Oh my goodness, the reviews! =)

Lomiothiel-YzaknNicol fangirl- did I ever tell you your account name is hard to spell? Lol...anyways, thanks for reviewing again, and as to your comment, (looks the other way while whistling...lol) And Yzak and Arabella hooking up soon? Hm...we'll see...(I just sounded evil there didn't I? Lol)

Miriallia Elthman- Yea, everyone's been wondering about that...Oh, and the Haro attack...as much as I would love to have that in the chapter, I don't think I should steal another author's ideas...thanks for the input though!

King Arthur- About the three girls, don't we all wish that? =) Oh, and I'm glad that you're happy to see this chapter...hopefully I won't disappoint you! =)

Miss Akira- Yes, Yzak is awesome, I think most of us agree on that...lol. Oh, and what they got each other for Christmas? We'll see...lol. =)

Anime Lovers Society of the Philippines- Thanks for the review! I'll ask for help when I need it. Thanks!

witchesgirl- Thank you, thank you, thank you!

alex- Yes, there will definitely be more stuff going on between them...just wait awhile...thanks!

mal- Oh, hee...hee...Yes, sorry for the slow update, but I was out of town for awhile and didn't have access to the computer...oh well...anyways, thanks for asking me to hurry up!

Soi- As to your guessing, (looking the other way) lol...you get the point. =) Oh, and yes, poor Arabella...and about her parents, you'll eventually find out! =)

Thanks also go to: Lilangel4u, Angel of Dreams, Prayer Reverie, CHIBI NEKO, soul, and Shadowsin! (hopefully that's everyone)

All right, let's start this!

Ch. 8: Not Yet Spoken

(2:00 P.M.)

"Kira, where are we going?"

"Well, actually, I have no idea..." Kira scratched his head.

"At least we're going somewhere." Lacus smiled. They walked aimlessly for a couple more minutes when Lacus pointed at something. "Kira, look!"

Kira glanced at the direction and spotted an outdoor ice skating rink. "You want to go try it?"

Lacus nodded her head. "I want to. But I never skated on ice before, so I don't know..."

Kira smiled, and gently led her towards the rink. "Well, I can't say I'm much of a skater either, but I could teach you."

"All right." Lacus replied, yet still a bit nervous. Soon, they rented skates and started to skate around. Or rather, Lacus tried her best not to fall flat on her face while Kira supported her. The fact that Pink-chan bounced back and forth excitedly around her didn't help much either.

I think you're getting the hang of it now." Kira smiled. "I'm going to let go of you, so try to skate towards me."

"Kira, I don't think..." She started to protest. "Pink-chan, could you please stop...ah!" Lacus slipped and fell straight into Kira. Unknowingly, Kira wrapped his arms around her. The two stayed in that position, blinking, until the haro started making a commotion again.

"I...well..." Kira started to blush.

"Um...sorry about that..." Lacus blushed back.

"So...um, you want to try it again?" Kira asked, quickly changing the subject.

"All...all right." She answered, although she had a hard time not blushing again.

"Okay, this time I'm going to be at the other side of the rink." He pointed towards that direction. Seeing Lacus glance nervously, he gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you can do it."

"If you say so." She replied, giving him her trust. After all, whom else could she trust? "All right, I could do this." She thought to herself. "Okay, Pink-chan, let's go!" The haro responded by bouncing back and forth excitedly. Lacus sweat-dropped. "What am I going to do with you?" Half way across, she started to gain confidence. "I'm starting to get used to this, don't you think Pink-chan?" Only silence responded back. "Pink-chan?"

"What do you think this piece of junk does?" Lacus turned around, to see a group of boys snickering. One of them had the haro, which struggled to get out of his grip.

"Could you please give it back?" Lacus attempted to ask nicely.

"Well, well, look what we have here." The boys smirked while looking at her up and down one times too many.

"So...um...can I have it back?" She asked again, getting nervous.

"Well that..." The boys made a circle around her while their leader continued talking. "Depends on what's in it for us."

"Um...I'll be going now..." Lacus panicked.

