Author's Note: Welcome to my newest story. This is the result of a plot bunny that plagued me during Christmas 2007 that has evolved into a fully fledged story. Updates will be slow in coming because I am very busy but I'll try not update a chapter once every two years. Just a few warnings: SLASH- yes it is slash and you have been warned so if you don't like it, don't read it, ABUSE- I'm not very good at writing believable abuse but I'll try my best. Also it will not be too graphic; I'm not that cruel, BASHING- The Earth forces, all of them, are going to be majorly bashed in this story just because there has not been a story like this out here, at least I have not found one yet, and if you don't like this, again don't read it; it's as simple as that. Well enough of this.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or the line from RIVER that is used as the title.

Mou Ichido Kono Te Ni Chansu Wo

If only I could get just one more chance…

Summary: What happens when the crew of the Archangel mistreat Kira because he is a coordinator? How will Athrun react to seeing his state after capturing the Strike and bringing it aboard the Versailius and how will Kira react to being treated by kindness once more?

"Mama I want Kira to be my oyomesan!" Five year old Athrun Zala announced at dinner that night. His parents laughed, not only in amusement at the conviction a five year old could announce something so startling, but to dispel their nervous energy after being caught off guard.

"And what does Kira have to say about this hmm?" Patrick, his father, asked turning his attention to the brown haired boy dining with them.

"I want to be Athrun's okusama so that he can be my danna and we can live together and eat as many marshmallows and chocolate as we want." Athrun's close friend replied.

Both sets of parents laughed again and the two pre-schoolers pouted fiercely.

"Well then," Caridad Yamato said after recovering "we'll prepare the ceremony for the both of you once you are of age but are you sure that you'll still want Kira as your oyomesan by then Athrun? What about meeting some nice girl?"

"Eww no girls," Athrun complained "I only want Kira. We're going to be together forever."

All hands to level 1 battle stations, all hands to level 1 battle stations

"Damn it," Mu muttered in mild disappointment "Just as things were starting to get interesting."

He got up, quickly throwing on his flight suit, before hurtling the broken, bloody boy on his bed his civilian clothes.

"It looks like we'll have to continue this later huh coordinator? You better hurry, wouldn't want some unfortunate accident to befall your friends would you?" the blonde man threw over his shoulder spitefully before running to the hanger.

Sixteen year old Kira Yamato sat up carefully holding back his tears and cradling his left arm close to his body. He was sure the older man had broken his dominant arm on purpose, although nearly all coordinators were ambidextrous. He dressed quickly and made his way to the hanger as well, ignoring the hostile looks he was getting from all those around him.

"Are you ready to launch Strike?" Miriallia asked trying not to flinch at her friend's beat up appearance knowing that it would only cause more trouble for the small, shy boy and themselves. 'Are you okay' her eyes seemed to ask

"Yes," Kira said shortly answering both the spoken and unspoken question.

Miriallia flashed him a small smile "Alright you have clearance to launch."

Firing up the boosters and increasing the acceleration slightly while trying to ignore the shooting pain racing up his injured limb Kira readied the mobile suit.

"This is the X105 Strike launching." He said before the machine was catapulted into space.

In front of him were the four other gundams that had been stolen from the Heliopolis base. He saw the Duel and the Buster were trying to break through the Archangel's defences while the Aegis and the Blitz kept Mu's mobile armour busy. He felt his heart twinge at the sight of the red mobile suit.

We were going to be together forever; well there is no hope now. He thought desolately before he was interrupted by an incoming radio transmission from the Archangel.

"Yamato, you are to protect this ship AT ALL COSTS!"

"Roger." He said before closing the link and heading towards the two mobile suits threatening the ship; thoughts of his past love flying from his mind.

"Well, well, well, look who's come out to play Yzak." Dearka commented over the intercom to his platinum blonde friend as they continued to rain havoc over the ship's defences.

"I'm getting that guy for good now," the hot-headed boy growled before leaving his post to attack his approaching prey.

"Wait Yzak…" the dark skinned teen called but to no avail.

The young Joule fired his missiles and watched in frustration as the pilot managed to dodge most of them.

