-1Chapter 11: The Growing Seed

Legend

Italics shows character thoughts

Word shows Date, time, and location

-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing

Author's Notes:

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January 29, C.E. 71

Archangel; 8:00 A.M.

Scion, Sai, and Mir were all waiting to see what would become of Kira. They were floating outside of the captains office where Murrie, Flaga, and the Ensign, who Scion had failed to make any real attempt to get to know, were deciding on a punishment for the young pilot.

Scion was luckier, he didn't launch with Kira but launched saying he was going after him, and the subject of Scion putting a gun in a few faces never came up either. So they all waited silently in the hall for Kira to emerge.

Once the door slid open the three converged on the figure of Kira. They asked him a bunch of questions right off the bat.

"Are you okay?" Sai asked.

"What did they say?" Mir questioned.

"How bad is it?" Scion asked finally.

Before Kira could answer Flaga emerged from the room and swept down the hall in a hurry, the Ensign following afterwards but at a much slower pace and with a chilling glare at Kira Yamato. Everyone watched her go, as if the atmosphere had frozen.

"It's okay now." Kira finally said, turning his head away from the female officer.

"I see, so its only us then." Sai said, looking at Mir.

"We made sergeant Murdock very angry," Mir, started with a shrug of her shoulders. "He said 'Don't you know the meaning of the word danger?'" Mir mimicked the way Murdock's voice sounded at the time, Scion found it funny.

"And I, well I was spared thanks to you all keeping my little gune situation a secret." Scion stated as he put the palm of his right hand on his forehead.

"I'm sorry. I'll help you and Mir, Sai." Kira offered, going back to Sai and Mir's punishment.

"It's okay. We are going to be joining up with the 8th Fleet soon anyway. It's not a big deal."

The four traveled sailed down the hall, towards their individual destinations. They traveled in silence until Sai brought up some new information.

"Kuzzy, he…he said he overheard your conversation with that girl."

Kira looked at Sai, looking like he didn't understand what Sai was getting at.

"That person who pilots the Aegis is your friend, right?"

Scion and Kira both looked surprised, though Scion was behind the crowd and his shock was hidden. He didn't think they would have known, but they did even when Kira was leaving. They still trusted him too.

Scion decided they were good friends…and people. It took guts to let Kira go knowing his friend was the enemy...had to hand it to them.

"To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried." Sai continued.

"Sai…" Kira began but was stopped by Sai's continuing statement.

"But, thank goodness! You came back to us. We've got our shifts, see you later Kira Glad to have you back." Sai finished, before him and Mir went on their way. Leaving Kira and Scion alone to watch them drift away.

Kira went to the elevator and Scion fell in step behind him, having to go to the next floor as well. As Scion entered in after Kira he turned around, to look at the door since he would have to go out that way. As the doors closed he saw the image of Flay. Scion's reaction was the stop the elevator but the look in her eye stopped him from moving.

"Did she hear everything?" Scion thought as he looked at Kira, who looked at him questioningly.

"Oh, sorry, Kira. Just thinking. So, lucky break on that one, eh?"

"Yeah. If I had been in the military they would have executed me."

"…Yeah, that's how it was then too."

"Huh?"

"Oh, sorry. I used to be in the Earth Alliance, I joined….a little after Junius Seven." Scion turned his head away from Kira, knowing that he was lying to hide his own shame.

"So that's where you probably got those contacts that you were talking about when you first showed up."

"Sort of, after I left I kind of fell into the life of fighting. Sad, but one must do what one needs to survive. Yumi had most of the contacts."

"Why….why would you choose to fight a war?" Kira's face was looking down at the ground when he asked, as if trying to find a reason to fight himself.

"Kira, in war there are no good or bad guys. In war there is simple spirit and the will to fight. I can't say that this war is a good thing…but for one side it will most likely end up bad and the other favorable. But, I fight because if we fight long enough….eventually we will tire of it…and the war will end. That is the only absolute. I don't think the ZAFT or EA are the bad or good guys, they are just both stubborn."

"….It doesn't make it any easier."

-Laugh­- "Good, Kira. That's very good. If war was easy, we would fight for eternity. It is because war is hard, painful, and evil that it will eventually end."

The elevator door opened and the two exited the elevator before going their separate ways. Scion to his quarters, and Kira to some other destination. Scion decided that he should see Yumi for a bit, they hadn't talked much ever since Scion found himself hanging out with the kids of the ship, they were closer to his age and all.

Archangel, Outside Yumi's Quarters; 8:30 A.M.

Scion pressed a button to notify Yumi that someone was at the door. She gave a curt 'enter' and Scion did just that. The room was a big mess, files were everywhere, where she kept them all he didn't know. Didn't women have purses and things?

"Yumi, its me." Scion called out. Just as he did Yumi came out of the bathroom with fresh clothing on, civilian clothing.

"Hello, Scion. What is it?" The female asked dully.

"We haven't talked in a while. Just checking up."

"Nothing to check up on, Scion. I'm more then capable at looking after myself. Though, I do have something we need to discuss."

"Shoot."

