A New Destiny

Chapter 26

Bearings

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny

Archangel

"So, how does it feel to be free Kira?" Cagalli asked her sister as she helped Kira into her shirt uniform. As embarrassing as it was Kira could not dress herself still because of the bandages on her arms and shoulders.

"Alright I guess. It was pretty boring sitting in bed for all that time." Kira admitted as she winced when her shirt was finally on.

Cagalli smiled at her sister and helped her with her jacket. "Well, I suppose I couldn't blame you for not wanting to leave."

This caught Kiras attention. "Huh? Why do you say that?"

Smiling like a fox Cagalli winked at her sister. "Well, that young doctor is quite the looker."

Kira blushed red at this and spun to glare at her twin. "What! Cagalli you have it all wrong!"

Cagalli just grinned and said no more. "Right, anyways I talked to the doctor and asked him when you would be able to pilot again."

Kira frowned. "Why? It's not like I have anything to pilot."

"I know that, but Lacus says that she has something over on the Eternal. So you will be remaining over there with her, if that's alright." Cagalli said firmly but added in the last part more gently. She knew how Kira could get over emotional about these kinds of things.

"No that's fine. So what did the doctor say?" Kira asked as she finished dressing.

Cagalli frowned. "He said, he would prefer that you would not go back into a mobile suit, but if it can not be avoided a few more days your arm will be healed, but your shoulder will still hurt like hell, but you can still pilot." Cagalli tryed to mock the Docotors sophisticated voice but failed.

"I doubt those were his exact words but I understand." Kira said quietly.

Cagalli softened her gaze "Something, wrong?"

Kira sighed and sat on the hospital bed, folding her hands in her lap. "It's nothing, mainly Athrun and such, but it's safe to say that's over." Kira said sadly, she missed Athrun and the Minerva dearly.

"Kira…" Cagalli sat next to her twin and patted her back softly. "…look I won't pretend and act like everything is going to be ok, because, well, it's not. Athrun is on the other side and I do not know what is going to happen, but… you know what you have to do right?"

Kira nodded and stood. "When am I going to the Eternal?"

Cagalli stood as well. "As soon as you're ready, I'm going to miss having you around though, but I need to get back to Orb"

Kira laughed. "I see, by the way when will we be heading for Orb?"

"I'm departing tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!" Kira gasped in shock.

Cagalli gave Kira a funny look. "Geese, you really were out of it with those painkillers."

"Huh?"

Cagalli sighed and headed for the door. "We are on earth Kira, pack your things. We will be in Orb soon."

"Oh…"

"We should cut your hair…"

Shinn looked up annoyance itched across his face. "That was random."

Luna shrugged and made a move to flick Shinn's over grown bangs but he was quick to pull away, he was still a bit hostile towards the girl.

"Your hair is getting to long, before you know it you'll look like Athrun."

Shinn glared and growled at the girl.

"Ok, maybe not, but still. Didn't your mother ever tell you to keep the hair out of your face?" Luna asked before thinking. "Oh…I didn't mean."

"It's alright, I know you didn't." Shinn said quietly.

Luna raised and eyebrow, he certainly took that well. "You sick or something?"

"Coordinators don't get sick, and besides even if I was that has nothing to do with it." Shinn snapped, acting a little more like himself.

Luna didn't bother to explain that Coordinators could get sick but instead continued eating her dinner.

"When do you think we'll meet up again?" Shinn asked out of the blue after a long and uncomfortable silence.

"You mean with the Archangel?" Luna asked carefully.

"Yeah."

Sighing; the magenta haired girl leaned back slightly and looked at the ceiling. "I don't know, I can't explain it but… I don't think, I could face them…not after."

Shinn glared at his food and stabbed an unfortunate piece of meat in the process. "I killed her; I can accept that, I don't want to slaughter the Archangel though."

Luna looked shocked. "Really, I thought that you would be all set on getting them. I mean they were her allies, and since she killed that Stellar girl."

"DON'T! I don't want to kill her friends." Shinn said slowly. "I already killed her; I don't want the extra grief of taking something away that she gave everything up to protect, even if..."

Luna chuckled. "That's not like you at all."

"I know, it's just that, everyone congratulates me for her death, I know she was a traitor to us and …. I just can't explain it." Shinn said holding his head. "I'm so confused, I get nothing but praise and it makes me want to be sick, I just want someone to be angry someone to be upset about what happened." Shinn bawled.

