Hey everybody...I decided to post a new chapter because I was really impatient. But next time I won't be. Please please PLEASE review! I want at least three on the previous chapter before I post a new one! If you're an author, I'm sure you understand how I feel when it comes to reviews. Thanks in advance! .

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Gundam Seed or its characters. I DO own, however, Rin, her destroyed mobile suit (the Destroyer) and a new mobile suit making its premiere in this chapter, the Harmony. So live with it! Thank you. .

CHAPTER SEVEN – SEEDs, ENEMIES, AND REVENGE

The next morning, Rin had almost completely forgotten about the night's events, probably thanks to the hit to the head she received when she stumbled. That part she remembered, and the part where Nicol's murderer – she couldn't for the life of her remember his name – brought her to her bed. But despite the kind act, she hated him anyway.

The boy left for Earth that day. According to Lacus, he was returning to help his friends in Alaska to save them from Operation Spitbreak. Rin had heard about this operation. But she had no idea that its target would be Alaska. She had assumed it would be Panama. But now, Lacus and her father would be considered traitors, and if Rin was found in their presence, it would only get her into trouble. So she returned to Earth with Reverend Malkio. On the way back, she had an interesting conversation with him.

"I saw part of the battle, you know," Reverend Malkio said to her. "You have a very good technique."

Rin didn't know what to answer to this, so she simply decided on a small nod.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you ended up being a bearer of the SEED," he continued. "I believe you have the abilities to push yourself that far. Besides, you survived the big explosion, so you must have some special ability."

Again she was speechless. She knew what a bearer of the SEED was like. When that ability was activated, they suddenly became extraordinarily more powerful…even sometimes went berserk. Rin wondered what it would be like if she possessed the SEED, and unlocked it during a battle. Perhaps it would give her what you needed to destroy the Strike.

Finally she couldn't take her own silence any longer. She had to say something. "Reverend Malkio," she burst out, "why don't you hate him for all the people he's killed?"

He sighed. "He is a living proof of what it's like to be a bearer of the SEED. Do you remember seeing him fight so viciously against your teammate, Athrun? It's because the boys activated the powers of the SEED. When you unlock that power, you can't always fully control your actions."

Rin stared at him. "They both bear the SEED?" she asked incredulously.

He nodded. "Not only that, but they used to be best friends. But war is war, and they were both fighting against the enemy. However, a person who is on a different side than your own is not always necessarily an enemy. He could even turn out to be a great ally."

She let out a snort. "Are you trying to say that he could be an ally?" she exclaimed. "Are you crazy? He killed my brother. I can't forgive him for that!"

"Are you certain of that?" Reverend Malkio asked her calmly.

Rin nodded fervently. "There's no way. He's an enemy. And what he's done is unforgivable."

"You should know," he continued, "that Athrun will forgive him."

To be frank, she thought that his words were utterly false. "And what makes you say that?" she snapped at him.

He gave her a small smile. "I am one hundred percent certain when I say that both boys will forgive each other. When you have a thorough understanding of what you should be fighting against, it doesn't matter if they were an enemy in the past. What matters is that you now have the same goal, and the best way to achieve it is to work together."

"And you know what it is we should be fighting against?" Rin demanded.

"The best path to take is not to take one side or the other," Reverend Malkio said.

"Then what else could it be?"

"Neutrality," he answered. She stayed silent; she was too surprised to speak. He continued, "It is the most difficult path to take, but Orb has chosen to stay neutral in their attempt to have naturals and coordinators live together in peace. The Earth Alliance and ZAFT don't understand why they won't choose one side or the other, but Orb is fighting for its freedom. To stay free and preserve their future. And even if either side opposes this, Orb will stay strong. In my opinion, I think you would make an excellent soldier of Orb."

Rin said nothing. It was completely preposterous. She was a faithful supporter of ZAFT and the PLANTS, and she would always be. Besides, if she was to change sides now, there would be absolutely no way she could avenge her brother, because then she'd be on the same side as his murderer. There was no way. She wasn't about to change sides now.

But she wondered about the boy. He seemed kind enough, but he didn't hesitate when it came time to fight. Why was that? Because he was fighting to preserve the lives of those he cared about? Then again, Nicol had probably tried to destroy him in order to protect the ones he cared about. So which one was right and which one was wrong? Which one was truly fighting to find a way to bring peace? Neither of them, Rin suddenly realized. Nicol really did try to destroy Kira, but got destroyed by him instead. And if I try to kill him and succeed, someone who cares about him will come to destroy me. So when does this vicious circle end?

