-Missing In Action-

Chapter 11: Reader of the Future…

Note: I have decided to combined the final two chapters into one…since neither were that long…

Three days later

Yzak ran his fingertips along the windows as he walked by. He was thinner than even he would have liked and paler as well. But at least he wasn't in the infirmary anymore. Walking up to a door he took a deep breath and asked to enter. He felt compelled to approach Athrun and tell him what he had done but before he did that he had to tell another.

"Come in." He entered.

"Commander?"

"Right on time Yzak, Please take a seat."

Ken looked around feeling something unsettling…Disturbing even. Inhaling he felt tension. He turned expecting to see someone but he didn't even see a fly fluttering against the windows. He was alone; no one was with him, near him or even approaching him. So why did it feel as though he had a gun to his head.
Kira laid the pieces out in front of him determined. Picking up a pair of tweezers he started to sort through the pieces. Placing certain parts with others and so forth.

"If Athrun built you all those years ago…I should be able to build you now." Kira pushed some hair out of his eyes as he looked at a very unusual piece. "I don't remember this being a part Birdy." He was tempted to throw it over his shoulder but instincts and common sense told him to keep it.

Ken stared at his food and jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. Athrun stared at him taking his hand away.

"You okay?"

"No. Something is wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"I feel it…"

"Feel what?" Athrun took a seat across from him and crossed his arms on the table. Ken let out a long breath.

"You know that feeling… right before you enter a battle. That tension."

"I've experienced it." Athrun narrowed his eyes.

"Well that's what I feel. It started when I woke up this morning. The tension is so thick I can barely eat, sleep or concentrate. Every time I inhale my heart painfully clenches. I can barely breathe at certain moments." Athrun leaned forward and placed a hand on Ken's brow. Ken pulled away. "I don't have a fever."

"Maybe you should go to the infirmary and get checked out. Maybe you're adrenaline is all messed up."

"Kira Yamato. Did he ever give you a disk?"

"Kira?"

"He's your best friend correct? Well he's been the recent target of Blue Cosmo's because of a recent discovery concerning a Doctor Hibiki. Blue Cosmo's are becoming fearful for some reason and ZAFT is looking for the disk that Doctor Hibiki wrote to find out why."

"Why would Kira have this disk?" Ken looked at him before looking around.

"Kira's biological father is Doctor Hibiki. And if I remember correctly Kira has been named the a top specimen." Athrun's eyes widened. "Many are believing that Hibiki did some special tinkering with your dear friend to turn him into a war machine. Kira has single handedly defeated commanders, armies and you yourself have been defeated by him." Athrun slammed his hands on the table and stood.

"Kira hates killing. Hates war. Hates fighting. He is not a war machine. He is Kira! Kira Yamato."

"I hope you speak the truth."

Dearka turned a corner and bumped into someone who cursed. He apologized and it was then he noticed whom he had bumped into.

"Hi Ami."

"Watch where you're going." Dearka nodded and stepped out of her way.

"Sorry. I was in deep thought."

"I never thought you were capable of such a thing." Ami remarked walking past him. Dearka glared at her back. Suddenly Ami turned and stared at him.

"Keep your eyes open. Something is about to happen soon."

"Pardon?" She didn't repeat her words as she continued on her way.

"There is a woman. She has no name but for the last twelve years she has been serving as a tool to keep us one step ahead of the enemy." Athrun sat back down and stared at him. "She can read the future and when she speaks she speaks of what she sees. Most are confused by her words…however since Ami is her sister. She understands what exactly the girl is trying to get across."

"Where is this girl now?"

"None know. She was abducted about two months ago while in ZAFT's custody but not before she said…" Ken dug around in his pocket and pulled out a tape recorder. "She said this…" He pressed a button and it played.

'The ultimate protector and enforcer of life will fire his guns in twice years. All fear, respect and loathe ultimate protector's ability. Dance in rain. Scream in fire but clamp hands with ultimate protector and be freed from rain and fire. Heart beating with learning and understanding believe in that heart. Tears will sing from his eyes. A seed shall sprout. He walks the dark path alone to the light…but heart beats. Soul listens. Gentle eyes warm the soul when one's own is in tears…Weep. For if his strong light fades…Darkness will consume the candle that the remainder of us shed…Kira I clasp your pain in my heart…lets I share the burden.' Athrun listened closely and swallowed when he heard his friend's name.

"What does that mean?"

