My Sweetest Heart for You
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Gundam Seed/Gundam Seed Destiny. I am not compensated in any way for my work.
A/N: I've been reading fan fiction on this site for a while and I thought I'd give it a shot.
Any additional comments/reviews are encouraged and appreciated.
Chapter 3 – "Fly with freedom and the everlasting sky that is yours"
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"Mmmm…." Kira muttered softly under his breath as morning's first light piercing the window and shining down upon him. Kira's thoughts slowly came together, his body arguing against his already wavering desire to get up and betray the still slumbering angel that rested peacefully at his side.
Kira's deep eyes widened achingly slow at the realization of who was leaning so closely against him, his mind trying to register whether this was some dream or if it was really real. Kira's mouth opened as if to say something yet no words came out, he could only form a tender smile after a moment in seeing the true and serene look of content look on her face.
Her beautiful eyes still closed, Lacus was nuzzled closely into Kira's caged arm. Her soft, rose colored lips took small breaths in and out with her chest rising in sync. The warm beams of sunlight shimmering through the glass window that bathed her body in their warmth almost made her look ethereal; Kira's eyes drank in for a rare moment before he came back to reality.
Kira carefully tried to remove his hand from Lacus' tiny hands only to be met with a protesting whimper by the sleeping beauty, her hands grasping against him in their sleep as if to stop him. Sighing gently to himself, Kira nudged a hand against her cheek while leaning in closely against her ear.
"Lacus… Lacus, come on it's time to get up, it's already morning" Kira whispered to her. His calling caused Lacus to stir, but she still didn't wake up. 'Now what am I supposed to do?' Kira thought, sighing deeply at this awkward dilemma.
A look of determination came onto Kira's face; carefully he placed his hands on Lacus' shoulders so he'd have some means of keeping her balanced. After some fancy maneuvers which resulted in Kira near sweating bullets, he managed to have Lacus lying peacefully down on the couch still asleep.
Kira near took a breath but stopped himself with his hands clasping firmly over his mouth for fear he'd jinx his luck. Turning around, he began to walk off with a satisfied look coming over his face. Yet as fate's cruel sense of humor would have it, a small dent on the wooden floor below was just out of Kira's sight; before he could do anything about it his foot caught on it and he fell over headfirst onto the floor below with a loud thump.
A cold shiver ran down Kira's spine; he gave a long gulp with the added feeling that his heart had jumped into his throat. 'So close…'
"Mmmm…" Lacus groaned quietly as her eyes opened themselves. Stretching her arms into the air, her gaze suddenly fell on a fallen Kira who lay out on the ground. "Huh…?" Lacus said in a soft tone, her eyes blinking in curiosity of what was going on.
All of the memories from last night flooded back into her consciousness after a moment, Lacus' expression taking a sudden change as she realized just what Kira was trying to pull.
Lacus' hands folded themselves neatly over each other as her fingertips tapped themselves lightly; her clothes a bit disheveled along with her hair a tad messed up.
"Pardon me for asking Kira… but where did you think you were going without my permission?" she said in a calm voice; it only frightened Kira all the more.
Breathing in deeply, Kira stood up and turned around towards Lacus with a nervous smile on his face. "Well you see Lacus… it's um… I ah…." Kira sputtered out before his mutterings came out barely audible; Lacus sat at the edge of the couch, her legs crossed over one another while she eagerly awaited his answer.
"Yes?"
"……."
"Mhmm, that's what I thought" Lacus said, her lips curving into a mischievous smile as her hands came up to brush some of the wrinkles out of her clothes.
As she'd finished up with straightening up her appearance, Lacus' hands grasped at Kira's shirt and pulled him up towards her. "Gah!" Kira cried out, his body tripping some along the way as he fell out on the couch once more and directly by Lacus' side.