And then the answer came to her. And when she thought this, she couldn't believe herself for it. When someone finally finds the courage to forgive the enemy. But that was something she knew she could never do. But maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage to fight for the proper side.

The reverend's words were starting to sink in. She had always been quick to understand. Perhaps her lust for revenge had been blinding her. But now she understood.

"You know what?" Rin told him. "You're right about Orb. They really have chosen the right path. And it's probably about time that I do as well."

Somehow, Reverend Malkio had made special preparations for Rin and she received a brand new mobile suit. This mobile suit was named the Harmony. She found the name quite corny, but hey, she'd have to deal with it. The good thing was that it was five times more powerful than the Destroyer. The names should have been switched around, she thought with a grin. But it was a wonderful machine nonetheless.

Rin and the reverend went to Orb to receive it, and she pledged allegiance to them. Lord Izumi was pleased when he heard of her abilities and was very kind to her.

So was his daughter, Cagalli. Cagalli had befriended her the moment she had arrived. Rin had always been quick to make friends, and this was no exception. Together they went for a walk along the beach and talked about a lot of things. Rin discovered that Athrun had survived his battle with the Strike.

"I spoke with him the first time he woke up," Cagalli told her. "He told me that he fought the Strike to avenge a friend of his. I think his name was…Nicol."

At these words, Rin felt emotions rising up in her again, and tried desperately to keep them at bay. But she felt she could trust Cagalli. "Nicol was my brother," she said softly.

Cagalli's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Rin," she said sadly. "But please tell me you're not going to try to avenge him."

Rin looked at her weirdly. "That's why I joined the war," she told her. "But as long as I'm with Orb, I doubt I can do that. Still, I'm not going to forgive him for what he's done."

"But Rin," Cagalli protested, "if all people think about is revenge, then how will this war ever come to an end? I know you must be upset, but –"

"You don't know anything about how I feel!" Rin burst out. "What would you do if your brother was killed? Wouldn't you feel the need to do something, to avenge him?"

Slowly, she answered, "No. Because as a loyal citizen of Orb, I fight only to preserve peace, not to make more war. I know revenge is wrong, and I'm not after it. What I would do, however, is try my hardest to stop anyone else from being heartbroken by bringing peace!"

These words stunned Rin, and realization swept through her. Shaking, she bent over and slowly fell to her knees. "But Nicol is gone!" she cried, and tears started to come out again. "I see your point, I really do. But what about my feelings? Why should I have to suffer? Why me? Why…?"

Cagalli bent down next to her. "Nicol must have been a great brother," she said softly.

"He wasn't!" Rin screamed suddenly. Cagalli stared. "I never cared for him. We were complete opposites. I never took the time to appreciate anything he did for me. And only now I realized how wrong I was. How do you think that makes me feel? To wait until his death to find that I really do love him? That I never had the chance…to tell him how I felt, that I loved him as any sibling would, and even more? He was so kind…caring…fought only because he wanted to protect the people important to him…and you know what drove him to join the war? Because he wanted me to respect him, to be proud of my older brother! For crying out loud, he loved the piano! Doesn't that tell you what kind of a guy he was? He didn't deserve to die!"

"Think about your brother, then," Cagalli said. "Would he want you to avenge him? Or would he want you to just try and make peace so that his loved ones wouldn't have to suffer? From the sounds of it, I'm sure he'd prefer if you continue on what he was trying to achieve: peace. Not revenge."

"I know, I know!" Rin sobbed. "But I can't just cast aside my feelings as if they didn't matter! I want to make him proud of me, I really do! But I don't have the strength to forgive his murderer for what he's done! I'm not that kind of person! I know Nicol was, but I'm not!"

Cagalli was having trouble finding words to comfort her. But she did manage to say this: "Well, at least give it a try. Wouldn't he prefer it if you tried and failed rather than not doing anything at all? Wouldn't he?"

Rin stopped her noisy sobbing, though the tears still came down. Cagalli had a big point. She could try to forgive. It was highly unlikely that she'd be able to let go of her current feelings, but she knew she had to try. Maybe that action in itself would help Nicol find peace, instead of her killing his murderer. Because if that's the way Nicol was, then that's the way he'd like best.

I'll try, Nicol, Rin promised him. I promise I'll try. For you. And if…if I don't succeed…will you still love me? Even though he was not able to communicate with her, she knew what he would say. Of course you would…listen, if you can hear me, wherever you are…I'm sorry. Sorry for everything. And also…I love you.