For depiction of Lohengrin cannon, imagine Sister Ray cannon from Final Fantasy 7 in Junon, mounted on an angel statue at the front.

Some of the characters in Samurai Seed are using the characters from Astray and the Seed MSV. And then there are also Characters which use reference from Naruto and other anime. I tried my best to stay true to the character but if any of you feel it occ, my bad.

Kage is Kira

NOTE:

"Doryaaaaaaaaaa!": normal talking

"Charge!": special case

'Darn!': thoughts

GWA HA HA HA! : Giant creature speech

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

Please… read and review

Chapter 9:

Face your fear

"You got to be kidding me." One of the soldier's checked his eyes several times. A man with the size slightly smaller than the angel statues of the Archangel walls just rose up from the forest.

The giant warrior unravels its weapon. A pair of giant jagged swords with an equally giant chain connecting them. A small knight wearing blue hood can be seen stood on its shoulder. "Right… show them what you can do, Juggernaut."

The Juggernaut start swinging the sword by its chain at the top of his head. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's coming next.

"INCOMING!" Natarle roared as everyone took cover. The giant sword flies towards the wall, and with uncanny precission, it was aimed directly at Kage. A loud explosion echoed as the blade came crashing to the wall. The soldiers below looked upward and had their jaw hung. A larger than life of a sword smashed through the upper part of the walls. Kage gulped. He jumped to his side just in time. The blade was inches away from his shoulder.

"Juggernaut YOU BLITHERING IDIOT! YOU MISSED!" The knight whipped the giant person several times. The whip was a sword whip no less. The giant grunted in pain. "Don't you dare miss you miserable twit!"

The Juggernaut retracted the sword and start spinning again. Kage looked at the giant and he noticed the knight on the monster's shoulder. "Wait a minute…"

The giant brought the weapon upward and crash it down for a vertical swing. Kage looked upwards and saw the blade coming right at him again. "…he was… aiming specifically at me!?" The ninja jumped to the side again. The blade cleaved through the wall and stopped halfway. In the wall, the blade barely missed Natarle's shoulder. The lieutenant took another look at the blade and gulped. Just one more step and it would've pulverized her.

The giant groaned again as his master yelling at him. He retracted his weapon and took another spin. When the next attack comes, the blade made a sweeping vertical slash. Kage gulped. "When it doesn't work, try something different!" The blade wreaks carnage atop the walls, Kage ducked but as he looked at the trajectory of the blade, it sweeps the entire part of the wall, literally mowing down everything. Some soldiers were fortunate enough to run and jumped down to a hole. Kage weren't so lucky. The blade had just touched the tip of his trouser when it stopped. The jagged had beheaded one of the angel statues that adorned the Archangel walls. That same angel statue fortunately, saved Kage's life as the blade stuck there. As its master threw another fit, the Juggernaut retracted the blade. But Kage found another problem: his trousers were hooked on the blade. "Oh fuck." The ninja got pulled out forcibly as the monster retracted the blade.

Juggernaut caught his blade by hand, failing to notice the unconscious ninja dangling on one of its jags.

"Juggernaut! You better do this right! Get that Ninja who was shooting flames at us!"

The giant stood dumbly he looked around the walls. He saw corpses of Allied soldiers littering the upper wall. But he didn't saw any sign of his target. "…the black man isn't there."

"WHAT!? HOW DARE YOU SPEAK BACK TO ME YOU UNSIGHTLY CURR!?"

The giant simply endure the lashings.

"Gates! Enough!" Mikhail yelled from below.

The hooded man, Gates, stopped. "But he refused to follow my orders! This… THIS…"

"Then you might want to consider uncorking those holes in your head called ears! And clear off your eyes for a moment and look at the walls! Is there any other fire spewing black man to slash on!?"

Gates take another look at the wall. All he sees are lots and lots of dead people and busted cannons. "…I suppose not…"

"Use that giant and took out the Lohengrin Cannons before they-"

BAM!

Too late, the cannon shot out and its massive bullet hit the Juggernaut right on his chest, effectively toppling him down.

"Forward battery! FIRE!!" Natarle had regained her composure and roared another order. The cannons barraged the forest, raining the downed giant's armor. The giant groaned. The first hit on his chest was awfully painful. It felt like someone had just bludgeoned his chest. The smaller cannons fire felt like being punctured by needles. That being said, the giant is in quite a lot of pain.

Mikhail sighed. "Retreat for now. We're not getting anywhere like this…"

Gates lashed out on his giant again. "Wake up you bumbling fool! We're going!"

The Juggernaut tried, with great effort, to get back on his feet. He barely succeeded. He looked around and found his blood bathed blade and he still not aware of Kage hanging on the blade.

Within moments, the giant and the Zaft knights were gone, leaving the brutally misshapen walls of Archangel and the demoralized allied soldiers behind.

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Evening…

"It's official. Those Zaft are a gang of weirdos and gizmos." One of the wounded soldiers moaned.

"Now the question is how the hell are we supposed to fight a guy who's ten times the size of a normal man?"

Mwu saw all this, and he had to admit: they are in quite a bit of a mess. "We got to fix those walls… somehow…"

"There will be no time to fix them all." Harlbarton shook his head. "We'll fix one that matters. That giant cut is our first priority."

"What about the angel statue? It supports the Lohengrin Cannon no?

"I never liked the angel design anyway. My chance to redecorate I guess. Besides, The Angel head is purely cosmetic."

"Righto."

"But we can be sure as hell they'll use that giant again."

"The Lohengrin seems were able to hurt him though."

"And we have your ninja student discharging fireballs at the soldiers."

Mwu laughed. "Yeah… speaking of which… Where is he?"

As if answering his question, Kira's friends showed up with a worried look on their face. "Captain Mwu-san sir! Have you seen Kira? He's been gone since the battle started."

"Just call me Mwu-san… and truth be told I was just asking the same question myself."

In the Bladebane's encampment… not far from the fortress…

The Juggernaut was having his wound tended by Mikhail. "Well… I suppose we have to thank the IronForgers having made this armor for you. The bullet managed to crack it, but it didn't penetrate any vital organs. And I suppose the other cannon fire would feel less like a needle puncture yes?"

The giant groaned.

"I'll take that as yes." The Doctor jumped down. "He'll be fine to fight again in the morning."

"Heh. And you better do well this time, you overgrown simian!" Gates growled.

"Now, now, Gates. No need to act like that. Juggernaut had done us a good favor today, haven't you Juggernaut? Leave the giant man in peace now."

"Heh… if we can call this monster a man." The two Bladebanes left the place, leaving the giant alone. The Juggernaut rose up very slowly and rubbed his chest several times. It was really painful. He grabbed his pair of blades. One of them was awash in blood. The giant took his ragged loincloth and start rubbing his blade carefully, cleaning it.

