- Forever With You -
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters that belonged to the anime series Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny.
Author's note: The story takes place few years after the Bloody Valentine War.
Pairings: common couple pairings but mainly on Yzak x Shiho. Enjoy!
Thank You So Much for the reviews. I'll work harder to write better chapters in the near future to come…
- Chapter 20: Stranger–
- Voltaire-
"What's the hurry, Yzak? Why drag me into the cafeteria when I'm not even hungry?" Shiho shot as Yzak was literally dragging Shiho by her arm towards Voltaire's cafeteria. "A hint, Major Hahnenfuss. Didn't you notice that the corridors are rather quiet today? Where did all the officers go?" Yzak hint. "How would I know? Unless everyone has gathered at the cafeteria for some celebration or something? But what does it got to do with me?" Shiho shot back, totally ignoring the fact that at the moment Yzak was her commander. "You'll see." Yzak replied as he pushed her into the cafeteria as soon as the door slide opens. "What the…" Shiho muttered out loud when…
"WELCOME BACK, Shiho!" Everyone in the cafeteria shouted out loud. "What? Welcome me back? For?" Shiho asked in bewilder. "Everyone in this ship misses you when you're away to recover from your injuries due to the previous mission. And upon the news from Commander Joule and Commander Elthman that you're coming back to work, we decided to have a little welcome party for you." Sheila explained. "I don't know what to say… Thank you for everything, everyone. I'm really grateful." Shiho thanked, feeling very touched by everyone's effort.
"Don't be, Shiho. We're a family in this ship. A very huge family indeed." Dearka affirmed as he wrapped one of his arms playfully around Shiho's neck. All Shiho did was to smile back at Dearka, then back at everyone. "Thank you once again." Shiho noted. "No problem, Major." Justin mentioned on behalf of everyone. "Anyway, Shiho. You're now promoted to a rank similar to a Major. So what do we addressed you now?" Tracy questioned as she take a step forward from the crowd.
"Well, just call me by my name. No need to be so formal unless there are other officers around that's not from this squad. Just follow the past procedure will do." Shiho replied, shrugging her shoulders. "Alright! That's the Shiho we know." Some officers from the crowd cheered while everyone else burst out in laughter including Shiho. Shiho just couldn't feel any happier at that moment.
- Hours later, near off-duty time. In Yzak's office/ quarter -
"WHAT! ARE YOU MAD, SHIHO!" Yzak yelled, slamming his hands hard against his desk of his room/office. "I'm not, serious. The previous time was a wasted trip but I guarantee you that this time round would be different…" Shiho replied calmly but was interrupted by Yzak. "THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE THE BOTH OF US ESPECIALLY YOU, ARE SO NOT GOING THERE! DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT, SHIHO!"
Shiho's face creamy white face pouted sourly with her violet eyes narrowing into dangerous-looking slits. "DON'T give me that look of yours, Shiho! No means NO! Unless you can give me a good and valid reason!" Yzak spat furiously, pointing at Shiho. "But she needs my help… Besides do you know that Miranda is planning to join ZAFT?" Shiho shot back, not bothering to look at Yzak. "You got to be kidding, Shiho! We're talking about Miranda here. And are you sure that she wanted to join ZAFT? Or tell me that I've heard wrongly? Don't forget, she has criminal record. Without a ZAFT ace's help, she doesn't even have a chance to get in." Yzak said sarcastically.
"Exactly! That is why I want to visit her later and help her to get in. I'm a ZAFT ace, a super ace. Besides, she's the one who called me up. It shows that she's sincere on changing her bad habits and turning over a new leaf which gives us no reason why we shouldn't help her." Shiho explained to Yzak. Yzak looked at her with a weird expression. He couldn't believe what he was actually hearing. It took Yzak a few moments before he finally agree on bringing Shiho to Miranda's place for the evening. "It better be good, Shiho… Or else…" Yzak warned but was interrupted by Shiho, "How about tonight?"
"What tonight?" Yzak asked, arching an eyebrow at the woman he loves. "I'll thank you tonight, Okay?" Shiho winked, pinching his fair cheeks playfully. "Only if the both of us have the time and energy for tonight." Yzak replied, pinching Shiho's cheeks as well. Shiho then nodded and released her hands from Yzak's now hurting cheeks. "Head for dinner first before going there. Understood?" Yzak ordered. "Got you, Sir." Shiho replied as she saluted to Yzak with her tongue sticking out. Shiho just can't wait to meet Miranda again. At the thought of helping her, Shiho could hardly contain her excitement.
