A/n:

I know a lot of you hate Flay, but please bear with me.

Flay's role here is Kira's skating partner (most of the time but of course, Kira is also a soloist) and girlfriend. Sorry to say this, guys, but she will play a major role in more chapters to come.

Chapter 3: An Accident, A Memory

"Good morning," greeted Coach Murrue Ramius as the two lovebirds glided to meet the Head Coach.

"Good morning, coach," they greeted in unison.

After greeting each other, Kira noticed a blonde-haired man beside Ms. Ramius. "Coach," he whispered, "Who is he?"

Ms. Ramius cleared her throat. "Kira, Flay," she began, "I would like to introduce to you my new assistant coach. He is Mu La Flaga, a former skating champion who held his title for three consecutive years."

"It's a pleasure meeting the two of you," he said as he shook their hands.

"Oh no, sir, it's such a pleasure for us to meet one of the biggest names in figure skating," Kira said with a smile.

"Alright," Coach Ramius interrupted, "Mr. La Flaga is here to help you practice your performance. We are invited to perform in this year's Winter Festival. Other well-known figure skaters will also be there to participate. Take note that this isn't a competition, but a gathering of the best figure skaters around the world."

"Let's begin the practice," Coach La Flaga began with a loud voice, "Flay, you are going to be with Coach Ramius. Kira, it will be you and me."

At Lacus' house…

While washing the dishes, Lacus heard the engine of her mother's car stop. She immediately washed her hands and ran outside to greet her.

"Hi mom!" she greeted as she kissed her cheek.

"Hello, darling," her mother greeted back, "Would you help me with the groceries?"

"Of course, mom." She quickly head to the trunk, took out a couple of grocery bags, and placed them on top of the counter.

"Thank you, Lacus," her mom said as she placed the last set of grocery bags in where her daughter laid them.

Lacus got back to her duty. "I've never seen you buy so many groceries before," she said.

"There's a sale today," her mother said while taking out a pitcher of water from the refrigerator. "There are also a lot of shoppers. Good thing I didn't run out of good items."

Lacus was finally finished washing the dishes. After drying her hands, she joined her mother and sat across the dining table. "Lacus," her mother said after drinking a glass of water, "may you run an errand for me?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"You're grandfather called in the middle of my shopping. He told me that he is looking for an old and, most likely, antique box. I know I've seen that box before, but I think I placed it in the attic. May you look for it? I still have to unpack these groceries and do some extra work."

"OK, mom." Lacus then, dashed upstairs and headed towards the attic.

Back to Kira and Flay…

Kira performed the routine again. This was the third time, but it seems Mr. La Flaga isn't satisfied. "Kira, it isn't graceful enough," he said. "Here, I'll show you again."

"What's wrong with my movements? I don't see any difference with what his and mine," Kira thought to himself. He was slowly becoming irritated with this man.

"Kira, this is the last time. Do it as if you're already dancing with Flay," Mr. La Flaga instructed.

Kira took his place and closed his eyes. 'Do it as if you're dancing with Flay.' Absentmindedly, he started to move. His movements were so beautiful it was as if he was dancing like the wind. When the dance ended, he opened his eyes and saw Mr. La Flaga smiling at him. "Good work, kid."

After returning to the bench to drink some water, the two approached Ms. Ramius and Flay who had just finished perfecting the dance. "I suppose we can start rehearsing together," Coach Ramius told Mr. La Flaga.

Coach Ramius nodded and started the music. They began beautifully. They had perfect harmony and synchronization. Flay was graceful and so was Kira. Everything was going according to what everyone wants -- perfection. Until something dreadful happened…

Back to Lacus…

"How filthy it is here!" Lacus thought as she coughed with all the dust and dirt that she inhaled. Luckily, she followed her mother's order to bring a handkerchief to cover her nose.

She began looking for the antique box. She lifted some things that are heavy compared to her petite frame and moved stuff that she didn't know why her mother still kept them there in their messy attic. "How will I be able to find that box with all these junk here?" she complained.

After minutes of 'digging', she finally found the very thing her mother asked her to find. She inspected it carefully to see if there were any damages or pests living inside it. Fortunately, there weren't any.

Lacus started to walk away with a smile on her face. "It's worth it," she thought as she knew how dirty she is now. Suddenly, she found herself sitting on the floor. It seemed she didn't notice the plastic bag blocking her way! "Ouch! That really hurts," she said as she rubbed her butt.

She was about to throw the plastic bag when she felt something soft inside it. She sat down again and peeped inside it. Feathers! She then began to pull the material out of the bag. She examined it from head to toe. "Funny," Lacus said as if she was talking to it, "Where did this come from?"

Lacus' eyes then sighted a tall mirror near the door. She stood up and walked in front of it. She then held the dress in front of her. "It looks cute," she said, admiring herself with the dress, "Well, besides the loose stitches and a tear on the side." All of a sudden, Lacus saw herself wearing the dress! She closed her eyes, thinking she was only seeing things. When she opened them, the image was still there on the mirror.

Lacus dropped the dress in shock. Suddenly, a wave of memories swept her. The dress she was holding a while ago was her ice skating dress when she was still living in Augustus City!

"That was a long time ago! How come I still remember everything that happened?" she thought as her head was starting to ache. "Was there a deeper reason why we left Augustus City?"

In an ambulance…

They were a few blocks away from the nearest hospital. Kira held his girlfriend's hand tight. "Flay, please wake up," he said as his eyes were near to tears. Coach Ramius tried to comfort him.

Without holding on any longer, tears came one after the another on Kira's face because Flay was injured during their practice.

A/n:

Ouch! Even professional skaters can be injured.

What really happened to Lacus back in Augustus City and to Flay during the practice? Things are starting to unfold in this story!