Disclaimer: Kidou Senshi (Mobile Suit) Gundam SEED and its characters are copyright 2000-2004 Sotsu Agency, Sunrise, and MBS. English language adaptation produced under license by Bandai Entertainment.
In other words, I don't own the original intellectual property.
A/N
Some fluff, some setup.
A/N End
Chapter 37
"Morning," she woke him with a kiss. And like most mornings lately, he was grumpy.
"Yeah, yeah." He got out of bed and made his way to the private bath on his ship. His ship; a Nazca Class. He liked it. His own quarters, and someone to share it with. None dared quote regulations to him. He knew she shouldn't be there. Hell, he shouldn't even be in a relationship with a subordinate.
The crew were mostly from Carpenteria, who he had won over with a curious mixture of terror and respect. Yzak Joule was a fearsome opponent to his enemies, but very generous to those who showed loyalty and ability. And he protected himself by trusting no one but his mystery girl, though he felt sure that many on this ship would die for him. He had no intention of putting them in such a position, of course. They were hand picked. The best and most trustworthy he could find at the time.
"Dearka will come today." Asuka put on her uniform, with carefully hidden kunai harnesses underneath the sleeves and coat. She always looked her best for him. Always.
"How long?"
"Two hours." She hugged him from behind, watching him shave.
Yzak hadn't gotten used to seeing himself without his scar, he had carried it so long. It was removed just before leaving Carpenteria.
Asuka decided to keep hers. At least for now. "Can I be there? I want to see his face when you show him the new toys."
"Of course." Yzak rarely sent her from his side. When he did, it was to perform a task he wouldn't trust anyone else with. He considered her as an extension of himself, which he knew pleased her to no end. Still, he hadn't figured out her name or her connection to his family. "There's something I've been meaning to ask."
"I hope it's not my name." She still wanted him to guess it. Time was running out if he was going to figure it out before disappointing his mother.
"No. Your scar."
"I want to keep it a while longer."
"Why?"
"I want to keep it until the day you call me by my name."
Yzak sighed before wiping his face off with a hand towel. "I figured it was something like that."
"Don't forget this," she handed him the aftershave. She loved the way it made him smell.
With primping finished, the couple made their way to the bridge.
"Captain on the bridge." Everyone stood at attention at the yeoman's announcement.
"At ease," Yzak waved a hand. He liked the respect, but he was easily irritated this early in the day. Yzak had never been much of a morning person. Should be a five hour difference between us and them. It's probably 13:00 hours local time in Orb. Dearka will be wide awake. Yzak took the captain's chair to await the arrival of his best friend.
The plan was to rendezvous with the Minerva, transfer arms and supplies, and escort her to the PLANTs. Whether or not things went according to plan would be anybody's guess. The two supply ships were still in tight formation with his Nazca. N-Jammer levels were carefully monitored, as that would probably be the first warning of something going wrong.
Two
"They should be meeting up with Yzak about now."
Athrun didn't look up. He was sitting in his favorite chair again, reading the paper.
"Athrun?"
"Yes?"
"Sorry." She was talking about his neck, and her recent behavior.
"Me too." He was talking about her wrist, and his past infidelity.
They had similar conversations three times this morning. This was the first after lunch.
Cagalli's sprained wrist interfered with her work. It was hard to write. She always forgot and picked up things with her right hand. Athrun helped out whenever she showed signs of struggling.
"Maybe you should take the afternoon off," Athrun suggested.
"Sure."
He was a little surprised she went for it.
"Let's go out to the gardens."
"Sounds like a plan." Athrun arose, offering his arm.
She accepted, looping her right arm through his left.
"How is it today?"
She knew what he was concerned with. "My wrist is much better. Your neck?"
"Better."
"Good." Cagalli stood on her tip toes to kiss the bandage. "I hope we never fight again."
"That would be nice. If we do though, let's try to be less violent."
"Agreed."
Three
"Don't be so nervous. It's just Yzak." Dearka helped Mir straighten her collar out in the corridor.
"Me? I'm not nervous."
"You're a bad liar."
Miriallia and Stellar were asked to wear ZAFT uniforms for the occasion. Neither refused. Mir thought they were just about the ugliest shade of green, though she didn't dare say so.
Dearka asked, "Did I ever tell you that you look good in uniform?"
"You wouldn't have dared." Mir glared at him. Then she remembered her conversation with Stellar last night. "Sorry," she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Nothing to be sorry for. Where's your new roomie?"
"She's getting ready inside." Mir pointed back to her room where Shinn was patiently waiting outside. "I think she's trying really hard to impress Shinn."
"I don't think that's necessary." Dearka took her hand and began walking toward the hangar. The captain would be there, as would select bridge crew and all the pilots.
When he saw Mir was out of the vicinity, Shinn decided to see what the problem was. "Stellar?"
"Hmm?" he heard through the door.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah."
"I'm coming in." Shinn didn't wait for an answer. "We're going to be late."
"Shinn," Stellar sighed. "You're not supposed to barge into a girl's room."
"Funny, you had me do it at home all the time."
She smiled. "Yeah. I'll miss those days."
"There will plenty more like them in the future." Shinn pulled something out of his pocket. "And if your memory starts to get fuzzy, you can always look at these."
"Pictures? When did you have time to do all this?"
"I had help with some of them."
Stellar studied each one, briefly reliving the memory. Them drinking at the party, a picture Meyrin took of them sleeping it off, a snapshot from the ferris wheel, one in a nice restaurant, playing volleyball on the beach, and a pillow fight in their underwear. There were plenty of others, but these were her favorites. Each one a precious memory. "Thank you, Shinn. I'll always treasure them." She sailed through the air to plant a wet one on her man.
