Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Gundam Seed except for the plot of this story!

A/N: YAY! Kira is finally back! I bet you're all dying to know how he's changed! Do not fear you shall soon find out! Well, that's enough from me, onto the story!

Tense Exchange

However, when the door slid open, a shadow fell across the floor. Both Cagalli and Athrun raised their heads to look at the person standing before them before both of their mouths dropped. It was almost too good to be true.

"Kira," Athrun whispered.

Athrun/Cagalli POV

There was no mistaking the man that stood at the door, no matter how much he had changed in the past ten years. Though really, the only thing that remained the same about him was his hair and eye color. Everything else had changed drastically. Cagalli and Athrun couldn't help but stare.

Kira had obviously hit a growth spurt since he had been gone, now standing at roughly six feet tall, give or take a few inches. The short chocolate brown locks were gone though the bangs remained, instead his hair was in a ponytail at the base of his neck, and they could see the end reached down past his bottom as the wind blew softly. The baby fat had faded from his face as well, leaving behind a defined jaw, finely arched brows, and high cheek bones. Those violet eyes retained their brilliant color but a shield now covered them, his eyes looked guarded and cold. In fact, they seemed to stare right through everything, as though he was in a different world all together. But the stance of his body showed that he was right there in that moment; body tensed slightly as though prepared for conflict. Metal glinted in the sunlight, showing off the multiple piercings in the man's ears; there were three studs in each ear while the left ear had a small silver hoop in the cartilage and the right ear held an ear cuff across the top. Those weren't all of his piercings either; another small black hoop was through Kira's right bottom lip on the far side and a small silver barbell showed through his bangs above his left eye.

His outfit was also completely different but still screamed Kira for some reason. Around his neck was a thick red choker that seemed molded to his skin. A black wife-beater clung to every contour on his upper body showing that he hadn't been lax during the times of peace. His arms were all hard lines and shadows. The shirt showcased his six pack as well as his defined pectorals. Grey skinny jeans clung to his slim waist and hugged his mile long legs, held up by a red studded belt. On his feet was a pair of red converse, obviously well worn. Overall, the Kira before them showed none of the naïve youth that he had been; this Kira knew that the world wasn't fair as was ready to face that fact head on.

Kira POV

He stood outside the gates to the Athha resident, not ready to go inside just yet. Instead, he stood there and thought about why he was there. He was slightly insulted that they had waited so long to try and reach out to him if his sister's condition was a bad as Athrun appeared to make it out to be on TV. Then again, it could have just been a clever plot to lure him back. That thought was quickly discarded, if they were going to do that, they wouldn't have waited ten years.

He barely suppressed a sigh as he thought back to that fateful night ten years ago. It barely crossed his mind anymore after he shoved it back to the dark recesses of his conscious. There was no need to dwell on the past; mistakes could never be taken back. Though he had endeavored to forget about, he was still uncomfortable being there. He knew Athrun, and most likely Lacus, also resided behind those gates in that magnificent house. He would have loved to continue to avoid them for the rest of their natural lives but his sister needed him, if the broadcast was anything to go by.

Pushing his thoughts to the side, he quickly walked through the gates and up the ramp to the door before he could think more about it. Just as he went to ring the doorbell, the door slid open. He was slightly surprised as his body tensed. His eyes barely widened as he took in the sight that was on the other side; his beloved exuberant sister was in a wheelchair. He heard Athrun whisper his name and knew that they were staring at him, but he paid it no mind as he too was examining them.

Cagalli looked frail, so he assumed the broadcast was correct. Her normal chubby cheeks had faded and her face looked gaunt. Her fiery copper eyes had dulled somewhat, though they still spoke of life. Her golden hair now fell past her shoulders, the boyish short hair now a thing of the past. She was dressed in clothes similar to those worn in a hospital; loose blue cotton pants, a loose blouse that tied in the front, and her feet were bare.

Allowing his eyes to drift upward, he took the first glimpses of his childhood friend in years, other than from his shoulders up. His teal eyes looked haunted as they stared at him, like he was seeing a ghost from the past. They spoke of guilt, surprise, and happiness. His face had also thinned out into a defined jaw line, though some baby fat clung desperately to his cheeks. His hair, the same color teal as his eyes, was still the same, hanging just past his jaw.

Athrun was dressed casually, clothes he had never thought the other would own. A tight black t-shirt adorned his upper half, showing the contours of his chest and stomach. Athrun hadn't let himself go during the times of peace. If one hadn't been looking for it, they wouldn't have noticed the black shoulder holster that was filled with a black 9mm; probably for Cagalli's protection. He worse faded blue jeans that seemed to hug his lower half though they were still loose enough to allow comfortable movement. He also worse Converse, though his were the traditional black and white.