Luna sighed and lowered her gaze. "Shinn, no one is happy about what happened. I'm not, you aren't, no one really. It's just that what else can you say to someone who took the life a traitor?"

"I …I suppose." Shinn said looking at Luna with wide eyes.

Smiling Luna slapped the table. "Well, I just find it so humbling; the great Shinn Asuka has a conscience."

"Shut up!"

Luna giggled. "Alright, I won't tease but you better get your bearings in order because you and Athrun are set to meet with the Chairman later tonight and I wouldn't be surprised if you got some big ol'fancey award."

Shinn huffed "Whatever I have to go get ready."

Luna smiled "Alright then."

Gilbert Dullindal smiled as he watched his now two ace pilots walk up the platform to meet him and 'Lacus'. The girl at his side had not get notice them as she was two busy fawning over the machinery in the factory.

"Welcome, Athrun and Shinn. I am glad to see that you are both well, especially after all that has happened." Dullindal said casually. He was also not slow to notice the flinching in both men at his words, which worried him a bit.

"Athrun!" Meer squealed and enveloped Athrun in a tight embrace.

Athrun in no mood for the shenanigans pushed her off a bit roughly, not to a point where she would stumble but enough for Shinn to look curious and the chairman to look interested.

Gilbert turned to Shinn and held out his hand, ignoring Meer and her protest to Athrun pushing her away. "I would like to congratulate you on your victory Shinn; she was a formidable pilot and a great threat to us. Your talents will not go unrewarded."

Shinn took the Chairman's hand hesitantly getting a glare from Athrun. It surprised him how the Chairman so easily casted aside one of his greatest pilots. "If it's all the same to you sir, I would prefer to keep this on the down low."

"Nonsense people will rejoice at her heroism. That girl was a major threat to us. Though she will be highly missed on a skill level...and perhaps a personal one as well." Dullindal said simply, looking at Athrun at the last part causing the teen to glare.

"Please, sir. She was a fellow comrade." Shinn tried to explain.

"Of course, this can not be easy for you…" Gilbert looked to Athrun. "…could not be easy for any of you."

Athrun took a step forward. "Sir, what will become of the Archangel?"

The chairman frowned. "Without the Freedom to protect it, I am hoping that if peaceful negotiations fail, that we will be able to destroy it with little casualties."

Athrun bit is lip and nodded, he really needed to something. "I see, do you have any information on where the Archangel is currently?"

Dullindal nodded. "I believe they were last seen headed for earth, where they are going I can not possibly imagine."

Again Athrun nodded satisfied with his answer.

Are they heading for Orb?

Dullindal smiled. "Well now, I believe it is time that I show you two the real reason that I asked you two to meet me here." The dark haired man gave a nod to an unknown location and immediately the lights were turned on to revile to impressive Gundams side by side.

"Destiny and Legend. I want you two to be their pilots; I trust that their abilities will not go wasted with you two at the helm." Gilbert said with pride as he gazed at his two prized pilots.

Shinn's face despite the circumstance brightens as that of a small child. "For us? This is an honor."

Athrun looked at the machines his face unreadable.

This isn't right…

"If you two like you can work on your Gundams now, though I trust that you are both very tired." Gilbert said kindly. "Or perhaps Athrun you would like to spend more time with your fiancé."

Athrun opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by Meer.

"Of course, it has been such a long time since we have seen each other. Let's go for a walk in the gardens outside Athrun." Meer said pulling Athrun with her.

"Wait…Mee-Lacus!" Athrun said stunned at the harsh movement.

"It will be so good to catch up, we haven't spoken in months." Meer said with a bright smile worthy of Lacus, it still remained eerie on how much she looked like the real one.

Athrun looked back at the Chairman who was standing with a glaring Shinn. He would have to talk to the chairman another time about this matter.

"You say that you want to pilot again." Edward said with a frown as he did a routine checkup on Kira before she headed off the Eternal.

"Yes that's right. As soon as possible. Did Cagalli not talk to you already?" Kira said firmly as she sat on the bed.

Edward turned to look at the brown haired girl. "You know that is not a good idea. I would prefer if you stayed away from a Gundam if not for the rest of your life then at least a month to make sure you are properly healed, and no yes, but I thought that it was perhaps just her wishful thinking."

Kira looked to the side. "I tend to heal faster than normal...wishful thinking?"

"Yes, I didnt think you would be so willing to pilot again after what has happened, and yes I've noticed, a normal coordinator would still be bed ridden." Edward said impatiently.

