the Heart ❯ stranded ( Chapter 5 )

The day was drawing to a close for Lacus. There weren't many children left besides the few that normally had to stay longer. Also like usual it was rather silent since the few children left didn't seem to have nearly as much energy as they would usually have early in the day.

 

Lacus found her eyes once again glancing up at the clock. She had never been this eager for the day to draw to an end. That confused her a bit but she tried her best not to think about it too much.

 

The sound of a car pulling up to the preschool brought Lacus out of her thoughts. She stood up from the squatting position she was in while trying to pick up some of the toys that the kids had decided to leave scattered around the floor.

 

The sound of the front door opening was heard as Lacus dumped the toys in the toy box. “Hello?” an eerily familiar voice called out from the front desk. It was a voice that Lacus could recognize just about anywhere.

 

Rushing out of the playroom, Lacus saw Athrun standing there waiting for someone to come. “How good it is to see you again Athrun,” Lacus said in a bright tone as she took a few steps towards her ex-fiancé.

 

Athrun looked in the direction and took in the pink hair and ever-present smile. He couldn't help but smile as he took a step forward and gave the woman before him a friendly hug. “You haven't changed one bit Lacus,” he said in an amused tone while taking a short step back. “Why am I not surprised to find you working in a place like this when you could've easily taken over your father's company?” he asked with a bright laugh.

 

“Well I have always loved children. Since I don't have any of my own this is the closest I can get to it. Plus you know that I'm not into all that business stuff. I feel much better leaving it in Andrew's hands,” she said before pointing towards the room she came out of. She saw him nod and the two of them walked back into the playroom.

 

“Well it seems to be working for now. He's doing a pretty good job of running it,” Athrun responded and Lacus nodded. “So how are things going? It's been months since we've talked,” Athrun said as he looked around the room of kids for his niece.

 

“It's been pretty good except for the occasional proposals,” she said and heard him chuckle. “If I reject them once they just keep coming back,” she said and found herself chuckling a bit.

 

“I see. You could always just get a boyfriend. That might get them off your case,” Athrun said and saw her shake her head as she kneeled down to take a look at one of the children were drawing. “Why not?”

 

“No one interests me,” was Lacus's simple reply. “Mostly people I talk to are usually after my body or my money and I just don't want that kind of relationship. I don't mind being by myself though. It's better than being in a loveless relationship,” she explained which only got a nod from Athrun.

 

“I guess so,” Athrun said finally spotting Midori in a corner with her eyes glued to a children's show which was on a TV. `So that's why she hasn't noticed me yet,' Athrun thoughts as he snuck up behind the little girl.

 

Athrun kneeled down on the floor without Midori noticing. He brought his hands up and covered her eyes with them. “Guess who,” he said before suddenly finding himself being pushed back by the little girl.

 

“Uncle Athrun!” she yelled happily as she smiled bright up at him. She then gave a curious look as she looked around him. “Where's daddy?” she asked as the too of them stood up completely.

 

“What? Are you not happy to see me?” he asked jokingly and Midori just shook her head. He chuckled and patted her head. “I asked him if I could pick you up today,” he told the little girl who nodded her before running off to grab her things.

 

“She sure seems happy to see you,” Lacus said as she approached Athrun. “I was kinda surprised when I heard Kira say that he knew you the other day and that you were Midori's uncle. I didn't even know that you got married,” she said feeling a bit foolish saying it since the two of them knew each other so well.

 

Athrun frowned at her words wondering why that was. “I know I sent you an invitation. I thought you might like some good news at the time as well. I guess you never got it though. I was really hoping that you would be there as well,” he said thinking hard about what might've happened.

 

“Kira thought it might've just have gotten lost in the mail,” Lacus said and Athrun nodded his head figuring that it was possible. “I told him though that I probably wouldn't have been able to go even if I got it. Things were just too hectic at the time,” she continued with the volume of her voice decreasing a bit.

 

“It's alright,” he said giving her a smile in hopes of cheering her up. “By the way, there was a reason I wanted to pick her up today. My wife Cagalli said that she was very interested in meeting you,” he said and saw her look at him curiously.

 

“Is that so?” Lacus asked and he nodded his head. “I must admit that I am also interested in meeting this woman. I want to see just what kind of wife you decided to take,” she said figuring she knew what he was getting at.

