After such a long wait, here is chapter 10! I apologize for the amount of time between chapters, but its only going to get harder. I have a job now, so I will try to work on my stories as much as possible.

Here's a short ramble. I can't believe we're already on chapter 10! The funny thing is that when I planned out this story, this chapter was suppose to happen way back in chapter 6. Obviously that didn't happen, which means good news, well if you guys find it as good news. This story will be longer than 20 chapters which I was originally planning. Not too long, but longer.

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, favorites, and followers! It means so much to mean. I never expected this story to be so popular and I just feel amazement on how well this story is being received. Truly, thank you to everyone. Your support is amazing and I will work hard to get chapters out as fast as possible.

Please read, review and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny

Chapter 10

A tall, dark haired figure leaned back in the chair he was occupying, his mind processing all the news he had received so far. How could he of not have seen what distraction she would finally pull? He had to make sure this news would not get out into the public.

Though it would benefit his Lacus Clyne very well, if the people knew of this outrage of traitors stealing ZAFT shuttles, yet this could still damage the military's reputation. He also did not want any possibilities of rumors spreading about the other 'Lacus' was the one stole a shuttle. Who knew how many people out there were actually supporters of her.

An uncontrolled growl left the man as sudden anger and frustration overwhelmed him at this unpredicted move.

Quickly putting his stoic mask back on, the dark haired man knew his orders to his military to find the imposters and set things right were his right course of action. Oh, and that poor Lacus felt so horrible that someone posed as her. Everyone had fallen for that pretense. Pulling the sympathy card made all of ZAFT turn their attention to appeasing the depressed pop idol. This is in turn, tuned his image and reflected the idea that he was a caring, sensitive man.

Though he was a considerate person underneath, people just couldn't see beyond the outward image most of the time. Just not the way the people would share his views and agree with his inner ideals. Those people could not even start comprehending his true goals and understand his side. Well, one day they will all agree with him with or without the consent of their will.

Just a little longer…

Tuning out all the broadcasts of the televisions playing in his office, all their futile attempts to figure what had happened that day at Diocuia blending together in his head. His mind unwilling started conjuring up images that seemed to haunt him for the longest while. Two images of two, completely different individuals, two who should have never met that fate had somehow allowed to meet; allowed to keep surviving.

He did not know how the two met originally or how they kept meeting up with each other. To him, they would have parted ways from the beginning and never committed themselves to the same cause of the last war.

Yet, somehow the two were already attracted to each other, causing plans to fall through for not only ZAFT at the time, but for Rau le Creuset, who was so focused on the boy, did not stop and think there was someone behind him, helping him, and giving him the hope and strength in order to end the war.

That was part of his downfall.

Though with Lacus Clyne stealing a shuttle and disappearing into thin air will make his own path much more difficult, he couldn't help but allowed a small smile cross his face.

"It's probably a good thing they are separated once more. This could play more in my favor in the end…"

This Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne will understand my vision soon enough.

"Welcome back, Miss Clyne!" A chorus cheer rang throughout the deck as said person entered, a warm smile etched on her face. She was happy to be back. Of course, she would feel this way plus many different emotions running through her. Especially since she didn't believe she would be commanding the legendary ship once more. Not when she thought peace would actually last this time.

The Eternal; such a beautiful and powerful vessel, a ship that reminds others what dreams they share. That not only carries her own ideals, but also the wisdom and hope of all others who look to a peaceful future. Lacus Clyne always had been the symbol the people looked to when the darkest days and times seemed to fall upon them. She did not fail last time by assisting as much as she could to help stop the last war. She definitely had no intention of failing now. Not with so much on the line with this bloody war.

The pink princess graced her followers with a sincere smile as they all appeared very happy and relieved to see her once more. They were team of men who had taken care of the legendary ship after she had departed over two years ago. They were dedicated and driven people of the previous 'Clyne Faction' who were ready to step forward once more if the people of the nations called them once again.