'Crap' Kira thought as he was jostled around the cockpit from the missiles he hadn't managed to avoid, jarring his injuries further.

I'll get you this time Yzak thought as he let loose another barrage of missiles; this time he was very pleased when nearly all found their intended target.

The second barrage caught Kira off guard and in his pained state he was unable to dodge them in time. The machine shook violently once again and his head smashed into the communications screen in front of him, knocking him out cold. His right hand slipped off the controls and opened a video link for all to see.

"WTF?!" Yzak and Dearka exclaimed at the same time when their view was suddenly obscured with the image of the unconscious pilot.

"Oh my god," Nicol whispered struggling to keep a hold of the contents of his stomach.

Athrun stopped his assault on the mobile armour when the transmission appeared before him. 'No' he thought in despair before turning his attention to the now prone Strike.

'If that kid thinks he can escape this battle by faking injury then he has another thing coming' Mu thought angrily. He opened his communications link "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING SLUT! STOP YOUR FAKING AND PROTECT THAT SHIP! THERE ARE LIVED MORE WORTHY THAN YOURS ABOARD AND…"

BAM!

The Aegis slammed a fist into the nose of the Zero sending it back many feet. Opening his own link Athrun tried to contact the small boy.

"Kira," he called desperately "Kira can you hear me?"

No response or movement came from the injured boy.

"Kira!" Athrun shouted again.

This time a groan of pain emerged as the teen slowly regained consciousness. The blunette breathed a sigh of relief; relief that was short lived as Kira let out a pained scream scaring the young ZAFT pilots out of their wits. The battered mobile armour appeared from behind the Strike.

"COME ON COORDINATOR, FINISH THE JOB OR ARE YOU AS WORTHLESS AS YOUR LITTLE FRIENDS ON BOARD!" Mu yelled at the frightened youth.

Athrun's short fuse on his temper snapped and he disabled the annoying craft before throwing it in the direction of the Archangel.

"You. Will. Not. Talk. To. Him. Like. That. Ever. Again." He said in a deathly calm voice.

"I suggest that you leave this battle as it is obvious that you have already lost." Dearka said gravely trying to keep from bursting into laughter.

The battleship seemed to take his advice because they began to retrieve the now useless mobile armour.

Glad that they wouldn't have to deal with anymore crazy Earth Forces pilots Athrun turned his full attention to Kira, ignoring the questions being fired at him by his team mates.

"Koishii, what's the matter?" he asked concerned. His only reply was Kira's muffled sobs. "Kira?"

"Damn it all," he growled after Kira continued ignoring him. He turned to open the link to his fellow pilots only to find that it had already been open and that the other three had probably heard everything he'd said. After deciding that he could worry about that later he addressed them, "Guys cover me while I fetch the pilot of the Strike."

"What, Why?" shouted Yzak who had been relatively quiet until now.

Athrun sighed, "It's complicated and I promise to explain later but not right now."

Nicol decided to intervene before a fight could break out "Athrun not only is that not a good idea but it's also impossible. That guy's not even wearing a flight suit."

"Say WHAT!" he asked confused before turning back to look at the image once again. Sure enough the older boy was only dressed in the civilian clothes he had seen him in during the Heliopolis attack although they seemed a little worse for wear now.

"Stupid naturals." He heard Yzak mutter under his breath but he paid no attention to him. All he cared about was the obvious neglect the naturals had treated Kira, his Kira, with. They hadn't even cared enough to give him a flight suit. A moan of pain followed by more sobs alerted Athrun to Kira's plight once again.

"Nicol, am I right in assuming that all the mobile suits have a first aid kit inside them?" he asked figuring the green haired boy was probably the most sensible of them all and likely to know.

"Yes I would think so," Nicol replied "Why?"

Athrun ignored the question returning his attention to his ailing lover "Koishii can you hear me?"

"Yes," came the muffled, tear filled response.

"Okay, can you please reach under your chair and remove the first aid kit there?"

"Uh huh," Kira said after struggling not to cause his overly stressed body more pain. Even with the care he had taken he could feel more blood run down his back into his seat.

