I gasped and scurried to my feet, briefly slipping in the blood beneath me as I hurried forward. My knees scuffed the ground as I pulled the gun from his grasp and dropped beside him. His head turned to face me, the fresh blood on his face from the impact causing a new stream of tears to fall. My shaking hand brushed his hair from his dull eyes and rested on his cheek as he tried to focus on my face.

"Don't cry, Princess." He rasped and attempted to squeeze my hand. "We'll see each other again."

"Orga..." My lip quivered. "We need you. I need you, please, don't-"

"Take care of our little girl." The corners of his lips turned up in a small smile as he struggled out his final words. "I love you, Kaiya Itsuka."

I jolted awake, breathing heavy as cold beads of sweat littered my forehead. It was still dark outside, the cold breeze from the early morning air coming through my window as I came to my senses. I ran a shaky hand through my shoulder length hair, fighting the tangled strands from sleep, before throwing off the bed sheet and making my way to my vanity. I clicked on the small lamp next to it, my eyes landing on the pictures that lined the mirror. Specifically stopping on one with a teenage me wrapped up in Orga's arms, beaming smiles on both our faces.

It had been five years since the day Orga was gunned down, and while most days went on without a hitch, that nightmare returned just enough to remind me I never properly mourned that day. I don't think I ever properly mourned any of them thinking back on it. There was never time, lives were always on the line, and it was just keep moving forward and never look back.

Mikazuki and Akihiro died in action, fighting till their last breath before returning to the rest of our fallen brothers. Everyone else in Tekkadan safely met up with the Teiwaz transport and made it to Earth, Mr. Makanai holding his end of the bargain and allowing us to start new lives. As risky as it was, I officially took the name I was promised. Our daughter was never in any official Tekkadan documents and that made it an easy excuse to say we needed to share a name. The Geezer sure tried to fight my decision, but I thankfully had enough backing for him to allow the change.

I slid my eyes from the picture and looked at the dark circles under my eyes from my poor night's sleep. Flicking my hair off my left shoulder I caught a glimpse at the red iron flower I had tattooed a few years ago when the initial heat died down from Tekkadan's name. I wasn't worried about anyone finding out I had a "terrorist logo" on my body since the people I work with were all practically former Tekkadan members.

I worked with Yamagi and Nadi at Kassapa Factory as a mobile suit mechanic. It had been all I'd known so when Nadi mentioned opening up his own shop, he was quick to have us on board. Considering it was Nadi's company, he initially gave me a scolding when he first saw the tattoo from my hair being tied up but decided to let it slide knowing what it meant to me. Nadi had grown a family of his own with Merribit, their second child on the way any day now in fact. While I was happy for the two of them, there were always moments where it was painful to see their happy family when she'd stop by.

Dante ended up running the orphanage and was doing an amazing job giving the kids the care they needed. We were all so surprised when he took on the position, but he really is a natural at it. Derma took a job there too; he lost an arm during the last space battle and was worried about finding work once our names had been cleared. Dante encouraged him he'd be plenty of help and it seems he's been enjoying the job more than he thought.

Eugene and Chad work as bodyguards for Kudelia, who became the Martian Union's Chairperson. The three of them were often busy and away from Mars, especially with the Human Debris Abolishment Treaty taking place soon. She was signing the treaty with Gjallarhorn's elected head, Rustal Elion, and though I was happy to see this step towards freedom, it made me sick to my stomach knowing she'd be in such close proximity to someone who denied Tekkadan mercy when we needed it the most.

Atra had a beautiful baby boy she named Akatsuki. He was the spitting image of Mika just with her sandy hair instead. She's been an amazing mom and while I disapproved of her methods at the time, I at least have appreciated someone else going through the same thing. Raising a little one on your own and having to mourn the loss of their father's. Though I guess between each other and Kudelia, we weren't really alone in this endeavor.

Akiko is 6 now. Her two-toned hair never faded, and she practically insisted her bangs be styled like her father's after seeing all the pictures I kept. With the red of her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, those brilliant golden eyes and lilac fringe cause my heart to swell. I swear without the red she'd be Orga's twin.

Then there was Ride. No matter how many times I reassured him it wasn't his fault, he still took Orga's death personally. Him and a few of the younger boys broke off from everyone, keeping little to no contact. He was determined to find out who did it and get revenge. Part of me worried for his safety, I don't think I could handle him getting hurt, but the other part of me hoped he would find the bastard and give him hell.

