Chapter 28
It was early the next morning deep below the ocean surface.
Everything just seemed so calm and peaceful his morning on board the Archangel, something most of the crew enjoyed greatly, either by staying in their beds to get a few more hours of sleep or having a nice long breakfast.
Yet there was two people that didn't have the time for either of these pleasurable things and was at this very moment walking down one of the ships halls.
Each of them busy discoursing the small piece of paper the youngish of the two women was holding on to.
"I really hope that those two are already awake. It's just so annoying getting them to wake up if they are fast asleep" Cagalli said. While taking yet another look at the few letters that was written down on the small piece of paper.
And even true the minor riddle there would properly have confused most people. The blond haired woman had no trouble at all, figuring out what Miriallia meant with this message.
She was after all engaged with the so call red knight that was mentioned on the paper. But even true she could badly content her excitement over finally being able to see Athrun again.
There was one thing in the letter that did puzzled her a bit. She knew what Miriallia meant when she wrote and told them, that the knight in red armour was requesting a meeting with them.
Yet the last part about him bringing his side kid along, was more then enough to confuse the few people that had been gather up on the Archangel's bridges, this early in the morning.
And even true Cagalli could honestly say that she thought her handsome strong fiancée was a bit of a hero at times. It really was news to her that he was having some kind of side kid. And it seriously made her wonder who the heck Miriallia was referring to with that title.
Yet before she could really begin thinking about it.
The voice of the only other person nearby interrupted her thoughts. "Well after living with Kira and Lacus for such a long time, I can honestly tell you that the possibility of the two of them being awake at this hour is very low. So we will properly have to use a little time waking each of them up, I'm sure you know how big a challenge that can be" Murrue said. While taking a few seconds to think about how incredibly difficult it could be, getting the married couple to wake up.
It was without a doubt an even worse task getting Kira and Lacus to voluntarily leave their comfy bed. Then it was convincing Mayu that it was time for her to get up and go to school.
Which wasn't really something her daughter was that overly excited about, seeing as she pretty much believed that it was the most boring thing ever. And that she hated it with a passion.
Something she made extra sure to at least tell one of them, whenever she got back home from school.
Yet as she continued thinking so hard about how utterly difficult her normally well behaved daughter could be whenever it was time for her to leave and go to school.
The blond woman walking next to her interrupted her thoughts started talking in a somewhat wicked tone.
"I'm not really in the mood to deal with those two sleepyheads. I just want to hear their opinion on Miriallia's message. But if they really are asleep maybe we should consider taking a bucket of water along with us. That would certainly wake them up in a hurry" she said with a small grin on her face.
Thinking a few seconds about that suggestion. Murrue couldn't prevent a tiny smile from appearing on her lips.
"If I do remember correctly didn't you and Athrun already tried that trick once before. How was it now that ended exactly Cagalli?" The brown haired woman asked. Doing nothing at all to hide that she already knew the response to this question.
Yet just being remind about how that little prank had played out two years ago, was pretty much all that was need to make the minor grin on Cagalli's face disappear only to be replaced by a small unhappy frown.
"Ok, ok I know that didn't really go as we planed it, but the whole thing just got so damn mess up when we enter their room back then. I seriously hope that they are not sleeping naked beside each other again, seeing that one time was more then enough for me" Cagalli said.
As her mind wander back to how utterly and completely terrible it had been. The last time she and Athrun had enter the married couple's room carrying a bucket of water.
Giggling slightly at the young woman's unhappy words.
Murrue too thought a bit about that small incident, back then she hadn't know the real reason why the married couple had dumped the water on Athrun and Cagalli in the first place. To be completely honest it was only a few months ago, that she had been able to figure out why exactly Lacus and Kira found it necessary to punish their two friends like that.
And even true neither Athrun or Cagalli liked being remind about what they had done to deserve the water. Murrue had found the entire affair quite humorous
Which was something she hadn't hesitated in showing by teasing the two young couples at every given opportunity. She might not be nearly as good at pissing Cagalli of as Mu had been. But that certainly did not mean she couldn't do it when she tried.
Yet as Mu's grinning handsome face slowly appear in her mind. She hurried shook her head a few times, not wanting to get caught up thinking about him right now.
Even true Mu was one of those people she could honestly say that had brought a lot of happiness in to her life.
She still couldn't help herself from feeling slightly depressed every time she thought about him. Seeing as she still missed him quite a lot.
So in a small attempt to get her mind away from the man she was still clearly in-love with. She turned her attention back towards Cagalli that was obviously still trying to come up with some inventive way, to wake up her brother and his wife.
And not really overly keen on having a small prank war, break out between the blond haired girl and the married couple.
Murrue decided that it was properly best to try and talk the girl out of doing something too crazy, once they arrived at their destination.
"Well not to ruin your fun and games Cagalli. But you do remember that we are going to their room, to hear their opinion on the message we got from Miriallia, not to start an all out prank war with the two of them?" The brown haired woman asked, in a slightly concerned tone.
And immediately after hearing the other woman ask her that. Cagalli once more got a small yet unhappy frown on her forehead.
She had seriously hoped to come up with some kind of deeply irritating idea to wake up both her bother and her sister-in-law.
Yet thanks to Murrue. That minor scheme had just been completely ruined, so while still looking at the captain of the Archangel with an unsatisfied expression on her face. She couldn't help but mutter out something that sound very much like spoilsport.
But even true Murrue had no trouble hearing the blond haired girl call her that. She just smiled a bit at her as the two of them continued slowly down the white space ship's halls.
Each of them now wondering just how much trouble they would have to go through. To wake up the married couple.
They where however both in for a minor surprise, when Murrue reached over and softly knocked on the door to the presumably sleeping couple's room. Yet instead of receiving no kind of reply from in there. They each heard Kira's voice telling them to come in.