Kira looked at the giant. Back then, when the Bladebanes set up camp, he regained his consciousness when the Juggernaut stopped moving. He faked unconscious while he observed the situation. When the giant put down his weapon, he was expecting that the weapon will be thrown haphazardly. Surprising as it may seem, the huge man was subtle and delicate enough to handle his weapon with care and placed them gently to the ground. He unhooked his trouser, undid his disguise and managed to find a hiding spot when the Bladebanes' attention was attracted by the giant when he received his treatment from Mikhail.

Unwittingly, Kira found himself interested on the giant. General assumption would say that men with giant bodies are accompanied with a rather small brain. But this thing… this… person… whoever he is. Kira had his suspicion. The Giant can see him from such a distance, and handle a weapon with such precision and finesse unbefitting to the image of mindless monster. And speaking of weapon, Kira still had no idea how long his weapon is going to stay in its current bowlike form.

The giant gently swept the blood off his blade. The Juggernaut suddenly groaned. "I know you there. Get out so I can see you."

Kira gasped. He looked at the giant. Despite his size, the person was quite soft spoken. The creature's eyes were visible through his mask. "You can… see me?"

"I saw you unhook yourself from my blade… when Doctor Mikhail treats the injuries in my chest."

The two locked eyes for a second. The giant concluded. "The fire spewing black clad guy."

"You got me."

"Hm. I got pretty good eyes."

"That you are… I'm… I'm Kira. What's your name?"

"Juggernaut."

"Horseshit. Juggernaut is not a name, it's a callsign. What's your name? Your real name! You must have one?"

The giant was taken back for a moment. Not expecting a boy barely a tenth his size to spat back at him. "…Akamichi Fuji."

"Fuji… After Mount Fuji I suppose. So what are you going to do now? Call the guards so that they can arrest me?"

"That's a fine idea… but I had no idea that you are a boy. Never saw a boy spitting fire through his mouth though."

"Never saw an 80 feet tall guy."

"I suppose not." The giant chuckled. "…but I wasn't always like this…"

Kira blinked. He looked at the small prickles on the giant's body. The wounds from the cannons. A realization hit him like a brick. "…you're a Natural."

The giant blinked. "I suppose… yes… though having this kind of body won't put me on the line…"

"What happened?"

"…my parents were natural. But I afflicted this disease called Gigantism. A birth defect, I think. In any case, when I was your age kid, I was the size of a tree. My parents freaked out… and disown me. I tried to find a way to shrink my size… and went so far as to go and find an Advanced doctor. Doctor Gates found me."

"Gates? You mean that horrible hooded limped man who kept lashing at you?"

"The same… He seems… sympathize and was willing to run a few tests… during the process though… I don't know… the disease got worse… and I enlarged even further. I accidentally ruined his face when my body smashed one of his chemical concoction and I broke his leg too… and I served him ever since."

"How long have you been doing this?"

"3 years. But I saw battle today for the first time."

"That's not the point. 3 years? And he's been like… harassing you, slaving you… for three bloody freaking years!?"

"I deserved it. Doctor Gates was quite a looker before I ruined his face."

"Does it cross your mind that getting lashed with bladed whips and verbally abused for three years over a ruined face and a broken leg is too much? And you were just forced to kill your own kind for the love of god!"

"You had no idea what you're saying. Do you know how it felt like when you were different from the others? All you wanted was a quiet life but that was robbed from you because of some birth defect? Doctor Gates helped me go through the pain. I'm doing this to repay his kindness."

"And he repays you with abuses and insults. No credit at all."

"Sssh!" The giant suddenly grabbed Kira and hid him behind his back. Gates carried a deer on a cage behind him. "Who were you talking to, Juggernaut?"

Fuji pretended his foolishness and shook his head. He looked at the skies above towards the stars.

"Talking to the stars? How poetic!" Gates scoffed. He left the deer. "Your dinner! Be grateful you hulking fool!" The doctor left, dragging his right leg and using his whip sword as a cane to help him.

Fuji took Kira out. "See that?"

"Yes. I saw a jerk that forces you play like some lumbering idiot."

"You saw his legs? I did that to him. After all his effort."

"…you have to get out here. You're not right anymore!"

"No. You go. I won't sound the alarm. Enough. Leave now. The next time we meet I will kill you. No questions asked."

Realizing Fuji's decision is final, Kira back away. Before he left though. He uttered few last words. "You said I don't know you. But I do. I damn well understand how you feel. I really do." And the boy's figure disappeared in the dark, leaving Fuji to his own thoughts.

On his way though, Kira had to get across the Bladebane's encampment. Fortunately, the guards were lax tonight. Based on what he has seen, the knights were tired. Particularly the regular Emerald Knights. '…these knights must've just arrived. But… they were forced to quickly raid the base… well… lucky me…'

Finally, he somehow managed to get back to the base. Putting on his camo, he was welcomed by the three Captains.

"Kage! Where have you been?"

"Took a stroll in the enemy camp and having a chat with that giant."

Everyone found their jaw hanging in the air for 5 full minutes for the information to enter their brains. The next instant, Kage found himself in the Captains' quarter.

"So you've talked to him?"

"Yeah. Unlike the impression he might gave, he's not the stereotypical brawn over muscle type. Quite the opposite actually. And he's pretty damn skilled too with that weapon of his to boot."

"You said he's a natural. How a natural could be 80 feet tall?"

"He had… an acute case of gigantism. And apparently, he met the wrong doctor on the house… that failed to heal him."

"I see… Still… that doesn't change the fact that they will use him again tomorrow. The only thing we can use to fight that guy is the Lohengrin… other Gottfried cannons."

"I saw a man with hood lashing at that monster." Natarle pointed out.

"Fuji." Kage cuts in.

"What?"

"His name… is Fuji. That guy with the hood, his name is Gates. He's the doctor who… supposedly… giving Fuji the treatment for his condition. An asshole. The guy calling the shots. An asshole. A doctor. An asshole. Carry a whip sword to lash on Fuji. And did I mention an Asshole? And a jerk to boot?"

The officers looked at the ninja. That's one angry ninja.

"He pissed you off." Mwu concluded.

"No he didn't."

"You called him asshole 5 times."

"No, I called him asshole 4 times. Jerk one time."

"No difference."

"Technically." Halrbarton decided to cut through the argument. "If we take him out, logically speaking, the giant… Fuji's attacking capabilities will be reduced by half?"

"Fuji is not an idiot. Regardless… Gates is the one calling the shots. Problem is, Fuji thinks he's indebted to the guy. We kill him, we'll probably gonna have one angry giant on our hands. Probably." Kage summarized.

"So what should we do to survive tomorrow? If he's as smart as you claim him to be, I would guess he'll be well prepared to have Lohengrin being shot at him again. Are you saying we just have to let this Gates person go?"

