category: Gundam SEED

disclaimer: I don't own it.

FORTY-FIVE.

Kisaka was accustomed to being thought of as much older than he actually was. It wasn't anyone's fault, really, because his hair was gray and there were lines worn into the sharp planes of his face. But it wasn't until a casual conversation with a subordinate that he realized – with horror – exactly how old he was perceived as.

"You sure know how to get these recruits into shape," a major visiting from another division commented over the water cooler.

"It's not that bad. They're all good kids. They learn quickly and they're willing to try." Kisaka took a sip from his plastic glass and looked out the window of the office at the range, where the new soldiers were in sharpshooting practice. "Besides, there's not much to it when you've been doing it for a while."

"Yeah," the officer eagerly agreed. "I suppose you're gearing up to retire in a few years?"

Kisaka paused, glass halfway to his mouth. "Retire? That's ridiculous. I've hardly been here."

"Well, I know that highly-ranked commanders tend to leave early. Oh, did you transfer in from another unit really late in your career?"

Kisaka took a hard look at the young man in front of him. "How old do you think I am?"

The man fiddled with his belt, nervous to be put on the spot. "Er, forty-seven?"

Kisaka stared at him.

"Fifty-two?"

"Twenty-eight," he corrected, and crushed the plastic glass in his hand.

x

"Cagalli, did I tell you how old one of the men from the twenty-third airborne division thought I was?" Kisaka still couldn't get over his encounter with the hapless officer from yesterday.

Cagalli dragged her attention away from the papers she had in her hand and looked across the car seat at Kisaka. "No. What did he say?"

He lowered his voice to a harsh whisper and stressed each syllable. "Fifty-two."

His aghast face was so very out-of-character that Cagalli began to laugh. "It's not too ridiculous of a guess. You do behave very much like an old man."

"It's chasing after disobedient princesses that's aged me before my time."

Cagalli folded her hands in her lap, suddenly serious. "I never do thank you for what you've done, Kisaka." She smiled wanly. "You know you don't have to stay forever. Manna left after the second war ended to be with her family."

Kisaka shrugged. "I don't have any."

"Still," Cagalli pressed. "I know that military life is tiring. And you've protected me just like Father asked you to. I would support you wherever you choose to go."

"I think I'll pass for now, Cagalli," he reassured. "You don't have to worry about me."

x

Three years later, Kisaka visited his hometown of Tassil to see how the rebuilding had progressed.

"It's astounding how much has been done to the village itself," he told Cagalli over the phone while he was there. "But the people here are still very broken." And Cagalli knew instantly from his glowing voice that he when he returned to Orb he wouldn't be staying long.

x

"Protect her with your life." He paused, churning his next words. "Would you die for her?" Kisaka asked the person who stood in front of him. His ride back to the airport was there but he had matters to take care of first.

"A hundred times over," came the immediate response.

Kisaka sighed and reached down for his bags. "Make sure you do. I would tell you to keep her happy always, but I know you will."

Athrun reached out to shake Kisaka's hand. "I wish you the best of luck, Colonel."

"And to you as well." He took a long, final look at the familiar buildings surrounding them. Then Kisaka stepped into the car and was gone.

notes: I am so excited for the end of SPTW! I had the best time writing the closing chapters, and I think they're very enjoyable to read. I hope all of you let me know what you're thinking as we prepare for the finale.

NEXT PHASE: Last call, last touch, last dance. Kira asks Lacus to marry him.