My Sweetest Heart for You Chapter 8 - Confrontation
"Through blood-soaked eyes, he cries out to the heavens. With neither hope nor salvation no longer in his heart, he dyes the skies red with crimson-red wings."
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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 much delay and a great deal of frustration, I'm pleased to have this chapter finally up. As you'll find out as you near the end of this chapter, things are picking up. As always, let me know what you think.
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Throughout the expanse of the clear blue sky, the sun shone brilliantly. Its radiance poured down over the land once more, calling out to the spirits of those who dwelt within it. Such was the sign of a new day, one filled with the promise of infinite possibility and eternal hope.
Lying upon a high hill, the sleeping figure of Kira resided. Strange as one might think it, being there as he was… one could feel as though he were but an innocent child… untouched by the horrors of the world around him. It almost made one wish that he could keep sleeping…
Suddenly, as though it were calling out to him, the rising sun's light shone down over him, beckoning. The boy's eyes fluttered some, his lips muttering a small groan. "Uhh…"
Slowly, his amethyst eyes came unto an open, blinking some at the feel of the painful sunlight. He raised his hands and rubbed his face, a fuzziness still holding its grip over his now conscious mind. '…D-Did I fall asleep…?'
Looking about for a moment, Kira's eyes widened. He clasped a hand over his face, groaning. '…This is not good. When Cagalli finds out…'
At the thought of what she would do when she got her hands on him, Kira couldn't help but grimace. He'd already told Athrun that he'd be careful about going out at night, and that he'd be back before morning. Maybe he'd be understanding about it, but Cagalli definitely wasn't the kind of person who'd let him off with a slap on the wrist. She was the kind who'd sit him in the bathroom and stick a bar of soap in his mouth 'till he'd learned his lesson.
…Just thinking about it gave Kira shivers.
Sighing some, Kira shrugged. '…Oh well, I guess there's no getting around it.'
Turning his gaze back over towards Azure, he could clearly see people coming out from their houses to begin their day.
'…I'd better get back as soon as I can. If I wait any longer…'
Knowing of what such a thing would mean, Kira gave a quick stretch and darted off down the hill. As he made his way closer and closer to Azure, he kept at a fair distance from anyone he saw. After having made it inside, he focused himself ever further. If he were to get spotted by someone like this, even Athrun would have something to say about it.
With that thought in mind, he crept in behind houses, quickly darted through empty yards, all the while keeping his eyes focused for any sign of people.
'…Good. It doesn't look like there's too many people out yet,' he thought as he crossed an empty street.
Unbeknownst to Kira however, just as he darted his way inside of an empty alleyway, a figure crossed the street opposite the side of him. It was a young boy, near the same age as him, with dark hair and crimson-red eyes…
"Hmm?" Shinn muttered, thinking that he heard something. As he turned his head about to look however, there was no one there… nothing but an empty street.
"…"
Disregarding it, Shinn continued on his way.
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As he continued on his way, now near Cagalli's house, Kira breathed a sigh of relief. There was just no way he'd be spotted now, now when he was so close.
…Something bothered him though. That boy he saw just a moment ago… he looked… almost familiar.
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, Kira's heart beat painfully. A vast array of images flashed through his consciousness in an instant… images of blood, torn flesh, and a ruined city. Amidst it all… there was a boy… tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Gah!" Clasping a hand tightly over his chest, Kira near fell down upon the ground. Leaning on one knee, he gasped for breath, the suddenness of such a thing leaving him breathless.
"…Huff…Huff…"
'..W-What was that…?'
Finding a nearby wall to lean himself against so he might catch his breath, Kira reflected. …What were those images he saw? And that boy… crying in the rain… could he have possibly been…
As he slowly turned his head about, back towards the street where he came from, Kira felt a sudden uneasiness rise in his stomach. It were as if something from within were telling him not to go back that way…
Though he could still feel a pang of curiosity, Kira shook it off. …He had to be getting back home.
And without giving it so much more as a single thought, Kira rose himself and darted off down the streets of Azure once more. As he ran though, some part of him could not help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia wash over. Something about that boy was…
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Standing before her door, Kira swallowed nervously. 'Well… here goes nothing.'
And with that, he knocked on the door ever so gently.
