My Sweetest Heart for You Chapter 7 - A Flickering Resolve
"Do not succumb to fear nor anger. Wield the truth close to your heart, and ride the eternal heavens that are yours."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 other than in the enjoyment that my readers experience.
A/N: After some deliberation with myself, I decided to do a little revising with Chapter 7. My changes have in no way affected the main storyline, so for those of you that feel you don't want to re-read this chapter, there won't be any consequence later on if that is your choice. I simply felt that I could've been a bit more descriptive and laid out some more detail in parts of this chapter, and this revision is only the reflection of that.
Also, Chapter 8 has already been completed and it will be up momentarily.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cagalli dipped the wash cloth back into the water bowl, ringing it through before she folded it back together and placed it atop Lacus' forehead. With a gentle brush of her fingertips, she brushed aside some of the loose strands of her hair away from her face.
Through an open window, the sun's fading light cast down over the room, illuminating Lacus' beautiful visage. Through such luminescence, her entire body seemed bathed in an unearthly light, as though it were the grace of the very heavens themselves.
For Cagalli, such a sight was one that had not blessed her sight for what felt like an eternity.
In truth, it had been near a full week since the young boy she had come to know as Kira had awakened. Within that time, she had desperately hoped that Lacus would wake up as well; yet, in spite of her earnest pleas, her friend continued to sleep soundly.
Part of her selfishly wished that she could blame Kira for her sleep; yet, she knew she could not. In the short time that she had come to know him, Cagalli had slowly begun to realize that Athrun himself had proclaimed from the start.
…There was something about him, this mysterious boy, that made her wish to believe in him. About him, he carried an aura of courage, honesty, and… even fragility.
Such a thing was not one that a cruel or murderous intent could possibly possess.
But then… why was it that Lacus kept sleeping?
With such thoughts lingering in her consciousness, Cagalli sighed, folding her hands together underneath her chin, leaning herself onto the edge of Lacus' bed.
Around the two of them, the all-consuming darkness that had all but covered the skies closed in. Within it, there lay an inescapable and indescribable fear… as though all the horrors of the world were locked within. Amidst this, the amber-eyed girl continued to look over her friend. Within her peaceful visage, she hoped to find the strength she needed to grant her peace through the night.
Truly, so much time had passed for them, and yet… she hadn't changed. Lacus was still the same as she always was. With that thought in mind, Cagalli found it within herself to forget the past… of the pain she had to endure, and the perpetual worry that had near consumed her. She had her friend back, and that was all that mattered.
As she continued her silent watch, she did not notice that, from the open doorway, Athrun stood.
With his arms folded quietly over his chest, and a faint grin plastered on his face, the youth took in the sight of his two friends, reunited once again.
Of course, he was looking forward to the time when Lacus awakened. Before that however, his most earnest wish was in that Cagalli would be rid of the tremendous burden she had taken upon herself since she had first disappeared. …To see her absolved of that, to be happy once again, made him truly happy as well.
After a few silent moments had passed, Athrun leaned himself off from the door and made his way over to the nearby nightstand, lighting a dim candle aflame.
With the glimmer of the candle's flame illuminating his emerald green eyes, Athrun leaned down by Cagalli's side. "…You've been in here for quite a while, you know?"
"…"
"Don't you think you could stand to take a little break?"
Cagalli merely shook her head in response. "No thanks… I'm really feeling fine. Thanks for the offer though."
Athrun closed his eyes, sighing. '…Stubborn.'
"It's almost 10:00 though. You could at least do me the courtesy of having something to eat. You won't be much good as a watch if you collapse from hunger."
As in response to Athrun's words, Cagalli's stomach gave a low growl, much to his amusement and her embarrassment.
With a faint tint of red staining her cheeks, Cagalli faintly nodded her head. "…Alright."
Grinning some at her agreement, Athrun stood up and made his way back over to the door, motioning for her to follow in behind him. Before she did however, Cagalli turned back, allowing her eyes to fall upon her friend one more time.
