(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Thirty Three

Orb

Headquarters

Suite

Kira and Lacus were given a suite that was located in the headquarters for only country officials that visited Uzumi on Onogoro Island. After their meeting with Uzumi Kira and Lacus walked outside as Kira wanted to immediately find what was on that disk but after looking out over the sky and seeing Lacus standing next to him for some reason he wanted to do this alone so he told her that they should just return and look into it tomorrow. Lacus agreed as she wanted him to get as much rest as possible as he was still recovering. Kira was in pain but he knew he could handle it and his body would likely make short work of any remaining healing that needed to be done so that was the least of his concerns.

The suite was located on the top floor with Uzumi's office which was a highly guarded floor, Uzumi still kept things off the record for the moment so Kira and Lacus' presence was still very unknown to many, but that wouldn't stay silent for to long as Uzumi granted Kira and Lacus an asylum but he wanted it under wraps for as long as possible.

Kira and Lacus returned to their suite which was highly fancy but to Kira it didn't matter, he had been in far worse and it made no different to him. Kira and Lacus had their separate rooms but they stayed in the main room as Lacus checked his wound again not saying a word about the choice he was given, she didn't want to pressure him in whatever he would decided and whatever it was she would support that decision. Their was very little talk between the two this night as Kira had a lot on his mind, and they stayed mostly in silence, it was nearly the middle of the night when Kira noticed that she fell asleep next to him on the couch they were sitting on, which was kind of hard as she had a hold on his arm resting her head on his shoulder.

This was the chance Kira wanted as he silently gently pried her arm off his and laid her down on the couch covering her with a blanket as he moved over towards the chair.

Kira watched her as he reached into his pocket pulling out the disk she gave him. Kira's thoughts were highly on what Uzumi asked him, and everything else that was going on, just what were they to do now.

Kira immediately placed the disk back in his pocket as he looked at himself, Kira remembered that he still had most of his equipment back in mobile suits hanger, and that mobile suit was another issue, Kira pondered what he was going to do with it regardless of his decision and the one thing that he knew for sure now was that he had to destroy it or complete it.

Kira's thoughts were all over the place, he wasn't used to any of this, his whole life he did what he was told and killed as ordered, and now he had to decided for himself about the decision, it was ironic that his former life was so simple that a part of him missed that, but looking at Lacus on the couch he knew he had something far greater. Kira stood up and knelt down in front of her gently removing the hair from her face.

"I know what I have to do Lacus, I just hope you won't be disappointed," Kira said gently to her as he gently stroked her hair lightly before standing up and walking out of the sweet.

Kira gently shut the door behind him as he had a free pass from Uzumi to do what he wanted with Orb's equipment and such so he was going to take advantage of that right now, Kira walked out of the headquarters as he was headed for Morgenroete.

Headquarters

With Uzumi

After Uzumi had his conversation with Kira and Lacus he didn't leave the headquarters at all, what he did was head to the briefing room as Mu was with him and Cagalli trailed them.

Once they got to the briefing room Mu shut the doors behind them as Uzumi remained standing while Mu and Cagalli sat down.

"I don't understand something father," Cagalli said.

Uzumi still didn't turn around, what he had on his mind was that now he was being forced to tell the truth to Kira and Cagalli. In order to earn Kira's trust he had to tell him what he knew, Uzumi knew from the story Lacus told they were at the Mendel colony, though she didn't tell him anything about what Kira learned Uzumi knew a man of Kira's experience would have checked all the records which would mean he knew what he was and how he was born, he had to know he had a twin, but just didn't know who it was. Uzumi knew by saying this and telling them the truth was the right thing to do, this had gone on long enough and the past had caught up with them so he would tell them everything.

Uzumi broke out of his thoughts when he heard Cagalli, "What is it Cagalli?"

Cagalli was angry and it was easy to see, "Why do you place so much faith in one guy? Why will having him around help us any better, he is only one soldier."

Mu looked at her, "One strong gun princess, believe you me I know that from experience," Mu said remembering their first encounter at the hotel.

Cagalli glared at him.

Uzumi now turned around, he knew telling her without Kira present was not the best thing to do so he would put that off now, "Things are difficult to understand at the moment Cagalli, but for us to succeed we need his help."

"That seems so stupid, why…" Cagalli said as Uzumi interrupted her.

"Cagalli…in good time you will understand, now please don't say anymore," Uzumi told her.

