86: The White Knight

by Shunya Toshiki

Athrun Lionheart, the renowned hero of the Federacy help brought down a corrupt Empire, now leads a squad of Knightmare units against the rouge drones known as the Legion. One day Athrun had found 5 strangers known as the 86 of the Republic, who spent most of their lives fighting against the Legion. How will fate treat our young hero?

5. Chapter 5: It's Too Late

I don't own the 86 series or elements from Code Geass, those belong to their creators. This is for fun, not profit.

Chapter 5: It's Too Late

December 9th, Stellar Year 2148

Seven days had passed since Ernst took in the five 86 from the Republic, it took some time but they were slowly adjusting to their new lifestyles.

Raiden was sleeping in his room before his alarm clock began to ring, he soon woke up and turned it off. Raiden soon sat up and yawned.

Raiden then walks in the hallway to head to a nearby bathroom. He received a job a few days working for a moving company as a packer and mover.

Raiden then stops at a certain door as he could hear loud noises from the otherside of it.

He passed by that room several times now, so this wasn't the first time he heard those noises but he didn't bother to see what was going on because it wasn't any of his business.

Now curious about it, Raiden slightly opened the door to peek inside and saw it was a home gym, and inside of it was Athrun doing some bench presses using some heavy weights.

"Lionheart…" Raiden said before he looked at the weights he was using which made him whistle. "Dang…He's stronger than he looks."

"47…48…49…50!" Athrun said before he stopped and placed the bar on the barbell stand.

Athrun took a moment to rest and breath before he sat up, he then picked up his towel and water bottle to wipe off some sweat and drank some water.

Athrun then heard clapping before he looked and saw it was coming from Raiden who was now in the home gym.

"Oh it's you, Raiden, right?" Athrun asked.

"Yeah. Have to say that was pretty impressive." Raiden said.

"You really think so, huh? I still feel like I could do better than that." Athrun said.

"Really?" Raiden said.

"So, is there any reason why you came in?" Athrun asked.

"No reason really. I just often hear some noises in here, so I've gotten a little curious. Was that wrong?" Raiden asked.

"Not really." Athrun said before he stood up and walked to the pull up bar before he jumped onto it and began doing his pull-ups.

Raiden took a moment to look at the equipment in the room.

"Have to say there's a lot of stuff in this room? Is this your private room or something?" Raiden asked before he picked up a nearby grip strengthener.

"Not really. I'm basically the only one who used this room." Athrun answered.

"You don't say? So you exercise like that everyday?" Raiden asked.

"Pretty much. I tend to train every chance I get. Because, a sound mind must always live in a sound body. That was a famous motto in my family." Athrun said, and Raiden raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Because Ernst doesn't seem like the muscle type." Raiden said before Athrun stops as he frowns and soon jumps down to the floor and turns to him.

"I meant my actual family." Athrun told him, and Raiden realized he must have hit a nerve there.

"Oh, right. Sorry about that." Raiden said and Athrun sighed.

"It's fine." Athrun said before he notices that Raiden was using the grip strengthener while looking at the equipment in the room. "If you want, you can use this room when I'm not here."

Raiden was surprised by that.

"Really?" He asked, and Athrun nodded.

"Like I said, I'm the only one who mostly uses the equipment here, so it doesn't bother me if someone else uses it." Athrun says before he leaves the room while Raiden watches him leave and soon chuckles.

"He really does act like her." He said to himself.

---

Athrun was now walking down the hallway while continuing to wipe off some sweat from his body.

He soon arrived in the kitchen and saw it was Anju in the room while cooking breakfast.

Anju then notices that Athrun was now in the kitchen.

"Oh good morning, Athrun." Anju greeted him.

"Morning." Athrun said before he notices that Teresa wasn't in the room. "So I guess you're going to cook breakfast this time?"

"Yes, Teresa said that we're missing a few things, so I wanted to get things ready until she comes back." Anju said.

"I see." Athrun said.

"Though strangely, she told me not to cook you anything." Anju said.

"Probably because she knows that today is where I have my personal breakfast." Athrun said before he walks to the fridge and brings out the box of eggs.

Then to Anju's confusion, he soon brings out a glass cup.

"And that would be?" Anju asked.

Instead of answering, Athrun cracks open and pours eight raw eggs into the cup, then to Anju's shock and slight disgust, Athrun drinks the cup of raw eggs in one go.

Anju couldn't help but place a hand over her mouth to keep herself from vomiting, she saw her fair share of odd eaters during her time in the 86 distract but nothing like that.

After Athrun was done drinking down the raw eggs, he noticed that Anju was looking at him before he offered his cup to her.

"You want to try it?" He asked, and Anju waved her hands.

"No! That's alright, thank you!" Anju politely declined.

Athrun was slightly confused by her behavior before he shrugged and rinsed out his cup and placed it on the risk rack.

"Anyway, I'm going to take a shower." Athrun said as he left the kitchen.

"He really is an odd one." Anju mutters to herself.

---

After taking a shower and changing into some dark clothes, Athrun was walking to the garage where he keeps his motorcycle to do some maintenance on it.

Athrun soon stops at the door and is about to open it, but stops as he notices that it is slightly open.

That's when Athrun could sense that someone was in the garage. Thinking it was an intruder, Athrun tightly clenches his hand to subdue them.

Athrun slowly opened the door and quietly entered the garage, but soon saw the intruder was Theo, who was standing beside Athrun's motorcycle while sketching on his book.

"Theo?" Athrun calls out, which surprises Theo before he turns to him.

"You?! What are you doing here?" Theo asked.

"In case you've forgotten, I live in this house too." Athrun said while giving him a narrow look.

"I mean what you're doing in this room?" Theo asked.

"Well, this room is called the garage and that's my motorcycle." Athrun told him.

Theo blinks before he turns to the motorcycle.

"Wait, this thing belongs to you?" Theo asked, and Athrun nodded.

"That's right. Any reason why you were drawing it?" Athrun asked, and Theo turned away from the Giad Alba.

"I just found it here last night, and I really like its appearance. Is that a problem?" Theo asked.

"No, but you really need to be more careful than that. I almost thought you were an intruder." Athrun told him.

"And what? Were you planning on subduing me?" Theo asked.

"That. And if you fought back, I would've broken your arms and legs." Athrun answered, and Theo huffed as he thought that was a joke.

"Oh, please like you could do that." Theo said in a mocking tone before Athrun narrows his eyes at him. "Wait…You're serious?"

"Pretty much. Anyway, I'm only here to work on my bike." Athrun said as he showed his tool box.

"Then do you want me to leave?" Theo asked.

"No, I don't mind if you're in here. You're free to stay here and draw if you want." Athrun told him.

"Good then." Theo said before he moved to the other side of the bike to continue to draw it. "And even if you told me to leave, I wouldn't bother listening to you, because you don't tell me what to do."

"That's fair." Athrun said.

Athrun then begins to work on the bike by first removing its muffler and then removing the wheels so he changes the tires.

Theo continues to draw the motorcycle but there were some moments he watched Athrun working on it. There were times he could even catch him smiling, and seeing him like that he reminded him of a certain someone from his past as he could him in Athrun's place before he turns to him.

"Is something wrong?" Athrun asked which snapped Theo out of his train of thought before he went back into drawing.

"It's nothing!" Theo stated.

Athrun blinked before he shrugged and went back into working on his bike.

"So, is there any reason why you're working on that thing?" Theo asked.

"Well, we're already in winter time, so I need to get it ready before the snow gets here." Athrun said.

"Then it's some sort of vehicle?" Theo asked.

"Pretty much." Athrun said before he checked the motorcycle's battery. "If you're curious about it, I can give you a ride on it. It can carry about two people."

"Thanks but no thanks." Theo denied, and Athrun shrugged.

"Fine, suit yourself." Athrun said before he was about to pick up his socket wrench but finds that he couldn't find it. "Oh great. Where did I put that socket wrench?"

As Athrun was looking for that said tool, Theo soon saw it on the floor as he was standing close to it, Theo sighed before he closed his sketchbook to pick it up and handed it to Athrun before he turned to him.

"Here." Theo said, and Athrun was slightly surprised by this before he accepted it.

"Thanks." Athrun said.

"I don't need your thanks!" Theo said as he leaves the garage, and Athrun chuckles as he watches him leave.

"I wonder if this is what having a little brother feels like." Athrun said before he went back to working on his motorcycle.

---

After finishing the maintenance on his motorcycle, Athrun went to the bathroom to wash off the grease and oil stains on his hands, arms, and face.

He then went to his room to pick up a portable chess board from his room, Athrun then moved to the living room, and that's when he spotted Kurena seated on the couch looking at a fashion magazine.

Athrun could tell she was deeply interested in the different pictures of clothes and outfits in the magazine.

"So you're interested in fashion?" Athrun asked, and Kurena flinches as she closes her magazine and glares at the Giad Alba.

"What are you doing here?!" Kurena asked.

"Well, I'm here to practice my game." Athrun said as he showed his portable chess board, he then moved to the table between two chairs. "Sorry to bother you. Don't mind me."

Athrun then sat down on a chair and set up his chess board and placed the black and white pieces to their respective spots. Athrun then begins moving the pieces starting with a white pawn and then a black pawn.

As Athrun was playing his self game, Kurena eyes on him while using her magazine to try to hide it but Athrun notices as he turns to the red-haired 86.