3rd Person POV

The silence hung between the three of them like a curtain. Athrun and Cagalli didn't know what to say; his appearance was sudden and unexpected. They were waiting on him but to have him suddenly there shocked them. He had changed so much since they had both seen him; they didn't know how to act around him.

"I heard you were looking for me," Kira's voice broke the silence, a smooth deep baritone instead of his youthful high-pitched tone.

Athrun opened his mouth to speak but everything he wanted to say got caught in his throat. There was so much he wanted to say; so much he wanted to ask; so much he wanted to apologize for. Kira stood right in front of him and he couldn't even speak.

Clearing his throat, he tried again, "We were… Um, I'd invite you but we were just headed out… Would you care to join us?"

Kira eyed them suspiciously for a moment before he nodded his consent, "Sure."

Cagalli had yet to speak, still in partial shock. It was her brother, the one she hadn't heard from in ten years. A part of her wanted to scream at him and hit him while a larger part of her wanted to pull him into a hug and cry on his shoulder.

Athrun pushed Cagalli out onto the porch and pressed the button to close the door behind them. He jerked his head to the side, indicating where he wanted to go; a small gazebo off to the side by a lake. He then began to follow the path, fully aware that Kira was following them; his presence was tangible.

Soon enough they were situated in the gazebo; Cagalli sitting beside the table in her wheelchair as Athrun sat beside her. Kira stood off a little to the side, still gripping the strap of his bag on his shoulder.

"K-K-Kira," Cagalli whispered, finally finding her voice, as tears filled her eyes.

Kira glanced at her, his eyes softening slightly as they fell on her. Swiftly crossing over to her, he shot Athrun a cautious look before kneeling before her and laying his bag beside him. Raising his hand, he gently smoothed the tears off her cheeks.

"Hey Cagalli," Kira said with a small smile, though his words were monotone.

He suddenly found himself with his arms full as his sister threw her arms around him. He stiffened slightly at the contact, not use to physical contact. He was stiff in her arms before he heard her sobs as her tears fell on his shoulder. Gently wrapping his arms around her, he rubbed soothing circles on her back.

"It's ok, don't cry," he soothed her softly.

"Kira," she nearly wailed as she continued to sob.

Kira sighed softly, his bangs moving slightly with the exhalation. He could feel eyes on him and he didn't like it. He glanced to the side to see Athrun staring at him again. He could still hear and feel Cagalli sobbing against him.

Pushing her back to hold her at arm's length, he spoke more harshly than he intended, "Stop crying."

Cagalli's heart clenched at his cold and harsh words. He really had changed, more than they had, in the past ten years. She had to wonder if her brother was really in the cold shell before her.

Hugging her stomach, she looked to the side, "Sorry."

Athrun glared at Kira for his harsh words. His sister hadn't heard from him in ten years and that was how he treated her. He could have at least dealt with her crying on his shoulder for a few minutes. What the hell was wrong with him?

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he continued to glare at Kira, "You don't need to be so harsh, she's just happy to see you."

Kira sighed again as he ran his through his bangs. His own heart has clenched a little at the hurt look in his sister's eyes. He hadn't meant to be so harsh; he just didn't have a lot of contact with other people, his social skills were severely lacking. Standing, he moved to lean against a pillar to the side of them. Staring out across the lake, he closed his eyes as he breathed deeply to center himself. His emotions flared up slightly before he squashed them back down.

"I-It's good to see you K-Kira," Cagalli stuttered, still not looking at her brother.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at her before returning his eyes to the surface of the lake, "You too."

"You could at least pretend to be happy to see her," Athrun shouted, not liking his old friend's attitude.

Kira stiffened as the angry words thrown at him. He looked at Athrun with hard eyes. He did not like being spoken to like that. Athrun inwardly cringed as he pinned down with that stare. The usual warm violet depths were cold yet harsh. Though Kira's face was expressionless, Athrun knew the other was angry with him.

"Stop it," Cagalli said softly, laying a gentle hand on Athrun's forearm before looking at Kira, "I'm sorry… It's… Just been so long. I didn't mean to cry all over you."

Kira nodded stiffly, "Don't worry about it."

Gesturing to the spot across from them, she asked him, "Would you please sit?"

Shoving away from the pillar, he crossed slowly to the seat offered him. He gracefully sank into the chair as he rested his arm on the armrest and cradled his face between his thumb and forefinger. Looking up, he gazed expectantly at Cagalli, waiting for her to speak.

Clearing her throat and hastily wiping the tears off her cheeks, she offered him a small smile, "You really have changed."

He grunted softly, "It's been ten years."

Cagalli was uncomfortable, one could tell from her posture, but she pushed on, "What have you been up to?"

"Nothing much, work mostly," his replies barely answered her questions.

"Um… Where have you been?" she asked another question, desperate not to let the conversation die.

"Around. Most recently in the Decatur colony," Kira took some pity on her, giving her a slightly more in-depth answer.

