Author's Note : Oy, oy. Didn't I tell you guys I wasn't done with this story? Lol. I know the last chapter made it sound so final, and I'm sorry, my mistake. Some of you are probably wondering, "How the hell are you supposed to fit Mwu, Murrue, and Natarle if it's always Lacus and Kira?" Lol. Trust me...I'm getting there.

Chapter 6

Realization

"Athrun, you idiot!" Cagalli yelled as she knocked him over the head with a pillow. "What if...what if they're doing something private and Lacus sees?! What the hell did you install a camera for?!"

"I didn't know that Kira and Fllay would get THAT involved, I thought it'd be nice if Kira and Lacus had another way of communicating."

"It's a nice thought, but couldn't you at least set the program to when they want the other to see something."

"In my head, Kira would turn it on and Lacus would come on explaining the program. That was how it was supposed to turn out!"

"Look on your monitor, is Tori active?"

Athrun began to sweat. He did not look back. "Yes." With that, Cagalli punched the wall and swore aloud.

----

Lacus stared at Haro as she happily sang with it. Laughing happily as Haro rolled over, it suddenly began flapping its wings over and over.

"TORI! TORI! TORI! SEE SOMETHING!" it started saying. Lacus stared blankly at it. Tori?

She noticed a new red button on the side of Haro, not having a label, curio sity got the best of her as she pressed it and a holographic screen popped up above Pink-chan. Frozen for the few moments, she turned away.

Whether she was simply disgusted, jealous, or sad...she held her tears in, she didn't even make a sound. She just turned back to Haro, ignoring the incoming live images, and pressed the red button again shutting Haro off.

Standing up, her eyes shadowed beneath her pink bangs, she picked up Haro and threw it vigorously into the box. She then picked up the box with all the Haro's inside which she had not turned on, sealed it, and threw it into her closet locking the door.

"Never again...never again will I fall in love," she said to herself as the quiet room became still and silent with only the sounds of Lacus muffling her screams and crying shoving her tears away.

----

It was the day! The day had come! Kira rushed into Athrun's van as he threw his luggage into the back and plopped into his back seat as usual.

"Hey, could you pass by Fllay's house for a bit, Athrun? I didn't get to say bye to her," Kira said combing his hair. Athrun sighed, if he couldn't change his mind then no one could. Regretfully he turned around.

"Show me the way."

Kira's face brightened as he told him to turn where and they were there in a mere fifteen minutes. Kira opened the door and jumped out. "Keep the engine running, I'll be back in a sec!" Kira called out.

"What am I, your friend or your cab driver?" Athrun frowned as he watched Kira enter the house. Turning off the engine, he sat there in the driver's seat and closed his eyes. "I wonder...did Lacus see anything?"

----

"Ms. Fllay, Mr. Yamato is here for you," her maid's voice said as the happily skipping Fllay came into the room and rushed to give him a hug.

"Why do you have to leave today of all days?" she whined with crossed arms.

"I have to, this might be a big problem if I don't. It'll only be three weeks," he chuckled.

"B-But I should go too! How come that Lacus gets to and I don't?!" she glared.

"You don't work yet, sorry. Rules are rules, Fllay," he said as he embraced her closely.

"Just be safe and promise you won't fall for any other girls while you're there."

"Who're there to fall for when the only one for me is right here?" he said sweetly. Fllay stared at him. Was he being romantic?! Three honks were heard from outside as a yell from Athrun was heard.

"OY! Stop being romantic and get your butt in here! You're gonna be late!" he yelled seeming annoyed. Kira blinked.

"Coming!" he called still confused of why Athrun was being so hostile. Turning back to Fllay one last time, he took her lips in one last chaste kiss and turned around with a wave of goodbye heading out the door. The maids awed at her. Fllay turned around to them angrily as they each left one by one with the glare she was giving them.

"Stupid maids," she grumbled as she stared out the window watching Athrun's van leave. For some reason, she was sad that he was going. She huffed. "Why am I so sad?"

----

Running to the gate with his boarding pass in hand, he saw Lacus waiting for him alone. "Kira!!!" she called waving frantically. Arriving at her side, he handed the boarding pass and his passport to the person at the gate. The woman smiled at him and allowed them both inside as they closed the doors behind them. They both walked casually down the long hall as Kira noticed something missing with Lacus.

"Where's Pink-chan?" he looked around her but he found no pink ball bouncing around. Lacus gritted her teeth as she pushed the visuals that were prying their way into her mind.

"In my luggage, I didn't want it to be a bother to others on the plane," she lied shrugging as she hurried Kira inside. "Here we are," she clasped her hands together as they both took the middle seat, Kira to the left, Lacus to the right.

