Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED, nor Gundam SEED Destiny. Maybe in my next life.
"I'm gonna be the one that's taking over
Now this is what it's like When Worlds Collide!" - Powerman 5000
"You look lonely, why?" a girl's voice made the boy jump.
"Huh?" he replied stupidly.
He looked at her for a moment, squinting his eyes to see past the bright afternoon sun. She was most likely his age, and she was wearing a pink dress that went along with her long pink hair.
"You're sitting here all alone, why is that?" she asked again.
She eyed him carefully, watching him as he sat on the grass, back leaning on the chain-link fence, left leg extended while the right one was bent at the knee, providing a resting place for his right arm. He was wearing grey pants and a white t-shirt.
"I was told that I shouldn't talk to strangers." He said.
"Well then, let's introduce ourselves so we won't be strangers!" the girl clapped excitedly.
"Sure, my name is Kira, Kira Yamato."
"I am Lacus Clyne. It's a pleasure to meet you Mister Yamato."
He laughed. "Call me Kira."
"My father taught me to be respectful to men." She told him.
"And my mother told me to be nice to everyone, especially girls."
"Well, now that we know each other, let's be friends!" she announced proudly.
"Uh … okay." Kira said slowly, not used to being around such a straightforward person.
"Ooh! I know something we can do!" she said suddenly.
"Uh … and that would be?" Kira asked.
"We'll be secret friends, no one will know, how does that sound?" Lacus smiled.
To Kira, it sounded like a very good thing. Having a secret friend, it made him feel special, like he had a prize that no one else had.
"I like it." He agreed.
Unfortunately, before they could continue on, the bell rang, signaling the end of their free time. It was time to go back to class, back to being friendless. But that wasn't quite true anymore, now he had a friend. He was happy.
The kids filed inside the school, and Lacus went off to her class. Kira sat down at his usual desk as he tried to hide his smile. Their teacher came in and settled the class down before starting the lesson.
"Today I am going to pair you all up, to work on a project that will hopefully teach you the value of friendship."
The 7-year old kids looked around the room and at each other, nervous about having to work with strangers. The teacher paired them off one by one until he came to Kira's name.
"Kira Yamato will work with … let's see here … Athrun Zala."
Kira looked around for the boy in question and jumped as someone tapped his shoulder.
"I'm Athrun." The boy introduced himself.
"Kira." Kira replied.
Athrun dragged his desk over to Kira's and sat down across from the brown-haired boy. As soon as the entire class was paired up, the teacher handed out the assignment.
"You are all tasked with making a charm of any shape or size. Resources are left up to you, but don't do anything stupid or crazy."
Well this won't be too bad Kira decided.
"Hey, I know the perfect place to look …" Athrun whispered, leaning in close.
"Something to say Mister Zala?" the teacher asked.
Athrun flushed bright red in embarrassment and sunk low in his seat muttering an apology. Class continued on as usual, but Kira seemed a lot happier than before, and not without good reason. Today he had just made two friends, and he intended to be friends with them for life.
Athrun and Kira spent the rest of the day with their desks together, talking about everything whenever the teacher wasn't paying attention. And for once, it seemed as if the day ended too quickly, at least to Kira.
True to his word, Athrun really did know a good place to look for things to use for their project. As he was searching through the junk, a thought struck Kira. I should make one for Lacus. He smiled, he was sure she'd like it, but he'd have to work on it in secret.
Luck was with him as he found two very good items, a thin gold chain – perfect to use for Lacus -, and a polished Tiger's tooth for Athrun. He looked for a little while longer, pocketing the chain so Athrun wouldn't see it. Athrun himself made a few discoveries, but wouldn't tell Kira what he found.
And right before the two friends were going to leave, fortune struck Kira again. He found a tear-drop shaped sapphire, the color of Lacus' eyes. Perfect! He thought triumphantly.
"Kira, come on, we don't want to get in trouble." Athrun warned, standing several feet away and looking around.
"Coming." Kira replied cheerfully, putting the gem in his pocket.
The class had one week to finish their charms before presenting them to their respective partners. Kira had no idea what Athrun had planned, but Athrun didn't know what Kira was up to either, and that was just the way it was supposed to be.