"No problem. I'll keep a copy too." He placed a hand over his heart. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. I'm ready."
Hand in hand, they went to the hangar. They were just in time to get into place before being reprimanded by Captain Gladys.
"Attention on deck," someone shouted. The shuttle entered, came through the airlock gate, and then landed in the hangar.
Yzak, with Asuka to his right and a little behind, came out and looked over each one in the line. He stopped at Dearka and Miriallia. The three had a brief conversation while everyone stood at attention. Yzak just used this as an excuse to see if anyone would crack. No one did. Continuing his inspection, Yzak made his way to Shinn and Stellar at the end of the line.
"Glad to see you came," Yzak offered a hand.
"Sir," Shinn accepted.
Yzak turned to Stellar. "Is he treating you well?"
"Yes sir. I couldn't ask for a better jailer."
Yzak smiled. Quite uncharacteristic of him. "I'm glad to hear it. I hear you've been under the weather."
"That's one way of putting it," Stellar accepted his handshake.
"Do you like your arrangement?"
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Do you want to leave? Go back to the Earth Forces?"
"No sir."
"That's good. They've been looking for you," Yzak informed her.
"I do not wish to return," Stellar stated firmly.
"It may not be up to you any more than it is up to me." Yzak told everyone to carry on the inspection was over.
"Sir?" Stellar tried to get his attention before he left. "May I ask what you're talking about?"
Yzak stopped. Without turning around to face her, he answered "You're a victim of mental alteration. Your choices were never your own before we found you. There's no guarantee that your choices are entirely your own now."
"What does that mean?" Stellar was almost in tears. She could never leave Shinn. Could she?
Yzak turned just enough to see her over his shoulder. "You may have a trigger that signals you to return. Or worse." Seeing her almost crack, Yzak decided to add "We'll see what we can do for you in the PLANTs. There might be a way to undo the damage."
Stellar started shaking as Yzak and Asuka left to have a private conversation with Dearka and Mir.
Shinn held her from behind. "Don't worry about it. I'm here."
Stellar turned in his embrace to cry her heart out. "Don't you dare let me go back. If I go back, I'll forget everything. Lose everything."
"I won't let you go, Stellar. That's a promise." Shinn noticed they were making a scene. "Come on. Let's get you back to your room."
"Hey Shinn!" a voice cried out from behind. It was Luna. "The captain wants you to help with the loading of supplies and ammo."
"What about me?" asked Stellar. "I want to be helpful too."
"I don't suppose it would be a good idea to let her ride with you . . ." conjectured Luna.
"Ride?" asked Shinn.
"They want us pilots to be on guard duty during the transfer, so we'll be taking those for a spin." Luna pointed as two shiny new mobile suits entered the hangar. "But you'd better ask someone before bringing Stellar."
"Wow. It looks mean," commented Stellar. "I like it." She was really a gentle person but she did know how to fight. And she knew it well. Deep down, she had an innate desire for it. Is this because of what they did to me? She didn't know.
"I'll see if I can get an okay captain Gladys. Go get suited up." Luna floated off in search of the captain.
"Up for a little ride?" asked Shinn.
"Sure." This would make Stellar's day.
"Just promise me to take it easy, okay? Remember what Chief Simmons said."
"Roger," she saluted him. It was an Earth Forces salute, so Shinn lowered her elbow a couple of inches before anyone noticed.
Four
He noticed the unusual amount of attention his friend was directing at his face. "Hard to get used to it, right?" Yzak looked at himself in the mirror. "It's like I see a different person in the mirror every morning."
"Yeah. But then it was hard getting used to it being there to begin with," Dearka admitted. "I won't ask why Asuka kept hers."
"That's a good idea." Yzak was in Dearka and Shinn's quarters having a little talk. Miriallia and Asuka were in Mir and Stellar's room, also catching up on old times.
"How you been?"
"Good. I see you're making progress with your girlfriend."
"Finally. How about . . . never mind." Dearka thought better of asking at the last minute.
"We're fine. And no, I still don't have the foggiest idea of what her name is." There. Yzak finally admitted that there was something going on between him and Asuka, though only to his best friend.
"What's the plan?" Dearka laid back on his bed ready to soak in a load of tactical information. It wasn't necessary.
"We'll be going to the PLANTs. That's all."
"Really? That's it?" Dearka sat straight up in disbelief. He thought surely Yzak had some mission going on.
"Of course, I plan to get everyone used to the new suits and have Captain Gladys make the final adjustments to the Minerva. Other than that, all that is on the agenda is to get to the PLANTs and start working on your election."
"It's going to suck, isn't it." Dearka didn't phrase it as a question.
"Not at all. Your father's working overtime. You're all but a guaranteed victory next month."
"That's not what I was talking about."
"Oh, being a politician. Yeah, that's going to suck. I've been lucky to have been away from it these past weeks."
"You sure had a lot of fun cracking down in Carpenteria," Dearka laughed. "How many guys lost their kneecaps in the end?"
Yzak joined his friend in laughter. "Just that one guy. Nobody gave me problems afterwards." After a moment to collect himself, Yzak asked "What do you think of Captain Gladys?"
"She seems to know her stuff."
"Right."
"Didn't you pick her?"
"No. That was Dullindal's doing. He's making his big push for the position of Chairman."
"Does that worry you?"
"No. He can have it. We should have nothing to worry about, though. He's a self-proclaimed staunch moderate. But one thing I do find peculiar was his insistence on having Gladys captain the Minerva. As a matter of fact, he hand picked most of the crew here."
"That does sound a little odd," Dearka admitted. "Maybe he has special plans for her and this ship."