- On the way to Miranda's apartment -
"Tell me Shiho. Why do you want to help Miranda? I mean she's not related to you." Yzak noted at the same time keeping his eyes on the road. "I know this sounds stupid but somehow, I've some kind of feelings towards her. As if I know her, as if she's someone close, very close to me." Shiho replied, taking out the locket and looked at the picture of her sister. At the corner of Yzak's eye, he could see that Shiho really miss her sister very much.
Just then, Yzak noticed that Shiho's twin looked pretty identical to Miranda! Shiho's twin has a wavy texture hair and greenish blue colored eyes which was identical to Miranda. The only difference was that Miranda's hair was orange in color instead of brownish black. "Shiho, is there any other clue to spot your twin?" Yzak asked, turning his attention back onto the road.
"This locket and the birthmark located on the right side of our hips." Shiho replied, putting the locket back into the bag. "What do you mean?" Yzak shot, not getting what she had said. "This locket which no one in the whole universe would have except for the two of us as it's made by my mother's close friend. Also the birthmark located on both our right side of the hip." Shiho explained in detail.
"Right side of the hip? How come I didn't notice it on your hip?" Yzak pondered out loud. "Because you're blind." Shiho joked. "Very funny, Shiho." Yzak hissed lowly. "Finally, we're here." Shiho cried out as she hurriedly get out of Yzak's stylish car. "You sure seem pretty excited." Yzak sounded rather bored. "Don't be so mean. We're here to help Miranda." Shiho defended while Yzak's just rolled his eyes.
Just then, Miranda opened the door of her apartment and waved to Shiho, "Over here, Shiho." Shiho immediately made her way over to Miranda as Miranda gave her a big hug, completely ignoring Yzak's presence. "Come on in!" Miranda welcomed. From the last encounter with Miranda, Shiho noticed that Miranda has changed a lot in her dressing.
Miranda's dressing was now more decent compared to the past which was incredibly revealing. It also seems that Miranda now puts on light and pleasant make up instead of her usual heavy and gothic make up.
- In Miranda's apartment -
"Make yourself at home people." Miranda announced as she served both Shiho and Yzak drinks. "So tell me, Miranda. Why do you want to join ZAFT out of the sudden?" Shiho asked, occupying a seat beside Yzak. "You see, Shiho. I'm tired of hanging around and wasting my time with hooligans. I'm already 21 and I haven't got a decent job yet. So I've decided to join ZAFT." Miranda answered while Yzak spat. "Not everybody and anybody can join ZAFT, you know. The minimal requirements are that one shouldn't have any criminal records, have proper education and are talented in a specific area. What about you? You've a criminal record even though you've a proper education."
Just then, Shiho nudged Yzak hard on his ribs which caused Yzak to wince under the pain. "You're missing one thing, Yzak. I've got talent." Miranda added. "What is it?" Shiho enquired with interest. "I'm talented at breaking codes, pins and passwords. Throw me any codes and stuff related and I'll unlock them for sure!" Miranda said with enthusiasm. "That's good! That talent of yours is currently needed by the special task force unit. It will be a golden opportunity." Shiho stated.
"But I've got a record…" Miranda added gloomily. "Don't worry, Miranda. Both Yzak and I will help you. Don't forget you've got the talent, we've got the rank and the power. All you need to do is to put in effort for the entrance exam and later on in your career. Is that a deal?" Shiho assured. "It's a deal. Thanks, Shiho!"
- 2 hours later -
"Bye Shiho, Yzak! Come soon. I'm looking forward to the next council session! Thank you so much!" Miranda thanked out loud as both Yzak and Shiho made their way into the car. Shiho waved back and soon Yzak gun the engine and drove off.
"Say Yzak. Miranda does have an interesting past." Shiho said breaking the silence. "Ya… Parents past away and then she got looked after by Aunt Jennifer for some reason she don't even know herself. I don't know but somehow I find her story a little similar to yours." Yzak noted. "Really?" "Yup…" "Maybe just a little." Shiho revealed. "But I've to admit that she's a rather interesting person. She can be mean and she can be very nice. But the past 2 hours was a pleasant one don't you thing so, Yzak?" Shiho added at the same time admiring Yzak's heart-melting face.
"Because she needs your help. That's why. Or else she couldn't be bothered with you." Yzak replied flatly. "Don't be mean. I can tell that she's sincere about it. Especially when I began to teach her and at the same time council her, its obvious that she's really trying her best and she's eager to learn too." Shiho noted. "Whatever, just don't get to close to her. Let me warn you first." Yzak shrugged.
