A/N:

Sorry I didn't get this up on time, but I've been burdened with school assignments and after school training sessions for cheerleading. And to top it off, I had to stay in school just to finish up assignments when I was meant to be at the child care centre... such is the life of a senior student... and I have been recently working at a child care centre, so I've been utterly exhausted. I've then had a camp all last week and that took up all the time I had and I fell over and badly bruised my knee and the kneecap. I again apologise for the lateness of this chapter, I can assure you I have been trying to get this up and running. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's really good.

Oh and, hey we've been pretty disappointed with the amount of reviews we have received, Kairi Loves Sora has been getting frustrated at the amount of people reviewing. PLEASE SAVE ME!!!!!! SHE'S GETTING ANGRY AT ME FOR NOT MAKING IT INTERESTING ENOUGH IN MY EDITING!!!!!.

So please read and review!!!!!

P.s special thanks to Prince-in-Disguise and Shinn Asuka- Destiny's Warrior for your reviews.

And sorry about the mix up with chapters, I had to fix something up, cause Athrun would be an Admiral, not a commander. Sorry about that!

Gundam Seed Destiny: Battle of the Bonds

Written By: Kairi Loves Sora

Co-Written By: Ldsprincess

Edited By: Ldsprincess

Chapter 3: The Party

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Previously

"Shinn, Athrun, with me!" Kira suddenly called over the communications line.

"Lets Kick Ass!" Athrun replied.

As they all came together to attack the Destroy's, they all went into seed mode. The battle that followed was a difficult one. The Eternal fired its beam cannons to assist its commander in any way it could, but as they were fighting, Shinn noticed that the Freedom was slowing down occasionally.

"Kira, are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah…I'm…I'm fine." Was his reply, but his heavy breathing failed to convince both Shinn and Athrun that their friend was okay.

'You're not okay are you?' Shinn thought to himself, but as he was worrying about Kira, a Destroy came and shot him in the back. The Destiny flew forwards and inside the cockpit, things weren't that much better.

----- ---- ---- -----

"We really should get back. We don't know what state the girls will be in by now." Athrun cautioned. Kira nodded in agreement and they headed back to the Eternal.

Unbeknownst to them, was a recognisance ZAKU hidden behind a piece of metal that was floating nearby.

Meanwhile the sinister man was sitting in his chair waiting for the news of the success of his plan.

"I wonder how long they lasted?" he mused to himself. As he finished this train of thinking aloud, the same slightly built man from before came nervously into the room.

"So it seemed it went well," He continued. "What news have you come to bring me?"

The man swallowed hard and bowed his head.

"My Lord, it seems they got away."

"Too bad." Said the sinister man, "You'll do better next time."

He then brought out a gun and shot the man in the shoulder. He fell to the floor, clutching his shoulder in pain, blood seeping through his fingers.

"Just be sure that you do not fail me again." He said as he watched the man before him writhe in pain.

"We managed to damage they're Mobile Suits and there is a strong possibility that they're injured." The man managed to get out through clenched teeth.

"Well then at least it wasn't a complete failure. Just make sure the next mission is successful." The Sinister man replied and he turned his back to the man.

"Enjoy yourselves while you can, because we'll be coming for you soon." He ended with a laugh.

---- ---- ----- ----------

Chapter 3: The Party

At the PLANT's, Cagalli and Lacus were standing together in Lacus' living room, when a man in a military uniform approached the two. Lacus straightened up the light lavender dress she wore, and the darker purple, transparent butterfly sleeves fluttering with the movement, as well as the layer of the same transparent darker purple over top of the light lavender skirt of the dress. Cagalli noticed this and took it as a sign of nervousness. She herself wore her trademark outfit of pants and a tee-shirt. Though they held a more formal flare to them than her usual battle attire.

When Lacus had returned to the PLANT's, she had restored her former home back to it's original state, and was now living comfortably there with Kira, with the occasional visits from Athrun and Cagalli, whose relationship was still a little shaky at best. But recently, things began looking up for the former couple.