"Right, now inside the bag is a small syringe that contains a painkiller. You'll have to administer it yourself since I cannot get to you. Can you do that for me?"

"Athrun," Kira moaned in fear. He was not a big fan of needles ever since he'd had a bad experience with them at their lunar prep school.

Flashback

"Kira Yamato, you're next." The nurse said as she read off her list. Young Kira hopped off his seat beside his best friend and scurried into the office.

"Well now Kira, your mom has specified that along with the flu medication we should do a spinal tap [1], just to make sure the meningitis is really gone."

"Will this hurt?" the second grader asked a bit fearfully

The nurse gave a short laugh "No it shouldn't but I'll need you to be as quiet as you can so that I don't make a mistake. Can you do that for me?"

"Okay." The youngster agreed lying face down on the bed after removing his school shirt as he had been instructed.

The nurse got the needle prepared and slowly pushed it into Kira's lower vertebra. All was silent except for Kira's soft sobs. Just as the needle was fully inserted a loud commotion outside in the hallway startled the nurse, causing her to break the needle off the syringe. Kira cried out in pain as the piece of metal was pushed into his back completely. After seeing what had happened the frightened nurse quickly grabbed some gauze and bandages, wrapping them around the area where the needle was located. She tried to calm her crying patient but Kira was in too much pain to be placated. After giving up the fruitless exercise she wrapped the petit boy in a blanket before picking him up and rushing out to her car where she immediately drove to the nearest hospital.

End Flashback

"I know Kira-chan but please can you inject it, just this once. You know I don't like seeing you cry and this helps with pain." As if sensing Kira's continued reluctance Athrun pulled out the big guns "Do it for me please."

After taking one look at Athrun's pleading face, Kira's resolve broke and he awkwardly put the syringe in his right hand. He placed the needle just above his vein and after taking a deep breath to steal his nerves he took the plunge and injected the medication into his blood system. The reaction was instantaneous. The now empty vaccination fell from numb fingers and Kira bent forward, trying to take a breath into his lungs not caring about the searing pain in his lower back. Cold sweat broke out along his forehead as he leaned back in an attempt to escape the suffocating feeling in his chest and his skin took on an unnaturally pale pallor. His eyes rolled up into his head and he went limp.

"Kira, Kira, what's wrong!" Athrun shouted from inside the Aegis; the sound resonating in the cockpits of the other teens as well.

"Geez Zala, could you shout any louder? Maybe next time you can actually try for bursting our eardrums." Yzak griped.

"Shut up Yzak. Nicol read me the contents of the painkiller quickly."

The golden-eyed boy retrieved the syringe from his own kit while the youngest Zala tried, once again, to contact his friend.

"Should I just read it to you Athrun?" he asked stupidly

"Yes Nicol."

"Okay it says 'contains salbutamol, paracetamol, potassium sobate, inasemtoestel…"

"Wait, wait, wait, did you say paracetamol?" the blunette asked in dread

"Yeah but what…"Nicol trailed off as he listened to the list of profanities spilling from his roommate's mouth, blushing like a schoolgirl.

"Yzak, Dearka, you guys are closest to the Strike. Grab it and bring it to the Versailius quickly!" Athrun yelled while mentally running through all the places Kira had kept his antihistamine from the last time they were together.

"Now wait just one second Zala," Yzak protested, "Ever since you saw the Strike's pilot you've been acting like an idiot and commanding us to commit actions that I am sure will get us court marshalled. Why should we risk our hides by helping you help the enemy AND bring him aboard the ZAFT ship? What is so special about this natural?"

"Kira is not the enemy," Athrun replied hotly but hurried to calm himself down "Look, I said I'll explain later but now we really need to help him. What you are seeing are the effects of a severe allergic reaction to paracetamol. If I don't get to him and inject his antihistamine HE COULD DIE! I'm not prepared to lose him; not so soon after finding him again."

"Well then," Yzak said with a smirk, glad that things had finally turned into his favour. "I guess you're going to have to tell us who he is if you want to save him."

Seeing no way around the corner he had back himself into Athrun sighed in defeat; Kira's life was much more important than keeping his secret a secret, "Fine you win Yzak. Hesmyfiance."

