Advent of Destiny Chapter 3 - Times of Change

"How often had it been that I had seen her face in my dreams? …Her voice… her touch… they all remain with me. …And yet…"

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: With this being only the third chapter and Kira and Lacus having already reunited, some of you may be wondering as to what the main plot of this story will be. Well, there is only way to find out; so I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter in order to find out.

As always, please read and review. Your comments are always appreciated, and a true inspiration for me.

With naught but the night's chilling winds to remind him that this was not a dream, Kira felt frozen… the warmth of the girl he now held in his arms being all that existed to bring him back to reality's threshold. …Yet, it was through such sensations that he knew; for nowhere could he bring himself to believe otherwise. Surely fate would not play him such a cruel hand…

…She was finally back.

With a gentleness that would've been foreign to him but a moment ago, Kira brought his arms more firmly about the girl's waist. And, ever so softly, he leaned himself in… his lips nuzzling at the base of her neck. At the delicate affection, she drew in a breath… her cheeks flushing the faintest red.

The flow of time about the pair felt as though it had slowed down considerably, almost as if it had come to a grinding halt. Neither could find it within themselves to say even a single word, for fear that the 'spell' that wound them within its grasp would be shattered, lost in the swirling pools of emotion and questions that would surely follow.

…Was it so wrong for them to want to stay like that, they wondered. Selfish though it was, they knew; there was truth in the warmth that they gave one another.

…Surely such pure and hopeful intent was not misguided.

For Kira, through the feelings that roused his heart and mind were powerful, for Lacus… they were even more so. How long had she waited to be held in his arms again, she wondered. …How many seemingly endless days and sleepless nights had she waited in the hopes that she would once more be able to take in the sweetness of his scent… basking in the beauty that lay within his amethyst gaze, hers and no one else's.

…Although so much time had passed between them; for her… she could tell within her heart of hearts that he hadn't changed. Though his body had surely matured and his spirit was of a greater 'power' than it had been before, he hadn't changed…

With such a thought bringing further peace to her already steady state of mind, Lacus tightened her grip about Kira's waist, leaning herself in closer to the depths of his addictive warmth. As she did so, the happiness she could feel filling her being brought forth a smile upon her lips.

…Was it so strange to be able to feel such undeniably strong emotions towards someone he hadn't seen since he was a child, Kira thought. Through her very presence, words and feelings were spoken in volumes that words would surely fail to express. …To have such a connection with her… what did it mean?

While what little coherence he had left in his mind pondered this mystery, the remainder of his consciousness, filling to the brim with a plethora of memories and feelings, roused him once more. Time and again, the moment replayed itself before his mind's eyes… the time so very long ago when he had parted ways with her.

And yet, with the girl who had left him so long ago residing within the cradle of his arms once more, he couldn't help but ask himself the question…

…Was he really so weak of heart? In the years that had passed, how many times had he sincerely almost given up hope on ever seeing her again?

Sensing the turmoil that lurked within his eyes, Lacus edged herself back a ways… her hand raising itself to brush against the soft skin of his cheek. Through the smile that still shone upon her lips, she whispered to him that everything was and would be alright now…

With the unspoken understanding that words would not be necessary, the two took a gentle hold of each other's hand and walked over to a nearby bench. After they sat themselves down by one another, they relinquished their hold of one another, placing their now folded palms upon their laps.

…How would this begin, they wondered. It would become an awkward situation indeed amidst the silence that was beginning to present itself as an ambiguous force. Yet, if the words they wished to say to one another were to never be spoken, this would surely turn into something that neither of them wished for.

…Surely, this was turning into a far more difficult scenario than either of them had imagined.

"…I…" Kira whispered suddenly, his lips pursing together almost immediately afterwards.

As if wanting to reach out and touch him, Lacus inched herself towards him… her baby blue eyes speaking volumes in their earnest desire to confess her feelings. Yet, to whatever end would come of it, some part of her wished to now the words that Kira had begun to speak.