"Ami said it means that Kira will be the ultimate weapon in bringing the war to a halt for as long as his heart beats. She said that he would hold intense pain in his heart and soul because he will be the only thing keeping the PLANTS and earth together. She said that if Kira dies we might as well too for our hope is no hope compared to his. She compared him to a sun and us to a candle…She said 'How would we live without the sun…She answered her own question by saying 'we couldn't'." Ken suddenly chuckled "We then proceeded to have an argument cause at the time" Ken clasped his hands together imitating Ami's voice, which he did perfectly. "Take this seriously you bastard! Men never understand. Quit laughing! This is serious!" Ken snorted throwing his hands in the air. "I call it angry pregnant woman with her hormones all out of whack or A.P.W.H." Athrun laughed and Ken chuckled as he finished. Suddenly the window shattered and Ken jerked backwards a bullet in his chest Athrun caught him before he hit the ground.

He lowered the sniper rifle and nodded to himself. Black hair blew into his eyes and he straightened and packed away a few things before walking away. "Goodbye Ken."
"Ken?" He was limp and as he placed him on the floor he felt for a pulse. He felt a light beat against his fingertips meaning that Ken was still alive.

"Hang on." The pool of blood was becoming bigger and he almost slipped in it as he went to go call for medical aid.

Kira looked at the package as Cagalli handed it to him. Putting down the tweezers he was using to put Birdy back together he took it from her.

"Its from your mom and dad." Cagalli said looking at a near wall. "They're in Orb." Kira muttered a thanks and opened it.

"A disk?"

Ami rushed into the infirmary only to be pushed back by Athrun.

"Ami he's been hurt badly. The doctors need room." Ami shook her head trying to push past.

"What happened?"

"It looks like someone tried to assassinate him." Ami's hand rushed to her mouth.

"What? No."

"He was hit in the chest. It came close to hitting his heart but it looks like he'll survive." She grabbed Athrun's shirt and started to cry. "He can't die. He can't…He can't die."

This is where I was going to end the chapter! But oh my! It's being continued! YAY!

18 hours later…

Ken opened his eyes and winced at the pain in his chest.

"I hate being shot." He grumbled touching his head. Suddenly a hand overlapped his and he looked at Ami who stared down at him.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I've been shot."

"I'm sorry but I don't know what that feels like."

"It hurts like hell."

"And how do you know what hell feels like?" Ken gave a snort and winced as it caused the sharp throb in his chest to increase.

"No laughing for awhile it seems. Hey Ami where is my coat?" She pointed to a near chair and he smiled thinking of something. "Can you reach into the left pocket and get something for me?" She nodded and walked over to his coat. Picking it up and searching the pocket her eyes blinked a few times as she pulled out a small box then her eyes widened as she flipped it open. The diamond ring caught the sunlight perfectly rainbows dancing on her face and the near walls.

"I've decided to marry." He said to the ceiling and he heard her gasp. "It's a guy."

"What!"

"I'm joking! Joking! Ow!" He yelled as the box clocked him upside the head. "Ami!"

"Sorry you ass!" He sighed.

"Will you marry me?"

"No."

"What!"

"Ha! Doesn't feel so good does it?"

"You're too cruel. But does that mean it's a yes."

"Yes." She bent down picking up the box and slipping the ring on her finger.

"Looks expensive."

"Good. Cause it was."

"So when I go shopping some guy will try and kill me for it huh?" Ken blinked.

"Pardon?"

Yzak saw Athrun in his room and asked to enter. Athrun looked from his book and at him puzzled.

"This is a war. Why do you have free time?"

"Well I-" Athrun glared at him and then went to his book. "I need to relax."

"Well now that's funny." Yzak snipped crossing his arms. "Look I'd just thought you had the right to know that there's is a slight chance that I might have killed Kira." Athrun bolted from his bed and put his book down.

"What?"

"I shot him when I was on the Archangel… They were the ones that fished me from the waters." Yzak looked bored and leaned against the wall.

"A coordinator among naturals…disturbing isn't it." Athrun swallowed. "I'll be honest here." Yzak traced his finger along his scar "It feels better knowing that it was a coordinator who gave me this scar." With that Yzak glared at him before exiting the room.

If Kira dies we might as well too for our hope is no hope compared to his

Kira watched as the flawed Birdy tried to fly. He had to reach and catch it as it failed.

