Author's note: Oh wow! This must be the shortest time I ever took to update. But this chapter was surprisingly rather easy to write. Ah, yes, just a note: this chapter focuses on romance and not tragedy. Maybe I write romance faster than when I write tragedy…
Anyway, before we start, I must say that it has come to my notice that the previous chapter had been rather disappointing and lacked some of the usual emotions and effects. I'm really sorry for that. I will look carefully into that chapter and identify what went wrong. I won't make such a mistake again.
And now, to thank my readers: Ryan Crescens (You have received my private messages and I hope that you know how much I appreciate your help and effort. So, thank you!), askani16 (Well, thank you for all your support. Like stated in my private message, don't hesitate to contact me if you have trouble understanding any part of my chapter, alright? Hope to hear from you soon.),Zero'N'oveR (The previous chapter has been disappointing. But I hope that this chapter isn't. This chapter is actually your request. Please do not be put off by how quickly I completed this chapter. I really have no idea how I could finish it so quickly, but I believe that this chapter is much better than the previous one. I hope that I do not disappoint you again.), LadyNightSky (Thank you for your review. As stated in my private message, I will complete your request as another one-shot with references to this story. Since I managed to finish this request much faster than expected, I will be able to work on yours much sooner but it will still be sometime in November. Sorry to make you wait.) and lastly, revenantangel94 (Like always, you have given me so much support. Thank you for that! I hope to hear from you soon.)
Well, please forgive me for being so long-winded today but there are several things I would like to say before we begin. Firstly, this is the very last chapter to this story. This is also Zero'N'oveR's request, so this chapter is dedicated to Zero'N'oveR. Thank you so much for the support you've given me. Cheers!
I do have another request from LadyNightSky, however, as it focuses more on Athrun and Cagalli, I will make it a separate one-shot with references to this story. Thus, this story is now officially 'complete'.
Secondly, most importantly, I will be handing over all my ideas to Ryan Crescens. He will be writing a story with a similar story plot, but I believe that he will be able to exploit all the potential of the story that I did not. So, please do read his story when it has been completed. He would have, in no way, taken any of my ideas, because I have given him permission to use any of them. Well, Ryan, I'll be waiting to see how far you can take this story…
It has been a wonderful ride, everyone. I've become so attached to this story that I can't bear to let go… Well, thank you for the support you've all given me. I feel really fortunate to have such readers – askani16, Zero'N'oveR, revenantangel94, Ryan Crescens, orgoth225 and so many, many others. A big thank you to one and all…
And now, I shan't hold you up anymore. Read on, and I hope you enjoy it…
I Love You, Kira…
A light breeze caught my hair when I stepped out onto the balcony, pink locks caressing my face in waves. The floor beneath my bare feet felt cold and the pale blue nightgown billowed around my legs. I tightened my hold around the shawl draped over my shoulders and leaned against the balcony rails. The refreshing scent of the ocean air was exquisite.
It had been a long time since I had visited Orb. Taking on the position of Chairwoman meant that I had to stay up in the PLANTs. I couldn't oversee PLANTs' politics while remaining on Earth. However, with the upcoming political meeting with Cagalli and the other leaders, I was given the chance to return to Orb for a week or so. It was wonderful to be back...
I sighed softly in the peaceful silence.
A quiet shuffle interrupted my thoughts and I turned to see Kira standing in the archway, silhouetted against the warm orange glow of the bedroom lamps. "Sorry," He murmured apologetically, "I didn't mean to startle you..." I merely smiled and shook my head. He stepped onto the balcony and approached the rails, his feet silent on the ground. Stopping by my side, he closed his eyes and inhaled the ocean breeze. A small smile played across his lips.
I watched him silently, allowing my eyes to run over his angelic features.
It had been hard on Kira. The memories of war had tainted and changed him. Small talk with Miriallia had revealed to me Kira's previous personality...
"Oh, he smiled and talked a lot more back then..." Miriallia laughed softly, "The guys would always tease him, especially about Flay. He always was dreadfully shy around girls!" She paused and a thoughtful look slipped into her turquoise eyes. "But he doesn't speak as much nowadays. That's what war did to him. It robbed him of his joy and innocence..."
I didn't know that Kira. When I had first met him, he had been a broken soul trapped in the world of conflict. I tried to draw him out of his shell and slowly he emerged, but somehow, he had left his laughter behind. Maybe I would never get to know the Kira of the past.
But I was happy with what I had. I loved Kira for who he was, deep inside...
"I-Is something wrong?"