So after taking a small glance at each other. Murrue slowly moved her hand over and pressed down on the button that would permit them entrance to the chamber in front of them.
Once in there they saw Kira wide awake laying on his and Lacus' bed with the pink haired girl sleeping peacefully on top of him, with a small yet content smile on her lips. That made it pretty obvious for both Murrue and Cagalli that she was have a nice dream at the moment.
Unfortunately neither of them got much time, to try and figure out what exactly Lacus was dreaming so happily about. Before Kira lifted his head and looked over at them.
"Hello you two, it's a surprise to see you this early in the morning" He said to them in a quiet voice. While slowly running his fingers through Lacus' long soft pink hair.
Smiling a bit at her brother. Cagalli walked over and sat down in the foot of the bed, where she immediately stretched both of her arms up over her head.
"Well to tell you the truth bro. Both miss Murrue and I are likewise surprise at seeing you awake at this hour. Normally Lacus and you have a tendency to sleep most of the morning away, so what gives bro why are you awake this early?" Cagalli asked, not once taking her eyes away from her clearly still tired brother.
Hearing her asked that. Kira slowly turned his attention away from his lovely wife and down towards his sister, where he saw her watching him with a curious look in her eyes.
And one glance over at Murrue was more then enough to tell him that she was just as interested in knowing the answer to this question as Cagalli was. And seeing as he had nothing against telling them. He once more turned his gaze back towards Lacus.
"It's not really a big mystery why I am awake. Lacus is a bit of a cuddler from time to time, and she does have quite a tight grip when she wants to. So if she choose me over one of the pillows, she holds on to me so tightly. That it's only when I start combing her hair that she finally relax again" the brown haired man explained.
Not once taking his eyes away from the woman he loved with all of his heart.
Thinking a brief moment or two about that. Murrue let out a small giggle.
"I didn't think Lacus was that much of a cuddler Kira, so just how often does she wake you up like that?" The woman asked in a curious tone. Before she slowly let her usual kind gaze glide away from Kira and down at the pink hair sleeping girl. That was still resting peacefully on top of her husband, apparently not realizing that she and Kira wasn't alone in there any longer, and that they had company now.
Not really needing a whole lot of time to go over that question, seeing as it was pretty much a normal occasion, that Lacus would cuddle up to him while she was still fast asleep.
So while smiling gently, at the brown haired woman, he saw as an older sister. Kira once more ran his hand down thought his wife's hair.
"Hmm I guess two or three times a week, she especially have the tendency to do it, if for some reason we don't go to bed at the same time" the man explained, while truly enjoying the calm and peaceful expression on Lacus' face.
Thinking a few seconds about what her brother had just told her and the captain of the Archangel. Cagalli couldn't help but grin a bit.
"Ok I get it now, so what you are saying bro, is that Lacus is an even bigger cuddler when you have been wasting half of the night playing your dumb video games with Dearka?" the blond girl said.
Using a voice that made it pretty obvious. That she really didn't need any kind of reply to this question. That she was simply stating a fact from everything Kira had just told them.
Taking a brief glance away from Lacus and over at his immature sister, Kira slowly roll his eyes a single time. "As much as I love Lacus and she loves me sis, we do not spend every single moment of the day together, from time to time we do things apart. For example she likes watching a certain TV show, which I don't really find all that entertaining. Yet on the other hand I like playing a few video games against Mayu or Dearka" he said. Not once moving his eyes away from his sister.
That apparently was thinking quite hard about everything he had just said. Yet after a brief moment or two, she finally got her mind back on the discussion she was in with her brother.
"Well now that we are on the subject bro. I most admit I'm a bit curious about just how much time you lovebirds spends together? From time to time you guys seems almost inseparable" Cagalli said, while thinking about how utterly cling the married couple could be at times.
Not that she was one to talk, it wasn't really a big secret that she and Athrun could be just as cling as the other couple, maybe even more so.
And not really overly keen on being remind about that right now. Cagalli decided that it was most likely a good idea to quickly change the subject, before her brother or the captain of the Archangel, could recall how her and Athrun behaved when they where together.
Yet before she could get her mouth open and say something else. Kira's voice beat her to it, and began telling her the answer to the question she had asked only a few seconds ago.
Not that Cagalli remember anything about that, with all of these thoughts going through her head about how lovey-dovey she and Athrun could be.
"I honestly don't know how much time we spend together Cagalli. But one thing I'm completely sure of is that I will never get tired of it, I really do love her with all of my heart" the brown haired man explained. While he once again moving his fingers through the long pink silky like hair, that was pretty much covering both of them at the moment.
Hearing him say that a big smile immediately appear on Murrue's face. "Ohh that sound just so romantic, I really miss having somebody around that would say such things to me!" The brown haired woman said. As Mu's more charming grin ran slowly through her head.
In all honesty it truly had been a very long time since she had last heard something like that, and she kinda missed it from time to time.
Yet when she thought about getting in to a new relationship. She always end up deciding that she wasn't ready for something like that yet. And that it was much more important that she was a good mother to Mayu.
Even true it would truly would be nice if her sweet daughter, had some kind of person in her life she could see as her father.
But no matter how many times she thought about that. Murrue just couldn't bring herself to start dating again, after losing both her first boyfriend and Mu in battle she was deeply afraid of being hurt like that again.
She seriously didn't think she would be able to bear losing yet another man she was in-love with. So at least for now it would definitely be best to just be there for Mayu and the rest of the people that was important to her.
Yet as she stood there thinking about what would truly be best, both for Mayu and herself. The blond girl in there made the decision to put in her two cents about the subject.
"I agree with miss Murrue that was kinda cute, even after being married for two whole years, you guys are still an adorable couple. Not as adorable as Athrun and me, but still quite adorable nevertheless!" Cagalli said in a loud tone.
While thinking about just how great a pair she and her handsome fiancée truly was. It truly was great to know that she had such a person in her life that loved her so much.