"Well, for starters; Revolution is up to par now. Everything is either tweaked or put back at the original settings. I won't trust this ships crew to tell you anything anymore." Yumi started as she sat behind her desk.

"Secondly, we need to discuss what we are going to do about the 8th Fleet."

Scion nodded and sat on her bed, since it was the only other available place to sit. He took a deep breath and then returned his gaze to Yumi. Strangely he found himself drifting from her more and more as the days went by. Scion was beginning to think that his original interest in Yumi was simple infatuation and nothing more.

Now was not the time for that though. Though, Scion really didn't think it was a big issue. Him and Yumi never got into a relationship so it wouldn't present any strange problems. Scion saw no reason to fret.

"We are mercenaries right? I don't see the problem."

"Halberton is the commander of the 8th Fleet. I think you've run into him before."

"Oh….right. Well, we can't really shove off anytime soon. We just have to hope things go well…I'd rather not destory this ship, considering you all would be on it."

"Hmph. I don't like this Scion, but if we ever get out of this alive I'll personally accept one of those date invites you've given me that I've always turned down."

A strange silence filled the room before Scion started to laugh, Yumi following suit afterwards. It was funny, how totally funny the joke was. Yumi must have realized that Scion had grown out his crush on her, whether she was sad or happy about it, Scion couldn't tell. They laughed for roughly half a minute before gaining control of themselves.

"Finally, the last thing is that I will be staying on, with the 8th Fleet." Yumi suddenly declared.

"…Wait…what?" Was Scion's frazzled response.

"My fiancé is in the EA. He was supposed to leave and join the good doctor and me on Earth but he never got out, he just lied to get me out of the wars way."

"So, that's it huh? Just like that?"

"Just like that. I never planned to stay Scion. For a while, I assumed him dead which was why I continued to watch over you. Kind of like a little brother."

"Heh, never got beyond that, huh?"

"You're way too immature and impulsive for me."

"….Thanks."

"You're a man, and all men deserve to be knocked down a peg or two once in their lives. You'll thank me later."

"…O-kay. Sure."

The conversation went on for a while longer. It was painfully obvious that Scion didn't want her to go, but she was resolute for reasons that were her own. He wondered, why she was so stern about leaving, when things were moving so smoothly, why didn't she just bring him with us?

Somehow…it didn't all add up.

Archangel, The Halls; 1:24 P.M.

Scion was just leaving Yumi's office, on his way to the hangar when he happened to run into Flay. She was walking rather slowly and seemed to be looking for someone. She spotted Scion and came up to him sheepishly.

"Yo, Flay." Scion said, trying to sound as upbeat as possible. The girl bowed her head and said nothing.

"I'm sorry…about how I acted before." She said after a brief silence.

"Hey, hey, its okay. You were in a bad situation. Its completely understandable, really."

"No, to you and Kira I was mean I-"

"Hey! Stop, don't beat yourself up over it. Look, we call a truce, okay? I'll keep on fighting and you put a smile back on that face, eh? Girls look prettier with a smile anyway."

Flay looked at Scion before nodding and putting on the best fake smile she could. It made Scion laugh at least. She told him he was also looking for Kira, Scion shrugged and pointed her toward the Cafeteria, to ask if anyone there had seen him come by. She bowed and ran off to find her classmate, now soldier.

Scion walked away with a sense of accomplishment. He had done something right, for once.

Archangel, The Hangar; 4:45 P.M.

Scion was, or was until a while ago, working in the cockpit of his machine, checking the new stuff added by the mechanics. Nothing major, just a new targeting system and some better use of the fuel and a mental link that Scion could use to activate the Psycho-Frame with his mind.. Scion had fallen asleep after he finished, leaning back in a chair when you are tired will do that too you. He wasn't so much tired as in his body, but that so much had been going on his body was just wasn't back in the normal routine yet.

Then the alert for level one battle stations blared, snapping Scion from his pleasant nap. He shook his head, rubbed his eyes, and then closed his cockpit. The ships captain was nice enough to give him a pilots suit, but the Ensign said it was against protocol so Scion had to stick with his civilian clothes. Needless to say, Scion was the first to the catapult.

"Scion," Mir's voice came on the com, for the first time since he had come unto the ship. He guessed that she didn't like him but now she at least approved of him….why she would do that when he put a gun in her face he wouldn't be able to ever know.

"The Gamow is coming quick and the Dual, Blitz, and Buster have launched already. Good luck."

"Right, Thanks, Mir."

Scion gripped his controls as the catapult launched him out of the Archangel, seconds later he was followed by Flaga in his Zero, and Kira in the Strike.

The prototypes activated their phase-shift armor and quickly went into battle. Flaga went right for the Buster, scattering its wire-pods and opening fire. Scion, knowing the Zero couldn't damage the Buster with its weapons went to aid him.

On the other side the Strike had enter combat with the Dual. They began firing rounds at each other, testing the others defenses and trying to look for a weak point.

"Crap, I can't leave Flaga alone, but the Blitz is moving in on the ship. I'll have to fight this on two fronts." Scion used the new mental link that was created to start the Psycho-Frame and launched the funnels. They six pods chased after the Blitz to keep it remotely busy.