Within Kira's amethyst gaze, a swirling whirlpool of uncertainty generated; its near palpable existence superseded only by the fragile strength through which Kira subdued it with.

…Why was it so hard for one so young to be able to clearly speak his mind to someone like her? Was it that he had gone through so much pain that his heart was abandoning him just when he needed its strength most? …No, that couldn't be it…

Though these questions and more flowed through the streams of his unconsciousness, unrealized, from somewhere deep inside… Kira knew the strength he needed to see this matter through to the end. …Were he not to do this, the words would be forever unspoken and he might come to regret it for the rest of his life.

With such iron-clad resolve now fermenting over his once fragile spirit, Kira raised a warm hand upon Lacus' hand… his fingertips tenderly caressing the soft skin. Looking upon he as he was… the words finally came.

"…I've missed you… very much, Lacus…"

Upon hearing such a thing, Lacus' baby blues widened ever so slightly. …He missed her? Some part of her had been expecting him to say that he was disappointed in her, that he was made for her vanishing for so long without so much as a word to contact him. Yet, in spite of this surprising outcome, she was truly happy in that such words were the very first things he wanted to say…

Shifting her position some so that she was a tad closer to his body, Lacus leaned forward with an earnest desire in her heart, now wishing to express her emotions in return.

"…Kira, I…"

"Before you say anything else, I want to know where you've been for all this time…" he interjected.

…Of course, she thought. In spite of the previous truth, she had fully been expecting this. Still… the hurt that lay behind his tone ate at her a bit. No matter how much she mentally prepared herself for this, it was difficult having to deal with it face-to-face.

However, she owed it, both to Kira and herself, to speak the truth about that which had kept her away from Orb for so very long. The sin of having to bear it was one she was not willing to take any longer. Were she to try, it would surely crush her underneath the weight of guilt and shame that already ate at her heart and mind…

With a deep and unfulfilling uncertainty residing within the baby blues of her eyes, Lacus found it difficult to know where to begin. Though she was resolved to speak her mind, she didn't know quite where to begin…

Realizing the uncertainty that lurked within her, Kira raised a hand upon her shoulder… the understanding expression upon his face helping to calm her considerably.

Touched by the warmth and sincerity of his heart, Lacus could feel her body beginning to calm itself… the fierce beast of emotion that had ravaged her stilling.

Though she remained silent for a moment more, Lacus now where to begin. And though a part of her was still rooted in hesitance, Kira's support gave her strength enough to overcome it, if only for the time she needed to relinquish the truth to him…

"…My father," she whispered, her tone low and hushed at first, "…he took me away."

"Your…father?" Kira repeated to himself. But he had thought that Lacus had moved away due to some family difficulties or a death in the family… something along those lines. But the way that Lacus said it made it sound as though she were forced away. …But why?

"…For as long as I can remember since I was taken away from her, my father's raised me to be what he wished. …Studying, day in and day out, almost never letting me outside…"

"…"

As she spoke, a sad smile overcame Lacus' already sorrowful expression. Truthfully, it wasn't so much the truth that she herself was coming to realize, but the silence that exuded from Kira in the process. It was more difficult than he could ever know to have to bear the weight of her words while he said nothing. …Yet, she couldn't blame him. After all, he too must've been bearing his own burden while learning of this…

As she continued, telling Kira that, in the end, she had proved to be nothing more than a tool for her father's ambitions, "bred" to be the ideal image of the daughter he always wanted…

"…Then, two years ago," she continued, her hands coming to clench the silken tresses of her nightgown, "father demanded I become engaged…"

'…Engaged?'

…Lacus was… going to be forced to marry someone?

At the very utterance of such words, Kira could feel his hand subconscious tighten together into a fist, the boiling of his blood lighting a dark flame inside of his heart. What sort of father had the audacity to force his daughter, especially one like Lacus, to someone simply for his own benefit?