Finally the day came, and in a flurry of exchanges, the charms changed hands and squeals of joy were heard all throughout the school. Kira went first.
"You can turn it into a wrist-chain, or into just a regular chain." Kira explained, pulling out the polished tooth by a nice silver chain.
"Wow, cool! Thanks Kira!" Athrun said, wrapping it around his left wrist. "Neato! Oh, and now for yours."
Athrun pulled out his own completed charm, a blood red ruby ring attached to a thin gold chain.
"I think it's a little big for our hands, so I found the chain so you can wear it around your neck."
Kira accepted the gift and slid it over his head.
"Athrun, you are my best friend." He announced.
"Mine too." Athrun agreed.
The two became best of friends, working on projects together, eating together, and even defending each other from bullies. The friendship that had formed between the two seven year olds was seemingly invincible.
Two years passed in a frighteningly short amount of time. True to his word, Kira never breathed a word about Lacus to Athrun or anyone else. But one fateful day, Athrun confronted Kira.
"What is it Athrun?" Kira asked worriedly.
A nine year old Athrun looked down at the ground for a moment and then brought his sad face into view.
"I have to go home." Athrun said.
"But why? Aren't you having fun here? Is it something I did?" he asked, confused.
"I don't know why, it's something my father demanded, and I have to listen to him. I'm sorry Kira, and I'll try to come back if I can." Athrun tried to explain.
"Will we ever meet again?" Kira asked, hoping for a good answer.
"I'll make sure of it, but incase we somehow don't, at least we've still got our charms."
Kira had to agree, it would be the only way to remember his best friend. He clutched the ruby chain hiding beneath his black shirt. Athrun undid the chain from his wrist and re-attached it around his neck, sliding the tooth beneath his own blue shirt.
"Goodbye Kira, my friend."
That day had torn Kira apart; he wasn't sure why or how his best friend would leave. Luckily, Lacus was there for him, and consoled him, telling him that he would see Athrun again.
A year passed and Kira was called home as well, to help the family. Like Athrun, Kira didn't really have a choice, and though he was happy that he was going to see his family again, he didn't want to leave Lacus all alone.
"It's okay Kira, I'll never forget you." Lacus told him.
He stared at the ground, scratching his head.
"What is it?" she prompted.
"Err, well I was going to give this to you three years ago, but I was just so nervous. Now I don't have a choice." He said, looking up and holding the sapphire chain he had made three years ago.
"Oh Kira, it's beautiful!"
He undid the clasp and gently put it around her neck.
"Now you'll always have something to remember me by." He said.
"But I don't have anything for you … I know!"
She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, a blush creeping up on both their faces.
"I'll always remember you Lacus, my first friend." They came together and hugged a little awkwardly.
Kira was pulled out of his thoughts as he landed, rolling as soon as his feet touched ground. He came out of his roll and ran silently towards his target, his objective. Mu, he thought angrily, if you've lied to me …
Really, he had no doubts about Mu's honesty, but it was too coincidental, the timing to good. Zaft was up to something, Kira was sure of that. The last reports the scouts brought in was the third time this month that Duel had mercilessly razed a village.
Closing to within ten feet, he slowed to a stop and surveyed his surroundings for an instant. He was still unnoticed, so throwing caution to the wind; he stepped out of the trees.
"Lacus."
And back into Lacus Clyne's life.
-
"So did you have fun?" came a sarcastic voice.
"Fun with what?" Yzak demanded, turning to see who dared talk to him.
"Your joyride slaughter." Athrun said bitterly.
"I do what I'm ordered to do, like a proper soldier. I set an example for my troops."
"And setting a good example involves volunteering for mass-murder?"
"Hey guys, anything the matter here?" Dearka asked, interrupting Athrun and Yzak.
"No, no problem." Yzak replied, glaring at Athrun before turning on his heel to leave.
"Athrun, you should know better than to piss Yzak off, especially after a mission." Nichol reminded him.
"I'll go talk to him." Dearka volunteered, if a little grumpily.
Athrun and Nichol turned the other way and started to walk. Dearka soon disappeared from sight.