They stood and saluted her as she and Andrew arrived on the bridge.

Lacus felt she had a deep connection with each and every one of them. Seeing them well and in good spirits was a sight that made her heart warm. After all these men and all the people who were part of the Terminal were here to make sure that the world does not fall into utter destruction.

People who were born and raised from opposite sides of a line drawn war; people who had different views and opinions. And yet, they followed her as they understood what she and her father had been trying to do.

These were the true heroes of this era.

"It's good to see all you again," Andrew said, grinning at his old crew and friends. Glancing to his side, his grin widen at the sight of his second-in-command. "Keeping everything under control, eh, DaCosta?"

The younger man grinned back, glad and relieved to see his former commander back and doing well. "All is fine, Commander Waltfeld. It's good to have you and Miss Lacus on board again." His smile quickly disappeared. "Though I wish circumstances were different." Andrew nodded grimly, the atmosphere surrounding everyone suddenly turning sullen.

"Yes. No one wanted another war and yet here we find ourselves thrown into one so easily again."

"But we are here to change that."

Both men looked to the side, feeling the determination radiate off the young songstress. Her words were firm and set, but they could still hear the undermining tone of worry and concern. She wanted to stop this, wanted to make sure this would never happen again.

The useless tool of war only created casualties and hate. The victory in the end was never worth the sacrifice.

People only lose with wars. I lost my father…Kira lost people he cared for…we couldn't win, we didn't win. Nobody did.

The silence lasted for almost a minute before Andrew's grin return in full, as he looked between his friend and charge. "You're completely right. We came here with a job to do. Let's figure out what those ZAFT officers are up to."

Turning around, he gave a fake, but stern glare. "Well? You heard me. Get to work!"

"Yes, sir!" The men scrambled around though they all were used to how the Commander's direction and operated. Smirking, Andrew felt nostalgia well up seeing how well his orders still worked. Motioning to Lacus and DaCosta he led them off the bridge. They followed the older man until they reached the Commander's quarters further down the hallway.

"There was another battle?"

DaCosta nodded solemnly. "Yes, as you were making your way to the Eternal. The Minerva was making their way to a ZAFT base, but was intercepted by the Orb fleet under Yuna Seiran." Ignoring the horrified expressions of Lacus and Andrew, the younger man continued, "It was another attempt like Dardanelles. They wanted to destroy that ZAFT military ship. Both Orb and the Earth Alliance forces were attacking that one ship."

He paused, which sent Andrew off the edge. "Well, what the hell happened?!" He snapped. He was beyond angry that Orb would try something so foolhardy again.

Those idiots are only going to get themselves killed.

"Well?" DaCosta didn't flinch at the older man's harshness. He knew all too well the commander would not take the news well. No one from the Terminal did.

He took a deep breath before continuing. "And like the last battle with these forces against each other, another force intervened; The Archangel." His two companions' faces went from ones of confusion to ones of surprise then to understanding. They all had a feeling Cagalli wouldn't back down if Orb was in danger even if she knew her chances of stopping the fighting were small, Cagalli would still try.

"Was…?" Lacus' voice drifted over the two men as they glanced at her, wondering what her question would be. "Was the Freedom there?"

She had to ask. She had to know. Depending how long the battle was after her, Andrew, and Daisuke had left in their stolen shuttle, the pink princess wondered if Kira made it back to the Archangel before they headed off for battle. Lacus knew her love would be devastated if he was not there to protect everyone and they had gotten hurt; especially his sister.

It would hurt Lacus to seem him in that condition of loss and devastation. It would hurt even worse knowing her decision to leave was the push to make him follow her instead of protecting their friends.

Relief washed through her as DaCosta gave her a small, yet an understandable smile. "Yes, both the Freedom and Strike Rouge were the ones who entered the battlefield with the Archangel providing support of course." His smile quickly vanished causing alarm bells to ring through the younger girl's head. The expression he was now giving them scared her.