Perhaps even more than the distaste Kira was developing for Lacus' father was the anger towards himself for being so completely blind to all of this. …If only he hadn't been so caught up in his own emotions, blinded by the truth that Lacus hadn't contacted him, he would've tried to seek her out instead. Perhaps then things would be different, and Lacus wouldn't have been made to suffer as she had…

As such thoughts ravaged Kira's mind, Lacus continued to speak of the time she had spent under her father's careful watch. How he would dictate her movements, whether it came down to the clothes she wore or how much time she was allotted outside, if only to make sure she stayed healthy. Each being a subsequent lifestyle of being bred as a lifelike "doll", all for the sake of her father…

As she neared the end of her tale, Kira… unable to find the words or actions to express the terrible emotions that threatened to burst out from inside of him, remained silent. Having sensed this, Lacus… her heart opening up for him, leaned her head gently upon his shoulder in order to calm him.

"…"

With the searing warmth of the young girl cooling his rage, Kira's mind began to come to a still as well. And yet he could not help but ask the question… why? Why was it in the face of such terrible memories, Lacus was able to maintain such an atmosphere about herself? It didn't seem possible, but… even when faced with the memories of that which had dominated her life, all she seemed to care about was helping him.

With her head still leaned ever gently upon her friend's shoulder, Lacus could sense the burden of his feelings beginning to lift… a faint smile curving over her lips at such knowledge.

"…What will you do now? Your father will probably come looking for you, you know…"

Lacus merely shook her head in response. "…That is not important," she whispered. "All I wish for is the chance to live my life as a free woman… nothing more."

Kira's eyes narrowed ever so faintly upon hearing such words.

"…How will you be able to live?" he asked.

Lacus went on to explain that, despite her father's overbearing and controlling nature, he had still made measures to ensure that she had a very large inheritance upon the time of her "maturity". And though she could never have done it on her own, with the help of her young friend, she was able to convert a sizeable amount into a cash amount and take it with her.

"…But your father will definitely come after you. What're you planning to…"

He could speak not a single word more, for Lacus hushed him with a finger to his lips. "…Shh," she whispered. "…That isn't important… remember?"

With her finger placed ever so gently upon his lips, Kira could feel himself falling into the enchanting spell that were her baby blue eyes. Though so much time had passed, and he knew she must've suffered; still, she was able to quiet him with but a look of her eyes and a smile on her face.

Daring not to speak a single word more, Lacus knew that… though her touch, he would surely understand her feelings. And with that thought in mind, she slid the curve of her arms about Kira's slim waist, embracing him closely. About their now intertwined bodies, the pale moonlight of the moon shone… its sparkling radiance fluttering like angel's wings.

Through the seemingly heavenly scene, Lacus' lips moved… words expressed, yet unheard to the outside world. While still under the seductive spell of her enticing warmth, Kira could do nothing but listen… quietly.

She spoke to him of the freedom that she had long since desired ever since she was taken away from the only place she had ever truly called her home. And though it may last but a short time, she told that, for as long as she can, she wants to stay here and live her life.

Clasping his hands within her own gentle grip, Lacus backed away ever so slightly… her lips curving into a happy smile.

"…And I want to be with you as well…" she said, her tone evident in its determination.

'…Lacus,' Kira thought, his expression softening at such words.

Truly… it was almost beyond his belief. In spite of the countless days and endless nights he had spent without her, unable to hear the grace of her voice or the warmth of her touch, she was exactly as he remembered her. No… perhaps…

Suddenly, as if summoned by the grace of the heavens themselves, a gentle wind blew… the long locks of Lacus' passionate pink hair being swept up about them. Ever so gently, the silken tresses brushed past Kira's cheek, sending a faint shiver running down his spine.

…Once more, time felt as though it had ground to a halt about the two of them. Words were no longer necessary in the midst of that which their intense gazes reflected through to one another. Their emotions, swept up in the raging typhoon that were their hearts, clashed in even against one another… neither willing to give in before the other admitted defeat.

…It was time.

