Chapter 9
Quiet before the Storm

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam SEED or Gundam SEED Destiny.

Sorry haven't update in such a long time! Exams and such got the best of me. I hate them now, even though I had just one this time! Oh yea! I plan to continue this fanfic, I was planning to have 8 chapters, but I wanted to see what was gonna happen... Even though I am the one writing it. Also, I'm sorry if Nicol seems out of character, but people don't know what Nicol would be like if that happened! So ya! Well let the Chapter begin!

The song(s) that really gave me inspiration to write this chapter was 'Shell' and the Instrumental Version of 'Anna ni issho datta no ni'.

Sitting a upon a porch, Ichiru sighed deeply. A blank screen was what all she saw. Her mind was the same, it was blank. All that the screen said was 'Chapter 3'. Frustration began to take over. She had no ideas! The two words 'writers block' came to her mind and she just started to curse under her breath. Ichiru was trying to write a book she had started a while ago, but suddenly the ideas she had for this new chapter had just disappeared. Standing up and walking into the Japanese style house, Ichiru went to go pour herself some tea. Maybe a nice hot cup of tea would do the job.

Ichiru wasn't to big on coffee. She was more a tea person, thought she still used a coffee maker. Her way of making tea was much different than boiling water in a kettle and such. She just used the coffee maker for tea. Weird huh? Kira thought it was weird, but he just let her be.

Pouring the coffee pot filled with tea into a cup, Ichiru took in the nice smell of tea. What was she going to do today? Kira was going to be helping Murrue-san today, and she was going to be all alone, but she did have her book to. Letting out a sigh, she felt two strong arms wrap around her waist and a chin rest on her shoulder.

"What are you doing up so early?" a voice whispered into her ear.

"I was working on the porch, but a major case of writers block came and filled my head, Kira," Ichiru said, putting down the cup of tea on the counter and unfolding Kira's arms around her waist. "You better hurry up. Waltfeld-san is going to pick you, they want you to help them with something today."

Kira gave a strange look. "When was this?" he asked.

"Last night, after you fell asleep, Waltfeld-san asked me if could help him with something. I didn't want to disappoint him or anything so I said sure."

"Why didn't he ask you?" Kira whined, he wanted to spend the day with Ichiru now that was ruined.

"Because Waltfeld-san knows I'm writing a book," said Ichiru who was poking at Kira's chest with her index finger. "Hurry up now you don't want to be late, Kira-kun. He should be here in 20 minutes."

Kira groaned as he made his way to the bathroom to get showered. The wooden door was opened the was closed. Soon Kira stripped of his night wear and stepped into the shower. Turning the metal tap to hot water, Kira let out a sigh as the hot water hit is body. The water soon stopped, as Kira reached for a towel to dry himself off. A knock at the door could be heard.

"Kira-kun, Waltfeld-san just called and he is almost here. So you better get go-" Ichiru was cut off to a Kira who was bare chest and only had a towel wrapped around his waist. A deep shade of pink was spread across Ichiru's face. Kira just laughed slightly as he saw the deep shade of pink spread across Ichiru's face.

"I'm hurrying," he said, soon walking to the room to change into some clothes.

Ichiru just mimicked him as she went back to the kitchen to finish packing him a lunch. "Only one month left.." she murmured, cutting a sandwich in half. Only one month was left before Kira and herself were going to get married. Now sad yet happy memories were coming back to her.. Nicol... How she missed him.. All those times... Should've just stayed on the Archangel! Maybe he wouldn't have been killed by her actions... "Nicol..." she murmured. Strands off hair fell in her eyes as a tear rolled down her face.

Standing behind her in white pants in a black cut off sleeve shirt, Kira just watched her. He didn't think she was aware that he was behind her. He had her heard her say Nicol's name. Knowing that, she probably had still had feelings for him, but there was nothing Kira could do. "Ichiru your crying..." he told her coming to her side to help her.

"I'm not crying.. There must be a leak in the roof.." she said softly.