W-what had happened? Did something happen to the Archangel? Cagalli? Kira? No…

"No more delaying DaCosta," Andrew barked. He seen Lacus' worried expression and he could easily imagine what dire images were running through her head. He had to put her at ease as soon as possible, though that didn't mean he wasn't worried either.

He gestured to the younger man to keep going who nodded in understanding in return. "The battle was an intense one, according to the Terminal's resources. There were also a lot of causalities. But, the Archangel, the Freedom and the Strike Rouge made it through the battle practically unscathed. It was none of them or the Minerva who lost."

"What?" Andrew's stomach dropped as he quickly gauged the pink princess' expression. Her blue orbs were wide; appearing to show the same realization dawned on her. If neither their own forces nor ZAFT forces lost, then…

"The Orb fleet was completely decimated."

Shock rippled the trio into silence as the news sunk in. The tense air was broken as Andrew pounded his fist on a table, his shoulders shaking in anger. "Damn it! How could this of happened?"

I knew it was always a possibility. Murrue and I were always worried how far the Alliance would use Orb, and now this happens? This war is just becoming endless bloodshed...

Taking a deep breath to try to drive the anger down, Andrew glanced at DaCosta's concern expression before both of them looked at the member they were most concern about.

The youngest member of their group wore an expression none of the other two could read. Her face was blank as her eyes were glazed over, no hint of any of the immense emotions raging inside the young woman. She could not believe it.

Orb was defeated?!

Her first thoughts drifted towards the amber-eyed princess. Poor Cagalli Lacus thought solemnly, this was not something she deserved to go through. To see all those deaths of her comrades and followers would scar her no doubt.

It would be too much of a reminder when Orb was burned before.

The pink-haired teen could understand Cagalli's pain; she had seen death of those close to her before as well. It hurt. It was almost an indescribable feeling when it came to loosing those who did anything to protect what was important to them. To protect those who could do nothing to help them in return; to save their precious people's lives.

That feeling was excruciating especially when it was you that they were protecting.

The songstress' thoughts then roamed over to the princess' twin. She knew Kira would be hurting as well. If they could not stop the destruction and death of those Orb soldiers, then he will be crushed. He never did and never will accept the killing of others. His heart was still to beautifully pure to allow that darkness in.

She couldn't imagine him to ever change. He was perfect in his own way. She loved him for being that person; for being her Kira.

Yet, that could be what will be his downfall, no, Lacus shook her head. Kira would never lose, he would never die.

If he dies, then I die as well…

Distracted by her thoughts and feelings for those two who she considered her family, she didn't hear Andrew and DaCosta continue on the conversation. The younger man explained that it was the Impulse gundam that was the real surprise of the battle; the gundam had successfully taken down one of the stolen mobile suits that had somehow gotten into the Alliance's hands after their initial abduction.

That gundam was the one who also went on a rampage and destroyed all of Orb's military ships.

Andrew merely gawked at this information, his mind processing what this could mean. It did not take the commander long to understand that this was serious. If ZAFT and the Minerva had an ace pilot, then it could be trouble for both the kid and the Archangel.

After all no one, including ZAFT, the Alliance, or Orb knew which side the famous ship and unstoppable gundam were on. Not even Andrew truly had an answer either. They weren't picking sides in this nasty war, they are only there to try and stop the useless battles.

Taking one more look at his charge, he noticed she still was not responding with any kind of emotion. A deep sigh left him and only shook his head silently as Dacosta looked at him in concern. Too many factors were now coming into play and Andrew couldn't help but wonder what road him and Lacus were now going down. There was just one thing he knew for sure.

That kid better not do anything reckless. As long as he and the crew of the Archangel stay safe, then we don't have to worry about to many distractions. Lacus needs to focus on what we are doing here and now.

Sadly, neither of them could do anything to aid the Archangel if it was in trouble. They had put their trust on their friends, and no way was Andrew or Lacus were going to not to believe in them.

