And now I'm proud to present to you, Chapter Six! Reviews are always appreciated and please enjoy! The chapter title is stupid, and I didn't check for typos! Sorry!!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any part of Gundam Seed/Destiny!!!

CHAPTER SIX- Is it a Crush?

"Damn it." A female with red violet hair and purple colored eyes lay in her bed. The blankets were tangled around her legs, and she was perspiring over similar nightmares every night. Lunamaria looked over at her alarm clock; the numbers read 400 hours (4:00 AM).

She groaned before pushing her blankets to the floor, and sitting up. Her sister slept on the bed above her, her red hair was wavy and out and she was fast asleep. Lunamaria decided not to wake her, and began dressing in her red and black uniform.

Ever since a few weeks ago the Minerva's crew had been dispatched, but as of lately the few crewmen who had nowhere else to go, were on watch duty across the PLANTS. Lunamaria left the room as quietly as she could manage and headed towards the target room.

She pulled on the necessary protective gear and grabbed her gun. After starting the emulator, she began aiming, and fired consecutively. A few bullets hit their mark, but more missed than actually going where she had planned. After a few minutes passed, she grew frustrated and grumbled some words to herself.

After an hour or so, the doors opened and she glanced around to spot the familiar blond known as Rey, and Shinn, the black haired boy followed him.

The two boys surveyed her for a while, and then Shinn muttered something to Rey. Lunamaria tried to ignore it, but she was wondering what they had said about her. As of lately Lunamaria had been getting up early, and practicing her gunning skills. The crew members found this odd and it didn't seem to fit her personality; but the real reason was because she couldn't forgive herself for failing to save Lacus Clyne.

She was almost positive Athrun Zala might blame her, but it was pointless.

"Lunamaria, your aim is off." Rey commented.

"I know…I can't quite… ugh!" She yelled. Rey got his own gear and began shooting a separate target with ease.

"Luna, you're twisting your arm. Try to avoid that it may help." Shinn approached and demonstrated. She tried again, and he helped correct her wrist movement by grabbing hold of her arm. A red flush formed on her cheeks, but the black haired boy was oblivious.

Suddenly the loud speaker turned on, "All crewmen, report to the bridge immediately." The three friends left the target room and followed the orders. "We're getting the ship worked on." Talia Gladys said. "Right now we are docked in Martius City, all crewmen are expected to go into town and not return until tomorrow at 800 hours (8:00 AM). Is that clear?" The Captain asked.

"Yes ma'am!" The crew saluted and left the bridge. Meyrin was on the bridge, her hair in familiar pigtails and she hopped from her chair to follow her friends.

"This sounds like fun. We should go shopping Luna! I haven't bought new clothes for a while!" She said.

"I'm not really in the mood for shopping." Lunamaria said.

"Oooh… come on Luna! It'll be funny." Her sister smiled.

"Not really… Sorry." Lunamaria tried to muster a smile.

"Fine." She pouted. "Then Vino and Kent will come with me. Right?" She said to Shinn's two best friends.

"Uh- I don't k-" Vino began.

"Of course you two will! I need you guys to help me carry my bags!" Meyrin took their arms and dragged them off.

"Where are you going to go Shinn?" Lunamaria asked.

"Just into town. Probably the arcade." Shinn said.

"Rey?" She looked to the blond.

"I'll purchase new firearms and equipment for the ship." He said.

"Shinn… would you mind if I joined you?" She asked.

"Go Ahead. But I doubt it'd be much fun for a girl." He shrugged and walked ahead.

Lunamaria fumed, "Why is always like that?" Lunamaria said. Rey was silent; Shinn and Lunamaria went into town together, while Rey went his own way. The silence was almost unbearable, but it was also a nice silence that was rarely heard on the battlefield.

A few children ran by at sudden moments, and Shinn growled at them. The kids ran off, frightened and a few times Lunamaria couldn't help but laugh. Every time Shinn said something like, "What're you looking at?" or, "What's so funny?" Even though he appeared to be in a bad mood, Lunamaria knew better and she was enjoying herself.

They eventually stopped at a café mid-afternoon, and ordered hotdogs and French fries. Lunamaria was surprised to see he paid for both of them, it seemed like… a date. But it definitely wasn't, because if it was, Shinn probably wouldn't be glaring every second. The two were heading for the hotspot in town, the arcade. Martius City was known for its amazing arcade, and they were interrupted by a loud scream. Shinn reached for his gun, but noticed he had left it in the targeting room.

He mumbled a curse, "Take mine." Lunamaria handed him her gun.

"But-" He began. "You have better aim then I do anyway." She attempted to convince him. He took the gun and they left the arcade, moving into the main part of the City.

They were shocked to see ten Blue Cosmos members terrorizing civilians. Two of the men held a woman captive, and the others were prodding children with guns. Shinn aimed, and fired a few rounds. Two of the Cosmos were wounded and they shouted; all eyes were on Shinn.

"Lunamaria, get somewhere safe." He ordered.

"But…" She started.

"Go! Now!!" He said with his violent tone. Lunamaria couldn't argue with him, and when a bullet flew she dove under the table. After a few moments, she couldn't take it and felt like a coward. Lunamaria slowly crawled out, and began helping the civilians get to safety and stop panicking.

She turned around too late to see a Cosmos aiming his gun right at her. Her pulse quickened and the blood began pumping. A bullet was fired, and suddenly Shinn jumped out of nowhere to take the bullet.

"Shinn!" Lunamaria shrieked. He was hit, and fell to the ground with a loud thump. Lunamaria ran over to him, near tears when she noticed there were still two more men left. With a burst of courage and need to protect her friend, she picked up the gun and aimed. She took the men out and lifted Shinn up, slightly.

"Shinn… are you alright?" Lunamaria asked.

"Mm…" He said groggily, his red eyes were closing.

"You're bleeding all over…" She fixed up the wound as best as she could. Then took out her cell phone and called for medical attention. Lunamaria sat by his bedside, worried and blaming herself.

What had he been thinking… risking his life like that? She stared at his face affectionately, then leaned forward and placed a kiss on his lips. Her cheeks fired up, as red as a beet, and she pulled away when Shinn shifted. Lunamaria covered her lips with her hand.

"What am I thinking?"

-Sorry for the delay, I might type during the vacation! Please review! I guess I might as well give you a preview of the next Chapter since I won't be updating for another week. Here it is…

Next time…

Shiho, Yzak, and Dearka confront the Blue Cosmos… but, something unexpected happens… something they never thought possible. Was it really the Cosmos? And what about Kira… where is he?

Bye, until next Chapter!!!