"F-First class?" he gulped as he put on his seatbelt.

"Yes, my dad wanted us to be comfortable. He was going to book business class, but I insisted that he not waste his money," she smiled as she closed her eyes to relax. Kira stared around and a thought came to mind.

"Lacus, where is your dad? And Fllay's dad?" he asked tapping her shoulder lightly.

"Oh, well, my father's up in business class and Fllay's father decided to stay behind to make sure the companies stay in control. Hopefully, nothing will go wrong. Besides..." she fluffed her pillow. "What would be the point of trying to steal a company that's being controlled by the most protected man in the universe?"

----

Sai straightened out his papers as he got out of his seat to confront the defendant on in his seat. Clearing his throat and staring intently at the man, he began.

"How much had you drank that night, Mr...?"

"Yonori. Kyle Yonori," the man said clearing his throat.

"Ah, yes. Mr. Yonori, well, where were you and how much did you drink?"

"Objection, the prosecution is only assuming that the man was drunk that night," the defense said as he sat up. The judge stared down at him.

"Overruled, Mr. Argyle, please be with the defense has said first."

"I'm sorry your honor," he nodded as he returned his intense eyes to the Kyle. "Let me restate, what were you doing at wherever you were at?"

"I was at a friend's house. It was his birthday."

"Let me guess, lucky 21?" Sai said pacing back and forth between the judge's post and the jury.

"Yes."

"Right, right. When's your birthday, Mr. Yonori?"

"August 12."

"Year, please."

"52."

(Btw, I'm going by the cosmic era, so make it like 2055 when Kira and the others were born.)

Sai laughed. "So that'd make you 23, if I'm not mistaken."

"Yes, what does that have to do with anything?"

"Wouldn't we like to know?" the defense muttered. The judge passed him a glare as he turned to Sai.

"Please make your point, Mr. Argyle."

"Yes, I'm sorry. Well, if the happening was three years ago, then that means it wasn't even legal for you to drink three years ago or so?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Did you drink?" Sai stated bluntly.

Forgetting his age, Kyle nodded almost immediately. A murmur broke out among the jury as the defense slapped their heads in stupidity. Kyle tried his best to recover as he spoke out spluttering phrases. "Ah, wait! I wasn't drinking alcohol if that's what you think. We drank soda, not those wrong kind of drinks."

"Oh? But according to the evidence of three years ago, when they had tested you the night of the incident, you were quite drunk. The police reports say you couldn't even read their fingers."

"Ah...well..."

"How about I make this easier for both of us? Did you or did you not see a boy walking down the street that night?"

"What boy?" he replied bluntly. "It was dark, how could I see anyone?"

"Weren't your headlights on? Weren't you sane enough to see a boy in bright blue walking down the street at a stop sign? Hmmm?" Sai said raising an eyebrow.

"Of course I did! He said I could go so I went! But he crossed, it wasn't my fault it was his!"

"The prosecution rests," Sai said as he turned around and sat comfortably in his seat staring at his partner.

"Nice one, Sai," he laughed.

"No problem, Tolle," Sai laughed back as they exchanged grins. This was too easy.

----

The plane ride seemed to go on forever as Kira stared at the map of their destination at the TV screen in front of him. He sighed. Three more hours on this wretched plane. Three more...

Lacus slept peacefully beside him as she had her blanket over her and her legs stretched out. Kira stared at her. How could she sleep so relaxed? He was shaking in his boots scared of the meeting ahead. What if they did find something? What if it was serious? What if it made him have to be away from Fllay even longer. He sank in his seat. He already missed her.

"Sir, do you need anything?" the flight attendant smiled at him. Kira stared down, he had hit the attendance button by mistake. But then again, he was a bit thirsty.

"May I have a glass of water?"

"Ice, sir?"

"Ah...no, it's alright," he said as the attendant nodded at him and turned away. In no time, the water had come and he gulped it down almost immediately and handed the empty cup to her. Lacus opened her eyes slowly to the dim light of the plane cabin. Moving the blanket off her, Kira stared at her since he had nothing better to do. Lacus stared at the time, they'd be serving snack soon, she was a tad hungry. Looking to her left, she noticed Kira staring at her boredly. She waved her hand in front of his face.

"Anyone in there?"