"I'm not saying that we let the asshole go. I'm just saying, we have to take Fuji out first… before we get to him."

Everyone in the room went silent seeing the impossibility of the conclusion Kage came up with. Murdoch breaks the silence by explaining the damage report and the available arsenal. "I'll be frank with you. The first Lohengrin cannon is out of commission. That last impact he had with his gargantuan swords on it seem had broke something in the cannon. We don't have the time to fix it, so we have to rely on the other cannon. They don't know this yet. But it'll be only a matter of time for them to figure it out tomorrow. Lohengrin cannon was so huge, you can't reposition the damn thing." Murdoch added. "That thing can only shoot forward. If one down… the only thing that giant need to do is to steer clear on the other one and then he can get a straight shot at us. And we haven't quite finished the repairs on that part of a wall he tore through."

Kage rest his bow-blade on his shoulder. What should they do?

Harlbarton looked at every officer in the room. Having Kage 'spied' on the enemy base was actually a good thing. But the information he brought, that the giant who nearly destroyed them all had the brain to boot his strength was a big obstacle they've yet to find out the answer. They've been on high alert for the greater part of 4 hours. Their eyes are all red from over stress. The situation called for an immediate "Break time."

"What?" Natarle turned to the elder captain.

"Let's have a break. We've been… stressed out. Let's go get some fresh air, maybe then we can get an idea."

Everyone solemnly agreed. Kage nodded. He had to see his friends as Kira Yamato once in a while. It seems ages since he took off his mask, it felt like his lips is going to meld with it. Once he removed the mask, he almost wished he hadn't. The scent of blood and smoke invaded his sense of smell almost instantaneously. 'God… how many people died today?' He caught sight of his friends and was about to yell at them when he realized that the Bow Shiki equipment is still stuck on him. 'Oh… crap…' As the realization dawns, he quickly put the mask back. Many people saw Kage today with that same equipment. If they saw Kira Yamato the chef wearing the same equipment, it won't be hard for them to put two on two together.

"Kage-san!" Tolle waved at him.

"Tolle-san."

"Kage-san! Have you seen Kira?"

"…I'm afraid not. Is he not with you?" Not knowing what to say about the reason of his disappearance.

"No. We've been following Torii and… we ran into you." Sai explained.

"Hoo?" Kage secretly coldsweated. Torii is very smart. He can still discern his true identity even when he was under disguise. He looked up and saw the poor bird was flying in circles around him. Apparent he understood his master's predicament. 'Good boy.' "…errhh… well… maybe he got lost? From what he told me… he has a very bad sense of direction."

"Yeah. That's why we've been following Torii. But… it seems we haven't found him yet." Milly look around worried.

"…well… you see… there are a lot of wounded people and with a lack of better term… piles of corpses… and then there's fire…" Upon seeing his friends' horrified faces, Kage quickly added. "I'm JUST saying… it's an awful smell and sight. It kinda messed up one's senses. So Torii maybe a little bit confused. And I won't worry too much about Kira. That boy saved my life. And from that experience I knew he was made of sterner stuff."

Tolle, Sai, Milly and Kuzzey's face was relieved somewhat and instantly replaced with some chuckles. "Yeah… yeah… you put that very well, Kage-san. He is made of strong stuff."

Glad he had allayed his friends fears, Kage also grinned happily. "…I would love to help you to search for him, but I think I'm needed elsewhere, so if you excuse me."

"Yes, of course!" The four bowed down as the ninja returned them and the two parties went separate ways.

A few moments later, atop the wall of the Archangel…

"GRRRRRRGH!!" Kage tried to pull the strings of the Midoshiki to no avail. He finally gave up and threw the bow to the floor and howled. "What's the use of a bow that I can't use!?" in his frustration, Kage fell on his back gazing to the violet evening sky and stay like that. The boy doesn't know how long he done that… when suddenly.

"Hoo… nice bow. Nice bow."

Kage jerked up and saw Harlbarton weighing the green bow. What surprised him was that the next act the Captain performed was pulling the strings backwards without the slightest difficulty, as if it was just a normal bow.

"H… How did you?" Kage quickly get back up.

"It seems you waste too much energy on unnecessary movement young man." Harlbarton chuckled and let go the strings with a twang. He gave the bow back at Kage. "But that, of course, was nothing but a mere technicality. The real problem wasn't your strength."

"Eh?"

"Tell me young man." Harlbarton looked at Kage. "Do you like hunting?"

A few minutes later, Harlbarton, with Kage on his back, rode out on a lone horseback, alone, into the forest.

"IS THAT GUY INSANE!?" Natarle couldn't stop yelling angrily.

"Captain must've had his reason." Murrue tried to calm his exploding lieutenant.

"I wonder why Captain brings Kage along though." Prayer rubbed his chin in deep thought.

Back to Kage and Harlbarton on Horseback…

"You know that there are enemies in the forest right?"

"If what you told me was true… then we'll find relative safety hunting in these parts."

"Are you sure?"

"My boy, I've trudged through this forest long enough to recognize it like the back of my hand."

Soon, they found themselves in a wilderness. The moment the horse entered the forest, all sound seem cease to exist, safe the sound of their own. The two waited for a few moments.

"…we're being hunted."

Kage nodded. He can somewhat felt a presence around them. No. To be exact: just one. With a wild murdering instinct.

"A tiger?"

"No. A lion."

"In these parts?"

"And apparently, not just some any lion."

"How can you be so sure?"

"The lions on these parts had come to know me. So they know well enough to leave me alone. This Lion seems to be a wild one." As soon as Harlbarton finished his sentence, a lion, one big black lion roared and charged towards the horse, giving the poor creature a fright. Harlbarton managed to hold tight to his rein and quickly calm his horse down. Kage however, fell down and his mask unraveled.

The Lion charged at him, but Harlbarton quickly rushed to Kira's aid. The lion immediately rushed away into the grasses. But its presence lingers around.

"My… this one is sinister."

"What is that… black lion?"

"A rare breed. We've been getting report that one big lion has been terrorizing the supply line. That must be it."

Kira is still panting from the shock.

"Child… do you know the biggest reason why you can't pull the string of that bow?"

"…" Kira frowned. The biggest reason?

"It has nothing to do with strength. Child… what do you fear?"

The boy chuckled. "A lot of things."

"Can you be more specific?"

"…too many."

"Too many… afraid of dying, afraid of hurting, afraid of losing… am I close?"

"…I'm not really afraid of those three…"

"Then what?"

"…I… I don't know… I just don't feel like I'm being myself lately… I guess… I'm afraid of myself."

"I see… your friends… they are natural. You fear that if you show your true self… they'll stay away from you? Is that why all this… mask and charade?"

