Disclaimer: I claim no credit or whatsoever for the characters, but aye, I claim credit for the plot line.

A/N: This… Is my first attempt at writing a longer story than ONE-SHOT or a three party story. So people, please bear with me if I do write horribly, and can't bring out anything interesting about it. I present you the first chapter my friends. Athrun/Cagalli forever in our hearts! (That's not the title)

The Curtain Rises!

It was a sunny day, and the weather forecast in Orb predicted a chain of such fine weather for the entire week. Families of different kinds and numbers roamed the streets and beaches. However, somewhere in a government building a short walk away from the city centre, the weather within the building or more accurately the board room, was dark and stormy. A shaking clerk exited the room hands trembling as she sought to balance the stack of files in her small arms and wipe her perspiring brows at the same time. Heads from the many compartments before her shot up to take in her appearance as their faces blanched.

"What's the weather?" A man with balding hair whispered, not wanting his voice to be heard by their Leader.

The clerk with a stricken face clutched her files tighter.

"Sto-stor-m-my with light-en-ening."

Collective gasps echoed round the room as some began counting the number of hours they had till the end of work. The clerk stumbled to the arms of a friend who helped her to her desk, while all eyes stared fixated at the board room.

"No, I said no." Cagalli Yula Athha as intimidating as she was, was no match for her long time friend and advisor Kisaka.

"You have turned twenty-four. As it has been two months after your birthday, it is customary for us to discuss your plans for the future."

His dead panned face, his matter-of-fact voice, and his ridiculously sensible reasons. All these irritated her immensely. To top it off, her council supported him as they nodded and hummed in agreement. Traitors! Cagalli screamed inwardly at them.

"I plan to rule Orb till the day I die." Glaring at the rest of the council she added. "Satisfied?"

They nodded numbly afraid to arouse her anger, earning them a triumphant smile from Cagalli. Just then, the chair to her right squeaked, but she ignored it. Kisaka always sat at her right, and made those blasted noises with his chair when he wanted to speak. The chair squeaked again. Again. Again. Again. Agai-

"WHAT?" Cagalli hollered, oblivious to the ministers startled jumps.

Kisaka merely smiled calmly pushing a white pristine folder towards her.

A white pristine folder that told her, the life she now led was to be marred forever.

"This…" Cagalli growled. She flipped the pages one after the other quietly. "Are pictures of men." She ended venomously.

"Correct." Kisaka beamed. "Bachelors who would suit you very much. They have all the right calibre a leader like you might need. They are educated, handsome, caring and have once held a post in the political arena. What do you think?" At that, chairs simultaneously rolled back cautiously, leaving Kisaka as the only one near Cagalli.

"I think she's going to explode." Minister Johan, who was in charge of finances whispered.

Several heads nodded, eyeing their simmering, quiet and trembling Leader with fear and a trickle of awe.

"I think we'll need a miracle to find a man for her." Minister Karen who was in charge of education, sighed as she eyed the glaring contest that had begun between Cagalli and Kisaka.

Minister Darren, who was in charge of man power issues sniffed haughtily. "Well, don't drag me in for the hunting, I'm b-"

"ENOUGH!" Cagalli roared, slamming both her palms onto the bleached wooden desk.

"Yes Cagalli-sama!" The ministers chorused as they scrambled to stand.

Casting Kisaka one more glance she swept past their wobbly figures to the large twin doors. "Before I forget." Her hands grasped the silver handle. "I'm never going to marry anyone." With that the doors opened and she was gone, her muffled voice barking at the employees who got in her way.

"Oh that went well…" Minister Johan sighed in relief, slumping into the chair he had toppled whilst standing up. "I think I need to retire soon, I can't take it anymore. The stress!"

Kisaka frowned, rubbing his chin as he dialled a series of numbers on his phone.

"Men, men, men. All they think I need is a man!" The keyboard rattled as the user punched each letter, ruthlessly and hard. "Haven't I ruled Orb well and diligently without one! Why then do I need to marry!"

A knock sounded on her door.

"All they do is boss me around, men; they would think I belong to them. Start to monitor my actions, eventually take over my position. I should sack all the ministers and have more women inside." The keyboard rattled harder. "Can't believe Karen sided with them."

Another knock.

Cagalli cursed, saving her document. "Come in."

A man with short brown coloured hair stepped in, coughing uncomfortably. It wasn't like the expression Cagalli gave him was friendly too. Filled with hostility and a look that he dubbed the 'Get lost if you have nothing better to say', he swore she would have skewered him if not for the fact that he was her brother.

"I thought I'd drop by and ask you out for lunch since I was near the area."

Cagalli picked up her silver mechanical pencil and scribbled away on the blank piece of paper before her.

"Ulterior Motive?"

The facial expression of Kira worsened as guilt set in. "Maybe… three days?"

A crude sound of paper tearing replied. "I'll make it four for you." She waved the paper nonchalantly. "Get the break you deserve."