"I'm getting worried Athrun, this war is just heating up. Strike won't stand for this much longer." Nichol said suddenly.
"Especially if my father keeps ordering these missions." Athrun muttered in return.
"And there's that as well. I didn't sign on to kill innocent people, simple villagers trying to make their way in life." Nichol agreed.
"The only way to end this war quickly is to find Strike and deal with him, but so far Strike has eluded all attempts to capture him, even going so far as to actually scar Yzak." Athrun said.
"I heard that Commander Le Creuset and His Highness were thinking of several ways to lure Strike out to the open and deal with him once and for all." Nichol informed him.
"Strike has eluded all previous attempts, so whatever they have planned, they'd best do it soon, before Yzak goes off for another rampage …"
Nichol nodded in agreement.
Dearka caught up with Yzak and was out of earshot of Athrun and Nichol, who had both turned around.
"Yzak, slow down!"
"What do you want?" Yzak snapped off.
"Woah, geez man, calm down," Dearka said defensively, holding his hands up.
"I'm in no mood Dearka." Yzak said grumpily.
"You're never in any mood, except anger, for the last two years." Dearka said.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Yzak asked, his temper boiling.
"Ever since Strike gave you that scar, you've been out on a mission, rampaging across the lands looking for him. I'm not saying you shouldn't get revenge, but there may be other ways to go about it."
"Now you're sounding like Blitz, or Aegis." He seethed.
"Look, just because you can take mission after mission doesn't mean your troops can. I know you've had a hand in training them, but not all of them have the same drive, the desire, behind their actions. Most of the combined armies are people who just want to defend their family and homes."
"And what of it? The best defense is a good offense." Yzak quoted.
Dearka paused for a second, and before he could speak, Yzak spoke again.
"Ah, what do you care?" he walked off, leaving Dearka standing there with a bewildered look.
Finally, the tan army leader shook his head in disbelief and left as well.
-
"Lacus." Lacus looked around at the mention of her name.
She was sure there was no one else in this nice little secluded area; it was why she had chosen it as her hiding spot.
"Lacus." The male voice repeated, more firmly this time, leaving no doubts about her imagination playing tricks on her.
I know that voice, but I haven't heard it in a long time she thought, her hand unconsciously clutching the sapphire pendant around her neck. Finally, it seemed as if a shadow suddenly appeared, and in front of it a tall boy.
She stared hard at the sudden appearance. The moonlight shone down around them, lighting the grove enough that she could see some of the little details. Brown hair, violet eyes …
"Mister Yamato?"
He turned his head to look at the ground.
"I told you, you can call me Kira."
"Kira!" she screamed happily, jumping up and hugging him tightly.
Kira certainly didn't expect a hug, and was speechless. Finally, something clicked in his brain and he hugged her back.
"My god, how long has it been?" Lacus asked, releasing Kira.
"Eight years." He replied sadly.
"Eight years! Well, what have you been doing? And what are you doing here?" questions flowed from Lacus like water in a waterfall.
She doesn't know … well there's no way she could know.
"Uh …" he started slowly.
She noticed his obvious hesitation.
"I'm sorry, I may have asked something too personal, but it's just been so long!" she apologized.
"It's alright Lacus; it's not your fault."
Despite the years that had passed, Lacus had stayed the same kind and caring girl that Kira knew from Copernicus, too bad he couldn't say the same about himself.
"It might not be too safe out here; we can talk back at camp." Kira offered, some of his old self showing.
Cagalli and Mu watched from their vantage point. She had finally noticed what Kira and Mu were talking about, and asked Mu many questions in the time it took Kira to get to Lacus. Now the two old friends were both standing and talking about something, but Cagalli couldn't hear or read their lips.
"What do you think they're talking about?" she asked Mu, not taking her eyes off of her brother's form.
"Not too sure." Mu replied absently, looking around everywhere.
Cagalli frowned. "Not too sure? Why not? And why do you keep looking around like that?"
Instead of replying, Mu let out a mournful sounding wolf howl that echoed through the grove and the trees. Lacus looked around, and Cagalli could see Kira's eyes narrow as he put his arm around her shoulder and started to guide her towards the cliff and the small steps carved into the wall.