"Of that I am certain."
"Don't know, huh?"
"No. I do know that he's working on prototype ZGMF series to test in conjunction with this ship."
"Sounds like he's trying to turn this into his own little Archangel."
"That it does." Yzak tossed him a data pad. "Take a look at these."
Dearka looked it all over carefully. They were schematics for the ZGMF 1000 ZAKU. "Nice. These the new toys?"
"Yes. You'll get to see them up close in a little while."
Five
"May I ask how you two are doing, or will you give me the same old runaround?" Miriallia laughed about it.
"We're good, Mir. We're good." Asuka laughed about it too. "How about you and Dearka?"
"We finally got together, but that should be pretty obvious by my even being here. Will you be coming with us to the PLANTs?"
"Yes. All four ships will travel in a loose fleet until we get there." Asuka didn't say so, but she was very happy to see Mir again. She regarded Miriallia as one of her best friends, though they hadn't really spent a lot of time together.
"It'll be nice having the added protection of that Nazca. What's her name?" asked Mir. She was also glad to have this time to spend with her former roommate.
"Retribution."
"Sounds as friendly as her commander."
"Yzak's not that bad, but don't tell anyone I said it." Asuka took a seat on Stellar's bed. "Do you think she'll mind?"
"Probably not. You know, she's been having some problems."
"We figured as much once we analyzed the extent of her conditioning. Unfortunately, we didn't have our analysis done by the time she left Carpenteria so there was no way of getting that information to you guys."
"How bad is it? She hasn't told me anything, but I think Shinn knows. He babies her all the time."
"That's good," Asuka smiled. "If he doesn't watch her carefully she may die. And take a lot of others with her."
"That serious, huh?"
"Yep. She thinks she can exert at abnormally high levels, but she really can't without the drugs and brainwashing. She'll be physically fine once she gets over the withdrawal, though she'll always be stronger and have very acute reflexes. Her mental state will still be in question, however."
"Is there anything you can do for her?"
"We'll try to do something in the PLANTs, but it'll have to be done very quietly. If the wrong people find out who she is they'll want to turn her into a guinea pig again."
Chapter 38
"Now try to stay behind me, okay?"
"Roger." Stellar floated behind the cockpit chair, keeping her hands on Shinn's shoulders.
Shinn was more than a little surprised that Captain Gladys gave permission for Stellar to go for a joyride. He wondered if it had something to do with Yzak. Everybody had heard rumors of what happened in Carpenteria at the very least. Yzak was the one guy nobody wanted to openly mess with. To do so invited swift retribution, and hence the name of his ship.
And there was that conversation Yzak had with Shinn in front of everyone. Did Gladys get the impression Yzak had a special interest in Shinn and his ward?
It didn't matter. "What do you think?" asked Shinn.
"This is great. I hope we can do this together someday."
"I don't want you fighting," Shinn stated flatly. "You're too kind a person and I'd worry too much about you."
"Maybe so, but if you're fighting then I will fight too." Stellar was just as firm. She would never back down on this. No matter where he was, she would follow.
Shinn was well aware of her feelings on the subject.
"So, do we just sit out here and wait for trouble?"
"Pretty much," Shinn sighed. "If they ask us to help with the loading, I guess we'll turn into freight haulers."
"What kind of weaponry does this thing have?"
"Beam rifle, beam tomahawk, vulcan cannons. At least, that's what this ones loaded with."
Luna came over the com, "Cut the chatter you two."
"Roger," Shinn responded. This ZAKU had a nice 360 degree cockpit with monitors lining the entire frame. The spherical monitor gave the illusion that the pilot was floating in space, so it was easy to see things from their true angle. This is sooooo much better than a GINN.
Stellar helped him keep an eye out. Actually, she was the first to notice signs of trouble. "What's that?"
"Hmm?" Shinn turned to see where she was pointing. It was a flashing light from above, and it was so far out that the sensors hadn't picked it up yet. "Looks like a twinkling star, but it wasn't there earlier. Maybe a ship's running lights?"
Luna called over the com, "What is it? Trouble?"
"Maybe," Shinn answered. "Radio the bridge. We might have company soon."
"Roger," Luna complied. "Hey, Shinn. N-Jammer levels are rising."
"Now I know it's trouble," Shinn muttered. "Hold on tight Stellar."
In response she kissed the top of his head. "I'm ready."
Meyrin informed them, " Luna, you are ordered to investigate. Shinn, stay back and cover the transfer while we get more suits out there."
Two
"What's going on?"
"Councilman Joule," Captain Gladys gave him a nod as he entered the bridge. "It appears we have uninvited guests."
"Have the ZAKUs been scrambled?"
"Yes sir," she reported.
"Good," Yzak left the bridge to find Asuka outside waiting for him. "Let's go." He had a feeling this would make her day.
Floating back toward the hangar they met Dearka, who asked "What is it?"
"Party crashers," Yzak informed him.
"Go see to Mir." Asuka waved goodbye as they rounded a corner.
"Good. Two ZAKUs left." Yzak stopped the intended pilots for the remaining mobile suits so that he and his assistant could take their places.
A crewman asked, "Going out without a flight suit sir?"
"Yes. Move it." Yzak closed the cockpit and brought all systems online.
Cleared and launched, Yzak and Asuka entered the fray. They found Shinn taking care of business to those that made it past Luna. There were plenty that did, as Luna was severely outnumbered. Many of the other pilots were so inexperienced that they were mostly ineffective.
"Those aren't Strike Daggers," Asuka informed Yzak.
"Yeah. New models. This'll be fun."