"…Take care of yourself until I get back, okay?" she whispered.
And with that, she left the room. Unbeknownst to her however, lying upon her bed… Lacus' hand stirred ever so slightly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
After having made their way through the hallway and into the living room, Athrun set off into the kitchen to begin preparing some dinner. Cagalli however, as though curious of something, looked about the room.
"…Where's the kid?" she asked.
"You mean Kira?" Athrun replied, picking up a knife. "He said that he was going to go out for a walk and that he'd be back soon."
Cagalli's amber eyes widened at such words. "And you just let him go? You know how dangerous it is for him to be outside on his own right now. What if someone sees him and starts asking questions.
"You don't have to worry about that, Cagalli," Athrun replied, slicing through some lettuce. "Kira and I have been over a route that'll lead him safely out of Azure without being spotted by anyone. He knows it well enough, so I'm sure he'll be just fine."
"…I still don't like it," Cagalli retorted, seating herself down in a nearby chair, leaning on her elbow.
Athrun chuckled ever faintly, raising a hand up to shield his lips. "…I couldn't very well say no to him, you know?"
"Why's that?"
Athrun gently set the knife back down upon the kitchen counter and turned back towards Cagalli. "Trying to force someone like him to do something that he doesn't want to do certainly won't earn us his trust."
"…"
"Besides… in that regard, he's a lot like you. I know he would've found some way to get out one way or the other. Better that he does it the safe way us rather than recklessly without us."
Cagalli's piercing gaze narrowed at her friend. "…I don't think I'm anything like him at all. And that's not exactly something to be smiling about."
Athrun chuckled, turning back so that he could start cutting up vegetables once again. "…I know. Sorry about that."
After a silent moment, Athrun picked up the now finished trays and food and made his way over to the dinner table, setting them down upon it. Motioning for Cagalli to come join him, he pulled out a chair and sat down in it.
"So," Cagalli said as she took her seat, "what do you think the committee will have to say about him once they find out?"
Athrun sighed, laying a hand alongside the back of his chair, shifting his gaze to a nearby window. "…I'm not worried about them."
Cagalli blinked, surprised at such words. "…You're not? But…"
Athrun looked upon Cagalli, nodded his head. "It wouldn't be in their best interest to go about doing anything that would raise people's suspicions, especially with all of the rumors going around right now. I believe they know this, which is why we haven't been contacted since you went to talk to them."
Cagalli lowered her head some, silent in the face of such logic.
"…Try not to worry too much," Athrun reassured her. "I'm fairly certain things are only going to get more hectic from this point onward, but we've got to be strong. Everything will work out so long as we maintain our cool and work together."
Cagalli folded her hands over her chest and gave a sigh. "…Always have to be the optimist, don't you?
Responding with naught but the smile that shone so evidently upon his face, Athrun gave a nod.
Narrowing her gaze ever so faintly towards him, she could not help the faint beating of her heart which rung in her chest. And though she would never bring herself to admit it, inside… she was smiling.
"…Idiot," she whispered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
Within a quiet, spacious room, Rey sat silently at a desk. Focused in their gaze, his eyes wandered over the lit screen before him, his fingertips moving about with great haste on the keyboard set below him.
With nothing but the echoing typing to fill the jaded silence that loomed around him, Shinn sat quietly in a far corner of the room.
Every moment that passed, he knew, while he did nothing but sit around, felt like an eternity. In spite of his earnest please, Rey had all but denied his going outside to scout around, going so far as to restrict his movements to their house alone. The thought of such, no matter the reason… was absolutely infuriating.
"I'm back, guys," a voice suddenly called out, the sound of a door closing following suit. Not a moment later did Lunamaria come near stumbling through the door, her arms packed with large grocery bags.
"Allow me to help you with those, Lunamaria," Rey offered, raising himself out from his chair, making his way over to her.
"Thanks, Rey," Lunamaria replied, breathing a sigh of relief as she felt the near crushing weight relinquish itself from her arms.
