A/N: I'm sooooo sorry to all my readers. I'm sorry for uploading the wrong chapter without knowing it. It is a mistake that I should have never made but did without knowing it. I'm really, really sorry. I want to thank tazymay for telling me my mistake so I could change it before it got any worst. Again, I want to apologize for my carelessness and I will try to make this up to everyone. I'm sooo sorry; you can have my head if you like. (Ready a knife at my neck). But before that, I hope you will like this chapter. And so sorry for the late update!
Summary: Please read the top description.
Main Paring: Dearka X Miriallia.
Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.
Chapter 9
"One month has passed since new members have joined the Le Crueset team and the ship is buzzing with their accomplishments. Whenever these new Ensigns went on a mission they always return with marvelous result even though they did not participate in any major missions.
"Standing among the top is none other then Ensign Athrun Zala, the son of the PLANTs Supreme Councilor, Patrick Zala. He, who is different his father, is a kind and gentle young man who lead his team to success. But Athrun was not the only capable leader of the group. Taking the second position is Yzak Joule, the son of another Supreme Councilor, Ezalia Joule, also has the potential to lead the group. But it seems that his temper is always getting in his way with his rivalry with Athrun.
"Nicol Almafi, who is the only strategist, a pianist and the fifth position in the group, always had to stand in front of them to stop their childish arguments. Nevertheless, Nicol always has help when it comes to stopping these two young leaders' fights. Rusty Mackenzie, the second best sniper in the group and taking the fourth position is also one of Nicol's allied when it comes to stopping their childish arguments.
"Eh, you asked why he is the second best sniper in the group. That's because there's the best of the best in the group. He, who took the third place and the best sniper in the group, is none other than Dearka Elsman", he stop the recording when someone knock his head. "What do you think you are doing Yzak?"
"Stop your fooling around and get ready", Yzak said, still holding his fist up. "Our group has been assigned to another mission. And this time I have to beat Zala for sure". He said as he marches out of the room.
Dearka rubbed his sore head and laughed. He smiled and took his coat before leaving the room. He turns around and came back in and took up the microphone. "This is the story of the five aces of the Le Crueset team". He said and turns off the recorder.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Today, like any other day, was supposed to be the five ensigns sparring practice and among them, the troublemaker was missing. Dearka was mining his business twitching his mobile suit in the hanger when he heard a familiar voice called him outside of the cockpit.
"Dearka, what are you doing there in the mobile suit's cockpit?" someone shouted from the outside.
Dearka unstrapped himself and popped his head out from the cockpit and saw blond hair senior down by the ascender. "Yo Miguel! I'm doing some twitching for my customize GINN. I want them to be in a tip top shape when I'm out there fighting those Naturals", he said with a grin. "What are you-"
"YOU IDIOT!" Miguel Aiman shouted before Dearka could finish. "Have you not read the pilot handbook when you join the Vesalius? The twitching and customizing is the mechanic's job. Don't go and steal their jobs to pass your time idiot. You get down here right this instance Ensign Elsman".
"Ha-Hai!" Dearka answered and quickly descended from the cockpit and saluted to his senior. "I'm very sorry for my misbehavior sir! I'm the one at fault".
"As long as you understand then it's fine", Miguel said and smiles. "But you did violated the rules so as for punishment, go practice on your mobile suit maneuver simulation then join your team members in their daily sparring practice".
"I understand. But could I skip the sparring. You see, I never stood a chance between Athrun and Yzak in this", he asked. Miguel gave him a pointed look design that the discussion is a close. "I guess not. Thank you for going easy on me sir. I'll be on my way then", Dearka said. After another salute, he left the ship's hanger.
"Man, that boy is going to get himself into deep trouble one day if he keeps up with his attitude", Miguel said, shaking his head.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
While the rest of the ensigns were enjoying their hard earn shower after their daily sparring, Dearka Elsman ends up doing the clean up duty that Nicol usually do. It seems that they have a rule that the loser of the sparring match has to clean up after them.
Dearka grumble quietly as he arrange the staffs back into the shelf and went to collect the next stash on the floor.
"Your technique really sucks today Dearka", a familiar voice asked by the door. "What happen to you?"
"You would always beat me in these sparring practice. But you sucks today?" asked another familiar voice.