I startled out of my reverie at his voice. He was peering at me inquiringly. "No, everything's alright," I smiled reassuringly in response as I turned back to watch the night scene. We were quiet for a moment until I spoke, breaking the prevailing silence. "It's so beautiful out here, don't you think so?" I smiled. "I really do miss Orb and all the..."
I stopped suddenly, surprised as warm fingers covered mine and I shifted my gaze to Kira hurriedly. His face was turned slightly away from me and his bright amethyst eyes were fixed on the night sky. It was as though he didn't know he was holding my hand. But the red blush torching his cheeks gave him away. I dropped my gaze, trying to stifle my giggles. At the sound of my muffled gurgling, he tilted his head to watch me, still blushing furiously and with slight confusion in his eyes.
Smiling shyly, I found myself unable to meet his eyes. It wasn't everyday that Kira freely displayed such intimacy... Slowly, I leaned towards him. He tensed when I rested my head on his shoulder, unsure of what he was supposed to do. Then, he relaxed and wrapped an arm gently around my waist, burying his face in my hair.
I knew he must've been blushing wildly, and I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of his body. We stood there for a long time that night, enjoying the peace and serenity in each other's arms.
And perhaps, I did know the Kira of the past. Perhaps, Kira hadn't changed much – since that shyness and cute innocence had always been there...
The Clyne Mansion was teeming with people and with all that racket and chaos, it was inevitable that Roy broke a plate while dashing through the kitchen with Athrun and Shinn hot on his heels in their game of 'chase'. Nevertheless, it was difficult to put on a frown, least of all get angry, when Kira had taken the time and effort to plan such a grand birthday party for me.
It was wonderful to see everyone together again. In some way, it was a heart-felt gathering, after having taken up different positions and roles in the aftermath of the war. Some of us were in PLANTs while others were on Earth, and while some of us joined the military or government, others found their places somewhere else...
The orphans, of course, were thrilled to be visiting the Clyne Mansion in PLANTs and they were terribly excited by the vast number of people stopping by for the party. Dinner was both rowdy and messy and yet, there was a strange joy in cleaning up afterwards, especially as everyone chipped in and played a part.
In the midst of the party, Kira beckoned to me and took my hand. Pressing a gentle finger to my lips, he smiled mysteriously and said, "Follow me..." He pulled me out of the lounge where the children were dancing animatedly and away from the party. Leading me out of the house, we meandered through the dark garden paths.
"Where're we going, Kira?" I asked curiously, tugging at his hand. "You'll know when we get there," Kira replied, simply turning back and grinning at me before he trudged on determinedly. I trailed along after him, smiling helplessly at his secrecy. What in the world was he up to?
He led me towards one of the gardens behind the Clyne Mansion, where few people visited the less pronounced area. I bumped into him slightly when he stopped. "Kira!" I scolded softly in mock protest at his sudden break, before I tiptoed to peer over his shoulder.
A neat white gate stood before us and on both sides, there were green hedges. Beyond them, I couldn't see anything but darkness. "Why're we stopping?" I whispered. He turned back and smiled. "Over here," he gestured towards the side of the gate, and showed me a small knob. "Go ahead, push it," he prompted. I eyed him suspiciously, yet was unable to contain the smile that rose to my lips. I did as told and pressed the little button. Instantly, lights began to illuminate the dark shadows behind the white gate.
"Happy Birthday, Lacus," Kira murmured softly.
I stared in utmost surprise as the lights began to reveal the secret. The ground was swathed in a blanket of red roses, through which a white path led from the white gate. The trail continued to a round square in which stood a beautiful fountain and a single tall lamp post. It was like a garden from heaven...
I turned and gaped at Kira, speechless. Was this his gift to me? Had he planned every single detail of the garden? "Oh, Kira!" I exclaimed softly, as soon as I found my voice, "This is so beautiful! I don't know what to say..." He blushed under my scrutiny and gazed at his shoes, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair, "Well, you know... you once said that you would like to dance among the roses. So, I thought you might like a rose garden... Do you, um... Do you like it?" He shifted his gaze to me hopefully, his hands clutched behind his back, like a shy little boy.
I laughed softly and caught him in a hug. "I love it a lot, thank you, Kira..." I whispered, resting my chin on his shoulder affectionately. I remembered it then, it had been Valentine's Day when I had first told him of my desire to dance among the roses...