Yet as Cagalli sat there at the foot of the bed dreaming about the relationship she was in. The fourth person in the room slowly lifted her head away from Kira's chest and looked down at her sister-in-law.
"I most say that I disagree with you on that Cagalli. You and Athrun are without a doubt a cute and adorable couple. But Kira and I are most definitely the best couple around" the pink haired woman said, with a somewhat challenging look in each of her blue eyes. That made it pretty clear that she was quite ready to get in to a longer term discussion about this matter.
And just the sight of that daring look in Lacus eyes, was more then enough to make Cagalli narrow her own a bit. Yet just before she had the necessary time to come up with something to say back.
Murrue decided to cut it to the conversation before it could get too far out of hand.
Both of the young women did after all seem quite determined to be right about which one of the couples was the cutest one of them. And Murrue seriously didn't feel like listening to such a conversation.
Especially because it didn't take that much of genius to figure out. That if they first got started on such a debate, it could take more then a few hours before they where done.
Just being remind about what the two of them had came here for in the first place. Was enough for Cagalli to decided that she could always talk with Lacus about the whole coupling thing some other time.
And with that in mind, the short temper girl, took yet another small look down at the message from Miriallia, which she was still firmly holding on to.
And after reading the words one more time, she quietly handed the slightly curled up piece of paper to her brother.
Somewhat confused about what Cagalli was giving him. Kira slowly reach out and pull the offer object out of her hand.
"What is this Cagalli?" The brown haired man asked, while looking up in to his sister eyes, where he could easily tell by her expression that her patience was running dangerously low.
Which seriously made Kira wonder what was so important about this small piece of paper. She apparently had been carrying around for quite some time now.
Hearing him ask that. Cagalli once more narrowed her eyes a bit, before she let out a small sigh. "Why the heck don't you just read it instead of asking stupid question Kira? It's a message we receive from Miriallia about an hour ago, now hurry up an read it before one of us ends up dying of old age!" The blond haired woman said in a loud tone, while impatiently tapping with her right foot.
"Now, now, please try and come down Cagalli. It's not like we are just going to crumple the paper up and throw it over in the nears corner, Kira was simply just asking you what it was" Lacus said in a slightly hard tone.
As she slowly moved away from Kira's chest. And sat up on the nice comfy bed she and her husband had been spending the last many nights in. Since the Archangel once more became their home.
Knowing that it was quite rare that Lacus raised her voice like that. The blond haired woman took a deep breath, in a minor attempt to at least try calm herself down a bit.
"Ok I'm sorry about that bro! But would you please hurry up and read the letter? I'm almost dying to hear you guys opinion on what's written in that message!" She said. Not doing a single thing to hide, that she was still quite low on the very thing most people knew as patience, and that she was pretty much ready to blow a fuse at any moment now.
Immediately after hearing just how much of a rush his sister was in right now. Kira wonder slightly how in the world Athrun was able to handle her when she was like this.
Yet after sitting there thinking about that for a second or two. He slowly shook his head a few times, before he turned his attention away from her and down at the crumpled paper.
And after reading it thoroughly through two times. He once more looked up at his short tempered sister, with a pair of wide eyes. "This is about Athrun isn't it?" He asked. While wondering what in the world his best friend, had been doing ever since he made the decision to go back to the Plants, and talk with Chairman Durandal about how Zaft was handling the war.
It truly had been an extremely long time since they had heard anything from him. And Kira would honestly be lying quite a bit if he said he hadn't been worried about his friend.
With everything that had been going on these last few weeks. It had been kinda hard to figure out if anything had happened to him, and it wasn't really like they could actually just contact Zaft and ask about him.
So in the end this truly was the first sign of life they had received from him ever since he pretty much disappeared an entire month ago.
And even true she frankly hadn't been showing it all that much. Kira had no doubt that Cagalli had been worried sick about her fiancée, not that anybody could really blame her. She did after all love Athrun quite a bit.
Yet as the male Yamato sat there thinking about that. His wife slowly reached over and pulled the small letter out of his hand.
Which she immediately began reading quietly to herself. Once that small task was carried out, the pink haired teen again turned her attention back towards the two siblings, where she could easily tell by their expressions, that they where both quite far away in their own thought.
"Well to be honest, I most admit that I too find this little message quite interesting. But I'm also a bit concerned about it's contents, I do know that it make it sounds like Athrun wants to get in contact with us. But seeing as none of us are entirely certain that it is Miriallia who send this message, we should be very cautious. It could after all be some kind of ingenious trap to lure us out of hiding!" The pink haired girl said in a serious tone. As she saw her husband nod a single time in agreement.
"Yeah I been thinking about that too Lacus. But I still seriously think we need to check it out. If it really isn't Miriallia who send this, it could mean that she could be in some kind of danger, and if that's the case we need to do something about it!" The brown haired man said in a determined tone.
Not doing a thing to hide that he was quite concerned about their female friend.
Hearing him say that Murrue nodded a single time in agreement. "I know what you mean Kira. Dearka thought pretty much the same thing. He is already down in the hangar getting his Murasame ready to head out, even true the message clearly state that the meeting isn't suppose to take place before this evening. And seeing as it still is quite early in the morning, I'm sure that it wouldn't be long before he starts getting paranoid, there is after all a few hours yet until we have to show up there" the brown haired woman said in a thoughtful tone.
Thinking a brief second or two about everything they had just said.
Cagalli just couldn't help but get a slightly depressed look in both of her eyes, as she felt some of the deep excitement she had been feeling ever since they received the message leave her.
"I guess the only thing we can do, is show up at this meeting assuming it is a trap" she said in a far away tone, while Athrun's handsome smile ran slowly through her mind.
Studying her facial expression a bit. Kira had little trouble telling, that this part of the conversation did upset her quite a bit.
And knowing how much she truly wanted to see Athrun again.