Dearka saw Yzak, Rusty and Nicol were standing by the entrance of the training room. "Nothing's wrong. I just had a lot in my head today that's all", he sighed, as he clips each staff onto the shelf. The moment he turns around he saw his friends were doing his part of the duty. "What are you guys doing?"
"Giving you a helping hand stupid", Yzak said, as he rolled up the training mat on the floor.
"It was supposed to be your job Dearka, but we decided to help", Nicol smiled. "Four pairs of hand are faster that way. I'll give you a hand there Yzak".
Yzak nodded, as is way of saying thank you.
"Besides, friends should always helps each other when they are in need", Rusty smiled widely as he began to wipe the floor. "That's what friends are for".
A single tear began to form at the edge of the young Elsman's eyes. He shakes the tears off and continued his supposed duty with his friends helping him.
"How is your mother's health lately?" Yzak asked.
"She's feeling better after her medication. I think she would be discharged sooner than we thought", he said while putting the rolled up mat back into the shelf. He looks around and found someone missing among them. "Where is Athrun by the way?"
"Athrun went to hand in today's report to the commander", Nicol said while wiping the floor. "He would be waiting for us at the cafeteria later".
"Come on guys, less talk and more work. My stomach is growling none stop", Rusty complained as he place the bucket back on the cupboard.
The group laughed, except for Yzak, when they heard the growling sound coming from their orange hair friend.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I wonder what I should take for today's meal?" Rusty asked. He was dressed in a red ZAFT soldier uniform and has a cheeky smile on his face when he speaks. He looks at Dearka and asked, "What do you think Dearka?"
The two of them were waiting in a queue – waiting to get their meal – in the cafeteria of the Vesalius. He looked up at the menu and saw two different sets of meals. He began to think for a while then he looks back at his orange hair friend.
"I think I'm going to get Set A", he answered. "They have my favorite dish on today. What about you Rusty?"
The teen looks at him with a trouble look on his face. "I don't know. Both of them have my favorite dish in them. It's really hard to choose. What do you think Yzak?" he asked Yzak, who was standing in front of him.
"What differences does it make?" Yzak answered with a scowl on his face. "I don't care which meal it is as long as it can fulfill my hunger".
"Cheh! You are no fun at all", Rusty said. He was still having a trouble look on his face until an idea popped up. He looks at Dearka with an interesting look. "Dearka, why don't we both take different meal and we share it together?"
"And have my favorite dish taken away by you? No thank you!" Dearka answered.
The orange hair teen began to cling on his arm. "Ah! Come on Dearka. Aren't we best buds?" he begged. "Come on Dearka, please!"
"Over my dead body Rusty Mackenzie", Dearka said as he shook his arm away from Rusty's grip.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Are you sure that you want to do that Nicol? We are on patrolling duty right now", Athrun asked. "Besides, did you get the commander's permission for doing this Nicol?"
Dearka and Yzak were inside their room when they both heard Athrun and Nicol were arguing just right outside their room. Dearka was really confused when he heard them screaming at each other since both of them were really close friends. So why are they arguing? Yzak, who wished for some peace and quiet for once, glared at Dearka.
"What's with that look Joule?" Dearka asked feeling annoyed. Yzak shut his eyes and point at the door. Dearka understood what he meant. He sighs and got off his bed. "You really are a pain sometimes, you know that".
Dearka came out from his room and saw Athrun looking worried while Nicol was angry. "You guys are kindda noise in the hallway", he said. "What's going on Athrun?"
"It's Nicol. He said he wanted to have a mini concert", Athrun said.
"A mini concert?" Dearka asked, and both Athrun and Nicol nodded. "Do you even have a grand piano on the Vesalius Nicol?"
Nicol flushed angrily and said, "I never said to have it in the Vesalius guys".
"Then where are you planning to have the mini concert?" Dearka asked.
"We are going to have a mini concert at a pianist room back in the ZAFT Military Base", Miguel said, as he joins in his junior by the hallway.
Nicol was really happy to see his blond hair senior. He smiled and asked, "Did you get the commander's permission Miguel?"
Miguel nodded and shows them the agreement document. "The commander was very delighted to hear Nicol's plan in cheering the group with his mini concert and approved of this activity", he said. "We will be sailing back the military base soon so you better get those music sheets ready Nicol".
"I will and thank you for your help Miguel. You will attend this mini concert right?" the green hair soldier asked.