The man seemed to be giving a report, and Lacus turned to Cagalli. Cagalli nodded to something Lacus had said and headed out to the back veranda, with Lacus following close behind. The man saluted and departed form the house. As usual, Haro was following close behind Lacus calling; "I will Not Accept That!"

As they walked out, Cagalli could see the rather large group of guests conversing with each other. She walked forward to the veranda railing.

"Excuse me everyone," she called as Lacus came up beside her. "I must apologise for the wait, but they should be here soon." She turned to Lacus, who had a cleverly concealed worried expression on her face, which Cagalli could easily see through.

"Lacus?" She asked. Lacus turned to her as Birdie came and landed on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Cagalli," as she spoke, Haro bounced up and down beside her. "This was supposed to be an easy mission, which was why I agreed that both Athrun and Kira would go together. But now, I have a bad feeling, I'm a little worried." She turned away.

Lacus hated conflict as much as Kira did and has always done the best she could to prevent it, even if it meant placing herself in the middle of said conflict. She held a great reluctance to seeing Kira fight, but she understood that in order to maintain the peace they worked so hard to gain, he had to fight.

A memory came to the front of her mind; of the day he told her he would be joining ZAFT.

Flashback

Lacus was kneeling on the ground on the back veranda, playing with her Haro's, as Kira walked through the back doors. Birdie flew off his shoulder and onto hers with a cry of "Birdie!"

"There you are, Kira!" she exclaimed with a smile. She turned to Kira and her smile widened, as her hair swept gently on the ground with the movement. Her smile faltered a little in concern as she noticed Kira's face. "Kira? What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Kira looked at her, as her hoard of Haro's came and surrounded him.

"Something like that."

Lacus' favourite Haro, Mr. Pink, suddenly jumped into Lacus' hands, saying, "There's a problem!"

"Hush, Mr. Pink, that's quite enough." She scolded the robotic ball.

"Haro's right," Kira said, sitting down in a chair next to her. "There is a problem. I was approached by a ZAFT Commander today." He confessed.

"Oh." Lacus said turning once more to face him.

"Yeah. He asked me weather I would be joining the Military." He continued. "And I wanted to talk to you about it. It's something that has been on my mind for a while now."

Lacus sighed and stood up. As she began to walk to Kira's side, Haro jumped out of her hands and onto Kira's lap, and birdie flew from her shoulder to land on Kira's. She knelt down again at his side; avoiding the numerous other Haro's jumping around him, and placed her hand on his knee. Kira turned to Birdie and smiled.

"What is it, Kira?" Lacus asked. He turned once again to her, and then looked to his lap.

"I don't want to fight any more. I hate fighting, but I don't want to sit around and wait for another war to start... like last time..."

Lacus looked away from his face, remembering the recent war. Durandal had tried to have her assassinated, targeted her because of her influence over the people of the PLANT's and the people on the earth. Even then she was reluctant to allow Kira to fight, even if it was to protect her. Then there was Cagalli's 'almost' wedding, and from there, things just got worse. She turned back to Kira as she felt his hand rest on top of hers. Their eyes met, and Kira's held a deep emotion, an emotion she knew all too well.

"I want to help prevent another war from happening, to protect this peace we fought so hard to gain, and to protect those closest to me..." He paused and looked away. Lacus knew what he was trying to say, that he would protect Her. "I want to avoid conflict as much as possible, after being pulled into both wars, and seeing the utter futility of war and conflict, I don't see a reason why there would be a need for all the killing brought about by battles. But there are some things worth fighting for, and some things you can't protect with out fighting, and if fighting is the only way I can do that, then so be it." He turned to her again. She rose and embraced him.

"Kira," She said comfortingly. "You cannot blame yourself for anything that has happened, nor anything that will happen, but look to the future and try to do what you can, to bring about that future that you wish to make a reality. Trust your feelings and do what your heart tells you. No one would think any less of you. But rather, they will look up to you and follow your example." She paused and he looked at her. "But promise me, that you will never fight alone." She smiled. "Okay?"