After setting the bags down on a nearby table, Rey turned back towards her, a curious glint looming in his eyes. "Pardon me if I seem a bit hasty, but I'd like to know if you learned anything while outside."
"No… it's no problem at all," Lunamaria replied, seating herself down on a nearby couch.
Seating himself back in his chair, Rey set his blue gaze upon Lunamaria, awaiting her report.
"As I've told you before, the people here do seem trustworthy enough, at least to where we can be sure that they won't be suspicious of us. However, when it comes to talking about their internal affairs, they're unusually quiet."
"Hmm…"
"While I've been out, I've managed to hear a few people whispering here and there, but it's nothing definite. Groundless rumors seem to be circling around lately, so… even it'll be even more difficult to gauge what's true and what's not."
"But," she continued, her expression taking a more serious turn, "there has been an unusual number of people talking, even for rumors, about the phenomenon that occurred here one week ago."
Shinn's eyes perked at such words.
Rey lowered his head some, nodding it in acknowledgement. He himself had heard people talking of the strange event that had taken place. That in itself was something that was of interest to the homeland, and, even more prudent, it was relevant to their mission.
After giving some careful thought to the situation, Rey lifted his head. "You did well, Lunamaria."
"But, I…"
Rey shook his head, his eyes speaking their approval. "Don't feel as though you could've done more when everything you could've done has already been done. Besides, the information you've told me is indeed relevant to our mission."
"It… is?"
"I wasn't at all sure whether or not this strange occurrence was truly important; however, based on the corroborated evidence, we can no longer ignore it. Thus, we'll be investigating immediately."
Lunamaria's gaze narrowed some at Rey's words. …There was too much confidence in his voice. Corroborated evidence? No, he wasn't the kind of person to jump to such a conclusion based on a few people's whispers alone.
"…Do you know something you haven't told us yet, Rey?"
"…"
"…Rey?"
Lunamaria's words still ringing strongly within him, Rey ushered his eyes unto a close. …Should he tell them? It would be troublesome if there were to be a distrust growing between them just as their mission was about to truly get underway.
Opening his eyes, Rey took to a stand, looking upon Lunamaria. "…You are right. There is something about the mission that I have not yet told you."
Their curiosities roused, Lunamaria and Shinn eagerly awaited Rey's words.
Just before he was about to speak, within his consciousness, memories of a time not so long ago appeared before his 'sight'. Words… feelings… and memories of a man so very important to him reflected within his mind time and time again.
'…Chairman Durandal."
---------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ah, Rey," Durandal said with a smile. "Please, do have a seat."
Lowering his hand from its salute, Rey nodded his head. "Yes, sir."
After taking to a seat, Rey folded his hands atop his lap, eagerly awaited the Chairman's words.
"If you don't mind my asking, Rey," Durandal said, clasping his hands together. "Why is it that you think I had you summoned here like this?"
"If I had to take a guess, Chairman, it would be in that this has something to do with my upcoming mission. Given its importance, I would also think that, if there is some information you wish to impart, it would be something that you do not wish Lunamaria nor Shinn to know about, at least not yet."
Chuckling to himself, amused at Rey's remarkable perceptiveness. "It is truly a relief to know that you don't let your skills dwindle, even in these times of peace. You're so close to the truth, it's a bit frightening."
"…My apologies, Chairman," Rey said, his eyes lowering some.
"Please, Rey, do not feel as though I was insulting you. It is quite the opposite. …However, the truth of the matter is that what I am about to ask you is something of a personal request on my part."
'…A… personal request?'
Rising to a stand from his chair, Durandal folded his hands behind his back and made his way over to the large overview near the end of his office. "…I wish to ask you about something in regards to Mr. Asuka."
"…Shinn, sir? What of him?"
"I would ask you to keep an eye on him during the course of your mission."
Rey's expression shifted ever so slightly at such words. He had planned on keeping a close watch on a loose cannon like Shinn anyway; however, it reassured him that the Chairman was equally suspicious of him as well. At least he knew he wasn't alone in that train of thought.