"Alright, now for you!" Scion called out as he opened fire from his beam file. He left the shotgun back at the ship, it wouldn't work against there armor anyway so he took the shield instead. While Flaga, who's attacks really did nothing to the Buster, and Scion fought the long-range machine Kira fought on with the Dual, now locked in a fierce beam saber dual.

The Blitz, had all but avoided the funnels, using his cloaking system to keep it from outside of Scion's sight, he could feel it but he could never tell where to have his funnels fire because it just seemed empty space. Thankfully the Archangel made it so that the Mirage was not a good option, since it canceled out the Phase-Shift. With that done the funnels began to fully harass the machine.

"Uh, Flaga!" Scion called out as he witnessed the orange machine barely miss a shot from the busters main cannon. Scion pulled out his beam saber and went in, to close the gap between the two machines.

"Uh, now this is dangerous!" The pilot said as he separated his cannon into two short range guns, that shot much like an oversized shot guns that shot a wide beam spread. Scion put his shield up as the blasts pelted him over and over again.

"I got close and his guns are really taking advantage of it!" Scion continued to get pummeled until the Zero circled around the Buster and got his attention.

"Thanks, Flaga!" Scion called out as he sped around to help his ally again.

"Just keep your head above water next time!"

On the other side of the battle field the Funnels were firing at the Blitz with failing accuracy, the distance made the mental signal weak and the funnels reactions, accuracy, and maneuvers suffered. Then, all at once the funnels ceased to work. They floated in the open space…dead.

"Oh no, there outside my awareness….I can't control them anymore. Damn it, have to hurry." Scion muttered to himself as he charged the Buster again, it turned his gun on him once more but Scion made sure he didn't fall into the same trap as last time.

"Go down darn you!" Scion barked.

"Heh, you first Natural!" The pilot screamed as he launched a massive missile salvo at Scion. The boy used the Igelstellung to shoot down many of the missiles, while the rest were dodged. He cursed, this was not going like he planned, these pilots were good and he was no longer a hot shot since all his advantages were taken away. They had their own prototypes and they were coordinators. It wasn't looking good.

"Kira! The Blitz is getting to close, come back!" Scion turned his head in response to the call to Kira and zoomed in to see the Blitz was on the ship itself, the Archangel was in dire trouble.

"The Archangel…Yumi, Mir, Sai, Kira, Flay, everyone. Not again!" As these thoughts passed through Scion he felt that same burning sensation he had felt right after Doctor Takashi had perished. His eyes clouded and everything became surreal. As he looked up he didn't see the image of a bursting Seed like he had before. Instead he saw a tremendous downpour of rain and then something shot up from what appeared to be the ground, Scion later realized it was a sprouting Seed, awakened and given life by the rain.

In an instant the funnels were restored to full command, the influence of Scion's awareness increasing by leaps and bounds. The funnels came together instantly and opened fire on the Blitz, forcing it to retreat from its assualt on the ship. It tried to fire its rifle at the ship as it retreated but was blocked by the shields that the funnels created.

Scion's awareness also lead him to see that Kira, in a similar increase in ability had just deal a major blow to the Dual with his beam saber and was now quickly closing in on the Archangel, he attacked the Blitz and easily drove it off. The Duel returned to the fight but only to be struck in the same place by a dagger of some sort that the Strike had equipped.

While all of his was going on Scion had been continuing his fight with the Buster. His awareness kept the funnels alert around the ship and Revolution was slowly gaining ground on the Buster. His shots no longer seemed to touch Scion. The tide had turned.

"Dearka! Yzak is hurt! We have to retreat!" Came the call from the Blitz pilot, over an open com.

"Ugh Yzak?...Alright! Alright!" He answered as they pulled away.

Scion's funnels returned to him and he blinked, returning to his original state of mind. He looked at his hands before relaxing back in his seat. He propelled his machine towards the ship, letting himself take in what he felt that day.

"The rain and a growing Seed. Kind of like me, the rain is my experiences and the Seed is myself. Heh, listen to me, trying to sound deep. Idiot, get your head together, Scion." The man scolded himself before returning to base. Though he couldn't shake the feeling he had just had...what was that anyway?

When all three pilots were retrieved it was announced that the 8th Fleet had met up with the Archangel.

Everyone cheered. Even Scion.

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Author's Notes: Alright, yet another chapter is done. This chapter is a neat one, by my book. Finally get to have Scion and Kira interact a bit, I was interested to see how I would do with Kira. Hopefully you all will think I did okay.

Now, as for the Seed mode, no it was not a mistake. There was no bursting seed this time, bust a sprouting Seed. A mystery, eh? Indeed.

Oh, and thanks to all my readers, those that review and those that are silent. XP. Thanks to Centurious for continuing to be a big supporter and to General MG for his support as well, and I'm considering Destiny but I still have a ways to go before I get there, thanks for the comment though!

Oh, and for those that are wondering. I will change some things. I'm just being really, really, picky about it at the moment. You may see some of the more subtle things I'm messing with now. Maybe not. XD

So, that's it, as always, I try to find my typos and such, but hopefully I caught them the first time. . Hopefully.

-Arc.