"Kira… I thought you knew to treat a lady with more respect then that. I was having such a pleasant time, I guess I'll just have to punish you" Lacus said more as a statement than anything else; Kira's face dropping further into anxiety. 'Lacus really must've been sleeping better than I thought, I'm really in for it now…' Kira thought.
"But Lacus…" "Nope" she said, cutting Kira off before he'd even get in at another chance to talk himself out of this one. Lacus cut off any further conversation between the two of them as she slipped her hands about Kira's waist and began tickling him mercilessly.
Falling backwards on the couch, Kira thrashed his head from side to side while his body racked with uncontrollable laughter. "No…No! Lacus, come on… not there!" Kira cried out, barely able to get in a word edgewise.
"My, seems like Kira has a very ticklish side to him" Lacus said while she laughed, her merciless ministrations to her young visitor giving her no end of pleasure. For her, it was the best wake up call she'd had in a very long time.
Kira's sweet laughter was precious to Lacus, she took hidden enjoyment in every moment as hers and Kira's body mingled with their playtime. After a few minutes, they fell off the couch and landed on the wooden floor.
Kira rolled with Lacus around and around until he'd finally pinned her down. Kira smirked some when he felt Lacus' struggles beneath him, but he kept her firmly in his grasp so she couldn't move. "Give it up Lacus, there's no escaping now!"
Lacus gave a protesting whimper, she gave a small sigh as her body started to relax. Kira's eyes softened a bit at her sudden change; Lacus' visage had changed so drastically.
Suddenly Lacus' baby blue orbs narrowed mischievously at Kira's change in his guard, she pulled her arms out of his grasp and gave Kira a push. Kira's eyes widened at Lacus' surprise attack as he was falling against the floor, and before he knew it Lacus had jumped on top of him, pinning her smaller frame down against his body.
"Hey no fair Lacus, that's cheating!" Kira said, his face riddled with both shock and surprise at how devious his pink-haired angel could be when she put her mind to it. Lacus laughed softly at Kira's outburst, keeping her figure pressed closely up to him so he wouldn't be going anywhere.
"That's what you get for trying to sneak away from me like that, and I was having such a nice time too…" Lacus spoke softly to him. She raised her hand to brush some of Kira's brunette hair away from his eyes.
"I wasn't trying to sneak away Lacus; you've got to know that. You're just… mmph!" Lacus silenced Kira with a finger to his lips to which he was instantly silenced by. Kira's body instantly subsided from any other thoughts than to which were of the silky smooth feel of her fingertips brushing against his lips. From the moment Kira had first met Lacus, the pink haired girl's unearthly spell had him at near her every whim.
After a moment of silence between the two, Lacus stood up and extended her hand down to Kira who still lay on the ground. Reaching his hand up, his fingers interlaced with hers as she helped him stand up. "So… you're not mad at me then?" Kira asked.
Lacus blinked at Kira, small chuckles coming from her after a few seconds. She gave a warm smile. "I never was mad at you Kira, you really are cute when you're like this" she said, a faint tint of pink in her cheeks.
Kira felt his face grow warmer and even more when he realized he still held Lacus' hand. "Ahh… umm…." Kira muttered under his breath as he quickly withdrew his palm from hers. Lacus turned her head slightly at the vague hint of disappointment she held.
Lacus shifted her face so she was eye to eye with Kira again. "Say Kira, what do you say if we took a walk around?"
"A…walk?" Kira asked; blinking a few times.
"Yes. You've really only seen my house and around the beach, I really think you'd enjoy it. The area around here is really quite beautiful, and there's something else I know you're just going to love" Lacus said with some enthusiasm returning in her voice.
"Really? What is it Lacus?" Kira asked. Lacus' mood seemed to brighten at the mere mention of whatever it was; so it had to be really spectacular.