"What?" Dearka asked confused not able to decipher the rush of jumbled words.

"HE'S MY FUCKING FIANCÉ YOU DOLTS!" Athrun shouted finally very annoyed and sick with worry. "Yes that's right; my fiancé is the pilot of the Strike and a guy. Deal with it."

"But what about…" Nicol tried to ask but seeing as Athrun was no longer paying him any attention and was now moving towards the gundam he gave up.

Yzak and Dearka snapped out of their shock induced slumbers and grabbed a hold of an arm each. They began pulling the mobile suit towards the rapidly approaching Versailius while Athrun and Nicol took care of the legged ship that had started firing once they had retrieved the battered mobile armour. After temporarily crippling the Earth Forces battle ship the remaining two pilots rapidly flew back to their ship.

As soon as he had the Aegis properly docked Athrun hastily exited the cockpit and ran for the fifth mobile suit in their hanger, hoping and praying that he wasn't too late to save Kira. The other three stood next to the giant machine, obviously eager to see the boy who had managed to evade their advances for as long as he had.

"We didn't know what to do so we just decided to wait for you," Dearka supplied as he passed but he paid him no mind.

Taking a huge leap he made it onto the ledge outside the cockpit without a misstep. Hurriedly punching in the override code Athrun hoped that his little oyomesan would be okay after this experience.

Once the door was opened Athrun wasted no time in entering the small space and quickly checking Kira's state. He noticed that his skin was still unnaturally pale and the mesmerising violet eyes that were usually filled with warmth and life were screwed shut from pain but he seemed conscious, if not completely. Being careful not to disturb the obviously broken arm, Athrun searched in each pocket of Kira's. 'when this is all over' he thought in frustration as another pocket left him without the medication 'I'm going to buy Kira some clothes that don't have this many pockets. Finally!'

Removing the small syringe from its hiding place in Kira's green pants he carefully tilted the fragile boy's head, exposing his long, smooth neck. Slowly inserting the needle into Kira's carotid artery Athrun took a deep breath and administered the antidote. He removed the empty canister with the same care he had taken while putting it in he sat back and waited for the medication to take effect.

After a while the colour in Kira's cheeks returned and his breathing eased up dramatically. As Athrun watched the eyelids covering the much missed violet orbs fluttered and soon Kira was gazing at him in a drugged haze, semi- conscious of what was happening around him.

"Welcome back Koishii," the green-eyed boy said affectionately pushing the bang's out of the small boy's eyes, trying to keep a frown of his face when Kira flinched and tried to shy away from him. "For a while there I wasn't sure you were going to make it. How about I get you out of this uncomfortable chair and in a warm bed, hmm?"

The haze on Kira's mind cleared when he heard what Athrun intended to do "Athrun wait," he called out softly, trying to warn him about his chair, but it was too late. The blunette had already picked him up and was backing out of the cockpit, effectively removing him from the chair. The metal bars that had been lodged in his lower back came free roughly and he found that he could not contain the scream that exited his mouth, passing out immediately afterwards.

Athrun started fiercely when Kira screamed and he placed him back onto the chair in hopes of relieving whatever pain he had accidentally caused. He felt something warm and sticky trickle between his fingers and, after making sure the other arm provided ample support for Kira, he removed his right hand. His eyes widened in shock as he gazed at the blood that coated his whole lower arm and hand.

"Oh Shit." He mumbled quickly gathering the brunette into his arms again. Backing up slowly he had Kira completely out of the chair and his view was now unobscured. He tried not to gag at the inhumane items attached to the chair and quickly floated down to the bottom, where the others were waiting with their commander.

"Athrun what…?" Le Cruset tried to asked but the blue haired boy had started running as soon as his feet made contact with the ground. "What was that about?"

"Look," Dearka said pointing to the space where Athrun had landed. Droplets of blood floated in the air and more were present above them closer to the entrance of the Strike's cockpit.

"Something's fishy here," Nicol observed before floating up. He gazed into the damaged space before pushing himself out with an exclamation of disgust.