After a silent moment, the door opened, Athrun coming out from behind it. In that instant, Kira felt as though the weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. He breathed a faint sigh of relief, raising a hand behind his head, chuckling mischievously. "…I guess I'm a little late, huh?"
Athrun narrowed his gaze, raising a hand upon his forehead, sighing. "…You could say that," he replied.
"I'm really sorry, Athrun. I made sure no one saw me when I was coming back though, so there's nothing to worry about."
"Well…" he started, opening up the door for Kira, "just get in here for right now. We can talk about all that later."
Nodding his head, Kira quickly made his way inside. As he did, and Athrun closed the door behind him, he couldn't help but notice something that seemed just a little bit strange. Athrun, who should've been at least a little mad with him, seemed… almost happy. More than that, Kira could've sworn that he was smiling.
"Hey… Athrun? Did something happen while I was gone?" Kira asked.
Athrun turned around towards him, nodding his head. Upon his face, the faint grin that was indeed there had turned into a true smile. "…Something happened, alright."
"…"
"…She's awake, Kira."
Kira's amethyst eyes widened in near shock. Lacus… was finally awake?
Athrun motioned his head towards the nearby hallway. "She's waiting for you. Come on."
With those words, Kira near dashed into the hallway. All the while, his heart felt as though it were pounding faster than he had ever thought possible. His mind was a buzz with indescribable thoughts, blazing through his consciousness one after the other. What would he say when he saw her? Would things be different between them now?
…No, he shouldn't be thinking about such things. All that mattered was that Lacus was awake and well.
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"…You stupid, stupid idiot," Cagalli muttered, pounding her hands upon Lacus' chest.
Not being able to help the joyful smile that shone upon her lips, Lacus wrapped her arms tightly about her friend, holding her close. "…I'm so sorry," she whispered.
As she held her, Lacus knew that pain she must've caused her after having disappeared. Not a day went by, she knew, that she didn't think of her and Athrun and all of the others that she had left behind seven years ago. Within that, she had hoped, she would keep their friendship alive so that one day she could look them in the face once again.
…And now that day had finally come.
Suddenly, the door to her room opened. Through it… Kira and Athrun stood.
In the time that followed, time seemed to ground to a halt. Athrun, whose face was lit with a bright smile, could only watch in satisfaction as the two friends reunited, all but the most joyful of looks upon their faces. Kira, however… could only look through conflicted eyes upon Lacus.
…She… was really awake.
Lacus' baby blue eyes widened at the sight of Kira before her.
'…Kira.'
'…Lacus.'
Taking notice of the situation, Athrun stepped ahead of Kira and made his way before Lacus. "…It's good to have you back with us."
Lacus closed her eyes and smiled faintly. "Thank you… Athrun."
Athrun slowly shifted his gaze over to Kira, who seemed entranced in an unknowing silence. Quietly, he brushed his am against his, hoping to call him back.
Stuttering some, Kira lightly shook his head. "Um… I…"
Before he could say anything more, Lacus slowly stood up from the edge of her bed and made her way before him. Once again… gentle blue met amethyst in an entanglement of tension emotion and feeling…
…Before such a thing however, Lacus didn't even flinch. For her, it felt as though it had been such a long time before she had set her sights upon the boy before her. Through that, she couldn't have backed away even if she wanted to.
With that thought in mind, she quickly wrapped her arms around Kira's waist and embraced him closely. Laying her head upon his chest, she whispered to him, "…I missed you."
His face flushed, Kira hesitantly raised his arms and wrapped his hands about Lacus' slim waist, leaning his head onto her shoulder. "…I missed you too."
As they continued to embrace, Cagalli, who was still lying on Lacus' bed, could not help but feel a deep stain flush over her face at the sight of them. …What exactly was going on here anyway?
…And why did she feel like she wanted to give Kira a good whack upside the head?
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"…So that's all that's been happening while I was asleep?"
Athrun and Cagalli nodded their heads in conjunction. "Yeah… at least that's all we know so far."
Lacus lowered her head some, a dim feeling of guilt washing over her. …It wasn't fair. Even while she slept, she was still causing trouble for those close to her. …How much would she have to endure before those that became a part of her life would stop being dragged into her problems?
'…Lacus.' Cagalli thought, her expression softening. Surely she knew what was on her friend's mind.
"You don't have to worry, Lacus," Athrun said, stepping forward. "We're all going to do our best to make sure you don't have to suffer anymore."