 

“Well actually, she was planning a small get-together in a few days. She was actually hoping that you would be able to go as well,” he said before noticing that Midori was coming back then. “It will be me, Cagalli, Kira, Midori, and you as well,” he explained hoping that she'd agree.

 

The fact that Kira was going to be there got Lacus really interested in the idea but she just shook off that thought figuring that it was nothing. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. When and where will it be?” she asked happily.

 

“There's this restaurant she got reservations for. We always liked the food there so we figured that would be a good place,” Athrun said pulling out a pen and piece of paper out of his pocket. He wrote down the address of the place on it and gave it to Lacus. “It's planned for this Saturday so I hope to see you there,” he said before taking Midori's hand and led her out the door.

 

*****

 

“A get-together?” Kira questioned when his sister when she brought the idea up to him. “I really don't know. There are a lot of things that I need to get done by then. I don't know if I will be able to,” he said casually through the phone in his hand.

 

“Oh come on!” Cagalli yelled in frustration at her brother's reluctance. “When exactly was the last time that everyone was able to get together like that?!” she continued to yell causing Kira to pull the phone away from his ear in order to keep from going deaf with how loudly she was yelling.

 

When he was sure that her yelling was done he put the phone back to his ear. He wasn't sure why his sister was so angry though. “There's no need to yell Cagalli. Why are you yelling exactly anyways? You suddenly throw this at me and then try to yell me into submission. You didn't even try to find out if I had any plans.”

 

Cagalli knew he had a point but refused to openly admit it. `I need to get him to go though!' she thought deciding to resort to drastic measures. “Oh come on Kira,” she said trying to sound nice. “Everyone is going to be there. Athrun, me, Midori wants to come, and we even invited Lacus because she was once such a good friend of Athrun's,” she said wishing not to resort to that since it might ruin her plan.

 

Kira froze a bit at the mention of her name. Despite all that, he was really busy and felt that he just couldn't go. “You're not going to get off my back until I agree to go, are you?” Kira asked and receive a yes from the other side. “Fine I'll go!” he growled out before realizing what had just happened. `Damn it!'

 

That was all that Cagalli needed to hear to know that Kira really was feeling something for that woman. `She can steal the heart of Midori and enchant the heart of my brother. Better make sure that doesn't happen to Athrun,' she thought jokingly. “That's great! It's this Saturday at seven so don't be late,” she said before the line went dead from the other end.

 

“What the hell just happened?!” Kira groaned as he sank into the couch he was sitting on. He couldn't figure out why he had accepted that. He'd stood up to Cagalli a lot and almost always managed to hold his ground yet now he fell like a ton of bricks before her feet so easily.

 

The sound of the door opening caught his attention. A few seconds later Midori came rushing into the room happily and jumped onto the couch next to him and gave him a big hug. “Looks like you had a good day again,” he said and she just nodded before rushing towards her room. “Don't run in the house!” Kira yelled after her but she didn't hear and kept running.

 

Athrun came walking in just as Midori reached the stairs. “Judging by the look on your face I'm guessing that Cagalli conned you into going, didn't she?” Athrun asked and Kira just nodded his head. `What exactly is she planning anyways?' he asked himself. `All she said was that we're going to force them on a date and then didn't say anything afterwards. How is she going to do that if everyone is there?'

 

“That little sister of mine can be a real pain in the ass sometimes,” Kira muttered and Athrun couldn't help but silently agree with him about it. Yet Athrun still loved her for that anyways.

 

“Then it would probably be in you best interests if you went. We'll never hear the end of it if you decide to skip out,” he said more concerned for himself right then if Kira decided to ruin whatever it was that Cagalli had planned. After all, he was the one that lived with Cagalli so he'd have to put up with her temper much more.

 

“She simply wouldn't take no for an answer this time. I'm not sure why I gave in so easily. I have work at home that day not to mention that I might not even have a car to use since I'm taking it in to have it checked. I'm pretty sure that I even told her that several days ago!” Kira growled out as he leaned back on the couch.

 

“Well you can always take a cab,” Athrun suggested trying to think of a way to get Kira there so that it wouldn't get Cagalli on his case. “I'd say we could drive you but we have some business beforehand that won't leave us enough time to get ready, pick you up, and then get there on time. So you're on your own for that one,” Athrun explained and Kira just nodded his head.