He slowly reached out and place his right hand on her shoulder, which pretty much immediately made her eyes to spring away from her lap and up at him, where he gave her a light smile.
"You are right sis, that certainly would be a wise move on our part. And that why I think that the only once who shows up at this meeting should be the two of us and Dearka. Seeing as I highly doubt that we can talk him out of leaving with Miriallia involved" he said in a very serious tone.
Truly delighted to hear him say that. Cagalli nodded a single time in agreement, before she leaped up from where she had been sitting on the bed.
"That's great Kira! So now that we all agree on what we have to do. I think I'll head down to the hangar to make sure that the Duel Rouge is ready to head out!" She declared loudly.
Then hurried made her way over to the door. Yet before she could even get it opened, her brother call out to her one more time.
Which immediately made her turn and look back at him. "Not to ruin your good mood sis. But I think it's best that the Duel Rouge stays back here, the fewer mobile suits we bring along the least chance are there that we are going to be discovered. Beside if we need to get out of there in a hurry, your mobile suit wouldn't be able to keep up with either the Freedom or Dearka's Murasame" he said in a voice that left little room to disagreement.
But even true Kira had told her that this arrangement wasn't meant to ruin her good mood. Cagalli did of course feel slightly disappointed that she could not use the Duel Rouge, on this little mission.
"Ahh man that totally blows Kira. Now what the heck am I suppose to do all day?" She asked in a somewhat unhappy tone.
Yet before either the married couple or Murrue had enough time to give her some kind of reply. She reached out and got the door opened, and disappeared out in to the hall, with the rest of the people in there looking after her.
And it was only when the door flew back shut.
That Murrue turned around and looked back at the young couple that was still calmly sitting on their bed.
"Now then if there is nothing else we need to talk about. I think I'll go down and see what Mayu is up to. I didn't really see all that much to her yesterday. Apparently she was busy elsewhere" the brown haired woman said, before she slowly made her way over to the door.
And with the captain of the Archangel was gone too. Both Lacus and Kira fell back down on the bed, where they each laid quietly for a few long minutes without saying anything to each other.
It did however not take all that long before Lacus looked away from the ceiling, and over at her husband. "It really has been a long time since any of us have been up this early in the morning" the pink haired woman said.
Just as she slowly stretching both of her arms up over her head. While at the same time letting out a small yawn, that was more then enough to show Kira that she still was quite tired.
Yet before he could say anything about that Lacus continued talking in a soft tone. "So what do you want to do now Kira? I'm seriously considering going down and take a long nice dip in the hot spring. Each of my shoulders does feel kinda sore right now. But I'm pretty sure that it would help to relax down there a bit" she said before she slowly sat back up on the bed.
Hearing his gorgeous wife say that. Kira also got back up and gently embraced her from behind. Softly rubbing her nice little belly, as he began whispering in to her left ear.
"If you want me to, I would gladly give you a small or long massage" he told her in a sweet caring tone. Just before he moved his mouth a little lower and began softly nibbling on her tiny earlobe. Which was more then enough to send a minor shiver down Lacus' spind.
Yet when she felt him give one of the more sensible spots on her neck a kiss. She hurried turned around in his arms. So now they where looking directly in to each other eyes.
And it was only a small second later they slowly moved in and pressed their lips together.
Which made each of them moan softly, as they once more fell back down on the bed. Both of them truly enjoying their morning activities, which consisted mostly of a great deal of passionately making out and a few other more naughty things, that required that they got out of their clothes first.
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And while the young couple was busy doing their unusual morning exercise.
Murrue was making her way down the Archangel's long halls, heading directly towards her daughter's room.
Truly hoping to spend a little quality time together with her. Now that there wasn't anything present that needed her attention. Wich meant that she had more then enough time to perhaps play a few board games with Mayu.
Something she knew from experience that her daughter liked quite lot. Especially if everybody in their weird little family was together about it.
But seeing as everybody else was busy doing their own things at the moment. It looked like it just had to be the two of them. Which was something Murrue honestly didn't mind all that much.
Now that she was actually giving it some thought. She realized that it had been quite a while since they had time to act like a normal mother and daughter.
And that was quite frankly something Murrue had missed a lot. Since she had assumed her position as captain of the Archangel.
Yet now that things had quiet down a bit. She seriously hoped that nothing else would happen the next many hours, until it was about that time where Cagalli, Dearka and Kira would have to leave, for their supposed meeting with Athrun and his socall side kid. Whoever that was.
And even true she knew that the three teens, was able to handle themselves and look after each other, if the whole meeting request was some kind of trap or for some other reason went out of hand. But even so she just couldn't help but feel a tiny bit uneasy, about sending them out there on their own, without the Archangel and the rest of them to function as backup if this little encounter went wrong.
Yet as she kept on walking down the hall, it didn't really take all that long before she found herself standing directly in front of Mayu's room. And knowing that Mayu would easily be able to tell if there was something bothering her.
She just stood there quietly a few minutes, taking a few deep long breaths, in an attempt to get rid of these worrisome thoughts.
She was after all quite determined to have a nice peaceful time together with her daughter, and with that decision made she slowly reached out and pressed down on the button that would open the door to Mayu's room.
Yet before she could get even a word out, her eyes widen greatly, once she laid eyes on the almost destructive condition the youngest crew member's room was in.
"Dear God how can one single person make such a big mess?" She quietly asked herself. Just as both of her eyes slowly ran over all the things that laid spread out all over the floor.
Yet once her gaze reached the only inhabit of the chamber. She just couldn't help but notice the happy smile Mayu had on her face, which was more then enough to make the shocked expression on Murrue's face diminish just a tiny bit.
"What in the world am I going to do with you Mayu? It seriously looks like a couple of mobile suits have been on a rampage in here. I don't think I will ever be able to understand how somebody can sleep in such a big mess" she said in a whisper. Utterly amazed, that Mayu was actually able to sleep so peacefully with all of these things surrounding her.