Cagalli sat back down, she had one strong reason for rejecting Kira and that was the feeling she was always getting around him, that feeling she didn't understand and she figured it was a feeling she couldn't trust so she was very skeptical of him for the moment.

"Anyway sir, when they breached the atmosphere I can guarantee we weren't the only ones that saw it," Mu said as this was the first time since their arrival they could speak about the situation.

"I am fully aware of the matter, we have taken all necessary steps to counter that matter, hopefully Kira will give his answer by then, no matter what he decides they cannot prove anything," Uzumi said sternly.

"I don't mean just Zaft sir, they defiantly want those to and that machine, but the alliance is still recovering from that nuclear accident at Panama, many could see this as a chance to gain control as there isn't a leader yet," Mu replied.

"The politicians continue to fight the matters with each other and Patrick Zala will without a doubt use this to his advantage to start his war, if that happens now the alliance will fall and we will be next, Zala wants only coordinators to reign the world so it is essential we prepare for that matter, I myself and still hopeful the meeting former chairman Clyne set up in a short time will give us results, if the alliance leaders attending can show unity with a full peace treaty with the Plants then Zala will have no grounds for an attack, and now that is what I will put my time into," Uzumi said as that conference with many natural and coordinators leaders could be their last chance at a peace treaty.

The earth alliance may not have a strong leader with the death of Azeral but eventually someone will come into power, Uzumi and Siegel hope that if this conference goes well they will work with the Plant council leaders and others to do this in a peaceful matter, but with people like Zala and blue cosmos they knew this was going to be difficult as many like them were rising to higher ranks, so this conference meeting was their last chance.

"I understand sir, I will keep an eye out for anything heading to our borders, if things go bad that kid may be our last hope for stopping both Zala and blue cosmos," Mu said as they concluded the meeting.

Cagalli didn't say much and she shortly left after Mu, she still didn't really understand why so much faith in Kira.

After they were gone Uzumi reached in his coat pocket where he now kept the picture, after looking it over he put it back in his jacket, when Kira came to give his answer he would tell both him and Cagalli the truth, he didn't want to do it right away to cloud his judgment and he didn't want to tell him after as that would look like he wasn't sincere which he really was so he decided then to tell him as for now he went to retire for the night.

As Cagalli walked out she was still going over what she heard, as she walked over towards a jeep she noticed something ahead of her, she knew from the pants and as she got closer she saw it was Kira headed for the Morgenroete facility. Cagalli watched him for a second before deciding to follow; she would get her answer from him. Cagalli stayed a distance but if he was going in there then she knew where he would go.

Morgenroete facility

With Kira

When Kira arrived all guard posts were back where they were supposed to be, but this time they knew the order to let this man they never seen before enter the facility unrestricted with no escort and full access to anything he wished.

The guards saw Kira coming as they immediately opened the gate for him and let him inside.

For once Kira didn't have to break into a facility it was a nice change.

Kira however had other things on his mind as he made his way inside, he remembered everywhere he had to go and he was headed for his stolen machine.

Kira looked at the disk in his hands as he walked, what Patrick had in mind he didn't have a clue but Kira did know what he was capable so he expected anything.

Kira made it down to the hanger where the stolen machine was held as he opened the large doors as he walked in.

Hanger

The team that was observing the machine when Kira broke in was now all but gone, with the exception of Erica as she could never seem to put her work down, her orders were simple as to not touch this machine at all, but that didn't mean she couldn't make observations of the equipment she saw.

Erica was overlooking the machine when those doors once again opened up and the same visitor she had the last time was back, but at least this time their wasn't a gun pointed at her head.

"I am glad your visit this time seems of a peaceful measure," Erica said to him.

Kira opened the large doors as he once again saw the same woman the last time, Kira however had other things to do then to make small talk.

"Do you know of my status?" Kira asked approaching her but keeping his distance.

Erica could tell even now he was still on guard, she could tell he didn't trust her, "I received a fax from Lord Uzumi a little while ago saying you were total access to anything here, what exactly do you need and I would be glad to assist you."

Kira looked at her, "Your offer is very considerate but all I need from you is privacy, don't take this the wrong way but that is how I work," Kira said seriously.

Erica started walking past him, "I understand, but if I may say so if you go through life without trusting others you will only make yourself miserable and others around you."

Kira stared back at her, "You are initialed to your opinion, as for now I need this hanger fully locked off, no one but myself is to enter until my business is done here."

