Title: The Past by Ichimaru

I don't own Gundam and this is 100 fiction.

Orb Police HQ, homicide division. Capt. Murrue Ramius' office.

"No!" Kira Yamato shook his head adamantly.

Capt. Murrue Ramius sighed silently and counted to 10. As head of the homicide division and Kira's boss, she has received countless of complaints on her number one detective. Kira maybe the best detective Orb police ever saw but he kinda lacked in the social skill department. For the past month, Kira had had 3 partners. The first one lasted 2 weeks before he filed for a transfer. The second partner also did the same after working with Kira for a little over a week. And the third? The poor girl didn't even last a day!

Upon reaching the number 10, Murrue Ramius took a deep breath and tried again.

"Kira, you need a partner."

The answer was swift. "No I don't! I can handle it. Those three you sent me practically did nothing."

"I know you can. That's what you do but I don't want you to burn out or have a breakdown. Coordinator or not. You've to learn to be a team player. In the long run, it's beneficial for everyone especially you." Murrue reasoned, keeping her voice level. There was no point in raising her voice to the already irritated Kira.

Kira glanced at his watch. Time waited for no man and he was wasting his time and breath here. He knew no matter what, just like the previous 3 occasions Ramius summoned him here, he'd end up with a partner. It was some stupid rule the Orb police had. Running his fingers through his rather unruly brown mop, Kira said resignedly.

"Fine, who is it this time and please teichou, don't give me a greenhorn like last time.

She ran straight home to mummy on her first day!"

"You did that on purpose!" Murrue had to bite back the laughter that was threatening to surface. "You dragged that poor girl to a bloody crime scene and made her wait at the morgue."

"She is supposed to be a homicide detective, ne. Seeing bloody crime scenes, going to the morgue for info are all part of the job!"

"I know but not all lumped together in one day, Kira." Murrue shook her head and picked up a file from her desk.

Kira mumbled something inaudible and leaned against the wall. "That's my new partner file, I suppose?

"Uhm…"

A gentle knock on the door stopped Murrue Ramius from continuing. "Aaaa! Right on time. Come in!" Murrue said.

The door knob turned and the first thing Kira saw coming through was a wave of pink.

The wave of pink entered and introduced herself. "Konnichiwa Capt. Ramius, I'm Sergeant Lacus Clyne."

Murrue Ramius nodded and got down straight to business. "Sgt. Clyne, that's your partner DCI Kira Yamato."

Kira didn't bother moving from his spot. He just stood there and watched the pink haired girl, oh no! His new partner made her way towards him.

Lacus Clyne, a sergeant with Helio Police for the past three years was thrilled when they approved her transfer request. Helio was a small town and there wasn't much for a homicide detective like her to do. Transferring to Orb Police HQ meant big cases, something to put her training to good use. At Helio everyone treated her kindly, actually more like a china doll much to Lacus' chagrin. She entered to force to do police work not to make tea and do filing! Hopefully here things would be different. Putting all that hope in a smile, Lacus faced her immediate superior, her senpai and partner. "I'm Lacus Clyne, hajimemashite, dozo yoroshiku."

Kira nodded slightly. "Dozo. If everything is done here….?" Kira looked inquiringly at his taichou. Seeing Ramius nod, Kira pushed off the wall. "Come on Clyne, we've work to do." And under his breath Kira muttered. "I hope you like blood."

"Hai!" Lacus replied and quickly ran after Kira.

Outside Capt. Murrue Ramius' office.

DI Asuran Zala let out a low whistle. That Kira was one lucky son of a gun! His latest partner was even more good looking than the previous one. He let out another low whistle as he watched Lacus running after Kira. Her long slender legs moving gracefully. coordinated with one another, reminding Asuran of a gazelle. "Ouch!" Asuran turned to see who just hit him on the head. "What was that for?"

The homicide division's secretary cum receptionist, Yzak Jule glared at Asuran. "I called you three times. You've a case. A homeless man was found murdered."

Taking the paper with the address of the place from Yzak, Asuran sighed. "Why can't I get a partner like that? Beautiful, a body that's…"

Yzak grinned and begin dabbing Asuran's chin with a tissue paper. "Careful you're drooling again."

Slapping Yzak hand away, Asuran snapped. "Oh shut up! Some people are so lucky and what do I get for a partner? An old eccentric geezer like Waltfeld!"

Sgt. Andrew Waltfeld smiled good naturedly. "But I'm the best and one and only eccentric old geezer! Come on Asuran, let's get going."

Kira and Lacus on route to a crime scene. Kira is driving.

Kira sneaked a peak at his new partner. Not bad he thought, just that the hair is kind of distracting. Was that pink hair for real? It doesn't matter, she will be just like the rest.

They all don't last long, even if they did, they ended up getting killed. Just like his previous partner, Martin DaCosta. Martin was the best. He was efficient and knew how to work. He put up with all his (Kira) crap and never complained.