So after standing there a bit longer wondering why Mayu always found it necessary to make such a mess.
It wasn't like she didn't have the time to put her things back to where they belong. Yet for some reason no matter how many times Murrue asked her daughter about it, she would never get a clear answer.
Instead Mayu would always try and come up with some completely idiotic excuse for not picking her toys up. And Murrue was pretty certain that this time would be no different.
But knowing that Mayu hadn't really had anytime to come up with one of her excuses. She realized that it wouldn't be to difficult to convince Mayu what the two of them where going to do once she woke up on her own.
And with that in mind. Murrue slowly bent down and pink up one of the mangas that laid gather together on the floor.
And after making certain that she hadn't read this one yet. She walked over and sat down at the foot of her daughter's bed, where she calmly start reading the small book. Being careful not to disturb the sleeping girl.
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It was a few hours later when Kira enter the Archangel's hangar, with his brown uncombed hair slightly damp, seeing as it hadn't been long since he had gotten out of the shower.
Yet as he stood there looking around at the mechanics and the mobile suits down there. His eyes finally spotted Dearka that was sitting inside his light blue mobile suit, apparently busy running a status check on the Murasame.
And knowing that it had only been a few days since he last took a look at the Freedom's OS. There wasn't really much need for him to begin messing around with his mobile suit.
So with nothing better to do down there. The brown haired young man decided to offer the other mobile suit pilot his assistance, to make certain that the OS on the Murasame was just the precisely the way Dearka want it to be.
So after taking one last look around the hangar. He began making his way over to the blue Orb mobile suit, where he could quite easily hear a great deal of colourful grumbling and complaining coming out of the Murasame's opened cockpit.
"Hey Dearka, do you want some help in there?" Kira asked loudly.
Interrupting Dearka, just as he let out a new round of truly cheerful words, about why the heck things wasn't going the way he wanted them.
Yet once he heard Kira's voice he immediately stuck his head out of the cockpit. Where he looked his fellow mobile suit pilot over a second or two, before he once more disappeared back in to the blue Murasame.
"No thank you Kira. I think I'll be all right on my own!" The blond haired man call out of the mobile suit. Before he continued on with his unhappy bellyaching, that did make it somewhat clear that he was still facing a great deal of trouble in there.
Which made it kinda difficult for Kira to understand why he had refused his offer to help him out. So after blinking a few times in confusion and listening a bit more to the words that was coming out of the cockpit. He took a small step closer towards the mobile suit.
"Why not Dearka? It's not like I'm saying that you can't figure it out on your own. But from what I can understand by all of your complaining you could at least use a little help" Kira said. Once more cutting the other pilot off, as he was busy talking with himself why the heck it was so damn difficult to program a mobile suit's OS just the right way.
Hearing his friend ask him that. Dearka's head once more appear from inside the mobile suit.
"It's not like I'm not grateful for the offer Kira. But that stupid smirk you got on your face right now. Reminds me a lot of the same stupid smirk I use to have on my face whenever Miriallia and I have...well I'm sure you have figure it out by now!" He said with a somewhat grumpy expression on his face.
Honestly a bit surprised by that. Kira got a slightly red glow on both of his cheeks. He quite seriously didn't like the idea, that it was so easy for Dearka to tell, that he and Lacus had been making love not all that long ago.
Which made him mumble out a few word that was completely impossible to understand. Yet after doing that for a few long minutes he finally got his slightly dry mouth working again.
"Well you see I...aahhmm...! You are just saying that because you are jealous Dearka!" He hastlily said in a slightly angry tone. And with a small hard look in each of his two purple eyes.
Which was enough to make it somewhat obvious that he quite frankly didn't like talking about this with so many people around.
No matter what. The male Yamato had never really liked talking about sex all that much.
He firmly believed that something like that. Was suppose to be a private matter between himself, and his lovely wife. So he seriously hoped that this discussion would not last too long. And that nobody else would interfere in it.
If some of the mechanics heard what they where talking about right now. He was certain that more then half of them had a few comments.
Fortunately for him. Most of the mechanics was at the other end of the hangar playing poker or sitting around on the crates down there talking loudly with each other about the most trivial things.
Yet before he had time to be relieved about that. Dearka let out a somewhat displeased sound, which made Kira once more turn his gaze back towards his friend.
"Well duh! Of course I'm jealous Kira, I haven't seen my girlfriend even once in over a month now. So it's just so completely unfair that you have Lacus down here to spend your days with. While I'm sitting utterly alone in my room, with nothing else to remind me of the one I love, other then a picture with a crack up frame" he said, sound quite a bit like a small child that just couldn't get his way.
After that. He again got back in to the Murasame, with Kira standing there looking after him for an unknown number of minutes.
But finally after a deep long break of complete silence. The Freedom pilot let out a small breath.
"Ok Dearka I understand what you are saying. But you do realize that it wouldn't be many hours now, before you will see her again, so why don't you let me take a look at the OS? To be honest Dearka you don't really seem like you are in the mood to work on the OS in the first place!" The brown haired man said.
He did after all knew better then much pilots just how incredibly difficult it could be adjusting an OS just right.
Especially if you where almost completely freaked out. Kinda like the way his friend was behaving now.
Yet when Dearka once more stuck his head out of the cockpit. He had a slightly more calm look on his face, as he thought a few seconds about what Kira had just said.
And it wasn't all that much later before he let out a deep sigh. "All right already you can help buddy. I'm sorry about the way I talked to you, I'm just so stressed out at the moment that I don't know what to do with myself. I just can't shake this feeling that she might be in some kind of danger. And if that's the case I want to be there for her no matter what!" He said. Before he sank slowly down in to his seat.
Not seeing Kira nod a single time in understanding.