"Sorry, just bored," Kira exhaled as he sat back and slunk in his seat. He pulled out his wallet from his back pocket of his jeans and stared at his pictures. From the corner of her eye, Lacus watched him as she folded her blanket. He slipped out a picture of him and Fllay and he smiled like she had never seen him smile before. A happy smile. A sorrowful one as well, she could tell he missed her already. That pang in her heart returned to her and she struggled not to cry. Knowing this cry would be hard to avoid, she got up and nearly ran for the bathroom and locking the door behind her. Covering her mouth to conceal the screams, she cried silent tears. A small squeak of her scream came out.

----

Sai and Tolle toasted their beers happily. They had won! Sai's glasses tipped a bit low as he pushed them back up.

"We won! We won!" Tolle sang clapping his hands and dancing.

"Where have you been all these years?! If you weren't dead, what the heck were you doing?"

"Oh, nothing," Tolle sneered. "My mother's the one that made me move and disappear like a ghost. She made the story that I was dead."

"Huh?"

"I did get severely injured from the accident. It's still a wonder how I recovered. I was in the hospital for a month and my mother insisted that I had to move. She didn't let me see Miriallia, by the way where is she now?" Tolle said becoming interested in where his past love had been for the years.

"Well, she's actually here in Japan. Kira's friends were supposed to have their engagement party and the baby shower but his sister decided to move it because of the baby. It's a funny situation. He's off to America right now. "

"Eh?! I thought she'd be kept in America! When can I see her?"

"Tomorrow actually. They're currently staying at a hotel."

"Alright!!" Tolle laughed as he took another swig of his alcohol.

----

"Thank you for flying Japan Air, ma'am, sir, hope you enjoyed your flight."

"Thank you," Lacus nodded at the attendant as they met their father at the baggage claim.

"Kira, help me with this luggage!" Siegel called, his mustache moving with his words.

"Got it!!" Kira called back as he grabbed two carts and headed for Siegel.

"Who's the cutie?" a girl behind Lacus said as she waited with a red purse in her hands. Lacus turned around to her with a confused face. She looked no older than Lacus.

"He's a friend of mine. His name is Kira. Unfortunately, he's taken, I'm sorry to say," she laughed.

"Oh, well, you two do make quite the couple," she commented.

"Oh, no, he's not with me. We're just friends," Lacus giggled slightly. The pain slowly returning...

"Oh? It's a shame. He's soooo cute. Wonder who the lucky girl is..." she said as she walked away. Lacus pouted and stared down at the small heart-shaped golden locket in her palms. It was real gold.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" she mumbled as the origin of the locket came into mind.

"Lacus! Lacus! Hey, wait up already!!" Kira yelled running after her. Lacus turned around to face him loosening the grip on her backpack strap.

"Yes, Kira?" she said kindly. Kira stared around and grabbed her by the hand.

"Come with me!" he panted as he forced her down the halls of the school and out the door into the courtyard. Slowing his pace, he looked around and brought her behind the fountain and made her sit down.

"What's wrong, Kira? Did something happen?" she said concernedly as Kira pulled away his arm.

"I wanna give you something for your ring. It seemed so important to you sooo... "

"Kira, no, really! It was your birthday, it wouldn't be fit to give me something!"

"Stop being polite, ah, here it is!!" he said pulling a shiny golden locket out of his pocket. He let it hang as the golden chain was tied around his fist. "I used all my birthday cash...I hope you like it."

"Kira...really, you should give it to someone else. I don't deserve something like this!" she cried out but Kira shook his head.

"Why should I give it to someone else?" he questioned as he stood up and walked around her to sit on the opposite side and brought it around her head and sealed it. She gaped at it. "There's no picture inside, I'm sorry to say. But since you gave me something to remind me of you, I needed to give you something that would remind you of me," he smiled. Lacus turned around to face him. She gazed into his violet eyes. He was being so sincere.

"Kira...I...can't accept this," she began regretfully. No matter how much she wanted the gift, she couldn't have it.

"But Lacus..."

"You should give it to someone you love, afterall, it is in the shape of the heart. Maybe for someone more deserving than a simple friend like me," she said as she brought her arms behind her neck and searched for the lock. But Kira's hand stopped her.

"But I do love you, Lacus," he said plainly. An awkward silence came. Kira felt his face go red at what he said and pulled his hands away from her arm. Lacus blushed as she gripped her clothes. "I-I-I meant that I love you as a friend, ya know...heh..."

"U-Umm...thanks. I love you, too, as a friend, Kira. I promise I'll treasure this forever," she smiled sweetly, her face still bright red. Kira's as well as he smiled back. Reaching over, Lacus planted a kiss on his cheek.

"Eee..." Kira felt his face go darker as Lacus walked away, her palms sweating and her face bright red.

"See you tomorrow," she said trying to calm herself down.

