Kira and Lacus were now driving at a moderate speed along the highway leading back into the city. Lacus had said that she wanted to go to the beach before so that was where Kira was headed now. "Kira, let's go to the park instead. The beach will be too crowded and I just want it to be us." Said Lacus. Kira detected a slight change in her tone, but decided to ignore it. Kira kept on driving and as they passed through the streets people saw them and pointed. At one point some guy chased after Kira's car.
"Am I really that popular?" asked Kira as he kept driving. They were now driving past the ocean, but Lacus seemed to be preoccupied with something.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" questioned Lacus as she turned her attention back to Kira. Kira looked at her worriedly. Her eyes seemed to be overcast and not the sparkling sapphire-blue he was used to.
"I was just wondering why all those people were chasing us." Replied Kira as he returned his attention to the road, a tone of worry still evident in his voice.
"Yes, you are that popular. You've been on so many magazine covers that I've seen a ZAFT cadet's quarters with your face plastered all over it." Laughed Lacus. Kira could tell that it was half-hearted and he was really beginning to worry.
Kira looked at Lacus and asked, "Lacus are you all right? You seem to be kind of sad. You can talk to me." Lacus just looked at Kira and sighed.
Kira presently parked the Aston Martin and was about to get out when Lacus asked him a question that would dictate the rest of the day. "Kira Yamato, do you love me?" Inquired without looking up. Kira lowered himself back into his seat and sat there for a brief moment.
"Lacus, I-…" trailed off Kira as he hesitated. This was the first time he had hesitated in a while, but it was enough of a reason for Lacus to slap him and run off into the park crying. "Damn it! Why do I have to be so fucking bad at showing my emotions!" grunted Kira before dashing into the park after her. Kira had been looking around for about fifteen minutes and as he had not found Lacus yet, it seemed that she knew the park much better than he did. 'Damn, she runs fast.' Thought Kira as he walked past the same hedge for the thirteenth time. Kira was definitely lost and the park had no map. 'What kind of shitty park doesn't have a directory?' Thought Kira as he dashed off in a new direction.
Lacus had been sobbing for a while after she had disappeared into the park, running blindly until she stopped to catch her breath. If Kira loved her why did he hesitate? 'He loves me, doesn't he?' thought Lacus as she leaned against the wall behind her. Little did she know that she had been followed closely, but not by Kira. Lacus let out a scream as she was pulled from the wall and dragged behind some tall hedges. Halfway across the park Kira heard Lacus. She was in danger and it was all because of his hesitation. Once again it was because of him that people were getting hurt.
"Heh. Look at the catch of the day. Lacus Clyne, renowned songstress and peace activist. And she's all mine too." Sneered a man as he pushed Lacus against the wall. Lacus squirmed and tried to break away from the man, but he just slapped her as she did. The man looked to be a thug in his mid-thirties. He was unshaven and disheveled. His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes.
"What do you want?" muttered Lacus timidly, fearing the worst. The man only smiled devilishly and began pushing up her skirt as his hand brushed against her upper thigh. Lacus let out a cry of surprise, but his lips were crushed to hers. Suddenly the man was off her and sprawled on the ground. Lacus still had her eyes closed as she sank to the ground clutching her knees to her chest and began sobbing.
"You god damned mother fucking bastard! How dare you touch her like that!" snarled Kira enraged. The man looked a little shocked for a moment, but got up and smirked.
"Hey, you're that Kira Yamato, kid. Didn't your mother ever teach you to share?" Smirked the man as he looked towards Lacus.
"Guess what buddy, my mother didn't!" yelled Kira as he lunged for the man who dodged out of the way and smashed his fist into Kira's back. 'So he's a coordinator too.' Thought Kira as he quickly recovered with a back flip that caught the man in the chest.
"Some say you're a hero. I think you're just a fake and a traitor to your own people." Grunted the man due to the impact as he threw a succession of punches at Kira. "You fought for the Earth Forces, and I don't buy any of that 'I'm trying to protect my friends' bullshit!" Yelled the man as he tried to kick Kira in the face, which was blocked by Kira's quick reflexes.
"You asshole. Preying on an innocent woman. You're just as low as your impression of naturals. I kill people like you for a living." Said Kira as he smashed the man's face in. "You're nothing more than a lowly thug, using your abilities to ruin the lives of others. You purists are all the same." Sneered Kira staring at the man on the ground his nose now broken and bleeding.
"If I'm goin' down then you're coming with me to hell!" grinned the man as he whipped out a gun and fired three shots. Kira managed to dodge two, but one grazed his shoulder causing minimal, but painful damage. Kira knocked the man out cold just as park security arrived. Kira walked over to Lacus, clutching his arm to stop the bleeding. She was still sobbing and was rocking herself back and forth.
"Sir, are you all right?" asked a security guard as his partner handcuffed the man and began leading him away.
"I'm fine just give me a bandage and go." Replied Kira looking up at him. The guard's eyes widened with recognition as he ran off to get a bandage. Kira returned his attention to Lacus.
Kira was about to embrace her when she suddenly lashed out with her fists pounding his chest and kicking him. "No, get away from me! I won't go anywhere with you." Screamed Lacus as she continued to sob as Kira finally got his arms around her.