Lacus gave a pouty look that came out adorably as it always did. "No Kira that would ruin the surprise! You've just gotta come with me and see it yourself. And who knows? Maybe it'll help you get your memory back if we're lucky"
Kira's face seemed to brighten at the thought of it. He nodded to Lacus, faintly smiling. "Sounds good Lacus"
Kira walked over to the door and quickly opened it up. Lacus followed in suit behind him as they began out the door. As they got outside, Lacus pointed out a small pathway that started out not too far away and led into the forest that resided not more than a mile or two out from her house. Soon afterwards Lacus and Kira walked side by side into the woods not knowing what surprises would await them inside.
Beyond the sight and knowing of the two young teens whose happiness with each other has only just begun to grow; elsewhere…
Locked in a crystal chamber were two young figures whose detailed composure was over shown by the vividly colored lights that shone down from the rooftop, their splendid radiance flowing down in waves. Clasped in each of their hands was a shimmering blade, their edges sparkling off in an ethereal light that glimpsed off the strong wills of what each of them sought out.
As a flicker emerged off the crimson eyed youth's sword, he charged towards his blonde haired counterpart. Diving down on his right foot, he pushed himself off of the ground with a significant force to send him several feet off of the ground and into the sky. Clasping his blade in between both his hands, he sent his sword soaring down at the blue eyed boy whose composure hadn't been shaken for a minute by the coming strike.
"Now you're mine Rey!" the boy cried out, his blade slashing down with all of his strength; yet he was only met with a look of shock at the almost effortless swipe of his opponent's weapon that had lifted up to stop him in his tracks. The ringing of their blades echoed throughout the halls of their training chamber, rattling even the sturdy crystal chandelier that hung above them.
The force of their weapons still clashed against one another, their strength matched in an even stand off as neither held the advantage.
"You need more than blind anger and force when facing an enemy Shinn, your lack of focus will only lead you to being an open target. Now let's try it again" the long blonde haired teen spoke calmly; he gave a forceful push from his blade, sending Shinn Asuka back a few feet.
"I don't need anymore of your lectures Rey! Now come on!" Shinn exclaimed, charging at Rey with speed far superior than before. He struck forward with his sweating palms gripped every tightly around his sword's hilt, the rushing adrenaline through his entire body filling him with a fervent desire to win. Rey quickly swiped his sword, knocking aside Shinn's attack with relative ease.
"Hmm?" Rey said with a curious expression strewn upon his face as a swift light came out in the form of Shinn's leg coming out to strike at him from the side.
'I see… a diversionary tactic, but it's not going to work…' Rey's racing mind thought in less than a moment before he threw himself effortlessly up into the air, pushing down with a single hand to hold himself up. Rey drew his right leg back, and then sent it careening out towards Shinn's face as his own foot had all but swung by Rey's face leaving nothing but a gentle breeze to brush against some of the strands of his long hair.
"Gah!" Shinn cried out, Rey's foot slamming him directly across his cheek… Shinn rolled out across the ground, a small bruise already appearing on his face. Before he'd even had the time to recover, the silver tipped blade of Rey's sword was present in front of his face… mere centimeters away from a gruesome blow.
Rey's focused expression softened as he put his sword back within its sheath and extended a hand towards Shinn "What's wrong with you Shinn, your fighting has been so reckless lately. It seems like something is really troubling you.
Sighing, Shinn raised his hand to lock with Rey's as he helped himself to his feet. Groaning softly, he rubbed his cheek with my free hand to free himself from some of the sting of Rey's fresh blow.
"It's… it's nothing… I just can't seem to focus lately…" Shinn said quietly.
"…" Rey stood silent at Shinn's words, his consciousness falling back into a state of inner thought 'Is it too soon to tell him…?'
"Is something wrong Rey?" Shinn asked; Rey looked like he'd been off in another world for a minute.
"Huh…? Oh, no… it's nothing. We need to be heading off now; Chairman Dullindal will be expecting us."
Suddenly the door opened; a magenta haired girl came rushing in through it with an exasperated look on her face "Rey! Shinn! What have you guys been doing in here all of this time? Honestly, the Chairman sent me to find you guys and I find you in here chatting it up" Lunamaria said, her breaths becoming less and less deep as she caught up with herself.