The battle was fairly short with no casualties on the ZAFT side. There weren't many on the Earth Forces side either, just a severed mobile suit arm or leg on occasion. This was a small skirmish to test battle strength.
When it was over Yzak issued orders to hasten the transfer of supplies before returning to the Retribution.
Three
"How was it?" asked Luna.
"It was fun. Shinn is an excellent pilot. He managed to fight well without jostling me too much." Stellar had a wide smile.
"I can tell you're disappointed that you weren't the one flying. Maybe one day," Luna gave her friend a pat on the arm. They were in the hangar, talking at the feet of their respective ZAKUs.
Shinn floated down to join them. "Feeling alright?" he asked his girlfriend.
"Yes. I am fine," Stellar stole a brief kiss. "I had you to look after me."
"Yeah," was all Shinn had to say.
"Nice flying you two." It was Captain Gladys. "Take a break, but don't forget you're still on standby."
"Sir," Shinn and Luna saluted.
"Let's get to the rec room," Luna suggested.
Floating hand-in-hand, Shinn and Stellar followed Luna. Drinks were passed out to the pilots and cocky chatter from the rookies filled the room.
"So, who are these lovely ladies?" This guy was an elite with long blond hair. His flirty comment couldn't disguise the calm and calculating nature of the young man.
"You should know me, Rey Za Burrel." Luna gave him a wink.
"So I do. And the blond?"
"She's taken," Shinn was flat. "But it is good to see you again."
"Yeah," Rey offered a hand. "Been a while since graduation."
"You weren't out there just now, were you?" Shinn added in a whisper, "All I saw were a bunch of rookies screwing around."
"No, Commander Joule took my suit." Rey shook his head, "And I was looking forward to my first sortie."
With all this chatter among the elites, the grunts began to take notice. "Hey, who are you honey?" asked one guy. He was referring to Stellar.
"Me? I'm just a passenger. Nothing to be concerned about." She gave them a friendly smile that said Back off before I kick your ass.
"Well then, why were you in that mobile suit?" asked another.
Stellar was more curt this time. "Like I said, being a passenger."
The first responded, "Hey baby, you can be my passenger any time."
"Really?" Stellar smirked. "I only fly with good pilots."
"What did you say?" Now the first was getting hot under the collar.
Shinn and Luna braced for a fight.
"How about a little contest?" suggested Stellar. "Just you and me, to see if you can handle a real woman."
"Whoa!" the room cheered as the first guy began to calm down a little.
"I accept," the man sneered. "What kind of contest?"
"Good. Arm wrestle?"
"Sure."
Stellar and her opponent lined up along opposite sides of a table as the others gathered round. It was a long match, but highly entertaining. Stellar appeared to be toying with him, much to his chagrin. She eventually won.
"I would take you on in a simulator, but if your performance out there was any indication then I'd beat you just as bad as in arm wrestling. Well, I guess I won't be flying with you anytime soon." Stellar got up to rejoin Shinn, Luna and Rey at their original table.
"Why you little . . ." The grunt took a swing at Stellar while her back was turned.
Shinn sprang into action, but he was far too late to get into the fracas. All he could do was keep others from getting involved. Shinn got between the two and the rest of the pilots and mechanics hoping Luna would save Stellar.
The uncouth young man landed a kidney punch on Stellar, who spun around to grab his other fist before he could land another punch. She snapped. "Raaaah!" Like a wild animal she tore away at her attacker, with tears streaming down her face.
Luna, and Rey too, did get involved but not in the way Shinn was originally hoping for. They had to pull Stellar off the guy before she killed him.
"Calm down. It's over angel." Shinn's gentle touch and voice was the only thing to break the spell.
"Shinn?" Stellar clung to his arm tightly, giving a defiant look to the strangers.
"I don't think they'll be messing with you anymore, Stellar." Shinn patted her hand. Many of them had left when the entertainment turned sour.
"Got that straight," said the second pilot. "Looks like you've earned the respect of most of them." He offered his hand in reconciliation, but Stellar didn't accept. "Anyway, look after yourself," he waved goodbye.
"For a Natural, your girl is pretty tough," Rey commented.
Luna spun around to face Rey. "How did you know that?"
Rey answered, "It's the word on the ship. Two Natural girls, passengers to the PLANTs."
Shinn shook his head. "Great. Just great. Now we'll have trouble all the way around."
"I don't know. Looks like your lady can take care of herself."
"I have a name. Use it," ordered Stellar.
"Okay, okay." Rey raised his hand to signal his submission. "May I call you Stellar, then?"
"Yes, you may."
"Then may I be so bold as to tell you that it's a pleasure?" Rey offered a hand, which she graciously accepted.
Luna asked, "Since word spreads on this ship, does that mean Miriallia is in danger?"
"No way," Rey answered. "If Stellar hadn't provoked him no one would have dared touch her. Word is Stellar and Ms. Haw are under the special protection of Councilman Joule. And nobody wants to mess with that guy."
"Yeah, he's not one to cross," agreed Shinn.
"But I'm glad people like that are on our side. That includes you too, Stellar." Rey kissed her hand, to which he had yet to let go of.
"Back off. I'm taken." Stellar wasn't harsh with him. More like slightly amused. As Rey left, Stellar commented to Luna "Hey, he's man-pretty." Stellar snuggled close to her man, as if to reiterate that she was his and his alone.
"You will never meet another man who takes better care of his looks than Rey," laughed Shinn. "We were roommates in the military academy."
"Yes, and he gave me my first broken heart." Luna smiled, but it was a sad one. "It's so hard to catch his attention. I'm a little jealous," Luna winked a Stellar.
"Then go get him," Stellar suggested. Luna was the only one of their friends not in any kind of relationship.