The boy grabbed her wrist roughly. "I don't think so."

"Let go!" Lacus struggled. "Please..." Within the next second, the boy was knocked out on the floor, as the rest of them cowered under the gaze of the enraged Kira.

"Leave. Her. Alone." Kira commanded them, with a dangerous glint in his eyes. The boys disappeared, dragging with them their unconscious friend.

"Are you all right?" Kira asked as soon as the boys left.

"Yes. Oh, and thank you." Her face turned red.

"No problem." He answered back, just as nervous. "Maybe we should rest for awhile." Lacus nodded as they sat at a nearby bench. "Hot chocolate?"

"Oh, thank you." Lacus replied, as Kira handed her a cup. Then they both stayed silent, each person engrossed in his or her own thoughts.

(Kira POV, 3:40 P.M.)

I sat there, staring at her until her gaze turned towards me. She was perfect. There couldn't have been a more perfect person in front of me right now. Always caring, always understanding...so why was I being such an idiot right now?

Fllay...

She still haunts my dreams sometimes. Certain times I see her sweet and caring. Other times she's vengeful, blaming me for her father's death...her death. I can't shake her off. She's there, blaming me...

Guilt...

She did forgive me in the end...or at least I think her spirit did. But the nagging emotion is still there, attacking me at the most unexpected times. If only I could have done something...

Redemption...

But sometimes, I dream, expecting to see Fllay's face, but end up seeing Lacus's instead. I feel safer then. Almost as if I could finally let go...

She's looking at me now, her eyes quizzical. I smile to reassure her. Then I realize how much better she is. So much better than Fllay. It's just that...it's going to take time. What I ask of her, is that she wait. If she doesn't, I wouldn't stop her. She deserves to be happy, and if someone else could make her that way, I wouldn't hesitate to give them my best wishes. But just looking at her, I could almost sense that she's willing to wait...

(Lacus POV, 3: 40 P.M.)

I turn to look at Kira, who just turned his head away from me, acting as if he wasn't looking my way. Attempting to stifle my giggles, I also look away, although my feelings tell me otherwise. Kira Yamato, what's going on inside your head?

When you saved me before, I thought that you finally realized. But after awhile, you started acting like your usual self again. Oh, I'm not complaining much. You're always gentle with me, acting sweet, caring...the list could go on. But you still seem so...distant. You seem so tormented, as if something's haunting you night and day. Of course, the others sense it too, but they're busy with their adjustments also. Or perhaps, it's just that I sense it better than the others, and they realize it, and basically giving us space to work it out. So how can I help you Kira?

I know you sense that I'm looking at you. In return you smile back. Just trying to reassure me, I know. But a lot of times I think it should be the other way around. You've been through a lot. Maybe it's time you let other's do the worrying...I couldn't help this time but let out a few giggles.

"What's so funny?" You ask good-naturedly.

"Oh, nothing." I reply ignoring the suspicious look you're giving me.

When I look into your eyes, it's almost as if you're pleading with me. Almost as if you're saying, "wait for me". And of course, that's one request I would gladly fulfill.

"Aren't those kids adorable?" I comment while pointing to them, trying to get you're attention. You just smile, as you watch them struggling to make a snowman. I take that as a yes. "Hm...I think I found what to get everyone for Christmas."

"You want to go shopping?" You suddenly come out of your daze, alarmed.

"Of course, it's Christmas after all. We should go buy everyone gifts. Especially for Arabella, since she's been such a good hostess and all." I smile inwardly. A perfect set-up for a guilt trip.

"Well, since you put it that way..." You manage to smile. "If that's what you really want, I'll do as you ask." We walk away from the ice rink and instead looked at the shop windows as we pass by.

We never said anything to each other yet, but we know.

Chapter done! Yay! Go Kira! lol...

Hm...this chapter had a slight twist near the end that I didn't intend at first, but then again, a lot of times the characters end up controlling the story...know what I mean?

Well, that was the last of the separate chapter!

Wondering what would happen once everyone meets together again? lol...=)