"Listen, if my presence bothers you then I'll just leave and go in my room." Athrun told her, and Kurena gritted her teeth before he stood up.

"Don't bother! I'll just go!" Kurena said before she left the room while closing the door loudly.

Athrun sighed to see that. He knew things will be difficult in this house, but dealing with that Kurena girl might be even more trouble.

"Honestly…this is why I told Ernst that I was fine moving out of here." Athrun mutters before he continues playing his chess game.

He then heard the door opening and saw it was Shin entering the room before they stare at each other and that's when Athrun notices that he was holding a book in his hand.

"Back from the library?" Athrun asked.

"Yeah." Shin said before he walked to the Federacy Alba.

Shin then looks at the board game that Athrun was self playing.

"What's that?" Shin asked, and Athrun looked at the chessboard before turning back to him.

"It's called chess. It's a type of game here." Athrun answered, and Shin hummed to hear that as he looked at the black and white pieces. "If you're curious about it, you're free to play a match with me."

"I don't know the rules." Shin said.

"I'll just teach them to you. If you're fine with that." Athrun told him.

Shin thought about it before he sat down on the other table.

"I guess one game wouldn't hurt." Shin said.

After Athrun had taught Shin the rules of chess the two of them were now having a match, and despite this being his first time playing Shin was about an equal match against Athrun as he managed to take a few of his pieces.

"Huh? I'm amazed that you're already this good despite this being your first time playing." Athrun said as he moved a pawn forward.

"It was pretty simple when you taught me the basics." Shin said before he used a knight to take a pawn.

"Simple, huh." Athrun said as he uses a bishop to take that knight.

"So was there any reason why you're playing this game?" Shin asked as he took a pawn.

"No reason really. I just wanted to keep my skills sharp." Athrun said as he took a piece. "Chess is a good way to review military strategy. So my father would often force me to play with him, but I found some enjoyment in this game."

"You don't say." Shin said as he took a piece.

"Yeah. In fact he was one of three people who always beat me in this game." Athrun said before he used a knight to take a pawn.

"Then who were the other two?" Shin asked as he moved a pawn forward.

"Well, surprisingly there's Ernst. The third one was someone I grew up with, he's ten years older so I saw him as an older brother." Athrun said as he moved a pawn forward.

"Is he an Alba?" Shin said as he moved a piece.

"No, he was a different color. But both of our fathers were good friends, so he tends to visit often." Athrun said before he took one of Shin's pieces.

"That's a bit surprising." Shin said as he took one of Athrun's pieces.

"Well, unlike how the Republic does things, we don't exactly discriminate colors here. No offense." Athrun said while thinking what his next move should be.

"None taken. But I do know what that's like. My father was friends with an Alba scientist." Shin said, and that caught Athrun's attention.

"Really?" Athrun asked before he moved a pawn forward.

"Yeah." Shin said before he moved a pawn forward as well. "He also had a daughter. We often played together growing up, but at some point she just stopped and didn't want anything to do with me anymore. Not long after that, the Legion attacked and my parents died in battle along with my brother."

"I see." Athrun said in sympathy. "Did you hate that girl and her family after what happened?"

"No, I don't." Shin said, and Athrun was surprised to hear that. "They were only looking out for themselves, so I can understand that. Besides, if I end up hating them, then I'll be no different than the rest of the Republic."

"You don't say." Athrun said as he moved his knight. "I guess I could understand that."

"How so?" Shin asked as he moved a rook.

"Well, back in the days of the Empire, we used to have a class system between nobles and commoners. And it just so happened that my family was high up in the noble class, in fact we were given a special position in the Empire." Athrun said as he moved a bishop.

"How special?" Shin asked as he moved a piece.

"Well, let's just say that my father had seen how you treated Frederica, he would've beheaded you and asked questions never." He told him.

"You don't say." Shin said, sounding unfazed by that.

Athrun then took a piece.

"But, I highly doubt it matters. Even if I was borned and raised here, it still doesn't change the fact that your friends hate me." Athrun said.

"Just give them some time. I'm sure it won't last long." Shin said.

"And you're sure how?" Athrun asked, and Shin just shrugged. Athrun sighed. "Fine. I'll just leave it at that. Oh, by the way…checkmate."

Athrun placed a piece close to Shin's king which was the final move he needed to win the game.

"Your strategies were pretty good, but you need to work on them." Athrun said before he gathered the pieces and closed his portable chess board and soon left the room.

"Guess I'll finish reading my book." Shin said as he picked up his book and read it.

---

December 18th, Stellar Year 2148

It was now one week away from the Holy Birth holiday, and during that time the citizens of the Federacy would often celebrate by throwing festivals as well as setting up some parades.

Athrun was walking beside his motorcycle as he pushed to the gate to head out for a ride, but then Athrun stopped as Theo also arrived at the gate as they turned to each other.

"Going out today?" Athrun asked, and Theo turned away from him.

"Yeah. What about it?" Theo asked.

Athrun then notices that he was holding his sketchbook in his hand and he probably figured that was going somewhere to sketch some landscapes.

"If you want…I can take you to a place I know. In fact it's one of my favorite spots." Athrun said.

"No thanks. I'm good." Theo said as he was about to leave.

"It would give you a chance to ride on this bike." Athrun told him, and Theo stopped before he turned to Athrun's bike.

Theo's eyebrow twitches as he is curious about it before he looks at Athrun.

"Do you really know how to drive that thing?" He asked, and Athrun smirks.

"Oh, please, I've been riding on this thing for years. Trust me, I know what I'm doing. But if you're still scared to do it, I'll understand." Athrun said.

Theo was offended to hear that and wasn't going to let that go.

"Fine. I'll do it." Theo said, and Athrun brings out a spare helmet to hand it to him.

"Alright, but I must warn you, this thing is pretty fast." Athrun told him, and Theo took the helmet out of his hand.

"Please! I can handle it." Theo said confidently.

"Guess we'll see." Athrun said.

---

Theo, now wearing a spare motorcycle helmet, was seated behind Athrun as they were both riding on the motorcycle together with Athrun driving at a fast speed as Theo had a nervous look on his face as he held tightly to the back of the vehicle.

"Can't you slow down a bit?!" Theo shouted, and Athrun laughed when he heard that.

"What happened when you said you can handle it?!" Athrun said before he sped up and Theo held onto the back tighter.

"Damn! And I thought you were bluffing about this thing being fast!" Theo said.

"Yeah! And it's easy to fall off as you're riding! Which is why I love these things!" Athrun said.

"Wait! What did you say about falling?!" Theo asked loudly.

Athrun didn't answer as he sped up and Theo held tighter to the bike.

---

Athrun along with his passenger soon arrived at his favorite spot as he finally stopped his bike while Theo had his eyes closed.

"Alright, we're here." Athrun said, and Theo sighed in relief.

"That's it…I'm not riding on anything with less than four wheels again…" Theo mutters as he takes off his helmet and steps off the bike.

Then the blonde-hair 86 saw that the spot was a park. There was a large lake in the middle with trees that were covered in some snow and Theo could see some ducks on the lake as they swam on it, and saw some snow on the ground.

Theo was amazed by such beautiful nature in this town before Athrun walked to his side as he took off his helmet.

"It's pretty, I know. Which is why I love coming here." He said.

"Is there some other reason for that?" Theo asked.

"Yeah." Athrun said.

Athrun then moves on the slope close to the lake before he lies down with his hands behind his head.

"I usually like to come here whenever I want to take a nap." Athrun said as he closed his eyes.

"What?" Theo said as he noticed that he had already fallen asleep.

Theo looks around before he sighed and walks down the slope and sits down a few feet away from Athrun.

Theo then begins to sketch the landscape in front of him, while he was doing his sketching he could often eye on Athrun a few times as he was sleeping.

"You've been giving me that look for a while." Athrun said and Theo flinches as he opens his eyes and looks at the blonde hair 86. "What is it? Do I have something on my face? Or is it possible that you swing that way?"

Theo blinks to hear that.

"Swing what way?" He asked.

"You know, when a man and another man get together and then they…" Athrun said and Theo's cheeks turned red before he shouted.

"HELL NO!"

"Hey, I'm not judging you or anything. But just so we're clear I'm only into women." Athrun said as he waved his hand.

"I said it's not like that!" Theo said.

"Denying it will only make you look more suspicious." Athrun stated.

"Hey! I'll have you know I peek at girls when they're bathing in a river!" Theo shouted.

Athrun blinks to hear that, and Theo flinches before he places a hand on his mouth as he looks around and thankfully no one was around to hear that.

Athrun couldn't help but chuckle.

"I was only messing with you. Though I didn't need to hear that last part." Athrun said, and Theo grits his teeth before he turns away. "Okay, I'm sorry for teasing you like that."

"I don't need your apology." Theo told him, and Athrun shrugged.

"Fine. Be that way." Athrun said.

There was silence between them before Theo spoke to him.

"You just remind me of my former CO." Theo said.

"Really?" Athrun asked.

"He was a wh-an Alba, in fact he used to be a Republican soldier but he chose to join us in the 86 district because he doesn't want to leave kids like us to fight by ourselves while he hides in the comfort of the other districts." Theo told him.

"He sounds like an honorable man to me." Athrun said.

"Yeah. But I honestly hated him." Theo said, and that caught Athrun's attention. "I always hated him because he was nothing more than an idealistic hypocrite. But despite that, he never abandoned us, he even gave his life so that me and the rest of my squad could get away."