"…Captain I…"

"Say no more." Harlbarton get down from his horse and pull out an arrow. He gave it to Kira. "Remember when that lion tried to attack you? The split second you realized the beast' intention… you worry more about your life. Why is that?"

"…natural instinct?"

"Yes. But natural instinct is not fear in itself. Your fear was accompanied with resignation. So this is not the fear I talk of. I'm talking about a fear, so great within… you'll go by lengths and bounds to prevent that fear from arising. What do you fear, child?"

"…"

"Remember all the things you've done. I've heard how you bravely ventured into Zaft's army camp alone. Why did you do that? What fear spawn such bravery?"

"Bravery?"

"Yes. The concept of bravery sometimes goes hand in hand with fear. I've seen an honorary warrior run with his tail between his legs at the first sight of an enemy, yet I've also seen a lowly farmer fought to death with pitchforks just to defend a sickly buffalo. Was that fear or courage?"

Kira think back on all the things he' has done. The inferno of Amaterasu, the battle in the plains, the battle in the forest. All the things he had done with the odds of victory are so close to none. He never knew he was quite a daredevil. So how did he find such bravery to do so? And then, his eyes suddenly shine with an instant of clarity.

Knowing the boy had found his answer, Harlbarton handed the arrow to Kira. "I shall return to the Archangel. No need to fear or hesitate. Finish it." The elder Captain mounts his horse and ride off.

Kira looked at the arrow on his hand. He put back the mask and waited for the lion. The black beast had clearly realized his prey is now alone. And so the creature dared itself to show its visage. The ninja, with trembling hands, put the arrow on his green bow. He pointed the arrow at the beast, but has yet to pull the strings. The lion, sensing no killing intent, roared to intimidate its prey. The trembling arrow had yet to retract; the beast took one step closer.

Kira's heart was thumping like a mad. Veins popping around his eyes. Beads of sweat forming around his visage. The lion began running towards him. The two of them roared…

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The next day…

Fuji rose up again with Gates on his shoulder and quickly grabbed the twin chained blades. Like yesterday, Fuji starts the day by start spinning the blades at the top of his head. This time however, the soldiers in the Archangel were ready.

"Wait for it… wait for it…" Natarle hold her position.

As expected the blade came towards the Lohengrin cannon again, this time, the right one.

"FIRE!"

Simultaneous, 20 or so Gottfried cannon shoot a concentrated barraged of cannonballs at one side of the blade. The impact was enough to smash the blade off track.

"Hullo… as expected… their immunity has increased." Mikhail whistled.

"Then we have to go close range!" Gates yelled.

"Belay that order!"

"Hrgh?"

"You go close range; it'll make it easier for them to shoot their Lohengrin cannon at you. Remain at long range… but target the Lohengrin cannon at the left."

"The left cannon?"

"Yes… I think that cannon was broken in our last attack. And even if it wasn't broken, I figure a double dose is still in order."

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As the battle commence, Veia saw through what's going on in his telescope aboard his battleship. Regardless, even without the telescope, a figure like Fuji is definitely hard to miss.

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Fuji nodded, understanding Mikhail's plan while Gates is still trying to figure out the meaning of it. As soon as he retracted the first blade, he began spinning the second, and the first at the same time. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what's coming next.

The first attack went straight at the broken left Lohengrin cannon. Like before, 20 or so Gottfried Cannons exploded and smash the blade off course. But before the cannons can be reloaded, Fuji quickly sent another blade at them. What happened next though left the giant's jaw hanging.

From the hole of the cannon, a bright green flame burst forth and in the midst of green flames, a bright light, that somewhat resemble a lion's head, shot out and smashed itself on the said blade. If shots from 20 Gottfried cannons can only change the direction of Fuji's blade, this one actually smashed the blade to pieces, and it still has enough momentum to send the pieces back towards its sender. Instinctively, Fuji dodged the pieces. The flying pieces of his blade shattered the linking chains as they fell on scores of Zaft knights and Bladebanes, killing some and injuring many.

Veia almost dropped his telescope. "What the… was that Lohengrin?"

Fuji immediately turned his attention to the smoking giant cannon barrel. Sweeping the smoke away, Kage stepped forward. The smoke came from the blades of his bow.

"That guy…" Fuji muttered.

Mikhail looked at the person inside the barrel. 'What the… he's the one who shot that… arrow!? An ARROW shattered three metric tons of solid steel!?'

To make his point clear, Kage cracked his armored right arm. A green flame generated from his palm and began to form a thin long blade, with green veins littering the surface and a forked edge at the end of its short handle. Kage put the forked edge at the joining point of the strings and pull them as far as he could. This time, he aimed the arrow at the crowds of bladebanes below. "I'm not afraid of you." With that, he let loose the arrow. Upon release, green flames burst out from the arrow blade's green veins and quickly enveloped the projectile into an image of a lion. The green flaming arrow landed on its target and a series of explosions follows in accordance to the arrow's path of destruction, obliterating every Zaft knights caught in its explosions.

Kage hopped out of the cannon barrel and stood on top of it. Fuji looked incredulously at the vastly smaller opponent. The two warriors met eye to eye.

"…AKAMICHI FUJI!" Kage roared. "I'm not afraid of you. And I understand pretty well that you feel indebted to that scum standing on your shoulder."

"W… what are you blattering about! Fuji destroy him-"

"SHUT UP YOU SCUM!" Kage spat on Gates. "I'm talking to Fuji, not to you! So shut up!"

Gates found himself at the loss of words. Fuji blinked. For a moment he turned back to being Fuji, not Juggernaut.

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At the distance, watching everything, Veia whistled. "Now this gets interesting."

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Back to the Archangel…

"Maybe to you, repaying this man for your mistake is something important. But as for me, I have something important in this base as well, and I don't want it to be taken away from me. I'll go lengths and bounds to prevent that from happening. Even if that means I have to beat you down."

Fuji's eyes blinked. He picked Gates from his shoulder and places him on the ground.

"Doctor. Please move away from here. It'll get dangerous from this point onward. I think he's serious."

Everyone, Zaft and Alliance soldiers alike were surprised. The giant's voice was gentle and clear, just like how Kage describe him so. Fuji grabbed his remaining sword and removed his helmet in order for him to get a wider vision.

"Everyone, get away from here. This is between him… and me."

The soldiers agreed and move away from Kage. The rest of the combatants unanimously agreed that this is a duel between Kage and Fuji. And thus no one can-no-dare to move. After seeing Kage's demonstration on how he could cause massive damage from a distance, Fuji realized that this person whose size was barely bigger than his own hand has a massive destructive potential, equaling, if not surpassing his own. What's more, his long range attack was clearly proven ineffective. His only option is to charge up front. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" and with a roar, Fuji did so.