"Of course! I would not missed it for the world", Miguel answered. "Oh, I better get back to my station. Yzak, your shift is coming up soon. Better not be late", he said, then floated away to the control room of the ship.
Nicol smiled as he looks at the agreement document. He then looks at his friends with a hopeful look. "You guys… will be coming for this concert… right?" he asked.
"I don't see why not. The commander had already agree with this anyway", Dearka said. Nicol smiled happily. Then the both of them look at Athrun who sighed in the end and nodded his head. "I'll inform Yzak about this, although he might not turn up at the concert".
"Well, I hope he will come but it is still his choice in the end", Nicol said and floated into his and Athrun's sleeping quarters. "Well, I better go and get ready. We should be back at the base by tomorrow I hope".
"Nicol sure is happy about this concert", Dearka said.
"Of course he is. This is his first concert in playing his own music sheets", Athrun said. Dearka gave him a shocking expression. "Nicol had been working overnight to complete those sheets for us".
"Well, in that case. I really have to attend this concert. I just hope I won't fall asleep in the end", Dearka said as he scratched his head.
"I as well" Athrun said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What pleasant melodies", Dearka said as he shut his eyes as he enjoys the melodies.
"Ah! Nicol is truly a prodigy in music", Rusty said. "The 'theme of spring' signifies the day me all met and our beginning in our military career during the spring. New beginnings, new bonds, everything had been filled with a brand new scent. I think that's what it means".
The first melody ends and Nicol looks at them with a smile. "This is just the first piece. I hope you all will listen to all of them till the end", he said.
"Of course!" Athrun said.
"Hey, what are best buds for? Besides, we are the first one to listen to your newest work", Dearka said with a sly smile. "Too bad the grump didn't come though".
"Who cares about that grouch anyway?" Rusty said. "He really should have set his pride aside. He is really missing this big time".
Nicol laughs. "I think I'll give him a copy when it's published", he said. "Shall I continue now? Hope there no more interruption". He looks at both Dearka and Rusty.
"We promised no more interruption. Right Dearka?" Rusty asked and looks at Dearka and he nodded.
The young Pianist smiled and continues with his playing. The next theme was called the 'Theme of Rain'. None of them could put it into words of their emotions when they listened to the piece. Dearka swallowed a lump in his throat as his friend continues with his next piece on the piano to be played, the 'Theme of Separation'. Dearka do not know why but it seems that this melody signifies their separation in the future. Tears began to wield up at the corner of his eyes.
Athrun gave him a piece of tissue to wipe away his tears. Dearka mouth a thank you to not disturbed the pianist and took the tissue from his friend's hand.
The fourth piece was fairly simple. The 'Theme of Friendship'. The song brought back all the memories of the past several years of their life. Dearka blinked furiously was his tears threatened to spill again. His emotions were whelming up inside of him as he felt things that he'd never thought he would.
Nicol placed the final piece on the piano to be played. Dearka and his friends sat there quietly listening to the melody, the unspoken message that the pianist wanted to tell them. Then, one by one, Dearka's tears silently fell from his violet eyes. He didn't sob or weep, but allowed the tears to fall freely as his heart finally heard the unspoken messages. Truly, the piece was the Theme of Tears.
The pianist took a deep breath and look at his comrades and he was surprised to see that a few of them were crying. "I guess my music has been brought through", he joked.
All of them laughed and some of them still have tears in their eyes as they exit the room.
Standing right outside was Yzak Joule, who have his hand crossed on his chest, and he saw his fellow comrades came out of the room. Dearka look at Yzak with an intensive look.
For some reason, Athrun seems to sense that something is going to happen between the two and quickly bring his other friends away from the two. "Come on; let's get some drinks before we get back on the ship. We will see you guys back at the Vesalius then".
Once the three reds were gone, Dearka began to speak, "You really should have set your pride aside, Yzak." With that Dearka turned around and walk away from his best friend.
Yzak look at his blond hair friend walk further and further away from him. He was ready to shout an insult into his teammate's face to shut him up but he stopped. Yzak noticed that the boy wasn't grinning as he has expected. Instead, a calm, serene expression had graced Dearka's face. He was neither crying nor were there any indications that he was, but his eyes were sparkling with unshed tears.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dearka, Yzak and Nicol had finished their first big mission in bringing in the Earth Alliance force's new mobile suits, back into the Rousseur. Rusty and Athrun will be the ones piloting the remaining two suits that have yet to come back.