"I see. And I remind you of him." Athrun said before Theo turned to him.

"Don't get me wrong, you have your differences but you do have your similarities. You're both idealistic but honorable." Theo said.

"Well, I don't exactly see myself as an idealist or honorable. I only see myself as someone who gets the job done." Athrun said, and Theo chuckles.

"Jeez, and just when I complimented you." Theo said.

"Oh, you call that a compliment." Athrun said before they both chuckled.

Athrun then brings out his phone to check the time.

"It's getting late. We should probably head back." Athrun said as he stood up.

"Fine." Theo said as he stood up as well.

They then walk to the motorcycle.

"Just don't drive too fast." Theo requested.

"No promises about that." Athrun said.

---

After Athrun and Theo return to the house, Athrun was walking in the hallway as he stretched out his arms before he stopped close to the kitchen and saw that Anju was once again in the kitchen.

Athrun then saw she was cooking some dessert before she took a taste test of one of them, and she smiled at the taste of it.

"It's just right." Anju said.

"Is that so?" Athrun asked before Anju saw that he was standing close to her which really surprised her.

"How long were you standing there?" Anju asked.

"I just got here." Athrun said before he looked at one of the desserts. "Mind if I have a taste?"

"Oh, that's fine. Feel free to have as much as you want." Anju told him.

"Thank you." Athrun said before he picked up a fork and took a bite of Anju's dishes and slowly chewed it.

"Well, what do you think?" Anju asked before Athrun swallowed the food in his mouth.

"It's alright, but it could be a little better." Athrun said, and Anju blinks to hear that.

"What do you mean?" Anju asked.

Athrun didn't answer before he walked to one of the cabinets and pulled out the cinnamon, he then added a pinch of it on top of the dessert he tasted.

"Try it." Athrun offered.

Anju was a bit skeptical at first before she used a fort to take a bite of the dessert he slightly modified, and her eyes widened on how different the taste was compared to before.

"Well?" Athrun asked.

"It tastes amazing…" Anju mutters. "I can't believe that small amount was able to change it so much."

"Glad to hear that. I'm not at Teresa's level, but I do know my way around the kitchen." Athrun said.

"Then can you taste test my dishes again? I would like to have your thoughts again." Anju said.

Athrun thought about it before he answered.

"I'll think about it." Athrun said before he left.

---

Athrun soon went to his room to change into his workout clothes, he then arrives at his private gym room as he opens the door and walks inside. That's when he spotted Raiden doing pull ups on the salmon ladder.

Raiden then saw that Athrun was walking towards him.

"Oh, hey, you're back." Raiden greeted him.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" Athrun asked.

"I've got off early today." Raiden said before he did his pull ups again.

"You're using the salmon ladder wrong." Athrun tells him as Raiden stops and turns to him.

"How so?" Raiden asked before he jumped down to the floor.

Athrun then jumps onto the bar.

"If you hadn't noticed, there are edges on the salmon ladder right on top of each other. The reason for that is that you need to bring yourself and the bar up to the top. Like this." Athrun said before he began to bring himself and the bar up the ladder, which surprised Raiden before Athrun brought himself to the top.

Athrun then jumps down with the bar in hand before he hands it to Raiden.

"Now you try." Athrun said.

Raiden accepts the bar before he sets on the bottom of the salmon ladder as he hangs onto it, he then attempts to bring himself and the bar up the ladder but ends up slipping and falling to the ground.

"Ow…" Raiden groans before he sits up and rubs the back of his head. "Damn…You made it look so easy. How did you do it?"

"Years of practice. Along with a bit of falling sometimes." Athrun answered as he shrugged.

Raiden chuckles to hear that.

"You don't say?" Raiden said before Athrun offered his hand to him to help him stand back up.

Raiden looks at Athrun's hand before he takes his hand as Athrun helps him stand back up.

"Just give yourself time. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it." Athrun told him.

"Yeah, easy for you to say." Raiden chuckles, and Athrun chuckles as well.

---

After finishing his long hours in the gym, Athrun was walking in the hallway while wiping off some sweat with a towel as he was heading to the bathroom to take a shower.

"Man…After working off all that sweat, nothing will beat a nice long shower." Athrun said.

But little did Athrun know a certain red-head was was already taking a shower before she finally turns off the water, then at the same time Athrun soon arrived at the door, at the same time the red-head grabs onto the sliding door of the shower room, then the both of them opens the two doors at the same time.

Athrun stops just when was about to walk inside as he sees a naked and wet Kurena had opened the door of the shower room as they both stare at each other.

Kurena's face slowly turns red before she screams and covers herself as she glares at the Giad Alba.

"Wh-What are you doing here?!" She exclaimed at him, and Athrun turned away from her.

"This is the bathroom where I usually take a shower." Athrun answered calmly.

"Oh don't give me that crap! You just wanted to take a look! You pervert!" Kurena shouted.

"Trust me, that wasn't my intent. But I'm sorry regardless. I didn't know you were in here, and if it means anything I hadn't seen much." Athrun said as he closed the door and left.

But even though he was now gone, Kurena was still enraged at him and she grew even angrier that Athrun still remained calm and composed despite the fact he saw her naked.

Kurena growls as she tightly clenches her hand.

"Damn that white pig…acting so high and mighty. Just you wait, I'm going to pay you back for this!" Kurena swore.

---

(Next day)

Athrun was in the living room reading his favorite book while enjoying some of Teresa's tea.

That's when Kurena had arrived while holding a hot cup of coffee in her hand, she then sinisterly smiles at Athrun before she pretends to slip and throws her cup at Athrun.

"Oops! My hand slipped!" Kurena said as her cup of hot coffee was flying towards Athrun.

Just when it was about to spill all over him, Athrun skillfully catches the cup without spilling a single drop of coffee. Seeing that surprise Kurena as she blinks.

"Huh?"

"You should be more careful than that. You shouldn't let good coffee go to waste." Athrun said before he drank the coffee.

Kurena glares at him.

'Lucky shot…Next time it will be different!' Kurena thought.

---

(Next day)

It was now early in the morning, Kurena was spying on Athrun's door before she looked down at the clear cooking oil on the floor in front of him which she applied herself.

Kurena was confident that the moment Athrun steps out of his room, he'll slip on the oil and fall to the floor.

She then saw Athrun's door opening as he yawned, she then smirks as he walks out of his room but he isn't slipping or falling on the floor as he walks into the hallway.

"What the…?" Kurena said as she ran out of her and close to Athrun's door before she accidentally slipped on the oil and fell to the floor. "Ow…"

Kurena sat up before she saw that Athrun was looking at her with a narrow look.

"You should probably clean up that oil before Teresa finds out about it." Athrun told her before he left.

Kurena grits her teeth.

"Third time's the charm!" Kurena thought.

---

(Later at night)

It was now midnight, and everyone in the house was sound asleep in their rooms.

Athrun was sleeping peacefully in his room, before his door opens and Kurena walks inside and close to his bedside.

Kurena evilly smiles at his sleeping face before she brings out black permanent marker to draw on his face with it.

"Let's see how you like this?" Kurena said quietly as she opened the marker and was about to draw on Athrun's face.

But just when she was a few inches away, Athrun suddenly grabbed onto her wrist stopping her, which surprised Kurena before Athrun spoke to her.

"I strongly suggest you don't do that. I was trained to defend myself while I slept." Kurena's eyebrow twitches. "You were lucky, if you were an intruder I would've broken that arm of yours."

Athrun then lets go of her arm.

"Now please go back to your room. I want to sleep in peace." Athrun told her.

Kurena once again growls at him.

"Don't think I'm giving up just yet." Kurena said before she left the room.

---

(Next day)

It was now morning, after changing into his workout clothes Athrun walks out of his room before he stops and looks for any traps or tricks that Kurena had set up for him but saw nothing.

Athrun shrugged.

"Guess she finally gave up." Athrun said before he headed to the gym room.

But that's when Kurena opens the door of her room and sees that he is nowhere in sight.

"Perfect." Kurena smirks before walking to Athrun's door and opens it to walk inside. "Now then, what little dirty secrets that I can find in here."

Kurena then begins searching for anything that she might use to embarrass Athrun, but so far she hadn't found anything but some plain looking clothes and the shield and swords hanging on the wall.

"Dammit…There has to be something in here." Kurena mutters before she notices the picture on Athrun's table.

Curious about it, Kurena picks it up and closely looks at it. She saw the Alba woman in the dress with a kind smile on her face. Kurena just narrows her eyes at the picture.

"Now who is this? His girlfriend?" Kurena said.

Kurena then heard the door opening, and saw that Athrun had returned and was now surprised to see her in his room.

"You? What are you doing in my room?" Athrun asked, and Kurena wasn't sure how to answer that before Athrun noticed that she was holding the picture in her hands. "What are you doing with that?"

"What, this? I just found it." Kurena said.

Athrun grits his teeth before he walks to Kurena and grabs onto the picture.

"Look, that doesn't belong to you, so you shouldn't touch it!" Athrun said as he was about to pull it out of her hands but Kurena refused to let go.

"And why shouldn't I? It's not like you can tell me what to do?" Kurena said.

"That is besides the point. You may be our guests here, but that doesn't give you the right to touch other people's possessions like that." Athrun says as he continues to pull on the picture but Kurena pulls on it as well.

"Oh really? You're starting to sound like those scumbags in the Republic now." Kurena said with a smirk.