Kira just shook his head lightly, he just hated to see her cry. "Ichi-" A honk was heard. It must have been Waltfeld-san. Sighing slightly Kira began to walk to the door to get his shoes on. Realizing that his lunch was still on the counter he began to take off his shoe before Ichiru brought it to him. Now she was laughing slightly at this act. Kira couldn't see any sign of tears, but he knew inside she just wanted to cry.

"Kira-kun you would be starving if I didn't give you your lunch, seeing that is if whenever you leave to help out you forget your lunch," she said, laughing before another honk was heard. "You better get going Waltfeld-san is waiting for you."

"Oh yes!" Kira hurried out the door to meet Andrew with his lunch in his hands.

Ichiru stood at the door and watched Kira run to the car and get in. "Take care now Kira!" she called out, now waving good-bye to the both of them. The car soon pulled out of the drive way leaving a Ichiru just standing at the door. After about a minute of soaking in the warmth of the sun, she soon head back inside. What was she going to do all day, probably if she couldn't think of anything to write for her book she would go out shopping or something.

Returning to her laptop on the back porch she looked at it. Nothing was written on, but Chapter 3. What to write what to write. Now laying down on the porch she looked around at her surrounds trying to grasp an idea. Nothing, maybe if she listened to what was around her. Closing her eyes she now listened to what was around her. Nothing! Ichiru let out a deep sigh as she looked at her laptop screen. "I'm never going to get this done..." she whined.

Two hours past and she still had nothing. "I can't think of anything! This is so unfair.." she said, sighing. Closing her laptop and picking it up, Ichiru walked inside. Ichiru might as well just go out shopping or something. Since she couldn't think of anything for her book, she might as well take her mind off of it. The tea that she had poured for herself was now cold, what a waste. Ichiru poured it down the sink and placed the cup into the sink. Looking around for the house keys, Ichiru found them and stuff them into her pocket. She had taken a shower and such when she had woken up like she usually did.

Stone steps lead down from Kira and Ichiru's house. Trees were all around the this path it was quite soothing. A gentle breeze came through the area. Branches slightly moved of the occurrence. The sun was out, and there was no sign of clouds! Today would've been the perfect day to go have a picnic with Kira somewhere, but he had to work.. There was also a road right beside the stone steps that led up to Kira and Ichiru's house. It was the perfect spot to have a house.

Now coming down the last few steps of the stone stairs, Ichiru squinted her eyes because of the sun's rays. When you were in the so-called woods back there, you were shaded from the sun, thus causing the squinting of the eyes on sunny days.

"Ichiru!" called out a voice of someone, as a child ran up to her.

"Hello Nami-chan! How are you today?"

Nami was only a little girl, about the age of 7. Her parents were killed when she just a baby, so she lived with her grandfather. She liked to visit Kira and Ichiru's house a lot. Nami always thought them as an older brother and sister.

"I'm doing fine today!" Nami replied cheerfully. Now tilting her head to the side she asked Ichiru a question. "Where are you going Ichiru?"

"I'm going shopping since I can't think of anything to write for my book."

"You aren't going with Kira-san?"

"Kira is working today, so I'm going alone. Plus Kira hates shopping," Ichiru said, laughing slightly.

The little girl also laughed. "Well I gotta go help Grandpa out with the garden. Take care Ichiru-san!"

"Bye," Ichiru said, watching the little girl run off to help her grandfather.

Ichiru had based her book partly on Nami. The reason why is because she lost her parents. And the other part she based it on was herself and the reason why was because she had thought she would never see the one she loved ever again. For her it wouldn't come true. Nicol was gone. He was dead.. She wasn't ever going to see him again. In her book she was going to have the main character take care of the little girl, and she the one she loved once again.

Now thinking about her book, Ichiru got a good idea for the next chapter. Yes it was going to be a good one. Her writer's block had lifted now. Now running back up the stone stairs back to the house, Ichiru was happy that she wasn't going to have writers block all day! Though.. Whenever she saw Nami.. Ideas would rush to her mind. So now was the right time to get them down.