"W-Wait! I'll walk you home!" he said pulling his blue backpack from the floor and ran to her as she stared at him, her pink backpack slightly drooping.

"Thanks," she giggled.

"No problem," he responded.

Cagalli glared from behind the bushes. "Those idiots." Athrun patted her on the head.

"Aww...come on now. They'll tell each other sooner or later," he laughed.

"And when will that be? Four years from now?!" Cagalli glared at him.

Lacus closed her palm around the locket as Kira returned with her father behind him. Hiding the locket in her pocket, she gave off a smile and walked towards them. "Done already?"

"There isn't a lot, and we got lucky that they were all in the front," Kira chuckled. "Shall we go then?" he said turning to Siegel.

"Yes, our ride should be there by now," he gestured them forward. Lacus waited for Kira to pass as she walked beside her father. "Why don't you walk with Kira?"

"You might get left behind, I don't want my father to get lost, now do I?" she smiled. Siegel sighed regretfully. Another false smile.

----

Fllay paced in her room back and forth. She stared at her phone. Should she call Kira's cell phone? She felt so uptight. What if Lacus was flirting with him? What if he made her like her more than she liked him? Or what if there was another girl hitting on him and ... oh, forget it. Fllay threw the phone to the side. What did she care anyway? It's not like she actually loved him. I mean, what was the point? Worrying about a guy that she didn't really care about anyway. She was just using him for Lacus' torment, as long as Lacus was in pain, that was fine with her. Kira was just a pawn. "Yeah...a pawn," she mumbled as she plopped on her bed. But still...why did she feel so lonely. Burying her face in her pillow, she groaned. "What's wrong with me now?! I should be happy that he's gone. No whining idiot to worry about..."

----

Frozen, Miriallia covered her mouth in surprise as she stared at her front doorstep. Brown hair, pale skin, beige khakis, and a blue shirt with a light blue short sleeve on top. She gaped. "Tolle!" she cried out hugging him. "I didn't think Sai was telling the truth, but...you're alive! You're alive!!"

Stroking her hair, he stared down at her, his eyes filling with tears. "It's nice to see you again," he said in a broken voice. Oh, God, he had missed her.

"What's all the crying about?" Dearka said coming out of the second room. Miriallia and Tolle stared at Dearka as he scratched his head when he noticed Miriallia embracing a man he had never seen before. "Who's he?" he asked bluntly pointing at him like a mindless idiot.

"Dearka, I want you to meet Tolle, my boyfriend," she smiled happily as Dearka gaped.

"Boyfriend?"

----

Swishing his shoulder-length blonde hair back, he titled his silver mask up. His name was Rau Le Creuset. Staring at the monitors in his room, he sipped his tea.

"He's alone. Finally," he laughed sinisterly as he got up from his chair, grabbed his coat, and walked out of the room. "It's time to finish this, Allster."

----

Lacus placed her things down and took off her long jacket. It was quite warm for winter. She didn't at all like she was wearing, although it matched with the weather, she thought it was too skimpy. She wore a sleeveless purple skirt that ended at her knees. She had worn a long silky purple cloak around her so no one would notice, but she didn't expect to have to reveal what she was wearing. There was a small ribbon around her waist, but it just made her feel more uncomfortable as someone entered her hotel room. She turned around to find her father. "Is this your room as well, father?"

"Oh, no, just wanted to see how you're doing. You should open your curtains, the view is magnificent," he smiled as he approached the side and revealed the clear blue sky with a marvelous city in shiny silver. Lacus gaped.

"I-It's so beautiful!!" she cried out pressing her face to the window.

"How about tomorrow, you and Kira go out for a bit of sight-seeing? The meeting isn't until a day later." Siegel suggested as he neared his thrilled daughter. She tried to keep her smile, but she only stared downward.

"I'll just go by myself," she said as she turned around to head for her luggage. Siegel sighed once again when he noticed what she was wearing. He jogged a bit toward and took her wrist. "Eh?"

"I haven't seen you wear such a skirt in ages! Come here!" he laughed as he twirled her around. "Oh, what happened to my carefree daughter?" he said as he stared at her.

"I don't really like this outfit It's so short!" she exclaimed as she tried to pull it down.

"I know most normal fathers wouldn't allow their daughters to wear such appealing outfits, but you should wear those more often, Lacus. It might just grab you your first boyfriend!" he laughed trying to cheer her up since Kira had been taken.

"No, I'd rather not. I'd rather be single for the rest of my life. No point in trying to be something you're not," she laughed lightly as she zipped open her luggage.

"Lacus, how come you don't follow your own advice?" Siegel raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.