"…Athrun," Lacus whispered.
"…He's right," Kira said, taking to a stand beside Athrun. "I've heard about what happened and I can't just let the people here get away with blaming you for something that wasn't your fault. No way."
'…Kira.'
"You're kidding if you think you're leaving me out of this," Cagalli stated, taking to the front ahead of the both of them. "As if you two would get anywhere without me to keep you in line."
Athrun and Kira chuckled nervously, nodding their heads. "…Right," they whispered.
"Hmm?" Cagalli narrowed her eyes some. "…Something you two wanted to say?"
Kira and Athrun shook their heads in unison. "No, nothing," they said.
Turning around, Cagalli faced down the two boys, a stern look gleaming in her expression. "Alright, out with it! I can tell when you've got something on your mind, so let's hear it. You thought you were gonna leave me out of this, didn't you!?"
"Honestly, Cagalli, we don't know what you're talking about…" Kira implored.
Athrun nodded his head in agreement. "He's right, Cagalli. So maybe you could just calm down a bit and try to…"
"Don't tell me to lighten up, Zala!" Cagalli interjected, grasping a hold of his shirt's collar.
'…Not again,' Athrun thought, groaning some.
As the three of them went on, Lacus, albeit a bit surprised at the suddenness of their outburst, couldn't help but feel a warmth stirring in her heart. For the three of them to have developed such a friendship in so short a time… it made her happy.
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'…Where are you… you bastard…'
Continuing along the now active streets of Azure, Shinn looked about with an almost insane eye at every single person who passed by him …Where was he? Was he trying to hide himself in the crowed? Of course… yes… that would be just like that coward…
In an instant, Shinn grasped a hold of a random person, pulling him face-to-face. "…Where is he…" he muttered. "…I know you know where he is, so tell me…"
"W-What're you talking about?" the stranger muttered, fear locked in his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about…"
"…" Feeling a hint of truth in the man's words, Shinn relinquished his hold on him. Around him, he could hear the whispers of many people, people whose eyes were also beginning to cloud over in fear at the sight of him.
'All of them… useless.' Shinn thought, hatred gleaming in his eyes.
With such thoughts in mind, the crimson-eyed youth began on his way once again.
…No matter the distance, he thought, nor how well he would try to hide himself, he would find him…
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"…So that's really all that happened between you two, huh?" Cagalli inquired, a curious gleam in her eyes.
"Mhmm," Kira replied, nodding his head.
Inwardly, Cagalli gave a great sigh of relief. A close second to her worry about Lacus waking up was whether or not Kira had been telling the truth about what had happened between them; so, to hear it from Lacus herself, she knew it must be true.
"…Anyway," Athrun interjected, narrowing his gaze at Cagalli some and then back over to Lacus, "…are you sure you really don't remember anything about what happened in the cave?"
With her hands folded neatly over her lap, Lacus slowly shook her head back and forth. "I'm afraid I haven't been able to remember much about what happened around that time. For some reason, my memory feels so fuzzy…"
Kira's expression shifted ever so slightly at Lacus' words. 'She… doesn't remember what happened…'
Athrun sighed some, leaning back into his chair, folding his arms over his chest. "That's going to be something of a problem. I was really hoping you'd be able to shed some light on what that mysterious light was all about."
"…Mysterious light?" Lacus asked.
"…Yeah," Cagalli interjected. "…Not sure what it was, but it was amazing… it even pierced the sky."
"…"
Kira looked upon Lacus, the conflict within her evident. …For one who had lost his memory, he knew all too well how hard it was to know that you must've been involved in something, yet have no recollection of it. …It was difficult, to say the least.
"…Hey," Kira whispered, placing a gentle hand upon Lacus' shoulder, "try not to worry so much. I'm sure you'll remember in time."
With the warmth of his hand warming her heart, Lacus gave a gentle smile. "…Thank you, Kira."
"…So," she said, "what do you think we should do now?"
Athrun's gaze perceived a possibility upon hearing Lacus' words, the works of his mind evident through his solemn expression. "…I think we should take a break for the time being."
"…Athrun?" Cagalli inquired.
"…There are just too many things that we don't know right now. And, truth be told, I think we're all more than a little exhausted after everything else we've been going through today. I think a good night's sleep would do us all a lot of good."