I fixed up my hair, slid my ring on my left hand, and went to my closet to find something to change into. I pushed hangers around, too tired to think much about what I wanted to wear, stopping when I reached Orga's jacket. It was nestled behind mine, though one could argue that was once his anyways so they both were technically his. I wore them around the house from time to time, especially on days that were low. Behind his jacket hung one of his suits, I didn't have it in me to get rid of it. Orga's infamous scarf I had cut down and sewn into two thinner scarves, considering the thing was massive to begin with. Ride had one, while I had the other. Somedays Akiko asked to wear it, other days it was mine.

Shaking my head to snap back to reality, I grabbed some dark grey joggers, a white open back tank top, and a dark green jacket to combat the morning air. I threw the old scarf around my neck, successfully covering any evidence of my tattoo should anyone see me and slid on my boots. I moved over to the vanity once more and opened the bottom drawer, pulling out a locked black case. I put the code in and clicked the latches open. I checked it was loaded and the safety was on before slipping the pistol into the holster inside my jacket.

I quietly opened my bedroom door and crept down the hall, stopping briefly at Akiko's room to make sure she was still asleep, before making my way to the front door. Atra lived next door and I had told her I had someplace to be early in the morning. Thankfully she didn't ask any questions but let me know she'd be over before Akiko woke to take care of her should I still be out. I grabbed my keys, locked the door, and jumped into my car, hoping the sound of the turnover wouldn't wake her.

I drove for a while to the familiar hillside, the sun's rays just starting to peek over the horizon. Standing in front of the stone stood a boy I'd recognized anywhere. I parked and killed the engine, slowly stepping out of my car.

"I'm glad to see you're alright, Little Bro." I kept my voice low, not wanting to break the peaceful silence of the morning. Ride looked up from the stone and turned his attention towards me. The young boy that once stood just below my height now towered above me. I approached him, stopping a few feet away and smiled at the fact we were both wearing the same scarf. "And it's nice to see we have a similar taste in fashion."

He cracked a smile and bent down to rest the bouquet on the stone. It was once the memorial stone of the boys we lost in Tekkadan on our initial mission to Earth. Now it was just a forgotten engraved stone looking over Sakura's fields. Ride and I had carved in other important names after the last battle to make sure they were honored, deciding we'd never let this stone go to waste. Orga, Shino, Akihiro, and Mikazuki were the hardest names for us to engrave.

"How have you been, Sis?" He asked as he stood back up.

"There are good days and there are bad days, but I'm alive and Akiko is thriving, so I guess that's what's really important." I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around him. "Speaking of Akiko, she keeps wondering where her favorite uncle is."

He held me tight and sighed. "I'm sorry. We're almost done though. It was that rat bastard, Nobliss." I loosened my grip a bit and leaned back to look up at him.

"What?" Ride and the other guys haven't kept much contact with anyone while they were on this journey for revenge, except me. I've known the whole time. He initially didn't want me to, but I wasn't about to let him, and the others, risk their lives without anyone knowing. If something did happen, at least I would know and could help. Practically told him it wasn't fair for me to wonder day in and day out if he was alive or not, not after everything we've been through. The catch was I wasn't allowed to tell anyone else. Eugene would often ask, knowing Ride and I were close, and I would always have to lie to his face. I felt guilty as I could tell he was really worried, but I knew once this was over, we could put it all behind us.

"Yeah. Finally found the intel we've been looking for. Nobliss Gordon called the hit and had eyes on the Admoss Company building that day. Orders were to make a move should any members of Tekkadan show face with Kudelia." His eyes glared at the stone before us as he told me everything. I couldn't identify the emotions I felt. Relieved to have a name. Angry that man tore my family apart and left my daughter without a father. Disgusted that all this time that man still worked around Kudelia and has even looked me in my eyes, calling me by my promised name.

I stepped back and reached into my jacket, pulling out the pistol. It was the one Mika had lent Orga that day, and it seemed fitting it be the same one to end Nobliss Gordon's life. I handed it over to Ride, my face stiff as he took it.

"Make sure that fucker pays for what he did, Ride."

He looked at it for a moment before giving a curt nod. He was determined to do so. "We're planning the hit today. Hilme and Enbi will worry about his men, I want to be the one to do it."