"You're still going on about that! I said you were free to hate me, so just let it go!" Athrun said as he pulled on the picture.

"I refuse!" Kurena said as she pulled on the picture.

They continue their tug of war match with the picture until it eventually slips out of both of their hands as it falls to the floor and the glass of the frame shattered.

Athrun was now speechless to see that before he knelt down and picked up the picture frame, and thankfully the picture was still intact but Athrun's hand clenched tightly.

Kurena was confused as to why he was silent before she began to talk.

"What? Are you that upset over an old picture? Sorry, I was just trying to provoke I didn't mean-"

"Get out…" Athrun mutters.

"What did you say-?" Kurena said before Athrun glares at her.

"I said get out!" Athrun shouted, and Kurena flinched before she turned away from him.

"Fine. Be that way, you big baby." Kurena said as she left.

Athrun then looks at the picture as he gently rubs his hand on it.

---

(Later)

Shin, Raiden, Anju, Theo, Kurena, Frederica and Teresa had finished eating dinner together except for Athrun who was in his room.

Teresa had gathered the plates before she headed to the kitchen to wash them.

"Teresa's cooking is so good." Anju said. "But I wonder why Athrun didn't come to join us."

"Maybe he finally decided not to eat with livestock like us." Theo said, and Frederica was enraged by that as she stood up.

"No way! Athrun isn't like that!" Frederica said, and Theo was taken aback for a bit.

"I was only kidding." Theo said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Frederica huffs before she sits back down.

"Well, I went to his room to tell him that dinner is ready. But he said he wasn't hungry right now." Frederica told him.

"I wonder what could've happened." Raiden said.

Kurena had a conflicted look on her face which Shin noticed.

"Kurena, do you know something about it?" He asked, and Kurena flinched before he saw the others had turned to her as well.

Seeing that she wasn't going to get out of this, she then sighed.

"Maybe…Alright, I may have upset him in some way." Kurena said.

"Some way how?" Anju asked.

"Okay…I sneak into his room when he leaves. I was only trying to find something to embarrass him, that's when I found a picture of a woman and he just freaked out." Kurena said, and Frederica was surprised as she knew about that picture.

"Wait…it wouldn't happen to be a picture of an Alba wearing a dress?" She asks and Kurena turns to her.

"Yeah. Do you know her? Was that his girlfriend or something?" Kurena asked, and Frederica shook her head.

"No! That wasn't his girlfriend. That was Athrun's mother." Frederica told her and the others were surprised by that even Kurena.

"His mother?" Anju asked, Frederica nodded.

"Yes. Athrun doesn't like to talk about it, but his mother died when he was very young, so he doesn't remember her all that well. So that picture is the only memento he has of her." Frederica told them.

Kurena was shocked by this before she saw her friends looking at her.

"Kurena…" Anju said as she reached out to her.

But then, Kurena quickly stood up and ran out of the room as they watched her leave in concern.

---

Kurena was now in her room as she was seated on the floor while hugging her legs with her face on them.

Kurena then remembers her time in the 86 district's concentration camp, and how Republican soldiers had killed her parents by shooting them like cans for their twisted sense of entertainment.

Then remembers that time that Athrun had saved her and her friends, it was still blurry at best, but she remembers how Athrun in his Lancelot had saved her and she remembers that time that Athrun spoke to her.

She wasn't able to see his face, so she mistook him for Shin and thought he must have saved them somehow. The idea of an Alba saving her like that, worse mistaking him for Shin, was something that didn't sit well with Kurena.

But she may have taken things too far by her failed pranks against Athrun and how she did the same thing to Athrun on how those Republican soldiers had killed her parents and forced her sister to fight and die in battle.

She then heard someone knocking on her door before they called out to her.

"Kurena." Shin calls out, and she flinches. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Kurena was silent for a while before she answered.

"Shin…Did I cross a line with him?" She asked.

"Maybe. But look, I understand how you feel. But you need to sort out your feelings with Athrun. Don't forget, we're the guests here." Shin said before she could hear him leave.

Kurena thought about it before she sighed.

"Honestly…Why does it have to be me?"

---

(Days later)

After sorting out her feelings, Kurena left the house to go shopping. She was holding a certain item in her hand that was in a paper bag.

Kurena was seated on a table in a cafe. She then sighed.

"Now, how am I going to give this to him?" Kurena said before a waitress walked to her table.

"Excuse me? Would you like to order something?" She asks and Kurena turns to her.

"I'll just have a coffee./I'll have my usual." Kurena and a familiar voice said at the same time.

They both turned at each other and Kurena saw it was Athrun wearing his disguise.

After that they decided to sit together even if Kurena had an annoyed look on her face as Athrun ignored it.

Athrun's usually waitress, Sophia, notices the look on Kurena's face.

"Ummm…Alex, if you don't mind that I ask, just what is your relationship with this girl?" She asked.

"Oh, well…She's my sister in a sense." Athrun told her, surprising both Sophia and Kurena.

"Your sister?" Sophia said in confusion as Kurena stood up.

"Like hell I am!" She shouted, causing Sophia to flinch.

"Hey, you shouldn't shout at my friends like that. Also, can you please keep it down while we're in public." Athrun told her, and Kurena then noticed that some people were staring at them.

Kurena clicks her tongue as she sits back down and leans on her arm and hand.

"I'm sorry about her. It's just that both of our parents just remarried, and she's still adjusting to this new living situation." Athrun stated.

"Oh, I see. That makes sense, especially since you don't look alike." Sophia said. "Anyway, you said, you wanted the usual, right?"

"Yes." Athrun nodded.

Sophia then turns to Kurena.

"And it's coffee for you, right?" Sophia asked, and Kurena nodded. "Okay, I'll get your orders then."

Sophia then walks back inside to get their orders.

"You couldn't come up with something else?" Kurena asked in some annoyance.

"Sorry. It's the best I could do with that attitude of yours." Athrun said, and Kurena clicks her tongue in annoyance. "Also, I strongly suggest you call me Alex when I'm wearing this disguise."

"Why? Are you some sort of celebrity here or something?" She asked.

"I guess you could say that." Athrun said.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me what your problem is." Kurena said.

"I suppose that's true." Athrun said. "So...Are you enjoying the city so far?"

"Why do you want to know?" Kurena asked.

"It may be on paper, but I'm still technically your brother, so I wanted to at least check up on you five." Athrun told her and Kurena huffed as she turned away from him.

"Well, like you said it's on paper. So, it's not your business." Kurena told him and Athrun sighed.

"Fine be that way." Athrun said as he drank his coffee.

"But…" Kurena said as Athrun looked at her. "I guess it's not bad here."

Athrun smirks to hear that before Sophia returns with their orders in hand.

"Here's your orders!" She said as she placed Athrun and Kurena's orders on their tables before she left.

Kurena then begins to drink her coffee before she sees that Athrun was slowly enjoying his cream puff with a smile on his face, seeing that she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Is something wrong?" Athrun asked.

"Oh, nothing. It's just that you look like a little kid when you eat like that." Kurena said.

"Glad that I amuse you so much." Athrun said before he drank some of his coffee and took a bite of his cream puff.

Kurena drinks her coffee again before Athrun spoke to her.

"Look…" Kurena stops as she looks at him. "About that night…I'm sorry for yelling at you like that. I've gone too far there. I sometimes have trouble controlling my emotions."

Kurena narrows her eyes.

"I don't need your apology. Thank you." Kurena said, and Athrun sighed once again.

"And here I was trying to be nice…" He mutters as he eats his cream puff and drinks his coffee.

Kurena then rubs the item in her bag.

---

After finishing his snack and coffee, Athrun left the coffee as heads somewhere but for some strange reason, Kurena was following him.

Athrun then stops and turns to her as she stops as well.

"Is there any reason why you're following me?" He asked, and Kurena huffs as she turns away from him.

"And who said I was following you? It's just my favorite shop this way too." Kurena stated, but Athrun wasn't convinced by that before he sighed.

"Fine, whatever." Athrun said before they walked forward together.

"Take that, Alba scum!"

They stopped as they heard the sound of throwing rocks and a child crying.

They looked and saw a group of colored children throwing rocks at an Alba child as he was kneeling on the ground with his hands on his head as the rocks hit his back.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to show us that Alba superiority?" One spoke.

"Why don't you go to the Republic! I bet you'll love it there!"

The Alba boy was crying as the other kids continued to throw rocks at them.

Kurena frowns to hear that, she may not have much love for Alba, but she wouldn't go this far against a child. She was about to step in and stop this, but Athrun was the first one to step in before he stood in front of the colored children to protect the Alba child as they stopped throwing their rocks.

"That's enough. You're taking things too far." Athrun told them.

"And why's that? We're just showing this guy what happens when he looks down on us." One of them said

"B-But I wasn't…" The Alba boy said.

"Shut up!" He said before he throws a rock at him, but Athrun catches it in his hand.

"I just said that's enough." Athrun said as he dropped the rock.

"Why are you defending him? You should be on our sides. He's just as bad as those scumbags in the Republic."

"Yeah. Our parents told us how they're using the 86 as weapons. We wanted to teach them a lesson." A girl said, and Kurena's eyes flinched to hear that.

"Plus, he happens to be a son of a noble. Which makes him twice as bad. Just like the rest of his kind." A boy said.

Athrun raised an eyebrow to hear that.

"Oh really?" Athrun said before he took off his wig showing his silver hair. "Then what about me?"