Sometimes only one can move forward with trust and hope guiding them.

Violet eyes seemed to glaze over as they peered out the window at the blowing wind and snow. Kira found it sort of depressing with all the dark clouds, intense cold, and endless ice and snow. Though he could admit it was a nice change being above the water instead of being down, hiding in the ocean again.

Despite the Archangel not worrying about hiding currently, Kira found himself falling into a void of varying emotions. Some he could not place or understand. Others he could recognize and comprehend quite easily.

Lacus was gone and currently out of his reach. Though he trusted her to keep safe while she was up in space, there was still a small piece of doubt and uncertainty about letting her go without him.

I told her I trust her, which I do. She promised to return, so I will just have to be patient and wait. Lacus wouldn't want me to worry about her too much...though that won't stop me from doing so.

His mind drifted from his love to his hurting sister. A deep frown appeared on the teen's face as he remembered the clear sound of Cagalli crying and screaming for Orb fighters to stop. And it failed again. This time, the result was catastrophic.

Kira never thought he would witness so much destruction again. To see that other gundam destroy the Orb fleet like they were nothing was painful. Kira never saw it coming. He was too busy dealing with Athrun and protecting both Cagalli and the Archangel from attacks.

Athrun!

The frown turned into a grimace as he tried to place the rising anger further back in his heart, but it wasn't working. He was fighting his best friend again! All for what? To see the destruction of Orb, a place Athrun called home? To see Cagalli suffer as she couldn't help those who were important to her? Cagalli was Athrun's life at one point. Did that change?

"Damn it…" His voice came out as a small growl, as his hands shook in anger. Everything just seemed to be spiraling out of control and once again Athrun and Kira were on opposite sides. That was painful to the teen to be fighting him. Not as a friend, but as an enemy.

"Ah, here you are. I was wondering where you had disappeared off to."

Kira nearly jumped when another voice came out of the silence, breaking into his deep, dark thoughts. Turning around, he was greeted by a warm, calm smile. The teen felt as some stress being relieved as he found himself facing Murrue Ramius.

"Miss Murrue…" Taking a deep breath, Kira gave his captain and friend a timid smile. "Sorry, I must appear as I am slacking off during such a crucial time."

"No. Don't worry about it. You deserve to take a break once and awhile." Coming closer, she stood next to the younger man. Her smile was warm and welcoming, and yet, her eyes were full of concern and questions. "Are you alright?"

Are you trying to hold everything and everyone up again? Don't hold in those burdens. You must share them. Don't try to put everything on your shoulders.

"Oh yes, I'm fine. What about you Miss Murrue? Keeping everyone strong and ready like before?"

Shaking her head disappointedly, she sighed before answering. "That's not what I'm asking." Kira looked at her in surprise, but after taking one look at her stern expression, he understood what she was really asking.

"Are you alright, Kira?"

He sighed, knowing she would get answers from him as easily as Lacus did. "I was wondering how things ended being this way again?" He asked, but she didn't answer. Murrue had a feeling there was more and she waited as he continued. "Why am I fighting, even though I'm reluctant? Why am I so scared of something happening to Lacus? Why am I fighting against Athrun again?"

Once he let the questions and concerns loose, Kira had no more control. The brown-haired teen couldn't hold in any more. He felt horrible that Murrue was on the receiving end, but it's all been just too much. Without Lacus, it was hard for him to keep his feelings in check; not without them bursting out later.

A low growl came from him as his mind focused on the person he was having the most issue with; his best friend and yet now, his enemy.

"Why couldn't he understand and see Cagalli's feelings about this?! She was crying, she was hurting, and yet…yet, he didn't act like the Athrun I know. He would never hurt Cagalli. Intentionally or not; he would never hurt her."

"Maybe he isn't…" Murrue said quietly, understanding his rage have to be directed at something or someone.