"If it were only that easy," Luna sighed. "Now that we've run everybody off, the three of us can relax."
Chapter 39
"How long will you two be staying with us?"
"Until the wedding," Kira answered. "Then we should think about heading over to Rev. Malchio's orphanage. That's where we'd like our ceremony to be held."
The twins were enjoying an early breakfast together. Their significant others had decided to sleep in. It was Saturday and they were tired.
"Any news from our friends in space?"
Cagalli shook her head. "Nope."
"I thought I saw flashes in the sky the several nights ago. Reminded me of battle." Actually, it reminded him of all those he had lost. One or two more so than the rest.
"Do you think they'll be alright?"
"They're fine." Kira's confidence convinced Cagalli. "How are you two doing?"
"Kira . . ." Cagalli didn't like these discussions, but no matter how hard they tried her discussions with her brother always ended up taking this direction.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I just worry about you. Both of you."
Cagalli took a sip of her juice. "It's not that I don't appreciate your concern . . ."
"But it's none of my business," Kira finished for her. "Well, at least you two seem to be getting along better."
It was true. Athrun and Cagalli had gotten along much better in the week since the Minerva had departed.
"Kira, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"How intimate are you and Lacus?" Cagalli's bluntness earned her some of Kira's juice. He sprayed it all over the table.
"Sorry." Kira tried to dry himself, his sister, and some of the table off a little before answering. "That's a little personal."
"It's very personal."
Kira whined, "Do I have to have this discussion with you?"
"Yes."
"Wouldn't you feel more comfortable talking about this with Lacus or Murrue or anybody that's not named Kira?"
"Shut up and spill it," Cagalli demanded. Apparently, she missed the contradictory demands in that sentence.
"You two are having intimacy problems?"
"Yeah." Normally Cagalli would be blushing while having such a discussion. This was one of the few times when her curiosity and boldness got the better of her modesty.
As Kira answered, his face was so red he thought he would pass out. "Third base, as Lacus likes to put it."
"I see," Cagalli smiled. "So you haven't gone all the way."
"But you two have, I take it. Is that your problem?" Kira continued to show his extreme discomfort in talking about this with his sister.
"No," Cagalli shook her head. "I just want to know if I'm keeping his interest." She didn't say that the majority of the times they did it was because she wanted to keep Athrun's attentions focused on her. Though Luna was long gone, Cagalli still felt an intense desire to mark her territory.
"Don't push it," Kira warned her. He didn't want any details.
"What?"
Kira took a deep breath before giving her the only advice she would ever receive from him on this subject. "Don't do it just to keep his interest. Do it for yourself as much, if not more than for him."
"May I ask how you know all this?" Cagalli cocked an eye at her 'little' brother.
"I do have some experience." Kira began to return to his natural color a bit.
"Fllay, huh?" Cagalli was disgusted at the thought.
"Take my advice. Don't rush into things and don't go out of your way to please him." Kira hastily added, "And don't beat him up anymore than necessary, either."
"Right," Cagalli sighed.
"Do you enjoy it?"
"Yes." Cagalli leaned back in her chair.
"That's what's important. I'm sure that in satisfying yourself, you will more than please Athrun."
"I guess you're right." Cagalli still had her doubts, though.
"He's out in the hall, you know." Kira took a sip of juice, watching his sister's reaction. She froze like a deer in headlights.
"Athrun Zala!" she exploded.
"You beckoned, ma'am?" Athrun came in to stand at attention by his master's side.
"How much did you hear?" Cagalli demanded to know.
"Too much, ma'am." Athrun still stood at attention. "Lacus heard plenty of it too."
At his cue, the pink-haired princess entered the breakfast nook. "Sorry Cagalli."
Cagalli hid her head in shame. "Oh God. Is there anything more humiliating than your boyfriend catching you talking about sex with your little brother?"
Athrun took his fiancée by the hand. "Come on. Let's get you out of here before you die of embarrassment."
Once they were gone, Lacus pulled up a chair to sit beside Kira. "That was interesting advice. I'll have to remember that." In pleasing yourself, you will please your man.
This time, Kira turned several shades redder than a beet. It amused Lacus to no end.
Two
"I take it things are settling down over at Morgenroete." Kira was having a late morning walk with Murrue in Cagalli's gardens.
"Yes, though there are still plenty of things to do." Murrue smiled.
Kira hadn't seen her this upbeat in a while. "You know the question that's on my mind."
"And you know the answer," Murrue's smile widened a bit. "Speaking of which, where did Andy and Lacus run off to?"
"I'm not sure." Kira had a pretty good idea that they were just chatting as he and Murrue were doing, but he didn't want to make haphazard guesses. "Lacus promised to be back in time for lunch, so you won't miss Andy too much." His comment earned him a pop in the arm.
"Let's not go there, Mr. Yamato."
"Yes ma'am," Kira laughed.
"Where is Cagalli this morning? I thought she was going to join us." Murrue slowed to a stop to sit on one of her favorite benches. It had a nice view of a water fountain she was particularly fond of.
"She's indisposed, I believe."
"Anything wrong?" Murrue cocked an eye, suspicious of Kira's tone of voice.
"No, no," Kira waved Murrue's fears away. "She just humiliated herself in front of Athrun this morning. I imagine he's still trying to calm her down."
"Well, as long as it's nothing serious. Are Cagalli and Athrun still on for the 6th?"
"Yes," Kira smiled. "It appears they're working out their problems."
"That's good to hear. They never said anything, but for a couple of days I could sense the tension between them. I had never seen anything like it."
"Hopefully it's over now," Kira's smile faded.
"I don't want to pry, so I won't ask what it was about. I will ask if you know how they got over it, if you don't mind." Murrue rested her head on Kira's shoulder.