"I will handle all the procedures…I can tell just by your actions from what I heard you are amazing at probably anything, but just take what I said into consideration, and I do hope to work more with you in the future," Erica said before leaving.

Kira watched her leave, she just didn't understand.

Kira walked back over towards his machine as he looked up at it, Kira walked over to the lift and raised himself up towards the cockpit of the machine as he got inside, Kira immediately looked back seeing all of his equipment he and Lacus brought, which was a relief. Kira saw all his weapons were secured with no damage, he immediately took all the equipment out and placed it on the lift, he would bring that back to his room with him later.

Kira now sat down in the seat as he placed the disk he had into the mobile suits computer, he was going to try something, the disk had to be run on very upgraded software and Kira at first didn't want to use the mobile suits computer for fear that it would permanently damage it if he tried running it, but now Kira was leaning towards destroying this machine once and for all so it something happened to it then it wouldn't matter.

Kira placed the disk in the computer and began running the procedures to decrypt it.

Immediately Kira found himself being blocked out with security he designed, very ironic, Kira knew however he could break through with a little work and before he began a voice and a person popped in front of the cockpit.

"Why?" was all the voice said.

Kira looked up.

With Cagalli

Cagalli trailed Kira inside the facility, she had a few things to discuss and she hoped to find out what this weird feeling about him was, she trailed him inside as she kept her distance but he seemed very much deep in thought, normally Kira could have picked up on that but that was another sign his skills were weakening.

Cagalli saw him enter the mobile suit hanger as she watched him open the door to where his machine was stored.

Cagalli trailed in as the doors remained open and she saw him having a conversation with Erica, after their chat Erica walked out as Cagalli made herself visible.

Erica noticed, "Miss Cagalli…"

Cagalli looked at her, "What is going on with him?"

Erica eyed her suspiciously, "What are you so interested for? What are you doing here anyway?"

Cagalli stared at her, "I was following that man to see why my father has so much trust in him, it's like he is placing all our futures on one man."

Erica looked back as they noticed Kira head for his machine, "I can't answer that princess, but I can say he does seem useful."

"Why are you out here anyway? You don't usual leave until much later," Cagalli said.

Erica looked back at her, "Your father gave him unlimited access to anything and what he wants now is privacy, his orders were not to allow anyone inside anymore including myself."

Cagalli grew furious, "Who does this guy think he is?" Cagalli said angrily as she started heading straight inside.

Erica watched as she knew their was no stopping her, but this would be amusing, however she had things to do so she decided just to let them solve whatever was on Cagalli's mind.

Cagalli walked right in taking the stairs over to the mobile suit, she was very angry and the funny thing was she didn't really know why, she knew of a few reasons but the overall picture she couldn't explain what she was angry about.

Cagalli walked over to the suit and got on the lift that was now at the cockpit as she made her way for the cockpit doors.

Cagalli stopped right in front of them.

With Kira and Cagalli

"Why?" was all the voice said.

Kira looked up only to see the Orb princess standing straight in front of him and he could tell she wasn't very pleased. Kira didn't really have any conversation with her since their meeting, the only thing Kira really knew of her was that she was very outspoken and also a close friend of Lacus, other then that he knew nothing on her, but something about her was familiar.

Kira remembered what she said, "Could you clarify your question better princess?"

Cagalli cringed at that word, "Why is my father putting so much trust in you?"

Kira knew this was confusing, "My take on that matter princess is just like any other politician, I am a great tool to help shift war in one direction or the other, from what I know of the world in all likely hood your fathers goal will fail and war will rage so that is where I would come in," Kira said ending the program he was working on and moved himself to get out as he remembered the disk.

Cagalli didn't like his answer, "You honestly think what my father is doing is incorrect?" Cagalli said having to move out of the way as he was coming out.

Kira got out and bent towards his equipment, "I thought I had this area off limits."

"Answer my question first," Cagalli replied.

Kira could tell it was like she wanted to pick a fight with him, why he didn't know but for the moment he didn't care, "If you want me to be blunt princess what your father is doing is a useless waste of time, Patrick Zala will not allow what your father proposes no matter what countries agree, this is the truth of the world."

"Stop calling me princess! My name is Cagalli…so from your answer I guess all our hospitality is worth nothing to you, my father's goal is noble and you won't…" Cagalli couldn't finish.

Kira dropped his equipment, "From my point Cagalli, your father is no different then any other politician I have been around, your father talks a good game but all it is for is to soften me up so I would fight for him when the time comes, which it will I can guarantee, I will not be used anymore," Kira finally said as he turned back around only to feel the pain in his chest again.