An hour had passed since the boys started the extracting duties but they were summoned to the captain's quarters before any of them could finish with the extraction.
"Is there something you wish to tell us captain?" Nicol asked.
The captain look at them with a depressed look and said, "I'm sorry to informed you that one of our ace pilot, Miguel Aiman and a fellow red elite soldier, Rusty Mackenzie has died in action".
Dearka, Yzak and Nicol were shocked and speechless when they heard what the captain said.
"Yo-You are joking right captain?" Yzak asked with a trembled voice. "How co-could some low life Naturals kill our top two Coordinators?"
The captain took out a document and opened "See for yourself Ensign Joule. Captain Ades from the Vesalius has sent their death report back to the Military based and he has sent a copy to me as well". The boys took up the document and began reading it. "It seems that Ensign Rusty Mackenzie had failed to retrieve the last of the GAT series unit and was killed by the enemy's bullet. Ensign Athrun Zala saw it with his own eyes that the bullet has broken through his visor, thus killing him instantly. As for Second Ensign Miguel Aiman was killed by the enemy's sword while he was trying to fight with the last GAT unit".
Both Rusty and Miguel had perished in amidst of this war. The commander himself had decree that their thing will be pack and will be sending back to their family members. Tears began to trickle down from Nicol's cheek and Dearka's eyes are getting watery as well. But it seems that Yzak is the only one that was not shedding any tears but he had an hollow expression on his face.
"That's all I wanted to say. You may go back to you work station", the captain said.
The three ensign salutes to the captain and leave the room. Dearka was trying his best to comfort the young Almafi when he noticed how empty his silver hair friend looks like.
"Are you all right Yzak?" Dearka asked.
"Could you fill in for me at DUEL's data extraction Dearka? I wish to do some sparring". Without waiting for the blond man's answer, Yzak left his two friends and walks down the corridor.
I guess this is as hard for anyone as it is for Yzak, Dearka thought, as he brings his friend to the washroom.
Once he was sure that Nicol was all right, Dearka went to the training room to see how Yzak was handling the news. Dearka could hear punching noises when he was just outside of the training room. Dearka sighs and walks in and saw his best friend is punching on the sand bag like there is not going to be a tomorrow. He quietly hides himself near the door to allow his best friend to express his anger and sadness entirely.
Fifteen minutes later, Yzak collapsed onto the floor panting heavily from his exercise. Dearka pushed himself off the wall and walk towards his panting friend. He has picked up a bottle of water and a towel by the floor near the sand bag and startled his friend when place the cold bottle on his shoulder.
Yzak look up and saw Dearka with his bottle in his hand. He smiled and took the bottle. "Thank you!" he said and drank from the bottle.
Dearka sat besides his friend as he passes the towel to him. "Have you runt out your anger Yzak?"
"Pretty much! But I still could not believe that Rusty and Miguel were actually… gone", Yzak said angrily Just like that".
"We are at war. So this is a game that considered you life as a chip. If you win, you survived but if you lost, you die. There is no second try in the reality", Dearka said, as he look at his friend with a sly smiled. "Besides, if they were that easily to be killed by some Naturals, that means both Rusty and Miguel is no better than rookies in the battlefield".
Yzak was shocked to head what his blond hair friend said. He chuckled when he saw how sad his expression was. "You are very sick sometimes, do you know that Dearka".
"I know, and that how I will be if I have to stand up high in this bloody war", he said, and a single tear drop from his eyes.
Yzak patted his friend's back to comfort him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is the up tenth battle with the runaway legged ship and this is also the one battle that received a devastated result yet. Nicol Almafi, their team member and their best friend has perished under the hand of the pilot that killed Rusty and Miguel. This is their team's biggest blow.
Yzak was rutting his anger fully on Athrun because Nicol had die in saving his life. He dashed out of the locker room after he had his say but no matter how much he rent his anger upon Athrun, he could not surpass the sadness he is feeling for the first time in his life.
"Yzak, wait up! Yzak Joule!" Dearka shouted as he ran after his silver hair best friend. "Yzak!"
Yzak had finally come to a stop when he reached a deserted corridor. He tried to surpass his tears by punching the wall but it just cause more tears coming.