She was about to ask why Mu did that when three short barks came back, seemingly in reply to the howl. Now she was really confused.
"What the hell is going on?"
"Gale disappeared, I thought Zaft might be moving in, but we're safe." He explained.
She looked at him questioningly.
"For now." He added.
"So what now?" she asked.
"We're heading back to base."
The Hawks quickly assembled and Mu sent Gale and his partner ahead. By the time the other two Hawks along with Mu and Cagalli reached the man-made carved stairs Kira and Lacus were already at the top, the former waiting for them rather impatiently.
"This can still turn out bad." Kira said.
"We play what we're dealt Kid, now let's go." Mu replied
They resumed walking, heading towards their camp. Lacus leaned over to Kira's ear to whisper something.
"Who are these people?"
Kira felt like smacking himself to rid himself of his stupidity. How could he forget to introduce his few close friends?
"Lacus, this is Cagalli, my sister," he started, pointing to Cagalli.
Cagalli turned around.
"Hi." Lacus said, shaking Cagalli's offered hand.
"And this is Mu." He finished.
"Pleased to meet you." Mu said.
A warbling bird call echoed from behind them through the woods. Kira looked at Mu, who had a worried look on his face.
"Not good." Mu muttered.
"Let's go." Kira said, scooping Lacus up in his arms quickly.
Cagalli broke into a dead run, bolting to catch up to Gale while Mu stayed with Kira and his charge. Lacus was caught off guard by everything that was going on.
"What's wrong?" she asked innocently.
"Nothing. Everything. Something." Kira said distractedly, looking around as he and Mu ran.
Lacus knew better than to press for details, at least for now. They made it back to camp within ten minutes, and as soon as Cagalli came into sight, Mu pulled a 180 and ran back to find the other two Hawks. Kira finally let Lacus down.
"Mu went back to find the others, Lacus should be kept safe." Kira said.
Cagalli nodded, and Kira took Lacus by her hand and led her to his tent.
"It's not much, but it's better than nothing." He said, turning to leave.
"Kira, wait!" Lacus called after him.
He looked back at her.
"This is Strike's camp, isn't it? And Mu is Strike, isn't he?" she asked.
"This is Strike's camp, yes." He couldn't bring himself to answer the second question.
Lacus understood his hesitation at answering the second question, and even noticed his uneasiness at the first question.
"I understand, don't worry, I won't tell a soul, living or dead, about either."
A cry echoed from the far side of the camp. "To Arms!"
Kira almost snarled as he swept one of the flaps back to walk out. Lacus was about to follow him when he faced her again.
"Stay here." he said.
She looked at him with a distressed look on her face.
"You'll be safe, I promise. Please."
She relented and nodded, and Kira left the tent, letting the flap close back into place. He looked around for a few seconds before finding Cagalli.
"Report!"
"Brigands, probably from Ghost's group." Cagalli said, handing Kira a sword.
He looked at it with a 'what-the-hell-do-I-need-this-for' expression and she rolled her eyes, sheathing the sword. A primal smile was plastered on Kira's face, making looking at him rather unsettling. He looked ready to hunt, as if he'd been born to do it.
"Fine, go and play, but you know they're going to gang up on you."
"When is Tolle due back?" Kira asked out of the blue.
Cagalli had completely forgotten that Tolle's team was still out there, on an extended recon mission. "He said he'd try for tonight, but I'm not too sure." She answered.
He nodded and ran off to join the battle.
Lacus wandered around Kira's oddly spacious tent for at least ten minutes, glancing at the few objects present in the tent. His unmade bed, sitting messily in the middle of the floor; a small table off to the side, numerous maps strewn about the cramped space; a heavy-looking traveling trunk, open and nearly empty; three kerosene lamps hanging from the support poles, lit but barely emitting any light, their wicks burned so low.
She walked over to the nearest lamp and extended the wick just a little to add some light to the tent. Satisfied with the ambient light level, she once again surveyed his place. Still very spacious and bare, there was one thing that she hadn't noticed with the low light levels.