"Shh. Don't cry anymore Lacus I'm here." Soothed Kira as he let Lacus cry into his shoulder.
"K-Kira? What're you doing here?" asked Lacus as her sobs subsided. "Kira, you're hurt." Stated Lacus noticing the bullet wound on his arm.
"Sir, here's you're bandage. Is there anything else you need?" asked the security guard. Kira just shook his head, and the security guard turned to leave.
"Here, Kira, let me help you with that." Said Lacus as she took the bandage from Kira and wrapped it around his arm. "There. Is that too tight?"
"No, are you okay?" asked Kira who was quite worried. He looked Lacus over and didn't detect any damage except for the redness on her cheek. "What happened here?" inquired Kira as he touched Lacus' cheek. She flinched a little, but didn't exactly cry out in pain.
"I'm all right. He hit me there when I tried to scream." Replied Lacus looking into Kira's violet orbs, which were filled with worry. "Why don't we take that walk we were going to, and forget that any of this happened?" Smiled Lacus sweetly.
Kira, who had sat down next to her during this pulled her close to him. "Lacus, I just can't ignore this, but if you're still up to it we can take that stroll." Whispered Kira. His soft voice in her ear made her tingle.
"Sure." Replied Lacus as Kira helped her get up. Lacus gave him a heart-melting smile while she grabbed his hand and began to drag him past the fountain.
"Lacus, do you have any idea where we're going?" asked Kira walking side by side with Lacus, their hands intertwined.
"Of course I do, silly. I've been here many times to be by myself." Giggled Lacus. They were now walking along a winding path leading towards, as far as Kira could tell, the sea.
"Lacus where are you taking me?" asked Kira while grinning. Lacus seemed to be much happier now and this made Kira happy too. "Where's Mr. Pink anyways?" continued Kira as he searched for any sign of that annoying ball.
"I left Mr. Pink with Karissa, and you'll just have to wait to see where we're going." Replied Lacus.
"For some reason I doubt that Karissa is going to be in a very good mood, not to mention Yzak as well." Laughed Kira as his mind filled with thoughts of Yzak chasing the Haro around like a madman, vowing to kill it. As if reading his mind Lacus giggled, and picked up the pace, leading Kira to their unknown destination.
"We're almost there." Said Lacus gracefully leading Kira out onto a marble balcony, built on top of a cliff, overlooking the sea. Kira was in awe of the gorgeous view in front of him. Lacus glowing with the aura of the setting sun made her glow, and the only coherent thought that registered with Kira's now battle hardened mind was her beauty.
"It's beautiful isn't it, Kira?" said Lacus, noticing the awed look on Kira's face. 'He's so handsome. He definitely looks so much more mature. I still love him, I always have. But does he love me?' thought Lacus still looking at Kira, deep in thought.
'I have to tell her. This may be my only chance. I love her. Flay, that was never love. It was infatuation. I was too naïve to realize it. My past is behind me. It's time to move on.' thought Kira. He decided that he would have to make the first move. He began to walk towards Lacus who was now leaning against the railing facing him. Kira took her hand in his own breaking Lacus out of her trance.
"Kira," whispered Lacus looking up into Kira's deep purple orbs, hoping to see emotion that would explain his actions, "what is it?"
"Lacus, I'm sorry for leaving you. I've put the past behind me, those I've killed I still mourn for, but I've done what I can to protect the world we live in today." replied Kira his eyes now betraying his innermost feelings.
"Kira are you saying…?" trailed Lacus as Kira put two fingers to her lips silencing her. Lacus' heart was now beating faster and faster. Was this it, or was it the end of the relationship she and Kira would never have.
"Lacus Clyne, you've always been by my side. I realize now that I was a fool back then, letting myself get taken advantage of. There's no other way I know how to say it, but to say it outright. I love you, Lacus." Whispered Kira looking directly into her crystal clear eyes, both of them silhouetted in the dying sunset.
"You don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. I love you so much, Kira. I missed you every day you weren't by my side." Replied Lacus leaning into Kira's chest. Kira gently place his hand under her chin and raised her head to look into her eyes. He closed the gap between them gently kissing her. Lacus just melted into it and for the first time in one year, everything felt right. As the seconds ticked away their kiss grew fiercer until Lacus finally broke for a breath, still slightly flustered from kissing the man she loved so passionately she shyly smiled at him, leaning her head on his shoulder. They just looked into the sunset sharing the first moments of their true relationship in silence. Soon Kira looked down to check his watch. It read 6:37 P.M. 10 – 18 – CE 72.
"Lacus, we should get going now." Whispered Kira as he gently shook Lacus from her slumber.
"Hmm? All right, Kira." Smiled Lacus as she stood up and stretched. Kira wrapped his arm around her waist and they strolled off back towards Kira's car, enveloped in their own world aware only of each other.
A/N: I'm so, so, so, so sorry for not updating. I had to study for a high school entrance exam. I'll try to have the next chapter up before Christmas. Thanks for the feedback it was really helpful. Next up is Athrun and Cagalli at the movies.
Happy holidays!
R&R