Chapter Four: Closure

The Freedom Gundam was a mobile suit that had assisted in bringing peace to the world. That was a definition that Kira knew many took when describing his mobile suit. But to him, the Freedom was a weapon that he had used to kill many, whether intentionally or not, and it was also a weapon that failed to protect many whom he wanted to protect. Despite his desire to never see the mobile suit again, Kira went to Morganroete and stared at the tall mobile suit, the thoughts of war in his mind and his eyes faraway. He had come to this place for one reason only, and that was to lock his mobile suit where nobody would be able to use it again.

Grasping the lever, Kira transported himself to the cockpit of the Gundam and activated the mobile suit. He watched the familiar words on the screen as the machine turned itself on. Still, his eyes were almost unseeing. Kira activated the Freedom's OS, pulling out his keyboard and started to type instantly. His fingers danced swiftly as he keyed in the commands. It was almost as simple as breathing, something that he could do unconsciously, maybe even in his sleep. Many yearned the talent, but Kira hated himself for having the ability to pilot the mobile suit. It was due to his talent that had led him to kill. He worked on the OS for an hour, and by the time he was done, the Freedom was locked securely, ensuring that nobody, apart from Kira and Athrun, had the ability to pilot it.

When Kira transported himself down again, he was surprised to see Lacus waiting for him, along with her Pink Haro that bounced around noisily. "Lacus," Kira greeted her, moving to her side instantly. She placed a hand on his arm and her azure eyes were on the mobile suit. "I locked the system," Kira said, following her gaze.

"Is that so..?" Lacus said softly, turning to smile at him. "Many people were saved by this mobile suit," she said.

Kira gazed deeply into her eyes. Lacus, as usual, was always able to see the brighter side of things. "Thank you..." he whispered.

She beamed at him cheerfully and grabbed his arm. "Come on, Kira. Pink-chan is bored. Shall we walk at the beach?" she asked as she pulled him away. Kira raised his eyebrows in surprise, but a small smile crossed his lips and he agreed.

They went to the beach and Kira watched with his arms crossed as Lacus approached a group of kids, immediately suggesting that they build a large sandcastle together. They worked, and then they played with Haro who chased them. Kira watched Lacus, smiling and laughing, along with the cheerful children, and he felt at peace.

When the sun was beginning to set, Lacus went over to him and they began to walk back home together. She had an arm around him, resting against his side as they walked. "It is only because you fought so hard that we can enjoy this peace, Kira," she said, her voice so soft that he thought he hadn't heard her at all. "So... don't be sad."

Kira never saw the Freedom again, not until the next war two years after. He did not ask where the mobile suit went and merely assumed that it was with the Archangel. In truth, he was glad he didn't know where it was. He did not know that the night he had worked on the Freedom's OS, Lacus had contacted Andrew Waltfeld. They built a secret hangar under Waltfeld's shared mansion with Murrue, and the Freedom was hidden there, away from Kira's sight.

Author's Note: Thanks for the review, San17! :D I plan on putting a lot of Kira/Lacus moments in Renegade as well. XP