Kage quickly generate an arrow and began charging the said arrow. By the time the giant was right in front of him, Kage pointed the burning arrow at Fuji's face. The giant quickly moved his entire body to the side to avoid the attack and sent a horizontal sweep at Kage. The ninja quickly changed his target towards the incoming blade. He let loose the arrow, and with an explosion, the giant blade was repelled again. Fuji quickly regained his footing and sent his left fist at Kage. The ninja quickly jump off the barrel, but not before he pulls out another arrow and aimed it to the ground below him. A few seconds before he hits the ground, the arrow was shot. The explosion wasn't as big as before, but it was enough to slow down his descent and somewhat soften the ground to cushion his landing.

Kage quickly generate another arrow and shot it towards Fuji. The giant, again, with speed and reflexes one wouldn't expect a man with such huge stature to possess, managed to dodge the arrow again. 'God damn it, how the hell a man that big can move that fast?'

Fuji was equally frustrated. True, he has the speed and reflexes necessary to dodge the smaller opponent's attack, but his size hinder his effort to look for the opponent rather than helping him.

"Gotta keep moving… gotta keep moving…" Kage was almost out of breath. The only way to defeat an enemy so much bigger than him: keep moving. Fuji's blade landed just a few centimeters from his figure. The wind from the explosion send him flying to the bushes. Fuji quickly lifted his sword again and sent another slash at the ninja. Kage sent an arrow, not to the blade, but to the giant's arm. Fuji quickly moved his arm to avoid getting shot. However, the movement inadvertently changed the course of his blade. The enormous weapon fell a few meters off the mark. Kage quickly got up only to meet face to face with Fuji's foot thumb. The 'kick' hit him in his upper chest sending him flying, head spinning with a few of his teeth made a funny cracking noise. He landed a few dozen meters away, not sure how on earth he can still stand.

Holding the pain and the possibility of a few of his ribcage broken, Kage tried to not to think how much damage that one kick had given him. "D-distract him… feet… f-from the main target… legs…" In his mind, events occurred in last night's briefing replayed itself.

Flashback…

"His legs. You start aiming his legs." Harlbarton explained in a very brief yet easily understandable sentence.

"Legs… of course…" Natarle nodded.

"A creature, no matter how powerful, will always stand with his two legs. They will always be affected by gravity, so if you took out his legs, even one, without sufficient support, his own weight will crush him." Harlbarton continued his explanation.

"Got it. But he's not stupid. He'll figure out what I intend to do in a flash."

"Well… if what you did to that lion was only LESS than QUARTER of what that weapon can truly do…" Mwu laughed nervously, shivering at the thought what a full power blast from Midoshiki would felt like. "I'm sure you can just hit him anywhere… I mean he's one big target. Bigger than that Lion."

"Speaking of the lion… I mean you drilled a hole, straight through his mouth all the way to its now busted tail, what do you want to do with the rest? I mean… you brought it back for something… right?"

Kage thought for a moment. "I think I'll tell Kira-san later… meat is back on the menu."

Flashback ends…

'I have to take his leg out with one shot of a fully charged Midoshiki. There's no other way. And the only way I can confuse his senses… is this.' Quickly making seals, Kage draws a breath, and quickly shot an enormous ball of fire. The fire traveled to a distance, but it was enough to set some spot on fire.

When his legs began administering the sensation of heat, Fuji immediately hopped back. Several more fireballs burst out and more spots are on fire. Soon, he was surrounded by a circular wall of flames.

Mwu see through everything and understood his protégé's plan. "This is absolutely crazy. Where the hell did he get this idea!?"

Fuji looked around for his target, even beyond the rising flame barrier. 'Where is he!?' in his frustration, he sweeped his blade, creating a huge wind that blew out some of the flames on his back. Okay, all of the flames on his back.

"He's not here… than he's…" The giant quickly spun around and swung his blade. The wind disperses all the remaining flames, revealing a half singed kage, who was, a minute ago, hiding INSIDE the column of flame, the Midoshiki flame arrow was yet to be fully charged. 'Hiding inside the flames of your own making… either he's very brave or very stupid.' Grasping the blade with both of his arms, he raised the blade above his head. "THIS THE END!"

Kage gritted his teeth. It's gonna be CLOSE!

With a roar, the blade was brought down. A few seconds before the enormous weapon smash him to bits, Kage remember the emotion he felt when he shot the lion. Time stopped then and there.

"I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid of losing. I'm not afraid of getting hurt. What I truly afraid of is…!" Images of Sai, Tolle, Milly and Kuzzey appeared in his head. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!"

The arrow was let loose. The two weapons impacts midair, followed with a huge shockwave that ripples through the battlefield and a blinding green light. Everyone could barely see what's going on. But then, a sound of metal breaking answered their question.

Fuji's enormous blade shattered and the arrow burst through and hit his left knee, cracking it before exploding.

"WRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!" Fuji roared in pain, holding his bleeding knee. Of course, the giant fell down. Half lucid with the seething pain on his knees ravaging his every sense, the giant lunged towards Kage in fury. By then, the ninja had aimed another arrow at him. The arrow blew right out on his face. Fuji dropped to the ground, face first, smoking and bleeding.

Kage sighed happily. Just then, the green bow transformed back to its original katana form as the heavy armor disappeared. "Aha… welcome back… gehek!"

The spectators of the titanic battle jaw dropped. It took them 10 full seconds to administer what just happened. The battle was only 2 minutes long. But it was a long, tense, two minutes and the result: Kage stood victorious. But at a price. Down below Kage coughed some blood. The pain his adrenalin had held back came crashing down at him. 'Oh god… I think… he shattered… some of my… ribs…?' "Ehek… oh no…could it be there's a… rupture? Internal… bleeding?" Holding to Shiki, the ninja tried not to fall with little success.

"Oh shit, I knew it! SOMEONE! WE GOTTA GET HIM OUT OF THERE!" Mwu pointed at the wounded and limping Kage.

"Men! WITH ME!" Harlbarton yelled the order.

"COVER FIRE! PROTECT KAGE UNTIL OUR SOLDIERS GET THERE!" Murrue yelled the order

The soldiers didn't complain one bit. The ninja just saved them all. The last thing they want was their wounded savior gets butchered by an angry mob of Advanced. "PROTECT KAGE AT ALL COST! FIRE! FIRE!"

The Bladebanes, was still in the state of denial when the cannons of the Archangel broke them from their stupor. They quickly fought back, but found themselves in a slow retreat. The arrival of Harlbarton and Mwu with their troops further discouraged them from fighting.

Mikhail looked incredulously at Kage. That's when he realized the ninja was heavily injured. 'He's one heck of tumor… no… antibody is more like it. We are the infection… But he's also wounded. Our morale is dangerously low… we have to take him out to even things up… hm!?' Mikhail saw Gates rushing towards the ninja in anger.

Kage saw the hooded knight running at him. 'Wait? Running? I thought he was limping?'