Tentatively slipping the paper off her outstretched hands, Kira observed her. The blank face turned dramatically to an irritated one at his perusal and he wondered how he even gathered the courage to speak to her during times like these. Anything for Lacus his heart sang, yes this was for Lacus!

"Cagalli?" Kira began.

"What?"

The silence was stifling in her room today he noticed, eyeing the movements of her pencil. Right to left, right to left and right to left again.

"I heard about the marriage proposals." He gulped noticing the tensing of her shoulders. "You didn't sound happy about it from Kisaka."

"What other false information have you picked up?" Cagalli snapped at Kira, her tone anything but calm. If Kira knew, it'd only take a day or two for the entire building too. Dammit. "No one proposed, its work of the imagination those faggots have. Maybe soon, I'll have files telling me I have a daughter I don't know about. Then- What are you laughing at?"

"You know…" Kira gasped for breath. "You remind me of someone I know…"

"Wonderful. " She replied sarcastically. Her writing resumed. "Anything else to say? My patience bar is dropping."

Kira frowned; Cagalli's life since she took on the role as the leader of Orb had not been a smooth one. He knew of her passion and obligation she felt towards the country, after all, this was Father's wish and dream. But this couldn't go on. Cagalli was a woman, he knew of the nights she felt lonely but never voiced them, he knew of the times she would hide in the attic of their mansion and cry. Cagalli needed a man, and even if she rejected the idea vehemently, it would have to be done.

"You need a man Cagalli. I know you're independent, you're strong, you feel you have no need of a male figure within your life. But Cagalli, a woman will always be a woman. I'm sure you would love to be brought out on romantic dates, given roses…" Cagalli growled lowly, eyes trained on her carved Orb logo paper weight holder. The pencil lead she used snapped, but Kira unaware, continued on his rambling on why she needed, must, have, a man. "So you see… all in all, its time you-"

The paper weight holder smashed into the oak door with a loud thump, leaving a deep dent into the well polished wood. The point here that mattered most to him was that another 2 inches or so, it would have been in his face. The seconds ticked by as Kira stared terrified and full of trepidation into the face of his sister. He never screamed, never shouted. He would love to, but currently, he couldn't and was more occupied on how to escape Cagalli's wrath.

"You were saying…" She said, sending him into an uncontrollable stammer.

"N-noo-t-thin-ng..."

Cagalli rolled her eyes. "Well, what are you waiting for? Door behind you, turn and move towards it. Walk through it and close it behind you. Sheesh, everyone's being unproductive today, getting on my nerves."

"Hello?" The blue stapler clattered to the ground. "Lacus?" Bending to retrieve it, the man pulled the telephone cord tighter. "Yes, yes I'm here."

He tried to sit up, but being a tad what careless, landed a heavy blow onto the back of his head. "Ouch! Lacus! Yes! Sorry about that."

"Athrun…" A soothing voice floated over the phone. "Please take care of yourself."

Athrun smiled at her concern. "Thank you Lacus, your undying concern towards my well being is appreciated. Your leave is granted. Do send my regards to Kira too."

A soft chuckle followed from the other side of the line as Lacus who was strolling through the garden paused to sniff a lovely hibiscus flower. "You knew? I guess my excitement couldn't be contained. I'm sorry for taking leave at such a busy time. By right I should be helping you in the office. Oh, I'm sorry Athrun…"

"It's alright." He assured her. "I think it's time you take a short rest too. You do miss Kira, and he would call my private line daily if I didn't grant you this leave. He really loves you a lot. You… do know that right?"

"Of course Athrun…" Lacus smiled and shook her head as an image of a goofily grinning Kira came to her mind. "I love him a lot."

Studying a submitted report Athrun replied, "That's good to know. "

Lacus settled down snugly into the picnic mat, fingers tracing the patterns. "What did the council say today?"

A heavy sigh from Athrun floated through the other line. "Marriage. Expansion of political power through marriage again. It's always about power; I don't really crave that much. The people are happy, and that's what's important isn't it?"

"Yes Athun."

"The worse thing they could do was introduce me to Meer Campbell." A note of disgust entered his tone. "The thing about her was that she talked non-stop about how she fantasized about me and having a family with me. " Stabbing the letter opener not too gently into the folded letter, he continued. "Then the issue of money arose and that was when I really didn't pay attention to what she said anymore… Lacus, don't you agree being single is so much better than being latched on to a woman who proberly doesn't understand the works of a country?"

"Athrun…" Lacus groan. "You don't always find the perfect man or woman. What you want… it's really going to be difficult to find a match for you."

"I don't need one."

"Yes, you do!" She huffed; trying to convince a man like Athrun was equivalent to moving a mountain. How… similar to a person.

"Lacus?" A worried voice probed from the telephone.