Cagalli was a little surprised by the outburst, she saw something in him at that moment, she was at first wondering what Lacus ever saw in him as he was probably the biggest jerk she ever saw, but what she saw now was he wouldn't let himself trust anyone, almost as if he didn't want to fight anymore. She understood that but she wasn't letting him have the last word either.

"That just shows you know nothing of my father, I understand what you have been through as I myself am fighting the same thing now," Cagalli now fired back.

Kira looked at her, and to her surprise laughed, "You understand princess, let me guess you have personally killed hundreds, you risk everything for your orders daily, you remember the screams, the blood, and the voices of your victims, the pain and emotion of the innocent, you have personally put a gun to an mans head and pulled the trigger because he was a political rival of your leader, and you understand what war is truly about," Kira said looking her dead in the eye.

"Look, I wasn't talking about that, I don't know what you have went through, but that was your choice to keep doing it, my father is giving you not only the chance of a new life with Lacus, but a chance to erase whatever sins you believe you committed," Cagalli told him.

Kira picked up his equipment, "You don't understand princess, I did save Lacus for a personal reason, but to say I agree of the world all of you wish for is far from the truth, Patrick Zala is my own problem but whatever he accomplishes in the meantime I will not raise a second thought to," Kira said in a normal voice before walking off.

"So you will just run away," Cagalli said but Kira said nothing.

Cagalli watched as he left, she did admit some things he said did seem very true but just accepting it was not what she was prepared to do, she would fight for a change and her fathers goal.

Cagalli also couldn't believe she got so angry, that feeling was almost normal, like a sibling argument, truth was it was just that but they didn't know that yet.

Cagalli left shortly after with even more things on her mind now, but this Kira was the absolute biggest jerk in her mind.

Washington Earth Alliance Headquarters

Palace

Things in the alliance were not coming together at all; ever since their new leader Azeral was assassinated they were still unable to get a suitable replacement for him. Country leaders bickered over whether they wanted to take the seat or if someone they supported should take the seat of leader of the alliance.

Many in the alliance now knew of the new Zaft chairman, he was a lot different from the previous leader Clyne in which he was like the blue cosmos of coordinators, and many knew if they didn't get their act together Zala would completely wipe them out with no trouble.

Among these people was George Allster, George was currently at the alliance palace going over the matters at hand, that was one reason the second was for this agreement he made with him Sutherland to this whoever he was. They agreed to get him a fleet and keep the chairman distracted one this peace envoy that was scheduled in a few weeks. George Allster knew one thing that was true, with Zala in command they needed a strong leader and whoever this guy was he had a lot of support and he had the guts that it would take to stand up against a superior opponent like Zaft. George and Sutherland saw no other option with things falling apart like they are so they are currently doing as he asked.

George was working late when he got a call from William Sutherland, Sutherland was up at their lunar base trying to do what he could to get a fleet together and as luck would have it he was able to secure one as one of the admirals was a blue cosmos supporter.

"You're saying you have a fleet picked out?" George asked.

"Yes, normally I don't like working for someone I have never even seen, but these are now desperate times, I have the fleet prepared and it can move out in the scheduled date, we will strike the blow straight to the heart of the Plants," William said confident.

George smiled, "Your part was easy, now I have to go and become a hostage, but I did get what he asked as I have the times and security that will be on that ship."

"He seems to know what he is doing, just keep up with it and we will have what we want as well," William said.

"Alright, I will contact you when he gets word to me," George said as the phone was hung up.

As soon as George put the phone down he grabbed his pen when all of a sudden he felt something to the back of his neck, it was a gun.

George froze.

"Don't turn around," the voice said.

George was too scared to move anyway.

"My leader wants a progress report," the voice said.

George now knew what he meant, "How did you get in here…and aren't these measures extreme, we are on your side," George finally said.

"You haven't delivered my leader what he wants yet, until then you are not trusted," the voice said.

George didn't dare move, "I have just received word from Captain Sutherland, your fleet has been acquired."

"That is a different story but that is not all," the voice said.

George reached over and pulled a large file out from some of the papers, "This is the data on the ship your leader wants…it took a lot to get those so I hope he will be grateful."

George handed the file over his shoulder.

The man took it with his free hand, "Well done, you will hear from me again with new instructions," The man said before removing the gun from his neck.

George heard no noise for a few minutes, but when he turned around slightly he saw that the man was gone and the window behind him was open, George quickly looked out but found nothing, how a man could move that fast with no noise.