Now it was time to pass on some dirt to the adopted 'older' sister. "She broke a glass on his shoulder, cutting his neck. Then he sprained her wrist. Seeing what they had done to each other kind of brought them back to their senses."
Murrue shot straight up. "They did what!"
"Yeah. Cagalli always was violent with Athrun, even when playing around. I guess he had as much as he could stand." Kira got up to join Murrue in resuming their walk. "But like I said, it has passed."
Murrue wasn't at all satisfied by that, but what could she do? "If you say so."
"They were just going through a rough patch. It'll all work out. You'll see." Kira honestly believed it would, and it wasn't just Lacus's optimism rubbing off on him either.
Three
"Are you uncomfortable here?" asked Stellar. "On the Minerva, I mean."
"No, I just wish I had a little more time to catch up on old times with Asuka. It's been a while and so many things have happened since I last saw her." Mir let out a sigh, laying back on her bed. "At least we'll get to spend some time together in the PLANTs."
"Yeah. So what's she like? She and Yzak seem to be very close, though they hide it well." Stellar was also curious about the name. Could Asuka be a common given name as well as surname? It's times like this when she really regretted not having any real-world exposure.
"Yes," Mir smiled. "I knew he was a teddy bear underneath that gruff exterior. I'm just glad I got Asuka to admit it." Mir added quickly, "But this stays between us girls. He's got a reputation to think about."
"Right," Stellar nodded. "I promise not to tell anyone."
Their girl talk was interrupted by a beep at the door. "Come in," Mir ordered. She had a feeling they would be having company. "Don't you think you're overdoing it a bit?"
"Excuse me?" It was Dearka.
"Oh, I thought you were someone else." Mir apologized by giving him a brief kiss.
"I thought you might like to go to the observation lounge with me, but if I'm interrupting something . . ."
"It's alright. Let's go." Miriallia winked at her roommate before leaving.
Once they were gone, Stellar sighed. She was kind of hoping their visitor would have been someone else, as Mir originally suspected. "I guess it's up to me if I want to see Shinn."
He usually came to see her, but at the moment Shinn was lying in bed dozing off. Luna asked him to help with painting her mobile suit, and Rey asked for a custom job as well. They asked for red and blue, respectively. Shinn also helped them with some tune-ups, trying to squeeze every last ounce of potential out of the mobile suit. By the time they were done speed and maneuverability were increased by 15 percent.
Stellar curled up beside Shinn under the covers. It was a small cot, barely room for two, so she got to snuggle as close as she wanted. "Ah," she breathed a sigh of contentment. It's good to do this again.
A smile cross his face as he began to stir. "Hi."
"Don't wake up on my account. I know you're tired." Stellar greeted him warmly and with a kiss.
"Thanks." Shinn closed his eyes again snuggling ever closer to Stellar, if that was possible. "As long as you're here when I wake up . . ." and he was asleep again.
She lay there a while with her ear over his heart. As she dozed, it seem to be beating Stel-lar, Stel-lar, Stel-lar . . .
Four
"I really am sorry," she apologized again.
Dearka just laughed it off. "Don't worry about it. You want me to talk to Shinn for you?"
"No, I don't mind it really. I just like giving him a hard time," Mir grinned.
"Better him than me," Dearka matched her perfectly mischievous smile. She had apologized to Dearka earlier for being so hard on him in the past, as Stellar had all but insisted.
"Tell me about the PLANTs." It was a subject Mir often asked him about in recent days. She thought it best to know a little about her new home.
"The one we'll be going to is Colony 001 where the central government offices are. My home is in the top side and my father has arranged for . . ."
"You told me that yesterday," Mir reached out for his hand to claim it.
"Sorry. Well, what haven't I told you?"
"What can you do for fun?"
"Hmm," Dearka thought about it for a minute. "There's all the typical girlie stuff like shopping malls and department stores."
"Any nice restaurants?"
"Some of the best I've ever been to, but they may not compare to your favorite. The one we often went to in Onogoro."
"What about amusement parks?"
"There is one that I know of, but it's on the other side of the colony from where we'll be. We would have to plan a whole day for it."
"I don't mind." Mir knew what he really meant by that. He meant he may not be able to take a whole day for a while, no matter how much he wanted to.
Dearka gave her a kiss as they floated by the large windows. Stars twinkled outside making the scene perfect.
Once she was thoroughly satisfied, she asked "Will I get to see you often?"
"Every single day." Dearka took her by the hand and floated back to the window. "I hope you don't get tired of me."
"Me too," Mir smiled. When Dearka feigned heartbreak she re-initiated the lip wrestling. "I had better see you every day. I didn't agree to come just so I could hang out with Stellar, as nice a girl as she is."
"I won't disappoint you."
"Will Asuka and Yzak be around?" She was also looking forward to spending some time with them too. Well, mostly Asuka.
"Yes, though I'm sure his schedule will be kind of tight. He has planned some time to spend with us soon after we arrive. I know that much."
"I remember Asuka telling me she had something special planned for Yzak as soon as we docked."
"Really? Yzak didn't tell me about that."
"Maybe it's a surprise, then." Mir gave him a look.
Dearka recognized it. "Okay, I won't ruin it for them."
Chapter 40
"Is it time?" Their two week voyage was coming to a close this morning.
"Yes Yzak, it is." They didn't get the chance to complete their morning ritual. Asuka had something to do so she couldn't wait for him to shave. They would be entering port in a few minutes and she had to see to something.
"I'll be on the bridge." Yzak knew full well that she was up to something but he wasn't about to ask what it was. He knew she would tell him in due time.