- In the trees -

Red orbs watched Ichiru, almost as making sure she was safe. A soft sigh was let out. When was he going to let her know he was alive, but she was going to get married... Maybe he could reason with her to come back to him... He loved her very much... And now some guy goes and sweeps her off her feet. The feeling for revenge was coming to him, but what would he do? He wanted one thing right now. And it was Ichiru.

He was going to do something and he was going to get her back. And with seconds of scheming Nicol thought of an idea, which had to work. Now going further into the trees, Nicol reached a black duffle bag beside a tree. Rummaging through the black bag, a dark blue pilot suit was pulled out. It almost looked like a ZAFT one, but he wasn't with ZAFT anymore. Nicol had joined up with a resistance team, and he was the best on it.

Slipping on the pilot suit over his clothes, Nicol began think was he doing the right thing? Did he really want to go through this... He did want Ichiru back, so he was going to have to go threw this. Now leaving the empty duffle bag, Nicol began to head through the trees to Kira and Ichiru's house.

- On the porch of Ichiru's house -

Ichiru typed away, at her laptop. It seemed thinking about the past helped her write, even though it brought up some sad memories. She lay on her stomach as she typed, every so often she would stop to check if she what she was typing made senesce. Over half the time it did. Looking at the clock at the bottom at the right hand corner of the screen said the time. A slight sigh came Ichiru. Kira wasn't going to be back for another few hours. At the rate she was going she would be able to finish the chapter that night.

Taking a five-minute break from her writing, Ichiru stepped off the porch and in the yard. The sun was still shining brightly. Birds chirped in a nearby tree. What could possible go wrong today? To Ichiru today was like the perfect day! Nothing could go wrong! But to Ichiru there was no such thing has perfect. She actually got mad when someone said the word perfect. The reason why she hated the word was because almost all Coordinators thought as themselves as perfect humans. And with Naturals they thought Coordinators were the perfect human beings. Nothing is perfect. Neither in this world nor any other world.

Ichiru stray from her house as she looked and saw the small pond she liked to sit beside and look into. Taking in a deep breath, she looked out to the sky now. Then in a matter of 30 seconds a cold chill went down Ichiru's back. Something wasn't right now. Turning back to her house, Ichiru walked quickly. What was happening, she looked around in the sky and saw some clouds rolling in. Maybe it was just a storm coming... Probably. Now letting out a sigh of relief just thinking it was a storm, Ichiru sat down on the wooden porch.

Here Ichiru thought today was going to be a nice day... Then again she wasn't the weather man.. Or woman. She should've checked the weather for today. Ichiru let out a soft sigh before she heard something from inside her house. She slightly jumped from the noise inside the house. Maybe something fell.. or Kira was home. Whatever it was Ichiru was going to find out soon enough.

Entering her home, Ichiru looked around. "Kira-kun, is that you?" she called out. Waiting for a minute now Ichiru heard now replied. Now she just assumed that something fell over. Another chill went down her back. Something told her that it didn't just fall by accident; someone must have been in here. Now Ichiru slowly went to her office get to get her gun. Kira didn't really like her having one around, but he thought it maybe it was for the best.

Once getting the gun, Ichiru moved back to the main room looking around. Her eyes widened at the sight of her violin case on the ground. "Oh no! I hope it didn't get damaged!" she said worryingly. That was the violin Kira had gotten her. Ichiru looked inside the case of the violin making sure that it wasn't damage and to her surprise it wasn't. "Good.." she murmured, before remembering someone was still in the house.

It had been a very long time since she used a gun. Of course her aim was going to be off, but it didn't mean she couldn't still shoot with one. Who ever were in her house, they were teasing her. Ichiru was frightened. Was it a Coordinator or a Natural?

"It has to be a Coordinator. A Natural would make a lot more noise..." her mind told her.

Within a blink of an eye, the person came out of their hiding spot. Well it wasn't just a person it was Nicol, but Ichiru didn't know that. She instinctively shot at the person, missing. Her aim was crappier than before. This was sad, but whoever this was they made there way outside.