Lacus and Kira quickly took to agreeing with Athrun. Even Cagalli, who was anxious to get moving, couldn't help the exhaustion she was beginning to feel looming in her body. And so, she too agreed that they should get some rest.
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Walking slowly through the hallway, a conflicted expression apparent on his face, Kira stopped before Lacus' bedroom door. After placing a hand upon it, he could feel the beating of his heart pound ever stronger within his chest.
"…"
God, what was wrong with him? He felt as though he were but a little child, helpless to what was before him.
Shaking his head some, ridding himself of such thoughts, Kira resolved himself and gently knocked on Lacus' door. "…Lacus? It's Kira. Could I come in?"
"Huh?" a voice called from inside. "Oh… Kira, please come in."
Gently pushed the door to an open, Kira made his way inside. Before him, Lacus was lying upon her bed, clam in a slim, pink nightgown. Its silken trails clung comfortably to her body, accentuating her bewitching curves. The long strands of her passionate pink hair intertwined with the ends of it, near sliding off her bed's edge.
With a faint tint of red staining his at such a sight, Kira turned his head some. "Um… do you think we could talk for a bit?"
Tilting her head ever so slightly at Kira's strange behavior, Lacus merely smiled in return. "Of course. What did you wish to talk about?"
Walking over so that he could take a seat on her bed, Kira folded his hands upon his lap. "…Are you alright now?"
"…Yes. I'm feeling just fine," Lacus said, reassuring him.
Though she felt as though he had something else to say, something Lacus could tell right from the beginning was that he looked very worried when he came into her room. Truly, he was never very good at hiding it when something was on his mind. Granted, getting him to open up and talk about it was sometimes a bit of a challenge, even for her.
Smiling some, Kira nodded his head. "…I'm happy to hear that," he whispered.
"…"
"…If you don't mind me asking… do you really not remember anything about what happened in the cave?"
Lacus' baby blue eyes widened ever so slightly at Kira's question. Unknowing of the words she could say to satisfy, she lifted herself out from underneath her sheets and sat by his side, leaning her head upon his shoulder.
Kira's face deepened in its shade at the warmth of her body so very close to his own. This sultry siren, forever an irresistible temptation of his heart… what was this power she held over him? Just by being near her, his defenses all but crumbled, nonexistent.
…It was exactly the same back then, too.
Unknowing of what she was putting him through, Lacus slowly ushered her eyes unto a close. Through her consciousness, the time that they had spent together in the cave spun back together, showing itself before her. …The indescribable rush of blood surging through her body, having him hold her in his arms, and… the sensation of having him kiss her for the very first time…
Her cheeks stained a faint pink at the remembrance of such, Lacus carefully opened her eyes once more. She wrapped her arms about his, leaning ever closer to him.
Kira's expression lowered some, now knowing the answer to his question. She didn't have to speak the words for him to know. Through the look she possessed in her eyes, their 'voice' speaking far more than simple words ever could, he could see it as clear as day.
"…Don't ever scare me like that again… okay?"
Lacus turned her head over to him, a saddened look crossing over her visage. She briefly nodded her head.
Turning his gaze over towards her, Kira grasped her chin underneath his hand so that their eyes could meet. "I don't know what'll be happening from now on, but…"
"…"
"…Thank you for everything… Lacus."
'…Kira…'
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"…Damn it. You still can't find him?"
A discouraged look on her face, Lunamaria slowly shook her head back and forth. "I've been searching everywhere I can think of, but it's like he's disappeared."
Narrowing his gaze, concern evident in their depths, Rey folded his hands over his chest. "…This is not good," he whispered.
Stepping forward, Lunamaria stared at Rey. "…You don't think he found the target, do you?"
"…"
"…Rey?"
Rey raised his sights upward, looking upon the night moon that was wheeling overhead. "Considering the situation, I'm fairly certain we would've heard something if he'd done that. If that is the case, we may still have some time."
"I know that Shinn may be temperamental, but you don't think he'd do anything that stupid, do you?"
"I was concerned about letting him go out on his own, but I thought he would at least contact us before taking any action," Rey said, sighing. "…It will be a direct violation of orders for him to take any action before consulting with me."
Lunamaria's eyes widened at such words. …Just what was going on between Shinn and Rey? They had been on opposite ends since the beginning of the mission, but now it seemed more apparent then ever that Rey wasn't being completely truthful with her.