"We were just finishing up here Lunamaria, there's no need to worry. Shinn and I are on our way to see him right now" Rey spoke, nodding his head in acknowledgement of the order.
Luna fixated her eyes on the two of them, a suspicious look in their depths "Well not without me you're not. Orders are that I'm going to be coming with you on this"
Shinn sighed, shifting his hands inside the depths of his pockets with an annoyed look appearing on his face "Alright, alright, whatever you say. We'd better get moving through before we waste anymore time here"
Luna chuckled at him, raising a hand up to her mouth "Aww… Shinn's so serious now, we'd better watch out"
"…Hmph" Shinn muttered "Honestly Luna, do you think you could stand to be a little more composed at these times too? It's just not natural for us to be all giddy and carefree as you all the time" Shinn said.
"Hey what's that supposed to mean?" Luna said, a hint of anger rising in her voice "I'm the one who always has to keep you two knuckleheads from getting yourselves into a whole mess of trouble. You should be thanking me, not criticizing me" she said, folding her hands over her chest to emphasize her point.
"What're you talking about? In case you've forgotten, I'm the one who saved your butt on that last mission, or did that just slip your mind?" Shinn exclaimed as he walked up until he was face to face with her.
Luna's eyes narrowed in frustration, reaching over to playfully bop Shinn across the head "Oh get over yourself! You're always bringing stuff like that up, it's just making excuses."
"What do you think Rey…? ….Rey?" Shinn spoke aloud, turning his gaze about the hall when he'd noticed Rey had vanished. "Where'd he go?" Luna asked, a hint of confusion apparent in her visage when she took to noticing as well.
"Are you two still in there? Come on or else we'll be late" Rey called out from afar. He was already out the door and waving to them from a fair distance. "…" Luna and Shinn lowered their heads in embarrassment.
"Hey wait up Rey!" they both called out, rushing outside the door to catch up with him.
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Rey raised his right palm against a flat board screen, a warm blue light coursing over his hand to verify its identification. "Identity: Rey Za Barrel Confirmed. Please Enter" the computer generated voice declared, the silver outlining of a door swishing open with a light gust of wind exuding from the open elevator shaft from the cooling vents.
Rey, Shinn, and Luna all entered the elevator's doors as they closed in behind them immediately. "Chairman Gilbert Dullindal's floor room please. Rey Za Barrel, Shinn Asuka, and Lunamaria Hawke confirming personal request by the chairman for scheduled meeting at 8:00 A.M." Rey spoke; as soon as he'd finished the room shifted and began its ascension upwards.
"By the way Rey… do you know what the Chairman wanted to talk to us about?" Shinn asked, turning his head towards Rey who stared out at a blank wall with his hands crossed over one another.
"…" Rey closed his eyes "No, I haven't been informed of anything as of yet. However… what I do know is that it might possibly related to 'that' incident."
Shinn and Luna stood in their silence; then turned their heads away as neither of them spoke a word more about it as their elevator continued rising until a faint ding was heard, confirming their arrival.
As the doors opened, the trio's eyes were beheld in a brilliant room that was coveted in a truly breathtaking sight; tropical plants were nestled in circular pots that nestled at the corners of the room giving it an air of a natural setting; the scents flowing through being an enchanting aroma of flowers that sprung from hanging upon hooks that were attached at the ceiling. The floor was covered in a soft fabric that was comfortable to the touch, and the shimmering walls rung with the faint sound of tranquil music.
For someone who visited this room for the first time, they'd certainly be surprised at the rather awkward setting for an important man like Chairman Dullindal. It'd thrown off more than a fair share of people who had preceded the three of them.
Sitting on a desk at the far back was a long haired man with intriguing eyes; a faint smile crossed his face at the arrival of his expected guests "Ah… Rey, Lunamaria Hawke, and Shinn Asuka too of course. I bid you welcome. I thank you for your quick arrival" he said, rising up from the chair he'd been seated in.