George sat back down, this was one of those days but now at least he could start preparing from what he had to do.

Onogoro Island Headquarters

Suite

Kira opened the door of his suite only to find Lacus still sleeping, Kira remembered that he didn't even get a chance to crack that code on the disk but that was the least of his concerns at the moment. Kira walked in and sat right next to Lacus, Cagalli's words were still in his mind, but for Kira he knew this was the right decision.

Kira was in deep thought and that could be easily seen.

"What are you thinking about?" Lacus' voice said as she sat up rubbing her eyes.

Kira looked over at her, "What I have to do."

Lacus scouted over to him as she looked into his eyes, "What will you do?"

Kira looked at her, "I will not join Orb or your father Lacus."

Lacus nodded slightly, "I…I understand."

"Patrick Zala must be stopped, but I will do it on my own, no orders will hold me back and I cannot afford to have anything holding me back," Kira told her gently.

Lacus lowered her head, "Am I holding you back?"

Kira reached over taking her chin lifting it up so she would look at him, "You are not holding me back Lacus, you are my strongest and only reason to move forward."

"But you want to do this alone, are you forgetting your promise to me?" Lacus asked seriously.

Kira looked at her he remembered they promised to do everything from now on together, Kira knew that well but reality was his skills were weakening, and with an opponent like Patrick Zala he needed all he could.

"I haven't forgotten my promise to you Lacus, however the reality of war is far different," Kira told her.

"That's a lie Kira, your afraid aren't you?" Lacus asked.

Kira looked at her, "I don't care what happens to my life Lacus, I cannot be held back anymore."

"You're still lying," Lacus said a little more seriously, "We promised not to lie to each other Kira."

"Alright it's true! I don't want to lose you and that is tarring me apart inside, I cannot fight Patrick Zala with that constant fear," Kira finally said sternly making him regret raising his voice, "I didn't mean to shout."

To his surprise Lacus wrapped her arms around him, what Kira said was true he didn't care about himself but the he admitted he cared enough not to want to lose her, for a long time Kira didn't even believe he could be considered human but those emotions made him what she knew him to be and that was the Kira she knew and that was the Kira she grew to love.

"I understand Kira, and I will follow whatever decision you make but you know as well as I do that we are stronger together then apart, together we can defeat Patrick Zala," Lacus told him resting her head on his shoulder.

Kira looked at her, "I don't know how you know me so well."

Lacus smiled and leaned over kissing him gently, after a few minutes they slowly parted from their kiss, "So what is our plan?"

Kira looked at her, "First thing I will inform Lord Uzumi of my decision, then we will take the mobile suit out of Orb and to a remote location to break the code on that disk, afterward I will destroy the machine."

Lacus looked shocked, "You think that is necessary?"

"Yes, I work much better without having to constantly hid that thing, plus if an Earth nation gets a hold of it were through, I have a few connections down here so when the time comes to return to the Plants I can get us up their easily," Kira told her calmly as he held her close to his body.

"When do we leave?" Lacus asked.

Kira looked at her, "Tomorrow will suffice, I will tell Lord Uzumi in the morning and we will wait until night to leave," Kira said.

Lacus smiled resting her head, "Good, then you can take me out tomorrow."

Kira looked at her, "Take you out for what?"

Lacus smiled at his naivety, "I want to show you something, after all after tomorrow we won't get another chance most likely, just a few hours, for me."

Kira looked at her, she had him hook line and sinker, the mighty soldier was no match for her words and smile, "Very well."

Lacus smiled while kissing him again, after their kiss she once again rested her head on his shoulder making sure not to touch his still recovering chest.

Kira kissed the top of her head as he knew things were defiantly going to become intense after they left, but as Kira was sitting here he got the weirdest feeling and Kira knew his senses were a lot different, it was as if something was coming fast, and it was not going to be good.

With Uzumi

Kira did leave a message after a little while and Uzumi got it saying Kira would meet him in the morning with his decision, Uzumi made sure Cagalli would be present, he was going to tell them the truth first then hear his decision he had to and their was no backing out.

Near Orb waters

Kira's senses were very true as a submarine had just arrived near their destination as it was time to infiltrate Orb.

To be continued…

(A\N): I hope you liked this chapter, the next chapter will contain Kira's decision, Kira and Lacus' night as well as the visitors arrive to begin the hunt. It shouldn't take to long. Bye for now.