(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Recovery

Onogoro Castle

Kira's Chambers

Lacus felt something on her cheek and looked down immediately, and she saw Kira smiling at her slightly.

Lacus felt new tears form but these were tears of joy, as she sat straight up, "Your…you're…" Lacus said.

Kira looked into her eyes, "I promised I would never leave you," Kira said as he smiled at her.

Lacus immediately embraced him as softly as she could as she didn't want to upset his wounds, she felt Kira's arms go around her and she had never been happier. Lacus made sure not to go anywhere near his wound. She had never been so frightened in her life, but it was over know he was awake and would live. As soon as Kira awoke he remembered the events that happened. His actions that night didn't make him think he would live, but he fought through it, for her.

They held each other for a little while and they slowly parted after a few minutes.

"I knew you would come back," Lacus told him softly.

"I made you a promise didn't I," Kira said.

Lacus smiled at him and leaned down kissing him gently, Kira easily returned it, but it grew a little fiercer, it lasted for a good three minutes, but Lacus didn't want to accidentally strain him or brush against his wound, so she slowly parted from it, she slowly sat back up and smiled at him.

Kira smiled up at her, but he was still in pain and when he tried to sit up it showed. Lacus saw him attempt to get up but she would not let him.

"You have to stay still Kira, your wound is still serious," Lacus told him sternly.

Kira looked at her, "Whatever you say My Lady, but what exactly happened? I remember the man in the balcony, was he caught?" Kira asked as he wanted to know what was happening.

Lacus looked at him, "I don't really know, I was here all night and didn't get any information."

Kira smiled, "You were here and that's all that matters."

Lacus blushed and as she did the doors to Kira's chambers opened revealing the doctor and the rest that stay outside the door all night. They were waiting all night and couldn't take it anymore and rushed in lead by Cagalli.

All walked in and saw Kira awake, Cagalli tried to hide it but she did get teary eyed. All smiled at him and approached his bed.

"It is good to see you up my son," Via said as her relief went beyond words.

Murrue walked in slightly but after she saw him awake she had to go and find Mu, Mu was without a doubt taking this hard almost as hard as Lacus did. The King was his responsibility and he knew he failed that last night. Murrue knew he was punishing himself hard so she wanted to inform him of this. She looked a last time and left the room, knowing exactly where Mu would be.

Kira smiled at his mother and everybody in the room, as the doctor started checking his wound.

"I'm sorry to have worried you," Kira said to all of them.

"Is that all you have to say is sorry…you moron!" Cagalli screamed at him as she tried to hide her relief.

Kira looked at her, "It's good to know you care."

Cagalli grew a little angry.

All in the room got a little chuckle out of this and Kira looked at Athrun.

"What happened to the person in the balcony?" Kira asked as he wanted answers.

Athrun looked at him, "I can't tell you much, Mu went after him and I heard he got away, he should be able to tell you more."

Kira nodded his head, "I see…he isn't taking this well is he?"

Athrun nodded, "He came here last night, gave us the news and left, he is blaming himself."

"It's not his fault, he was off duty," Kira replied.

Athrun nodded his head in agreement, when he remembered something.

"There was one more piece of information," Athrun said.

Kira looked at him.

Athrun stared at him seriously, "After the attack, Mu shut down the ballroom and we checked everybody and we arrested both Allsters."

Kira heard that and he tried to sit up again, but Lacus kept him down glaring at him, Kira took that as a sign to stay still.

"What were they even doing at the ball?" Kira asked.

"I don't know, but George seemed to plan the attack, he had an acceptance letter from someone in ZAFT he hired," Athrun told him.

Kira felt angry, "I was not the target."

Lacus looked at him, "I know it was meant for me."

Kira looked at her, "This is not your fault, and since she was the target I have a feeling that both were involved in this."

Athrun looked at him, "Mu felt the same way and took both of them in custody, they are in the dungeon, and the evidence is clear."

Kira looked at him, "I will handle both of them myself, for know let them rot in the dungeon."

Athrun smiled, "Good choice."

Kira smiled and so did Athrun and the doctor finished his examine.

"You made it through the worst part sire, but you will still need to take it easy, you were lucky," the doctor told him.

Kira looked at him, "I understand, when can I get up?"

"I would hope not for awhile, I would recommend you stay here for a few more days." the doctor told him.

Kira frowned, but the look from Lacus told him he wasn't moving anytime soon. All in the room noticed and got a small laugh.