Athrun took off his glasses showing his face to the kids, and they were surprised to see it as they took a step back, and the Alba boy turned to him as he was surprised to see his face as well.

"I-It's Athrun Lionheart!"

"The Hero of the Federacy!"

"The Hero?" Kurena said in confusion.

"W-What are you doing here? I thought you were still fighting on the western front?" One of them asked.

"Decided to take some time off to enjoy the Holy Birth festival. In fact, I was on my way to meet with some friends of mine, until I saw what was happening here." Athrun said before he asked them a question. "So, are you going to throw rocks at me too?"

"What? We can't do that to you."

"Yeah. You're our country's hero."

"But you just said that my kind is just like the scum of the Republic." Athrun reminded them, and they flinched.

"B-But you're different…"

"And how am I different?" Athrun asked which made him stop. "Because I help bring down a corrupt empire? Or how I brought an evil empress to justice? Or that I continue to fight and defend our country from the Legion? It doesn't matter what my actions are, it still doesn't change the fact that I'm an Alba by blood, so you're also pinning the same blame on me."

The boy lowered his head before Athrun knelt down to him.

"And you shouldn't forget one important detail. Aren't you doing the same thing the Republic is doing to the 86?" Athrun asked.

The boy flinches before he turns and runs away, and his friends soon follow him.

Athrun sighed before he stood up and turned to the boy.

"Are you alright?" He asked, and the Alba boy nodded. "That's good to hear. Do you live around here?"

The boy nodded before Athrun offered his hand to him.

"Then how about we get you to your parents?" Athrun offered, and the boy slowly accepted his hand.

Then Athrun along with Kurena had brought the boy to his home where his mother was hugging him and checking to make sure he wasn't injured.

Seeing them like that, Kurena didn't know how to feel about this before she saw Athrun putting his wig and sunglasses back on.

"And now you see why I wear the disguise. It's pretty hard to enjoy some peace and quiet since everyone here knows who I am." Athrun said as he adjusted his sunglasses.

After that, Athrun soon moved to a different location in the city as he was leaning on a pole, but Kurena was still with him. Athrun then turns to her.

"Weren't you going to go to your favorite store?" He asked, and Kurena turned away from him.

"I just don't feel like it right now." She said, and Athrun just shook his head.

Kurena then tightly held her paper bag, and was about to speak out to Athrun, but…

"Hey, commander!" Someone calls out to him, and Kurena stops before she and Athrun look and see a group of men approaching them.

One of them was Conner as he waved at him.

One was a 19-year-old young man with short brown hair with green eyes. This is Ethan Redfield, K-2 and the Knightmare Squad's second-in-command.

The other was also 19 with spiky black hair and gray eyes. This is Yuuya Armstrong, K-15 the Squad's heavy artillery and demolition expert.

One was 22-years-old with messy brown hair and black eyes. This is Lucas Kennedy.

"Sorry that we made you wait?" Conner said as he raised his hand.

"Actually, I've just gotten here." Athrun said before he high fives with the sniper.

"You don't have to sugar coat it, sir. The reason we were late is because Conner was hitting on some girls." Ethan said, and Conner flinches to hear as he turns to him.

"Hey! You promise that you'll keep that a secret!" Conner exclaimed at him.

"I don't know what you mean by that." Ethan said as he acted innocent.

"Wh you…!" Conner growls at him.

"Now, now, you two. Can we not do this in public." Yuuya said to reason with them.

"Honestly, I sometimes wonder how we survived for so long." Lucas said before he chuckles, and Athrun chuckles as well.

That's when the members of his squad noticed that Kurena was looking at them.

"Wait, isn't that girl…?" Yuuya said.

"Commander, why is she here?" Conner asked.

"I don't know. For some reason she just keeps on following me no matter what I do." Athrun said.

"Only because I don't listen to what you say." Kurena said.

"Dang…She certainly doesn't know how to hold back." Conner said.

"Agreed." Yuuya nodded in agreement.

Ethan then whispers to Athrun.

"Sir, not to question your judgment, but are you sure it's wise to let her follow you like this? Especially since where we're heading?"

"Trust me, I know this is a bad idea, but she won't listen to me." Athrun said.

"Yeah, suppose that's understandable." Ethan said, and Kurena was curious why they weren't comfortable about her being here.

Athrun then turns to Lucas.

"Lucas, if you want, we can make a change of plans if you're not comfortable about this." Athrun said.

"Well, I…" Lucas said as he looked at Kurena before he turned back to Athrun. "No, it's alright. I mean it's pretty much a tradition with us, why change it now?"

They were surprised to hear that.

"Are you really sure man?" Conner asked, and Lucas nodded.

"Yeah, it will be fine. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?" He asked.

While still a little worried about it, they nodded to each other before they begin walking to a certain special spot for them, and Kurena follows them.

They soon arrived at that said spot, and it was a type of restaurant. Kurena looked at its signs and saw the name on it.

'Lyla's Pizza Joint'.

"Pizza?" Kurena said in confusion.

Then Athrun and his teammates entered the restaurant and Kreuna followed them.

"Hey, Lyla, we're here!" Lucas calls out.

Then someone walks out of the kitchen to greet them.

"Long time no see, boys."

It was an Alba woman in her 20s, she had long hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing white shirt with a long brown skirt with black stockings and shoes, along with a green apron with a piece of cloth tied on her head. This is Lyla Rinz, the owner of this restaurant.

Kurena narrows to see another Alba here.

Lucas walks to Lyla before he holds her shoulders and kisses her. Seeing that surprised Kurena.

"Honestly, you couldn't wait after you ate?" Lyla asked with a smile.

"Well, what can I say? I just love kissing you." Lucas said as he smiled back at her.

That's when Lucas and Lyla noticed that the members of the Knightmare Squad were smiling and chuckling at them, and both him and Lyla blushed.

"Oh, come on! Do you really have to laugh like that?" Lucas grumbles as he rubs the back of his head.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just amusing to see you two acting all lovey-dovey." Conner said.

"Glad that I amuse you like that…" Lucas mutters.

Lyla chuckles before she notices Kurena who was looking at her.

"Oh, who's this girl? Is she a new member of your team?" Lyla asked, and the members of the Knightmare Squad were a little nervous right now before Athrun answered that question.

"No, she's not a new member."

Lyla blinks in confusion before Lucas grabs onto her shoulder and whispers to her.

"She's one of the kids that I told you about." Lyla's eyes widened to hear that.

"Wait…You mean she's…" Lyla mutters and Lucas nods before she nervously turns to Kurena.

"What?" Kurena said, and Lyla flinched as she turned away from her.

Seeing these two like that, it made Athrun and his teammates a little concerned right now.

"I told you that this was a terrible idea, sir." Ethan whispers to Athrun.

"I know. I'll handle it." Athrun whispers.

Athrun then walks in front of Kurena to cover for Lyla.

"Listen, if you're uncomfortable being here then I strongly suggest you leave." Athrun told her. Kurena looked at him and the members of his team were a little worried right now.

"Commander! That's going a little too far." Conner said.

"Yeah. You're not exactly making the best impression on her." Yuuya said in agreement.

"Have I ever made that impression on anyone?" Athrun asked.

"Well…I suppose that's true. But still…" Yuuya said.

"That's really rich. It figures that you would protect her." Kurena said.

"And do you mean by that?" Athrun asked, and Kurena huffs as she turns away from him.

"Nothing." Kurena said.

Athrun sighed before he turned to Lyla.

"I'm sorry, Lyla. If you want, I can take her back to my home if you're uncomfortable about this." Athrun said.

"I…Uhhh…" Lyla said before she looks at Kurena who continues to look away from her and Athrun. Lyla then shook her head. "No, it's alright."

Hearing that surprised the members of the Knightmare Squad and even Kurena as they turned to her.

"Are you sure?" Athrun asked.

"Yes. Just as long she's fine with me being here." Lyla said, and Kurena was surprised by that before Athrun turned to her.

"Well? What's it going to be?" Athrun asked.

Kurena narrows her eyes before she turns to Lyla and she could tell that she's still nervous about this before she turns away from her.

"It doesn't matter to me." Kurena said, and Lyla was surprised by that before Lucas placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a comforting look on his face.

The Knightmare Squad soon took a seat on a table together while Kurena was seated on a different table away from them. Lyla was in the kitchen to cook them their meal.

Since the window blinds were now closed, Athrun sighed as he took off his wig and scratched his head.

"Man, I swear…It's sometimes itchy under that wig." Athrun said before he took off his sunglasses.

"Then maybe it's about time you should stop wearing the disguise?" Conner asked.

"No way." Athrun said.

"Why though? I mean it's such a waste. You have the looks and the popularity to win over all the girls." Conner stated.

"Conner, please. At least show some dignity to the commander." Ethan said.

"Yeah. Besides, the only reason you joined was to leach over his popularity." Yuuya said and Conner flinched.

"What?! That's not true!" Conner said.

"Somehow I doubt that." Athrun said, and Conner lowered his head in some shame before they began to chuckle.

Kurena was watching them as they talked, somehow seeing them smiling and laughing like that had reminded her of the time spent with her friends and teammates in the Spearhead Squadron.

Kurena clicks her tongue as she turns away from them.

Lyla then walks out of the kitchen while carrying a whole pizza in her hand.

"Okay, pizza's ready!" Lyla said and the Knightmare Squad smiles to hear that.