"HOW. DARE. YOU!" The knights swing his whip sword at him. Kage blocked the attack with Shiki. The blade spun around the Katana though. And with one swift backstroke, Gates pull the sword away and tossed the Katana away.

"That's pretty good for someone who supposedly got a broken leg." Kage grunted.

"What?"

"Fuji told me. He said you were his doctor… and then his size went out of control… and injured you. Was that correct?" Kage looked at the masked man. The mask covered the man's face, but he can see his eyes… and it has this mad look beaming.

"Oh. I see my little specimen had gone on ahead of being a mole as well… maybe I should I cut off his tongue when this is over." The man's voice was… cheerful. And it was done with such a demented tone that it was scary. Kage can bet that behind that mask, the man was smiling maniacally.

"You'll do… no such thing! And what the hell do you mean with Specimen!?" Kage's rage was finally in full display, and for a moment, he forgets his pain and stood up.

"You saw it! That strength! Such beauty called strength! Such power was at his command! EXQUISITE! GODLIKE! If I could use that gene that made him like that, and culture it in our own men, we'll be unstoppable!"

"So… this is what it's all about… you want to replicate his weird gigantism to your own soldiers. I can understand that… but will you cure him?"

"Do you honestly think that I would heal a man with such a… profound genetic gift? Oho… no. Of course not. How could I!? He's a precious specimen! Unfortunately, he's also a fool beyond compare. All that power within him, and he wanted to throw it away! Foolishness such as that is unforgivable!"

"…is that why you lied to him!? He… did all this… ALL this because he believed in YOU! He believed you can cure him!"

"Naivety of a natural. Never fails to makes me laugh." The knight chuckled sinisterly.

"KATON! GOUKYAKU NO JUTSU!" a gigantic fireball, equaling Kage's rage, burst out from his mouth.

Caught by surprise, Gates jumped a little late and it managed to singe a part of his body, including heating half of his mask. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGH" Gates quickly removed his mask. And Kage get a good look on his face. It was slender and clean, with a healthy flock of pinkish red hair. It is… no…WAS perfect… before the super-heated mask (courtesy of Kira's fireball) burned half of his face. "ARGH! My face! H… How dare you…!"

"That look suits you." Kage managed a chuckle.

"You…!" In his rage, Gates mercilessly lashed Kage a few times. The ninja did nothing safe a few chuckles. "Oh well… laugh all you want. This pain is nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you in my lab."

"Ha, ha, ha… that is… considering you could even get out of here alive."

"Hmph! You talk big for someone with 6 broken ribs, a ruptured lung, and 15 internal bleedings."

"Wowie. Thanks. At least I'll know which part got banged… I see you're not entirely a quack doctor… then… Doc? Analyze this symptom. What would an angry duped giant would do when he finds out his doctor has been fooling him?"

"What?" It was then Gates raise his head and meet face to face with an angry Fuji. The doctor found himself mincing for words. "But… you took a shot… on your face… how could you…"

"Unlike before, the last arrow was just a half-assed-charged arrow… its explosive power is no stronger than a few giant firecrackers tied together. And then Fuji was made of sterner stuff. You didn't notice he's still alive and conscious and you call yourself a doctor!?"

Fuji dragged his body in his anger slowly towards the terrified doctor. "I would've crushed your face first, but Kage had done that for me."

"L… Look… Fuji! I… I can heal you! T… take this boy! H… he may have… something… t… that can cure you!"

"Oh… that disease has long cured doc. I got infected with a new one… and the only cure that can heal me… is to crush you."

"WAAA-" the mad doctor was just a few steps away from his previous spot when Fuji's arm came crashing at him. He looked at Kage. "…how can you ever forgive my…"

"I can… first… get me back… to the walls… not too many bumps on the way… that Gates wasn't lying about my…(cough)… condition…"

Fuji realized Kage was just a few seconds away from fainting. Grunting, holding the pain in his knee he so rightfully deserved, he gently grabbed the wounded figure in his arms and rose up, to the shock and awe of many.

Fuji turned towards the wall.

Everyone on the wall gasped in horror. Natarle quickly barked orders. "READY THE CANNONS! CONCENTRATE ALL FIRE ON THAT-"

"WAIT! Look! On the giant's hand! Is that-?" Murrue gasped in horror. "HOLD YOUR FIRE! HE GOT KAGE!"

The battle below stopped for a moment. Fuji slowly and carefully approached the Archangel walls. Everyone on the wall looked at him, waiting for a smash or a kick. Instead, the giant gently, slowly shoved his palm to the nearest group of soldiers. "He's wounded. Badly. He needs immediately immediate medical attention. FAST!"

Everyone, especially those in the walls, gaped. The soldiers looked at the weak Kage lying in Fuji's palm and then towards the giant itself. "Y… You're not going to kill us?"

"…No. There some other people I want to kill."

The soldiers quickly bring a stretcher and they immediately moved Kage to the stretcher. With the last bits of consciousness he had, Kage spoke weakly. "Secondly… do as what your heart think is right. Do that… and I'll leave all the accident behind me like it was a bad dream."

"I fully intend to." Perhaps, for the first time ever in his life, Akamichi Fuji the Juggernaut of destruction was happy he gets to kill someone. He grabbed the shattered angel statue from yesterday's attack and wields it like a club.

"THIS IS FOR YEARS OF INSULT!" With one swing, a few dozens of knights and bladebanes were instantly crushed to a bloody mess. "THIS IS FOR YEARS OF WHIPPINGS!" Fuji stomp the ground several times, squishing the enemies below to bloody hams. "THIS IS FOR TURNING ME INTO A FREAK!" He slammed the angel statue to a group of escaping Bladebanes.

A few more dozens were thrown to the sky by the wind. "ORAORAORAORA!!" Fuji went rampage, swinging the angel statue left and right, destroying the invading force with impunity. And yet, despite the brutality of his attacks, all was done with care and precision: not a single attack hits the Allied forces.

Harlbarton and Mwu could only stare as the Giant literally blow the enemy away. The younger of the two sighed in relief. "Whoa… I really am glad Kira made that Giant kill his master. If that doctor succeeded in mass producing something like him, we'll be out of job in a few weeks."

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In the distance, Veia tossed his telescope to his subordinates.

"Is it an unquestioned victory, sir?" The knight asked him cheerfully.

"In case you haven't noticed, that's OUR men the giant is happily stomping on." Veia immediately went to his quarter.

The knight's shocked face was well hidden by his helmet.

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Fuji continued his rampage until he reached the Bladebanes encampment. By then, most of the posted soldiers still haven't aware that their giant had switched sides. When they realized it, Fuji proceed on flattening the entire encampment to the ground. When he returned to the base, he brought along the spoils of war: the food supply stored in the enemy encampment and a spare giant blade he managed to find.