 

“That's right. I agreed a few days ago to let Cagalli take Midori out for that day. Looks like the both of you are going to have your work cut out for you. Why the hell is she trying to do so much in one day exactly and at the worst of times?” Kira wondered before Athrun stood up.

 

“Because she is able to and still manage to get it done,” Athrun replied and Kira just nodded his head knowing that it was true. “I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow,” Athrun said before quickly leaving the house.

 

*****

 

The week seemed to go by a little too quickly for Kira. He wasn't sure what it was but he had a weird feeling about the day of the get-together. It was mostly about why Lacus would be there since a majority of the small group hardly even knew her. `Then again, it might not be all that bad,' he thought before shaking those unwanted thoughts out of his head.

 

`I guess there isn't anything to worry about. Cagalli can't exactly try anything if everyone is around,' he thought taking a deep breath. `Why the hell am I nervous in the first place?' he asked himself while laughing a bit at his strange behavior.

 

A growl escaped Kira's throat and he turned his attention away from the computer in front of him. He found he just couldn't pay attention to what he needed. Every time he tried he kept getting lost in his own thoughts and it really wasn't helping him.

 

Kira turned his eyes towards the clock and realized that it was about time that he started to get ready. `I better at least call a cab first. Damn Cagalli for choosing this day of all days!' Kira thought with a growl as he picked up the phone and quickly started to call the cab company.

 

It was only a minute or two later when he finally put the phone down. He then quickly headed to his room to take a shower and get ready. He threw on a blue button up shirt and a pair of pants.

 

The place that Cagalli wanted to go to that night was a nice restaurant on the other side of town. It wasn't an expensive restaurant that wanted you to dress formally though so Kira decided to dress in a casual yet nice way. He knew that was the reason that Cagalli liked this place so much since it meant that she could go there without having to put on a dress.

 

By the time that Kira was finished he could hear the sounds of the cab pulling up in front of his house. `Note to self, kill Cagalli next time I have the chance,' Kira thought while grabbing his wallet and keys as he headed out the door.

 

*****

 

For some reason Lacus felt nervous. Yet at the same time she didn't know why. `I am only going out with Athrun and his wife. But then again Midori is going to be there as well as him…' she thought as a hand rested over her heart which was beating rapidly.

 

“What's so different about him exactly?” Lacus questioned as she pulled her dress over her head. She quickly smoothes out the wrinkles this caused and looked in the mirror and smiled at her appearance. For the most part the dress was white with pink edges. The skirt of it went down to her knees. The top of it was held on by pink fabric that wrapped around her shoulders.

 

Grabbing a brush, Lacus ran it through her beautiful pink silky hair. Then she put on her crescent moon hairclip to complete the look. `Looks good,' she thought with a smile before a blush crossed her face. `Why am I so concerned with how I look today? It's like I'm trying to impress someone like everyone has been telling me lately. But that's just silly,' she thought laughing a little in embarrassment.

 

Grabbing her purse, Lacus was about to walk to her car when suddenly she heard the sound of her phone ringing. She growled a bit in frustration before she walked over to the phone and quickly picked it up. “Hello?”

 

There was silence on the line for several seconds before the familiar elderly voice of her coworker Alice came over the line. “Good evening Lacus,” the older woman said in a quiet voice.

 

“Good evening Alice,” Lacus replied happily while quickly looking at the nearest clock. “Look, I'm happy you called but I am afraid that I am in a bit of a hurry at the moment so would you please make it quick?” Lacus asked quickly even though she hated to just do this.

 

“That's not a problem because I am in a hurry as well. I have a huge problem right now Lacus and I really need your help,” Alice said sounding really troubled about something from Lacus's point of view.

 

Lacus really didn't like the sound of that. “Is everything alright?! Are you alright?” Lacus asked quickly because she was worried for the woman she considered like a grandmother to her.

 

“I am perfectly fine but there is a family emergency and I need to go out of town for a while. Unfortunately I have to leave tonight. So I was just wondering if it would be possible for me to borrow your car for the weekend since mine is having engine troubles at the moment. I took it in to get it fixed but it will be several days before I can get it back,” Alice said in a pleading voice hoping that Lacus would help her.