"Alright, it's about time!" Conner said as he cheered.

Lyla then placed the pizza on their table. It was a margherita pizza with tomato slices on top of the.

"Here you go. My famous Margherita Pizza with my homegrown tomatoes. Enjoy." Lyla said.

"Don't mind if we do." They said at the same time.

They each took a pizza slice and took a bite of it and slowly enjoyed it.

"Ah man…You truly are a genius Lyla. Your pizzas are awesome." Conner said.

"Agreed. Not to mention the fresh tomatoes add a nice touch to it." Ethan said in agreement.

"Yeah. You're almost too good for Lucas here." Yuuya said as he looked at him.

"Hey! What does that mean?!" Lucas said as he was offended to hear that.

"Settle down you two. Let's not fight as we eat." Athrun told them.

"Anyway, there's plenty more so feel free to have as much as you want." Lyla said.

"We will!" Conner said as he took another pizza slice.

"Hey! Save some for the rest of us!" Lucas said.

Lyla chuckles to see them eat before she turns to her Kurena. The red-haired 86 was looking down at the pizza slice that was given to her but she hadn't touched it yet.

Lyla was worried to see that but she would understand that Kurena wouldn't eat it because it was made by her hands.

"Ummm…Listen…" Lyla said, and Kurena turned to her. "If you don't want to eat it, I'll understand. So…"

Kurena grits her teeth.

"You would just stop it." Kurena said, and Lyla blinks to hear that.

"Excuse me?" She asked before Kurena stood up and faced her.

"Stop looking at me like that! I don't want your pity!" Kurena exclaimed, and Lyla backed away in fear.

Athrun was about to stand up and intervene but Lucas beat him to it as he stood up and faced Kurena while protecting Lyla.

"Lucasa…" Lyla said, and Lucas narrowed his eyes at Kurena.

Kurena flinched before she sat down and lowered her head. Lucas then turns to his girlfriend.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine…" Lyla said before she moved close to the other members of the Knightmare Squad and Lucas sat back down on his seat.

They then begin talking with each other with Kurena looking at them, Athrun then looks at her before he looks at her pizza dish as a way to tell her to not let it go to waste.

Kurena slightly growls before she looks down at it before she sighed as she picks it up and took a bite out of it, and her eyes widened on how good it was before she saw that Athrun was giving her a smile and her cheeks turned red before she turns away and begins eating the pizza.

"So I guess you'll be returning to the western front soon?" Lyla asked, which Kurena heard as she turned back to them.

"Yeah, we are." Athrun said. "We've been away for too long. It's best that we get back into the fight."

"I see…" Lyla said before she turns to Lucas and calls out to him. "Umm…Lucas…"

Lucas turns to her.

"What is it?"

"Well…" Lyla tightly holds her apron. "I was wondering, if hypothetically, if I told you to stay with me…Would you?"

Lucas blinks to hear that.

"What are you saying?" Lucas asked, and Lyla blinked to hear that. "Lyla, I know you're worried about me whenever I'm out there, but we're still in the middle of a war. I can't just turn my back on it, especially my team here. You know they're like family to me. I can't abandon them."

Lyla lowered before she smiles and chuckles at them.

"Yeah, you're right. It was silly of me to ask. Anyway, I'm going to work on that next pizza now. I'll be right back." Lyla said.

Lucas blinks in confusion before he notices that his teammates were smiling at him.

"Hey, don't you guys start!" Lucas said.

"What? That we're family to you? Thanks, but I prefer women." Conner said.

"Yeah. If anything we'll be happy you'll be gone, at least that way we might get a woman to join our team." Yuuya said.

"Oh yeah! Good thinking there!" Conner said.

"Honestly, can't you two be more serious?" Ethan asked in annoyance.

Lucas just sat back down and ate his pizza slice.

Lyla was leaning on the counter of her kitchen as she had a conflicted look on her face, showing that she wasn't sure on what to do.

"Just what am I going to do?" Lyla mutters to herself.

Kurena then entered the kitchen to put her plate away.

"Honestly, how can they act like that with him?" Kurena said before she noticed that Lyla had a worried look on her face.

Normally she would ignore her because she was an Alba, but something told Kurena that she can't just ignore this.

Kurena sighed before she walked to Lyla.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asks, and Lyla turns to her.

"Oh! Nothing." Lyla said before she saw the dirty plate in her hand. "You don't have to take it in here. It's fine to leave it on the table. But, here let me take that."

Lyla was about to take the plate out of her hand, but Kurena pulled it back.

"No way. Not until me what's wrong." Kurena said.

"There's nothing wrong." Lyla told her.

"Really? Because it doesn't look that way with me. Are you cheating on that guy or something?" Kurena asked.

"No, of course not!" Lyla shouted before she covered her mouth, thankfully no one had heard her.

"Looks like I was right that there was something going on. But why are you being secretive about it?" Kurena asked.

Lyla could tell that she wasn't going to let this go before she looked a little nervous while a bit reluctant.

"Alright…But, you have to promise me that you'll keep it a secret." Lyla requested.

"And why should I do that?" Kurena asked.

"Just please…" Lyla pleaded, and Kurena thought about it before she sighed.

"Alright, fine, I promise." Kurena said before she put the plate down. "Now, what's going on?"

Instead of answering, Lyla grabs hold of Kurena's wrist, she blinks in confusion before the Giad Alba places her hand on her own womb. Kurena was confused for a second before her eyes widened in realization as she looked up at Lyla's face.

"Wait…You're…" Kurena said, and Lyla nodded.

"I found out a few days ago…" Lyla said before she let go of her hand.

"Is it his?" Kurena asked, and Lyla nodded once again.

"He doesn't know about it though." Lyla said.

"Then why are you keeping it a secret?" Kurena asked, and Lyla lowered her head.

"How could I? I mean look at him?" Lyla said before she and Kurena turned to the door where they could hear the Knightmare Squad's laughter and talk. "It's barely been a year since he joined the Knightmare Squad, but he's already an irreplaceable member to them. They all depend on him, even Giad's Hero depends on him too. How can I take that away from him?"

Kurena narrows her eyes at her before she says.

"Now that's just stupid." Lyla looks up at her.

"What?" She asked.

"Tell me, do you really love that Lucas guy?" Kurena asked.

"How could you ask that? Of course I love him. I love him with all my heart." Lyla said.

"Then you shouldn't keep secrets from him. Besides, they just said they'll be returning to the battlefield soon, so who knows if he'll die out there. Do you really want him to die not knowing about it?" Kurena asked.

Lyla was conflicted by this but she knows that Kurena was right, and Lucas was going to be the father, he has a right to know about it.

"Then I was like…" Conner said before he stops and notices that Lyla had arrived with her head lowered and Kurena was standing next to her. "Oh, boy…"

The others turned to them as well before Lucas stood up and walked to Lyla.

"Lyla are you alright? Did something happen?" Lucas said as he grabbed onto her shoulders.

"Lucas…can we talk? There's something I need to tell you." She told him.

"Oh, sure…" Lucas said as she hadn't seen her this serious before.

"We'll give you some privacy then." Athrun said as he and the rest of his team were about to stand up and leave.

"No, that's alright." Lyla told them. "I don't mind if you listen in."

They blink a few times before Athrun nodded.

"Alright, if you're sure." Athrun said.

After putting the dishes away in the kitchen sink, both Lucas and Lyla were seated on a table together with the Knightmare Squad and Kurena watching them.

That's when she told Lucas that she was now pregnant with his child. Lucas was shocked by this, and his commander and teammates were surprised as well.

"A-Are you serious?" Lucas asked, and Lyla nodded. "Th-Then why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to…I wanted to tell you so badly…But…" Lyla said, and Lucas then remembers the answer to her question from earlier.

Lucas placed a hand on his head in shame to remember that.

"I'm so sorry, Lucas. I know this wasn't a good time to tell you…But…I…" Lyla said before Lucas stood up, and Lyla flinched as she was worried that he might yell at her but surprisingly Lucas hugged her.

"No, I'm sorry. I should've realized sooner." Lucas said as he begins to tear up, and Lyla tears up as well before she hugs him back.

"Dang…I really have no words for this." Conner said.

"You and I both." Yuuya said in agreement.

After they wipe away their tears, Lucas turns to Athrun.

"Commander, what should I do?" Lucas asked. Athrun thought about it before he gave his answer.

"I can't answer that for you. Only you can decide for yourself." Lucas lowered his head. "But, just know that I can respect whatever your decision is."

Lucas' eyes widened before he looked at his commander.

"Remember, it's never cowardness to put your loved ones first." Athrun said with an encouraging smile.

Lucas thought about it before he turned to Lyla.

"Lyla, I'm sorry. I can't leave the military yet." Lucas said, and Lyla lowered her head in sadness before Lucas grabbed hold of her shoulders and she raised her head at him. "But I promise you, I'll come back to you as soon as I can, you and our child. So just please, wait for me."

Lyla tears up before she nods.

"Oh, Lucas…of course I will!" Lyla said.

The Knightmare Squad and even Kurena smiles at them.

Now they are now outside of the restaurant as Lyla turns the sign to close.

"You're closing up early today?" Athrun said while wearing his disguise.

"Yeah. Afraid I'll have to keep the restaurant closed for a few months because I'll mostly spend my time in the hospital." Lyla said as she placed a hand on her stomach.

"Yeah, sorry about that." Athrun said.