With a gentle brush of her soft fingertips upon his cheek, Lacus smiled for Kira once more before bringing herself to a stand.

"…We should go now," she said.

Kira, having already begun to feel the weight of his body's exhaustion beginning to creep up upon him once more, agreed. Though there was still much to talk about, the night had given them more than enough. And though a time would soon come when they would meet again, now was the moment for them to rest and reflect…

With a smile as ever bright and meaningful as she had ever worn, Lacus bid Kira goodnight.

Before she left his side however, she leaned in close and brushed the pink hue of her lips upon his cheek, a warm flush staining her cheeks afterwards.

"…Thank you for everything tonight," she whispered into his ear.

"…"

Backing up some, a smile still evident upon her lips, Lacus turned on her side and made her way back into the apartment complex.

With naught but the moon's pale moonlight to grant him comfort, Kira could do nothing but stand in a muted silence… the weight of all that had occurred finally dawning upon him. And though the trail of it had left his strength feeling depleted, it was not long before he too began to make his way back home.

It was nearly 2:00 before Kira was finally able to find his way back home. Thankfully, he had managed to sneak back into his room without waking Cagalli up.

As he laid in bed however, his tired gaze wandering out to the dimly lit night sky, his body could not forget her: the scent of her hair; the gentle warmth of her baby blue eyes; and even more than that, the indescribable 'spell' she had wound about his heart, unspoken and unchallenged.

Breathing in a faint sigh, Kira turned himself over and thrust his face into a pillow.

…None of this seemed to make any sense at all. It all seemed to incredible to be true… yet it was.

Although he couldn't for the life of him explain it to himself, Kira felt as though the normal life he had been changed forever, never to return. The reappearance of Lacus, her story about her life up until that point, and the shameful man that would soon come after her.

'…Why?' Kira thought.

…Why did it feel as though all of this, significant as it was, was a mere prelude to something far more serious?

"…"

Knowing that such thoughts would do nothing to ease his mind, Kira did his best to relax himself. He had school in the morning after all, and if he kept this up, he'd be up until dawn's first light. Regardless of how much he tried to spin it, there would be no way Cagalli wouldn't be suspicious of him then.

And so, with lingering memories and heaving feelings still weighed upon his young heart, the amethyst-eyed youth slowly allowed his eyes to fall unto a close… sleep finally taking a hold of him.

As the young man slept however… from somewhere outside… somewhere far, far away, an eerie wind began to blow; as though 'something' were foreboding of events to come. In the trials that were soon to fall upon Kira and those around him, one could only hope that there would be strength and resolve great enough to see them through it all…

…For if they were not, then they would surely be crushed under the wretched hand of fate that had begun to entrap them within its merciless web…

As the sun brightly rose beyond the horizon, streams of beaming sunlight cast down upon the still quiet city of Orb. And though life had not yet begun for its people, the gentle swaying of the trees and sound of running water gave off a pleasing aura for the coming day.

Far off in the urban section of Orb, lying quietly within his room, Kira's still sleeping figure tossed and turned ever so slightly. As morning's first light came creeping into his room however, his eyes opened ever so slightly…

"…Ugh…"

Having not gotten home until so early in the morning, it was no surprise that he was so tired. He could only hope that he'd wake up as he got to moving around a bit and had some breakfast. And so, with that thought in mind, he quickly dressed himself in a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt and made his way downstairs.

"I see you managed to get yourself up this morning, little bro," a voice called out to him.

Breathing out a faint sigh as he turned to see the questioning gaze of his sister peering down on him, Kira gave a shrug. "I told you all I needed was a good night's sleep, remember?"

Narrowing her amber colored eyes ever so slightly, their suspicions not yet doused, Cagalli decided to let it go for the time being. "Alright," she said, "why don't you just sit down already?"

Feeling the rumble of his stomach urging him on, Kira quickly obliged to her request and sat himself down in a chair. With the delicious smell of bacon and eggs to tempt, he picked up his fork and began munching down on his breakfast.