"Nicol what is it?" the other three demanded. The green haired boy shook his head.

"I'll tell you later or you can go and look for yourselves but all I know is that Athrun is going to need a lot of support. I also know that he'll be in the infirmary as that was where he probably took…" he trailed off unable to remember who his friend had said his fiancé was.

"I think his name is Kira." Dearka supplied filling the silence. Nicol smiled gratefully.

Yzak snorted "A girly name for a girly boy. Typical"

The others paid him no attention knowing he was secretly jealous that Athrun and his boyfriend were getting so much attention.

"I suggest the infirmary would be our best bet. Athrun will be able to clarify more once we get there." The blonde haired commander said in his typical manner.

The three nodded their agreement and followed, many questions running through their heads.

Athrun was shouting for a doctor even before he had entered the infirmary therefore it came as no surprise when he spotted a couple rushing towards him when the doors finally admitted him. He placed Kira face down on the nearest bed and stepped back as the doctors started their examination. Many worried glances were exchanged at the amount of blood that covered Athrun and the bed sheets as well as the wound in Kira's back once they exposed it. One doctor, a young brunette with warm golden eyes, approached him and led him back outside of the infirmary.

"What has happened Mr Zala?" he asked once they were out of the hearing range of any wandering soldiers.

Athrun told him what he knew and watched, as the doctor's face grew more concerned. After finishing he saw the doctor nod before giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Thank you, we'll make sure that…"

"Kira," Athrun said shortly suddenly exhausted "His name is Kira Yamato."

"Well then, we'll make sure Mr Yamato receives the best medical treatment that we can give him."

Giving him one more pat, the doctor hurried back to the infirmary.

Athrun sighed; he knew it would be a few more hours before he would be allowed to see Kira, he may as well change and contact his father. He knew that he would not be able to face this mess by himself.

On his journey back to his and Nicol's room, he was grabbed from either side and manhandled into the next room. Cursing himself for his inattentiveness, he glared at the smug faces of Yzak and Dearka, the apologetic one of Nicol and the curious one of his commander.

"You want to know about Kira?" he asked not in the mood to be interrogated but knowing they would not let him go until they found out what they wanted to know.

"Well done genius." Yzak said mockingly "Let's see if you can guess right a second time."

Rolling his eyes Athrun ignored the jab. "Can I contact my father first? He needs to know before I can tell you all."

"You can use my conference videophone, that way you won't have to tell the tale twice." Rau offered.

"Thank you." Athrun said getting up and dialling the number of his father's office.

"Patrick Zala's office, how may I help you?" The secretary recited as soon as the connection was made.

"Good afternoon, I'd like to speak with Chairman Zala please."

"I'm sorry but he's in a meeting at the moment. Can I take a message?" the woman said in a bored tone before popping her chewing gum.

Athrun gritted his teeth and fought the urge to say something rude. "Can you please tell him it's an emergency?"

The secretary sighed in annoyance "Who may I say is calling?"

"His son."

"One moment please."

Rocking on heels, he clasped his hands together, wincing when he felt the dried blood on his hands, Kira's blood. He desperately needed to shower but he could not; not while he was held captive by his crazy teammates. It was not long before his father's anxious face appeared on screen.

"Athrun, what's the matter." The chairman paused after taking in the state of his son's clothes "You know what scrap that first sentence, what has happened?"

"Are you in your office dad?"

"Hold on."

Patrick's face disappeared only to reappear two minutes later."Tell me everything."

Athrun turned to the occupants of the room. "Better get comfortable, this might take a while and I need to talk to my dad before I can begin my story."

The other three made themselves comfortable; Dearka sprawled over a sofa, Yzak sinking into an armchair and Rau and Nicol sharing the second sofa. Athrun remained standing and faced the videophone once he was sure they had situated themselves comfortably.

"Dad, I found Kira." He stated bluntly

Patrick's face appeared gob smacked, of all the things he had been expecting, hearing your son state that he had found his long lost fiancé was not one of them. What he couldn't understand was why Athrun looked so grave. This was good news was it not.

"He's been mistreated by the naturals." Athrun continued.