"Just try and calm down at least a bit Dearka, you know as well as I do that Miriallia is more then able to look after herself. And if she really is in kind of danger, you can be damn sure, that we are going to rescue her no matter the cost!" Kira said in a hard tone.
That was more then enough to make it completely clear to Dearka that his friend was, VERY serious about this.
"Thank you Kira. I'm relieved to know that you got my back pal. Now lets get back to work, if we actually do end up getting in to a battle out there. I want to make absolutely sure that this guy is ready to take on anything Zaft can throw at it!" He said, with a great deal of seriousness in his voice.
So with nothing else to say, the two pilots began checking, for any kind of errors in the Murasame's system.
They did however only get a few minor minutes of work in, before Dearka slowly leaned back in the cockpit and looked up at the ceiling with a worn out look in each of his eyes.
Yet after sitting there quietly for a bit. He reached out, and used both of his hands to pull himself out of the mobile armor transformed Murasame. Then jumped down to the floor, where he immediately began making his way over to the soda machine that was standing at the other side of the hangar.
"What kind of soda do you want Kira? With all the yelling and complaining I have been doing the last few hours. I'm so thirsty that I could properly drain about the rest of the sodas on board the Archangel!" He said. While thinking a few seconds about how long such a task would actually take.
Yet seeing as his knowledge about the Archangel's supply on sodas was kinda low at this moment in time. It did not take long before he hurried shook those thoughts away.
He might be overly concerned about his girlfriend right now. But he could most definitely find something better to divert his attention, other then how many sodas that was store here on the Archangel.
Truth be told, he found the whole idea about trying to figure that out a bit ridiculous. But it wasn't really like he had all that much else to do, so he might as well waste his time thinking about the most bizarre things.
And with that decision made he continued, trying to figure out the answer, to his own little puzzle.
Yet when Kira call out and told him that he would like a coke.
Dearka turned and took a glance back at his friend, before he slowly walked the rest of the way over to the soda machine. His worn out mind still somewhat conflict about think about either the woman he love, or how many sodas that they had with them.
Yet once he reached his destination he couldn't stop himself from giving the grey appliance a hard kick.
Before he pressed down on two of the buttons on the machine.
"Damn it. I really hate not knowing what to do with myself!" He mumbled out in an impatient tone. Before he bent down and picked up the two cans of liquid that the machine had just spit out a few seconds ago.
And after making certain that it was the right once. He slowly turned around and began making his way back to his blue mobile suit.
Once back there he immediately handed Kira the coke. Who slowly reached out and took it without looking away from the control panel in front of him.
"Thank you Dearka" he said in a somewhat far away tone. Just as he opened the can and took a big mouthful of the brown bubbling liquid inside it. After that he placed the small tin object not far away from him, so he could always reach it, whenever he needed to satisfied his thirst.
And after making completely sure that it would be quite hard knocking the can over. His fingers once more began typing away at the small keyboard.
Seeing him do that. Dearka again let out a big sigh, as he sat down on the stairs that lead up to the cockpit of his Murasame, once somewhat comfortable there he slowly reached out and opened his own can where he immediately took a small sip of the yellow liquid he liked so much.
"How long do you think it will take Kira before it's ready to go?" He asked in a quiet tone.
Hearing him ask that. Kira slowly moved his glance away from the small screen, and up at his obviously still anxious friend. "Hm that's a bit hard to say Dearka. But if I had to guess I would say about an hour, there is a few minor errors in the programming. But nothing serious, it shouldn't be that hard to fix" the brown haired pilot of the Freedom said, while again reaching out after his soda.
Smiling a bit at that. Dearka nodded a single time in understanding.
"That's great, happy to hear it" he said. Just before he slowly closed his two purple eyes and disappeared back in to his own thoughts, there wasn't really all that much he could do, to help his friend out.
So for now the only thing he could do, was wait patiently until Kira was done with the minor adjustments to his Murasame. He just hoped that he wouldn't suddenly find some enormous problem with the OS.
If that happened there was a big chance he wouldn't be able to go with Kira and Cagalli when it was time to leave. But one small glance over at the hard working Freedom pilot did calm him down a bit.
As he once more saw the beautiful face of the woman he loved with all of his heart. "Man, I really do look forward to see her again" he mumbled out in a small voice, that nobody else but himself could hear.
And as he continued thinking about all of those nice things he truly loved about the gorgeous woman, that two years ago had quite easily convinced him to stay down here together with her. Which was in his eyes definitely without a doubt the most clever decision he had ever made in his entire life.
He might only have been living with the strange little family for a few short years. But he could without lying say that he felt even more close to them now, then he had even done with his real family.
And he would most definitely do everything possible to protect the people he cared so much about.
And with those thoughts roaming through his head he slowly opened his eyes and took a look around the hangar.
Not that there was all that much to see down there right now. Most of the mechanics present was at the other end of the hangar either play cards or talking loudly with each other about how tiresome it could be sitting down at the bottom of the ocean with nothing to do.
Yet quickly realizing that those guys wasn't really saying anything interesting.
Dearka let out a small yawn, as he took another small sip of his soda, truly enjoying the taste of the yellow tasting liquid as it ran down his throat. After that he slowly lean back up against the Murasame. And just sat there for a long time watching the ceiling with a bored expression on his face.
It did however not take very long. Before he remembered something he wanted to ask Kira about, so after throwing his empty soda can down on the floor he turned and looked back at his still hard working friend.
Yet once he saw him take a small break in all of his typing. Dearka immediately opened his mouth and asked the one question he wanted an answer to.
"Kira back in the last battle when the two of us was helping out the Minerva, why did you suddenly stop fighting like that?" The blond haired man asked, in a curious tone. Not once removing his gaze from the other mobile suit pilot.
That by now was looking up at him with two wide spread eyes. That made it pretty clear that he was somewhat shocked over hearing this question.