The soldiers were obviously still terrified by his enormous size. Fuji couldn't blame them. Only yesterday he was killing them at the whim of his master. The giant winced. The very thought he had served a madman like that disgust him. It was then the pain on his knee was brought back to his attention. He fell down to the ground, causing a small earthquake. And then he began tending to his wound. He ripped off a part of his loincloth and tied it to his knee as tight as he could.

A few hours later Harlbarton, Mwu, and Murrue walked out of the base. Mwu whistled as he saw the giant up close. Hard to believe Kira was fighting someone like this alone… and WON! Talk about miracles.

"So… um… I guess… we should introduce ourselves first. Juunibantai Taichou Murrue Ramias."

"Kyuubantai Taichou, Mwu La Flagga. Yoroshku!"

"Nanabantai Taichou, Lewis Harlbarton."

The giant was a little bit caught off guard. Considering what he had done, he was quite shocked that he was still given the privilege of proper respectful approach of conversation. "Erm… I'm… Akamichi Fuji… code name… Juggernaut."

"Well… Mr. Akamichi, we've heard your predicament from Kage… and… uh… we… well… we won't say we fully understand…"

"No you don't." Fuji chuckled. "You don't create an earthquake when you lay down or sit down."

"Touché." Mwu chuckled.

"Seeing how one of you in good mood… can I assume… that Kage is in no danger of losing his life?"

"That kid dies hard. Literally." Mwu smirked. "He's still unconscious though."

"I see." Fuji frowned. "I don't know if I can ever atone for what I did… but I want to… Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Actually…" Harlbarton rub his chin. There were so many things a giant his size can do. If he really wanted to help… "We're still fixing the front wall. As you can see it took a lot of work. If you don't mind, I want you to stand guard here, protecting it until the repair is done."

Fuji nodded. He tried to get up, but the pain on his knee strike back and prevented him from rising up.

Murrue winced at the large wound. "I'll send some Physician. Just sit down until then."

"Thank you." Fuji nodded. He turned around, his back facing the wall and his blade is on the ground, ready to be used at the moment's notice. The giant's massive figure did its job well. Even sitting down, the figure covers most of the wall section.

Mwu grinned ear to ear. "Men, Kira get himself one heck of a helper."

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Back to the Zaft Battleship…

Mikhail and what's left of his Bladebanes managed to somehow escaped with their lifes. "My god… what the hell is that Antibody? Consuming the Vaccine and then using it againts us?"

Veia shook his head. "You know what they say Doc? Too much of a good thing can kill a man. I'd say you guys have been too reliant on that giant. Or too careless."

"Touche." The doctor couldn't help but agreeing. Perhaps they've been abusing the giant's prowess for too long.

"Still… I told you. If you underestimate person in that mask, you'll be the ones that suffer."

The Doctor was out of words. They say a patient should take their medication following the doctor's orders. He bowed in apology. "Yeah… I'm ready to receive my punishment."

Veia take another look at the base and shook his head. "Nah. We've lost a battle. Not a war. I've called an additional reinforcement of Bladebanes. This time, follow my orders, okay? Now go take care the wounded."

Mikhail bowed down once more and move along as Veia took another look at the white base. "Now… what's our next move?"

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The next day…

Kira opened his eyes, no, only an eye as his other eye was bandaged. He looked around and found he was in the infirmary. His left arm was bandaged and put on a sling. His right leg was also put on crutches. "Wh… where am I?"

"KIRAAAAAAAAA!!" The entire friendly might of his friends glomped at him. Much to his suffering, unfortunately.

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! Newsflash! Wounded person here!"

"S… Sorry!" Tolle, Milly, Sai and Kuzzey immediately back away. "We're kinda lost since we haven't seen you for two days!"

"Two days?" Kira blinked. 'ah that's right. I've been like Kage for quite some time now…' "How long was I out?"

"Well… they brought in just yesterday afternoon, you were all wounded up… Mwu-san said some debris fell on you?"

Kira chuckled. 'Mwu-san! That's a good one.' "Yeah. Must be some of the cannon misfire."

"We were really worried. I thought you got caught up in that gigantic fight between Kage and that giant." Kuzzey sighed in relief.

"Yeah! You should've seen him! Oh men! He shot an arrow and knock the giant down with just two shots! Ain't he the coolest!?" And Tolle went on berating the events blow by blow to the ones who had done all the action. Kira chuckled. But inwardly, the fact that his friends were worried of his well being made him happy beyond compare.

'That's right… what I fear the most… is losing my friends.' He then remembered another person who may be in the same predicament like he was.

"…and then, he must've like, hypnotized the giant or something. The next thing we knew, the giant just went rampage and turn against his own allies."

"Where is he?" Kira cut the story short.

"What?"

"The giant. Where is he?"

"Harlbarton assigned him to stand guard. Why?"

"…" Kira rubbed his chin. "Nothing… nothing…"

"Anyway! Kira! Are you hungry?"

A few hours later, at the walls… Most of the damage has been repaired, albeit jury rig repairs.

Fuji is still sit on guard in front of the walls. Of course, given his size, not one sane man would dare to come anywhere closer than ten feet from him. Though of course, this isn't exactly the first time he was placed on guard. 'Come to think of it…' Fuji lift a finger for each job he had done: Door guards, frontline soldier, heavyweight lifter… I've done all those…'

His trains of thoughts were cut short when a soft "Hey." sounded from his back. The giant turned and saw Kage. His right eye was bandaged, his left arm was put on a slingshot and he's using his Shiki to support him.

"You have that look that says: I ran away from the hospital ward so that I can get some fresh air."

"Believe me, a few hours ago, I would've have that look. My insides weren't as bad as the outside."

"You got internal bleedings everywhere! You can't be walking already! DOCTOR! NURSES! SOMEBODY! WE GOT A PATIENT ON THE RUN HERE ON THE WALLS!" Fuji's roar can be heard all the way to the hospital ward. The Physician spurt out his lunch when the loud voice reached his eardrums.

"Hush! Be quiet! Look, I'm using a support because I can't stand thanks to this damned paste on my leg. I'm fine, believe me."

Fuji narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"Let's be sensible. We're ten stories high. If my body was so bad, how do you think I managed to get here?"

"…oh well…" The giant rubbed his temple, giving up.

"But you were right about me escaping though… thanks to that roar, I got like… ten fifteen minutes max before I had to explain how on earth Kage had the same injuries with Kira Yamato.."

"What's with all the mask and the getup though? Why can't you just be you?"

Kage pull down his mask. "Heheh… the deception is unfortunate… but necessary. Have I ever told you about my childhood? I never told this to anyone yet safe my friends… but I used to live in Zaft territories. My parents happened to have some work there, and they're naturals."

"How come a natural can live there?"