Armory

Mu had been in the armory all night, it was the one place he went to escape from things and just think. Mu's guilt was overwhelming him as he remembered what had happened that past night. Mu was grateful that Kira gave him the night off so he could finally have his date, but it came at to high a price. Mu kept thinking if only he was where he would have been things would have turned out different. Mu's thoughts than went to his brother. The man was obviously crazier than when he left. Rau was once a high ranking ORB knight, but five years ago the former King threw him out for being to insubordinate. Rau had a tendency not to follow orders and do things on his own, which would make even the former King's ruthless behavior look like sainthood.

Mu remembered the day Rau was discharged, the look on his brother's face was not of anger but of happiness. Mu always knew Rau was dangerous to others around him, and after the actions of the past battles both endured; Mu couldn't take his brothers actions any more and despised him. To many good knights were sacrificed to his own selfish desires and Mu vowed he would end Rau's actions with his own hands, but before he had the chance Rau had vanished, Mu heard rumors that he somehow joined the ZAFT army and had been moving up the ranks fast so he knew he would get his chance with time.

Mu kept thinking about Rau and his failure last night when Murrue entered the room. Mu was so wrapped up in thought that he didn't even here her. Murrue noticed last night his leg was wounded, and he still didn't have it looked at. Murrue also knew that Kira was like the brother he wanted to have, since his was crazy, so he was taking this extra hard. Murrue also knew of one thing to get him back to his normal self and she would try to put it to use. Murrue slowly approached him, and Mu turned around slowly as he heard something.

Mu looked at her, "I see I can't hide from you."

Murrue looked at him, "I don't think you're actually hiding, your letting the guilt destroy you."

Mu smiled, "It was my responsibility and I failed."

"I never thought you were a coward," Murrue told him sternly.

Mu looked at her, "…Maybe your right…I am a coward…but that will have to wait for later, I will not stop until he is dead, and I will go to ZAFT to do it."

Murrue smiled, she knew he wouldn't stay down to long; it was something she hoped would turn him back to normal. Murrue was also the few remaining who knew about Rau, along with Via, Kira and the rest probably didn't even remember him.

Murrue starred at him, "Before you go I think you should inform the King,"

Mu instantly looked at her, "He's alright?"

Murrue smiled, "He is alright and awake, it appears he will make it."

Mu sighed in relief, "What are we waiting for lets go." Mu said as he nearly ran out of the room.

Murrue laughed and followed him out of the room.

ORB ZAFT Border

Rau was quite pleased with the results of last night's ball, he didn't get the correct target but for his goals it was a lot better. Rau had no trouble leaving the city after he disappeared from Mu last night. He left the city and though he was instructed to bring back the wagon George placed as payment, he ignored it. Rau arrived at the border just a little after morning. The patrols were doing there routes, but Rau decided that he would not wait. Rau decided to just cross with them watching, this would prove useful to his plan as well. Rau needed to get back to Messiah; he had every intention of informing the Emperor of these events, as Rau knew it would cause him to speed up his next attack which would bring him to his ultimate goal.

Rau glanced over and rode from the small forest he emerged from knowing all to well the patrols would notice him. The guards that were patrolling did hear him coming and turned around to get a look. They saw a man racing for the border which they could tell was not normal. They quickly rode to intercept him, Rau heard their shouts to stop but he replied by unsheathing his sword, the guards saw that and responded to his act by removing theirs. Rau smiled at their actions, but he had to keep them alive if they were to tell of this. The patrol knights got in front of him and Rau smirked, as they neared one swung his sword but Rau easily ducked and avoided it, the second one did the same but this time Rau used his sword to counter and in doing so knocked the knight's sword from his hand. Rau was able to evade the others but not before shouting out.

"Your King is gone, ZAFT will rule all," Rau shouted as he wanted to make sure they heard every word.

The patrol did hear every word and kept the chase up until they reached the border, Rau crossed and they dared not follow into the ZAFT territory. The knights watched, but they were also concerned for what he said. The knights stay a while longer, and then left to inform their superior.

As Rau rode towards Messiah he was quite pleased, and he knew everything he set to accomplish, was completed ten fold.

Onogoro City

As with everything in Onogoro the incident at the castle was known to the whole City and probably the whole Kingdom. People's spirits dropped immensely as they knew not what happened to their King. Some rumors were that he died; others say he made it while others said that with the King gone ORB will fall to ZAFT. There was no chaos with the people but most were starting to gather around the castle hoping to get any kind of word about there King. People of all class gathered all in the same concern for one individual that made there lives the way they are today. This lone King made their lives a lot better in his short reign, and the people hoped it wasn't over yet. Most of the guests from the ball last night that knew what went on were outside as well, and they were not leaving until they got word about their King.