"Yes!" She cleared her throat. "You're twenty-six years old and should be dating right this instance. Cooping yourself in the office, reading proposals after proposals. I can hardly think of any woman who would want a man like that." Athrun snorted in response. "Find yourself a wife who can share your burden Athrun. Too much burdens can sink you."

"It's not easy Lacus, you of all people should know that" He frowned, playing with a pen. "They worship me; they never see me as an equal. It's always Athrun-sama here, and then Zala-sama there. If they were ever attracted to me, it was because I hold the highest position in PLANT. How consoling is that?"

Lacus sensed the battle was lost but replied hesitantly. "Not very…"

Athrun nodded a satisfied nod at the other end, not that Lacus could see though. "Good. So that now encourages and leaves me with plenty of time to work."

"But Athrun…" A sigh and a resigned 'yes?' from Athrun. "A marriage will bolster your position of power and for the next elections, but most importantly, you won't end up like 'him'. I know you don't like me talking about him-"

"Enough Lacus!" Athrun commanded tersely. This wasn't a topic he would want to talk about, lest even think about. "Do not mention him at all within any conversations. This is my life, I will handle it as I see fit."

"Yes Athrun, I'm sorry." A soft whisper floated over the phone.

A voice more formal now replaced the friendly voice of Athrun's as he retreated back to his cold and distant self. "Accepted. However, do remind Kira to broach the Military conferences and seminars we would like to hold with Orb to Princess Athha. That is all."

A soft click and the monotone beeping were heard.

"Athrun is such a nice man, he still hurts from that incident but refuses to speak about it with friends." Lacus mused, patting the pink Haro who had been oddly silent throughout the conversation. "How stubborn like Cagalli…"

The Italian café was a hustle and bustle of activity, as couples sat down for tea; parents tried feeding their squealing and bubbly children and waiters hurried round trying to contain the evening crowd. Kira stood near the counter an expression of extreme loss as he tried desperately to find a mass of pink hair.

Pink… Pink… Pink… Ah!

"Ki...ra!" Lacus smiled, waving as she gestured him to the chair beside her.

He sat down, ordering a cappuccino from the waitress who sped off as soon as the word cappuccino was uttered. Wow, business had to be good.

"Lacus, here." He handed her a bouquet of flowers, blushing at her overjoyed laughter. "H-hope you like it."

Lacus nodded, sniffing the lilies. "I do, so much. Thank you Kira!"

"I'm glad you like it." A goody grin lit his face. "How's work?"

"Tiring but rewarding." He face darkened a little. "Though I did it again, and unsettled Athrun with the mention of 'him'. I feel so bad Kira, but it's time he started talking about it."

Their respective drinks arrived, and Kira sipped his. Putting down the white cup onto its saucer, he wrapped a warm hand around Lacus's outstretched ones.

"I understand… I brought up the subject of marriage with Cagalli too. My face was almost bruised by her paper weight holder. She was livid." His tone turned to a grumpier one. "Don't know what I did it my past life to deserve such a temperamental sister like her."

Lacus patted his hand. "Don't say such things about Cagalli; I'm sure you weren't the only one who told her that too."

"Yeah, the council and Kisaka told her. Repeatedly."

Lacus's face was one of disbelief as she ran the words through her head. "What a coincidence. Athrun seems to have the same dilemma too. This is the perfect opportunity!" Lacus grinned widely.

"Err…" Kira leaned back a little, the smile seem to be too wide, at that gleam in her eye. "No Lacus, we can't do that to them. They won't fit!"

Lacus shook her head, convinced at her plan. "Yes they will. They have common points and this would be a fitting advantage for both PLANT and Orb if the union went well. Kira, we could engage the help of the politicians and our friends."

"Lacus…" He frowned; remembering a detail that could quite strike the plan as a useless one. "Cagalli's a feminist."

The grin only grew wider.

"Not once we're through with her."

Kira gulped, when Lacus spoke like that, there was no turning back. Why were woman so consumed in match making anyway, w-wait! We? "Lacus! Cagalli will kill me if she found out I had a hand in it!" He plead desperately.

The pink haired singer and ambassador merely laughed it away, eyes twinkling with mischief.

A/N: I just couldn't wait, and so the first chapter of Divination is launched. I hope it wasn't boring. I tried to write it as interesting as possible. If I do fail in some areas I ask of you to be forgiving and give me more time in the future chapters. This needs a lot of developing.

News Flash: I need a beta writer, one with a decent command of English, one who has access to the internet regularly or daily at least, one who know the genre of Gundam Seed, one who is an avid fan of Athrun/Cagalli. If you feel you fit the criteria. Do mail me or let me know in your reviews.

Though, please don't just review and tell me you want to be a beta reader. If that's so, then just mail me instead. My e-mail can be found through my bio.

Love it? Was it boring? Did it make you laugh? Was it out of character? Want to hit me with keyboards?

Let me know! Drop me a review!

PS: I will try to update as soon as I can.