Count to Ten

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed... Only the characters I add and the plot.

Summary: Kira is haunted by the dead. He doesn't know why they are but he has learned to live with it. How will meeting a new girl help his little problem? And why are all his friends still looking for him three years after he disappeared? Kira OOC.

(A/N)- Author's Notes

(Lalala)- Ghost Speaking

-Devine Speaker-

Last Time:

"I was wondering when you two would show up." Athrun muttered tiredly.

"Are you okay Athrun?" Kira asked in concern.

"I'm fine. You however... You look like you've been to hell and back." Athrun smiled slightly.

-That would be because while you were dozing in your nice little cell we've been fighting.- Yzak smirked.

"I was not sleeping. I was trying to figure out how I was going to escape." Athrun said defensively.

-While we did all the work.- Yzak snorted.

"Will you two stop it! Do you remember where we are?" Kira growled.

They both looked at each other in surprise. That's right... There still in the base. They gave Kira apologetic looks before turning to climb the stairs. Standing there was...

Chapter Eighteen: Stand Off

Jasmine... and behind her stood over fifty ghosts. Each armed to the teeth and all weapons pointing at the trio. Kira looks down sadly before dropping his sword and lighter. Athrun and Yzak exchange looks before following Kira's example.

"Bind them." Jasmine ordered.

The ghosts swarmed them in a matter of seconds. Dragging them down one level. Placing Kira and Athrun in chairs before being tied down by Jasmine. Yzak was dragged over to a wall where he was then fastened to it right next to an unconscious Lacus.

"Why did you betray us?" Athrun asked in disbelief.

"How long have you known, Kira?" Jasmine smirked while ignoring Athrun's question.

"I've known since Tai's death." Kira glared at the young woman.

Had anyone been looking more closely at his eyes they would have noticed the lack of hatred... The lack of anger but they were too busy studying Jasmine's face. Had they also been paying attention they would have noticed that Kira still had a weapon and that his bindings were loose. Had someone noticed... it may have been for the better... because Athrun didn't notice..

Now if Yzak had known that Angel's can't be knocked unconscious then maybe many things would have been different. You can hit them on the head until your face turns blue but it wouldn't matter. They may look a little dazed but that's about it. Had either coordinator (or former coordinator) noticed what was going on then maybe this mission would have been a success but as it is neither noticed.

"What gave it away?" She asked quietly.

"You lived." Kira replied as everyone gave him a weird look.

(Is that so... Not a very good actress are we? Oh well you have upheld your end of the bargain. You are free to go live your life.) A cruel voice rang throughout the waiting room.

"If you don't mind Master... I would like to stay and watch for a little while." Jasmine bowed as a man stepped out from for the shadows.

(Very well. Move them to my office!) The man shouted at the ghosts that are standing around guarding the two prisoners.

(The angel's too sir?) Asked Mu as he stepped forward to comply.

(Yes.) And with that he turned and left the room.

"How did my living give away my betrayal?" Jasmine asked as she helped move Kira into the next room.

"Everyone around me always died and there have been many chances for a ghost to kill you. I mean they did capture you in Central Park." Kira answered.

"So by living I gave my secret away?" Jasmine asked in confusion.

"I put the pieces together. He was right you know... You're a terrible actress." Kira muttered as he was half dragged into the next room.

"We will see..." Jasmine said under her breath.

Kira didn't say anything nor did he struggle. Had the "master" stayed he may have figured out that Kira wanted to be captured and that he wanted all of this to happen. It would seem that a lot of mistakes had happened during this little battle. People not paying attention at critical times.

Athrun struggled as he puzzled over everything. Why wasn't Kira struggling? Why had he allowed Jasmine to live with him all this time if he had known about the betrayal? Was there more to this then what meets the eye? Was Athrun missing something? Which of course he was. Kira and Athrun were both chained to a wall just opposite of the angels.

Along two sides of the room had a row of five sets of chains for both the ankles and wrists. So when you enter the room the first thing you see is a large desks, a swivel chair and two large bookcases filled with books. On the other side of the room right next to the entrance is a huge fireplace and a long table which is empty at the moment. All along that wall has different torture weapons. Everything from whips to different sized knives.

Clearly this room was for torturing but how was the desk kept clean? The large room had a few more tables but how could one work through all that screaming? Kira couldn't understand why this office was more of a torture chamber. Or maybe it was recently made this way? Or why this guy really liked to torture people.

(Let me introduce myself and my partner. My name is Professor Ulen Hibiki and I believe you have met my partner on several occasions. Rau Le Crueset.) Hibiki announced.