As he did so, Cagalli watched with an earnest and almost satisfied expression. Though he hadn't been acting at all like himself yesterday, he seemed like he was back to his usual self now. …And though a great deal of her was satisfied that her brother was alright now, it still struck her as a tad strange that he would seem so energetic and relieved after a single night.

This not having been the first time she had dealt with someone's depression, she knew that most cases lasted over the course of at least a few days. It was odd that someone could get over it so quickly; granted, she had never thought of Kira as just an ordinary person. Being his big sister, she knew him better than most, and was not one to easily fall prey to the 'unusual' circumstances that surrounded him.

"Hmm? Something wrong, Cagalli?" Kira questioned, having caught sight of the intrusive look in her eyes.

"Huh? Oh… no, it's nothing," Cagalli replied, shifting her head away. Quickly picking up her own fork, she began digging into her reservoir of food and drink.

Deciding not to pursue his question, Kira went back to finishing off his breakfast. In what could've only seemed like a passing moment, he gulped down the last drop of his green tea and stood up, making his way back upstairs to get dressed and ready for school.

"Hey there, you two," Athrun's voice called out. "Ready to go?"

Nodding his head in reply, Kira made his way up to Athrun. "You bet. So how're you feeling this morning, Athrun?"

"Not bad at all; but, uh…" he said, his gaze shifting over to Cagalli's still frame. "…Is something bothering you? You look so serious this morning."

Turning her head as to avert his gaze upon her, Cagalli gave a light "hmph" and folded her hands firmly over her chest. "Like I have anything to say to an attitude like that," she replied, a tone of vindictive carelessness evident in her voice.

'I have an attitude…?' Athrun thought, blinking his eyes in confusion.

Before he could muster a single word in reply, Cagalli bypassed him, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "…Geez," she muttered.

"You're really the most gullible guy I've ever met in my life, Zala," Cagalli spoke out, turning about on her heel, a faint grin curved over her lips.

Chuckling nervously, Kira placed a hand alongside the back of his head. '…Here they go again…'

"…Wha? You mean that was all just an act?"

"You're just now picking up on that, Zala? Maybe I should stop worrying about Kira so much and focus on you. It's really not like you to be so slow on the uptake…"

Narrowing his eyes at such a conceited comment, Athrun folded his hands over his chest in defiance. "…Really," he whispered to himself, "how long are you going to keep playing these games? I'm starting to think you like seeing me like that."

Giving him another light pat on the shoulder, Cagalli edged her way before him. "Don't take it so seriously, Athrun. It's not like I enjoy seeing you worried, you know…"

Swallowing ever so slightly at the close proximity between himself and Cagalli, a faint tint of red stained Athrun's handsome face.

Having become painfully aware of the close proximity between himself and Cagalli, a faint tint of red stained Athrun's handsome face.

"…Right," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"…Hmm?"

As if an inquisitive nature had taken hold of her, Cagalli inched herself ever closer towards Athrun's now visibly flushed face. And though their lips seemed as though they were mere inches apart, it was the cascading wave of her heated breath that stirred the young man's now rapidly beating heart.

"…What're you…?"

As if watching like a referee from the sidelines, Kira felt as though he were watching a ticking time bomb that was set to explode any minute now. …To think that Cagalli called him naïve sometimes, it was almost absurd how blatantly oblivious she was to some things.

"…You're not…" she whispered.

Kira chuckled nervously once more, lowering his head some.

"…Ugh!! You sick pervert!!"

…

As the bus to Tsukuyomi High School quietly approached, the three friends patiently awaited its arrival. Kira, who, in the midst of an argument that felt as though it were the equivalent of a two-man war, did his best to avert getting involved. Cagalli, with a face as flushed as a beet-red tomato, hugged her backpack close to her, a lone gaze as fierce as that of a tigress holding steady onto Athrun… who was steadily trying to steady himself as the large bump on his head ached with every passing moment.