"What do you mean?" she said looking for her hair brush.

"You always try to be perfect, it's not good you know. Especially for your mental health. Keep thinking you have to be perfect and you'll be eighty before you know it!" he chuckled.

"Right..."

"If you love him so much why don't you tell him?" Siegel said as he stared out into the view.

"Huh?" Lacus stopped what she was doing as she stared at her father.

"Kira. Why don't you tell him?" he did not look back at her as he continued to gaze at the brilliant view.

"Tell him what? There's nothing to tell. We're just friends, father."

----

Kira passed by Lacus' room when he noticed the serious mood of the room. He skipped back out and hid behind the door at the sound of his name listening intently. He couldn't help it.

-----

"Why must you always lie about the truth?" Siegel said finally turning around to face her.

"What truth? That is the truth. We are friends."

"You love him, Lacus."

"As a friend," she said with serious eyes.

"If so, where is your ring, Lacus?"

"Ring?"

"The silver engagement ring that I had told you to give to someone you love. To someone you want to be with for the rest of your life. Where is it now?" he eyed her carefully patiently waiting for her answer. Lacus stood there speechless. "Where, Lacus?"

"I lost it," she lied as she turned away.

"Unlikely. You gave it to Kira, didn't you?"

----

Kira reached for his pocket as he took out the ring. Someone to spend the rest of your life with... "But why give it to ..." his eyes widened. "Impossible, she couldn't possibly..." he turned back to the door as he heard Lacus speak.

----

"So I did. I only gave it to him because I wanted him to give it to someone he loves."

"Wrong, Lacus Clyne. You gave it to him because you – "

"I don't love him!!" she shrieked tears rushing down her pale cheeks. "It's a lie! I can't love him! We can never be together! It's all lies!! Why should I want someone I can never be with?! Why should I wish to be with him when he loves someone else?! Why father, why?! Why do you question something that can never be?!"

"BECAUSE IT CAN BE!" Lacus' eyes popped wide as tears continued to flow slowly. Her father strode toward her and touched her shoulder. "You must fight..." he hugged her, "...for what you want most. What do you wish for, Lacus Clyne?"

Lacus paused as she stared down, her fists tightened. "I want Kira." The emotions in her heart as she said those words, her feelings slowly lifted. She loved him. She wanted him. She craved for him. The want was so strong that it was hard to breathe. She felt so weak. She trembled as she gritted her teeth. Her arms feeling limber as her knees wobbled under her. The want for Kira had grown over the years. It made her soo ... lifted... to know he was there. When he was there, she'd feel so happy that she would become nervous. It would become an uncomfortable feeling to be around him and then when they'd talk, it was as if the words would come out naturally. Her hands would sweat whenever he'd be near. She'd have a hard time looking him straight in the eye without blanking out. In her mind, Kira was everything. Kira...had grown in her heart...he was a light that had given her hope. It made her feel so lightened. She needed him in her life. If he wasn't there, it felt like the world would end. She stared up at her father with determined eyes. "I'm in love with Kira Yamato...and...I want to be with him forever."

Siegel smiled. His daughter had finally told the deepest and darkest truth of her life. "Then tell him."

-----

Kira stared downward as his eyes closed. So it was true. His best friend ... had loved him ... and... he had never ... knew. Confused at what he just heard, he headed back to his room. "She lied... to ... me..."

-----

At dinner, Kira barely talked to Lacus. The thought ... it made him want to ... it just confused him.

"Kira?" Lacus blinked as she watched him stroke his spoon around the bowl of soup. "Is there something wrong with the food?" Kira stared up at her, his eyes struggling to comprehend. The words echoing in his mind..."I want Kira."

He couldn't smile. He needed to know something. After the long dinner, they both took the elevator and headed for their rooms.

"Well, good night, Kira. See you tomorrow," she smiled, but Kira stopped her.

"Lacus...can...we talk?" he said with sorrowful eyes. Lacus stared at him with those puppy eyes. She suspected it was something about Fllay so she nodded even though she knew she'd only feel that horrible pain sting her heart again. The other thing was, she had even worn the golden locket Kira had given her four years ago. And guess what? Kira had also decided to wear the silver ring around his neck once more.

Author's Note : dances around woohoo, another chapter done, woohoo. So how's everyone liking the story so far? Trust me, there's more Mwu, Murrue, and Natarle coming. I swear they're coming!! You'll see!! I wrote this chapter at like 12 at night. Lol. I got so into it. I guess it's because I can relate so much to how Lacus feels. I was inspired by ...err... well ... you don't need to know that do you? wink