"Nope. That's not working." He took it apart again and felt like banging his head against the wall. "Athrun I didn't give you enough credit when we were little. That much I'll say." He sighed as he tried his best to restore the gift Athrun had given him all those years ago. He glanced at the disk his parents had given him. He had already looked at it but he had been confused as to what was written on it. But he knew it was important…suddenly it occurred to him and he stood grabbing the disk.

-Flashback-

"So you shot this Kira who had been watching over you to make sure you didn't escape?" Rau Le Creuset smiled a queer smile and Yzak almost shivered.

"Yes. I did."

"Where'd you shoot him?"

"I'm not sure sir. We were struggling and rolling on the ground as I said before. For a natural he was certainly strong." Rau Le Creuset smiled.

"Kira Yamato is no natural. He is a coordinator." Yzak stood

"What!"

"Kira is a coordinator."

"Sir how do you know this?"

"I make sure I know certain things."

'In other words.' Yzak thought to himself 'Athrun told you.'

-Fin Flashback-

Kira stomped on the disk and dropped the remains into the trash. Clapping his hands together he went to work on Birdy some more. He let out a long breath as he picked up the tweezers and started to fiddle around with aerodynamics.

"How the hell did Athrun do this?"

Athrun watched the scenery change below the ship and sighed running his hand through his hair.

"Damn you Yzak."

"What did he do now?" Athrun glanced over his shoulder at Dearka.

"Wow."

"What's wow?"

"I hardly ever see you without Yzak being near." Dearka crossed his arms.

"And what is that suppose to mean?"

"Nothing. Its just odd."

"Yzak and I just happen to get along. And he always carries a gun."

"What and you don't?"

"Not always." Dearka stood by him. "How's Ken doing?"

"Fine. He proposed to Ami."

"Bout time."

"I walked in on their engagement argument. Supposedly she feels uncomfortable wearing an expensive ring and wants him to go in and get it exchanged for a cheaper one." Athrun smirked. "Ken was ranting on about woman and how they make no sense."

"His rants are scary." Dearka said suddenly getting a distasteful look.

Kira walked out to the hanger and threw Birdy in the air. After flapping once or twice it circled around him and landed on his shoulder. Kira breathed a sigh of relief.

"Looks like you were repairable." Suddenly a hand clasped over his eyes and another over his mouth. He tried to get away but something stung his arm, a needle perhaps, and everything went dark.

"Bout time we caught you." A husk voice growled

5 hours later

Athrun was talking to Nicol when suddenly something came scratching and tapping against a near window. He stood and blinked as he saw Birdy.

"Birdy" It chirped. Nicol looked at it.

"A mechanical bird?"

"Where is the disk?" Kira blinked and winced at the next blow to his head. He was tied to a pole and his fellow crewmembers were either thrown into the Archangels cells or killed.

"I destroyed it." The man yelled and hit him again this time harder. Kira coughed and moaned.

"You did what?"

"I destroyed it!" The man took out a gun and pointed it against his old wound.

"Say that again?" Kira took a deep breath.

"I. Destroyed. It."

"I know you're lying to me." the man hissed.

"No. You're hoping I am." The man backhanded him and Kira cried out blood trickling down his cheek.

"Lock him up! He's not telling us something."

"How could I have allowed this to happen?" Mwu demanded of himself. Murrue shook her head.

"Its more my fault than yours. How were we supposed to know that they would turn on us?"

"Where's the kid?" By 'kid' Mwu was referring to Kira.

"I don't know. They were looking for him I fear that he's been-"

Murrue snapped her mouth shut and turned to look through the bars of her cell as two men led the person whom they had just been talking about by. Kira had his head held high blood trickling from cuts and scrapes. It was obvious he had been beaten because of the way he limped and the bruises that were starting to appear. No matter what had happened to him Kira was carrying himself as a solider. One that held a pride in not bowing his head and admitting defeat. This caused her to smile.

'He's come so far…' an image of him saying that he was only a civilian and not a solider rang through her mind and she almost laughed. 'Kira what a man you've become.'

Okay that is the final chapter for -Missing in Action- You'll have to look out for –Prisoner of War-, which I am plotting out, and doing rough drafts for. So far it looks a lot more promising and all of you who read -Missing in Action- should really love it. All those things that weren't answered will be. Like the importance of the spider which was mentioned in an earlier chapter and Ken's past occupation. I have an ending that is kinda sad yet happy planned and no more will I say!

By the way! This chapter was rushed and you can review me the mistakes I made and I will fix them!