Really… things were surely back to normal alright.

"…Now then, I expect all of you to have your papers on thermal equilibrium done by the end of the week, understood? This does not excuse you from your homework however, so I still want to see problems fifteen through thirty done by tomorrow morning, along with detailed explanations as to how you came about to each of your answers," Ms. Badgiruel said.

With a continued succession of groans, moans, and grunts coming from most every student in the Physics class, the only reply that seemed to come from Ms. Badgiruel was the usual "suck it up", for lack of a better term, look she gave.

Seated next to one another, Kira and Athrun exchanged mutual looks of understanding. Though they were two of the best and brightest, not only in this class, but in all of Tsukuyomi High, they were certainly no strangers to their classmates' feelings. It wasn't that they didn't appreciate Ms. Badgiruel's strictness, to a certain degree… it was just in that there were a great deal of times when she was unnecessarily excessive in her expectations and work load.

Suddenly however, as though the hammer of Zeus had dropped, Ms. Badgiruel smacked her hand down on Kira and Athrun's desk.

"…You two seem as though you have something to say," she inquired.

Receiving nothing but misinterpreted silence in response, Ms. Badgiruel folded her hands over her chest and brought herself back to a stand. "I believe I've mentioned this before; however, I'll say it again. Simply because you two are who you are does not give you the right to slack off, understood? I suggest you remember that…"

'…Where did she get that impression…? Kira thought.

'…Honestly,' Athrun thought in unison, 'I feel sorry for the sucker that falls for this man-trap.'

At the very thought of some poor man being subjugated to Ms. Badgiruel like some lap dog at her beck and call, Athrun raised a hand to his lips, chuckling.

"…Is there something you find amusing, Mr. Zala?" Ms. Badgiruel inquired once again, her narrow eyes narrowing ever further in their justified suspicions.

"…Something you find amusing, Mr. Zala?" Ms. Badgiruel inquired once more, her narrow eyes narrowing ever further in their justified suspicions.

"…No, ma'am. It was nothing," Athrun replied, folding his hands neatly over one another.

"Listen you…"

As if saved by the grace of some higher power, at that very moment, the school bell rang. And before they gave her a chance to say even a word otherwise, Kira and Athrun grasped a tight hold of their backpacks, flung them over their shoulders and darted outside of their Physics class.

"…Seriously, what do you think is her problem, Kira?" Athrun inquired. "I get that she's a well respected teacher, but I think she takes her position a little too seriously."

Nodding his head in agreement, Kira fastened his grip on his backpack. "…I suppose some people are just like that. But it's nothing that we should be worrying about, you know?"

"…Yeah," Athrun admitted, raising his head upwards. "…But it sure is a nuisance at times. She knows that we know the material, but she keeps giving us all this extra work anyway."

"…Ugh," Athrun groaned, the faint bump on his hand giving him a sudden singe of pain.

Grinning ever so slightly in his amusement, Kira closed his eyes. "…Still hurts, doesn't it?"

"Cagalli sure doesn't know how to hold back, does she? You two have such opposite personalities, it's almost amazing that you're actually brother and sister…"

Blinking his eyes some in response to Athrun's question, Kira placed a hand alongside his head. "…You really think we're all that different? I kinda thought we were the same if you ask me…"

His emerald eyes widened upon hearing such words, Athrun shook his head back and forth. "…No way. You're like opposite sides of the same coin. You're always so calm and collective, whereas she…"

"…Whereas she's…what?" a voice suddenly called out from behind the two of them.

Suddenly feeling as though someone had just walked over his grave, Athrun hesitantly turned around to find the piercing gaze of Cagalli falling upon him once again.

"…Hey there, Cagalli…"

"Don't "hey there" me, Zala! You two were talking about me, weren't you?"

Placing an innocent finger on his chin, Kira slowly shook his head back and forth. "I don't remember us talking about you, sis. You were probably just hearing things."