Kira looked back at her doctor and glared. "I have to protect this ship and the Eternal. I can't do that without mobile suit."

Edwards frown darkened. "Do you truly believe that?"

"I do."

Edward sighed. "I know there is no point in me telling you no, as you'll do it anyways but promise me this. You will wait until it is absolutely necessary for you to pilot again, I fear that you will over exhaust your self."

"I promise."

Edward smiled. "I'm impressed actually, if it were me I would probably be dead scared to enter a cockpit again, but you….you're ready to jump right back out on the battle field."

"I don't want to fight."

"No one does."

Kira remained silent. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course." Edward said looking at Kira who looked like she had the entire world on her shoulders.

Taking a deep breath Kira gave a sad smile. "I am afraid. I'm terrified actually, I may have to kill someone I care for the next time I go out into battle."

Lost Edward remained silent.

Kira continued and her voice began to choke. "When I was injured it was by a friend of mine, I was with ZAFT and when I deserted I was branded a traitor. He tried to kill me and next time in order to protect myself and others I might have to kill him…and maybe someone else."

"Your friend…" Edward said quietly. "Who is the other?"

Tears pricked at Kiras eyes. "I love him very much, but I come second, after ZAFT and PLANTS it's only right."

Edward sighed and kneeled to be Kiras eye level. "Does he love you in return?"

Kira sniffled and thought about her answer. "I once believed with all my heart that he did, but now I'm not sure, not sure about anything, we both survived one war….I don't know if we can do it again."

Edward smiled. "If he loves you he won't kill you for a nation, not unless you are a threat to that nation."

"I am a threat…"

"You are a threat to no one, you do not kill for war, you kill to protect. If you are protecting something then it won't be you who fires the first shot. Therefore he has no reason to come after you." Edward explained. "I'm all done with your check up, please be careful out there."

Kira nodded and headed out the door.

You don't understand…there are other reasons for us to kill each other….

PLANTS- Gardens

"Isn't it beautiful out here tonight Athrun?" Meer asked with a smile her arm firmly latched to Athruns as they strolled down a pathway.

"Yes, very much so." Athrun said quietly.

Kira would have loved these flowers…

"Athrun?" Meer asked.

Athrun looked at the pink haired girl.

"Hmm?"

Meer sighed and let go of his arm to look him in the eyes. "Are you sad Athrun?"

Not knowing what else to say Athrun nodded. "I am, a lot has happened in the past few weeks."

Meer frowned and looked at Athrun expectantly. "Does it have anything to do with that traitor?" She spoke her voice bitter, towards what Athrun could not imagine.

Does she hate Kira because she desearted? Or is it something else?

Athrun cringed and glared at the songstress for her choice of words. "Do not talk about that…please."

Knowing that she had hit the nail on the head Meer pressed further. "Athrun, you should let go, she is gone now, and won't harm ZAFT. You and Shinn did a terrific job; you know I always suspected that she would bring trouble, first the rumors and now this betrayal."

Even though Athrun knew what she was talking about he couldn't help but ask. "What rumors?"

Meer smiled innocently. "Oh, just some silly things about her trying to have an affair with you, don't worry though, no one holds anything against you. You are only loyal to Lacus." Meer ended with a dreamy expression.

I should tell her….

Athrun took a deep breath and turned to look at a small bush covered in bright purple flowers. "Meer…"

The lacus impersonator hushed him. "Please…Lacus in public."

Athrun tried again still not looking at the girl. "Meer, there is something you should now about Lacus and I….about our relation ship….

"You sure you want to do this Cagalli?" Murrue asked curiously, slightly hoping that the girl would reconsider.

"I have been out of Orb long enough, I have to take responsibility. Besides who knows what kind of trouble Orb will have to face if ZAFT launches an attack? I couldn't live with myself if something happened." Cagalli said sadly as she quickened her pace to the board room.

Murrue nodded. "I understand but after all I do worry about you, Kira and the others do as well, we won't be here to protect Orb if anything happens." Murrue commented regretfully.

"I know that, and that scares and worries me, but it can't be helped." Cagalli said truthfully.

Murrue sighed as they stopped in from of an office doors, inside was a medium sized office that was used as a board room on the ship. "You ready to say your good byes, and plan evasive action?" Murrue asked slightly teasing.

Cagalli laughed. "Right, like I'm going to miss this hunk of junk." She said in an equally teasing tone.

Murrue laughed.