Rating: T / PG-13

Summary: AU after episode 34 of GSD. What if Kira wasn't found on that fateful day by Cagalli? How will Athrun, Cagalli, Lacus and the others react to his death? But...is he really dead? Gilbert Dullindal's chess game is ever changing as a new fate awaits the Ultimate Coordinator.

Main Characters: mainly focused on Kira and Athrun, but also Dullindal, Cagalli, Lacus...

Pairing(s): none yet.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny.

Summary of the previous chapters:

Athrun's MS has been shot down by Shinn, while he was trying to escape with Meyrin.

Meanwhile Kira is still resting from his injuries, while unknown to him, Gilbert Dullindal has plans for him.

Big thanks to my beta Dragon Agility!

Gundam Seed: Another Path, Another Destiny

Phase 6: The Act Deepens

A few rays of warm morning sunlight made a young browned haired boy stir in his bed, covered by white and soft sheets. Kira opened his eyes slowly, yawning slightly, as he moved his hand in front of his eyes, blinded by the sun.

How long was it since the first time he had woken up? Which day was it? He had completely lost any sense of time, sometime sleeping for a whole day, too exhausted to stay awake more than half an hour. But today, it seemed he had finally more strength, feeling healthier, and his mind somewhat clearer.

Clear was a big word... he still remembered nothing, his memory remained veiled and empty like a dark hole. Even after all Gilbert had told him, nothing came back: he was always clueless.

The though of his uncle (he was still not used to call a person he barely knew that) warmed his heart a little. The man had visited him every day, even if it was only for a short moment, or if he was asleep, even though he was Plant's Chairman, and therefore very busy. The doctor always let him know when he had come, and Kira couldn't help but feel grateful and touched, as his feeling of loneliness faded.

Kira sat on his bed, wincing slightly as he leaned on his hurt arm, and studied for the first time his surroundings. His room was quite cosy for a hospital one, maybe it wasn't even a hospital. The walls were a pale green, with some beautiful paintings. Kira glanced at his night table, where violet flowers were making the room more lively and happier, hoping to see a watch but there wasn't one. Nevertheless, he noticed that the sun wasn't still very high in the sky as he looked through his big window just near his bed.

Even though it was no later than nine in the morning, many people were busy, running left and right. They all wore ZAFT's uniforms. Of course... he should have expected to be in a military base. Kira guessed that since his mission was top secret, he couldn't be allowed in a public hospital without raising some unwanted questions. A mission he didn't even remember...as well as many other things.

The brown haired boy let out a soft sigh, resigned to his fate. There was no use to think about that now and honestly he didn't want to, as he would feel more depressed than anything.

Careful not to put out the needle in his hand that was linked to some medicine, Kira got up slowly, wanting to try walking after so much time. It was in that attempt that he fully realised how badly hurt he had been, every muscle of his body aching painfully. Leaning on the bar where the medicine was hanging, he tried his first step hesitantly. Kira smiled slightly: accordingly it was hurting, but he was still able to stand: that was a beginning. As he keep on trying to walk, his feet suddenly stumbled, and he nearly fell if it was not for an arm which caught him just in time, while crying his name, apparently distressed.

"Kira! Are you alright?"

The said boy looked up and was not very surprised to meet kind golden eyes, gazing worriedly at him.

"Y...Yes. It's okay. Sorry... I was just trying to walk...guess I wasn't prepared," he reassured his Uncle with a small laugh, though it was slightly bitter. Truthfully he was angry by his own weakness. Gilbert returned the smile, a knowing smile, as if he was reading his mind. He helped him sit on his bed again, and said softly:

"You don't have to try so hard, you know. You were on the brink of death; it's perfectly normal that you feel weak and exhausted."

"Thank you," Kira nodded gratefully.

It was only then, that Kira noticed that someone else was in his room, a young man seemingly a little younger than himself wearing ZAFT's red uniform. He had shoulder long blond hair, and blue piercing eyes. Gilbert must have noticed him staring at the other, as he said in a light voice:

"Ah, Kira, so you have noticed our young guest here!"

The boy took a few steps onward and smiled slightly at him.

"Hello Kira, I guess you don't remember me..."

Kira couldn't help but snort at that. Of course he didn't remember. He didn't remember anything to be exact. Unexpectedly, the blonde laughed lightly at him, after having muttered some incoherent words to himself.

"There is no need to be upset, Kira. Anyway, my name is Rey. Rey Za Burrel."

The other boy simply nodded, not knowing what to say. Nice to meet you would definitely sound weird and wouldn't fit the situation at all. Fortunately for him, Dullindal saved him from answering.

"Rey was your friend at the military school," he said, before adding with a chuckle, "or rather your rival."

Kira raised an eyebrow slightly, as he went on.

"Well, there were times when you didn't quite get along, but you knew each other more than it seems."

"Are there other people I know here?" Kira asked curiously. He didn't want to feel ashamed if he didn't recognize them.

"No," Gilbert answered while shaking his head, "you were previously assigned on PLANT, and we are on Earth, now, so you don't know many people. And anyway, you were a quite secretive person, moreover in the Special Forces," he added with a slight smirk.