Kira stood there quite stunned. Wasn't this his father? The one who made him in that machine? Whose DNA is a part of his? Kira felt so angry that he almost blew his cover. Athrun sat there staring at the man who he once considered a friend up until the final battles. Le Crueset had twisted the war until all humans would have been wiped out of existence if Athrun and the others hadn't stopped him.

"So it is you father who wants to take over our bodies? So you can do what? Control more ghosts? Kill off all humans like Le Crueset wanted? What is your plan?" Kira said as calmly as he could.

(How about all of the above! We've been experimenting for a long time now and we are now ready to take your lives from you. You will be our personal slaves after all is said and done.) Hibiki gave Kira an evil look.

Kira shivered slightly and then when no one was looking at him he began to wiggle out of his chains. Again no one had noticed that he wasn't as secure to the wall as they had thought. Kira caught Jasmines eye and gave her a slight nod letting her know the final showdown would be starting soon. She gave a slight nod back before getting into position.

Jasmine has Kira's sword and lighter in her hands as she watches Hibiki turn to Le Crueset to give him final instructions. She edges closer and closer to him as Kira manages to grab his hidden gun. Then in a split second Kira fired two bullets at the evil pair. Athrun also manages to wiggle out of his chains and takes aim at Mu and then Jasmine.

Kira's bullets hit there mark just as Jasmine got close enough to set Le Crueset on fire. Hibiki is hit in the shoulder and manages to flee the room. Athrun also managed to hit his marks... Jasmine cries out in pain as the bullet tore through her stomach. She throws the lighter to Kira along with his sword before falling unconscious.

Kira with wide eyes runs after the fleeing Hibiki as Athrun goes over to the angels just as Lacus escapes and runs toward Jasmine with tears in her eyes. The plan was ruined all because of Athrun. Yzak was helped down as Jasmine's breathing began to slow.

"Tell Kira I truly did love him." Jasmine whispered with tears in her eyes.

-He knows Jazz...- Lacus whispers back.

Yzak hurries forward and heals Jasmine enough to keep her alive until they could get her out of here. He didn't have the strength to heal her completely and who knew what would happen to all of them if one of there top fighters was suddenly weak because he had healed Jasmine completely. They still have to get out of here alive after all. Well the humans anyway. 1)

Athrun looked confused before he finally figured out what was going on. He turned to the door to find twenty ghosts standing in there way. Athrun grabs Jasmines spare gun and takes them out one at a time. Setting them on fire in the process. It took him a half hour to finally leave the room with Yzak's help. By then it was too late. The stand off had already begun and was almost over.

With Kira...

Kira raced after Hibiki a few seconds after Le Crueset was sent to hell. Hibiki was holding his shoulder tightly as they both ran up the stairs to the level above. Lab Level Two being there destination. Hibiki threw open the doors and hurried over to a table on the far side of the room.

(So this will be the final showdown is it? Father against son... Good verus evil.) Hibiki cackled.

"So it is... Father." Kira spat from the doorway to the lab.

(Well then... You will be the first to see my true genius. I will have your body and soul Kira and you will be my new second in command.) Hibiki continued.

"I will never willingly follow you. You made me into a monster. Some kind of freak when I hadn't even been born yet. Now you will face my true abilities. Professor Ulen Hibiki." Kira put his gun away so he could use his sword.

Kira had never been one for guns. Swords on the other hand were his specialty. Yes you kill with them but Kira had always been better with his hands. A gun was too simple for him. Sword play is an art. An art that took two years and many teachers to accomplish his own style. His own art form.

That's how Kira saw it. An art form. That's how he would always see it as and what was even better was that no one would know of this. No one will ever see this art form. He made a promise to come back to Lyra and to be her father. After this is over he planned to live the rest of his life with his friends in peace. No more war... No more fighting...

Kira entered the room cautiously. After all he is in Hibiki's territory. Not knowing what kind of experiments were done in this room. Kira didn't want to take his chances. Hibiki slowly turned around and in his hand was a long sword. Both charged at the same time. Will against will... Father against son... The right to live... The final death... The final battle has begun.

1) Each angel has there own special ability. As weird as it sounds I had Yzak be the healer/fighter. Lacus will have her own part at a later time.

A/N I am sooo sorry everyone! I honestly didn't mean to wait so long to write this. There is so much going on... A lot of family problems and I will be starting school soon. Work and stress is hitting me hard and the worst part is... I had lost all inspiration. I still have no idea how I want to end this but rest assured... The next chapter is the last. I know this chapter is short but since I do have some time on my hands I hope to finish it this week. Ciao for now.

Karone

PS: Please review! I love reviews and it will help me finish this story. If you have a suggestion i would love to hear it.