"It's alright." Lyla said. "But Athrun, everyone, I do have a request to make. Please look after Lucas."

The Knightmare Squad smiles before Conner places an arm on Lucas' shoulders.

"Don't worry, we'll be sure to keep him safe. It would ruin our reputation if we let a pretty lady like you cry." Conner said.

"Hey, you shouldn't joke like that!" Lucas said, which made the other chuckle.

Lyla then turns to Kurena.

"Thank you…Oh, I still don't know what your name is." Lyla said.

Kurena huffed.

"It's Kurena. And I don't need your thanks." Kurena said before she walked away.

"Honestly that girl." Athrun said before he turned to Lyla. "I'm sorry about her. I'll be sure to set her straight when we're back home."

"Thanks, Athrun, but it's alright. I'm still grateful that she helped me sort out of my feelings." Lyla said.

"Well, be sure to take care of yourself. Along with that baby of yours." Athrun said before he followed Kurena while saying goodbye to his teammates and friend.

---

Both Athrun and Kurena were walking home together, there was silence between them before Athrun spoke first.

"You know, I'm a bit surprised that you were willing to help Lyla." Kurena turns away from him.

"Well…I just felt like it, okay?" Kurena said, and Athrun shrugged.

Kurena tightly holds her paper bag before she stops to hand it to Athrun.

"Here! It's your Holy Birth gift." She told him.

Athrun blinked before he accepted the paper bag and took out the item that was inside of it, and it was a new picture frame. Athrun was surprised by this before he looked at Kurena.

"Frederica told me who that woman was. So, I'm sorry, I didn't know that was your mom." Kurena said.

Athrun put the picture frame back in the bag.

"Thank you. I'll be sure to repay you for this." Athrun said, and Kurena turned away from him.

"Well, don't think this changes anything between us." Kurena said.

"Because you hate me?" Athrun said.

"Yeah, I do. The people here might see you as some sort of hero, but honestly you're nothing but a white pig to me." Kurena said.

Athrun was surprised to hear and Kurena was expecting he'll say something witty at her, but to her shock he just laughs.

"Hahaha! A white pig? That's how you see me?" Athrun asked.

"Y-Yeah. Got a problem with it?" Kurena asked and Athrun shook his head.

"No, I found it really refreshing actually. In fact, I wish everyone in this place just hated me." Athrun told her and Kurena was surprised to hear that.

"What? Even though they love and see you as some big shot war hero?" Kurena asked and Athrun nodded.

"Yeah. And between you and me, I wish they would stop seeing me like that." Athrun said.

"Why though?" Kurena thought.

Athrun thought about it before he took a few steps forward.

"Well, there's a bit of a history to it, but I'll keep it short." Athrun said before he looked up at the sky.

"You see, back in the days of the Empire, the Lionheart Clan, my family was quite well known here. The Lionhearts had a long service record in both the Imperial Guard and in the military. We were so well known that we were considered the guardians of the royal family and to the Empire."

"Alfred Lionheart, the head of our Clan, was the current leader of the Imperial Guard. And he was my own father."

"Was?" Kurena said.

"During the civil war four years ago, I killed him with my own hands." Athrun said and Kurena was surprised by that.

"What? Why would you…" Kurena said, and Athrun sighed.

"Growing up as my Father's heir, he would often train me personally to be the next head of our family and to take his place as the leader of the Guard. The training was strict and tough, but he always did it with love and pride. After I turned 13, I became the youngest ever to be a member of the Imperial Guard. I was also loyal to the royal family, just like my Father was."

Athrun sighed.

"But I had a rebellious side growing up. Sometimes I would often sneak out of my house to explore more of the city. And that's when I met her, a girl named Cagalli. She was around my age and was a colored citizen in the residential district. Despite the difference in our social classes, the two of us would often play together while growing up."

"Then what happened to her?" Kurena asked.

Athrun frowns but answers that question.

"She died." Kurena was shocked to hear that. "During the civil war four years ago, it was discovered that her parents secretly had ties to the Federacy which was still a rebel force back then. So to make an example of them, Cagalli and her parents were to be executed for treason."

Kurena grits her teeth to hear that.

"Listen, you don't have to keep going if you don't want to." Kurena told him. Athrun sighed.

"No, it's fine. I already said that much, it's too late to stop now." Athrun said. "I tried to convince my father to stop the execution, but he refused to listen to me. Then when it was time, all I could was watch as Cagalli was killed right in front of me. All while I was trying to save her."

Kurena frowns in understanding as she knows that feeling well.

"Not long after that, Ernst contacted me to request my help." Athrun said.

"He did?" Kurena asked, and Athrun nodded.

"Despite how he appears, he used to be an imperial general in the army. But after he saw how corrupted the Empire truly was, he left to form the revolutionary army. They were at a standstill, until I told him some secrets known between the Lionheart Clan and the royal family. And after making a few deals with him, I joined up with him, even if it meant betraying my family and everything we stood for." Athrun said before he lowered his head. "That's when I set out and defeated the Imperial Guard, and all that was left between us and the Empire's defeat…was my father."

---

(Flashback)

A younger Athrun was inside of a white colored Gloucester as he was moving towards the last fortress where the last member of the royal family took shelter along with any loyalists still loyal to the Empire.

Athrun had managed to defeat the members of the Imperial Guard before he moved to the gate of the fortress but that's when Athrun saw that an enemy Knightmare was waiting for him as he stopped and looked at it.

The enemy Knightmare was also a Gloucester in the standard color and wielding a sword in its hands as it was pointed and placed on the ground, and there was a lion symbol on its cape.

Athrun narrows his eyes as he knows who was inside that Knightmare, his father, Alfred Lionheart the leader of the Imperial Guard.

"So, you're the one who defeated the Imperial Guard. Care to share your name?" Alfred asked inside of his Gloucester.

Athrun grits his teeth before he points his Knightmare's sword at him.

"I see. So your only answer is to fight. Very well, I will indulge you!" Alfred said as he assumed his stance with his sword.

Then in their Knightmares both father and son had a standoff before they charged at each other.

Both Lionhearts clash swords several times before they move to the side while facing each other. They then fired their Slash Harkens at each other as they collided and as they retracted back to their spots both Athrun and Alfred charged as they roared at each other.

They once again clash swords while dodging the others' attack.

'Dammit! I won't get anywhere like this!' Athrun thought as he and his father were in a bladed lock before they pushed each other.

Both Athrun and Alfred were panting in their cockpits.

'He's good. I'll give him that. It's been a while since anyone made me sweat like this.' Alfred thought. 'Guess I'll have to use it.'

Alfred then brought his Knightmare's sword close to his hip, and Athrun recognized that stance.

"So he's going to use that move." Athrun said before he had an idea, it was risky but it might be his only chance to beat.

Athrun and Alfred once again had a standoff before they charged at each other.

Both Lionhearts roared as they swung their swords, and Alfred's attack managed to knock Athrun's sword out his Knightmare's hand.

"And with that, victory is mine!" Alfred said as he stabbed his sword at Athrun.

"Now!" Athrun said as skillfully dodges a triple thrust from his shoulders and head.

Alfred's eyes widened in shock.

"He saw through my triple thrust!"

Then as Athrun's sword was falling towards him, he caught it in his Knightmare's hand.

'Now!' Athrun thought as he swung his sword at his father's cockpit and his sword flashes through the Knightmare's chest.

Alfred screams as parts and fragments of his Knightmare flew straight at him as Athrun's sword slash through it.

Not long after that, Alfred's Knightmare had fallen on the steps of the fortress, before he managed to crawl himself out of the cockpit as he fell to the ground.

Alfred slowly rolled on his back before he sat up but knelt an intense pain on his stomach. Alfred looked down and saw pieces of shrapnel both large and small had pierced into his stomach as he began to bleed out.

Then Alfred notices a shadow was now on top of him, he looks up and sees it was his son, Athrun, now out of his Knightmare and stands in front of his father.

Alfred was surprised that his own son was the pilot of that white Gloucester before he narrowed his eyes.

"So you sided with them?" Alfred said, and Athrun nodded.

"I have. I'm sorry Father, but I can't stand by and let our country suffer anymore." Athrun told him, and Alfred chuckled.

"I swear…You're just like your mother…You're both too stubborn and emotional for your own good." He mutters before he coughs out blood, and Athrun flinches to see that. "You shouldn't make that face. This was a battle, and this was the result of your victory."

"Father…A-At least let me take you to a doctor. I'll try to convince the others to take you as a prisoner of war." Athrun said, and Alfred once again chuckles.

"Don't bother…I'm losing too much blood. Even if you did that, I'm sure that I'll be executed along with the other loyalists." Alfred said as his breathing started to become heavy.

"Father, I…" Athrun tightly clenched his hand and lowered his head.

"But, you can at least honor my one request…" Alfred mutters, and Athrun raises his head to look at him. "At least…Give me a warrior's end…"

Athrun was surprised by that as Alfred continues to lose blood.

"If I'm going to die anyway, I'd rather die by the hands of another warrior. Especially by the hands of my own son. So please, at least honor that request from father to son…" Alfred requested.

Athrun bits his lip before he closes his eyes and opens them, he then pulls out a gun and slowly aims at him.

Alfred then saw something on his son's eyes before he lowered his head with a sad smile on his face.

"You shouldn't cry…" Alfred told his son as he was shedding tears. "I know this is hard for you…But this is the path you have chosen for yourself and you should continue to walk down on it. Never forget that."