Onogoro Castle

Dungeon

As Mu said the last night, the poor jail guard had to listen to Flay's whining all night. George was not able to sleep either from the conditions, as he was always used to high class luxuries, he himself was getting tired of his daughters whining.

Flay was standing near the cell holding the bars while screaming and balling at the guard.

"This is a mistake…I didn't do anything…get me the King!" Flay was shouting.

George had enough, "Shut up Flay, he is probably dead."

Flay looked at her father who was across the room in another cell, "But Daddy…I have to get out of here…" Flay whined out.

George sighed, "Just keep your mouth shut, Jibril will get us out," George said as he knew the guard was not listening anymore so he said Jibril's name.

Flay whined more, "It's not fair…that bodyguard…shouldn't be able to…arrest us," Flay balled out again.

George had to admit he was worried, but he knew he had to think of something to help his case. Flay started shouting at the guard again and the poor guy had to endure more of Flay's mouth.

Kira's Chambers

Everyone was in Kira's chambers as they were having conversations that they would normally do, and Mu rushed in the room. Kira saw him. Mu entered the room and immediately knelt down as he had to get this off his chest. All saw him and stared right at him.

Kira looked at him.

Mu slowly looked up, "Forgive me Your Highness…I failed you last night."

Kira smiled, "No need for an apology Mu, you have always served faithfully and last night wasn't your fault."

Mu stood up, "I do not deserve that honor."

Kira looked at him, "It's over and done with, but I heard you went after the assassin, did you get him?"

Mu frowned, "No sire…he was no ordinary assassin," Mu said as he looked at Via, "I believe you knew him as well My Lady."

Via looked at him.

Mu sighed, "It was my brother."

The room looked shocked, except for Via. "I do remember," she said.

"I don't remember you having a brother," Athrun said.

Mu looked at him, "I'm not surprised…he worked mostly for the former King, but was let go because of his actions."

Kira thought for a second, "Wait…I think I remember now, a faint image is coming to my mind."

Mu looked at him, "He is a cold blooded monster that must be taken care of, he plans to do more harm than good to everyone."

"Do you know the goals behind him then?" Kira asked.

Mu looked at him, and then told them the whole story, the room listened as Mu explained everything about Rau's goal.

All were a little shocked, "I see, and he is in a perfect position to achieve this as well," Athrun said.

"Your right and it is to late to stop him now," Mu said.

Kira looked at them, "We have no choice, and I know the ZAFT Emperor will without a doubt use this to make a full strike at ORB."

"I agree," Athrun replied.

Lacus and Cagalli listened concerned about what would be decided.

"What will you do kid?" Mu asked.

Kira looked at them, "We will make our final stand against ZAFT, I know for a fact the Emperor is planning this as well."

All heard his words, and Lacus looked at him. Kira smiled slightly at her.

"What are your orders?" Mu asked.

Kira looked at him, "I will not wait for ZAFT to attack us anymore, I will call a council meeting and give you my decision, in the meantime I want our spies in ZAFT to give the latest information on the Emperors decision, I know what he will do, and that will be to attack with all his forces, we will counter and meet him head on, and it will end." Kira said.

Lacus looked at him, "You can't do that while you're injured."

Kira smiled at her, "Don't worry Lacus, it will take time to raise his force, I should be alright by then, I will not allow them to continue to invade our country anymore."

Lacus knew he was right.

"What do you need us to do?" Athrun said.

Kira looked at him, "Remain in Onogoro for awhile, and when the time comes we will strike back at them with our full force."

Athrun and Mu smiled.

"By the way kid, the city seemed to gather outside the gate," Mu said.

"I will make an appearance…" Kira was about to say but a glare from Lacus made him quite down, there was no way she was letting him get up anytime soon.

Mu laughed, "I will tell them, get well kid." Mu said as he started walking out of the room but Kira stopped him.

"Wait a minute Mu…One last thing I need you to do," Kira told him.

Mu stopped and looked around.

Kira smiled, "The operation I discussed with you a few days ago, its time to form it."

Mu smiled as he knew exactly what Kira was going to do and he was looking forward to the honor of being the one in charge of it.

The room didn't know what he was talking about, but they would soon find out. Kira had to concentrate on the matters that would come from this, but first he had to take care of the two in the dungeon.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this chapter; the next one will take place mostly in ZAFT. The ending isn't to far away; the next chapter will be up by Friday. Bye for now.