It was a sheaf of papers near the bed, all dog-eared and looking like they'd been read numerous times. Curiosity got the better of her and she walked over to see what they were. Intricately drawn designs filled the pages, and there were a few words on each page, most of them Lacus had never heard of before.
But five words caught her attention, on five different pages. Duel, Buster, Blitz, Aegis and Strike. The first four were the codenames of the army leaders of Zaft – one of them being Athrun, her fiancé – and the last one was the name King Zala had given his seemingly most mortal enemy.
"It's Strike!" someone yelled in anger, surprising Lacus.
She put the papers back on the floor and lowered the wick back to its original spot, plunging her into near darkness again. The battle was moving towards the Kira's tent; sounds of metal clanging against metal were heard, followed by an odd noise which sounded akin to what the sorcerers that belonged to her father's court could do.
For the second time in ten minutes, that fatal curiosity piqued her interest. She poked her head outside the tent flaps, and finding the immediate area clear, Lacus stepped out of the tent and into the open.
And immediately regretted it. As soon as she stood up straight, she was knocked to the ground by something hard. The sounds of arrows flying over her head kept her down.
"Stay down." A gruff voice warned her.
Lacus looked up to see who had so rudely knocked her down and was shocked to see an armored figure standing less than a foot away from her, casting a shadow down upon her. The armor was sleek looking, painted in white with blue and red on the chest piece and red trim on the feet, only blocky at the shoulders and the forearms. Mounted on the back was a pair of wings and … what the things on the bottom were, Lacus could only guess at.
In the figure's hands were a red shield and a mutated crossbow of some sort. The figure raised the weapon and fired three times, and three crimson bolts of energy struck three of the brigands, sending them flying backwards.
"Cagalli!" the armored figure yelled.
Kira's sister popped out of nowhere, looking rather disgruntled at the interruption.
"What?" she demanded.
"Look after Lacus." It was clear to Lacus there was a man inside.
Before Cagalli could reply, the figure's backpack emitted blue flames from near the wings and the odd things Lacus couldn't identify near Strike's hips and leapt from the ground to the sky. He's … flying! Lacus was surprised and paused. Strike was flying gracefully through the air like birds and bees and butterflies did, the only exception between Strike and the rest of nature were the crimson bolts of death Strike fired at its enemies.
"Come on, let's get you somewhere safe." Cagalli said calmly, helping Lacus to her feet.
"Was … was that Strike?" Lacus asked.
"Yes." The blond girl replied.
Strike weaved through the air, firing crimson bolts at every target he could find and avoiding the few arrows and crossbow bolts that attempted a pathetic reply. Finally, it seemed as if the brigands had had enough, they cut their losses and left mostly in a panic. Whatever they were after – food most likely – they weren't expecting Strike to come along for the ride.
Lacus stared in awe as Strike landed smoothly and started to walk towards her and Cagalli. Strike seemed to shimmer as he walked, and Lacus understood why. Whoever was inside was reverting back to his normal self. The transformation started at the hands – the metal rolling back with an audible clanking noise - and worked its way up the arms, meeting at the chest. It split just as soon as it joined, quickly working its way down the stomach and legs while the rest of the upper chest took longer.
As the reversion took place, the man beneath the armor still calmly walked towards Cagalli and Lacus, the latter expecting to see the tall and well-built body of Mu La Flaga. She was quite surprised when Mu stepped out beside Cagalli, holding a blood-stained sword.
And finally, the helmet disappeared; it didn't roll back like the rest of the armor, to Lacus it simply disappeared from sight. The helmet, which was so lifelike with yellow eyes and a V-fin sprouting from the middle of the forehead like a crown, a chin that could have been considered a finely kept goatee and two lines across the mouth area. The helmet which covered the face of Kira Yamato.
"Kira?" Lacus asked in surprise.
There it is! The second chapter. I would have posted it a few hours earlier but I was forced to fix my connection. Better late than never hey? Please please please Review after reading.
Thanks to all those who did review my first chapter, as well as those who reviewed "The Resurrected Wings"
P.S. I realize the first time was my fault, I rated the story 'R' not realizing FanFiction doesn't actually list the story unless the reader has me on a watch list. So again, please Review.