"Oh, don't you start up, little bro," Cagalli retorted. "As if I can't tell when you two are talking about me after all these years. Now spill it."

Digging his heel into the ground, Athrun fastened his hold on his backpack and sped off down the hallway. "You're gonna have to catch me if you wanna find out, Cagalli!"

Smirking mischievously in unison with his friend, Kira sped off as well. And though their next class was well across on the other side of school, they were already well out of sight and more than half their way there.

"…Hey, wait a second!!" Cagalli cried out, her voice echoing in the hallway.

In addition to being at the top of their class, Kira and Athrun were also exceptional in their physical activities. And though they never made it a point to go around bragging about it or making others feel as though they were beneath them, it did help from time to time, especially when having to get away from Cagalli was a top priority.

…Even so, the two of them knew that she would never rest until she them back for it later.

"Huff…Huff…"

"…Hmm? Ms. Attha? This is certainly a pleasant surprise," a young voice called out. "I've come to expect this from Kira, but you showing up early to class is a rare treat indeed."

"Wh-Where… are…" Cagalli managed to gasp out, still clutching her knees as she struggled to catch her breath.

"…Where are who?" Ms. Murrue Ramius asked, hoping that she'd gotten what Cagalli was trying to ask right.

"…Where're those bastards… when I get my ha-hands on them, I'm going…"

Narrowing her slightly rounded eyes in response to such words, Ms. Ramius shook her head. "Please refrain from using such foul language in my class, Ms. Attha. Your brother and Mr, Zala, whom I believe you're referring to, are in their seats waiting for class to start. Unless you wish to step outside, then I suggest you to do the same."

And just as she had said, from the near center of the room, the two young men watched with an innocent, albeit slightly amused gaze, on the disheartened Cagalli. Truth be told, it wasn't so bad to get the edge on her like this ever once in a while.

…Even though they knew she would never accept it until she get them back later.

And so, after having caught her breath, Cagalli begrudgingly made her way over to her seat in front of Kira and Athrun. It would be far too risky to get her revenge on them with someone like Ms. Ramius watching, so she would just have to be patient and wait for an opportunity later…

From the front of the classroom, seated comfortably in her chair, Ms. Ramius watched with a content expression on her three young charges. In spite of the rest of the class, it was these three in particular that drove her desire as a teacher. Selfish as that sounded, there was something special about them that made her feel as though she had to do her best for them

Kira and Athrun were two of the sharpest and most quick witted minds she had ever come across in her short-lived career. There was no doubt in her mind, so long as they continued to persevere and get stronger, they would have very bright futures ahead of them. Even Cagalli, while lacking somewhat in the raw 'power' that Kira and Athrun possessed, had her own unique talents that she had yet to fully exploit. In spite of this setback, the girl had a good heart… one she was sure she herself would come to realize in the future.

As there was still a few minutes before class started, everyone took to doing what they could to pass the time, whether it was talking or playing cards; random things that student did.

Within the voluptuously curved Ms. Ramius' mind however… the lingering scent of cologne that hung on her clothes lured her into a memory, one of a very particular blonde-haired man…

"Mmm… n-no… we really shouldn't…"

Silencing the incessant protests of his flame and desire with his heated lips, Mwu La Flaga wound his arms about Murrue's slender waist, pushing her further into the wall of the janitor's closet they were bound in.

Feeling the exuberant heat rise in her face, Murrue could do little to resist as she felt the hands of her lover encircle time and again on her back, his fingertips treading thinly underneath the rim of her shirt… the barest of her flesh lighting aflame at his touch.

"…Ahh," she moaned, her lips barely able to meet with her enticing coos at the incessant kisses that rained upon her.

Finding himself continually unsatisfied with merely her lips, Mwu traced his tongue alongside the outer rims of her mouth before delving into her deep recesses. Whether she had been willing or not, he would never know, for it was only through the burning flames of their passion that he had found his excuse. Her captivating body and beautiful eyes worked their magic on him every time, reason whittled unto nothingness before the power of their desire for one another.