Asuka gave him a kiss goodbye.
On the bridge Yzak watched the Minerva dock, followed by the two supply ships. Then it was time for the Retribution. Everything went like clockwork.
"Call Sarah to the bridge," Yzak ordered. She was an ace on the Joule Team and had been one of his best at Jachine Diue. When she arrived, Yzak asked that she oversee the disembarking of all the pilots and maintenance crews.
Even though she was only a pilot, she was used to performing these minor administrative duties. "Sir," she gave a crisp salute as always.
"They'll have one week shore leave, but make sure that the docking crews know that these ships need maintenance ASAP. I want this ship ready to go at a moment's notice."
"I'll take care of it, sir." Sarah departed just as she did everything else; professionally.
Yzak went straight to the ramp but took his time before disembarking, making sure he would be the last of the crew to leave. He took the time to personally congratulate many of the crew on their performance, earning further respect and admiration.
Once it was over, Yzak noticed an extremely bored looking Dearka waiting for him. Keeping him company was an equally bored Miriallia. Shinn and Stellar had left long ago.
"Where is she?" asked Yzak.
Dearka offered his hand. "I don't know, but we're going to head out. Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll see you at the Council session tomorrow."
"10:00 hours. I'll be there." Dearka waved goodbye. Mir waved too, but with less enthusiasm.
Yzak looked around for his mother, Asuka, or anybody that he knew. No such luck. To avoid looking like loser with no friends or family, Yzak calmly made his way toward the elevator. That's where he found his love.
"Hi," she smiled. Asuka had just completed her arrangements. "I've spoken with your mother. There's something I'd like to do before we go to see her."
"Sure," Yzak smiled. She rarely asked him for anything so he knew this must be something important.
Asuka had a car waiting for them. She drove, he rode in the back.
"Am I going to have to ask what this is about?"
"We're almost there." She pulled up to a little park.
Yzak was familiar with it, though he hadn't been here in years. It was very close to his home and he had come here often. There was a cherry tree in the middle. Due to the climate control conditions within the colony, the tree was in full bloom.
"This is your last chance," Asuka announced as they made their way to the tree. She didn't turn around to look at him.
"Do we have time for this?" Yzak was trying very hard to be patient.
Asuka turned her head just enough to let him see that she was crying. "Maybe not, but I wanted to give you one last chance before seeing your mother. She said she would be very disappointed in you. I don't want to see that."
Yzak though long and hard, but with little success. "I'm sorry."
"Perhaps this will help." Asuka turned around, putting her hair up in an ancient style.
The last time Yzak had seen that style it was being worn by a woman in a kimono. It always looked to Yzak as if they had done their hair in some kind of bun and held it into place with chopsticks. Kimono . . . Before the thought was finished a small breeze kicked up, causing the pink blossoms to fall like snow around them. It reminded him of something . . .
"No luck, huh?" Asuka continued to cry, her hopes dashed.
"There is a story . . ." he began.
"What?" She looked up in disbelief.
"I'm trying to tell you a story." Yzak reached out to dry her tears before continuing. "About a man that spent his entire life looking for the perfect cherry blossom. He spent every day of spring under the cherry trees in his village examining each one as it fell. I'm not really sure what he was looking for. Perhaps perfect symmetry or perfect coloration. He wrote poems about them, but as he grew older and older he never found the perfect one." Yzak paused to look at her face.
Asuka stared at the ground, ashamed of her failure. This was her most important goal and she could not get him to remember.
Yzak continued undaunted. "As an old man, he asked that his children carry his deathbed out to lie under the cherry trees, as it would be his last chance to find the perfect blossom. The last spring of his life. Do you know what he realized as he lay there dying?"
"No," she whispered.
"He realized that they are all perfect."
"I don't understand," she shook her head.
"I suppose not." Yzak lifted her chin to look into his eyes. In his mind he could see her now as he saw her then. In a kimono with her hair done up just like that, the blossoms weaving a gentle dance about her. "He was waiting and searching, but he didn't need to at all. Just like me. I already know what makes you who you are."
She continued to cry. My name is important too. All I want is for you to call me by my name.
Yzak turned slightly to face the tree. It was a very important tree after all. "I thought you were dead, you know. Your whole family was reported as killed. It's no wonder mother took you in. You were probably the daughter she always wanted."
"Yzak?" Do you really remember?
"We were six the only time we ever met, but I can see it so clearly now. Welcome home Shiho."
"Yzak!" She launched herself at him unable to restrain the tears of joy.
A shot rang out . . .
"Shiho?" Yzak was stunned. "Shiho?"
She didn't answer. She just smiled as her body went limp in his arms.
"Shiho?" he asked again.
A trickle of blood from her lips was the only answer he received.
"No. Not now. Why now?" Yzak lifted her into his arms as another shot rang out. This one bit Yzak in the shoulder. He didn't feel the pain as he carried her to the car.
"Love you . . ." A cough. More blood on her lips.
"Hang on. Please hang on." Yzak was almost frantic, racing to the hospital at top speed.
She began to wheeze and cough, gasping for every breath. "I love . . ." There was no sound this time. Only the movement of her lips marked what she was trying to say.
Yzak glanced at her while driving to see that she had closed her eyes and lay very still. Too still.
Two
"Good morning." He stood over her with breakfast ready on a tray.
"Hi," Cagalli smiled. "Thanks."
"Not a problem." Athrun had carried her to bed last night, as she had fallen asleep doing her paperwork.
"How did you managed to get me in here without waking me."
"You were very tired."
Cagalli noticed that she was in her pajamas. She cocked an eye at him. "You didn't do anything while I was asleep did you?"
"Nothing at all."