Athrun grits his teeth as he slowly pulls the trigger on his gun and the sound of it firing is heard…

(End of flashback)

---

Kurena was surprised to hear all of that as Athrun's bangs covered his eyes.

"After that, Ernst along with his men managed to take the fortress and the Giadian Empire soon fell. Most high ranking nobles who tried to get away were killed or captured, some who were still loyal to the Empire or those who didn't agree with the terms of surrender were executed. And I wanted to be executed along with them." Athrun said, and Kurena was once again surprised by that.

"But, why would you…?" She said, and Athrun just smirks.

"It's simple. After losing all that I care about, I couldn't see the point of living anymore, so I just wanted to die." Athrun said before he sighed. "But, the general in all of his great wisdom had other plans for me."

---

(Flashback)

A young Athrun along with General Ernst was seen walking in a hallway.

"Honestly…Where are you even taking me? I told you that I wanted the death penalty." Athrun told him, but Ernst just smirks at him.

"Just wait. There's something you need to see." He told him.

Athrun just clicks his tongue in annoyance.

'Guess it doesn't matter. No matter what he shows me, I'll just take my own life once it's over.' Athrun thought to himself.

They soon arrived outside then to Athrun's surprise, he saw several groups of people outside waiting for them before one of them spotted Athrun and pointed his finger at him.

"It's him! Athrun Lionheart!" With that the other people turned then to his next surprise they quickly moved in front of the teenage boy.

"Oh wow! So you're really him! The Hero of the Revolution!" One of them said, and Athrun was confused by that.

"What? Hero?" Athrun said.

"I heard that you were still a teenager, but to think you helped bring down the Empire!"

"Is it really true that you defeated the Imperial Guard by yourself?!"

"I…Uhh…" Athrun mutters.

As they continued to bombard him with question after question, Athrun could see the looks of gratitude and admiration they were giving him, it was almost like they saw him as their savior.

(End of flashback)

---

"After that, they all call me the 'Hero' of the Revolution. The boy who helped change Giad for the better. But really...All I am is just a powerless kid who couldn't save the girl he loves, and a bastard who killed his own father." Athrun said.

"But you still kept on playing the hero of this nation." Kurena said.

"Well, after we had a moment to talk alone, Ernst said this to me. 'What this nation needs right now isn't just a leader to guide them, but a symbol to lean on. And right now, you're that very symbol'." Athrun said before he chuckles. "Cheesy, I know. Even though I was reluctant to do it, I became the Hero of the Federacy. The loyal lapdog of the government."

"Why didn't you reject it though? It can't be just because you had no choice." Kurena said, and Athrun turned to her.

"You're a sharp one. There was another reason why I accepted that role, but I can't share that with anyone." Athrun said, and Kurena gave him a narrow look.

"Fine. It's not like I care what your secrets are." She said.

"Well, just as long as you understand." Athrun said before he brings out a pocket watch with a lion symbol in front it before he opens it to check the time. "It's getting late. We should probably head back to the house."

Athrun then was about to move before he stopped as Kurena was looking at something that really caught her attention. Athrun looked and saw it was a parade with groups of Vánagandr walking forward.

Athrun then saw the look in her eyes, and it was a look of something he knows all too well.

---

(Later, at night)

Ernst, wearing a party hat, had returned to his house with presents for everyone, to his shock the 86 had told him their request to return to the battlefield.

"Why?" Ernst asked.

"Why?" Theo repeated.

"We're sorry for being suspicious at first. This is a good place. So we stayed here a little too long." Raiden said.

"We've had our rest. And want to keep going." Anju said.

"So we're going back." Kurena said.

"But why go back to the battlefield?" Ernst asked in worry.

"We said we wanted to from the start." Theo reminded him.

"Yes, but…"

"We were lucky, that's all. If we use that as an excuse to stay here, what can we do to those who died fighting until the end?" Shin said as he and his friends stood up one at a time and faced him. "We can't pretend to be at peace when we're not. Even if we're going to die either way, we can choose now. If we're going to die someday, we will fight till the end. That's the life we chose. Please don't take that from us."

"That's not true!" Ernst shook his head and tried to reason with them. "It's not! You made it here because you fought to the end! You have the right to enjoy your reward! That's what your comrades would want! It's not something to be ashamed of!"

"That's enough, Ernst." Frederica told him and Ernst turned to her. "They've finally escaped their cage of oppression. Now you're going to trap them in a cage of pity? You're not so stupid to miss that you'd be the same as the Republic."

Ernst narrowed his eyes before Athrun sighed and spoke to him as well.

"If I may say sir, she does have a point there." Athrun said in agreement and Ernst turned to him. "And I know I'm the last person who should say this, but they have a right to choose their own ways of living their lives. So we shouldn't interfere with that."

"Athrun is right. They're not young, ignorant children. If they want to go, let them go." Frederica said.

Raiden then placed his hands behind his neck and looked at Shin.

"And it wouldn't do to say you're going on ahead, only to have someone else go first." Raiden stated while Shin was silent.

Ernst sighed in resignation knowing he can't win this argument.

"All right. But on one condition." Ernst said before he took off his hat. "You need to go through the Special Officer's Training School and become officers. Otherwise, no. When you leave the service, officers have more opportunities than enlisted soldiers. I want you to have as many choices available to you as possible when this was is over."

"'When this war is over'?" Theo repeated.

"I never thought about that." Anju said.

"This war will end someday. If you want to fight until the end, you need to think about what'll happen when it's over." Ernst told them, and the five 86 sat back down.

"You should be able to accept that. I understand that you've got nothing but your pride to keep you together." Frederica said in understanding as Athrun looks at her in some sadness.

"Frederica…" She then turns back to the 86.

"But that's no way for a complete human being to live." She said before she jumped down from her chair and stood on her feet.

"It's blood and soil that makes a person who they are." Frederica then begins to walk in front of the 86. "If you have neither, and try to define yourself just by who you personally are, when you lose sight of that, you'll quickly fall apart. Never forget that."

"Who are you talking to, princess?" Shin asked, and Frederica soon spoke to them.

"I'm not a princess." Athrun and Ernst were about to speak out to stop her but it was too late. "My true name is Augusta Frederica Adel-Adler. The last Empress of the Empire of Giad, who ordered the Legion to invade the rest of the continent ten years ago."

The fireplace burns right behind her as the 86 stare at her, and Athrun was worried what they might do.

"I am one of those who took your families and your home from you. If there's anything you want to say to me, go ahead." Frederica offered.

There was now silence in the room before Raiden broke it as he placed his hands on his knees.

"I don't know if you're the last empress or whatever, but it was the Republic who took everything from us. We're not going to suddenly forget that now. Don't insult us." He said and the others smiled in agreement before he smiled and pointed his finger at Frederica. "Also, how old were you ten years ago?"

Athrun sighs in relief while Frederica flinches as she lowered her head.

"I'm sorry." She then tightly holds her skirt. "I admire your pride, so let me make a request of you 86. If you're going back to the battlefield, take me with you!"

Everyone in the room was surprised to hear that while Ernst sighed and placed a hand on his face.

"And help me and Athrun destroy my knight's ghost!" Frederica requested.

"Now hold on there!" Athrun shouted as he stood up. "Frederica, we just talk about that! I told you that there was no place for you on the battlefield!"

"Which is why I'm asking them this time and not you!" Frederica said before she sticks out her tongue at him, Athrun's eyebrow twitches before he sighed and placed a hand on his face.

"Why do I even bother?" He mutters to himself.

"Was he taken by the Legion?" Shin asked.

"Yes. The Legion who attacked you before you reached this country." Frederica answered.

"How do you know?" Shin asked.

"The power of the blood I inherited allows me to see glimpses of the present and past of those I meet." Frederica answered as her eyes glowed for a moment and soon stopped. "The wound your brother gave you hurt, didn't it? I'm sorry. I saw. But seeing is all I could do! Even with Athrun helping me, I can't save Kiriya alone! So please…help me! Like the brother you saved, and who saved you in turn…Save my knight!"

---

January 7th, Stellar Year 2149

Athrun, wearing his white military uniform, was in his room looking at the picture of his mother which was now in the new picture frame that Kurena had given him.

"Well, I'm off again, Mother." He told the picture before he brings out the old picture of himself, Kiriya, and Frederica.

This picture was taken on the day of Frederica's sixth birthday. Even though she was the empress during those times both Athrun and Kiriya would still often call her princess.

Athrun then turns to the top edge of the picture as there was a second picture underneath it, but then Athrun puts it away.

"Honestly…I still can't believe they agree to her request." Athrun mutters before he leaves his room.

---

Athrun soon arrived outside on the front of the house where the 86 and Frederica were waiting for him.

The 86 were wearing the standard Federacy military uniform while Shin, Raiden, Theo, and Anju were wearing pants, Kurena was wearing a skirt.

Frederica's uniform was different compared to theirs. Her outfit consists of a child-sized version of the Federacy's military uniform, substituting the steel-colored jacket for a beige one along with a beige flight cap emblazoned with the Giadian emblem.

"Athrun, hurry up!" Frederica said.

Ernst along with Teresa were standing outside of the house to wish them a safe trip.

"Have a good trip." Ernst said while Teresa bowed her head.

"We're off!" Frederica said as they soon headed out.

To Be Continued…

---

There you have it, hope you like it. Review to tell me what you think of the story.