Kira returned the smile and embraced her in return.

"I will." He promised, as the Haro's continued to bounce around them.

End Flashback

She was pulled from her thoughts by a mobile communications device began ringing in her pocket. She pulled it out and motioned for Cagalli to follow her. As they entered the house once more, Lacus activated the visual communications screen. A member of the Supreme Council came onto the screen.

"Lacus Clyne here."

"Miss Clyne, we just received information from the reconnaissance team we dispatched." Said the female council member. "They arrived at the Eternal's last known coordinates, only to find a mass amount of debris." Lacus froze.

"Have you received any communications from the Eternal?" she asked as Cagalli put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry; we are yet to receive a communication from Commander Yamato about the whereabouts of the Eternal."

"I see." Lacus' face fell a little, and then she came together. "I thank you for your assistance." The council member nodded and the screen closed.

Lacus sighed, took Cagalli's hand, and once again, turned to face the group in the back garden. As she stepped up to the railing, Birdie flew off her shoulder and flew off her shoulder and flew inside.

"Excuse me everyone." Lacus said as the conversations ceased. "I was just informed by the council that, because Kira has not made contact with the ZAFT headquarters, they dispatched a reconnaissance team to investigate. However, when they returned, they said that the area, in which the Eternal was last known, was littered with debris." She lowered her head a little, worry in her eyes.

Cagalli's eyes began to tear and she turned her head to hide her tears. She hated this. Not knowing if her brother was okay. And... Her mind wandered to Athrun.

Their relationship had been a complicated one, ever since the war ended. She knew she still loved him, and knew that he still held some feelings for her; he had stayed in ORB after the war ended after all. The past year had been difficult; there was no doubt about that. But it seemed that they both made the effort to be a part of each other's lives again. They had managed to reach a point of close companionship once again. Meyrin occasionally visited when Athrun returned from the PLANT's, and they had developed a close friendship, despite the circumstances. Cagalli could tell that Meyrin was aware of the growing relationship between Athrun and herself, but to her surprise, Meyrin held no ill will towards her.

Cagalli was suddenly pulled from her reminiscing by the feel of Lacus' arms surrounding her in a comforting embrace.

"I'm sure they're alright, Cagalli," Lacus' comforting words calmed her somewhat. "They'll be here, they maybe a little late, but I know that they are all okay. I'm sure of it."

'I hope you're right.' Cagalli thought as she nodded her head. 'Athrun, Kira, Shinn, Meyrin, Luna... I hope you're okay...'

Lacus watched Cagalli's reaction to the news, and noticed how her tears seemed to slow a little.

Meyrin had approached her a few months ago, with some questions about Athrun and Cagalli's relationship. When she had told her, Meyrin seemed lost in thought. After a few minuets, Meyrin seemed to have come to a conclusion. She then asked her if she would help her with a little 'quest'. Meyrin wanted her help in getting the two back together. Since then, they have tried different types of set ups, all of which, both Athrun and Cagalli, were oblivious to. Everyone could see that the two cared for each other very deeply, and right now the knowledge that Athrun could be hurt, or worse, was tearing her up inside.

===GSD===

MEANWHILE (Mu & Murrue)

The group of guests began conversing once more, this time with worried tones. Two people in particular were in deep conversation about the recent developments.

"Do you really think that all three of them, plus the Eternal, would have been shot down?" said Mu La Flaga as he placed his chin in his hand in his thinking pose. "Somehow I doubt it." He turned to Murrue Ramius, his expression serious, his now short hair swaying slightly with the movement.*

"No!" She said suddenly, and rather loudly, catching the attention of the people nearest to the two. "Do you really think that someone would be able to take out Kira that easily? He and Athrun are two of the best pilots I have ever known and have ever seen, and Shinn isn't that bad either. Do you honestly think that Kira would allow anything to happen to either of them, not to mention the Eternal and the Impulse." She paused as Mu sighed. "And I really don't think that those two would leave Kira on his own. In the likelihood of a battle, that is probably what would happen."