Shifting slightly in his seat, Kira made a right turn and continued his pondering. It happened so fast. They were chasing a suspect when suddenly the suspect ran behind a dumpster and begin shooting randomly. Kira managed to duck but Martin was not that lucky. He was fatally wounded and died on the way to the hospital.

"Yamato senpai…."

Kira blinked. He was caught up in his thoughts he had forgotten about his partner.

"What!" Kira barked, a little harsh than necessary.

Lacus swallowed. Relax, it's nothing, she told herself. Maybe it's the way he speaks.

After 3 years of 'having the good life' at Helio, now it's time to return to reality.

"I'm sorry but where's the place?" Since they climbed into the car, Kira hasn't said a word to her.

"Moto…. Do you know where it is?"

"No…"

Kira sighed inwardly. It is her first day in Orb after all but still…."Then I suggest you get a map and study this entire city. Every road, lane, district and everything else! The next time we get called to a scene, you'd better know where the hell it is."

"Hai!" Lacus nodded and made a mental note to purchase a map as soon as possible.

Silence ruled again until 10 minutes later Kira announced that they have arrived at the crime scene. It was an apartment complex and the crime was committed on the 17th floor.

With Lacus close behind, Kira pushed the elevator button and tapped his foot impatiently for the lift doors to open.

17th floor, apartment 854.

Lacus looked about her surroundings. The apartment was huge! It had plush carpets and everything was either white or cream. Everything looked so pristine and clean except for the body lying in the middle of the living room. The victim was a woman. If it wasn't for those horrible red angry marks around her throat, anyone would think that she was asleep.

"If you're done gapping, do you think we can start?"

Lacus jumped. Kira was inches from her face. His low tone dripping with sarcasm caught her off guard. But what really got her was the colour of his eyes, amethyst! She has never seen such a pair of intense eyes.

"Hai! Gomen nasai!" Lacus quickly slipped on gloves and begin processing the crime scene.

At least she remembered to wear gloves and look like she knows what she's doing. Kira remarked approvingly to himself. His last partner just stood there rooted on the spot.

"Hijikata, …." Kira called out to the medical examiner (ME). "What can you tell me about this?"

Hijikata Toshii, a handsome man in his mid 30's stood up and rubbed his aching neck.

He has been working since last night with hardly any rest. "Yuka Isuzu. A 27 years old housewife. She was strangled." Hijikata lifted the deceased hand and took samples from under her nails. "I'll sent these to the lab and notify you if I find anything."

"What else?" Kira noticed that Lacus had a notebook out and was busy taking notes.

"The husband is over there." Hijikata pointed to a dark haired man at the couch who was staring blankly at the walls.

"Thanks, …." Kira strode across the room to the victim's husband. "So sorry to bother you sir, but I'm DCI Kira Yamato, this is my partner Sgt. Clyne. We would like to ask you several questions." Kira's voice was calm and almost soothing.

Lacus was taken aback. Was the same guy she came with just now? Just a few minutes ago he was snapping at her and actually looked bored and impatient when the ME was briefing him about the victim. Now he actually sounded he was really sorry.

"It's alright. I'm Nishihara Akahito." His voice was thick with tears and eyes were red and swollen. "Please find the person who did this to my wife!" Fresh tears rolled down his face.

Kira nodded. "Nishihara-san, could you just tell us what happened?"

Wiping the tears with the back of his hand, Nishihara replied. "I had to work late last night. I didn't get home until this morning…. If only I didn't…" Nishihara broke down and begin crying.

Lacus quickly pulled out several tissues from her bag and handed them to Nishihara.
Nishihara took them gratefully and apologized.

"It's okay, Nishihara-san but you understand we've to continue while things are still fresh in your mind. What time did you get home?"

"It was about 7:30am. The door was unlocked. I was surprised because my wife always makes … no, made sure the door is locked. I stepped inside and saw my wife sprawled on the floor. I tried to revive her but…" More tears rolled down his face.

Kira sighed inwardly. This is going to take some time but they had to get to the bottom of this… where is that girl going to? A moment ago she was taking notes! Lacus had disappeared into the kitchen. Kira was about to open his mouth to call her when she came out again with a cup of steaming tea.

"Here you go Nishihara-san. Take a sip, you'll feel better." Lacus placed the cup into Nishihara's hand.

"Domo…" He took a tentative sip before taking another sip. "Arigatou, I needed that.

I'm so sorry inspector…."

"It's alright, was there anything missing?" If Kira was surprised by what Lacus did, he didn't show it. He just sat there patiently waiting for Nishihara's reply.

Nishihara frowned. "Nothing I can think of but some of her jewelry is missing. I'm sorry inspector, I…."

"It's okay Nishihara-san. This will do for now. Clyne, ikku."

Lacus tucked her notebook into her pocket and for the second time that day, she ran after her senpai.

DCI – Detective Chief Inspector. DI- Detective Inspector.

End of chapter 1. Reviews much appreciated! Ichimaru