"I'm not sure. Work I guess… I was too young to understand the nature of their work. Anyway Zaft is… aristocratic. People lived by nobility code. Knightings, barons, nobles, royalty. The works. My parents work to a well esteemed Noble family, so we kinda have some privileges. I am an advanced but… well… by comparison… I'm a weaker kind. So it kinda alienated me from the rest. It gets even worse by the fact that I'm not a noble. Many time I'll find myself getting bullied by other Nobles. Mostly because my parents, who was not a noble nor advanced, get accepted in a high class society. Later, my parents work was done and we left for the main land, filled with Natural. And things got worse for me." Kage paused for a moment and sighed, seemingly at a bad memory.

"My parents may be a bit okay, but the fact that they worked for Advanced before put quite a strain. What's more, their son, that's me, is proven 100 percent an advanced. Other kids were scared at me, calling me freaks and the likes."

"How? I mean… how do they know?"

"…let's not forget that Naturals are at war with Advanced. Prejudices and envy is at work here. Weaker kind or not, I'm still an advanced. I got better grades than everyone, and whispers had already begun to fly around. My teachers too were getting a little bit edgy and at times, I thought they were trying to find a reason to deduct points. Threat letters and vandalism began to happen at a daily rate. And then finally, there was that one time… some punk in my class, corner and beat me to the inch my life." Kage rubbed his knee. "They must've like… broke a few bones, crack a bit of my skull and I thought I was gonna die out of blood loss. And guess what? The next day, I showed up as good as new."

"Rapid regeneration rate? That's your ability?"

"Maybe… maybe not. For all I know that all Advanced do have an advanced healing factor. Many people say mine is off the chart. It doesn't matter. When I showed up that day, the fact that I'm an Advanced is official. And they bully me even more. I even got hold up for a grade when… someone put rat poison in my lunch box."

Fuji gasped. "Rat Poison!?"

"Yeah… that was the final straw though. My parents can't stand it anymore and so three years ago, they moved me to Amaterasu. An Orb city, neutral. By that time I've learned my lessons. So I keep to myself. At the school I ranked average… below even… perhaps take things too much. Most people thought I was just some ordinary guy. Life however was quite tough on me. I mean it's wartime… and I was alone. A year later I got a job but that was an entirely different story. It was a one tough long year. And that's when…" Kira take another look at the fortress below. His friend still thought he was sleeping. "That's when I met Kuzzey, Sai, Milly and Tolle."

At this, Kira smiled. Fuji also smiled as he can see that it was a good precious memory. "It all started… with a prank made by Tolle and Sai. They were… I don't know… trying to pull a prank on Milly I guess. Tolle thought that was the best idea to… woe her. I don't know what they did but… the trap splashed the principle and a bunch of punks instead. The old man was covered in glue… and they have to shave their hair bald. I was there witnessing it all… I don't quite remember when the last time I get quite a laugh."

Fuji laughed. The booming sound of his laugh attracted everyone's attention. Tolle, Sai, Kuzzey and Milly look towards the wall. "Hey… was that KIRA!?"

Kira continued his story. "Anyway the principle doesn't chase this problem further… but the punks did. I don't know their mind works… but… they somehow connected all that unfortunate accidents… to me. Which, of course, followed by another set of punches, kicks, flying tooth… the whole set. The last thing I remembered before losing consciousness… was I think I saw they pull out a knife. The next day… I was in the infirmary… with those four at my side." The brunette paused and looked to the sky, closing his eyes, remembering that day. "Milly was unscatched safe for that red eyes, courtesy of crying her eyes out of worry. Tolle… got one of his tooth gone and a big bruise over his eyes. Sai… well… his glasses are broken and had that little (it's gone now) cut underneath his eyes. And I think Kuzzey almost broke his neck…?"

"Wow… those three were quite a delinquent, aren't they?"

"Haha…well… the best thing that happened that day for them was that… Tolle confess to Milly and vice versa. And then the next day I got out of hospital, I met them on my way out. They were quite surprised… and amazed when I told them about my regeneration ability. That was truly the first time someone actually see me as a human… one thing led to another I guess. And I don't when… they alraedy became an irreplaceable part of my life."

"There he is!" The two turned to saw Tolle, Kuzzey, Sai all of them armed with a small katana, Milly had a set of Shurikens ready and Kuzzey was carrying a frying pan. The four charged and stod between Kira and the giant. "D-Don't you dare lay a hand on Kira y…you…"

Fuji blinked. They were obviously scared out of their wits, especially Kuzzey who was on the verge of wetting his pants. And yet here they are, standing to defend their friend, while other grown up soldiers wouldn't even dream of getting any closer, they were standing right in front of him. Kira smiled. The giant smiled. "You're a very, very lucky man, Kira. You have friends that will defend you with all their hearts."

"Yes. I'm very lucky." Kira continued. "But." He took a step forward. His friends looked at him. "That doesn't mean that others can't enjoy the same feeling that I did." Kira extend his hand to the giant. "I understand what you've gone through, Fuji. I really do. But you don't have to go through that pain alone. No one should've suffered such thing called loneliness. You spend most of your lives without anyone to help you just because you're different. Well I don't care what you are. I just want you know, I can always be your friend. We all can."

The giant man widened his eyes and tear start swelling up in his eyes. Kira's gang looked to Fuji and then to Kira. The brunette nodded in assurance and a smile. The four quickly lowered their weapons and looked at the crying giant. "I… sob… I don't know…sob… what to… sob! Sob!"

Kira chuckled.

Fuji wiped his tears and began stuttering. "I… erh… ano… Oh gosh… I always wanted to have some friends… a-and now… I'm at lost on w-what to say…" The giant grinned as his face blushed.

Seeing the man's enormous gentle smile, Kira's gang relaxed greatly. Kira chuckled. "Well… for starters. You can start introducing your name. I'll go first. I'm Kira Yamato. Currently I'm a chef. Want something to eat, I'll see what I can do."

"Me next! Tolle Koenig! Shinobi in training! Yoroshku!"

"E-tto… Mirriallia Haww. Just call me Milly. Kunoichi in training. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Sai Argyle. Shinobi in training. Nice to meet you."

"K-Kuzzey Buskirk. Hai there…"

Fuji smiled. He took a deep breath and reintroduce himself, not just to his new five friends, but to the entire fortress occupants:

"Formerly Juggernaut-now quit-for-good, I'm Akamichi Fuji. At your service!"

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Riiiighto… a little connection with the Naruto-realm: introducing, the ancestral father of all Akamichi clan: Akamichi Fuji. I won't try to cover that he was inspired by that giant of a man Fuji in Samurai X anime.

AND NO! He's not my version of Destroy Gundam.

How do you like Midoshiki?

And a little question: anybody know the name of the artist who draw the characters in Gundam Seed animation?

Just curious. I think I saw a lot of his work everywhere. What exactly is his name!?

Please, R&R!