I place a hand on his shoulder, earning his attention. "Can you just promise once this is done, you'll finally come home?"

"Sure thing, Sis." He smiles gently, tucking the pistol away. I gave his shoulder a gentle pat before watching the sunrise in silence.

–

"You get what you need done?" Atra's cheery voice called from the doorway as I climbed out of my car.

I gave her a tight smile, hoping she wouldn't pry. "Yep, just went to go visit some of our favorite guys is all." It wasn't a complete lie; I did often go to the hillside. She knew of the nightmares and gave a sorrowful smile.

"Did the dream happen again?"

"Yeah." I looked down as I made my way inside. "I feel so foolish after so long. How do you do it, Atra?" She looked at me surprised. "You and Mika were literally childhood friends; you had a longer bond. Orga was mine for barely 3 years, yet it tears me apart. How are you so put together?"

"Does it help to know I had already accepted that Mikazuki wasn't going to return one day?"

"Huh?"

"I wanted him to, obviously I always wanted him to, but you remember how he was ever since the battle against that massive machine. He was paralyzed but still only cared about fighting." She smiled fondly at his memory. "Deep down some part of me knew that was how it would end and I'm at least glad to have Akatsuki to keep his legacy going."

"Yeah, Mika was pretty convinced he was useless without Barbatos. I had always wished he knew that wasn't the case."

"Boss though, nobody saw that coming. Just cause you had a shorter time with him, doesn't at all negate the fact that he truly loved you, Miss Kai."

I gave her a sad smile but nodded my head.

"Mommy!" A young voice squealed before barreling down the hallway and colliding into me. I stepped back a bit to keep my footing as I wrapped my arms around my daughter.

"Good morning, Princess." I smiled at her beaming face that stared up at me.

"Where'd you go?"

I glanced at Atra before turning my attention back down, "Mommy was missing Daddy a bit extra this morning and went to go visit him."

"Noooo" She whined, tapping her foot against the floor. "I want to visit Daddy too."

"I'm sorry, Princess. I promise I'll take you next time, alright?" I trailed my hand through her hair, untangling any knots.

"You promise?"

"Pinky" I held out my finger and waited for hers to seal the promise. She soon released me and started to head back towards the kitchen.

"Come on, Aunt Atra made pancakes! Hurry before Akatsuki eats them all!"

"I'm not gonna eat them all!" A muffled voice called from the kitchen; mouth clearly stuffed with food. Atra and I laughed as we followed Akiko down the hall.

I greeted the young boy with a quick hug before taking a seat at the table and grabbing the food they had left us. Atra joined us as we listened to the two kids blab on about everything they could think of. The two were chatterboxes from sunup to sundown. Once we were done with breakfast, I sent the kids to play while I helped Atra clean up.

"Thanks for being here this morning."

"It was no trouble, honestly Kai." She smiled at me as she cleared the table.

"Well, I'm off today. Did you need any help? You heard anything from Kudelia?" I started to wash the dishes, not wanting her to do too much work.

"Mostly was just planning on working around the house. It is laundry day." I groaned a bit when she said that as it reminded me of the piles of clothes I needed to wash too. She chuckled at my response before continuing. "Kudelia said she had the signing to attend, but I'm not sure if she'll be home tonight or not. I know she's really busy."

"She sure is busy, but at least she's busy creating a better world for these guys." I smiled while watching Akiko and Akatsuki through the window. Their squeals and laughter could still be heard through the glass as they ran around the yard. I never wanted those smiles to fade on either of their faces.

'Tell me, was this where we truly belonged, Orga?'

A/N:

Feeling a bit sheepish for how this ended, but I truly appreciate you for sticking with my story for so long! It felt hard to write after losing Orga, but from here on I will be making an alternate timeline so we can have a, slightly, happier ending. I mean, we're all really here for Orga and as long as he gets to live, that is already way happier, right?

The chapter names from here will basically be wherever I decided to start from but with .2 by it. For example, 00.2, that way it is the second version. You might end up rereading some familiar things as scenarios will still happen just with a different outcome. Major character deaths WILL still happen, I'm really only planning on saving my two boys (Orga and Shino). I've thought about saving Lafter and thus saving Akihiro, but don't really know how I'd save him. That boy for sure wouldn't just leave the final battle and let Mika take all the credit, you know? He's too stubborn for that.