"Sir" the three of said at once, raising their right hands up in traditional salute. Dullindal ceased their salutes with a simple hand gesture and motioned them to a more relaxed state. "Please… no need to be so formal. Do have a seat; there is business we need to attend to"
Luna, Shinn, and Rey took their seats at a set of nearby chairs that rested nearby, seating themselves comfortably as they eagerly waited for whatever was next.
"Now then… as some of you may have suspected, some new information has come to our attention regarding a certain matter that occurred here in our homeland. I felt it prudent that you three be informed of this as soon as possible" At the Chairman's words, Shinn had tensed up, the beads of sweat that began running down his face were proof enough of that.
Dullindal picked up a small remote from the side of his desk, pressing a button on it; a screen emerged from the north most wall where its flickering lights warmed up with its activation. "Now then… around two days ago our sensory reports picked up a resonance from somewhere around the northern point of the Kyushu continent"
Shinn stood up, his eyes clearly burning with a desire to hear those words he almost ached for "Chairman! Please… you must tell me. Is… is it 'him'!" Rey immediately pulled Shinn back down to his seat, shaking his head at him.
"I apologize Chairman; he won't make an outburst like that again" Rey spoke in an apologetic tone, nodding his head in apology.
Gilbert could only smile as he shook his head at the action "There's no need for apologies, it's perfectly understandable that he would be a bit tense considering… the situation"
Lunamaria's eyes wandered over to Shinn who was now completely silent… the depths of her orbs softening at how he was feeling. 'Shinn… I know how you must feel about this, but still…' she thought to herself, her lips quivering slightly.
"In regards to this possible resonance, an investigation was begun… and it comes to this reason that I have called for all of you" Gilbert said, pressing another button on the remote in his hand as the screen flared to life, an image appearing on it almost immediately; the image was that of a planetary wide map to which two small continuous blips that blipped time and time again in an area recognized to them as the Kyushu continent as Gilbert had previously mentioned.
"According to the investigation team, it appears that this is different than that of the resonation with 'Freedom'. However… this serves to confirm our suspicions in that we've come to only this one conclusion; that 'he' is indeed alive"
Shinn's hand bled with the tremendous force he was putting into his tightly clenched fist, the crimson lines of blood trickled down his red hot skin. A tremendous fire burned within his red eyes, their intensity growing brighter and brighter. It was obvious that he was but a moment away from completely losing it.
It was in this moment that Shinn's memories came flooding back to him of a time he could never forget… the day everything he knew came crashing around him and his life was into a living hell…
"Ah…ahh…" Shinn coughed out; he fell down on his knees as the sight of his broken and bloody family laid out before him. "M…Mother…" he called out to an utterly crushed body that lay underneath a tombstone of rubble… seeping pools of freshly spilled blood soaking the ground where Shinn knelt.
"…Father…" he spoke as the sight of a completely limb torn man whose flesh had been strewn out across the earth, its grotesque form hardly recognizable as that of a human anymore. Its face was purely horrified with the realization of death and… no; words paled in comparison to what a human spirit lay broken in the sight of.
"M…Ma…Ma…Mayu…no…" Shinn cried out, clasping his shivering hands against his tear soaked face as the sobs wracked his body. Above him, hanging on a pole was the body of a young girl completely torn to shreds… her emotionless face streaked with the silvery white tears of one who had begged without end, her life stolen away regardless.
Suddenly, a loud pulsating noise was heard directly above Shinn… the emanating waves of energy he felt so… so terribly familiar as the achingly painful truth came to light in the darkness that now surrounded his utterly destroyed world.
There it was in what words once again failed to describe, an utterly horrific sight that drove your spirits to the very brink of despair and destruction; a mobile suit that herald in its awakening the dawn of a new era, the swirling of black and red flames that encompassed the whole of its massive body a testament to that.