"Damn it! Damn it! Why them? Why is it got to be them who die? WHY!" he shouted.
Dearka had finally caught up to his friend when he heard him scream. "Yzak", he mumbled. This is the first time he seen his best friend broke down in tears and could not do anything to stop it. "Yzak Joule! Stand back up on your feet. They are gone and that is reality, no one could change it and no one could bring them back".
Yzak glared at him angrily and pounce on him. "What do you mean by that Elsman? I know they are gone forever, I know that is reality AND I KNOW NO ONE COULD BRING THEM BACK! But… but why… them?" he sobbed. "You were right at the scene as well and you can see what I see. Zala could still kill the murderer but he did not. He just let him get away after he killed Nicol. So why didn't he do it?"
"AEGIS's phase shift armor was running low and if Athrun continue to push forward with the fight, he would get himself killed", Dearka said. Yzak look at him with a stunned look. "I promised you that Rusty's, Miguel's and Nicol's death would not be in vain. We still have a chance at getting the legged ship before they reached the Alaska base. We still have a chance to avenge our fallen comrades' death".
Yzak nodded. "Don't you dare die Elsman or else I would not forgive you forever", he said.
Dearka was shocked to hear what his friend said. He scratched his head and said, "That's quite a hard promise but I would try my best to live". Then, he notices his friend's eyes are watery again. "I… can borrow you my shoulder if you want".
Yzak did not answer. Instead, he placed his temples on his blond hair friend's shoulder and cried his heart out once again.
Dearka patted his friend's shoulder and whispered, "I promised you Yzak. Our friends' death would not be in vain. If Athrun would not strike it, I will!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
He felt like he was lying on a soft bed and a fluffy pillow. A slight throb hits him when he moves in his sleep and woke up next. Dearka heard people talking but could not make out who they were with his blurred vision.
"How is he doing doctor?" a familiar voice asked.
Dearka quickly noticed that it was Athrun's voice. Athrun? Where am I?
"It not something serious", an unfamiliar voice said. That must be the doctor. "As long as Mr. Elsman have a few day of rest, he should be fine".
"I see!" Athrun sighs in relief.
Dearka tried to focus his vision and saw his navy blue hair friend was talking to someone with green hair. "Ni-Nicol?" he croaked.
Athrun was surprised when he heard Dearka's voice. "Dearka! You're awake! How are you feeling?" he asked worriedly. Dearka vision began to clear and the person he thought was Nicol was another person. Tears began to wield up at the corner of his eyes when he remembered what has happened to his friends. "Dearka? Are you hurting anywhere?"
"Athrun! Please tell me that Nicol, Rusty and Miguel are still alive and they are with their families right now", he bolted up and grabbed onto his friend's collar. "Please tell me they did not die in the war".
Athrun was shocked to hear Dearka's question. "Dearka did you…"
Tears are now falling rapidly and the blond man used his arm to cover his eyes. "I remember our times on the Vesalius. I remember Nicol's mini concert, I remember Miguel's scolding and I remember about their death", he said. He looks at his with a pleading look. "Please Athrun! Please tell me that those images I just saw were just a dream. Please!"
Athrun gave him a depressed look and shook his head. "No Dearka, those were not dreams. Wars take away many lives and Nicol, Rusty and Miguel were one of those lives that were taken by it".
Dearka broke down in tears after he heard what Athrun told him. "NICOL! RUSTY! MIGUEL!" he shouted in despair.
Athrun hugged his blond hair friend and let him cried his heart out. The young Zala could no longer hold onto his tears and too let those slides down his cheek. The two friends shared their sadness together but it was only for a short while when someone interrupted them.
"Athrun, Dearka!" Mwu shouted as he rushed into the infirmary. "Miriallia has met an accident"
Dearka was stunned and speechless when he heard what Mwu said. "Miri!" he whispered.
== Continue in chapter 10 ==
A/N: I hope you like this chapter. It took me quite a long time to actually put all those scenes together and the hardest one was the last part where Yzak broke down and Dearka went to comfort him. Rain check, this is not a Yaoi fic. I hope Dearka or Yzak were not too OOC in this chapter. I have corrected his personalities quite a few time to get it right. Well, hope you like reading this chapter although it is a little sad. I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as I can and sorry for this late update.