"I needn't tell you, Rey," Durandal continued, turning himself about so that they were face-to-face once again, "that as the leader, it falls solely upon you to see the success of your mission through. And, given the subtle nature of this one in particular, you'll need to be especially on guard."
"I thank you for your concern, Chairman. I assure you that I will be doing everything in my power to see this mission through successfully."
A silent moment followed afterwards. In that time, a thought crossed Rey's mind. …If Shinn were really such an unpredictable force, then why was it that he was being assigned to something of this nature in the first place? It didn't seem to make much sense, especially when one considered the boy's past.
"If you'll excuse my prying, Chairman… if you think that Shinn needs me to watch over him, then why is it that he was assigned to my team in the first place?"
Inwardly, Durandal grinned at Rey's words. He had fully expected for him to come to such a conclusion before their discussion had even begun.
"…Although Mr. Asuka has certainly proven himself to have something of a temper, I believe that he has yet to realize his full potential. He will be of assistance to you, of that I am certain. It's just that, considering the possibilities, I want to be careful about how he does things."
"…I see. I will be sure to keep a careful watch on him then, Chairman."
And with those words, Rey stood up from his chair and began make his way towards the Chairman's door. Before he did however, Durandal walked up to his desk, raising his voice once more. "There is one more thing, Rey."
"Hmm?" Turning back around, Rey looked upon Durandal once more. "…What is it, sir?"
Durandal's face underwent a far more serious expression, the words to which he was about to spoke obviously of great importance. "Should Mr. Asuka pose a serious threat to you or anyone else, you have my permission to exterminate him."
"…I understand."
"You may be off then."
And with that, Rey left.
As he did however; Durandal, who still stood by his desk, could not help but wonder if he had suspected more then he was making public. It was possible of course. But, in the end, even if he did, it was doubtful there was anything he could do to stop it in time.
Ridding his mind of such thoughts for the moment, Durandal stepped away from his desk and made his way over to a nearby wall. Raising his hand, he placed it upon a seemingly blank spot. Suddenly, without warning, a faint green light emerged, running over his hand. Immediately afterwards, a sound pierced through his ears, elevator doors opening up.
Wasting no time in stepping inside, Durandal punched a button on a nearby keypad. The doors closed, the elevator descending downwards. Further and further it went, going far below ground level. All the while, Durandal kept the same, solemn expression upon his face… as if the place he were going made even him lose his usual composure.
At the sound of a faint ping, the elevator doors opened. Making his way forward with an easygoing step, Durandal walked out onto a high-standing ramp. Below it, the sounds of machinery rung consistently, sparks and flashes intermingled with the stench of oil. Above, mobile suits could be heard, their pounding steps radiating through even the reinforced plating that the area was surrounded in.
…The entire place was rank with an unpleasant atmosphere, akin to death itself.
"Ah," a voice called out. "Welcome, Chairman Durandal."
"It's good to see you again, Luis," Durandal replied, raising his hand in greeting.
Clasping it tightly within his, the man called Luis nodded his head. "As always, Chairman, the pleasure is mine."
Smiling ever faintly at the gesture, Durandal withdrew his hand and began walking. "I trust our mutual 'friend' isn't giving you too much trouble. How are its restraints coming along?"
"Unfortunately, sir, I haven't much information to tell you in regards to that. Although we've managed to tie it down for the moment, if it were able to break free once, it's possible that it can do it again. Unless we hold the means to forcefully shut down its systems, then the threat is there…"
"…I see. And, of course, we don't have that luxury right now."
"…No, Chairman," Luis replied, shaking his head.
Folding his hands behind his back, Durandal kept his gaze set forward. "And what of the analysis of its black boxes? Have you had any progress there?"
Luis shook his head once more. "No, sir. Despite our best efforts, that system has proven completely resilient to being identified by any means."
'…I might've expected as much,' Durandal thought.