Mu nodded in agreement, as others around him nodded as well.

"Still, with the information we received, a battle occurring during this mission appears to have been a higher percentage than we originally thought." As he said this, the front doors could be heard opening.

Silence encompassed the entire group. As everyone turned to the veranda doors, four silhouettes could be seen approaching the doors. When they stepped up to the doorway, it was revealed that the four silhouettes were Yzak and Dearka, closely followed by Meyrin and Luna.

Lacus and Cagalli turned fully to see them. Lacus noticed the few minor grazes on Luna's arm and cheek, while Cagalli gave a tiny sigh of relief. At least Luna and Meyrin were okay. She looked expectantly towards the doorway, but after a few minutes, it failed to reveal the two she was waiting for. She turned to Luna, unaware of Lacus suddenly stiffen and her hold tighten a little.

"Where are they?" she asked, her voice unintentionally harsh. Luna was about to reply when Lacus let out a soft gasp.

Cagalli's attention was once again brought to the doorway, as a single form exited the house. Shinn walked towards them sheepishly, his arm in a sling and a bandage around his head. The red uniform of a ZAFT pilot was undone a little at the top.

"Shinn..." Cagalli had opened her mouth to speak, but the soft voice of Lacus had been voiced instead. "Where are Kira and Athrun?"

Everyone was still, awaiting the response form the young pilot. Cagalli's gaze seemed to make him a little uncomfortable. As Shinn shifted uncomfortably, Lacus saw, from the corner of her eye, Birdie once again fly out towards her, with the forms of two people approaching. A hand suddenly appeared on Shinn's shoulder, making him jump.

"Wah!" Shinn called as he felt the sudden pressure. He turned and saw Kira and Athrun behind him, both smiling.

"Hey, sorry we're late. We had to get changed." Kira apologized. He suddenly felt a pair of arms surround him and the weight of a small body slam into him. He winced and resisted the urge to flinch. He looked to see Lacus embracing him.

"Oh, Kira!" she sighed. "You had everyone worried."

"Lacus..." Kira smiled. "Look I'm fine, and so is Athrun... We're all okay." He moved to embrace her in return.

Mu watched Kira with sharp, worried eyes. He had seen Kira wince and his barely concealed flinch. But from the outside, Kira appeared to be perfectly fine. He wore a pair of dark bone pants with a dark blue long sleeved shirt on. Athrun had on a dark purple/blue button up shirt on with white bone pants on, with a white jacket over top. He had a bandage on his head and arm. He returned his gaze to Kira, who had taken Lacus' hand and the two stood side by side.

"I'm sorry everyone that we were so late. We ran into a bit of trouble regarding the mission we were assigned." He addressed the crowed, his voice returning to its normal tone. He scanned the large group before him and grew a bit surprised. "There are a lot of people here. I didn't realise so many people would come..."

"How can you be so calm!?" Cagalli suddenly screamed. Kira turned to her, just to relive the experience of her body slamming into his, although this time, the force of the landing was harder and his painful reaction was less concealed than before.

"How can you act like nothing happened?" She buried her face in his shirt, while gripping it with her hands. "Look at Athrun and Shinn! They were both injured! How is it that a mission to destroy the meteors resulted in the injury of them both?!" Cagalli began beating his chest, tears falling from her eyes. How could he act this way when everyone was worried sick about him?

With every hit, Kira moved a step back, until they hit the wall behind them. When Kira's back collided with the wall, he winced noticeably.

"You just don't get it do you?!" She paused, taking a few shaky breaths. "We were so worried about you!"

She was about to hit him again, when she felt a hand restraining her. She turned to see Athrun holding her wrist.

"Cagalli, calm down!" he said firmly yet comfortingly. "He's been through enough! We tried to get back as soon as we could."