And even true. Kira seriously didn't want to talk about what had happened back then. He could easily tell from Dearka's expression that there was no way he would get out of this conversation, without at least giving him some kind of reply.
"It's...it's kinda hard to explain Dearka. But if I really do tell you, please promise me you will keep it a secret especially from miss Murrue" the pilot of the Freedom said, while thinking back to how utterly crushed the brown haired woman had been, when they all thought Mu died in the last war.
But as things looked right now. He wasn't entirely sure any longer if that was what really happened to his big brother figure.
Feeling a tiny bit surprise by Kira's request. The former Zaft soldier couldn't help but blink a few times.
"Ok Kira! I swear that no matter what you are going to tell me, I wouldn't breath a word about it to anybody. Especially the captain!" Dearka said. Just before he slowly ran two fingers over the left side of his chest in a promising manner. That was supposed to convince his friend, that he was determined to keep this promise no matter what.
But even after that it took a couple of very long minutes. Before Kira finally began talking again in a somewhat far away tone. "To tell the truth, I'm honestly not entirely sure about this Dearka. But when the two of us flew over the fleet of Earth Forces ships, I could senses Mu's presence down between them" he said almost in a whisper, as he continued sitting there thinking about the blond man.
Hearing Kira say that. Dearka almost fell down from his location on the small ladder he had been sitting on this entire time.
"What are you sure about that Kira!?" He asked in a loud tone, that could pretty much be heard through the entire hangar.
Yet fortunately for them, the few mechanics down there was just so far away in there own things, to give the mobile suit pilots all that much attention.
They all just figured, that they where talking about the Murasame and nothing else.
And once Kira had made completely sure, that neither of the mechanics was paying attention to them. He again looked back towards Dearka.
"As I said, I'm not really sure about anything right now Dearka" he said. While thinking a few seconds about the many friends that had lost their lives at the Second Battle of Jachin Due.
It truly was utterly depressing just thinking about it. So still with a slightly sad look in his eyes he slowly shook those sad memories away.
"You know as well as me Dearka, what condition the Strike was in after Mu used it, to cover the Archangel from the Dominion's last attack. And that's why it truly is somewhat hard to believe that he actually managed to survive that. Which is why I don't want miss Murrue to know about it. If it was somebody else I sensed down there on one of those ship. I don't want to bring her hopes up by telling her that he is still alive" he said, with a deep serious look in his purple eyes.
Not really needing a whole lot of time to think about a reply to all of that. Dearka nodded slowly in agreement.
"You are properly right Kira. So for now we will just keep this little discussion between us, until we can figure out what the hell is going on" he said in a quiet tone.
While he continued sitting there, wondering why in the world La Flaga hadn't returned back home to miss Murrue and the rest of them a long time ago. Had he really been alive since he was shoot down in the Strike two years ago.
And even true Dearka would quite frankly wanted to ask Kira about that. He knew that his friend was most likely thinking about the same thing, and had no answer to any of the questions that was flying through Dearka's mind.
"Damn it. I really wish I knew what the heck is going on" he muttered out in a angry voice.
As Kira gave a brief nod in agreement. "Yeah tell me about it. Unfortunately there isn't really much we can do about it right now. So I guess we just have to wait until we run in to him again" the brown haired man said in a slightly sad tone.
Just as he moved his hands back to the keyboard in front of him. Where once more began typing away. Trying hard to correct one of the minor errors.
And with nothing else to say. Dearka once more let out a small sigh as he slowly closed his eyes. Now having yet another thing added to the enormous list of things he needed to give some serious thought.
And one short glance at Kira. Was more then enough to tell him that he too, was thinking quite thoroughly about all of this. He wasn't really concentrating as hard on the typing as he was before.
000000
Meanwhile elsewhere on the ship.
Murrue had just finished reading her second manga when she noticed Mayu stirring a bit in her sleep, which could only mean that it wouldn't be long now before she wake up.
And it didn't even take a minute before a couple of sleepy eyes was slowly opened.
Yet once Mayu realized that her mother was in there. She immediately closed them again, desperately hoping with all of her being. That her mom hadn't noticed that she was awake. If she had, there was a very huge possibility that she would have to clean up in there. And she really didn't want to do that right now.
Unfortunately much to her mild misfortune. It did not take long before she felt a pair of kind eyes studying her face.
Which made it somewhat hard for her to keep on pretending that she was still fast asleep.
And once she made the minor mistake to take a quick glance up at the caring face not far above her, she immediately tried to roll over so her mother would still think she was far away in dreamland.
Yet much to her grand dislike it only took a small second before a voice began talking to her in a kind tone.
"Mayu sweetheart, I know that you are already awake. So would you please stop pretending that you are still asleep?" Murrue asked.
Making extra sure to keep a close eye on all of her daughter's movements, incase she would try something else, to get out of the hard task. Which she most definitely already knew, was waiting for her.
And not really all that surprising the brown haired girl hurried reached down and pulled the cover up over her head, quite obviously still trying her hardest to convince Murrue, that she really was fast asleep.
Unfortunately for Mayu. This was far from the first time Murrue had seen her daughter make that move.
So after smiling a bit at her silliness. Murrue slowly reached out and took a hold on the cover, which she gently pull away from Mayu's face.
Once gone she sat there a few brief seconds just watching the two slightly innocent eyes that was now looking up at her. "Good morning Mayu. Did you have a good nights sleep?" Murrue asked her daughter in a sweet tone.
Looking at her mom for a bit. Mayu let out a small displeased growling sound. Just as she slowly sat up on the bed. "I guess it was all right mom. As boring as things can be down here, there is at least nice and quiet when one goes to bed at night" she said.
While thinking briefly about how unbelievable noisy, the ocean could be from time to time back home. Especially if it was storming loudly outside. At least all the way down here, there wasn't anything like that to disturb her sleep. Something she was truth be told quite content with.