…It was true. He hadn't been expecting any sorts of results on that system. After all, with current technology, it would've been nothing less than a miracle for something like that to yield its secrets so easily. But then again, even if it did, that would be something of a disappointment…
"You needn't worry yourself, Luis. The truth of the matter is that, those black boxes must serve some purpose, otherwise they wouldn't have such extraordinary security. Furthermore, that purpose must have a trigger. Once we find that, it should make your job much easier."
Luis nodded his head some, making his way up by Durandal's side. "I understand, Chairman. In that respect, we'll be doing all we can to find it."
After such words were spoken, the two went on their way, naught but silence between them. Only the sound of the machinery about them and the wretched stench that near stank the air filled their senses…
Eventually however, they came to a stranger hanger. Its towering presence seemed far beyond any of the other ones, giving way to an almost foreboding sensation, as though something terrible was inside…
…It was a sensation that made one's chill run cold with fear.
Walking up to a door suitable for a human body, Durandal raised his hand up to a keypad and entered a quick, 5-digit code. Instantly, the doors opened, allowing both him and Luis inside.
As Durandal stepped past the now closing doors, a faint grin came upon his lips. "…This is certainly a change from the last time I saw it. …Wouldn't you agree, Luis?"
Silently, Luis faintly nodded his head. "…Yes, Chairman."
Before them, the white mobile suit known only as Freedom stood, chained. Its body was intricately restricted by the advanced restrains seemingly coming from every angle. Yet, in spite of such, one could not shake the feeling that there was something… wrong. It were as if the machine itself gave off a vile atmosphere, one that was, without doubt, out of place.
'You needn't worry yourself much longer…' Durandal thought. 'Your 'owner' will be calling for you very soon… that much I am sure of.'
As if in response to his thoughts. Freedom's eyes blazed a bright yellow.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"…Rey? You were saying?"
Rey blinked, raising a hand upon the side of his head, shaking it some. "…My apologies. I must've gotten lost in thought for a moment."
Lunamaria's gaze softened ever so slightly at the look upon Rey's face. …It almost looked as though he were disconcerted about something. That was strange, especially for one who had known him as long as she had. He never showed his emotions like that… ever.
…Just what was he thinking about?
"As I was saying," Rey continued, "the truth is in that I've received information from Chairman Durandal saying that the phenomenon said to have occurred near this town, and the presence of our target intersected at the exact same time."
Upon hearing such words, Shinn's crimson red eyes narrowed. And though he could feel the anger building up within him at the very thought of that man truly being so close by, some part of him could not help but indulge in the satisfaction that he was truly here. …He had finally found him, after all this time.
'…Just stay alive a little while longer until I can find you,' Shinn thought.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner, Rey?" Lunamaria asked.
"Chairman Durandal personally requested me to keep this from you until such time that I could be certain that our target was truly here. In that regard, there would be no further reason to hide it from you, and we could proceed accordingly. Quite honestly," Rey said, narrowing his gaze towards Shinn, "he didn't want either of you to take the initiative before we had proper information."
Lunamaria's expression sharpened upon hearing such words. "If the Chairman trusts us enough to send us on a mission like this, why should we be kept from the information that'll help us to succeed? It's insulting."
"I understand your feelings, Lunamaria, but you also must understand that the Chairman must've had good reason for keeping this information from you. And, in hindsight, it really wouldn't have mattered. We would've done as we have been anyway."
Inside of her mouth, Lunamaria grit her teeth. "…"
"At any rate," Rey continued, "I believe it will be in the best interest of each one of us to split up for the time being and see what we can find."
Shinn's eyes raised ever so slightly after hearing such a thing. …He was truly going to be let go to search on his own? To be able to have this chance… finally…
Though she could not bring herself to look upon him, Lunamaria could practically feel his joy. To know that he would no longer be confined here and be set free to do as he would… it was too much.
"…Rey, are you sure we should be taking such a big step right now? We still don't have any concrete intelligence on where the target is, or what his condition is like," Lunamaria inquired."
"I'm not suggesting we confront the target, Lunamaria," Rey replied, walking over to a nearby window, "however; unless we do something, we'll be stuck at a standstill and unable to accomplish anything.