Her eyes widened slightly at that, "Isn't that the most recent colony deep in space?"

"Yeah, it's why it took me so long to get here," he offered.

"Oh… It's ok," she whispered, not knowing where to go from there.

Sighing again, Kira decided to get right to the point, "Why am I here?"

Athrun's fists were clenched under the table as he tried not to butt into the conversation. He didn't want to ruin things between Kira and Cagalli but it was really starting to get to him. Kira was so disinterested in everything and for him to ask such a sensitive question so bluntly. His nails dug into his palms as he tried to reign in his anger.

"Oh…" Cagalli murmured, eyes looking dejected.

Kira straightened up, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was part of the reason he didn't want to come back. He didn't want to hurt his sister, but he couldn't afford to open up now. After so many years of pushing his emotions back, it was hard to feel them anymore.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm not used to talking to people; I generally try to avoid conversations," Kira offered the best explanation he could.

Cagalli shook her head quickly, "No, it's ok. I just… I don't know."

Her quirked a wry smile at her, "Wished I was still the naïve little boy from ten years ago?"

She chuckled a little at that, "It would have been nice."

Kira's eyes darted to Athrun before focusing back on his sister before he whispered, "People change."

Cagalli could feel the tense atmosphere around her. She didn't think Kira knew that she knew what happened, but he probably expected. Though she wished she could help her friends, she just didn't know how. As it was, Athrun was entirely excluded from the conversation. Kira couldn't even look at him for more than a few seconds.

She offered him a bright smile, "Of course people change, it's been ten years. None of us are who we used to be. Even though it's been so long, you're still my brother… I still love you."

Kira's eyes softened drastically at that as he reached a hand across the table to lay on hers, "I still love you too Cags."

Her smile brightened even more after hearing the nickname he had given her fall from his lips. Her Kira was in there, she just needed to dig until she found him. She wouldn't stop until things had been set right.

Clasping his hand in hers, she said again, "It's good to see you."

Squeezing her hand, he forced himself to return her sentiments, "I know, it's good to see you too… Though…"

She looked at him with a furrowed brow as he trailed off, "Though what?"

Sighing, he decided to be blunt, "You've looked better Cags."

"Oh… I suppose so," she whispered, not wanting to ruin the cordial words they were exchanging.

"What's wrong?" Kira asked, wanting an answer.

Cagalli sat there, staring at her knees. She really didn't want to tell him, he had just gotten back and she didn't want to ruin his return. Though Athrun had called him there for that very purpose, she didn't want to worry her brother.

Seeing that Cagalli wasn't going to answer, Athrun clasped her other hand as he stared Kira in the eyes, "She has lymphoma."

END

A/N: We finally see how much Kira has changed, though probably not all for the best (sorry if my description of him is lacking, but what's in my mind is kind of hard to describe). I promise, he will get better but right now he's just a little awkward. More differences will also be revealed later. In a later chapter we'll hear fully what he's been up to the past ten years as well as what the other's have been up to. Please, let me know what you think :D

ZGMF-XA-880Salvation- Yes, I mean KiraxAthrun as in a yaoi couple. I love the two of them together so I wanted to write a story about it. I don't normally like Cagalli either but I tried to make her more bearable in this story. Plus, she was needed to bring Kira back to them. I hope you continue to enjoy the story :D

Twillightfairy- Well, here is a look at how much Kira has changed. I hope you like it, though his attitude leaves a little to be desired! Lacus Lacus Lacus, I'm not quite sure how much longer you are going to like her… I don't see good things for her in the future of this fic. I hope you continue to like the story, and please let me know what you think!

Vampirieangel- Here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoyed it.

Pri-Chan 1410- Your wish is my command, you got to meet the new Kira in this chapter. Please let me know what you think of him! As for Lacus, I don't really like her either, she is always so giddy and too optimistic in the anime. It kind of got on my nerves. In this fic, I am taking a whole new approach on her character, I hope you enjoy. I hope you liked the chapter!

anime-dark-fairy- I'm glad that you like the changes to Lacus, more of those changes will be revealed later. I hope you like the new Kira as well. Please let me know what you think of the story!

AnimeHuntress- I'm glad that you like the story so far. As for the cliffhangers, I am apparently notorious for them lol. I just can't seem to help myself, it keeps everyone hanging on the edge of their seats wanting to know what's going to happen next. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, please let me know what you think!

ben4kevin- I don't plan on Shinn being in this fic, though I haven't really thought that far ahead into it. I am just kind of writing by the seat of my pants right now lol. As for Kira being seme or uke… I haven't quite decided just yet. Though I hope with his new attitude in this fic it will be easier to see him as a seme. Please let me know what you think of the story!

THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED! ALSO, THANKS TO THOSE WHO ADDED THIS FIC TO ANY OF THEIR LISTS. YOU ALL MAKE WRITING THIS STORY WORTHWHILE!