Ahhhhh… that was why the teen sported such a forlorn expression. Athrun had always been very protective of Kira and things had only gotten worse after the boys had finished the second grade and the young brunette boy had had that unfortunate accident with the nurse.

"Dad, should I tell them about Kira?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, the elder Zala focused on his distressed son. "If you feel it is beneficial son."

The blue-haired head nodded and turned to speak to his companions. "As I already told Nicol, Dearka and Yzak, Kira is my fiancé. We were engaged at the age of five, when we didn't know any better. All we knew was that we wanted to stay together forever. It was at dinner that I conveniently announced my plans to make Kira my oyomesan."

"What's an oyomesan?" Nicol asked

Athrun gave a small smile "It's Japanese for bride. I am half-Japanese and so is Kira although we are both coordinators. We grew up learning the Japanese customs courtesy of our mothers and it was through them that Kira and I learned of the Japanese marriage ceremony."

He paused as he smiled in remembrance. Patrick gave a quiet cough

"Son I don't think they have all day."

Athrun blushed slightly "right, anyway when we moved to PLANT Kira and I lost contact but even then I never stopped loving him. Every year on the day I had announced my plans to wed Kira my dad has been asking me if I still intend to do so and so far my answer hasn't changed. When I saw Kira in Heliopolis it felt as if my heart was breaking and soaring at the same time. When I saw him piloting the gundam though I knew immediately something was wrong." He took a breath to try and calm his racing heart before continuing "Kira's a pacifist and has always been a pacifist. There was no way he would willingly pilot a machine such as the Strike. Every time we've met I've tried to talk to him but I think he was hurt by the fact that I was with ZAFT and has been very reluctant to have any communication with me but..." he trailed off as he paused in his unconscious pacing " today, something horrible has obviously happened to him and we happened to catch him at his worst." He paused in thought "I think this has been happening for a long time; when I tried to brush the hair out of his eyes he cringed away from me, as if he was afraid of my touch." Athrun turned to Patrick, eyes reflecting his anger and desolation for his fiancé "Dad, Kira's been abused. It is possible that he was also..." he didn't continue but Patrick knew what he meant.

"Where is Kira now?" he asked his son

"In the infirmary." Athrun replied tiredly. "He needed immediate attention because those...naturals, they..." he took another breath to calm himself "they had metal rods attached to his chair which were lodged into his back. He's..." Athrun broke off "It's not good."

Taking in his son's weary posture and hearing about his future son in laws condition, Patrick made a quick decision.

"Athrun, son, listen to me." The blunette raised his weary eyes, eyes so much like his mother's, to him, "I'm on my way. I won't let you go through this alone. You need help and god knows Kira needs to see a few friendly, familiar faces while he recovers." Athrun nodded to the logic "What I want from you," Patrick continued "Is to go to your room, take a nice long shower and go to sleep. Allow yourself some time to accept things before you go and see Kira. Commander Le Cruset," the blonde stood to attention "I'm making it your job to see that Athrun does as he is told. Athrun, when I arrive we'll take things from there okay?" Athrun nodded again "See you soon son and stay strong."

The link cut and Athrun found himself confronted by four sets of curious eyes. He stood his ground until Dearka decided to break the silence.

"Five huh?" he asked amused

"We're very close," Athrun said in reply.

The blonde walked up to him and clapped him on the shoulder good- naturedly "Well to each man his own I guess," he said before leading the shorter boy towards the door. "Get some rest captain and we'll talk more later."

Giving them a weary salute the youngest Zala trekked to his room where he made a beeline to his bathroom, shedding his clothes along the way. As he stood under the warm spray of the shower his mind drifted back to Kira.

'I'll protect you from now onwards my love,' he thought was the water soaked him through 'nothing will ever hurt you again.'

That's the first long chapter from me. It has taken a year and a bit for me to write this and the next bit for me to gather the courage to put it up. I promise you though, The next update won't be after a year.

Notes:

[1]- I'm not 100% sure if this is the correct procedure but yeah, that's what they are doing

Vocabulary:

Koishii- Beloved, darling

Oyomesan- Bride

Danna- Husband

Okusama- Wife (polite)