…He knew something about Shinn that he wasn't telling her.
"…Rey," Lunamaria said, a harsher tone now evident in her voice. "…You know something, don't you? Tell me."
"…"
"…Rey!"
"…We have to find Shinn right now, Lunamaria," Rey stated, turning himself about. "If need be, you have authorization to use force to restrain him if he resists."
"…If he resists? What're you talking about?"
"Shinn is more than just temperamental, Lunamaria. You haven't the experience to know how to deal with someone like that when he gets out of control. …I should've never allowed him to go out on his own on this mission."
Before she could get another word in, Rey went off running. Faster and faster he went until he was out of her sight. With naught but his words of caution to reflect in her consciousness, Lunamaria grit her teeth and went off on her own as well.
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"If it comes to it, then you have my permission to exterminate him."
Rey grit his teeth together, running through the forest as fast as he possibly could. …Would he make it in time? No, he didn't have the luxury to think about whether or he'd make it. He had to. Failure was not, and would never be, an option.
Just then, at that moment, his mobile suit was beginning to come into sight.
'…Finally.'
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Walking along Azure's now empty streets, Kira and Lacus kept their silent gazes looking ahead.
"I guess this is the only time we can be out here like this, huh?"
"…Yes," Lacus whispered, her hands folded alongside her front. "But even so… I'm very happy to have a chance to do this again, even if it is for but a short while."
Kira said naught a single word in response. His silence spoke enough in its own subtle respects for Lacus' feelings.
"I wonder what will be happening to use from now on… everything just seems so clouded…"
"…Does it really matter? You know that, no matter what, all of us are going to be here with you to see it through to the end."
Kira's heart tightened upon hearing such words. He placed a hand atop Lacus' shoulder, greeting her with a warm smile. "…Thank you for saying that."
Placing her hand atop his, a light blush filling her cheeks, Lacus smiled back at him.
And so, with that, the two continued on their way. Little did they know however, of the subtle figure lurking not far behind them…
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"…It certainly is beautiful here," Kira whispered, his amethyst gaze falling upon the quiet ocean, its lapping waves brushing up against his feet.
"It hasn't changed…" Lacus whispered.
"Hmm?"
Lacus turned her head towards him, her lips curving into a small smile once more. "…This place hasn't changed at all in seven years."
Knowing that no words could suffice, Kira turned his sights back towards the ocean. Its waves were now illuminated by the pale light of the beautiful blue moon. Beyond that, the stars in the heavens were glistening brightly, as though a testament to their newfound resolve and friendship.
Kira lowered his sight some, feeling a grin overcoming him. This feeling that was slowly growing within him, he knew, would see him through whatever hardships awaited.
…And more than that, he thought, looking upon Lacus once more, he would continue to stay by her side.
Closing his eyes for but a moment, Kira whispered, "…Lacus, I…"
Suddenly, as if from nowhere, the sound of something falling before him rung in his eyes. Kira opened his eyes, finding, to their horror, the Lacus' now unconscious body strewn out before him.
"Lacus!" Kira cried out, kneeling down by her side. Alongside her head, there was a fine trail of red blood leaking, as though she had been struck with something hard. And, in spite of his earnest please, her body showed little to no signs of response. …She was completely unconscious.
"…I've finally found you," a voice whispered.
"Huh?" Kira immediately turned his head, a young figure standing before him.
With a crimson-red gaze, as hate-filled and malicious as any that he had ever seen, Kira knelt, frozen under its pressure. …It was him. The same person he'd seen in Azure just a little while ago.
…But who was he?
Reaching into his holster to pull out a gun, Shinn motioned for Kira to stand.
"…I've finally found you," he whispered once more. "…And now… you die."
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A/N: An appropriate place for a cliffhanger, wouldn't you agree? Although I've an idea or two, even I'm not quite certain what's going to happen next.
How will Kira react in the face of his first encounter with Shinn? And what about Lacus? Either way, it certainly doesn't look like Shinn is going to be going down without a fight.
Although I've been incredibly busy lately, as I said earlier, I'm going to devote myself to getting my next few chapters out very soon. And, I also fully intend to get Chapter 9 out within the next three weeks, tops. So, until then, leave me a few reviews and let me know how you feel, or what you'd like to see happen.