Nicol watched from the bushes as Ichiru came outside with the gun. He had to get it away from her, before she actually shot someone. There was not much to work with. A twig, the ground below him, ... and a rock. That would do well. Now waiting till she came closer, Nicol waited to throw the rock at the gun.

In seconds the gun was out of Ichiru's hands and on to the hard ground. "What the-" she said, looking at the gun that lay on the ground. What was going to happen now, she was in a bad situation. She slowly made for the gun. Her gray orbs were looking around for the slightest movement made by this person. There were only a few more feet to the gun.

Nicol burst out of the bush and made a dash toward her, as Ichiru ran to get the gun. He stopped her when had grabbed her wrist. Now Nicol had Ichiru pinned on the ground. Her legs were between his. Nicol looked through his helmet a the scared Ichiru, who had her eyes screwed shut.

Ichiru's heart beat wildly skipping a beat on thinking what was going to happen next. She opened her eyes, as she then peered into the helmet. Her heart skipped a beat or two, when she saw those red orbs. "Nicol? But isn't he dead! What's going on!" her mind yelled. Tears now forming at the brim of her eyes, Ichiru looked at him. "Ni..Ni.. Nicol?" she asked.

Before he could answer, he heard a male calling Ichiru's name. He had to go now, leaving her behind. He now got off Ichiru and jumped back. He looked at her one more time, before disappearing into the woods. "We'll meet again Ichiru..."

"Ichiru! Where are yo-" Kira yelled, as he soon found her laying on the ground almost in tears. He began to worry. "Ichiru!" he said, running over to her side and kneeling down beside her.

"Kira-kun," she said, now sitting up as tears came down her face.

"I'm here now..." the brown haired male told her, unaware what had happened.

Ichiru just went into his arms, as she just cried. "Kira! I was so scared!" she said, in between sobs. Ichiru didn't tell who she saw in the pilot suit, but she was scared and confused. How could Nicol survive the attack? Memories just flooded back from when he was killed.

- Flashback -

Mwu used the long-ranged weapon the beam rifle and fired at the Owari. Unable to do anything, Ichiru watched as it came closer and closer, till it hit.

It didn't hit the Owari... Instead the Blitz... Right in the cockpit... "Run... Ichiru..." Nicol said. Ichiru watched in horror, as the final attack of the battle had taken a life... The Blitz exploded...

"Nicol... Nicol! NICOL!"

- End of Flashback -

Kira just wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. He didn't know that someone that she knew had paid her a visit, but she continued to cry. Rain soon came down as Kira just still held her close to him, he was slightly confused at what happened, but he was going to ask later.

Lightning soon flashed, followed by the roaring of thunder. Picking Ichiru up bridal style, Kira moved from outside to the inside of the house. Some of the stuff in their house was knocked over, but Kira did not care right now. He was caring for the frightened Ichiru. Now entering their room, Kira sat back against the back board of the wooden bed. He cradled Ichiru, as she still cry... waiting till she feel asleep. They both fell asleep soon. The lightning flashed and the thunder roared. It was quiet before the storm.

Later on in the middle of the night Ichiru had awoken up from the thunder. Rubbing her eyes slightly, she looked around. She was in their room. Reaching for the phone that was on the charger on the nightstand, Ichiru took a hold of it. Ichiru dial a number and waited for either the answering machine or the person. She doubted the person she wanted to talk to was going to answer since it was 2 am. Nobody answered so the answering machine kicked in.

"Hello you have reach Asuran Zala. I'm either away or busy at the moment please leave a message or call later," said the answering machine.

"Asuran... Nicol... he isn't dead.."

All right I'm done! Took meh a while to write this one. I didn't want to have Kira out of character and have him acting like Kakashi from Naruto. Nicol's part was really hard! Like you don't see Nicol breaking and entering! Oh yea! If you want a chapter from Ichiru's story, I'll need some requests for it. Also I got a big surprise for everyone who likes my fan fiction, but I cannot tell you. Well see ya! R&R!