"Good. I'd hate to miss any of the fun." They had hardly done anything of that nature in a while and she had a feeling that Athrun was missing it. She was missing it too.
Athrun sat by her to read the morning paper while she ate. "Says here that the negotiations are going well between the Eurasian Federation and the PLANTs."
"That's good." Cagalli leaned over to kiss her fiancée. "But let's not talk politics. This is our day off."
"It is?"
"Did you forget?" Cagalli feigned anger.
"Sorry."
"It's Saturday. I planned to spend the whole day with you, remember?"
"Not really." Athrun honestly didn't remember ever having such a discussion.
"Well we are so I hope you're ready for a ton of fun."
Athrun thought about that for a minute. "Fun, huh? I can't wait." He wore a big grin, like he was about to get a pleasant surprise.
Cagalli popped him on the arm for having his mind in the gutter. "No that kind of fun. Well, maybe later. But that's not what I had in mind."
"I see," Athrun couldn't hide his disappointment well enough to suit Cagalli. It earned him another playful pop.
"I got your travel restrictions lifted. We're going to the beach with Kira and Lacus."
"Ah." Athrun resumed reading the paper. "Stock markets are doing well, but bonds are sliding a bit."
"That's what happens when interest rates level off."
"Guess so." Athrun smiled. She was turning into a savvy leader. The reconstruction had business booming as the influx of government funds mixed with increasing investor confidence.
"Kira and Lacus have challenged us in volleyball," Cagalli announced. "We better win."
"Is that so." Athrun didn't look up, but he continued smiling.
"And I want to teach you how to ocean fish on my boat."
"That could be fun too."
Three
"Here we are. Like it?" Dearka opened the door for the girls. He also carried their luggage.
"It's very roomy and fully furnished." Mir was impressed. "How much did this cost?"
"Nothing," Dearka answered. "Normally it would be very expensive, as space is generally sold at a premium in the colonies. But with the war and all, real estate has been on the decline. Less people buying, I guess." Actually, the real reason was that there were less people alive to do the buying.
Stellar was the first to notice the story's incompleteness. "So that would mean it should be cheap, not free."
"Oh, yeah," Dearka laughed. "My father owns this apartment complex. Sorry. I left that part out."
"He owns it?" asked Shinn.
"Yeah. Most Council members have occupations on the side. This just happens to be my father's."
"Speaking of Mr. Elsman, when do we get to meet him?" Stellar was curious. She knew nothing of the PLANTs, the Council, or really much of anything. Each day seemed to bring something new. And Shinn loved her childlike sense of wonder.
"We'll probably all have dinner tonight at our place," Dearka answered.
"Shall I dress formally?" Mir didn't really bring anything of that nature. Stellar didn't either.
"I guess you could . . ." Actually, Dearka had no clue.
"That sounds like an excellent excuse to do some shopping." Stellar clapped her hands together in glee. "And guess who gets to hold the bags."
"Oh boy," Shinn sighed.
"Shinn . . ." Stellar gave him a stern look.
"I suppose it is my duty," Shinn gave his love a pat on the head, regaining her approval.
"Should we call Asuka and invite her along?" Mir was hoping to see her.
"Give her a call, then." Shinn accompanied Stellar to her room for a few private moments together.
Dearka similarly went with Mir to her room. He also had the privilege of holding the phone while Mir unpacked. "I'm not getting an answer."
Mir turned her head to give a questioning look. "Think they're still involved in whatever she had planned?"
"Maybe," Dearka scratched his head. "Oh, wait. Somebody's picking up. Hello, Asuka?"
Miriallia watched as Dearka's face turned very pale.
"I see. I'll be right there." Dearka stood up and returned Mir's phone to the cradle. "Don't leave," he ordered her.
"What's wrong?" Mir dropped her nearly empty suitcase sensing something was up.
"Trouble. Do not leave this building."
"Alright. Come back soon."
"I will," Dearka closed the door behind him. Knocking on Stellar's door he let them know he didn't want them to open the door. "I've got to go. Don't leave them, Shinn. Stay together. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Shinn came out with only a few smudged lip prints to mark what he had been up to. "What is it?"
Dearka whispered, "Yzak and Asuka are in the hospital. I've got to go."
Four
"Kira?"
The volleyball fell at his feet. His eyes were glazed over, so he didn't even see its approach.
"Kira?" Lacus placed a hand on the small of his back. She knew that would do the trick. "Tell me what's the matter."
Kira came out of his daze to answer, "Something's wrong. I feel it. Something big."
"What is it?" Cagalli, with Athrun in tow, over to check as Kira sat down in the sand.
Kira took a deep breath, drawing it all in. "It's gone. I don't feel anything anymore." Concentrating the best he knew how made little difference. As suddenly as it came, it had gone. The strange feeling just wasn't there anymore.
"Kira, you're worrying me." Cagalli placed a hand on her little brother's cheek.
"Stay on guard, Athrun. Events are beginning to move in unusual ways. I'm afraid something terrible will happen, and we'll be drawn into it all over again."
"I don't understand." Athrun scratched his head. You sure have gotten weird, old friend.
"We are all in danger," Lacus began to see what Kira was hinting at. "All the attacks on us have been related, and it's only going to get worse. Banadeen, the Seirans, Blue Cosmos, the Zala Faction. It's all connected."
"They're about to make their next big move." Kira suggested, "You might want to get the Archangel ready."
End Part Ten
A/N
Originally, Asuka's real identity was going to be Nami. I changed it to Shiho at the last minute, so if you see a Nami here or there now you know the reason why.
Well, that's it for now. Time for a break (i.e., don't expect updates for at least a week).
End A/N