An eerie green aura began emitting itself around the large behemoth; Shinn felt a sickening feeling in the pits of his stomach the moment it caught itself within his gaze.
The suit then began to ascend within the skies as torrents of explosions began rocking the earth below sending massive amounts of stone and quarry scattering over the broken terrain.
Before it vanished completely to wherever it was going, Shinn's furious red eyes caught it one more time… the only thought that would ever matter to him anymore a constant in his mind now… 'Even if it takes me the rest of my life, I swear I'll find you and I'll make you suffer like my family has!'
Earth shattering explosions blew through the skies, their aftershocks ripping into Shinn's already vastly overexerted body. Even through all his rage, Shinn kept his sights on the monster he swore to exact his vengeance against before eventually he lost conscious completely and fell down hard next to the bodies that were once his beloved family, the wretched tears still streaming down his face.
"Sir, if I may ask how the resonation with this is so much different from that of the 'Freedom'?" Rey questioned. Shinn's head arose at the call back to reality, his now focused thoughts also intrigued to hear the response.
Chairman Dullindal shook his head slowly "That is the mystery itself Rey. We ourselves are not entirely sure why 'his' presence has been made itself known to us now, nor is it clear to what exactly 'he' is resonating with. This is why I am sending the three of you in to investigate"
Luna raised her head in slight surprise "What…? You're sending all three of us to investigate this man? But… shouldn't a matter like this be left to the homeland's bureau of investigation, it doesn't seem to make sense that you would send us in"
Gilbert chuckled and crossed his hands at his chest "Very astute Ms. Hawke, however this assignment is not to be on record and… in all sincerity, I don't feel even our own special forces has… exactly the right qualifications to deal with this in my desired outcome."
"I understand" Luna said.
"All of the supplies and other accessories you'll need have already been gathered for you and are awaiting you at your quarters. However I advise against bringing anything unless it comes into the highest priority; the mission will commence with the recon and investigation of what is causing these unusual resonations and the meaning behind them. If proven to be a threat, you are hereby authorized to eliminate 'him'" Dullindal finished off, nodding his approval of the completion of their meeting.
The three of them stood up and saluted their Chairman in their respects, quickly exiting out afterwards as the thoughts and feelings of what was now hanging on their shoulders.
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"Hmm…" Kira spoke quietly as he slowly brought his head around as he gazed about at all the large trees that hung overhead, cries of birds and other forest animals ringing through the area.
"Is something bothering you Kira?" Lacus asked.
"Huh? Oh, no… it's nothing Lacus. This place though, it's… kind of overwhelming being in here" he said, bringing his face back to lock in a gaze with hers.
Lacus brought up a hand to her smooth lips as she gave off a soft hint of laughter "Yes… I know what you mean. The first time I came here when I was a child I was often scared too, I'd always think there was something coming out to get me"
"I'm not scared Lacus…" Kira spoke softly, his gaze drifting sideways.
"Aww… it's okay Kira, I understand how you feel" Lacus teased, brushing her hand against his ruffled up hair.
"…Anyway Lacus, are we almost there?" Kira asked.
"Oh, yes… we're almost there… just a little further" she said as they continued walking.
Lacus and Kira continued walking for a while; they talked frequently, getting to know each other better. The two of them really had some nice things in common; though the mystery of Kira's past still hung over him, Lacus' presence near him was an ever comforting reminder that he could do whatever it took to get his memories back and she would be there to help him.
"Here we are Kira…" Lacus whispered quietly as they came upon an overpass finally reaching their destination…
"Lacus… this is…" Kira said his words hardly above a whisper as they stared upon…
To be continued…
As always, I hoped you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I did writing it.
Always more Kira and Lacus moments to come with the upcoming of Shinn's personal journey to find the truth about his parents' murder and take out his revenge on the one responsible. More mysteries coming up with every turn, and I'll do my best to make it as worth your while to keep reading.
I'm always looking for some reviews and some comments on how to make the story better. 'Till next time.