 

Lacus sighed knowing that she couldn't just say no to a person in trouble. `I can't just skip out on this dinner though. Maybe Athrun will be able to drive me back later or maybe just grab a cab,' she thought before making up her mind. “Of course you can. I will stop by your place shortly. Then I need to go someplace and you can have it for the rest of the weekend when you drop me off,” Lacus said with a sigh before she said goodbye and hung up the phone. “Can this day get any crazier?”

 

*****

 

“All right, thanks,” Cagalli said hanging up the phone with a smile on her face. `It's finally the day. I can't wait to see how this is about to turn out,' she thought with a laugh as she sat down on the couch and just relaxed.

 

Just as she was starting to relax, Midori came bolting into the room happily. “Auntie Cagalli! Auntie Cagalli!” Midori yelled happily as she jumped onto the sofa right next to Cagalli, and much to Cagalli's annoyance almost right on top of her. “Uncle Athrun told me to tell you that it about time to leave,” Midori said happily since she had been looking forward to this all week.

 

Cagalli looked at Midori and frowned with what she was about to say. “Look Mi, there's been a… change of plans,” Cagalli said and wanted to punch herself because of the frown that crossed Midori's face.

 

“What?!” Midori yelled in disappointment as she pouted. “You mean I won't get to see Miss. Lacus?” she asked seeming to be more disappointed with that rather than the change of plans that Cagalli had been talking about.

 

“Of course you will sweetie,” Cagalli said in order to cheer the little girl up which happened almost instantly. Cagalli had to admit that she had never seen such a quick change in attitude from the young girl before her. This just made her even more curious as to what it was about Lacus that seemed to draw in everyone around her. “Now, you better go get ready,” Cagalli said and Midori nodded before dashing out of the room as quickly as her little legs could take her.

 

A few seconds after Midori left Athrun came walking into the room and immediately took notice that Cagalli wasn't even close to being ready to go. “You know, we really do need to get going soon or we'll be late,” he said in slight annoyance at his wife's laid back attitude at that moment. “I know you're used to being late but I'd prefer you didn't leave a bad impression on Lacus,” he said staring at her closely.

 

Much to Athrun's surprise, Cagalli just smirked at his words. “You know, I'm tired of this little act that Kira's been putting on,” she said which she noticed only seemed to confuse Athrun. “You mean that you still haven't figured out what I plan to do?” she asked and noticed Athrun's eyes widen when it seemed to finally register on him.

 

*****

 

Stepping out of the cab, Kira looked upon the ever familiar restaurant that he'd been going to for years with his friends and family. He looked around and noticed that no one was there yet which confused him since he was already a few minutes late.

 

Kira decided to just take a seat on a bench just outside the restaurant and wait for them to show up. He knew that he could've gone inside to wait but they always just waited outside in order to go in together.

 

Ten minutes passed with nothing happening. Another ten minutes passed before finally a familiar car pulled up to the restaurant. Kira froze when out of the passengers seat stepped Lacus.

 

Kira couldn't seem to take his eyes off of the woman before him. She looked absolutely stunning to him right then. “L… Lacus!” Kira managed to call out to her in a weak sounding voice. He found that it was particularly hard to find the words to say at that moment.

 

Lacus said a quick word to Alice in the driver's seat before she turned towards the voice that called out for her. The car she stepped out of drove away without her realizing it as she just stood there quietly staring at the man before her. “G… good evening Mr. Yamato,” she said giving him a bright smile.

 

“Didn't I tell you before to just call me Kira?” he asked teasingly suddenly feeling a lot more at ease around her. He saw her nod her head in embarrassment and couldn't help but chuckle. “I hate being called Mr. Yamato since it makes me feel old,” he said and this time it was her who laughed. “What? Do you see me as an old man?” he continued to tease her since he thought it was cute when she was embarrassed.

 

“O-of course not!” Lacus said blushing a bright red. “It's just a force of habit. It's just something that was always expected of me by all these big people who were always around my father. He always made sure that I treated them with the utmost respect,” she explained and Kira nodded his head in understanding.

 

“I guess that sort of thing is expected of you when you're raised in such a well respected family. I wouldn't know though. I didn't always have all this money. My family had to work so hard just to get by. I was always taught to show respect but it wasn't as big as it must've been for you,” he said as he watched her take a seat next to him.