She did however not get long to think about that. Before her mother's gentle voice pull her back out of her thoughts.
"I see, I'm happy to know that you had a good nights sleep Mayu. Because you are seriously going to need some of that energy now, by helping me clean up in here Mayu. No matter how much time goes by, I don't think I will ever be able to understand how you can make so much mess on your own" Murrue said.
Before she let both of her eyes slowly run over the enormous' amount of things. That was laying spread out pretty much all over the floor.
Hearing her mother say that.
Mayu too took a look down at the floor. "Is that really necessary mom? I just woke up a few minutes, so I'm still feeling a tiny bit drowsy. To tell you the truth I wouldn't mind sleeping a few hours more, I could really use it!" The girl said, trying her best to sound as worn out as possible.
While at the same time letting out an enormous yawn. That could only be described as exaggerating at the highest scale.
Seeing her do that. Murrue slowly roll her eyes a single time. "Seriously Mayu this place looks even worse then a war zone, and it's not like it's going to kill you using a little time to clean up in here. I don't get how in the world you can live like this, you can barely get from one end of the room to the other" the brown haired woman said. Looking straight in to her daughter's eyes.
Those words alone was more then enough to make Mayu let out a big unhappy growling sound, as she slowly looked away from the brown gaze that was watching her. "You don't know that for sure mom, I could end up breaking an arm or something" she said in a tone. That made it pretty clear for the captain of the Archangel that Mayu really didn't want to do this.
Murrue however didn't really feel all that sorry for her.
If she didn't want to clean up in here. She should have thought about that, before she made such a big mess in the first place. So while still looking in to her daughter's eyes. The brown haired woman slowly leaned forward a bit.
"Well if that's the case then you be better hurry and pick up all of your toys. That way you wouldn't risk accidentally falling over something in here and get badly hurt honey. Now then will you please stop wasting time Mayu and get out of that bed. I'm sure that if the two of us works together, it wouldn't take us long to get this place completely spotless" Murrue said
Making sure to use a slightly bossy tone, that was more then enough to make it clear to Mayu. That she seriously didn't want to hear anymore bad excuses to get out of cleaning this place up.
And quickly realizing that there really was no way out of this.
Mayu couldn't help but let out a big tired sigh, as she slowly moved the cover away, and sat up on the bed where she tried one last time with her most adorable puppy dog look.
Unfortunately it was far from the first time Murrue had seen her daughter with that look on her face. So she was pretty much immune towards it. No matter how cute Mayu could make it.
"Why don't you start by pinking up all of your toys and books Mayu, then I'll go down and pink up a few clean supplies, we are clearly going to need them a lot right now!" The brown haired woman said.
Just as she slowly stood up from the bed and began walking over towards the only way out of the room.
With Mayu watching her until the door flew shut after her.
And once she was gone the brown haired girl again let out a deep displeased sigh. "I had really hoped that it would take a few more days before anybody would notice the slightly messy condition of my room" the eleven-year-old girl mumbled to herself.
Not even realizing that she would most likely have resisted just as much to the whole cleaning up thing. No matter which day this tiny mess had been discovered.
Yet knowing that it wouldn't take long before her mother would return. Mayu unwilling crawl out of her bed, and sat down on the floor where she somewhat absent minded began gathering together all of her mangas, so they would be much easier to put back on the shelf where they belonged.
But even as she was doing that. She couldn't stop herself from thinking about how utterly boring this was, and how long it would take before she and her mother was done cleaning her entire room.
It truly did seem like it was going to take the rest of the day getting the many objects in there, put in proper order again. Even true her room was far from the biggest one on board the Archangel.
Maybe once her mother got back here, she should consider asking her, if she couldn't just move to the room next door. That way she didn't have to waste all of this time organizing her toys and mangas.
Yet even as those thoughts was making their way through her head.
She realized that there was just no way her mother would even say yes to a suggestion like that, and with that in mind she stood back up and began slowly placing the mangas where they rightfully belonged.
"Damn, why is it always more fun making a mess then cleaning it up?" She quietly asked herself. While she slowly placed one book after another on the small shelf.
But as she stood there wondering about that. The door to the room flew opened again, and in came her mother carrying a great deal of things she obviously thought they where going to need to get this place somewhat livable again.
"You just continue with that honey. Then I'll begin sorting your toys, that way you can quite easily put them where you want them. Once you are done going through all of you mangas" Murrue said in a gentle voice.
While smiling a bit at her hard working daughter. That was obviously still very unhappy about having to do all of this.
Yet knowing that this task wouldn't take nearly as much time, as her little girl feared. Murrue didn't really feel too sorry for her.
"Once the two of us is done in here, why don't we go down and get something to eat, and maybe rest a bit in the hot spring after that?" She asked, with a truly caring expression on her face.
And just hearing those words was all that was needed to make Mayu's face lighten up a tiny bit. It truly had been a very long time since the two of them had last been able to spend some time together.
Her mother had after all been quite busy since they had left Orb. And knowing how big her responsibility was, by being the captain of the enormous white space ship. Mayu had made the somewhat tough decision to try and not disturb her too much.
Especially if she was busy talking with somebody else. There truly was no way for her to know if it was something important they where discoursing.
But deep inside she truly had missed some of her mother's attention. And she would frankly be lying quite a bit if she said that she wasn't already looking forward to spend some time with her.
"That sounds really great mom, lets hurry up and get this room cleaned that way we have the whole day together!" She pretty much yelled, as she hurried kneel down and pinked up another stack of mangas from the floor.
Yet even as she was doing that. She asked her mother if they could play a few board games, once they where done with their small dip in the hot spring.
Which Murrue of course immediately answered yes to.
And just hearing that one word, was all the persuasion Mayu need to begin working that much faster. The small brown haired girl figured that the faster she worked the quick the two of them could start having fun.
To be continued.