A/N: My first Yzak/Shiho fic! It'll be a short one. Probably only 2 chapters or so, but I hope you guys like it! Shiho is OOC here, although I'm not really sure what her personality is since she's given a very minimum amount of screen time. :p Please Review!

Apparently, it seems that they really do not have a relationship at all. Too bad though. They'd look good together.

The Simplest Things

Chapter 1

A young girl with mahogany brown hair and bright amethyst eyes standing on the terrace looked over her shoulder, studying the famous Zaft figures enjoying inside the large manor. Truth is, she wasn't supposed to be strolling away from the social gathering. But the people inside were starting to make her sick, especially those stupid jerks from the other Zaft squadrons. Not only are they immature flirts, but also stuck-up rich men.

Tonight was the grand annual ball in honor of the coming back of Elsman. Truth is, Dearka was opposed to the idea, but her parents kept badgering him since it was probably almost a year since he has been home. They were all invited of course. But since Dearka needed to escort someone, she was chosen immediately, before Dearka's parents paired him up with another airhead woman he didn't know. Shiho didn't like the idea either. But what people would to their friends...

But why she was alone right now was probably her fault. Well...Maybe it was Yzak's fault too. But her own date, Dearka, she just couldn't blame.

FLASHBACK

"Maaan..." Dearka muttered under his breath, raking a hand through is neat blonde hair. "They keep on coming. It's horrifying. Shiho, I'm really sorry---"

"Is this the 5th? Or the 6th?" Shiho laughed. "It's ok really. I have Yzak-sama with me. He'll be the BEST company."

Dearka stared at her.

"Now that's really funny!" He suddenly laughed.

"Hey, Stop that!" Yzak exclaimed. But Shiho still joined in laughter.

END FLASHBACK

He was the best company alright. There wasn't any moment that the two of them weren't debating over something. And the moment Yzak started insulting her, she walked out on him.

Shiho took a deep breath and started walking down the steps leading to the backyard. Along the way, she noticed her reflection in one of the large windows.

After months of being a redcoat, she surely didn't recognize her old appearance. Her bangs were pinned back from her forehead with 2 silver diamond clips, while the rest of her hair cascaded down her back, twirling stylishly at the bottom. She wore a cobalt blue silk knee-length tube-topped dress and high-heeled sandals. Above all these, she had on her ear pearl earbobs and a sapphire necklace around her neck. She would have looked perfect if not for her apparent frown.

She knew perfectly how she looked like from other people's point of view. And she didn't like it one bit. What is it with people and appearances? During the war, people looked at her as if she was taboo. Probably because she was a girl of rich descent wearing men's uniform and doing men's jobs. And now that she looked different (and better no doubt!), people keep on sticking to her as if she was a celebrity! It was all too sickening.

Shiho started strolling towards the maze located at the center of Elsman's backyard. Maybe it would be better for her to be alone for a while.

'Just like how I have always been for the past few years.' She bit her lip and walked bravely forwards.

She didn't know how long she had been walking. But when she heard a nasty voice breaking the silence, she knew she had made a wrong turn somewhere. A wrong turn she would certainly regret.

"Hahnenfuss-san! What a pleasant surprise." The familiar voice drawled.

"Just passing by, Kenji. Please don't mind me." Despite her immediate nervousness, her voice sounded unusually calm. Kenji was also a part of the Joule squadron, and he kept on hitting on her even during the war. But then, he flirted with any girl he saw. She had managed to escape the officer a while ago; it was just her luck to meet him again.

"Oooh...Don't mind if I do." Kenji walked towards her and put a firm grip on her shoulder.

"Kenji... you're drunk. You should go to bed now." Shiho said, trying to calm her nerves. If there was one thing she hated the most, it was being with uncontrollable men. She knew she had to escape, but she had no idea how. 'Think, think, think! It's not advisable to fight with a drunkard. And it'll be harder to escape with this tight dress you're wearing!'

"I'll go to bed of course, with you." Kenji chuckled as he slowly slid his arms around her neck. With this, Shiho's mind turned blank. "You're really so beautiful, Shiho. I'm sorry your stupid friends Elsman and Joule never noticed it. But of course, why should they care? It has always been the two of them. They don't care about people like you...But I do... "

Shiho opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What Kenji said smacked her right in the face.

"It has been lonely, hasn't it? Being away from your loved ones. And no matter how much you try to fit in, no one cares. They don't even know that you're not inside the manor anymore." Kenji laughed and whispered in her ear. "I know you like the Yzak-taicho. But you know he won't care about you, because no matter what you do to your already hideous image, you'll never be good enough in his eyes."

Kenji inhaled her scent and gazed into her blank eyes. He knew it was the perfect time to take advantage of the moment. And he started to descend his lips upon hers. Finally, he would be able to conquer yet another challenge, tonight!

Shiho couldn't think straight. Her feelings were a mixture of hurt, shame, and confusion. And when she saw what Kenji was about to do, she trusted only her instincts and gathered up the courage to do what she was about to do. With incredible amount of strength, she pushed Kenji's body away from him and screamed with all her might. Her mind somehow forgot all the teachings of self-defense, and her body turned numb as she landed on the floor with a hard thud. Shiho felt a sharp pain on her leg but when she saw a shadow in front of her. She struggled to stand up and make a desperate run for it. She felt firm hands snake around her waist, pulling her back. There was loud ringing in her ears, and she felt tears sting her eyes. 'This is it...' She tried struggling, but the firm grip on her wouldn't budge.

"—Hey! Shiho stop it!" A deep baritone voice spoke near her ears. "Sh...calm down... It's ok...Everything's ok now..."

Shiho's heart stopped. It was all too familiar. Shiho glanced up and saw the large form of Kenji on the grass, unconscious. Tears started trickling down her cheeks. Her head started to throb harder. And when she felt the last trace of consciousness slip away, she slowly turned around, catching a glimpse of silver before finally falling into darkness.

+ End Chapter +

A/N: I hope you liked it! R+R:P Thanks! –MaI