Shiho nodded but soon noticed that Yzak looked shag. "You alright, Yzak? You look tired." Shiho asked with concern. "I'm exhausted." Yzak stated as he stopped the car for they have reached Yzak's apartment. "Say Yzak… What about me giving you a little massage before bedtime?" Shiho suggested, wrapping her arms around Yzak's right arm while walking towards the apartment's front door.
"That will be good. But are you really going to massage me or you're going break my bones to pieces?" Yzak raised an eyebrow at Shiho. "Don't underestimate my massaging skills, Yzak Joule. I'm superb at it." Shiho warned playfully. "Really? We'll see later. But if you don't live up to your words, I'll make sure you pay for wasting my precious bedtime." Yzak hissed darkly, turning Shiho around so that he could see her beautiful face.
"Oh really? What are you going to do to me?" Shiho challenge. "Don't think I don't know your weak points, Shiho Hahnenfuss. You're so wrong." Yzak replied as he lean in towards Shiho and locked lips with her. There they stood enjoying each other's company for a moment or two, but that lovely moment came to an abrupt end when Rufus' barking came from the inside of Yzak's apartment.
Yzak initially wanted to ignore Rufus' annoying barking but soon pulled away since he knew that Shiho would sooner or later. Yzak thought that Shiho was going to give him a peace of her mind but much to his surprise, she didn't. Shiho just lean in, gave Yzak a peck on the cheek and walked into the apartment after she had managed to open the door.
- Half an hour later -
Shiho walked into Yzak's room and noticed Yzak was lying down with arms spread out wide on his bed with nothing but a bathing towel wrapped around his waist. Hearing his soft breathing, Shiho assumed that Yzak was asleep. Just then, Shiho just realized that after sleeping with Yzak for all this time, he never snores when he's asleep. Upon that, Shiho giggled while she hangs her bathing towel on the hanger in Yzak's room toilet since she just had her bath.
Shiho then slowly made her way up to Yzak's bed and lay quietly beside him. Stroking Yzak's now peaceful- looking face, she leaned in and gave a soft kiss on Yzak's lips. "Poor Yzak must be worn out by the Council paperwork." Shiho muttered softly to herself. At the same moment, Shiho felt that something had grabbed her arms causing her to fall on her back while at a flash she saw that something had moved on top of her.
To Shiho's surprise, that something was Yzak! "You're awake!" Shiho exclaimed at the same time sounding rather confused. "I wasn't but I was wakened up by you." Yzak replied looking into Shiho's eyes. "By me? I didn't do anything." Shiho shot back trying to switch her position with Yzak but he didn't allow that. "You sure you didn't? I heard what you say and I know what you did to me when I was asleep." Yzak revealed, leaning closer towards Shiho. With that, Shiho blush different shades of red.
"You don't have to be embarrassed about that Shiho." Yzak said trying hard not to laugh. "But I …" Shiho's speech came to a stop when Yzak lowered his face to the crook of Shiho's neck and gently nip on that particular sensitive spot of Shiho's. "Y-Yzak…" Shiho moaned as she wrapped her arms around Yzak's neck, pulling him closer towards her.
Taking that as an encouragement, Yzak went further on with Shiho.
- Somewhere near Yzak's apartment -
In the dark, shadows of two dark and lanky person could be seen laying low on the grass verge. It seems that the two strangers were somehow doing some spying. "It's useless to spy on that Hahnenfuss now. She's not in motion, she's getting intimidate with Joule over there." One of them said feeling and sounding frustrated. "What's the use getting upset about this? Commander wants us to spy on those two especially that Shiho Hahnenfuss. So there's nothing we can do now at this moment but to follow orders." Another replied.
"I guess you're right." The one who sounded frustrated earlier on replied.
-End of Chapter 20 -
Author's note: Hey there! Hope you guys have enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry for the late update because I'm caught up with many and countless of school assignments. Also, just in case you guys didn't get the point of the chapter. Let me explain. Yzak noticed that Miranda's story and looks were rather similar to Shiho's and her sister, Thatra. So what could it mean? Ha-ha, you guys figure it out yourselves… and also, two unknown character was sent to spy on both Yzak and especially Shiho. What could it be? And who's the commander of the two unknown characters? That's all I could say for the moment. Don't forget to review, okay? Thanks.
Till the next chapter/time!