Passion wound in endlessly spiraling flames throughout their bodies as Mwu trailed a path of heated kisses down the curve of Murrue's neck, his tongue lapping at the heated skin. His roaming hands smothered her back, his fingertips working in deep at each and every curve he couch reach, furthering the depths to which his beloved fell with each passing moment.

With her head leaned back, helpless, against a nearby shelf, Murrue's breath came in heavy pants, the rise and fall of her supple chest enchanting to the eyes.

"…Huff…Huff…"

As Mwu's kisses came about to the V of her neck; his hands, perhaps subconsciously, reached around to the front of her blouse, the first few buttons coming undone… the silky material underneath now near open for his eyes to drink in…

"…But," she whispered through bruised lips, "…we can't. Not here…"

Whether or not her words ever reached him, she didn't know, for his lips once again silenced her… the dipping of his tongue into the recesses of her mouth ceasing all protest…

"…Ms. Ramius?"

"…"

Tilting his head, a curious expression coming into view, Kira leaned in a tad closer. "…Excuse me, Ms. Ramius? The bell's already rung, ma'am…"

"Huh? …Oh, Kira… I…"

Smiling ever so faintly, placing a hand in his pocket. "Forgive me, ma'am. You were obviously thinking about something very important; it wasn't my place to disturb."

'…Huh? …This kid…'

"…Oh. No, there's no need to apologize, Mr. Yamato. Now please go and take your seat. I've something important to tell the class."

Nodding his head in reply, Kira made his way back over to his seat by Athrun. As he did so, Ms. Ramius, after shaking her head of her previous thoughts, took to a sophisticated stand and walked over to the front of the classroom.

"Class, there will be a new transfer student joining us today. She will be coming to us for an undetermined amount of time; therefore, I would like for each and every one of you to make her feel comfortable for as long as she's here."

Upon hearing such a thing, the class whispered in subtle guesses and hopes between one another. While some of it was the usual gossip, hoping that this girl, whoever she was, would be cute or something like that, the three friends did nothing of the sort.

Not that they weren't interested in whoever this new girl was, it was just in that there were far more pertinent matters to be taken care of. Kira and Athrun especially, busy as they always were, hardly had the time to be being worked up over some new girl.

Suddenly, a gentle knock came at the door, a voice following behind in suit. "…Excuse me? Is this Ms. Ramius' classroom?"

The voice sounding as though it were that of an angel was the least one could do to describe it, many thoughts. …For one person in particular however, his now widened amethyst gaze fell upon the door in earnest disbelief.

…It couldn't be. …It was impossible.

…Wasn't it?

"…Ah, yes it is," Ms. Ramius replied to the voice. "Please come in, young lady."

Upon her request, the door to the classroom opened, a beautiful young girl stepping inside quickly afterwards. Her long, passionate pink swayed behind her slim figure… the hem of her mid-length skirt flowing in sync with the seemingly endless expanse of her slender legs. In their essence, her baby blue eyes captivated and ensnared the eyes of many a young man in the classroom… their flushed faces a true testament to that.

"Everyone… this is Lacus Mizuuchi. I trust you will all do your best to make her feel welcome."

As the entirety of the class came up to greet her, Kira, who sat in stunned silence, had to do his best to compose himself… his widened gaze and open mouth a clear indication of his surprise.

"…Lacus," he whispered.

To be continued…

A/N: As I read through this chapter, I find myself fairly pleased with it; although there were parts that I felt I could've improved upon. But I suppose that happens with all stories, regardless of how talented or not a the writer himself/herself is.

Although the situation with Kira and Lacus is, of course, going to be a serious part of the overall story itself, I'm not quite sure what it is I want to do just yet. Do any of you have any ideas? If you do, please feel free to contact me and let me know what you want so I can see about it, m'kay?

As always, please read and review. I'm always looking forward to your compliments. They're of a greater inspiration and motivation for me than you realize.