 

“I must admit that it was rather frustrating at times,” Lacus admitted with a smile before things went silent between the two of them. It was several minutes before Lacus spoke again. “So where are Athrun, Cagalli, and Midori?”

 

“Being late I can expect from Cagalli but not Athrun. Figures that they're the ones that are keeping us waiting when they insisted that we be here. I must say what a chore it was considering that I don't even have a car today,” Kira said laughing which Lacus joined in as well.

 

“You too?” she questioned which earned her a confused look from Kira. “Just before I left the woman I worked with called me up with an emergency. She suddenly needed my car in order to go out of town for a family emergency. Unfortunately her car was having engine troubles and she couldn't use it. Seems like no one is having good luck with cars lately. So if you're wondering why I was late then that would be it,” she said with a laugh before realizing that Kira suddenly had a rather panicked look on his face. “Are you alright Kira?”

 

“Shit!” Kira yelled as he suddenly stood up and ran into the restaurant. `Damn it! She wouldn't… would she?' he questioned as he ran towards one of the people in charge. He knew the people here well so no one even bothered to stop him.

 

Lacus was confused and slight startled by Kira's choice of words as well. She quickly grabbed her purse and quickly walked after Kira wondering just what happened that would make him act that way.

 

Kira ran into the manager's office figuring he would have answers or at least let Kira use the phone to get answers from the person who would have them. “Oh hello Kira,” the woman named Natarle said looking a little annoyed. “You know, people usually knock before they enter a room,” she said looking at him with narrowed eyes. Sure she knew him for years but that didn't mean he didn't annoy her at times.

 

“Sorry but I need to call that sister of mine and get some answers from her!” Kira said wishing that he remembered his cell phone but he forgot it in his rush to get out of the house. “I promise it will be quick.”

 

“Go ahead. I was actually just talking to her when you came into the room,” she said handing the phone over to Kira. She just watched since she had already been given a full explanation of the events and knew that bombs were about to fly.

 

Kira grabbed the phone and calmly and put it up to his ear. “Where the hell are you Cagalli?! You're nearly thirty minutes late which has to be a record for you!” Kira yelled into the phone much to Natarle's annoyance as she stood up and walked out of the room to avoid the yelling that was about to ensure.

 

“Yeah, sorry about that Kira. Unfortunately something came up and we won't be able to make it,” she said and Kira swore that he could see her grinning over the phone. “The reservations are still good though. So why don't you just sit back and eat some dinner with Lacus?” she asked much too happily for Kira's liking.

 

“Damn it Cagalli! This isn't funny. You know this was supposed to be something for everyone so get your asses down here right now!” Kira screamed wondering why he dreaded being alone with Lacus so much.

 

“Calm down Kira. It's not exactly like we could control the unfortunate change of plans. Besides it's better not to let the reservations go to waste. We'll just have to reschedule the get-together for a later time,” Cagalli said happily.

 

“Control my ass. You're intentionally doing this. You set us up! You never intended to come in the first place! Don't give me that `I don't know what you're talking about' crap either! You know exactly what I'm talking about!” Kira yelled into the phone only to hear a beeping sound on the other side.

 

Kira slammed the phone down and stormed out of the room with Lacus following closely behind him. “I'm sure that she didn't mean to miss it Kira. I'm sure you're just overreacting a bit,” she said only to have Kira suddenly stop.

 

“No, she did this on purpose. She had no intention of coming. She's trying to force us on a date,” Kira said making Lacus blush a bit. “Think about it. The one day she knew I wouldn't have a car she forces me to come along but then doesn't even come herself. Don't you also think it's strange that the woman you work with needed your car of all things when there's many easier and cheaper ways to get to the other side of ORB from here? It's obvious that she's in on the plan as well. There was no emergency. Cagalli just wanted to keep us from leaving here by taking away our only mode of transportation!” Kira growled out already planning how to torture and kill his sister and Athrun when he got his hands upon them.

 

“I'm sure that isn't the case. I mean we can still call a cab if we need to. I'm sure that this is probably just one big understanding,” Lacus said wanting Kira to calm down to the best of her abilities.

