Author's note: Sorry for the late update. Some news regarding this story, it's big bad and ugly. I've decided to put it on hold so I can properly finish off any unfinished stories I have laying around. This is bad news, but the wait shouldn't be that long and by the time I get around to writing another chapter, more ideas will be brought forth and the story will be a lot more interesting. I have not abandoned Burn that Baby, nor do I intend to, I just need to let some thoughts come flowing back into my scrambled mind. However, I'd like to thank everyone for reviewing so far, look for another update soon.

Full fledged darkness consumed him. The brick wall he leaned against was cold and frigid, causing his skin to tingle and goose flesh to form. It was dark and his violet eyes could see nothing before them, except a street light that looked so far away, like it would take him an hour to reach it if he really wanted to.

Thoughts pooled into his mind, flooding them with the good and the bad. It was so hard to concentrate, let alone think of what his future would turn out to be. Somethings he let slip, others he skimmed through and decided that thinking at this time of night, especially since he was beyond over tired, was a bad idea. Yet he found it nearly impossible to let go of some of them, the biggest thought at that.

Athrun.

He wanted to talk to him like a normal human being, laugh alongside him, be there for him. He had no choice but to remain separated from his blue haired friend, hating every single moment of it too. Surely he could talk Athrun out of being in the PLANTs. But as Kira stood silently, he weighed out what his friend thought at the time and how much pressure was obviously being applied to him by his father, and knew, even though he regretted it, that the possibility of them restoring that friendship they had so long ago was absolutely impossible.

Those sweet memories he knew they both held deeply in their hearts and kept locked away in a safe little box in their minds, were the only thing that connected them now. It was the sad truth, the bitter reality that neither wanted to face. Ever since that day so long ago, Kira had felt empty, just like a shell. He often wondered if Athrun felt the same. He must have, he hoped, because from those few short moments he had made some sort of encounter with his lost friend, Kira could see it in his emerald eyes, sticking out horribly. The loneliness was becoming unbearable.

Kira slowly let himself fade into the world that now surrounded him, breaking away from the past. He had listened to the words Lacus spoke kindly, yet seriously, and learned something very interesting about her. She sure wasn't the criminal and violent person he had heard about. She had surprised him numerous times during their discussion, telling him about Athrun and how he had entwined himself in her life. It wasn't a surprise, however, to hear that it was the cause of his father.

A breeze flapped the edges of his shirt, showing the bare skin underneath. More skin bunched up, as if it was trying to escape the cold. Kira decided that it was time to go and batted the thoughts and fond memories away, even as Athrun's small, childish voice rang through his ears. He turned to face the same direction of the street lamp, pushing himself off the cold stone wall. His footsteps were quiet in the dark alley, one so tight that only one person would be able to fit in it, width wise. He scanned the pitch black ground with his eyes, easily evading several obstacles. Kira didn't have night vision, but his eyes had adjusted to the darkness so seeing things that didn't quite belong wasn't an issue, as long as the lamp didn't move anywhere for it created the shadows that he had managed to spot as they came up, one at a time.

It didn't take as long as he thought to reach the lamp. Now propped against it, looking around for a place to go, Kira suddenly realized that he was lost. This place brought forth no recognition, it was strange and very different from the neighborhood he now resided in. Nevertheless, Kira knew that by working himself up he would only make things more complicated so he pressed forwards until a small park came into view.

Sheltered by many trees, alone and quiet, the park glowed in Kira's eyes. There was a small water fountain nearby, its presence made only from the constant trickling of water as it pooled over its edges and into a bowl like shape where it would be shot back up to the top of the fountain. The strong smell of freshly cut grass was easily noticed by the brown haired mobster. Shadows of benches were cast with the help of the moonlight, a number of four in total. The glowing orb's reflection came up fast as Kira walked further into it, rippling in a small pond. This place was so calm and peaceful, even in a time of fighting and sorrow.

Kira went to a nearby bench, resting his tiring legs. He let his back lean against the back of it, the sound of wood brushing into fabric filling his ears. His sore body felt like it would sigh in relief, but Kira stopped it from doing so when he jerked to the side, only to stare at the pond as if he was being hypnotized.

The shape of the moon was perfect and calm on the surface of the water, unmoving since he sat down. Sounds that he hadn't noticed before, the crickets humming, stray dogs barking, the sway of grass as the cold night air blew over it, caused him to smile. Kira found it irresistible not to chuck something into the reflection and soon found himself obeying his mind, reaching down onto the ground to grasp onto a good sized rock. He aimed it, closing his right eye, and tossed it instead of chucking it, and watched as the reflection became blurry.

A million different orbs danced on the surface of the water, amusing Kira. He gazed deeply at them, watching as they slowly regrouped to form a whole shape. This night was so peaceful all of the sudden. His feelings of lost hope and sorrow seemed to fade away with the help of the moon. He wished he could stay here forever.

Not even in the past had he felt like this. It would've been grand, especially if Athrun was there with him. They had done so much together, cherishing every moment for what it was worth. He recalled feeling no pain and no loss with his friend around, it was truly a good time. And like all good things, it had come to an end, a bitter, painful end.

Kira picked up another rock as a twig snapped to his left. He turned in the direction of the noise, eyes falling upon the last person he imagined seeing on this night. Feeling that everything would be ruined, Kira turned to the opposite side, so that his face couldn't be seen. The moon was thankfully not as bright as it had seemed in the first place, making it hard for anybody to recognize him.

The person, as if turned out to be, walked over to the bench Kira was positioned at and sat down, dead silent. He shifted to look at the stranger beside him, taking in his darkened features. It didn't take him long to figure out who the brown haired mobster was, but kept it to himself.

They sat in silence for the longest time, enjoying each others company without speaking a single word. It then became unbearable for the 'stranger' who had shown up, driving him crazy. Kira jumped slightly when a hand came to rest on his shoulder. He turned to face the 'stranger' and was surprised that he had recognized him.

"You really try hard to hide yourself, don't you?" The 'stranger', who wasn't a stranger at all, said in a humor ridden voice.

"Yeah."

"What are you doing all the way over here?"

"Lacus."

Athrun flinched at her name, making Kira suspicious. He decided not to question him, but couldn't help it.

"Why did you make that illegal gun Athrun?"

"It was for her safety," he spoke in a hushed voice. Had Kira not been siting right beside him, he would have never heard a word he said.

"What happened?"

"Can we drop it?"

"Do the PLANTs know about it?"

"Kira," Athrun warned.

The brown haired mobster took the rock that had been forgotten up until now, and tossed it into the water, disturbing the calmness of the water once again. He settled into another period of silence, watching as a group of clouds passed over the moon, leaving them in darkness.

"Can't we go back to the way things used to be?" Kira whispered, afraid to shatter the comfortable silence.

Athrun smirked. Kira always was the more immature one, always acting so childish. He never thought it to be annoying, but rather humorous for the most part. "Kira, a lot has changed since then."

Bitter reality sunk into both their hearts, filling them with pain. It was the harsh reality and they both knew it.

Kira closed his eyes, sighing, then lightly rested his head on Athrun's shoulder. He felt at peace and didn't want it to be any other way. Athrun felt guilty for mistreating his friend for so long, for never trying hard enough to contact him, for threatening to take his life the next time they met. He too closed his eyes.

They were both bathed in bright moonlight when it had appeared from behind the clouds, savoring each others presence once again. The water was calm on the pond, the fountain still working away in the background while the wind was reduced to nothing. Everything was calm.

They remained that way for a long time.