Kira clenched his fists, a burning passion of anger rushing through him as he ignored her comment. "And yet he just let the Orb forces get destroyed. He let Cagalli suffer. That's unacceptable."

"Kira…Kira!" Murrue's firm voice snapped him out of the trance he was in. He looked at her with guilt drawn on his young face. He hated that he was blaming Athrun. He hated that he was throwing this anger around.

Only I should deal with this emotion. No one else should suffer from it…

The older woman looked at him with sad eyes. She understood the fighting between old friends well enough. War was never easy, and the consequences would never leave anyone the same in the end. She allowed silence to sit over them for a minute before attempting to alleviate the intensity radiating of the young man.

"He is part of the military now, Kira. You must remember that detail. I'm not defending his decisions, and in no way am I defending his decisions about not helping Orb; but you have to see the part he is playing as well." Kira's shoulders shagged immensely, showing Murrue he was listening as she continued. "It's not easy for him either. How do you think he felt seeing Orb being destroyed in front of him without being to help at all? He's probably hurting as well, Kira."

"Maybe even more than you are," she added softly. Conflicting emotions were flashing across the teen's face as she waited patiently for him to answer. Murrue had no doubt Kira already knew this, already understood this; especially after Athrun refused to come back with them the first time.

Sometimes, in these hard times, it was just easy to forget whose side some people were on.

"Then," Kira frowned as he glanced at the brown-haired woman with a sad, lost look. "Are we wrong?"

Are we wrong about everything? What if we are causing more destruction and hurting people instead of helping them?

Murrue looked out the window watching the wind mix with the snow. She waited a minute before giving her sincere answer. "I don't believe there is anything foolish or wrong about trying to do what you feel is right; to protect those who are important to you."

"Miss Murrue?"

"This world is important to us, that is why everyone fights so hard, tries so hard." Her brown eyes filled with images of destruction and loss, "Though sometimes our methods are not ideal to everyone else, Athrun included. It's all so difficult." Her eyes then started burning with passion and intensity about their ongoing efforts.

"But here we are still trying. And we'll keep trying to do what we feel is best for others."

Brown orbs came into contact with violet ones; Kira, not being able to hold her steady gaze, turned away. He completely agreed with her. What she said made so much sense and perfectly described the reasoning on why people fight each other over and over again. He was just disappointed that he couldn't figure that out for himself.

Usually Lacus always helped him when he needed it. God, I already feel lost without her, he thought somberly. He was pulled from his sad thoughts as a hand patted him softly on the shoulder. Kira found Murrue giving him a kind, but confident smile as if she knew what or who he was just thinking about. Her next words proved his wonderment.

"I'm sure the day will come when you are together again."

So don't give up and keep moving forward, Kira…

"She'll be back soon."

He replied with an understanding smile of his own. "Yeah…"

Twisting and turning, she could not relax, her body refused to rest. Images, dreams flashed by like a show on fast-forward, with Lacus having no way to stop or slow them down. Flashing pictures of her past, of what she had seen, what she had done and what could happen. All of it centering on a main idea; War.

A splash of blood covered her vision as she bolted awake, panting heavily, trying to suck in the air she couldn't get enough of.

Taking in her surroundings, Lacus found herself safe in her room on the Eternal; Only her nightmares slowly vanishing with each passing breath. It was just a dream, she was safe. He was safe.

Yet inside these enclosed walls, the pink princess knew that wasn't all true.

It all felt familiar, the same sense of belonging and comfort. But unlike before where this was the only place she had left, she had a new place where she belonged, a true happiness she could fine. This wasn't the place. This wasn't where he was at. It was not home.

And now she realized, Lacus only felt truly safe by his side.

And there was that chapter. What did you guys think? Hopefully it wasn't too boring or confusing, but we must remember we know almost nothing about when Lacus goes into space, so the next few chapters will be my version of course. Anyway thanks for reading and drop a review if you like. Till next time!