 

Taking in a deep breath, Kira just took Lacus's words to heart. “Maybe you're right. I see no point in staying if they aren't here though. So why don't we get a cab and leave?” Kira suggested since he felt a bit weird about being alone with Lacus.

 

Lacus didn't know why but she felt rather upset with his words. Besides that though she decided to just go along with it. “Alright then,” she said as she followed him out of the building and towards a cab.

 

Almost exactly when Kira reached the cab, it suddenly took off much to his surprise. “Well that was rather rude,” he said and Lacus couldn't help but nod her head in agreement. He then spotted another one and walked towards it but like before it took off before he even had a chance to reach for the door.

 

“You know, it almost seems like they're trying to avoid us,” Lacus pointed out as they tried to get a cab to stop only for it to speed up. “I think you may be right about what she did now,” Lacus said since it really did appear that they were being forced to stay there.

 

“She took away our cars and any possible means for us to get home. More than likely she called up our friends and told them to come up with some excuse not to help us. Then called the cab companies and bribed them not to pick us up,” Kira said figuring that it was exactly like something that his sister would come up with. He was beginning to think that he'd have no choice but to go along with it since he was starting to get hungry. `Is it so bad thought?' his mind questioned him which he just shook off.

 

“Ok, let not jump to conclusions just yet. Let's just try and find some way to get home,” Lacus said even though she had this feeling like she just didn't want to go home just yet. `No, no, no, no! What am I thinking?! I came here to meet Athrun's wife, not go on a date with Kira!' she mentally screamed at her thoughts while also blushing a bright red in embarrassment.

 

Another sigh escaped from Kira's mouth as he looked around. “Yeah, I guess you're right. Come on, I'm sure there's something we could do,” Kira said as he unconsciously reached out and grabbed her hand so that they wouldn't get separated in the crowds that were starting to form. `It's so soft,' he immediately thought before shaking the thoughts out of his head.

 

`So warm,' Lacus thought as a small smile crossed her face. She didn't want to force him to stay but she was beginning to think that it might not be such a bad thing if they were stranded like this together for a while.

 

*****

 

Not far away three figures watched the scene that was playing out before them. “Wow! This is already going better than I planned. Look how they're holding hands!” Cagalli pointed out with a laugh while watching the two of them look for a way to get back home.

 

“Kira is gonna kill me for this,” Athrun muttered but watched anyways. “You know, this won't work if they're too busy looking for a way home that they end up missing out on the reservation you made,” Athrun felt he just had to point out at his wife. It made him annoyed that she didn't seem to care.

 

“Nonsense. When I made the reservation, I made it later than I actually told you. I figured that Kira was gonna do this. So they still have some time before it anyways. Besides, this isn't about the dinner but trying to give them some time together. If Kira gets to know her then it might push him to asking her out later on,” Cagalli responded with a grin like the Cheshire Cat.

 

“What's going on?! What's going on?!” Midori questioned as she jumped around trying to see around her aunt and uncle since they were blocking her view of her dad and Lacus. She was a bit upset that she didn't know what was happening and that it was her father who's going to have all the fun with Lacus today. `I wanna play with Miss. Lacus too!'

 

“Shhhhhh!” Cagalli said putting a finger up to her lips. “You will possibly get something much bigger than just time to play with her if this succeeds,” Cagalli said and watched as Midori's eyes lit up like a kid who was just given a candy store.

 

“Yay!” Midori yelled as she jumped up and down in excitement. But no sooner had she done that, Cagalli quickly placed a hand over her mouth to quiet her down. “What's the matter?” Midori asked looking at Cagalli with confused and adorable eyes that would make anyone spill their darkest secrets.

 

“Don't forget that we're not supposed to be here. If he catches us now then it might not happen. So you need to be quiet and just watch from a distance,” Cagalli said to which Midori nodded her head enthusiastically.

 

Cagalli then turned back and watched the two of them talk at another failed attempt to get a cab. `Try all you want but they aren't going to pick you up until I tell them to,' Cagalli thought before turning her eyes towards the pink haired woman that was next to her brother. `So she's the woman that has captivated both Kira and Midori. Kira wasn't kidding when he said she was beautiful. She also seems to just radiate innocence and kindness. I can tell why they both like her even if my little brother is refusing to admit it,' she thought as she finished looking the woman over. `This really is a once in a lifetime chance Kira. Don't blow it!'