"I like the stars," Kira beamed at me while we sat on the porch in the deck chairs, our hands entwined. "It'll be nice to be able to dance among them, don't you think so?" I nodded, smiling back at him. "But I like roses," I told him, "To be able to dance in a field of roses must be wonderful..." I shifted my gaze to him and saw him watching me, a beautiful smile etched across his lips. "And romantic..." I added, laughing...
"Oh... Well, I'm glad you like it then," Kira replied shyly, his arms embracing me tentatively. "I wanted it to be perfect... and special. You know... just for you and me..." I pulled away gently from him in order to see his face. He was blushing madly and he crooked his head to a side to hide it. I smiled, and took his chin in my hand, lifting his head. His eyes were large from surprise and they widened further when I bent close and kissed him tenderly on his lips.
All of a sudden, applause assaulted the peaceful silence. We broke away and stared in shock at the crowd that had appeared out of nowhere abruptly. "C-Cagalli!" Kira stuttered, pointing an accusing finger at the blonde heading the crowd.
"Oops," She chirped, "Dearka was the one who noticed you both leaving the party to come here!" She winked at Kira, sending him into another series of flustered blushes. "Well, it's time we left the lovebirds to themselves, everyone. Back to the party!" Miriallia laughed, beckoning to the crowd.
We watched them leave, until the laughter dissipated into silence once again. "Well... that was quite an interesting... interval..." I started but he stopped me with a finger to my lips.
"Shall we... dance?" He flushed again, but he held up a hand to me, which I took gratefully as he led me towards the open square where the fountain stood.
There was no music for us, but we danced perfectly in step... perfectly in love...
"Have you ever thought of how many children you would like to have?" I asked softly. Kira startled at my question, looking down at me with bewildered eyes. We were snuggled up on the couch, his arms around me while I leaned into his embrace. It had been a long day at the Supreme Council and we were longing for some peace and quiet.
Kira looked thoughtful. "You're asking me?" He returned the question, frowning in deep thought. "Well, we already have lots of kids on Earth and they're quite a handful." Then he grinned cheekily, "But I don't mind having some of our own..."
I laughed softly at his teasing, "Me too. It'll be nice to have kids of our own…"
"Well, 'twins' sound nice," he suggested. I nodded, smiling, trying to picture a mini Kira running around the house. "Maybe triplets?" he added, "Or quadruplets, or..."
"Kira!" I protested, whacking him on the arm playfully. "I'm sorry," he laughed, trying to sound apologetic but his amethyst eyes twinkled with amusement.
I shook my head at his mischief. But it would be nice though, to have such a big family, and have several miniature "Kiras" with those sparkling amethyst eyes and shock of brown tresses running all over the house… They would be adorable…
"I'll keep everyone safe," Kira murmured suddenly, "I promise…"
I tilted my head to look at him in surprise, broken out of my thoughts. His eyes were downcast and the shadow of memories that had once haunted him slid past those amethyst orbs. The smile he had had was no longer there…
"Kira…" I whispered softly. He shifted his gaze to me, and the determination and strength that shone in them touched me. "I'll keep fighting, to make sure that the world is safe, for all the children in the world, including ours…" He promised, his tone serious and earnest.
I smiled gently, "And I'll always be there, to support you, and together, we'll keep the world safe for all our children…" I repeated the words he had said, and allowed each one to sink deep into my soul, filling me with a pleasant warmth.
He leaned forward and rested his brow against mine. I closed my eyes, relishing in the intimacy. Softly, he whispered, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you…" I simply nodded, smiling. Then he moved closer and his lips grazed my ear.
"I love you…"
No matter where you are, or where you go, I'll be willing to spend the rest of my life with you. I will protect this world – the world that you promised to protect. I will keep it safe for all the children of the world… for all our children…
And when I've finished, I will go to where you are. So wait for me, and we will dance among the rose gardens once again…
I love you, Kira…
Author's note: Well, that's the very end of it all. How did you find it? I hope it wasn't disappointing in any way… Please review, no matter how you find it. I accept all criticisms.
Well, before I go, I'll like to say a big thank you once again, to all who have supported me for so long.
Ah yes, just a small insight to what I'll be up to. As I stated, this story plot and ideas have been passed on to Ryan who will be 'rewriting' this story. As for me, I will, of course, finish LadyNightSky's request sometime in November or December. Please look out for that… I hope to hear from all of you. And afterwards, I have plans to write another long fanfiction. This time, it won't be tragedy-based, but romance-based. It'll probably be called "Rhythm of Love" – a story about how two music bands meet and how the band members fall in love. But, the story line is still under construction. It will begin, hopefully sometime in January…
Anyway, please review and thank you one and all, for all your support!