"…"
It was unfortunate, but Lunamaria knew that Rey spoke the truth. If they went about this at a slow pace, then they might arrive too late to keep their target from escaping. …They were playing a dangerous game, and it was only a matter of time before any advantage they might have to gain the upper hand would be lost to them.
Rey turned about, a far more serious expression than the previous lurking within his blue eyes. "However, I am absolutely restricting the use of force in this venture. Should either of you choose to do otherwise, you will be held personally responsible and taken off this mission. Understand?"
Nodding both their hands, Lunamaria and Shinn followed in suit behind Rey as he took to leaving their residence. Once outside, the bright light of the dimming sun shining down upon them, they went about their separate ways.
…And though their minds and hearts were set on the task ahead, none of them could've even imagined the turn of events that was about to take place.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
Lying in silence upon a hill, Kira solemnly gazed upon the starry skies above. Held within its seemingly endless grasp, an innumerable number of twinkling stars spanned throughout the heavens… their presence illuminating the already beautiful blue moon.
In the presence of such a sight, it almost felt as if all of his worries and troubles were suddenly so far away… wisped away by the wind.
Clasping a hand over his face, Kira felt a sad smile curving over his lips. '…Maybe I am a hopeless idiot.'
Feeling a faint nostalgia rising in his stomach, Kira parted his fingertips, catching a glimpse of Azure below. Being as late as it was, most of the lights were already turned off… leaving the town bathed in a seemingly ethereal darkness. Through his eyes, such a seemingly peaceful place to have such presence about it, as though he could feel a cold grasp slowly ringing itself around his neck… it was truly intimidating.
It was then that Kira remembered that such a place that once Lacus' home. His face softened, and he closed his eyes once more, sighing.
'…Lacus.'
The thought of her persisted in his consciousness above all else. Feelings of remorse, regret, and even passion were all set aside in the hope that she would awaken, and he would be able to hear her voice once again. To be able to look upon the beauty that was her face, and to see her smile once again… that was enough to keep him going despite all that stood before him.
Feeling such 'power' rise up from within him, Kira tightly clasped a hand over his chest, directly over his heart. In the midst of such, the wind suddenly picked up, whipping the youth's hair about his face.
As it came to die down, Kira could feel a strange calm come over him. That which laid the weight of the world upon his shoulders slowly slipped away, lulling him closer and closer into a deep sleep. …Before he faded away completely however, an image of himself, alongside Athrun, Cagalli, and Lacus flashed before him.
…These people, he thought. …They were the ones that resided within his heart now.
And with that, he fell asleep.
-------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lying in silence upon her bed, Lacus' quiet form breathed softly. Stop the nearby desk, the near extinguished candle flame illuminated her face, marking the deep sleep that still held its grip over her.
Surely, one would have to wonder, what kind of dreams she was dreaming. If, in the darkness that she was facing within her very mind, she had managed to retain some small part of her true self, then perhaps she could still hear the voices of those who wished for her to awaken. If that were so, then perhaps…
"…Mmm…"
In that moment, time seemed to near ground to a halt. Lacus' eyes began to flutter… her lips moving ever so slightly. Her hand, lying upon the edge of her bed, began to move…
Moments passed, one after another, each one feeling longer than the last. Finally, just when it looked as though all hope were lost and she had fallen back into a deep sleep once more… Lacus opened her eyes.
Carefully… slowly, she raised herself out from underneath her sheets, coming to a rise. And though her face was still glazed in the aftermath of her deep slumber, her mind was quickly awakening. In an instant, her memories… those of Kira and the time that she had spent with him in the cave came flashing back to her.
'…Kira…'
Unknowing of what was happening, Lacus slowly turned her head about to see where she was. As her gaze set itself upon all that was in the room, it didn't take long for the awkwardly familiar surroundings to resonate within her consciousness. Her baby blue eyes widened in realization, her body coming to a halt.
…She knew where she was.
"…Azure," she whispered.