Secretive... how was he supposed to know what his persona was like? How did he act? Did people like him? Was he nice? Mean? Kira passed a hand in his brown haired, confused by his own thoughts. But after all, it didn't matter who he was, it was who he was now that mattered... He lived...

"Speaking of that...Where are we?" he asked after a while, trying to escape his thoughts, but also curious.

"You're in Gibraltar in ZAFT's base hospital wing. It was safer and easier to make you come here, since you were on the mission on Earth." Gilbert confirmed his previous assumption.

Kira nodded, and then noticed that Rey was still staring at him with an odd look, but he kept himself back from pointing it out, not wanting to create any tension. Nevertheless, he wondered what was Dullindal's real motive of taking Rey here to see him. It was certainly not just to visit him, was it? Anyway, his Uncle answered his silent questions by adding:

"I'm sure Rey will take good care of you, Kira. I have full faith in him, as you had. I have known him for a very long time. In fact, you practically grew up together."

A small smile formed on the blue eyed boy, wiping away his previous look. Gilbert's hand squeezed lightly his shoulder, and continued his explanation:

"You know, as PLANT's Chairman, I'll have to go back there soon... That's why I will assign you to the Minerva, the ship Rey is on. I know its crew very well. They're skilful and caring. I think that's the better solution for your current situation." He let out a tired sigh, "I won't be able to look after you anymore... even in this time where you fully need someone's support. I'm sorry..."

"N...No!" Kira exclaimed, before whispering softly, "Don't be... I don't want anyone to feel guilty because of me..."

Truth to be told, he was at the same time a little offended that his Uncle treated him as a small kid, but a bigger part of him was genuinely happy. Happy to have someone who he could count on, someone who cared... but his current self was weak, powerless. He couldn't go on like this.

Gilbert smiled gratefully at him, as Kira said in a firm voice:

"I... I won't be a hindrance. I don't want to be a hindrance. I will get better; I will make sure that I don't repeat the same mistakes as before."

"Kira..." he said softly and caringly, "You are still weak, and it is normal. You don't have to think about that now."

Kira shook his head slightly.

"No... you have taken care of me, and I won't disappoint you... If I don't begin to train now, I will be of any use on that ship."

Honestly, the perspective of training to fight, to be a soldier, or rather to remember how to be a soldier, scared him to no length. He couldn't bring himself to think that someday he would have to fight a real battle, with real weapons, real people, and real casualties... But he also knew that he had to. There was no escape, and even if there were, he wouldn't. He wanted to believe and fight for the only people who had taken care of him.

Kira's eyes glinted with determination at that last thought, as the Chairman let out a resigned sigh.

"Very well then... Rey will show you by the end of the week..."

Rey nodded in confirmation and smiled.

"But now you must still rest, Kira," he added firmly, sensing that the brown haired boy was about to protest.

Kira wanted to pout but refrained from doing so, not wanting to look childish, and finally, he nodded.

"Okay... Thanks both of you for visiting," he said truthfully with a bright smile. His spirit had risen incredibly, "I was happy to meet you again, Rey. I hope we will get on well..."

Said boy laid a hand on his shoulder and said nicely, "Me too, Kira. I'll come see you again then, I guess in two days. Be prepared. Good bye, Kira, Chairman," he saluted him and walked out.

"Rest well, Kira-kun," Gilbert softly said, and left.

Rey went out of the boy's room and sighed. As he had expected, he had had to meet Kira Yamato sooner or later...thanks to Gil's plans. A small smile formed on his lips. Gil had indeed been very subtle and persuasive. If he hadn't known him, he wouldn't have believed that it was only an act of carefulness. He had managed without forcing the boy to convince him to fight, that he, they, cared. When seeing him, he even slightly felt some pity for him, being completely vulnerable, but he quickly dismissed that thought as the bitterness he felt toward that boy came back forcefully.

Rey had faith in Gil's decision, yet he couldn't help but feel uneasy with Y..., no Kira, he corrected himself.

Even though he wasn't the type to get angry easily, he was still slightly frustrated with Gil. Gil knew he had mixed feelings concerning the Ultimate Coordinator, and therefore that he didn't wish to be with him. But no, Gil had to make him the boy's so called friend, make him sound almost like another Athrun Zala. Rey suppressed a growl of disgust at that thought. But he would not display his feelings.

Well, Gil had had some little tact: at least he hadn't said that they were best friends, but rather rivals, so it would not seem too weird if he avoided him sometimes...

Rey sighed again, and starting walking away, his thoughts preoccupied by the next meeting he would have with Kira Hibiki.

To be continued...

Author Notes : Another chapter finished almost entirely focused on Kira! I like writting his parts, even though I had some difficulties with that chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

For next chapter, I don't think I will be able to update before the end of the week, and later it will be difficult too, as I've got my exams the 11 and 12. I will try to update asap!

Thanks for the reviews: ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice, You Want Some of This, Tala Ishtar, r, gdayofdestinys, Asuka619, Besjer, sakura-star-63, furin-a, kaitootiak, ShinigamiZero16, RuByMoOn17, BlackFeatherz29, Hiyami, M.L.light, XD.

Next Chapter : Athrun and Cagalli's encounter. Kira continues to discover more about himself, and his life.

Comments are always welcomed!