Cagalli's eyes met Athrun's for a moment, and then looked away. She relaxed her fist and let go of Kira's shirt, feeling Athrun's release her wrist. She looked to Kira and saw him leaning heavily against the wall, with Lacus holding his shoulders. He was panting heavily and sweat was beginning to gather on his face. She clenched her fist again and felt something wet and sticky on her hand. She looked down and found that half of her hand was coated with blood. Her eyes widened as she looked back at Kira, to find that the front of his shirt was coated in the sticky substance. People began gathering around the group, and a few of them had begun to reach for the young Coordinator. Cagalli's eyes began filling with fresh tears as she looked to the ground.

"Kira, I... I didn't know- I... You're..." She stammered, and, unable to form a coherent sentence, she fell to the floor.

Athrun was the first to reach her, and gathered her into his arms. She turned to him and began crying harder into his chest. Lacus looked to the pair. No matter what happened in the past, Cagalli and Athrun needed each other. She felt a hand over hers, and her gaze returned to the one in her arms. Her eyes met purple and she smiled.

"I'm sorry Lacus... I did my best not to make you and Cagalli worry." He whispered, looking away from her kind, blue eyes. Birdie flew and, once again, landed on his shoulder, and Kira was vaguely aware of Haro bouncing beside them both, calling some indistinct phrase.

Lacus' eyes softened even more, and used her hand to guide Kira's face back to hers. Once again, Purple met Blue.

"As long as you come back to me, I'll be alright." Lacus whispered, causing him to remember when she first asked him this. Before the final battle of the first Bloody Valentine War.

"Yes, I am sorry." He replied, hiving her hand a light squeeze.

Lacus nodded and helped him to stand up off the wall. They both looked over to Cagalli and Athrun, who were now surrounded by Murrue, Luna and Meyrin. Kira looked at Mu, and noticed his intent gaze on him. He turned back to Cagalli when he heard Athrun call his name. Cagalli was still cradled in his arms, but her tears had slowed to some occasional sobs. Kira, with Lacus' help, knelt down and embraced his twin sister.

"I'm sorry I worried you." He said softly to her. "Everything's okay now, I'm fine."

She nodded and with one hand still gripping Athrun's shirt, and he head still buried in his arms, she gripped Kira's hand in a tight squeeze.

"Kira, we'd better get your wound looked at." Murrue's voice reached his ears and he looked up at her. "You look like your in pain." She continued, reaching out a hand to help him up.

Lacus was about to assist her, when a hand grabbed Kira's arm. She looked to see Mu's eyes boring into hers; he then smiled in a quirky manner.

"It's alright." He said. "I'll take him." He turned to Murrue. "Meanwhile, you girls get the party started. We won't be long."

He pulled Kira up, and looked to Cagalli, who was once again embraced fully by Athrun, but with Meyrin and Lacus on either side of her.

Once they were inside, Mu closed the doors. Kira was now being supported by Mu. Using one arm to support Kira, and using the other to call the doctor he had on standby, he lead Kira to his room.

"Mu... I can walk by myself..." Kira said as he stumbled up the stairs, trying to pull away from Mu's grasp. Mu tightened his grip.

"No way. I promised Lacus that I would take care of you, and I don't want to be the one to explain to both her and Cagalli that you passed out before we even made it to the doctor." Mu told him firmly. Kira soon gave up trying to break his grip, knowing he had a point. He had to tell him something, while they were alone.

"Mu..." Kira said in a low voice. He was about to continue, but Mu cut him off.

"What exactly happened, Kira?" He asked, a bit confused. "That was supposed to be an easy mission, and you, Athrun and that Rookie, Shinn, are the most skilled pilots I have ever known, and all three of you returned Injured!" Mu paused for a moment, but what Kira said next left him speechless.

"I felt him Mu... He was there... That same presence..." Kira turned to look him in the eye.

"Rau Le Cruset."

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Well that took some time, I'm sorry for the delay, but I finally finished it.

* Mu cut his hair again after Gundam Seed Destiny. I even looked it up on the internet to make sure.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We really need people to review, and I know this isn't the best fan fic, but we would appreciate it if everyone reading this would at least put a review in. We've has 597 hits to this story but only 7 reviews. We need more motivation to post the upcoming chapters